PURPOSE: to assess the state of progress of the
implementation of the Union's macro-regional strategies.
BACKGROUND: several EU countries and regions have
introduced macro-regional strategies to complement their
traditional national policies for territorial management. These
strategies are designed to address common challenges, such as
innovation-driven growth, environment or climate change.
Reducing regional disparities is part of their objectives, as is
the synergies they create for growth and employment in the regions
concerned.
The four macro-regional strategies developed so
far concern:
- the Baltic Sea region (EUSBSR) (2009);
- the Danube Region
(EUSDR) (2011);
- the Adriatic and Ionian Sea region (EUSAIR)
(2014)
- the Alpine Region
(EUSALP) (2016).
These strategies, which involve 19 EU Member States
and 8 third countries, are now an integral part of the Union's
strategic framework. They reinforce the synergies between the
various instruments and policies of the Union and add value to the
cooperation dimension of cohesion policy. They can be supported
through programmes under the European Structural and Investment
Funds (ESI Funds), and in particular Interreg.
Macro-regional strategies have become an important
instrument in relations between the Member States and neighbouring
countries, both with the accession countries and with those
benefiting from the Neighbourhood Policy (Eastern Partnership), the
northern periphery and of the Arctic region.
CONTENT: this report assesses progress in the
implementation of these strategies, takes stock of the main
findings and presents recommendations on possible further
developments in the light of future cohesion policy.
The report concludes that although macroregional
strategies have delivered their first results, they have not yet
shown their full potential. Efforts are needed to ensure the
effectiveness of governance systems and to focus on results,
funding and the relationship with third countries. The Member
States which have initiated the cooperation processes should also
assume greater responsibilities.
The main recommendations contained in the report are
as follows:
Better policy-making and planning: these strategies are gradually being taken into
account in the EUs strategic fields, for example, research,
climate and the environment. However, they are integrated to
differing degrees in national or regional programmes,
especially in programmes financed by the ESI Funds.
The strategies have strengthened cooperation in
certain strategic areas, such as the Danube Navigability Master
Plan or the extension of the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection
Plan.
However, the report calls for better
coordination within and between the countries involved in order
to produce the expected results, stressing that collective steering
and a common sense of purpose based on a long-term perspective
should remain the basis for macro-regional cooperation.
Improved governance: the
strategies involve a governance structure at three levels:
policy-making, coordination and operations. They emphasise the
optimal use of existing financial sources (e.g. ESI Funds, Horizon
2020, COSME and LIFE), the better implementation of existing
legislation and the better use of existing institutions.
The success of the strategies depends on their
satisfactory implementation in the coming years, as well as their
ability to adapt to changing circumstances, for example, the
migration crisis. More progress needs to be made in the governance
of macro-regional strategies to improve their effectiveness.
This supposes :
- the regular assessment of the effectiveness of the
governance systems of each strategy to make the necessary
adjustments;
- sectoral ministries make a stronger commitment to
achieving the objectives of the macro-regional strategies, which
implies a periodic rotation of the thematic area
coordinators;
- close cooperation between the steering group members
and the programme management authorities supported by the ESI Funds
or other instruments;
- the strengthening of the links between macro-regional
strategies with support from the EUs INTERACT
programme.
Focussing on results: in
the absence of clearly defined indicators and objectives, it is
difficult to assess the extent to which the planned objectives have
been met.
The report calls for a robust monitoring system
based on results-oriented action to enable each strategy to be
measured, directed and summarised in order to guide
decision-making. It is also necessary to: (i) improve the quality
of projects and processes and ensure the sustainability of their
results, as well as the link between project results and policy
actions; (ii) increase awareness of the value-added and outcomes of
strategies for critical review; (iii) further explore thematic
platforms in order to strengthen strategies thematic
focus.
Better use of funding mechanisms: where strategies do not have a specific budget, there
is a need for better coordinated use of the funding mechanisms
available at different levels.
The report recommends continuing the dialogue
between ESI Fund programme authorities and those responsible for
the implementation of macro-regional strategies in order to adapt
funding in the most appropriate and cost-effective manner possible.
In general, the Commission believes that macro-regional strategies
call for the creation of closer links between the EUs
strategic areas and its funds.