Europaudvalget 2017
KOM (2017) 0623
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EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
Strasbourg, 24.10.2017
SWD(2017) 349 final
PART 1/2
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT
Accompanying the document
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN
INVESMENT BANK
A stronger and renewed strategic partnership with the EU's outermost regions
{COM(2017) 623 final}
EN
EN
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CONTENTS
1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3
2. European Union and the outermost regions: a long lasting partnership .............................................. 3
3. Socioeconomic trends in the outermost regions .................................................................................. 6
4. Assessment of the European strategy for the outermost regions ....................................................... 10
4.1. Accessibility to the single market ............................................................................................. 10
4.2. Increasing competitiveness through modernisation and diversification of economies ............. 16
4.3. Strengthening the regional integration ...................................................................................... 36
4.4. Fostering employment, education and social Inclusion ............................................................ 39
4.5. Mainstreaming climate change and protecting the environment ............................................... 44
4.6 Taxation and State aid ................................................................................................................ 48
5. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 50
List of acronyms and abbreviations....................................................................................................... 51
Annex I
—
Geographical location of the outermost regions: lands of Europe in the World ................ 52
Annex II
—
European Union funding in the outermost regions ........................................................... 53
2
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1. Introduction
The outermost regions are an integral part of the European Union. Under Article 355 of the
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), these regions are governed by the
Treaties. However, the outermost regions are remote from continental Europe and located in a
different geographic, climatic, socioeconomic and political environment
1
. Article 349 TFEU
recognises their particular situation and gives the outermost regions a unique status which
distinguishes them from any other region in the EU and from the overseas countries and
territories (OCT) that are associated to the EU.
In the Commission’s Communication
2
of 2012, the EU set out a strategy for the outermost
regions, in line with the Europe 2020 strategy
3
. It proposed a range of measures to help the
outermost regions to build on their assets in order to create a stronger and self-reliant
economy, promote social development and create sustainable jobs.
The 2012 Communication also invited the outermost regions to draw individual action plans
to promote a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in their territory. These action plans
have largely inspired the 2014 - 2020 European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF)
programmes.
This document reviews the implementation of the measures proposed in 2012. It also provides
information on policy developments relevant to these regions since then and analyses their
socioeconomic situation.
2. The European Union and the outermost regions: a long lasting
partnership
For more than 30 years the EU has been building a solid partnership with its outermost
regions. The Treaty of Rome provides that the institutions of the Community should ensure
the economic and social development of the French overseas departments. A declaration
annexed to the Maastricht Treaty went a step further, recognising, for the first time, the notion
of ‘outermost region’ (Article
227(2)).
The Treaty of Amsterdam (Article 299(2)) asserted for the first time the status of the
outermost regions in the body of the European Treaties and formally recognised their
geographical and economic specificity. It acknowledged that the outermost regions are
affected by a specific set of constraints
4
the permanence and combination of which severely
restrains their development. Article 299(2) further states that the Council, on a proposal from
the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, shall adopt specific measures,
1
2
3
4
See Annex I for the geographical location of the outermost regions.
COM(2012) 287 final, 20.6. 2012.
See footnote 2.
The outermost regions are affected by remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, and economic
dependence on a small number of products.
3
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aimed, in particular, at laying down the conditions of application of the Treaties to those
regions, including common policies, to take into account their structural social and economic
situation.
Following the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon in 2009, this status has been
consolidated under a dedicated Article 349 TFEU.
In its judgment of 15 December 2015
5
, the Court of Justice of the European Union clarifies
the scope of application of Article 349 TFEU on the basis of which the Council is entitled to
adopt specific measures for the outermost regions derogating from the Treaty or from a
secondary law.
The EU has approved over the years specific or derogating legislative and non-legislative
measures applicable to the outermost regions. They cover areas such as taxation, customs,
agriculture, fisheries and State aid, with the objective of mitigating as much as possible the
negative effects of their specific constraints and promoting their development.
In 2004
6
, the Commission presented for the first time a strategy for the outermost regions,
aiming to strengthen the partnership between the EU institutions and those regions. The
strategy was renewed in 2008
7
, to make the most of the outermost regions’ assets and in
2012
8
, to align the strategy with Europe 2020 goals, emphasising the need for sustainable
growth and jobs’ creation.
A series of measures were proposed in different EU policies, across five main axes for action:
improve accessibility to the single market, increase competitiveness, strengthen regional
integration within the respective geographic zone, reinforce the social dimension of the
development, including through measures for job creation, and mainstreaming climate action
into all relevant policies.
To better address their needs, the Commission has put the spotlight on
the outermost regions’
specific assets and the constraints faced by them through a number of significant events. Since
2010, the Commission has been promoting discussion fora dedicated to the outermost regions,
with the participation of all interested parties, in collaboration with the regions, the Member
States concerned and the European institutions.
The 4
th
Forum held in March 2017 debated the following strategic themes: circular, green and
blue economy; energy; integration of outermost regions in regional and international markets;
and digital and physical accessibility. It also examined the support available from the EU
funds. In addition, a seminar on employment in the outermost regions, organised in March
2016 together with the European Economic and Social Committee, provided some important
ideas for future actions to improve mobility and promote job creation, in particular in
emerging sectors such as the blue and green economy.
The outermost regions have also taken actions to strengthen their partnership with the
European institutions. Since 1995, the annual event of the Conference of Presidents of the
5
6
7
8
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:62014CJ0132
COM(2004) 543 final, 6.8.2004.
COM(2008) 642 final, 17.10.2008.
See footnote 2.
4
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outermost regions is hosted by the region holding the rotating presidency and attended by
representatives of EU institutions and Member States. At every conference, a declaration is
issued outlining the outermost regions common position. At the last one, in 2016 in Madeira,
the Presidents called on the Commission and the Member States for a new dynamic towards
the outermost regions and committed to presenting a joint Memorandum. The Memorandum
9
was handed to the President of the European Commission during the 4
th
Forum. It presented
several proposals calling for reinforcing the differentiated approach of the European policies
for the outermost regions. The Member States concerned (France, Portugal and Spain) have
also submitted individual contributions. Furthermore, joint contributions were submitted to
the Commission on the future strategy for the outermost regions
10
.
The European Parliament has also been very active in promoting the interests of the outermost
regions. It adopted in 2014 a resolution on creating synergies between the European Structural
and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) and other European Union programmes to optimise the
potential of the outermost regions
11
. In 2017, it adopted two additional resolutions on the
management of fishing fleets in the outermost regions
12
and the implementation of Article 349
TFEU
13
.
These political proposals complement the work undertaken by the Commission on the EU
strategy towards the outermost regions. In early 2014, the Commission set up a working
group with representatives from the outermost regions, the three Member States concerned
and the Commission to follow up concrete aspects of the 2012 Communication. Since then,
the group has met regularly to analyse and discuss developments in the European policies
affecting these regions, strengthening the communication between institutions and interested
parties.
Other Commission initiatives are important to evaluate the impact of European policies on the
outermost regions and identify potential avenues for future action. In December 2016, the
Commission adopted a report on the implementation of the POSEI scheme, expressing a
positive assessment of its implementation and relevance
14
. In the same year, the Commission
launched a study on the blue growth potential in the outermost regions. The results of the
study were recently published
15
.
Furthermore, the Commission has set up four expert groups to reflect on key areas for future
growth in the outermost regions, such as digital accessibility, transport, energy, green and
circular economy. Each group included experts from the outermost regions, the Member
States and the Commission, aiming to define future actions at EU, national and regional levels
in order to boost progress in these strategic areas
16
.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/policy/themes/outermost-regions/pdf/memorandum_rup2017_fr.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index.cfm/en/policy/themes/outermost-regions/#5
European Parliament resolution of 26 February 2014, Procedure reference (2013/2178(INI)), Rapporteur:Younous
Omarjee.
European Parliament resolution of 27 April 2017 (2016/2016(INI), Rapporteur: Ulrike Rodust.
European Parliament resolution of 6 July 2017 (2013/2178(INI), Rapporteur: Younous Omarjee.
POSEI (Programme of options specific to the remote and insular nature of the outermost regions); COM(2016) 797
final, 15.12.2016.
https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/029afe70-a725-11e7-837e-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/policy/themes/outermost-regions/#5
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3. Socioeconomic trends in the outermost regions
17
On
GDP per capita
in purchasing power standard (pps)
18
, all outermost regions are still far
away from the respective national and EU-28 average (data of 2015). The average GDP per
capita of all the outermost regions is at 64.6 %, with Mayotte and French Guiana only at 32 %
and 53 % respectively, while the national French average is at 106 %. The highest GDP per
capita among all the outermost regions is observed in Martinique with 78 %, followed by the
Canary Islands with 74 % (Figure 1). However, there is no clear common trend for the 2011-
2015 programming period. The Portuguese outermost regions, the Canary Islands and
Guadeloupe have seen their GDP per capita decreasing in 2011 - 2015; while Martinique,
Reunion Island and Mayotte have seen their GDP per capita increasing in the same period. In
French Guiana, there was no clear pattern in 2011
–
2015. There was an increase in 2011 -
2012 and then, a decrease in 2012 - 2015.
Figure 1
—
Gross domestic product at current prices in 2015 (PPS) in the outermost regions,
Spain, France Portugal and EU-28 average.
Gross Domestic Product at current prices in 2015 (PPS)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
There is a fluctuation in terms of
growth rates
in 2010 - 2015
19
, with no common pattern for
all outermost regions. For the Spanish and Portuguese outermost regions (two Member States
significantly hit by the economic crisis), the growth rates were positive in 2014 for the first
time since 2010. In 2015, the growth rates were positive in almost all outermost regions. The
average growth rate stands at 2.1 %.
17
18
19
More detailed information for each region is presented in Annex III.
EUROSTAT: Gross domestic product (GDP) at current market prices by NUTS 2 regions [nama_10r_2gdp]; unit:
Purchasing power standard (PPS) per inhabitant in percentage of the EU average; updated on 30.3.2017; extracted on
12.6.2017.
EUROSTAT data: Real growth rate of regional gross value added (GVA) at basic prices by NUTS 2 regions
—
percentage change on previous year [nama_10r_2gvagr]; updated on 16.6.2017 and extracted on 12.7.2017.
6
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On
demographic changes,
in 2012 - 2016
20
, the population increased in the Canary Islands,
French Guiana, Mayotte and Reunion Island while it decreased in the other outermost regions.
It is worth highlighting that the outermost regions have a relatively young population
compared to the national situation. In most outermost regions, the percentage of young people
(up to 25 years-old) is significantly higher than the national average. In some cases it is the
double (Mayotte) or almost the double (French Guiana).
Life expectancy
in 2015 was lower than the national average in all outermost regions, with
the exception of Martinique, where it is slightly higher than the national average (82.7 years-
old against 82.4 years-old)
21
. The gap observed between the national average and the
outermost regions’ average is marginal. The lowest life expectancy can be observed in
Mayotte (76.5 years-old).
On the labour market situation, in most outermost regions, the
employment rates
of those
aged 20-64 have increased in 2012 - 2016
22
, with the exception of Guadeloupe and French
Guiana, where slight drops in the employment rates have been observed in the same period.
The average employment rate (20-64) for all the outermost regions is at 56.91 % (in 2016);
which is significantly below the average target of the Europe 2020 strategy (75 %) and of the
respective national targets (74 % for Spain, 75 % for France and 75 % for Portugal
23
). The
French outermost regions present the most important gap between the regional employment
rates and the respective national averages.
The
unemployment rates
of those aged 15-74, have decreased in most outermost regions in
2012 - 2016, after observing a peak in 2013. The exceptions are Guadeloupe, French Guiana
and Mayotte; with the latter having observed a trend towards increased unemployment rates in
2014 - 2016. The most recent data available, from 2016, show that the unemployment rates
are much higher in all the outermost regions than the respective national averages, with the
exception of the Azores (equal to the national rate of 11.2 %). The average unemployment
rate in all outermost regions stands at 20.6 %, which is much higher than the EU-28 rate of
8.6 %. The highest rates are observed in Mayotte with 27.1 % and the Canary Islands with
26.1 %. The rates of the French outermost regions in 2016 (except from Martinique) are more
than double the national rate of 10.1 % (Table 1).
20
21
22
23
EUROSTAT: Population on 1 January by age, sex and NUTS 2 region [demo_r_d2jan]; updated on 30.5.2017; extracted
on 9.6.2017.
EUROSTAT: Life expectancy by age, sex and NUTS 2 region [demo_r_mlifexp]; updated on 31.5.2017; extracted on
6.6.2017.
EUROSTAT: Employment rates by sex, age and NUTS 2 regions (%) [lfst_r_lfe2emprt]; updated on 27.4.2017;
extracted on 12.6.2017.
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/europe-2020-indicators/europe-2020-strategy/headline-indicators-scoreboard
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Table 1
—
Unemployment rates in the outermost regions, Spain, France, Portugal and EU-28 average in 2016.
2016
Canary Islands
Spain
French Guiana
Guadeloupe
Martinique
Mayotte
Reunion Island
France
Azores
Madeira
Portugal
EU-28
1
Unemployment rate
15-74 (%)
26.1
19.6
23.2
23.9
17.6
27.1
22.4
10.1
11.2
13.0
11.2
8.6
Long-term
unemployment (%
of active pop)
14.2
9.5
16.2
17.1
11.5
21.9
14.2
4.6
6.5
7.8
6.1
4.0
Female
unemployment
15-74 (%)
28.0
21.4
25.2
25.4
17.6
32.6
22.5
9.9
9.8
11.9
11.3
8.8
Unemployment
rate 15-24 (%)
51.3
44.4
43.9
46.7
44.3
54.5
44.0
24.7
41.5
1
50.5
1
28.0
18.7
NEET
16.0
14.6
32.3
19.4
19.7
-
22.5
11.9
19.2
16.1
10.6
11.5
2014
The
long-term unemployment
rates (as percentage of the active population) in 2012 - 2016
24
show a downward trend in most outermost regions (Canary Islands, Martinique, Reunion
Island, Madeira and the Azores). In 2016, most of the outermost regions observed
unemployment rates which are much higher than the national rates and the EU-28 average.
The average long-term unemployment rate in all outermost regions is 13.7 %, compared to
4 % in EU-28, 9.5 % in Spain, 4.6 % in France and 6.1 % in Portugal. The Portuguese
outermost regions have long-term unemployment rates that are higher but not very far away
from the national ones (6.5 % in the Azores, 7.8 % in Madeira compared to 6.1 % in
Portugal).
The biggest gap can be observed in the French outermost regions where the rates vary from
21.9 % and 17.1 % in Mayotte and Guadeloupe respectively to 11.5 % in Martinique; while
the French national rate is at 4.6 %. In addition, it is worth comparing with the long-term
unemployed as percentage of the unemployed; a comparison which shows that in all
outermost regions more than half of the unemployed are long-term unemployed. Mayotte and
Guadeloupe have the highest share of long-term unemployed among their unemployed, with
80.9 % and 71.6 %.
