Financial instruments in rural development : programming and policy elements

Transcription

1 Financial instruments in rural development : programming and policy elements Josefine LORIZ-HOFFMANN HoU, DG AGRI / G1 ENRD workshop on Financial instruments, 26 October 2012 DG Agriculture and Rural Development European Commission Agriculture and Rural Development

2 EAFRD : Major Legal Acts Common Provisions Regulation Defines the common rules on financial instruments for all CSF Funds Delegated Act and Implementing Act RD Regulation Defines the scope of intervention for all financial instruments, which can be supported by the EAFRD Provides for specific monitoring structure 2

3 The new legal proposal Unlocking the EAFRD potential Various support & implementation options Contributions to EU-level instruments Contributions to (existing) national/regional instruments Contributions to trans-national or cross-border funds Fund of funds concept Greater possibilities for co-operation with Funds set up under the ERDF Greater choice of managerial institutions National/regional public bodies Bodies governed by private law EIB/EIF Other International Financial Institutions Managing Authorities (only loans and guarantees) Synergy & complementarity with other policies and funds Multi-funded projects Experience Leverage Value-added 3

4 The new legal proposal Steps towards the setting up of financial instruments Partnership Agreements Provide for the use of Financial Instruments in rural development Ex-ante evaluations of RDPs Looking at the type of support (grants, Financial Instruments, combinations of both, interest rate subsidies, etc.) RDP provisions Specifying implementation and intervention details Funding agreements 4

5 The new legal proposal Major RDP provisions RDP elements related to financial instruments SWOT analysis (RDP) Looking at access to funding for potential beneficiaries, etc. Specifying the areas & sectors where the financial needs are most prominent Ex-ante assessment of Financial Instrument (CPR) Detailed content MS could use professional guidance Technical Assistance Platform Defines the type of instrument to be supported and potentially the scope for its management Separate section in the RDP on Financial instruments defining: Type of instrument, type of product and the potential procedure for Fund s manager selection Selection of measures, scope of intervention (supported operations), beneficiaries; contributions to priority/focus area Co-financing rates, budgets Respect of state aid rules, aid intensities Setting of targets and indicators (contributing to the overall targets/indicators for the RDP and the measures concerned) Monitoring and reporting obligations 5

6 RD priorities, Focus areas and Key actions related to financial instruments under the EAFRD 1. Knowledge transfer and Innovation (a) fostering innovation and the knowledge base in rural areas (b) strengthening the links between agriculture and forestry and research and innovation 2. Competitiveness of all types of agriculture and farm viability (a) facilitating restructuring of farms facing major structural problems, notably farms with a low degree of market participation, market-oriented farms in particular sectors and farms in need of agricultural diversification (b) facilitating generational renewal in the agricultural sector 3. Food chain organisation and risk management (a) better integrating primary producers into the food chain through local markets and short supply circuits 5. Resource efficiency and shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy 6. Social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas (a) increasing efficiency in water use by agriculture (b) increasing efficiency in energy use in agriculture and food processing (c) facilitating the supply and use of renewable sources of energy, of by-products, wastes, residues and other non food raw material for purposes of the bio-economy (d) reducing nitrous oxide and methane emissions from agriculture (e) fostering carbon sequestration in agriculture and forestry (a) facilitating diversification, creation of new small enterprises and job creation (b) fostering local development in rural areas (c) enhancing accessibility to, use and quality of information and communication technologies (ICT) in rural areas Cross-cutting objectives: Innovation, Climate Change and Environment 6 6

7 Research, Development & Innovation under the EAFRD EAFRD Financial Instruments DG AGRI general research [Horizon 2020] (outside EAFRD) Development of new products, processes, practices, technologies (agriculture, agri-food, forestry) New non-agricultural activities in rural areas Investment focus on priority areas & key actions Clusters SMEs European Innovation Partnership (Op. groups) Setting up of young farmers Major supported businesses - Agriculture - Agri-food - Forestry - Rural non-agri micro- and small businesses Networking 7

8 DG AGRI objectives in relation to Financial Instruments Increase substantially the use of financial instruments under the EAFRD in terms of budget, territorial coverage and type of support Thematic concentration of funds for financial instruments on Europe2020 related areas E.g., renewable energy, broadband, RDI, forestry Cover all potential beneficiaries/sectors under the EAFRD Agriculture, Food processing, Forestry, Rural non-agricultural SMEs, EIP op. groups 8

9 Some ways to reinforce the use of FI under the EAFRD Strong and well based awareness raising among Managing Authorities and stakeholders Use of the Technical Assistance Platform Co-operation with the EIB/EIF (to further facilitate MS and regions) Co-operation and synergy between financial instruments at EU-level FI, FI under other CSF Funds, and FI under the EAFRD Use of monitoring and reporting results for better policy design and knowledge sharing Explore the EAFRD potential for venture-capital funds Rural finance NRN task force 9

10 Recommendations to MA in relation to Financial Instruments At administrative level: Raise awareness among all stakeholders Evaluate carefully the needs for funding, the type of support to be offered, etc. Analyse the conditions and prerequisites for setting up financial instruments Benefit from, and use of, the Technical Assistance Platform Explore the possibilities for co-operation with the EIB/EIF Build up the capacity of the staff (trainings, seminars, discussions with other MA, etc.) Exchange of good practices At programme level: Define priority areas / key actions that should be supported by financial instruments Open up the possibilities under the financial instruments for all potential stakeholders with good investment proposals, including EIP operational groups Start using FI already as from 2014 Aim at high leverage, higher multiplier effect, clear procedures Monitor and report 10

11 Thank you.