Regional policy of the EU

Academic year 2019/2020

2nd Semester

Eger Campus

Cohesion Policy of

the European

Union

Why it is needed to have cohesion policy

on community level in the EU?

Deepening social-economic differences within the European Union

Problems in the establishment of the

Monetary Union

Migration press towards the

developed regions

The weakening global

competitiveness of the EU

https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/money/euro_en

https://epthinktank.eu/2015/04/27/irregular-immigration-in-the-

eu-facts-and-figures/illegally_present_people_in_eu_ms/

https://epthinktank.eu/2015/04/27/irregular-immigration-in-the-eu-facts-

and-figures/illegal_border_crossing_sea_land-map/

https://epthinktank.eu/2015/04/27/irregular-immigration-in-the-eu-facts-

and-figures/illegally_present_people_in_eu_by_nationality/

http://mapfinder.espon.eu/?print=1&p=2

371

https://i2.wp.com/blog.bearing-consulting.com/wp-

content/uploads/2013/10/CGI-factors.jpg

https://www.slideshare.net/CarolineGalvan/europe-2020-

competitiveness-report-2014-caroline-galvan

https://www.atkearney.co.uk/documents/10192/10777831/FG-GBPC-2017-2021-Global-Economic-Outlook-

07.png/bac9382e-d839-4214-9fdf-e25aaceb7a64?t=1484690251642

By 2020 the EU aims to meet…

…five concrete objectives – on

employment,

innovation,

education,

social inclusion, and

climate/energy.

Each Member State has adopted its own national targets in these areas.

Cohesion Policy is delivered

through three main funds…1. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF):

aims to strengthen

regional economic and

social cohesion

by investing in growth-enhancing sectors

◦ to improve competitiveness and

◦ create jobs.

also finances CBC projects.

Cohesion Policy is delivered

through three main funds…

2. European Social Fund (ESF):

invests in people,

with a focus on

◦ improving employment and

◦ education opportunities.

It also aims to help disadvantaged

people at risk of

◦ poverty or

◦ social exclusion.

Cohesion Policy is delivered

through three main funds…

3. Cohesion Fund (CF):

invests in

green growth and

sustainable development, and

improves connectivity in Member

States with a GNI below 90% of the EU-

27 average.

All the funds together…

Together with

the European Agricultural Fund for Rural

Development (EAFRD) and

the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

(EMFF),

they make up

the European Structural and Investment (ESI)

Funds (ec.europa.eu/esif).

What’s new for 2014-2020?

Stronger focus on results:

◦ clearer and

◦ measurable targets for better accountability.

Simplification:

◦ one set of rules for five Funds.

Conditions:

◦ introduction of specific preconditions before funds

can be channelled.

What’s new for 2014-2020?

Strengthened urban dimension and fight for social inclusion: a minimum amount

◦ of ERDF earmarked for integrated projects in cities and

◦ of ESF to support marginalisedcommunities.

Link to economic reform: ◦ the Commission may suspend funding for

a Member State which does not comply with EU economic rules.

Cohesion Policy: 11 thematic

objectives1. Strengthening

◦ research, ◦ technological development and ◦ innovation

2. Enhancing ◦ access to, and ◦ use and ◦ quality of, information and communication

technologies

3. Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs 4. Supporting the shift towards a lowcarbon economy

Cohesion Policy: 11 thematic

objectives

5. Promoting ◦ climate change adaptation,

◦ risk prevention and

◦ management

6. Preserving and protecting ◦ the environment and

◦ promoting resource efficiency

7. Promoting ◦ sustainable transport and

◦ improving network infrastructures

Cohesion Policy: 11 thematic

objectives

8. Promoting ◦ sustainable and quality employment and ◦ upporting labour mobility

9. Promoting ◦ social inclusion, ◦ combating poverty and any discrimination

10. Investing in ◦ education, ◦ training and ◦ lifelong learning

11. Improving the efficiency of public administration

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-

explained/images/1/1e/Figure0_1.png

http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-

explained/images/e/ed/Europe_2020_strategy_headline_targets_and_their_interlinkages.png

Cohesion Policy: 11 thematic

objectives

Investment from the ERDF will support

◦ all 11 objectives, but

◦ 1-4 are the main priorities for investment.

Main priorities for the ESF are

◦ 8-11, though the Fund

◦ also supports 14.

The Cohesion Fund supports objectives

◦ 4-7 and

◦ 11.

Who can apply?

Potential beneficiaries include

public bodies,

enterprises (especially SMEs),

universities,

associations,

NGOs and

voluntary organizations.

Applications for funding should be submitted to the national or regional authority managing the

relevant programme.

European Territorial Cooperation

Cohesion Policy encourages

regions and

cities from different EU Member States ◦ to work together and

◦ learn from each other

through ◦ joint programmes,

◦ projects and

◦ networks

with concrete impacts on every aspect of economic life, including ◦ innovation,

◦ accessibility,

◦ education,

◦ business,

◦ employment or

◦ the environment.

European Territorial Cooperation

Cross-border,

transnational and

interregional programmes

receive funding through the ERDF.

People living outside the EU’s bordersalso benefit through

the Instrument for Pre-Accession Cross-Border Cooperation programmes.

EU Cohesion Policy on the web

www.europedirect.europa.eu

http://ec.europa.eu/esf/

https://twitter.com/@EU_Regional

https://twitter.com/EU_social

www.facebook.com/socialeurope

www.flickr.com/euregional

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy

www.yammer.com/regionetworkRegional Policy collaborative platform