operational programme “castilla-la mancha”...

Operational Programme “Castilla-La Mancha” 2007-2013

Programme under the Convergence Objective co-funded by the European Regional

Development Fund (ERDF)

�

Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF Operational Programme

Vice-Presidency and Regional Ministry for Economy and Finance of the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha.Directorate General for Budget and European Funds.2009

�


FOREwORD ............................................................................................................4

EuROPEan REgiOnaL POLiCy ......................................................................................5Introduction 6European Regional Policy in �007-�01� 7Objectives and Instruments 9Policy Stages 11Funds available 1�The contribution made by Regional Policy in Castilla-La Mancha in �007-�01� 1�

ThE aPPROaCh OF ThE CasTiLLa-La ManCha 2007-2013 ERDF OPERaTiOnaL PROgRaMME ...16Strategic References 17The Castilla-La Mancha �007-�01� ERDF Operational Programme 19

PRiORiTy axEs ......................................................................................................21

PRiORiTy axis 1. DEvELOPMEnT OF ThE KnOwLEDgE ECOnOMy..................................22 Research, technological development and innovation �� Information society �5PRiORiTy axis 2. EnTREPREnEuRshiP anD innOvaTiOn DEvELOPMEnT ......................27

PRiORiTy axis 3. EnviROnMEnT, naTuRaL suRROunDings, waTER REsOuRCEs anD RisK PREvEnTiOn .......................................................................................................30

PRiORiTy axis 4. TRansPORT anD EnERgy ...........................................................33 Transport �4 Energy �6PRiORiTy axis 5. uRban anD LOCaL susTainabLE DEvELOPMEnT .............................38

PRiORiTy axis 6. sOCiaL inFRasTRuCTuRE ...........................................................41

PRiORiTy axis 7. TEChniCaL assisTanCE ..............................................................44

aPPEnDix. ThE CasTiLLa-La ManCha 2007-2013 ERDF OPERaTiOnaL PROgRaMME’s ManagEMEnT OF ...................................................................................................46

gLOssaRy OF TERMs ...............................................................................................47

Contents

4

Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF Operational Programme Foreword

Castilla-La Mancha is aware of the European project and feels European. The European Regional Policy has immensely

contributed to this strong sense of identification and belonging. European Funds have played a key role in the promotion of

Castilla-La Mancha development. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has helped modernise our infrastructures,

drawing attention to our central location on the Iberian Peninsula or promoting R&D. Alongside this, Castilla-La Mancha is

a European example of how well this solidarity effort is managed. When the new Member States, the Central and Eastern

European countries, request help from the European Union to improve their management power, they are referred to Castilla-La

Mancha.

Our citizens are perhaps not fully aware of Castilla-La Mancha’s international prestige in this respect. This is why we present

this simplified report, which contains a summary of actions financed by this instrument that is intended to bring Europe

and Regional Administration closer to citizens. Under the belief that European Regional Policy does not only multiply our

development opportunities but also strengthen the Europeanism of the people from Castilla-La Mancha, I invite you to get

insight into the increasingly fruitful relationship that exists among Castilla-La Mancha and the European Union.

María Luisa araujo Chamorro

vice-President and Regional Minister for Economy and Finance

5


European Regional Policy

6


European Regional Policy or Cohesion Policy is the prime example of solidarity within the European Union (EU). Its objective is to reduce divergences in development levels of the different regions, making this the basic element in achieving a greater internal level of economic and social cohesion.

ThispolicyhasbeengainingimportanceintheEUwhichhasseen,alongwithanincreaseinMemberStates,anincreaseinthedifferencesbetweendevelopmentlevelsandthewealthof thedifferentregionsandterritories.Indeed,theEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund(ERDF)wascreatedin1975,shortlyaftertheentryof Ireland,theUKandDenmark(in1973),whichcausedaconsiderableincreaseintheinterregionaldisparitiesinthethenEuropeanEconomicCommunity.Suchimbalancesbecamemorenoticeableinthe80s,duetoentryof newMemberStates,thusmakingmorenecessaryaregionalpolicycapableof promotingcohesionacrossregions.

Itisalongtheselinesthatthedifferenttextsthatexpandanddefinethescopeof theEuropeanUnionaredeclared.Firstly,in1986,theEuropeanSingleActsetuptheobjectiveof economicandsocialcohesionasanindispensablefeatureforcreatingasinglemarket.Next,the1992TreatyontheEuropeanUnionconvertedtheobjectiveof economicandsocialcohesionintoafundamentalprincipleof theEuropeanUnion,consideringthat:

“In order to promote a harmonious development of the whole of the community, this willdevelopandcontinueitsaction,withtheaimof reinforcingeconomicandsocialcohesion.TheCommunitywillspecificallysetouttoreducethedifferencesbetweendevelopmentlevelsof thedifferentregions,andthebackwardnessof thelessfortunateregionsandislands,includingruralareas.”(Article158of theTEU).”

European Regional Policy hasmade significant progress since it came about, contributingtoconvergenceof percapitaincomeacrossEuropeanregions.Nevertheless,therearestillregional disparities in the EU, which have been deepened as a result of the most recentenlargement.

Today the EU has �7 Member States with a population of 49� million. There are �68 regions, �5% of which have per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) lower than the EU- �7 average. The European Regional Policy’s challenge is to correct these disparities making economic and social cohesion effective.

european regional poliCy

introduCtion

7

Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF Operational Programme european regional poliCy

The new Cohesion Policy is based on the renewed Lisbon Strategy for growth and employment: it emphasises growth and employment and shares with the Lisbon Agenda priority spheres such as boosting knowledge and innovation and promoting entrepreneurial initiative.

Toachievethementionedpriorities,theCommunityStrategicGuidelinesestablishaseriesof guidelines or action linesthataffectdifferentdeterminingfactorsof growthprocessesandemployment generation (availability of infrastructures, capacity to create and absorb newtechnologies,availabilityof humancapital,etc.).

A Cohesion Policy more focused on knowledge,

research, innovation and human capital

implications of including the renewed Lisbon strategy into Cohesion Policy

Sustainable development

should be pursued

(economic, social and environmental

dimension)

The Member States and regions should pursue the principle of equal

opportunities between women and men, which, like the

environment, is a transversal principle

in EU policies

All kinds of discrimination

due to sex, race or ethnicity, religion or conviction,

disability, age, or sexual orientation

should be avoided

January 1st �007 saw the beginning of a new programming period for the European Structural Funds, the main instrument of European Regional Policy. This programming period will end on December �1st �01�.

ThenewCohesionPolicy strategy for2007-2013 is included in theCommunity Strategic Guidelines on Cohesion,whichcontainthefollowingpriorities:

improve the EU’s appeal as a place to work and invest,

promote innovation, business initiative and the knowledge economy,

create more and better employment.

Theseprioritiesare foundedon the renewedLisbonStrategy forgrowthandemployment.Thus,theemphasisisplacedonacohesionpolicy:

Morefocusedonknowledgeandinnovation.

Directed towardachievingsustainedandsustainabledevelopment in linewith theobjectiveslaiddownintheGothenburgEuropeanCouncilandtheKyotoSummit.

Capableof maintainingtheprincipleof genderequalityandnondiscriminationforreasonsof sex,race,ageetc.

european regional poliCy in 2007-2013

8


Expand and improve transport infrastructures Increase and direct better investments into research and technological development

Attract more people to the labour market and modernise social protection systems

To make Europe and its regions more appealing places to invest and work

improve knowledge and innovation in favour of growth More and better jobs

Priorities and actions of Cohesion Policy in 2007-2013

Strengthen synergies between protecting Environment and growth

Energy efficiency,use of renewable energies and safe energy

Facilitate innovation and promote business initiative

Promote the Information Society for everyone

Improve access to funding

Improve the adaptability of workers and enterprises and the flexibility of the labour market

Increase investment in human capital

Administrative capacity

Help to maintain a healthy active population


9


European Regional Policy is based on a programming according to objectives. In the new programming period �007-�01� such objectives are the following: Convergence, Regional competitiveness and Employment and Territorial Cooperation.

