WRITTEN QUESTION E-3161/00

by Carlos Ripoll y Martínez de Bedoya (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 October 2000)

Subject: EU funding

It is a well-known fact that, in order to gain access to European funding, municipalities must channel their requests for funding through their regional or central governments, with the result that, when political leanings differ, EU funding can be very hard to obtain.

The repercussions of this are very serious for many European citizens, who do not have the same opportunities to improve their quality of life as a result of this politically motivated punishment.

Given the aim of ensuring that all European citizens enjoy equal access to European funding:

1. what programmes are there for municipalities in the EU and their development?

2. what existing EU programmes can municipalities gain access to directly, without having to go through central or regional government channels?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2000)

Municipalities may be considered eligible for Community funding under the various Structural Funds.

Among the raft of measures part-financed under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the current 2000-2006 programming period, the urban policy strand and the issue of urban areas in crisis in particular has become increasingly more important. It should benefit municipalities, as should the territorial employment pacts which are promoted under various programmes.

A clear trend towards greater local involvement in programme management can be observed during the present European Social Fund (ESF) programming period across all objectives. Most Member States have signalled their intention to use the global grant mechanism in order to support better local responsiveness of programmes. In addition to the programmes under Objectives 1, 2 and 3, the Equal Community Initiative will operate through development partnerships that will bring together key players, including local authorities, in a geographical area or sector, pooling their efforts to agree on a common strategy and work programme to explore new ways of tackling discrimination and inequality in the labour market.

The European Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) funds rural development plans within the framework of the Structural Funds. The municipalities benefit from various types of aid through village renewal initiatives, the setting up of services essential to the rural economy and environmental protection measures among others.

In accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1), the programme approach is used in all areas covered by ERDF, ESF and EAGGF assistance. Municipalities cannot therefore have direct access to aid but must submit an application as part of the national or regional programmes administered by the competent government bodies. Article 8 of the above Regulation defines the concepts of complementarity and partnership, and recalls that, in application of the principle of subsidiarity, the implementation of assistance is the responsibility of the Member States at the appropriate territorial level according to the arrangements specific to each Member State.

Municipalities may however have direct access to innovative measures under the ESF. Their eligibility for support depends on the priority areas covered by Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1784/1999 of the Council and of the European Parliament of 12 July 1999 on the European Social Fund(2). In May 2000 the Commission also launched a call for proposals on preparatory measures for a local commitment for employment. Municipalities may have access to this support through their national and international associations or networks in order to develop local employment plans. They are also directly eligible for support for activities involving the identification and exchange of good practices in connection with local employment issues.

The Commission would also like to point to the existence of the Grants and loans page on the Europa site which provides a complete inventory of all existing programmes and how they are financed.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.