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20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/289
REGULATION (EU) No 1301/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 17 December 2013
on the European Regional Development Fund and on specific provisions concerning the Investment
for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
common to the ERDF, the European Social Fund (ESF),
EUROPEAN UNION,
the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for
Rural Development and the European Maritime and
Fisheries Fund.
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union, and in particular Articles 178 and 349 thereof,
(3) Specific
provisions
concerning
the
type
of
activities
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
which can be supported by the ERDF, in order to
contribute to the investment priorities within the
thematic objectives set out in Regulation (EU) No
1303/2013, should be laid down. At the same time,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national
activities outside the scope of the ERDF should be
parliaments,
defined and clarified, including investment to achieve
the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from activities
listed in Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC of the
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
European Parliament and of the Council ( 4 ). In order to
Social Committee ( 1 ),
avoid excessive financing, such investment should not be
eligible for support from the ERDF as it already benefits
financially from the application of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the
That exclusion should not restrict the possibility of using
Regions ( 2 ),
the ERDF to support activities that are not listed in
Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC even if those activities
are implemented by the same economic operators, and
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure,
include activities such as energy efficiency investments in
district heating networks, smart energy distribution,
storage and transmission systems and measures aimed
Whereas:
at reducing air pollution, even if one of the indirect
effects of such activities is the reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions, or if they are listed in the national plan
referred to in Directive 2003/87/EC.
(1)
Article 176 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union (TFEU) provides that the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is intended to help
to redress the main regional imbalances in the Union.
(4) It
is
necessary
to
specify
what
additional
activities
can
be
Under that Article and the second and third paragraphs
supported by the ERDF under the European territorial
of Article 174 TFEU, the ERDF is to contribute to
cooperation goal.
reducing disparities between the levels of development
of the various regions and to reducing the backwardness
of the least favoured regions, among which particular
attention is to be paid to regions which suffer from
(5) The
ERDF
should
contribute
to
the
Union
strategy
for
severe and permanent natural or demographic
smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, thus ensuring
handicaps such as the northernmost regions with very
greater concentration of ERDF support on the priorities
low population density and island, cross-border and
of the Union. Depending on which category of regions is
mountain regions.
supported, the support from the ERDF under the
Investment for growth and jobs goal should be concen
trated on research and innovation, information and
(2) Regulation
(EU)
No
1303/2013
of
the
European
communication technologies (ICT), small and medium-
Parliament and of the Council ( 3 ) sets out the provisions
sized enterprises (SMEs) and promoting a low-carbon
economy. That thematic concentration should be
( 1 ) OJ C 191, 29.6.2012, p. 44.
attained at national level while allowing for flexibility
( 2 ) OJ C 225, 27.7.2012, p. 114.
at the level of operational programmes and between
( 3 ) Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of
different categories of regions. The thematic concen
the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions
tration should be adjusted, where appropriate, to take
on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social
Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and
( 4 ) Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the
laying down general provisions on the European Regional Devel
Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse
opment Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and
gas emission allowance trading within the Community and
the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Regulation
amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003,
(EC) No 1083/2006 (See page 320 of this Official Journal).
p. 32).

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Official Journal of the European Union
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into account Cohesion Fund resources allocated to
(10) It is important to ensure that, in promoting risk
supporting the investment priorities relating to the shift
management investments, specific risks at regional,
towards a low-carbon economy and referred to in Regu
cross-border and transnational level are taken into
lation (EU) No 1300/2013 of the European Parliament
account.
and of the Council ( 1 ). The degree of thematic concen
tration should take into account the level of development
of the region, the contribution of Cohesion Fund
resources where applicable, as well as the specific needs
of regions whose GDP per capita used as an eligibility
(11) In order to maximise their contribution to the objective
criterion for the 2007-2013 programming period was
of supporting employment-friendly growth, activities
less than 75 % of the average GDP of the EU-25 for
supporting sustainable tourism, culture and natural
the reference period, regions designated with phasing-
heritage should be part of a territorial strategy for
out status in the 2007-2013 programming period and
specific areas, including the conversion of declining
certain NUTS level 2 regions consisting solely of island
industrial regions. Support for such activities should
Member States or of islands.
also contribute to strengthening innovation and the use