TheConvergence objective promotesgrowth-enhancingconditionsand factors leading torealconvergencefortheleast-developedMemberStatesandregions.ThisobjectiveconcernsregionswithpercapitaGDPatlessthan75%of theCommunityaverageandtheso-called“Phasing-Outregions”.Theseareregionsthatduetothestatisticaleffectof mostrecentEUenlargementhavepercapitaGDPabove75%of theEU-25averagebutbelow75%of theEU-15average.

The Regional competitiveness and Employment objective aims to increase regionalcompetitivenessandemployment,throughboostinginnovation,entrepreneurshiporworkeradaptability. The ideaof thisobjective is toprovide regionswith theappropriate tools toprevent the emergence of new imbalances that may appear as a consequence of rapideconomicandsocialchanges.

TheregionsincludedintheRegionalcompetitivenessandEmploymentobjectivearethosethatarenotconcernedbytheConvergenceobjective.Someof themare“Phasing-inregions”,thatis,regionswherepercapitaGDPhasbecomelargerthan75%of theEU-15averageinthe2000-2006period.

COhEsiOn POLiCy 2007-2013: gEOgRaPhiCaL EgibiLiTy

ObJECTivEs insTRuMEnTs ELEgibiLiTy CRiTERia

Convergence objective

European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund

Regions with pc GDP < 75% EU- �5

“Phasing-Out” Regions: pc GDP > 75% EU-�5 but less than 75% of the EU-15 average

Cohesion Fund Member States with pc GNP < 90% of the EU-�5 average

Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective

European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund

Regions not concerned by the Convergence objective

Territorial Cooperation objective

European Regional Development Fund

Transborder regions and transnational cooperation regions

objeCtives and instruments

10


COhEsiOn POLiCy 2007-2013. FunDing PRiORiTiEs

ObJECTivEs PRiORiTiEs



Modernisation and diversification of economic structures and safeguarding or creation of sustainable employment

European Social Fund

Adapting workers and enterprises: access to employment for job searchers, inactive people, women and emigrants; social inclusion and fighting discrimination in the labour market; strengthening human capital

Cohesion Fund Trans-European Transport and Environmental networks (including environmentally friendly energy and transport projects)



Innovation and knowledge economy; environment and risk prevention; access to transport and telecommunications services

European Social Fund

Adapting workers and enterprises: access to employment for job searchers, inactive people, women and emigrants; social inclusion and fighting discrimination in the labour market; strengthening human capital

Territorial cooperation objective


Development of cross-border economic, social and environmental activities through joint strategies for sustainable territorial development; establisment and development of transnational cooperation; reinforcement the effectiveness of regional policy by encouraging regional and local authorities to form networks and exchange experience


Lastly,theTerritorial Cooperation objectiveaimstostrengthenbalancedterritorial development in the European Union through transborder(betweencountriesthatshareborders),transnationalandinterregionalcooperation.The Structural Funds are the instruments that permit to achieve theaforementionedobjectives.Suchfundsarethefollowing:theEuropeanRegional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF)and the Cohesion Fund (CF). The purpose of the European RegionalDevelopmentFundistostrengtheneconomicandsocialcohesionintheEUbycorrectingimbalancesbetweenitsregions.Thisfundfinancesdirectaidtoinvestmentsincompaniestocreatesustainablejobs,infrastructures(linked notably to research and innovation, telecommunications,environment, energy and transport), financial instruments to supportregionalandlocaldevelopmentandtofostercooperationbetweentownsandregionsandtechnicalassistancemeasures.TheERDFcaninterveneinthethreeobjectivesof regionalpolicy.The European Social Fund aims to improve employment and jobopportunitiesintheEuropeanUnionbyprovidingsupportinthefollowingareas: adapting workers and enterprises; access to employment forjob seekers, theunemployed,womenandmigrants; social integrationof disadvantaged people and combating discrimination in the jobmarket; strengthening human capital. It intervenes in the frameworkof theConvergenceandtheRegionalCompetitivenessandEmploymentobjectives.In turn, the Cohesion Fund focuses its interventions on two spheres:theenvironmentand transport infrastructures.UnlikeotherStructuralFunds,itsmanagementfallsontheStates.Assuch,theMemberStateswithpercapitaGNPbelow90%of theEUaveragemaybenefitfromthisfund,beingSpainoneof suchcountries.TheCohesionFundsupportsactionsintheframeworkof theConvergenceobjective.

11


The starting point in applying the European Cohesion Policy is given by the Community Strategic Guidelines on Cohesion (economic, social and territorial).

Next,eachMemberStatepreparesaNationalStrategicReferenceFramework(NSRF),inlinewiththestrategicguidelines,overthecourseof anongoingdialoguewiththeCommission.TheSpanishNSRF,developedbytheSpanishGovernmentwiththesupportof theNationalReformProgramme,definesthenationalandregionalpriorities.ItensurestheircoherencewiththeCommunity Strategic Guidelines on Cohesion, in order to successfully meet the CohesionPolicy’sobjectives.Themainobjectiveof theNSRFis“tocontributetothecohesionandtheharmoniousdevelopmentof theEuropeanUnionthroughageneralandsustainablegrowthprocessof theSpanishState,theAutonomousCommunitiesandtheCities”.

TheSpanishNSRFenvisagesalltheOperationalProgrammesthroughwhichEuropeanRegionalPolicy isapplied inthiscountry.TheOperationalProgrammesaredocumentssubmittedbyeachMemberStateandapprovedbytheEuropeanCommission.Theyincludeadevelopmentstrategythatcontainsaconsistentsetof prioritiesthatrequiretheassistanceof oneof theStructuralFundstobecarriedout.Inthecaseof Spain,thereare23OperationalProgrammesco-fundedbytheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund(oneof themistheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund-CohesionFund),22co-fundedbytheEuropeanSocialFundand8undertheTerritorialCooperationobjective.

Most Operational Programmes are of regional nature (they only affect one Autonomous Community) but some of them have a multi-regional character (they concern more than one Autonomous Community). All of them, excepting the Operational Programme of the Cohesion Fund-ERDF, concern a single fund (the ERDF or the ESF).

sTagEs OF ThE COhEsiOn POLiCy

EuROPEan COMMissiOn

sTaTEs

REgiOnaL gOvERnMEnTs

social and Economic agents

Community strategic guidelines

national strategic Reference Framework

Operational Programmes Projects (European Regional

Development Fund and European social Fund)

OPERaTiOnaL PROgRaMMEs (ERDF and EsF)

Common framework with Cohesion Policy’s objectives, priorities, and strategic lines

Defines national and regional priorities on

cohesion

Subject to approval by the European

Commission

poliCy stages

1�


In the period �007-�01�, cohesion policy will benefit from �47,410 million Euros. The division by objectives is the following: 81.5% for Convergence, 16% for Regional competitiveness and Employment and �.5% for Territorial Cooperation.

Concerningtheiruse,firstly,theCommissionproceedsbygivingindicativeannualsumsperMember State,which dependnotably on the following criteria: eligible population, nationalwealth, regional wealth and unemployment rates. In the case of Spain, 35,217.27 millionEuroshavebeenallocated(10.1%of totalfunds).


Cohesion fund �,54�

Convergence �1,05�

Phasing-Out 1,58�


Phasing-In 4,955

Regional Competitiveness and Employment �,5�4

European Territorial Cooperation objective 559

TOTaL 35,217

More than 70% of the funds allocated to Spain (�5,155.75 million euros) are devoted to Spanish regions in the framework of the Convergence objective. That is, regions with per capita GDP lower than 75% of the EU average. Castilla-La Mancha is one of these Spanish regions, along with Andalusia, Extremadura and Galicia.

spain and the Cohesion Policy of the Eu: Financial allocation (Million EuR)


Funds available

1�


Castilla-La Mancha has been receiving European Funds since Spain joined the European Union in 1987. Moreover, the volume of funds received is significant: Castilla-La Mancha is the second Spanish region that benefits from highest resources in per capita terms.

