4340531

EUR-Lex

Access to European Union law

This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website

EUROPA
EUR-Lex home
Summaries of EU legislation
Enterprise
Thematic objectives for the ESI Funds

Help

Search tips

Need more search options? Use the Advanced search

Summaries of EU Legislation

Help

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;
3.
Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises;
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:

common agricultural policy and the common fisheries policy;
Horizon 2020 and other centrally-managed EU programmes in the areas of research and innovation;
New Entrants Reserve (NER) 300 demonstration funding;
Programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE);
ERASMUS+;
EU programme for employment and social innovation;
Connecting Europe Facility;
Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, European Neighbourhood Instrument and European Development Fund.

Underlying principles

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

partnership and multi-level governance;
sustainable development;
promotion of equality between men and women and non-discrimination;
accessibility;
addressing demographic change;
climate change mitigation and adaptation.

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:

Thematic objectives (European Commission).

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.

Choose the experimental features you want to try