Investments in promoting entrepreneurship among the population as a whole rather than just among young people and women falls within the scope of assistance provided by the Structural Funds and is one of the objectives of the Greek National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF).

1. In accordance with Regulation (EC) 1083/2006(1), and in particular Article 58 thereof, which lays down the general principles governing management and control systems for operational programmes (OPs), management of the latter is the responsibility of the Member State concerned. Consequently, the selection of individual projects is the responsibility of the managing authority for OPs in each Member State. To find out about the take-up of funding for individual projects, the Honourable Member should contact either the General Secretariat for investments and development of the Ministry of Regional Development, Competitiveness and Shipping, which oversees management of the NSRF, or EYSEKT(2), the coordination and monitoring authority for European Social Fund programmes in Greece.

2. It is unclear to what ‘deterrents or obstacles’ the Honourable Member is referring. The Commission would need more details in order to answer the question.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999, OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 25. (2) 4 Korai Street, 10564 Athens; tel. +30 210-5271400; fax +30 210-5271420; website: www.esfhellas.gr; email: eysekt@mou.gr.