The ERDF is one of the European Union’s four Structural Funds, created to reduce discrepancies in terms of prosperity and standard of living and to help European regions facing difficulties. The photo shows the construction of the Pliego dam in Andalusia, Spain.

Since 1994, the Cohesion Fund has contributed to the financing of major projects involving the environment and trans-European transport networks. The photo shows the example of co-funding by the Cohesion Fund of a gauge change for a high-speed AVE train (Alta Velocidad Española), solving the problem of varying rail gauges on the Spanish rail network.