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

CHAPTER I U.K. Thematic objectives for the ESI Funds and Common Strategic Framework

Article 9 U.K. 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.

Article 10 U.K. Common Strategic Framework

1. In order to promote the harmonious, balanced and sustainable development of the Union, a Common Strategic Framework ('CSF') is hereby established, as set out in Annex I. The CSF establishes strategic guiding principles to facilitate the programming process and the sectoral and territorial coordination of Union intervention under the ESI Funds and with other relevant Union policies and instruments, in line with the targets and objectives of the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, taking into account the key territorial challenges of the various types of territories.

2. The strategic guiding principles as set out in the CSF shall be established in line with the purpose and within the scope of the support provided by each ESI Fund, and in line with the rules governing the operation of each ESI Fund, as defined in this Regulation and the Fund-specific rules. The CSF shall not impose additional obligations upon Member States beyond those set out within the framework of the relevant sectoral Union policies.

3. The CSF shall facilitate the preparation of the Partnership Agreement and programmes in accordance with the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity and taking into account national and regional competences, in order for the specific and appropriate policy and coordination measures to be decided.

Article 11 U.K. Content

The CSF shall establish:

(a)

mechanisms for ensuring the contribution of the ESI Funds to the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, and the coherence and consistency of the programming of the ESI Funds in relation to the relevant country-specific recommendations adopted in accordance with Article 121(2) TFEU, the relevant Council recommendations adopted in accordance with 148(4) TFEU, and where appropriate at national level, to the National Reform Programme;

(b)

arrangements to promote an integrated use of the ESI Funds;

(c)

arrangements for coordination between the ESI Funds and other relevant Union policies and instruments, including external instruments for cooperation;

(d)

horizontal principles referred to in Articles 5, 7 and 8 and cross-cutting policy objectives for the implementation of the ESI Funds;

(e)

arrangements to address the key territorial challenges for urban, rural, coastal and fisheries areas, the demographic challenges of regions or specific needs of geographical areas which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps as referred to in Article 174 TFEU, and the specific challenges of outermost regions within the meaning of Article 349 TFEU;

(f)

priority areas for cooperation activities under the ESI Funds, where appropriate, taking account of macro-regional and sea basin strategies.

Article 12 U.K. Review

Where there are major changes in the social and economic situation in the Union, or changes are made to the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the Commission may submit a proposal to review the CSF, or the European Parliament or the Council, acting in accordance with Articles 225 or 241 TFEU respectively, may request the Commission to submit such a proposal.

The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 149 in order to supplement or amend Sections 4 and 7 of Annex I where it is necessary to take account of changes in the Union policies or instruments referred to in Section 4 or changes in the cooperation activities referred to in Section 7 or to take account of the introduction of new Union policies, instruments or cooperation activities.

Article 13 U.K. Guidance for beneficiaries

1. The Commission shall prepare guidance on how to effectively access and use the ESI Funds, and on how to exploit complementarities with other instruments of relevant Union policies.

2. The guidance shall be drawn up by 30 June 2014 and shall provide, for each thematic objective, an overview of the available relevant instruments at Union level with detailed sources of information, examples of good practices for combining available funding instruments within and across policy areas, a description of relevant authorities and bodies involved in the management of each instrument, a checklist for potential beneficiaries to help them to identify the most appropriate funding sources.

3. The guidance shall be made public on the websites of the relevant Directorate Generals of the Commission. The Commission and managing authorities, acting in accordance with the Fund-specific rules, and in cooperation with the Committee of the Regions, shall ensure dissemination of the guidance to potential beneficiaries.