ANNEX IV

Policy objective | Specific objective | Name of enabling condition | Fulfilment criteria for the enabling condition 1. A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity | ERDF: Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies Developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship | 1.1. Good governance of national or regional smart specialisation strategy | Smart specialisation strategy or strategies shall be supported by: 1. Up-to-date analysis of challenges for innovation diffusion and digitalisation. 2. Existence of competent regional or national institution or body, responsible for the management of the smart specialisation strategy. 3. Monitoring and evaluation tools to measure performance towards the objectives of the strategy. 4. Functioning of stakeholder co-operation (“entrepreneurial discovery process”). 5. Actions necessary to improve national or regional research and innovation systems, where relevant. 6. Where relevant, actions to support industrial transition. 7. Measures for enhancing cooperation with partners outside a given Member State in priority areas supported by the smart specialisation strategy. ERDF: Enhancing digital connectivity | 1.2. National or regional broadband plan | A national or regional broadband plan is in place which includes: 1. An assessment of the investment gap that needs to be addressed to ensure that all Union citizens have access to very high capacity networks (1), based on: (a) a recent mapping (2) of existing private and public infrastructure and quality of service using standard broadband mapping indicators; (b) a consultation on planned investments in line with State aid requirements. 2. The justification of planned public intervention on the basis of sustainable investment models that: (a) enhance affordability and access to open, quality and future-proof infrastructure and services; (b) adjust the forms of financial assistance to the identified market failures; (c) allow for a complementary use of different forms of financing from Union, national or regional sources. 3. Measures to support demand and use of very high capacity networks, including actions to facilitate their roll-out, in particular through the effective implementation of the Directive 2014/61/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). 4. Technical assistance and expert advice mechanisms, such as a Broadband Competence Office, to reinforce the capacity of local stakeholders and advise project promoters. 5. A monitoring mechanism based on standard broadband mapping indicators. 2. A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility | ERDF and Cohesion Fund: Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions | 2.1. Strategic policy framework to support energy efficiency renovation of residential and non-residential buildings | 1. A national long term renovation strategy to support the renovation of the national stock of residential and non-residential buildings is adopted, in line with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2010/31/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), which: (a) entails indicative milestones for 2030, 2040 and 2050; (b) provides an indicative outline of financial resources to support the implementation of the strategy; (c) defines effective mechanisms for promoting investments in building renovation. 2. Energy efficiency improvement measures to achieve required energy savings | ERDF and Cohesion Fund: Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions Promoting renewable energy in accordance with Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), including the sustainability criteria set out therein | 2.2. Governance of the energy sector | The integrated national energy and climate plan is notified to the Commission, in accordance with Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and consistent with the long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction objectives under the Paris Agreement, which includes: 1. All elements required by the template set out in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. 2. An outline of envisaged financial resources and mechanisms for measures promoting low-carbon energy. | ERDF and Cohesion Fund: Promoting renewable energy in accordance with Directive (EU) 2018/2001, including the sustainability criteria set out therein | 2.3. Effective promotion of the use of renewable energy across sectors and across the Union | Measures are in place which ensure: 1. Compliance with the 2020 binding national renewable energy target and with this share of renewable energy as a baseline up to 2030 or having taken additional measures in case the baseline is not maintained over any one-year period in accordance with the Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. 2. In accordance with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, an increase of the share of renewable energy in the heating and cooling sector in line with Article 23 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. | ERDF and Cohesion Fund: Promoting climate change adaptation, and disaster risk prevention, and resilience, taking into account eco-system based approaches | 2.4. Effective disaster risk management framework. | A national or regional disaster risk management plan, established on the basis of risk assessments, taking due account of the likely impacts of climate change and the existing climate adaptation strategies, is in place and includes: 1. Description of key risks, assessed in accordance with Article 6(1) of Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (6), reflecting the current and evolving risk profile with an indicative 25 to 35 years timespan. The assessment shall build, for climate-related risks, on climate change projections and scenarios. 2. Description of the disaster prevention, preparedness and response measures to address the key risks identified. The measures shall be prioritised in proportion to the risks and their economic impact, capacity gaps (7), effectiveness and efficiency, taking into account possible alternatives. 3. Information on financing resources and mechanisms available for covering the operation and maintenance costs related to prevention, preparedness and response. | ERDF and Cohesion Fund: Promoting access to water and sustainable water management | 2.5. Updated planning for required investments in water and wastewater sectors | For each or both sectors, a national investment plan is in place and includes: 1. An assessment of the current state of implementation of Council Directive 91/271/EEC (8) and of Council Directive 98/83/EC (9). 2. The identification and planning of any public investments, including an indicative financial estimation: (a) required to implement the Directive 91/271/EEC, including a prioritisation with regard to the size of agglomerations and the environmental impact, with investments broken down for each wastewater agglomeration; (b) required to implement Directive 98/83/EC; (c) required to match the needs stemming from Directive (EU) 2020/2184 (10) , regarding in particular the revised quality parameters set out in Annex I of that Directive. 