The role of European structural and investment funds in financing cloud computing projects : final study guideline

This document presents a structured set of practical Guidelines directed to Managing Authorities and stakeholders, in particular SMEs, on the potential eligibility for cloud-related projects to be co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) of the European Union (EU), within the EU Cohesion Policy. These Guidelines stem from the study on "The role of European Structural and Investment Funds in Financing Cloud Computing Projects" (SMART 2015/0014) promoted by the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT) of the European Commission. This study focussed on nine Member States of the EU: Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. These Guidelines originate from the analysis of relevant Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes co-financed by the ESIF in the current programming period 2014-2020, as well as from the analysis of projects supported by the similar EU Funds in these Member States during the programming period 2007-2013 (the Data Collection phase for this Study was closed as at 30/04/2017). The Guidelines are intended to provide information on the viability of cloud-related projects through the ESI Funds and to facilitate financing and implementation of these projects. These Guidelines are only some examples of possible ways to address issues identified in this document. Any decision with this regard falls within the competence of the European Commission and of relevant national and regional Authorities.