FEDER Funds

The information presented in this section corresponds to the 2014-2020 programming period. The AEI no longer publishes calls with the funds of this period. However, a large part of the aid co-financed with the funds of this period are currently in execution or in scientific-technical or administrative justification.

The Europe 2020 Strategy points the way towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the European Union in this decade. The programming work of the 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy, coordinated by the General Directorate of European Funds, has focused on the preparation of the following strategic documents:

The Association Agreement is the national document, of a strategic nature, drawn up by each Member State, which sets out the strategy and investment priorities of the Cohesion Policy Funds (FEDER, FSE, FEADER and FEMP) for the period 2014-2020.

The Pluriregional OP of Spain 2014-2020, the result of the merger of the previous OP Intelligent Growth and OP Sustainable Growth 2014-2020, specifies the strategy and global intervention objectives of the General State Administration (AGE) co-financed with the FEDER fund in the areas of smart and sustainable growth (and in the urban area also inclusive growth)

The programming work has been carried out respecting the principle of partnership and multilevel governance, that is, with the involvement of public authorities from the different levels of the Spanish Administration, economic and social agents and representatives of civil society, including environmental agents, NGOs, equality and non-discrimination bodies

The new programming period, 2021-2027, is still in the initial stages of definition. This process is expected to be completed in the first half of 2022.

In the new framework, five priorities have been set for EU investments in regional development in the seven-year period 2021-2027:

  • A smarter Europe, through innovation, digitalisation, economic transformation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises;
  • A greener, carbon-free Europe that implements the Paris Agreement and invests in energy transition, renewable energies and the fight against climate change;
  • A more connected Europe, with strategic transport and digital networks;
  • A more social Europe, which makes the European Pillar of Social Rights a reality and supports quality employment, education, educational and professional skills, social inclusion and equal access to healthcare;
  • A Europe closer to citizens, supporting locally managed growth strategies and contributing to sustainable urban development across the EU.

Community Funds 2021-2027

Lines of action

The actions carried out from the AEI and proposals to be co-financed with FEDER funds are part of Thematic Objective 1 "Promote research, technological development and innovation" of the Multiregional Operational Program of Spain (POPE) 2014-2020 . These actions are carried out within the following investment priorities:

Improvement of research and innovation (R+I) infrastructures and the capacity to develop excellence in R+I

Investment priority 1a. Improvement of research and innovation (R+I) infrastructures and the capacity to develop excellence in R+I, and the promotion of centers of competence, especially those of European interest.

The following lines of action are framed within the specific objective O.E.1.1.2 of strengthening R+D institutions and creating, consolidating and improving scientific and technological infrastructures:

  • Line of acquisition and improvement of infrastructures and scientific and technological equipment (Infrastructures). The AEI plans to carry out actions co-financed by the FEDER, for an approximate amount of 293 million euros.

Promotion of business investment in R+I, development of synergies between companies, R+D centers and universities

Investment priority 1b. Promotion of business investment in R+I led by companies, the development of links and synergies between companies, research and development centers and the higher education sector, in particular by promoting investment in development.

The line of action falls within the specific objective O.E.1.2.2 of knowledge transfer and cooperation between companies and research centers:

  • Line of R+D projects in collaboration between companies and research organizations (Collaboration Challenges). The AEI plans to carry out actions co-financed by the FEDER, for an approximate amount of 153 million euros.

Within the specific objective O.E.1.2.3 of promotion and generation of frontier knowledge and knowledge oriented to the challenges of society, development of emerging technologies are the lines of action:

  • Line of R+D projects aimed at societal challenges (Research Challenges) and Line of R+D projects of excellence (Generation of knowledge). The AEI plans to carry out actions co-financed by the FEDER in these lines, for an approximate amount of 757 million euros.

Documentation and Legislation

Regulation: Community Funds. Period 2014-2020

By which certain categories of aid are declared compatible with the internal market in application of articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty Relevant text for EEA purposes.

