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New partnership dynamics in a changing Cohesion policy context Laura Polverari and Rona Michie Meeting with Economic and Social Partners European Commission, 9 December 2009. Background and outline. Paper prepared for the IQ-Net consortium
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New partnership dynamics in a changing Cohesion policy contextLaura Polverari and Rona MichieMeeting with Economic and Social PartnersEuropean Commission, 9 December 2009
Background and outline • Paper prepared for the IQ-Net consortium • circa 100 interviews in 15 Member States and with EU level stakeholders • discussed at the Åre IQ-Net conference, 2-4 December 2009 • Focus on Socio-Economic and other Non-Governmental Organisations (‘SENGOs’) • how is Art.11 being implemented? • what factors explain the degree to which SENGOs are involved? What constraints and facilitators? • what is the evidence on SENGOs’ influence on programme management? • what issues/lessons for Cohesion policy 2014+? IQ-Net consortium
Constraints to effective partnership • Lack of agreement on purpose and role of SENGO involvement • Lack of binding rules on partnership but no consensus on this General constraints • Perception of partnership as strategic by MA • Complexity, technicality and timetable of involvement mechanisms Programme level arrangements Constraints internal to partners organisations • Institutional factors (culture, resources, leadership, capacities, perception …“annoying insects”)
Actions supporting effective partnership • Addressing PMCs’ shortcomings • More environments for discussion • Regional PMC-type bodies • Strategic Advisory Committees • More/better targeted information • Efforts to keep partners involved • Dedicated information platforms • Better targeting/channelling of information • Capacity Building • Targeted initiatives for SENGOs, e.g. Sachsen-Anhalt Kompetenzzentrum, Welsh 3-SET , Slovenian CNVOS, Italian 2000-06 TA project • Training • Use of TA rare, even discouraged • Initiatives by the SENGOs • Continuous contact amongst SENGOs • Capacity Building • Organisation of internal information flows • Informal communication
Changing partnership dynamics? • New territorial and strategic scope of OPs refocusing of partnership (different composition) • BUT no radical reshaping in the way partnership is operationalised • SENGOs more involved in programme design than in stages of implementation (as in 2000-06)
Influence • SENGOs interviewed found it difficult to assess their influence • “influence is a strong word” • “no immediate influence” • Only a minority were positive about the degree to which they had been able to affect decision-making • Yet a cultural change was noted and there is evidence of concrete impact of SENGOs’ action (on programme design or project selection)
Conclusions • Programme managers largely satisfied with how SENGOs are involved BUT some fundamental constraints remain • SENGOs are more involved in programme design than other stages of programme management • SENGOs largely do not perceive their influence to be significant • The accountability role of horizontal partnership is undeveloped SENGOs do not hold MAs to account • The Commission’s role in this area is limited at least in EU15, COM is marginal as a partner and as an enforcer of SENGO inclusion
Looking forward: emerging issues Rationale and scope for SENGO involvement • need for a more explicit reflection amongst MS authorities, MAs and SENGOs on the rationale and purpose of SENGO involvement • potential for strategic frameworks with agreed responsibilities and mutual commitments Adequacy of regulatory provisions • no support for more stringent rules, soft tools instead • separation of ERDF and ESF hinders effective SENGOs involvement The reform of Cohesion policy • potential for SENGOs to be involved in debates over future policy • need to ensure that positive experiences matured over decades of Cohesion policy are not lost (in EU15) • a new role for the European Commission? (e.g. as with evaluation)
