Welcome to Objective 1 programme Hainaut Belgium 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

1. Introduction The European Commission has decided to participate actively in the development of the Hainaut region by co-financing the Objective 1 programme of degressive transitional support for the region during the 2000-2006 period. The Structural Funds will contribute € 645 million out of a total budget of € 2 221 million. 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

1.2 The map of the eligible areas 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

1.3 Description of eligible area The region eligible for Structural Fund assistance under the programme has 1 285 000 inhabitants (40% of Wallonia's population). Hainaut is characterised by traditional industries restructuring and its growth is below the Community average. With its GDP at 80% of the Community average, the region is not creating enough jobs. In 1999 its unemployment rate was 15.4% (Belgium: 8.9%), while its under-25 unemployment rate reached 39.2%. Hainaut also suffers from a lack of diversification, a substantial research and development shortfall, an inadequate level of training, and environmental damage. However, the region's advantages are its central geographical location and its particularly well-developed transport infrastructure. Further pluses are its high productivity, quality human resources and business-friendly environment. 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

1.4 Main regional indicators in EU and in Belgium 1988-1998-9 Economy Labour market GDP/head Empl. rate%,1999 Unempl. rate% 1988 1998 Agri. Indust. Servi. 1989 1999 EU 15 100,0 100,0 4,5 29,2 66,0 8,4 9,4 Belgique 103,2 111,3 2,4 25,8 71,8 7,2 8,8 Bruxelles-Capital 162,3 168,8 0,2 13,4 86,4 9,2 14,0 Vlaams Gewest 104,4 115,1 2,5 28,0 69,5 5,5 5,6 Antwerpen 123,8 138,5 2,2 28,1 69,8 6,4 6,5 Limburg (B) 102,6 108,5 2,1 34,5 63,4 8,5 7,0 Oost-Vlaanderen 99,0 104,1 2,7 30,4 66,9 5,3 5,9 Vlaams-Brabant 81,4 96,1 1,5 20,7 77,8 4,0 3,9 West-Vlaanderen 103,9 116,2 3,8 27,5 68,7 3,9 4,6 Region Wallonie 83,4 87,9 2,8 24,7 72,5 9,9 13,3 Brabant-Wallon 75,5 86,8 2,0 24,0 74,1 5,8 8,8 Hainaut 77,0 79,2 2,6 27,3 70,2 11,9 16,6 Liège 94,9 98,6 2,4 23,9 73,7 10,1 12,8 Luxembourg (B) 85,3 95,0 6,8 24,7 68,5 6,1 7,3 Namur 80,4 85,7 3,0 20,3 76,7 9,2 12,6 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

2. Development strategy The strategy will be in two stages: 1. Initially the emphasis will be placed on exploiting the infrastructure available as a result of the previous SPD, with a particular focus on measures based on mobilisation of local resources, to be structured around economic promotion, research and training action supported by appropriate instruments in the areas of financial engineering and adjustment of the economic environment. In parallel, if feasibility studies indicate, new investments could be approved to promote creation of new centres of excellence in the advanced sectors. 2. Subsequently action will be directed to consolidating the foundations of the new techno‑industrial complex through measures to stimulate activity and create networks. 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3. Priorities, measures and expected impact 3.1 Six priorities: Priority 1. Growth through expansion of the productive base; Priority 2. Growth through the knowledge economy; Priority 3. Developing the potential of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and the countryside; Priority 4. Making the province more attractive through restoration work and by improving its image; Priority 5. Preventative measures on the labour market; Priority 6. Encouraging reintegration into working life and promoting social inclusion. 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3.2 Impact assessment: The plan submitted by the Walloon Region quantifies the anticipated impact on the macro‑economic indicators as follows: a five‑point rise by 2006 (7 points by 2010) in per capita GDP as compared with the European average; growth differential against European average: + 0.5%; creation of 3 500 new direct and indirect jobs by 2006 (17 200 by 2010); reduction of youth unemployment by 7.7 points by 2006 (by 16.8 points by 2010); a 5% rise in employment in tourism. 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3.4 Quantification of specific objectives to be attained Priority 1: a) creation of 6 815 jobs (gross), b) 430 enterprises and 5‑6 clusters; 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3.4 Quantification of specific objectives to be attained Priority 2: a) creation of 15 enterprises including 7 spin‑offs, b) filing of 15 patents by aid recipients, c) development of 20 new products and processes, d) establishment of 140 partnerships between enterprises and training centres; 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3.4 Quantification of specific objectives to be attained Priority 3: a) creation of 320 jobs, b) 22 enterprises, c) installation of 450 young farmers, d)150 000 people affected by action to improve quality of life; 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3.4 Quantification of specific objectives to be attained Priority 4: a)2% annual increase in number of bed‑nights, b) 750 more jobs in tourism, c) restoration of 80 sites (250 ha), d) water treatment capacity 80 000 p.e., e)waste treatment capacity 10 000 tonnes, f) by renewable energy projects available to 45 000 people; Priorities 5 and 6: a)15% increase in SMEs carrying out training, b) improvement in access rates for workers (+ 10%), c) young people/students (+ 18%), d) access to employability for people without jobs (+ 35%) 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3. 5 Presentation of measures Priority 1 3.5 Presentation of measures Priority 1. Growth through expansion of the productive base  1.1 Aid for industrial and service sector investments 1.2 Financial engineering 1.3 Pivotal support infrastructure for economic redeployment in the area 1.4 Development of a service platform and stimulation of economic action through networks 1.5 Aid for investment in an adapted working environment and in firms providing training through work 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3. 5 Presentation of measures Priority 2 3.5 Presentation of measures Priority 2. Growth through the knowledge economy 2.1 Stimulation and exploitation of technological potential 2.2 Assimilation of scientific and technical culture 2.3 Exploitation of centres of technological excellence and networking of expertise 2.4 Support infrastructure to bring skills into line with the new technologies 2.5 Development and concentration of human resources in research 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3. 5 Presentation of measures Priority 3 3.5 Presentation of measures Priority 3. Developing the potential of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and the countryside 3.1 Support for investment in marketing and processing of agricultural products 3.2 Development of agricultural and forestry potential 3.3 Support for investment in aquaculture and processing/marketing 3.4 Upgrading amenities in the countryside 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3. 5 Presentation of measures Priority 4 3.5 Presentation of measures Priority 4. Making the province more attractive through restoration work and by improving its image 4.1 Development of touristic and cultural potential 4.2 Restoration and reuse of derelict industrial land 4.3 Aid for restoration and reuse of derelict industrial land 4.4 Environmental management 4.5 Mobilisation of resources and stimulation of active participation 4.6 Expansion of potential for producing energy from local sources 4.7 Exploitation of potential in transport field. Improved access to development centres 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3. 5 Presentation of measures Priority 5 3.5 Presentation of measures Priority 5. Preventative measures on the labour market 5.1 Better identification of demand and observation of the labour market 5.2 Improvement of the employability of young people and workers 5.3 Fresh start 5.4 Help to improve supporting systems and measures 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3. 5 Presentation of measures Priority 6 3.5 Presentation of measures Priority 6. Encouraging reintegration into working life and promoting social inclusion 6.1 Active labour market re‑entry measures for the unemployed 6.2 Integration of victims of discrimination 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

