Target regions of the European cohesion policy
In order to reduce the economic and social gap within the European Union at regional level, the European Union supports individual intervention measures or complete intervention programs of the member states.
purpose
The aim of cohesion policy is to help boost economic growth and increase competitiveness and employment within the Community.
To this end, the European Union has set up the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ), the European Social Fund ( ESF ) and the Cohesion Fund as part of its cohesion policy . The central legal ordinance is Regulation (EC) No. 1083/2006 of the Council of 11 July 2006 with general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund.
The European Union classifies various target regions in order to generally determine which funds may be used and to what extent in a region. The defined target regions also determine the maximum maximum funding rates for state intervention measures, the maximum aid intensities and the individual fund-specific regulations.
Target regions
In the funding period 2007 to 2013, the European Union differentiates between two basic target regions:
1. Convergence
Target region “convergence” concerns Member States and regions lagging behind. This target covers regions ( NUTS -2) whose GDP per capita in purchasing power parities is less than 75% of the Community average.
2. Regional competitiveness and employment
The “Regional Competitiveness and Employment” target region covers the Community area not covered by the “Convergence” objective.
Transition regions
With the enlargement of the European Union, the average GDP per capita of the Community fell. Due to the statistical effect that had occurred, some regions of the Community no longer formally fulfilled the criteria of a convergence region, although the actual economic and social situations remained unchanged.
These “phasing-out regions” receive temporary transitional support so that the convergence process in these regions can be successfully completed. With regard to the maximum aid intensities and maximum subsidy rates, the individual provisions of the various funds usually fall between the minimum and maximum values of the target regions “convergence” and “regional competitiveness and employment”.