The pressure for developing a more flexible and more effective Cohesion Policy is mounting. While Cohesion Policy needs to align with emerging challenges like digital transformation, climate change, and geopolitical shifts, even making while maintaining its core goal of reducing regional disparities, demands are there to make Cohesion Policy more flexible and simplify the governance and management of Cohesion Policy.
In this context, 4FRONT is currently developing a comprehensive baseline of administrative costs, burden and practices in the implementation of Cohesion Policy funds and all other funds governed by the Common Provisions Regulation:
- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
- Cohesion Fund
- Just Transition Fund (JTF)
- European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)
- Asylum and Migration Fund (AMIF)
- Internal Security Fund (ISF)
- Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI)
The geographic scope of the study includes all 27 EU Member States and covers the current funding period of 2021 – 2027. In the study, administrative practices and procedures in Member States are examined to assess the use of simplified cost options and financing not linked to costs, as well as quantify gold-plating practices. The study will also assess the administrative burden for beneficiaries that have benefitted from funding under any of the CPR funds.
The study is conducted by a consortium led by Ramboll Management Consulting, together with ISMERI EUROPA. In the study, 4FRONT is e.g. coordinating the network of experts and data collection activities in all countries covered in the study, as well as developing the comprehensive dataset for assessing administrative costs.
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