This article seeks to explain why Munich, Germany's most economically successful city in recent decades, has proved so resilient despite various challenges and shocks. It begins by discussing different theoretical understandings of resilience and our methodological approach which builds on complex adaptive systems and evolutionary economic geography perspectives. Using a blend of historical analysis and in-depth investigation of the dynamics of one of the city's most innovative clusters, we argue that Munich's resilience essentially stems from the complex interplay of Germany's distinctive political history and federal system, which has promoted multi-level governance and a strong urban system, longstanding city regional leadership and entrepreneurialism, Munich's inherent assets and diverse economy and the combined strength of its many knowledge institutions, innovation system and networks. The evidence suggests that historic, structural and locational factors and agglomeration effects largely ex...

Staying on Top: Why is Munich so Resilient and Successful?

This report highlights the growth in support for financial instruments for seed and early stage firms across OECD member countries. These instruments include grants, loans and guarantee schemes, tax incentives and equity funds. This increased support is linked to the recent financial crisis and the growing concern about young firms’ access to finance. The paper notes that framework conditions play an important role in access to finance and must be taken into consideration as a significant part of the policy mix. Demand-side policies to develop entrepreneurial and investment talent and networks are also critical. The role of evaluation and the need to better link policy objectives and outcomes are also discussed.

Policies for Seed and Early Stage Finance: Findings from the 2012 OECD Financing Questionnaire

Since 1988, when the current EU Cohesion Policy was introduced, it has played an influential role in setting priorities for policies aimed at dealing with the effects of European economic integration on regional and social disparities. Although, latterly, the amount of money spent in the UK through the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) has declined, EU programmes have had a disproportionate effect on the design and implementation of UK policies shaping regional and local economic and social development. This paper starts by recalling how EU Cohesion Policy has functioned in the UK, then considers how Brexit may affect regional and social development and the need for a corresponding policy response, focusing on the sorts of policies currently supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The paper shows that filling the policy vacuum will be far from straightforward because complementary national policies and institutional frameworks have lacked consistency or coherence. It concludes by examining the wider policy issues arising from rethinking domestic policy outside the ESIF framework. The sub-national level, in particular, will need a fresh approach following Brexit.

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EU Cohesion Policy after Brexit: the economic, social and institutional challenges

In the context of the debate on the future of Europe, this book makes the case for a new approach to structural transformation, growth and cohesion in the EU. It explores both the opportunities and challenges from globalisation and technological change, the widening differences in productivity between leading and lagging regions, and the need for a new policy framework capable of delivering inclusive growth.
 
The Regional Studies Association’s Policy Impact Books form a series of punchy, policy facing books addressing issues of contemporary concern. There is a consistent focus on the impact of policy research both in terms of its reach to policy, academic and practitioner communities and also in its significance, to show how evidence can inform policy change within regional and urban studies.

Towards Cohesion Policy 4.0: Structural Transformation and Inclusive Growth

Bachtler J and Ferry M Conditionalities and the performance of European Structural Funds: a principal–agent analysis of control mechanisms in European Union cohesion policy, Regional Studies In the context of debates on the performance of European Union cohesion policy, this paper considers how the European Union has used control mechanisms to influence the use of Structural Funds by member states Using the principal–agent model, this paper examines empirically three case studies of conditionalities applied to the absorption of funding (decommitment rule), outcomes of interventions (performance reserve) and targeting of expenditure (earmarking) in European Union programmes over the 2000–2013 period The findings reveal different levels of effectiveness of the three conditionalities, attributable to the differential scope for trade-offs during the regulatory negotiations, external pressure and principal self-interest The paper discusses an effectiveness threshold for introducing controls, the tensions

Conditionalities and the performance of European structural funds : a principal-agent analysis of control mechanisms in EU cohesion policy

The aim of this study is to assess the evolution and implementation of the strategic coherence of Cohesion Policy in 2014-20. Based on documentary analysis and interviews with Member State authorities, the study finds that there have been overall improvements compared to the previous period, but it also highlights a series of EU and domestic challenges in ensuring a strategically coherent approach between different European Structural and Investment Funds and with other EU policies.

Strategic Coherence of Cohesion Policy : Comparison of the 2007-13 and 2014-20 Programming Periods

Although all European regions have been affected by the financial crisis and recession, the most severe difficulties have been seen where there were existing vulnerabilities, due to structural economic weaknesses or sectoral specialisation. The crisis has raised questions about the functioning of the financial and economic system, but has also demonstrated the importance of the role of government and of coordinated international action. The responses of European governments illustrate the varied ways in which the regional dimensions of economic difficulty can be addressed, either through active regional policy, or through other policies that explicitly target all or selected regions, or through the indirect regional effects of sectoral or thematic policies. There remains uncertainty over the path of recovery and over the strategies that governments will need to pursue in order to facilitate a return to sustained growth and employment creation.

Regional dimensions of the financial and economic crisis

The aim of this study is to assess the administrative capacity of Member States for implementing Cohesion policy in 2014-2020, and the preparations undertaken at administrative level for a successful start of the programming period. Fourteen case studies support the finding that simplification measures are being prepared at EU and Member State levels based on the lessons learned from previous periods, but that the efficient and effective Funds management in 2014-2020 will still be coupled with administrative challenges for national and regional authorities.

Implementation of Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 : Preparations and Administrative Capacity of Member States

This paper assesses whether and how the new instruments for integrated territorial development introduced in the 2014-20 programme period are contributing to new results. Did the obligation to invest five percent of ERDF funding into sustainable urban development (SUD) and the introduction of the new implementation mechanisms Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) and Community-led Local Development (CLLD) lead to policy innovation? What is the evidence so far for any added value in the areas of governance and integration? What are the lessons learned for the future?

Integrated Territorial Development : New Instruments – New Results?

This study provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the existing scope for synergies between ESIF and other EU instruments contributing to Europe 2020 goals. It identifies different arenas for the pursuit of synergies (regulatory settings, governance arrangements, strategic frameworks and implementation approaches), noting achievement thus far, and, looking towards 2020, assessing the potential for maximising synergies.

Research for REGI Committee - Maximisation of synergies between European Structural and Investment Funds and other EU Instruments to Attain Europe 2020 Goals

Stefan Kah

Papers

Strategic Coherence of Cohesion Policy : Comparison of the 2007-13 and 2014-20 Programming Periods

Regional dimensions of the financial and economic crisis

Implementation of Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 : Preparations and Administrative Capacity of Member States

Integrated Territorial Development : New Instruments – New Results?

Research for REGI Committee - Maximisation of synergies between European Structural and Investment Funds and other EU Instruments to Attain Europe 2020 Goals