of ICT, SMEs, environment and resource efficiency or the
promotion of social inclusion.
(6) It
should
be
possible
for
support
from
the
ERDF
under
the investment priority 'community-led local devel
(12) In order to promote sustainable regional or local
opment' to contribute to all of the thematic objectives
mobility or to reduce air and noise pollution, it is
referred to in this Regulation.
necessary to promote healthy, sustainable and safe
modes of transport. Investments in airport infrastructure
supported by the ERDF should promote environmentally
sustainable air transport when, inter alia, enhancing
regional mobility by connecting secondary and tertiary
(7) In
order
to
address
the
specific
needs
of
the
ERDF,
and
in
nodes to trans-European transport network (TEN-T)
line with the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and
infrastructure, including through multimodal nodes.
inclusive growth, it is necessary to set out within each
thematic objective laid down in Regulation (EU) No
1303/2013, the ERDF-specific actions as 'investment
priorities'. Those investment priorities should set out
detailed objectives, which are not mutually exclusive, to
(13) In
order
to
promote
the
achievement
of
the
energy
and
which the ERDF is to contribute. Such investment
climate targets set by the Union as part of the Union
priorities should form the basis for the definition of
strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the
specific objectives within programmes that take into
ERDF should support investment to promote energy effi
account the needs and characteristics of the programme
ciency and security of supply in Member States through,
area.
inter alia, the development of smart energy distribution,
storage and transmission systems, including through the
integration of distributed generation from renewable
sources. In order to meet their security of supply
requirements in a manner that is consistent with their
(8) It
is
necessary
to
promote
innovation
and
the
devel
targets under the Union strategy for smart, sustainable
opment of SMEs, in emerging fields linked to European
and inclusive growth, Member States should be able to
and regional challenges such as creative and cultural
invest in energy infrastructure that is consistent with
industries and innovative services, reflecting new
their chosen energy mix.
societal demands, or to products and services linked to
an ageing population, care and health, eco-innovation,
the low-carbon economy and resource efficiency.
(14) SMEs,
which
can
include
social
economy
enterprises,
should be understood, in accordance with the definition
laid down in Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, as covering
micro, small and medium-sized enterprises within
(9) In
accordance
with
Regulation
(EU)
No
1303/2013,
in
the meaning of Commission Recommendation
order to optimise the added value from investments
2003/361/EC ( 2 ).
funded wholly or in part through the Union budget in
the field of research and innovation, synergies will be
sought in particular between the operation of the ERDF
and Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation whilst respecting their distinct
(15) In
order
to
promote
social
inclusion
and
combat
poverty,
objectives.
particularly among marginalised communities, it is
necessary to improve access to social, cultural and
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 1300/2013 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 17 December 2013 on the Cohesion Fund and
( 2 ) Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003
repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1084/2006 (See page 281
concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enter
of this Official Journal).
prises (OJ L 124, 20.5.2003, p. 36).

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recreational services, through the provision of small-scale
responsible for implementing sustainable urban devel
infrastructure, taking account of the specific needs of
opment strategies and innovative actions in the area of
persons with disabilities and the elderly.
sustainable urban development and to complement
existing programmes and bodies, it is necessary to
establish an urban development network at Union level.
(16) Community-based
services
should
cover
all
forms
of
in-
home, family-based, residential and other community
services which support the right of all persons to live
(22) The
ERDF
should
address
the
problems
of
accessibility
to,
in the community, with an equality of choices, and
and remoteness from, large markets, faced by areas with
which seek to prevent isolation or segregation from the
an extremely low population density, as referred to in
community.
Protocol No 6 on special provisions for Objective 6 in
the framework of the Structural Funds in Finland and
Sweden to the 1994 Act of Accession. The ERDF
should also address the specific difficulties encountered
(17) In
order
to
increase
flexibility
and
reduce
the
adminis
by certain islands, border regions, mountain regions and
trative burden through joint implementation, the ERDF
sparsely populated areas, the geographical situation of
and the Cohesion Fund investment priorities under the
which slows down their development, with a view to
corresponding thematic objectives should be aligned.
supporting their sustainable development.
(18) A common set of output indicators to assess the
(23) Specific
attention should be paid to the outermost
aggregated progress at Union level of the implementation
regions, namely by adopting measures under Article 349
of programmes should be set out in an Annex to this
TFEU extending, on an exceptional basis, the scope of
Regulation. Those indicators should correspond to the
support from the ERDF to the financing of operating aid
investment priority and type of action supported in
linked to the offsetting of the additional costs resulting
accordance with this Regulation and the relevant
from the specific economic and social situation of those
provisions of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The
regions which is compounded by the handicaps resulting
common output indicators should be complemented by
from the factors referred to in Article 349 TFEU, namely
programme-specific result indicators and, where relevant,
remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography
by programme-specific output indicators.
and climate, economic dependence on a few products,
the permanence and combination of which severely
restrain their development. Operating aid granted by
Member States in that context is exempt from the notifi
cation obligation laid down in Article 108(3) TFEU, if, at
(19) Within
the
framework
of
sustainable
urban
development,
the time it is granted, it fulfils the conditions laid down
it is considered necessary to support integrated actions to
by a Regulation declaring certain categories of aid
tackle the economic, environmental, climate, demo
compatible with the internal market in application of
graphic and social challenges affecting urban areas,
Articles 107 and 108 TFEU, and adopted pursuant to
including functional urban areas, while taking into
Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 ( 1 ).
account the need to promote urban-rural linkages. The
principles for selecting the urban areas where integrated
actions for sustainable urban development are to be
implemented, and the indicative amounts for those
actions, should be set out in the Partnership Agreement
(24) In
line
with
the
conclusions
of
the
European
Council
of
with a minimum of 5 % of the ERDF resources allocated
7-8 February 2013, and taking into account the special
at national level for that purpose. The scope of any
objectives laid down in the TFEU concerning the
delegation of tasks to urban authorities should be
outermost regions referred to in Article 349 TFEU, the
decided upon by the managing authority in consultation
status of Mayotte was changed as a result of European
with the urban authority.
Council Decision 2012/419/EU ( 2 ) to become a new
outermost region from 1 January 2014. In order to
facilitate and to promote focused and rapid infra
structural development of Mayotte, it should be
possible on an exceptional basis that at least 50 % of
(20) In
order
to
identify
or
test
new
solutions
which
address
the ERDF part of Mayotte's envelope be allocated to
issues that are related to sustainable urban development
five of the thematic objectives laid down in Regulation
and are of relevance at Union level, the ERDF should
(EU) No 1303/2013.
support innovative actions in the area of sustainable
urban development.
( 1 ) Council Regulation (EC) No 994/98 of 7 May 1998 on the appli
cation of Articles 92 and 93 of the Treaty establishing the European
Community to certain categories of horizontal State aid (OJ L 142,
14.5.1998, p. 1).
( 2 ) European Council Decision 2012/419/EU of 11 July 2012 amending
(21) In
order
to
reinforce
capacity-building,
networking
and
the status of Mayotte with regard to the European Union (OJ L 204,
exchange of experience between programmes and bodies
31.7.2012, p. 131).

