Special report 13/2024: Absorption of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility – Progressing with delays and risks remain regarding the completion of measures and therefore the achievement of RRF objectives

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), amounting to €724 billion, was set up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We audited the absorption of RRF funds and concluded that it is progressing with delays. Whilst the Commission and member states took actions to address these delays, risks remain regarding the completion of measures and therefore the achievement of the RRF’s objectives. We found that the RRF Regulation does not provide for the possibility of recovering funds if measures are not completed and that the disbursements to member states do not necessarily reflect the quantity and importance of the achieved milestones and targets. We recommend, among others, that the Commission provides additional guidance where needed, monitors non-completion of measures and strengthens the design of future similar instruments regarding absorption.