1. Welcome to Objective 1 programme Hainaut Belgium
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2. 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 period.
The Structural Funds will contribute € 645 million out of a total budget of € million.
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3. 1.2 The map of the eligible areas
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4. 1.3 Description of eligible area
The region eligible for Structural Fund assistance under the programme has 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.
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5. 1.4 Main regional indicators in EU and in Belgium 1988-1998-9
Economy Labour market
GDP/head Empl. rate%,1999 Unempl. rate%
Agri. Indust. Servi
EU ,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
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6. 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.
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7. 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.
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8. 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 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.
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9. 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;
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10. 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;
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11. 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;
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12. 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%)
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13. 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
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14. 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
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. 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
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20. 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.
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21. 4. Management and contact information
Gouvernement Wallon - Cabinet du Ministre- Président Ministre-Président Van Cauwenberghe, Jean-Claude rue Mazy B-5100 Jambes-Namur Tel.: Fax.: : Web: Gouvernement Wallon SPD Hainaut - Obj Site "Objectif 1 Hainaut" Site économie du Ministère de la Région Wallonne
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22. 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) Final approval date : 15-MAY-00
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23. 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
2 Promoting growth through the knowledge economy
3 Developing the potential of agriculture, forestry and aquaculture
4 Making the region more attractive through restoration work and by improving its image
5 Improving access to the labour market
6 Facilitating reintegration into working life and promoting social integration
7 Technical Assistance
Total
Financial Breakdown by Funds (in millions of Euros)
EU Contribution ERDF ESF EAGGF FIFG
Total :
100.00% 63.53% 29.75% 6.44% .27%
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