Allocation of ERDF funding

30.5.2015

Question for written answer E-008735-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Frédérique Ries (ALDE)

The Government of Wallonia and the Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation recently drew up a list of the projects which will be funded from the budget of EUR 1.7 billion made available by the EU to Wallonia under the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) programme for the period 2014-2020.

A total of 438 projects have been selected and will receive sums amounting to EUR 990.9 million. Two further budgets have yet to be allocated: EUR 85 million for urban development and EUR 554 million to be used to help firms in Wallonia.

In finalising the list of 438 projects to be funded, the governments drew on advice from a group of experts consisting of academics and business leaders. When it comes to allocating the two other budgets, however, the decisions will be taken by purely political bodies.

I am concerned about this second method of allocating funding.

1. Can the Commission say whether in other Member States political bodies are responsible for allocating a portion of EU funding?

2. Does the Commission have instruments it can use to satisfy itself that ERDF funding is being allocated in an objective manner? If so, what instruments are these?