Objective 1 programme for Burgenland
Programme description
The European Commission has agreed to contribute to the development of Burgenland by co-financing an Objective 1 programme for that region for the 2000-2006 period. The Structural Funds will provide EUR 271 million out of a total volume of EUR 864 million.
Eligible areas / Contact / Financial tables 1. Action PrioritiesThree basic goals are defined in the programme: to make Burgenland into a modern Central European region, prepare it for the enlargement of the European Union and reduce internal disparity. To achieve this, the programme is designed to improve the region's economic performance and the competitiveness of its businesses. The focus will be on innovation, technology transfer and the development of business cooperation networks.
The programme revolves around five priority areas and technical assistance measures.
Priority 1 : Commercial and industrial activitiesThe programme will prioritise endogenous development by supporting small businesses in the region. Businesses will receive direct investment aid as well as assistance for non-physical factors (management quality, internationalisation and innovation). New financial instruments will be provided to increase the SMEs' own capital resources (venture capital and other forms of financial engineering).This priority will also cover the strengthening of economic infrastructure and the development of information and telecommunications technologies.
Priority 2 : Research, technology and developmentEU funding will help to create centres of excellence and technology, business incubators and higher technical education establishments, and develop research projects.
Priority 3 : Tourism and cultureThe tourism sector will be developed through investment aid accompanied by an improvement in the quality of tourism products, marketing and operator networking. This priority also provides for the expansion of tourism infrastructure and the development of cultural heritage initiatives to attract tourists.
Priority 4 : Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and nature conservationThe development of these sectors will be encouraged by investment in farms, aid to young workers, training, and improving processing and marketing methods. Special measures will target a wide range of rural activities such as village renewal and development, improving the road network and strengthening infrastructure. Finally, Community assistance will also be provided for countryside conservation and development.
Priority 5 : Human resourcesFunding in this field is (in accordance with the national employment plan) aimed at reducing employment, promoting equal opportunities, improving training and combating social exclusion.
Technical Assistance : Measures will be equally provided to assist with the management of, information on, implementation of, control and evaluation of all aspects of the programme.
2. Description of the eligible areas
270 880 inhabitants, i.e. 3.3% of the Austrian population, are covered by Structural Fund assistance under this programme.
The Burgenland region borders Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia. Its overall unemployment rate is lower than the Austrian average because one third of the labour force works outside the region. However, low-mobility groups or groups located in peripheral parts of the region (such as the south) have very limited access to the labour market in other regions. The share of the agriculture sector relative to the labour force, although still relatively high, is falling sharply (17.1% in 1988 compared with 8.2% in 1997).
Development disparities exist within Burgenland itself. The northern part of the region, which is more prosperous, benefits from its proximity to Vienna and its central position between economic growth areas in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia. The central and southern parts have less scope for economic development.
3. Management and contact details
The "Amt der Burgenländischen Regierung" is the Managing authority for the programme. It coordinates all those involved in its implementation.The Monitoring Committee is made up of the federal ministers concerned and the implementing bodies involved in part-financing. The social partners and the representative organisations for equal opportunities and sustainable development are also members of the committee.
The Secretariat is run by ÖROK (Austrian regional planning conference).
Implementation :The programme is managed by implementing agencies (Förderstellen) dealing with the various fields of assistance. Each Fund is monitored by the individual ministry responsible (ERDF: the Federal Chancellery, ESF: the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Labour, EAGGF: the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, the Environment and Water Management). The ministries are given the relevant data by the managing authority and the implementing bodies responsible.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and industrial activities | 96.456.312,00 | 139.182.935,00 | 348.437.250,00 |
| Research, technology and innovation | 27.459.329,00 | 35.342.169,00 | 82.756.531,00 |
| Tourism and culture | 53.268.232,00 | 70.432.580,00 | 203.212.896,00 |
| Agriculture, forestry, fisheries and nature conservation | 43.153.332,00 | 57.516.687,00 | 162.675.345,00 |
| Human resources, employment and qualification | 58.399.942,00 | 81.495.851,00 | 86.568.452,00 |
| Technical Assistance | 4.168.994,00 | 5.600.764,00 | 5.600.764,00 |
| Total | 282.906.141,00 | 389.570.986,00 | 889.251.238,00 |