The BMW Region qualifies under the “Regional competitiveness and employment” objective. This is aimed at strengthening regions’ competitiveness and attractiveness as well as employment by anticipating economic and social changes, including those linked to the opening of trade, through increasing and improving the quality of investment in human capital, innovation and the promotion of the knowledge society, entrepreneurship, the protection and improvement of the environment, and the improvement of accessibility, the adaptability of workers and businesses as well as the development of inclusive job markets.
Operational Programmes submitted under the “Regional competitiveness and employment” objective are drawn up at Regional NUTS I or NUTS II level, in accordance with the institutional system specific to the Member State. Accordingly, the ERDF interventions set out in this Operational Programme are consistent with the eligibility criteria for a phasing-in Region within the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective.
Article 5 of Regulation (EC) 1080/2006 on the ERDF defines the eligible interventions for the competitiveness and employment objective. Under this objective, the ERDF shall focus its assistance, while promoting employment, in the context of sustainable development strategies, primarily on the following three priorities:
1) innovation and the knowledge economy, through support for the creation and strengthening of efficient Regional innovation systems capable of reducing the technology gap, and which take into account local needs;
2) environment and risk prevention; and
3) access to transport, telecommunications and services of general economic interest.
In addition, interventions in support of sustainable urban development may also be supported, as set out in Article 8 of the ERDF Regulation.
The Managing Authority has taken account of the priorities specified for programmes under the Competitiveness and Employment objective and is satisfied that the priorities identified for the BMW Regional OP are in accordance with the regulation.
