Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Regions delivering Lisbon through

Cohesion Policy 2007-2013

Press Briefing

by

Regional Policy Commissioner Prof. Danuta Hübner

12th December 2007

Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

The source: Communication "Member States and Regions delivering the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs through EU cohesion policy, 2007-2013“ adopted by the Commission on 11 December 2007 as part of the “Lisbon Package”

Based on what? Throughout 2007, all Member States and regions have agreed cohesion policy programmes for the period 2007-13 including an « earmarking exercise » to focus investment on the Lisbon targets.

What’s in it? Investment targets for cohesion policy programmes at the level of Member States.

Message: Regions deliver growth and jobs through Cohesion Policy programmes.

What is it about?

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Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Between 2007 and 2013, Cohesion policy will invest EUR 347 in all EU regions while the focus is on « Convergence » regions (in red) receiving 82% of available funds.

« Earmarking » of investment on « Lisbon related » issues was made an obligation for all Member States by the Council, remaining voluntary for EU12 though.

A reminder

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Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Cohesion policy at the heart of the Lisbon process

Regions under the Convergence objective plan to invest 65% of the funds on Lisbon” (+11% compared to the past), regions under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective 82% on Lisbon-related priorities.

In general, efforts go beyond the targets of 60 and 75% set for the two objectives.

A parallel reporting system to ensure consistency between cohesion policy programmes and delivery of the priorities of the National Reform Programmes.

Greater decentralisation to regional and local partners leading to better governance and ownership of the Lisbon agenda.

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Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Cohesion policy 2007-2013 in support of the four 2006/2007 Spring Council priority actions…More than EUR 85 million (25% of the cohesion budget) planned for investment in knowledge and innovation, more than half of it - EUR 49.5 billion - will be invested in improving innovative capacity in business, by supporting technological transfer and cooperation, as well as R&D and eco-innovation.

EUR 19 billion (5% of the cohesion budget) for business development, especially of SMEs.

Around EUR 50 billion (14%) planned for improving human capital, active labour market policies, human resource development in enterprises.

Investment in energy and energy efficiency 5 times higher in Convergence regions and 7 times higher in the other regions compared to the 2000-2006 period.

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Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Investment in RTD and innovation

Comparision between programming periods for EU-25(% of total allocations)

0,0%5,0%

10,0%15,0%20,0%25,0%30,0%35,0%

2007-2013 2000-2006

EU 27 EU 25

Innovation

Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Increased investment in energy and energy efficiency

Comparison between programming periods for EU-25(% of total allocations)

0,0%0,2%0,4%0,6%0,8%1,0%1,2%1,4%1,6%1,8%

2007-2013 2000-2006

EU 25 EU 25

Energy

Energy efficiency

Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Cohesion policy addresses new challenges on the agenda

EUR 47 billion for investment combating the climate change

Comparision between programming periods for EU-25(% of total allocations)

0,0%2,0%4,0%6,0%8,0%

10,0%12,0%14,0%16,0%

2007-2013 2000-2006

EU 27 EU 25

Climate Change

Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

EUR 51 billion to be invested in strengthening synergies between environment and growth by investing in environmental protection and risk prevention

Investing in transport (EUR 76 billion, half of which for TEN-T projects) as essential pre-condition for economic development of Member States and regions

Promotion of an inclusive labour market (EUR 8 billion)

Modernising public administrations and services (EUR 3.6 billion) to ensure effective delivery of the programmes

…and addressing other key Community priorities

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Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Varied efforts at the level of the Member States both, in the “Convergence” regions…

Convergence

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Lisbon Non Lisbon

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Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

…and in the “Regional Competitiveness and Employment” regions.

Regional Competitiveness and Employment

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

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Regional Policy

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Next steps

Some cohesion policy programmes are still to be decided before the end of 2007/early in 2008. Following adoption of all 450 or so programmes, a Communication will summarize the negotiations process between the Commission and the Member States.

At this stage, the programming documents set out the commitments made by Member States and regions.

In the coming years, it will be important to ensure effective and timely implementation of planned actions including continuous monitoring of results leading to recommendations.

Adjustment of programmes to new challenges or in order to improve delivery of results in terms of growth and jobs.

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