EU Commission issues guidance on social-support state aid

Member States, regions and municipalities receive a consolidated reference on which State aid instruments are available for social purposes — from services of general economic interest (including social housing and healthcare) through aid for employing disadvantaged and disabled workers and for training and skills, to support for households undertaking energy efficiency measures and for start-ups with limited access to finance.

The guidance brings together for the first time the scattered information on State aid law for social support and social investments, and is designed as a 'living tool' to be updated when State aid rules change — in particular with the forthcoming revision of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER). Its stated aim is to reduce legal uncertainty for governments and local authorities. The measure sits within the Clean Industrial Deal. The link points to the original document from the Directorate-General for Competition.