Regional policy goals were pursued through four structural funds and separate Cohesion fund. Projects and programs implemented in separate countries (or their regions) were financed by these funds: European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, Guidance Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance.

European Regional Development Fund is co-financing investments into infrastructure, into expansion of production capacities to create new jobs, as well as providing aid to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). European Social fund is investing in human resources for better adaptation to changes in labour market, addressing reintegration of unemployed and socially vulnerable groups into labour market through vocational training and additional benefits to employers who create new jobs. Guidance Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund is financing rural development initiatives, providing aid to farmers without prejudice to principles of common agriculture policy of European Union and with specific attention to regions which are lagging behind. Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance is financing structural reforms in fisheries sector. Cohesion fund, although not a part of structural funds system, is also one of the financial instruments of EU cohesion policy which provides financial support to envinronmental and transport infrastructure projects, eligible expenditure of these projects usually exceed 10 mln. EUR.

 EU structural assistance is provided to Lithuania under Single programming document (SPD) (you are also welcome to download zipped version) which is approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania as well as European Commission. This document specifies goals, development strategy and financing sources for actions of Lithuania and EU structural funds. SPD specifies five investment priorities: development of social and economic infrastructure, development of human resources, development of productive sector, rural development and fisheries, technical assistance. Detailed descriptions of SPD priorities, measures and activity groups are specified in SPD complement (you are also welcome to download zipped version). Projects with activities not mentioned in SPD are not applicable to receive EU structural assistance in the 2004-2006 programming period. We would like to draw your attention that European Commission has already adopted Guidelines on closure of assistance (2000-2006) from the Structural Funds.

Resolution Nr. 1166 of 11 September, 2003, of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on approval of rules for management of EU structural funds assistance in Lithuania provides that Ministry of Economy is an Intermediate body for management of these funds. Ministry of Economy has established Implementing agency Lithuanian Business Support Agency (LBSA) which is directly managing EU structural assistance. Ministry of Economy with LBSA are responsible for management of EU structural assistance in the areas of business, tourism and energy. Ministry of Economy has drafted and managed four SPD measures (extracts of SPD complement are provided here):

• 1 priority, 2 measure – Ensuring of Energy Supply Stability, Accessibility and Increased Efficiency
• 3 priority, 1 measure – Direct Support to Business
• 3 priority, 2 measure – Improvement of Business Environment
• 3 priority, 4 measure – Public Tourism Infrastructure and Services

All other SPD measures are managed by other institutions.

We would like to draw your attention that EU structural assistance managed by Ministry of Economy is provided to implementation of different projects:

• Public projects (these projects were able to receive assistance under SPD measures 1.2, 3.2 and 3.4)
• Business investment projects (projects were able to receive assistance under SPD measures 1.2 and 3.1)
• Research and Technological Development Projects (assistance was provided under SPD measure 3.1)

It should be also mentioned that Ministry of Economy itself has received EU structural assistance under SPD measure 5.1 (year 2004), (year 2005), (year 2006) and SPD measure 5.2 (year 2005), (year 2006).