A significant part of the European economic recovery and economic growth strategy implies the reorientation of Structural Funds and their utilisation as real investment instruments. Rapid investment delivery should become priority. Some member states have adopted a rescheduling of funds to permit the introduction of resources into the sectors with high absorption capacity. These measures have been adopted to make sure that growth stimulating investments with direct impact and long-term benefits are allocated in the budgets and existing operating programmes.
As regards financing sources, the Cohesion Policy is EU’s most important unique financing source for which the European institutions have officially launched (in July 2012) negotiations on the value of funds dedicated to the next 7 years. The political agreement could be adopted by the end of 2012. The budget proposed for 2014-2020 is estimated at EUR 336 Billion, investments in less developed regions representing around 50% of the amount (more than EUR 160 Billion), but MEPs’ opinion contradicts EU’s objective. “We talk about a new, modernised cohesion policy, so you cannot split Europe in a part that is getting this money without having a vision on how to realise the 2020 targets in other regions”, declared during debates MEP Lambert Van Nistelrooij (Netherlands), his opinion being shared by his colleague Constanze Krehl (Germany) who added that “Of course, the cohesion policy gives poorer regions a chance for development, because it is an investment programme, but it is really more result-oriented, meaning that it is follows the Europe 2020 strategy and we want to make sure that funds go to efficient projects and are wisely distributed.”
Nevertheless, EC’s cohesion policy proposals (October 2011) focused on two objectives, “economic growth investments and labour force occupancy” and “territorial co-operation” which reflect the alignment to Europe 2020 Strategy according to which all regions contribute to general objectives, but the means and scope of the intervention vary according to the economic development level.
The next programming period represents an opportunity for consolidating multiple governances in the cohesion policy and the success of the programmes launched will depend on the implication level of partnerships. In this context, cities should be directly involved in developing priorities for future investments. Most European cities are well aware of the financing necessities for the development of metropolitan areas which play an important role in delivering financing. In the transport segment, the cohesion fund will contribute to investments in the Trans-European network and in transport systems with reduced carbon dioxide emissions, as well as in urban transport. We cannot talk about the European transport network without implication from the cities. It is necessary a strong urban dimension set through objectives because many important problems for the cities and urban areas are reflected in key action through thematic objectives. But there still is the implementation of action in environment, transport and education policy segments to support an intelligent and sustainable development of cities.
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