Study on Macroregional Strategies and Their Links with Cohesion Policy
By European Commission, 2017
What this present study finds is that each of the four MRS approved to date shows very different dynamics and trajectories, and therefore might require context-sensitive approaches to understanding their achievements, depending also on the level of maturity of cooperation in the region. This acknowledgement will also influence the discussion of objectives for cooperation, the arrangements for achieving them within different strategy areas, and the indicators and monitoring arrangements to assess their achievements and overall performance. The four macro-regions were analysed using 80 indicators and reviewed in terms of whether the relevant macro-regional needs is covered, the extent to which the MRS achievements can be recovered, the link to the objectives and the use of EU ESIF. The review is based on data collection through extensive desk research, an interview programme with 82 stakeholders, and an e-survey of approximately 6000 actors (April-September 2017).
The role of macro-regional strategies as new tools in policy transfer and cross-national learning between the EU and third countries and intra-EU
By Györgyi Nyikos, 2015
Macro-regional strategies represent a new opportunity for comprehensive development of a larger region with EU and non-EU participants, addressing common challenges and potential. Their multi-dimensional integrated approach also allows important overall policy objectives to be incorporated in regional development work. The paper explores the legislation linked and guidances on macro-regional strategy for the coming programming period and what has happened so far to respond to the question, if these tool can be able in the praxis also improving policy transfer and whether this form of cooperation is effective, useful or not. The findings showed that macro-regional strategies have already created valuable cooperation platforms, which did not exist in the past and they have not only a potential to improve socio-economic development or governance, but also strengthening the ties between the Member States and bringing the participating candidate and potential candidate countries closer to the EU, therefore reinforcing the process of European integration. However, the experience shows strong needs of common understanding and cooperation and the decisive point is whether the stakeholder will and would cooperate with each other in the implementation of the strategy.
 Nyikos (2015) The role of macro-regional strategies | [ ] |
Macro-regional strategies in changing times
By Interact Programme, 2016
“A ‘Macroregional strategy’ is an integrated framework endorsed by the European Council, to address common challenges faced by a defined geographical area relating to Member States and third countries located in the same geographical area which thereby benefit from strengthened cooperation contributing to achievement of economic, social and territorial cohesion.” This publication brings together, for the first time, all four EU macroregional strategies presenting their potential for the future.
Embedding macro-regional strategies
By Interact Programme, 2017
This study provides an analysis of the cooperation and coordination methods and tools applied by EU funding programmes that aim to embed the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) into 23 pre-selected EU funding programmes in the period 2014-2020. These programmes are partly supported by different European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and partly by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance II (IPA II) or the new European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI).
| Interact Programme (2017) Embedding macro-regional strategies | [ ] |
