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Realignment of European
structural funds

Client

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK)

Year

ongoing

Partner

DLR-PT, Taurus ECO Consulting


Europe’s regions are facing significant transformation challenges. The European Union supports them in meeting these challenges through the provision of various structural funds that strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion and eliminate regional inequalities between Europe’s regions. These funds include, among others, the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRD).

The Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) commissioned Prognos with supporting the DLR-PT and TAURUS ECO Consulting in the future realignment of the European structural support from national and state perspectives. 

In a participative approach, the project reflects on relevant questions concerning the implementation, monitoring, and management of European structural funds. Based on this, key conclusions are to be developed for further development in the legislative package for the 2028 to 2034 funding period.

More efficient processing of European structural funds

To illuminate the central aspects of the implementation, monitoring and governance of the structural funds in the German states, the state administrative authorities as well as the relevant stakeholders from science, the economy and civil society were integrated into the project. The goal is to structure the programmes and funding guidelines in a more goal-oriented way that is both simpler and more efficient. 

Some of the most important aspects are

  • the evaluation of the update for the 2021-2027 funding period,
  • best-practice projects for the implementation of political goals,
  • the role of regional investment strategies in strategic investment monitoring,
  • reducing access barriers to funding and
  • a possible transmission of governance aspects from other regional political instruments.

Our approach

The project is based on a mix of methods that includes desk research, interviews with experts, case studies and workshops. On the basis of the study the BMWK will coordinate its position with the German government and federal states. This will be significant for the future design of the structural funds in Germany and Europe.

Links and downloads

Further information on the BMWK website (in German)

Results of the stakeholder consultation (BMWK press release, german)

Project team: Holger Bornemann, Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer, Ralph Rautenberg

Latest update: 21.10.2024

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer

Partner, Head of EU Services

View profile

Holger Bornemann

Partner, Director

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Ralph Rautenberg

Principal

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