Regulation 2013/1303 - Common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund

1.

Summary of Legislation

Thematic objectives for the ESI Funds

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 — thematic objectives for ESI Funds — Article 9

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS ARTICLE?

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 contains the main common rules in regard to the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds for the 2014-2020 programming period, which aim to support the EU’s Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Article 9 of this regulation sets out objectives for these investments under various themes, with the goal of focusing EU cohesion policy funding on areas that deliver the highest benefits to citizens.

KEY POINTS

ESI funds consist of 5 funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

As well as the fund-specific missions, each ESI Fund supports investment priorities known as thematic objectives:

  • 1.

    Strengthening research, technological development and innovation;

  • 2.

    Enhancing access to, and use and quality of information and communication technologies;

  • 4.

    Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy;

  • 5.

    Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management;

  • 6.

    Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency;

  • 7.

    Promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures;

  • 8.

    Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility;

  • 9.

    Promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any discrimination;

  • 10.

    Investing in education and training for skills and lifelong learning;

  • 11.

    Enhancing the capability of public authorities and efficient public administration.

Thematic objectives are translated into priorities specific to each of the ESI Funds. Themes 1-4 are key themes for the ERDF, while themes 8-11 are key themes for the ESF.

Integrated, coordinated and complementary approach

EU countries must make sure that their choice of thematic objectives meets the development needs and territorial challenges, and ensures an integrated delivery of the ESI funds.

Coordination and synergies between ESI funds and other EU policies

EU countries and the European Commission must consider the most suitable means of using EU funds to support investment, coordinating between the ESI Funds and other EU instruments, including:

Underlying principles

Core transverse policy objectives cut across all ESI funding thematic priorities:

Addressing key territorial challenges

EU countries must take account of geographic or demographic features when applying for ESI funding and address the specific territorial challenges of each region to unlock its specific development potential.

FROM WHEN DOES THIS REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 21 December 2013.

BACKGROUND

For more information see:

MAIN DOCUMENT

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, pp. 320-469)

Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Regulation (EU) No 1300/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the Cohesion Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1084/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, pp. 281-288)

Regulation (EU) No 1301/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Regional Development Fund and on specific provisions concerning the Investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, pp. 289-302)

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, pp. 470-486)

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, pp. 487-548)

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 352/78, (EC) No 165/94, (EC) No 2799/98, (EC) No 814/2000, (EC) No 1290/2005 and (EC) No 485/2008 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, pp. 549-607)

See consolidated version.

Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 637/2008 and Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, pp. 608-670)

See consolidated version.

Communication from the Commission — Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (COM(2010) 2020 final, 3.3.2010)

last update 19.07.2018

This summary has been adopted from EUR-Lex.

2.

Legislative text

Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006