Martin Ferry

The EU and recent regional reform in Poland

The first section of this article briefly examines the ways in which the Commission seeks to impress its values and norms on processes of regional reform in CCs through the accession process. The recent regional reforms in Poland are then analysed from the perspective of harmonisation with these values and norms: to what extent can we delineate the influence of the EU in this mix of factors? Can we identify aspects of the reforms where the interaction between EU and Polish influences has been benign and elements that have been more problematic? The implications of these different types of interaction for the current status and future operation of regional government units are assessed with brief reference to the case of Polands Silesian region.

Conditionalities and the Performance of European Structural Funds: A Principal-Agent Analysis of Control Mechanisms in European Union Cohesion Policy

Bachtler J. and Ferry M. Conditionalities and the performance of European Structural Funds: a principal–agent analysis of control mechanisms in European Union cohesion policy, Regional Studies. In the context of debates on the performance of European Union cohesion policy, this paper considers how the European Union has used control mechanisms to influence the use of Structural Funds by member states. Using the principal–agent model, this paper examines empirically three case studies of conditionalities applied to the absorption of funding (decommitment rule), outcomes of interventions (performance reserve) and targeting of expenditure (earmarking) in European Union programmes over the 2000–2013 period. The findings reveal different levels of effectiveness of the three conditionalities, attributable to the differential scope for trade-offs during the regulatory negotiations, external pressure and principal self-interest. The paper discusses an effectiveness threshold for introducing controls, the tensions between multiple conditionalities and the limitations of top-down control mechanisms in influencing agent behaviour.

Cohesion Policy and the Evolution of Regional Policy in Central and Eastern Europe

The paper considers the extent to which domestic regional policy in the Central East European EU member states has been ‘subsumed’ into cohesion policy approaches. It acknowledges that directions of domestic regional policy change vary with processes of EU policy transfer, adaptation, emulation or resistance. This variation occurs across time and across member states. Crucially, the paper argues that interaction between cohesion policy and national regional policy systems also varies according to different regional policy components. Drawing on research from across the member states, the analysis breaks policy down into a number of key dimensions (objectives, instruments, spatial targeting and governance) and assesses the interaction between EU and domestic approaches and agendas.

Reassessing the concept of policy termination: the case of regional policy in England

The concept of policy termination is regaining currency as governments reassess policy commitments and budgets amidst the global financial and economic crisis. What factors affect the decision to terminate a specific policy? Are some policies more susceptible to termination than others? This article addresses these questions using a case study of regional policy in England where, following a change in UK government in 2010, the institutional and policy basis for regional economic policy has been overhauled. It assesses whether these changes amount to a case of policy termination and explores the factors that have influenced policy change. Based on one of the few non-US cases, it tests the validity of theoretical frameworks that have been employed for analysing, categorising and explaining policy termination and draws conclusions on the power of these frameworks to account sufficiently for the processes of policy change observed.

Between Growth and Cohesion: New Directions in Central and East European Regional Policy

THE ISSUE OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS HIGH ON THE POLICY agenda in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Indeed, for a variety of reasons, these countries are currently seen as some of the most interesting ‘laboratories’ for regional development in the European Union (EU) and beyond. First, from a situation in the early and mid-1990s where finances for regional development in these countries were very limited, there are now significant levels of funding available. These finances flow predominantly from the structural funds available under EU cohesion policy, of which CEE member states are the biggest beneficiaries in the EU. As the contribution by Ferry and McMaster notes, this brings with it opportunities to expand the scope and impact of regional development interventions. However, it also puts pressure on regional policy systems in these countries to develop structures and processes to absorb the funds, to ensure that they contribute to strategic economic growth, and to maintain a clear vision for domestic regional development. Second, territorial disparities (at regional and sub-regional levels), though not remarkable in comparison to other member states, are entrenched and growing, and they threaten the marginalisation of some of the poorest regions in the EU. As noted in Smętkowski’s contribution, countries experiencing rapid structural change (catching-up) often face tensions between national and regional development as new higher value-added activities tend to concentrate initially in particular regions, so that regional disparities increase along with national growth. Economic, social and environmental territorial disparities are among the more pronounced outcomes of accelerated growth in CEE countries. The benefits of transformation in these countries have, initially at least, been unequally distributed among particular social groups and territories—with the emergence of highly educated and internationally successful professionals and entrepreneurs on the one hand, but structural unemployment, persistent poverty and social exclusion on the other. Furthermore, regional imbalances are often characterised by a process of metropolitanisation that has privileged a handful of dynamic urban centres while exacerbating the structural problems of old industrial regions, vast rural areas and regions located on borders, and especially the EU’s eastern borders. EUROPE-ASIA STUDIES Vol. 65, No. 8, October 2013, 1499–1501

Implementing Regional Policy in Poland: A New Era?

In 2010, Poland launched a new national strategy for regional development which is seen as an assertion of Polands domestic regional development vision, informed by, but distinct from, EU cohesion policy which has dominated Polish regional policy since accession. A key question is whether a new model of policy implementation is emerging. The strategy includes a commitment to a place-based regional policy model. This implies spatially sensitive policy implementation capable of mobilising the potentials of all territories. However, the concept is vague. Moreover, in Poland this agenda is being launched in a context of entrenched territorial disparities, traditionally constrained policy implementation capacity and institutional change. What are the defining characteristics of place-based implementation systems? What are the challenges to the institutionalisation of the place-based model? Are these evident in delivery frameworks being developed in Poland?

Research for REGI - Lessons Learnt from the Closure of the 2007-13 Programming Period

This study analyses the closure process for programmes funded under the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund in 2007-13. It details the regulatory provisions, guidance and support provided for closure in 2007-13 and assesses the closure experiences of programme authorities before drawing lessons and developing conclusions and recommendations for EU-level institutions and programme authorities.

Integrated Territorial and Urban Strategies - How are ESIF Adding Value in 2014-2020?: Final Report

The 2014-2020 regulatory provisions to EU Cohesion policy gave Member States new opportunities to use ESIF for sustainable urban development and other territorial strategies, particularly using Integrated Territorial Investment. This study examines how Member States are responding to these new provisions and how Cohesion policy is ‘adding value’ to regional, urban and local development. The study shows that there has been significant uptake of territorial strategies in 2014-2020, mainly in the form of sustainable urban development, across most Member States. Many of the strategies are new; the territorial provisions have encouraged innovation and adaptation in both thinking and practice. This innovation includes a more integrated approach to intervention, the implementation of strategies at different spatial scales, and more collaborative models of governance. There is scope for extending the use of territorial strategies in future, albeit with simplification of some of the regulatory requirements and more flexibility in programming. There is a need for institutional capacity-building to ensure efficient implementation at local level and greater emphasis on citizen engagement. Lastly, more attention needs to be given to monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of strategies.

Research for REGI Committee - Maximisation of Synergies between European Structural and Investment Funds and other EU Instruments to Attain Europe 2020 Goals

This study provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the existing scope for synergies between ESIF and other EU instruments contributing to Europe 2020 goals. It identifies different arenas for the pursuit of synergies (regulatory settings, governance arrangements, strategic frameworks and implementation approaches), noting achievement thus far, and, looking towards 2020, assessing the potential for maximising synergies.