Cohesion Policy and the Evolution of Regional Policy in Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

The paper considers the extent to which domestic regional policy in the Central East European EU member states has been ‘subsumed’ into cohesion policy approaches. It acknowledges that directions of domestic regional policy change vary with processes of EU policy transfer, adaptation, emulation or resistance. This variation occurs across time and across member states. Crucially, the paper argues that interaction between cohesion policy and national regional policy systems also varies according to different regional policy components. Drawing on research from across the member states, the analysis breaks policy down into a number of key dimensions (objectives, instruments, spatial targeting and governance) and assesses the interaction between EU and domestic approaches and agendas.

Notes

¹ Dz.U.06. nr 227, poz. 1658, with subsequent amendments, available at: http://isap.sejm.gov.pl/DetailsServlet?id = WDU20062271658, accessed 6 January 2012.