Actions taken with structural funds to promote growth
The European Commission over the last years has taken a range of actions to enhance growth through the use of structural funds, to counter the crisis and ensure a quicker delivery of available funding. Particular attention has been given to Member States which are currently receiving special macro-economic assistance, the so called programme countries (Ireland, Romania, Latvia. Portugal and Greece). For some other Member States a re-programming of funds has taken place, to be able to invest EU funding in sectors where a quick absorption of investments can take place. All these actions have been taken to ensure that, in the light of the existing operational programmes for structural funds, growth enhancing investments are done with a long term economic benefit.
An overview:
Increasing the rate of co-financing for programme countries
Advances for countries hardest hit by the crisis and more flexibility since 2009
Help employment with the European Social Fund
Special technical assistance for Bulgaria and Romania
Changing decisions on major projects
Greater and targeted support for small companies and using funds for guarantees and loans for Greece
Priority projects in Greece
Reprogramming to improve growth in vital sectors