The
female unemployment
rates of those aged 15-74, show a downward trend in the
outermost regions in 2012 - 2016
25
, after reaching their peak in 2013 and 2014. The exception
to that is Mayotte (data for 2014 - 2016), where female unemployment tended to increase. The
average rate for all outermost regions is 21.6 % (in 2016), which is more than two times
24
25
EUROSTAT: Long-term unemployment (12 months and more) by NUTS 2 regions [lfst_r_lfu2ltu]; unit: percentage of
active population; updated on 27.4.2017; extracted on 31.5.2017.
EUROSTAT: Unemployment rates by sex, age and NUTS 2 regions (%) [lfst_r_lfu3rt]; updated on 9.8.2017; extracted
on 11.9.2017.
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higher the EU-28 rate (8.8 %) and higher than the national rates (21.4 % for Spain, 9.9 % for
France and 11.3 % for Portugal). The highest female unemployment rate is observed in
Mayotte and the Canary Islands with 32.6 % and 28 % respectively. The lowest is observed in
the Azores (9.8 %) which is also the only outermost region scoring lower in female
unemployment than the national average (11.3 % for Portugal).
On the
youth unemployment
rates of those aged 15-24, it is worth noting that in all the
outermost regions the rates have decreased from 2012 to 2016
26 27
, in some cases by more
than 10 percentage points (Canary Islands, Martinique, Reunion Island). However, 2016 rates
in the outermost regions remain much higher than the national and the EU-28 rates. The
average rate for all the outermost regions (except for the Portuguese ones) stand at 47.5 %,
while the Spanish and French national rates are at 44.4 % and 24.7 % respectively and the
EU-28 rate at 18.7 %. The Canary Islands and Mayotte have the highest rates with 51.3 % and
54.5 % respectively.
On
young people not in employment, education or training
(‘NEET’ indicator), there is a
reduction of the rate in all outermost regions in 2012 - 2016
28
(and in 2012 - 2014 for the
French outermost regions). A significant decrease is observed in the Canary Islands and
Madeira, with a drop of more than five percentage points, in the same period. The 2016 rate is
significantly higher in all outermost regions than the national average and the EU-28 rate. The
average rate for all outermost regions stands at 20.7 %, which is much higher than the Spanish
(14.6 %), the French (11.9 %), the Portuguese (10.6 %) and the EU-28 (11.5 %). The highest
values are observed in French Guiana with 32.3 %, followed by Reunion Island with
22.5 %
29
.
On
early school leavers,
there was a significant reduction observed in the Canary Islands, the
Azores, Madeira and Reunion Island in 2012 - 2016
30
. During this period, there was an
increase in early school leavers for Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana. The rates
observed in 2016 in the outermost regions are significantly higher than the respective national
averages, with the exception of the Canary Islands where the rate is slightly lower than the
national average (18.9 % compared to 19 % for Spain). French Guiana
31
has the worst
performance with 36.7 % of early school leavers, far from the national average of 8.8 % in
France. The Portuguese outermost regions have also a much higher rate than the national
average, with the Azores and Madeira at 26.9 % and 23.2 % respectively and Portugal at
14 %. The combined average rate for all outermost regions is 22.5 %, which is significantly
higher than the ‘less than 10 %’ target of the Europe 2020 strategy and the national targets set
at 15 %, 9.5 % and 10 % for Spain, France and Portugal respectively.
26
27
28
29
30
31
EUROSTAT: Unemployment rates by sex, age and NUTS 2 regions (%) [lfst_r_lfu3rt]; updated on 27.4.2017; extracted
on 9.6.2017.
No data are available for the Portuguese outermost regions for 2015 and 2016.
EUROSTAT: Young people neither in employment nor in education and training by sex and NUTS 2 regions (NEET
rates) [edat_lfse_22]; updated on 27/04/17; extracted on 6.6.2017.
Mayotte is not reported on this dataset.
EUROSTAT: Early leavers from education and training by sex and NUTS 2 regions [edat_lfse_16]; updated on
27.4.2017; extracted on 6.6.2017.
Mayotte is not reported in the data.
9
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On
higher education
attainment
32
, in 2012 - 2016, there is a slight increase observed in
almost all outermost regions, with the exception of French Guiana (slight decrease in 2014 -
2016
33
). In 2016, all outermost regions have lower rates than the national and EU-28 rates.
The average rate for all outermost regions is approximately 21 %; while the EU-28 rate is at
30.7 % and the Spanish, French and Portuguese ones at 35.7 %, 34.6 % and 23.9 %
respectively. The rates of the outermost regions are also significantly lower than the EU-2020
target set of 40 % and the national targets set at 44 %, 50 % and 40 % for Spain, France and
Portugal respectively. The lowest higher education attainment is observed in the Azores and
French Guiana with 14.8 % and 17.7 % respectively. The highest tertiary education
attainment is observed in the Canary Islands with 29.4 %.
4. Assessment of the European strategy for the outermost regions
4.1. Accessibility to the single market
Accessibility is the cornerstone of the outermost regions integration in the single market as
stressed in the report by Pedro Solbes of 12 October 2011
34
which inspired, and continues to
inspire, specific measures for the outermost regions. One of the main axes of the 2012
Communication was improving access to the single market; physical access (transport) but
also digital access through broadband networks and digital services.
Transport
The
cohesion policy
remains the main instrument to support physical accessibility
infrastructures in the outermost regions, in particular for air and maritime transport
investments. In 2007 - 2013, the ERDF allocation for transport was about EUR 1 billion;
more than one fifth (22 %), in average, of the total support for this period for all outermost
regions.
A wide range of projects have been financed, including port and airport infrastructures,
maritime connections and inland waterways. The port and airport infrastructures represented
24 % and 25 % respectively of the total ERDF allocation on transport in the outermost
regions; while the European average was 4 % and 2 % of the respective transport allocation.
For 2014 - 2020, support to the transport sector in the outermost regions remains significant
(14 % of the ERDF allocation), with about EUR 660 million made available via regional
programmes, with an emphasis on a strategic approach and sustainable transport. Investments
32
33
34
EUROSTAT: Population aged 25-64 by educational attainment level, sex and NUTS 2 regions (%) [edat_lfse_04];
tertiary education (levels 5-8); updated on 27.4.2017; extracted on 9.6.2017.
There are no data available for Mayotte.
‘Europe’s outermost regions and the single market: The EU’s influence in the world.’
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/outermost_regions/docs/report2011_en.pdf
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for ports and airports continue to represent a big share of transport investments in these
regions (33 % and 11 % respectively), while this share decreases significantly at the EU level
(0.6 % for ports and 2.9 % for airports).
Cohesion policy is therefore responding to the particular needs of the outermost regions,
where air travel and maritime transport are of particular importance for socioeconomic
development. The
specific additional allocation
of the outermost regions in the ERDF has
also been used to compensate additional transport costs, including operating costs.
Such
examples
of cohesion policy improving accessibility in 2007 - 2013 are:
the new Pôle Caraïbes airport in Guadeloupe (ERDF EUR 4.4 million
35
);
the requalification of the port of Praia de Vitoria, on the Terceira Island, in the Azores
(ERDF EUR 27 million); and
the construction of Camopi airport, in French Guiana.
On sustainable mobility and access within the local territory, the outermost regions have made
major efforts and many examples can be listed, such as:
a hybrid bus project in Fort-de-France in Martinique (EUR 66 million budget
supported by ERDF); and
plans to develop demand responsive transport services for the remoter areas using a
mix of vehicles integrated to ferry operations (Guadeloupe) or alternative water
transport lines (French Guiana)
36
.
The main ports and airports of the outermost regions are included in the
comprehensive
Trans-European (TEN-T) networks
37
. This implies eligibility for EU funding under the
Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)
and applies mostly to maritime ports located in the
outermost regions that can be backed financially by the Motorways of the Sea (MoS)
programme. However, the bulk of CEF funding is currently on the core network
infrastructures where only two ports and airports (Las Palmas and Tenerife in the Canary
Islands) are included (Atlantic corridor).
Three outermost regions’ projects related to ports were financed by the
CEF
(with a
maximum total EU contribution of EUR 28.3 million) including:
a) a project to retrofit a dual-fuel high-speed craft ro-pax vessel, fuelled by a mix of
75 % liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 25 % diesel to make
—
among others
—
the
link between the Canary Islands
38
.
b) the GAINN4 mOS, a twinned action between a number of Member States which
contributes to the implementation of the LNG bunkering project in the Atlantic and the
Mediterranean, including the port of the Azores
39
; and
35
36
37
38
39
Total investment of 12.5 million.
Source: Report of the expert group on transport accessibility for the outermost regions
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/policy/themes/outermost-regions/pdf/transport_report_en.pdf
With the exception of Saint Martin.
https://ec.europa.eu/inea/sites/inea/files/fiche_2014-es-tm-0593-s_final.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/inea/sites/inea/files/fiche_2014-eu-tm-0698-s_final.pdf
11
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c) the use of Onshore Power Supply system’s technology in Spanish ports, including
the Canary Islands
40
. The latter is part of a global project aiming to spread the use of
electricity for ships calling at Spanish ports along Core Network Corridors and
beyond. Santa Cruz and Las Palmas of the Canary Islands will benefit from the pilot
deployment.
Under
TEN-T,
two studies were financed that included the outermost regions: one with the
objective to describe existing solutions on the access to natural gas and the possibility to
introduce LNG and Compressed Natural Gas
41
in Spain, including the Canary islands; and the
other under the name COSTA Action
42
, to develop framework conditions for the use of LNG
for ships in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea, including the Deep Sea
cruising in the North Atlantic Ocean, towards the Azores and Madeira.
In addition to funding, regulatory provisions are also very important for supporting transport
in the outermost regions. The
guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines,
adopted by
the Commission in 2014, take into account the challenges faced by the outermost regions.
These guidelines set out the conditions under which investment aid and operating aid can be
granted to airports.
More flexible conditions apply to airports situated in the outermost regions (such as higher
permissible investment aid, as a share of eligible costs). These guidelines also contain flexible
provisions on start-up
aid to airlines for opening new routes from outermost regions’ airports
regardless of their size and even when those routes connect airports with countries outside the
EU.
Outermost regions can also benefit from aid of a social character for air transport services. In
the context of the 2017 review of the
General Block Exemption Regulation
(GBER), the
Commission further simplified the procedures. On transport, the revised GBER allows
investment aid to be granted to ports and airports of a certain size
43
, without notifying the
Commission, if specific conditions are met. The revised GBER also provides for more
flexible rules on granting operating aid for small airports with fewer than 200 000 passengers
per year.
Furthermore, Member States can also provide State aid to outermost regions on the basis of
existing EU rules on services of
general economic interest.
In case of genuine transport
needs, Member States may impose a public service obligation on certain routes, with or
without exclusivity and/or compensation. Similarly, the operation of some airport activities
may be designated as a service of general economic interest, with the ensuing compensation.
As for the
maritime guidelines,
the outermost regions had expressed the need for start-up aid
for new maritime routes towards non-EU countries. However, following the previous public
consultation results, it was considered that the overall rationale was still valid and therefore
the 2004 Maritime guidelines were maintained.
40
41
42
43
https://ec.europa.eu/inea/sites/inea/files/fiche_2015-eu-tm-0417-s_final.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/inea/sites/inea/files/download/project_fiches/spain/fichenew_2013es92006s_final_1.pdf
https://ec.europa.eu/inea/en/ten-t/ten-t-projects/projects-by-country/multi-country/2011-eu-21007-s
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32017R1084&from=EN
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Moreover, introducing provisions on aid for investments in ports in the GBER and the
extension of the regional operating aid provisions to the transport sector has simplified State
aid rules in the maritime sector. The Member States can grant aid for relevant investments
without having to notify them to the Commission.
Considering the importance of air transport for these regions, the Commission, in its proposal
amending the Directive 2003/87/EC for a new regulation on the
Emission Trading System
in
aviation of February 2017, maintained the exemption of the flights to and from airports in the
outermost regions from 2017, subject to a new review in the light of the international
developments to implement a global scheme on international aviation emissions.
Digital connectivity
One of the main obstacles to the integration of the outermost regions in the single market is
their remote location, but could be partly compensated by a good level of digital connectivity.
The outermost regions are in contrasting situations for the 2020 and 2025 broadband
objectives
44
. In terms of
coverage
45
by next generation access networks
46
all outermost
regions are below the EU average (76 %) with the exception of Azores (99.8 %) and Madeira
(86.3 %); Gran Canaria (86.8 %) and Tenerife (79 %) in the Canary Islands. With a few
exceptions, most outermost regions are also below their national average and in some cases
they present a very substantial gap: El Hierro (Canary Islands) has a coverage of 6 %, French
Guiana 9 %, Las Palmas (Canary Islands) 10.4 %, La Gomera (Canary Islands) 17.2 %,
Fuerteventura (Canary Islands) 18.6 %, Reunion Island 22.9 % and Martinique 42.8 %.
The proportion of
subscribers
to the high-speed network is generally close to or above the
national average, which demonstrates the interest and need for connectivity among the
populations of these regions; Mayotte being the notable exception. The high number of
broadband subscribers could be because the internet plays an even more important role for the
communication needs of the populations of these outermost regions than on the mainland
47
.
However, this penetration is unevenly distributed within these regions and is lower for
example in the southern islands of Guadeloupe, the less densely populated islands of the
Canary Islands and many areas in French Guiana and Mayotte.
To improve the outermost regions' access to the digital market, the EU supports investments
in network and services through a flexible regulatory framework and financial support where
there are market failures.
44
45
46
47
The Union has set as objectives by 2020 the availability of 30 megabits per second (Mbps) connectivity for all citizens
and the subscription by at least 50 % of households to a service offering at least 100 Mbps. The objectives for 2025
include that all European households will have access to internet connections of at least 100 Mbps, upgradable to
Gigabit speeds.
Sources: European Commission Services 2017
—
European Digital Progress Report 2017 https://ec.europa.eu/digital-
single-market/en/news/europes-digital-progress-report-2017
and ‘Broadband
Coverage in Europe 2016. Mapping
progress towards the coverage objectives of the Digital Agenda’.
Next Generation Access (NGA) coverage includes fixed-line broadband access technologies capable of achieving
download speeds meeting the Digital Agenda objective of at least 30 Mbps coverage. These figures are the result of
combining VDSL, DOCSIS 3.0, and FTTP coverages taking into account the possibility of overlapping coverage.
Report of the expert group on digital accessibility and ICT (coverage and use) in the outermost regions:
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/policy/themes/outermost-regions/pdf/ict_report_en.pdf
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The
EU rules
for electronic communications encourage competition, lower prices and more
choice for businesses and consumers; while guaranteeing basic user rights. The legislation
does not contain specific rules for outermost regions but allows national authorities to identify
specific competition conditions in the territory of an outermost region, to take them into
account in their market analysis and to adapt their regulatory intervention if necessary (as has
been the case for wholesale access tariffs to some submarine cables).
In addition, the proposed new
European electronic communications code
includes measures
to encourage competitive investments, notably by providing incentives to co-investment in
very high-capacity networks. This is expected to enable the participation of smaller players in
investment projects, thanks to the pooling of costs and reduction of scale barriers and to make
the investment case more predictable for ‘first movers,’ who take the risk to invest in those
networks in less profitable areas, such as less densely populated and remote areas.
The outermost regions also benefit from the ban on retail
roaming
surcharges, as from
15 June 2017, subject to fair use policy, and if mobile operators operating in these regions are
not exempted from the ban by the national regulator
48
.
