European Union Solidarity Fund

European Union Solidarity Fund (or EUSF}} was set up in 2002 in response to the floods across Central Europe and :
 * In the event of a 'major disaster', there is only one single eligibility criterion - damage in excess of a threshold, specific for each country.
 * The EUSF can also intervene exceptionally for smaller, so-called 'extraordinary regional disasters' where the majority of the population of a region is affected, and if it is deemed that the disaster will have serious and lasting effects on its economic stability and living conditions.
 * Exceptionally again, the EUSF may also intervene in a Member State or country negotiating accession to the EU, that is affected by the same major disaster as another eligible state. In this case no specific criteria apply.
 * The grant is paid upfront as a single instalment. There is no programming, nor co-financing, requirement.
 * As the EUSF financing is outside the normal EU budget i.e. from additional resources over and above the normal EU budget, the Commission cannot decide on financial assistance alone. It has to make a proposal to the budgetary authority (Council and European Parliament) in order to mobilise the Fund. The aid can only be paid once the money has been made available following a budgetary procedure.