European Territorial Cooperation Research Articles

The analysis of absorption capacity of project beneficiaries contributing to cross-border programmes based on the most fundamental criteria

Subsequent to the experience with the international aid programmes of the 1990’s, from the very beginning of the accession negotiations and since 2004 in particular, the notion of absorption capacity of using EU funds has gradually been in focus. The subject of early scientific investigations concentrated mainly on the analysis of the macro-economic conditions of individual countries; furthermore, on increasing absorption capacities as well as how to develop the institutional system of cohesion policy further. After 2004, however, succeeding further rounds of the enlargement as well as after the programming period 2007-2013 in particular – meaning as well the conclusion of the EU budgetary period – the analysis of absorption capacities could be produced at the level of project beneficiaries. The aim of this study is to examine the most prominent determinants influencing successful outcomes and the quality of vigorous projects managed by potent beneficiaries and consortia participating in the European Territorial Co-operation Programmes with the contribution of Hungary. In the course of research correlations between determinants have been subject to econometric analysis revealing the fact that the implementation capacities of state-owned project beneficiaries and those of the non-governmental sector diverge significantly. Moreover, the study aims to show how the institutional system distributing EU funds tends to be rather lax towards the beneficiaries with weak absorption capacities, thus sacrificing the efficiency of developments for pure statistics.
 JEL code: R58

Macro-regional strategies of the European Union (EU) and experimentalist design of multi-level governance: the case of the EU strategy for the Danube region

ABSTRACTPlaced within EU Cohesion policy and its objective of European territorial cooperation, macro-regional strategies of the European Union (EU) aim to improve functional cooperation and coherence across policy sectors at different levels of governance, involving both member and partner states, as well as public and private actors from the subnational level and civil society in a given ‘macro-region’. In forging a ‘macro-regional’ approach, the EU commits to only using existing legislative frameworks, financial programmes and institutions. By applying the analytical lens of multi-level and experimentalist governance (EG), and using the EU Strategy for the Danube Region as a case, this article shows that ‘macro-regional’ actors have been activated at various scales and locked in a recursive process of EG. In order to make the macro-regional experiment sustainable, it will be important to ensure that monitoring and comparative review of implementation experience functions effectively and that partner countries, subnational authorities and civil societies have a voice in what is, by and large, an intergovernmental strategy.

The conformance and performance principles in territorial cooperation: a critical reflection on the evaluation of INTERREG projects

ABSTRACTThe conformance and performance principles in territorial cooperation: a critical reflection on the evaluation of INTERREG projects. Regional Studies. In view of the influence that the diverse national and regional contexts of project partners has on the success of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) projects, this article argues that a realistic evaluation of projects should consider not only the achievement of stated objectives (conformance) but also the range of dissemination activities and learning effects realized during the project (performance). Here a specific evaluation method is introduced that takes account both the conformance and the performance principles. Using the example of impact analysis of a transnational cooperation project and a cross-border cooperation project, it is shown that this evaluation method can contribute to a more suitable assessment of ETC projects.

A stakeholder-based EU territorial cooperation: the example of European macro-regions

ABSTRACTIn the last decade, European regional policy has faced considerable changes typified by the introduction of the place-based approach with the Barca Report. One of the most prominent changes in European territorial cooperation (ETC), supposedly reflecting this shift, is the development of macro-regions, the dynamic of which are only just beginning to influence policy-making. This paper aims to analyse contemporary styles of ETC under the place-based narrative by identifying characteristics of macro-regional cooperation. Drawing on empirical studies in the Danube, Alpine and North Sea regions, the paper shows that stakeholders’ primary rationale for getting involved is the opportunity for agenda-setting, and the intention to evoke changes in debates and in other stakeholders’ influence. The main argument the paper follows is that macro-regional experiences reveal a crucial dependence on relatively strong stakeholders. With the term ‘stakeholder-based’, the paper draws attention to the importance of stakeholder settings in these new forms of ETC. The paper concludes that conceptualizations of approaches to European regional policies would need to acknowledge the regional differences of stakeholder settings more explicitly, and highlights the need to better acknowledge the implications for political transparency and relative power in agenda-setting.

