Greece econ soc ter cohesion

Central

The central Government is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring and audit system of cohesion policy, through the following public authorities:

 

The Ministry of Economy and Development, with two designated directorates is responsible for the coordination of the planning and the monitoring of most structural funds. Its competences stretch over the following programs:

  • The operational program on improving the administrative management of European cohesion program on the national level;
  • Programs funded by the Fund for European Aid to the most deprived;
  • Programs funded by the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.
  • Programs funded by the EU Solidarity Fund
  • Programs that are part of the European Territorial Cooperation scheme;
  • the operational program on transport, networks, the environment and sustainable development,
  • the operational program on developing human capital, education and lifelong learning
  • the operational program on competitiveness, entrepreneurship and innovation;
  • the operational program in reforming the public sector;
  • the operational program on sea and fishery;
  • the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
  • the management of the Cohesion Fund
  • The territorial cooperation programs with Cyprus, Bulgaria, Italy, Albania and FYROM.

 

The operational program on rural development is managed and monitored by the General Secretary of Agricultural Policy and Community Resources, under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

 

European Social Fund (ESF)

ESF interventions are implemented for the whole country through operational programmes at the national level. The special managing authorities of the ministries are responsible for handling these interventions.

 

Spatial planning

The Ministry of Environment and Energy is responsible for:

  • The general policy on spatial planning;
  • The complete spatial planning at the national, regional and local level.
  • A national forestry policy
  •  Urban planning.
  • Representing Greece on international and European fora that are pertinent to spatial planning.
  • Advising regional authorities on issues of regional spatial planning
  • The planning, approval and monitoring of spatial planning at the regional level.
  • The integration of international and European policies in the national spatial planning.

 

The National Council for Spatial Planning and Sustainable Development promotes social dialogue and consultation with representatives of local authorities and key social and scientific units.

The Committee of Government Policy Coordination in the field of spatial planning consists of competent ministers. It aims to better coordinate the respective government bodies and agencies.


 

Regional

In the context of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Regional Development Policy regional authorities are responsible for:

  • Planning, programming and implementing actions of regional development;
  • Planning regional operational programs;
  • Specification of objectives and guidelines and preparation of proposals for the formation of the regional development policy;
  • Coordinating the agencies, which are responsible for the enforcement, monitoring and implementation of the region's development programme;
  • The cooperation with regional agencies in planning proposals and implementing projects financed by the EU initiatives and interregional cooperation;
  • The final configuration, implementation and monitoring of the annual public investment programmes at regional level;

The ERDF 2014-2020 finances programs in all 13 Greek regions.

 

In the field of spatial planning regional authorities are responsible for providing opinions to the Ministry for:

  • Projects of regional spatial planning;
  • Identifying the borders of “Areas of Organised Development of Production Activities";
  • “Projects of Integrated Urban Interventions".
  • The assignment and monitoring of the implementation of General Urban Plans;
  • Coordinating the implementation of public works which are provided by the General Urban Plans and urban planning studies, including monitoring expropriation;
  • Approving partially-identified amendments to the implemented projects of town planning for the conditions of their use and structuring;
  • Developing and monitoring draft programmes for spatial planning construction and studies about traffic improvements;
  • Managing and monitoring special spatial planning programmes at regional level;
  • Drafting and approving regional frameworks for the management of waste, including at port facilities;
  • The preparation, implementation and evaluation of plans for protected areas;
  • The construction, maintenance and renovation of roads, flood protection, building, electrical and marine works.

 

European Social Fund (ESF)

The implementation of training programmes for unemployed in order to become high-skilled personnel. The ESF funds programs in all 13 regions.

 

 

Local

The Regional Committees of development planning are consisted from representatives of the municipal authorities. They  are providing advice to the respective regional authorities  on how to make full use of the regional operational programs. They can also provide advice on the ministries' sectoral programs.

 

Municipal authorities can apply to receive  funding via cohesion programs. They are supported in their applications from the Management Organisation Unit of Development programs. More than 30 operational programs are in place in Greek municipalities.  

In the context of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF municipalities are providing an opinion for the establishment of Industrial and Business Areas (V.E.PE.) and the environmental impact assessment.

In the context of the European Social Fund (ESF), they are contributing to raising awareness and helping the implementation of its actions.

 

In the field of spatial planning, local authorities are responsible for:

  • The spatial planning of their territory in accordance with national guidelines and regional laws, programmes and plans;
  • Local land use plans and infrastructure planning;
  • They also operate the the quality of life committee. It is responsible for urban planning, land use planning, environment, business and shop licensing. It also  determines street market spaces and outdoor trade places.
  • The development of local programmes for the protection and enhancement of natural, architectural and cultural environment, within the national and European policies.
  • The study, management and implementation of programmes for housing and urban development, restoration of buildings and areas.
  • The identification of appropriate sites to make public spaces (parks, etc), street markets and fairs, sites for the temporary residence of displaced populations, waste management sites and cemeteries
  • The provisions of opinions about cremation sites, while preserving and enhancing the aesthetics of towns and villages;
  • Securing and improving the technical and social infrastructure in towns and villages such as construction, maintenance and management of water supply, district heating, lighting projects in public spaces, parks, recreation areas, squares and other outdoor public spaces,
  • The construction, maintenance and operation of underground and above-ground parking spaces and the parking control;
  • The traffic regulation, the determination of walkways, and one-way direction streets, the removal of abandoned vehicles and general measures to avoid adverse effects on traffic safety.

 

Responsible ministries/bodies

Μinistry of Economy and Development

Ministry of Rural Development and Food

Various Ministries and managing authorities.

 

 

 

Sources

Ministry of Economy and Development according to Presidential Decree 142/2017 (O.G. 181/ 23-11- 2017), Article 62, 63.

Ministry of Economy development on Partnership agreements (ESPA) 2014-2020 : https://www.espa.gr/en/pages/default.aspx

Ministry of Environment and Energy according to Presidential Decree 132/ 2017 (O.G. 160/ 30-10-2017).

Ministry of Rural Development and Food according to Presidential Decree 97/ 2017/ 138/ 15/09/2017, Article 2, http://www.agrotikianaptixi.gr/el

Law 3463/2006 (OJ Α 114/30.6.2006) 'Code for Municipalities and Communities', Article 75.

Law 3852/2010 (OJ Α 87/7.6.2010) 'Reorganisation of Local Government - Kallikratis  Programme', Article  186

Law 3908/2011, (OJ A 8/1.2.2011), “Reinforcement of Private Investments for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Regional Cohesion".

Statute Law 3614/2007, Article 4.

Law 43/14, Article 24 A.

Management Organisation Unit of Development programs

EUROPEAN STRUCTURAL AND INVESTMENT FUNDS

EU Structural Funds, Greece, Factsheet

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