COMMSSION ADOPTS COMMUNICATION ON ESIF – CRUCIAL ROLE OF MACRO-REGIONAL STRATEGIES

On 14 December 2015, the Commission adopted a Communication on the contribution of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) to the EU’s growth strategy, the Investment Plan and the Commission’s priorities over the next decade. The report also includes the outcomes of the negotiations with all the Member States on Partnership Agreements and programmes and The key challenge per country.

The communication also highlights the role of macro-regional strategies (MRS) such as the EUSDR in “bringing citizens of the EU Member States together and improve their social and economic living conditions through trans-border cooperation.” MRS are seen as new and improved tools allowing more flexibility in tailoring the delivery of ESIF, in focussing on the local level and in adressing common territorial challenges.