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EUROPEAN COMMISSION
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 8 August 2014
The European Commission adopts a "partnership
agreement" with France on using EU Structural and
Investment Funds for growth and jobs over the period
2014-2020
The European Commission has adopted a "partnership agreement" with France setting out
the strategy for the optimal use of European Structural and Investment Funds in the
country's regions and cities for 2014-2020. This agreement paves the way for France's
return to recovery and growth, and its transformation into a productive economy. It sets
out how a total of EUR 15.9 billion in Cohesion Policy funding (at current prices, including
European Territorial Cooperation funding) and EUR 11.4 billion for rural development is to
be invested in the country's real economy. France will receive EUR 588 million from the
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
The EU investments are intended to create sustainable high-quality jobs in order to
combat unemployment and boost growth by supporting innovation, the low-carbon
economy as well as education and training in both cities and rural areas. They will also
promote entrepreneurship, fight social exclusion and make an important contribution to an
environmentally friendly and resource-efficient economy.
The European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) in France comprise the
following:
 The European Regional Development Fund
 The European Social Fund
 The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
 The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
Commenting on the adoption, Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, said: The
investment plan adopted by France today will allow it to continue on the path to economic
recovery and renewed growth for the coming decade. This partnership agreement reflects
the commitment of both the European Commission and France to make the most of EU
funding and ensure the French economy gets back on track. According to the new
Cohesion Policy, the strategic focus of our investments must be on the real economy,
sustainable growth and human capital. However, quality rather than speed is the main
objective. In the coming months, we will be working together to develop the operational
programmes to guarantee the best results for financing from the European Structural and
Investment Funds for 2014-2020. Commitment is needed from both sides to ensure that
good quality programmes are put in place."
Commissioner Hahn added: "Today's agreement lays the foundations for a new growth
model in France, thanks to EU investments. The adoption of the Partnership Agreement
comes just at the right time to support France in its efforts. Important strategic choices
have been made to invest in SME competitiveness and innovation, the creation of
IP/14/906
sustainable jobs and the fight against unemployment through the strengthening of
capacity-building and the development of human resources, together with energy
performance, information and communication technologies, risk prevention and
environmental protection. The agreement also provides for investments addressing the
needs of France's six outermost regions. All these major strategic choices will yield results
in the near future. France has made wise choices, setting its investment priorities
accordingly. Sectors such as innovation (smart specialisation) and energy (production of
renewable energy, the improvement of energy performance, sustainable urban mobility)
are essential for ensuring future growth in France."
László Andor, Commissioner Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, pointed out: "I wish
to congratulate France for having concluded its partnership agreement in close
cooperation with the Commission. I am very happy to see that more than EUR 6 billion
from the European Social Fund will be invested in human resources. EUR 1.2 billion of this
amount will be earmarked for France's outermost regions. The ESF will focus on the
country's most vulnerable people. Almost one third of all funding will be dedicated to social
inclusion and the fight against poverty. Early school-leavers, older workers, the long-term
unemployed and young people will benefit from actions with national coverage to support
access to jobs, the modernisation of the labour market institutions and the prevention of
school drop-out. The ESF will also help the French regions to meet their specific needs in
terms of continuing education, vocational training and entrepreneurship, fields in which
they now have greater responsibility."
Dacian Cioloș, Commissioner for Agricultural and Rural Development, said: "This
partnership agreement with France is an important step towards elaborating and
implementing a successful rural development policy in France, facilitating coordination and
synergies with the other EU Funds and thereby making investments more efficient.
France's agriculture and rural areas have great potential and many strengths, but also
face considerable challenges. The partnership agreement acknowledges the important role
which can be played by agriculture and the agri-food industry in economic recovery, while
creating the conditions to protect the country's natural resources and solve social
problems in rural areas. It is now up to France to propose ambitious, balanced and welltargeted rural development plans which will allow farmers and rural areas to meet these
challenges."
Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, declared: "Through the
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), we wish to create the conditions to allow
French businesses, local communities and fishermen to make their activities more socially,
economically and environmentally sustainable. We wish to help the fisheries and
aquaculture sectors in France to strengthen their competitiveness, stimulate employment
and worker mobility and promote resource efficiency. France will thus be able to contribute
to economic growth and create the new jobs which Europe needs. "
For further details
Link to the partnership agreement and the summary of the French partnership agreement
MEMO on the partnership agreements and the operational programmes
Cohesion Policy in France
www.ec.europa.eu/esif
Contacts :
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Shirin Wheeler (+32 460 76 65 65)
Roger Waite
(+32 4989 61404)
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Jonathan Todd (+32 229 94107)
Helene Banner (+32 4607 52407)
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