Regional Policy EU Cohesion Policy 2014 – 2020 Proposals from the European Commission

Regional Policy Why is the Commission proposing changes for ? Deliver the Europe 2020 strategy objectives of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth Focus on results Maximise the impact of EU funding

Regional Policy What are the main changes? 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

Regional Policy THE COMMON STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK ERDF, ESF, CF, EAFRD, EMFF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT ERDF, ESF, CF, EAFRD, EMFF National or regional level Operational Programmes for ERDF Rural development programmes (EAFRD) Operational Programmes for ESF Operational Programmes for CF EU level National level Multifund Operational Programmes for ERDF, ESF, CF Operational Programmes for (EMFF)

Regional Policy Thematic Objectives to Deliver Europe Strengthening research, technological development and innovation 2.Enhancing access to, and use and quality of, information and communication technologies 3.Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, the agricultural sector (for the EAFRD) and the fisheries and aquaculture sector (for the EMFF) 4.Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors 5.Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management 6.Protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency 7.Promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures 8.Promoting employment and supporting labour mobility 9.Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty 10.Investing in education, skills and lifelong learning 11.Enhancing institutional capacity and an efficient public administration

Regional Policy Less developed regions More developed & transitional regions Flexibility – different regions have different needs Special arrangements for ex-convergence regions Research & innovationEnergy efficiency & renewable energyCompetitiveness of SMEs Concentration of ERDF investments

Regional Policy Thematic Objectives Thematic objectives constitute the basis for the Common Strategic Framework, which shall outline key actions for each thematic objective In the case of Cohesion Policy every action financed must be linked to a particular thematic objective Reporting (on financial progress, indicators etc.) can also be linked back to particular thematic objectives Technical assistance is the exception – TA is not linked to any of the thematic objectives

Regional Policy Common Strategic Framework The added value of the CSF: Coordination starts from the top – common framework replaces sectoral Community Strategic Guidelines Facilitates coordination with other EU funding instruments e.g. Horizon 2020, Life+ etc. Provides an understanding of the key actions required to achieve EU2020 objectives and maps the contribution of each of the CSF Funds in this regard: strategic guidance for planning at national and regional level Establishes priority areas for cooperation activities (for all CSF Funds, not only ETC) Ensures better coherence and consistency with the National Reform Programmes

Regional Policy Partnership Agreement Prepared at national level with close involvement of partners Agreed between the Commission and Member State, includes: The contribution of the CSF Funds towards the achievement of thematic objectives, translating Europe 2020 priorities in a national and/or regional context Summary of the main results expected The main priority areas for cooperation An integrated approach for territorial development supported by the CSF Funds Arrangements for effective implementation: involvement of partners, ex-ante conditionalities, performance framework, additionality Arrangements for efficient implementation: administrative capacity, administrative burden reduction

Regional Policy Current situation Council: First significant milestone reached: six blocks of the legislative package have been basically agreed (strategic programming, ex-ante conditionalities, management and control systems, monitoring and evaluation, proportionate control and major projects) "nothing is decided until everything is decided"! Remaining blocks are opened to discussion -> target for partial general approach is June meeting of General Affairs Council European Parliament: Vote on draft report in June (REGI committee) and final vote is expected on first reading in plenary in September 2012

Regional Policy Commission position paper and negotiation mandate for the Partnership Agreement Set an agenda for negotiations in order to proactively ensure consistency with European priorities Ensure coherent approach across member States Identify scope for coordination and integration between the funds Ensure coherent approach on thematic issues

Regional Policy Timeline June 2012: Commission proposal for Common Strategic Framework During : Dialogue between COM and MS on Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes Adoption of legislative package, immediate entry into force + 3 months: COM adopts CSF by delegated act + 6 months: MS to transmit Partnership Agreements and programmes (incl. ex-ante evaluations); COM to make observations within 3 months, adoption within 6 months; PA to be adopted before OPs + 9 months: ETC programmes to be submitted to COM PAs can already be adopted before 2014

Regional Policy For more information InfoRegio: ec.europa.eu/inforegio ec.europa.eu/inforegio RegioNetwork: