TERRITORIAL COHESION AND NATIONAL-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP for the programming period 2007-2013

Benchmarking Seminar on The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), The Regional State Aid Provisions (RSA).

Regional policy within the Netherlands, a slightly different approach!

Bert Roona, EU-liaison officer

31 May 2006 - Brussels

Introduction

The Netherlands: National state 12 provinces (4 regions) 458 municipalities Total population: 16,3 million Surface: 41.500km

²

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

National financial allocation - ERDF : - ESF: - Interreg: 736,5 million Euro 736,5 million Euro 212 million Euro Total 1.685 billion

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

State of play of the NSRF - Draft is published in May - Final version October?

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

1. National-regional partnership Regions received draft documents of the Council on the regulations.

Regions invited to comment on NSRF.

Regions not directly involved in discussions between Ms and EC.

Regions prepare OP’s ERDF.

One national program for ESF; no involvement Regions.

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

2. “Territorial cohesion” dimension Situation within the Netherlands: - Position national government on regional policy - Consequences for regional breakdown!

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Chosen territorial criteria ERDF Member state: Criteria used by EC for allocation Structural Funds over Member states:

• • • • • •

Total population Number of unemployed people Jobs needed to reach 70% Educational level Low population density Relative regional prosperity 0,5 0,2 0,15 0,10 0,05 +5%/-5%

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Chosen territorial criteria ERDF Criteria used by European Commission: Total population Number of unemployed people Low population density Regional GDP 33% 33 33 33 + Safety net 25%

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Region

North

EC proposal

237

MS proposal

84

2000-2006

356 East South West 167 153 179 146 189 317 185 190 237

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Region MS proposal

North East 152 146 South West 164 274

Situation 31th of May!

The EAFRD

General information National financial allocation: - 2000-2006: - 2007-2013: 431 million Euro 434 million Euro

The EAFRD

State of play of the NSP

 Draft available  July: final NSP  Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Provinces.

 One National Operational Program

The EAFRD

-

1. The national-regional partnership

Provinces are involved in the negotiations between the European Commission and Member States when designing the EAFRD, Participation of the provinces in drafting the NSP and delivering the EAFRD LEADER is and will stay important!

The EAFRD

2. “Territorial cohesion” dimension

Rural area in the Netherlands:

- non urban areas with less then 30.000 inhabitants.

Still under discussion with the EC (densely populated country!)

The EAFRD

2.1 Distribution on each axis:

1 Competitiveness of the agricultural sector 2 Land management 3+4 Diversification, quality of life, LEADER 30% 30% 40%

The EAFRD

2.2 Connection with potential integrated rural development plans at regional level

- Rural development plans will fit within the national strategy and OP.

- Impact of LEADER approach?

Regional State Aid provisions

General information - State of play of the eligibility map for 2007 2013.

- State of play of negotiations between the Commission and Member State.

The Regional State Aid provisions

“Territorial cohesion” dimension

2000-2006: 2007-2013: 15% of the population 7,5%

The Regional State Aid provisions

Conclusion

• ERDF: regional policy Member State differs from European Policy.

• Partnership not always like it should be!

• EARDF: Good involvement from the beginning and pleasant cooperation.

• Regional State Aid Provisions: not clear what will happen!

TERRITORIAL COHESION AND NATIONAL-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP for the programming period 2007-2013

Benchmarking Seminar on The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), The Regional State Aid Provisions (RSA).

www.snnonline.nl

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/regional_policy/atlas/netherlands/nl_en.htm

http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/nl_national.htm

www.minlnv.nl

Thank you for your attention!

31 May 2006 - Brussels