These funds have supported the Region’s progress in several ways. On the one hand, ithaswitnessedanincreaseinpercapitaGDPwhichhashelpedtobridgethegapbetweenCastilla-LaManchaandsurroundingcountries(in1995,percapitaGDPwasequalto64.6%of theEU-15averagewhilein2004suchpercentagereached69.9%).Ontheotherhand,therehavebeenimprovementsinkeyeconomicandsocialfactorsof sustainabledevelopment(high employment generation, increase in the number of enterprises and progress in theInformationSociety).

The use of European Funds has contributed to the development of Castilla-La Mancha, mainly through creating infrastructures needed for territorial cohesion, supporting entrepreneurial initiative and promoting the productive network.

Wemustcontinueprogressing in thisconvergingpathwithmoreprosperousEUcountries,byeffectivelyrespondingtothesocialandeconomicchallengesfacedbyCastilla-LaMancha.Amore innovativeandentrepreneurialeconomymustbepromoted.Wemustalsokeeponfosteringparticipationof womenandvulnerablegroupsinthelabourmarket,bearinginmindtheimportanceof continuingwiththeimprovementingeneraleducationlevel.Asfarastheenvironment,isconcerned,wemustcarryoncorrectingwaterdeficitsandpromotingahigherconsumptionof cleanenergies.

To face up to these challenges, Castilla-LaMancha commits itself to a new growthmodelcoherentwiththepossibilitiesthattheglobaleconomyoffers.Thenewmodelwillhelptheregionto bemore competitive through investments in human capital, knowledge and technology.Moreover,aninnovativeandentrepreneurialpushisattheheartof thenewmodel.Atthesametime,wemustmaintainandreinforcesocialcohesionandtheenvironment.

1 Development of the Knowledge Economy 143,939,389 35,984,859 179,924,248

� Entrepreneurial Development and Innovation 247,020,925 105,866,112 352,887,037

� Environment, natural surroundings, water resources and risk prevention

304,725,821 130,596,784 435,322,605

4 Transport and Energy 533,278,994 287,150,229 820,429,223

5 Local and Urban Development 127,391,636 54,596,412 181,988,048

6 Social Infrastructure 76,528,439 19,132,111 95,660,550

7 Technical Assistance 6,508,690 1,627,176 8,135,866

Total 1,439,393,894 634,953,683 2,074,347,577

Community Funding

Community and Public national

Funding

Public national Funding axes

Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF Operational Programme. Financial Plan (Euros)

the Contribution made by regional poliCy in Castilla-la manCha in 2007-2013


14


Financial allocation of Regional ERDF Operational Programmes (regional shares)

Inthisframework,theCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperationalProgramme’smissionistoserveasaninstrumentforreachingthecompetitiveness,cohesionandenvironmentalsustainabilityobjectivesdefinedbytheCastilla-LaManchaGovernment incollaborationwiththesocialagentsof theregion.

Asfarasfinancialresourcesareconcerned,CommunityinvestmentthroughtheregionalERDFOperationalProgrammeamountstoaround1,439millionEuros(8%of availableresourcesforallSpanishregions).ThisimpliesthatCastilla-LaMancharanksfourthinthelistof Spanishregionsthatbenefitfromgreatestvolumeof financialassistanceintheframeworkof RegionalERDFOperationalProgrammes.

Another316millionEurosmustbeaddedtothisamount,originatingfromtheERDFMultiregionalOperational Programmes (“Knowledge-based Economy”, “Research, Development andInnovationforandbyEnterprises-TechnologyFund”,“CohesionFund-ERDF”and“TechnicalAssistance”).Hence,totalinvestmentforCastilla-LaManchathroughtheEuropeanRegionalDevelopment Fund amounts to 1,755 million Euros. Alonside this, investments under theEuropeanSocialFundintheregionamounttoaround555millionEuros.

LaRioja

Melilla

Ceuta

Navarre

Cantabria

BalearicIslands

Aragon

BasqueCountry

Madrid

Asturias

Murcia

Catalonia

CastileandLeon

CanaryIslands

Valencia

Castilla-LaMancha

Extremadura

Galicia

Andalusia

0.18

0.24

0.25

0.26

0.50

0.60

0.91

1.34

1.88

2.21

2.92

3.79

4.56

5.69

7.40

8.03

8.82

12.23

38.18

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

15


Community funding through the Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF Operational Programme. indicative financial allocations breakdown

(1,439.3 million Euros)

Type of assistance

Territory

Contribution to the Lisbon Objectives

Non-repayableassistance

6�.1 %

Loan, interest rebates, guarantees 1.�% Risk Capital

�.5%

Other types of funding ��.�%

Rural Areas �0%

Urban 40%

Mountainous 10%

Scarcely or very scarcely populated areas

�0%

Non contributing

�8.6%

Contributing 71.4%

71.4% of Castilla-La Mancha �007-�01� ERDF Operational Programme’s financial resources are devoted to reach the Lisbon Objectives. Such percentage is above the threshold established by the European Commission.

16


The approach of the Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF Operational Programme

17


the approaCh oF the Castilla-la manCha 2007-2013 erdF operational programme

The Castilla-La Mancha �007-�01� ERDF Operational Programme defines the regional policy co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, taking into account the objectives and guidelines of the community, national and regional policies.

AtEUlevel,thekeyreferenceistherevised Lisbon Strategy,developedthroughthestrategicpolicyguidelines2005-2008.Thesehighlighttheimportanceof innovationandhumancapitalinordertoachievecompetitiveandsustainablegrowth.

Inthenationalsphere,theSpanish National Reform Programmeconsidersthepolicyshiftresultingfromtherelaunchingof theLisbonStrategy.TheProgrammesetouttheobjectiveof achievingfullconvergenceinpercapitaincomein2010.Moreover,insuchyeartheSpanishemployment rate shouldbeabove theEUaverage. Inorder to reachsuchobjectives, theprogrammeestablisheseightstrategicaxes.

The spanish national Reform Programme. strategic axes

Strengthening Macroeconomic and Budget Stability

The Strategic Infrastructure and Transport Plan (SPIT) and theWATER programme

Increase and improve human capital

The R&D and Innovation strategy (INGENIO �010)

More competition, better regulation

Public Administration and Competitiveness

Labour market and Social Dialogue

The Enterprise Development Plan

With the substratum of the National Reform Programme and the Commission’s StrategicGuidelinesonCohesion2007-2013,SpaindrewuptheNationalStrategicReferenceFramework(NSRF).ThisframeworksetsouttheinvestmentprioritiesforprogrammestobesupportedbyStructuralFundsovertheseven-yearperiod2007-13.RegardingERDFactionsundertheConvergenceobjective,theSpanishNSRFisstructuredaccordingsevenpriorityaxes.

1. Development of the Knowledge Economy

spanish nsRF: Priority axes for European Regional Development Fund actions in Convergence regions

�. Entrepreneurial Development and Innovation

�. Environment, natural surroundings, water resources and risk prevention

4. Transport and Energy

5. Urban and Local Development

6. Social Infrastructure

7. Technical Assistance

strategiC reFerenCes

18


Beingawareof thenewglobaldimensionof theworldeconomy,theGovernmentof Castilla-LaManchalaidoutitsobjectivesandactionlinesasregardsregionaldevelopmentpolicyinthe“Castilla-La Mancha Development and Competitiveness Pact �005- �010”.Thefinalpurposeof thepact,whichwassignedbytheregionalsocialagentsandtheAdministrationin2005,istoincreaseregionalcompetitiveness.Theagreementestablishedfouractionaxes:

1. Improve entrepreneurial capacity.

�. Increase activity and employment rates as well as human capital.

�. Boost R&D and Innovation and spreading of ICTs.

4. Reinforce infrastructures and environmental quality.

FollowingthesocialconsensusandcollaborationpolicybetweentheregionalAdministrationandsocialagentsof theregion,theCastilla-La Mancha Strategic Frameworkwassignedin2006inordertoapplytheStructuralFundsfor2007-2013.Thisframeworkidentifiestheobjectivestobeachievedandtheactionstobedeveloped.

