Subject: The ERDF and small Portuguese municipalities under the Portugal 2030 partnership agreement
The Portugal 2030 partnership agreement, signed by the European Commission and the Portuguese Government, earmarks a maximum of 25% of its budget for urban renewal (upgrading of public facilities and making public space more accessible, safe and inclusive) by small Portuguese municipalities (known as ‘complementary centres’ in the country’s regional land management programmes) under specific objective 5.1 of the forthcoming CIM/AM investment plan for local authorities.
Can the Commission therefore say:
1. Whether this maximum limit of 25% is a result of an obligation arising from European regulations or has been imposed by the Commission?
2. Given that the imposition of this limit may contribute to further exacerbating the disparities and depopulation of small Portuguese municipalities (which make up the vast majority of Portugal's territory, particularly in the NUTS2 regions of the North and Centre), is the Commission prepared to abolish this 25% ceiling?
Submitted: 28.11.2022
Answer given by Ms Ferreira on behalf of the European Commission
(13 February 2023)
1. It is not clear what percentage threshold the Honourable Members are referring to. There is no regulatory obligation to earmark a specific amount for urban renewal budget for small municipalities.
Portugal and the Commission agreed in the Partnership Agreement that part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will support municipalities, large and small on the basis of the strategies of the Inter-municipal Communities (CIM) and Metropolitan Areas.
The ERDF allocation under specific objective 5.1 (1) focuses mainly on service provision (e.g. education) and is available to all municipalities in the CIM. Under objective 5.1 there is also dedicated support for urban renewal in metropolitan areas and complementary urban centres. Moreover, other funds can support investment in small municipalities, linked to the specific objectives defined in each Regional Programme (e.g. support to competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises).
2. The Cohesion Policy programmes agreed between the Member States and the Commission aim at reducing regional disparities across the EU and in each country by promoting innovation, a balanced development and business competitiveness, and investing in workers’ skills, availability and quality of public services and infrastructure. The Commission continuously monitors programme implementation to ensure this aim is pursued. Adjustments can be made where necessary in light of such assessments of the initial objectives and results achieved.
1 ∙ ⸱ Sustainable Urban Development | | ( | | )