By October 2017, almost half of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds' budget for 2014-2020 had been committed to concrete projects. By the end of 2016, almost 793,500 businesses had received support from the funds, creating an estimated 154,000 new jobs.

7.8 million people have already benefitted from assistance in finding a job or developing skills, while the biodiversity of 23.5 million hectares of agricultural land has been improved. Overall, 2 million EU-funded projects had been selected by the end of 2016, which is 1 million more than the year before.

Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said: "The European Structural and Investment Funds play a crucial role in strengthening our Single Market. They help our economies grow and drive job creation and innovation in Europe. Blending Structural Funds with the European Fund for Strategic Investments also allows financing riskier yet promising projects. I would encourage project promoters to consider this option.

Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu said: "The number of EU-funded projects doubled in just one year, which shows that we have now reached cruising speed in terms of implementation. The European Structural and Investment Funds are fully at work and will blow wind in Europe's sails into the next decade."

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Via europa.eu