What are Structural Funds?
The Structural Funds were created to help those regions within the European Union where development is lagging behind more advanced members. The aim is to reduce the differences between regions and create a better economic and social balance within the EU. Structural Funds are used by the European Union to support:
- Economic development in the poorer regions of the EU
- Social development for excluded groups across the EU
Since 1989 Structural Funds have part funded Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP) and each NDP has been influenced by the European Union’s Regulations for the Structural Funds. In the current 2007-2013 period Structural Funds and NDP in Ireland are separate programmes. The overall Managing Authority for the Structural Funds (and the NDP) in Ireland is the Department of Finance.
For an in-depth guide to Structural Funds, read the EAPN Ireland Guide to the EU Structural Funds 2007-2013 and also the EAPN (Europe) Structural Funds Manual (3rd Edition) 2009.
