Panorama of the European Union: n. 49/2014, summer edition

Regional and
Urban Policy
▶
EU Solidarity Fund reform
▶World Urban Forum
▶

ESI Funds support coastal
communities
▶

Committee of the Regions
celebrates 20th anniversary
anorama
inforegio
[SUMMER 2014 ▶ No. 49]
▶Building
partnerships
Putting cohesion
policy into practice

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▶EDITORIAL............................................................................................3
Commissioner Johannes Hahn
▶INTERVIEW

DENMARK PUTS PARTNERSHIP
INTO PRACTICE.............................................................................4-7
Interview with Preben Gregersen and Marie Guldborg
▶URBAN EQUITY, A KEY DRIVER
OF WORLDWIDE DEVELOPMENT:
WORLD URBAN FORUM......................................................8-12
▶SUPPORTING COASTAL COMMUNITIES.........13-15
▶MAPS.............................................................................................16-17
Measuring regional entrepreneurship
▶EU ENLARGEMENT:
10 YEARS OF GROWTH...................................................18-19
▶EUROPE DAY 2014 ACROSS THE EU............... 20-23
▶REGIOSTARS 2014............................................................24-25
▶COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
20 YEARS ON...........................................................................26-29
▶IN YOUR OWN WORDS..................................................30-33
Views from stakeholders on cohesion
policy 2014-2020
▶IMPROVING GOOD GOVERNANCE...................... 34-35
▶PROJECTS................................................................................ 36-39
Examples of projects from Hungary, Slovenia
and of European Territorial Cooperation
▶NEWS IN BRIEF...................................................................40-42
▶EU SOLIDARITY FUND REFORM..........................43-47
Disaster relief to be streamlined
▶AGENDA..............................................................................................48
[SUMMER 2014 ▶ No. 49]
Photographs (pages):
Cover: Nyhavn (New Harbour) in Copenhagen (Denmark)
© Igor Plotnikov/Shutterstock
Pages 3, 8, 10, 12, 19, 24-25, 26-27, 28, 35: © European Commission
Page 12: © Damien Decallatay
Pages 4-7: © Danish Business Authority, © AgriFish Agency
Pages 13, 14, 15: Côte d’Opale © Jonas Zetterberg,
Sweden © Annette Westberg, Scotland © Erik Lindebo
Page 19: Cyprus © European Parliament Office in Cyprus/ European
Commission Representation in Cyprus, Hungary © Eurodesk Hungary/
Ildiko Fulop, Czech Republic © European Commission
Pages 20-23: France © Mois de l’Europe en Auvergne/Julien Mignot,
Austria © Stadt Wien, Netherlands © Brabant Region/UNAS project,
Hungary © Prime Minister’s Office/www.futofoto.hu, Lithuania © Ministry
of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania,
Poland © Office of the Marshal of the Warminsko-Mazurskie
Voivodship, Italy © Regione Campania, Croatia © Ministry of Regional
Development and EU Funds of Croatia, Czech Republic © Government
of the Czech Republic
Pages 30-33: © Contributing organisations
Pages 7, 34 : © Shutterstock
Pages 36, 37, 38, 39: © SPACE-SI, © PRISMA solutions, © Istituto
Nazionale di Geofísica e Vulcanologia, Italy, © Stratis
Pages 43-47: Austria © Austrian Armed Forces Photograph/KERMER,
Serbia © Nemar74/Shutterstock, © NesaCera/Shutterstock, Italy
© iStockphoto, Germany © Ulrich Willmunder/Shutterstock
▶43
▶8
▶20
▶4
▶24

▶EDITORIAL
A decade ago, the European Union was expanded from 15 to
25 Member States through the accession of new members
from Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Further enlarge-
ments have brought the number of members to 28.
Enlargement has made the EU the world’s biggest single
market. It has increased trade between Member States
and brought new jobs, investment and growth. It has further
strengthened Europe’s weight in the world and, as an economic
grouping of 500 million citizens, the EU is well positioned
to make its voice heard across the globe. The EU’s enlarge-
ment to the east has firmly anchored democracy, freedom and
the rule of law for millions of people. It has brought stability
and reunited Europe after years of artificial division.
Cohesion policy funding together with the co-financing pro-
vided by Member States, now accounts for a very significant
proportion of public investment in Europe – more than half of
all public investment in Member States such as Bulgaria,
Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovakia.
Strategic Partnership
Agreements underway
Following last year’s agreement on the 2014-2020 Cohesion
Policy legislative package, the first Partnership Agreements
(PAs) with Member States have now been signed.
The PAs are vital in guiding the strategic investment by
Member States and regions for the next seven years using
the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds. They
help focus action on a limited number of key policy objectives
so that the EU economy can build a critical mass of invest-
ment in priority areas such as research and innovation, SMEs,
ICT, and the low-carbon economy.
Johannes Hahn
Member of the European Commission
in charge of Regional Policy
It is imperative that good quality programmes are put in place
and over the past year there has been a constant dialogue
and interaction between the Commission and Member States
in the development of appropriate programmes.
The first PA to be signed was with Denmark. At the time of
writing, agreements have also been signed with Germany,
Greece, Poland, Cyprus, the three Baltic nations Lithuania,
Latvia and Estonia, as well as Slovakia. More will follow over
the coming months. The content of the PA is specific to the
needs of each country while at the same time reflecting
Europe's wider goals. Denmark, for example, has defined stra-
tegic investment programmes that will enhance innovation,
transform Danish SMEs into models of growth, and secure
Denmark's leading role in the green economy. More can be
learned about this approach in the article on page 4.
Good governance
With more than EUR 351 billion now available to help regen-
erate Europe’s regions, it is essential that these funds are
invested well and securely. Indeed the new regulations pro-
vide a stronger legal basis for fighting against corruption and
fraud, and contain for the first time the explicit requirement
to put in place risk-based, effective and proportionate fraud
prevention measures. Just as important is a clear emphasis
on the setting of clear goals as well as fulfilling certain con-
ditions before these investments can flow. Clear political com-
mitment will be vital in ensuring the proper use of ESI Funds.
Finally we should not forget the support that the EU can bring
to Member States in times of natural disasters. In this issue we
highlight the work done under the EU Solidarity Fund to help
recovery from earthquakes, storms and floods and we highlight
recent reforms to make aid delivery faster and more effective.
 3
panorama [SUMMER 2014 ▶ No. 49]

▶
DENMARK PUTS
PARTNERSHIP INTO
PRACTICE
PREBEN GREGERSEN is head of the Danish Managing Author-
ity for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the
European Social Fund (ESF) in the Danish Business Authority.
MARIE GULDBORG is head of the Danish Managing Authority
for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and the
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) in
the Danish AgriFish Agency.
Denmark was the first country to have its ESIF-part-
nership agreement (PA) approved by the Commission
on the 5 May 2014. While waiting for the approval of
the operational programmes (OPs), Panorama has
interviewed regional policy director, Preben Gregersen,
and Head of Division Marie Guldborg.
▶
When did Denmark begin preparing its PA? How was your
approach to the process at the beginning? What where
the key elements taken into account?
preben gregersen ‘Before the summer holidays in 2012 we
set up a small task force at a ministerial level including the
Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Food, Agriculture and
Fisheries, and Business and Growth. The establishment of
this group of the most central ministries was the first step.
I have been part of the preparation of new strategies and
programmes several times, and my experience is that it is
important to start early if you want to be ready almost on
time. Quite a lot of people thought that it was almost too
early to start in the middle of 2012. And indeed there are
always valid arguments about uncertain elements: budget,
regulations, implementing acts, etc. But I think the involved
partners are content today.
‘Next step was the establishment of a group of 10 impor-
tant ministries to support the process, and in September
2012 we invited about 100 participants from organisations,
ministries, regions, municipalities and NGOs to a start-up
event introducing the tentative regulations, the most impor-
tant growth challenges in Denmark and having the first
discussions on the strategic approach.’
▶
How far is the Danish PA the result of a partnership
between the main actors involved?
marie guldborg ‘It is definitely the result of a partnership
between ministries, regions, businesses, academics and
NGOs. We have held two big events to which all relevant
partners were invited – one at the very beginning and one at
the end. In between we held bilateral meetings with several
partners including business organisations, green organisations
▶INTERVIEW
4
4
4

and NGOs, the regions and the municipalities. We have dis-
cussed the approach and the common strategy for the four
funds, and we have discussed the contents of the programmes
because of the close connection between programmes and
the partnership agreement. We have also had workshops and
events on the operational programmes, including introduc-
tions to issues related to the partnership agreement.’
▶
How would you evaluate the input of the Commission
services during your country’s negotiations?
preben gregersen ‘I think we have had a very fruitful coop-
eration with the Commission. Generally speaking the Com
mission’s position paper from November 2012 did not include
anything unexpected.
‘Since autumn 2012 we have had an ongoing informal dia-
logue with the Danish desks. That informal dialogue has proven
to be the key. We appreciate highly what two handfuls of
dedicated Commission colleagues did for us – at all levels.
I think that the informal dialogue and the informal discus-
sions have facilitated our political process in Denmark and
made it possible to make political decisions even though we
did not have any regulations approved.
‘The Commission and the Danish authorities have had
a common interest in preparing the partnership agreement
and the operational programmes in a constructive and pro-
gressive process. On the one hand it has been important
to have the courage to continue the political process in
Denmark even though the regulations were not approved
and decisions were made on draft versions. We have been
first movers in some ways. Then on the other hand it is
important that the Commission is aware, that the implica-
tions of such an informal process are that it is quite difficult
to change political mandates if the Commission suddenly
– and quite late – gets second thoughts. But generally speak-
ing the Commission has helped us finding sustainable solu-
tions and constructive compromises.’
▶LITTLESMARTTHINGS
The ERDF-project LittleSmartThings
on Bornholm focuses on the
development of unmanned aerial
vehicle technology.
▶INNOVAID
The start-up company Innovaid designs and produces
training equipment for children with disabilities.
MTIC – an ERDF-funded project specialised in
business development within MedTech – helped
founder Martin Hjort to get started.
 5

▶
What was your experience of closely coordinating
the development of four funds? How did you establish
a coherent approach?
marie guldborg ‘Of course the partnership agreement is
a new way of working and we had to think about potential
synergies and how to make a coherent strategy based on
the experiences from the former period. In the AgriFish
Agency we know more about the Regional Fund and the
Social Fund than we did before – and I know that the col-
leagues in the Danish Business Authority feel the same way
about the Rural Development Fund and the Maritime and
Fisheries Fund.
‘In my opinion we had a good process which was based on
the experiences from 2007-2013. Our four funds already
supplemented each other quite well during that period.
Another important element is the fact that only two minis-
tries are responsible for the four ESI-funds in Denmark:
the Danish AgriFish Agency is responsible for the EMFF and
the EAFRD, and the Danish Business Authority is responsible
for the ESF and the ERDF. Coordination and close contact
is much easier when you are only two ministries instead of
maybe three or four.
‘The Commission position paper gave us good guidance, and
actually the biggest discussions on strategy were expected
in advance, so no real surprises happened during the PA pro-
cess. In my opinion there is an overall Danish consensus on
the main growth issues in all sectors which made it easier
to formulate a coherent strategy. From the beginning the
coherent strategy was mainly discussed in the group of the
ten ministries – and later it was introduced to the regions
and the municipalities and the rest of the partnership.
‘We had a few demarcation discussions on the four funds
– for example, regarding education of farmers and support
to innovative farmers – but we have found solutions that
are acceptable.’
▶
How should cohesion policy contribute to the economic
development of Denmark?
preben gregersen ‘Denmark is performing better now – and
the Copenhagen area is even performing well – compared
to the economic crises of 5-6 years ago. We expect that we
are on our way out of the financial crisis. The Danish gov-
ernment has published growth plans on issues important
for Danish enterprises because of international competi-
tiveness. Cohesion policy will give an additional boost and
ensure that all regions will be part of the development. But
from a European perspective, we do not get a lot of money
from the ESI Funds and we cannot boost a lot.’
▶
What results do you expect for Denmark at the end of
the seven year period?
marie guldborg ‘The principle of thematic concentration is in
line with the Danish government priorities. As a consequence
our programmes will focus on fewer initiatives than in the
DEVELOPING THE PA AND
THE OPs: A JOINT EXERCISE?
For both authorities, the development of the partnership
agreement and the OPs have been an iterative process, which
involved progressing all the documents at the same time.
In spite of the large scale partnership process and to keep
the drafting process on track, only a few members of staff
were dedicated to the concrete drafting of the PA and the
OPs and they worked closely together.
The drafting of the PA was undertaken by mainly two persons
– one in the Danish AgriFish Agency and one in the Danish
Business Authority. The Managing Authority for ESF and ERDF
is located in Silkeborg in Jutland, while the AgriFish Agency
is located in Copenhagen – so a lot of emails have been sent
and mobile phones have been hot during the last two years.
6
6
6
▶INTERVIEW

