New partnership dynamics in a changing Cohesion policy context

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie

Meeting with Economic and Social PartnersEuropean Commission, 9 December 2009

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie, Bruxelles, 9 December 20092

Background and outlineBackground 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

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie, Bruxelles, 9 December 20093

Constraints to effective partnershipConstraints to effective partnership

Constraints internal to partners organisations

Programme level

arrangements

General constraints

• Institutional factors (culture, resources, leadership, capacities, perception …“annoying insects”)

• Perception of partnership as strategic by MA• Complexity, technicality and timetable of involvement mechanisms

• Lack of agreement on purpose and role of SENGO involvement• Lack of binding rules on partnership but no consensus on this

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie, Bruxelles, 9 December 20094

Actions supporting effective partnershipActions supporting effective partnershipAddressing 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

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie, Bruxelles, 9 December 20095

Changing partnership dynamics?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)

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie, Bruxelles, 9 December 20096

InfluenceInfluence

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)

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie, Bruxelles, 9 December 20097

ConclusionsConclusions

1. Programme managers largely satisfied with how SENGOs are involved BUT some fundamental constraints remain

2. SENGOs are more involved in programme design than other stages of programme management

3. SENGOs largely do not perceive their influence to be significant

4. The accountability role of horizontal partnership is undeveloped SENGOs do not hold MAs to account

5. 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

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie, Bruxelles, 9 December 20098

Looking forward: Looking forward: emerging issues 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)

Laura Polverari and Rona Michie, Bruxelles, 9 December 20099

Thank you for your attention.