Tofinishoff theworkscarriedout,attheendof 2007anagreementwasreachedbetweenallof theauthoritiesconcernedwithregionalpolicy(regional,nationalandcommunity):theCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperationalProgramme.Thisdocument,aspreviouslymentioned, defines the regional policy co-funded by the European Regional DevelopmentFund.

The Castilla-La Mancha Development and Competitiveness Pact �005- �010 is an instrument devoted to place Castilla-la Mancha among the most advanced regions. To make ends meet, the Pact is committed to prompt competitiveness through research, technological development, innovation and the introduction of new technologies.


19


The Castilla-La Mancha Programme under the Convergence objective, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, is aimed at achieving the following general objectives:

1.-Promotean increase inpercapitaGDP thusallowing the region toconvergewith theEU-25average.

2.-Fosterlabourproductivity.

3.-Promptanincreaseinactivityandemploymentrates,particularlyfemaleratessoastoenhancetheirparticipationinthelabourmarket.

the Castilla-la manCha 2007-2013 erdF operational programme Thesetargetsarebrokendownintostrategiclinesandintermediateobjectives.TheOperational

Programme firmly opts for improvement of external competitiveness (more outer regionactivity)anda complete introductionof theknowledge economy. Suchobjectivesare setpaying particular attention to the fundamental purposes of employment creation anddevelopmentof basicinfrastructure(includingsocial and environmentalinfrastructures).

improving external competitiveness

ThE CasTiLLa-La ManCha 2007-2013 ERDF OPERaTiOnaL PROgRaMME: aCTiOn LinEs

Improve trading channels

Encourage access to funding

Promote entrepreneurial initiative

Improve integration of innovation support

services

Boost telecommunications infrastructures and

encourage the use of ICT

Boost quality employment

Increase female participation in the labour market

Encourage equal opportunities and combat discrimination in the

job market

Increase and improve human capital

Promote infrastructures that improve the quality of energy supply, water and the natural surroundings

Improve intraregional accessibility levels

Boost the use of more efficient energy sources and the promotion of renewable energy sources

Increase educational, health and public transport services infrastructures

Complete introduction of the Knowledge Economy More and better jobs Development of infrastructures (Environment,

transport, energy and social)

inTERMEDiaTE ObJECTivEs


The Castilla-La Mancha �007-�01� ERDF Operational Programme supports the development of a new regional economic model grounded on an innovative and entrepreneurial push.

�0


The Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF Operational Programme is structured accordingtosevenPriorityaxes.Eachonehasbeenassignedcertainobjectivesandconsidersprioritythemesof actionsusceptibletobeingfundedbytheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund.Inadditiontothis,strategicquantitativeindicatorshavebeenidentifiedforeachAxis,reportingtheinitialvalueof eachindicatorandtheonethatisintendedtobereachedby2010(2010Objective)and2013(2013Objective).Therefore,suchindicatorswillpermittoconfirmthedegreetowhichobjectivesarereached.

Therestof thedocumentgivesadetaileddescriptionof eachAxis:itsobjectivesandtheprioritythemesof actionthatwillguidetheinterventionsfundedwiththisOperationalProgramme.

The Castilla-La Mancha �007-�01� ERDF Operational Programme firmly commits itself to promote a knowledge based society, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Programme will safeguard the environment and natural surroundings, paying attention to management of regional water resources and to prevention of natural risks.

The Operational Programme is founded on the objectives laid down in the Gothenburg European Council, the Kyoto Summit and the national and regional commitments to combat climate change, incorporating the Lisbon Strategy’s vision of development (economic, social, and environmental).

in order to strengthen transition of Castilla-La Mancha towards the set of European leading regions:


�1


Priority axis 1. Development of the Knowledge Economy

��


The European Union and other major economies have been transformed by the forces of technology, globalization, entrepreneurship and innovation. The pace of globalization picked up rapidly during the fourth quarter of the twentieth century, giving rise to an economic framework where human capital, diffusion of new technologies and product and process innovations become fundamental factor for economic growth. Such elements shape what is now known as the “Knowledge Economy”, “Information Economy” and even “New Economy”, which are related to an emerging “Information Society”.

Recognisingsuchchanges,theGovernmentof Castilla-LaManchahasfirmlycommitteditself to boosting the region’s knowledge economy. The Development and Competitiveness Pactisdeclared,whichisthebackboneof theregionalpolicyuntil2010,stressesthestrategicimportanceof promotingR&D&I(research,technologicaldevelopmentandinnovation)andtheusageof ICT(informationandcommunicationtechnologies)amongstthepopulation.

Theplansof thePactasregardsR&D&IandtheknowledgesocietyarebeingdevelopedbytheRegionalPlanforScientificResearch,TechnologicalDevelopmentandInnovation(PRINCET).The Plan has highlighted as objectives the increase in R&D&I (more resources and moreinnovativeenterprises),thecoordinationof agentsof theRegionalInnovationSystemandthepromotionof aninnovativeculture.

The Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF Operational Programme echoes the regionalobjectivesaregardstheknowledgeeconomythroughitsfirstPriorityAxis.Itconsiderstwospheresof action:

Research, technological development and innovation(R&D&I)

Information society (digital and e-commerce gap, e-administration, e-health,e-learning).

Wepresentbelowtheprovisionsof theERDFOperationalProgrammeforCastilla-LaManchainthenewprogrammingperiodinordertoachieveeachoneof theseaspectsof theknowledgeeconomy.

50%43,2%32,84%

Mujeres en I+D en EJC sobre el total de empleados en I+D en EJC

Indicadores de género

1,37%1,1%0,18%Gasto I+D del sector empresas e IPSFL/PIB

2,5%2,0%0,41%Gastos en I+D/PIBIndicadores estratégicos

Objetivo 2013

Objetivo 2010

Valor ActualIndicadoresTipo

priority axes Axis 1. Development of the Knowledge Economy

priority axis 1. development oF the Knowledge eConomy

��


Increase the critical mass of innovative activity in the region through improvements of human capital and scientific and technological infrastructures

Optimisation of connections of the knowledge generation system with the production system and between Regional Innovation System agents

Promote a greater involvement of the private sector (supporting SMEs’ R&D&I and fostering business innovation)

Foster research and innovation culture among citizens

Improve access to funding for enterprises engaged in research, technological development and innovation projects

Make R&D&I a key enterprise competitive factor

Research, technological development and innovation

Given the strategic nature of R&D&I to sustain and strengthen economic and social progress in Castilla-La Mancha, the �007-�01� ERDF Regional Operational Programme has placed considerable emphasis on R&D&I.

TheProgrammeenvisagesambitiousobjectives regarding the increase in regionalR&D&Iexpenditure(publicandprivate)whichshouldbereachedby2013.Tomakeendsmeet,theProgrammesuggeststofocuson:

thevolumeof innovativeactivityintheregion,

private sector participation (particularly small and medium sized enterprises,SMEs),

interrelationof allof theregion’sinnovativeagents.

“Research, technological development and innovation”: the objectives


�4


Strengthening of the regional Research and Technological Development system using assistance for developing research and development activities in public research and technological centres

Increase and optimise human and physical resources for R&D&I activities (through better coordination of the agents involved, of the scientific and technological infrastructures, etc.)

–

–

The creation of R&D and technological innovation centres of national reference

Creation and/or expansion of the network of Scientific-Technological Parks in Castilla-La Mancha

Provision of scientific-technological equipment for public or non-profit research centres

–

–

–

Through the promotion of technology transfer between Universities and enterprises –

Assistance to technological innovation projects as well as technical feasibility studies prior to these activities, particularly aimed at SMEs, through Technological Centres and Local Innovation Centres

–

Assistance directed to strengthen the region’s innovative sector (particularly SMEs) and the creation of technology based firms

Improve financial access to R&D activities (through the development and strengthening of risk capital risk in Castilla-La Mancha)

–

–

Priority themes in the field of “Research, technological development and innovation”

TheCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperationalProgrammeenvisagespriority themesinthefieldof R&D&I.IncoherencewithregionalR&D&Ipolicy,smallandmediumenterprises(SMEs)arethemainbeneficiariesof actions.

