European funds and European citizenship

One of the main challenge of the Regional Council of Brittany is to inform and educate the general public about European integration and citizenship. This commitment is implemented through actions like a high school students’ event : « Moves with Europe », animations for the « Europe Day in Brittany », and the online serious game “Legends of Europe” : legends.europe.bzh.
The European Union supports the regional development and helps their inhabitants to build their future by financing projects selected at a regional level. These projects must match specific criteria. European funds are made available to Regions for 7 year periods. For the 2014-2020 period, Brittany benefited from about one billion euros via European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). For the 2021-2027 period the sum will be the same.

ERDF (European Regional Development Fund)

The European Regional Development Fund supports projects that aim at enhancing the regions’ competitiveness and attractivity. In Brittany, the ERDF finances the extension of fiber optics. It supports activities such as innovation and will help modernize traditional sectors and develop businesses. The ERDF also aims at accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy : developping renewable energy (such asmarine energy), thermic renovation in social housing or improving public transport.

EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development)

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development finances projects that accompagny the changes in rural areas and agriculture. The fund supports those projects aimed at strengthening competitiveness and ecological performance in agriculture and in food industries. It also supports environnemental measurers and rural development. For example, it will help :

• young famers to set up their activity, modernize farms and food industry factories
• protect biodiversity, « bocages » (hedged fields) or sustainable management of woods and forests

ESF (European Social Fund)

The European Social Fund is managed by two different authorities : one answering to French state and the other being the Regional Council of Brittany. Projects contribute to helping workers and businesses adapt to economic changes. This fund supports inclusivity and fights against poverty.
The regional ESF programme will support training in general and specifically training courses that offer diplomas or qualifications for job seekers.

EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund)

Within the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund finances actions in order to develop the activities of fisheries and aquaculture (shell fisheries). The national programme finances state-scale measures managed by the Government : fishery monitoring, data collection, supports to producers, research.
In addition to these measures, Brittany regional Council directly manages some measurers at regional level which supports the activities and businesses of local stakeholders of these sectors, and contributes to maritime development.