Institutionalizing (cross-border) citizenship on subnational level – The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) as new administrative space for participatory and functional governance in Europe

Cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation of subnational entities within the European Union have been strengthened politically, legally and financially by the EU and the Council of Europe. Nearly every border region in the EU participates in some form of cooperation structure across borders – mainly due to financial support by the EU joint initiative INTERREG. In general, these Europeanization effects of regional administrative integration have been described by scholars using neofunctionalist (multilevel governance) and intergovernmentalist approaches highlighting the cooperation rationale of cross-border actors.The aim of the research project is to go a step ahead following a conceptual shift towards a normative - participatory approach of (cross-border) regional integration. On the basis of the EU legal instrument European Grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC), processes of re-scaling, re-territorialization and paradiplomacy in a “Europe of the territories” will be analyzed with regard to inclusiveness and modes of subnational participatory governance.In general, policy-making and strategic development of the EU regional policy, particularly the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) are products of a successive bargaining and functional technocratic regulation between the administrative elites within the EU multilevel (supranational, national, subnational) polity excluding the local community. The aim of the research project is thus to elaborate forms and channels of transborder participatory governance in EU transnational spaces and to examine pre-conditions for the establishment of an increased inclusion of a cross-border citizenship. Moreover, it focuses on the problems and obstacles of the institutionalization of deliberative and participatory mechanisms of a subnational citizenship in a postnational multilevel arena. Finally, the research - that is based on a case study of the EGTC Galicia-Norte de Portugal - analyzes to what extent the EGTC foster both the consolidation of cross-border cooperation and institutionalization of transnational participation on a subnational level.

MED Programme and transnational cooperation contributions to marine renewable energy in the Mediterranean area: What next?

The MED Programme is part of the EU Regional Policy and operates in the framework of the European Territorial Cooperation objective. In 2014, the MED Programme approved 14 thematic projects specifically targeted on maritime context with two of them addressing marine renewable energy and renewable energy in coastal areas: Bluene and Enercoast. These projects aim at contributing to the deployment of marine renewable energy technologies in the Mediterranean by gathering data, developing mapping activities, identifying policy gaps and addressing other obstacles hindering transnational cooperation potential. The objective of this article is to analyse the delivered results and outputs of these projects against the identified challenges and roadmap defined by the European Commission. Results were evaluated under a transferability and continuation approach applied to the period 2014–2020. This article also identifies and suggests ways in which transnational cooperation would enhance obtained results towards a higher implementation of marine renewable energy in the Mediterranean.

Public Participation As An Instrument Of Performance Of Eu-Funded Cross-Border Projects

The objective of the European territorial cooperation programme INTERREG has been financing joint projects of cross-border areas ever since 1990. Since many projects, financed in the past, did not provide longterm effects, the European Union decided to introduce the “result-driven approach” to these programmes. The realization of results will be consequently monitored during the project financing and after completion of selected projects. If one wishes to ensure sustainability also after the end of financing, the public and target groups must be actively involved in preparation and implementation of projects from the very beginning. The purpose of this paper is to present possibilities of public participation in different phases of the project. A comprehensive model of public participation was developed on the basis of research, involving the public into the sustainable life-cycle of a cross-border project.

Prospects for an EU macro-regional approach in the Black Sea region

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of the first EU macro-regional strategies as a new instrument for territorial governance. This paper argues that both the benefits and limitations of the macro-regional approach are largely determined by the existing territorial, political, institutional and socio-cultural context of each big transnational area. Studying the debate about macro-regionalisation of the European territorial cooperation, the paper assesses the prospects for projection of the macro-regional idea upon the Black Sea area. It analyses the complex Black Sea regional context, marked by ongoing political and economic changes, studies the cooperation landscape in the area and concludes that despite the existing high level of multi-functionality in the Black Sea, the region currently lacks clear perspectives for the development of a comprehensive macro-regional approach.

