The paper aims to enrich the discussion on the Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) and ongoing development of macro-regions in the EU. EU macro-regions are defined as geographical related places that are considered to be socially, economically, and historically...

Smart specialization strategies are a new EU approach to cohesion policy, meant to deliver growth and development at EU national and regional level. Bearing in mind its focus on place-based development strategies, this paper intends to shed some light on its appropriateness to tackle uneven...

This paper explores avenues for cross-fertilisation between the mission-oriented approach and Cohesion Policy. It argues in favour of mutual policy learning between the two to address some of their respective shortcomings: Cohesion Policy is facing a gradual erosion of its identity, whereas the...

This study evaluates the impact of European Union Structural Funds for innovation on key business indicators related to growth, profitability, and innovation at the regional level. We use the case of Andalusia during the period 2007-2020, a Spanish region benefiting from these funds, focusing on...

The paper presents a critical assessment of EU Cohesion Policy's rationale and specific features through the lenses of theories loosely referred to as "new industrial policy". Theoretical work in this areas is important in order to clarify the role of Cohesion Policy in the context of the...

The aim of the European Union's cohesion policy is to reduce development inequalities between the regions of the Member States and to increase economic, social, and territorial cohesion. Expenditures on it account for one‑third of the European Union (EU) budget. Therefore, the appropriate and...

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...

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...

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...