IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bic/journl/v23y2023i2p142-161.html

Territorial revisions to increase cohesion policy funding from the EU: the case of the new member states

Author

Listed:
  • Pavel Zdražil

    (Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czechia)

  • Ivana Kraftová

    (Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czechia)

Abstract

This paper argues that some EU member states have been smart, or even dishonest. Splitting off capital cities from existing NUTS2 regions has given them an advantage in the Cohesion Policy funds allocation scheme but worsened the position of others. To explain the reasons and implications, we review the issue of delimiting the NUTS2 regions and the related allocation of financial resources. We evaluate how modifications of NUTS2 regions, carried out by Hungary, Poland, and Lithuania, impacted the allocation of financial resources for the 2021–2027 programming period. The analysis shows the shift of billions of euros towards these countries. We also argue that this experience is and could also be an inspiration for other countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Pavel Zdražil & Ivana Kraftová, 2023. "Territorial revisions to increase cohesion policy funding from the EU: the case of the new member states," Baltic Journal of Economics, Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studies, vol. 23(2), pages 142-161.
    • Handle: RePEc:bic:journl:v:23:y:2023:i:2:p:142-161
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/1406099X.2023.2259249
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Katja Novak, 2013. "Learning processes and economic returns in European Cohesion policy," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 25, pages 1-20.
    2. Ugo Fratesi & Fiona G. Wishlade, 2017. "The impact of European Cohesion Policy in different contexts," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(6), pages 817-821, June.
    3. Stefan Jestl & Roman Römisch, 2020. "On the Economic Effects of a Reallocation of EU Cohesion Policy Expenditures," wiiw Working Papers 183, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    4. Sandy Dall'Erba & Fang Fang, 2017. "Meta-analysis of the impact of European Union Structural Funds on regional growth," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(6), pages 822-832, June.
    5. William Easterly & Ross Levine, 1997. "Africa's Growth Tragedy: Policies and Ethnic Divisions," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 112(4), pages 1203-1250.
    6. María-José Solís-Baltodano & José-Manuel Giménez-Gómez & Josep E. Peris, 2022. "Distributing the European structural and investment funds from a conflicting claims approach [Verteilung der europäischen Struktur- und Investitionsfonds aus einem kollidierenden Forderung Ansatz]," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 42(1), pages 23-47, April.
    7. John Bachtler & Carlos Mendez, 2007. "Who Governs EU Cohesion Policy? Deconstructing the Reforms of the Structural Funds," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(3), pages 535-564, September.
    8. Benito Giordano, 2017. "Exploring the role of the ERDF in regions with specific geographical features: islands, mountainous and sparsely populated areas," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(6), pages 869-879, June.
    9. Doran, Justin & Jordan, Declan, 2013. "Decomposing European NUTS2 regional inequality from 1980 to 2009: national and European policy implications," MPRA Paper 44805, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Maza, Adolfo & Villaverde, José, 2011. "EU regional convergence and policy: Does the concept of region matter?," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 889-900.
    11. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Julie Courty, 2018. "Regional lobbying and structural funds. Do regional representation offices in Brussels deliver?," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1809, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Feb 2018.
    12. Becker, Sascha O. & Egger, Peter H. & von Ehrlich, Maximilian, 2010. "Going NUTS: The effect of EU Structural Funds on regional performance," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(9-10), pages 578-590, October.
    13. Scotti, Francesco & Flori, Andrea & Pammolli, Fabio, 2022. "The economic impact of structural and Cohesion Funds across sectors: Immediate, medium-to-long term effects and spillovers," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    14. Gianluigi Coppola & Sergio Destefanis & Giorgia Marinuzzi & Walter Tortorella, 2020. "European Union and nationally based cohesion policies in the Italian regions," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(1), pages 83-94, January.
    15. repec:bla:jcmkts:v:45:y:2007:i::p:535-564 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Luisa Gagliardi & Marco Percoco, 2017. "The impact of European Cohesion Policy in urban and rural regions," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 51(6), pages 857-868, June.
