TERRITORIAL COHESION AND NATIONAL-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP

for the programming period 2007-2013

Benchmarking Seminar onThe Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective,

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD),The Regional State Aid Provisions (RSA).

Regional policy within the Netherlands, a slightly different approach!

Bert Roona, EU-liaison officer

31 May 2006 - Brussels

IntroductionThe Netherlands: National state

12 provinces (4 regions)

458 municipalities

Total population: 16,3 million

Surface: 41.500km²

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

National financial allocation

- ERDF : 736,5 million Euro- ESF: 736,5 million Euro- Interreg: 212 million Euro

Total 1.685 billion

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

State of play of the NSRF

- Draft is published in May

- Final version October?

1. National-regional partnership

- Regions received draft documents of the Council on the regulations.

- Regions invited to comment on NSRF.- Regions not directly involved in discussions

between Ms and EC.- Regions prepare OP’s ERDF.- One national program for ESF; no involvement

Regions.

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

2. “Territorial cohesion” dimension

Situation within the Netherlands:- Position national government on regional policy- Consequences for regional breakdown!

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Chosen territorial criteria ERDF

Member state:Criteria used by EC for allocation Structural Funds over Member

states:

• Total population 0,5• Number of unemployed people 0,2• Jobs needed to reach 70% 0,15• Educational level 0,10• Low population density 0,05• Relative regional prosperity +5%/-5%

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Chosen territorial criteria ERDF

Criteria used by European Commission:

Total population 33Number of unemployed people 33Low population density 33Regional GDP 33%

+ Safety net 25%

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Region EC proposal

MS proposal

2000-2006

North 237 84 356

East South West

167 153 179

146 189 317

185 190 237

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Region MS proposal

North 152

East

South

West

146

164

274

Situation 31th of May!

The EAFRD

General information

National financial allocation: - 2000-2006: 431 million Euro- 2007-2013: 434 million Euro

The EAFRD

State of play of the NSPDraft availableJuly: final NSP Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Provinces.

One National Operational Program

The EAFRD

1. The national-regional partnership

- Provinces are involved in the negotiations between the European Commission and Member States when designing the EAFRD,

- Participation of the provinces in drafting the NSP and delivering the EAFRD

- LEADER is and will stay important!

The EAFRD

2. “Territorial cohesion” dimensionRural area in the Netherlands:

- non urban areas with less then 30.000 inhabitants.

Still under discussion with the EC

(densely populated country!)

The EAFRD

2.1 Distribution on each axis:

1 Competitiveness of the agricultural sector30%

2 Land management30%

3+4 Diversification, quality of life, LEADER 40%

The EAFRD

2.2 Connection with potential integrated rural development

plans at regional level

- Rural development plans will fit within the national strategy and OP.

- Impact of LEADER approach?

Regional State Aid provisions

General information

- State of play of the eligibility map for 2007-2013.

- State of play of negotiations between the Commission and Member State.

The Regional State Aid provisions

“Territorial cohesion” dimension

2000-2006: 15% of the population

2007-2013: 7,5%

The Regional State Aid provisions

Conclusion

• ERDF: regional policy Member State differs from European Policy.

• Partnership not always like it should be!

• EARDF: Good involvement from the beginning and pleasant cooperation.

• Regional State Aid Provisions: not clear what will happen!

www.snnonline.nl

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/regional_policy/atlas/netherlands/nl_en.htm

http://forum.europa.eu.int/irc/dsis/regportraits/info/data/en/nl_national.htm

www.minlnv.nl

Thank you for your attention!

TERRITORIAL COHESION AND NATIONAL-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP

for the programming period 2007-2013

Benchmarking Seminar onThe Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective,

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD),The Regional State Aid Provisions (RSA).

31 May 2006 - Brussels