F2In order to contribute to the Fund-specific missions, support for rural development must support the following thematic objectives:

1. (1)

   strengthening research, technological development and innovation;

2. (2)

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

3. (3)

   enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs, of the agricultural sector F3(for support for rural development) and of the fishery and aquaculture sector (for the EMFF);

4. (4)

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

5. (5)

   promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and management;

6. (6)

   preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency;

7. (7)

   promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures;

8. (8)

   promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility;

9. (9)

   promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any discrimination;

10. (10)

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

11. (11)

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

Thematic objectives shall be translated into priorities that are specific to F4support for rural development and are set out in the Fund-specific rules.