The post-2013 reform of EU cohesion policy and the place-based narrative

Abstract

This article examines the role and use of discourse as a means of affecting EU cohesion policy reform. A discursive shift is traced to a place-based narrative, which sought to re-legitimize and reconnect the policy with its foundational principles during the post-2013 policy review. It is argued that the impact of the narrative on the Commission's proposals has been only partially effective owing to deep-rooted ideational, interest-driven and organizational resistance and tensions relating to the policy's objectives, governance and relationship with Europe 2020. Implications are drawn for ideational analysis in the EU.

Keywords:

• Cohesion policy
• place-based narrative
• territorial discourse

View correction statement:

THE POST-2013 REFORM OF EU COHESION POLICY AND THE PLACE-BASED NARRATIVE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank colleagues at the University of Strathclyde (especially John Bachtler and Laura Cram) and three reviewers for their constructive comments. I would also like to acknowledge research funding from the IQ-Net and EoRPA regional policy networks, and a European Parliament project on ‘Cohesion policy reform options’ (IP/B/REGI/IC/2010-029).

Notes

Including interviews and personal discussions with the former Commissioner for Regional Policy and chair of the Parliament's Regional Policy committee (Danuta Hübner), three senior Commission officials, the President of the Committee of the Regions (Mercedes Bresso), the co-ordinator of the Barca Report (Fabrizio Barca) and co-author of the governance chapter/recommendations (John Bachtler).

The consultation responses are available at http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/consultation/index_en.cfm#2