Translation glossary

A taregt is a quantified objective expressed as a value to be reached by an indicator, usually within a given timeframe.

A target group is a collection of individuals and/or organisations directly and positively affected by the project outputs. Not necessarily receiving a financial grant and even not directly involved in the project, the target groups may exploit project outputs for their own benefit.

Technical assistance is help available to stakeholders when implementing Commission-funded programmes and projects. Under the European Union's cohesion policy such financial support can be used to pay for preparation, management, evaluation, monitoring, audit and control. Money for such activities is made available through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF) and Cohesion Fund. EU rules place a limit on the proportion of funding from the operational programmes that can be allocated to technical assistance. If technical assistance is initiated by or on behalf of the Commission, that ceiling is 0.35 % of the annual provision for each fund. If technical assistance comes from the Member States, the ceiling is 4 %.

Territorial Cohesion is all about ensuring that people are able to make the most of the inherent features of the areas in which they live. No European citizen should be disadvantaged in terms of access to public services, housing, or employment opportunities simply by living in one region rather than another. Territorial cohesion aims for more balanced and sustainable development. Strengthening economic and social cohesion by reducing disparities between regions in the EU is a clear objective of the EU. The Treaty of Lisbon, signed in 2007 and currently in the process of ratification, introduces a third dimension: Territorial cohesion. To achieve this objective, an integrated approach is needed. This implies better coordination between sectoral policies at each level, from local to European. It also entails closer cooperation and improved connections. Many issues - climate change, migration - do not respect standard boundaries and could be better addressed through a more tailored response from several regions or countries.

Thematic concentration is one of the leading principles of cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020, and as such it applies to all Interreg Programmes. There are 11 Thematic Objectives, ranging from low carbon economy to social inclusion, covering the Europe 2020 priorities (smart growth, sustainable growth, inclusive growth). Interreg programmes are obliged to choose up to 4 Objectives from this list which address the common needs, challenges and opportunities of the Programme area. The themes also take into account national, regional and local level priorities which have been laid out by the respective Member States in their different strategies and policy documents.