Inforegio has migrated, March 2002

From the end of February the Inforegio web site formerly at 'http://www.inforegio.cec.eu.int/' has relocated to http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/site/index_en.htm. Automatic redirection is in place for the moment. The approach is now thematic with the aim of making the site faster and simpler to use. It does indeed, as is claimed, contain more detail but it is not now searchable. Confusingly the Search button under the top menu bar links instead to the Europa search engine. Under the key sections Objective 1, Objective 2, Interreg III, Urban II and Transport and the environment in the applicant countries, there are quick links on the left of the page to Introduction, Networks, Forms, Questions and Answers, Bibliography, Contact and the Regional Programmes. The map of eligible regions is still available. The News section is now found under Newsroom, while the Success Stories section offers examples of good practice in projects supported by the Structural Funds. The Issues button on the top left of the screen takes a subject approach, listing topics including environment, transport, agriculture, enlargement, information society, tourism and culture. Each has its own collection of relevant links. Users can also submit information to the web site, for example notifying regional events or giving their project experiences.

One of the key areas of the site for funding information is headed “On the ground”. This provides direct links to the member states whose responsibility it is to manage the programmes supported by the Structural Funds. The various bodies and government departments are listed with full contact details and links to their web sites for programme and further information. Other important uses of the site will be access to the relevant documentation and guidance on the management of projects.

For regular users of the old Inforegio site, it will no doubt take some time to come to terms with the new arrangement and be able to exploit its full potential.