EU Cohesion Policy 2014 2020 Proposals from the European Commission Cohesion Policy
Structure of the presentation 1. What is the impact of EU cohesion policy? 2. Why is the Commission proposing changes for 2014-2020? 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
1. What is the impact of EU cohesion policy? Cohesion Policy 3
EU cohesion policy invests in Energy efficiency Training Support for SMEs Research and innovation Transport Renewable energy Cooperation between regions
Results of EU Cohesion Policy (figures from 2000-2006 period) 8400km of rail built or improved 5100km 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 per capita up 5% in newer Member States Cohesion Policy 5
But gaps between regions remain Closing these gaps remains a key objective Cohesion Policy 6
2. Why is the Commission proposing changes for 2014-2020? Cohesion Policy 7
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
Proposed EU budget 2014-2020 Other policies (agriculture, research, external, ) 63% (649 billion) Cohesion Policy 33% ( 336 billion) Connecting Europe Facility 4% ( 40 billion) "Ambitious but realistic" proposals issued by the Commission in June 2011 for a Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy 9
3. What are the main changes? Cohesion Policy 10
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 the new economic governance Cohesion Policy 11
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
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
Concentrating resources to maximise impact Concentration of ERDF investments on: energy efficiency & renewable energy research & innovation competitiveness of SMEs 6% 60% 20% 44% More developed & transition regions Less developed regions flexibility different regions have different needs special arrangements for ex-convergence regions Cohesion Policy 14
European Social Fund 2007-2013 2014-2020 Share of ESF within Cohesion Policy budget 22% 25% Out of structural funds support (ERDF + ESF), ESF will represent: 25% in less developed regions 40% in transition regions 52% in more developed regions Cohesion Policy 15
European Social Fund 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
Cohesion Fund Supports Member States with GNI per 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
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
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
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 75-85% in less developed and outermost regions 60% in transition regions 50% in more developed regions Cohesion Policy 20
Management and control Financial management new system of annual accounts annual management declaration annnual 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
4. How will the funds be allocated? Cohesion Policy 23
A fair system for all EU regions (eligibility simulation) GDP/capita* < 75% of EU average 75-90% > 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: 2006-07-08 GNI figures: 2007-08-09 EuroGeographics Association for the administrative boundaries Cohesion Policy 24
How will funding be allocated? Less developed regions/ms Transition regions More developed regions Cohesion Fund¹ 68.7 Less developed regions 162.6 Transition regions 38.9 More developed regions 53.1 European Territorial Cooperation 11.7 100 90 80 70 15,8 % 11,6 % 500 450 400 350 307.1 Outermost regions and sparsely populated areas 0.9 60 300 Total 336.0 50 250 40 30 68,7 % 200 150 72.4 20 10 100 50 119.2 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
5. When will these changes come into effect? Cohesion Policy 26
Timeline 5 th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion + public consultation Proposals for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 Public consultation on Common Strategic Framework 2012 2013 2014 March 2010 Adoption of Europe 2020 Strategy Nov. 2010 June 2011 Proposal by the Commission for a Multiannual Financial Framework Oct. 2011 Dec. 2011 Communication from the Commission: Common Strategic Framework Jan. 2012 Agreement on MFF and adoption of new legislative package Entry into force and adoption of programmes Cohesion Policy 27
Where can I find further information? www.inforegio.europa.eu Follow @EU_Regional on Twitter Cohesion Policy 28