On the European Regional Development Fund and on specific provisions relating to the investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006.

By establishing common provisions relating to the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, and by which establish general provisions relating to the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, and Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 is repealed.

Regarding the application of articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid.

On the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No. 1296/2013, (EU) No. 1301/2013, (EU) No. 1303/2013, (EU) No. 1304/2013, (EU) No. 1309/2013, (EU) No. 1316/2013, (EU) No. 223/2014 and (EU) No. 283/2014 and Decision No. 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No. 966/2012.

Evaluation

The Cohesion Policy for the 2014-2020 period should be results-oriented with greater intensity than in previous periods, in order to make a visible contribution to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy.

The regulations of the European Union establish the obligation to carry out evaluations of effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the aid of the Funds of the Common Strategic Framework, with the aim of improving the quality in the execution and design of the programs , and determine their effects in relation to the goals of the Union strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

In order to improve the quality and design of each program and to verify the feasibility of its objectives and goals, an ex ante evaluation of the same must be carried out, which will be sent to the Commission together with the operational program.

During the programming period, the Managing Authorities must carry out evaluations to assess the effectiveness and impact of the programme. To facilitate management decisions, the monitoring committee and the Commission should be informed of the results of the evaluations.

Likewise, ex post evaluations of the programs will be carried out, to estimate the effectiveness and efficiency of the Funds and their impact in relation to the global objectives of the Funds themselves and of the Union's strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. These evaluations will be carried out by the European Commission.

The indicator system will be a key part of the monitoring and evaluation system for the 2014-2020 period. The system of indicators must include common indicators (defined by the Commission and included in the regulations) as well as program-specific indicators. All these indicators, depending on their nature, can be classified into: performance indicators and result indicators. A selection of these indicators will configure the Performance Framework that must be defined in each of the programs in order to facilitate their monitoring

The Plan of FEDER Evaluation 2014-2020 presents a two-part structure: one part common to all programs and another specific to each of them.

Communication

Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013 requires compliance with certain aspects of communication and advertising

In the current period, it is still necessary to develop a communication strategy and monitor and evaluate the measures that support it, as well as publicize these actions, highlighting Good Practices in communication and presenting the best co-financed actions with European funds.

The Communication Strategy frames the objectives defined in this area, the information and publicity measures to carry them out, highlighting who are the recipients of said measures, what are the administrative services or bodies responsible for applying said measures, what is the budget allocated to put them into practice and the way of evaluating and monitoring them.

The FEDER Management Authority has prepared a Communication Strategy for the POPE. The AEI, as an Intermediate Body, is responsible for the application of this Communication Strategy, as well as compliance with community regulations on information and communication, within the scope of its powers.

Links of interest

Information for beneficiaries

Obligations in relation to information and communication

In all the information and communication measures carried out by the beneficiary to publicize the action among potential recipients, final recipients and the general public, it will announce the co-financing of the operation by the FEDER and will be subject to the provisions on information and publicity established in article 115 and annex XII of Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 17, 2013. These obligations are summarized in:

  • Recognize in all the communication actions carried out, the support of the Structural Funds to the operations showing the emblem of the European Union in accordance with the technical characteristics established in articles 3, 4 and 5 of the Regulation (EU) Nº 821/2014, communication and publicity, the reference to the Fund and the motto.
  • Inform the public of the support of the funds, making a brief description on the website, if available, proportionate to the level of support provided, with the objectives and results of the action and highlighting the financial support of the EU, for the duration of the action.
  • Place in a visible place, temporary or permanent advertising posters, as well as fixed plates in accordance with the technical characteristics established by the Commission in article 5 of Regulation (EU) No. 821/2014, on communication and advertising.
  • Furthermore, the acceptance of help implies accepting the inclusion of the operation and its data in the list of operations provided for in article 115.2 of the RDC. (See question about list of operations).

