"Firms and environment in 'RAITA' (State Aid Schemes to Firms for Environmental Safeguard)" Topical Working Group

The setting up of this Working Group, proposed during the plenary meeting of the Network held on February 12, 2004, originated from the need to follow up the implementation of the aid schemes co-financed by the Structural Funds for environmental protection projects.

The aid schemes are instruments that have been used to a considerable extent in the 2000-2006 programming cycle, so much so as to act as a driving force for the local entrepreneurship of regional policies. While there are a variety of aid typologies, those serving regional purposes devote special attention to the environmental component, considering the environmental sustainability of processes and products a premium feature. In any event, there are also state aid schemes that address exclusively the pursuit of environmental goals.

Based on the objectives set out within the context of the 2004 Action Plan of the Network, this Working Group purposed to analyze the results of the integration of the environmental component in the aid schemes to firms co-financed by the Structural Funds, taking also into consideration the propensity of firms to make productive choices that are less detrimental to the environment.

The outcome of the analysis, based on a specific statistical survey, is shown in the document Aid schemes to enterprises providing exclusively or not for environmental safeguard measures. Statistical survey on the behavior of firms - December 2004.

RESULTING DOCUMENT:

• "RAITA": Aid schemes to enterprises providing exclusively or not for environmental safeguard measures. Statistical survey on the behavior of firms - December 2004 [it] (pdf, 1100 kb)