B6172 - TERRITORIAL POLICIES AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Learning outcomes

Having successfully completed the course, students will have acquired an understanding of the history of European integration as a decentralized process based on territorial cooperation, as well as technical terminology and key concepts of territorial cooperation concerning territory, multi-level governance, spatial planning, and regional policy. In terms of skills, students will be able to analyze actors, obstacles, and opportunities pertaining to ETC programs and projects, understanding how to assess them in a comparative perspective.

Course contents

This course aims at providing a comprehensive understanding of the European Union's territorial policies and their role in fostering local development. Students will delve into the institutional framework of the EU, the principles of multi-level governance, and the intricacies of cohesion policy, from its historical evolution to its current implementation and future prospects. Through case studies, practical examples, and a role-playing exercise, students will gain insight into the real-world application of these policies. The course culminates in a special session with officials from the European Commission's DG REGIO and the Emilia-Romagna Region, offering direct engagement with practitioners in the field.

Each module is four hours long, for a total of 28 hours.

Module 1: Institutions of the European Union

This foundational module introduces the key institutions of the European Union, providing a critical understanding of their functions, decision-making processes, and financial frameworks.

• Who they are: A detailed examination of the roles and responsibilities of the primary EU institutions:

  • The European Commission: The executive body responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and upholding the EU treaties.

  • The European Parliament: The directly elected legislative body representing EU citizens, with powers of co-decision, supervision, and budget approval.

  • The Council of the European Union: The voice of the member states' governments, negotiating and adopting EU laws.

  • The European Council: Comprised of the heads of state or government of the member states, it defines the overall political direction and priorities of the EU.

  • The Court of Justice of the European Union: Ensures that EU law is interpreted and applied the same in every EU country.

  • The European Court of Auditors: The independent external auditor of the EU's finances.

• How they function, how they make decisions (regulations and directives and opinions): An analysis of the EU's legislative process, distinguishing between key legal acts:

  • Regulations: Binding legal acts that must be applied in their entirety across the EU.

  • Directives: Set out a goal that all EU countries must achieve, but it is up to the individual countries to decide how.

  • Opinions and Recommendations: Allow the institutions to make their views known in a non-binding manner.

• Budget: An overview of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU's long-term budget, its revenue sources (own resources), and the annual budgetary procedure.

Module 2: Multi-level Governance

This module explores the concept of multi-level governance, a defining feature of the European Union's political and administrative system.

• Definition and characteristics: Defining multi-level governance as the interconnectedness of supranational, national, regional, and local authorities in the policy process. Key characteristics include shared decision-making, complex negotiations, and the involvement of non-state actors.

• Scope and influence: Examining the impact of multi-level governance on various policy areas, with a particular focus on regional development and territorial cohesion.

• Actors: Identifying the wide range of actors involved in the multi-level governance system, including:

  • Supranational institutions (e.g., European Commission).

  • National governments and ministries.

  • Regional and local authorities.

  • Economic and social partners (e.g., trade unions, employers' associations).

  • Civil society organizations.

• Application in the EU: Analyzing how multi-level governance operates in practice within the EU, using specific policy examples to illustrate the dynamics of interaction between different levels of government.

Module 3: Cohesion Policy

This module provides a deep dive into the EU's Cohesion Policy, its main investment policy aimed at reducing regional disparities.

• History through the programming periods: Tracing the evolution of Cohesion Policy from its origins to the present day, analyzing the changing priorities and financial allocations of each programming period (e.g., 1989-1993, 2000-2006, 2014-2020).

• Topics and envelopes in 2021-2027: A detailed look at the current programming period, focusing on its thematic concentration on key areas for growth and development, such as:

  • A smarter Europe (innovation, digitalization).

  • A greener, low-carbon Europe (energy transition, climate adaptation).

  • A more connected Europe (mobility, ICT connectivity).

  • A more social Europe (implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights).

  • A Europe closer to citizens (sustainable urban development).

• Objectives for 2021-2027: Understanding the main policy objectives and the specific investment priorities for the current period.

• Overview and detail of cohesion funds in 2021-2027: A comprehensive breakdown of the key funds that constitute Cohesion Policy:

  • European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

  • Cohesion Fund (CF).

  • European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

  • Just Transition Fund (JTF).

• What comes next: regulation drafts for 2028-2034: A forward-looking analysis of the initial proposals and discussions surrounding the future of Cohesion Policy beyond 2027, considering emerging challenges and priorities.

Module 4: Implementation of Cohesion Policy

This module focuses on the practical mechanisms and actors involved in the implementation of Cohesion Policy programs.

• Partnership agreement (negotiation and application): Examining the crucial role of Partnership Agreements, strategic documents negotiated between the European Commission and each member state that outline investment priorities and plans for the cohesion funds.

• Mid-term review: Understanding the process of the mid-term review, which assesses the performance of the programs and allows for adjustments.

• Implementing actors: A detailed look at the key bodies responsible for managing and overseeing the implementation of Cohesion Policy on the ground:

  • Managing Authority: Responsible for the day-to-day management of operational programs.

  • Audit Authority: Ensures the effective functioning of the management and control system.

  • Accounting Function Unit: Responsible for drawing up and submitting payment applications to the Commission.

  • Joint Secretariat for Interreg: A specific body for managing cross-border cooperation programs.