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(25) In
order
to
supplement
this
Regulation
with
certain
non-
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
essential elements, the power to adopt acts in accordance
with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the
Commission in respect of detailed rules for the criteria
for the selection and management of innovative actions.
CHAPTER I
Such power should also be delegated to the Commission
Common provisions
in respect of amendments to Annex I to this Regulation
where justified to ensure the effective assessment of
Article 1
progress in implementation of operational programmes.
Subject matter
It is of particular importance that the Commission carry
out appropriate consultations during its preparatory
This Regulation establishes the tasks of the European Regional
work, including at expert level. The Commission, when
Development Fund (ERDF), the scope of its support with regard
preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should ensure a
to the Investment for growth and jobs goal and the European
simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of
territorial cooperation goal and specific provisions concerning
relevant documents to the European Parliament and to
ERDF support for the Investment for growth and jobs goal.
the Council.
Article 2
Tasks of the ERDF
(26) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely to
The ERDF shall contribute to the financing of support which
reinforce economic, social and territorial cohesion by
aims to reinforce economic, social and territorial cohesion by
redressing the main regional imbalances in the Union,
redressing the main regional imbalances in the Union through
cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States
the sustainable development and structural adjustment of
but can rather, by reason of the extent of the disparities
regional economies, including the conversion of declining
between the levels of development of the various regions
industrial regions and regions whose development is lagging
and the backwardness of the least favoured regions and
behind.
the limit on the financial resources of the Member States
and regions, be better achieved at Union level, the Union
may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of
subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on
Article 3
European Union. In accordance with the principle of
Scope of support from the ERDF
proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation
does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve
1. The
ERDF
shall
support
the
following
activities
in
order
to
that objective.
contribute to the investment priorities set out in Article 5:
(a) productive investment which contributes to creating and
safeguarding sustainable jobs, through direct aid for
(27) This Regulation replaces Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006
investment in SMEs;
of the European Parliament and the Council ( 1 ). In the
interests of clarity, Regulation (EC) No
1080/2006
should therefore be repealed. However, this Regulation
should not affect either the continuation or modification
(b) productive investment, irrespective of the size of the
of assistance approved by the Commission on the basis
enterprise concerned, which contributes to the investment
of Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 or any other legis
priorities set out in points (1) and (4) of Article 5, and,
lation applying to that assistance on 31 December
where that investment involves cooperation between large
2013. That Regulation or such other applicable legis
enterprises and SMEs, in point (2) of Article 5;
lation should consequently continue to apply after
31 December 2013 to that assistance or the operations
concerned until their closure. Applications to receive
(c) investment in infrastructure providing basic services to
assistance made or approved under Regulation (EC)
citizens in the areas of energy, environment, transport and
No 1080/2006 should remain valid.
ICT;
(d) investment in social, health, research, innovation, business
and educational infrastructure;
(28) In
order
to
allow
for
the
prompt
application
of
the
measures provided for in this Regulation, this Regulation
should enter into force on the day following that of its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Union,
(e) investment in the development of endogenous potential
through fixed investment in equipment and small-scale
infrastructure, including small-scale cultural and sustainable
( 1 ) Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and the
tourism infrastructure, services to enterprises, support to
Council of 5 July 2006 on the European Regional Development
Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 (OJ L 210,
research and innovation bodies and investment in tech
31.7.2006, p. 1).
nology and applied research in enterprises;

