Reports
Date: 30 apr 2021
Period: 2014-2020
Theme: Structural Funds management and Governance
Languages: en
2020 was one of the most challenging years in the history of the European Union: the biggest pandemic for a century, the worst economic crisis for decades. Regional policy responded fast and strong, with first support already on the ground in April.
Funding from the ERDF, the CF and the EUSF played a central role to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, foster convergence and make sure no one is left behind. Exceptional flexibility was offered under the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative CRII(+), resulting in close to EUR 20 billion mobilised to counter the crisis. A EUR 7.6 billion immediate increase of liquidity was provided and many programmes opted for 100% EU co-financing. The Commission also proposed a series of measures under the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe initiative (REACT-EU), financed under Next Generation EU, helping to bridge the gap between first crisis response measures and longer term recovery.
Regional policy also continued to deliver on its primary objective of strengthening the economic, social and territorial cohesion by reducing disparities between regions. The policy has over the years offered expertise in transition, structural transformation and administrative capacity building.
By the end of 2020, the total available envelope for regional policy of more than EUR 350 billion, was allocated to projects implemented under 2014-2020 programmes. The payment rate3 has continued to increase throughout the year reaching 52%.