Cohesion & Neighbourhood

Question 1

Cohesion policy: Legal basis, objective, targets, funds, size

Answer 1

Legal basis: Articles 174 to 178 TFEU

Objectives: Strengthening its economic, social and territorial cohesion is one of the EU’s main objectives.

Cohesion Policy targets all regions and cities in the European Union in order to support
job creation
business competitiveness
economic growth
sustainable development
improvements to citizens’ quality of life

Funds: The EU supports the achievement of these objectives through the use of the European Structural and Investment Funds (the ESF, ERDF, Cohesion Fund, European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)), and the Just Transition Fund (JTF).

Size: €392 billion – almost a third of the total EU budget – has been set aside for Cohesion Policy for the period 2021-2027.

Question 2

Timeline cohesion policy funds, and competencies

Answer 2

Funds:
* The Treaty of Rome (1957) established solidarity mechanisms in the form of two funds: the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF, Guidance Section).
* In 1975, regional aspects were introduced with the creation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
* In 1994, the Cohesion Fund was also create

Competency:
* With the Single European Act of 1986, economic and social cohesion became a competence of the European Community.
* In 2008, the Treaty of Lisbon introduced a third dimension of EU cohesion: territorial cohesion.

Question 3

European territorial cooperation: legal basis, 4 strands of Interreg

Answer 3

Article 178 TFEU

Framework lied down in Interreg Regulation. Interref launched in 1990.

4 Strands_
* Cross-border cooperation (Interreg strand A) between NUTS regions
* Transnational cooperation (Interreg strand B) cooperation over larger transnational territories or around sea basins
*Interregional cooperation (Interreg strand C) works at pan-European level,
* Cooperation in the outermost regions (Interreg strand D) for outermost regions to cooperate with their neighbouring countries and territories

Size: €8.05 billion

Question 4

Outermost regions: which ones are they, difference to OTCs

Answer 4

Currently, there are nine outermost regions:
* Five French overseas departments – Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Réunion;
* One French overseas community – Saint-Martin;
* Two Portuguese autonomous regions – Madeira and the Azores;
* One Spanish autonomous community – the Canary Islands.

Difference Overseas countries & territories and ORs: OCTs are not part of the single market and must comply with the obligations imposed on non-EU countries in respect of trade, particularly rules of origin, health and plant health standards and safeguard measures.

Can they switch status? Yes, with decision from European Council

Population ORs: 5 million

Question 5

NUTS regions thresholds: min max population

Answer 5

NUTS 1: 3 million 7 million
NUTS 2: 800 000 3 million
NUTS 3: 150 000 800 000

Question 6

European groupings of territorial cooperation (EGTCs): definition, who sets it up, legal status.

Answer 6

Definition: European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) allows public entities of different Member States to come together under a new entity with full legal personality.

Who: An EGTC can be created by partners based in at least two Member States (or one Member State and one or more non-EU countries)

Legal status: EGTCs have legal personality and are governed by a convention concluded unanimously by its members.

Question 7

Macro-Regional Strategies: definition, existing 4 partnerships

Answer 7

Definition: A ‘Macroregional strategy’ is an integrated framework endorsed by the European Council, to address common challenges faced by a defined geographical area

Four EU macro-regional strategies, covering several policies, have been adopted so far:
* The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (2009)
* The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (2010)
* The EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (2014)
* The EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (2015)

Question 8

EU sea basins strategies: list all 3

Answer 8

• for the Atlantic,
• the Western Mediterranean and
• the Black Sea

Question 9

• 2021-2027 Cohesion Framework: 5 objectives and which funds contribute to them

Answer 9

1. A more competitive and smarter Europe;
2. A greener, low carbon transitioning towards a net-zero carbon economy;
3. A more connected Europe by enhancing mobility;
4. A more social and inclusive Europe;
5. Europe closer to citizens.

ESF+. objecftive 4
Cohesion FUnd: 2,3
ERDF: All 5, but focus on 1,2