State aid rules enable public funding for the deployment of networks offering substantial
improvements over existing networks as recalled in the
Broadband State aid guidelines
adopted in 2013
49
. The Commission will take into account the projected evolution of the long-
term demand for such networks
50
. It will do this by assessing notified measures supporting
such improvement and will consider favourably efficient blended financing that contributes to
lower the aid intensity and to reduce the risks of distorting competition, as part of its
assessment of State aid interventions.
In 2014 - 2020,
ESI Funds
are supporting investment in digital public services and in the roll
out of broadband networks, in those areas where market investment has not materialised and
public funding proved necessary. The upgrade and roll out of new high-speed broadband
infrastructures are supported in the French outermost regions and to a lesser extent in the
Canary Islands. Furthermore, all outermost regions have mobilised ESI Funds to support the
development and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services. The aim
is to allow the population and SMEs to access advanced and affordable electronic
communications and digital services and to attract new activities creating employment. This
effort is accompanied with a support to the digitalisation of SMEs, the acquisition of digital
skills and the development of public digital services for people and businesses (in particular
eGovernment, eHealth, eLearning and eTourism).
Around EUR 287 million are allocated in 2014 - 2020
ERDF
regional programmes for digital
connectivity in the outermost regions, representing a global increase of around 80 %,
48
49
50
Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2015 laying down measures
concerning open internet access and amending Directive 2002/22/EC on universal service and users’ rights relating to
electronic communications networks and services and Regulation (EU) No 531/2012 on roaming on public mobile
communications networks within the Union (OJ L 310, 26.11.2015, p. 1).
Communication from the Commission "EU guidelines for the application of State aid in relation to the rapid deployment
of broadband networks" (OJ C 25, 26.1.2013, p. 1).
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions ‘Connectivity for a Competitive Digital Single Market —
Towards a
European Gigabit Society’
- COM(2016) 587 final, 14.9.2016.
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compared to the previous programming period. This allocation represents 6 % of the total EU
funding for those programmes. In addition to ERDF, the
European Agriculture Fund for
Rural Development (EAFRD)
has also supported digital connectivity with EUR 5.7 million
in 2014 - 2020.
In the previous programming period (2007
- 2013),
supported by the ERDF regional
programmes, the Azores and Canary Islands directed their efforts mainly towards services and
applications for people, Martinique in ICT services for SMEs, while the other outermost
regions favoured investments in telecommunication infrastructures.
In addition to the ESI Funds support, the
Connecting Europe Broadband Fund
(CEBF),
announced in December 2016 by the Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB),
is expected to trigger additional investments in broadband deployment. The CEBF will
complement the lending activity of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and
EIB by enabling smaller and riskier projects to attract market investments. It could thus fit
better the financial investment needs of specific projects in the outermost regions.
Better information on the single market
The 2012 Communication proposed that ‘single market’ contact points are set up in each
outermost region and that the Internal Market Information (IMI)
51
and SOLVIT
52
platforms
are better used by the outermost regions.
The
IMI
system allows public authorities across the European economic area to exchange
information in the form of requests, notifications, alerts and centralised repositories, in line
with the provisions in 11 single market areas. With the exception of Mayotte, IMI competent
authorities have been appointed in all the outermost regions. The authorities in the Canary
Islands’ have extensively used the system, due to the training and awareness-raising
activities
carried out by Spain.
On
SOLVIT,
a number of cases were dealt with by the Canary Islands, Madeira and Azores.
The authorities of the outermost regions are invited to continue cooperating with the national
SOLVIT centres placed in the central administration
53
. SOLVIT can offer assistance in case a
public authority has caused problems between two Member States in the single market. In
addition, the ‘Your
Europe’
portal
54
offers user-friendly information and access to advice
about EU rights which all Europeans and business enjoy in the single market. The portal is
available in the official EU languages spoken in the outermost regions.
The uptake of these tools in the outermost regions has been overall limited compared to the
rest of the EU and their use should be further encouraged.
51
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/scoreboard/_archives/2013/07/performance_by_governance_tool/internal_market_infor
mation_system/index_en.htm
52
http://ec.europa.eu/solvit/index_en.htm
53
Increasing the use of SOLVIT by citizens and businesses is a general objective of the reinforcement of the network as
expressed in the SOLVIT action plan - COM(2017) 255 final, 2.5.2017.
54
http://europa.eu/youreurope/index.htm
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4.2. Increasing competitiveness through modernisation and diversification
of economies
Cohesion policy
Cohesion policy is the main EU instrument to deliver growth and jobs. The 2012
Communication highlighted the need to support funding for research and innovation, promote
new opportunities for employment and enterprises as well as to renewable energy and energy
efficiency, and improve access to finance for SMEs. Moreover, the Communication
underlined the role of the smart specialisation strategies to this aim.
On the
Cohesion Fund (CF),
the Azores and Madeira are the only two outermost regions
belonging to a Member State eligible for Cohesion Fund support. The actions supported under
this fund in the 2007 - 2013 programming period were financed under the national
programme ‘Valorização do território’. EUR
235 million were earmarked to Madeira to
prevent and manage risks and to improve transport infrastructures and EUR 105 million to the
Azores, to enhance the maritime transport conditions in the archipelago as well as the
environmental protection and sustainable development. In 2014 - 2020, those regions are
eligible to apply for support under the national programmes financed by this fund.
The
total ERDF allocated budget
to the outermost regions in the regional programmes in
2007 - 2013 amounted at EUR 4.6 billion. It includes an additional specific allocation of
EUR 850 million.
According to preliminary data submitted for the closure of the 2007 - 2013 operational
programmes in March 2017
55
, the 2012 strategy is well reflected in the priorities supported
from the cohesion policy. The
most commonly supported sectors
(based on the thematic
objectives
57
) in the outermost regions were: transport and energy networks with 21.6 % of the
total budget, environment and resource efficiency with 19.4 % and SME competitiveness with
13.4 %. Research and innovation was supported with 5.8 % and information and
communication technologies with 4 %. It is worth observing that by aggregating the
contribution under research and innovation, ICTs and support to SMEs, a total investment of
23 % is attained (Figure 3).
The outermost regions used the
specific allocation in 2007 - 2013
in different manners. For
example, in Martinique, Reunion Island, Mayotte and Madeira, the specific allocation
supported investments aimed at promoting the competitiveness of enterprises. In Reunion
Island and the Azores, the allocation was used for transport. In the Canary Islands, the
specific allocation was used for infrastructure (upgrade works in airports, ports and roads) and
for running costs (providing grants for transport between islands and covering medical costs).
55
The data may be subject to change following the exchange of information between the Member State authorities and the
Commission in the framework of the 2007 - 2013 closure exercise.
16
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Figure 3
–Financial
allocations of ERDF regional programmes in the 2007 - 2013 programming period by
thematic objective
56
In the 2012 Communication,
Financial Engineering Instruments
and microfinance were
mentioned among the possibilities to be explored by the outermost regions. In 2007 - 2013,
this opportunity was used in Martinique (ERDF, EUR 12.85 million), with financial
engineering instruments allowing 600 businesses to benefit from financial support. In French
Guiana EUR 5.7 million was used from ERDF on financial engineering instruments,
including instruments for risk-sharing, microcredit, bank guarantees and funds to support
projects with high potential. In total, 306 persons have benefited from microfinance and 530
businesses (SMEs and bigger firms) received support.
Based on the same preliminary data, the ERDF contribution helped to achieve the following
results in 2007 - 2013:
6 956 jobs were created; among which 204 jobs in the research sector
and 1 227 in tourism. 66 331 students benefitted from projects in the field of education. 662
start-ups were supported and 326 413 additional people are covered by broadband access. In
terms of physical accessibility, 65.8 km of new roads were constructed and 621.2 km
reconstructed. 65 468 additional people are served by waste water projects and 143 311
additional people are served by water projects. 229 renewable energy projects were supported.
In
2014 - 2020,
the ERDF allocates EUR 4.7 billion in the regional programmes to support
investments in smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This amount includes the additional
specific allocation for the outermost regions (EUR 1 billion)
57
. An increase of 4.6 % can be
observed in the total budget for all outermost regions between the two programming periods.
56
57
The term thematic objective is used as a reference to the 2014-20 Regulations for comparability reasons.
The funding contribution from the national programmes, namely for the Canary Islands, is not included.
17
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The
most commonly supported sectors
(based on the thematic objectives) are SME
Competitiveness; Environment Protection and Resource Efficiency; and Network
Infrastructures in Transport and Energy (Figure 4).
Figure 4
–Financial
allocations of ERDF regional programmes in the 2014 - 2020 programming period by
thematic objective.
The
additional specific allocation,
will be used in
2014 - 2020
to support businesses
(Madeira, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Reunion Island, Mayotte), transport (the Azores,
Canary Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion Island, Mayotte), medical
transport (Canary Islands), civil protection against natural disasters (Guadeloupe, Saint
Martin, Martinique, Reunion Island), protection of the environment and biodiversity (Canary
Islands) and ICTs (Saint Martin, Martinique).
The 2012 Communication highlighted the need to assess if the individual needs and assets of
the outermost regions were taken into account in the design of the Partnership Agreement of
the 2014 - 2020 programming period. As a result, a specific Chapter is devoted to the
outermost regions in the national Partnership Agreements.
In 2014 - 2020, different
financial instruments
are envisaged to support different priorities in
each outermost region, in particular risk capital, capital investment, microcredits, guarantee
funds and pre-financing. These instruments aim to support SMEs and projects in energy and
environment (Guadeloupe); and entrepreneurship (Saint Martin). Reunion Island envisages
also financial instruments to support entrepreneurship with EUR 22.4 million from ERDF,
EUR 20 million from EIB and EUR 7 million from the Region
58
. French Guiana envisages
also the set up of financial instruments with a budget of EUR 10 million for research and
innovation and support to entrepreneurship.
58
This is an EFSI project. More details are presented under the
‘European
Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the EFSIʼ
section of the present Staff Working Document.
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The ERDF contribution in 2014 - 2020 is expected to achieve the
following results:
8 772
businesses in all outermost regions and increase employment in the supported enterprises by
5 328 full-time equivalent. On research and innovation, 758 researchers are expected to work
in improved research infrastructure facilities, 456 businesses will cooperate with research
institutions, 229 enterprises are expected to introduce new to the market products and 466
enterprises will be supported to introduce new to the firm products. Additional 480 000
households are expected to have broadband access of at least 30 Mbps, the additional capacity
of renewable energy production is expected to be 153.29 MW and the estimated reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions is 432 117 tonnes of CO
2
.
As outlined in the 2012 Communication, the
European Social Fund (ESF)
invested EUR 1.3
billion in the outermost regions during the
2007 - 2013
programming period. The objectives
were to boost education, employment, skills and lifelong learning. Furthermore, in 2013, an
additional allocation of EUR 180 million
59
was made available through the
Youth
Employment Initiative (YEI)
to implement the Youth Guarantee scheme.
As regards the observed
results
of the ESF interventions, the ‘Régiment du Service Militaire
Adapté’ (RSMA)
- a French social-professional military system project - was implemented
successfully in all French overseas regions. The objective was to train young unemployed
people and assist them to integrate into the job market. After participation, 29 % of them were
in employment.
In the Canary Islands’ programme, more than 200
000 participants benefited from the ESF
interventions, approximately 2 000 businesses were created and 26 000 unemployed people
found a job, after participating in active labour market policies. In Madeira, 39 % of young
people who attended an information and career guidance session, found employment within
12 months after their participation in 2015. In addition, 83.6 % of the working population
participated in actions of professional training. In the Azores, 57 % of the young people who
completed the ‘transition to active life’ plan programme, found a first job once the programme
was completed: 16 974 persons participated in certification courses to improve literacy levels
and basic qualification.
In
2014 - 2020,
the
ESF
investment has increased in all outermost regions to a total allocation
of 1.8 billion. In addition, the
YEI
budget is approximately EUR 260 million
60
, expected to be
further increased for all eligible regions, following the mid-term revision of the Multiannual
Financial Framework in June 2017. The outermost regions will thus, benefit from additional
resources.
The
main priorities
of the ESF programmes in the outermost regions are promoting youth
employment, fostering mobility of workers and trainees, supporting vocational trainings,
reducing early school leaving, promoting lifelong learning, increasing social inclusion and
enhancing the institutional capacity of public authorities and stakeholders among others.
59
60
The French outermost regions benefited from EUR 110 million (35 % of the YEI for France), the Portuguese outermost
regions of 11.3 million and the Canary Islands of EUR 58.6 million.
The YEI total budget includes the budget earmarked to the respective regions from the national YEI programme and for
Guadeloupe and Martinique, it also includes the YEI allocations in their regional programmes. The amount includes the
ESF matching part.
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Some examples of the
expected results
are the following: an increase of 30 % by 2023 of the
number of people placed in employment pathways in Reunion Island
61
, the support of 10 560
jobseekers in Guadeloupe, reduce school dropout rate by 30 % in French Guiana and 32 000
students completing their secondary education training, in the Canary islands.
Furthermore, all ESI Funds support since 2014 the
Community-Led Local Development
strategies, which promote employment and labour mobility and have an important role in job
creation by involving by local communities and organisations. Moreover, Integrated
Territorial Investment strategies are also implemented to tackle urban and other complex
territorial challenges.
Agriculture and Rural Development
The agriculture is a
fundamental sector
for the outermost regions both for the economy and
employment. Together with forestry and fisheries, it represents on average 3.8 %
62
of the
economic activity and 5 % of the employment, with the Azores being, by far, the region
where these sectors have a higher importance in both: 9.8 % and 13.8 %, respectively.
Specific measures for agriculture have been implemented through the
POSEI
scheme under
the first pillar of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and of Article 349 TFEU. Although
some provisions of the POSEI scheme were revised in 2013, the general provisions of the
scheme remained unchanged. It is financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund
(EAGF). The basic regulation
63
sets an
annual
ceiling for each Member State
64
, with a total of
EUR 653 million for all the regions. Two categories of measures have been implemented
within the programmes: the specific supply arrangements, to support the supply of agricultural
products and the support to local agricultural production. The way POSEI is programmed
offers Member States the flexibility to define their actions based on their needs, while at the
same time responding to common overall goals.
On 15 December 2016, the Commission adopted
a report on the implementation
of the
2006 - 2014 POSEI scheme
65
. The report recommends maintaining the current basic
regulation and underlines that the POSEI programmes succeeded in addressing the particular
agricultural challenges faced by these regions over the examined period. It further stresses
that Member States should also take into account the results and the recommendations to
further improve the effectiveness of the measures in their programmes.
In fact, this scheme is critical in reducing the difference in price of the supported products in
the outermost regions compared to the European mainland and in maintaining the agricultural
production activities. It contributes to the maintenance of production of both the traditional
sectors for export, such as banana, milk, sugar, meat and wine and the diversification of
61
62
63
64
65
Under the Operation Programme Réunion- État.
1.6 % for the EU28 in 2014.
Regulation (EU) No 228/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 March laying down specific measures
for agriculture in the outermost regions of the Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 247/2006 (OJ L 78,
20.3.2013, p. 23).
