Smart Villages is a relatively new concept that was first formulated by the European Commission - at the initiation of the European Parliament through the EU Action for Smart Villages in 2017. The 1st Preparatory Action on Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century (called Smart Rural 21 project,...

Green transition is one of the priority areas in the European Union (EU), and thus also the focus of EU cohesion policy implementation during the 2021-2027 programming period, through "green growth". To establish adequate guidelines and achieve better outcomes, it is necessary to observe and...

The additionality principle of the European cohesion policy was verified ex-ante by the European Commission and was eliminated starting from the 2021-27 programming period. However, the cohesion treatment may have ex-post reduced, in some cases, national spending and the decision to eliminate...

This paper introduces a novel approach to measuring synergies between Horizon 2020 and cohesion policy funding in the field of R&I during the 2014-2020 programming period. Leveraging project-level data, we calculate regional cosine similarity indices based on societal grand challenges (SGCs)...

Poverty can be defined in various ways, capturing different facets of deprivation. Traditionally, poverty has been understood as insufficient command over economic resources. This is typically measured in monetary terms and is expressed in one of two ways: absolute poverty, and relative poverty....

Cities and regions around the world are crucial stakeholders in implementing the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development. As a key force in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, local and regional authorities should be better included in the governance of these processes...

Cities and regions around the world are crucial stakeholders in implementing the Global Agenda for Sustainable Development. As a key force in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, local and regional authorities should be better included in the governance of these processes...

Cohesion Policy in Ireland has been instrumental in addressing regional disparities, fostering innovation, and promoting a greener, low-carbon economy. With two regional programmes in place, the focus has been on enhancing research excellence, skills development, energy efficiency measures, and...

Malta's Cohesion Policy has yielded transformative results across two programmes, addressing significant challenges while fostering economic growth and sustainability. With a focus on research and innovation, sustainable water and waste management, energy efficiency and renewable energy,...

Malta's Cohesion Policy has yielded transformative results across two programmes, addressing significant challenges while fostering economic growth and sustainability. With a focus on research and innovation, sustainable water and waste management, energy efficiency and renewable energy,...

Cohesion Policy in Ireland has been instrumental in addressing regional disparities, fostering innovation, and promoting a greener, low-carbon economy. With two regional programmes in place, the focus has been on enhancing research excellence, skills development, energy efficiency measures, and...

In September 2022, DG Regio commissioned PPMI in association with the European Policies Research Centre to study the organisational models of the programme authorities involved in implementing ERDF programmes over the first two decades of the 21st Century. The study is distinctive in its focus...

Created in 1994, the European Committee of the Regions is the EU's political assembly of 329 regional and local representatives such as regional presidents or city-mayors from all 27 Member States, representing over 446 million Europeans.

Created in 1994, the European Committee of the Regions is the EU's political assembly of 329 regional and local representatives such as regional presidents or city-mayors from all 27 Member States, representing over 446 million Europeans.

The original full study analyses the evolution and current implementation status of synergies between the Horizon Europe research and innovation funding programme (HE) and the funds and programmes underpinning the European Union's (EU) Cohesion Policy (CP). Synergies between the HE and CP...

This study examines the evolution and the current status of the implementation of synergies between Horizon Europe and the Cohesion Policy funds for research and innovation activities. It provides insights into the main barriers and drivers for the uptake of these synergies, along with possible...

This study examines the evolution and the current status of the implementation of synergies between Horizon Europe and the Cohesion Policy funds for research and innovation activities. It provides insights into the main barriers and drivers for the uptake of these synergies, along with possible...

The original full study analyses the evolution and current implementation status of synergies between the Horizon Europe research and innovation funding programme (HE) and the funds and programmes underpinning the European Union's (EU) Cohesion Policy (CP). Synergies between the HE and CP...

The purpose of the 'Support for Smart Villages in the CAP Strategic Plans' report carried out in the framework of the 2nd Preparatory Action - Smart areas in the 21th century - is to provide an overview on how Smart Villages concept has been programmed in the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plans (CAP...

We study the effects of place-based policies on aggregate productivity using administrative data on projects co-financed by the EU in Italy linked to balance sheet data. We exploit quasi-experimental variation in funding for a large place-based policy stemming from measurement error in regional...

We study the effects of place-based policies on aggregate productivity using administrative data on projects co-financed by the EU in Italy linked to balance sheet data. We exploit quasi-experimental variation in funding for a large place-based policy stemming from measurement error in regional...

We analyse the macroeconomic impact of the European cohesion policy investments deployed during the 2014-2020 programming period on the basis of simulations carried out with the spatial dynamic general equilibrium model called RHOMOLO. We use the latest data on actual expenditures including the...

