Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2004)495 - European Regional Development Fund - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2004)495 - European Regional Development Fund. |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2004)495  |
| date | 14-07-2004 |
The most recent enlargement has heightened regional disparities within the EU, with a large increase in regions whose development is lagging. With GDP per head ranging from 30% to 75% of the community average, they are faced with the challenge of achieving convergence. In the more developed regions, on the other hand, the continuing challenge is to establish and reinforce their relative attractiveness by increasing their competitiveness in order to contribute to the harmonious development of the Community's territory,.
Enlargement has simultaneously increased the overall number of EU borders. This calls for greater territorial co-operation, based around joint projects for local development under cross-border cooperation, actions conducive to integrated territorial development under transnational development, and networks of development and exchange.
The differences in the level of regional development within the Community, require a both in budgetary and in thematic terms. ERDF actions are thus differentiated depending upon the beneficiary region, whilst remaining concentrated upon the Union's priorities, as defined in Lisbon and Gothenburg.
Under the 'Convergence' objective, the ERDF maintains a broad range of interventions, which reflects the important needs faced by these regions. This must allow the regions to mobilise and modernise their resources and launch a process of integrated and sustainable regional development. A new emphasis is placed upon research, innovation and risk prevention, while infrastructures retain an important role.
The 'Regional competitiveness and employment' objective is constructed around a three-pronged menu of themes: innovation and the knowledge economy, which seeks to raise the quality of regional economies, environment and risk prevention, in order to ensure the sustainability of these developments, and accessibility to transport services and information and communication technologies (ICTs), aimed at reducing regional isolation from transport and digital networks, a pre-condition for their attractiveness.
A specific objective is dedicated to territorial co-operation, which is organised around cross-border and trans-national elements, based upon a menu of actions linked to the Lisbon and Gothenburg agenda. The inter-regional dimension, in turn, is part of the joint management of programmes under the preceding two objectives. This is based upon a bottom-up approach, which ensures the involvement of all actors and the success of actions carried out. Support for the development of networks of exchange, analysis and study between regions and local authorities will continue to be provided by this objective. Programming and management rules are simplified and clarified.
Finally, the ERDF pays particular attention to territorial specificities, in particular in accordance with article 299 i of the EC treaty. In this regard, the regulation allows, during the planning phase of programmes, to modulate the menu to take account of the particular situation of urban and rural areas, and areas with natural handicaps. Also, the financing of the additional costs brought about by the peripheral location of the outermost regions is allowed for.