Cohesion Policy Research Articles

Gender mainstreaming in urban projects: A measurement proposal applied to Spanish Urban regeneration policies

Urban policies financed in the framework of the European Cohesion Policy are a privileged area for the study of the Gender Mainstreaming (GM) due to the gender European rules and to the importance of the European Union in urban development. The aim of this paper is to validate an instrument for the systematic measurement of the application of the GM tool, and to evaluate the implementation of GM in Spanish urban policies financed by the EU. For this purpose, based on previous measurements and analysis, a specific methodological tool has been elaborated and applied to the 89 urban intervention projects implemented in Spanish big cities in the framework of the URBAN I, URBAN II, URBANA, and ISUD (Integral and Sustainable Urban Development) calls for proposals (1994–2020). The results reflect a sectorial orientation in the application of the GM. Moreover, we observed a more significant implementation of the strategy in the direction setting dimensions and a scarcer integration in the actor-oriented dimensions. The dimensions' scores could reflect the classic difficulties for actor-oriented dimensions in urban policy design and the effect of the EU's lack of clarity about gender equality on a multi-level governance policy.

Exploring policy coherence to understand limited progress of gender and social inclusion in the energy sector: The case of Nepal

Goal 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030 but securing universal access to energy supplies remains a challenge worldwide. There is increased recognition that gender and social inclusion (GESI) is critical for the transition towards low-carbon energy.Nepal's inclusive 2015 Constitution, and its 2021 federal-level Gender Equality Policy translate this commitment. Likewise, Nepal is committed to SDG 7. Yet energy policy includes only limited provisions for ensuring energy access by marginalized groups and women. This paper focuses on energy policy coherence to identify cohesion between policies and policy instruments at different levels of governance to identify bottlenecks to GESI. Using a policy coherence and feminist policy approach within an energy justice context, it traces the coherence of GESI policy through time and in relation to overall GESI policy objectives. Horizontal and internal coherence are assessed through the parallels/disjoints between energy-related periodic plans, policies, budgets, and GESI aims. The evolution of GESI in energy investments has been slow in part because of a narrow conceptualization of the policy problem and a lack of coherence and synchronization across documents, which undermines implementation of the GESI agenda.

Navigating governance with sticks, carrots, and sermons: Paving paths for sustainable development goals through local spatial planning

AbstractThe 2030 Agenda underscores the vital role of local authorities and civil society in implementing sustainable development goals (SDGs). Aligning with this agenda, the EU's spatial development framework imparts normative values, emphasizing sustainable territorial development, participatory governance, and multi‐level cooperation. This framework serves as a potential facilitator for spatial planning to ensure policy coherence in SDG implementation. Despite its potential, mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda through spatial planning encounters challenges, particularly navigating unresolved tensions between global SDG formulation and local ownership. These challenges are accentuated in countries with conformative planning systems and weak governance structures, requiring a specific methodological approach. To address these complexities, this study investigates the opportunities for leveraging SDGs within the multi‐level governance arena of spatial planning. Employing mixed quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods in a local planning context, the research explores key concerns arising from regional, national, and EU spatial development policies. The study delves into their potential leverage capacity for guiding and funding SDGs within a specific local context. Results suggest that using different policy mechanisms, spatial planning can better address the holistic nature of the 2030 Agenda. Although not all SDGs can be leveraged, a substantial part can be addressed whenever a broader multi‐level governance perspective is considered within local planning contexts.

Acceptance of offshore wind farm in Southwest Sardinia in Italy. Do regional energy policies matter?

