Maximising health gain from Structural Funds

Within the European Union in recent years there has been growing recognition of the importance of sustainable regional development and the contribution of health to achieving it. This means health development leading to growth in social and human capital and the multiplier effect this can have in contributing massively to economic growth. This is reflected in the EU’s Cohesion Policy and in the 2007-2013 round, Structural Funds explicitly included health sector investment, with an early emphasis on health infrastructure. In the newer Member States and Convergence regions across Europe, governments, politicians and policy makers see SF as an important funding source for supporting the modernisation of health services. However, effective health investment needs to be well planned. Have public authorities invested in option appraisal to clearly inform investment planning and decisions? Do public servants and hospital managers know how to use Structural Funds efficiently? Do they have enough data and evidence of the benefits of investments in health? What are the main difficulties in applying for funding and managing structural funds in the health sector?

In this context EUREGIO III (EIII) project has been developed with the lead of Health ClusterNet.

The outputs of the project focus on practical “how to” knowledge that will be most helpful for the work of directors, managers and professionals in Operational Programme Managing Authorities, Programme Secretariats and SF end-users such as regional and local health systems who seek access to SF for health investments.

•  A Scientific Background Paper to review the lessons that can be learned from previous initiatives and projects that shared examples of good practice to inform the design and delivery of effective and sustainable actions;
• An inventory on best actions & lessons learned about planning, seeking funding for, implementing, evaluating and managing health investments in the 2000-2006 SF period, and 2007-2013 period to help identify, assess and profile key factors and actions that are important in the success of projects in constantly changing contexts;
• An inventory of stakeholders, expertise and resources across Europe;
• Training materials, workshops, master classes and web-based guidance material for decision-makers at national, regional and local levels;
• Bilateral exchanges for experiential learning, study visits;
• Several conferences and seminars to discuss how to improve the use of structural funds for health among SF beneficiaries, public managers, SF Managing Authorities, EC staff;
• A Website with all the relevant documents and publications of the project and
• a Practical knowledge database.

Learn more about the project on our website: www.euregio3.eu.