European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO)
ongoing
CSIL – Centro Studi Industria Leggera SC
Regional policy is one of the most important investment policies of the European Union (EU). It aims to create jobs in all regions and cities of the EU, strengthen the competitiveness of companies, promote economic growth, support sustainable development and improve the quality of life. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is one of the EU's five European Structural and Investment Funds. It finances economic catch-up processes in poorer regions and those with structural problems.
The European Commission is legally obliged to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the European Structural and Investment Funds and their contribution to the Union's strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The Commission commissioned CSIL and Prognos to evaluate ERDF support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the period from 2014 to 2020.
Small and medium-sized enterprises create two out of three jobs in the private sector and contribute more than half of the economy's total value added. They cover a broad spectrum of companies that vary greatly in size, capacity, sector and type of activity.
Between 2014 and 2020, the EU provided almost 47.4 billion euros to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs. Companies received the majority of the funds in the form of grants, while a growing proportion was channelled through financial instruments such as loans, guarantees, equity and other risk-bearing mechanisms.
The promotion of SME competitiveness focuses in particular on funding for
Together with the Italian economic research company CSIL and country experts in 27 EU Member States, Prognos analyses 214 operational programmes for the ERDF 2014-2020 with regard to their contribution to promoting the competitiveness of SMEs.
Annual implementation reports, evaluations at national level, statistics, specialised literature and guided interviews with ERDF managing authorities and beneficiaries are used to gather and analyse information.
In selected case studies, for example on the promotion of industrial areas or tourism, we analyse in more detail which interventions are most effective where and which factors contribute to this.
In November 2023, we presented, discussed and confirmed the interim results of the study in a seminar with the Commission, managing authorities and experts.
Overall, the evaluation provides an overview of the different ways in which EU funds are used for SMEs in the EU in order to avoid potential failures in future funding periods.
Further information on the evaluations of the 2014-2020 programme period (website EU-Commission)
Project team: Anja Breuer, Vera Fuhs, Marie-Kristin Komendzinski, Dr. Jan-Philipp Kramer, Tommaso Luisari, Markus Zock
Last update: 05.08.2024
Partner, Head of EU Services
Project Manager
German industry is dependent on raw materials and preliminary products from abroad. On behalf of the Netzwerk Zukunft der Industrie e. V., Prognos analyses the supply chains and provides recommendations for action.
Eurostars supports cross-border research cooperation between SMEs in Europe. On behalf of the BMBF, Prognos analysed the effectiveness of the Eurostars 2 programme at national level.
A shrinking workforce, digitalisation and decarbonisation: Prognos examines the specific effects of global trends on regional labour markets.
With the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes, the EU Commission is promoting research and innovation in Europe. Prognos evaluated parts of the funding programmes in terms of their contribution to a resilient Europe.
With the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programmes, the EU Commission is promoting research and innovation in Europe. Prognos evaluated parts of the funding programmes in terms of their contribution to an innovative Europe.
How effectively do the federal states utilise ERDF funding? Prognos supports various federal states with the evaluation of their ERDF programmes.
As part of ERDF funding 2021-2027, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has developed a regional innovation strategy (RIS3). Prognos is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the strategy.
Cluster organisations have a significant positive influence on the green and digital transformation. This is a key finding of the Cluster Panorama Report 2024, which Prognos compiled for the European Commission.
As part of the Foresight on Demand consultancy contract, the European Commission is provided with future-orientated knowledge. Prognos supports the expert consortium.
Prognos supports the European Commission’s General Commission for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) in the strategic development of EU research and innovation policy.
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.