Third EU Cohesion Policy Conference, Zagreb, 2020

Third Joint EU Cohesion Policy Conference Maximising the Opportunities for Cohesion Policy in Challenging Times, 11th-13th May 2020, Zagreb, Croatia is jointly organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, RSA Europe, and the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Conference will bring together a limited number of participants from academia, the European Institutions and Member State authorities to debate where Cohesion Policy is going, the evidence for its performance to date, and how its contribution to sustainable growth and jobs can be maximised.

Papers are invited on the following questions and themes which will form the basis for workshop sessions, panel debates and discussion groups at the Conference.

1. Facing the megatrends: how can Cohesion Policy adapt to current global megatrends such as digitalisation, automation, demographic change or climate change? Is Cohesion Policy flexible enough to address global changes in a timely manner?
2. A policy that invests in all regions and cities: what is the research evidence on effective use of Cohesion Policy resources to support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth, sustainable development and, improve citizens’ quality of life in all territories of the EU (i.e. low income and low growth regions, cross border regions, regions in industrial transition, urban and rural areas)?
3. Performance and results: how can evaluation and monitoring reports be best used to improve performance and results in a rapidly changing environment? Can Cohesion Policy resources be used more efficiently and effectively?
4. Policy objectives: what do we know about ‘good practice’ in programming the new policy objectives for 2021-27 (Smarter, Greener, more Connected and more Social Europe)? How can we deliver optimal benefit for the people of the regions taking into account different challenges across Europe? What are the best practices?
5. Policy synergies: how can stronger linkages between Cohesion Policy and other policies/instruments be created?
6. Institutions and governance: what can Cohesion Policy do to strengthen public administration and the effective management of funds? And what are the implications of greater linkages between Cohesion Policy and the European Semester?
7. Financial Instruments: when and where do they work best under Cohesion Policy? And how can their take-up be made more attractive?
8. A Europe closer to citizens: what are the lessons of integrated local development instruments to date? How can Cohesion Policy be best communicated? What works for involving citizens in Cohesion Policy?

Submissions of abstracts

Please submit abstracts of a maximum of 500 words through the online portal by 22nd February 2020. Given the purpose and the audience of the conference, the abstracts should be accessible to the wider audience and draw out policy implications or lessons insofar as possible. The organisers particularly welcome submissions from Croatian researchers and policy practitioners.

Proposers will be notified of the selected papers by 8th March 2020, with the expectation of a full paper being submitted by 1st May 2020.

Conference Organisation

It should be noted that the organisation of the conference is being jointly managed and funded by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, RSA Europe and the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

There is no charge to attend this conference, however the number of participants is limited, travel and accommodation must be covered by participants. Please do not book travel/accommodation until you have received confirmation that your abstract has been selected for inclusion in the programme.

More information on conference website.