HEADING 1B ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND TERRITORIAL COHESION

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1 HEADING 1B ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND TERRITORIAL COHESION 1/33

2 HEADING 1B: Economic, social and territorial cohesion European Social Fund (ESF) Lead DG: EMPL 1. Financial programming Legal Basis Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 Period of application Reference Amount (EUR million) Financial Programming (EUR million)* 2014** 2015 DB Total Total , , , , , , , ,7 Of which Youth Employment initiative to up allocation 1 706, , ,2 *this overview table reflects the indicative Financial Programming, for more details refer to Doc II of the Statement of Estimates. ** this amount takes into account 2014 non-used allocation transferred to subsequent years according to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2015/623 of 21 April Implementation rates CA Impl. PA Impl. CA Impl. Rate Rate Rate Authorised appropriation ,173 68,82 % 602,243 99,63 % , ,49 % 1 929,268 46,09 % Authorised appropriation excluding external earmarked revenue PA Impl. Rate ,173 68,82 % 602,179 98,69 % , ,50 % 1 929,268 45,99 % This table includes all authorised appropriations (in EUR million), including assigned revenue; the execution rate is calculated on 15 April 2015 by comparing the execution of these credits to the voted appropriations (after transfers). 3. EU added value and contribution to Europe 2020 Strategy 3.1. EU added value The ESF is the EU's main financial instrument to support structural reforms in the fields of employment, education and training, with a direct link to the priorities and headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy in terms of employment, education and poverty. It contributes to the promotion of economic and social cohesion and social inclusion within the EU and serves as an instrument for financial solidarity and economic integration. The ESF brings significant and lasting effects in terms of: Volume by increasing the resources available for employment and social inclusion policies. On average the ESF corresponds to approximately 14.7% 1 of the Member States spending on active labour market measures. In all EU-12 Member States, ESF spending on active labour market policies (ALMP) represents more than half of the total ALMP funding (54.1% ). In the periodthe ESF has also received an important and more visible mission to directly support the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), providing additional support and matching funding to the special YEI budget line under the cohesion policy sub-heading of the MFF. This will provide a channel to intervene directly on the young person's not in employment, education or training (NEET) target group, in the EU regions with the highest youth unemployment rates. This highlights the role of the ESF as main EU level financial instrument to invest in human capital and to help avoiding the emergence of a "lost generation" in Europe. Scope by "broadening" existing action and support groups or policy areas that would not otherwise receive support. This can be due to economic externalities or because support for these groups or policies is difficult to gain at the national 1 This is the result of the following calculation: "ESF commitments / (Member States Active Labour Market Policy expenditures + ESF commitments ". 2 Source: Eurostat LMP data base. 2/33

3 level. With regard to young people, in particular NEET, ESF support to the YEI will increase the visibility and added value of employment measures for youth. Role by fostering innovative projects and approaches as well as mutual learning between Member States and stakeholders. The ESF has been instrumental in shifting from curative to preventive labour market policies, or taking up support for integrating new target groups into work (ex-offenders, migrants, etc.). Process by influencing Member States and actors within them and increasing the visibility or prominence of shared EU policy objectives. The ESF has impact in terms of governance, the definition and implementation of policies, the culture of monitoring, evaluation, innovation and mutual learning. Recognising the particularly difficult situation of young people in certain regions and in line with the European Council conclusions of February 2013, the Commission has proposed to create a Youth Employment Initiative (YEI)to add to and reinforce the very considerable support already provided through the EU structural funds. This initiative is open to all regions (NUTS 3 level 2) with levels of youth unemployment above 25 %. Half of the support for the initiative is financed by a specific budget line, while at least a corresponding amount should be financed from targeted investment from the ESF envelope Contribution to Europe 2020 Strategy Contribution to Europe 2020 headline targets 75% of the population aged should be employed The share of early school leavers should be under 10% and at least 40% of the younger generation should have a tertiary degree 20 million less people should be at risk of poverty Contribution to Flagship initiatives Budget 2015 DB 2016 Flagship (EUR million) (EUR million) Youth on the move 3 105, ,3 An agenda for new skills and jobs 8 186, ,7 European platform against poverty 2 823, ,0 Total , , Contribution to mainstreaming of climate action Not applicable Contribution to financing biodiversity Not applicable 4. Specific objectives By 20/02/2015, 148 Operational Programmes (OPs) have been adopted ("Decision OK" status in SFC). 39 OPs in 10 Member States (MS) are yet to be adopted. This constitutes the base for the milestones and target' estimations included in the present programme statement 4. For the programming period, the Commission and the Member States agreed on a common set of output and immediate results indicators on which MS will report annually (Annual Implementation Reports) as from The reporting will be done at programme's level covering the thematic objectives on employment, education, social inclusion and institutional capacity. In terms of setting targets, Managing Authorities were free to use programme-specific indicators or common indicators in the OPs (except for YEI result indicators). So far, approximately half of Member States in which at least one OP is already adopted chose to set targets for programme-specific indicators only. The information on common indicators 3 Nomenclature of territorial units for statistics (NUTS). 4 By May 2015, 152 OPs were adopted 35 OPs in 9 Member States (MS) are yet to be adopted. 3/33

