Structural Funds

The Structural Funds - Cohesion Policy Cohesion policy aims - via the Structural Funds - to reinforce economic and social cohesion in the EU by redressing the main regional imbalances through support for the development and structural adjustment of regional economies. In so doing, it supports the priorities of the Community and in particular the need to strengthen competitiveness and innovation. Cohesion policy contributes substantially to raising the EU's long-term research and innovation performance, both through its focus on investments which promote economic development and through the policy-making, implementation and evaluation methods which it promotes. Cohesion policy enables public authorities to implement medium and long-term programmes, based on strategic approach, partnership with stakeholders ,organized learning from one another , and coherent actions in line with the Lisbon reform agenda. This approach allows the provision of integrated support for different aspects of economic and social modernization (including bringing entrepreneurial and research measures under one roof), while however tailoring each operational programme to the needs and opportunities of the region concerned.