3. 5 Presentation of measures Priority 7 3.5 Presentation of measures Priority 7. Technical assistance (ERDF and ESF) -Making available human and material resources for coordination, management and follow‑up of the part‑financed measures -Mid‑term and ex‑post evaluation of the SPD -Exchange of experience among public decision‑takers -Arousing public awareness by publicity for the SPD 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

4. Management and contact information The Walloon Regional Government, represented by its Prime Minister, is the Managing authority for the Objective 1 programme. It will also be responsible for project selection on the basis of proposals from the Task Force which will evaluate the projects. The Monitoring Committee comprises the Ministers of the Walloon Government and of the French Community (or their representatives), together with the economic and social partners' representatives. Implementation : The European programme Directorate will manage the programme. The operational Ministries concerned (ERDF: Ministry of Economic Affairs; ESF: Ministry of Employment; EAGGF and FIFG: Ministry of Agriculture) will be responsible for monitoring the programme. 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

4. Management and contact information Gouvernement Wallon - Cabinet du Ministre- Président Ministre-Président Van Cauwenberghe, Jean-Claude 25-27 rue Mazy B-5100 Jambes-Namur Tel.: +32.81.331211 Fax.: +32.81.331299 E-mail.: vancau@gov.wallonie.be Web: Gouvernement Wallon SPD Hainaut - Obj. 1 Site "Objectif 1 Hainaut" Site économie du Ministère de la Région Wallonne 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

5. Financial and technical information Title : Objective 1 programme of transitional support for Hainaut Intervention type : Single Programming Document CCI No. : 1999BE161DO001 No. of decision : C(2000)1222 Final approval date : 15-MAY-00 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL

6. Financial breakdown Breakdown of Finances by priority area (in millions of Euros) Priority area Total cost EU Public aid contrib. (EC + others) 1 Expanding the productive base 1151.240 201.300 399.930 2 Promoting growth through the knowledge economy 283.590 117.9200 235.850 3 Developing the potential of agriculture, forestry and aquaculture 213.040 43.310 101.610 4 Making the region more attractive through restoration work and by improving its image 217.230 106.000 212.000 5 Improving access to the labour market 192.290 94.290 188.580 6 Facilitating reintegration into working life and promoting social integration 153.550 76.770 153.550 7 Technical Assistance 10.800 5.400 10.800 Total 2221.740 644.990 1302.320 Financial Breakdown by Funds (in millions of Euros) EU Contribution ERDF ESF EAGGF FIFG Total : 645.000 409.790 191.90 41.570 1.740 100.00% 63.53% 29.75% 6.44% .27% 18/04/2019 DG REGIO/Unit D3/PL