In light of figures: the first phase of the National Development Plan has been closed 4 February 2008
From Autumn 2004, the Managing Authorities made decisions in connection with a total of over 30 000 projects and approved funding of 720 billion HUF in the case of 20 000 projects, 84% of which was paid up to the end of 2007. NDA compiled a study on the detailed data of applications approved funding according to programme, regional, micro-regional breakdown.
Applications, decisions, funding approved
During the course of the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) launched in 2004, the Managing Authorities (MAs) made decisions in connection with a total of over 30 000 projects and approved funding of a total of approximately 720 billion HUF in value in the case of 20 000 projects up to the end of 2007. Over-commitment was identified in the case of approximately 7% of projects approved funding. (The over-commitment approach with a technical objective was integrated in the system pursuant to the permission of the EU due to potential project withdrawals and exchange rate fluctuations.)
The number of projects in which case some sort of payment was made (advance payments, partial payments, full payment) increased continuously and significantly during 2007. When assessing the total rate of funding, applications submitted under ECOP (Economic Competitiveness Operational Programme) received the highest rate of funding (9500 applicants were granted a total of 150 billion HUF).
Implementation, jobs
Investments of 1110 billion HUF in value will be implemented up to the close of investments approved funding within the framework of NDP; beneficiaries contribute own funds of nearly 400 million HUF in value to these investments. Consequently, 50 000 new jobs will be created and a further 160 00 jobs will be retained.
Regional disparities
The North Hungary Region received the highest rate of per capita funding approved, i.e. 86 000 HUF/individual. The per capita rate of funding in the developed regions failed to reach the average rate of funding (68 000 HUF/individual). Regions lagging behind received a higher share of the ROP (Regional Development Operational Programme) funding, whilst more developed regions received a higher share of the ECOP funding.
Local governments
Out of the over 5000 applications submitted by local governments, the MAs approved funding in the case of nearly 2700 applicants; the total rate of funding approved exceeded 170 billion HUF in value. Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County, Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County and Pest County were granted the highest rate of funding. Local governments received the highest share of funding from ARDOP (Agricultural and Rural Development Operational Programme). However, a significantly higher number of local governments would have liked to receive ROP funding in relation to the number that was effectively granted funding.
Micro-regions
Out of the over 3000 local governments applying for funding in the 174 micro-regions of the country*, 2500 received a share of funding available within the framework of NDP.
Nearly 31% of the residential population of the country lives in less-favoured micro-regions; at the same time, 36% of funding approved within the framework of NDP was granted to these regions. The per capita rate of funding in these regions is equivalent to 115% of the national average, i.e. 59000 HUF/ individual. This rate of funding in the least favoured regions exceeds the rate of 60 000 HUF/ individual.
As regards the rate of funding in relation to the level of development of the micro-region, i.e. how the level of development correlates with the rate of funding, the Debrecen, Eger, Gárdony and Pécs micro-regions are proportionately over-funded. However, it is favourable to observe that the vast majority of micro-regions (101 micro-regions) are classified as proportionately over-funded regions in relation to average. Only the Sarkad and Lengyeltót micro-regions are under- funded (however, it is plausible to state that the following micro-regions are also under-funded: Bodrogköz, Csenger, Hajdúhadháza, Kazincbarcika, Mátészalka, Mezőcsát, Nagyatád, Ózd, Szécsény and Záhony. In any case, all under-funded micro-regions are regions lagging behind. The Bodrogköz, Csenger, Mátészalka, Mezőcsát and Ózd micro-regions will be an integral part of the New Hungary Closing the Gap Programme, since these regions - in which 10% of the country’s population lives - are classified as least favoured regions.)
| *Article 174 of the Act on local governments and multi-purpose micro-regional associations defines the maximum number of micro-regions in Hungary. In terms of regional development, less-favoured micro-regions, more specifically, least favoured micro-regions qualify as beneficiary micro-regions, i.e.: 1. Micro-regions in which case the complex index of the region (as defined in the Parliament Resolution) is less than the average of the complex index of all micro-regions must be classified as less-favoured micro-regions. 2. Within less-favoured micro-regions, micro-regions with the lowest complex index in which 15% of the residential population of the country lives must be classified as least favoured micro-regions. 3. In order to close the development gap in the region, it is necessary to develop complex programmes fundamentally building on EU funding in least favoured regions with the lowest complex index in which 10% of the residential population lives and prioritise the implementation of these programmes. A Government Decree defines the classification of beneficiary micro-regions, according to which there are 94 less-favoured regions in the country, and 47 least favoured regions within this, out of which 33 micro-regions are to be supported by implementing complex programmes. |