Progress with the 2014-20 programmes in challenging times

During the period Spring to Autumn 2016, programme implementation has progressed although this has taken place against a background of uncertainty. The ongoing recovery from the recession, the pressures of migration and the consequences of the UK referendum vote to leave the EU have created additional pressures, and in some instances have significant implications for the implementation of the ESIF programmes

A comparative analysis of EU funding and policy support structures : Report to Scotland Europa (Scottish Enterprise)

The study involved a comparative assessment of support structures for attracting EU funding in Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Emilia Romagna (Italy), and Nordrhein Westfalen (Germany). Against a backdrop of declining receipts for Scotland from EU Structural Funds, the question is whether Scotland could better exploit some of the other sources of EU funding, notably: the EU Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP); the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP); the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP); Trans-European Networks (TEN-T and TEN-E); and the Community Initiative, formerly known as Interreg, which in 2007-13 is part of the new Territorial Cooperation Objective

Finland's ITIs - The six city strategy delivering open and smart services in partnership

This article reviews how Finland is implementing its sustainable urban development (SUD) strategy in 2014-20 as a part of ERDF Regulation Article 7 requirements, through the use of an Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) called the ‘Six City Strategy’. The article provides a detailed analysis of the Six City Strategy, describing its development, implementation and progress, and distilling some elements of good practice and lessons learned from this unique city network approach

European Territorial Cooperation in Scotland Post 2020

Despite Brexit debates, the cycle of programme planning and delivery carries on in Scotland. Scotland has been, and continues to be, a valued partner in a number of European Territorial Cooperation programmes. In terms of planning for the future, Brexit and on-going debates on the EU regulations, proposed programme geographies and funding mean there are significant ‘unknowns’. However, there are equally important ‘knowns’ and past experience to use as an initial basis for planning. On Brexit: 1. The new European Territorial Cooperation Regulations proposed by the European Commission’s DG Regio make provision for UK participation as a third country, if by that time it has left the EU. 2. Third country participation is a routine part of Interreg and other European Cooperation Programmes, especially for Programmes in which Scotland currently participates. On the post-2020 programmes: 1. The broad areas of intervention proposed in the draft ETC regulations are unlikely to change substantially in the final draft. 2. Programme geographies are not yet agreed. But, European Commission plans for major changes have been challenged, and in the past Programme areas have only ever increased. A likely scenario would be, therefore, limited change. On Scottish engagement: 1. Good experience and engagement with past programmes and projects means there is a strong commitment to on-going participation in Interreg in Scotland. 2. Scottish partners, and their expertise, are valued by collaboration partners and programmes. Working on this basis, this report presents the findings of a series of Scottish Government workshops and a conference on opportunities for Future of European Territorial Cooperation. The report highlights the particular value attached to European Territorial Cooperation in Scotland, provides clear indications of thematic and territorial areas of interest for the post 2020 period, and illustrates the potential for territorial cooperation and interest in maintaining cooperation going forward

An Impact Evaluation of the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme 2014-2020 : Final Report

The aim of the report is to assess the contribution of the four programme priority axes of the 2014-20 Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) Programme to their objectives and the contribution to implementation of the horizontal priorities. The Programme has achieved a strong start to the 2014- 20 period although it is still at an early stage for measuring impact. An assessment of mediumlonger terms impacts from the past programme period shows a positive picture of impact sustainability with improved access to services being one of the key strengths. Area experiences of project impact vary, with place-specific factors (including type of partner, partner roles and domestic frameworks) conditioning impact. Detailed case studies are used to establish, for each Specific Objective, the causal link between project results and observed development in the programme area. A range of impacts can be established including: new SME links to R&D institutes/public sector supporting economic development; new business growth opportunities; improved service provision to remote communities; changing attitudes and perceptions; future oriented strategic partnerships and transnational links; and growing local capacity to engage with macro development issues

Case-based Impact Evaluation of the Interact Programme 2014-2020

The Interact programme has a distinct role in reinforcing the effectiveness of cohesion policy by promoting exchange of experience and best practice in relation to the implementation of cooperation programmes and actions. For the 2014-2020 period Interact’s overall objective is broken down into three programme-specific objectives to inprove: i) the management and control capacity of Interreg programmes; ii) Interreg capacity in capturing and communicating programme results; and iii) cooperation management capacity to implement innovative approaches.The Impact Evaluation of the Interact programme assesses the effect of Interact’s services on Interreg programmes and other relevant stakeholders, particularly macro-regional strategy actors. It aims to answer “How has Interact contributed to supporting Interreg programmes, and in the case of macro-regional strategies other relevant stakeholders, and to improving/changing practices?” The evaluation is based on case studies of five specific Interact projects. The evaluation finds sound evidence that the five Interact projects generated immediate results, in terms of changed practices in programme authorities and cultures (‘mindsets’) and improved systems and tools. Further, the case studies also demonstrate that Interact has an impact on programmes that goes beyond capacity building. There is sound evidence that the selected services have tangible effects on the efficiency and effectiveness of programme delivery, on programmes’ resilience to change, and also on the programmes’ stakeholders, in particular applicants/beneficiaries

The role of territorial cooperation in supporting just transition

The European Policies Research Centre (EPRC), the Centre for Sustainable Development (C4SD) of the University of Strathclyde, and the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland (Finland) organised an interactive Workshop dedicated to exchange experiences and discuss the role of Territorial Cooperation in supporting Just Transition. The Workshop focused on the specific issues facing the remote and sparsely-populated areas of the Arctic and the near Artic and the opportunities of delivering Just Transition through territorial cooperation in these areas

European Examples : Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands

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Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland cross-border territorial cooperation programme 2007–2013 : development of a joint strategic approach on behalf of Scottish partners

Describes the Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland cross-border territorial cooperation programme 2007–2013