The EU’s Cohesion Policy aims to promote
harmonious and sustainable development across the EU and to reduce
socio-economic disparities between the regions.
For the period 2007-2013, the EU is investing approximately 35% of its total budget on Cohesion Policy.
The Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund are the main financial instruments of Cohesion Policy.
There
are two Structural Funds during the 2007-2013 period, namely: the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund
(ESF).
These funds are complemented by the Cohesion Fund.
Malta’s Strategy for Cohesion Policy 2007-2013
A total of €855 million worth of EU funds has been allocated for Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 in Malta. This consists of:
| Cohesion Funds |
€284 million |
|---|
| ESF |
€112 million |
|---|
| European Territorial Cooperation Programmes (ERDF) |
€15 million |
|---|
Member States and regions which are classified under the convergence objective, can obtain a maximum EU co-financing rate of 85% of the total eligible cost of projects. This is complemented by national co-financing.
Malta’s strategy for Cohesion Policy is based on a thorough research, analysis and consultation process which started in early 2005.
It is also inter-linked with other strategic documents, including the
National Reform Programme, the National Strategy for Rural Development and the National Fisheries Strategic Plan.
The goals and strategic priorities for Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 in Malta are identified by
Malta’s National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), which was approved by the European Commission in December 2006.
Malta was the first member state to obtain approval for its NSRF.
The Operational Programmes and Territorial Cooperation Programmes
The
strategy set out in the NSRF forms the basis of two programmes which
each set out the framework within which Structural Funds and the
Cohesion Fund will be spent in Malta and Gozo between 2007-2013. These
are:
. This OP focuses on the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund.