Borboly Csaba, Vice President of the Harghita County Council, speaking today in Brussels as an observer of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), took part in an online consultation of the European Commission, where the new version of EU state aid rules \u2013 the so-called GBER \u2013 was discussed. His intervention focused on Harghita County and rural communities in Romania living in poverty.<\/p>\n
What this is about \u2013 in simple terms<\/p>\n
In the European Union, there is a rule that determines when the Romanian state or a county can provide financial support \u2013 tax breaks, wage subsidies, investment aid \u2013 to a company, cooperative or association. This rule is called GBER (General Block Exemption Regulation). The Commission is currently revising it, and the new version will enter into force on January 1, 2027.<\/p>\n
This matters for people in Harghita County because:<\/p>\n
It determines how easily a cooperative, association or social enterprise in the Ciuc or Odorhei areas can receive support<\/p>\n
It sets how long and to what extent wage subsidies can be granted for employing disadvantaged workers (older people, unskilled individuals, those living in deep poverty, people with disabilities)<\/p>\n
It also defines the level of support available for social housing and energy-efficiency projects carried out by social enterprises<\/p>\n
Why I spoke up \u2013 firmly, but diplomatically<\/p>\n
There is a reality in Romania that must be stated clearly: over the past decade, most EU-funded social economy projects only functioned during the funding period. Once it ended, they collapsed. The communities we aimed to lift up fell back \u2013 often into even worse conditions than before.<\/p>\n
This is not a criticism of hardworking people, but a systemic problem: the EU must not fund projects without ensuring a sustainable framework. That is why I told representatives of the Commission \u2013 DG EMPL and DG COMP \u2013 that:<\/p>\n
A new legal definition of \u201csocial enterprise\u201d is not enough. Without continuous and predictable public support, it will remain just a concept on paper.<\/p>\n
Wage subsidies for disadvantaged workers cannot be limited to 1\u20132 years. In Harghita County, where structural unemployment exists, this is not enough to build lasting employment.<\/p>\n
Europe has a responsibility to prevent regions from falling behind socially. New rules must be shaped together with mayors, county councils and social workers, not only ministries.<\/p>\n
\n
What this means for Harghita County \u2013 concretely<\/p>\n
The funding exists \u2013 it must be accessed<\/p>\n
Romania has \u20ac7.3 billion available through ESF+ for 2021\u20132027 to improve employment, education and social inclusion. The main framework is the Education and Employment Program (PEO).<\/p>\n
Within it, a dedicated subprogram for social economy (ESO4.1) has around \u20ac99.4 million, including \u20ac80 million from ESF+, supporting social enterprises and work-integration enterprises.<\/p>\n
In Harghita County, the employment agency (AJOFM) already organizes free vocational training (plumbers, sales workers, kitchen assistants, Romanian language courses) funded by ESF+.<\/p>\n
Warning: the number of \u201cdiscouraged\u201d people is rising<\/p>\n
In early 2025, AJOFM Harghita reported a growing number of people who no longer seek work because they believe they cannot find any. This is exactly the group that strengthened GBER support for disadvantaged workers could help \u2013 if we act in time.<\/p>\n
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What must be done urgently at county level<\/p>\n
We cannot afford to fall behind. After GBER enters into force (January 1, 2027), Member States will have 6 months to adapt. Until then, we must prepare:<\/p>\n
A formal cooperation protocol between AJOFM, the County Council and social economy actors<\/p>\n
Mapping existing social enterprises<\/p>\n
A specialized legal and project team on state aid rules<\/p>\n
Long-term, sustainable models (not only temporary projects)<\/p>\n
Energy-efficiency investments in social housing<\/p>\n
Continuous monitoring of funding opportunities and interpretation of GBER<\/p>\n
\n
Why this is personal to me<\/p>\n
The social economy is not an abstraction. It means:<\/p>\n
a widow in Ca\u0219in earning a dignified income in a cooperative<\/p>\n
a young man in Praid learning a profession<\/p>\n
an elderly person in Gheorgheni receiving a warm meal<\/p>\n
a Roma community finally getting a real chance to break out of deep poverty<\/p>\n
\n
That is why I spoke in Brussels today. And tomorrow, at the webinar of the Cypriot EU Presidency, I will say the same: Europe is strong only if it does not leave even the smallest village behind.<\/p>\n
\n
Borboly Csaba<\/p>\n
Vice President, Harghita County Council<\/p>\n
Member of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR)<\/p>\n
Member of GECES<\/p>\n
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Miercurea Ciuc, April 20, 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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