Redirecting Structural Funds not yet allocated towards combating youth unemployment and helping SMEs

8.3.2012

Question for written answer E-002703/2012
to the Commission
Rule 117
Alejandro Cercas (S&D)

At the European Council of 30 January 2012, the Commission President proposed that Member States redirect Structural Funds not yet allocated under the Financial Perspective for 2007‑2013 towards supporting SMEs and to the fight against youth unemployment. It was estimated that the available funds amounted to a total of EUR 82 000 million; up to EUR 22 000 million from the European Social Fund and EUR 60 000 million from the Regional and Cohesion Funds. The aim is to work with governments and stakeholders of the eight countries with more than 30 % youth unemployment, in order to find the best way to redirect these funds.

Since all the Structural Funds for 2007‑2013 have already been shared out among the Member States and, in turn, have been earmarked to various operational programmes and priorities, has the Commission identified which programmes will be left without funds and why?

Has an impact assessment of this withdrawal of funds been made?

Given that the Member States with over 30 % youth unemployment have given little room for manoeuvre within the framework of national economic policies due to the impact of the crisis on public finances, has the Commission not considered increasing the rate of co‑financing of Structural Funds for these countries to given them greater leeway within their national policies? Has it considered seeking additional funds for this purpose from other sources of finance?

OJ C 115 E, 23/04/2013