As far as the Cohesion and Regional Policy is concerned the main area of interest to Wales is the Structural Funds. Structural Funds, with match funding, is worth £3.5bn for Wales' Convergence region (£1bn for ERDF, £690m for ESF), and £280m for Wales' Competitiveness region (£60m for ERDF, £50m for ESF).
Supporting regional development is vital for stability in the European Union. The aim is to promote a high level of competitiveness and employment by helping the least prosperous regions and those facing structural difficulties to regenerate their economies, promote sustainable development and adapt to changes in the labour market in response to worldwide competition.
Latest WLGA developments on Cohesion Policy
Following the publication of the draft legislative proposals for EU Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 by the European Commission in October 2011, the debate on the future shape of EU Cohesion Policy post-2013 is intensifying in Brussels. The WLGA European Office is playing a key role in these debates and represents the needs and priorities of local government in Wales in these crucial discussions. Local Government is a key partner in delivering Structural Fund Programmes in Wales and will lobby to be centrally involved in the planning and preparations for the new programmes post-2013.
The latest information and developments may be found in the documents below:
2012
2011
- WLGA Response to the Fifth Cohesion Report (January 2011)
- Update on EU Programmes 2014-2020 (WLGA Coordinating Committee, November 2011)
- WLGA response to the National Assembly for Wales' Enterprise and Business Committee Inquiry into the draft legislative proposals for EU Structural Funds 2014-2020 (November 2011)
2009
- 'Emerging WLGA Position on a Future European Cohesion Policy post-2013' (WLGA Coordinating Committee, 29 May 2009)
- Presentation by Cllr Chris Holley, WLGA member on the Committee of the Regions' Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER), in debate with Fabrizio Barca (Italian Ministry of Finance and Economy and author of the Barca Report), on behalf of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) (Brussels, 24 September 2009)
- Open Days 2009 seminar - notes from 'The specific situation of Transition Regions in Europe and the current role of cohesion policy' (Brussels, 6 October 2009)
- Open Days 2009 seminar - notes from 'Possible cohesion policy responses to Transition Regions in Europe' (Brussels, 6 October 2009)
- 'Emerging WLGA Position on a Future European Cohesion Policy post-2013, including the case for Transitional Funding' (WLGA Coordinating Committee, 23 October 2009)
2008
Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion
The European Commission DG Regional Policy launched the Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion in October 2008. A public consultation was also launched in order to open up the debate on territorial cohesion and allow stakeholders the opportunity to respond to the Green Paper. The goal of this debate was to try and come to a better and shared understanding of territorial cohesion and its implications for policy. Following a thorough consultation with local government stakeholders across Wales, the WLGA responded to the Green Paper in February 2009:
WLGA Consultation Response to the Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion
For more information contact: Iwan Williams