(21 June 2016) – Today the High Level Group on Simplification is meeting in Brussels to discuss the issue of “gold-plating” in the access to and management of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds.
“Gold-plating” refers to the administrative extra-requirements sometimes added by the national and local authorities in charge of managing the funds.
The High Level Group will examine the causes of gold-plating and propose ideas for simplification.
Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu said: “There are countries where more than 40 signatures are needed to submit an application – and this is not required by Union law. The High Level Group will look at ways to reduce the administrative burden.”