French outermost regions: EUR 278.41 million, Canary Islands: EUR 268.42 million and Azores and Madeira: EUR
106.21 million.
See footnote 14.
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productions for local consumption. The whole value chain was addressed through different
support measures, including processing and marketing, although with a different balance for
each outermost region.
The POSEI programmes contributed to the overall objective of the CAP: viable food
production, sustainable management of natural resources and balanced territorial growth.
Without this scheme, the risk of agricultural production abandonment could negatively affect
employment, environment or the territorial dimension of the outermost regions.
There is a strong coherence between
POSEI programmes
and
Rural Development
Programmes (RDP).
Numerous synergies have been identified (training, setting-up of young
farmers and investments supported by RDP and production supported by POSEI). This is
crucial to achieve the CAP objectives, given the strong interdependence between the two
types of support.
In the framework of the
second pillar of the CAP,
the rural development plans are financed
by the
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
(EAFRD). These programmes
were set up, in line with the analysis of the territory and the needs identified by the outermost
regions. During the 2007 - 2013 and 2014 - 2020 programming periods, the outermost regions
benefit from more advantageous EAFRD contribution rates (85 % of the eligible public
expenditure) and higher support rates (for physical investments in farms and investments in
forestry technologies). During the 2014 - 2020 programming period, these regions also
benefited from more flexibility on how to programme their allocations in order to better adapt
the programmes to their specific needs.
In the
2007 - 2013
programming period, the
RDP
had to be structured in four axes:
competitiveness in the agriculture and forestry sector; environment and countryside; quality of
life in rural areas; and diversification of the rural economy, and LEADER approach
66
.
The outermost regions allocated approximately half of the amount of EAFDR in the
competitiveness axes, except the Azores and French Guiana (with a more balanced
distribution between the competitiveness and environment axes and the competitiveness and
quality of live axes, respectively).
The
total public expenditure
for the outermost regions was EUR 1 738 million (EUR 1 285
million of EAFRD support). The main results were the installation of nearly 1 400 young
farmers, the modernisation of 13 000 farms, nearly 11 000 farmers with agro-environmental
commitments, the support for 250 tourist projects, more than 600 projects promoting basic
services for the rural population, 650 projects preserving the natural and cultural heritage, the
creation of 2 000 jobs in rural areas and the support to 27 local action groups under the
LEADER approach.
In the
2014 - 2020
programming period, the outermost regions adopted different strategies in
their
RDP,
according to the five priorities stipulated in the Rural Development regulations
67
.
66
67
The LEADER (from the French ‘Liaison
Entre Actions de Développement de l’Économie Rurale’)
is an initiative to
support rural development projects initiated at the local level aiming at revitalising rural areas and create jobs.
The RDP programmes addresses at least three of the following priorities: competitiveness, food chain and risk
management, ecosystems management, resource efficiency and climate, social inclusion and local development. There is
also a cross-cutting priority: knowledge transfer and innovation.
21
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Some regions clearly favoured one or two priorities, like the Azores (ecosystems management
and competitiveness), Madeira (ecosystems management), French Guiana (social inclusion
and local development), Martinique and Mayotte (competitiveness). Others, like the Canary
Islands, Reunion Island and Guadeloupe opted for a more even distribution of the financial
allocations across all priorities (Figure 5).
Figure 5
–Financial
allocations of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development in the 2014 - 2020
programming period by investment priority.
In all outermost regions ‘investments in physical assets’ is the main support measure in
financial terms, with the exception of French Guiana, where the main support goes to basic
services and village renewal in rural areas. In this regard complementary use of EARDF
(LEADER included) and ERDF support for basic services helps to promote employment and
sustainable growth.
In the
2014 - 2020
programming period, the allocation to the outermost regions is EUR 1 494
million (EUR 1 896 million of total public expenditure). This amount will contribute to
supporting: the installation of more than 1 000 young farmers; the training of 13 000
participants; the modernisation of 7 400 farms; 97 000 ha under management contracts to
improve biodiversity; water management and soil management measures; 230 tourist projects;
more than 200 projects promoting basic services for the rural population; 100 projects
preserving the natural and cultural heritage; the creation of 1 200 jobs in rural areas (900 jobs
through LEADER); and 28 local action groups.
The EAFRD also contributes to the
European Innovation Partnership for agricultural
productivity and sustainability (EIP-AGRI)
68
by supporting EIP operational groups. These
groups are set up by actors such as farmers, researchers, advisers and businesses involved in
the agriculture and food sector. The outermost regions propose to support 133 operational
groups in their RDP.
68
The European Innovation Partnership for agricultural productivity and sustainability (EIP-AGRI) has been launched in
2012 to contribute to the European Union’s strategy ‘Europe 2020’ for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Different types of available funding sources can be used, such as EARDF and Horizon 2020.
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For 2014 - 2020,
the allocation from both CAP pillars
amounts at EUR 6.1 billion.
Between 2012 and 2016, state aid for a total budget of about EUR 200 million was approved
for the outermost regions under the
AGRI State aid guidelines.
This shows the interest for
and the importance of those aids in the relevant Member States. The state aid granted to the
outermost regions has contributed to support and maintain employment and economic
activities in territories facing significant additional costs compared to other areas.
Fisheries
The outermost regions'
fishing sector
consists mainly in small-scale vessels. Industrial and
long distance fishing fleets are also based in these regions, supplying raw material to locally
important fish processing industries.
Stimulating the development of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture was a strong priority for
the European Fisheries Fund (EFF)
in the outermost regions during the programming
period 2007 - 2013. As less favoured regions, they benefited from higher budget and higher
public support rates. The EFF allocation to the outermost regions amounted at EUR 92.3
million, with a level of execution of 88 %. Additionally, EUR 104 million was available
through a specific ‘compensation regime’ for some of the regions
69
.
Under the
2014 - 2020
programming period, a
specific financial envelope
for compensation
of additional costs in the outermost regions was included in the national programmes under
the
European Maritime Fisheries Fund
(EMFF). This envelope may cover additional costs
in the production, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products in these
regions. The financial allocation for the ‘compensation regime’, has been reinforced by 50
%
for the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira, and by 150 % for the six French outermost
regions. Geographic coverage was extended to all French outermost regions. This represents
EUR 192.5 million for 2014 - 2020, roughly 9 % of the EMFF allocation to the three Member
States.
Moreover, the
EMFF
finances 100 % of the compensation plans and the maximum aid
intensity (share of public funding in the total costs) for other EMFF measures in the outermost
regions, at 85 %, is 35 percentage points higher than for other regions. The latter applies to all
eligible measures (e.g. support for young fishermen, investments on board in health and
safety, investments in fishing ports, support for control and enforcement and for data
collection) with the exception of engine replacement (30 %).
On public aid for fleet renewal, which was allowed until 31 December 2006
70
in the
outermost regions, a total of around EUR 110 million of EU funds were spent in vessels based
in these regions, corresponding to a total investment of EUR 271.5 million between 1994 and
2006.
69
70
The ‘compensation regime’ in the 2007
- 2013 programming period covered only the following regions: Canary Islands,
French Guiana, Reunion Island, Azores and Madeira.
Council Regulation (EC) No 639/2004 of 30 March 2004 (OJ L 102, 7.4.2004, p. 9), later extended to 31.12.2006 by
Council Regulation (EC) No 1646/2006 of 7 November 2006 (OJ L 309, 9.11.2006, p. 1).
23
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The new
Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)
adopted in 2013, also takes the specific situation
of the outermost regions into account. It allows protecting the fishing communities by
establishing an exclusive access zone up to 100 nautical miles from the baseline of the
outermost regions, extending to all of them the protection mechanism already in place in the
Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands since 2004. In these zones, until 31 December 2022,
the Member States can restrict fishing activities to vessels registered in the ports of these
territories and to vessels that traditionally fish in those waters.
In addition, the CFP envisages the creation of a new
Advisory Council
for the outermost
regions designed to ensure the appropriate consultation of stakeholders from these regions on
issues related to fisheries. To date, this new Advisory Council has not been set up, as the
Commission has not yet received the necessary request from interested parties.
As a way to stimulate economic growth and jobs creation in the fisheries sector, the
Commission signed a grant agreement in 2016, with Guadeloupe as a coordinator. The
pilot
project
on ‘Innovative, low impact offshore fishing practices for small-scale
vessels in the
outermost regions’ (EUR
1 million) aims to make easier the exchange of knowledge on eco-
efficient fishing techniques, problems encountered and solutions adopted. The expected result
is to promote the development of offshore fishing in all outermost regions by increasing their
economic and environmental effectiveness, therefore facilitating alleviation of fishing
pressure in the more coastal fish resources.
On
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPA),
the specificities of the
outermost regions are taken into consideration during the negotiations, with the objective of
obtaining for the fleets of those regions a fair share in the fishing opportunities obtained
through these agreements, taking into account the type of activity and characteristics of the
vessels concerned.
Understanding the
blue economy
requires detailed and continuous data collection to inform
and help decision-makers and businesses to devise appropriate policies and strategies. While
the Commission is working with Eurostat to develop economic indicators for the blue
economy, so far these are only available at the national level and do not allow the
identification and monitoring of trends in individual regions.
Gaps still exist in the collection, storage and availability of data and information in the
outermost regions, and for some territories, the required data are not available. In order to
improve the knowledge in the fisheries sector specifically, the Commission has put forward a
new data collection framework since 2016, which can help the outermost regions to improve
their knowledge in this domain.
To investigate the current state and the potential of the
blue economy
in the outermost
regions and in the corresponding maritime areas, the Commission published a
dedicated
study
in 2017
71
. The main focus of the study is on the possibilities for outermost regions to
complete their blue growth potential in a number of sectors, such as coastal and cruise
71
COGEA et al., ‘Realising the potential of the Outermost Regions for sustainable blue growth’, Publications Office of the
European Union, 2017 -
https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/029afe70-a725-11e7-837e-
01aa75ed71a1/language-en
24
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tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, blue biotechnology, shipping (maritime transport, ports, ship
building and repair) and blue energy.
Preliminary results highlight the socioeconomic importance of traditional sectors like tourism,
fisheries and shipping in all outermost regions. On the other hand, innovative activities such
as aquaculture, blue biotechnology and blue energy emerge as promising sectors for the
future. For example, Reunion Island has the potential to become an innovation and knowledge
transfer hub for blue biotechnology in the Indian Ocean.
Maritime policy
The outermost regions have
significant Exclusive Economic Zones
that harbour unique
marine biodiversity hotspots. However, they are also greatly affected by climate change and
the rise in sea level is a major threat to their coastal ecosystems and economies. Hence, taking
a cooperative approach to governance at the global level is fundamental for these regions. The
joint communication of the Commission and the European External Action Service on
‘International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans’
72
highlights that ‘the
outermost regions, due to their contribution to the EU maritime dimension and to their
position in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, are important actors that can actively contribute to
improved ocean governance’.
On
sea basin-strategies,
the outermost regions in the Atlantic ocean (Macaronesia and
Caribbean-Amazonia), are part of the maritime strategy in the Atlantic and of its
corresponding action plan
73
. This plan was adopted in 2013 and it suggests concrete actions to
support blue growth and jobs creation, namely trough the targeted use of ESI Funds and
Horizon 2020. The strategy offers a framework for cooperation on issues from coastal tourism
and fisheries to renewable energy, mineral seabed exploration and marine biotechnology.
For these regions, the
planning of their maritime
space is essential to achieve sustainable
blue growth. To support the related work of the Member States and their outermost regions in
implementing the Directive establishing a framework for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), a
call for proposals covering their geographical area was launched in 2016, aiming at
supporting concrete actions in these regions, helping to build capacity for maritime spatial
planning and to support cooperation across borders. Due to their geographic location, flexible
provisions in eligibility criteria were envisaged for projects carried out in the outermost
regions (i.e. the participation of at least two Member States was not requested to those
outermost regions that did not border other EU Member States).
Following this call, two projects have been awarded in 2017. For both of them, the grant
agreements are yet to be signed and it is foreseen that activities will start in the beginning of
2018. The first one intends to reinforce maritime spatial planning in the Macaronesian
archipelagos (Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands), by assisting the competent authorities of
Portugal and Spain to develop operative mechanisms for effective planning. It will also help
to reduce asymmetries in the implementation of maritime spatial planning in remote areas.
72
73
https://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/sites/maritimeaffairs/files/join-2016-49_en.pdf
COM(2013) 279 final, 13.5.2013.
25
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The second project, "Ocean Metiss", is led by Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Supported
by the intergovernmental organisation of the Indian Ocean State Islands
74
, the project will
facilitate discussions and exchange of best practices in tackling issues of common concern
related to the development of blue economy, exposure to natural risks, protection of the
biodiversity and the ecosystem.
On marine knowledge, the
European Marine Observation and Data Network
(EMOD-
net)
75
currently provides access to marine data concerning many diverse maritime themes
(e.g. costal mapping, seabed habitats, bathymetry) covering all regions. Relevant
environmental data
76
are also being assessed in the context of the Marine Strategy Framework
Directive (2008/56/EC) and in particular, the marine strategies covering Macaronesia.
Tourism
Although tourism is an established area of activity for many outermost regions, there is still a
potential for further development for most of them to build in particular on their unique
natural and cultural assets by reinforcing or diversifying into new forms of tourism (such as
yachting, pescatourism, whale watching or coasteering).
In line
with the Communication ‘A
European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in
Coastal and Maritime Tourism’
77
, a study was published in 2016, on how to improve island
connectivity and design innovative tourism strategies for (remote) islands. This study
included some outermost regions as case studies: Lanzarote (Canary Islands) for Islands
Connectivity and Reunion Island and the Azores for mass tourism destinations.
The
COSME
78
programme has supported in the past five years the development and
promotion of transnational thematic tourism products, in areas such as maritime affairs,
culture, gastronomy, sports and wellness. Such examples are: the SUNRISE
79
project to
develop surf routes for tourism, coordinated by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
(started in 2016); and the CurioSEAty project, to connect the market potential of water sports
to the European maritime heritage, with the participation of the Madeira region.
The
ERDF
also supported actions related to tourism trough the promotion of natural and
cultural assets, protection and development of natural and cultural heritage and measures to
improve tourism services. During the
2007 - 2013
programming period, the total spending
amounted to roughly EUR 221 million, representing in average 5 % of the total financial
expenditure under this Fund, a figure higher than the 2 %, spent in average at the EU level. A
project financed by ERDF (EUR 13 million) in this field, was the Memorial ACTe
–a
Memorial to Slavery and the Slave Trade, which is expected to develop tourism prospects in
Pointe-à-Pitre.
74
75
76
77
78
79
Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar and Seychelles
http://www.emodnet.eu/
Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for
community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (OJ L 164,
25.6.2008, p. 19).
COM(2014) 86 final, 20.2.2014.
EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
http://sunriseproject.org/about-us/
26
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This sector continues to play a prominent role in the ERDF in the planned actions for
2014 -
2020.
The development of endogenous potential is supported, in particular, with investments
in equipment and small scale structures. About EUR 220 million are allocated in the
outermost regions operational programmes for the development and promotion of: tourism
potential in natural and cultural areas; public tourism services; and commercial tourism assets
and services in SMEs.
