The course aims to provide a better match between theory and practice in EU Studies, in particular to strengthen knowledge about the financing opportunities of the EU at both Community and national level. It analyses the role and the situation of the regional levels in European integration process with emphasis on the EU institutions. The course focuses on EU policies for the programming period 2014-2020, but also on where/how to access funds and how to manage an Application Package.
1) Classroom presentation (Slides)
2) History of the policy, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/policy/what/history/
3) A Beginner's Guide to EU Funding, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/archives/budget/funding/sites/funds/files/beginners_guide_en_0.pdf
4) Guidance on European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/information/legislation/guidance/
5) Guidance Document on Monitoring and Evaluation, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/2014/working/wd_2014_en.pdf
6) Handbook PCM, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/methodology-aid-delivery-methods-project-cycle-management-200403_en_2.pdf
7) Legal texts - European Structural and Investment Funds Regulations 2014-2020
1. Common Provisions Regulations - Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303
2. ERDF Regulation - Regulation (EU) No 1301/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Regional Development Fund and on specific provisions concerning the Investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1301
3. ESF Regulation - Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1304
4. ETC Regulation: Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on specific provisions for the support from the European Regional Development Fund to the European territorial cooperation goal, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1299
5. EGTC Regulation - Regulation (EU) No 1302/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 1082/2006 on a European grouping of territorial cooperation (EGTC) as regards the clarification, simplification and improvement of the establishment and functioning of such groupings available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1302
6. Cohesion Fund Regulation -Council Regulation (EU) No 1300/2013 of 17 December 2013 on the Cohesion Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1084/2006 available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1300
7. EAFRD Regulation -Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1305
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the development and functioning of the EU cohesion policy and instruments
- Identify the various theoretical approaches to explaining the evolutions in the thematic area of the course
- Identify the domestic political and legal institutions that provide the basis for the EU cohesion policy
- Support students in mastering project management, implementation and reporting tools selected from the set of analytical and planning tools suggested by the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) and using the European Commission's Project Cycle Management methodologies
Teaching Methods
Lectures, seminars and laboratory
Type of Assessment
ASSESSMENT
The course will be assessed by a written exam based on a multiple-choice test (i.e. 25 questions where each question may have only one or more than one correct options) and 1 open question. The exam lasts 1 h.
Course program
This is a MA course lasting 2 modules:
1. History of the EU cohesion policy: analyse the relationship of national regional policy to the EU Structural and Cohesion Fund(s) and differences between Regional, Cohesion and Structural policy
2. The EU's Cohesion Policy and European programming 2014-2020: strategic priorities and impact on national economic policy
3. Geography, actors, instruments and institutions: understand the organization and functioning of various EU Programmes and related financial sources and funds
4. Operational overview of the different phases of the project life cycle: how to write a Technical offer, Economic bid, Public Notice, etc.
5. Key elements of a project proposal: how to write clearly your project proposal (objectives, results, responsibilities, activities and budget)
6. Project progress monitoring tools: introduction to Project Cycle Management (PCM) and Logic Framework Approach
7. Overview of the accounting cycle: Management and Control Systems, risk identification and risk management analysis, Operational Handbook of Procedures, reporting, audit trails, monitoring and control tools
8. Overview of the implementing principles including Best Practices, Success Stories and Case Studies