Tonight, MEPs and diplomats struck a deal to significantly simplify the rules for accessing InvestEU funds. Renew Europe placed particular emphasis on making life easier for small businesses, exempting many SMEs from burdensome reporting requirements. Projects valued at under €300,000 will now face far less paperwork than they do today. What is InvestEU? If a company has a project that banks consider too risky, it can apply for an EU budget guarantee, meaning the EU covers part of the losses if the project fails. In practice, it is public money catalyzing private investment. The fund has proven extremely effective: for every euro of public money approved, an additional €14.77 is expected to be generated in total investment. The condition? Projects must be aligned with EU goals. Stine Bosse (Moderaterne, Denmark), Renew’s negotiator for the Budgets Committee, said: "All too often, when making laws, we think of the worst-case scenarios. We end up adding extensive monitoring and reporting rules that can turn into bureaucratic nightmares for entrepreneurs. After tonight’s trilogue, InvestEU will not only be simplified but also amplified. The revision is expected to mobilise €54.5 billion in additional public and private investment in support of key Union objectives." Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (D66, Netherlands), Renew’s negotiator for the Economic Affairs Committee, said: "When a programme is as successful as InvestEU, you should make it as easy as possible for small businesses to participate. We have reached a deal that reduces administrative burdens while boosting investment in crucial sectors and maintaining accountability. While cutting paperwork to a minimum, Renew ensured that taxpayers can still be confident their money is directed towards EU objectives, such as transitioning to a cleaner economy, creating green jobs, and tackling the climate crisis." | 