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(f) networking, cooperation and exchange of experience
(ii) at least 15 % of the total ERDF resources at national
between competent regional, local, urban and other public
level shall be allocated to the thematic objective set
authorities, economic and social partners and relevant
out in point 4 of the first paragraph of Article 9 of
bodies representing civil society, referred to in Article 5(1)
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, studies, preparatory
actions and capacity-building.
(c) in less developed regions:
2. Under
the
European
territorial
cooperation
goal,
the
ERDF
may also support the sharing of facilities and human resources,
and all types of infrastructure across borders in all regions.
(i) at least 50 % of the total ERDF resources at national
level shall be allocated to two or more of the
thematic objectives set in out in points 1, 2, 3 and
3. The
ERDF
shall
not
support:
4 of the first paragraph of Article 9 of Regulation
(EU) No 1303/2013; and
(a) the decommissioning or the construction of nuclear power
stations;
(ii) at least 12 % of the total ERDF resources at national
(b) investment to achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas
level shall be allocated to the thematic objective set
emissions from activities listed in Annex I to Directive
out in point 4 of the first paragraph of Article 9 of
2003/87/EC;
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.
(c) the manufacturing, processing and marketing of tobacco
For the purpose of this Article, regions whose GDP per capita
and tobacco products;
used as an eligibility criterion for the 2007-2013 programming
period was less than 75 % of the average GDP of the EU-25 for
(d) undertakings in difficulty, as defined under Union State aid
the reference period, and regions designated with phasing-out
rules;
status in the 2007-2013 programming period, but which are
eligible under the category of more developed regions as
referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph of Article 90(2)
(e) investment in airport infrastructure unless related to envi
of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 in the 2014-2020
ronmental protection or accompanied by investment
programming period, shall be considered as transition regions.
necessary to mitigate or reduce its negative environmental
impact.
For the purpose of this Article, all NUTS level 2 regions
Article 4
consisting solely of island Member States or of islands which
Thematic concentration
form part of Member States which receive support from the
Cohesion Fund, and all outermost regions, shall be considered
1. The thematic objectives set out in the first paragraph of
as less developed regions.
Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and the
corresponding investment priorities set out in Article 5 of
this Regulation to which the ERDF may contribute under the
2.
By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, the
Investment for growth and jobs goal, shall be concentrated as
minimum ERDF share allocated to a category of region may be
follows:
lower than that set out in that paragraph, provided that such a
decrease is compensated by an increase in the share allocated to
(a) in more developed regions:
other categories of regions. The resulting sum at national level
of the amounts for all categories of region respectively for the
thematic objectives set out in points 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the first
(i) at least 80 % of the total ERDF resources at national
paragraph of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1300/2013 and
level shall be allocated to two or more of the
those set out in point 4 of the first paragraph of Article 9 of
thematic objectives set out in points 1, 2, 3 and 4
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 shall accordingly not be less
of the first paragraph of Article 9 of Regulation
than the sum at national level resulting from applying the
(EU) No 1303/2013; and
minimum ERDF shares set out in paragraph 1 of this Article.
(ii) at least 20 % of the total ERDF resources at national
level shall be allocated to the thematic objective set
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article,
out in point 4 of the first paragraph of Article 9 of
Cohesion Fund resources allocated to supporting the investment
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
priorities set out in point (a) of Article 4 of Regulation
(EU) No 1300/2013 may be counted towards achieving the
minimum shares set out in points (a)(ii), (b)(ii) and (c)(ii) of
(b) in transition regions:
the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article. In such
a case, the share referred to in point (c)(ii) of the first
(i) at least 60 % of the total ERDF resources at national
subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be increased
level shall be allocated to two or more of the
to 15 %. Where applicable, those resources shall be allocated
thematic objectives set out in points 1, 2, 3 and 4
pro rata to the different categories of region based on their
of the first paragraph of Article 9 of Regulation
relative shares of the total population of the Member State
(EU) No 1303/2013; and
concerned.

