Agenda 2000: European Regional Development Fund ERDF

1998/0114(COD)
OBJECTIVE: in connection with the revision of the Structural Funds, to present the specific Regulation governing the ERDF for the period 2000-2006, taking account of the implications of AGENDA 2000 (COS0590). SUBSTANCE: the proposal concerns only the field of application of the ERDF, the overall logic being described in depth in the general proposal on the Structural Funds (AVC98090). The proposal does not radically alter the existing Regulation (Regulation (EEC) No 4254/88), as the latter has proved effective. However, it does spell out certain details: - the fund's task is defined more clearly: the ERDF has the objective of promoting economic and social cohesion by correcting regional imbalances and participating in the development and conversion of regions. It is also to contribute to promoting sustainable development and the creation of jobs. -financing: the ERDF partcipates in 4 types of financing: (a) productive investment, (b) investment in infrastructure, differentiated according to the region concerned, (c) support for the development of endogenous potential (assistance to services for enterprises, technology transfer, etc.), (d) innovative and technical measures. Special attention will be accorded to access to new financing techniques and neighbourhood services. - fields of action: the proposal identifies the fields in which the ERDF is to provide funding: the productive environment, research and technological development, the development of the information society, the protection and improvement of the environment, equality between men and women, European cooperation on regional development. The new Regulation also states the specific field of action of the innovative measures.