Projects

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.

This project, undertaken for the European Parliament's REGI Committee, analysed the increased role of cities in EU Cohesion policy in 2014-2020 and the potential benefits. The study covered the potential impact, opportunities and risks, investigating in particular the best and most efficient ways of implementing new rules proposed in the regulations discussed between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The study involved seven national case studies, each examining national procedures for Cohesion policy and the case of an example city.

The project was conducted as part of a World Bank contract with the Romanian Government to deliver technical assistance, to identify project selection models for the Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020. As part of the analysis, EPRC undertook a comparative review of project selection models and criteria across six EU Member States, including a description of the main models, a review and analysis of applicable criteria and main lessons learned and good practice.

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 involved an assessment of external coherence of the Structural Funds programme in Austria as part of the ex-ante evaluation of the Austrian ERDF OP 2014-20

The project involved providing research and advisory support for the Ministry of Finance, Lithuania, during the Lithuanian EU Presidency.

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.

This study provided an overview of good practice in addressing horizontal themes in EU Structural Funds programmes, feeding in to the University of Tartu evaluation of the horizontal themes in the priority axis “Good-quality and long working life” of the Human Resource Development OP in Estonia.

This study for Enterprise Ireland provided input into the Irish position paper on the reform of the Regional Aid Guidelines.

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.