The study delves into the future landscape of EU Cohesion Policy, set against the backdrop of three challenges: globalisation and technological advancements, shifting demographic trends, and the transition to a climate-neutral economy. To assess the impacts of these challenges on various EU...

The "Study on National Policies and Cohesion" report presents an analysis of nationally-funded policy measures aimed at enhancing territorial cohesion across the EU. Coordinated by DG REGIO and implemented by a consortium led by Technopolis-Group, CSIL, and Opix, the study addresses the lack of...

This study was performed from January to September 2024 by a consortium that includes t33 srl, Spatial Foresight and ÖIR. The study supports the European Commission in complying with the provisions of Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) Article 45: 'The Commission shall carry out a mid-term...

The study performs an ex-post evaluation of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) during the 2014-2022 implementation period, assessing its impact on poverty across EU regions. The study examines six key poverty measures, including population at risk of poverty or social...

The European Union's Cohesion Policy is vital in reducing economic and social disparities and promoting harmonious development across the continent. The policy, implemented together with the EU countries and regions, gives active, timely support for employment, entrepreneurship, research &...

This year's EIB Group Activities in EU Cohesion Regions report focuses on the importance of building inclusive communities. This report analyses the EIB Group's activity in cohesion regions in 2023, with particular emphasis on targeted social investments in key systemic enablers in those...

This year's EIB Group Activities in EU Cohesion Regions report focuses on the importance of building inclusive communities. This report analyses the EIB Group's activity in cohesion regions in 2023, with particular emphasis on targeted social investments in key systemic enablers in those...

In the 2021-2027 programming period, the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and Just Transition Fund (JTF) play a significant role in support to skills. Additional funds, such as the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF), Erasmus+, Technical Support...

We, elected representatives of regions and cities all over Europe, call on the European institutions and on national governments to devise a comprehensive EU agenda which puts the strengthening of social, economic and territorial cohesion at its very core. We share common objectives: ensuring...

Totalling EUR 392 billion for the 2021-2027 period, Cohesion Policy is the main EU investment policy to implement the Treaty objective of strengthening the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU and reducing disparities between the levels of development of various regions. Cohesion...

This study analyses the absorption rates of the EU Cohesion Policy funds in 2014-2020 over time across funds (ERDF, ESF, CF, and REACT-EU), and across Member States and regions. It also provides a comparison with 2007-2013 absorption. A summary of absorption drivers, obstacles and undertaken...

The 9th Cohesion Report highlights significant achievements of Cohesion Policy in terms of fostering upwards economic and social convergence in the Union. Challenges remain especially at regional level, and these will be further impacted by structural transformations. Lessons learned from past...

The 9th Cohesion Report highlights significant achievements of Cohesion Policy in terms of fostering upwards economic and social convergence in the Union. Challenges remain especially at regional level, and these will be further impacted by structural transformations. Lessons learned from past...

The 9th Cohesion Report highlights significant achievements of Cohesion Policy in terms of fostering upwards economic and social convergence in the Union. Challenges remain especially at regional level, and these will be further impacted by structural transformations. Lessons learned from past...

The 9th Cohesion Report highlights significant achievements of Cohesion Policy in terms of fostering upwards economic and social convergence in the Union. Challenges remain especially at regional level, and these will be further impacted by structural transformations. Lessons learned from past...

This publication includes a set of examples of projects in rural areas from 23 Member States and four cross-border regions to showcase the long-lasting impact of the cohesion policy on the ground. The examples are structured around the following themes, among others: the green transition, the...

This publication includes a set of examples of projects in rural areas from 23 Member States and four cross-border regions to showcase the long-lasting impact of the cohesion policy on the ground. The examples are structured around the following themes, among others: the green transition, the...

The largest investment toolbox under the EU budget, the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) have been stable drivers of investment in the EU. With their long-term span and thematic focus, they have channelled resources towards strengthening the economic, social and territorial...

This study focuses on EU Cohesion Policy in the nine outermost regions. It first outlines the geographic, climate, socio-economic, demographic and administrative characteristics of these regions and further analyses the vulnerabilities affecting their convergence processes. It pays particular...

Cohesion Policy is the prime investment policy of the European Union (EU). It is designed to promote harmonious progress, advancing economic, social and territorial development throughout the Union by channelling investments into regions with lower levels of development and/or specific...

The stakeholder dialogue within the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process has been often cited as the most critical stage in designing the Smart Specialisation strategy. It represents a very important milestone in the process, as it brings together key representatives of a society, coming from...