On Tuesday the 30th of May in Brussels, the European Commission and heads of international financial institutions signed three new cohesion policy joint initiatives to deliver more investment, growth and jobs to the regions, known as JASPERS, JEREMIE and JESSICA.The aim of the joint work, underway since 2005, is to ensure the EU’s regional and cohesion policies are better able to cope with future challenges. Hence the new structure: JASPERS (Joint Assistance in Supporting Projects in European Regions) will help the national and regional authorities to prepare large infrastructure projects while JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises) will improve access to finance for micro to medium-sized enterprises.JESSICA (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) aims to provide solutions to the financing of projects for urban renewal and development using a combination of grants and loans.