previous period, and the chosen measures will be those with
a significant effect and those being cost effective. We hope
that the results at the end of the period will reflect this.
‘Further, I expect that it will support a more green and sus-
tainable agricultural sector and a more environmentally sus-
tainable and productive fisheries sector. In my opinion our
programmes and the partnership agreement include a lot
of possibilities that could facilitate this development.’
preben gregersen ‘I am a fan of genuine place-based
approaches and genuine partnerships, and I hope that the
regional growth fora in Denmark will prioritise the funds in
growth and job creation initiatives in all Danish regions bear-
ing in mind the issues of smart specialisation and the special
challenges in some of the areas facing structural challenges.
Denmark did have a growth approach in the 2007-2013 period
as well. We have learnt a lot since 2007, and we have a lot
of data, which could be used to estimate the results for the
coming period. We are working with a results orientation and
have been doing that for some years.’
▶
Have you been in contact with other Member States
drafting their own PA?
marie guldborg ‘Quite a lot of countries asked for our part-
nership agreement, but we did not talk a lot with other coun-
tries during the process. And when we did have contact with
other Member States we mainly exchanged information on
the process and the cooperation with the Commission.’
▶
What lessons have you learned from this exercise and
what would you do differently, knowing what you know
today?
marie guldborg ‘The close contact and the informal dialogue
with the task force in the Commission during the last two
years have been important for the progress and result of
our work. Though we have spent much time on, for example,
bilateral meetings with the Commission, it has been time
well spent, because discussions were taken during the writ-
ing process and not after the formal submission of the part-
nership agreement.
‘Another lesson learned is that planning is important in such
a long process, but flexibility in one’s work is even more
important, because we have been writing the partnership
agreement and the programmes while we were waiting for
the final regulations, the guidelines for the content of the
documents, and the decisions on the allocation of budgets
for the ESI Funds.’
preben gregersen ‘As I said before, my experience is that
you have to start the programming process including the
partnership process earlier than almost everybody else
thinks. Of course it also costs to be first movers. I think I have
noticed that an informal negotiation is as much a negotia-
tion as a formal one. You give and you take. And I hope that
the Commission does not take too much when our pro-
grammes come to the formal procedure.
‘Today I am happy that we insisted on starting at that time
back in 2012. I am happy that we had the courage to develop
the partnership agreement and programmes in parallel with
the development of the regulations. And I am happy that we
have had an open and transparent dialogue with our partner-
ship. That means consensus on the approach, and I am look-
ing forward to implementing the 2014-2020 programmes.’
▶
FIND OUT MORE
www.regionalt.dk
http://agrifish.dk
EU SUPPORT FOR THE
ESI FUNDS IN DENMARK
2014-2020
EAFRD EUR 629 million
EMFF EUR 208 million
ESF EUR 206 million
ERDF EUR 206 million
 7

▶URBAN
EQUITY

A KEY WORLDWIDE DRIVER
OF DEVELOPMENT
Led by Commissioner Hahn, a European Commission del-
egation participated in the UN Habitat 7th World Urban
Forum in Medellín, Colombia, from 5 to 11 April 2014.
This huge event attracted 23 000 participants – including
national, regional and local governments, non-govern-
mental organisations, community-based organisations,
professionals, research institutions and academics, pro-
fessionals, private sector, development finance institu-
tions, foundations, media, European institutions and
United Nations organisations and other international
agencies – from the four corners of the globe to address
the theme of urban equity in development.
Urbanisation is becoming one of the most important chal-
lenges for the 21st century. Over the next decades, the pop-
ulation living in cities will grow by over one billion people,
mainly in developing countries. This creates huge challenges
as urban planners need to develop proper infrastructures
and create appropriate models of urbanisation.
In order to help face these challenges by fostering world-
wide exchanges of experience, the United Nations Human
Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) organises a World
Urban Forum every two years, as the major global meeting
place for urban managers and stakeholders. UN-Habitat is
the United Nations agency mandated to promote socially
and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide
adequate shelter for all.
Now in its seventh edition, the World Urban Forum (WUF7)
in Medellín focused on the fight against inequalities and pro-
moting inclusion, considered as key factors for sustainable
urban development. The event was opened by Manuel Santos,
President of the Republic of Colombia, Joan Clos, Executive
Director of UN-Habitat and Under-Secretary General of the
United Nations, Anibal Garcia, Mayor of Medellin, and Sergio
Fajardo, Governor of the Antioquia Department.
Cities, a priority
in policy making
EU cohesion policy featured at the Forum as a major example
of effective public urban policy.
At the roundtable of Ministers on the topic of national action
for equity in cities and development, Commissioner Hahn
stated ‘Cities can no longer be an afterthought in policy mak-
ing, they have to become an explicit priority’. He outlined the
three priorities of EU urban policy – boosting the research
and innovation capacity; supporting small and medium sized
enterprises; investing in the low carbon economy – and
drew attention to the flourishing international interest in the
EU cohesion policy model.
Urban planning is becoming ever more important as Euro
pean cities will come under increasing pressure from rising
populations. Gata Ngoulou, Minister of Finance in Chad,
argued that climate change, natural hazards, and wars will
provoke massive migration flows, notably towards Europe.
Solutions would need to address decent housing, basic infra-
structure, urban and territorial planning, urban ecology and
good urban/rural linkages, notably via secondary cities.
8
▶WORLD URBAN FORUM

OPEN CITIES OF
TOMORROW – FOSTERING
INCLUSIVENESS AND
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The Commission hosted a networking event with the Inter-
American Development Bank, which showcased examples
from European (Malaga, York, Riga, Torino) and South
American (Sao Paulo, Mar del Plata) cities. These examples
focused on key challenges for cities – housing, the environ-
ment and youth jobs – providing an insight into co-creation
and open-innovation approaches, with the emphasis placed
on ‘what works’ and how we can share it better.
RIGA, LATVIA
The second largest Nordic city and the largest in the Baltics,
is a multicultural hub of 150 nationalities. The city aims
to engage young people through a participatory approach
to local policy, focusing on key issues for young people
with impact, community value and which are youth led.
Riga strives to establish realistic national and local policies
which resonate with the young and diverse community.
TORINO, ITALY
One of the most important European industrial cities in the
20th century, in the last two decades Torino has dramati-
cally changed. The city has been able to create diversified
economic drivers and pressing societal challenges – such
as youth unemployment, pollution, and high public debt –
are being tackled through the Torino Social Innovation pro-
gramme. The URBACT-supported initiative helps young
people to become ‘changemakers’ and develop innovative
solutions for a better and more sustainable community.
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
The most populous city in Brazil, with 11 million inhabit-
ants, São Paulo is responsible for 12 % of the country’s
total GNP. But despite its economic power and innovative
economy there remain some significant disparities among
neighbourhoods, with significant exclusion and deprivation
alongside well developed urban areas.
Following the ‘June Journeys’ public demonstrations
in 2013, which drew attention to a wide range of urban
issues, from public transport to social housing and public
spaces, the municipal government has launched a new
Strategic Master Plan to tackle these challenges. Through
one project, Unified Educational Centers are being devel-
oped with the participation of the whole community,
including young people, and the public authorities, to
inform the development of new public policies.
Joan Clos stressed the role of strong national urban agendas
and US Secretary of State Shaun Donovan spoke about trends
in the US, which now faces a process of re-urbanisation, rely-
ing heavily on the third sector and community involvement.
The realisation is already present for many public authori-
ties. Anne Paugam, Chief Executive Officer of Agence Fran
çaise de Développement (AFD) explained that 50 % of the
EUR 3.5 billion AFD funding already goes on urban develop-
ment, and underlined the importance of long term funding
and the role of banks.
Engaging local communities and
improving cities’ social fabric
According to panellists in a special session on the financing
of the new urban agenda that attracted an audience of over
1 000 people, successful urban policy is only possible by:
engaging and building on the resources and competences
of local communities; strengthening the institutional and
administrative capacities of local authorities; and pursuing
a territorial approach at metropolitan level.
 9

Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the Inter-American Devel
opment Bank, underlined the importance of the ‘social fab-
ric’ to address the fact that worldwide 40 % of cities have
a significant number of people living in deprived neighbour-
hoods with a high level of crime.
The key issue of urban equity was addressed by speakers
throughout the Forum, notably by Nobel economics Laureate
Joseph Stiglitz who drew attention to the poor who are the
main victims of badly planned cities, suffering from a lack of
transport, decent accommodation and public spaces. He under-
lined that inequality and segregation are mistakes that lead
to a country’s political instability and economic weakness.
Exchanging best practices
through cooperation
According to José Carrera, Vice President of CAF Development
Bank of Latin American, 70 % of municipalities do not have
the administrative and financial capacity to carry out the
necessary projects.
The European Commission is therefore currently analysing
possibilities of cooperation on urban development, notably
in Latin America through the URBELAC (Urban European,
Latin American and Caribbean cities) Programme.
MEDELLÍN DECLARATION
EQUITY AS A FOUNDATION
OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
NEW URBAN AGENDA
Participants of the Seventh World Urban Forum highlighted
the need to promote a new urban agenda that can over-
come the challenge of the lack of adequate legal frame-
work and planning, which leads to the relentless expansion
of cities, intensive energy use, alarming and dangerous on
climate change impacts, multiple forms of inequality and
exclusion, and increased difficulties in providing decent
work for all. This agenda should promote an urbanization
model that is people-centred, based on ‘Cities for Life’.
The new urban agenda requires new technologies, reliable
urban data and integrated, participatory planning approaches
to respond both to present challenges and emerging needs
of cities of the future.
We acknowledge that there are many models of urbani-
zation that respond to countries’ and cities’ diverse cultural,
institutional and social conditions. In this context, the new
urban agenda should:
▶
Encourage governments to develop and use methods,
such as national urban plans and policies, that link current
urban development with future needs, and that are solidly
grounded in the fundamental principles of equity, justice
and human rights.
▶
Advance greater social cohesion and break down social
divides, promoting equity through empowering all seg-
ments of society, particularly women, youth and indige-
nous peoples.
▶
Promote participatory and inclusive local governance that
empowers all inhabitants; recognize key contributions of
various levels of government, including regional, sub-
regional and municipal levels; strengthens formal coordina-
tion mechanisms; defines joint responsibilities; and provides
each level of government with the necessary resources and
incentives to carry out their respective roles effectively.
▶
Promote sustainable urban development, based on
urban planning that promotes youth participation, gender
equality, balanced territorial development; strength-
ened resilience to climate change and natural disasters;
the upgrading and prevention of slums; and provision of
housing, basic services and land tenure security; access
to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport;
and access to safe public spaces and services for all.
▶
Promote active and committed participation of the private
sector, civil society, including grassroots communities, and
other constituencies through partnerships to ensure
broad-based economic and social development, in order
to reduce poverty and create jobs for all.
Excerpt from the Medellín Declaration
▶FULL TEXT AVAILABLE AT:
http://worldurbanforum7.org/Media/Default/PDF/
Medell%C3%ADn%20Declaration.pdf/
▶The Comuna 13 shantytown, one of the poorest areas of Medellín.
10

‘ We have a growing number
of dialogues on cohesion
policy around the world.
Urban development is
a major theme in these
dialogues, both with Latin
America and with China.
Europe's cities are open for
business to the rest of the
world, and we know they
will succeed best in partner-
ship with others, which is
why the EU strives for free
trade around the world.
’
JOHANNES HAHN –
EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER
FOR REGIONAL POLICY
▶
Discussion between Anibal Gaviria, Mayor of Medellin,
on the right, and Johannes Hahn.
▶
Johannes Hahn at Ruta N, the Medellín business and innovation centre.
▶Botero Plaza, Medellín.
 11

This is an excerpt from an
article written for the URBACT
blog by Eddy Adams, expert
adviser to URBACT, the EU’s
cities exchange and learning
programme.
▶READ THE FULL ARTICLE:
http://www.blog.urbact.eu/2014/
04/making-sense-of-medellin/
WUF7
WHY MEDELLÍN?
It is no coincidence that the WUF7 was held in
Medellín, as there is probably no other city in the
world that better demonstrates the potential for
urban change.
In 2013 The Wall Street Journal declared Medellín the
most innovative city in the world. This was only the latest
of a string of international awards which have included
the Harvard University prize for urban design and the 2013
Sustainable Urban Transport Award (shared with San
Francisco). Yet, as recently as 1991 the city also had a global
reputation, but for the wrong reasons. Then, it had the high-
est homicide rate on the planet (381 murders per 100 000
residents), at the height of its narco-related gang violence.
However, through their policy, urban authorities managed
to reduce this rate by 10 in twenty years.
‘Inequality is the root of urban violence’
In the city’s Gallery of Modern Art, a huge panel occupies
the centre of the main exhibition space. This sets out the
Medellín Diagram, which provides a strategic narrative to
the city’s recent and ongoing journey. Subtitled, ‘A story of
civic freedom: How a public emerged from conflict, restored
urban dignity, activated collective agency and reclaimed the
future of its own city’, it underlines that this was first and
foremost a political process. Its opening statement proclaims
that ‘Inequality is the root of urban violence’.
Investments in public transport
Perhaps the most emblematic symbol of Medellín’s striking
transformation is the Metrocable. Towering over the city sky-
line, this cable car system transports 30 000 people a day
from mountainside barrios to the city centre. For those in
work, this has reduced their daily commute from three hours
to forty minutes at a stroke. Perhaps, more significantly,
it has opened up communities which for decades were iso-
lated, socially excluded and infested with crime and violence.
Medellín now has the best-integrated public transport system
in South America, with the Metrocable and gas-powered buses
connected to a fast, clean and efficient metro network.
In the south of the city a different kind of transport inter-
vention has driven a wedge into Comuna 13, historically
one of Medellín’s most dangerous neighbourhoods. There,
a series of electric escalators has opened up this barrio
which perches on the side of a steep hillside, breaching
the isolation which contributed to it being a no-go area for
outsiders in the past.
▶FIND OUT MORE
UN Habitat 7th World Urban Forum:
http://wuf7.unhabitat.org/
URBELAC:
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperate/
international/urbelac_en.cfm
▶The Medellín Metrocable.
12

