RECENT PERSPECTIVES CONCERNING EDUCATION AND TRAINING FUNDING IN ROMANIA. THE ROLE OF EUROPEAN STRUCTURAL AND INVESTMENT FUNDS

Abstract

In the European Union (EU), member countries organise and develop education and lifelong training systems. While this responsibility rests with individual states, the EU supports members’ actions by supplementing their capacity through political cooperation and various funding instruments. Therefore, this paper assesses the impact of structural funds' (ESIFs) absorption in the general European framework, with a particular focus on Romania. More precisely, we are interested in observing the implementation of operational programmes intended to finance education and training in different programming periods. For the theoretical component, this research stresses the role of several social actions granted from nonreimbursable sources that contribute to achieving the objectives of the Cohesion Policy, i.e., maximising human capital performance according to the development needs of the citizens. Hence, this study presents the absorption degree of the most relevant ESIF interventions in Romania, following the specifics of the national education system. In the empirical plan, based on a comparative analysis of the main socioeconomic strategies oriented towards stimulating human capital accumulation, we analyse some key medium- and long-term outcomes from capitalising on the potential of qualitative education. By efficiently implementing these actions, we hope Romania may accomplish (or at least get closer to) the regional targets of high labour force competitiveness, social integration at European standards, and sustainable economic growth.