All you need to know about the frozen EU funds for Hungary – and even more, on the Hungarian Helsinki Committee’s visualisation
Hungary is in dire need of EU funds. Yet, as a consequence of systemic corruption, fundamental right violations and public policy deficiencies, the bulk of EU funding remains suspended. Financial measures affect Union Funds under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF), as well as the Recovery and Resiliency Facility (RRF). The Hungarian Helsinki Committee’s scrollytelling tool unpacks blocked payments for Hungary and the related procedures.
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Váltás magyarra
On 13 December 2023, the European Commission assessed that the adopted judicial reform package in Hungary was capable of properly addressing the issues related to the independence of the judiciary. The Commission’s decision released around EUR 10 billion for Hungary under the MFF. However, the bulk of cohesion funding as well as financial support under the RRF remain blocked. The ball is in the Hungarian Government’s court once again. To release all remaining suspended payments (1) fundamental right violations in three areas (academic freedom, LGBTQI rights, asylum) should be remedied; (2) in 11 public policy areas, an appropriate level of strategic planning should be ensured; (3) 17 anti-corruption measures proposed in the conditionality mechanism should be implemented; (4) 27 “super milestones” under the RRF should be fulfilled.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) launched a scrollytelling tool which is designed to tell the story of suspended Union funds for Hungary in a user-friendly and time-effective way. This genre uses infographics, animations and text to explain and present complex and lengthy processes and phenomena. The tool is updated according to the current situation. The project is a joint effort of the HHC and Team ATLO (the visual journalism project of Átlátszó, a Budapest based investigative journalism NGO).
This bilingual tool helps conscious citizens, as well as professionals engaged with EU funds in Hungary.
Find the ‘Missed Opportunities’ scrollytelling tool here: https://eufundshungary.helsinki.hu/en/