Flood forecasting and alert system for Arda River basin

Summary The paper presents the set-up and functioning of a flood alert system based on SURFEX–TOPODYN platform for the cross-border Arda River basin. The system was built within a Bulgarian-Greek project funded by the European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) Programme and is in operational use since April 2014. The basin is strongly influenced by Mediterranean cyclones during the autumn–winter period and experiences dangerous rapid floods, mainly after intensive rain, often combined with snow melt events. The steep mountainous terrain leads to floods with short concentration time and high river speed causing damage to settlements and infrastructure. The main challenge was to correctly simulate the riverflow in near-real time and to timely forecast peak floods for small drainage basins below 100 km 2 but also for larger ones of about 1900 km 2 using the same technology. To better account for that variability, a modification of the original hydrological model parameterisation is proposed. Here we present the first results of a new model variant which uses dynamically adjusted TOPODYN river velocity as function of the computed partial streamflow discharge. Based on historical flooding data, river sections along endangered settlements were included in the river flow forecasting. A continuous hydrological forecast for 5 days ahead was developed for 18 settlements in Bulgaria and for the border with Greece, thus giving enough reaction time in case of high floods. The paper discusses the practical implementation of models for the Arda basin, the method used to calibrate the models’ parameters, the results of the calibration-validation procedure and the way the information system is organised. A real case of forecasted rapid floods that occurred after the system’s finalisation is analysed. One of the important achievements of the project is the on-line presentation of the forecasts that takes into account their temporal variability and uncertainty. The web presentation includes a comparison of the forecasted river flow to three predefined alert levels.

Impact of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) on the promotion and use of solar energy in the Mediterranean

The aim of this paper is to assess the contribution of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes operating in the Mediterranean area as a supporting way to achieve the renewable energy objectives established in European Union Directive 2009/28/EC. It addresses a combination of impact and thematic assessment applied to projects tackling solar energy over the period 2007–13. Observations indicate that although not always measurable, ETC contributions to the use and promotion of solar energy in the Mediterranean represent a key step forward in higher deployment. The paper also suggest alternatives to improve projects’ outputs to be delivered in the new cycle 2014–20.

Relationship between Structural Funds and Economic Indicators of the European Union

Economic and social cohesion is one of the economic objectives of the European Union’s (EU). Therefore it is important to analyse the impact of the European Union's policies on the cohesion. The establishment of the common market itself did not offer a solution for the economic problems faced by the member states. The EU structural funds should seek to promote equality between the levels of development and employment. Economic and social cohesion is very important to strengthen political and economic development of EU Member States. The cohesion policy provides the possibility to finance the various activities in order to promote economic growth in the EU Member States and their regions. The convergence, the regional competitiveness and the employment and the European territorial cooperation are three main objectives of the current EU cohesion. The cohesion policy can be an effective tool to achieve the economic convergence. The EU investments are intended to create the sustainable high-quality jobs in order to combat the unemployment and boost the growth by supporting innovation, the low-carbon economy as well as the education and training in both cities and rural areas. In summary, the funds should lead to economic growth. This article includes the analysis of impact of structural support on the economic growth of the EU and optimization of distribution. The research methods used in the article include literature and statistical data analysis, correlation analysis. The analysis showed that correlation between main economic indicators and the funds is not significant and it can show the insufficient use of the support. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.26.5.8831

Added value from European Territorial Co-operation: the impact of demographic change in the Alps on the young

Abstract The article sets demographic change in the Alps in the framework of European Territorial Cooperation programs. A statistical overview of selected regions in five Alpine countries serves as a basis for further policy analysis. The latter was undertaken to reveal how transnational projects tackle youth issues, including the difficulties within the labour and real estate markets that appeared to be the most problematic factors influencing (out) migration of the youth. While there is only a minor recognition of the young in current policymaking on supranational, regional and local levels, the analysis showed that the added value of transnational programs for mountain regions and localities can be recognized in the development of multi-stakeholder environments, creating and transferring new solutions for the labour market as well as empowering youth participation in policy processes. However, the extent to which these solutions might contribute to overcoming the challenges of demographic change because of transnational programs is limited by various factors. Among these are the precise governance framework, administrative capacity, and population figures.