Research and Technological Development activities in research centres

R&D and innovation infrastructures and specific training centres

Technology transfer and improvement of cooperation networks (sMEs)

assistance for R&D (sMEs)

investment in enterprises directly related to R&D&i


�5


The Castilla-La Mancha �007-�01� ERDF Operational Programme sets the objective of extending the use of ICT and the information society among all regional agents, focusing attention on small and medium sized enterprises and social groups in danger of experiencing the digital gap. It is also acknowledged that the Administrations should be a predominant driving force.

TheERDFforCastilla-LaManchacommitstoastrongprogressamongstthegeneralpopulation,payingparticularattentiontowomen(itsetstheobjectivethat,by2013,65%of womeninthe regionwillbeusing Internet).As regards firms,emphasis is laidon theuseof ICTbymicro-enterprises.

In order to fulfil such objectives, the Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDF OperationalProgramme considers three priority themes. These are the following: 1) telephoneinfrastructures; 2) services and applications for citizens; 3) services and applications forsmallandmediumenterprises.Thelatterareparticularlyrelevant.

information society


Reducing the digital gap by promoting an increasing use of ICT and the extension of the information society among the population of Castilla-La Mancha

Application of ICT as the optimum way of improving the quality of all types of processes: production, education, research and administration

Establish a digital culture, mainly through informative, educational and promotional actions

Encourage services and applications, not only for citizens, but also directed toward small and medium sized enterprises (so that they improve their buying and selling power, training opportunities, etc.)

“information society”: the objectives

�6


Ensure widespread of Broadband

Promote mobile services and networks and the launch of �G networks (UMTS)

Infrastructures for digital terrestrial television

–

–

–

Development and promotion of the Network of Public Internet Centres in towns in Castilla-La Mancha, preferably in rural areas

Promoting ICT in the health and welfare sector

Promoting modernisation, digitalisation and connectivity of the Regional Administration

–

–

–

Encouraging the creation and development of enterprises in the ICT sector, through technology transfer networks, scientific and technological parks, technological centres, etc.

Actions for detecting and bringing about the demand for ICT services for SMEs and for boosting the supply of the demanded services

Increase the use of PCs, Internet, E-commerce in all of the micro-enterprises and SMEs

–

–

–

Telephone infrastructures

services and applications for sMEs

services and applications for citizens

Priority themes in the field of “information society”


�7


Priority axis 2. Entrepreneurship and innovation Development

�8


priority axes Axis �. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development

Entrepreneurship is a key driving force for innovation, competitiveness and growth. It is a combination of “initiative” (availability to innovate, take risks, take advantage of opportunities) and “capacity” (skill, professionalism) of businessmen and women in the market economy. A greater initiative and capacity means better growth possibilities. More entrepreneurial regions are more willing to introduce innovation, through the creation of new enterprises or through existing ones. In turn, this positively affects firm entry (creation) and employment growth.

InEurope thewillingnesstoundertakebusinessventures is limited incomparisonwith theUnitedStates. InSpainandCastilla-LaMancha, the lackof businessdevelopment ismorenoticeable than in Europe. However it must be pointed out that, in recent years, Castilla-LaManchahasexperienced considerable entrepreneurial dynamism, especially from2002onwards.Thatishighlighted,forinstance,bythehighvaluerecordedbytheannualrateof firmcreation.

Thesupportgiventoentrepreneurialdevelopmentisoneof theaxesaroundwhichthecurrentstrategyof theCastilla-LaManchaGovernmentisbuilt.TheDevelopmentandCompetitivenessPact recognises that increasing the ratio firms/population is of paramount importance toimprovelabourandcapitalproductivity(hence,toincreasecompetitiveness).Thisiswhythesupporttothecreation,expansionandinternationalizationof firmstakesonapredominantroleinthePact.

In line with these regional strategic guidelines, the second Priority Axis of the Castilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperationalProgrammesetthefollowingobjectives:

to improve entrepreneurial competitiveness (more innovation, more technologybasedfirms,internationalisation,entrepreneurialcooperation,etc)

tofosterentrepreneurialinitiativeinsociety(transversalobjective).

priority axis 2. entrepreneurship and innovation development

TheOperationalProgrammeconsidersaseriesof interventionsthataregroupedintothreepriority themes.Ontheonehand,theassistancegiventoSMEsforencouragingtheuseof environmentalfriendlyproductsandproductionprocesses.Ontheotherhand,thesupportgiventootherbusinessinvestments.Lastly,theProgrammeconsidersothermeasuresaimingtoencourageSMEs’research,innovationandentrepreneurialculture.

�9


Boost entrepreneurial initiative in Castilla-La Mancha’s community

(transversal objective)

Promote competitiveness and investment incentives

Improve entrepreneurial competitiveness and boost the entrepreneurial culture

Actions devoted to promote population’s entrepreneurial initiatives

Objectives

supporting sMEs to encourage the use of products and production processes that are

environmentally friendly Other business investments Encourage sMEs’ research, innovation and

entrepreneurial culture

Priority themes

Improve technological capacity and innovation

Introduction of environmental quality manage-ment systems

Prompt endogenous capital and cooperation

Promote internationalisation

Improve funding possibilities (outright grants, loans and capital shares)

Support infrastructures for the small and medium sized enterprise

Actions in support of innovation in small and medium sized enterprises (financial enginee-ring, support services, etc.)

Supporting the take off of new firms

Improve entrepreneurial competitiveness

priority axes Axis �. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Development

Priority axis 2. “Entrepreneurship and innovation Development”

�0


Priority axis 3. Environment, natural surroundings, water Resources and Risk Prevention

�1


priority axes Axis �. Environment, Natural Surroundings, Water Resources and Risk Prevention

The environment is a central priority for Castilla-La Mancha. Economic development in itself is not enough, it is also necessary to achieve a sustainable and environmental friendly development process. The legacy left to future generations of Castilla-La Mancha partly depends on the capacity to preserve and improve our environmental capital. In the short term, this is essential for developing activities with a high potential in the economy, such as tourism activities.

Wecannotignorethat,givenwaterdeficitssufferedbyCastilla-LaMancha,theenvironmentisof astrategicnature for theregion,aswater isa fundamental factor forsocioeconomicdevelopment.ThisviewisrecognisedbytheDevelopmentandCompetitivenessPact.Itaimstopromotesustainabledevelopmentintheregion,avoidingnegativeenvironmentalimpactsoraninefficientmanagementof renewableresources.Therefore,itissuggestedthatprogressisneededtwoparallelfields:supplyandwastewatertreatment.

priority axis 3. environment, natural surroundings, water resourCes and risK prevention

Development of basic water infrastructures

(for towns and economic

activities)

Objectives of axis 3 “Environment, natural surroundings, water Resources and Risk Prevention”

Takingallof thisintoaccount,theenvironmentalpolicy,whichalreadytookonasignificantroleinthepreviousprogrammingperiod,itstillamajorfigureinthe2007-2013period.

Incoherencewith theStateandtheRegionalenvironmentalpolicies,heCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperationalProgrammetheobjectivesof thispriorityaretoimprovewatermanagementandwastetreatment,toprotectbiodiversityandtheenvironmentandtopreventrisks.

In order to reach these objectives, interventions are concentrated on priority themesrelatedtowatermanagement(drinkablewaterdistributionandwastewatertreatment),wastemanagement (domestic and industrial), protection of biodiversity and the environment,riskpreventionandpromotionof wildresources.Oneof theRegion’sstrategicpriorities isovercomingwaterdeficits.

