EU Cohesion Policy

Transcription

1 EU Cohesion Policy Proposals from the European Commission Cohesion Policy

2 Structure of the presentation 1. What is the impact of EU cohesion policy? 2. Why is the Commission proposing changes for ? 3. What are the main changes? 4. How will the funding be allocated? 5. When will the changes come into effect? 6. Where can I find further information? Cohesion Policy 2

3 1. What is the impact of EU Cohesion Policy? Cohesion Policy 3

4 EU Cohesion Policy invests in Training Support for SMEs Energy efficiency Research and innovation Transport Renewable energy Cooperation between regions Cohesion Policy 4

5 Results of EU Cohesion Policy (figures from period) 8400 km of rail built or improved 5100 km of road built or improved Access to clean drinking water for 20 million more people Training for 10 million people each year Over 1 million jobs created GDP/capita up 5 % in newer Member States Cohesion Policy 5

6 Yet gaps between regions remain GDP/capita* < *index EU27= > 125 Average Closing these gaps remains a key objective Canarias Guyane Réunion Guadeloupe/ Martinique Madeira Açores Malta Regional GDP figures: GNI figures: EuroGeographics Association for the administrative boundaries Cohesion Policy 6

7 2. Why is the Commission proposing changes for ? Cohesion Policy 7

8 Objectives Deliver the Europe 2020 strategy objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth Focus on results Maximise the impact of EU funding Cohesion Policy 8

9 Proposed EU budget Ambitious but realistic proposals issued by the Commission in June 2011 for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Other policies (agriculture, research, external etc.) 63 % ( 649 billion) Cohesion Policy 33 % ( 336 billion) Connecting Europe Facility 4 % ( 40 billion) Cohesion Policy 9

10 3. What are the main changes? Cohesion Policy 10

11 Reinforcing effectiveness and performance Focus on results Common & programme-specific indicators, reporting, monitoring & evaluation Performance framework for all programmes Clear and measurable milestones and targets Performance reserve 5 % of national allocations (by Member State, fund and category of region) Ex-ante conditionality Ensuring conditions for effective investment are in place Macro-economic conditionality Alignment with new economic governance Cohesion Policy 11

12 More coherent use of available EU funds Common Strategic Framework Partnership Contract Operational Programmes Comprehensive investment strategy: aligned with Europe 2020 objectives Coherence with National Reform Programmes Coordination: cohesion policy, rural development, maritime & fisheries funds Objectives and indicators to measure progress towards Europe 2020 targets Effectiveness: introduction of a performance framework Efficiency: reinforcement of administrative capacity, cutting red tape Cohesion Policy 12

13 A menu of thematic objectives Research & innovation Information and communication technologies (ICT) Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) Shift towards a low-carbon economy Climate change adaptation & risk prevention and management Environmental protection & resource efficiency Sustainable transport & removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures Employment & supporting labour mobility Social inclusion & combating poverty Education, skills & lifelong learning Institutional capacity building & efficient public administrations Cohesion Policy 13

14 Concentrating resources to maximise impact Concentration of ERDF investments Energy efficiency & renewable energy Research & innovation Competitiveness of SMEs 6% 60% 20% 44% More developed & transitional regions Less developed regions Flexibility different regions have different needs Special arrangements for ex-convergence regions Cohesion Policy 14

15 European Social Fund (ESF) Share of ESF within Cohesion Policy budget 22% 25% Of total Structural Fund support (ERDF & ESF), ESF will represent: 25 % in less developed regions 40 % in transition regions 52 % in more developed regions Cohesion Policy 15

16 European Social Fund (ESF) Fully in line with the Europe 2020 strategy Promoting employment & supporting labour mobility Investing in education, skills & life-long learning Promoting social inclusion & combating poverty Enhancing institutional capacity & efficient public administration Reinforced social dimension 20 % of ESF allocations for social inclusion Greater emphasis on fighting youth unemployment Mainstreaming & specific support for gender equality & non-discrimination Cohesion Policy 16

17 Cohesion Fund Supports Member States with GNI/capita < 90 % of EU27 average Investing in environment Climate change adaptation and risk prevention Water and waste sectors Biodiversity including through green infrastructures Urban environment Low carbon economy Investing in transport Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) Low-carbon transport systems and urban transport Cohesion Policy 17

18 Simplification Common rules - funds covered by Common Strategic Framework Cohesion Policy, rural development and maritime & fisheries policy Option of multi-fund programmes ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund Streamlined delivery system Harmonised rules on eligibility and durability Greater use of simplified costs Linking payments with results e-cohesion: one stop shop for beneficiaries Proportional approach to control Cohesion Policy 18

19 Reinforcing Territorial Cohesion Focus on sustainable urban development At least 5 % of ERDF resources Creation of urban development platform Networking between cities and exchanges on urban policy Innovative actions for sustainable urban development Subject to a ceiling of 0.2 % of the annual funding Areas with specific natural or demographic features Additional allocation for outermost & sparsely populated regions Cohesion Policy 19

20 An investment-oriented policy Promoting the use of innovative financing instruments Extending scope to all areas of investment Clearer regulatory framework 10 % bonus for innovative financing instruments & community-led development A range of options offering flexibility to programme managers Maximum co-financing rates % in less developed and outermost regions 60 % in transition regions 50 % in more developed regions Cohesion Policy 20

21 Management and control Financial management New system of annual accounts Annual management declaration Annual clearance of accounts by the Commission Management and control systems National accreditation (greater responsibility for Member States) Managing Authorities may act as Certifying Authorities Commission can review accreditation (taking into account risks & track record) Greater proportionality Exemptions for low volume programmes Exemptions for systems that have delivered consistently good results Limitations on frequency of Commission audits on individual operations Cohesion Policy 21

22 4. How will the funds be allocated? Cohesion Policy 23

23 A fair system for all EU regions (eligibility simulation) GDP/capita* < 75 % of EU average % > 90 % *index EU27=100 3 categories of regions Less developed regions Transition regions More developed regions Canarias Madeira Guyane Réunion Guadeloupe/ Martinique Açores Malta Regional GDP figures: GNI figures: EuroGeographics Association for the administrative boundaries Cohesion Policy 24

24 How will funding be allocated? Less developed regions/ms Transition regions More developed regions 100 Cohesion Fund¹ 68.7 Less developed regions Transition regions 38.9 More developed regions 53.1 European Territorial Cooperation ,8 % 11,6 % Outermost regions and sparsely populated areas 0.9 Total ,7 % ¹ 10 billion from the Cohesion Fund will be allocated to the Connecting Europe Facility 0 Budget allocation (in %) 0 Population covered (in millions) Cohesion Policy 25

25 5. When will these changes come into effect? Cohesion Policy 26

26 Timeline 5 th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion & public consultation Proposals for Cohesion Policy Public Consultation on Common Strategic Framework Entry into force and adoption of programmes March 2010 Nov June 2011 Oct Dec Jan Adoption of Europe 2020 Strategy Proposal by the Commission for a Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Communication from the Commission: Common Strategic Framework Agreement on MFF and adoption of new legislative package Cohesion Policy 27

27 Where can I find further information? Follow@EU_Regional on Twitter Cohesion Policy 28