The conclusions of an 18-month EPRC study evaluating the management and implementation of Cohesion policy were presented by John Bachtler, together with Laura Polverari as well as core team members from partner organisation Metis (Vienna), at a European Commission hearing in the Berlaymont on 23 June 2009.
Funded by the Directorate-General for Regional Policy (DG Regio), the study involved a team of almost 40 researchers in 25 countries, managed by EPRC, who assessed the delivery of Structural Funds in the 2000-06 period, particularly the effectiveness of the funding, the degree of spillovers onto the domestic policy management of Member States, and the integration of sustainable development principles.
The results of the evaluation highlighted the varied quality of management systems, especially in the new Member States, but also the significant progress made since accession in 2004. Also, throughout the EU, the increasingly stringent financial control requirements (and associated administrative resources) are having negative consequences for the strategic management of programmes. The research found that the experience of delivering the Structural Funds has influenced the practices and procedures used by Member States for managing their own domestic policies.
The study recommended a fundamental reassessment of the EU regulatory framework to facilitate more strategic programme management, more investment in leadership, greater opportunities for learning, the development of institutional capacity in the Member States and a wider effort to promote higher standards of public administration of Cohesion policy. All of the reports from the evaluation will be published during July/August 2009 on the DG Regio website available here