1. TERRITORIAL COHESION AND NATIONAL-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP for the programming period 2007-2013 Benchmarking Seminar on The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), The Regional State Aid Provisions (RSA). Regional policy within the Netherlands, a slightly different approach! Bert Roona, EU-liaison officer 31 May 2006 - Brussels

2. Introduction The Netherlands: National state 12 provinces (4 regions) 458 municipalities Total population: 16,3 million Surface: 41.500km²

3. The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective National financial allocation -ERDF : 736,5 million Euro -ESF: 736,5 million Euro -Interreg: 212 million Euro Total1.685 billion

4. The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective State of play of the NSRF -Draft is published in May -Final version October?

5. 1.National-regional partnership -Regions received draft documents of the Council on the regulations. -Regions invited to comment on NSRF. -Regions not directly involved in discussions between Ms and EC. -Regions prepare OP’s ERDF. -One national program for ESF; no involvement Regions. The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

6. 2. “Territorial cohesion” dimension Situation within the Netherlands: - Position national government on regional policy - Consequences for regional breakdown! The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

7. Chosen territorial criteria ERDF Member state: Criteria used by EC for allocation Structural Funds over Member states: Total population0,5 Number of unemployed people0,2 Jobs needed to reach 70%0,15 Educational level0,10 Low population density0,05 Relative regional prosperity+5%/-5% The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

8. Chosen territorial criteria ERDF Criteria used by European Commission: Total population33 Number of unemployed people33 Low population density33 Regional GDP33% + Safety net 25% The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

10. Situation 31th of May!

11. The EAFRD General information National financial allocation: -2000-2006:431 million Euro -2007-2013:434 million Euro

12. The EAFRD State of play of the NSP  Draft available  July: final NSP  Responsible authorities: Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Provinces.  One National Operational Program

13. The EAFRD 1.The national-regional partnership -Provinces are involved in the negotiations between the European Commission and Member States when designing the EAFRD, -Participation of the provinces in drafting the NSP and delivering the EAFRD -LEADER is and will stay important!

14. The EAFRD 2. “Territorial cohesion” dimension Rural area in the Netherlands: - non urban areas with less then 30.000 inhabitants. Still under discussion with the EC (densely populated country!)

15. The EAFRD 2.1 Distribution on each axis: 1Competitiveness of the agricultural sector30% 2Land management30% 3+4 Diversification, quality of life, LEADER 40%

16. The EAFRD 2.2 Connection with potential integrated rural development plans at regional level -Rural development plans will fit within the national strategy and OP. - Impact of LEADER approach?

17. Regional State Aid provisions General information -State of play of the eligibility map for 2007- 2013. -State of play of negotiations between the Commission and Member State.

18. The Regional State Aid provisions “Territorial cohesion” dimension 2000-2006:15% of the population 2007-2013:7,5%

19. The Regional State Aid provisions

20. Conclusion ERDF: regional policy Member State differs from European Policy. Partnership not always like it should be! EARDF: Good involvement from the beginning and pleasant cooperation. Regional State Aid Provisions: not clear what will happen!

21. www.snnonline.nl http://ec.europa.eu/comm/regional_policy/atlas/netherlands/nl_en.htm http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/nl_national.htm www.minlnv.nl Thank you for your attention! TERRITORIAL COHESION AND NATIONAL-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP for the programming period 2007-2013 Benchmarking Seminar on The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), The Regional State Aid Provisions (RSA). 31 May 2006 - Brussels