1 Cohesion Policy Evaluation Network Meeting: Brussels, September 2009 Ex post evaluation of Cohesion policy programmes co-financed by the ERDF, (Objective 1 and 2) Management and Implementation Systems for Cohesion Policy (Work Package 11) Anna Burylo, DG REGIO Evaluation Unit

2 Cohesion Policy Key Tasks of the Evaluation Assessment of the quality of management and implementation systems in EU10 Appraisal of spillovers from Cohesion policy management and implementation in EU15 (‘added value’) Analysis of the integration of sustainable development

3 Cohesion Policy Systems successfully put in place to draw down the EU resources available and to comply with regulatory requirements Difficulties at the beginning – over-complexity and excessive rigidity at the expense of strategic orientation Improvements over time – experience mixed across Member States Effectiveness depends on the completion of public administration reforms and more stable institutional setting Conclusions EU10

4 Cohesion Policy Conclusions EU15 Longer term trends since 1989: improvements in the strategic management –better-quality strategic planning –further development of partnership-working –spread of an ‘evaluation culture’ –investment in monitoring systems However: increasing pre-occupation with financial absorption and regulatory compliance – insufficient focus on performance

5 Cohesion Policy Clear evidence of Cohesion policy having spillover effects on domestic policy management in both EU10 and EU15 –EU10: managerial practices, staff expertise, institutions –EU15: (originated in the previous periods and are continuing ) increased partnerships, transparency, outcome orientation importance of leadership and capacity status and weight of Cohesion policy relative to domestic policies mix of perceived positive and negative effects Conclusions Spillovers

6 Cohesion Policy The concept not prominent in the regulations - diverse interpretations Overall trend: from environmental inclusion towards a broader three-dimensional approach Increase in understanding and awareness but operationalisation limited Cohesion policy management and implementation systems: suitable tools to deliver sustainable development but their potential has not been fully explored Conclusions Sustainable Development

7 Cohesion Policy Cohesion policy suffers from a lack of effective ‘policy management’ Majority of recommendations focus on how to develop stronger focus on delivering strategic objectives of the policy and physical outcomes of the programmes Main Conclusion

8 Cohesion Policy Flexibility on the decommitment rule (managing financial flows in line with economic circumstances and the characteristics of intervention) Resolving administrative pressures of financial control and audit requirements A stronger focus on policy outcomes (‘what works’ and ‘does not work’): reporting, monitoring and evaluation Recommendations Regulatory Measures

9 Cohesion Policy The effectiveness of Cohesion policy management, and scope for positive spillovers, often depend on leaders and ‘policy entrepreneurs’ –The Commission and Member States: strengthening professionalism and leadership in the policy field Organisational learning is important for effective and efficient management and implementation –The Commission and Member States: seeking to embed a ‘learning reflex’ within administrations and promoting knowledge exchange Recommendations Leadership and Learning

10 Cohesion Policy Recommendations Institutional Building and Governance DG REGIO working with Member States: more differentiated, flexible ad targeted approach Framework of good governance: the Commission and Member States promoting higher standards of public administration