CHAPTER II

In addition to the activities listed in Articles 4 and 5 of this Regulation, in the case of action involving sustainable urban development as referred to in Article 37(4)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006, the ERDF may, where appropriate, support the development of participative, integrated and sustainable strategies to tackle the high concentration of economic, environmental and social problems affecting urban areas. These strategies shall promote sustainable urban development through activities such as: strengthening economic growth, the rehabilitation of the physical environment, brownfield redevelopment, the preservation and development of natural and cultural heritage, the promotion of entrepreneurship, local employment and community development, and the provision of services to the population taking account of changing demographic structures. By way of derogation from Article 34(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006, and where these activities are implemented through a specific operational programme or priority axis within an operational programme, the ERDF funding of measures under the Regional competitiveness and employment objective falling within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 may be raised to 15 % of the programme or priority axis concerned. Where an operational programme supported by the ERDF targets operations also eligible under another Community support instrument, including Axis 3 of the EAFRD and the sustainable development of coastal fishing areas under the EFF, Member States shall set out in each operational programme the demarcation criteria for the operations supported by the ERDF and those supported by the other Community support instruments. Regional programmes co-financed by the ERDF covering areas facing geographical and natural handicaps as referred to in point (f) of Article 52 of Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 shall pay particular attention to addressing the specific difficulties of those areas. Without prejudice to Articles 4 and 5, the ERDF may in particular contribute towards the financing of investments aimed at improving accessibility, promoting and developing economic activities related to cultural and natural heritage, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, and encouraging sustainable tourism. The specific additional allocation referred to in paragraph 20 of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 shall be used to offset the additional costs, linked to the handicaps defined in Article 299(2) of the Treaty, incurred in the outermost regions in supporting: the priorities referred to in Articles 4 and/or 5 as appropriate; freight transport services and start up aid for transport services; operations linked to storage constraints, the excessive size and maintenance of production tools, and lack of human capital in the local market. Within the scope of Article 3, the specific additional allocation may finance investment costs. In addition, the specific additional allocation shall be used to a minimum of 50 % to help finance operating aid and expenditure covering public service obligations and contracts in the outermost regions. The amount to which the rate of co-financing applies shall be proportional to the additional costs as mentioned in paragraph 1 incurred by the beneficiary in the case of operating aid and expenditure covering public service obligations and contracts only, and may cover the total eligible costs in the case of expenditure for investment. Financing under this Article may not be used to support: operations involving products falling within Annex I to the Treaty; aids to transport of persons authorised under Article 87(2)(a) of the Treaty; tax exemptions and exemption of social charges.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-02 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.