▶SUPPORTING COASTAL
COMMUNITIES ACROSS
EUROPE’S REGIONS
In this edition, Panorama focuses on the European
Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), one of the five
European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds
alongside the European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Cohesion
Fund (CF), and the European Agricultural Fund for
Rural Development (EAFRD). The ESI Funds are the
main funding programmes for the 2014-2020 period
for supporting growth and jobs across the EU.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is the EU’s
instrument to support the new Common Fisheries Policy
(CFP) which seeks, from 2014 to 2020, to improve the social,
economic, and environmental sustainability of Europe’s seas
and coasts by supporting local projects, businesses, and
communities on the ground.
The EMFF is one of the five European Structural and
Investment Funds which all complement each other and seek
to prioritise a growth and job based recovery in Europe.
WHAT IS
‘BLUE GROWTH’?
Europe’s oceans, seas and coasts have great potential
for innovation and growth. ‘Blue growth’ is the EU strategy to
support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sec-
tors and contribute to the Europe 2020 strategy. The ‘blue
economy’ represents roughly 5.4 million jobs in the EU and
generates a gross added value of almost EUR 500 billion
a year, but further growth is possible.
▶FIND OUT MORE
http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/
blue_growth/
▶Farmed mussels, Côte d’Opale.
 13

The aim for this new programming period is to maximise
synergies between the Funds in order to improve coordina-
tion and efficiency and to avoid double funding. Its EUR 6.4
billion budget will focus on job creation, diversifying local
economies in coastal regions, and making fishing more prof-
itable and sustainable.
Although wide reaching in its aims, the EMFF is based around
six main pillars:
▶
▶Sustainable fisheries, ensuring a balance between fishing
capacity and available resources, becoming more selective,
and putting an end to wasting fish inadvertently caught.
▶
▶Sustainable aquaculture will help the sector grow and
become more competitive by following specific rules on
eco-friendly methods of production and strict quality,
health and safety regulations – thus providing Europe with
quality, trustworthy, nutritional products.
▶
▶Implementing the CFP by improving data collection, sci-
entific knowledge and the monitoring, control and enforce-
ment of fisheries legislations.
▶
▶Helping coastal communities that depend on fisheries to
diversify their economies into other maritime activities
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM
THE EMFF, AND HOW?
▶
European coastal and inland communities dependent on
fishing will benefit from the new job and growth opportu-
nities in fisheries, aquaculture and other sectors of the
maritime economy, which in turn will have positive spin-
offs on local growth and development.
▶
European fisheries will get support to ease the implemen-
tation of the reform and reduce the innovation gap.
▶
European aquaculture will get access to funds whenever it
promotes green growth, innovation and competitiveness.
▶
The European processing industry will benefit from stable
supplies of wild and farmed produce.
▶
European consumers will have access to healthy fisheries
and farmed products with high nutritional value.
▶
Scientists and researchers in the fields of fisheries manage-
ment, marine environment, climate change, coastal protec-
tion, governance, social sciences, maritime economy, etc.
▶
Companies engaged in coastal or offshore economic activi-
ties and the enterprises that provide services to them.
▶
Authorities in charge of different aspects of maritime
affairs, such as environmental protection, surveillance, or
spatial planning.
such as tourism, and help them to add more value to their
fishing activities.
▶
▶Improving the marketing and processing in the fisheries
and aquaculture sectors.
▶
▶Supporting ‘blue growth’ from the seas by improving
marine knowledge, better planning our activities at sea,
managing each sea-basin according to its needs, and pro-
moting co-operation on maritime surveillance.
Recognising the importance of small businesses to Europe’s
economy and to the fishing industry, the EMFF focusses sup-
port on small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and, in
particular, small scale coastal fleets that make up a large
proportion of the sector and have the potential to have
a transformative effect on the local communities they serve.
Support for marketing and businesses strategies will be
made available, as will training for unemployed young peo-
ple and fishermen’s spouses to help them play a greater role
in these local, often family-run, businesses.
Young fishermen under the age of 40 will also be able
to receive help to buy a vessel if they have five years’
▶Boats moored at the dock, Smögen, Bohuslän, Sweden.
14

EXAMPLE FROM EUROPEAN FISHERIES FUND (EFF)
MALTA EFF OPERATIONAL
PROGRAMME 2007-2013
AXIS 3: CONSTRUCTION
OF A NEW WHOLESALE
FISH MARKET (FIRST SALE)
The new facility has replaced a historic fish market building
in a part of Valletta dominated by tourism, where a hotel
will now be constructed. The new wholesale market is situ-
ated on the site of a disused sea water desalination plant
in an industrial zone next to the central slaughterhouse.
The new facilities will be more efficient, easier to maintain
and thus more hygienic, bringing benefits to operators and
consumers alike, as well as offering synergies like the com-
mon use of sewage systems. Furthermore, direct access
for landings by fishing vessels, which was a feature of the
old market, is still possible at the new location.
▶
▶CONSTRUCTION: November 2012 to end 2013
▶
▶TOTAL INVESTMENT: EUR 3 716 240
▶
▶EFF CONTRIBUTION: EUR 2 201 908
experience in the industry. These measures are designed
to provide social cohesion across Europe’s coasts, and
help to give local communities more ownership of their
local fisheries.
However, stopping the wasteful practice of discarding fish
is vital if the next generation of fishermen, and those that
will follow, are to prosper in the long term. If not tackled, its
effect on our fish stocks could be catastrophic. Discarding
will thus be phased out and fishermen will be required to
land all of their catches. To accommodate this, EMFF sup-
port will be allocated for the landing, storing, processing and
commercialisation of this catch, which will have the added
benefit of helping local fishing communities diversify their
economies. Funds are also earmarked for fishermen to take
part in trials with low impact fishing gear to help them
ensure they only catch what they are after.
Finally, the EMFF will build on the positive experience gained
by Axis 4 of the European Fisheries Fund, community-led local
development. Through innovative and integrated approaches,
the ESI Funds will offer a broad range of opportunities for
local actors to adopt a bottom-up approach to local chal-
lenges in coastal communities, in particular with the promo-
tion of linkages between urban, rural and fisheries areas.
If implemented successfully, community-led local develop-
ment can help to support new markets and products, can pro-
mote job creation in fisheries areas and can also strengthen
the role of fisheries communities in local development.
Ultimately this is what the EMFF seeks to achieve – to create
the conditions for local businesses and communities to unlock
the sustainable and inclusive growth which Europe needs and
which the EU is committed to making a reality by 2020.
The EMFF will not prescribe how every single cent should be
spent; it is about letting those who know their craft, industry,
and local community best work towards a bright, blue, and
sustainable future for Europe’s fisheries.
▶FIND OUT MORE
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/emff/index_en.htm
▶Fish processing plant, Scotland.
 15

▶MAPS
A new Regional Entrepreneurship and Development Index
(REDI) has been developed by a recent project, financed
by the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy.
The index takes into account both individual attitudes and
characteristics and the regional context and, accordingly,
not only whether people are willing to start a business but
whether the conditions to do so are in place in the region
concerned. The index covers entrepreneurial attitudes, abili-
ties and aspirations.
The variations across regions are substantial, with over
a four-fold difference between the region with the highest
ranking (Hovedstaden in Denmark) and that with the lowest
©
EuroGeographics
Association
for
the
administrative
boundaries
▶
REDI – MEASURING REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
▶REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND DEVELOPMENT INDEX
INDIVIDUAL SCORE 2013
INDEX
57.6
57.6 – 60.7
60.7 – 63.2
63.2 – 65.2
65.2 – 68.8
68.8
Source: Faculty of Business and
Economics, University of Pécs (HU)
Canarias
Guyane
Açores Madeira
Guadeloupe
Martinique
Réunion
Mayotte
16

©
EuroGeographics
Association
for
the
administrative
boundaries
▶REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND DEVELOPMENT INDEX
COMBINED INDEX 2013
(Macroregiunea doi in Romania). The top 10 features four
Swedish regions, two each from Denmark and the UK, and
one from both France and Ireland.
The analysis of the individual factors for entrepreneurship
gives a slightly different picture than the combined index.
The top 10 regions in the ‘individual’ index still include five
of those in the top 10 of the combined index (for example,
London, UK, Hovedstaden, DK, and Ile de France, FR), but
there are also two Slovenian regions and two from Ireland.
The bottom 10 regions, unlike in the case of the combined
index, include three from Germany and four from Poland.
INDEX
Source: Szerb et al., 2013
29.1
29.1 – 43.5
43.5 – 56.1
56.1 – 67.4
67.4 – 82.2
Canarias
Guyane
Açores Madeira
Guadeloupe
Martinique
Réunion
Mayotte
 17

1 May 2014 marked the 10th anniversary of the biggest
enlargement in the EU’s history with the addition of
10 new Member States, most of them from Central and
Eastern Europe. Ten years on, Europe is stronger, richer
and safer – politically, economically and culturally.
A decade ago, the European Union grew through the
accession of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia from Central and
Eastern Europe and Malta and Cyprus from the Mediterra
nean region.
Enlargement has made the EU the world’s biggest single
market. Increased trade between member states brings new
jobs, investment and growth. Enlargement has further
strengthened Europe’s weight in the world. As an economic
grouping of 500 million citizens, the EU can make its voice
heard across the globe.
‘United, we count much more in the world; united we are in
a better position, not only to defend our interests but to pro-
mote our values,’ commented Commission President José
Manuel Barroso on the occasion of this historic anniversary.
Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle said: ‘The accession
of 10 member states on 1 May 2004 has brought us shared
stability, security and prosperity. It has reunited Europe after
years of artificial division during the Cold War.’
Indeed the EU’s eastern enlargement has firmly anchored
democracy, freedom and the rule of law for millions of
people who had lived behind the Iron Curtain. Joining the
European Union was a symbol of hope and a better future
for millions of people.
Stability and unity
Ten years ago, the EU enlarged from 15 to 25 Member
States, bringing stability to a reunited Europe. Two subse-
quent enlargements have brought the number of Member
States to 28, with the accession in 2007 of Bulgaria and
Romania, and of Croatia in 2013.
▶EU ENLARGEMENT:
10 YEARS OF GROWTH
(1) EU-15: the 15 EU Member States prior to enlargement in 2004.
(2) EU-12: the EU Member States joining in the 2004 and 2007 enlargements.
Today, the enlargement policy continues to drive transforma-
tion and promote stability in the countries of south-east
Europe which aspire to EU membership. The pull and influ-
ence of the EU is helping them implement democratic and
economic reforms, improve the rule of law and build bridges
with their neighbours, thus overcoming the legacy of the past.
Growing trade for new Member States
Enlargement has expanded the internal market. It has fur-
ther opened trade and financial flows thereby giving oppor-
tunities to firms in the EU and in the incoming countries.
Trade between old and new Member States has grown
almost threefold.
GDP in central and Eastern Europe grew on average by 4 %
annually in the period 1994-2008. It is estimated that the
accession process itself contributed almost half of this
growth, i.e. 1.75 % per year over the period 2000-2008.
New jobs
The economic dynamism of these countries generated three
million new jobs in just six years from 2002 to 2008. Growth
in the acceding countries contributed to growth in the ‘old’
Member States through increased investment opportunities
and demand for their products. It contributed 0.5 % to the
cumulative growth of the EU-15 countries (1
) in 2000-2008.
As a sign of the attraction of the larger single market to
investors, foreign direct investment (FDI) from the rest of
the world to the EU since accession has doubled as a per-
centage of GDP (from 15.2 % of GDP in 2004 to 30.5 %
of GDP in 2012) with the enlarged EU attracting 20 % of
global FDI.
The EU-15 FDI stock in EU-12 (2
) reached EUR 564 billion in
2012, 357 % up from 2007.
18

ENLARGEMENT
FACTS AND FIGURES
ECONOMIC IMPACT SINCE 2004
▶
The economic dynamism of the then ‘new’ EU coun
tries has generated three million new jobs in just six
years from 2002 to 2008.
▶
German exports to the 12 countries that joined
since 2004, have almost doubled since 2004.
▶
UK exports grew by approximately 50 %.
▶
For the Netherlands, enlargement generated
additional income of EUR 11 billion.
▶
Austria’s yearly GDP increased by 0.4 % thanks
to enlargement.
GLOBAL IMPACT
EU has 7 % share of global population (2012 figures)
while its share of global GDP stands at 23 %.
▶
The EU is amongst the top 5 best performing econo-
mies in the world.
▶
It is the largest player on the global trading scene.
▶
The EU is the largest source and destination of the
foreign direct investment.
Cohesion policy investment
Cohesion policy funding together with the co-financing pro-
vided by Member States, now accounts for a very significant
proportion of public investment in Europe – more than half
of all public investment in Member States such as Slovakia
(92 %), Hungary (88 %), Bulgaria (81 %), Lithuania (79 %),
Estonia (70 %), Malta (63 %), Latvia (60 %) and Poland (54 %)
between 2010 and 2012.
EU-wide benefits
A bigger Europe is a stronger Europe. In 2012, EU GDP was
23 % of world GDP, amounting to EUR 13 trillion. Accession
has benefited both those countries joining the EU and
the established Member States. As the EU expands so do
opportunities for companies, financial investors, consumers,
tourists, students and property owners.
The enlargement process has helped improve the quality of
people’s lives through integration and cooperation in areas
like energy, transport, rule of law, migration, food safety,
environmental protection and climate change. Enlargement
helps ensure that the EU’s own high standards are applied
beyond our borders, which reduces the risks of EU citizens
being affected, for example, by imported pollution.
The enlarged Europe is in some respects a safer place.
Through the accession process, the EU promotes democracy
and fundamental freedoms and consolidates the rule of law
across the aspirant countries, reducing the impact of cross-
border crime. Current enlargement policy is reinforcing peace
and stability in south east Europe and promoting recovery
and reconciliation after the wars of the 1990s.
The enlarged EU has more influence in today’s multi-polar
world. An enlarged Union enhances the soft power needed
to shape the world around us. It helps project our values and
interests beyond our borders.
▶
FIND OUT MORE
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-325_en.htm
▶
Events took place across Europe to celebrate the 10th
anniversary of EU enlargement, including in Cyprus (above),
Czech Republic (top right) and Hungary (bottom right).
 19