Given the importance of tourism in rural areas, the
EAFRD
also provides funding for
activities in this sector, in particular for the development and promotion of rural tourism. In
2007 - 2013, most of the outermost regions incorporated in their rural development plans a
measure to promote tourism activities. For both the 2007 - 2013 and 2014 - 2020, actions in
this sector can be supported under different measures, such as support for basic services in
rural areas, diversification of activities and also by local development projects developed in
the framework of the LEADER initiative.
Low-carbon economy
The current share of
renewable energy
in electricity production varies among the outermost
regions, ranging from 1.5 % in Saint Martin to 64 % in French Guiana. The higher
percentages correspond to outermost regions with hydro and geothermal resources that are
able to provide stable power supply. Several strategies and plans are being put in place for a
transition to renewable sources and energy efficiency, such as the Reunion Island 100 %
renewable electricity strategy (by 2030), based on the combined use of several renewable
sources; the plan to increase by 30 % the renewable electricity in the Azores (by 2021); the
Porto Santo (Madeira) smart fossil free island (in 20 to 30 years) and the development and
expansion of geothermal energy in Guadeloupe and Martinique (by 2023). However, despite
the ongoing efforts, all outermost regions are still heavily dependent on imported oil
80
.
Figure 6
—
Presence of different renewable sources in the electricity production in the outermost regions and
share of the total renewable sources in electricity production.
64
80
Source: Report of the expert group on energy in the outermost regions.
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/policy/themes/outermost-regions/pdf/energy_report_en.pdf
27
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The outermost regions could further explore
ocean for power generation
at a larger scale.
Feasibility studies have been carried out on the potential of floating windfarms and of ocean
thermal energy in Martinique, a pilot project has been implemented for a wave energy plant in
the Azores, and seawater air conditioning is to be used in public buildings in Guadeloupe and
Reunion Island. However, affordable and suitable technologies for the exploitation of blue
energy under the oftentimes extreme weather and sea conditions in the outermost regions are
missing, and marine renewable energy is still at a research and development stage.
Approximately EUR 400 million of
ERDF
are available in the
2014 - 2020
programming
period for the outermost regions in order to invest in renewable energies, smart grids, energy
efficiency
81
and promote sustainable multimodal urban mobility, including the shift towards a
low-carbon economy. Around 32 % of this budget is allocated to promote energy efficiency
(namely, trough renovation of public infrastructures and housing), demonstration projects and
support measures for energy efficiency in SMEs and large enterprises. Canary Islands,
Mayotte and Madeira, will direct more than half of their investments to this area.
In the
2007 - 2013
programming period, the expenditure related to this objective in the
operational programmes amounted at EUR 136 million, mostly dedicated to promote energy
efficiency; co-generation and energy management; assistance to SMEs for the promotion of
environmentally-friendly products and production processes; and clean urban transport.
Transport
is one of the biggest energy challenges in the outermost regions, as it represents
more than half of their primary energy needs. For instance, under the 2007 - 2013
programming period, ERDF supported a project to promote a cleaner and more efficient urban
transport system in Funchal based on the previous initiative CIVITAS Mimosa
82
. Following
this initiative, other actions to promote electric mobility in Madeira are provided in the Civitas
Project Destinations (2017-2019), supported by the Horizon 2020 programme.
With regard to European
Regulations
related to Energy Efficiency and Renewables, the three
applicable Directives (Energy Efficiency
83
, Renewable Energy
84
and Energy Performance of
Buildings
85
(EPBD) do not contain any specific measures for the outermost regions. In the
first two, the targets are set at national level, while the EPBD requires that the whole territory
of each Member State must comply with EPBD requirements ‘on a national or a regional
basis’.
The
Clean Energy for All Europeans
86
package
(
adopted in November 2016), is of interest
for the outermost regions, in particular the promotion of local energy communities (Article 16
81
82
83
84
85
86
It includes also the sustainable multimodal urban mobility budget and the ETC allocated budget to this objective from
the Caribbean programme.
This project was the Award winner of Regio Stars Awards 2011
— Category 4 ‘City Star’. Integrated, clean urban
transport projects. http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/projects/best-practices/portugal/2120
Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending
Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC Text with EEA relevance
(OJ L 315, 14.11.2012, p. 1).
Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of
energy from renewable sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77/EC and 2003/30/EC
(OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 16).
Directive 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 May 2010 on the energy performance of
buildings (OJ L 153, 18.6.2010, p. 13).
COM(2016) 860 final, Annex II, 30.11.2016.
28
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of the proposed Directive on common rules for the internal market on electricity
87
). The
proposals on the energy communities recognise the growing phenomenon of the local
citizens’ initiatives and aim to boost public acceptance for renewable sources of energy and to
increase the uptake of new technologies in distributed generation and peer-to-peer electricity
sharing.
Moreover, this package included the ‘Action
to boost the clean energy transition’.
It
identifies islands and island regions as platforms for pilot initiatives on clean energy transition
and as potential showcases at international level. The outermost regions are presented as an
example, illustrated by the case of El Hierro (Canary Islands), an island with 100 %
renewable energy. Following on the commitment of holding a high level meeting on clean
energy opportunities and challenges for islands, the Commission, with France, Portugal and
Spain, together with other 11 EU Member States
88
, met in May 2017 and signed a political
declaration launching the new ‘Clean Energy for EU Islands’ initiative. The aim is
to help
islands reduce their dependency on energy imports by making better use of their own
renewable energy sources and adopt more modern and innovative energy systems. This
declaration was followed by an inaugural Forum in September 2017 in Crete (Greece), where
the outermost regions presented their initiatives and projects.
The Energy and Environmental Aid Guidelines (EEAG)
89
allow state aid for energy and
environment purposes, under certain conditions. According to the EEAG, in assessing the
national support schemes, the Commission will take into account the specific handicaps of
‘assisted areas’ which include the outermost regions. Also, the guidelines allow for higher aid
intensities for some types of aid or for investments located in these areas. Finally, the GBER
90
deems as compatible with State aid rules the energy infrastructure investments located in
assisted areas, under certain conditions and up to a certain threshold
91
.
Small and medium size enterprises, social entrepreneurship
SMEs are vital for the
outermost regions’ economy as they account for the majority of private
sector jobs. The 2012 Communication recommended improving access for SMEs and social
enterprises to EU funding, by creating, among other measures, microcredit financial
instruments and local investment funds in each outermost regions.
In the programming period 2007 - 2013, the ERDF financed around EUR 621 millions of
investments in business support in the outermost regions. For the 2014 - 2020 programming
87
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and the Council on the common rules for the internal market in
electricity - COM(2016) 864 final, 30.11.2016.
The other participating Member States in this initiative are Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta and Sweden.
Communication from the Commission 'Guidelines on State aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-2020'
(OJ C 200, 28.6.2014, p. 1).
Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the
internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty (OJ L 187, 26.6.2014, p. 1).
In accordance with point 46 of the EEAG, ‘assisted areas’ means areas designated in an approved regional aid map for
the period 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2020 in application of Articles 107(3)(a) and (c) of the Treaty.
88
89
90
91
29
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period, roughly EUR 900 million are allocated to boost the competitiveness of SMEs, which
represents, on average, about 19 % of the total budget.
Furthermore, the ESF supported measures to promote entrepreneurship in 2014 - 2020 in the
Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira and Reunion Island. For example, the Canary Islands
programme includes two actions to offer guidance and support services (training and
mentoring) during and after the set-up of new businesses with a budget of approximately
EUR 10 million. The Madeira 2014 - 2020 operational programme includes ESF interventions
on promoting entrepreneurship by trainings on updating IT skills, promoting innovation
business management and market knowledge skills. The Azores operational programme 2014
- 2020 includes similar measures, such as training and qualification actions to promote the
modernisation of SMEs. In Reunion Island a project supported (with EUR 2.8 million) actions
targeting businesses in difficulty, with the aim to create accompanying paths adapted to the
needs of beneficiaries and offering favourable conditions for the creation, consolidation and
recovery of the businesses.
On 31 December 2016, about 5 080 SMEs from five outermost regions (Guadeloupe,
Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion Island and Canary Islands) out of a total of 172 800
SMEs accessed financing with the support of the COSME Loan Guarantee Facility
programme. The overall volume of financing made available to these SMEs under this
programme amounts to EUR 84.1 million
92
.
The active participation of the outermost regions in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
scheme under the COSME programme has been limited to Canary Islands since the
programme initiated in 2009, although there are enterprises registered as hosts in other
regions. Since the beginning of the programme, a total of 131 entrepreneurs have registered
and 39 participated. In order to stimulate participation from remote locations, like the
outermost regions, changes have been made in recent years both to lift the overall amount and
to ensure that entrepreneurs coming or going from this regions benefit from the maximum
value.
In 2014, the Commission launched two calls for proposals to establish the Enterprise Europe
Network. The aim was to assist SMEs in finding business partners and better understanding
EU regulations and access to funds. The second call of proposals was directed to regions
where no coverage emerged from the first call, as was the case for most of the French
outermost regions. In 2017, businesses from Reunion Island, Guadeloupe, Martinique,
Madeira, the Azores and Canary Islands participate in this network.
More recently, a study carried out by the Committee of Regions on ‘Entrepreneurship on
islands and other peripheral regions’ (April 2017) highlighted the opportunities linked mostly
to the territorial specificities and to the endogenous potential. Out of the six cases studies, two
focused on outermost regions: Canary Islands and Reunion Island, with identification of best
practices. The study highlighted the efforts made by the regions’ interested
parties to exploit
92
Financing was possibly also made available to SMEs located in the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin, specific
data on the number of SMEs and volume of financing is however not available as included in the aggregated data for
‘Collectivités d’outre-mer’.
30
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the full potential, diversify the economy and focus on knowledge-intensive, technology-based
activities and emerging sectors such as carbon economy
93
.
In the field of social entrepreneurship, the 2012 Communication referred to exploring the
options presented by the Social Business Initiative, in order to create a favourable
environment for companies whose first ambition is to tackle social needs. In that respect,
dedicated investment priorities were proposed in the ERDF and ESF regulations for 2014 -
2020. As an example, the Madeira 2014 - 2020 operational programme includes measures to
promote social innovation, crowdfunding and upgrading the business environment. Though
this measure is not directly linked to social enterprises, social innovation is usually closely
linked to social enterprises, as the latter constitutes one of the main instruments towards social
innovation.
Research and innovation
The
smart specialisation strategies
developed at regional level provide a framework for
identifying priority areas and activities in order to enhance the outermost regions’ innovation
and competitiveness potential. Seven out of the nine outermost regions joined the Smart
Specialisation Platform initiated by the Commission to support regions in designing and
implementing their strategy and facilitate exchange of experiences. An analysis of the state of
play of these strategies in 2017
94
underlined the opportunity they offer to those regions to
promote their assets and capacities, in Europe and internationally. It also highlights the
necessity that strategies continuously adapt to emerging markets and technological progress
and the challenge in closely involving enterprises in this process.
The EU supports the research and innovation capacities of the outermost region; for example,
through the funding of research infrastructures, science parks, training initiatives and
networking actions. This is done in particular through the
ERDF
programmes that allocated
EUR 389 million in 2014 - 2020 to strengthening research, technological development and
innovation. This amount, which represents around 8 % of the total budget is an increase
compared to the 2007 - 2013 period, where the estimated expenditure was around EUR 262
million. The NONAGON
95
, a science and technology park in the Azores, the multipurpose
technical-scientific service infrastructure PLOCAN
96
in Canary Islands, the satellite
monitoring centre in Madeira, the scientific centre ‘Canopée des sciences’
97
in French Guiana,
and the reconstruction of the Volcanological and Sismological Observatory of Martinique
98
,
are examples of scientific and technological infrastructures developed with the support of the
EU.
Research and innovation is also a relevant component of the 2014 - 2020
ETC programmes
of Madeira-Açores-Canarias (MAC) and Indian Ocean, with 25 % and 42 % of their budget
93
94
95
96
97
98
Entrepreneurship on islands and other peripheral regions, pages 48 and 65.
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/fr/information/publications/studies/2017/analyse-de-la-mise-en-oeuvre-des-
strategies-de-specialisation-intelligente-dans-les-regions-ultraperipheriques
https://nonagon.pt/
http://www.plocan.eu/index.php/es/
http://www.ccsti973.fr/
http://www.ipgp.fr/en/ovsm/volcanological-and-seismological-observatory-of-martinique
31
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respectively, planned for this objective. This is also a strong priority for the Atlantic Area
programme
99
, where about 33 % of the funding is concentrated on supporting cooperation
between research organisations, industries, social and public organisations.
The 2012 Communication stated that the participation of the outermost regions in Research
and Innovation networks is
important in ensuring ‘smart’ growth.
Horizon 2020, the EU
Research and Innovation programme in 2014 - 2020, offers through calls for proposals the
possibility for outermost regions to nurture their scientific excellence and innovation,
including in agriculture and biodiversity which are of particular interest to those regions.
The participation of these regions in the
European research programmes
is difficult to track
with complete accuracy, given that the Commission research database
100
only provides the
name and location of the contracting entity and thus, identifying regional partners in projects
proposed by national research institutions, which is often the case in France, is not
straightforward. Since 2007, a rough estimate counts around 200 projects developed with the
participation of outermost regions’ institutions since 2007, half of them already in Horizon
2020. However, in both framework programmes the majority of the funded projects are from
the Canary Islands.
Some interesting projects supported in the field of
biodiversity
are the following:
- The NetBiome
—
CSA
101
(2013-2016), with the objective to strengthen the cooperation
for smart and sustainable management of tropical and subtropical biodiversity in the
outermost regions and OCTs. The outcome of the NETBIOME led to the adoption of the
pilot project on
‘Mapping and Assessing ecosystems and their ecosystem services (MAES)
in the EU’s Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories’
by the European
Parliament in 2016.
-
The BiodivERsA3
102
, a network of 32 EU funding agencies, including a few from the
outermost regions
103
, aiming at coordinating national research programmes on
biodiversity. It's task is to reinforce the outermost regions and OCTs’ research
capacities
on biodiversity and ecosystems. Since 2010, the network has published six joint calls
104
for a total of EUR 95 million on various subjects related with biodiversity and ecosystems
services.
Being most of them islands territories; the
blue economy
is an important area for research
activities in the outermost regions. For instance, under the first Horizon 2020 Blue Growth
call for proposals, launched in 2014, the following projects were supported with the
participation of research institutions from the outermost regions:
99
100
101
102
103
104
This programme covers in its geographical eligibility the Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira.
http://cordis.europa.eu/home_en.html
The NetBiome
—
CSA followed up the ERA-net NETBIOME supported under FP6 -
http://www.netbiome.org/
http://www.biodiversa.org/
Azores, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Reunion Island and the Canary.
For the last two joint calls the network has been supported by Horizon 2020, through ERA-Net COFUNDS leveraging,
EU H2020 and national funding provided by national funding agencies.
32
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-
TASCMAR
105
(Reunion Island), to develop the bio discovery and industrial exploitation
of novel marine and derived biomolecules (pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and
cosmetics).
AtlantOS
106
(Azores and Canary Islands), a flagship project aiming at establishing an
integrated Atlantic ocean observing system, with 62 joining partners from 18 countries, in
a transatlantic cooperation including the USA, Canada, Brazil and South Africa.