Purpose The social acceptance of wind energy is increasingly conditioning the Italian Government and regions to authorize the construction of these plants. The proposal of offshore wind farm in the south-west of Sardinia has raised many perplexities both from the marine environmental point of view and from concern about increasing the electricity production in a region that already exports electricity to the peninsula. The purpose of this study is to evaluate what are the factors that most affect the coastal residents’ acceptability of an offshore wind farm. Design/methodology/approach The data is based on a Sardinia-wide in-person survey with about 512 participants in the period between May and June 2023. Respondents were selected randomly from five different locations in Carloforte region. Multiple regression analysis investigates the factors that influenced acceptability to construction and development of offshore wind power plant. Four independent variables were selected in the regression models such as (i) interest towards wind energy, (ii) attitude towards renewable energy production, (iii) perceived regional energy policy and (iv) attitude towards offshore wind farm. The dependent variables are the rates of coastal local residents’ acceptance of offshore wind farm for respondents in five coastal towns. Findings Fishermen and summer tourism operators’ respondents expressed significant reluctance to accept the new project because they perceive a strong risk of environmental impact on both tuna fishing and marine recreational activities in the vicinity. The distance between the turbines at sea and local residents along the coast and surrounding small islands does not have an influence to accept wind energy. The energy policy of the Region of Sardinia, which is perceived by respondents as an expansive energy policy in the production of electricity that exceeds their needs, not being accompanied by a scenario of reducing that from fossil fuels, is the variable that led about 70% of respondents to express a negative opinion towards this project. Research limitations/implications A potential problem associated with the survey is that local response produced sample selection bias. The proportion of respondents with secondary education and no school certificate is quite high. It is possible that respondents who provided valid questionnaires were more low-educated and therefore, the sample may be biased towards lower-educated people. While this does not invalidate the results of this study, it is important to note that the sample was on average less educated than the overall population in Italy. In addition, people with lower incomes were more likely to complete the questionnaires; the results are more representative of a portion of the population with incomes below the national average. Practical implications Results showed how coastal communities are in favour of wind energy within their island, but not within a marine protected area that is considered unique for its beauty and marine ecosystem. Wind energy developers should, before submitting a proposal for an offshore wind farm project, consider among other things the long approval time and understand the activities carried out by local communities and their attachment to those places. Politicians and developers should develop a coherent energy transition policy based on a long-term vision of zero emissions, because according to the findings of this study, it was the regional energy policy that is the most controversial reason for residents to reject the project. Originality/value The contribution of this study is to fill a part of the research gap linking to ongoing energy transitions. In particular, this study analysed for the first time in Italy the acceptability level of an offshore renewable energy project considering the environmental implications and risks in the fragile marine ecosystem of Carloforte waters. This study also made it possible to analyse the impact of the regional energy policy on the acceptability of residents towards the development of offshore wind farms, which is scarcely discussed in the literature.

Strategic environmental assessment and SDG integration: enhancing sustainable development in Egypt

AbstractThis research delves into the integration and alignment between strategic environmental assessment (SEA) practices and Egypt's united nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), with a focus on incorporating environmental, social, and economic considerations into policies, plans, and programs. The study assesses Egypt's strategic environmental assessment framework, identifying its strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and gaps in sustainable development. It critically analyzes institutional coordination, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation (MRE) frameworks, and policy coherence. The key findings underscore the commendable emphasis on environmental integrity in SEA practices, while also highlighting significant deficiencies in integrating broader sustainability criteria and aligning with the SDGs. The research concludes with policy implications, practice recommendations, and future research directions that aim to bolster the effectiveness of strategic environmental assessment in contributing to sustainable development in Egypt.

Advancing progress on tobacco control in low-income and middle-income countries through economic analysis

BackgroundMore than 80% of the world’s 1.3 billion tobacco users live in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where progress to address tobacco and its harms has been slow. The perception...

[Recruitment, selection and retention staffing policies in health services directly managed. SESPAS Report 2024].

In an organization with highly specialized and changing services over the course of a working life, such as health services managed directly by public administrations (DM-NHS) are, the issues related to the recruitment, selection and retention of professionals should receive special attention. much larger than what is provided. For too long, the DM-NHS has mainly been working to resolve the problems that affect the organization, with enormous disregard for those suffer by the recipients of its services, the real population to which it provides assistance. In the DM-NHS, its administration (rather than management) of human resources is circumscribed by the contours of the Framework Statute and its implementing regulations and rulings. This is an inadequate instrument, both empirically in view of the results obtained (50% temporary employment among professionals working in the NHS), and conceptually, since it fails to comply with the reasons that normatively justify its existence: "that its legal regime is adapts to the specific characteristics of the practice of health professions, as well as the organizational peculiarities of the National Health System". The text describes the characteristics of statutory regulation and reviews how regulatory restrictions affect recruitment, selection and retention policies. Finally, possible alternatives are proposed to have coherent and rational permanent staffing policies that cover the real needs of the health services.

