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, for the European Parliament REGI Committee, involves examining synergies between ESIF and other EU instruments, particularly Horizon 2020, RIS3, CEF, COSME, EaSI, EFSI. It includes research on Commission bodies and actors involved in the maximisation of synergies between ESIF and other EU instruments, among authorities involved in the implementation of these instruments and in relevant Member State authorities. The study  assesses the pursuit of synergies via different means: regulatory provisions, strategic frameworks, operational structures and processes.

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.

This project, funded under FP7, assesses economic growth and social cohesion trends in Central and Eastern Europe, in particular the effects of EU accession on national and regional economic development (Growth - Investment - Cohesion, GRINCOH). The work-package led by EPRC focused on the contribution of EU Cohesion policy to regional development in Central and Eastern European countries, particularly in the period 2007-2013.

The project contributed to the evaluation of the cross-border cooperation programmes involving Poland, drawing on lessons from internatil experience.

The project involved providing research and advice to the Ministry of Regional Development, Poland, during the Polish EU Presidency, focusing on regulatory and budgetary issues during the debate and negotiations on reforming Cohesion policy in 2011-13.

The project analysed the factors which facilitate or discourage local stakeholders' and businesses' decision to apply for support from Structural Funds. Through a wide-ranging literature review, case studies, questionnaires and interviews, this study tried to answer questions about what could be done to attract more applications during the recession of the late 2000s, and how the participation of successful applicants could be made more effective. It put forward a number of specific recommendations for policy makers at local, regional, national and EU level.

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.

The project involved a study of administrative costs associacted with Cohesion policy implementation, focusing on the UK and Ireland as part of EU-wide research.