EXPERT ANALYSIS ON GEOGRAPHICAL SPECIFICITIES

Transcription

1 EXPERT ANALYSIS ON GEOGRAPHICAL SPECIFICITIES Mountains, Islands and Sparsely Populated Areas Dr. Gilda Carbone 9 Oct 2018

2 Objectives: to gather basic information from relevant programming documents (PAs, OPs) to understand the main characteristics and trends for each category of geographical specificity (i.e. insular, mountainous, sparsely populated areas); to gather basic information regarding the different ways that each of the 15 MS that face geographical challenges decided to deal with geographical specificities (AT, BG, HR, CY, DK, FI, FR, EL, IT, MT, PT, SI, ES, SE, UK); to gather information on implementation for and transforming challenges recognised in programming documents into concrete actions (targeted calls, FEIs, use of territorial tools, etc ); to identify good practice projects in specific sectors (environment, connectivity, support to SMEs, better access to public services, etc ). Achieved with: 136 OPs (93 national and regional OPs + 43 ETC OPs) preliminary identified, out of which 46 OPs (28 national and regional OPs + 18 ETC OPs) assessed in depth on the basis of information and data collected from the Managing Authorities.

3 MAIN FINDINGS Albeit not always expressly mentioned in the dedicated section of the PA and OP, the specific needs have been generally considered and addressed in the programming documents. There is a sufficient continuity and consistency from planning in the PA, to programming in the OP, but there is scope to improve especially when it comes to concrete implementation and projects on the ground.

4 MAIN FINDINGS Each MS dealt differently with geo specificities: dedicated OPs (e.g. Regional programme of South Aegean Islands in Greece or Aland islands in Finland) or part of a broader programme area. As reported by the MAs, there was a low take up of the possibilities offered by the ESIF Regulations (i.e. derogation to thematic concentration, adjustments to co-financing rate, etc..). In addition to regulatory provisions, the attention to territories with geographical specificities was also assured, in the implementation phase, with the use of other means, such as attributing additional points to projects for these areas in the selection phase (e.g. Italy, OP Friuli Venezia Giulia).

5 MAIN FINDINGS General difficulties were encountered in defining the precise financial allocation reserved to mountains, islands and sparsely populated areas: the current reporting system in does not link an investment to the typologies of territories. Few targeted financial instruments (FIs) reported: more FIs related to islands and sparsely populated challenges and less for mountains (e.g. a national FI was set up for Bornholm island in Denmark; a FI managed by Almi Invest in Sweden).

6 MAIN FINDINGS The place-based approach definitely contributes to achieve the territorial cohesion of territories with geographical specificities as it is based on local and regional needs, builds on the specific strengths of these territories and aims to disclose the related potential. Especially in territories with geographical specificities, interventions may have impact on different but inter-linked sectors.

7 ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY IN GEO SPEC AREAS Preservation and protection of the environment is generally a key priority for areas with geographical specificities. Other sectors of interventions: renewable energies, connectivity (both physical and digital), better access to public services.

8 MOUNTAINS 13 MS mention mountains in their PAs (AT, BG, HR, CY, FI, FR, EL, IT, PT, SI, ES, SE, UK). Mountain territories are: extremely rich in terms of natural and cultural heritage; host a great valuable biodiversity; are often full of natural resources.

9 MOUNTAINS Main challenges with consequent risks for the environment linked to: o natural threats due to climate changes (glacier retrain, drought, water erosion, flooding, soil salinity, soil erosion, steep terrains, etc..); o urbanization and land coverage. Economic activities and availability of natural resources negatively affected.

10 MOUNTAINS TO 6 (preservation and protection of the environment and the promotion of resource efficiency) = first and more horizontal priority of intervention; Many interventions envisaged within Investment Priorities 6, c) and d), respectively: conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage; protecting and restoring biodiversity and soil and promoting ecosystem services, including through Natura 2000, and green infrastructure.

11 MOUNTAINS

12 ISLANDS In most cases, the PA addressed the geographical specificities of islands. Remarkable richness in terms of natural and cultural heritage (many have the status of protected areas). Often characterised by a sensitive and fragile ecosystem.

13 ISLANDS Main challenges: exposure to climate changes; water shortage and waste management (especially in the case of Mediterranean islands); mass tourism which entails more pressure on environment and natural resources exploitation (air and soil pollution, water resource, waste management, etc ).

14 ISLANDS The attention on the impact on environment by: envisaging interventions to preserve and protect the natural and cultural heritage but also ensuring green energy resources (=sustainable and efficient exploitation of the limited resources + ensure energy security and supply).

15 ISLANDS

16 SPARSELY POPULATED AREAS SPARSELY POPULATED AREAS Specific reference is made to sparsely populated areas in the dedicated section of the PA for FI and SE to address the specific needs of NSPA. Other MS (BG, ES, FR, HR, IT, PT, UK) also make reference in their PA to sparsely populated areas or to low population density areas - including in the dedicated section.

17 SPARSELY POPULATED AREAS SPARSELY POPULATED AREAS Common feature: remoteness, which negatively affects transport and accessibility of these areas, both in terms of economy and appropriate living conditions. Main challenge: improve accessibility both in terms of transportation and ICT Interventions: also leveraging on natural resources (e.g. mining industry and raw materials and forestry industry)

18 SPARSELY POPULATED AREAS

19 CONCLUSIONS Some provisions (e.g. derogation to thematic concentration and modulation to co-financing rates) used to a very limited extent and seem not necessary (i.e. increased co-financing rates lead to smaller overall public investment). Multiple ways to serve the needs of areas with geographic specificities (ITI, CLLD, FEIs, attributing additional points to projects in areas with geographical specificities in the selection phase, etc..). Where there is a need there is a way! Territories with geographical specificities are not one single block.

20 CONCLUSIONS Essential to find the good balance between environmental and resource efficiency priority, on one hand, and socio-economic factors for growth and development, on the other hand. ETC programmes and Macro-regional strategies play an important role: many territories are shared among countries and, therefore, a coordinated approach is useful.

21 Dr. Gilda Carbone Thank you for your attention!