all projects

Evaluation of Cohesion Policy programmes: Work Package 12 – Delivery Systems

Client

European Commission

Year

2016


The central aim of WP12 is to synthesis the main findings that come out from the evaluations and studies carried out under the various WPs that form the ex-post evaluation and to produce a synthesis report on these (Task 7). It is also to produce concise summaries on the developments and achievements in each of the 28 Member States which received financial support over the period (Task 3). The further central tasks are to provide support to Commission services throug-hout the whole duration of the evaluation with constructive proposals on the work carried out by other WPs (Task 5) and to organise their main meetings and seminars (Task 6).

  • Challenge 1: Programme and project implementation. Most programmes performed well in terms of implementation, selecting and carrying out projects -the main exceptions being Ro-mania and Croatia which as newer Member States experienced some teething problems (key finding 1). However, many beneficiaries, especially in programmes with smaller budgets, per-ceived the administrative burden to be higher than necessary - especially regarding require-ments during the application phase, control procedures and contradictory interpretations of rules at different levels of the delivery system (key finding 2).
  • Challenge 2: Results and impacts. Focussing the programmes on longer-term impacts proved a greater challenge - programmes in the 2007-13 period started to concentrate on "Lisbon" goals, though this did not lead to much greater concentration and focus only on in-puts (key finding 3). Projects were often selected for their ability to absorb funding rather than their contribution to desired impacts on the region (key finding 4) and the majority of programmes funded did not have in place a systematic impact measurement system (key finding 5).


Key Findings

Key Finding 1: Despite the challenges of the financial and economic crisis, which started in 2008, Cohesion Policy programmes delivered projects accounting for over 90% of the available EUR 347 billion by the end of 2015.

Key Finding 2: Administrative and control arrangements are perceived as necessary and useful but often disproportionate, especially outside the cohesion Countries. Overly strict or conflicting interpretations of eligibility rules are a particular problem.

Key Finding 3: Programme objectives tended to be very broad. There was an attempt to focus resources on European priorities (Lisbon objectives and earmarking process). However, this was only the first step towards a more focussed and strategic approach required in the 2014-20 peri-od.

Key Finding 4: Projects were often selected as much for their ability to absorb funding as for their contribution to the objectives of the programme.

Key Finding 5: In the 2007-13 period, there was still only a moderate tendency in many Member States and regions in being aware of, measuring, and reflecting on the progress of Operational Programmes towards their objectives.

To the final report (PDF, ec.europa.eu)

Autoren: Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer, Michael Astor, Holger Bornemann, Kristina Stegner, Anja Breuer

Our work on this topic

Take a look at our latest projects and activities.

Evaluation of the ERDF programmes of several federal states

ongoing
| Project

How effectively do the federal states utilise ERDF funding? Prognos supports various federal states with the evaluation of their ERDF programmes.

Evaluation of ERDF funding for SMEs

ongoing
| Project

How effective is EU support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)? On behalf of the European Commission, Prognos evaluates together with CSIL the ERDF funding in the period from 2014 to 2020.

Guest article in SPIEGEL: How Europe's economy can catch up with the USA and China

2024
| Expertise

A race to catch up - this is what Europe needs if it is not to be left behind by the USA and China. In the SPIEGEL guest article, Christian Böllhoff calls for a new match plan with clear priorities for the new EU legislative period.

Developing the Rhein-Kreis Neuss economic development strategy

2024
| Project

Rhein-Kreis Neuss is focusing on more innovative economic development to strengthen its business location. Prognos was instrumental in the development of the new strategy.

Realignment of European structural funds

ongoing
| Project

Prognos and partners are developing conclusions for the further development of the European structural funds after 2027 by integrating relevant stakeholders.

Hybrid seminar on cohesion policy support for RTDI

| Event

Prognos and its partners are organising a hybrid seminar on the evaluation of cohesion policy support for research, technological development and innovation (RTDI).

Spring workshop of the AK Structural Policy of DeGEval

-
| Event

Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer will give a presentation on "Theory-based (impact) evaluations in a comprehensive evaluation approach - an experience report from the accompanying evaluation in ERDF-NRW 2014-2020" at the spring workshop of the DeGEval Structural Policy Working Group.

European Cluster Conference 2024

-
| Event

The European Cluster Conference 2024 brings the key players in the European cluster economy together in one place. The Prognos team around Head of EU-Services Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer is providing input both as part of our work for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform and for the NRW.innovativ competence centre.

Support for the Just Transition Platform

2024
| Project

Through the Just Transition Platform (JTP), the EU supports the member states and regions in achieving their climate targets in a fair manner. Prognos provided the JTP with in-depth analyses and knowledge management.

Efficient use of EU funding in Germany and France

ongoing
| Project

The European Commission has commissioned an examination of the embedding of EU-funded financial instruments for regional development in Germany and France. Prognos is part of the study team.

Just Transition Platform Conference: Carbon-Intensive Regions

| Event

Stakeholders of the European chemical industry exchange on their activities for a just transition towards climate neutrality.

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.

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).

