Environmental appraisal of regional development plans in the context of the structural funds

Environmental appraisal of regional development plans in the context of the European Union’s Structural Funds process has been a mandatory obligation since 1993. This arose from specific regulatory provisions with respect to the Funds as well as increasing public pressure to ensure that the use of the Structural Funds to cofinance regional development programs, projects, or aid schemes did not result in environmental damage. This article reviews and illustrates the Structural Funds process and its current environmental appraisal dimension. The effectiveness of the current requirements is reviewed. The article looks at proposed changes to the Structural Funds regulations and their likely environmental appraisal content.