Technical characteristics for displaying the emblem of the Union and reference to the Fund or Funds that support the operation

  • The beneficiaries must recognize in all the communication actions they carry out, the support of the Structural Funds for the operations, showing the emblem of the European Union, the reference to the Fund and the motto (section 2.2.1.b) of Annex XII of Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 17, 2013.)
  • The emblem of the European Union must be displayed in accordance with the technical characteristics established by the Commission in Regulation (EU) No. 821/2014, on communication and advertising (article 4). These characteristics to be met are specified in:
    • It will always be visible and will feature prominently. It will appear in color whenever possible. The name "European Union" will always appear without abbreviation and below the emblem, without using italics, underlining, or other effects. The type body used will be proportional to the size of the emblem and must not interfere with the emblem. The color of the type will be reflex blue, black, or white, depending on the context.
    • Where the Union emblem and the reference to the Union and to the relevant Fund are displayed on a website: a) the Union emblem and the reference to the Union shall be visible on that website, without having to display the whole page. The emblem must appear in color; b) the reference to the Fund in question must be clearly visible.
    • If other logos are used, the emblem of the European Union will have at least the same size as the largest of the other logos.

Information that temporary and/or permanent signs or fixed plates must contain

  • Temporary or permanent advertising posters, as well as fixed plates must be displayed in accordance with the technical characteristics established by the Commission in Regulation (EU) No. 821/2014, on communication and advertising (article 5):
  • The temporary or permanent poster must contain the name of the operation and the objective in which the action is included, the emblem and the reference to the EU, the reference to the FEDER Fund and the Fund's motto. This information must occupy at least 25% of the surface of the poster.
  • The identification plate, like the poster, must contain the name of the operation and the objective in which the action is included, the emblem and the reference to the EU, the reference to the FEDER Fund and the motto of the Fund . The information referring to the European Union must occupy at least 25% of the plate, and may occupy the entirety.
  • Both should be placed in a place that is clearly visible to the public, for example, at the entrance of a building.

Information to be included on the website (if available) to inform the public of the support of the Funds?

On the beneficiary's website, if available, a brief description will be made in proportion to the level of support provided, with the objectives and results of the action and highlighting the financial support from the EU, throughout the period. duration of the performance.

Related information

Actions co-financed by the AEI

The AEI is in charge of instructing and managing the Programs whose selection is made through calls for aid under the competitive concurrence system. It is responsible for the calls for Acquisition and improvement of scientific and technological equipment infrastructures, R+D Projects+collaboration between companies and research organisations, R+D Projects oriented to the challenges of society and R+D Projects of Excellence.  ;

The selection of operations is carried out subject to the Operations Selection Procedures (CPSO) approved by the POCInt Monitoring Committee and other requirements by the applicable national and community regulations.

Manuals

Co-financed actions

Within the framework of the European Union Funds, the State Research Agency implements the necessary instruments to promote research, technological development and innovation through aid for carrying out projects within the investment priorities:

  • Investment priority 1a. Improvement of research and innovation (R+I) infrastructures and the capacity to develop excellence in R+I, and the promotion of centers of competence, especially those of European interest. 
  • Investment priority 1b. Promotion of business investment in R+I led by companies, the development of links and synergies between companies, research and development centers and the higher education sector, in particular by promoting investment in development.

The calls for aid in competitive competition co-financed with FEDER funds are:

Promotion of the execution of research projects consisting of experimental or theoretical work undertaken with the primary objective of acquiring new knowledge about the underlying foundations of observable phenomena and facts.

Promotion of the generation of scientific knowledge aimed at finding solutions to the problems presented in the challenges of society identified in the Spanish Strategy for Science and Technology and Innovation and in the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation, through research of quality, evidenced both by its contribution to the solution of social, economic and technological problems and by the publication of its results in forums of high scientific and technological impact or the internationalization of activities.

Promotion of the development of technologies, business application of new ideas and techniques for products and services, through cooperation projects between companies and research organisations.

Aid to finance the acquisition of infrastructure and scientific and technological equipment, preferably for shared use and for the sustainability and improvement of existing ones.