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Article 5
(b) developing and implementing new business models for
SMEs, in particular with regard to internationalisation;
Investment priorities
The ERDF shall support the following investment priorities
within the thematic objectives set out in the first paragraph
(c) supporting the creation and the extension of advanced
of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, in accordance
capacities for product and service development;
with the development needs and growth potential referred to in
point (a)(i) of Article 15(1) of that Regulation and set out in the
Partnership Agreement:
(d) supporting the capacity of SMEs to grow in regional,
national and international markets, and to engage in
innovation processes;
(1) strengthening research, technological development and
innovation by:
(4) supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all
sectors by:
(a) enhancing research and innovation (R&I) infrastructure
and capacities to develop R&I excellence, and
(a) promoting the production and distribution of energy
promoting centres of competence, in particular those
derived from renewable sources;
of European interest;
(b) promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy use
(b) promoting business investment in R&I, developing
in enterprises;
links and synergies between enterprises, research and
development centres and the higher education sector,
in particular promoting investment in product and
(c) supporting energy efficiency, smart energy
service development, technology transfer, social inno
management and renewable energy use in public infra
vation, eco-innovation, public service applications,
structure, including in public buildings, and in the
demand stimulation, networking, clusters and open
housing sector;
innovation through smart specialisation, and
supporting technological and applied research, pilot
lines, early product validation actions, advanced manu
(d) developing and implementing smart distribution
facturing capabilities and first production, in particular
systems that operate at low and medium voltage levels;
in key enabling technologies and diffusion of general
purpose technologies;
(e) promoting low-carbon strategies for all types of terri
tories, in particular for urban areas, including the
promotion of sustainable multimodal urban mobility
(2) enhancing access to, and use and quality of, ICT by:
and mitigation-relevant adaptation measures;
(a) extending broadband deployment and the roll-out of
(f) promoting research and innovation in, and adoption
high-speed networks and supporting the adoption of
of, low-carbon technologies;
emerging technologies and networks for the digital
economy;
(g) promoting the use of high-efficiency co-generation of
heat and power based on useful heat demand;
(b) developing ICT products and services, e-commerce,
and enhancing demand for ICT;
(5) promoting climate change adaptation, risk prevention and
management by:
(c) strengthening ICT applications for e-government, e-
learning, e-inclusion, e-culture and e-health;
(a) supporting investment for adaptation to climate
change, including ecosystem-based approaches;
(3) enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs by:
(b) promoting investment to address specific risks,
ensuring disaster resilience and developing disaster
management systems;
(a) promoting entrepreneurship, in particular by facili
tating the economic exploitation of new ideas and
fostering the creation of new firms, including
(6) preserving and protecting the environment and promoting
through business incubators;
resource efficiency by:

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(a) investing in the waste sector to meet the requirements
(e) improving energy efficiency and security of supply
of the Union's environmental acquis and to address
through the development of smart energy distribution,
needs, identified by the Member States, for investment
storage and transmission systems and through the
that goes beyond those requirements;
integration of distributed generation from renewable
sources;
(b) investing in the water sector to meet the requirements
of the Union's environmental acquis and to address
(8) promoting sustainable and quality employment and
needs, identified by the Member States, for investment
supporting labour mobility by:
that goes beyond those requirements;
(a) supporting the development of business incubators
and investment support for self-employment, micro-
(c) conserving, protecting, promoting and developing
enterprises and business creation;
natural and cultural heritage;
(b) supporting employment-friendly growth through the
(d) protecting and restoring biodiversity and soil and
development of endogenous potential as part of a
promoting ecosystem services, including through
territorial strategy for specific areas, including the
Natura 2000, and green infrastructure;
conversion of declining industrial regions and
enhancement of accessibility to, and development of,
specific natural and cultural resources;
(e) taking action to improve the urban environment, to
revitalise cities, regenerate and decontaminate
brownfield sites (including conversion areas), reduce
(c) supporting local development initiatives and aid for
air pollution and promote noise-reduction measures;
structures providing neighbourhood services to create
jobs, where such actions are outside the scope of
Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European
Parliament and of the Council ( 1 );
(f) promoting innovative technologies to improve envi
ronmental protection and resource efficiency in the
waste sector, water sector and with regard to soil, or
(d) investing in infrastructure for employment services;
to reduce air pollution;
(9) promoting social inclusion, combating poverty and any
(g) supporting industrial transition towards a resource-
discrimination, by:
efficient economy, promoting green growth, eco-inno
vation and environmental performance management in
the public and private sectors;
(a) investing in health and social infrastructure which
contributes to national, regional and local devel
opment, reducing inequalities in terms of health
(7) promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks
status, promoting social inclusion through improved
in key network infrastructures by:
access to social, cultural and recreational services and
the transition from institutional to community-based
services;
(a) supporting a multimodal Single European Transport
Area by investing in the TEN-T;
(b) providing support for physical, economic and social
regeneration of deprived communities in urban and
rural areas;
(b) enhancing regional mobility by connecting secondary
and tertiary nodes to TEN-T infrastructure, including
multimodal nodes;
(c) providing support for social enterprises;
(c) developing and improving environmentally-friendly
(d) undertaking investment in the context of community-
(including low-noise) and low-carbon transport
led local development strategies;
systems, including inland waterways and maritime
transport, ports, multimodal links and airport infra
structure, in order to promote sustainable regional
(10) investing in education, training and vocational training for
and local mobility;
skills and lifelong learning by developing education and
training infrastructure;
(d) developing and rehabilitating comprehensive, high
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Social Fund and
quality and interoperable railway systems, and
repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 (See page 470 of
promoting noise-reduction measures;
this Official Journal).