4 available to estimate EU targets is therefore partial at this stage. However, as all MS will report on all common indicators as from 2016, the Commission should have a more complete picture to update the targets and milestones currently set. Unless stated otherwise, the target for 2023 expressed in percentages in the following tables derive from the information on common indicators encoded by the Member States, following a first plausibility check. They relate to the 148 operational programmes only. Once all operational programmes are adopted and on the basis of the first reporting by all MS on common indicators (2016), the related figures on targets and milestones will be updated in so far as possible. Concerning YEI, by 20/02/2015, 28 OPs in 15 Member States have been adopted and 6 OPs are yet to be adopted. s have been set systematically for common result indicators and therefore there is a higher level of confidence in these targets. However limitations still remain and these targets may not reflect the figures which shall be reached. Calculations for the target 2018 are based on the information on common indicators gathered from the 28 adopted OPs by February 2015 and extrapolated to 34 OPs whilst milestones are derived from the 2018 target on the basis of an expected phasing of implementation 5. Once all operational programmes are adopted, the related figures on target and milestones will be updated in so far as possible. In the regions eligible for the Youth Employment Initiative, 4.2 million NEETs are eligible for support. Specific Objective 1: Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility 6 Indicator 1: Number of participants benefiting from ESF under this thematic objective (period ) Milestone ,7 million cumulative 14,6 million cumulative 21,7 million cumulative Note 1: Due to the multiannual nature of the programme and the large annual variances, comparing to a full programming period is the most relevant indicator. is therefore to reach a number of participants that is at least equal to the figures. This indicator will be revised on the basis of the first reporting by all MS on common indicators (2016). Note 2: Because of the limitations mentioned above, DG EMPL currently keeps 21.7 million as a target for 2023, based on elements from the performance of the programming period. The figures on targets and milestones will be updated once all OPs are adopted, also taking into account specific indicators. Note 3: "Number of participants" measures the number of participations per operation. Over 10 years (7 years of the programming period + 3) one person can participate in several ESF operations and be counted more than once. For YEI the period is limited to 5 years (2 + 3). Indicator 2: Participants (unemployed or inactive) in employment, including self-employment, upon leaving Milestone 2018 No data available from the previous period 24% 24% Specific Objective 2: Promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any discrimination 7 Indicator 1: Participants considered as part of disadvantaged groups that are reached by the ESF 8 Latest-known result 9 (Disabled, Migrants, Minorities & Others) % 17% 21.2% 19.2% 20.3% 24% 24% Note 1: Milestone % 20% Only a very limited number of OPs have targets set specifically for these categories of disadvantaged groups, although the actual number of supported disadvantaged people is likely to be larger given the range of ESF interventions. 5 By May 2015, 33 OPs in 20 Member States have been adopted and 1 OP is yet to be adopted 6 It should be noted that the output indicator 1 "Number of participants" cover participants benefitting from ESF under this thematic objective only whilst indicator 2 covers all actions under all thematic objectives. 7 It should be noted that these indicators cover all actions under all thematic objectives. 8 Migrants, participants with a foreign background, minorities (including marginalised communities such as the Roma); Participants with disabilities; Participants who live in a single adult household with dependent children; Participants who live in jobless households; Other disadvantaged. These will be broken down by the different categories. Persons may cumulate several disadvantages. 9 Annual Implementation Reports /33

