Preparing for the European Structural Funds' next funding period: Synopsis of the central findings of the updates of the mid‐term evaluation of the Operational Programmes in East Germany

Abstract

"This synopsis is based on mid‐term review updates of all East German states (i.e., Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg‐Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony‐Anhalt, and Thuringia) and the Community Support Framework (CSF) for East Germany (see Bibliography for more specific information). The aim of this synopsis is to provide a systematic overview of the content of the updates on the utilisation of European Structural Funds—in particular the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF), to compare and contrast these, and to highlight possible similarities and differences. The recommendations for the next funding period form the main focus of this paper. This article has not taken into account achievements in the agricultural sector and rural areas, as these will form part of the EU’s general agricultural policy from 2007. The synopsis is structured as follows: Chapter 1 addresses central challenges (population and employment developments, innovative capacity) and highlights, in the view of the evaluators, the problem areas for the new funding period. This is followed, in Chapter 2, by an overview of the current funding period and an excursive outline of the adjustments still being recommended for the current funding programme. Chapter 3, which forms the core focus of this paper, discusses the recommendations proposed by evaluators on the cross‐national direction of European structural funding from 2007 onwards. Chapter 4 provides the Conclusion for this discussion paper." [excerpt]