The MERCES
107
project (Azores) aiming to improve our understanding of the changing
interaction between humans, the environment and marine species.
The VUELCO
108
project (El Hiero, in the Canary Islands) provided considerable insight
into processes that take place before and during volcanic unrest.
-
-
Other examples of projects with strong outermost regions participation are the following:
-
- The MATRIX
109
project developed methods and tools that account for interdependencies
between the different hazards in order to generate more accurate and comprehensive risk
assessments, leading to better mitigation and response plans.
-
The URBAN WASTE
110
project (the Canary Islands, Azores), aims to develop eco-
innovative and gender-sensitive waste prevention and management strategies, in cities
with high levels of tourism, in order to reduce the urban waste production and improve
municipal waste management.
As part of the Biotechnology programme, the AGROCOS project (2010
–
2014)
111
aims to
discover and carry to the stage of development candidates, from small molecules with
good potential as new cosmetic and agrochemical agents, deriving from plants originating
from major biodiversity hotspots in Europe, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific
regions.
-
Furthermore, under the
Framework Programme 7 (FP7),
theme ‘Capacities’, two
programmes were implemented:
1) the
‘Regions of Knowledge’
112
,
aiming to stimulate cooperation between
innovation clusters;
2) the
REGPOT
113
, aiming to strengthen capacities of convergence and the outermost
regions.
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
The project continues the work initiated in the AGROCOS project -
http://www.tascmar.eu/
https://www.atlantos-h2020.eu/
MERCES Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Changing European Seas -
http://www.merces-project.eu
VUELCO
—
Volcanic Unrest in Europe and Latin America, including Phenomenology, eruption precursors, hazard
forecast, and risk mitigation. It was financed under the previous EU Research and Innovation Framework Programmes -
http://www.vuelco.net/
New multi-hazard and multi-risk assessment methods for Europe. The methodologies and approaches were tested in
Germany, Italy and the French West Indies; each test case covering different natural hazards and potential variations of
events -
http://matrix.gpi.kit.edu/
http://www.urban-waste.eu/project-consortium/
Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana were involved in the project -
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/94701_en.html
https://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/index_en.cfm?pg=know
https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/fp7/calls/fp7-regpot-2012-2013-1.html
33
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These programmes were of particular interest for the outermost regions. However, some
might have found difficulties in complying with the requirements to access the first
programme
114
, although two of the projects coordinated by an outermost region were funded
and successfully implemented (INRES
115
and INTRAREGIO
116
). On REGPOT, although a
final evaluation concluded on the overall success of the programme
117
, it also suggested that
these regions would need a similar programme support, for at least one more period, to give
sustainability to the obtained achievements.
In 2012, the Commission launched a first pilot call on
ERA Chairs Scheme
118
open to
research organisations located in less-developed EU regions or similar areas in countries
associated to FP7. Institutions of two outermost regions (Madeira and the Canary Islands),
were among the 11 selected out of 111 proposals. However, for the 2014 - 2020 programming
period, ERA Chairs eligibility rules are based on the excellence composite indicators
calculated at national level. According to this indicator, eligibility is restricted to the Member
States that joined the EU after 2004 plus Portugal and Luxembourg
119
. As a consequence,
Spain and France are not eligible to participate in this programme as coordinators.
European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the EFSI
Under the EFSI, one of the three pillars of the Investment Plan for Europe, four projects
benefiting the outermost regions have been signed: the bus transit system in Las Palmas
120
,
the economic development risk-sharing instrument for overseas territories with the French
Agency for Development (AFD)
121
,
La Financière Région Réunion
122
, under the French
regions’ SME programme and the improving and development of digital connectivity in
Reunion Island and Mayotte.
The
Las Palmas bus transit system
(EIB finance of approximately EUR 50 million,
to a total cost of approximately EUR 127 million) is expected to increase the capacity
and improve the quality of service of the bus network. The project contributes to
sustainable transport and climate change
mitigation, in line with the EU’s objectives
on climate action.
The
economic development risk sharing instrument
for overseas territories consists
of an unfunded risk-sharing framework guarantee scheme for the
Agence Française de
Développement
’s financing
of investments in the French overseas departments.
114
The research-driven clusters must have been composed of at least three types of legal entities (legal entities conducting
research, business entities and local/regional authorities) with the consortia of partners representing at least EU Member
States and/or Associated Countries.
115
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/90156_en.html
116
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/101608_en.html
117
https://ec.europa.eu/research/regions/pdf/publications/regpot-final_evaluation_report.pd
118
The ERA Chairs Scheme aims at enabling institutions to attract top academics so that they can compete with centers of
excellence elsewhere in the European Research Area (ERA) -
http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/era-chairs_en.html
119
It includes as well eight of the non-EU countries associated to Horizon 2020.
120
http://www.eib.org/projects/pipelines/pipeline/20160323
121
http://www.eib.org/projects/pipelines/pipeline/20150363
122
http://www.eib.org/projects/pipelines/pipeline/20170340?f=search&media=search
34
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The Reunion Island project for
SMEs
is expected to provide EUR 50 million of
lending and investment to SMEs through a combination of EFSI and ESI Funds
resources and, thereby, support the growth ambitions of entrepreneurs and small
businesses.
In addition, the
digital connectivity
project recently signed under EFSI in 2017
(EUR 25 million of EIB financing), aims to modernise and develop the mobile
network in Reunion Island and Mayotte, enabling the islands to move to superfast
mobile broadband.
Apart from EFSI-supported
EIB interventions, the EIB has also provided ‘standard’ loans on
its own risk in the outermost regions such as the Electricity project in Madeira and the Azores
and the Madeira post-floods framework loan.
International trade agreements
The Commission continues to take into account the outermost regions’ interests in trade
agreements that have been negotiated and agreed with non-EU countries and groups of
countries. Specific provisions relevant to the outermost regions have been included in trade
agreements concluded with trade partners producing agricultural products that could directly
compete with the outermost regions production. In trade negotiations (e.g. with Latin America
and with Vietnam) special protection has been given to sensitive agricultural products of the
outermost regions and safeguard clauses have been included.
On bananas, a special safeguard is provided under the free-trade agreements with some Latin
American countries: a banana stabilisation mechanism (established until December 2019) can
be activated in case of market disturbance. According to this mechanism, the Commission
continuously monitors the EU banana market and carries out market analysis at regular
intervals. If a serious disturbance of the EU banana market is found, an extension of the
period of validity of the mechanism may be sought, subject to the agreement of the parties.
On sugar, a special protection was granted in negotiations with different countries, including
with Vietnam and Ukraine through the application of limited duty-free quotas.
Moreover, the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) negotiations resulted in protection of
the
octroi de mer
; protection of
sugar
and
bananas
from the outermost regions, and specific
safeguard clauses, which the EU can activate to protect the outermost regions when a product
imported from an African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) EPA country causes, or threatens to cause,
serious damage or disruption. So far, the safeguard clauses were not activated (see Section
4.3).
Impact Assessments and Evaluation
The likely impacts on the outermost regions are assessed, when relevant, in the Sustainability
Impact Assessments. However, estimating properly the possible impacts requires detailed and
35
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1807684_0036.png
timely data. Lack of information resulted in the past in re-opening trade negotiations, so as to
include special protections for specific products from the outermost regions.
Interested parties have at their disposal a range of tools that they can use to express their
opinion since an early stage: they can participate in public consultations feeding into impact
assessments and in
ex-post
evaluations and in the consultations carried out in the framework
of the sustainability impact assessments during negotiations.
Another tool that the Commission applied in 2016 and 2017 in the cohesion policy sector was
the methodology of the
ESPON TIA Tool
123
. The objective was to
identify
ex-ante
potential
territorial impacts
of new EU legislations. This approach includes a workshop setting, where
the experts can discuss on a set of indicators to establish potential territorial impact
(economic, societal, environmental, governance) of an EU initiative. The results are fed into
the ESPON TIA Quick Check web tool which combines the expert judgments with the
sensitivity of regions into maps showing the potential territorial impact of EU policy on
NUTS3 level.
These maps serve as a starting point for further discussing the different impacts of a concrete
EU policy on different regions. So, the experts participating in the workshop provide an
important input for this quick check on potential territorial effects of an EU initiative. Thus,
the participation of outermost regions’ experts and providing relevant data are of particular
importance to identify the potential impact of EU policies on outermost regions.
4.3. Strengthening the regional integration
Over the years, the Commission has been promoting a greater integration of the outermost
regions in their regional neighbourhood and supported political dialogue and exchanges
between the outermost regions and the neighbouring countries, including ACP countries and
OCTs. The European Territorial Cooperation programmes (INTERREG) involving the
outermost regions and their neighbours, the regional indicative programmes concerning the
neighbouring ACP and OCTs countries funded by the European Development Fund (EDF)
and the relevant EPA have been important instruments to support this process.
In the 2012 Communication, the Commission argued for the establishment of regional
neighbourhood plans, ‘consistent with EU external policy objectives’. For this purpose, the
Commission started a process with representatives from the nine regions, the three Member
States and the Commission, gathered
in the outermost regions’ working groups to establish, at
technical level, a common framework for these regional neighbourhood plans. This resulted in
drawing a comprehensive set of measures and actions that could be taken at various levels for
a better and deeper integration of the outermost regions in their respective neighbourhood.
Moreover, in agreement with the outermost regions, it was decided that these plans would be
established per geographical basin, and each region would select the actions to carry out in
123
https://www.espon.eu/main/Menu_ToolsandMaps/TIA
36
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1807684_0037.png
priority, adapting them on the basis of its specific situation and location. So far, the regional
plans have not been established, however, the preparation of a common framework, intended
to serve as a tool to support the regions in establishing their regional plans. It triggered an
important dynamic on the strategic discussion of the outermost regions development within
their respective basins.
The 2012 Communication also mentioned territorial cooperation as one of the aspects that had
to
be reinforced, ‘in order to improve competitiveness, trade and knowledge links with the
neighbours’.
In the
2007 - 2013
programming period, the
European territorial cooperation programmes
invested, with an EU contribution of approximately EUR 147 million, in four different
cooperation areas: MAC
124
, Indian Ocean, Caribbean and Amazonia. For the 2014 - 2020
programming period, the EU support is of EUR 295 million and two new programmes were
added (Mayotte - Comores and Saint Martin/Sint Maarten) to a total of six programmes
concerning the outermost regions. On the Atlantic area, the scope of the Atlantic programme
was broadened so as to cover the outermost regions of the Azores, Madeira and the Canary
Islands.
Figure 7 gives an overview on the
main priorities
of investment for the outermost regions
territorial cooperation programmes in the 2014 - 2020 programming period.
Figure 7
—
Financial allocations of the European Territorial Cooperation Programmes in the 2014 - 2020
programming period by thematic objective.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
MAC
SMti - SMte
Mayotte
Caribbean
Indian Ocean
Amazonia
Research & Innovation
Low-Carbon Economy
Environment Protection & Resource Efficiency
Social Inclusion
Efficient Public Administration
Competitiveness of SMEs
Climate Change Adaptation & Risk Prevention
Network Infrastructures in Transport and Energy
Educational & Vocational Training
Technical Assistance
Interreg Cross-Border: Madeira-Açores-Canarias (MAC); Saint Martin-Sint Maarten (St Martin); Mayotte-Comores (Mayotte).
Interreg Transnational: Caribbean; Indian Ocean Area, Amazonia.
124
Interreg V-A - Spain-Portugal (Madeira-Açores-Canarias). It should be noted that Canary Islands also took part in the
cross-border cooperation
programme ‘Spain —
external borders 2008-2013’
with a EU support of approximately
EUR 15 million.
37
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1807684_0038.png
Amongst the many Interreg projects financed under the 2007 - 2013 programming period,
some examples are listed below:
-
The CONNECTAFRICA
125
project in the Canary Islands under the MAC programme,
aiming to improve the exchange between Tenerife (and in general the Canary Islands)
with West Africa (Senegal, Mauritania and Cabo Verde)
by specific lines’ connections, in
addition to the ones offered already by the transport system.
A cooperation platform called PReRAD (in French ‘
Plateforme Régionale de Recherche
Agronomique pour le Développement’),
a regional platform for agronomical research.
The ICT ‘Spany Est’ project, under the Amazonia programme, which led to set up a cable
connecting French Guiana and Amapa and therefore to reduce communication costs in the
cross-border area.
-
-
It should be noted that the number of joint projects (financed by EDF and ERDF) was overall
limited.
For the
2014 - 2020
programming period, further progress was made to enhance cooperation
on the ground between the outermost regions and their neighbours. At the end of 2014, the
Commission issued a guidance
note to the EU delegations, the outermost regions’ managing
authorities and the relevant stakeholders to facilitate cooperation between them and the
neighbouring ACP and OCTs (EDF beneficiaries). A range of options that the managing
authorities could use, under existing provisions, to improve cooperation with non-EU
countries or territories were put forward.
In the framework of INTERREG programmes, platforms for the dialogue between
EDF and
ERDF
authorities and beneficiaries have been set up in each outermost region basin, based on
the example of the Indian Ocean Region where a regional operational platform for EDF-
ERDF funding coordination already existed. Furthermore, in 2014 - 2020, the programming
periods for the EDF and the ERDF have been aligned; a timing aspect which makes
coordination easier.
The
EDF
provides also support for regional integration and cooperation between the EDF
beneficiaries and their neighbours, including the outermost regions. For instance, under the
10t
h
EDF
126
, a project called
‘Wider Caribbean’, supporting the implementation of the EPA
EU-CARIFORUM
127
, was implemented. The project aimed to develop the CARIFORUM
capacity to deepen and widen cooperation, both among CARIFORUM countries, as well as
with outermost regions present in the Caribbean.
The proximity of the outermost regions with the EPA partners offers them new opportunities
of partnership in their respective regions. The EPA for trade and development are an
125
126
127
http://www.pct-mac.org/registroficha?id=d0589ab6-7ea7-4c80-9467-329284bfe02a
Tenth European Development Fund as set up by the internal agreement between the Representatives of the Governments
of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on the financing of Community aid under the multiannual financial
framework for the period 2008 to 2013 in accordance with the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and on the allocation of
financial assistance for the Overseas Countries and Territories to which Part Four of the EC Treaty applies -
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/internal-agreement-10edf-2006_en.pdf
CARIFORUM countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada,
Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Suriname and Trinidad and
Tobago - http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/regions/caribbean/
38
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important tool to deepen cooperation and exchanges. They aim at promoting trade and
investment between the EU and the ACP countries on a stable and lasting basis. Specific
articles in EPA texts provide for cooperation in different fields between the outermost regions
and their ACP neighbours. In certain regions (CARIFORUM), the outermost regions
participate to the EPA Committees while in others, the EPA have brought them closer to ACP
countries (Reunion Island and Mauritius), becoming facilitating factors of regional
integration. Between June 2012 and June 2017, all EPA have been negotiated and are (or
about to be) in the process of being implemented. However, most of them are recent and
given the duration of the transitional implementation periods, the main results are still to be
seen in the future.
4.4. Fostering employment, education and social Inclusion
As the previous analysis on the socioeconomic trends on the outermost regions demonstrated
(Chapter 3), the unemployment is the main issue in these regions, in particular among young
people (the average rate is double the EU-28 rate).
Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting labour mobility
Sustainable and quality employment
is supported by ESF through the respective regional
programmes in all outermost regions, with a total allocated budget of EUR 669 million
(Figure 8). As an example, Madeira and the Azores invest, among others, in measures aiming
to improve gender equality of job opportunities and promote self-employment. ERDF also
supports investments in employment and labour mobility with a contribution of EUR 23
million in the regional programmes.
39
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Figure 8
—
French, Spanish and Portuguese allocations in 2014 - 2020 (in million EUR) for the Thematic
Objective on promoting sustainable and quality employment and promoting labour mobility
The
YEI
aims to foster youth employment and includes among others training actions to
improve employability; actions to reduce early school leaving; and interventions to promote
cooperation with the metropolitan area.
The ESF also supports measures to encourage
mobility
in different outermost regions,
through regional programmes in 2014 - 2020. For example, in the Azores programme, the
ESF supports internships for young people in different European cities. Similarly, the Agency
for Overseas Mobility
128
supports the mobility of young people with trainings outside the
French outermost regions. The Canary Islands programme supports a transnational mobility
project to favour the labour market integration of the workforce on sectors with high-demand
in jobs. Specific training will be also provided to participants (such as languages, job
counselling and socio-cultural integration).
On the
EURES
initiative, the Commission has taken into account the particular situation of
the outermost regions in a call for proposals, launched in 2014, for targeted mobility schemes
under your First EURES Job. Under this call, the initiative covered the costs of the projects
(for example interview attendance costs, relocation costs, etc.).
To make the movement of people in
non-EU countries
easier, the EU negotiated an EU-Cape
Verde Visa Facilitation Agreement that entered into force on 1 December 2014. It facilitates
EU citizens (including citizens from the Canary Islands, the Azores and Madeira) to travel to
Cape Verde as well as citizens from Cape Verde to travel to the Schengen area.
The outermost regions have set up in 2014 a
network
dedicated to fostering employment in
their regions and exchange good practices. In March 2016, the Commission and the European
Economic and Social Committee organised a seminar on employment to accompany the work
of this network. As from the beginning of 2017, the outermost regions network has been
supported by the INTERREG Europe programme.
Promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any discrimination
128
L’Agence de l’Outre Mer pour la Mobilité.
40
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1807684_0041.png
The 2012 Communication highlighted that
fighting poverty and enhancing social inclusion
is one of the main priorities of the ESF for the outermost regions. For the 2014 - 2020
programming period, the ESF allocated a total of EUR 496 million to this priority (Figure 9).
In addition, ERDF supports investments in this field with a contribution of EUR 317 million
in the regional programmes.
Figure 9- French, Spanish and Portuguese allocations in 2014 - 2020 (in million EUR) for the Thematic
Objective on promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any discrimination
Projects as the one implemented in Guadeloupe, by reinforcing street teams to accompany
marginalised young people or those in great difficulty of labour integration, are among the
examples of social inclusion actions. Another example is the project implemented in Madeira,
where unemployed people with viable business ideas were assisted to create their enterprise,
which in turn could contribute to the creation of employment through the recruitment of
additional employees. Moreover, the ESF supports measures in favour of the
inclusion of
migrants
such as the construction of shelters or the protection of women who are alone or
accompanied by young children, in Mayotte.
In particular, Mayotte and French Guiana have continued to face significant migratory flows.
The outermost regions benefit of the financial support provided by the EU to face migratory
flows and ensure secure conditions for social and economic development. In addition to the
assistance provided by ESI Funds, the
Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund
(AMIF)
supports actions regarding integration of migrants and return of persons in irregular situation.
The
Internal Security Fund
(ISF) helps in strengthening operational capacities to prevent
and fight against organised crime, including drug and arm trafficking. For instance, the ISF
national programme of France for the 2014 - 2020 programming period contains a specific
reference to the French West Indies regarding prevention and fight against organised crime.
The 2012 Communication also underlined the need to improve
healthcare infrastructure
in
the outermost regions: under the ERDF programmes in the 2007 - 2013 programming period,
EUR 152 million were invested in healthcare infrastructures in most regions,. In Madeira, for
example, a healthcare centre was built in Porto da Cruz (Centro de Saude do Porto da Cruz).
In the Azores, EUR 40 million from ERDF was devoted to interventions in 14 health
41
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1807684_0042.png
infrastructures
.
This effort continues under the 2014 - 2020 programming period with the
installation of eHealth equipment in all islands of the Azores, the construction of health
centres for population with specific needs (elderly, disabled) in remote areas of the French
outermost regions and the improvement of health infrastructures - including eHealth and
transport between islands or between the islands and the mainland - in the Canary islands
(with a budget of more than EUR 72 million). For this period, about EUR 161 million from
ERDF are allocated to investments in healthcare infrastructures.
Investing in education, training and vocational training for skills and lifelong learning
Concerning
education and training
in both 2007 - 2013 and 2014 - 2020, the main
objectives of the ESF support in all outermost regions are to reduce early school leaving and
increase participation in higher education, lifelong learning and vocational education and
training. For the 2014 - 2020 period, the ESF allocated a total of EUR 564 million to this
priority (Figure 10). Furthermore, ERDF supports investments in this field with a contribution
of EUR 266 million in the regional programmes.
Figure 10
—
French, Spanish and Portuguese allocations in 2014 - 2020 (in million EUR) for the Thematic
Objective on investing in education, training and vocational training for skills and lifelong learning
Early school
leaving is still a major challenge in many outermost regions, with levels far
above the national and European average. Measures to combat early school leaving are
implemented in all outermost regions with the support of ESF. In French Guiana, which is
particularly affected by this challenge, measures under the ESF include the development of
educational support and literacy modules in college, especially for young non-French-
speakers. Reunion Island devotes 31 % of its ESF allocation to reduce the dropout rate and
improve employability: the aim is to support 7 647 young people by 2023. In the Canary
Islands, EUR 61 million are allocated in 2014 - 2020 to Vocational Education and Training
(VET) programmes, aiming to help students to complete their secondary education training
programmes. The programmes are implemented in sectors with high job creation perspectives,
such as the ICT sector. In the Azores, in both 2007 - 2013 and 2014 - 2020, preventive
measures to reduce early school leaving, to combat absenteeism, diversifying the educational
42
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1807684_0043.png
offer and offering an inclusive access to pre-school, primary and secondary educational levels
are supported.
On
higher education,
in the Azores for example, the programme supports students from a
disadvantaged background to pursue a PhD in research and innovation and schemes to support
the employability of young graduates. The ESF programme for the Canary Islands 2014 -
2020 will support PhD students receiving grants to complete their training programmes and to
follow an International MBA Programme (budget of EUR 11 million). In Madeira in 2007 -
2013, EUR 114.6 million were dedicated to education and training with a particular focus on
certifying competences and knowledge. The number of young people with certification was
1 176 in 2015,
while the number of adults certified through ‘Recognition, Validation and
Certification of Skills’ (RVCC) processes was 2
895, overachieving the expected target. 7 893
students in total are in the process of skill recognition and validation and 5 383
apprenticeships are supported.
The 2012 Communication stated that ‘the
Erasmus+
programme will provide opportunities to
support partnerships between business and education and training institutions (i.e.
universities, vocational training institutions) of the outermost regions and facilitate and
promote the mobility of student and teachers to and from the outermost regions.
The outermost regions' dimension has been taken into account under Erasmus+ in the
following ways. In case of both higher education and vocational training (including adult
education), there are special rules for both learners and staff: if the contribution to the travel
costs covers less than 70 % of the real cost, then applicants can request a higher contribution,
under the exceptional costs budget, covering up to 80 % of the eligible costs. As from the
2017 call, such possibility has been extended, in some cases, to those going to the outermost
regions. Moreover, in the 2017 call, for beneficiaries travelling from and to regions which are
far away (more than 8 000 km), the reimbursement of travel expenses has increased to EUR
1 300 (against EUR 1 100 previously).
According to the latest data available, in 2014-2015 the number of participants (students,
teachers and other higher education staff) under the Erasmus+ programme coming from the
outermost regions was about 1 800 and the participants going to those regions were about
2 200.
In addition, Erasmus+ supports the outermost regions through the international credit mobility
(ICM) scheme. The ICM action is about student and staff international mobility (i.e. between
a programme country and a partner country) between 3 and 12 months to obtain credits in a
host institution, which are then recognised by the home institution. In 2016-2017,
seven
higher education institutions from the outermost regions are involved in ICM, organising
276
mobility's,
with financial support of approximately
EUR 1 million
in total. These institutions
offer their students and staff the opportunity to participate in international learning mobility's,
and also welcome students and staff from partner country higher education institutions
129
.
129
The Erasmus+ programme distinguishes ‘Programme Countries’ and ‘Partner Countries’. Programme Countries are
those participating fully in the Erasmus+ programme. To do so, they have set up a National Agency and contribute
financially to the programme. The 33 Programme Countries are the 28 EU Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein,
43
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The 2012 Communication recommended that the Commission should seek to ensure access
for the outermost regions to the EU’s future cultural policy programmes and initiatives in
order to develop
cultural and creative industries.
However, nothing specific is registered at
this level.
4.5. Mainstreaming climate change and protecting the environment
The outermost regions are among the EU areas facing some of the most significant challenges
related to climate change. In 2014, a
study carried out for the Commission
on the economic
impact of climate change and adaptation in the outermost regions, identified significant risks
for their ecosystems as a result of climate change
130
. This study helped to support the
mainstreaming of climate mitigation and adaptation into the European Structural Investment
Funds dedicated to those territories in the 2014 - 2020 programming period.
Keeping in line with the EU goal for 20 % of the EU budget to be directed to climate change
mitigation and adaptation, around 22 % of the budget was allocated to
climate related
expenditure
in the EARDF and ERDF
131
in the outermost regions for the 2014 - 2020
programming period. One example is the ERDF operational programme of Reunion Island, a
region particularly exposed to climate related risks, where around 23 % of the allocation is
related to this objective. Additionally, the European territorial cooperation programmes are
used in particular to develop long-term strategies covering territories struck by the same
climate related risks. The Caribbean area programme, for example, envisages a
comprehensive approach of cooperation on climate-related risk management.
The rural
development programmes
also support the shift to low carbon and climate
resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors. Some examples of actions aiming
at coping with climate change are the introduction of climate change resilient varieties of
sugarcane, sustainable management of banana plantations to limit soil erosion (Guadeloupe)
or strengthening the environmental functions of forests (Martinique).
The outermost regions are home to a rich and valuable biodiversity, unique in the European
context. The
LIFE programme,
the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and
climate action, has supported 21 projects in the outermost regions since 2012 concerning
biodiversity protection or Natura2000, (6 in France, 10 in Portugal and 5 in Spain) for a total
amount of EUR 26.8 million (EU contribution of EUR 15.1 million). Since the French
outermost regions don´t have protected areas defined in the framework of the Birds and
Habitats directives
132
, these regions cannot apply under the financial envelopes for LIFE
130
131
132
Norway, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. Partner Countries are all other countries in the
world, grouped together in different regions.
Final report ‘The economic impact of climate change and adaptation in the outermost regions’, 2014,
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/activity/outermost/doc/impact_climate_change_en.pdf
The EMFF budget is defined at national level is not possible to have the estimative for climate related expenditure
specifically for the outermost regions.
The wild bird species naturally occurring in these regions, as well as other wild species and habitat types, are not
included in the annexes of the Birds and Habitats directives listing the protected species and habitats.
44
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Nature and Biodiversity priority area
133
, except under the thematic priorities for biodiversity.
The climate action sub-programme, since it started in 2014, has supported one project with an
outermost regions participant (Canary Islands)
134
.
As an example, the project
LIFE + Cap Dom,
was selected as a LIFE Nature and Biodiversity
‘Best Project’ by the Commission, allowing exchange of good practice between French
Guiana, Martinique and Reunion Island on techniques to protect endangered birds or methods
of calculation and follow-up of more common birds, later adopted by other regions and OCTs.
Two other project examples under this theme are the LIFE
Terras do Priolo
135
,
adopting
conservation measures to protect one of Europe’s most endangered birds —
the Azores
bullfinch
—
and the LIFE+ Garajonay Vive, dedicated to the ecological restoration works on
the Garajonay National Park and surrounding area following the forest fire in 2012
136
.
On
biodiversity and ecosystem services,
the outermost regions have benefited since 2012
from six projects out of the 16 BEST projects funded under the two open calls for proposals
(BEST 2011 and BEST 2012) in the frame of the
BEST preparatory action
137
. The French
Development Aid Agency (AFD) funded 2 additional projects in the French outermost
regions from the reserve list proposals
138
of BEST 2012. In the frame of the BEST III
contract
139
, regional ecosystem profiles
140
have been established in a participatory process,
aiming at strengthening the efforts to support the conservation of biodiversity and the
sustainable use of ecosystem services in the outermost regions and OCTs. These profiles
provide valuable information, helping to define and prioritise needs and to ensure the
financing institutions and private benefactors of the relevancy and added value of the projects
they wish to support. Links between the BEST initiative and the structural funds have not yet
been developed.
In addition, the European Parliament adopted two further
Pilot projects,
one on the
‘Inventories of Species and Habitats in French outermost regions’ (EUR
1 million) in 2015,
and another on ‘Mapping and assessing the state of ecosystems and their services in the
outermost regions and OCTs’ in 2016 (EUR
1 million). In the framework of the first project, a
call for ‘
swift small grants
’ in
French outermost regions has been launched in 2017
141
.
The
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
requires that EU Member States take
the necessary measures to achieve or maintain the Good Environmental Status of the EU’s
marine waters by 2020. This Directive applies in the Macaronesian region, namely on the
waters surrounding the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Spain and Portugal have
identified a number of pressures acting on the marine environment and have designed
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
Under the sub-programme for Environment.
The Green Link, aimed at restoring desertified areas with an innovative tree growing method across the Mediterranean
border to increase resilience, with the participation of an institution from the Canary Islands.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=4740
http://lifegarajonayvive.com/english/
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/best/projects/current/index_en.htm
Reserve list proposals are proposals which had passed the evaluation but which could not be funded because all budget
available through the BEST preparatory action had been used.
To implement the third and last year of the BEST preparatory action an open call for tender was published in 2013
aiming to create a critical mass to achieve the transition towards a sustainable scheme. The BEST III contract is the
outcome of this call for tender, which was won by a consortium led by IUCN.
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/best/regions/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/best/funding/index_en.htm
-
http://www.bestrup.org/
45
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programmes of measures to tackle them, thereby allowing for the sustainable use of the
marine environment.
In the programming period 2014 - 2020, EUR 780.8 million are allocated in the
ERDF
regional operational programmes
for the preservation and protection of the environment,
promotion of the resource efficiency objectives and promotion of the climate change
adaptation. Around EUR 125 million of this budget will be dedicated to measures related to
biodiversity. The French outermost regions will concentrate a major part of their funding on
waste management and the water sector, while the other regions will favour actions on
biodiversity and nature (Canary Islands), support to resource efficiency in SMEs (Madeira)
and adaptation to climate change and climate related risks (Azores). An additional EUR 99
million is available in this domain in the ETC programmes
142
.
