The International Network
for Sustainable Energy

EU structural funds (SF) are the largest EU-funds for financing of development projects in the EU member states, mainly for the regions with below-average income. Renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency projects realised on local level can be some of the best options how to effectively used the funds. Unfortunately basic information on utilisation of SF for RE on national and preferably on local level (municipalities) is often missing. NGOs can help to fill this gap and we hope that the following information can assist better use of structural funds.

CHALLENGE FOR THE NEW EU MEMBER STATES
With the accession to the EU, new member states got the opportunity to use the SF. These funds can be used to finance projects for RE and EE. This is really a unique opportunity to start a transition to a sustainable energy supply. Nevertheless the process of utilisation of SF for RE projects is not easy and especially administrative obstacles and lack of information among potential users can stop the process.

LARGE FUNDS 2007-2013
In the for 2007-13, a large share of EU's budget is allocated for structural funds. If a substantial part of these funds are used for sustainable energy, it can give a welcome boost to the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuel imports. To make that happen, it is a key requirement that sustainable energy is included in the national programming documents.

During 2007, few structural fund projects were given because of the work to start up the 2007-2013 programs; but the countries have made operational Operational Frameworks and Operational Programs. These documents show how RE and EE can be supported via SF; but not the budget for the support. INFORSE-Europe has collected this Overview Evaluation of SF 2007- 2013 relevant for RE and EE and the relevant extracts of national programs for 2007-2013: Bulgaria, - Czech Republic, - Hungary - Lithuania, - Poland, - Romania, - Slovakia, - Slovania.

Evaluation of Previous Structural Fund Projects by INFORSE-Europe:

Evaluation of Structural Funds for Renewable Energy 2004-2006, Barriers and Recommandations for 2007-2013

DATABASE of SF Projects for Renewable Energy searchable according to energy sources and countries.

Background materials:

What are SFs ?

How SF works ?

Older INFORSE-Europe materials and SF:

SF for the Renewables in the New Member States

INFORSE-Europe Opinion, December 2005

INFORSE-Europe Position on Structural Funds, December 2004

Links:
Official EU site on structural funds
Climate Action Network - Europe
Managenergy
WWF European Policy Office (search for 'structural funds')

Return to INFORSE-Europe's main page or the EU policy overview page.