Structural Fund: innovatory measures in the framework of the ERDF (actions art. 10 ERDF) 1995-1999

Mr HOWITT (PSE, UK) stressed that the Commission should adopt clear, concise and flexible guidelines on innovation and creativity. He also called for better communication and an exchange of information between the parties involved in regional cooperation. The rapporteur then listed a number of priorities that he thought should be adopted: promotion of sustainable development, in collaboration with local and regional partners, environmental issues and measures to combat the exclusion of disadvantaged groups, which would be based on citizenship participation. Commissioner WULF-MATHIES said that Article 10 provided for support to pilot projects and was keen to see the projects funded in this way leading to the creation of new jobs. In this connection she stressed the importance of direct contact with the regions when implementing the projects; technical assistance offices would help enhance the efficient running of the programmes. All the priorities mentioned by the rapporteur (ecological problems, partnership, citizen participation, etc.) could be found in the general objectives that had been adopted within the framework of Article 10. Finally, the criteria laid down by the Commission were to be more flexible when it came to pilot projects for urban areas.