Brussels, 18/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Structural funds bring a concrete response to the crisis, according to information compiled by the European Commission. The latter suggests that the benefits of cohesion policy are tangible when it comes to growth and job creation, although these encouraging figures are unable to hide the average absorption rates in Europe, which are below 45%.
On Thursday 18 April, the Commission presented a strategic report covering the 2007-2013 programming period based on data provided by EU member states up to 2011. Good performances are highlighted: 2.4 million people have found jobs thanks to the European Social Fund and more than 50,000 start-ups have been supported, as well as around 2 million people having received water supplies and broadband internet due to this instrument. Commissioner for Cohesion Policy Johannes Hahn explained that these figures “provide an invaluable snapshot of a policy that is delivering across most of the EU's priorities and investing in growth when it is most desperately needed ... The policy has also shown itself capable of great flexibility, responding to the crisis and adapting to the changing needs of people and their communities”. 11% of all funding (€36 billion) has been reprogrammed from one area to another where the money can be used more usefully. Nonetheless, the commissioner does not hide the fact that “we also have lessons to learn: results are sometimes patchy and member states need to speed up their efforts to use the EU resources”. Spending rates paid by the Commission have not gone beyond the 50% mark in almost 20 countries. The European Commission warns that without a rapid release of these funds, these countries are in danger of losing a significant volume of subsidies. (MD/transl.fl)