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Cohesion Fund 2014-2020

2011/0274(COD)

PURPOSE: to define the next framework for cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020 (Cohesion Fund Regulation).

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) No 1300/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Cohesion Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1084/2006.

CONTENT: the Regulation is part of a package of measures relating to the cohesion policy comprising the following Regulations:

·        Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.of the European Parliament and of the Council  sets out the provisions common to five European structural and investment funds (ESI Funds) i.e. the European regional development fund (ERDF), the European social fund (ESF), the cohesion fund (CF), the European agricultural fund for rural development (EAFRD) and the European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF);

·        the Regulations specific to the five funds for the ERDF, the ESF, the Cohesion Fund, the European Territorial Cooperation and the European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC).

This Regulation establishes a Cohesion Fund for the purpose of strengthening the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union in the interests of promoting sustainable development. It lays down the tasks of the Cohesion Fund and the scope of its support with regard to the Investment for growth and jobs goal referred to in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.

Scope of support from the Cohesion Fund: the Cohesion Fund shall, while ensuring an appropriate balance and according to the investment and infrastructure needs specific to each Member State, support:

  • investment in the environment, including areas related to sustainable development and energy which present environmental benefits;
  • TEN-T, in compliance with the guidelines adopted by Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013.

The Cohesion Fund shall not support: (i) the decommissioning or the construction of nuclear power stations; (ii) investment to achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from activities listed in Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC; (iii) investment in housing unless related to the promotion of energy efficiency or renewable energy use; (iv) the manufacturing, processing and marketing of tobacco and tobacco products; (v) undertakings in difficulty, as defined under Union State aid rules; (vi) investment in airport infrastructure unless related to environmental protection or accompanied by investment necessary to mitigate or reduce its negative environmental impact.

In order to accelerate the development of transport infrastructure across the Union, the Cohesion Fund should support transport infrastructure projects of European added value provided for in Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 establishing the Connecting Europe Facility for a total amount of EUR 10 000 000 000.

The Cohesion Fund shall support the following investment priorities:

Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors by: (i) promoting the production and distribution of energy derived from renewable sources; (ii) supporting energy efficiency, smart energy management and renewable energy use in public infrastructure, including in public buildings, and in the housing sector; (iii) developing and implementing smart distribution systems that operate at low and medium voltage levels; (iv) promoting low-carbon strategies for all types of territories, in particular for urban areas; (v) promoting the use of high-efficiency co-generation of heat and power based on useful heat demand.

Promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management by supporting investment for adaptation to climate change, including ecosystem-based approaches and addressing specific risks, ensuring disaster resilience and developing disaster management systems.

Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency by: (i) investing in the waste and water sector; (ii) protecting and restoring biodiversity and soil and promoting ecosystem services, including through Natura 2000, and green infrastructure; (iii) improving the urban environment, to revitalise cities, regenerate and decontaminate brownfield sites; (iv) promoting noise-reduction measures.

Promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures by: (i) supporting a multimodal Single European Transport Area; (ii) developing and improving environmentally-friendly (including low-noise) and low-carbon transport; (iii) developing and rehabilitating comprehensive, high quality and interoperable railway systems, and promoting noise-reduction measures.

Enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders and efficient public administration through actions to strengthen the institutional capacity and the efficiency of public administrations and public services related to the implementation of the Cohesion Fund.

Results-based approach: the Regulation lays down, in an annex, a series of common output indicators in order to make adjustments, where justified to ensure effective assessment of progress in operational programme implementation.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21.12.2013.

DELEGATED ACTS: the Commission may adopt delegated acts in respect of the amendment of the list of common output indicators set out in Annex I to this Regulation. The power to adopt delegated acts shall be conferred on the Commission from 21 December 2013 to 31 December 2020. The European Parliament or the Council may object to a delegated act within a period of two months from the date of notification (this period can be extended for two months). If the European Parliament or the Council make objections, the delegated act will not enter into force.