European Commission - Press releaseEuropean Cohesion Policy supports the employment of millions of people,improves energy efficiency, and protects citizens from natural climatedisastersBrussels, 15 January 2024Today, the European Commission published its 2023 Summary Report on the Implementation ofthe European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), showcasing some of theoverarching achievements of the ESI funds as things stood at the end of 2022. These funds are themain financial instruments of Cohesion Policy, supporting regional development investments fromthe 2014 – 2020 programming period.The Report shows the wide range of support available through the different programmes for the 2014– 2020 period, and their direct and positive impact on regions, businesses, and first andforemost, people, who are at the heart of the ESI funds. It also shows the flexibility andadaptability of the framework, to provide solutions to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia'swar of aggression against Ukraine, and the ensuing energy crisis.While focusing on long-term convergence and competitiveness, solidarity was always at the heart ofthe ESI Funds. They helped Member States care for refugees and overcome the effects ofunprecedented natural climate disasters, ultimately alleviating the pressure on national budgets.The Report presents the achievements of the ESI Funds by the end of 2022, showing that theCommission has:supported more than 5 million businesses;helped 64.5 million people find employment, foster social inclusion, and skills throughtraining;improved health services for more than 63 million people;increased energy production capacity coming from renewable energy resources by morethan 6 000 MW (the equivalent of around 2 400 wind turbines);improved the energy performance of more than 550 000 households;protected 17 million people from floods and 15 million people from forest fires;supported over 2.8 million projects in the agricultural sector and rural areas;maintained over 48 000 jobs and created over 6 500 new jobs in the fishing andaquaculture sector.The ESI Funds have been stable drivers of investment in the EU. With their long-term span andthematic focus, they have channeled resources into strengthening the territorial, economic, andsocial cohesion of the EU regions. They have continued to help regions and companies overcome thechallenges of the green and digital transitions, all the while helping workers upskill and encouragingEU territorial cooperation. They have stood their course in the context of unprecedented crisesranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and natural climate disasters.BackgroundAs the EU budget's largest investment tool, the ESI Funds support the territorial, economic, andsocial cohesion of Europe's regions, as well as their resilience and recovery from multiple crises inrecent years. ESI funds include:the European Regional Development Fund (...
