The Structural Funds
Research and high-tech activities are highly concentrated in the core regions of the EU. Approximately half of total research expenditure goes to 30 regions out of 254. Disparities between regions in business research expenditure are even wider. The Structural Funds play a substantial role to help all regions build research and innovation capacities corresponding to their situation and priorities. This approach is reflected in the Commission’s Strategic Guidelines for Cohesion Policy, which expect the Structural Funds to fully back the implementation of the Partnership for Growth and Jobs.