▶EUROPE DAY 2014
ACROSS THE EU
FRANCE / Auvergne
Auvergne celebrated a whole ‘month of Europe’ with more
than 50 events between 9 May and 9 June. Concerts, con-
ferences, games and competitions, organised in cooperation
with 20 partners, all had one aim: to help people discover
Europe. This year’s events centred on games and competi-
tions. The quiz Joue l'Europe en Auvergne (Play Europe in
Auvergne) challenged students across the region to correctly
answer questions on Europe. A ‘selfie’ contest was organised
from 9 May on the Twitter account @mdeauvergne with the
hashtag #mde2014, and people could win concert tickets
for the Europavox festival on Facebook.
▶Find out more:
www.europe-en-auvergne.eu
AUSTRIA / Vienna
On the eve of Europe Day, the event ‘Vienna for Europe –
Europe for Vienna’ took place at Vienna City Hall, with Mayor
Michael Häupl welcoming the Commissioner for Regional
Policy, Johannes Hahn, and former MEP Mercedes Echerer.
The Mayor underlined that peace, economic prosperity,
and social balance are at the core of the EU, stating ‘Strong
cities are the only way to guarantee a strong Europe’.
Com
missioner Hahn’s speech focused on Vienna’s role and
responsibility as a city of the Danube Region with supra-
regional importance.
Every year on 9 May, Europe celebrates Europe Day
– the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration,
a speech delivered on 9 May 1950 by Robert Schuman,
then Foreign Minister of France, that led to the creation
of what would ultimately become the EU. This year
also marked the 10th anniversary of the EU’s east-
ern enlargement.
20

NETHERLANDS / Brabant
For several years now, the Netherlands have cel-
ebrated Europe Day with the Europa Kijkdagen
(Europe Open Days), an event that shows the pub-
lic the importance of Europe in our regions. For
three days, EU-funded projects organise open
doors events and people experience for themselves
the difference Europe makes – such as the Unas
project in Breda.
▶Find out more:
www.europaomdehoek.nl
HUNGARY / Budapest
The Prime Minister’s Office and the European Commission Representation organised a 10 km race
along 10 emblematic projects co-funded by the EU in the heart of Budapest on 11 May 2014 to mark
the 10th anniversary of Hungary’s accession to the EU and Europe Day. More than 2 000 participants
attempted the course, which passed spectacular project venues such as the Franz Liszt Academy of
Music, the Lukács and Rudas Spa Baths and the Castle Bazaar. The awards ceremony took place at
Erzsébet Square in the heart of Budapest, the location of the Europe Day Festival. An exhibition of
EU co-funded projects, organised by the Prime Minister’s Office, doubled as a launch event for a recent
publication showcasing up to 100 projects implemented in Hungary between 2007 and 2013.
▶Find out more:
http://bbu.hu/eu10/
 21

LITHUANIA / Vilnius
A big street exhibition presenting an illustrated map of
Lithuania and highlighting the country’s transport sector
was held in one of the central squares of the capital city
Vilnius. Alongside, a themed tent welcomed visitors of
all ages, providing information on EU-funded transport
infrastructure projects. Throughout the day, visitors were
invited to solve thematic crosswords and test their
know
ledge by taking interactive quizzes. The event was
organised by the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and
Communications as part of the three day long Europe
Day celebrations organised by the European Parliament
Information Office in Lithuania.
POLAND / Warmińsko-Mazurskie
The Lithuania-Poland Cross-border Cooperation
Programme celebrated Europe Day and the 10th anni-
versary of Poland’s accession to the European Union
with the citizens of Olsztyn, the capital of the
Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. The event ‘You gain
by cooperating’ gathered beneficiaries of the pro-
gramme wanting to show and tell about their projects’
achievements. Visitors to the Olsztyn Old Town were
invited to take part in the shows ‘Fire brigade in action’
and ‘Dogs working for the Custom Chamber’, a series
of first aid, equipment and vehicles demonstrations.
They could also attend special film shows about
Poland’s and Lithuania’s common history and try their
hand at games and competitions on the EU.
▶Find out more:
www.lietuva-polska.eu
22

ITALY / Campania
On 9 May the region of Campania organised an award cer-
emony for the students who took part in the contest
Racconta all’Europa, Chiedi all’Europa (‘Tell Europe, ask
Europe’), promoted by the region to explain the role played
by the EU in local development. The event aimed to expand
people’s knowledge about the work undertaken by Campania
in the programming of EU funds, mainly the ERDF. The cer-
emony was an opportunity to present engaging multimedia
productions and to promote the founding values of the EU.
▶Find out more:
www.facebook.com/concorso.raccontaalleuropa
http://festivaleuropasecondaedizione.digitcampania.it/
CZECH REPUBLIC / Prague
The annual celebrations of Europe Day were connected with
the 10th anniversary of accession of the Czech Republic to
the European Union. Events across the country aimed to stim-
ulate discussions about the benefits, experiences and future
direction of the Czech Republic in the EU. The events started
with a conference held under the auspices of President Milos
Zeman about ‘The Czech Republic and Europe, through each
other’s eyes’. On 29 and 30 April 2014 an open air festival for
the public with musical performances, information stalls about
European issues and quizzes was held on one of Prague’s river
islands. On the eve of the anniversary of accession the Petrin
tower was lit up in the colours of the EU and Prague’s sky was
lit by fireworks.
CROATIA / Zagreb
The European Commission Representation, the
European Parliament Information Office and
the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
jointly celebrated Europe Day in Zagreb.
Fifteen participating institutions showcased
their informational and promotional materi-
als, informing interested citizens about pro-
jects funded by the Structural Funds, and
regarding Croatian membership in the EU.
After introductory speeches by the Minister of
Foreign and European Affairs Ms Vesna Pusić
and the Head of the European Commission
Representation Mr Branko Baričević, perfor-
mances by choirs and DJs as well as work-
shops for children took place. During a speed
dating event, candidates for the European
elections had the opportunity to present
themselves to the public.
 23

THE 2014
WINNERS
At the RegioStars Award Ceremony in Brussels on
31 March 2014 Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for
Regional Policy, and Luc Van den Brande, former Com-
mittee of the Regions President, announced the win-
ners of the prestigious RegioStars 2014 Awards, which
celebrates Europe’s most promising and innovative
regional projects.
The 2014 awards fell into four categories which reflect the
core issues which Europe currently faces: generating growth
and jobs, tackling youth unemployment, promoting the green
economy and sustainable urban transport.
In the run-up to this 7th edition of RegioStars, the RegioStars
Jury shortlisted 19 finalists from 80 projects on the basis
of four key criteria: innovation, impact, sustainability and
partnership. These projects were showcased in October 2013
during the 11th annual European Week of Regions and
Cities – OPEN DAYS 2013 and the winners selected for the
Award ceremony.
This year’s event came at a crucial time as Member States
are finalising their strategic investment plans, the so-called
‘Partnership Agreements’ on how to spend the European
Structural and Investment Funds over the next seven years.
▶REGIOSTARS 2014
CELEBRATING
REGIONAL PROJECTS
THAT TACKLE CORE
ISSUES FACING
EUROPE
24
▶REGIOSTARS

▶FIND OUT MORE
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/projects/regiostars/
regiostars_en.cfm
SMART GROWTH
ART ON CHAIRS –
NORTE, PORTUGAL
SUPPORTING GROWTH
THROUGH INNOVATIVE
DESIGN
This creative design project
has helped to breathe new life
into a long-established furniture sector of the Portuguese
regional economy. The furniture industry has for years been
one of the most important industrial activities in the northern
Portuguese city of Paredes. The city has the highest concen-
tration of chair factories in Europe and accounts for 65 % of
national furniture production. Although the industry was highly
productive, its image was old-fashioned and conservative.
The ‘Art on Chairs’ project was devised to capitalise on the
region’s expertise in furniture construction and to stimulate
creativity in the industry. The project culminated in an interna-
tional exhibition held in 2012 in Paredes which was one of the
largest ever global events focused on chairs, art and design.
▶Find out more: www.artonchairs.com/pt/index
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
BEACON – WEST
WALES AND THE
VALLEYS, UK
MEETING THE DEMANDS
OF AN EVER INCREASING
POPULATION
The surge in population cou-
pled with the growing threat of climate change will see
demand for the planet’s resources to increase dramatically.
BEACON is an initiative that is building integrated ‘green sup-
ply chains’ to develop new routes towards functional, cheap
products using biomass rather than oil. The focal point of
the BEACON project is biorefining, a process that uses non-
food crop feedstocks, in much the same way that oil refin-
eries use crude oil, to produce a broad spectrum of
commodity products. Biorefining is seen as crucial for the
EU’s burgeoning bio-economy. BEACON has built a network
of scientific expertise based at the Universities of
Aberystwyth, Bangor, and Swansea in Wales, UK. Through
this network, the project is creating new jobs in rural Wales,
stimulating inward investment and promoting Welsh scien-
tific excellence at a global level. BEACON has already
assisted several companies in a variety of sectors to pro-
duce innovative products. For example, its collaboration with
Aber Instruments in Aberystwyth has resulted in the Welsh
biomass measurement company receiving its first order for
biomass probes.
▶Find out more: beaconwales.org/en/
INCLUSIVE GROWTH
FIFTEEN CORNWALL
– CORNWALL
AND ISLES OF
SCILLY, UK
LAUNCHING A NEW
LIFE IN THE KITCHEN
A passion for cooking is
trans
forming young lives in one of the most disadvantaged
parts of England. Inspired by the celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver,
‘Fifteen Cornwall’ is more than a restaurant but is a social
enterprise which offers a chance to disadvantaged unem-
ployed 16-to 24-year olds the opportunity to train as chefs.
This ground-breaking initiative has trained almost 130 young
people, many of whom are dealing with serious challenges
such as criminal records, substance misuse, mental illness
or disability. 89 of them have graduated as chefs and more
than 90 % are still in employment. Each year, the project
invests around EUR 1.2 million back into the local economy,
creating jobs for the region’s vital tourist sector.
▶Find out more: www.fifteencornwall.co.uk/
CITYSTAR
GDYNIA
TROLLEYBUS
NETWORK –
GDYNIA, POLAND
GREEN TROLLEYBUSES
BRING A BETTER
QUALITY OF URBAN LIFE
The project set out to increase the competitiveness of envi-
ronmentally-friendly public transport and to improve quality
of service. It has involved a major upgrade of the Gdynia
trolleybus system and infrastructure which has increased
passenger numbers and reduced travel times. 28 new low-
floor trolleybuses were purchased to increase the number
of modern, eco-friendly and accessible trolleybuses. The pro-
ject has rebuilt the image of public transport in Gdynia, lead-
ing to an increase in the number of passengers and creating
direct benefits for the residents and the local economy.
▶Find out more: www.pktgdynia.pl/?lang=en
 25

▶
COMMITTEE OF THE
REGIONS 20 YEARS ON
THE VOICE OF THE REGIONS AND CITIES
The Committee of the Regions (CoR) was created in
1994. This year it can look back on 20 years of ever-
growing influence on the European scene as ‘the voice
of regions and cities in the EU’.
In the last 20 years the CoR has become a proactive assem-
bly with an important and constructive role in the shaping and
development of EU policies relating to the regions. This grow-
ing status and influence has been reflected in its contribution
to the new Regulations for cohesion policy 2014-2020, where
it has successfully argued for and brought about changes to
match the best needs of Europe’s regions and cities.
Championing the regional point of view
For twenty years the Committee of the Regions has worked
tirelessly for an ever more regional approach that brings
Europe closer to its citizens. It argues for a Europe that pays
greater heed to the principle of subsidiarity and the specific
characteristics of the regions.
COTER – Commission for
Territorial Cohesion Policy
CoR members are organised through six commissions
responsible for supporting the preparation of opinions
on the European Commission’s legislative proposals.
The Commission’s regional policy legislative proposals are
dealt with by the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy
(COTER). The COTER commission is in charge of economic,
social and territorial cohesion, European Structural and
Investment Funds, spatial planning, urban policy, housing,
transport and trans-European transport networks, territorial
cooperation (including EGTC) and macro-regions.
The COTER commission has been very supportive of cohesion
policy and is a strong ally of the European Parliament’s REGI
committee. The impact of COTER on the reformed cohesion
policy for the 2014-2020 period is highlighted on page 27.
▶FIND OUT MORE
http://cor.europa.eu/en/activities/commissions/
coter/Pages/coter.aspx
26

THE CoR IN A NUTSHELL
Using its experience from the grass roots of Europe, the
role of the CoR is to put forward local and regional points
of view on EU legislation. It does so by issuing reports
(‘opinions’) on European Commission proposals. The CoR
can also draw up opinions on its own initiative, which ena-
bles it to put issues on the EU agenda.
The CoR has 353 members who are regional and locally
elected representatives from the 28 EU Member States.
The members are organised by national delegations,
reflecting the overall political, geographical and local/
regional balance of each Member State in the EU.
The CoR also has an important role as a forum for com-
municating and exchanging good practices thanks to its
platforms and networks.
Its President is Michel Lebrun (BE/EPP), who replaced
Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso as of 1 July 2014 following
the latter's election as an MEP. Jiří Buriánek has been
appointed the new Secretary General of the Committee
of the Regions, and will take up his position later in
the year. Daniel Janssens has been Secretary General
ad interim since 1 April 2014.