During the
2007 - 2013
programming period, the
ERDF
supported moreover environment-
related actions with approximately EUR 1 billion. Drinking water management and
distribution and water treatment represented strong priorities in this programming period,
particularly for the French outermost regions. The Matiti’s
water treatment facility,
implemented in French Guiana, is an example of a project in this area. The promotion of
natural assets in the Azores, risk prevention in Madeira and promotion of biodiversity and
Natura2000 in the Canary Islands were also key priorities of investment in this domain.
In the programming period
2014 - 2020,
EUR 603 million of
EAFRD
143
are allocated in the
Rural Development Plans of outermost regions to restoring, preserving and enhancing
ecosystems and promoting resource efficiency related to agriculture, food and forestry sectors.
To achieve these objectives several measures are being implemented, such as training, advice,
physical investments in agriculture and forest sector, agri-environment-climate measures,
organic farming but also investments in basic services and cooperation. In the
2007 - 2013
programming period EUR 319 million of
EAFRD
144
were allocated to improve the
environment and the countryside by measures such as agri-environmental payments,
investments in forestry, forest environment payments and support for non-productive
investments.
Waste management
is a challenging area for the outermost regions. Relevant investments,
benefiting from EU funding, have been made in these regions, such as the Ecodec recycling
centre in Guadeloupe to process tyres and plastics for reuse, or the waste processing centres in
most of the Azorean islands. However, additional efforts and investments are required
145
.
In the fight against
Invasive Alien Species (IAS),
the Regulation
146
takes into account the
specificities of the outermost regions by giving them the possibility to define their own list of
IAS. On the basis of Article 6(2) of this Regulation the list had to be proposed by the Member
State in consultation with the outermost regions.
142
143
144
145
146
This value does not include the budget available under the national Operational Programmes, the Atlantic Ocean
Programme and the technical adjustment [COM(2015) 320 final 22/05/2015].
EAFRD allocated to priorities 4 and 5 in RDP 2014-2020.
EAFRD allocated to axe 2 in RDP 2007 - 2013.
Report of the expert group on green and circular economy in the outermost region:
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/policy/themes/outermost-regions/pdf/green_circ_econ_report_en.pdf
Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the prevention
and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (OJ L 317, 4.11.2014, p. 35).
46
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The outermost regions are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, while their geography
and difficult topography hampers the intervention in the event of a major emergency.
Decision 1313/2013/EU
147
on a
Union Civil Protection Mechanism
148
provides financing
for exercises and specifies, in the scope, the need to take into account the special needs of
isolated, outermost and island regions. In 2017, an EU RICHTER-17 exercise took place,
organised by France and funded by the EU: a violent earthquake and tsunami north of
Guadeloupe was simulated, triggering the response of security teams from neighbouring
countries of the region and the European Civil Protection Mechanism (EERC).
In the
EU Solidarity Fund revision
of 2014
149
, the threshold to benefit from financial
contribution in case of regional natural disaster, in terms of the direct damage occurred, has
been reduced, compared to other regions, from to 1.5 % to 1 % of the regional GDP. Since
2012, the Fund has provided assistance at one occasion: a natural disaster in Madeira (fires in
2016) with EUR 3.9 million.
Moreover, Regulation (EU) No 2017/1199 of the European Parliament and of the Council
150
provides for
specific measures
offering additional assistance to
Member States affected by
natural disaster.
Member States now have the possibility of introducing a separate priority
for reconstruction and recovery projects supported by the ERDF within a programme. Given
the potential magnitude of the impact of such natural disasters, the ERDF can support such
projects with limited national co-financing
151
. As the outermost regions are particularly
exposed to the risk of natural disasters and climate change, this possibility could be of interest
in the future.
147
148
149
150
151
Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on a Union Civil
Protection Mechanism (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 92).
The Union Civil Protection Mechanism was set up to foster cooperation among national civil protection authorities
across Europe and enable coordinated assistance to victims of natural and man-made disasters in EU, participating
countries and elsewhere.
Regulation (EU) No 661/2014 of the European of 15 May 2014, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002
establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 143).
Regulation (EU) 2017/1199 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 amending Regulation (EU)
No 1303/2013 as regards specific measures to provide additional assistance to Member States affected by natural
disasters (OJ L 176, 7.7.2017, p. 1).
The ERDF co-financing rate can go up to a maximum of 95 % and thus, the national co-financing can be at least 5 %.
47
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4.6 Taxation and State aid
Taxation
The outermost regions have been benefiting from specific taxation regimes in favour of the
competitiveness of their economies aiming to offset the permanent handicaps affecting their
economic and social situation.
The fiscal dock dues
(octroi de mer)
scheme in force in the French outermost regions (except
from Saint Martin) provides for reductions or exonerations from the dock dues tax, subject to
authorised limits, for a specific list of locally produced products so as to allow these products
to compete with imported ones, given the additional costs incurred by companies in the
outermost regions. The current dock dues regime is authorised by Council Decision
940/2014/EU
152
until 31 December 2020.
The
AIEM (arbitrio
sobre las importaciones y entregas de mercancías
)
is a similar tax
scheme applied in the Canary Islands. In June 2014 the Council adopted Decision
377/2014/EU
153
authorising the Spanish authorities to apply, subject to the authorised limits,
reductions in or exemptions from the AIEM tax for a specific list of domestic products until
31 December 2020.
In line with the relevant decisions, both regimes will be reviewed in the course of 2017-2018,
following the submission of reports by national authorities indicating the impact of the
schemes and their contribution to the development of local economic activities in the light of
the handicaps affecting the outermost regions. On the basis of these reports, the Commission
will submit a report to the Council and may decide to make proposals for adapting the
provisions of the decisions at issue.
Other
specific taxation regimes
targeting certain local products were revised in the last years,
namely the reduced rate of excise duties for French rum in 2014 and the scheme for locally
produced and consumed rum and liqueurs in Madeira and liqueurs and
eau-de-vie
in the
Azores the same year. In 2017, following a request from the French authorities supported by a
report justifying the adaptation, the Commission proposed to the Council the increase of the
rum quota at a reduced rate of excise duties. France will send a report to the Commission by
the end of 2017, enabling it to assess whether the reasons justifying this derogation still exist
and whether the fiscal advantage is proportionate and sufficient to support a competitive cane-
sugar-rum value chain in the concerned outermost regions.
152
153
Council Decision No 940/2014/EU of 17 December 2014 concerning the dock dues in the French outermost regions (OJ
L 367, 23.12.2014, p. 1).
Council Decision No 377/2014/EU of 12 June 2014 on the AIEM tax applicable in the Canary Islands (OJ L 182,
21.6.2014, p. 4).
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State aid
In 2013, the Commission adopted new
regional aid guidelines
for the programming period
2014 - 2020. Regional aid intensities were lowered in all European regions, except in the most
disadvantaged and outermost regions. In line with the provisions of Article 107(3)(a) TFEU,
the 2014 - 2020 regional aid guidelines designate
all outermost regions as ‘a’-regions
154
.
As a result of their status as ‘a’ areas, outermost regions also benefit from a favourable State
aid treatment in some other State aid areas (e.g. companies in outermost regions qualify for
increased bonuses for innovation aid). As in the past, operating aid can be granted to
companies in the outermost regions under the 2014 - 2020 regional aid guidelines.
To reduce the administrative burden on the national and regional authorities responsible for
the outermost regions, the Commission introduced regional operating and transport aid
provisions for outermost regions in the 2014
GBER.
As a result, Member States could grant
these types of aid to companies in the outermost regions without a need for
ex-ante
notification to and approval by the Commission. In 2017, the GBER was reviewed, extending
the scope of the regional operating aid provisions of the GBER to cover undertakings of all
sectors, including transport and energy, agriculture and fisheries, as well as businesses in
difficulty. In addition, operating aid ceilings were increased significantly to ensure that all
estimated additional costs of companies in the outermost regions (including additional
transport costs) can be covered.
The recent reform of the EU State aid regime under the
State aid modernisation
process
(including the 2017 revision of the GBER) introduced changes to the specific rules affecting
the outermost regions, The changes were made in full dialogue with the representatives of
these regions and of the Member States concerned, accommodating their main concerns, in
particular by the amendments introduced in the regional operating and investment aid rules.
In addition to the extensive possibilities for aid for which no notification is required, the
Commission has already approved several schemes providing further investment and
operating aid to companies in the outermost regions. For example, in March 2017, the
Commission approved support in the form of reductions of the dock dues tax, as compatible
state aid on the basis of regional aid guidelines, considering that it promotes the development
of Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte and Reunion Island without distorting
competition in the single market to an extent contrary to the common interest.
154
Areas fulfilling the conditions set out under Article 107(3)(a) TFEU. The guidelines stipulate what can be designated as
‘a’ area: NUTS 2 regions with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in purchasing power standards that is equal to
or less than 75 % of the EU-27 average and outermost regions.
49
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5. Conclusion
Since 2012, significant progress has been recorded in several EU policy fields, in order to
promote growth and employment in the outermost regions. Cohesion policy has played an
important role in that respect, by supporting investments for a smart, sustainable and inclusive
growth. In parallel, support to traditional sectors like agriculture and fisheries, essential for
the societies of the outermost regions, has been provided.
Specific measures have been maintained and new ones have been taken across many EU
fields, including State aid, taxation, and other important sectors for the outermost regions'
development. Despite the achievements, the specificities of the outermost regions were not
always systematically taken into account or adequately reflected in the EU initiatives. There is
the need to scale up efforts and better meet these regions' needs on the basis of a stronger
strategic framework and a partnership enlarged to other EU Institutions and relevant actors.
Although innovative practices and solutions are already being developed in many areas,
research and innovation is fundamental for boosting business competiveness, helping the
development of emerging sectors (such as renewable energies and marine bio-technology) and
sustainable use of their unique assets. This requires reinforced efforts on education and
professional training to equip people, in particular youth, with new skills and experience
adapted to their local labour markets.
There is also the need to further improve transport and digital connectivity. Deepening
cooperation with their neighbours and other partners is an important avenue to follow for a
better integration in their geographical context and create new opportunities in the
neighbouring and international markets. Furthermore, improving climate change adaptation
and protecting their rich unique biodiversity remain crucial for livelihoods and economy.
The Commission will pay more attention in the future to the specific constraints of the
outermost regions recalled in Article 349 TFEU and value better the extraordinary assets they
offer to the EU. In particular, their specific interests should be better reflected upstream in the
legislative process in the framework of the Better Regulation Agenda
155
.
The Commission is committed to pursue its efforts and further maximise the potential of the
outermost regions. The support of the partnership will be crucial in that respect.
155
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions 'Better regulation for better results - An EU agenda' -
COM(2015) 215 final, 19.5.2015.
50
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List of acronyms and abbreviations
ACP
—
African, Caribbean and Pacific countries
AFD
—
French Agency for Development
BEST
—
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories of European overseas
CAP
—
Common Agricultural Policy
CEF
—
Connecting Europe Facility
CFP
—
Common Fisheries Policy
COSME
—
Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Programme
EAFRD
—
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
EAGF
—
European Agricultural Guarantee Fund
EDF
—
European Development Fund
ESA-IO RIP
—
Regional Indicative Programmes Eastern Africa and Indian Ocean
EERC
—
European Civil Protection Mechanism
EFF
—
European Fisheries Fund
EFSI
—
European Fund for Strategic Investments
EIB
—
European Investment Bank
EIP
—
European Innovation Partnership
EMFF
—
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
EPA
—
Economic Partnership Agreement
EPAs
—
Economic Partnership Agreements
ERDF
—
European Regional Development Fund)
ESF
—
European Social Fund
ESI Funds
—
European Structural and Investment Funds
ETC
—
European Territorial Cooperation
ETS
—
Emissions trading system
EU
—
European Union
EURES
—
The European job mobility portal
GBER
—
General Block Exemption Regulation
GDP
—
Gross Domestic Product
ICT
—
Information and Communication Technologies
INTERREG
—
European territorial cooperation programmes
LNG
—
Liquefied natural gas
MSP
—
Maritime Spatial Planning
NEET
—
Young people no in employment not in training
OCTs
—
Overseas countries and territories
POSEI
—
Programme of options specific to the remote and insular nature of the outermost regions
RDP
—
Rural Development Programme
RDP
—
Rural Development Programmes
SME
–Small
and Medium Entreprise
TEN-T
—
Trans-European Networks
TFUE
—
Treaty on the functioning of the EU
TIA
—
Territorial Impact Assessments
YEI
—
Youth Employment Initiative
51
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Annex I
—
Geographical location of the outermost regions: lands of Europe in the World
.
52
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Annex II
—
European Union funding in the outermost regions
European funding for the 2014 -
2020 period (million €)
ERDF
1
Region / Operational programme
Canary Islands
Guadeloupe and St Martin (State)
6
Guadeloupe
Martinique
Martinique (State)
French Guiana
French Guiana (State)
Reunion Island
Reunion Island (State)
Mayotte
Azores
Madeira
Grand Total
146.0
767.5
216.2
3 677.0
2.8
57.5
58.2
1 043.1
940.2
190.3
516.8
65.5
314.7
129
1 771.9
9.2
10.6
56.9
11.8
260.0
123.7
14.5
192.5
179.4
1 493.9
30.7
60.0
295.3
286.0
52.1
513.6
31.4
424.1
352.0
Specific
allocation
484.1
7.2
97 .8
93.1
162.4
165.2
174.0
84.5
70.8
124.7
54.4
83.9
57.8
385.5
12
44.8
86.5
112.0
22.0
19.4
130.2
117.2
ESF
2
YEI
3, 4
Classic
measures
5
EMFF
Compensation
Plan
60.9
EAFRD
22.0
157.5
Sources:
Open Data Platform, for ERDF, ESF and EAFRD.
1
Regional Operational Programme. The funding contribution from the national programmes, namely for the Canary Islands, is not included.
2
The figures do not include the ESF amounts used for matching the YEI special allocation. These amounts are included in the column YEI.
3
The figures show the budget earmarked to the respective regions from the national YEI programme. For Guadeloupe and Martinique, they also include the YEI allocations in their regional programmes. All amounts
include the ESF matching.
4
The YEI budget is expected to be further increased for all eligible regions, following the mid-term revision of the MFF in June 2017.
5
The allocations for the classic measures are based on informal communication by the Member States. The values presented are indicative and non-binding. Spain and France set-up national measures, covering also
the outermost regions, which are not included in this Annex.
6
The ERDF allocation under this Operational Programme is devoted only to St Martin.
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European Territorial Cooperation (INTERREG) funding for the 2014 - 2020 period
illio €
Cross border Cooperation Programmes
Mayotte
—
Comores
—
Madagascar
Saint Martin
—
Sint Maarten
MAC
EUR
12.0
10.0
126.5
Transnational
Amazonia
Indian Ocean Area
Caribbean Area
Source:
Open Data Platform, except MAC programme.
18.9
63.2
64.3
POSEI
The POSEI Scheme is financed by the EAGF. The financial
annual
ceiling for each Member State is
laid down in Regulation (EU) No 228/2013. For all outermost regions, the total allocation amounts to
EUR 653 million (EUR 4 571 million for 2014 - 2020).
A
ual allocatio s for POSEI progra
es
illio €
268.42
278.41
106.21
653.04
Spain
France
Portugal
Total
54