Programme under Convergence objective co-funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Operational Programme 'Burgenland'
Programme description
The European Commission approved on May 4 2007 a regional development programme for the Austrian Bundesland of Burgenland for the period 2007-2013, the Operational Programme "Operational Programme Phasing Out Burgenland 2007-2013 ERDF". This programme involves Community support for Burgenland within the framework of "Convergence Phasing-Out" objective. The total budget of the programme is around EUR 167 million and the Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to around EUR 125 million (approximately 8.56% of the total EU money invested in Austria under Cohesion policy 2007-2013).
1. The purpose and aim of the EU investment
The overall objective of the programme is to develop further and broader the transition of Burgenland to a knowledge based economy and society through enhancements of competitive structures, promotion of attractive regions and guarantee of environmental sustainability. This will contribute to wealth and increase in quality of life of all inhabitants of the Bundesland and reduction of regional disparities.
With GDP per capita at 89.8 % of EU average, Burgenland needs to concentrate on increase in quality of life of all its inhabitants. Apart from that, to meet the challenges of the globalising world and significant changes at the EU internal market after the 2004 eastern enlargement of the Union, Burgenland as a former EU external border region needs to aim its support to continuous transition towards knowledge based economy and strengthening of its competitive structures through active participation on wider markets. The programme shall promote competitiveness und innovative regional economy structures, infrastructure and sustainable regional development, thus substantially contributing to achievement of the Lisbon strategy objectives and Gothenburg's objectives of sustainability, as well as the principle of gender mainstreaming.
2. The expected impact of the investment
The programme will ensure creation of 577 new jobs, out of which 50 in the Research & Development sector, trigger a total investment of EUR 432 million (almost four times the Community assistance), install additional renewable energy capacity of 8.5 MW and decrease the greenhouse gases emissions by 95 000 tonnes/year.
3. Priority axes
The principal objectives of the Phasing Out Burgenland 2007-2013 ERDF programme are: enhancements of competitive structures, promotion of attractive regions and guarantee of environmental sustainability. The Phasing Out Burgenland 2007-2013 ERDF programme is structured into the following priority axes:
Priority axis 1: Competitiveness und innovative regional economy structures
Specific objective is reflected in the advancement of already commenced structural changes in particular in accordance with the Lisbon strategy objectives. This is to be pursued through support of Research & Development, enhancement of networking, clusters and creation of competence centres, innovation and access to new markets.
Priority axis 2: Infrastructure and sustainable regional development
This priority axis, which aims at improvement of quality of lives for Burgenland inhabitants, reflects also the Gothenburg's objectives of sustainability. Therefore activities in the area of further regional development through tourism, transport infrastructure are also complemented through actions in the field of sustainable development, especially renewable energies.
Priority axis 3: Technical assistance
There is also provision for technical assistance in order to implement the programme. Financial support is available covering administration, monitoring, evaluation and control.
4. Managing Authority
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competitiveness and innovative regional economy structures | 63.039.353,00 | 21.013.118,00 | 84.052.471,00 |
| Infrastructure and sustainable regional development | 58.089.034,00 | 19.363.011,00 | 77.452.045,00 |
| Technical assistance | 3.898.577,00 | 1.299.526,00 | 5.198.103,00 |
| Total | 125.026.964,00 | 41.675.655,00 | 166.702.619,00 |