Transcript Document 7306201

The cohesion policy
of the European Union
Pelle Anita
University of Szeged
Faculty of Economics and
Business Administration
Cohesion policy
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the expression has been used for a couple of years
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this change has some relevance:
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earlier: regional policy, structural policy
disparities within the EU cannot necessarily only be
reduced by decreasing the differences in development of
certain territories
the inner cohesion of the EU has to be strengthened in
order to improve the EU’s position in the global competition
the first document that calls this EU policy by the
new name is:
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Third Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, February
2004
Principles
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have remained unchanged since 1988
programming – projects are pipelined into
multiannual programmes
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current period: 2007-2013
concentration – primarily of resources,
implementation of integrated projects
 partnership – cooperation between different levels,
among local actors
 additionality – own resources, national contribution
furthermore:
 subsidiarity – problems have to be handled at the
lowest level possible
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The cohesion report
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other aspects outside regional development:
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society’s ageing is putting a constantly increasing burden
on active employees and on social security systems
strengthening social cohesion is crucial in the battle
against poverty
the ability to create new workplaces makes a
considerable contribution to global competitiveness – and
not only in territories and industries that are lagging
behind!
further factors of competitiveness: infrastructure of all
kind, development of human capital, innovation capacities
New set of targets
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earlier: reduction of regional/territorial
disparities
currently: competitiveness – employment –
cohesion
further targets:
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building a knowledge-based society
social inclusion
sustainable development
completion of the single market
Recommendations of the
cohesion report
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three priorities:
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convergence: supporting growth and job creation
in the least developed regions
regional competitiveness and employment:
anticipating and promoting change
European territorial cooperation: fostering the
balanced development of the territory of the EU
more expressive application of subsidiarity in
implementation
greater concentration
Eligible areas
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innovation and knowledge-based society
accessibility and services of general economic
interest
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environment and risk prevention
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principles: prevention, intervention at source
education, employment and social support
systems
adaptability of workers
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not only physical infrastructure but also ICT!
geographical, professional and organisational mobility
human capital and labour supply
Support schemes
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non-reimbursable grants are given through:
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European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
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European Social Fund (ESF)
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support to human projects
Cohesion Fund (CF)
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support to infrastructural (small scale) projects
support to (large scale) environmental and transport
infrastructure projects
favourable credits and loans (low interest
rate, long period) are available at:
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European Investment Bank (EIB)
Regulation in force
(2007-2013)
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the three priorities of the cohesion report have been
adopted
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The Convergence objective is quite close to the previous
"Objective 1". It aims to help the least-developed Member
States and regions catch up more quickly with the EU
average by improving conditions for growth and employment.
It covers the Member States and regions whose
development is lagging behind. The fields of action will be
physical and human capital, innovation, knowledge-based
society, adaptability to change, the environment and
administrative effectiveness. It will be financed by the ERDF,
the ESF and the Cohesion Fund.
Regulation in force II.
(2007-2013)
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The Regional Competitiveness and Employment
objective aims to strengthen the competitiveness,
employment and attractiveness of regions other than those
which are the most disadvantaged. It must help to anticipate
economic and social changes, promote innovation,
entrepreneurship, protection of the environment,
accessibility, adaptability and the development of inclusive
labour markets. It will be financed by the ERDF and the ESF.
Regulation in force III.
(2007-2013)
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The European Territorial Cooperation objective aims
to strengthen cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation. It is based on the old INTERREG
initiative and will be financed by the ERDF. It aims to
promote common solutions for neighbouring authorities
in the fields of urban, rural and coastal development, the
development of economic relations and the creation of
networks of small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs). Cooperation will be based around research,
development, information society, the environment, risk
prevention and integrated water management.
Framework for implementation:
objectives 1 and 2
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it is decided at the Member States’ level
the EU regulates the institutional framework, within
which the Member States have great freedom
defined at the EU level :
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National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF)
 to show the relations between EU targets and the national
reform programme
 is in force between January 1, 2007 and December 31,
2013
Operative Programmes (OPs)
 based on the NSRF, related to the whole programming
period
 are the basis for the specific calls for proposals
Institutions for implementation:
objectives 1 and 2
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according to Member States’ decision
basic orgranisations at the level of the OPs :
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Managing Authority (MA)
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Intermediate Bodies (IBs)
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publishing the calls for proposals, contracting,
program level monitoring
take over certain tasks from the MA
Paying Authority (PA)
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provides financial assistance on account of payment
requests of beneficiaries
Framework for implementation:
objective 3
has been developed based on the experiences of
INTERREG
three main areas:
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1.
2.
3.
joint local and regional cross-border initiatives
transnational cooperation to promote integrated spatial
development
interregional cooperation and exchange of views
37.5 per cent of the EU’s population lives in crossborder areas
budgetary proportions:
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1.
2.
3.
6,44 billion EUR
1,83 billion EUR
445 million EUR
Other support schemes of the
EU I.
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the European Union provides financial assistance
through other common policies, in order to achieve
the common goals
these, except for agricultural policy, are considerably
smaller in volume than cohesion policy support
relevant areas:
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agricultural policy
environmental policy
research and development policy
enterprise development policy
transport policy
Other support schemes of the
EU II.
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these grants are also available through
application for calls
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many of these schemes are Brussel-centered
the participation of non-EU-countries is limited
(e.g. as partners) or not possible, and it is also
influenced by the country’s status (e.g. member
of the European Economic Area, Candidate
Country, has signed a Stability Agreement)
further information for non-EU-countries:
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http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/index_en.htm
Thank you for your
attention!