Summary
What is the FEDER fund?
Part of the European economic and social cohesion policy, the ESI structural funds aim to reduce regional disparities within the European Union. Each year, the European Union, Wallonia and the French Community of Belgium invest millions of euros in areas such as the economy, research, training, the environment, culture and tourism.
Objectives of the current programme
Within the current programme (2021–2027), these funds are used to support the 2021-2027 European cohesion policy, which aims to stimulate growth, employment, social integration and better cooperation. The FEDER fund is one of the five ESI funds.
In order to contribute to these strategic objectives set by the European Union, the Walloon government has outlined its FEDER strategy and priorities, in line with those that have been established at regional and European level. These objectives are conveyed in a FEDER “Wallonia 2021-2027 EU” programme, which covers five priority axes. In order to be able to claim FEDER funding, project leaders must demonstrate that the FEDER investments that have been made contribute to their priority axes.
The budget available for the 2021–2027 programme is €1.49 billion. Of this amount, 40% is covered by the FEDER, 50% by Wallonia or the French Community of Belgium, and the remaining 10% by the operators.
Role of the Department of Mobility and Intermodality Strategy, Department of Local Infrastructures & the International and European Projects Unit (SPW)
When implementing the FEDER 2021–2027 operational programme, these departments are in charge of monitoring the technical management of projects that receive European co-funding and which concern public areas, the creation and development of car parks that are established in the public domain, public lighting, the development of roads, the restoration of local roads, and all works aimed at improving road safety, as well as the restoration and construction of some public buildings.
The Department of Local Infrastructures is involved throughout the project to provide recipients with technical advice while the International and European Projects Unit supports them in the administrative follow-up of their files. In addition to this support, the departments and the unit oversee the execution of the investments and works to guarantee compliance with current regulations and the correct use of the subsidies.
For the FEDER 2021–2027 programme, they are always responsible for monitoring 30 projects, which represent a total investment of €230 million.
Notable projects in the previous 2014-2020 programme, still in progress:
- Site preparation for the Coronmeuse eco-neighbourhood
- Development of the Grand place in Mouscron
- Revitalisation of the Andenne city centre – Eco-neighbourhood – "La promenade des Tilleuls"
- Various projects that are part of the SmarTournai portfolio
Key points
The potential recipient must:
- submit a mature project, for which the preliminary studies for its correct implementation have at least been launched.
- obtain control of the land on the site or the property to be transformed, or at least demonstrate that steps have been taken in this direction.
- comply with the applicable regulations on public procurement.
- demonstrate integrity with regard to the strict prohibition of conflict of interest situations in the management of structural funds.
- comply with competition law, and more particularly the regulations on state aid.
- demonstrate progress in obtaining an urban planning permit, which is a plus for the file.
- include their project in a portfolio of projects covering, for example, a specific area or a particular theme.
- inquire about the co-financing rate applicable to the project and the use of simplified costs being considered.
- have the ability to sustain a steady rate of spending.
- not apply for any other grant, in keeping with the principle of no double-funding per expenditure item.
- be able to provide supporting documentation for expenses.
- if the project is of the "urban" type, include it in an integrated urban strategy within the framework of coherent territorial development in line with European and Walloon recommendations.
CALISTA
- The new ERDF-2021-2027 programming is an opportunity to move to a new computerised management method. Exit Euroges, all ERDF projects will now be managed via the CALISTA application, allowing greater fluidity and flexibility in the daily monitoring of co-financed projects.
In detail
- Call for tender
- Project selection
- Finalisation of the project form
- Analysis of compliance with the rules for state aid
- Identification of the operating costs and income – DAF calculation
- Official approval of the project file
- Drafting of the note for the GW and adoption of the decrees
- Budgetary commitment
- Implementation of projects
- Approval at the project stage
- Approval at the awarding stage
- On-site administrative and technical checks
- Liquidation of subsidies
- Report
- Archives
- Analysis and provision of feasibility opinions by the functional administrations
- Independent evaluation of projects by a Committee of Experts
Forms
Forms are available during the project-submission period.