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.

Just Transition Platform: Meeting of the Working Group on Chemicals

| Event

At the meeting of the JTP Working Group on Chemicals, proposals will be discussed to help EU regions with a strong chemical industry make a just transition to climate neutrality.

Zukunftsatlas 2022


Ranking for Germany’s regions

EU clusters and value chains with Singapore

2022
| Project

Singapore and the EU seek to intensify their relations through targeted cluster-based cooperation. Prognos analysed the potential for future cooperation.

Evaluation Network Meeting of DG REGIO

| Event

Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer presents first results of a study for DG Regio.

Just Transition Platform Meeting: Coal Regions in Transition

| Event

Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer speaks at the fifth Just Transition Platform Meeting.

Circular economy potential for rural development

2022
| Project

Equal living conditions in the city and in the country are a federal government goal. We are looking into how the circular economy can contribute to this for the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB).

Clusters as drivers of regional development – Lithuania

2022
| Project

Our input paper for the European Cluster Collaboration Platform’s second “Clusters meet Re-gions” event, presents the cluster landscape of Lithuania.

European Regional Development Fund: Evaluation of RTD-Investments

2021
| Project

Evaluation of investments in Research & Technological Development infrastructures and activities supported by the ERDF from 2007 to 2013.

Cluster Initiatives Follow-up

2021
| Project

For the European Commission, we evaluated the impact of the EU cluster initiatives

Innovation region Central Germany 2040 – Socio-economic perspective

2021
| Project

The population in Central Germany is shrinking, aging, and requires increasing levels of care. However, the industries in focus have leverage – especially in cities.

Climate-Neutral Germany 2045

2021
| Project

Together with the Öko-Institut and the Wuppertal Institute, we have investigated how Germany can achieve its climate targets even before 2050.

Evaluation of the cluster initiatives

2021
| Project

For the EU Commission, we evaluate the EU cluster programmes together with CSES and IDEA Consulting Group.

Needs analysis of funding for Groningen

2020
| Project

On behalf of the province of Groningen, Prognos calculates the possible allocation share of funding for the region from the Just Transition Fund. In particular, the possibilities of green hydrogen in the northern Netherlands are emphasised.

Southern Upper Rhine future strategy

2020
| Project

Prognos took a closer look at the region on behalf of the Southern Upper Rhine’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

National Policies and Cohesion

2020
| Project

Together with experts of the Politecnico di Milano and the Technopolis Group, Prognos researched trends of national and regional disparities.

ZDF Germany Study 2019

2019
| Project

On behalf of ZDF, we examined the external living conditions for families and senior citizens in Germany's 401 districts and independent cities.

Impact Area Analysis Regions Düsseldorf-Kreis Mettmann / Rheinisches Revier

2019
| Project

The impact analysis outlines the spatial links between the two regions.

Main Determinants of Regional Economic Resilience

2019
| Project

What was the impact of the great recession on EU regions? Prognos Consultant Neysan Khabirpour contributed to a recent European Commission Working Paper.

Prognos Zukunftsatlas®

Project

Zukunftsatlas 2022 Curious about how your region is currently perfo

Prognos Zukunftsatlas® 2019

2019
| Project

How well equipped are Germany's districts and cities for the future? Who is ahead in the ranking, who needs to catch up? The Prognos Zukunftsatlas 2019 provides answers (in German).

ZDF Germany Study 2018

2018
| Project

Where is the best place to live in Germany? Prognos investigated this question on behalf of ZDFzeit.

Fields of action for lignite regions

2018
| Project

How can structural change in lignite mining areas succeed? A Prognos study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Economics reveals possible approaches and instruments.

Coordination and harmonisation of ESI Funds and other EU Instruments

2018
| Project

Has harmonization of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) and other EU instruments improved? This is the subject of a study by KPMG and Prognos commissioned by the European Commission.

Prognos Zukunftsatlas® 2016

2016
| Project

How are Germany's regions positioned for the future? The 2004 study in cooperation with Handelsblatt.

Support to large enterprises through the EU Cohesion Policy

2016
| Project

On behalf of the EU Commission, Prognos and KPMG have investigated whether the financial aid for large enterprises through the EU Cohesion Policy between 2007 and 2013 had the desired effect.

Prognos Zukunftsatlas® 2013

2013
| Project

How are Germany's regions positioned for the future? The 2013 study in cooperation with Handelsblatt.

Prognos Zukunftsatlas® 2010

2010
| Project

How are Germany's regions positioned for the future? The 2010 study in cooperation with Handelsblatt.

Prognos Zukunftsatlas® Industries 2009

2009
| Project

“Prognos Zukunftsatlas® Industries 2009” focuses on the future fields that have potential for a strong increase in value creation over the next five to ten years.

Prognos Zukunftsatlas® 2007

2007
| Project

How are Germany's regions positioned for the future? The 2007 study in cooperation with Handelsblatt.

Prognos Zukunftsatlas® 2004

2004
| Project

How are Germany's regions positioned for the future? The 2004 study in cooperation with Handelsblatt.

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