State aid control is the cornerstone of the proper functioning of the internal market. State aid cases primarily concern the recipient states. Secondly, they concern companies that gain a selective advantage affecting or likely to affect trade between Member States and market competition.

The first difficult aspect lies with determining whether or not an action taken or programme constitutes aid and then assessing whether the given aid is to be considered compatible with the common market. Despite the general prohibition of State aid, the legislation specifies many exemptions for aid that enhances the efficiency of the single market and boosts the European economy. The Commission’s implementation of the State aid policy has progressively resulted in a strengthening of the Commission’s control over the most complex forms of aid and an increased liability of the Member States in granting forms of aid.

This course will cover the following crucial topics, as the notion of State aid, state aid procedures and the compatibility of State aid.

Also, the course will focus on how State aid rules have to be applied to financial instruments. Member States shall ensure that State aid rules are respected when granting aid through financial instruments. As a result, the seminar will address the implementation of financial instruments in the ESIF from a state aid law perspective and rules on financial Instruments in the GBER.

What will you learn:

Participants will learn about the basic principles of EU state aid policy and its application to financial instruments.

Course methodology/highlights:

The sessions will be delivered by experts with a presentation on key topics. These will be followed by periods of Q & A allowing for the exchange of ideas, and discussions where participants will have the opportunity to share professional experiences.

Participants will have the opportunity to test their knowledge on enforcement of EU State aid rules through workshops and interactive presentations.