20 YEARS
OF GROWTH:
TIMELINE
OF THE CoR
1992-2000 The consultative phase
Although its first plenary session took place in 1994,
the Committee of the Regions was officially established in
1992 under the Maastricht Treaty and its foundations can be
traced back many years earlier to a proposal by the European
Parliamentary Assembly (forerunner of the European
Parliament) in 1960 to set up a consultative committee on
regional economies.
It was not until the 1986 Single European Act, however, that
the idea of an advisory body composed of representatives
of regional and local authorities really began to take shape.
The Single European Act recognised the important role of
regional development in achieving a fully functioning single
market, underlining the strong link between economic and
social cohesion.
In June 1988, the European Commission set up the Consul
tative Council of Regional and Local Authorities, thereby
inaugurating the method of consultation with intermediary
levels of government.
In 1991 the EU’s heads of state and government (the Euro
pean Council of Maastricht) agreed to form the Committee
of the Regions, a body with a dual role: helping shape
European legislation and acting as a direct link between
Brussels and the citizens of Europe.
2001-2005 The CoR consolidates
During its second phase the CoR sought to strengthen the
participation of local and regional authorities in the European
decision-making process. It was actively involved in the
work of the Convention on the Future of Europe (2001-2004)
which recognised the CoR’s key role in representing the
regions and also monitoring and implementing the subsidi-
arity principle.
 27

No longer was the CoR restricted to pronouncing on Com
mission initiatives after the event, but it was able to intervene
at the start of the process and assess the territorial impact
of proposed measures and highlight possible options.
The CoR also undertook initiatives designed to organise
structured dialogue with all local and regional authorities
and their associations. Such events included conferences,
seminars and exhibitions bringing together dozens of
regional and local partners, and in 2003 it launched the first
OPEN DAYS, European Week of Regions and Cities, now an
essential gathering in Brussels for local and regional stake-
holders co-organised with DG Regional and Urban Policy.
Over this period, its stronger political role in the legislative
process and its proactive approach to communication ena-
bled the CoR to act as a catalyst for the regional and local
presence in the European legislature.
2006 TO PRESENT
The CoR as a political assembly
During this third phase of its history, the CoR became
the guarantor of the involvement of territorial actors in the
European decision-making process.
Since 2006, the CoR has put a series of networks in place
to develop and structure networking between regional and
local actors, and to enhance the work of its commissions by
supplying additional information and data. There are cur-
rently five networks in place: The Europe 2020 Monitoring
Platform; the Subsidiarity Monitoring Network; the platform
of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation; ‘ATLAS’,
the portal of EU local and regional authorities in develop-
ment-cooperation; the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and
Local Assembly (ARLEM); and the Conference of the Regional
and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP).
These networks allow the regions and cities to bring their
specific problems and expectations to the attention of the
European Commission. They also enable the CoR to provide
the consulting institutions with useful information to help
them better assess the impact of proposed legislation.
The coming into force of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009
extended the scope of topics and made binding the direct
consultation of regions and cities by the Commission in
a large number of policy areas, before legislation is adopted.
Closer future cooperation
In 2014 the CoR signed, together with the European Economic
and Social Committee (EESC), a cooperation agreement with
the European Parliament in order to strengthen its role in the
legislative process. Within this framework, the CoR will sys-
tematically provide the Parliament with impact assessments
on European legislation. This new procedure is an opportunity
for CoR rapporteurs to have a stronger influence on the out-
come of meetings of the Council, the Commission and the
Parliament in policy areas where they have expertise.
‘ Europeans want Europe to be more
in step with their daily lives and call
for their local and regional elected
representatives to defend their
interests at European level and
be even more closely involved in
the European decision-making
process.
’
MAREK WOZNIAK (PL/EPP) –
CHAIRMAN OF THE COTER COMMISSION
▶
Former European Commission President Jacques Delors (centre)
with past CoR Presidents (from left) Cllr Sir Albert Bore, Peter
Straub, Jos Chabert and Manfred Dammeyer, on the occasion
of the 10th anniversary of the Committee of the Regions.
28

Cohesion policy is at the heart of concern for local and regional
authorities throughout Europe. The CoR has therefore made
its voice heard on the future of post-2013 cohesion policy in
a series of opinions adopted over the past four years, such as
outlook opinions requested by the Commission, an opinion on
the Fifth cohesion report, opinions on the regulations of each
of the structural funds and finally a resolution on the pack-
age as a whole. With the close contacts that the CoR’s rap-
porteurs have maintained with the European Parliament and
Council negotiating teams, the CoR has been able to signifi-
cantly contribute to the debate on the future cohesion policy
and to ensure that the interests of European local and regional
authorities are genuinely taken into account. As a result,
a number of the CoR’s key policy recommendations have been
taken on board by the two co-legislators in the final version
of the legislative package.
Positive input
▶
▶Greater flexibility in thematic concentration
and increased use of financial instruments
The CoR requested higher flexibility in thematic concentra-
tion of the various funds on Europe 2020 priorities compared
to the Commission’s initial request. This request was shared
by the European Parliament and the Council which pushed
it forward. The possibilities for using financial instruments
have been extended to all thematic priorities and all funds,
which should open up new possibilities for public-private
partnerships in financing EU projects.
▶
▶Strengthened territorial and urban dimensions
With the support of the CoR, the integrated territorial dimen-
sion of cohesion policy has been considerably strengthened.
MAIN CoR
ACHIEVEMENTS
IN DELIVERING
THE REFORMED
COHESION
POLICY
Some important new tools have been introduced, such as
the extension of community-led local development (CLLD)
to all funds, integrated territorial investments (ITI), joint
action plans, territorial pacts (for the ESF) and multi-fund
operational programmes.
▶
▶A new category of ‘transition regions’
As requested by the CoR, a new category of ‘transition
regions’ has been created, which will allow EU support to
be adjusted in line with different levels of development.
▶
▶Partnership and multilevel governance
enshrined as key principles
Not only has the principle of multilevel governance been
explicitly enshrined for the first time in the Common Pro
visions Regulation (CPR) alongside the partnership principle,
but the CoR support was decisive in convincing the European
Parliament and the Council that local and regional authori-
ties should play a pre-eminent role on partnership, unlike in
the 2007-2013 period, where they were on an equal footing
with the social partners and NGOs.
Measures opposed
▶
▶Performance reserve
The CoR and European Parliament opposed the introduction
of a performance reserve but agreed to a framework to
measure performance in the absorption of EU funds. The CoR
feared in particular that a reserve of this kind could actively
encourage regions to adopt a low level of ambition when
setting their milestones in order to get rewarded when
achieving them.
▶
▶Macroeconomic conditionality
For reasons of investment fairness and efficiency, the CoR
has been constantly opposed to the suspension or cancel-
lation of commitments and payments in the event of non-
compliance by a national government with the Commission’s
macroeconomic recommendations. The final outcome of
the negotiations allows for the possibility of amending part-
nership agreements and operational programmes based
on macroeconomic recommendations in the first strand
(as agreed by the CoR), but in the second strand it does
introduce the possibility of suspending commitments and
payments in the event of non-compliance by Member States
with the EU’s macroeconomic recommendations, contrary
to the CoR’s position.
▶FIND OUT MORE
http://cor.europa.eu
 29

▶IN YOUR
OWN WORDS

VIEWS FROM STAKEHOLDERS
ON COHESION POLICY
2014-2020
In Your Own Words is the section of
Panorama where stakeholders at local,
regional, national and European level
give their views on the reformed cohesion
policy, the Euro
pean Structural Investment (ESI)
Funds and European regional policy in action. Panorama
welcomes your contributions in your language which we
may feature in future editions.
Please contact us at regio-panorama@ec.europa.eu
for further information about deadlines and guidelines
for your contribution.
▶IN YOUR OWN WORDS
▶MINISTRY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CZECH REPUBLIC
THE CZECH PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT:
A WELL-FOUNDED STRATEGY FOR THE YEARS TO COME
During 2007-2013, cohesion policy contributed to the creation of 82 000 new jobs and
200 innovative firms in the Czech Republic. The new period of 2014-2020 means yet another
chance to make use of EU funds, which involves many opportunities but also challenges
concerning effectiveness, efficiency and transparency. During the preparations, we applied our
experience, both good and bad, gained over the last ten years, and modified the implementation
rules accordingly. In cooperation with a wide range of partners we have prepared a well-founded
strategy for the years to come.
The result is the Partnership Agreement, which sets out the funding priorities towards the
development of a knowledge-based economy, support of research, development, education,
infrastructure and sustainable environment. I do believe that the thorough preparation will lead to
smooth implementation and ease the differences in socio-economic development not just within
the Czech Republic, but in the EU as a whole, thus increasing its competitiveness and enhancing the
single market. If we all manage to achieve good results, this policy has a great future.
DANIEL BRAUN – First Deputy Minister, National Coordination Authority
▶BRUSSELS CAPITAL REGION, BELGIUM
THE FOCUS ON URBAN DEVELOPMENT
IS A CHANCE FOR BRUSSELS
Located at the centre of the EU, the Brussels-Capital region participates fully in achieving
the aims of cohesion policy. As part of the Belgian federal state, the region has helped shape
the policy for the 2014-2020 period by highlighting the vital role that Europe’s cities play in
generating employment and growth. Cities act as catalysts for both opportunities and challenges
and have a higher concentration of both, making them ideal testing grounds for the success
of cohesion policy.
Brussels is delighted both at the shift in policy towards urban affairs and at the fact that
regional socioeconomic factors such as unemployment and education will now be taken into
consideration, as opposed to the sole criterion of regional GDP, by nature a narrow measurement.
The Brussels region is rich in wealth production (GDP) but poor in terms of its population (income)
and will now be able to almost double its commitment to tackling the challenges posed by the
city’s economic, social and environmental polarisation. In doing so, it will engage in achieving
the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy in the region for the benefit of its residents and
business communities.
VALENTIN GRAAS – Attaché, Brussels-Capital Region
Panorama
welcomes your
contributions!
30

▶GLOBAL FUND FOR CITIES DEVELOPMENT (FMDV)
SIMPLIFIED, EFFICIENT FUNDING PROCESSES
NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS OF COHESION POLICY
FMDV (Global Fund for Cities Development) is an international network of cities that
specialises in providing funding solutions for both urban development and local
economic development.
While the 2014-2020 programme contains many positive changes, a large number
of local authorities will still find it hard to implement at an operational level, as they
often have difficulty preparing and submitting projects (for example sourcing the
appropriate technical skills in-house or securing the necessary joint funding). This
means that the objective of combating regional and infra-regional inequalities can only
be achieved if the following actions are implemented:
▶
creating better links and coordination between funds at the different geographical
authority levels;
▶
simplifying processes, in tandem with a programme to increase capacity in the
management of EU funds;
▶
developing an efficient, sustainable process of obtaining funding from mixed sources:
public sector (EU, national and local), the general public and private sector.
In order to make the most of European funding schemes and to foster best prac-
tice that can be shared, it is also essential to form networks and exchange experiences.
These are the fundamental aims of the programme REsolutions to Fund Cities coordi-
nated by FMDV both worldwide and within Europe.
JEAN-FRANÇOIS HABEAU – Deputy Executive Director, FMDV
▶EUROCITIES
NEW ESI FUNDS STRENGTHEN THE ROLE OF CITIES
The new rules on regional investments for 2014-2020 recognise the need to invest
in urban Europe and involve cities in programming. The binding rules on Partnership
Agreements support the involvement of cities in programming and delivery of the
Funds. This recognises the need to have cities, the main drivers of economic growth
and job creation, at the table when decisions about investing European funds are
made. City leaders know what investments are needed on the ground. Member
states that fail to tap that knowledge would be shooting themselves in the foot.
A minimum of 5 % of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding must
be allocated for integrated sustainable urban development. Clearly, this requirement
doesn’t match the challenges faced by cities but it’s a minimum that will demon-
strate the value of integrated, place-based action. New tools also promote the com-
bined use of the European Social Fund and the ERDF, in principle helping to join up
urban regeneration and labour market measures. The new programme for innova-
tive actions in urban areas has EUR 330 million to deploy over seven years. Although
modest, it is symbolic of the Commission’s ambition to help cities find new solutions
to complex urban challenges.
VANDA KNOWLES – Policy Director
 31

