There have been many positive results from reforms made to the design and operation of the 2014–20 European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds, such as the introduction of the Common Provisions Regulation. Nevertheless coordination in implementation remains a challenge. This is the conclusion of a study by Prognos and KPMG for the European Commission. The study assessed the coherence, complementarity and coordination (3Cs) within the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds, and between these funds and other EU instruments, covering grants and financial instruments, under central and shared management. Three major strategies were identified that could improve the operation of the 3Cs: To further harmonise financial and implementation rules to realise more complementarities between funds and simplify the implementation process. To promote clearer demarcation between funds to increase coherence. To improve clarity in the information on funding opportunities available to beneficiaries, Managing Authorities and other stakeholders, in order to improve coordination. Furthermore, the report presents a set of key findings and options for consideration as part of the impact assessment for the post-2020 period. Method The report is based on evidence from some 238 interviews, 32 focus group meetings, over 250 documents and two expert workshops. Background The European Structural and Investment Funds contribute to strengthening the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the European Union and promoting growth and employment. They are supposed to make regions and cities more competitive, create new jobs and support sustainable development. Read the study (PDF) Read the Op-Ed by Prognos CEO "Was Brüssels Förderpolitik von Online-Reiseportalen lernen kann" (in German only) Website of the European Commission Authors: Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer, Holger Bornemann, Moritz Schrapers, Mirjam Buck et al. (Prognos AG); Olaf Buske, Andras Kaszap et al. (KPMG), Paul Jeffrey und Jim Fitzpatrick (externe Experten) Our work on this topic Take a look at our latest projects and activities. Regional contributions to climate neutrality ongoing | Project For the European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion (ESPON), we are investigating how regions can work together more effectively to protect the climate. Read more OECD Webinar: Smart moves 23. October 2025 | Event In this webinar, organised by the OECD, Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer provides insight into unlocking the potential of smart specialisation strategies. Read more TCI Global Conference 2025 15. October 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer speaks at the TCI Conference on an international panel on cooperation and lead of clusters for an open economy. Read more Annual I3 Instrument Forum 2025 24. September 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer provides insights into the Annual Observatory Report 2025 at the annual event. Read more Stronger together: The power of clusters 17. September 2025 | Event In the webinar, Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will give a presentation on the topic of ‘European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) – How registration on the ECCP can support cluster growth and visibility’. Read more Mid-term evaluation of the Programme Interreg Bavaria-Czech Republic 2021-2027 2025 | Project We conducted a mid-term evaluation of the Programme Interreg Bavaria-Czech Republic 2021-2027 on behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. Read more Strengthening European cohesion policy through REGIO Peer2Peer ongoing | Project The Peer2Peer communities are a network of representatives from regional and national authorities in all EU Member States. Prognos recently took over the management of the Circular Economy Community. Read more Peer2Peer Festival of Communities 2. - 4. June 2025 | Event The Peer2Peer Festival of Communities focuses on exchange within peer2peer communities. Richard Simpson and Anna Kronvall recently took over the management of the Circular Economy Community. Read more Industrial clusters for net-zero technologies in the European Union ongoing | Project As part of the Net-Zero Industry Act, we are working with our partners to conceptualise Net-Zero Acceleration Valleys for the European Commission. Read more Annual conference of the National Cluster Platform 9. September 2025 | Event At the conference, Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will give a keynote speech providing tips and examples on transformation and resilience by and for clusters. Read more Clusters Meet Regions: Ajdovscina 10. - 11. September 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents an input paper: The Knowledge Park as a catalyst for green and digital transformation in the North Adriatic region of Slovenia. Read more Clusters Meet Regions: Vaasa 24. - 25. September 2025 | Event At the event, Felix Ginzinger will present an input paper on Vaasa's leadership role in energy technology and sustainability. Read more Cluster Summit Finland 2025 & C2Lab 28. - 30. October 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will