Social learning in transnational projects – lessons from European territorial cooperation projects

Old industrial regions in Europe have undergone radical changes in the last decades. After downsizing or closure of predominant industries such regions usually face big challenges concerning their economic, social and ecological futures. One chance to master this transformation process is the identification and sustainable utilisation of potentials left by industrial production. Utilisation of regional potentials, commonly categorized as natural and cultural potentials, was the aim of two transnational cooperation projects ReSource and SHIFT-X, which were both funded by European Union’s Development Fund (ERDF, INTERREG IVB).The paper shows how the involvement of research partners in the projects supported and facilitated joint learning effects and knowledge transfer between all project partners. It is argued that on the one hand such an approach offers important mutual benefits for partners, while on the other hand the realisation of such benefits remains a challenging task in a transnational collaboration. In declining industrial regions, especially when characterised by small- and medium-sized towns, the capacities to act are scarce and any outside intervention is often seen more as an unwanted factor that additionally stretches resources and provides little advantages for such regions. Therefore one of the main aims in transnational collaboration has to be the establishment of a trustful and committed working relation between all partners. The engagement in the projects has shown that the joint work between regional actors and the external academic partners can create important transnational learning effects for all involved; nevertheless it has to overcome certain reservations on all sides before innovative ways can be pursued successfully.

Realizacja wielofunkcyjnej gospodarki leśnej z wykorzystaniem funduszy europejskich przez Państwowe Gospodarstwo Leśne

In the following paper the authors provide an analysis of the possibility of implementing by the State Forests National Forest Holding (PGL LP) a multifunctional, sustainable forest management based on the principles of environmental protection, co-financed from EU funds and national programs in the 2007–2013 funding perspective. The following national programs were taken into account: Regional Operational Programmes, Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme, Rural Development Programme, European Territorial Cooperation Programme. The programmes were analysed to the extent where the State Forests units (Forest Districts, Regional Directorates of National Forest, State Forests of National Forest) were beneficiaries of financial funds. The analysis of the use of funds by the State Forests units, accompanied by a general statement and selected projects was performed. The issues related to direct payments in the study were not taken into account.

A Duna-stratégia finanszírozásának időszerű kérdései

Az Európai Unió Duna-stratégiáját 2009-ben fogadta el az Európai Tanács. A stratégia szerteágazó célrendszerrel rendelkezik, s számos tagállamot és környező országot fed le. A tanulmányban megvizsgálom a stratégia finanszírozásának lehetőségeit mind a 2007–2013-as, mind pedig a 2014–2020-as többéves pénzügyi keret esetében. A részt vevő államoknak a stratégia végrehajtásához lehetőségük nyílik pénzösszegeket felhasználni a Strukturális Alapokból, a Kohéziós Alapból, a különböző szakpolitikai pénzügyi eszközökből, valamint kedvezményes kamatozású hitelekhez juthatnak a nemzetközi pénzintézetektől. Emellett fontos szerepet játszik a stratégia megvalósításában a tagállami hozzájárulás is. A tanulmány összefoglalja a következő többéves pénzügyi keretbe beépítendő, a Duna-stratégiához kapcsolódó változtatási javaslatokat. Így elemzem a források hatékonyabb felhasználását célzó javaslatokat, pl. a projektek előkészítésének javítását és a régiók közötti együttműködések finanszírozásának erősítését. Mivel jelenleg nem áll rendelkezésre olyan, az EU-s források felosztását szolgáló területegység, mely kizárólag a stratégia országait fedné le, foglalkozom az európai területi együttműködés keretein belül kialakítandó új transznacionális fejlesztési térség ötletével is. A tanulmányban felvázolom a döntéshozók előtt álló kihívásokat, különös tekintettel a 2014–2020-as többéves pénzügyi keret tárgyalásával kapcsolatban.

Approaching value added planning in the green environment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to link economic value to urban green spaces to enhance the value of green urban spaces, along with the added benefit it can offer to the urban environment. Design/methodology/approach – As part of the VALUE project (Valuing Attractive Landscapes in the Urban Economy, made possible by INTERREG IVB North West Europe, European Regional Development Fund, European Territorial Cooperation, 2007-2013), this development approach was designed to enhance the planning of qualitative urban spaces by linking an economic value to green urban spaces, to enhance value and meaning. Findings – Based on case studies conducted in The Netherlands, the approach proves that by linking an economic value to green urban spaces, space is considered differently, authorities tend to prioritize these spaces and additional spinoffs realize. Research limitations/implications – The notion of green-value is subjective and differs between users, experts and between locations. Practical implications –...

