The number of objectives and financial instruments has been reduced. The 3 objectives will be financed through 3 funds – the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund.

 The guiding principles of the former URBAN, EQUAL and LEADER community initiatives have been mainstreamed into the ‘Convergence’ and the ‘Regional Competitiveness and Employment’ objective.

 The Cohesion Fund will finance major transport and environmental projects with a strong focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and clean urban and public transport.

 The European initiative INTERREG III will continue within a new ‘European Territorial Cooperation’ objective under the name INTERREG IV. It appears that exchange of experiences and networking has been “promoted” and gained a more important position to become an objective in itself. It has to be noted, though, that the budget allocated to this type of activities has not increased. Moreover, there are 27 Member States now using a lower budget than before. It still rests a major programme for exchange of experiences and best practice.

 Housing will be eligible for financing from the European Regional Development Fund but only as a part of an integrated urban development plan in all Member States that acceded the EU on or after 1 May 2004.

 Regional Initiatives and Fast Track Projects in the ‘European territorial cooperation’ programmes will ensure that good practice is exchanged between the cities and regions and their fast mainstream to the programmes financed under the first 2 objectives. Thus, the exchange of experience can rapidly be transferred into real action.

 Managing authorities can be directly involved in theprojects (e.g. URBACT II programme) in order to ensure the mainstreaming of the action to the main objectives.

TO GO BEYOND:

New funds, better rules : Overview of new financial rules and funding opportunities 2007-2013 : A beginners’ guide - European Commission, 2007 The guide, intended for newcomers to EU funding, depicts new rules in European funds and is divided in four parts:  overview of main funding opportunities  practical improvements of the new EU programmes for 2007-2013  transparency and effectiveness of the control  new programmes related to the Financial Framework 2007-2013   Beginners’ guide - 1.2 Mb