Thematic Overview 2007-2013 of The ERDF-ESF Programming - (Page 25)

The acquisition of Natura 2000 sites by the district of Ecuras Poitou-Charentes €3,750 ERDF «Initially protecting the natural environment by having it included among the département's assets» Christine Jacques - Heritage and land acquisitions Department, Planning and education department for the President of the Conseil Général (delegated) Council general of Charente 2009 The Chambon outdoor recreation centre seeks to promote, supervise, organise, teach and run open air sports activities in harmony with the natural environment. For its part, the Natura 2000 label has the twofold aim of protecting biological diversity and the local environment. The Conseil general de Charente (Charente General Council) was keen to acquire plots of land both to protect sensitive environments as Natura 2000 areas and to improve the centre's tourism potential while at the same time respecting biodiversity. The land management of this site will enable the département to conserve and protect it in a manner which is respectful of its biodiversity and to prevent a return to commercial forestry. THE «COMPETITIVENESS» AND «CONVERGENCE» OBJECTIVES 12 % 12 % 20 % 20 % € 314.5 € 314.5 M M € 678.8 € 678.8 M M Percentage of the total ERDF programming Percentage of the total ERDF programming for the for the competitiveness objective devoted to the competitiveness objective devoted to the theme of theme of "The Environment and risk prevention" "The Environment and risk prevention" Percentage of the total ERDF programming Percentage of the total ERDF programming for the for the convergence objective devoted to the convergence objective devoted to the theme of theme of "The Environment and risk prevention" "The Environment and risk prevention" Between 2007 and 2013 more than 5,800 projects were supported by the European Union via the ERDF on this theme, i.e. an average of more than 828 projects per year, with European financing ranging from €4,000 to €10 million. Where the projects are concerned, the promotion of biodiversity emerged as a priority metropolitan France with 2,342 projects in this field. Risk prevention was also significantly represented, with a total of 1,014 projects completed. In the outermost regions, environmental investments chiefly focused on waste management (151 projects) and water treatment (115 projects). These two fields represent specific challenges for the outermost regions: although 99% of the French population in metropolitan France are connected to drinking water supplies, around 5% are not connected in the Antilles, and 15% in Guiana. Additionally, the OMR suffer from a lack of waste management facilities and their performance where recycling is concerned trails behind that of metropolitan France: in 2012, 62% of household and similar waste was sent to storage centres, compared to 27% nationally. In metropolitan France, the «environment and risk prevention» theme accounted for 12% of the total ERDF programming, i.e. €678 million. The projects supported were chiefly those to promote biodiversity (approx. €197 million ERDF) and clean urban transport systems (€164.3 million ERDF). Risk prevention was also a priority in many metropolitan regions and €130 million ERDF were invested in projects in this field. In the outermost regions, 20% of the ERDF programming was focused on this theme, totalling €314.5 million. The main priority was the treatment of waste water with €174 million ERDF programmed, i.e. more than 50% of the funds allocated to the environmental theme. Making this a priority made it possible among other things for these regions to ensure their compliance with the European directive on urban waste water. 3 2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Thematic Overview 2007-2013 of The ERDF-ESF Programming

Cover
Summary
Improving institutional capacities at a national, regional and local level
Reducing costs hindering the development of outermost regions (OMR)
Technical assistance
Research, technological development and entrepreneurial spirit
The information Society
Transport
Energy
Environment and risk prevention
Tourism
Culture
Urban/rural regeneration
Improving the capacities of workers, companies and company managers
Improving access to employment and sustainability
Improving the social inclusion of disadvantaged persons
Development of human capital
Investments in social infrastructure
Promoting reforms in the fields of employment and social inclusion

Thematic Overview 2007-2013 of The ERDF-ESF Programming