5 Considering the ratio of all disadvantaged groups over total participants (9.2%), the ratio of participants to the thematic objective (TO9) that addresses issues of social exclusion, poverty and discrimination (24.2%) and based on previous results from the programming period, DG EMPL keeps 20% as the target for This will be updated after the adoption of all Operational Programmes. The related figures on targets and milestones will be updated once all operational programmes are adopted. Note 2: Data related to the disadvantaged situation of participants is considered sensitive data in the sense of Article 8 of the Directive on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of data (OJ No L 46, ). Hence recording these data is subject to very stringent data protection standards. Therefore, the data sets submitted for these indicators are likely to be underreported. Indicator 2: Inactive participants engaged in job searching upon leaving Milestone 2018 No data available from the previous period 27% 27% Indicator 3: Participants above 54 years of age. Milestone % of all ESF 6% of all ESF participants 6.1% 4.4% 5.5% 5.9% 7.1% 6.2% 5.8% participants Only a very limited number of OPs have targets set specifically for this category. The target set for 2023 is therefore based on the results of the indicator "Older people (55-64 years)" from the programming period. The related figures on targets and milestones will be updated once all operational programmes are adopted. Specific Objective 3: Investing in education, training and vocational training for skills and life-long learning 10 Indicator 1: Number of participants benefiting from ESF under this thematic objective Milestone ,8 million cumulative 15,9 million cumulative ( ) 23,8 million cumulative Note 1: Due to the multiannual nature of the programme and the large annual variances, comparing to a full programming period is the most relevant indicator. is therefore to reach a number of participants that is at least equal to the figures. This indicator will be revised on the basis of the first reporting by all MS on common indicators (2016). Note2: Because of the limitations mentioned above the available information based on common indicators is only partial and is not likely to reflect the figures which shall be reached. DG EMPL therefore keeps 23.8 million as a target for 2023, based on elements from the performance of the programming period. These figures are indicative and will be revised once all Operational Programmes are adopted. Indicator 2: Participants gaining a qualification upon leaving Milestone 2018 No data available from the previous period 48% 48% Specific Objective 4: Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders and efficient public administration Indicator 1: Number of projects targeting public administrations or public services at national, regional or local level Milestones projects per year 900 projects (cumulative ) 2250 projects Note: The baseline provided is based on some Programmes of the programming period. The related figures on targets and milestones are calculated on the basis of the 148 adopted OPs and extrapolated to the 187 OPs. They will be 10 It should be noted that the output indicator 1 "Number of participants" cover participants benefitting from ESF under this thematic objective whilst indicator 2 covers all actions under all thematic objectives. 5/33

6 updated once all operational programmes are adopted. Specific Objective 5: Promoting specific support to young NEETs (15-24) 11 Indicator 1: Number of participants aged benefiting from ESF Milestone million per year 15,5 million cumulative ( ) 23,1 million cumulative Note: Because of the limitations mentioned above the available information based on common indicators is only partial and is not likely to reflect the figures which shall be reached. DG EMPL therefore keeps 23.1 million as a target for 2023, based on elements from the performance of the programming period. The figures are indicative and will be revised once all Operational Programmes are adopted. Indicator 2: Unemployed participants who complete the YEI supported intervention Milestone No baseline 894 thousand 2,1 million Indicator 3: Unemployed participants in education/training, gaining a qualification or in employment, including self-employment, upon leaving the YEI supported intervention 12 Milestone No baseline 420 thousand 980 thousand Indicator 4: Inactive participants not in education or training who complete the YEI supported intervention Milestone No baseline 295 thousand 694 thousand Indicator 5: Inactive participants not in education or training in education/training, gaining a qualification or in employment, including self-employment, upon leaving the YEI supported intervention 13 Milestone No baseline 150 thousand 353 thousand 5. Expenditure related outputs not linked to a specific objective Output Number of participants / year benefiting directly from an ESF investment Budget line DB '16 Output (no.) EUR million 10 million ,0 Outputs (annual reporting starting from 2016) Number of participants / year benefiting directly from an ESF investment* Number (million) of outputs foreseen (F) and produced (P)* Total(million) F P * Figures based approximately on the outputs produced in the programming period The figures are indicative and will be revised once all Operational Programmes are adopted. 11 It should be noted that the output indicator 1 cover participants benefitting from ESF under all thematic objective whilst the other indicators (2 to 5) refer exclusively to the YEI supported actions. In compliance with art 16 of the ESF Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013, Member States may decide to extend the YEI target group to include young persons under the age of This indicator is not a direct subset of indicator 2 as it may also include participants who did not complete the intervention. 13 This indicator is not a direct subset of indicator 4 as it may also include participants who did not complete the intervention. 6/33

7 6. Programmes' implementation Thematic objectives of the Common Strategic Framework Commitments EUR million (1) 1.Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour ,6 mobility* 2.Promoting social inclusion, combating ,2 poverty and any discrimination 3. Investing in education, training and vocational training for skills and life-long ,6 learning 4. Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders and 3 641,1 efficient public administration 5. Promoting specific support to young 3 211,2 NEETs (15-24) ** Technical Assistance*** 3 635,0 TOTAL **** ,7 Payments end Year N (2) Payments end (2)/(1)% Year N + 1 (3) Interim payments executed by Commission end Year N + 1 (4) (4)/(1)% * Corresponding to Thematic Objective 8 in the Common Strategic Framework (CSF) although excluding the YEI specific allocation which is shown on a separate line (5.) ** These appropriations do relate to the YEI specific allocation only. This objective was created to plan and report on the YEI results in the Management Plans and Annual Activity Reports although it does not exist in the CSF (part of Thematic Objective 8 in the CSF). *** Technical assistance of the Member States as foreseen by Article 119 of the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR - Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013) **** Data is based on all OPs (adopted and in draft). The figures in the above table are estimates due to the fact that all OPs have not been adopted yet. Data concerning payments to be provided only after the first year of significant interim payments. 7/33