▶PODKARPACKIE VOIVODSHIP, POLAND
A CHANGE OF APPROACH TO COHESION POLICY
I welcome the opportunity to capitalise further on the Podkarpackie region’s
economic and social potential using EU funds. As a result of the reforms to cohesion
policy, investment projects should have a greater impact on the development of
the regions and cities concerned. This will be an extremely good thing, bearing in
mind the problems being faced by the EU today. Efforts to support an innovative and
competitive economy and achieve a fair distribution of growth across all regions
are allowing us to be effective in reducing the economic and social disparities,
which are so widespread.
Based on our experience, we are confident that the programmes being run under
cohesion policy have contributed to the development of the Podkarpackie province
thanks, among other things, to the effective and well-thought-out process for their
implementation, which lays particular emphasis on specialising in specific economic
areas. We hope that money from the new cohesion policy will be directed mainly at
creating new jobs by supporting SMEs in particular, and that this will lead to
innovative and competitive growth in Europe. In addition, strengthening research
and emphasising technological development by investing in education coupled with
innovative enterprise should lead to a reduction in unemployment, social exclusion
and poverty.
WŁADYSŁAW ORTYL – Marshall
▶BALTIC SEA REGION PROGRAMME
NEW BALTIC SEA REGION PROGRAMME
READY TO TAKE OFF
The Baltic Sea Region has a unique tradition of regional cooperation on various levels
and topics. In 2009 the macro-regional EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region was
adopted to further strengthen cooperation on common priorities. This is a great
starting-point for the region’s transnational cooperation programme for the period
2014-2020. But at the same time it meant an intensive effort during programming
to moderate between various objectives, interests and expectations, without losing
thematic concentration – a key principle of cohesion policy in the 2014-2020 period.
In more than two years representatives of the eleven participating EU and non-
EU-countries reached common agreements on the scope of the future programme,
which will be submitted to the EU Commission very soon. Now we are looking forward
to many new and interesting projects which will help to improve the Baltic Sea Region’s
institutional capacities to boost innovation, to preserve its natural resources and to
improve its accessibility. The EU Strategy will also receive specific support for initiating
new projects and coordinating efforts. To get the new programme up-and-running by
the end of 2014 many more practical arrangements will have to be developed and
agreed – always along the ‘fine line’ between simplifying procedures for applicants and
projects and at the same time assuring the programme’s financial accountability.
RONALD LIESKE – Team Leader, Programme Management and Communication Unit
32
▶IN YOUR OWN WORDS

▶REFERENCE FRAMEWORK FOR EUROPEAN SUSTAINABLE CITIES (RFSC)
TACKLING THE CHALLENGES OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Integrated sustainable development is a key aspect of cohesion policy for the new
programming period. It aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion
by reducing disparities in the EU. European cities play a vital role in this context,
because they are the centre of economic activity, innovation and employment. They
also face a number of challenges: unemployment and poverty, ageing population,
migration, environmental, climate and energy issues, transportation and congestion,
etc. Tackling these challenges requires integrated solutions that balance the economic,
social and environmental aspects and that are tailored to local needs.
The RFSC offers practical support to all European local authorities in designing
and improving integrated urban solutions. Currently used by almost one hundred cities
in Europe, it was developed as a joint initiative of the Member States, the European
Commission and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), in order
to give a common space and language to the community of cities that are interested
in learning from each other, while respecting the diversity of local priorities.
ANGELIKA POTH-MÖGELE – Director of Policy, CEMR – Member of RFSC Management Team
▶
REGIONAL COUNCIL OF THE MORAVIA-SILESIA
COHESION REGION, CZECH REPUBLIC
HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS GUIDE
THE PREPARATIONS IN MORAVIA-SILESIA
The emphasis of EU cohesion policy on investments in cities gives the Ostrava
agglomeration, a unique location in the Czech Republic due to its industrial history and
high population concentration in large cities, a chance to use EUR 430 million of
funding. The preparation of Ostrava’s Integrated Territorial Investment planning is well
supported by the hopes and expectations of local partners. The investment plan puts
an emphasis on three key elements: good jobs, education, and a friendly environment.
The desire to push things ahead is also proverbial for a project called 20|20
Moravia-Silesia. We have asked twenty (so far) local personalities of various professions
and fields of interest to share their unspoken ideas and courageous thoughts to inspire
people working on regional development and to form the future together. Even different
opinions could lead to one common goal. Join us on www.smartregion.eu and take
a piece of enthusiasm.
MICHAL SOBEK– Spokesperson, Moravia-Silesia Regional Council
MAKE YOUR
VOICE HEARD
regio-panorama@ec.europa.eu
 33

▶IMPROVING GOOD
GOVERNANCE
IN THE EUROPEAN
STRUCTURAL AND
INVESTMENT FUNDS
For the 2014-2020 programming period for European
Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds, the fight
against fraud and corruption will be high on the Com-
mission’s agenda. Amongst other measures, new
guidelines and tools have been developed by the Com-
mission aimed at strengthening the ability of Member
States to counter fraud and corruption in the Euro-
pean Structural and Investment Funds.
During the 2014-2020 period the EU will invest EUR 351.8
billion through cohesion policy funding. It is crucial to make
sure these resources are spent properly and achieve
the greatest possible impact. The new programming period
provides a good opportunity to step up action in the fight
against fraud and corruption and the Commission is taking
a very pro-active position.
‘The way forward is to adopt a zero tolerance attitude to
fraud and corruption in the European Structural and
Investment Funds. Setting the right tone from the top is key,’
stresses Walter Deffaa, Director General for Regional and
Urban Policy.
‘Existing risks and ways of addressing them should be ana-
lysed right from the start of the programming process. It is
clear that fighting fraud and corruption requires a joint effort
from all partners. We are all in this together and have a com-
mon responsibility towards our citizens.’
Not business as usual
The financial impact of fraud and corruption was not con-
sidered to be high in the Structural Funds. The 2012 report
by OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office, indicates that
approximately 0.42 % of Structural Funds at that time were
affected by fraud. Notwithstanding this, and taking into
account also potential reputational risks, for the ESI Funds
it will not be ‘business as usual’ in the new programming
period because ‘safe spending’ is essential. The new Common
Provisions Regulation provides a stronger legal basis for
fighting fraud and this represents an opportunity. There is
for the first time the explicit requirement to put in place risk-
based, effective and proportionate fraud prevention meas-
ures, and their implementation will be closely measured.
The aim is now to anchor the fight against corruption and
fraud in the texts of the Partnership Agreements between
the Member States and the Commission. The next step will
be to translate this commitment into concrete measures in
the relevant Operational Programmes.
New guidance and tools
As part of the Commission’s support actions, a guidance
document has been produced which lays out a step-by-step
approach to assessing the risk of fraud and choosing appro-
priate mitigating measures. In addition, technical assistance
measures are available to Member States to finance
34

measures aimed at increasing capacity for fighting fraud
and corruption. There are also good practice examples avail-
able in Member States and it is important to share them.
A new software tool ARACHNE (see box) has been developed
to assist managing authorities in identifying the most risky
projects and facilitate their monitoring. This is, for instance,
particularly useful for operations involving public procurement
and subcontracting, an area of high concern for the ESI Funds.
Importance of transparency
The new regulations for ESI Funds highlight the importance of
strengthening the accessibility and transparency of informa-
tion about funding opportunities and project beneficiaries. The
adoption of new Public Procurement Directives is also expected
to bring more transparency to this complex and risky area.
Civil society plays an important role in anti-fraud and anti-
corruption efforts. Citizens and NGOs can help by monitor-
ing the use of funds, exposing cases of corruption or fraud,
and putting pressure on the administrations. Moreover, civil
society organisations can also be a great source of intelli-
gence, raising awareness of possible solutions and good
practice examples.
Fraud and corruption prevention events
As part of the preparations for the new programming period,
awareness raising events have been organised in Belgium,
Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Romania and Slovakia
to showcase the tools and instruments available to counter
fraud and corruption in the ESI Funds.
These events were organised in cooperation by the Com
mission Directorate Generals for Regional Urban Policy,
Employment, Social Affairs Inclusion, and Internal
Market Services, along with OLAF and Transparency
International. The seminars brought together representa-
tives from managing authorities, audit authorities, and
specialised anti-corruption authorities from Member
States, plus representatives from NGOs.
The sessions permitted discussion of fraud and corruption
issues, and measures and good practice examples that can
be taken to mitigate the risks and help build administrative
capacity to effectively manage the Funds.
▶FIND OUT MORE
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/
anti_corruption/index_en.cfm
ARACHNE TOOL FOR
FRAUD PREVENTION
The Commission has developed for Member States a spe-
cific risk scoring tool, ARACHNE, which helps to identify,
prevent and detect risky operations, projects, beneficiar-
ies and contracts/contractors. It will serve as a useful
preventive instrument. The system highlights a set of
risk indicators and alerts which are specific to the nature
of Operational Programme expenditures. In view of the
limited resources and multiplicity of operations, key actors
and systems, it focuses on the most risky projects and
on selected key internal data from the project. It seeks
to identify possible irregular circumstances continuously
on the basis of predefined risk criteria.
‘ We should all adopt a zero toler-
ance policy to safeguard future
investments from possible misuse.
But most of all this is also about
getting the most from our invest-
ments so that citizens themselves
can feel the benefits in terms of
new jobs, greater prosperity and
an improved quality of life.
’
JOHANNES HAHN – EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER
FOR REGIONAL POLICY
 35

▶SPACE SCIENCE CENTRE
LEADS IN REMOTE SENSING
TECHNOLOGY
▶SLOVENIA
A space science centre in Slovenia supported by the
European Regional Development Fund is leading the
way in using satellite data for earth monitoring.
SPACE-SI, the Slovenian Centre of Excellence for Space
Sciences and Technologies, was established in 2010 by a con-
sortium of academic institutions, high-tech SMEs and large
industrial and insurance companies. It set out to benefit from
the recent developments in the use of small satellite tech-
nologies and applications for Earth observation, meteorology
and astrophysics. The Centre’s research and development
activities are focused on high-resolution interactive remote
sensing and formation flying missions. This is made possible
by the development of micro and nano satellite platforms, an
advanced ground control infrastructure as well as satellite
integration and testing facilities.
Cost-effective remote sensing
These advanced remote sensing technologies will permit more
frequent and cost-effective remote sensing applications in
a wide range of areas including ecology, agriculture, forestry,
land cover mapping, urbanism and maritime, as well as for moni-
toring climate change, the use of natural resources and disas-
ters. SPACE-SI has developed a high precision interactive remote
sensing satellite designed to acquire multispectral images and
real time high-definition video. The satellite which is capable of
providing high resolution imagery from an altitude of 600 km,
carries two optical instruments – a narrow-field instrument
as well as a wide-field instrument which are both capable
of recording high-definition video at 1 920 by 1 080 pixels.
To control and communicate with a wide range of satellites
SPACE-SI has set up a ground control station with satellite
autotracking capabilities in Slovenia where a 1.8 metre
antenna operates as a UHF transmit and S-band receive ter-
minal while a 5.2 metre antenna is dedicated to downloading
large amounts of satellite data in S and X bands.
Remote sensing applications
SPACE-SI has developed a complete and fully automatic pro-
cessing chain from raw satellite data to web-delivered map-
ready images. For the efficient utilisation of geo-located data,
a crowd-sourced dissemination platform ‘Geopedia’ has been
developed and thousands of data sets with several million
data entries have been collected over the past few years.
Real-life testing
SPACE-SI has tested these systems in several real-life situa-
tions including advanced visualisation of real-time high-
resolution forecasts of weather and pollution dispersion, rapid
estimation of damages caused by floods, detection of inva-
sive plants, illegal dump site cleaning as well as several other
research and educational initiatives which raised public aware-
ness about the ecological and socio-economic benefits that
can be achieved in the region by the new micro and nano
satellite technologies.
▶
FIND OUT MORE
www.space.si/en/
Total cost:
EUR 9 996 000
EU contribution:
EUR 8 471 000
36
▶EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS

The ambitious objective of the South East Transport
Axis (SETA) project is to provide faster and more com-
petitive railway connections for both passengers and
freight from Central Europe to the Northern Adriatic
ports and further on to the Western Balkans.
This it plans to do by organisational improvements, more effi-
cient use of existing rail infrastructure and small scale invest-
ments, rather than major expenditure. To achieve this, the
SETA partnership comprises a wide range of regional and
national authorities, representing a multi-sectoral consortium
which can utilise the regions’ existing expertise and skills in
a complimentary way. With a common vision and strategy,
11 partners from six countries between Vienna/Bratislava and
the Northern Adriatic ports of Rijeka, Koper and Monfalcone
are being supported by the ERDF through the South East
Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme.
Slower than road
Current transport services along the SETA corridor cannot
compete with trips using private cars. With travel times of
more than six hours for example between Zagreb and Vienna
the existing railway connections are more than two hours
slower than on the same trip on the road. Improving the
quality of rail services in the region is necessary to provide
an attractive alternative for commuters and tourists, as well
as for businesses that currently depend on their private cars
or trucks. Through the project the main organisational and
infrastructural bottlenecks along the existing railway corri-
dor connecting Vienna/Bratislava via Western Hungary with
the Northern Adriatic ports have been identified and work
has started on the development of appropriate solutions.
First milestones – demonstration trains
In order to highlight the effectiveness of the developed solu-
tions, routes have been tested with demonstration trains
– and in September 2012 a SETA train travelled from Zagreb
to Vienna in five hours! The saving of one hour was achieved
by overcoming the identified organisational bottlenecks.
A passenger demonstration train also ran from Monfalcone to
Rijeka in May 2013 and cut the normal travel time by almost
two hours. In parallel to these demonstration trains, SETA
experts have started to develop appropriate solutions to
overcome the infrastructural bottlenecks.
Small-scale investment for big results
The SETA project has highlighted that improvements are
possible without spending large sums of money. By imple-
menting organisational measures and selected small scale
investments in the existing infrastructure it is possible not
only to provide people living in the regions along the SETA
corridor with better transport services but also to improve
the quality of the location for businesses.
▶
FIND OUT MORE
www.seta-project.eu
▶
FASTER TRAINS THROUGH
BETTER ORGANISATION
▶EUROPEAN TERRITORIAL COOPERATION
Total cost:
EUR 2 835 000
EU contribution:
EUR 2 410 000
 37

