Projects

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 involved an assessment of the evidence on EU Cohesion policy concerning whether and to what extent the objectives of the relevant policies have been met, and whether these policies and funds have delivered value for money – and an understanding of how this varies within and between policies. The review also considered EU infrastructure expenditure that might contribute to the broad aim of cohesion, specifically Trans-European Networks. The study contributed to the UK Government's EU Balance of Competences Review

The project examined how Arctic or Arctic-relevant themes could be pursued under the auspices of the Northern Periphery Programme, which includes the Highlands and Islands as well as other areas of Scotland.

The project comprised an ex ante evaluation accompanying the design of the 2014-2020 Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme and appraisal of its different elements. EPRC research focused on the ex-ante evaluation of the Northern Periphery and Arctic programme 2014-20. The purpose of the ex-ante evaluation was to improve and strengthen the quality of the programme under preparation and to optimise the allocation of resources.

The project comnprised an ex ante evaluation accompanying the design of the 2014-2020 North Sea Region Programme and appraisal of its different elements.

This project comprised a second element part of the on-going evaluation of the 2007-13 Northern Periphery Programme. It responded to the need to: position the NPP for post 2013, reviewing existing and emerging strategies and policies affecting the region and scoping these over the 2014-2020 period and beyond; identify options for future themes/priorities for the post 2013 NPP; evaluate existing themes of the NPP and evaluate the future relevance of these in the post 2013 period; evaluate whether the NPP should extend its geographic coverage for the next programme period, i.e. involve more regions and possibly more countries; and gather input into the programme development process. 

The project contributes to the ongoing evaluation of the Lombardia Competitiveness OP (2007-13). The EPRC contribution involves three studies on: (i) the reform of Cohesion policy for the 2014-2020 period and the application of the earmarking principle in selected 2007-13 programmes from across the EU; (ii) an assessment of financial instruments for business development in Cohesion policy; and (iii) a review and appraisal of the measures implemented in 2007-13 programmes to support innovation, particularly through the enhancement of collaboration between firms and research.

This project examined territorial cooperation in the EU and its neighbourhood, asking what role cooperation has in ensuring the sustainable development of territorial units. The project covered 52 cross-border and 13 transnational cooperation areas as well as macro-regions such as the Baltic Sea Region. By considering the common characteristics of regions, critical mass and possible fields of cooperation, the project identified those regions that are most appropriate for territorial cooperation. The project also highlighted cases of good practice and general lessons that could be transferred or applied to other cooperation areas.

The project involved 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, counter-positions and implications.

Theproject examined the types of innovation that occur in peripheral, sparsely populated areas. It used a broad definition of innovation, ranging from the commercialisation of research and development, to the introduction of new services, business models and ways of working. It focused on sectors where innovation is rooted in the natural resources or sparse population of peripheral areas (e.g. alternative energies; wildlife/landscape tourism; food processing and marketing; cultural industries; and the use of ICT in public service delivery). It also examined the kinds of interaction that are important for innovation in remote areas and considered how innovation is shaped by local strengths (e.g. natural resources) and by external demand and supply-side factors (e.g. regulatory frameworks, external markets, government and business decisions). It focused in particular on peripheral areas of the Austria, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the UK.