The conference aims at bringing together the academic and policy worlds to take stock of the challenges and opportunities for Cohesion policy in 2014-2020. The discussions will be around 5 thematic blocks: economic geography and cohesion policy, institutions and governance, performance and results, instruments and EU economic governance and cohesion policy.
Submission of papers is welcomed by October 31st 2014. Full paper submission is expected by January 11th 2015.
Please note that this conference is free to attend for successful candidates. Papers are invited on the following questions and themes which will form the basis for workshop sessions, panel debates and discussion groups at the Conference. :
1. Economic geography and Cohesion policy: how are the economic and social challenges for European Structural & Investment Funds changing?
-the implications of the crisis for regional and urban disparities and convergence in Europe
-the contributions and limits of Cohesion policy in dealing with the crisis and its legacy
-the regional dimensions of Europe 2020 and the scope for the Funds to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
-the role of the funds in addressing youth unemployment
2. Institutions and governance: what can Cohesion policy do to strengthen public administration and effective management of the Funds?
-administrative reform, capacity-building and Cohesion policy
-strategic management and delivery of Cohesion policy programmes
-integration of Funds and policy outcomes
-the scope for conditionalities to improve the policy environment for the Funds
3. Performance and results: how can Cohesion policy resources be used most effectively and efficiently?
-the achievements of Structural and Cohesion Funds in 2007-13
-the contribution of performance frameworks to transparency and accountability
-improving methods for Cohesion policy evaluation
4. Instruments: what kind of Cohesion policy interventions make a difference?
-the role of financial instruments in improving access to finance in less-developed regions
-the use of integrated investments to promote sustainable urban development
-lessons from local and community development for 2014-20
-improving the visibility of results from European Territorial Cooperation programmes and projects
5. EU economic governance and Cohesion policy: what are the implications of governance reforms for Cohesion policy
-the relationships between Cohesion policy and EU macroeconomic governance objectives
-inter-institutional relations in economic governance and Cohesion policy
-scenarios for economic and monetary union and implications for Cohesion policy
For more details please visit the Regional Studies Association online portal