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РусскийEU Structural and Cohesion Funds (EU funds)
The European Union's Structural and Cohesion Funds (EU funds) are the EU's key financial instrument to shape the EU's regional development, specifically of central and eastern European countries. Their purpose is to reduce economic and social disparities between EU member states (short: MS).
But EU funded projects often do not increase the quality of affected peoples' lives or ensure long-term social, economic and environmental benefits, which include a stable climate and the protection of ecosystems. In fact, incoherently defined funding priorities and the disregard of social and environmental impacts inhibit a truly beneficial use of tax payers money.
With more than ten years of experience in monitoring EU funds in central and eastern Europe Bankwatch targets decisions at EU and member state level to help create an EU cohesion policy that supports resource efficient and renewables-based economies for the benefit of real people and the climate.
The problems are:
EU funds' priorities don't aim at 'greening' Europe
In the sectors which Bankwatch's work focuses on, EU funding priorities are not ambitious enough to "limit climate change and its effects", a target laid out in the EU's sustainable development goals and the Europe 2020 strategy, the EU's strategic road map for the decade.
Bad practices: EU funds implementation at national level
EU funded projects in central and eastern European countries are frequently harmful for ecosystems and the climate, while the implementation of EU's environmental laws and regulations is at best deficient.
EU funds decision making lacks transparency and public participation
The Cohesion Policy's partnership principle prescribes the inclusion of local authorities and civil society in the delivery of EU funds. This, as research has shown, improves project quality, curbs potential corruption cases and brings tangible social and environmental benefits to communities.
Our solutions are:
EU and member states policy must be geared towards a green future - now!
The EU 2020 strategy, adopted in 2010, sets up binding targets for 20% emissions reduction and 20% renewable energy in the energy mix of the EU. The implementation of this legislation requires significant financial resources at regional and local levels.
Act now! Allocation of EU funds at national level (the current period: 2007-2013)
EU funds can provide these resources already now, but member states need to improve the implementation process.
Reforming EU (funds) priorities & policies (the future period: 2014-2020)
In 2011, discussions on the EU budget for the period 2014-2020 are reaching their final stage. The so-called “Multiannual Financial Framework” (MFF), to be adopted by the end of 2012, sets the course for future EU funding priorities.
This is an exciting and crucial time. Together with other organisations we have provided our suggestions to reform EU Cohesion Policy in the study Changing Perspectives – How the EU Budget can Shape a Sustainable Future (pdf).
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