8 HEADING 1B: Economic, social and territorial cohesion European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Lead DG: REGIO Associated DGs: NEAR 1. Financial programming Legal Basis Regulation (EU) no 1301/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Regional Development Fund and on specific provisions concerning the Investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 Period of application Reference Amount (EUR million) Financial Programming (EUR million)*/** 2014*** 2015 DB Total Total , , , , , , , ,2 *This overview table reflects the indicative Financial Programming, for more details refer to Doc II of the Statement of Estimates. ** The amounts include contribution to the IPA II and ENI programmes. For more details, refer to DOC II of the Statement of Estimates. *** This amount takes into account 2014 non-used allocation transferred to subsequent years according to Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2015/623 of 21 April Implementation rates CA Impl. Rate PA Impl. Rate Authorised appropriation ,908 46,50 % 681,656 99,81 % Authorised appropriation excluding external earmarked revenue ,908 46,50 % 681,506 99,03 % CA Impl. Rate PA Impl. Rate ,176 87,57 % 5 751,457 37,75 % ,176 87,58 % 5 751,442 37,71 % This table includes all authorised appropriations (in EUR million), including assigned revenue; the execution rate is calculated on 15 April 2015 by comparing the execution of these credits to the voted appropriations (after transfers). 3. EU added value and contribution to Europe 2020 Strategy 3.1. EU added value To be able to deliver greater European added value, the structural programmes need to both: a) concentrate their support on EU priorities and b) coordinate with other EU policies and financial instruments. The Europe 2020 Strategy provides a clear set of common objectives, including headline targets and flagship initiatives, as a clear framework for identification of funding priorities. There is broad consensus among stakeholders on the role of the different policies (cohesion policy, rural development policy and maritime and fisheries policy) in contributing to the achievement of the Europe 2020 Strategy. Concentrating funding on a smaller number of priorities better linked to the Europe 2020 Strategy, focusing on results, monitoring progress towards agreed objectives, supported by a more coordinated approach between the European Structural Investment funds, increased use of conditionalities and simplified delivery are among the major hallmarks of the new cohesion policy. This is why, the Regulation as in the Commission proposal determines the scope of intervention of the ERDF, defines investment priorities for each of the thematic objectives and also defines a negative list of investments which will not be eligible for support. In addition to ensuring the alignment of spending to EU priorities, other reasons justify an EU-level intervention to fulfil the long-term cohesion policy objectives. The main advantages of Cohesion Policy as compared to resources being spent solely by Member States are the following: 8/33

9 1. Promotion of transparency and good governance, through systematic checks on public procurement, strict monitoring and audit standards, publication of beneficiaries on websites. 2. Building of managerial capacity, thanks to the multi-annual dimension of programming which creates a learning cycle and influences institutional reforms and administrative practices in many MS. 3. Increasing intensity of interregional links and of exchange of experience across cohesion policy, where programmers are encouraged to "think outside their region" (or nation). 4. Involving civil society for its own sake and for better and more efficient programming, thanks to the mobilisation of local knowledge 3.2. Contribution to Europe 2020 Strategy Contribution to Europe 2020 headline targets* 75% of the population aged should be employed 3% of the EU's GDP should be invested in R&D The '20/20/20' climate/energy targets should be met (including an increase to 30% of emissions reduction if the conditions are right) *The ERDF directly contributes to the five headline targets related to employment, research &development investment, reduction of greenhouse gas emission, renewable energy and energy efficiency. Indirectly, it also contributes to the reduction of poverty target (a decrease of 20 million people at risk of poverty) Contribution to Flagship initiatives Flagship Budget 2015 (EUR million) DB 2016 (EUR million) Innovation Union 7 398, ,2 A digital agenda for Europe 2 363, ,8 Resource efficient Europe 9 656, ,7 An industrial policy for the globalisation era , ,2 An agenda for new skills and jobs 1 745, ,6 European platform against poverty 2 134, ,8 Total , ,3 The results of a first estimation of the ERDF contribution to the Commission flagship initiatives based on the operational programmes are illustrated above. The calculation is based on a table of correspondence between the thematic objectives of the Common Strategic Framework (and the commitment amounts for ERDF associated with them, which are still provisional, the negotiations of operational programmes being still ongoing) and the flagship initiatives. For this purpose, each thematic objective has been linked to the flagship initiative to which it is expected to contribute the most. The allocation of thematic objectives resulting from this exercise is the following: Innovation Union: Thematic objective 1 14 ; A digital agenda for Europe: Thematic objective 2 15 ; Resource efficient Europe: Thematic objectives 4, 5 and 6 16 ; An industrial policy for the globalisation era: Thematic objectives 3 and 7 17 ; An agenda for new skills and jobs: Thematic objectives 8 and ; European Platform against poverty: Thematic objective "Strengthening research, technological development and innovation" 15 "Enhancing access to, and use and quality of, information and communication technologies" 16 "Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors", "Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management" and "Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency". 17 "Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises" and "Promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures". 18 "Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility" and "Investing in education, training and vocational training for skills and lifelong learning". 19 "Promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any discrimination" 9/33