SUSTAINABILITY OF LOCAL PUBLIC FINANCE AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN TIMES OF CRISIS IN UKRAINE

The socio-economic crisis in Ukraine, which has worsened over the past decade, has had a profound impact on all local communities. Local governments implementing decentralised mechanisms and anti-crisis financial measures are currently facing numerous theoretical and procedural constraints, which, although not homogeneous, have a cumulative effect. In the context of low economic potential and existing legislative constraints, local governments cannot actively manipulate consistent sources of local budget revenues (taxes) to support sustainable regional development, and therefore a coherent policy of credit and fiscal equalisation is an important aspect of ensuring the sustainability of local public finances. The purpose of the paper is to assess the correspondence between the fiscal sustainability of local budgets (with a focus on the borrowing component) and the economic sustainability of regions. Empirical studies of Ukraine's experience based on regression modelling have not found a clear direct link between the drivers of fiscal sustainability of local budgets (solvency, dependence on intergovernmental grants, stability of tax revenues) and the sustainability of socio-economic development of Ukrainian regions. In addition, in the context of the crisis and external shocks, strict adherence to the criteria of fiscal balance of local budgets undermines the ability to ensure a sustainable recovery of the regional economy, so it is important not to limit the fiscal capacity of communities by attracting local borrowings and intergovernmental grant during the crisis.

Propelling Sustainability: A Comprehensive Analysis of Actionable Green Aviation Initiatives In The Aerospace Industry

ABSTRACT The aerospace industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of transitioning towards sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impact and ensure long-term viability. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of green aviation initiatives within the Indian aerospace industry, focusing on current state assessment, key challenges, policy effectiveness, stakeholder perspectives, adoption of sustainable technologies, economic implications, environmental impact assessment, policy gap analysis, and recommendations for advancement. Data was collected from 103 industry stakeholders through surveys and analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Findings reveal a significant level of engagement in green aviation initiatives, with high adoption rates observed across various technologies and practices such as biofuels, energy-efficient aircraft design, and environmental programs. However, regulatory constraints, technological limitations, and cultural barriers emerge as prominent challenges hindering widespread adoption. Policy effectiveness varies among stakeholders, indicating the need for continuous evaluation and refinement. Key recommendations include enhancing policy coherence, fostering industry collaboration, investing in research and development, and promoting public awareness. Correlation analysis highlights positive relationships between the adoption of sustainable technologies and environmental impact, policy effectiveness and industry perception, economic implications and stakeholder engagement, environmental impact and policy compliance, adoption of sustainable practices and operational efficiency, and policy gap analysis and recommendations.

Effects of Trade Policies and Regulations on Global Livestock Markets and Food Security in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine the effects of trade policies and regulations on global livestock markets and food security in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study revealed that the effects of trade policies and regulations on global livestock markets and food security in Kenya underscore the intricate interplay between local agricultural systems and international trade dynamics. Trade policies, including tariffs, quotas, and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, significantly influence Kenya's livestock sector by shaping market access, competitiveness, and domestic production levels. While trade liberalization measures may enhance market opportunities and foster economic growth, they also pose challenges to local farmers and food security by exposing them to international competition and market fluctuations. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: New Trade Theory & Institutional Theory may be used to anchor future studies on effects of trade policies and regulations on global livestock markets and food security in Kenya. Efforts should be made to enhance the transparency, coherence, and consistency of trade policies and regulations related to livestock markets. There is a need to adopt a balanced approach that promotes trade while safeguarding food security and sustainable development goals. Policymakers should prioritize measures that enhance the resilience and competitiveness of domestic livestock producers, particularly small-scale farmers and vulnerable communities. This could involve targeted support programs such as access to credit, technical assistance, and market information, aimed at improving productivity, market access, and income generation.

The Sovereign Debt Crisis in Sri Lanka: Anatomy and Policy Options

Abstract During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a dramatic increase in national debt levels across the world, with reported cases of downgrading sovereign debt ratings and difficulty of fulfilling debt obligations (“debt distress”), heavily concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. In this context, the unfolding sovereign debt crisis in Sri Lanka has attracted worldwide attention as the canary in the coal mine for what could become a global “development” crisis. This paper examines the Sri Lankan crisis encompassing both the sources of vulnerability to the COVD-19 shock, and stabilization and structural adjustment reforms after the debt default, with emphasis on the systemic “solvency” challenge of dealing with the massive debt overhang evolved over the previous two decades. The prime focus of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program that Sri Lanka signed with the IMF in March 2023 is on economic stabilization through fiscal consolidation. This paper makes a strong case for combining economic stabilization with coherent structural adjustment policies to redress the long-standing antitradable bias in the incentive structure that underpinned vulnerability of the economy to external shocks.