Provide basic water drainage

infrastructures to towns

Promote the availability of

infrastructures that guarantee quality water supply, thus covering the water

needs of the region (derived from water

shortages and population growth)

Proper management

of domestic or industrial waste

Maintain and restore the

environment when necessary, as a requirement to guarantee the

quality of the life of the population

Carry out actions aimed at defending, restoring and

improving the water

environment, rehabilitating, protecting and

regenerating river surroundings

Protect biodiversity,

restore habitats and species, and regenerate the environment

Prevention of risks, flooding and freshets,

restore the public water domain, fight against

erosion

��


Priority themes of axis 3 “Environment, natural surroundings, water Resources and Risk Prevention”

Construction of infrastructures (recycling centres, treatment plants, controlled dumps, etc.)Purchasing of equipmentAwareness campaigns

Restoration of habitats and speciesConstruction of infrastructures for conserving species Land acquisitions for protecting and regenerating the environmentDevelopment of infrastructures for environmental education, increasing awareness of natural resources, etc.

Fire protecting infrastructures Actions aimed at preventing risks derived from riverbed freshets, measures to combat erosion, etc.

Works to bring drinkable water management and distribution infrastructures to secondary nucleiWater treatment actions

Creation of Environmental Education CentresCreation of necessary interpretive infrastructures to contribute to awareness of geological and geomorphological resources.Development of infrastructures, installations, equipment and activities for conserving flora and fauna on site, nurseries for autochthonous species of flora, resource centres, nature classrooms, etc.Systems for interpretation and information and other equipment for public use, in natural spaces, road infrastructure, etc. Actions for improving habitats and populations of wild fauna

Managing and treating water

Treating waste

Protecting biodiversity and the environment

Risk Prevention

Promoting natural wealth

priority axes Axis �. Environment, Natural Surroundings, Water Resources and Risk Prevention

��


Priority axis 4. Transport and Energy

�4


priority axes Axis 4. Transport and Energy

Transport infrastructures are of a strategic nature for economic activity: they boost the economy, facilitate the development of productive activities and foster regional competition. Likewise, they facilitate territorial cohesion, allowing the appropriate interconnection of population nuclei, displacement for labour reasons, etc.

Castilla-LaManchamustcontinueprogressinginthecreationandmaintenanceof transversalcommunicationinfrastructures.Inviewof thisnecessity,theDevelopmentandCompetitivenessPact2005-2010highlightstheimportanceof infrastructurepolicyandestablishes,asbasicprioritiesinthisfield,theneedtoboosthighspeedmotorways,improvelevelsof interconnectionbetweendifferentareas,optimiseexistingroadsandpromotepublictransport.

priority axis 4. transport and energy

Transport

Improvement of accessibility (mainly intraregional)

“Transport”: the objectives

Promotion of transportation means alternative to road transport

Actions focused on multimodal transport

Contribute to environmental sustainability, promoting clean urban transport

Promotion of new technologies into the transport sector and development intelligent transport systems

TheCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperationalProgrammeOperationalrecognisesthechallengeof supportingregionaldevelopmentthroughtransportinfrastructures,establishingthefollowingobjectives:

Improvementof accessibility(mainlyintraregional).

Promotionof transportationmeansalternativetoroadtransport.

Multimodaltransport.

Contributetoenvironmentalsustainability,promotingcleanurbantransport.

Promotionof newtechnologiesintothetransportsectoranddevelopmentintelligenttransportsystems.

The priority themes are concerned with construction and improvement of railwayinfrastructures, motorways and regional roads. Moreover, the actions will support thedevelopmentof multimodaltransportandcleanurbantransportsystems.

�5


Railway services Motorways and local/regional roads Multimodal transport

“Transport”: Priority themes

Development and Implementation of a Level Crossing Removal Programme

Co-funding of High Speed railway tracks

Construction of particular installations and investments to improve infrastructures

intelligent transportation systems

Encouraging clean urban transportation

Construction of toll roads and motorways

Conditioning of the existing autonomous network

Construction of town diversions in large urban nuclei

Carrying out prior research and provision of multimodal transport platforms

Infrastructures and development of intelligent transportation systems

Substitution of fuel for natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen etc.

Changing and replacement, if applicable, of engines to permit theuse of biofuels

Use of advanced systems for fleet managment that reduce specific consumption


�6


Achieving an efficient and high quality energy supply, with a substantial participation of renewable energy sources, is at the core of a sustainable development process. Castilla-La Mancha has tackled the challenge fighting against climate change whilst guaranteeing energy supply.

TheEuropeanUnionisstronglycommittedtofosterenergyefficiencyandtheuseof renewableenergies.AsfarastheSpanishGovernmentisconcerned,suchEU’sobjectiveshavenotonlybeenadoptedbuttheyarealsoconsideredtobeof specialrelevance.InCastilla-LaMancha,the Development and Competitiveness Pact 2005-2010 is determined to promote energydiversificationandefficiencyaswellastoguaranteequalitysupply.

TheCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperationalProgramme’sobjectivesinthefieldof energyfocusontwomainaspects:

Creationof infrastructuresneededtoobtaincleanenergyfromrenewableenergysources.

Promotionof energyefficiency.

Threepriority themes havebeenenvisagedtofulfilsuchobjectives.Twoof themarerelatedtorenewableenergies(solarandbiomass)whilethethirdconcernsenergyefficiency.

Energy

Support and incentives for obtaining energy from renewable sources

Increase the use of clean energies in order to contribute to the improvement of the environment

Promotion of energy efficiency

“Energy”: the objectives


�7



Speed up and increase the use of biomass

Promote market development of products and services related to technology for using biomass in the domestic sector

–

–

Foster the use of technologies that favour energy efficiency (in final consumption), cogeneration and improvements in demand management

–

“Energy”: Priority themes

Renewable energy: solar

Renewable energy: biomass

Energy efficiency, cogeneration, energy control

Create research centres and develop technology related to concentrated photovoltaic solar energy CPV)

Promote market development of products and services related to CPV as well as the location of auxiliary enterprises dealing with CPV

Promote the use of solar energy

–

–

–

�8


Priority axis 5. urban and Local sustainable Development

�9


priority axes Axis 5. Urban and Local Sustainable Development

Generally speaking, actions co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund take place in the local sphere. Accordingly, such actions integrate local development as a transversal principle. Moreover, there exists a particular axes solely devoted to promote local and urban sustainable development, thus allowing particular territorial needs to be addressed.

InCastilla-LaMancha,therearetwophenomenawithaparticularimpactonurbanandlocaldevelopment.Ontheonehand,thefactthattheareaisessentiallyruralisanimportantaspect.Thepopulation iswidelydispersed,although it issomewhatconcentrated incertainurbancentres(developmentengines).On theotherhand, tourismactivitieshavegreatpotential,although ithasbeen littleexploitedasyet.Exploitingtourismopensthedoortonumerouspossibilitiesfordevelopment.

Axis5of theCastilla-LaManchaERDFOperationalProgrammegivesconsiderablesupportto the territory’s socio-economic development process. Given its relevance in order tostrengthenterritorialcohesion,theshareof fundsallocatedtothisAxisinCastilla-LaManchahaswitnessedaremarkableincreaseinthenewprogrammingperiod(2007-2013).

priority axis 5. urban and loCal sustainable development

The general objective established in Axis 5 (Urban and Local Sustainable Development)is to increase competitiveness and to attain a more balanced development between theeconomicallystrongercitiesand the restof theurbannetwork.To thatend, the followingobjectiveshavebeensetout:

Toboosteconomicdevelopment,employment(inequalopportunitytermsbetweenmenandwomen)andsocialinclusion.

Toenhanceenvironmentalrecoveryandconservation.

Toboostbusinessinitiative,localemploymentandcommunitydevelopment.

Torestoretheenvironment,reurbaniseindustrialsitesandpreserveanddevelophistoricalandculturalheritage.

Toreinforcecohesion,promotingsocial,culturalandeconomicintegration.

TheUrbanandLocalSustainableDevelopmentAxishasthreepriority themes:sector-specificprojectsfortourismandcultureandurbanandlocalregenerationprojects.