10 The figures concerning 2015 above have also been recalculated in line with the methodology illustrated above. It should however be recalled that this picture of the ERDF contribution to the flagship initiatives is an approximation, as the projects concretely financed within a given thematic objective could actually contribute to several flagship initiatives. The actions developed and promoted by the Commission in relation to above selected flagship initiatives of Europe 2020 can be described as follows: 1. "Innovation Union": For the period the requirement to develop smart specialisation strategies was integrated as an ex-ante conditionality into the new regulations governing the period. To facilitate the development of such strategies the Commission provides expert support to MS and regions (currently over 100 such contracts) while providing conceptual guidance and peer-learning possibilities, including by setting up the Smart Specialisation Platform (hosted by the JRC-IPTS) in the form of analytical support and peer-reviews. It is expected that over 150 smart specialisation strategies at national and/or regional level will be developed. Moreover, the Commission supports the Innovation Union's objective to increase investments in research and innovation through thematic concentration provisions in the adopted ESIF regulations (80% of ERDF allocations for research, innovation, ICT investments, SME competitiveness and low carbon investments in the more developed and transition regions, 50% in the less developed regions) and built increased possibilities for synergies between Horizon2020 and ESIF investments into the CPR regulation. This is a major contribution to the ambition of the Innovation Union to involve all EU regions in its implementation. 2. "A digital agenda for Europe": For the period, and as proposed by the Commission, the ICT take-up and high-speed broadband roll-out are promoted through the inclusion of related ex-ante conditionalities into the ESIF regulations (Next Generation Access Plans / Networks and digital growth strategies that can be part of smart specialisation strategies), provision of guidance (e.g. guide on broadband investments) and support for the preparation and analysis of major projects for broadband. 3. "Resource efficient Europe": In 2016 the Commission will carry on supporting Member States and regions in a number of key sectors for improved resource efficiency will notably be the first full year of implementation for most of the programmes, for which a much stronger emphasis on the shift to a low-carbon economy has been set, particularly energy efficiency and resource efficiency which is now one of the thematic objectives of regional policy. 4. "An industrial policy for the globalisation era": For the period, the Commission will support the implementation through the inclusion of support for SME competitiveness (including better access to finance for SMEs, internationalisation) and for removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures in the thematic concentration. The Commission will also promote the development and deployment of energy-efficient solutions while offering incentives and support for the increased use of financial engineering instruments. 5. An agenda for new skills and jobs : For the period, the Commission will continue to support the creation of new jobs, notably by the co-financing of educational/training infrastructures. 6. The "European platform against poverty and social exclusion" is designed to help EU countries reach the headline target of lifting 20 million people out of poverty and social exclusion. The Platform is based on five areas for action: 1) delivering actions across the whole policy spectrum such as the labour market, minimum income support, healthcare, education, housing and access to basic banking accounts; 2) better use of EU funds to support social inclusion; 3) promoting robust evidence of what does and does not work in social policy innovations; 4) working in partnership with civil society to support more effectively the implementation of social policy reforms; 5) enhanced policy coordination among EU countries Contribution to mainstreaming of climate action Relevant objective/output Budget 2015 DB 2016 (EUR Million) (EUR Million) Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors 4 108, ,6 Promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures 821,7 665,7 Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management 489,0 396,2 Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency 349,3 283,0 10/33

