ABSTRACT
In itself concentration of funding, while crucial, is not sufficient to achieve stronger economic and social cohesion. It needs to be accompanied by an increase in financial resources and the spending of money in a more effective way. To this end, the Commission proposes the doubling of funds from approximately 7 billion ECU in 1987 to 14 billion ECU in 1992. This doubling takes account of the needs arising from enlargement of the Community and is set alongside the tightening of budgetary discipline and management. In making the case for additional resources, reference is made to the increase in Community disparities since the early 1970s. In addition, it is noted that the EC’s labour force will have grown by 6.7 million by 1995, of which more than half will come from less-favoured regions. If there is to be any real prospect of improving the economies of the poorer areas, then structural aid should represent at least 2 per cent of regional GDP.