Understanding Water Governance in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia: Governance Framework, Coherence and Practices.

Water governance demands multi-sector participation beyond the state; and, appropriate laws, policies, regulations, and institutions need to be developed and put in place for sustainable use of water resources. A good water policy, a critical and integral instrument of water governance, guides water use schemes and ensures equitable water distribution among users. The Ethiopian Central Rift Valley (CRV) is rich in water resources, but these water resources are currently under severe strain owing to an imbalance in human-water interactions. This study examined the state of water resources governance framework, policy coherence, actors' engagement and transparency, accountability, and participation in irrigation water supply in the CRV of Ethiopia. Key informant interviews (KII), focused group discussions, and document reviews were used to gather data for the study. The NVivo 11 program was used to organize, code, and analyze the data. The results revealed that water resources governance practices such as water allocation and apportionment, water resources protection, and conservation activities were inappropriately exercised. Water resources management policy mechanisms were not fully put in place. Lack of coherence in water policy implementation, absence of clear roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, absence of transparency and accountability in irrigation water service delivery, and lack of meaningful participation of key actors in water governance decision-making were observed. As a result, over-abstraction, deterioration of buffer zone areas, and chemical erosion from surrounding farming are attributed to the reduction in water volume and quality in the CRV. These challenges have influenced aquatic ecosystem services and threaten the livelihoods of the surrounding communities. Hence, reforms relating to policy coherence and enforcement, stakeholder engagement, water distribution strategies, and the implementation of water governance principles must be given adequate emphasis.

Assessing policy coherence for developing a blue economy: a case study in the Republic of Panama

Assessing policy coherence for developing a blue economy: a case study in the Republic of Panama

The European Union Climate Diplomacy: Evolving Practices in a Changing Geopolitical Context

Summary The European Union (EU) has systematically promoted global climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Since the 1990s, despite varying success in international climate negotiations, it has sought to take a leadership role in global climate politics. Internal consolidation of environmental and climate policies has enhanced EU policy coherence and strengthened its ability to influence international efforts to mitigate climate change. Globally, however, the picture is marred by geopolitical competition, rendering the context of global climate politics less propitious for the EU’s climate leadership. This article examines how the EU’s climate diplomacy is adapting to an increasingly complex international context. It finds that while the EU climate action is still premised on the deep-seated beliefs of the EU’s ambitious approach to climate, the practices of EU climate diplomacy have adapted to a changing geopolitical context. This evolution is traced through a set of key diplomatic practices: narration, co-ordination, outreach and mainstreaming.

Evaluating policy coherence and integration for adaptation: the case of EU policies and Arctic cross-border climate change impacts

ABSTRACT The impacts of climate change materialize in different ways and are of varying magnitudes at different locations around the world. Adaptation is a global policy challenge because some of those impacts propagate across borders. The presence of borders influences the policy responses that may aim at preventing, alleviating, or exploiting the impacts. Yet the dynamics of responses to cross-border impacts have not been explored in research on policy coherence. We extend the analysis of climate policy coherence and integration to cover adaptation policies that are enacted at different but interacting geographical locations, proposing a conceptual approach how to do this. We illustrate our approach with examples of European Union (EU) policies related to the cross-border ramifications of climate change impacts originating in the Arctic. Our example highlights interconnections between climate change adaptation policy with foreign, security and trade policies. Since climate change impacts are transmitted through systems that cross borders, policymakers in the EU and elsewhere should recognize the links between policy domains with potential significance in responding to these propagating impacts. The policy responses of a recipient region at risk of such impacts are limited by jurisdictional borders. By explicitly recognizing elements of integration and coherence, more effective policy actions can be developed. Seeking coherence between climate and other policies between different regions, intertwined together via global networks of trade and other relations, should be a fundamental policy goal for the EU.

Policy Note: Strengthening Tax Systems in Developing Countries: The Dutch Contribution

