New partnership dynamics in a changing Cohesion policy context Laura Polverari and Rona Michie...
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Transcript of New partnership dynamics in a changing Cohesion policy context Laura Polverari and Rona Michie...
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)