Macroregional strategies a post-enlargement approach to the EU Cohesion Policy Carmen PODGOREAN EUSDR National Coordinator Interconnecting Europe's Regions: the Territorial Perspective COTER – Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy Iaşi - September 18, 2014

What does the EU Cohesion Policy do?  support states and regions that are less developed  “narrow the gap”  strengthen competitiveness  develop cross-border, transnational and inter- regional cooperation

 Romanian-Austrian initiative  EU mechanism to foster economic and social development in the region  A cooperation exercise among 14 countries  A platform of expanding and deepening cooperation among states (cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation)  A consistent support for the EU ascension of non-EU member states What is the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR)?

Relevance of EUSDR under the Juncker Commission  The Juncker Commission is grouped in “clusters” with the goal of highlighting the connection between Europe 2020 Strategy and the EUSDR  The “cluster” approach improves coherence among operational programmes.

What does the EUSDR cover?  11 priority areas, grouped under 4 pillars (connect the region; protect the environment; strengthen the region; build prosperity)  9 EU and 5 non-EU member states  The entire surface of Romanian territory, not only regions bordering the Danube

EUSDR Priority areas

EUSDR Governance  Report of the European Commission regarding the Governance of Macroregional Strategies (20 May 2014) highlights:  Macroregional strategies – new opportunity for Regional Development, since they consolidate existing horizontal EU policies and have a clear added value.  Involvement of political entities in ensuring necessary conditions and resources for the consolidation EUSDR governance mechanisms  Involvement of all levels of administration (national, regional, local), parliaments and civil society

How EUSDR sections interact

Annual Forum of the EUSDR (Vienna, June 2014)  Participation: representatives of 14 states, European institutions, local/regional authorities, civil society  Title: „We grow together – together we grow – Empowered for a prosperous and inclusive Danube Region”  Focus on: strengthening governance, social inclusion  Joint declaration of foreign affairs ministers highlighting their support to non-EU member states

 efforts to include EUSDR objectives in Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes for the financial framework  essential to coordinate national priorities of EUSDR participating states in order to secure adequate EU funding Financial Framework

 337 billion Euro allocated for EU cohesion ( ), out of which Romania has:  23 billion for social, economic and territorial cohesion  450 million for territorial cohesion  Increase in funding allocated to EU territorial cooperation:  : 2.52% of EU budget (7.7 billion Euro)  : 2.75% of EU budget (8.9 billion Euro)

Budget allocations per Member State ( )

Romanian priorities for the future  develop mechanisms so that Operational Programmes “favour” EUSDR-labelled projects (separate calls/horizontal approach)  continue to support the increased access of non-EU member states to EU funding for  promote cross-border cooperation and regional development, by taking full advantage of the EUSDR

Ministerul Afacerilor Externe Biroul Strategia UE pentru regiunea Dunării Contact: Tel.: (021) Web: Thank you for your attention!