11 Enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs, of the agricultural sector (for the EAFRD) and of the fishery and aquaculture sector (for the 176,3 142,9 EMFF) All other thematic objectives 179,7 145,5 Total 6 124, ,9 An accurate estimation of the contribution of ERDF to the mainstreaming of climate action can be done globally, through the Member States' funding priorities as reflected by the categories of intervention, and expressed as a percentage of the budget to be made available in 2016 (18%). This tracking methodology covers climate and biodiversity objectives, in line with regulatory requirements. Estimating the contribution for both objectives at the level of thematic objectives is more challenging, as no direct and univocal correspondence can be established in all cases between categories of intervention and thematic objectives. However, for the sole purpose of providing an indicative estimate, a split by thematic objective resulting from a review of correspondence between categories of intervention and thematic objectives is presented above. The estimations concerning 2015 have also been revised, in line with the above methodology Contribution to financing biodiversity Budget 2015 DB 2016 Relevant objective/output (EUR Million) (EUR Million) Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency 685,3 555,2 Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management 212,9 172,5 Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility 20,0 16,2 Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors 10,0 8,1 Other thematic objectives: SMEs, sustainable transport, social inclusion and institutional capacity 6,7 5,4 Total 934,8 757,4 An accurate estimation of the contribution of ERDF to financing biodiversity can be done globally, through the Member States' funding priorities as reflected by the categories of intervention, and expressed as a percentage of the budget to be made available in 2016 (2,7%). This tracking methodology covers climate and biodiversity objectives, in line with regulatory requirements. Estimating the contribution for both objectives at the level of thematic objectives is more challenging, as no direct and univocal correspondence can be established in all cases between categories of intervention and thematic objectives. However, for the sole purpose of providing an indicative estimate, a split by thematic objective resulting from a review of correspondence between categories of intervention and thematic objectives is presented above. The estimations concerning 2015 have also been revised, in line with the above methodology General objectives General Objective 1: To reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions, in particular for rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps and to contribute to achieving the targets set out in the Europe 2020 strategy of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and in particular towards the achievement of quantitative headline targets identified in that strategy Indicator 1: Employment rate by sex, age group ,4% (2013) Current situation* 2020 Indicator 2: Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD) 75% of the population aged should be employed by /33

12 Current situation* ,02% (2013, estimate) 3% of the EU's GDP should be invested in R&D by 2020 Indicator 3: Greenhouse gas emissions, base year 1990 Current situation* ,14 (2012) Reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions by 2020by 20% (or even30%, if the (index 1990 =100) conditions are right) compared to 1990 Indicator 4: Share of renewables in gross final energy consumption Current situation* 2020 Increase in the share of renewable energy sources in final energy consumption to 20% 14,1% (2012) by 2020 Indicator 5: Energy intensity of the economy (proxy indicator for Energy savings, which is under development) Current situation* ,1% (2012) 20% of savings by 2020 Indicator 6: Early leavers from education and training by sex; Tertiary educational attainment by sex, age group Current situation* % (2013) The share of early school leavers should be under 10% and at least 40% of the 36,9% (2013) younger generation Indicator 7: People at risk of poverty or social exclusion Current situation* (2013, estimate) less than the 2005 baseline ( ) *Source: Eurostat Simulations based on economic models (namely HERMIN model) suggest a positive and significant impact of cohesion policy interventions on GDP and employment during and after the implementation of operational programmes. In the EU-12, programmes of the period are expected to increase the level of GDP by 2,7% per year between 2007 and 2016 and employment by around units. Programmes of the period are expected to increase the level of GDP by 1,7% per year between 2014 and 2023 in the EU-12. However, it must be noted that the estimates of impact delivered are to a large extent dependent on the assumptions built into these models. 4. Specific objectives The performance information resulting from the indicators associated with ERDF specific objectives is presented below according to the following methodology: The information related to the and to programming period is presented in two separate rows. For , the performance information presented (notably target values) only results from adopted (and carried-over) operational programmes. Information extracted from the programmes' Performance Framework (milestones and targets) is presented in italic. The figures provided only relate to common output indicators included by programme authorities in the Performance Framework (PF) tables. They therefore provide only a partial picture of performance. This is notably due to the fact that 1) output indicators in the PF 12/33

13 relate to "the majority" of expenditure and that 2) the use of common indicators for the PF was not obligatory. In addition, it is to be noted that only quantitative milestones associated with positive values were considered (data from December 2014). The figures referred to milestones can be compared to the related target figures (in italic) in order to obtain an indicative picture of the expected progress in 2018 for each indicator. NB: It is also to be noted that information in relation to milestones is only provided if the representativeness is considered satisfactory (i.e. if the corresponding target value represents at least 33% of the global target). It will however not be possible to draw any general conclusions about programme performance as a result of this exercise. Specific Objective 1: Strengthening research, technological development and innovation Indicator 1: Number of new researchers in supported entities (2013) (2014) * Indicator 2: Number of enterprises cooperating with research institutions (2013) (2014) * Indicator 3: Number of researchers working in improved research infrastructure facilities 0 (2014) Indicator 4: Private investment matching public support in innovation or R&D projects (2014) * Indicator 5: Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the market products 0 (2014) * Indicator 6: Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the firm products 0 (2014) * * Milestone figures concerning indicators 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 associated with specific objective 1 are not disclosed in the tables above, as their representativeness is presently below 33%. Specific Objective 2: Enhancing access to, and use and quality of, information and communication technologies 20 This value refers more precisely to the research job created under the programming period reported by programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs. 21 This value represents the cumulated value of achievements reported by programmes under the programming period for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 13/33