Aviation alerts
The system will monitor the region between Malta and Sicily
and issue alerts regarding volcanic emissions which are dan-
gerous to aviation in this area. The results will also be of direct
use to the local communities in the Central Mediterranean
region, as the silicate particles and gases released during
volcanic eruptions also damage crops and roads.
The project partners are the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica,
Osservatorio Etneo, led by the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica,
Comune of Montedoro and the Physics Department of the
University of Malta. New instruments have been installed both
in Sicily and at the University of Malta’s observatory facilities
on the islands of Malta and Gozo. These gather important data
on explosive activity and on volcanic particles, which will be
able to forecast the location and height of volcanic ash clouds.
Key to the project is the acquisition of real time data that can
detect dangerous concentrations of volcanic ash in the skies
between Sicily and Malta. The sensing system uses a laser
to measure distances by analysing reflected light and is
able to precisely estimate the column height and produce
a map of volcanic plumes. This permits speedy laboratory
analysis of the data collected and daily forecasting of the
deposit and plume dispersal. Every day an automatic system
downloads weather forecasts from meteorological mesoscale
models, plots hazard maps of volcanic ash dispersal and dep-
osition for certain scenarios and publishes the results on the
project’s website. Warning messages will be issued during
the main eruptive events.
▶
FIND OUT MORE
www.ct.ingv.it/vamosseguro
▶MONITORING
MOUNT ETNA
Total cost:
EUR 837 800
EU contribution:
EUR 498 500
An automatic system is being developed for monitoring
and forecasting volcanic ash dispersal between Sicily and
Malta in the event of an eruption of one of the most
active volcanoes in the world, Mount Etna, in Italy.
Ash ejected during volcanic eruptions can have serious con-
sequences for aviation and the surrounding environment.
It can cause damage to aircraft control surfaces, failure of
critical navigational and operation instrumentations and pos-
sibly engine failure.
Over the past two decades Mount Etna, on the Italian Island
of Sicily, has become increasingly active. It is currently Europe’s
– and indeed one of the world’s – most active volcanoes.
During its frequent explosive episodes its volcanic ash plumes
can fall on the Maltese islands, 100 km south of Sicily. To
reduce the impact of an Etna eruption on the area, a cross-
border project between Italy and Malta has led to the instal-
lation of an automatic detection system on the islands of
Sicily and Malta.
The project VAMOS SEGURO (Volcanic Ash Monitoring and
FOrecaSting between Sicilia and Malta arEa and sharinG of the
resUlts foR aviatiOn safety), which has been launched with
the financial support of the European Regional Development
Fund, will permit a rapid response during Etna-related volcanic
emergencies and drastically reduce the risk from volcanic ash
in the Mediterranean.
▶EUROPEAN TERRITORIAL COOPERATION
38
▶EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS

A computer system to improve healthcare services for
patients with diabetes has been developed by a private
Hungarian computer services company with the financial
support of the ERDF.
Stratis Management and IT Consulting Services Ltd., founded
in 1998 and based in Central Transdanubia, has developed
an innovative computer-based decision-support system called
DIALOGIC for private health care institutions in Hungary.
DIALOGIC has been designed to enhance the efficiency of
diabetes treatment (and other diseases in future) through
better electronic management of capacity and appointment
reservation management while providing a broad range of
other medical services for patients with diabetes. The design
and development of the decision-support system which
is based on mathematical modelling involved more than
24 participants including researchers and developers at
the University of Óbuda.
Eliminating bottlenecks
The current healthcare system in Hungary does not provide
flexible appointment reservation services. Equipment capac-
ity represents another bottleneck and the current system does
not permit data to be saved in real-time. The new system not
only manages the patient appointments but can also handle
the entire procedure six months ahead. It schedules appoint-
ments according to patient preferences, saves appointments
in the calendar and sends out SMS or email notifications.
In the event that a doctor is not available for an appointment,
DIALOGIC would inform the healthcare service provider and
the system will either direct the patient to another hospital,
suggest another appointment or submit a request for a doc-
tor from another hospital.
Self-testing of blood sugar levels
The integrated IT system planned in the framework of the
project will offer an opportunity to remotely monitor blood
sugar levels. Patients will be able to measure their own levels
and electronically send in the results. They will therefore not
need to require an appointment for every blood sugar
measurement.
Patients will receive regular notifications about the measured
levels. In the event the patient does not send any results,
the system will ask about the patient’s condition. The appli-
cation will take into account the specifics of each healthcare
system (from data storage practices to data safety require-
ments) through decision support, appointment reservation
and capacity management modules. Patients are expected
to experience a significant improvement in the predictability
of health care services and waiting time in hospitals will
decrease as healthcare institutions can now distribute their
resources in a more balanced way.
▶
FIND OUT MORE
www.stratis.hu/eindex.php
▶HUNGARY
Total cost:
EUR 1 791 000
EU contribution:
EUR 1 523 000
▶INNOVATION
IMPROVES
DIABETES
HEALTHCARE
 39

THIRD EDITION
OF EUROPEAN
COOPERATION DAY:
BE PART OF IT!
Last year, the European Cooperation Day campaign reached out to thousands
of Europeans who participated in one of the 176 local events taking place in
32 countries. With such a success, the campaign will be repeated this year.
Coordinated by the INTERACT programme and supported by the European
Commission, the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions,
all cooperation programmes are invited to participate in celebrating people
working together across borders.
Through the local events, programmes will showcase the best project
results of the current programming period in a fun and accessible way that
allows citizens to engage in territorial cooperation.
This year we can expect European film festivals, different contests, music
performances, and much more! The main day of the campaign will be
21 September 2014, but events will also take place throughout the whole
month of September. Be part of the European Cooperation Day and follow
the campaign on Facebook, Twitter or the dedicated campaign website.
▶FIND OUT MORE
www.ecday.eu
PRESENTING
THE COMIC BOOK
‘PARTNERS’
▶NEWS
▶NEWS

[IN BRIEF]
The Directorate-General for Regional and
Urban Policy has just published a brand
new comic book called ‘Partners’ which
aims at presenting regional and urban pol-
icy through six stories designed to appeal
to a young audience. The themes covered
include research innovation, urban devel-
opment, environment, support to SMEs,
social inclusion, ICT, cooperation between
regions, transport, and solidarity between
regions in case of natural disasters. These
slices of life and stories of men and women
were inspired by real EU-funded projects
that illustrate the European Union’s contri-
bution to reducing differences in standards
of living and supporting the regions in their
development.
▶The comic is available in FR, EN and NL
and can be ordered via the EU Bookshop:
http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/
partners-pbKN0414052/
▶FIND OUT MORE
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/
sources/docgener/bd/bd_euregio_en.pdf
40

NEW MANAGEMENT FOR
ESI FUNDS IN FRANCE
A new body came into being in France on 2 April 2014 with
overall responsibility for regional development policy.
The Commissariat général à l’égalité des territoires (the
General Commission for Regional Equality – CGET) reports
directly to the Prime Minister and is charged with devising and
implementing a national policy for regional equality and
ensuring that it is followed up and coordinated at an inter-
ministerial level. More specifically, it provides advice and sup-
port to Government on policies for overcoming regional
inequalities and developing regional capabilities.
CGET acts as a partner in putting together local social and
economic development projects, through various types of con-
tract, particularly planning contracts between the State and
regions and urban contracts. Acting together with local elected
leaders and local authorities, it inspires, guides and supports
the national Government’s administrative resources, profes-
sional networks, association leaders, institutional partners and
local networks (rural, urban, coastal networks, mountain-
areas, etc). It partners local players in helping their projects
to succeed (building on experience, regional planning, train-
ing, helping to secure European funding etc).
‘EUROPE IN
MY REGION’
PHOTO
COMPETITION
2014
The third annual ‘Europe in My Region’
Photo Competition takes place this sum-
mer and once again aims to raise aware-
ness of projects which have received
funding as part of EU regional policy.
As before, the competition is run via
the European Commission’s Facebook
page. The competition was launched on
12 June and entries will be accepted
until midday on Monday 25 August
2014. The 100 pictures with the highest
number of votes, plus up to 50 ‘wildcard’
For the 2014-2020 period, CGET will be coordinating
the implementation of European Structural and Investment
Funds in France and will be responsible for monitoring
the Partnership Agreement. CGET will also be responsible for
managing two European programmes, Europ’Act and Urbact.
In addition, its observation, monitoring, assessment, foresight
and evaluation functions have been enhanced to benefit
Government and all the other stakeholders, and it will develop
international cooperation.
CGET was created from the merger of three agencies:
the Délégation interministérielle à l’aménagement du terri-
toire et à l’attractivité régionale (Inter-ministerial Delegation
for Local Planning and Regional Competitiveness – DATAR),
the Secrétariat général du comité interministériel des villes
(General Secretariat for Urban and Social Development −
SGCIV) and the Agence pour la cohésion sociale et l’égalité
des chances (National Agency for Social Cohesion and Equal
Opportunities − Acsé).
▶FIND OUT MORE
www.cget.gouv.fr/
entries (that were not amongst those
with the highest votes), are put forward
to a jury of three photography profes-
sionals who will select three winners.
The winners will receive their prizes
– a trip to Brussels and EUR 1 000 to
spend on digital camera equipment –
during OPEN DAYS 2014 in October.
To get more visibility and shares, use
the official hashtag of the competition
whenever you share your entry on Face
book or Twitter: #EUmyRegion
▶Take a look at last’s year
entries for inspiration:
www.flickr.com/photos/euregional/
sets/72157635684967356/
▶FIND OUT MORE
www.facebook.com/
EuropeanCommission
 41

3RD FORUM OF THE
OUTERMOST REGIONS:
NINE REGIONS AT THE HEART OF
THE EUROPE OF TODAY AND TOMORROW
The third Forum of the Outermost Regions will be held in
Brussels on 30 September and 1 October 2014.
Following in the footsteps of the forums of 2010 and
2012, this year's gathering will bring together hundreds of
participants, including experts and representatives from the
outermost regions and the countries concerned, as well as
from the EU institutions, interest groups and stakeholders.
The challenge, in the context of the reformed Cohesion Policy
2014-2020 and the finalisation of Partnership Agreements,
is to ensure the strategy is geared towards the specific needs
of the outermost regions: to allow them also to play their part
in meeting EU objectives and continuing on the path to sus-
tainable development.
Business partners from across the EU will be invited to
offer the outermost regions a platform for showcasing their
unique selling points on the basis of the strategic axes devel-
oped in their action plans.
The event will open with keynote speeches from José
Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission,
Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy and
Victorin Lurel, Region of Guadeloupe, Chair of the Conference
of Presidents of the Outermost Regions.
The panellists will address and debate key issues such as
employment, societal challenges, and sectors with high poten-
tial for the development of the outermost regions and their
regional integration, with a view to making the best use of the
resources available to them and maximising the outputs.
▶FOLLOW THE DEBATES LIVE
Webstreaming: links will be provided on the day of the event
Twitter: #RUP2014 / @EU_Regional
www.flickr.com/euregional
▶FIND OUT MORE
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/rup2014/
index_en.cfm
THE URBAN DIMENSION
OF EU POLICIES ONLINE
CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
In February the European Commission organised a major forum, ‘CITIES – Cities
of Tomorrow: Investing in Europe’, to stimulate debate on how we can strengthen
the urban dimension of EU policymaking.
Now an online public consultation aims to widen the debate to all stakehold-
ers by further clarifying the need for an EU urban agenda, what its objectives
should be and how it could function. The opinions and suggestions from stake-
holders at all levels will form important input for the new Commission and the new
European Parliament, not least in relation to the future development of the Europe
2020 strategy.
This consultation will be open from 22 July until 26 September 2014.
▶
YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE
TO THE DEBATE HERE:
http://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/
pc_eu_urb_agenda
42
▶NEWS

KEY CHANGES TO EUSF
A key change in the EUSF process will allow payment of up
to 10 % of the anticipated grant to be made in advance (with
a maximum pay out of EUR 30 million). This in itself will offer
a fast helping hand to disaster-stricken Member States that
have applied for EU assistance.
The proposed legislation simplifies the existing rules so that
aid can be paid out more rapidly, merging two stages of the
approval and implementation agreement into one decision.
The scope of the Solidarity Fund has also been clarified,
limiting it to natural disasters and extending it to drought.
Also clarified is eligibility, particularly for regional disasters,
with 1.5 % of regional GDP being set as a threshold for
the activation of the Fund. This ceiling has been lowered to
1 % for the EU’s Outermost Regions.
Damage suffered by private individuals, businesses and in
agriculture or losses of income cannot be covered by the Fund.
An extension of the implementation period from 12 to
18 months will allow beneficiary countries to have more time
to carry out recovery operations.
Member States are required to implement legislation on dis-
aster risk prevention. Repeated infringements of relevant EU
law could lead of a rejection of an application for EUSF aid.
▶EU SOLIDARITY
FUND REFORM
DISASTER RELIEF TO
BE STREAMLINED
For a decade the EU has been a major source of support
during natural disasters occurring across the European
continent ranging from floods to earthquakes and for-
est fires. In 2013 the Commission proposed streamlin-
ing the main support mechanism – the European Union
Solidarity Fund – making it more responsive and sim-
pler to use. In May this year, the European Parliament
gave the reform plans the green light.
Since its creation in 2002, the European Union Solidarity Fund
(EUSF) has responded to some 56 disasters across Europe.
These have included earthquakes, forest fires, drought, storms
and floods. Twenty three countries have been assisted receiv-
ing disaster relief funds of more than EUR 3.6 billion. The EUSF
is currently implementing plans to help Croatia and Serbia
recover from the extreme flooding in the Balkans while other
EU support tools help Bosnia-Herzegovina.
▶Flooding in Austria in 2013.
 43

