There has long been concern about inequalities between European regions, whether they are increasing or decreasing, and the extent to which national government or EU intervention can help to reduce them. The EU is now comprised of many diverse regions with diverse populations: some are highly urbanised, metropolitan, and geared to knowledge-intensive economic activity; others are rural, relatively undeveloped, and reliant on low-tech and even subsistence agriculture. Regional inequalities are often, therefore, actually more dramaticthan inequalities between states. As many policies are delivered at a regional level, they are also important for service delivery. Reducing regional economic disparities is a key EU objective – 44% of its budget goes towards boosting regional competitiveness. Projects to enhance the skills of local workforces, encourage entrepreneurship, improve infrastructure and protect the environment are all designed to help the EU’s poorer regions catch up with their neighbours