14 Indicator 1: Additional households with broadband access of at least 30 Mbps (2013) (2014) Specific Objective 3: Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises Indicator 1: Number of enterprises receiving support (2013) (2014) Indicator 2: Number of enterprises receiving grants (2014) * Indicator 3: Number of enterprises receiving financial support other than grants 0 (2014) Indicator 4: Number of enterprises receiving non-financial support (2014) * Indicator 5: Number of new enterprises supported (2013) (2014) * Indicator 6: Private investment matching public support to enterprises (grants) 0 (2014) * Indicator 7: Private investment matching public support to enterprises (non-grants) 0 (2014) * Indicator 8: Employment increase in supported enterprises (2013) This reported value refers to the Additional population covered by broadband access' (and not to Additional households with broadband access of at least 30 Mbps') under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs. 23 This value refers more precisely to the SMEs receiving support under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 24 This value refers more precisely to the number of start-ups supported under the programming period reported by programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 14/33

15 0 (2014) * Indicator 9: Increase in expected number of visits to supported sites of cultural and natural heritage and attractions 0 (2014) * Milestone figures concerning indicators 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 associated with specific objective 3 are not disclosed in the tables above, as their representativeness is presently below 33%. Specific Objective 4: Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors Indicator 1: Additional capacity of renewable energy production (KM/MWH) (2013) 26 0 (2014) 419,5 Indicator 2: Number of households with improved energy consumption classification 0 (2014) Indicator 3: Decrease of annual primary energy consumption of public buildings 0 (2014) , , Indicator 4: Number of additional energy users connected to smart grids 0 (2014) * Indicator 5: Estimated annual decrease of GHG 0 (2014) * * Milestone figures concerning indicators 4 and 5 associated with specific objective 4 are not disclosed in the tables above, as their representativeness is presently below 33%. Specific Objective 5: Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management Indicator 1: Population benefiting from flood protection measures (2013) (2014) * Indicator 2: Population benefiting from forest fire protection measures This value corresponds to the number of jobs reported by programmes under the programming period for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 26 Reported target values for this indicator are considered unreliable, due to errors in measurement units in several Member States. Thus, only information concerning global achievements is reported here. This value corresponds to the cumulated value of achievements reported by programmes under the programming period, regardless of whether or not a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 27 This value excludes values reported by MT and UK-Gibraltar, which used a wrong measurement unit. 28 This value corresponds to the cumulated value of achievements reported by programmes under the programming period for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 15/33

16 (2013) (2014) * * Milestone figures concerning indicators 1 and 2 associated with specific objective 5 are not disclosed in the tables above, as their representativeness is presently below 33%. Specific Objective 6: Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency Indicator 1: Additional waste recycling capacity 0 (2014) Indicator 2: Additional population served by improved water supply (2013) (2014) Indicator 3: Additional population served by improved wastewater treatment (2013) (2014) Indicator 4: Total surface area of rehabilitated land 0 (2014) Indicator 5: Surface area of habitats supported to attain a better conservation status 0 (2014) * * The milestone figure concerning indicator 5 associated with specific objective 6 is not disclosed in the tables above, as its representativeness is presently below 33%. Specific Objective 7: Promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures Indicator 1: Total length of new railway line of which: TEN-T (2013) (2013) (TEN-T) (TEN-T) 33 0 (2014) * 62 km 32 km (TEN- T) Indicator 2: Total length of reconstructed or upgraded railway line of which: TEN-T 29 This value corresponds to the cumulated value of achievements reported by programmes under the programming period for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 30 This value corresponds to the cumulated value of achievements reported by programme authorities under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 31 This value corresponds to the cumulated value of achievements reported by programme authorities under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 32 This value refers more precisely to the km of new railway line under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 33 This value refers to the Km of reconstructed road under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set Source: 2013 AIRs. 16/33

