Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

Article 9 Thematic objectives

In order to contribute to the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth as well as the Fund-specific missions pursuant to their Treaty-based objectives, including economic, social and territorial cohesion, each ESI Fund shall support the following thematic objectives:

(1)

strengthening research, technological development and innovation;

(2)

enhancing access to, and use and quality of, ICT;

(3)

enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs, of the agricultural sector (for the EAFRD) and of the fishery and aquaculture sector (for the EMFF);

(4)

supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors;

(5)

promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management;

(6)

preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency;

(7)

promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures;

(8)

promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility;

(9)

promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any discrimination;

(10)

investing in education, training and vocational training for skills and lifelong learning;

(11)

enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders and efficient public administration.

Thematic objectives shall be translated into priorities that are specific to each of the ESI Funds and are set out in the Fund-specific rules.