Help Tackle Economic Crisis

28/07/2009 12:00:00

The European Commission has adopted new measures aimed at simplifying the management of European Funds in a bid to help the regions tackle the growing economic crisis.

Under the new measures, the Commission may reimburse 100% of the costs declared by member states for projects financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) in 2009 and 2010.

The rules relating to ‘revenue-generating’ projects, like toll motorways or land leasing, have also been simplified to cut any unnecessary administrative burdens.

The Commission also proposes created a single category of ‘major project’ under the Fund, with a threshold of €50m. This is to allow smaller-scale environmental projects to start up more quickly.

“These new measures are intended to lend a hand to the regions of Europe to help them recover more quickly. We are facing up to the current situation while continuing in the long term to accelerate the implementation of our policy and facilitate the management of the Funds,” said Commission member responsible for regional policy, Pawel Samecki.

A number of other initiatives have been started under the European Economic Recovery Plan. To find out more please click here.

Last Updated: 28/07/2009 09:54:21 By Katherine Hitchcock