3. An estimate of investments needed to renew existing wastewater and water supply infrastructure, including networks, based on their age and depreciation plans. 4. An indication of potential sources of public financing, when needed to complement user charges. | ERDF and Cohesion Fund: Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy | 2.6. Updated planning for waste management | One or more waste management plans as referred to in Article 28 of Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (11) are in place, covering the entire territory of the Member State, and include: 1. An analysis of the current waste management situation in the geographical entity concerned, including the type, quantity and source of waste generated and an evaluation of their future development taking into account the expected impacts of measures set out in the waste prevention programmes developed in accordance with Article 29 of Directive 2008/98/EC. 2. An assessment of existing waste collection schemes, including the material and territorial coverage of separate collection and measures to improve its operation, as well as the need for new collection schemes. 3. An investment gap assessment justifying the need for the closure of existing waste installations and additional or upgraded waste infrastructure, with an information of the sources of revenues available to meet operation and maintenance costs. 4. Information on the location criteria for how future site locations identification will be determined and on the capacity of future waste treatment installations. | ERDF and Cohesion Fund: Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution; | 2.7. Prioritised action framework for the necessary conservation measures involving Union co-financing. | For interventions supporting nature conservation measures in connection with Natura 2000 areas within the scope of Council Directive 92/43/EEC (12): A priority action framework pursuant to Article 8 of Directive 92/43/EEC is in place and includes all elements required by the template for the priority action framework for 2021-2027 agreed by the Commission and the Member States, including the identification of the priority measures and an estimate of financing needs. 3. A more connected Europe by enhancing mobility | ERDF and Cohesion Fund: Developing a climate resilient, intelligent, secure, sustainable and intermodal TEN-T; Developing and enhancing sustainable, climate resilient, intelligent and intermodal national, regional and local mobility, including improved access to TEN-T and cross-border mobility | 3.1. Comprehensive transport planning at the appropriate level | Multimodal mapping of existing and planned infrastructures, except at local level, until 2030 is in place which: 1. Includes economic assessment of the planned investments, underpinned by demand analysis and traffic modelling, which should take into account the anticipated impact of the opening of the rail services markets. 2. Is consistent with the transport related elements of the integrated national energy and climate plan. 3. Includes investments in TEN-T core network corridors, as defined by the CEF Regulation, in line with the respective TEN-T core network corridors work plans. 4. For investments outside the TEN-T core network corridors, including in cross-border sections, ensures complementarity by providing sufficient connectivity of the urban networks, regions and local communities to the core TEN-T and its nodes. 5. Ensures interoperability of the rail network, and, where relevant, reports on the deployment of ERTMS according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/6 (13). 6. Promotes multimodality, identifying needs for multimodal or transhipment freight and passengers terminals. 7. Includes measures relevant for infrastructure planning aiming at promoting alternative fuels, in line with the relevant national policy frameworks. 8. Presents the results of the assessment of road safety risks in line with existing national road safety strategies, together with a mapping of the affected roads and sections and providing with a prioritisation of the corresponding investments. 9. Provides information on financing resources corresponding to the planned investments and required to cover operation and maintenance costs of the existing and planned infrastructures. 4. A more social and inclusive Europe implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights | ERDF: Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy ESF+: Improving access to employment and activation measures for all jobseekers, in particular youth, especially through the implementation of the Youth Guarantee, for long-term unemployed and disadvantaged groups on the labour market, and for inactive people, as well as through promoting self-employment and the social economy Modernising labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor-made assistance and support to labour market matching, transitions and mobility; | 4.1. Strategic policy framework for active labour market policies | A strategic policy framework for active labour market policies in the light of the Employment guidelines is in place and includes: 1. Arrangements for conducting jobseekers’ profiling and assessment of their needs. 2. Information on job vacancies and employment opportunities, taking into account the needs of the labour market. 3. Arrangements for ensuring that its design, implementation, monitoring and review is conducted in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders. 4. Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and review of active labour market policies. 5. For youth employment interventions, evidence-based and targeted pathways towards young people not in employment, education or training including outreach measures and based on quality requirements, taking into account criteria for quality apprenticeships and traineeships, including in the context of Youth Guarantee schemes implementation. | ERDF: Enhancing the effectiveness and inclusiveness of labour markets and access to quality employment through developing social infrastructure and promoting social economy ESF+: Promoting a gender-balanced labour market participation, equal working conditions, and a better work/life balance including through access to affordable childcare, and care for dependent persons | 4.2. National strategic framework for gender equality | A national strategic policy framework for gender equality is in place that includes: 1. Evidence-based identification of challenges to gender equality. 2. Measures to address gender gaps in employment, pay, pensions, and to promote work-life balance for women and men, including through improving access to early childhood education and care, with targets, while respecting the role and autonomy of the social partners. 3. Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and review of the strategic policy framework and data collection methods based on sex-disaggregated data. 4. Arrangements for ensuring that its design, implementation, monitoring and review is conducted in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including equality bodies, social partners and civil society organisations. | ERDF: Improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning through developing infrastructure, including by fostering resilience for distance and on-line education and training; ESF+: Improving the quality, inclusiveness, effectiveness and labour market relevance of education and training systems including through validation of non-formal and informal learning, to support acquisition of key competences including entrepreneurial and digital skills, and by promoting the introduction of dual-training systems and apprenticeships; Promoting lifelong learning, in particular flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all taking into account entrepreneurial and digital skills, better anticipating change and new skills requirements based on labour market needs, facilitating career transitions and promoting professional mobility; Promoting equal access to and completion of, quality and inclusive education and training, in particular for disadvantaged groups, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training, to tertiary level, as well as adult education and learning, including facilitating learning mobility for all and accessibility for persons with disabilities. | 4.3. Strategic policy framework for the education and training system at all levels. | A national or regional strategic policy framework for the education and training system is in place and includes: 1. Evidence-based systems for skills anticipation and forecasting. 2. Graduate tracking mechanisms and services for quality and effective guidance for learners of all ages. 3. Measures to ensure equal access to, participation in and completion of quality, affordable, relevant, non-segregated and inclusive education and training, and acquisition of key competences at all levels including higher education. 4. A coordination mechanism covering all levels of education and training, including higher education, and a clear assignment of responsibilities between the relevant national and/or regional bodies. 5. Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and review of the strategic policy framework. 6. Measures to target low-skilled, low-qualified adults and those with disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and upskilling pathways. 7. Measures to support teachers, trainers and academic staff as regards appropriate learning methods, assessment and validation of key competences. 8. Measures to promote mobility of learners and staff and transnational collaboration of education and training providers, including through recognition of learning outcomes and qualifications. | ERDF: Promoting the socioeconomic inclusion of marginalised communities, low income households and disadvantaged groups including people with special needs, through integrated actions including housing and social services; ESF+: Fostering active inclusion with a view to promoting equal opportunities, non-discrimination and active participation, and improving employability, in particular for disadvantaged groups; | 4.4. National strategic policy framework for social inclusion and poverty reduction | A national or regional strategic policy or legislative framework for social inclusion and poverty reduction is in place that includes: 1. Evidence-based diagnosis of poverty and social exclusion, including child poverty, in particular as regards equal access to quality services for children in vulnerable situations as well as homelessness, spatial and educational segregation, limited access to essential services and infrastructure, and the specific needs of vulnerable people of all ages. 2. Measures to prevent and combat segregation in all fields, including social protection, inclusive labour markets and access to quality services for vulnerable people, including migrants and refugees. 3. Measures for the shift from institutional to family- and community-based care. 4. Arrangements for ensuring that its design, implementation, monitoring and review is conducted in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, including social partners and relevant civil society organisations. | ESF+: Promoting the socio-economic integration of marginalised communities such as Roma people; | 4.5. National Roma inclusion strategic policy framework | The National Roma inclusion strategic policy framework is in place that includes: 1. Measures to accelerate Roma integration, and prevent and eliminate segregation, taking into account the gender dimension and situation of young Roma, and sets baseline and measurable milestones and targets. 2. Arrangements for monitoring, evaluation and review of the Roma integration measures. 3. Arrangements for the mainstreaming of Roma inclusion at regional and local level. 4. Arrangements for ensuring that its design, implementation, monitoring and review is conducted in a close cooperation with the Roma civil society and all other relevant stakeholders, including at the regional and local levels. | ERDF: Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems, including primary care and promoting the transition from institutional to family-based and community based care ESF+: Enhancing equal and timely access to quality, sustainable and affordable services, including services that promote the access to housing and person-centred care including healthcare; modernising social protection systems, including promoting access to social protection, with a particular focus on children and disadvantaged groups; improving accessibility including for persons with disabilities, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long-term care services | 4.6. Strategic policy framework for health and long-term care. | A national or regional strategic policy framework for health is in place that contains: 1. Mapping of health and long-term care needs, including in terms of medical and care staff, to ensure sustainable and coordinated measures. 2. Measures to ensure the efficiency, sustainability, accessibility and affordability of health and long-term care services, including a specific focus on individuals excluded from the health and long-term care systems, including those who are hardest to reach. 3. Measures to promote community and family-based services through de-institutionalisation, including prevention and primary care, home-care and community-based services.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-10-28 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.