The course aims to a better match between theory and practice in EU Studies. Students will receive information about EU policies but also about where/how to access funds and how to manage an Application Package. A group-based Project Cycle Management (PCM) simulation will be organised to impart to students practical competencies in concrete PCM opportunities . These simulations will confront students with application forms, situations and problems that arise in projects.
Mandatory readings:
1) John Bachtler, Carlos Mendez and Fiona Wishlade, EU Cohesion Policy and European Integration. The Dynamics of EU Budget and Regional Policy Reform. EU Cohesion Policy and European Integration, Ashgate, 2013.
2) Legal texts - European Structural and Investment Funds Regulations 2014-2020
2.1. Common Provisions Regulations - Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1303
2.2. ERDF Regulation - Regulation (EU) No 1301/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Regional Development Fund and on specific provisions concerning the Investment for growth and jobs goal and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1301
2.3. ESF Regulation - Regulation (EU) No 1304/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1304
2.4.ETC Regulation: Regulation (EU) No 1299/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on specific provisions for the support from the European Regional Development Fund to the European territorial cooperation goal, available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32013R1299
EU project-making laboratory – technical support
a) Handbook PCM, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/methodology-aid-delivery-methods-project-cycle-management-200403_en_2.pdf
Obiettivi Formativi
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the development and functioning of the EU cohesion policy and instruments
- Identify the various theoretical approaches to explaining the evolutions in the thematic area of the course
- Identify the domestic political and legal institutions that provide the basis for the EU cohesion policy
- Support students in mastering project management, implementation and reporting tools selected from the set of analytical and planning tools suggested by the Logical Framework Approach (LFA) and using the European Commission’s Project Cycle Management methodologies.
Prerequisiti
This course assumes a significant degree of knowledge about the institutions and policies of
the European Union. Participants seeking additional general background on the EU should consult Cini, Michelle and Nieves Perez-Solorzano Borragan, eds. (2013), European Union Politics, 4th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Metodi Didattici
Lectures, seminars and laboratory on PCM
Altre Informazioni
--
Modalità di verifica apprendimento
ASSESSMENT
Students with minimum 75% attendance for both modules (1st module focused on theoretical aspects, 2nd module focused on the simulation)= the course will be assessed by 1 essay weighted at 50% and a PCM simulation mark weighted at 50%.
The essay (max. 5000 words) is due at least 10 days before the date of the exam. The essay submitted late will be penalised at 1 point per working day. Students are requested to provide a detailed comparison of 2 ERDF or ESF regional operational programmes (2007-2013 vs. 2014-2010) in order to identify how these programmes have changed (objectives, rules for programme management and operations, financial planning and management, types of projects, beneficieries, control and audit rules, evaluation and monitoring requirements, the new performance framework).
Students with less than 75% attendance for both modules = the course will be assessed on 3 steps.
1) Written exam: 3 open questions based on the mandatory texts and regulations (weighted at 40% )
2) Essay (weighted at 50%),
3) PCM simulation weighted at 10% (to be decided with S. Soare).
The essay (max. 5000 words) is due at least 10 days before the date of the exam. The essay submitted late will be penalised at 1 point per working day. Students are requested to provide a detailed comparison of 2 ERDF or ESF regional operational programmes (2007-2013 vs. 2014-2010) in order to identify how these programmes have changed (objectives, rules for programme management and operations, financial planning and management, types of projects, beneficieries, control and audit rules, evaluation and monitoring requirements, the new performance framework).
PCM simulation (to be decided well in advance with S. Soare) is due at least 10 days before the written exam.
Penalties for late submission (applicable to all students):
● One point per working day. Essays or simulations handed in more than 5 days late will receive a zero.
● If you submit an overlong essay, points will be deducted;
Participants unable to attend the course should contact well in advance S. Soare for information on essays and simulations.
Programma del corso
This is a MA course lasting 2 modules. Participants are expected to attend at least 75% of the lectures.
1. Introduction
2. Conceptualising the EU cohesion policy
3. The turning points of EU cohesion policy
4. Geography, actors, instruments and institutions
5. A reformed cohesion policy: 2014-2020
6. PCM – introduction
7. Simulation on LFA
8. Simulation on defining objectively verifiable indicators to measure project success
9. Project progress monitoring based on the project logframe and project work plans
10. Risk identification and analysis; risk prevention or elimination