Rural infrastructure funds “could achieve much more”, say EU Auditors

Agro Napló

2016. március 4. 09:58

EU-financed projects to improve rural areas by building roads, water supply schemes, schools and other facilities provide only limited value for money, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors. Although some of these Rural Development projects have made a positive contribution to rural areas, the auditors say that “significantly more” could be achieved with the money available.

Between 2007 and 2013, €13 billion of EU funds were allocated to rural infrastructure through Rural Development Programmes. National spending brought the total to almost €19 billion. The aim was to boost economic growth, enhance the attractiveness of rural areas and improve their links with major infrastructure. Several other sources of funding available at EU, national, regional and local level also support such investments.

In the report, the auditors examined whether the European Commission and the Member States had achieved value for money with the measures they financed. Five Member States were visited: Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland and Romania. Even though some of the infrastructure projects have made a positive contribution to rural areas, the auditors found that the Member States and the Commission, acting through shared management, had achieved only limited value for money.

Source: eca.europa.eu

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