Enhancing regional access to and performance in EU initiatives and funds

Enhancing regional access to and performance in EU initiatives and funds

The European Commission is empowering the four regions of Silesia (Poland), Thuringia (Germany), Brussels capital and Wallonia (Belgium) to boost their economic resilience and innovation and drive institutional modernization. Therefore, the project aims to enhance the ability of the regions to access EU funds through strategic guidance and capacity-building activities. 

Context 

EU regions face challenges in accessing the opportunities provided by the EU’s funds and initiatives, which are vital for digital, green, and competitive transitions. The project aligns with EU priorities like the Recovery and Resilience Facility by addressing bottlenecks, identifying capacity issues, and fostering cross-border collaboration, aiming to improve the regional uptake of EU funds. It seeks to support the four regions in navigating fund complexities. Regarding Thuringia, the region faces challenges in mobilising different EU funds with very low funding rates (i.e. only 0.34% of the LIFE funding received for Germany), hindering the region’s economic transition. 

Support delivered  

The project focuses on capacity-building, awareness raising and strategic planning to enhance EU fund access for the beneficiary regions. Guided by the EU Competitiveness Compass, the Commission is shaping a more effective EU budget that focuses on competitiveness, defence, and reducing regulatory burdens. Through the different deliverables, this project will contribute to the urgent need under the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) to simplify access to EU funds while introducing new revenue sources to support EU strategic goals. The key activities include, analytical assessments, recommendation reports, and tailored capacity-building workshops conducted with regional stakeholders. 

Expected results 

This project will not only improve the capacity of the four participating regions for absorbing EU funds but will also create a blueprint for others to follow. By fostering cross-border networking and sharing best practices, regions across the EU can tackle common obstacles and drive meaningful change leading to higher fund utilization rates, enhanced regional growth and more effective contribution to EU policy priorities. For Thuringia, the project is expected to support its economic sustainable transition by increasing its use of EU funding resources, in turn facilitating the implementation of sector-specific strategies, e.g. its internationalisation strategies or Strategy for a Digital Society.