To increase competitiveness and to attain a more balanced development between the economically stronger cities and the rest of the urban network through actions which promote business initiative, local employment and community development

To promote employment and equality between men and women

Environmental recovery and conservation

To restore the environment and to preserve and develop historical and cultural heritage

To reinforce cohesion by promoting social, cultural and economic integration

Priority themes of axis 5 “urban and local sustainable development”

40


Action in the network of archaeology sites and roman roads

Preserving and providing equipment in the grid of provincial museums

Preserving civil and religious monuments

Building and equipping cultural centres and fitting out conference centres and auditoriums

–

–

–

–

Small and medium-sized municipalities: regeneration projects (information society promotion, economic development, etc.) and boosting citizen involvement in managing public matters

Larger-sized municipalities: creating an innovative initiative (“URBANA”) which promotes integrated sustainable development programmes in Spanish cities with over 50,000 inhabitants and provincial capitals (improving competition, internal cohesion in inter-city connections and integration of most vulnerable groups). It will give continuity to the URBAN Community Initiative that aimed at: formulating and applying innovative strategies for the economic and social regeneration of small and medium-sized cities or large city neighbourhoods in difficulty; improving and exchanging knowledge and experience in relation to urban regeneration and sustainable development in the affected areas.

–

–

Developing and supporting tourism

Supporting local entities’ tourism promotion Plans and Programmes

–

–

Other assistance for improving tourism services

Cultural heritage protection and preservation

integrated projects for urban and rural regeneration

priority axes Axis 5. Urban and Local Sustainable Development

Priority themes of axis 5 “urban and local sustainable development”

41


Priority axis 6. social infrastructure

4�


priority axes Axis 6. Social Infrastructure

Social infrastructures are an indispensable element of sustainable development since they guarantee that progressive increase in the quality of life reaches every population group. The Castilla-La Mancha �007-�01� ERDF Operational Programme faces the challenge of improving and adapting social infrastructure through intervention focussed on four spheres: education, health, child care and coverage groups with social exclusion risk.

TheobjectivesandactionsestablishedintheERDFProgrammeforCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013arestrictlylinkedtotheDevelopmentandCompetitivenessPact.Thispointstoaseriesof actionsneededtoimprovesocialwelfareandcitizenqualityof life,suchascreatingchildren’seducationcentresandreinforcingtheeducationalinfrastructure.

ThatiswhytheCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperationalProgrammeestablishesthefollowinggeneral objectivesregardingsocialinfrastructure:

Toguaranteesocialcohesionboth inurbanandruralareas, fundamentally in theeducationalandhealthspheres.

Tosupportwomenaccesstothejobmarketthroughtheprovisionof infrastructuresfavourabletoreachabalancebetweenworkandfamilylife.

Tosupportgroupswith social exclusion risk, suchas theelderly, immigrantsandindividualswithdisabilities.

The actions set out are framed within four priority themes: infrastructure for education,health, childcare and other infrastructures (devoted to cover groups with exclusion risk).Inquantitativeterms,mostof thehelpshallbeallocatedtoeducationalinfrastructure.Thishighlightsthedecisivecommitmentof Castilla-LaMancha’sGovernmenttoreduceearlyschoolleaving.

priority axis 6. soCial inFrastruCture

To support groups with

social exclusion risk

“social infrastructure”: the objectives

To ensure social cohesion

To boost infrastructures which foster the balance

between work and family life

4�


infrastructure: education

Priority themes of axis 6 “social infrastructure”

Improve, create and widen educational supply and equipments

Restoring and building health and clinical specialities centres to improve the coverage of the regional health system

Investing into Childcare day centres

Provision of infrastructures that favour integration of groups at social risk. Centres for: the elderly, immigrants, individuals with disabilities, children, abused individuals, etc. (all of which fall into the day centre category)

infrastructure: health

Childcare infrastructure

Other social infrastructure

priority axes Axis 6. Social Infrastructure

44


Priority axis 7. Technical assistance

45


priority axes Axis 7. Technical Assistance

The new programming period sets out a number of obligations for control, follow-up, evaluation, etc., which will help us reach an adequate use of the resources available in the Operational Programme. To that end, there must be sufficient capacity to safeguard the coherence of procedures in all of the bodies involved in developing the programme.

In response to these demands, the last Axis of the Castilla-La Mancha 2007-2013 ERDFOperationalProgrammeEuropeanincludesregulationsrelatingtotechnicalassistance,withtheaimof:

Supportingadherencetocommunityobligations(inrelationtomanagementsystms,controlandevaluation).

Strengtheningprogrammemanagement (coordinatingand rationalising resourcesand improving tools for planning, following up and managing the OperationalProgramme).

Boostingthestudyof issuesrelatedtotheStructuralFunds.

EnsuringthatinformationabouttheOperationalProgrammewidelyspread(content,results,beneficiariesandco-fundedoperations).

priority axis 7. teChniCal assistanCe TheobjectivessetoutintheAxiswillbedevelopedthroughpublicadvicecontractsandserviceassistance.

Theactivities tobedevelopedarechannelledtowardssupportingOperationalProgrammemanagement,attemptingtomaximisecommunityvalue.Therearetwopriority themes.First,theactionsrelatedtoproperlymanagingtheprogramming,thefollowupandthecontrolof the programmed actions. And second, the evaluation, studies, conferences, seminars andpublicity for theOperationalProgramme(andanyactions thought necessary tomeet theobjectives).

To guarantee the correct implementation, follow up, evaluation and control of the Operational Programme aimed at ensuring that the expected objectives are met

–

Developing the evaluations demanded by community regulations (articles 47 and 48 of the Regulations (EC) 108� / �00

Carrying out sector-specific studies, prospective and feasibility studies, studies on macroeconomics, etc. required to ensure that the Operational Programme develops properly

Inform, rise awareness and increase transparency about the European Union’s Cohesion Policy

–

–

–

Priority themes

Objectives

Preparation, implementation, follow-up and inspection

Evaluation and studies, information and communication

To support adherence to community obligations

To strengthen programme management

To boost the study of issues related to the Structural Funds

To spread information about the Operational Programme and the Cohesion Policy

46


There are three authorities involved in the Castilla-La Mancha �007-�01� ERDF Operational Programme’s management: a Managing Authority, a Certifying Authority and an Audit Authority.

TheSpanishStatehasdesignated theMinistryof Economyand theTreasury, through theStateSub-divisionforERDFAdministration,asManaging Authority.Assuch,itisresponsibleof allprogrammesco-fundedby theEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund.TheManagingAuthoritydealswithensuringthatthemanagementandcontrolsystemfunctionscorrectlyinadditiontogenerallycoordinatingthesystem.

InSpain,theCertifying AuthorityistheStateSub-divisionforCertificationandPaymentsintheStateDepartmentforCommunityFundsintheMinistryof EconomyandtheTreasury.Itisresponsibleforperiodicallypresentingstatements(forexpensesandpaymentrequests)andmakingchecksandbalancestoprojectsfinancedbytheOP,etc.

Finally,theAudit AuthorityistheState’sPublicAccountsDepartment(IGAE),abranchof theMinistryof EconomyandtheTreasury.ThePublicAccountsDepartmentinCastilla-LaMancha(IntervenciónGeneraldelaComunidadAutónomadeCastilla-LaMancha)sharesthisfunctionwiththeIGAEwithinitssphereof action.TheAuditAuthorityfunctionsincludecarryingouttheauditsfortheOP’smanagementandcontrolsystems,communicatingconfirmedirregularitiesintheexpenseswithotherAuthorities(whereapplicable),etc.

In addition, the EU regulations on Structural Funds state that “The Member State or themanagingauthoritymayentrustthemanagementandimplementationof apartof anoperationalprogrammetooneormore intermediate bodies,designatedby theMemberStateor themanagingauthority”. In caseof theCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013ERDFOperational twointermediatebodieshavebeenappointed(bothattachedtotheVice-PresidencyandRegionalMinistryforEconomyandFinanceof theAutonomousCommunityof Castilla-LaMancha):

DirectorateGeneralforBudgetandEuropeanFunds.

Sociedad para el Desarrollo Industrial de Castilla-La Mancha, S.A. (SODICAMAN),responsiblefortheGlobalGrant(seeGlossaryof terms).

