Eurobarometer: most important areas for EU regional policy investment

This report is part of a series of studies that examines Europeans' awareness of and attitudes towards EU Regional Policy. Respondents were asked about the domains that should be targeted for investment They were asked whether they think each of 11 domains are more or less important for their city or region . All but one of the domains are mentioned among the more important for their city or region by at least a relative majority of respondents. More than nine in ten respondents (91%) consider education, health or social infrastructures one of the more important domains for investment for their city or region, followed by the environment (90%) and renewable and clean energy (87%). At least eight in ten respondents also mention support for small and medium-sized businesses (81%) and research and innovation (80%) are more important. Smaller majorities mention the other investment domains. At least three quarters of respondents say investment in vocational training (78%) and transport facilities (75%) are the more important, while over six in ten identify energy networks (63%) and just under six in ten say tourism and culture (57%). Finally, just over half the respondents say that broadband Internet access (51%) is one of the more important domains for investment for their city or region, while just under half say the same about investment in the reception and integration of migrants and refugees (48%).