Projects

EPRC is coordinating a study for the European Commission aimed at enhancing the understanding of the planned and implemented use of Technical Assistance (TA) under EU Cohesion Policy programmes during the 2014-20 period. Given the important contribution of Technical Assistance to the successful implementation of Cohesion Policy, the study will provide a better understanding of the use of TA and present cases of TA-funded sustainable capacity building activities, particularly in the area of Human Resources Development.

From a policy perspective, the key issues are whether and how TA is being used to strengthen the administrative capacity of Member States for implementing Operational Programmes and projects. The project also seeks to understand whether this Technical Assistance investment is sustainable – whether TA is planned and monitored to ensure the strengthening of administrative capacity beyond the life of an OP.

The project is led by a core team comprising EPRC and Red2Red researchers, and involves also a team of National Experts in the Member States.

The project involves research on the contribution of Cohesion policy to citizens’ identification with the EU. Funded by Horizon 2020 and involving 10 research institutes and SMEs, the project provides new insights into the European identification of EU citizens and the effectiveness of strategies to communicate EU cohesion policy to citizens.

http://www.cohesify.eu/

The project, funded by Italian Agency Invitalia in the framework of the technical assistance to the Italian Ministry of Economic Development involves an overview of aid schemes for firms aimed at increasing the territorial attractiveness of regions and their structural change through the development of tourism, particularly that linked to the full exploitation of historical, cultural, environmental and social assets. The research involves assesment of successful measures implemented in the 2007-13 OPs from across Europe, six case studies and the detailed examination of the implementation and performance of selected schemes, an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each intervention examined and the lessons learnt and transferrable practices for the 2014-20 Italian programmes.

This study assess the implementation of financial instrument in Cohesion policy in terms of their economy, efficiency and effectiveness during the 2007-13 programming period.  The study takes stock of existing knowledge on the operation of FIs as reflected in the academic literature and policy documents, as well as undertaking eight case studies. A comparative analysis of the case studies, focusing on the different stages in the lifecycle of FIs, provides the basis on which to draw lessons from the implementation of FIs in 2007-13, highlighting implications for 2014-20.

The project involved research on the evolution and implementation of the strategic coherence of Cohesion policy in 2014-20. Based on documentary analysis and interviews with authorities in 11 Member States, the study concluded that there had been overall improvements compared to the previous period, but it also highlighted a series of EU and domestic challenges in ensuring a strategically coherent approach between different ESI Funds and with other EU policies.

The project involves a review and assessment of multi-level governance in Cohesion policy in 2007-2013 by examining the evolution of the concept in terms of its definition and conceptual framework, analysing the implementation of MLG in the EU27, as well as describing the advantages and disadvantages of partnerships in policy-making. Moreover, the study aims to formulate strategic and operational recommendations in the context of the preparation of the 2014-2020 programming period.

The project was commissioned by the EU-funded project Eurosocial to contribute to the debate at the launch of a regional policy network in Latin America. The study reviews and analyses regional development policy trends in the EU countries, identifying experiences or good practice that could be useful to Latin American countries

The project analysed the interactions between the wide-ranging economic governance reforms undertaken over the 2008-2013 period and Cohesion Policy. The study details the main changes and analyses how the aims of Cohesion policy are likely to be affected. It also highlights the challenges of assuring legitimacy and of suitable formulation of Cohesion policy as especially salient issues for the European Parliament, not least because of the expanded roles in economic governance of the European Commission and the European Central Bank.

The project provided a critical analysis of EU Cohesion policy reform perspectives for the post-2013 period. On the basis of a literature review and budgetary modelling, the study offers an assessment of the policy’s strengths and weaknesses, the main reform ideas and counter-positions, including the implications of different reform proposals. Recommendations are derived to inform the position of the European Parliament in the upcoming negotiations on the legislative package of regulations

This study provides a description of the general nature of SMEs and their development factors as well as the support that Cohesion Policy and other EU policies provide to SMEs. It then assesses practical aspects and effects of Cohesion Policy on enterprises and SMEs on the basis of a review of published materials and eight case studies drawn from SME-relevant ERDF OPs from 2007-2013; where possible, it also includes lessons learnt from 2000-2006. The conclusions and policy recommendations put forward clearly highlight the complex relationship between EU policies and SMEs as final beneficiaries of support in the EU multilevel governance system.