Theintermediatebody“DirectorateGeneralBudgetandCommunityFunds”hasadoptedthefollowing functions: tocontribute toevaluating theOperationalProgramme; toensure thatits computerised systems are compatiblewith the computer system sharedwith all of theEuropean Regional Development Fund’s Operational Programmes in Spain; to supply theManagingAuthoritywithallnecessaryinformation;toensurethattheinformationandpublicity

requirementsaremet;etc.Tothatend,ithasafunctionalstructureinwhichtwoservicesaredistinguished:

European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund Service. It has threetasks:toapprovetransactions,tofollowactionsco-fundedbytheprogrammeandtosupervisetheOperationalProgramme.

CertifyingService.Thetaskscarriedout include:processingapprovedoperationaltransactions,drawinguprefundrequestsandfollowingupthepaymentsreceived.

Castilla-LaManchahasstrengthenedthemanagementstructureof itsERDFOPbysettingupaFollow Up Committeeatthebeginningof 2008.ItischairedbytheMinistryof EconomyandtheTreasury’sDirectorateGeneralforCommunityFunds,undertheco-presidencyof theDirectorateGeneralforBudgetandCommunityFundsintheCastilla-LaManchaGovernmentVice-PresidencyandRegionalMinistryforEconomyandFinanceof theAutonomousCommunityof Castilla-LaMancha.

appendix. the Castilla-la manCha 2007-2013 erdF operational programme’s management oF

47


TheCommunityStrategicGuidelinescontaintheprinciplesandprioritiesof cohesionpolicyandsuggestwaystheEuropeanregionscantakefulladvantageof Fundsavailablefornationalandregionalaidprogrammesin2007-2013.Nationalauthoritieswillusetheguidelinesasthebasisfordraftingtheirnationalstrategicprioritiesandplanningfor 2007-2013, the so called National Strategic Reference Frameworks (NSRFs).AccordingtotheguidelinesandinlinewiththerenewedLisbonstrategy,programmesco-financed through the cohesion policy should seek to target resources on thefollowingthreepriorities:improvingtheattractivenessof MemberStates,regionsandcitiesbyimprovingaccessibility,ensuringadequatequalityandlevelof services,andpreservingtheirenvironmentalpotential;encouraginginnovation,entrepreneurshipand thegrowthof theknowledgeeconomyby researchand innovationcapacities,including new information and communication technologies; and creating moreandbetter jobsbyattractingmorepeopleintoemploymententrepreneurialactivity,improving adaptability of workers and enterprises and increasing investment inhumancapital.

DuringtheLisbonEuropeanCouncil(March2000),theHeadsof StateandGovernmentimplementedtheso-called“Lisbon”strategy inordertomaketheEuropeanUnionthemostcompetitiveeconomyintheworldandtoreachfullemploymentby2010.Developed in several European Councils subsequent to the Lisbon Council, thisstrategyisbasedonthreepillars:aneconomicpillar,whichwouldprepareatransitiontowardsacompetitive,dynamiceconomybasedonknowledge;asocialpillar,whichwouldallowtheEuropeansocialmodeltomodernisethankstoinvestmentintohumanresourcesandtothefightagainstsocialexclusion;andanenvironmentalpillar,addedattheGothenburgEuropeanCouncilinJune2001,whichbringsattentiontothefactthateconomicgrowthshouldbeseparatefromtheuseof naturalresources.

TheStructuralFunds,alongwiththeCohesionFund,makeupthetwofinancialtoolsof theEuropeanUnion(EU)’sregionalpolicy,directedtowardsreducingthedifferencesindevelopmentbetween the regionsand theMemberStates.TheFunds thus fullycontribute to the aim of economic, social and territorial cohesion. For the period2007-2013,thefinancialprovisionallocatedtotheregionalpolicyamountstoalmost348billionEuros:278billionfortheStructuralFundsand70billionfortheCohesionFund. There are two Structural Funds: the European Regional Development Fund(ERDF)whichinquantitativetermsisthemoreimportant,anditspurposeistograntaidtobuildinginfrastructureandtomakingproductiveinvestmentsintogeneratingemployment;andtheEuropeanSocialFund(ESF),whoseaimistofinancetrainingactivitiesinordertohelptheunemployedandthepopulation’smostunaidedpeopleentertheworkscene.

TheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund(ERDF)isoneof theStructuralFundswhichhasbeengrantingaidsince1975forbuildinginfrastructureandmakingproductiveinvestment into generating employment. The Funds from the European RegionalDevelopmentFundaimtopromoteeconomicandsocialcohesionbycorrectingthemain regional imbalancesandbyparticipating indevelopingand restructuring theregions,simultaneouslyensuringsynergywithinterventionfromtheotherStructuralFunds.

“Majorprojects”aredefinedasaseriesof tasks,activitiesorservicesaimedatcarryingoutanindivisibletaskof aparticulareconomicortechnicalnature,whichpursuestheobjectivesclearlysetoutandthetotalcostof whichexceeds25millionEuros,if itrelatestotheenvironment,and50millionEurosif itaffectsotherspheres.

Community strategic guidelines:

Lisbon strategy:

structural Funds:

ERDF’s Funds:

Major projects:

glossary oF terms

48


TheNationalStrategicReferenceFrameworkisadocumentwhichisbothfinancialandstrategicinnature.Asafinancialdocument,itincludestheprovisionfortheregionalpolicyandterritorialcohesionsetoutforSpainintheEuropeanCouncilAgreementdatedthe16thof December2005,whichapprovestheFinancialProspectsfortheperiod2007-2013.Asastrategicdocument, itestablishesthestrategydesignedfortheCohesionFund,theEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund(ERDF)andtheEuropeanSocialFund(ESF)forthesameperiod2007-2013.

DocumentwhichspecifiestheregionalstrategyforapplyingtheEuropeanUnion’sregionalpolicyinCastilla-LaMancha,fromwhichtheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund’sOperationalProgrammeisdevelopedforCastilla-LaMancha2007-2013.

TheNationalReformProgramme(NRP) isadocumentwhich ispresented to theEuropeanCommissionand isa fundamental referencepoint for themedium-termeconomic policy, establishing full convergence with the European Union by 2010asthestrategicobjective,bothforpercapitaincomeandemployment,andintheknowledge society. Designed around seven axes for action, it includes a set of objectivesandindicatorsenablingthemtobefollowedupandevaluated,andisoneof theEU’s“bestpractices”.

global grants:

Convergence Regions:

Operational Programme (OP):

national Reform Programme (nRP):

AnOperationalProgramme(OP)isthedocumentpresentedbyaMemberStateandapproved by the Commission, which includes a development strategy including acoherentsetof priorities,theimplementationof whichshallrequirehelpfromoneof theFundsor,whenitrelatestotheconvergenceobjective,theCohesionFundandtheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund.

These are theEuropean regionswhich have a per capita GDPbelow75%of thecommunityaverage.IntheEuropeanUnion,thereareeighty-fourregionsconcernedbythisobjective(inSpain:Andalusia,Castilla-LaMancha,ExtremaduraandGalicia).

Thisisaparticularmechanismformanagingandimplementingpartof theOperationalProgramme,whichtheManagingAuthorityentruststoanIntermediateBody,whichmeetscertainrequirements.Intheframeworkof theEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund’sOperationalProgrammeinCastilla-LaMancha,theSociedadparaelDesarrolloIndustrialdeCastilla-LaMancha,S.A.(SODICAMAN),attachedtotheVice-PresidencyandRegionalMinistry forEconomyandFinanceof theAutonomousCommunityof Castilla-LaMancha,willmanagetheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund’sGlobalGrant. The provision initially set for this Grant is 24,795,009 Euros. This includesactionfromAxes1,3and7.

Regional strategic Framework (RsF):

national strategic Reference Framework (nsRF):

glossary oF terms

49


Operational Programme “Castilla-La Mancha” 2007-2013

Programme under the Convergence Objective co-funded by the European Regional

Development Fund (ERDF)

operational programme “castilla-la mancha”...

Documents