Prof. John Bachtler and Dr. Laura Polverari, of EPRC, together with Professor Iain Begg (LSE) presented the final report of the study on the 'Evolution of the Main Achievements of Cohesion Policy Programmes and Projects over the Longer Term' (1989-2012) to an audience of DG Regio officials on 30 October.
Written together also with Professor David Charles, the report is the culmination a two-year study involving 12 research teams across Europe and a core team from EPRC and LSE. The study concludes that on the whole ERDF programmes have been relevant, effective and addressed actual needs, but that there are important lessons to be learnt to improve the policy's results-orientation in future.
The final comparative report and 15 case study reports are all available from DG Regio's website.