Regional policy

The multi-billion euro programme for modernising the EU’s poorest regions is a pile of rules, forms, and duplication. “We became more complicated and more complex every time we spoke about simplification,” concedes EU Regional Commissioner Corina Creţu. “We cannot justify it”

Despite Brussels’ new emphasis on smart specialisation, there is an ongoing difficulty in capturing the value of EU cohesion policy

The third edition of the Regional Competitiveness Index compares 263 EU regions, providing useful insights for boosting economic and innovation performance.

At two hours from Lisbon by plane, Madeira is looked upon as something of an innovation backwater. We’re gathering a team of researchers that will challenge the perception, says Nuno Nunes, a researcher with a penchant for subversive and surprising technology

Regional innovation specialists, gathered for the first stocktake since the EU’s new policy got off the ground, criticised bureaucracy and unfavourable reimbursement rules. Many researchers and SMEs remain to be convinced about the scheme

I don’t want to hear again that an SME is not interested in EU support because there is too much red tape, Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu says, promising reform

A new service will advise Europe’s regional and local authorities on spending EU regional funds for low-carbon energy projects

If Europe’s regional policy is to contribute to smart and sustainable growth, regional funds must be allocated to research, innovation, ICT and the low carbon economy, says Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy

After the proposed Small Business Act, now it’s the turn of the European Commission’s wealthiest department – the regional policy directorate – to do its bit for SMEs.