Support of European Regional Development Funds for NUTS2 And NUTS3 Regions In Romania

The article deals with the significant contribution of the European structural and investment funds to the economic and social progress of Romania and its counties. The motivation for choosing such a theme is that lately I have dealt with the economic and social development of the NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions in Romania and the convergence of their development level with that of corresponding regions in other European Union member states. The methodology used is that of the comparative analysis between different entities (countries, counties) of some relevant indicators regarding the absorption of the European structural and investment funds and their effects on the development of the compared entities. The very large differences between the Romania's counties regarding the absorption of European funds are highlighted, the main cause of the low degree of absorption being the reduced administrative capacity of the regional and local authorities to create the conditions necessary to access these funds to a greater extent. The achievements registered in the implementation of the national programs financed from European funds, although presented only partially, are convincing through their contribution to the economic and social development of the country and its counties. The conclusion is that the support of European funds is particularly beneficial for Romania and its counties, constituting a strong spring for their development