Policy instrument to improve: “European Funds for Małopolska 2021-2027” (EFM 2021-2027) regional programme

"European Funds for Małopolska 2021-2027" is a key document defining the strategy for using European Funds in the Małopolska Region for the coming years.
Priority 1. European funds for research and development and entrepreneurship.
The Priority will include, among others: intervention contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of the Małopolska SME sector. The intervention will be focused on investments in SMEs, including those increasing their technological advancement and ability to implement innovations. In addition, support for companies in the early stages of development is also planned. The above mentioned includes projects supporting the development of new SMEs and start-ups through, among others, the provision of specialized services by business incubators, as well as creating this kind of business supporting entities.
Additionally, a document related to the "European Funds for Małopolska 2021-2027" programme is “The Regional Innovation Strategy of the Małopolska Region 2030” (RIS). RIS is a key document that sets out strategic directions for the economic development of the whole region. Actions taken as a part of the RIS are to contribute to the growth of the level of innovativeness of the Region by 2030. The document refers also to supporting start-ups and development of innovations in rural areas.

For the 2021-27 programming period the Operational Programme raises 14 Actions distributed in only 2 Political Objectives and 6 Specific Objectives. Within Policy objective 1 (Digital and smart transition) and Specific objective 1.2 (Reap the full benefits of digitisation), the actions proposed to be developed in the Aragon ERDF Programme 2021-2027 are related to:
• Develop and promote interoperable e-government and e-services (health, education and other public services), in particular in remote regions.
• Supporting the adoption by SMEs of digital technologies and ICT-based business models, including infrastructure and services such as digital innovation centres, as well as the promotion of digital literacy and market-based ICT skills in SMEs.
Also, linked to the issue addressed by the project, the specific objective 1.1 (Enhancing R&I capacities) promotes investment in R&I, in particular aimed at increasing the number of innovative companies in the sectors of the S3.
Related with the policy instrument is “The Regional Innovation Strategy of Aragon Region 2020-27 (RIS). This tool will coordinate the Aragonese R&D System in order to orientate its offer towards the needs of social and economic progress, competitive business development and employment generation in the region which is most of it mountainous and include Start-ups

This Rural Pact is a policy strategy with 100 action measures to valorise vitality, creativity and attractiveness in all rural parts of the Region, taking into account the diversity of its rural areas and to promote their capacities to be promoters of economic, social and sustainable development.
Its goals is to develop more place-based actions, adapted to the needs of rural inhabitants and taking into account their specificities. The Rural Pact is also a Pact of Solutions, based on the collective intelligence of rural communities, i.e. their ability to find appropriate solutions on their own, adapted to their needs.

Its ambition is based on 4 key areas of action:
1. Preserving and enhancing the quality of life and living conditions in rural areas
2. Enhancing the economic attractiveness of rural areas
3. Strengthening the leading role of rural areas in mitigating and adapting to climate change
4. Connecting rural areas through the Region's multimodal policy and a mobility offer for all their inhabitants.

The 2° objective aims to develop different measures such as: encourage a “Rural Erasmus” for young people and boost their international mobility; to expand the initiative “boost your territory” currently implemented in the Vosges to other rural areas; support the social and solidarity economy, encourage innovative activities in rural areas, support 600 new local businesses, renovate 100 vacant homes or businesses.

The policy instrument Strategy and Action Plan of the CIM Beiras e Serra da Estrela is a regional strategy for which the CIM BSE is responsible. It is currently being implemented and will remain in force until 2030. This instrument serves as the intermunicipal planning and public policy framework for the Beiras and Serra da Estrela sub-region (NUTS III). It was approved by the Intermunicipal Council and the 15 mayors of the associated municipalities. The plan provides guidelines for regional and local public policies, programmes, initiatives, and investments.
This tool Strategy and Action Plan of the CIM Beiras e Serra da Estrela aims to: (i) guarantee the promotion of integrated, inclusive, and sustainable territorial development processes, ensuring the adequate provision of GIS (Services of General Interest) and their availability and accessibility by populations, contributing to the structuring of territorial subsystems as a retention and of attracting population; (ii) promote economic development focused on the resources of each territory, essential for the diversification of the economic base and for attracting and retaining people, resources, and investment. The territorial approach, of CIM BSE, is particularly anchored in in the following types of action: incentive system for territorial-based companies; support systems for entrepreneurship, including youth entrepreneurship, and job creation; business incubators; territorial-based business associations.

The PI aims to foster entrepreneurship, attract investment, and address depopulation and labor shortages, especially in rural and mountainous areas. It aligns with the Harghita County Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030, promoting public-private cooperation and a business-friendly climate.
Key objectives of the program:
• Supporting entrepreneurship by offering financial and legal consultancy, improving cooperation between businesses and public authorities.
• Addressing labor shortages by promoting job opportunities, best practices, and youth engagement in entrepreneurship (“Harghita is waiting for you” platform)
• Encouraging investment by promoting Harghita County’s opportunities at national and international levels.
• Strengthening innovation in agriculture, food processing, and high-value-added industries.
• Providing business insights through www.investinharghita.ro.
• Building business networks through events and investment promotion initiatives.
The PI also aligns with the "Startup Villages" concept, fostering innovation-driven local economies to Harghita county more attractive for entrepreneurs and young professionals.
By implementing these measures, aims to create an economically attractive and competitive region, ensuring that local entrepreneurs receive the necessary support to thrive while making the county a desirable place for young people to return, work, and establish businesses.