natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
This should enable the disparity between the richest and poorest EU regions, which is currently enormous, to be progressively reduced.
This should enable the disparity between the richest and poorest EU regions, which is currently enormous, to be progressively reduced.
Most of the poorest regions are located in the new Member States, which often lack the administrative capacity, skills and experience required in order to make use of the funding available.
Most of the poorest regions are located in the new Member States, which often lack the administrative capacity, skills and experience required in order to make use of the funding available.
This report contains a number of recommendations and remarks aimed at improving the uptake and use of structural funds and thus achieving sustainable development in the poorest regions.
This report contains a number of recommendations and remarks aimed at improving the uptake and use of structural funds and thus achieving sustainable development in the poorest regions.
The main goal of EU cohesion policy is to reduce development disparities among regions; swift development of the poorest regions is in the interests of the entire Union.
The main goal of EU cohesion policy is to reduce development disparities among regions; swift development of the poorest regions is in the interests of the entire Union.
Currently, 100 of what are considered to be the poorest regions – i.e. whose per capita GDP is less than 75% of the EU average – come under the cohesion policy's Convergence Objective.
Currently, 100 of what are considered to be the poorest regions – i.e. whose per capita GDP is less than 75% of the EU average – come under the cohesion policy's Convergence Objective.
Disparities between regions in per capita GDP terms are extremely large, and are higher in the EU 27 than they were in the EU 15.
Disparities between regions in per capita GDP terms are extremely large, and are higher in the EU 27 than they were in the EU 15.
These disparities are illustrated in Table 1 below.
These disparities are illustrated in Table 1 below.
Table 1.
Table 1.
Regional per capita GDP in the EU 27 – 2004 figures (in PPS, EU 27 = 100)
Regional per capita GDP in the EU 27 – 2004 figures (in PPS, EU 27 = 100)
The 15 regions with the highest GDP
The 15 regions with the highest GDP
The fifteen regions with the lowest GDP
The fifteen regions with the lowest GDP
Inner London (UK)
Inner London (UK)
Bruxelles-Cap. / Brussels Hfdst.
Bruxelles-Cap. / Brussels Hfdst.
Yuzhen tsentralen (BG)
Yuzhen tsentralen (BG)
Severen tsentralen (BG)
Severen tsentralen (BG)
Île de France (FR)
Île de France (FR)
Sud-Vest Oltenia (RO)
Sud-Vest Oltenia (RO)
North Eastern Scotland (UK)
North Eastern Scotland (UK)
Source: Eurostat news release 23/2007 – 19 February 2007
Source: Eurostat news release 23/2007 – 19 February 2007
The above figures published by Eurostat show there to be a huge development gap between the richest and poorest EU regions, with most of the poorest regions being located in central and eastern European Member States which joined the Union during the last two enlargements (2004 and 2007).
The above figures published by Eurostat show there to be a huge development gap between the richest and poorest EU regions, with most of the poorest regions being located in central and eastern European Member States which joined the Union during the last two enlargements (2004 and 2007).
This situation calls for serious action to reduce the disparities between the richest and poorest regions.
This situation calls for serious action to reduce the disparities between the richest and poorest regions.
With a view to enabling them to secure balanced development, regions lagging behind in development terms, undergoing restructuring or suffering from specific geographical, economic or social handicaps
With a view to enabling them to secure balanced development, regions lagging behind in development terms, undergoing restructuring or suffering from specific geographical, economic or social handicaps
Outermost regions, islands, mountain areas and thinly populated regions. should, in addition to the funding available, be given technical assistance in order to enable them to deal with the procedural difficulties surrounding the implementation of EU cohesion policy.
Outermost regions, islands, mountain areas and thinly populated regions. should, in addition to the funding available, be given technical assistance in order to enable them to deal with the procedural difficulties surrounding the implementation of EU cohesion policy.
Cohesion policy has enabled many previously poor EU regions to reach a satisfactory level of development.
Cohesion policy has enabled many previously poor EU regions to reach a satisfactory level of development.
With the assistance of structural and cohesion funding all four of what were previously known as the 'cohesion countries' (Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain) have experienced remarkable levels of economic growth.
With the assistance of structural and cohesion funding all four of what were previously known as the 'cohesion countries' (Ireland, Greece, Portugal and Spain) have experienced remarkable levels of economic growth.
Table 2.
Table 2.
Ground made up by cohesion countries in terms of per capita GDP ( EU =100)
Ground made up by cohesion countries in terms of per capita GDP ( EU =100)
Spain Portugal Greece Ireland
Spain Portugal Greece Ireland
Source: Catching-up in Europe: The experiences of Portugal , Spain and Greece in the Nineties, Karl Aiginger; Wifo (Österreichisches Institut für wirtschaftsforschung) Working Papers, No 212, December 2003, p.