present an input paper at the Cluster Summit Finland 2025. The aim of the event is to explore opportunities for cooperation and build a solid R&D&I landscape for the future. Read more Clusters Meet Regions: Regensburg 26. - 27. November 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will present an input paper at the Clusters Meet Regions event in Regensburg. The aim is to create synergies and share knowledge about cross-innovation. Read more Clusters Meet Regions: Pamplona 12. - 13. November 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents an input paper on the Narvarra region. In addition to political measures and opportunities, the reality of industrial change in Navarra is also discussed. Read more Rail4Climate: Improving efficiency in the Austrian rail sector ongoing | Project With Rail4Climate, the Climate and Energy Fund promotes capacity and efficiency improvements in the Austrian rail sector with a focus on digital operations control, data usage and automated maintenance. We support the project with an indicator-based evaluation system. Read more Clusters Meet Regions: Copenhagen 2. - 3. December 2025 | Event The event supports the deep integration of clusters in Denmark into the European innovation and industrial ecosystem. Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will present an input paper. Read more Prognos Zukunftsatlas 2025 The Zukunftsatlas is celebrating its 20th anniversaryEvery three years since 2004 the Zukunftsatlas has examined the future viability of German regions – by means of selected macro- and socio-economic indicators – and has compared them in Read more The Zukunftsatlas 2025 is here 2025 | Expertise Does your region have a future? The new Prognos Zukunftsatlas has answers. Exclusively published in the Handelsblatt on July 4. Read more CCRI Webinar: Launch of the CCRI Self-Assessment Tool 3. July 2025 | Event As part of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), Jannis Lambert presents the Self-Assessment Tool (CCRI SAT) developed by Prognos to support cities, regions and territorial clusters in a webinar. Read more S3 Conference 18. June 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will give an overview of the implementation of S3 for the period 2021-2027 at the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) Conference 2025. Read more Mid-term review of the Hamburg ERDF programme 2025 | Project The Hanseatic City of Hamburg has the smallest ERDF programme in Germany. Prognos reviewed whether the programme objectives are being achieved and whether adjustments are necessary. Read more Ressource efficiency in Bavaria 2025 | Project Bavarian industry requires large quantities of raw materials. Our study shows how critical materials can be used efficiently and important savings potential identified. Read more CCRI-ECESP Stakeholder Event 5. June 2025 | Event As part of EU Green Week 2025, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform (ECESP) are jointly presenting pioneers in the circular economy. Prognos helped organise the event. Read more 4th CCRI Coordination & Support Workshop 6. June 2025 | Event Following EU Green Week 2025, the ‘4th CCRI Coordination & Support Workshop’ will take place, bringing together CCRI stakeholders for a final face-to-face meeting of the first phase. Prognos will provide input on our work in the project. Read more International S3 Conference 27. - 28. May 2025 | Event The conference is part of the CEDIS3 project. It's a place to share experiences and chat about the latest developments in smart specialisations. Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will be taking part in two panel discussions. Read more Smart specialisation in Turkey's regions ongoing | Project Prognos supports the CEDIS3 project. The aim is to enable national and regional stakeholders in Turkey to develop and implement viable strategies for smart specialisation. Read more Sustainability management concept for municipal energy management 2025 | Project Prognos and bridgingIT developed a concept for future internal sustainability management for a customer in the municipal energy sector. Read more C4T Conference: Driving Sustainability through Cohesion Policy 24. - 25. June 2025 | Event Prognos chairs the meeting of the Academic Sounding Board and the working group on climate adaptation. The aim is to further refine proposed measures on the path to a climate-neutral Europe. Read more Clusters meet Regions: Rzeszów 3. - 4. June 2025 | Event The Podkarpackie region has positioned itself as one of the leading locations for aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents an input paper. Read more Clusters meet Regions: Foligno 24. - 25. June 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents an input paper: Clusters as drivers of green and digital transformation in regional innovation ecosystems. Read more Clusters meet Regions: Cluj-Napoca 1. - 2. July 2025 | Event At the Clusters meet Regions event in Romania, Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will present an input paper on the cluster landscape in the region. Read more Prognos article in the European magazine TerritoriALL 2025 | Project update What impact do global crises have