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L 347/296
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Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
(11) enhancing institutional capacity of public authorities and
axis in accordance with point (c) of the first subparagraph of
stakeholders and efficient public administration through
Article 96(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303 /2013.
actions to strengthen the institutional capacity and the
efficiency of public administrations and public services
related to the implementation of the ERDF, and in
3. Taking
into
account
its
specific
territorial
situation,
each
support of actions under the ESF to strengthen the insti
Member State shall establish in its Partnership Agreement the
tutional capacity and the efficiency of public adminis
principles for the selection of urban areas where integrated
tration.
actions for sustainable urban development are to be imple
mented and an indicative allocation for those actions at
national level.
Article 6
Indicators for the Investment for growth and jobs goal
4. At
least
5
%
of
the
ERDF
resources
allocated
at
national
level under the Investment for growth and jobs goal shall be
1. Common
output
indicators,
as
set
out
in
Annex
I
to
this allocated to integrated actions for sustainable urban devel
Regulation, programme-specific result indicators and, where
opment where cities, sub-regional or local bodies responsible
relevant, programme-specific output indicators shall be used
for implementing sustainable urban strategies ("urban auth
in accordance with Article 27(4) and point (b)(ii) and (iv)
orities") shall be responsible for tasks relating, at least, to the
and point (c)(ii) and (iv) of Article 96(2) of Regulation
selection of operations in accordance with Article 123(6) of
(EU) No 1303/2013.
Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, or, where appropriate, in
accordance with Article 123(7) of that Regulation. The
indicative amount to be dedicated for the purposes of
paragraph 2 of this Article shall be set out in the operational
2. For
common
and
programme-specific
output
indicators, programme or programmes concerned.
baselines shall be set at zero. Cumulative quantified target
values for those indicators shall be set for 2023.
5. The
managing
authority
shall
determine,
in
consultation
with the urban authority, the scope of tasks, to be undertaken
by urban authorities, concerning the management of integrated
3. For
programme-specific
result
indicators,
which
relate
to actions for sustainable urban development. The managing
investment priorities, baselines shall use the latest available data
authority shall formally record its decision in writing. The
and targets shall be set for 2023. Targets may be expressed in
managing authority may retain the right to undertake a final
quantitative or qualitative terms.
verification of eligibility of operations before approval.
Article 8
4. The
Commission
shall
be
empowered
to
adopt
delegated
acts in accordance with Article 14 to amend the list of common
Innovative actions in the area of sustainable urban
output indicators set out in Annex I, in order to make adjust
development
ments, where justified to ensure effective assessment of progress
1. At the initiative of the Commission, the ERDF may
in the implementation of operational programmes.
support innovative actions in the area of sustainable urban
development in accordance with Article 92(8) of Regulation
(EU) No 1303/2013. Such actions shall include studies and
pilot projects to identify or test new solutions which address
CHAPTER II
issues that are related to sustainable urban development and are
of relevance at Union level. The Commission shall encourage
Specific provisions on the treatment of particular territorial
the involvement of relevant partners referred to in Article 5(1)
features
of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 in the preparation and
Article 7
implementation of innovative actions.
Sustainable urban development
1. The
ERDF
shall
support,
within
operational
programmes, 2. By
way
of
derogation
from
Article
4
of
this
Regulation,
sustainable urban development through strategies that set out
innovative actions may support all activities necessary to
integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental,
achieve the thematic objectives set out in the first paragraph
climate, demographic and social challenges affecting urban
of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 and the
areas, while taking into account the need to promote urban-
corresponding investment priorities set out in Article 5 of
rural linkages.
this Regulation.
3. The
Commission
shall
be
empowered
to
adopt
delegated
2. Sustainable urban development shall be undertaken
acts in accordance with Article 14 laying down detailed rules
through Integrated territorial investment as referred to in
concerning the principles for the selection and management of
Article 36 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, or through a
innovative actions to be supported by the ERDF in accordance
specific operational programme, or through a specific priority
with this Regulation.

