The European cohesion policy? Sorry, I have never heard of it...
Structural funds might be a familiar term to many of you. But do you know their origin?
Already in the 1970s, the European Union (EU) Member States decided to reduce the existing disparities in the development and the well-being of their citizens and regions.
The European cohesion policy was born by the Single European Act of 1986! Its aim is to achieve this goal through two financial instruments: the Structural Funds and the Cohesion
Fund.
Both funds represent about 36% of the total EU budget whi is 308 bn EUR in 2004 prices.
Now, if you ask yourself how you are supposed to reduce the development gaps, be aware that within the Lisbon strategy a toolbox with potential solutions already exists: sustainable economic growth, competitiveness, knowledge and employment.
The real question is how sustainable development and energy issues can form an integral part of this particular European roadmap.
EU cohesion policy has 3 priorities. And the answer on the question you will find if you look better at the pictures:

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| THE LISBON STRATEGY AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION
The European Council in June 2001 completed the Lisbon Process by the Gothenburg Strategy which adds an environmental dimension to the development plan of the EU.
Read an article:
Europe in the World Championships: the big match!
Simplified and relaunched in 2005, the Lisbon and Gothenburg strategies set out 4 priority areas, including "moving towards an efficient and integrated EU energy policy".
You can consult the section of the website of the Lisbon Strategy dedicated to the sustainable development priority:
Greening up the economy
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