A new article by Laura Polverari and Rona Michie has been published in the issue 1/2010 of the Italian Rivista Giuridica del Mezzogiorno, edited by SVIMEZ.
The article assesses the extent of partners' involvement in Cohesion policy programmes, with particular emphasis on non-governmental actors. Based on research on c.20 European programmes belonging to the IQ-Net Network, the article presents a range of conclusions:
- first, that the programmes' Managing Authorities are generally satisfied with the degree of partners' involvement, but this same pervasive satisfaction lacks amongst the partners organisations;
- second, that the new Cohesion policy architecture (Lisbon-orientation and lack of area designation for the RCE programmes) has led to a change in the composition of the partnerships;
- third, that notwithstanding the improvements realised over subsequent programme periods, the involvement of non-governmental partners remains largely confined to the stages of strategy definition and programme design;
- fourth, that the accountability function of partnership is not yet adequately developed (the other functions explored by the article being responsiveness and effectiveness);
- fifth, that the rationale and latitude of partners involvement are often obscure and vague, and not share amongst all those involved, and this hinders effectiveness;
- lastly, that a possible strengthening of the partnership principle via regulatory reform is not viewed with favour by Managing Authorities and Member States.
The article concludes with some forward looking considerations on the possible reform avenues which may be taken to strengthen this important Cohesion policy principle.