CohesionCohesion FundsFundsAs Presented byAs Presented by

Neil A. Olsen Neil A. Olsen &&

Rachel L. KramerRachel L. Kramer(Case Study II)(Case Study II)

IntroductionIntroductionThis presentation is about:This presentation is about:

The European Union’s Cohesion FundsThe European Union’s Cohesion Funds

Questions the presentation will Questions the presentation will answer:answer:What is the Cohesion Funds Policy?What is the Cohesion Funds Policy?Why was it created?Why was it created? Is it working?Is it working?

Thesis StatementThesis Statement

The Cohesion Funds are not the most The Cohesion Funds are not the most effective method to increase the living effective method to increase the living standards of the European Community.standards of the European Community.

Brief Historical Overview:Brief Historical Overview:Defining CharacteristicsDefining Characteristics

Three formally defined priorities: Three formally defined priorities: ConvergenceConvergence: support for growth and job : support for growth and job

creation in the least developed member creation in the least developed member states and regions states and regions

Competitiveness and employmentCompetitiveness and employment: : designed to help the richer member states designed to help the richer member states deal with economic and social changedeal with economic and social change

Territorial co-operationTerritorial co-operation : to stimulate : to stimulate cross-border co-operation in order to find cross-border co-operation in order to find joint solutions to problems joint solutions to problems

Brief Historical Overview:Brief Historical Overview:Timeline of EventsTimeline of Events

The cohesion fund was established The cohesion fund was established under the Maastricht Treaty of 1993.under the Maastricht Treaty of 1993.

The EC recognized the Cohesion Fund The EC recognized the Cohesion Fund on May 16, 1994 on May 16, 1994

Duration:1 January 2000 to 31 Duration:1 January 2000 to 31 December 2006December 2006

199

3199

4

200

0

200

6

Brief Historical Overview:Brief Historical Overview:Eligibility Eligibility

GNP less than 90% of the Community GNP less than 90% of the Community averageaverage

Convergence ProgramConvergence Program

Suspension of fundsSuspension of funds

Brief Historical Overview:Brief Historical Overview:Descriptive FiguresDescriptive Figures

Brief Historical Overview:Brief Historical Overview:Descriptive FiguresDescriptive Figures

Brief Historical Overview:Brief Historical Overview:Descriptive FiguresDescriptive Figures

Brief Historical Overview:Brief Historical Overview:Descriptive FiguresDescriptive Figures

Brief Historical Overview:Brief Historical Overview:Institutions and IndividualsInstitutions and Individuals

Peter BalázsPeter Balázs

Jacques BarrotJacques Barrot

The Member States The Member States

The European CommissionThe European Commission

Argumentation for Thesis Argumentation for Thesis Statement: The EvidenceStatement: The Evidence

Misuse of fundsMisuse of funds

Creating policiesCreating policies

Rebuilding the infrastructureRebuilding the infrastructure

Argumentation for Thesis Argumentation for Thesis Statement: Organizational Statement: Organizational

DiagramsDiagrams

Argumentation for Thesis Argumentation for Thesis Statement: Organizational Statement: Organizational

DiagramsDiagrams

Argumentation for Thesis Argumentation for Thesis Statement: Alternative Statement: Alternative

InterpretationsInterpretations

IrelandIreland

Revised Cohesion FundsRevised Cohesion Funds

Argumentation for Thesis Argumentation for Thesis Statement: Overall AnalysisStatement: Overall Analysis

Cohesion Funds will not work with the Cohesion Funds will not work with the enlargement of the EU unless they enlargement of the EU unless they are revised.are revised.

Mobilization of all resources and all Mobilization of all resources and all

regions. regions.

ConclusionConclusionThe cohesion policy should be The cohesion policy should be

more targeted more targeted more decentralizedmore decentralizedsimpler than it is at present.simpler than it is at present.