TERRITORIAL COHESION AND NATIONAL-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP for the programming period Benchmarking Seminar on The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), The Regional State Aid Provisions (RSA). Regional policy within the Netherlands, a slightly different approach! Bert Roona, EU-liaison officer 31 May Brussels

Introduction The Netherlands: National state 12 provinces (4 regions) 458 municipalities Total population: 16,3 million Surface: km²

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective National financial allocation -ERDF : 736,5 million Euro -ESF: 736,5 million Euro -Interreg: 212 million Euro Total1.685 billion

The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective State of play of the NSRF -Draft is published in May -Final version October?

1.National-regional partnership -Regions received draft documents of the Council on the regulations. -Regions invited to comment on NSRF. -Regions not directly involved in discussions between Ms and EC. -Regions prepare OP’s ERDF. -One national program for ESF; no involvement Regions. The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

2. “Territorial cohesion” dimension Situation within the Netherlands: - Position national government on regional policy - Consequences for regional breakdown! The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Chosen territorial criteria ERDF Member state: Criteria used by EC for allocation Structural Funds over Member states: Total population0,5 Number of unemployed people0,2 Jobs needed to reach 70%0,15 Educational level0,10 Low population density0,05 Relative regional prosperity+5%/-5% The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Chosen territorial criteria ERDF Criteria used by European Commission: Total population33 Number of unemployed people33 Low population density33 Regional GDP33% + Safety net 25% The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective

Situation 31th of May!

The EAFRD General information National financial allocation: :431 million Euro :434 million Euro

The EAFRD State of play of the NSP  Draft available  July: final NSP  Responsible authorities: Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Provinces.  One National Operational Program

The EAFRD 1.The national-regional partnership -Provinces are involved in the negotiations between the European Commission and Member States when designing the EAFRD, -Participation of the provinces in drafting the NSP and delivering the EAFRD -LEADER is and will stay important!

The EAFRD 2. “Territorial cohesion” dimension Rural area in the Netherlands: - non urban areas with less then inhabitants. Still under discussion with the EC (densely populated country!)

The EAFRD 2.1 Distribution on each axis: 1Competitiveness of the agricultural sector30% 2Land management30% 3+4 Diversification, quality of life, LEADER 40%

The EAFRD 2.2 Connection with potential integrated rural development plans at regional level -Rural development plans will fit within the national strategy and OP. - Impact of LEADER approach?

Regional State Aid provisions General information -State of play of the eligibility map for State of play of negotiations between the Commission and Member State.

The Regional State Aid provisions “Territorial cohesion” dimension :15% of the population :7,5%

The Regional State Aid provisions

Conclusion ERDF: regional policy Member State differs from European Policy. Partnership not always like it should be! EARDF: Good involvement from the beginning and pleasant cooperation. Regional State Aid Provisions: not clear what will happen!

Thank you for your attention! TERRITORIAL COHESION AND NATIONAL-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP for the programming period Benchmarking Seminar on The Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), The Regional State Aid Provisions (RSA). 31 May Brussels