17 (2012) (2014) * Indicator 3: Total length of newly built roads of which: TEN-T (2013) (TEN-T) (TEN-T) 0 (2014) * Indicator 4: Total length of reconstructed or upgraded roads of which: TEN-T (2013) km 304 km (TEN- T) 929 km 144 km (TEN- T) km 94 km (TEN-T) 1 729,6 km 31,5 km (TEN-T) 0 (2014) 415,6 21,5 (TEN-T) Indicator 5: Total length of new or improved tram and metro lines 0 (2014) * 237 km Indicator 6: Total length of improved or created inland waterway 0 (2014) 650 km 600 km 500 * Milestone figures concerning indicators 1, 2, 3 and 5 associated with specific objective 7 are not disclosed in the tables above, as their representativeness is presently below 33%. Specific Objective 8: Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility Indicator 1: To be provided by DG REGIO* *Indicator 1 to be provided by DG REGIO after approval of all operational programmes. Specific Objective 9: Promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any discrimination Indicator 1: Population covered by improved health services 0 (2014) * Indicator 2: Open space created or rehabilitated in urban areas 34 This value refers to the Km of reconstructed rail under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 35 This value refers to the Km of new road under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 36 This value refers to the Km of reconstructed road under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set Source: 2013 AIRs 17/33

18 0 (2014) * Indicator 3: Public or commercial buildings built or renovated in urban areas 0 (2014) * Indicator 4: Rehabilitated housing in urban areas (2014) * Milestone figures concerning indicators 1, 2 and 3 associated with specific objective 9 are not disclosed in the tables above, as their representativeness is presently below 33%. Specific Objective 10: Investing in education, training and vocational training for skills and lifelong learning Indicator 1: Capacity of supported childcare or education infrastructure (2013) (2014) * * The milestone figure concerning indicator 1 associated with specific objective 10 is not disclosed in the table above, as its representativeness is presently below 33%. Specific Objective 11: Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders and an efficient public administration Indicator 1: Population living in areas with integrated urban development strategies 0 (2014) * * The milestone figure concerning indicator 1 associated with specific objective 11 is not disclosed in the table above, as its representativeness is presently below 33%. 5. Expenditure related outputs not linked to a specific objective Expenditure related outputs R&T-D Main expenditure related outputs value for the period Latest known value (End 2013)* Number of RTD projects Number of direct investment aid projects to SME Number of health projects Information society Number of information society projects Transport Number of transport projects Environment 37 This value refers to the number of benefiting students under the programming period as regards programmes for which a target had been set. Source: 2013 AIRs 18/33

19 Number of waste projects Number of projects on improvement of air quality Number of risk prevention projects Energy Number of renewable energy projects *These are aggregated figures as reported by Member States in the priorities of the programmes and verified by Work Package 0 of the ex post evaluation exercise. They cover both ERDF as well as CF allocation, because the same programme may be funded both from ERDF and CF and the figures received by Member States relate to both ERDF and CF, as the core indicators cannot be split by priority. Remarks: 1. Progress was reported by Member States in 2013 compared to 2012, confirming positive long-term trends in relation to most output indicators for ERDF, although there are considerable variations across Member States and sectors. This is globally in line with the observed acceleration of payments in There are changes in the reported values of targets and achievements, as a consequence of more rigorous plausibility checks carried out by the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy in 2012 and 2013 and a verification/correction exercise by work package 0 of the ex-post evaluation. 3. Outputs remain below target notably in relation to environmental infrastructure projects, especially for the EU12. In the environmental sector underachievement is evident in several MS, reflecting weaknesses in the environmental sector where projects are often managed at the municipal level. These problems related to public procurement, planning procedures and a limited capacity to manage projects. Programmes' implementation (Common Strategic Guidelines) The table below explains the programmes' implementation through the volume of EU support allocated to projects on the ground (after the selection process at national/regional level). The table is presented according to the headings of the Common Strategic Guidelines adopted for the programming period and relates to both ERDF and CF. CF is included only in the first guideline: Attractive places to invest and work and the fifth: Technical Assistance. 1 2 Guidelines Planned EU investment (1) Allocated to selected projects at Member state level End 2012 Allocated to selected projects at Member state level End 2013 (2) (2)/(1) % Guideline: Attractive places to invest and work , , ,4 100,3% Rail , , ,4 84,4% Road , , ,4 112,6% Other transport , , ,6 98,4% Energy , , ,5 90,6% Broadband 2 542, , ,3 74,2% Environment , , ,5 101,6% Culture & social , , ,7 100,4% Guideline: Improving knowledge and innovation for growth , , ,2 97,7% Innovation& RTD , , ,7 96,6% Entrepreneurship 5 810, , ,0 94,3% ICT for citizens & business , , ,0 93,4% Other investments in enterprise , , ,5 105,7% 3 Guideline: More and better jobs 2 662, , ,3 85,5% Human capital 720,6 375,7 411,8 57,1% Labour market 681,1 366,1 358,8 52,7% Social Inclusion 202,5 104,2 115,8 57,2% Capacity Building 1 058, , ,9 131,2% 19/33