European Union Treaty
Consolidated versions of the Treaty on the European Union and of the Treaty establishing the European Community (consolidated text).
Official Journal C 321E of 29 December 2006

General regulation for Structural Funds 2007-13
The new general regulation defines common principles, rules and standards for the implementation
of the ERDF, the ESF and the Cohesion Fund.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
The role of the ERDF is to promote investment and to help reduce regional imbalances across the Union. Funding priorities would include research, innovation, environmental issues and risk prevention, while infrastructure retains an important role, especially in the leastdeveloped regions.

European Social Fund (ESF)
The ESF supports policies and priorities aimed to achieve progress towards full employment, to improve quality and productivity at work, and to promote social inclusion and cohesion. The fund’s actions are in line with the guidelines and recommendations under the European Employment Strategy (EES).

Cohesion Fund
The Cohesion Fund contributes to interventions in the field of the environment and trans-European networks. It applies to Member States with a Gross National Income (GNI) of less than 90% of the Community average.

European grouping of cross-border co-operation (EGCC)
Based on Article 159 of the Treaty and with the aim to overcome existing obstacles hindering
cross-border co-operation, a new legal instrument will be introduced to create European
co-operative groupings.