• Examples of real projects and programmes: Analysis of concrete examples of successful projects and programs financed by Cohesion Policy funds across different regions and thematic areas.

Module 5: Spatial Planning

This module explores specific instruments and strategies for integrated territorial development within the framework of Cohesion Policy.

• Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI): A tool that allows for the implementation of a territorial strategy in an integrated manner, combining funding from different priority axes and programs.

• Community-led Local Development (CLLD): A bottom-up approach that empowers local actors to design and implement their own development strategies, fostering community engagement and ownership.

• Macro-regional strategies: Examining how these strategies (e.g., for the Danube Region, Baltic Sea Region) provide a framework for cooperation to address common challenges and opportunities, without new EU institutions or funding.

Module 6: European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation and Students’ Role Play

This module introduces an important legal instrument for cross-border, transnational, and interregional cooperation and engages students in a practical application of their learning.

• European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC): formation and scope: Understanding the legal framework, objectives, and procedures for establishing an EGTC, a legal entity designed to facilitate and promote cooperation between regional and local authorities from different member states.

• European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation: real examples and results: Case studies of existing EGTCs, analyzing their projects, achievements, and challenges in areas such as transport, healthcare, and economic development.

• Students’ Role Play: Case study of an Interreg project: A dynamic and interactive session where students will simulate the process of developing and negotiating a cross-border cooperation project (Interreg). This will involve taking on the roles of different stakeholders (e.g., regional authorities, NGOs, private sector) and applying the knowledge gained throughout the course.

Module 7: Meeting the European Commission DG REGIO and Emilia-Romagna Region officers working on European Territorial Cooperation

This final module provides a direct link to the professional world of European territorial cooperation. Students will have the opportunity to engage with:

• Officials from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO): Gaining insights into the EU-level perspective on Cohesion Policy, its strategic direction, and the challenges of implementation across diverse regions.

• Officers from the Emilia-Romagna Region: Learning about the practical application of EU territorial policies at the regional level, the specific challenges and successes in Emilia-Romagna, and the region's role in European territorial cooperation programs.

This session will provide a platform for students to ask questions, network, and gain a deeper appreciation of the real-world impact of the policies studied in the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Academic Manuals

• Bache, I., George, S. and Bulmer, S., 2021. Politics in the European Union. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Dinan, D., 2023. Ever Closer Union: An Introduction to European Integration. 5th ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

• Hooghe, L. and Marks, G., 2001. Multi-Level Governance and European Integration. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.

• Piattoni, S., 2010. The Theory of Multi-level Governance: Conceptual, Empirical, and Normative Challenges. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Molle, W., 2007. The Economics of European Integration: Theory, Practice, Policy. 5th ed. Aldershot: Ashgate.

Scientific Articles

• Bachtler, J., & Turok, I., 2005. The Cohesion Policy and the Lisbon Agenda: varieties of regional response. European Policy Research Paper, (22).

• Barca, F., 2009. An Agenda for a Reformed Cohesion Policy: A Place-Based Approach to Meeting European Union Challenges and Expectations. Independent Report prepared at the request of the European Commissioner for Regional Policy.

• Crescenzi, R. and Giua, M., 2020. The effect of the EU Cohesion Policy on the regional labour market: a quasi-experimental approach. Regional Studies, 54(1), pp.25-36.

• Dühr, S., Colomb, C. and Nadin, V., 2010. European Spatial Planning and Territorial Cooperation. London: Routledge.

• Faludi, A., 2006. From European spatial development to territorial cohesion policy. Regional Studies, 40(6), pp.667-678.

• Hooghe, L., 1996. Cohesion policy and European integration: building multi-level governance. Journal of European Public Policy, 3(3), pp.342-379.

• Medeiros, E., 2017. The role of Cross-Border Cooperation in the process of European integration. REGION: The Journal of the European Regional Science Association, 4(3), pp.R1-R9.

• Perkmann, M., 2007. Policy entrepreneurship and multi-level governance: a comparative study of European cross-border regions. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 25(6), pp.861-879.

• Stephenson, P., 2013. Twenty years of multi-level governance: 'Where does it come from? What is it? Where is it going?'. Journal of European Public Policy, 20(6), pp.817-837.

Institutional Reports 

• European Commission, 2022. Cohesion in Europe towards 2050: Eighth report on economic, social and territorial cohesion. Brussels: European Commission.

• Committee of the Regions, 2023. Opinion on the future of Cohesion Policy.

• High-Level Group on the Future of Cohesion Policy, 2024. Final Report.

Web Resources

• European Commission - DG REGIO (Inforegio): https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/

• Kohesio - EU Projects Database: https://kohesio.ec.europa.eu/

• European Parliament - Committee on Regional Development (REGI): https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/regi/home/highlights

• Committee of the Regions: https://cor.europa.eu/en

• Interact - Programme for interregional cooperation: https://www.interact-eu.net/

• ESPON - European Spatial Planning Observation Network: https://www.espon.eu/

Teaching methods

Interactive lectures with class debates; experts' testimonials 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/ studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/ en/for-students [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students] ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Assessment methods

For attending students, one essay (60%), participation in a role play exercise (30%) and class participation (10%) will determine the mark.

Deadlines and other specifications will be presented in class.

 

For non-attending students, a written exam will determine the mark.

Teaching tools

Slides; articles; materials for simulations

Office hours

See the website of Veronica Lenzi

See the website of