The PE requests, in a resolution, the extension of the funding period of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism
Strasbourg – The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Wednesday that includes the proposal to extend the funding of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM) by 18 months to allow for the completion of ongoing projects.
The resolution, adopted with 421 votes in favor, 180 against, and 55 abstentions, refers to the report on the implementation of the RRM, prepared by Romanian MEPs Siegfried Mureşan (EPP) and Victor Negrescu (S&D), and emphasizes the stabilizing effect of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism during a period of significant economic uncertainty in Europe.
In the resolution, MEPs express their concern that the short timeframe for implementing the remaining funding from the RRM poses challenges regarding the completion of key reforms, large-scale investments, and innovative projects, as well as the 70% of milestones and targets that have not yet been met.
They call for the urgent simplification of application and reporting requirements to assist smaller applicants and to maximize the absorption and impact of funding, while also strengthening the role of local and regional authorities in designing, reviewing, or implementing national recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs).
“We must ensure that every euro is spent correctly, transparently, and has a positive impact on our citizens and businesses. If we do not act now, critical investments risk remaining unfinished after the mechanism ends in August 2026. We need to accelerate implementation, reduce bureaucracy, and help beneficiaries,” said Victor Negrescu, co-rapporteur on behalf of the European Parliament’s Budget Committee (BUDG).
He also requested that unfinished projects be allowed to continue under other EU instruments, such as cohesion funds, InvestEU, or a future Competitiveness Fund, and that member states be allowed to adapt their national recovery and resilience plans more quickly and easily in line with the RRM objectives.
Siegfried Mureşan, co-rapporteur on behalf of the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON), emphasized the need to ensure that “the funds from the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism bring concrete benefits to citizens,” which is why the European Parliament is calling for an 18-month extension for mature projects under the RRM.
The European Commission adopted the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM) on September 27, 2021, an instrument that supports investments and public reforms in member states, helping them to cope with the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the challenges posed by the green and digital transitions. To utilize this facility, states have developed national recovery and resilience plans committing to implement reforms and investments.
In accordance with legal deadlines and the temporary nature of the facility, member states must meet all milestones and objectives by August 31, 2026, and the Commission must make final payments by December 31, 2026, according to a press release from the European Commission dated June 4, 2025. (18.6.2025)
