Research Activity

Impacts of EU Cohesion Policy Transfers on improving competitiveness

Person in charge

Ákos Kengyel

Description

The research is connected to the revision and extension of the text of the formerly published book on EU cohesion policy. The main focus of the research is on macro econometric models and comparison of physical and other indicators. The basic goal is to point out the main preconditions of successful efforts and, on the other hand, the obstacles to convergence in some cases.

Methodology

Mainly macroeconomic models and macro level indicators are used for the analysis.

Impact

It could contribute to the debate on the impacts of EU cohesion policy transfers and the added-value of EU level intervention in the field of regional development. We can gain several conclusions from the experience of “old” and “new” less developed member states.

Resulting publications

The results of the research will be part of the book “Cohesion Policy and Catching Up in the European Union”, and additional articles will be published in refereed journals.

Research Activity

The Visegrad Countries and the new economic governance system of the EU

Person in charge

Zoltán Gálik

Description

The Visegrad countries (Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) share common interest in the shaping of the EU integration post the world economic crisis. The research aims to analyse the behaviour of the V4 countries towards the future political integration steps.

Methodology

The research is performed in a multidisciplinary framework: it analyses the V4 countries economic and monetary responses to the crisis, and it examines the regional cooperation among the V4. Next to the economic analysis we look at the integration theory consequences.

Impact

Students and teachers who are involved in the project have the opportunity to closely analyse the developments of the European integration from a regional perspective.

Resulting publications

The studies will be included into the book on European economic governance after the crises. (The V4 countries perspectives in the EU after the world economic crisis)

Title

Virtual platform about the Development of European integration

Typology

Virtual platform

Description

On the platform, the students will have access to different materials dealing with the history of the European integration. Primary documents will be uploaded, such as the Treaty of Rome, Pan-Europe (R. Coudenhove-Kalergi), Ventotene manifesto, Werner plan, etc. In addition, on the platform, the students will find reactions of the member states, news from the relevant period, and memorandums as well. The platform also makes it possible to visualize television news releases, and audio materials, such as those of press conferences.

Impact

The students will have closer insight to the development of the European integration. By reading primary documents, articles and listening to the views, opinions of prominent European politicians will help the students get involved in the discussion sessions of the seminars and to understand the driving forces of the integration better.

Language

English and Hungarian

Estimated Date of publication

October 2015

Title

Virtual platform on Regional Development

Comparison of experiences of the Visegrad Countries in using EU funds

Typology

Virtual platform / publication

Description

The papers which are presented on the annual workshops will be published annually in English on the virtual platform (and also in print). It means that 8-10 studies in 10-15 pages will be published annually (approx. 120-150 pages). The topics will focus on the implementation of national development plans and their operational programmes in the Visegrad Countries. Concrete examples of successful projects and failures will be analysed. There would be comparisons of different approaches and objectives of national and regional level development strategies. A special emphasis will be given to the impacts of economic crisis and the adjustment processes.

Impact

The annual workshops can have an impact on comparative evaluation of different experiences of the Visegrad Countries in using EU funds. Several conclusions can be drawn for the desirable future changes in programme preparation and project generation for the Structural Funds. The working papers can contribute to wider dissemination of the most important findings and experiences. There is a free access to the virtual platform for the general public and we will call the attention of decision makers at different levels of government dealing with regional planning, civil organizations and fund raising enterprises, and consulting companies, who can use the experiences and suggestions. The papers will be written in English, which can contribute to international exchange of the results.

Language

English

Estimated Date of publication

Annually after the workshops in June 2015, 2016, 2017.

Title

The Long-term Impact of the 2008 World Economic Crisis on the European Union

Typology

Book

Description

The book (edited by Zoltán Gálik) aims to give a detailed description of the impact of the 2008 world economic crisis on the reforms of the European Union. It deals with the emergence of the crisis handling of the EU, the new economic governance framework and it analyses the possibilities of further political integration.

Impact

The book gives the necessary background to understand the economic and political driving forces of structural and institutional changes at EU and national levels and to study the EU behaviour after the 2008 world economic crisis.

Language

Hungarian

Estimated Date of publication

December 2015

Title

Cohesion Policy and Catching Up in the European Union

Typology

Book

Description

The chair holder’s former book titled “Cohesion and financing. The regional policy and budget of the European Union” which was published in Hungarian in 2008 will be revised and extended. This book could contribute to the improvement of relatively restricted literature on specific and challenging aspects of European integration studies (namely the impacts of EU transfers and the problems of EU level budget). The book will be a teaching material as well.

Main chapters:

1. Theories on convergence and divergence. Development economics and regional policy objectives.

2. Factors underlying regional disparities. (Trends in output. Infrastructure and human resource endowments. Research, technological development and innovation. Inward investment. Peripherality.)

3. Gradual development of EU level regional policy. (The Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund. Specific regional policy objectives and eligibility criteria.)

4. Comparison of contents and structure of development plans of the member states. (Community Support Framework, Single Programming Document till end 2006, National Strategic Reference Framework for 2007-2013, Partnership Agreements in 2014-2020)

5. Implementing EU funds. (Institutional frameworks, different models of national structures. Multi-level governance and partnership.)

6. Budgetary transfers and macroeconomic impacts. (Evaluation of the impacts on GDP, employment and other macroeconomic and social indicators, development of physical and human infrastructures. Econometric model estimations.)

Impact

Nowadays, against its particularly high level of importance, there are only few comprehensive books about the regional policy and the budgetary issues of European integration. After the deep recession caused by the world economic crises, serious economic and social problems have been emerged. The impacts of the crisis on economic development, structural changes and employment policies should be analysed also from the point of view of EU level regional policy approaches and EU level budgetary means. The book could be used in higher education in those courses which are focused on the regional policy and the impact of EU level intervention. This book could enhance the visibility of academic research activities in this specific field of European integration studies.

Language

Hungarian/English

Estimated Date of publication

December 2016