Source: Catching-up in Europe: The experiences of Portugal , Spain and Greece in the Nineties, Karl Aiginger; Wifo (Österreichisches Institut für wirtschaftsforschung) Working Papers, No 212, December 2003, p.
The lack of comprehensive or sufficiently comparable statistics on development in the poorest regions is preventing an accurate analysis being made of the degree to which structural funding has contributed to regional development.
The lack of comprehensive or sufficiently comparable statistics on development in the poorest regions is preventing an accurate analysis being made of the degree to which structural funding has contributed to regional development.
However, a general analysis of GDP figures shows that over the period between the 'Sixties and 2002, Spain's GDP rose from 60.76% to almost 85% of the Community average, Portugal's from 40% to 69%, Greece's from 44% to 66% and Ireland's from 65% to 122%.
However, a general analysis of GDP figures shows that over the period between the 'Sixties and 2002, Spain's GDP rose from 60.76% to almost 85% of the Community average, Portugal's from 40% to 69%, Greece's from 44% to 66% and Ireland's from 65% to 122%.
On the basis of these positive examples, it may be assumed that the Member States coming under the current Convergence Objective will, in their turn, take advantage of the opportunities that the new cohesion policy is offering them, particularly since, despite the fact that their GDPs are lower than the EU average, they have an economic growth rate that is well above the EU average and thus show great development potential.
On the basis of these positive examples, it may be assumed that the Member States coming under the current Convergence Objective will, in their turn, take advantage of the opportunities that the new cohesion policy is offering them, particularly since, despite the fact that their GDPs are lower than the EU average, they have an economic growth rate that is well above the EU average and thus show great development potential.
Table 3.
Table 3.
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate
GDP growth rate – percentage change over previous year
GDP growth rate – percentage change over previous year
(the figures for 2006, 2007 and 2008 are forecasts)
(the figures for 2006, 2007 and 2008 are forecasts)
EU 25
EU 25
EU 15
EU 15
As can be seen from Table 3, the two countries which joined the EU in 2007 – Bulgaria and Romania – show a particularly high economic growth potential.
As can be seen from Table 3, the two countries which joined the EU in 2007 – Bulgaria and Romania – show a particularly high economic growth potential.
If this potential is to be fully realised, proper preparations need, first and foremost, to be made, and this includes effective administration.
If this potential is to be fully realised, proper preparations need, first and foremost, to be made, and this includes effective administration.
However, the statistics for the uptake of funding over the initial two-year period show that, despite the major economic progress achieved, the Member States that joined in 2004 failed to make full use of the funds available to them up to 2006, owing mainly to what may be generally termed administrative inefficiency.
However, the statistics for the uptake of funding over the initial two-year period show that, despite the major economic progress achieved, the Member States that joined in 2004 failed to make full use of the funds available to them up to 2006, owing mainly to what may be generally termed administrative inefficiency.
Table 4.
Table 4.
Structural and cohesion funding uptake in the EU 10
Structural and cohesion funding uptake in the EU 10
(May 2004 to September 2006)
(May 2004 to September 2006)
EU 10
EU 10
21 494.5
21 494.5
5 622.8
5 622.8
2 224.3
2 224.3
2 945.9
2 945.9
1 092.8
1 092.8
1 380.0
1 380.0
11 015.2
11 015.2
2 701.5
2 701.5
1 636.6
1 636.6
Source: Presentation by Dalia Grybauskaitė, Commissioner with responsibility for financial programming and budget, Brussels , 21 September 2006.
Source: Presentation by Dalia Grybauskaitė, Commissioner with responsibility for financial programming and budget, Brussels , 21 September 2006.
There are a large number of examples of new Member States failing to make use of the funding available.
There are a large number of examples of new Member States failing to make use of the funding available.
The poorest regions tend to experience the most difficulties in taking up funding.
The poorest regions tend to experience the most difficulties in taking up funding.
The authorities in those regions often lack the necessary skills, experience or matching funds to deal with complicated cohesion policy requirements, and are thus unable to claim the funds to which they are, in principle, entitled.
The authorities in those regions often lack the necessary skills, experience or matching funds to deal with complicated cohesion policy requirements, and are thus unable to claim the funds to which they are, in principle, entitled.
It must be stressed that institutional capacity is an essential precondition for successful programme and project implementation and human resource development.
It must be stressed that institutional capacity is an essential precondition for successful programme and project implementation and human resource development.
During the pre-accession aid period various programmes revealed a large number of institutional, managerial and administrative shortcomings on the recipients' side.
During the pre-accession aid period various programmes revealed a large number of institutional, managerial and administrative shortcomings on the recipients' side.