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EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/297
Article 9
(c) operations linked to storage constraints, the excessive size
and maintenance of production tools, and the lack of
Urban development network
human capital in the local market.
1. The
Commission
shall
establish,
in
accordance
with
Article 58 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 an urban devel
opment network to promote capacity-building, networking and
2. The
specific
additional
allocation
referred
to
in
paragraph
exchange of experience at Union level between urban auth
1 may also be used to help finance operating aid and expen
orities responsible for implementing sustainable urban devel
diture covering public service obligations and contracts in the
opment strategies in accordance with Article 7(4) and (5) of
outermost regions.
this Regulation and authorities responsible for innovative
actions in the area of sustainable urban development in
accordance with Article 8 of this Regulation.
3. The
amount
to
which
the
rate
of
co-financing
applies
shall
be proportionate to the additional costs, referred to in
paragraph 1, incurred by the beneficiary, only in the case of
operating aid and expenditure covering public service
2. The
activities
of
the
urban
development
network
shall
be obligations and contracts, but may cover the total eligible
complementary to those undertaken under interregional
costs in the case of expenditure for investment.
cooperation pursuant to point (3)(b) of Article 2 of Regulation
(EU) No 1299/2013 of the European Parliament and of the
Council ( 1 ).
4. The
specific
additional
allocation
referred
to
in
paragraph
1 of this Article shall not be used to support:
Article 10
(a) operations involving products listed in Annex I to the TFEU;
Areas with natural or demographic handicaps
In operational programmes co-financed by the ERDF, covering
(b) aid for the transport of persons authorised under point (a)
areas with severe and permanent natural or demographic
of Article 107(2) TFEU;
handicaps as referred to in point 4 of Article 121 of Regulation
(EU) No 1303/2013, particular attention shall be paid to
addressing the specific difficulties of those areas.
(c) tax exemptions and exemption of social charges.
5. By way of derogation from points (a) and (b) of
Article 11
Article 3(1), the ERDF may support productive investment in
Northernmost regions with very low population density
enterprises in the outermost regions, irrespective of the size of
those enterprises.
Article 4 shall not apply to the specific additional allocation for
the northernmost regions with very low population density.
That allocation shall be allocated to the thematic objectives
6. Article
4
shall
not
apply
to
the
ERDF
part
of
the
envelope
set out in points 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 of the first paragraph of
allocated to Mayotte as an outermost region within the meaning
Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013.
of Article 349 TFEU, and at least 50 % of that ERDF part shall
be allocated to the thematic objectives set out in points 1, 2, 3,
4 and 6 of the first paragraph of Article 9 of Regulation (EU)
Article 12
No 1303 /2013.
Outermost regions
CHAPTER III
1. Article
4
shall
not
apply
to
the
specific
additional
allo
cation for the outermost regions. That allocation shall be used
Final provisions
to offset the additional costs, linked to the special characteristics
and constraints referred to in Article 349 TFEU, incurred in the
Article 13
outermost regions in supporting:
Transitional provisions
1. This
Regulation
shall
not
affect
either
the
continuation
or
modification, including the total or partial cancellation of
(a) the thematic objectives set out in the first paragraph of
assistance approved by the Commission on the basis of Regu
Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;
lation (EC) No 1080/2006 or any other legislation applying to
that assistance on 31 December 2013. That Regulation or such
other applicable legislation shall consequently continue to apply
(b) freight transport services and start-up aid for transport
after 31 December 2013 to that assistance or the operations
services;
concerned until their closure. For the purposes of this paragraph
assistance shall cover operational programmes and major
projects.
( 1 ) Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 of the European Parliament and of
the Council of 17 December 2013 on specific provisions for the
support from the European Regional Development Fund to the
European territorial cooperation goal (See page 259 of this Official
2. Applications
to
receive
assistance
made
or
approved
under
Journal).
Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 shall remain valid.

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L 347/298
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Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Article 14
of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have
both informed the Commission that they will not object. That
Exercise of the delegation
period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the
1. The
power
to
adopt
delegated
acts
is
conferred
on
the European Parliament or the Council.
Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.
Article 15
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles
Repeal
6(4) and 8(3) shall be conferred on the Commission from
Without prejudice to Article 13 of this Regulation, Regulation
21 December 2013 until 31 December 2020.
(EC) No 1080/2006 is hereby repealed with effect from
1 January 2014.
3. The
delegation
of
power
referred
to
in
Articles
6(4)
and
8(3) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or
References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as
by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the
references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance
delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take
with the correlation table set out in Annex II.
effect the day following the publication of the decision in the
Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified
Article 16
therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts
already in force.
Review
The European Parliament and the Council shall review this
Regulation by 31 December 2020, in accordance with
4. As
soon
as
it
adopts
a
delegated
act,
the
Commission
shall Article 177 TFEU.
notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the
Council.
Article 17
Entry into force
5. A
delegated
act
adopted
pursuant
to
Articles
6(4)
and
8(3)
shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed
This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that
either by the European Parliament or the Council within a
of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
period of two months of notification of that act to the
European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry
Article 12(6) shall apply with effect from 1 January 2014.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 17 December 2013.
For the European Parliament
For the Council
The President
The President
M. SCHULZ
R. ADIUS