European Integration and Spatial Rescaling in the Baltic Region: Soft Spaces, Soft Planning and Soft Security

Spatial rescaling arguably represents one of the most significant recent changes in planning. Rescaling processes do not merely imply changes in powers across existing layers of decision-making, but also entail new scales of intervention, new actor constellations and new geometries of governance. A wide range of examples of spatial rescaling can be seen across Europe, varying from local through to regional and international. The emergence of “soft spaces”—regions in which strategy is made between or alongside formal institutions and processes—is one of the phenomena associated with contemporary spatial rescaling. These spaces are often overlapping and characterized by fuzzy geographical boundaries. The formation of soft spaces is often articulated in terms of breaking away from the rigidities associated with the practices and expectations of working within existing political or administrative boundaries but can also be viewed as providing a means of bypassing formal procedures and reducing democratic accountability. Focusing on European territorial cooperation and development strategies in the Baltic region, this paper discusses how they are contributing to spatial rescaling in soft spaces and how the strategies can be seen as a form of soft planning and as a means to promote soft security policy (which could be considered as a wider form of foreign policy).

STRUKTŪRINĖS PARAMOS ĮTAKA ŠALIES EKONOMINIAM AUGIMUI

One of the European Union (EU) economic objective is to achieve economic and social cohesion. It is therefore important to analyze the European Union's policies, including structural, impact on cohesion. Establishment of the common market did not itself offer a solution to economic problems faced by member States. The concept of cohesion may be regarded as designed to allow all regions to compete in the internal market. The Union funds should seek to promote equality between levels of development and employment. Economic and social cohesion is very important to strengthen political and economic development of the European Union Member States. European Union cohesion policy provides the possibility to finance various activities in order to promote economic growth in the EU Member States and their regions. The three main objectives of the current EU cohesion are convergence, regional competitiveness and employment and European territorial cooperation. Cohesion policy can be an effective tool to achieve economic convergence, if it is accompanied by a number of financial and non-financial elements such as the labor market situation, investment opportunities, and so on, which are the result of national policy. The article includes an analysis of Lithuania's economic environment compared with other Member States. The article study the subject - financial instruments aimed at social and economic cohesion, and its implementation aspects. This article aims - to explore the features of EU economic and social cohesion in the aspect of structural policy. The research methods used at work - literature and statistical data analysis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.em.17.4.2999

Territorial Planning Policy for Sustainable Development

Urban planning in Albania, has been promoted in various forms of organization. Ultimately Territorial Planning Law represents another form of policies on the territory that is closely linked to the decentralization of control of the territory. Up to now, four developments has been particularly important: * European approach, which gave an increase in economic and social cohesion policy; * Decentralization in the early 2000s, which has made local governments full participants in the process of territorial planning; * The emergence of the notion of sustainable development; * Initiation of international economic relations after the nineties. Territorial planning policy for sustainable development requires meeting the challenges posed by changing economic, social and cultural development, to achieve a balance of population, industry, culture, etc., between the provinces of the country, such as: a) define the principles and directions for a balanced and sustainable development of territory with European standards; b) the establishment of the territorial conditions for regional development; c) the direction of the establishment and development of national public infrastructure; d) creation of conditions for the preservation of ecosystems, biodiversity, natural resources on and under the earth and the natural and cultural wealth, balancing the effects of housing systems and economic activities and the protection of green spaces development of other areas of cultivable; etc. The objectives of these policies are: Convergence; Regional Competitiveness and Employment; European territorial cooperation and contractual approach as an effective means of implementation of projects that include various levels of government, "an area, a strategy, a contract". They will focus on priorities: local competition and attractiveness; environmental dimension of sustainable development; social and territorial cohesion; sustainable development.

THE DISTRIBUTIONAL DIMENSION IN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION

The cohesion policy of the European Union provides a framework for financing a wide range of projects and investments with the aim of encouraging economic growth in EU member states and their regions. The three main objectives of the EU’s cohesion policy in the period 2007–2013 are: Convergence, Regional Competitiveness and Employment, and European Territorial Cooperation. Cohesion policy can become an effective tool of economic convergence if it is accompanied by a set of financial and non-financial elements such as labor market situation, investment opportunities, etc, which are the results of national policies. Article includes brief analysis of Lithuanian economic environment compared to other member states.The main objective of the article – the development of EU cohesion policy. The aim of the article – to explore the peculiarities of the EU economic and social cohesion. The research methods used in the work – the analysis of literature and statistical data.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.em.17.1.2262