European funds finance projects that meet local needs while being part of the major objectives of the European Union. Discover the European issues which define the intervention of European funds in the territories for seven years.
The multiannual financial framework: the Union budget in the long term
The European budget is built around a multiannual financial framework (MFF) and is set for a period of seven years.
This budget includes all Union expenditure under seven headings.
The financial amounts are the result of negotiations between the Member States, the European Commission and the European Parliament, according to the institutional functioning of the Union.
Due to the covid 19 health and economic crisis that began in 2020, the European Union has built an unprecedented recovery plan "Next generation EU" which includes financial resources to help repair the economic and social damage caused by the pandemic.
Policies entrusted to member states
In this framework, the EU entrusts Member States with the management of part of these credits. We are talking about shared management. Several policies are concerned.
European funds to finance these policies
These three policies are financed by « European funds ».
- The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Fund for a Just Transition (FTJ) as part of the economic, social and territorial cohesion policy;
- The European Fund for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Aquaculture (FEAMPA) within the framework of fisheries and maritime affairs policy;
- The Internal Security Fund (FSI), the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (FAMI) and the Financial Support Instrument for Border Management and Visa Policy (IGFV) which fall under migration and home affairs policies;
What amounts for France to finance these policies for 2021-2027?
Cohesion policy and fisheries policy, what are the issues at European level?
For the period 2021-2027, cohesion policy and fisheries policy focus on five strategic objectives:
- a smarter Europe, through innovation, digitalization, economic transformation and support for small and medium-sized businesses;
- a greener, zero-carbon Europe, which implements the Paris Agreement and invests in the energy, climate and ecological transition;
- a more connected Europe, equipped with strategic transport networks;
- a more social Europe, which will give concrete expression to the European Pillar of Social Rights and support quality jobs, education, skills , social inclusion and equal access to healthcare;
- a Europe closer to citizens, which will support locally driven development strategies and sustainable urban development across the European Union.
These objectives are common to all member states. Their financial weight is then adapted according to the needs of the Member States and the regions which compose them.
What implementation? the partnership agreement and programs
European funds are implemented in France through programs which are defined by one or more funds and a territory.
Partnership agreement between the Member State and the European Commission
The implementation of cohesion policy and common fisheries policy funds must be the subject of a Partnership Agreement between the Member State and the European Commission. Its aim is to define the priorities of the Member State on the themes defined by the European framework. Thus, the sizing of the envelopes of the five strategic objectives is calibrated according to regional and national priorities, while respecting the financial concentration constraints set by the regulations.
Funds relating to migration and home affairs policies as well as the EAFRD are not included in the Partnership Agreement.
What’s new for 2021-2027?
The geographical scope of the 2021-2027 programs corresponds to the French regions of 2015.
The disappearance of massive interregional programs and river basins in favor of their integration within regional programs with dedicated axes.
If the European Social Fund + includes the theme of aid to the most deprived (e.g. FEAD), the latter will be the subject of a specific national program.