These shortcomings that have not yet been fully made good, but must be addressed in the very near future if funds are to be properly invested and spent.
These shortcomings that have not yet been fully made good, but must be addressed in the very near future if funds are to be properly invested and spent.
There is therefore a need for:
There is therefore a need for:
- better administration, so as to enable regions in receipt of funding to take up aid and use it effectively;
- better administration, so as to enable regions in receipt of funding to take up aid and use it effectively;
- technical assistance, particularly with preparations to implement new projects;
- technical assistance, particularly with preparations to implement new projects;
- quality, both externally, in the form of expert knowledge, and internally, in order to be able to determine what is really needed;
- quality, both externally, in the form of expert knowledge, and internally, in order to be able to determine what is really needed;
- project and spending quality controls and assessment of the sustainability of projects already implemented.
- project and spending quality controls and assessment of the sustainability of projects already implemented.
Swift delivery of funds to eligible regions is also important.
Swift delivery of funds to eligible regions is also important.
It sometimes takes too long for funds to reach beneficiaries, which leads to higher project costs.
It sometimes takes too long for funds to reach beneficiaries, which leads to higher project costs.
Fund delivery needs to be based on transparent rules and clear criteria.
Fund delivery needs to be based on transparent rules and clear criteria.
It is difficult to avoid complex mechanisms for the implementation of structural funding, on which three different levels of regulation have an impact, namely community rules, national frameworks and regional practices.
It is difficult to avoid complex mechanisms for the implementation of structural funding, on which three different levels of regulation have an impact, namely community rules, national frameworks and regional practices.
Procedural simplification is therefore an issue that must be addressed at all three levels in order to avoid any subsequent interpretation and to facilitate and speed up programme implementation.
Procedural simplification is therefore an issue that must be addressed at all three levels in order to avoid any subsequent interpretation and to facilitate and speed up programme implementation.
Sound structural fund management calls also for coordination of the various levels (political, technical and administrative).
Sound structural fund management calls also for coordination of the various levels (political, technical and administrative).
This is a pressing problem in the new Member States in particular, where more effective action needs to be taken.
This is a pressing problem in the new Member States in particular, where more effective action needs to be taken.
Discussions on ensuring cohesion between the Community, Member States and regions are of essential importance, and no sphere of governance should be left out of this structured dialogue.
Discussions on ensuring cohesion between the Community, Member States and regions are of essential importance, and no sphere of governance should be left out of this structured dialogue.
Cohesion policy is not just about financing; it is also about partnership between the various stakeholders.
Cohesion policy is not just about financing; it is also about partnership between the various stakeholders.
Action and cooperation at only one level are not enough to strengthen the leverage effect.
Action and cooperation at only one level are not enough to strengthen the leverage effect.
Partnership and good information flows are thus particularly necessary.
Partnership and good information flows are thus particularly necessary.
Furthermore, a framework needs to be established within which the necessary interactions can take place, and an experience-exchange system needs to be set up.
Furthermore, a framework needs to be established within which the necessary interactions can take place, and an experience-exchange system needs to be set up.
This could lead to the introduction of rules and standards enhancing administrative capacities in connection with the implementation of rules and regulations.
This could lead to the introduction of rules and standards enhancing administrative capacities in connection with the implementation of rules and regulations.
Economic growth tends to be concentrated around certain areas.
Economic growth tends to be concentrated around certain areas.
This is particularly apparent in central and eastern European countries with fast-growing capital city regions.
This is particularly apparent in central and eastern European countries with fast-growing capital city regions.
Urban growth and increasing competitiveness can in many ways serve as a catalyst for the development of surrounding rural communities.
Urban growth and increasing competitiveness can in many ways serve as a catalyst for the development of surrounding rural communities.
The fact nevertheless remains that economic growth is still lacking in some regions.
The fact nevertheless remains that economic growth is still lacking in some regions.
What is more, even the development hubs themselves – the cities – are having their own problems in poor neighbourhoods, and an effective urban policy should therefore also address the problem of sink estates and social exclusion.
What is more, even the development hubs themselves – the cities – are having their own problems in poor neighbourhoods, and an effective urban policy should therefore also address the problem of sink estates and social exclusion.
In addition to this, regions suffering from economic poverty resulting from a lack of basic infrastructure, restricted access to public services and high unemployment are becoming depopulated at a faster rate than other regions and are in need of a policy that promotes entrepreneurship and protects the population base of such regions, with a view to achieving genuine growth.
In addition to this, regions suffering from economic poverty resulting from a lack of basic infrastructure, restricted access to public services and high unemployment are becoming depopulated at a faster rate than other regions and are in need of a policy that promotes entrepreneurship and protects the population base of such regions, with a view to achieving genuine growth.
