Coordination, cooperation and synergy between ESF, ERDF and EAFRD in AT

The objective of the project "SYN.AT - coordination, cooperation and synergy between the use of ESF, ERDF and EAFRD in Austria" is the identification of synergy potentials between the following EU funding instruments:
- European Social Fund (ESF)
- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

Hereby the consistency of the target coherence in relation to their regional / sub-regional / local structures is an essential aspect. The investigation should bring out information with regard to enabling and inhibiting factors in the context of the usage of synergies (substantive / structural) at the interfaces of the three funds. Based on the results, concrete options for improvement will be derived – specifically for the 2014+ program plan (“integrated policies").

The project is divided into three parts:

1. Analysis of program content and distribution of funds in the ESF, ERDF and EAFRD
Substantive synergies should be identified through the federal state-wide comparison of the three funds (program content and budget for actions / activities).

2. Initial survey of possible good practice projects
The initial survey will identify comprehensive good practice projects which are based on a specific coordination between the EU funding instruments ESF / ERDF / EAFRD.

3. Investigation of regional structures
Starting from the question how regional policy, rural development and labour market, social and educational policy are implemented in the regions, a typology will be created which shows the regional structures with regard to the implementation of the three funds in Austria.

The results will be drafted in a report.

Methods: program and document analysis, guideline-based interviews and analysis

Team:

• Magª. Berenike Ecker, M.E.S. MSc (project leader)
• Magª. Katharina Handler
• Mag. Dr. Klaus Schuch

Section: Work and Equal Opportunities

Partners:

• ÖAR - Regionalberatung GmbH

Related Articles:

• Publication: Untersuchung von Synergien zwischen ESF, EFRE und ELER - Studie erschienen

Tags: cohesion policy, regional development