    17. Mojmir Mrak & Sandor Richter & Tamás Szemlér, 2015. "Cohesion Policy as a Function of the EU Budget: A Perspective from the CEE Member States," wiiw Research Reports 400, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Panagiotis KOUDOUMAKIS & George BOTZORIS & Angelos PROTOPAPAS, 2021. "The Contribution Of Cohesion Policy To The Development And Convergence Of The Regions Of The European Union," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(2), pages 277-290, June.
    2. Carlos San Juan Mesonada & Carlos Sunyer Manteiga, 2021. "European Structural Funds and Resilient and Recovery Facility Governance," EconPol Working Paper 67, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    3. Casas, Pablo & Christou, Tryfonas & García Rodríguez, Abián & Heidelk, Tillmann & Lazarou, Nicholas Joseph & Monfort, Philippe & Salotti, Simone, 2024. "The updated RHOMOLO impact assessment of the 2014-2020 European cohesion policy (including REACT-EU)," MPRA Paper 122873, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Ana María López-Villuendas & Cristina Campo, 2024. "The impact of European regional cohesion policy on NUTS 3 disparities," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 73(3), pages 1297-1319, October.
    5. Cerciello, Massimiliano & Agovino, Massimiliano & Garofalo, Antonio, 2019. "The caring hand that cripples? The effects of the European regional policy on local labour market participation in Southern Italy," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    6. Lukasz Pietak, 2021. "Structural Funds and Convergence in Poland," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 236(1), pages 3-37, March.
    7. Julia Bachtrögler & Christoph Hammer & Wolf Heinrich Reuter & Florian Schwendinger, 2019. "Guide to the galaxy of EU regional funds recipients: evidence from new data," Empirica, Springer;Austrian Institute for Economic Research;Austrian Economic Association, vol. 46(1), pages 103-150, February.
    8. Fusaro, Stefano & Scandurra, Rosario, 2023. "The impact of the European social fund on youth education and employment," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    9. Mindaugas Butkus & Alma Maciulyte-Sniukiene & Kristina Matuzeviciute, 2020. "Heterogeneous growth outcomes of the EU’s regional financial support mediated by institutions with some empirical evidences at NUTS 3 level," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 40(1), pages 33-66, April.
    10. Sergio Destefanis & Valter Di Giacinto, 2025. "The Heterogeneous Effects of EU Structural Funds: A Spatial VAR Approach," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 65(2), pages 497-517, March.
    11. Roberta Arbolino & Paolo Di Caro & Ugo Marani, 2020. "Did the Governance of EU Funds Help Italian Regional Labour Markets during the Great Recession?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(2), pages 235-255, March.
    12. Ignacio Sacristán López-Bravo & Carlos San Juan Mesonada, 2022. "Effects of Policy Mix on European Regional Convergence," EconPol Working Paper 73, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    13. Mindaugas Butkus & Alma Mačiulytė-Šniukienė & Kristina Matuzevičiūtė, 2020. "Mediating Effects of Cohesion Policy and Institutional Quality on Convergence between EU Regions: An Examination Based on a Conditional Beta-Convergence Model with a 3-Way Multiplicative Term," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-37, April.
    14. Tiganasu, Ramona & Lupu, Dan, 2023. "Institutional quality and digitalization: Drivers in accessing European funds at regional level?," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    15. Wanda Biedka & Mikołaj Herbst & Jakub Rok & Piotr Wójcik, 2022. "The local‐level impact of human capital investment within the EU cohesion policy in Poland," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 101(2), pages 303-325, April.
    16. Zoltán Bakucs & Imre Fertő & Zsófia Benedek, 2019. "Success or Waste of Taxpayer Money? Impact Assessment of Rural Development Programs in Hungary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-23, April.
    17. Alessandro Cusimano & Fabio Mazzola & Sylvain Barde, 2021. "Place-based policy in southern Italy: evidence from a dose–response approach," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(8), pages 1442-1458, August.
    18. Akcomak, Semih & Erdil, Erkan & Cetinkaya, Umut Yılmaz, 2018. "Knowledge convergence in European regions: Towards cohesion?," MERIT Working Papers 2018-027, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    19. Sergio Destefanis & Valter Di Giacinto, 2022. "EU structural funds and GDP per capita: Spatial VAR evidence for the European regions," Discussion Paper series in Regional Science & Economic Geography 2022-09, Gran Sasso Science Institute, Social Sciences, revised Oct 2024.
    20. Filip Hruza & Stanislav Volcík & Jan Žácek, 2019. "The Impact of EU Funds on Regional Economic Growth of the Czech Republic," Czech Journal of Economics and Finance (Finance a uver), Charles University Prague, Faculty of Social Sciences, vol. 69(1), pages 76-94, February.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bic:journl:v:23:y:2023:i:2:p:142-161. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Anna Zasova (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/biceplv.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.