on regional labour markets? The 15th issue of TerritoriALL magazine reports on the OVERLAP project carried out by Prognos. Read more Mid-term evaluation of the public sector loan facility 2025 | Project The Public Sector Loan Facility is an EU financial instrument to ensure a socially just transition to climate neutrality in the regions. Prognos and t33 srl evaluated the instrument. Read more Design and implementation of the Resilience Expo ongoing | Project Prognos is supporting the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Environment in organising, implementing and establishing the world's first trade exhibition for the climate adaptation industry. Read more Impact of extreme weather events on transport infrastructure ongoing | Project Flooded streets, dried-up rivers, broken asphalt: we analyse the effects of extreme weather events on transport infrastructure and the economy. Read more German industry’s resilience and sovereignty 2025 | Project German industry is heavily dependent on raw materials and intermediate products from abroad, especially from China. Prognos analysed supply chains and developed recommendations for action. Read more Evaluation of the ‘Innovative University’ funding initiative ongoing | Project How can innovations be implemented in practice? This is where the BMBF's ‘Innovative University’ funding initiative comes in. Prognos and Fraunhofer ISI are evaluating the programme. Read more Conference on Industrial Resilience 10. April 2025 | Event Michael Astor presents the results of the study on the resilience and sovereignty of the German industry, which we conducted on behalf of the Netzwerk Zukunft der Industrie e. V. (Future of Industry Network). The results will then be discussed by industry representatives. Read more Clusters meet Regions: Palma 14. - 15. May 2025 | Event The event examines how clusters are accelerating the transition to sustainable economic models. It shows how Palma and the Balearic Islands can act as key players for innovation in the circular economy. Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will present an input paper. Read more Cluster Collaboration Lab (C2Lab) in Spain 19. - 20. March 2025 | Event The next edition of the Cluster Collaboration Lab (C2Lab) will take place in Zaragoza, Spain. As part of our work in the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), we are preparing an input paper, which Paul Möhlmann will present on site. Read more Talent Booster Mechanism In Action 18. March 2025 | Event With the ‘Harnessing Talent Platform’, the EU is supporting regions that are most affected by demographic change. The event will present what has been achieved so far and where the regions stand. Prognos is part of the platform and provides support primarily in the area of knowledge generation. Read more Interregional Innovation Investment: The I3 Support Facility ongoing | Project The I3 Support Facility boosts interregional projects in smart specialisation, with Prognos leading the Capacity Building Hub. Read more Extra-high voltage line Ganderkesee – St. Hülfe 2023 | Project Grid operator TenneT has put an important power line into operation in Lower Saxony. Prognos supported the communication for the project. Read more Clusters meet Regions: Eindhoven 26. March 2025 | Event Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will present an input paper on the Brabant cluster landscape at the Clusters meet Regions event. The South Netherlands region is one of the leading innovation centres in Europe. Read more Clusters meet Regions: Heilbronn 9. April 2025 | Event The region around Heilbronn is a leading location in the fields of automotive, mechanical engineering, artificial intelligence and hydrogen innovation. Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will present an input paper on the Heilbronn cluster landscape at the event. Read more Public participation in the Rostock Südstadt district 2024 | Project What will the future look like in the Südstadt district of Rostock? In an innovative and co-creative public participation process, Prognos and the participants developed criteria for a planning concept its further development. Read more Circular Valley Convention 13. March 2025 | Event Marieke Eckhardt and Tim Bichlmeier will host a stage slot as part of the Green Economy Network.NRW (KNUW) on how innovative recycling solutions from NRW can ensure the sustainable supply of critical raw materials. Read more How far are the regions on the road to a circular economy? 2025 | Project update Prognos has developed a tool for the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) that supports cities and regions in monitoring their circular economy activities. Read more Economic potential of the green tech sector in Bavaria 2024 | Project How powerful is the green tech industry in Bavaria? What is its economic significance? We examined these questions on behalf of the vbw using our envigos model. Read more About us We combine economic research and strategy consulting for sustainable decisions in politics, business and society. Our robust data, precise analyses and scientifically based findings enable fact-based progress – financially independent, politically neutral. Learn more
