Structural Funds - 1995 annual report
The European Commission has adopted the seventh annual report on the Structural Funds, covering the year 1995. 1995 was the second year of the 1994-1999 programming period, and was also the year in which the new Member States were integrated into the Structural Funds. In particular, the new programming period marked a major change in the Structural Funds, with much greater emphasis being placed on the environment, both as a factor in regional development and as an area for structural assistance. The Structural Funds represent the largest transfers of funding in the environmental field, with both direct and indirect transfers. The report contains a number of examples of environmental schemes. The new Member States were fully integrated into the structural policies during 1995. The selection of eligible areas and the preparation of programmes was completed in a very short period, with almost all programming documents concerning the new Member States adopted before the end of 1995. During 1995, 75% of the Community Initiative programmes were adopted. In total, 263 programmes were adopted, committing 80% of the funding available for the period until 1999. The financial commitments for 1995 amount to ECU 21.938 billion, slightly more than in 1994. Two-thirds of this went to Objective 1 regions (those whose development is lagging behind).