Advance payments
In a disaster situation, getting relief to where it is needed in
the shortest amount of time is vital. Streamlining the EUSF
application process will improve the effectiveness of the
relief funding.
A series of reforms have now been agreed (see box) and
should result in significant improvements in the working of
the Fund, ensuring that aid is given where it is most needed,
and alleviating the strain on regions. Significantly up to
10 % of the funds can be paid in advance.
Explained Commissioner for Regional Policy Johannes Hahn:
‘It is vital for the European Union to have a system in place
that works well and responds quickly to help citizens affected
by natural disasters.
‘We have established new, clear and simple criteria so that
disaster-stricken countries will no longer be in doubt as to
the conditions that must be met to activate the Fund. Making
applications and assessing them will be simpler and thus
save valuable time and resources.
‘Provisions have been included for longer lasting disasters
such as drought, and the specific vulnerability of the
outermost regions has also been taken into account. We have
also streamlined the administrative procedures which will
help us to react more rapidly.’
The overall principles of the Fund, however, are unchanged
as is the way it is financed, outside the normal EU budget.
The EUSF has a maximum annual budget of EUR 500 million
(in 2011 prices), plus any remainder from the preceding year.
Good track record
In general, the Solidarity Fund has been working success-
fully as the number of projects supported shows. But it
was widely felt that the Fund was clearly too slow to react
and, in some respects, unnecessarily complicated or not fully
clear with regard to its criteria. In some cases this has led
to frustration both on the part of the Commission as well as
the affected countries.
The rules governing the reformed EUSF will enter into force
once published in the official Journal of the European Union,
expected in June 2014.
‘ It is vital for the European
Union to have a system in place
that works well and responds
quickly to help citizens affected
by natural disasters.
’
JOHANNES HAHN –
EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER
FOR REGIONAL POLICY
▶
The army and citizens try to hold back the rising water level
with sandbags – Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia – May 2014.
44

EU SOLIDARITY FUND
AT WORK
The EUSF was created in the wake of the severe floods
in Central Europe in the summer of 2002. In principle, assis-
tance from the Fund is limited to the financing of emer-
gency operations carried out by public authorities following
a natural disaster. Damage suffered by private individu-
als or losses of income cannot be covered by the Fund.
▶EARTHQUAKE IN ITALY
The Commission accorded a record sum of EUR 670 million from the EUSF
to Italy for recovery operations in the wake of the devastating earth-
quakes in Emilia-Romagna in 2012. The severe earthquakes hit the region
with a force of 5.9 on the Richter scale on 20 May 2012, followed by
hundreds of aftershocks spreading out into the neighbouring regions of
Veneto and Lombardy.
The earthquakes caused 27 deaths, an estimated 350 people were injured
and more than 45 000 people had to be evacuated. Serious and widespread
damage amounting to over EUR 13 billion was caused to buildings, infra-
structure, businesses, industrial facilities, agriculture and to the important
cultural heritage sector.
This was the largest amount of aid granted by the Fund since it was created
in 2002, reflecting the scale of damage that was inflicted by the earthquakes
here on thousands of families, on their homes, their livelihoods and on the
region’s economy as a whole.
The affected Member State or accession country must apply
for the Fund to be activated within 12 weeks following
a natural disaster. The level of estimated direct damage
must exceed EUR 3 billion in 2011 prices, or more than 0.6 %
of its gross national income (GNI).
▶FLOODING IN CROATIA AND SERBIA
In the wake of the recent flooding disaster in the Balkans, Croatia and Serbia
are eligible for Solidarity Fund assistance and are currently preparing their
applications.
Serbia is currently negotiating its EU membership and is entitled to the same level
of assistance from the EU as if it were a full member of the Union. Bosnia-
Herzegovina, which is not as advanced on its way towards EU membership
as Serbia, will be included within the broader framework of EU aid. Serbia may
also be eligible for money from other sources, including the Instrument for Pre-
Accession Assistance (IPA), the fund for countries preparing to join the EU.
Solidarity Fund assistance is raised over and above the normal EU budget. Aid pro-
posed by the Commission has to be approved by the European Parliament and
the Council before it can be paid out, probably in the autumn. Money from IPA
funds will arrive much faster.
▶
Devastation following the Emilia-Romagna
earthquake in 2012.
▶
The level of the Sava River caused the worst flooding
on record across the Balkans – Sremska Mitrovica,
Serbia – May 2014.
 45

‘The volume of funds provided by the EU Solidarity Fund
has of course been very important and very welcome,’
commented Luigi d’Angelo from the Italian Civil Pro-
tection Department. ‘But more than this there has been
a considerable added value in terms of the spread of
knowledge among the local people and awareness of the
EU. The involvement of the EU Solidarity Fund has had
an impact, long after the emergency was over.’
‘The reforms to the Solidarity Fund go a long way to removing some of the past
difficulties in administering the Fund. The greater clarity about the parameters
and eligibility criteria is important as it will avoid the risk of spending precious
time preparing dossiers that will be ultimately unsuccessful. The setting of 1.5 %
of regional GDP as the threshold for the activation of the Fund is a positive
move and may indeed result in some more dossiers being accepted.’
▶FLOODING BRINGS EXCEPTIONAL AID
FOR AUSTRIA
In August 2005, heavy flooding occurred in parts of two Austrian Länder,
Vorarlberg and Tyrol. The flooding caused severe damage to the agricultural
sector, to tourism, residential properties and businesses, to the transport
network and other infrastructure.
The total direct damage was estimated at EUR 591.94 million. Since the figure
was lower than the threshold for mobilising the Solidarity Fund for major dis-
asters (0.6 % of Austria’s GNI, i.e. EUR 1.3363 billion), the application was
approved under exceptional criteria for so-called extraordinary regional disasters
and financial aid amounting to EUR 14.79 million was accorded.
The aid was used for:
▶
▶the immediate restoration to working order of infrastructure, in particular in
restoration of state roads. Total EUSF contribution: EUR 9.86 million;
▶
▶the immediate securing of preventive infrastructures, in particular of resto-
ration of damaged embankments of water courses, including the removal of
trees and rubble, damming, stabilisation and restoration of river beds. Total
EUSF contribution: EUR 4.93 million.
‘The support from the Solidarity Fund provided a valuable
contribution to the public expenditures for the restoration
of public infrastructure, especially through the interven-
tions after regional disasters which affected local and
regional administrations severely,’ commented Mag.
Siegfried Jachs from the Ministry for Interior, Civil Pro-
tection and Crisis Management in Vienna.
‘The advance payments will help to speed up the procedures and make the
Fund more visible. Further amendments to the regulation will help to make
the application of the Fund more flexible and transparent.’
EU SOLIDARITY FUND
INTERVENTIONS
SINCE 2002
GRAND TOTAL OF AID APPROVED:
€ 36 BILLION
DAMAGE
(mill. €)
AID
(mill. €)
AUSTRIA ▶Total: EUR 170.74 m.
08/2002 Floods 2 900 134
08/2005 Floods 592 14.8
11/2012 Floods 10 0.240
05/2013 Floods 866 21.7
BULGARIA ▶Total: EUR 20.3 m.
05/2005 Floods 222 9.7
08/2005 Floods 237 10.6
CROATIA ▶Total: EUR 5.29 m.
05/2010 Floods 153 3.8
09/2010 Floods 47 1.2
10/2012 Floods 12 0.287
CYPRUS ▶Total: EUR 7.6 m.
04/2008 Drought 165 7.6
CZECH REPUBLIC ▶Total: EUR 160.9 m.
08/2002 Floods 2 300 129
05/2010 Floods 205 5.1
08/2010 Floods 437 10.9
06/2013 Floods 637 15.9
ESTONIA ▶Total: EUR 1.3 m.
01/2005 Storm 48 1.3
FRANCE ▶Total: EUR 203.7 m.
09/2002 Floods 835 21
12/2003 Floods 785 19.6
02/2007 Cyclone 211 5.3
08/2007 Hurricane 509 12.8
01/2009 Storm 3 806 109.4
02/2010 Storm 1 425 35.6
GERMANY ▶Total: EUR 971.4 m.
08/2002 Floods 9 100 444
01/2007 Storm 4 750 166.9
05/2013 Floods 8 154 360.5
GREECE ▶Total: EUR 991 m.
03/2006 Floods 372 9.3
08/2007 Forest fires 2 118 89.8
HUNGARY ▶Total: EUR 37.6 m.
04/2006 Floods 519 15.1
05/ 2010 Floods 719 22.5
IRELAND ▶Total: EUR 13 m.
11/2009 Floods 521 13
ITALY ▶Total: EUR 1 246.6 m.
10/2002 Earthquake 1 558 30.8
10/2002 Volcano 894 16.8
04/2009 Earthquake 10 212 493.8
10/2010 Flooding 676 16.9
10/2011 Flooding 723 18.1
05/ 2012 Earthquakes 13 274 670.2
46

▶FLOODING AND STORMS
IN GERMANY
In 2002 Germany suffered EUR 9 billion in damage from flooding and
received EUR 444 million in aid from the Solidarity Fund. In 2007, Germany
the ‘Kyrill’ storm caused EUR 4.8 billion in damage; Germany received a fur-
ther EUR 167 million in aid from the Fund.
From mid-May until the end of June 2013, large areas of Germany again expe-
rienced extremely intense rainfall, which resulted in widespread flooding causing
severe damages. More than 100 000 people were evacuated from flood-affected
areas in Germany with a total of almost 600 000 people affected by the disaster.
The estimated total direct damage of around EUR 8.1 billion was well above
the threshold to qualify for Solidarity Fund support. The Commission allo-
cated EUR 360 million for Germany, set against the EUR 3.2 billion of total cost
of eligible operations.
‘Knowing that the EU will help to bear the costs of the rescue operations
allows us to focus attention on helping citizens immediately after the disaster
has struck,’ said Dr. Nadine Kalwey, spokesperson of the Federal Ministry
of Finance.
‘The new reform simplifies the whole process from the application to the
disbursement of financial assistance. This will greatly reduce administrative
burden. The reform also clarifies under which conditions a member state is
entitled to receive financial assistance from the EU, making it more predictable
whether a country can expect to receive financial aid. This facilitates our budg-
etary planning.
‘The Solidarity Fund is an important tool for the Union to support Member states
that have suffered from a natural disaster. Being able to show solidarity in times
when citizens are affected by such disasters matters not only in financial terms
but also signals the added value of being a member of the European Union.’
▶FIND OUT MORE
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/thefunds/
solidarity/index_en.cfm#1
DAMAGE
(mill. €)
AID
(mill. €)
LATVIA ▶Total: EUR 9.5 m.
01/2005 Storm 193 9.5
LITHUANIA ▶Total: EUR 0.4 m.
01/2005 Storm 15 0.4
MALTA ▶Total: EUR 0.96 m.
09/2003 Floods 30 0.96
POLAND ▶Total: EUR 105.6 m.
05/2010 Floods 2 994 105.6
PORTUGAL ▶Total: EUR 79.8 m.
07/2003 Forest Fires 1 228 48.5
02/2010 Floods 1 080 31.3
ROMANIA ▶Total: EUR 110.5 m.
04/2005 Floods 489 18.8
07/2005 Floods 1 050 52.4
07/2008 Floods 471 11.8
06/2010 Floods 876 25.0
08/2012 Drought 807 2.5
SLOVAKIA ▶Total: EUR 26.1 m.
11/2004 Storm 203 5.7
05/2010 Floods 561 20.4
SLOVENIA ▶Total: EUR 29.9 m.
09/2007 Floods 233 8.3
09/2010 Floods 251 7.5
10/2012 Floods 360 14.1
SPAIN ▶Total: EUR 31 m.
08/2003 Forest Fires 53 1.3
11/2003 Oil Spill 436 8.6
05/2011 Earthquake 843 21.1
SWEDEN ▶Total: EUR 81.7 m.
01/2005 Storm 2 297 81.7
UNITED KINGDOM ▶Total: EUR 162.3 m.
06/2007 Floods 4 612 162.3
▶Flooding caused severe damage in Austria in 2005.
▶
Flooded park and historical buildings in Besigheim, Germany, June 2013.
Due to heavy rain the flood reached a peak more than 5 metres above
normal river levels.
 47

KN-LR-14-049-EN-N
▶AGENDA
8-9 SEPTEMBER 2014
_Brussels (BE)
6th Cohesion Forum
30 SEPTEMBER
1 OCTOBER 2014
_Brussels (BE)
3rd Forum on the
Outermost Regions
6-9 OCTOBER 2014
_Brussels (BE)
OPEN DAYS
More information on these events can be found
in the Agenda section of the Inforegio website:
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/
conferences/agenda/index_en.cfm
▶
European Commission,
Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy
Communication – Ana-Paula Laissy
Avenue de Beaulieu 1 – B-1160 Brussels
E-mail: regio-panorama@ec.europa.eu
Internet: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.cfm
www.ec.europa.eu/inforegio
www.yammer.com/regionetwork
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Panorama of the European Union: n. 49/2014, summer edition

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Panorama of the European Union: n. 49/2014, summer edition