Call for Papers: 2nd EU Cohesion Policy Conference, 4-6 February 2015, Riga.

Deadline: 31 October 2014

http://www.regionalstudies.org/conferences/conference/challenges-for-the-new-cohesion-policy-in-2014-2020-an-academic-and-policy

Papers are invited on the following questions and themes which will form the basis for workshop sessions, panel debates and discussion groups at the Conference. :

1. Economic geography and Cohesion policy: how are the economic and social challenges for European Structural & Investment Funds changing? -the implications of the crisis for regional and urban disparities and convergence in Europe -the contributions and limits of Cohesion policy in dealing with the crisis and its legacy -the regional dimensions of Europe 2020 and the scope for the Funds to promote smart, sustainable and inclusive growth -the role of the funds in addressing youth unemployment

2. Institutions and governance: what can Cohesion policy do to strengthen public administration and effective management of the Funds? -administrative reform, capacity-building and Cohesion policy -strategic management and delivery of Cohesion policy programmes -integration of Funds and policy outcomes -the scope for conditionalities to improve the policy environment for the Funds

3. Performance and results: how can Cohesion policy resources be used most effectively and efficiently? -the achievements of Structural and Cohesion Funds in 2007-13 -the contribution of performance frameworks to transparency and accountability -improving methods for Cohesion policy evaluation

4. Instruments: what kind of Cohesion policy interventions make a difference? -the role of financial instruments in improving access to finance in less-developed regions -the use of integrated investments to promote sustainable urban development -lessons from local and community development for 2014-20 -improving the visibility of results from European Territorial Cooperation programmes and projects

5. EU economic governance and Cohesion policy: what are the implications of governance reforms for Cohesion policy -the relationships between Cohesion policy and EU macroeconomic governance objectives -inter-institutional relations in economic governance and Cohesion policy -scenarios for economic and monetary union and implications for Cohesion policy