Flanders proposes shortlist for billions of EU funding

The government of Flanders has set out its six priority areas for applying for EU aid under the new European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). Among Flanders’ concrete projects are infrastructure and mobility works at Oosterweel, the North-South link in Limburg and the expansion of the Brussels Ring (pictured).

EFSI is an initiative of the Juncker Commission, a reaction to the 15% fall in strategic investments in the EU since a peak in 2007, just before the global financial crisis. The fund is worth €315 billion for the whole EU – €240 billion for long-term investments and €75 billion for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The government said it welcomed the new fund, provided it formed part of a general improvement in the investment climate in Europe, including the removal of certain  obstacles to investment. Besides the aforementioned infrastructure projects, the government is looking at applying for financing for SMEs in research and development, energy efficiency and renewable energy, social housing, welfare and health infrastructure and schools.

“Flanders has to make the most of the possibilities that EFSI represents,” said the region’s finance minister, Annemie Turtelboom. “The investments of today are the jobs and well-being of tomorrow."

Photo courtesy Vascer/Wikimedia