all projects

ERDF and Cohesion Fund
monitoring data merged
at EU level 

Client

European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional Policy and Urban Development

Year

2022

Partner

CSIL, PPMI


The study analyses and evaluates the monitoring systems and data provided by EU Member States in the context of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF) support in the period 2014-2020. These monitoring systems are complex and also reflect regional needs. Nevertheless, they provide high quality data on the funded projects.

A database for all co-financed measures in the EU

The study led to the creation of a database containing 215 Operational Programmes co-financed by the ERDF and/or CF and 73 cooperation programmes co-financed in the 2014-2020 period for the twelve thematic objectives. This database comprises three interlinked datasets: on operations, on beneficiaries and on common and programme-specific output indicators.

From the analysis of the monitoring systems and data of the 27 EU Member States and the United Kingdom, the study derived recommendations for their further improvement:

  • Double counting should be avoided in order to increase the plausibility and consistency of the data at EU level. At the project level, the data is correct; only through the aggregation of the data at the national level does double counting occur in some cases.
  • Electronic transmission of monitoring data and the introduction of automatic control mechanisms in the databases could increase efficiency.
  • Clearer labelling of projects in the monitoring systems would simplify their use at EU level. The marking should indicate whether an operation belongs to a project, a group of projects or a project component.

Question and objective

For the evaluation of the 2014-2020 ERDF and CF funding period, the European Commission needed solid data, especially at the project level. The main objective of the study was to collect, harmonise and aggregate monitoring data on the co-financed measures. This took place for the first time at EU level and for all thematic objectives. The study thus provides a consistent and reliable database for further analysis of the funded measures.

Our approach

The monitoring data provided by the 27 EU Member States and the United Kingdom had very different data types. Therefore, the data had to be cleaned and harmonised.
A cluster analysis of the projects and beneficiaries covered allowed them to be classified into groups. In addition, the common output indicators were checked for plausibility and important programme-specific output indicators were analysed.
In order to evaluate the monitoring systems of the Member States and the United Kingdom, country experts conducted interviews with the respective authorities.

Links and downloads

To the paper (op.europa.eu)

Lern more about the projekt (cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu)

Project team: Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer, Neysan Khabirpour, Anja Breuer, Vera Fuhs

Last update: 12.07.2023

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer

Vice Director, Head of EU Services

View profile

Mehr Studien & Projekte zu diesem Thema

More studies & projects on this topic

A sustainable approach to raw materials in Eastern and Northern Finland

2023
| Project

The services sector in this region is growing and is considered exceptionally innovative within the EU. Our input paper for a “Clusters meet Regions” event.

Evaluation of Eurostars-2, the European SME support programme

2023
| Project

On behalf of the EU Commission, Prognos and its partners examined the Eurostars-2 SME fund-ing programme as part of the evaluation study of the European Framework Programmes Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.

Cluster collaboration between the EU and Africa

2023
| Project

Cooperation between the EU and Africa, which has intensified since 2000, warrants increased momentum. Prognos examined trade flows between the EU and South Africa, Senegal, and Kenya as well as the potential for further cooperation through cluster organisations.

Strengthening trade relations with Ukraine

2023
| Project

“Clusters meet Regions” – Prognos examined trade relations between EU member states and Ukraine as well as potential for further cooperation.

Cluster Collaboration Lab Lund

2023
| Project

Innovative business models for the future – this was the focus of the second edition of the Cluster Collaboration Lab in Lund, Sweden. Prognos provided the input paper for this interactive workshop.

DG REGIO – Evaluation of the European Green Deal

ongoing
| Project

How effective has the EU cohesion policy been in driving green change in Europe? This and other questions are being investigated jointly with COWI, Milieu, and CSIL, on behalf of the European Commission (DG REGIO).

Follow-up study on smart specialisation strategies in the EU

2023
| Project

We evaluated the 185 smart specialisation strategies of the EU regions together with CSIL: A quantitative study for the EU Commission.

Evaluation of EU funding programme for the development of digital solutions for older people

2022
| Project

Digital solutions can make life easier for older people. The EU's Active and Assisted Living Programme (AAL2) has actively contributed to the development of novel solutions.

Resilient supply chains in the EU

2022
| Project

What are possible solutions when supply chains are disrupted due to external shocks? A survey conducted for the European Commission as part of the European Cluster Collaboration Platform provides answers.

Clusters as drivers of regional development – Silesia

2022
| Project

The third “Clusters meet Regions” event was dedicated to the Polish region of Silesia. An input paper for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform.

About us

Prognos – Providing Orientation.

Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.

Learn more