Speeding up economic growth in the poorest regions is an essential precondition for achieving and sustaining high standards of living in the Union.
Speeding up economic growth in the poorest regions is an essential precondition for achieving and sustaining high standards of living in the Union.
Regional convergence within the EU is of crucial importance if the Union is to be globally competitive and strong in the near future.
Regional convergence within the EU is of crucial importance if the Union is to be globally competitive and strong in the near future.
There is, however, a risk that policy impacts will be diminished if regions that are facing development difficulties keep lagging behind, thus deferring an increasing volume of costs.
There is, however, a risk that policy impacts will be diminished if regions that are facing development difficulties keep lagging behind, thus deferring an increasing volume of costs.
The specific needs of the poorest regions must be identified and appropriate means need to be found to boost their development by making use of their natural resources, cultural assets and environment, while also paying due attention to their protection and development.
The specific needs of the poorest regions must be identified and appropriate means need to be found to boost their development by making use of their natural resources, cultural assets and environment, while also paying due attention to their protection and development.
The fundamental requirement is to establish what the main needs of each region are and to focus funding on the right objectives.
The fundamental requirement is to establish what the main needs of each region are and to focus funding on the right objectives.
For the cohesion countries, an infrastructure base for further investments needs to be created.
For the cohesion countries, an infrastructure base for further investments needs to be created.
There is no inherent contradiction between competitiveness and the goal of cohesion; however, it is essential to understand in which circumstances the leverage effect boosts growth.
There is no inherent contradiction between competitiveness and the goal of cohesion; however, it is essential to understand in which circumstances the leverage effect boosts growth.
To reach a given level of competitiveness poor regions need to have sufficiently developed basic infrastructure.
To reach a given level of competitiveness poor regions need to have sufficiently developed basic infrastructure.
Investment in education and human capital building in the poorest regions is also important because human resources have a decisive influence on, among other things, a region's attractiveness to investors and guarantee future growth.
Investment in education and human capital building in the poorest regions is also important because human resources have a decisive influence on, among other things, a region's attractiveness to investors and guarantee future growth.
There is a fundamental need to make greater use of and promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) with a view to developing the poorest regions.
There is a fundamental need to make greater use of and promote public-private partnerships (PPPs) with a view to developing the poorest regions.
Rules governing the implementation of PPPs need to be laid down, and obstacles thereto need to be reduced.
Rules governing the implementation of PPPs need to be laid down, and obstacles thereto need to be reduced.
Good practice is lacking in new Member States, and the involvement of private capital is of key importance in generating further investments.
Good practice is lacking in new Member States, and the involvement of private capital is of key importance in generating further investments.
Financial support should be spent in a transparent manner so as to make it possible to ensure that it helps to meet the objectives that have been set.
Financial support should be spent in a transparent manner so as to make it possible to ensure that it helps to meet the objectives that have been set.
Jaspers, Jeremie and Jessica are excellent means of providing support, inter alia, to SMEs at regional level, but Member States and the Commission need to do more to promote them, so as to ensure that full and effective use is made of these initiatives, particularly in the poorest regions.
Jaspers, Jeremie and Jessica are excellent means of providing support, inter alia, to SMEs at regional level, but Member States and the Commission need to do more to promote them, so as to ensure that full and effective use is made of these initiatives, particularly in the poorest regions.
Economic development is closely connected to innovation, which is a key factor in regional development.
Economic development is closely connected to innovation, which is a key factor in regional development.
EU cohesion policy must, under the Lisbon Strategy, be directed towards increasing the EU’s innovation capacity and it is therefore important for the poorest regions not to be overlooked in efforts to reach this goal.
EU cohesion policy must, under the Lisbon Strategy, be directed towards increasing the EU’s innovation capacity and it is therefore important for the poorest regions not to be overlooked in efforts to reach this goal.
An important factor in promoting innovation is better quality legislation in EU countries, which should foster, rather than block, innovation processes in important sectors of the economy.
An important factor in promoting innovation is better quality legislation in EU countries, which should foster, rather than block, innovation processes in important sectors of the economy.
The poorest regions are likely to be the most vulnerable in this respect.
The poorest regions are likely to be the most vulnerable in this respect.
Active support for entrepreneurship is important for sustainable development of the poorest regions, and this calls for the involvement of all stakeholders.
Active support for entrepreneurship is important for sustainable development of the poorest regions, and this calls for the involvement of all stakeholders.
Entrepreneurship should be promoted in particular among women and people entering the labour market, as well as among socially excluded groups
Entrepreneurship should be promoted in particular among women and people entering the labour market, as well as among socially excluded groups