Projects

This project operationalised the civic versus ethnocultural model in the context of two autonomist parties, the Scottish National Party in the United Kingdom and the Frisian National Party in the Netherlands. First, it explores the validity of this model in both parties by examining whether a distinction between civic and ethnocultural national identities can be made. Second, it aims to analyse how different conceptions relate to attitudes towards immigration and European integration in these parties.

This study for Enterprise Ireland examined the implications for Ireland of the refrom of the Regional Aid Guidelines.

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 budget modelling on scenarios for the reform of EU Cohesion policy during the debate and negotiations of policy reform in 2011-13

A study aimed at providing a preliminary estimate of the impact of changing regulatory requirements on the administrative cost and burden of managing EU Structural Funds

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.

This project provided a review and assessment of the simplification measures in Cohesion policy in 2007-13. Simplification has been an ongoing feature of reform debates since 1988. The most recent simplification exercise responds to the economic crisis and involves measures for speeding up programme implementation. The measures have been at least partially effective, with some programmes playing a major role in dealing with the crisis, through accelerated spending or special instruments. The longer term focus of attention is on how the current, administratively complex management and control system can be simplified while maintaining assurance on the regularity of spending. The issues covered by this note were presented and discussed in the framework of the Workshop "Simplification in Cohesion Policy", held at the European Parliament on 21 June 2010.

This study for Enterprise Ireland examined the implications for Ireland of the refrom of the Regional Aid Guidelines.