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EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/299
ANNEX I
COMMON OUTPUT INDICATORS FOR ERDF SUPPORT UNDER THE INVESTMENT FOR GROWTH AND
JOBS GOAL (ARTICLE 6)
UNIT NAME
Productive investment
enterprises Number
of
enterprises
receiving
support
enterprises Number
of
enterprises
receiving
grants
enterprises Number
of
enterprises
receiving
financial
support
other
than
grants
enterprises Number
of
enterprises
receiving
non-financial
support
enterprises Number
of
new
enterprises
supported
EUR Private
investment
matching
public
support
to
enterprises
(grants)
EUR Private
investment
matching
public
support
to
enterprises
(non-grants)
full time equivalents Employment
increase
in
supported
enterprises
Sustainable tourism visits/year Increase
in
expected
number
of
visits
to
supported
sites
of
cultural and natural heritage and attractions
ICT Infrastructure households Additional
households
with
broadband
access
of
at
least
30 Mbps
Transport
Railway kilometres
Total length of new railway lines of which: TEN-T
kilometres Total
length
of
reconstructed
or
upgraded
railway
lines
of
which: TEN-T
Roads kilometres
Total length of newly built roads of which: TEN-T
kilometres
Total length of reconstructed or upgraded roads of which:
TEN-T
Urban transport kilometres Total
length
of
new
or
improved
tram
and
metro
lines
Inland waterways kilometres Total
length
of
new
or
improved
inland
waterways
Environment
Solid waste tonnes/year Additional
waste
recycling
capacity
Water supply persons Additional
population
served
by
improved
water
supply
Wastewater treatment population
equivalent Additional
population
served
by
improved
wastewater
treatment
Risk prevention and
persons Population
benefiting
from
flood
protection
measures
management
persons Population
benefiting
from
forest
fire
protection
measures

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L 347/300
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
UNIT NAME
Land rehabilitation hectares Total
surface
area
of
rehabilitated
land
Nature and biodiversity hectares Surface
area
of
habitats
supported
in
order
to
attain
a
better
conservation status
Research, Innovation
full-time equivalents Number
of
new
researchers
in
supported
entities
full-time equivalents Number
of
researchers
working
in
improved
research
infra
structure facilities
enterprises Number
of
enterprises
cooperating
with
research
institutions
EUR Private
investment
matching
public
support
in
innovation
or
R&D projects
enterprises
Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the
market products
enterprises
Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the
firm products
Energy and Climate change
Renewables MW Additional
capacity
of
renewable
energy
production
Energy efficiency households Number
of
households
with
improved
energy
consumption
classification
kWh/year Decrease
of
annual
primary
energy
consumption
of
public
buildings
users Number
of
additional
energy
users
connected
to
smart
grids
GHG reduction tonnes
of
CO 2 eq Estimated
annual
decrease
of
GHG
Social infrastructure
Childcare & education persons Capacity
of
supported
childcare
or
education
infrastructure
Health persons Population
covered
by
improved
health
services
Urban Development specific indicators
persons Population
living
in
areas
with
integrated
urban
development
strategies
square metres Open
space
created
or
rehabilitated
in
urban
areas
square metres Public
or
commercial
buildings
built
or
renovated
in
urban
areas
housing units Rehabilitated
housing
in
urban
areas

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EN
20.12.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
347/301
ANNEX II
CORRELATION TABLE
Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 This
Regulation
Article 1 Article
1
Article 2 Article
2
Article 3 Article
3
— Article
4
Article 4 Article
5
Article 5 Article
5
Article 6
—
Article 7
—
— Article
6
Article 8 Article
7
— Article
8
— Article
9
Article 9
—
Article 10 Article
10
— Article
11
Article 11 Article
12
Article 12
—
Article 13
—
Article 14
—
Article 15
—
Article 16
—
Article 17
—
Article 18
—
Article 19
—
Article 20
—
Article 21
—
Article 22 Article
13
— Article
14
Article 23 Article
15
Article 24 Article
16
Article 25 Article
17

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L 347/302
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
20.12.2013
Joint statement of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the application of
Article 6 of the ERDF Regulation, Article 15 of the ETC Regulation and Article 4 of the
Cohesion Fund Regulation
The European Parliament and the Council note the assurance provided by the Commission to the EU
legislature that the common output indicators for the ERDF Regulation, the ETC Regulation and the
Cohesion Fund Regulation to be included in an annex to, respectively, each regulation, are the outcome
of a lengthy preparatory process involving the evaluation experts of both the Commission and the Member
States and, in principle, are expected to remain stable.

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Document Outline

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