The Netherlands has long faced criticism for its role in facilitating tax avoidance through its network of double taxation treaties (DTTs), particularly regarding developing countries, e.g., recently in a report of the Tax Justice Network (TJN). A review of the general Dutch tax policy shows that the country has taken several steps to reform its DTTs, undertaken domestic reforms to address tax avoidance issues, and has been offering tax-related capacity development (CD) programmes to developing nations. The authors ascertain from the results of an analysis of the parliamentary debate in terms of the contents of DTTs with developing countries and changes in domestic law as well as interviews with several stakeholders in the Netherlands and in developing countries show that the Netherlands is still likely to play a prominent role in global tax avoidance. This applies despite the significant changes in policy and substantive and procedural law. Not all loopholes have been closed, and adopting anti-abuse clauses in DTTs with developing countries – a central part of the Dutch response – has been somewhat disappointing. Moreover, the process of providing tax-related CD is not optimal, and tensions remain regarding the goals that the Netherlands attempts to pursue in tandem, potentially leading to policy incoherence. Moreover, unilateral action is unlikely to result in a reduction of global tax avoidance as financial flows – and therewith tax avoidance – are likely to shift to other countries. The global minimum tax (GMT) and other parts of the two-pillar proposal are more likely to offer a breakthrough for certain types of tax avoidance.Hence, a continued international dialogue on tax matters is needed to address all types of tax avoidance. In the parliamentary discussion on this topic, the Dutch Secretary of State for Finance reconfirmed the policy to assist developing countries in strengthening their tax systems in respect of the GMT through being in favour of a broader scope of Amount B, providing technical assistance in the implementation process of Pillars 1 and 2, and through the OECD’s Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) project. The objective of this article is to add to the policy discussion on how to strengthen the tax systems of developing countries. Tax avoidance, double taxation treaties (DTTs), international tax policy, Tax avoidance, double taxation treaties (DTTs), international tax policy, capacity development (CD), anti-abuse clauses, policy coherence, developing countries, BEPS, Addis Tax Initiative (ATI), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Integrating Renewable Energy with Building Management Systems: Pathways to Sustainable Infrastructure

This paper explores the strategic integration of renewable energy sources with building management systems to foster sustainable development. It assesses the environmental benefits, cost implications, and opportunities for revenue generation that arise from employing renewable energy technologies within the BMS framework. The study offers insights into innovative strategies for technology integration, system compatibility, and policy coherence to achieve an efficient and resilient energy system.

Forces of energy welfare in Central Europe: The Russian war in Ukraine as a game changer

The Russian war in Ukraine has changed global geopolitical priorities and the policies of individual countries. The consequences of this ongoing war will be felt for decades to come, including the militarisation of states and the strengthening of political-military alliances. This article explores the effects of this conflict through the lens of energy welfare, which is used as an essential litmus test for the transforming economies of the Visegrad Group (V4) countries in Central Europe. Energy security and the energy transition have become critical topics, and energy security and its impact on social welfare affect the sensitive areas of policy choices that will determine the direction of development in this part of Europe. The V4 countries – Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary – illustrate a wide range of domestic and geopolitical orientations that place individual countries in different decision-making situations. The ideological and political forces determine the scope for achieving energy welfare and are, therefore, the subject of this article. Based on macroeconomic and survey data results, the article’s primary research query examines how the V4 countries’ reliance on Russian fossil fuels affects their political attitudes and societal perceptions of the conflict in Ukraine, and the implications for their energy security and welfare in the face of the European Green Deal efforts. The different strategies adopted by the four countries considered translate into energy transition pathways to a low carbon economy described in the European Green Deal and strategies to provide energy at a reasonable price at the expense of a coherent European policy towards Russian aggression.

The impact of European Cohesion Policy: a spatial perspective

Abstract Cohesion Policy is one of the core policy areas of the European Union and one of the largest expenditure items in its budget. Its impact is the subject of intense academic and policy debate, but its effectiveness is an empirical question still open. This article contributes to this debate by performing a region-specific investigation of the direct and indirect impact of Structural Funds expenditure. We employ a heterogeneous panel data model, which accommodates the spatial dependence in a heterogeneous setting and measures heterogeneous spatial spillover effects, both inward and outward. We also consider different channels of spatial spillovers with respect to standard geographical closeness. In particular, the introduction of new measures of proximity that explicitly consider economic linkages between regions is a novel contribution to the literature. The results clearly indicate that the impact of the Cohesion Policy, while positive overall, is highly heterogeneous and the Structural Funds expenditure generates substantial heterogeneous spatial spillovers: the positive effects do not remain confined to the target regions. Finally, strong spillover effects are channelled by value-added trade connections, particularly in regions belonging to the so-called ‘Central European Manufacturing Core’.

Combining Computable General Equilibrium Model with Microdata to Assess Poverty and Income Distribution Effects of Cohesion Policy

Combining Computable General Equilibrium Model with Microdata to Assess Poverty and Income Distribution Effects of Cohesion Policy