On the next episode of the 2025 Autumn semester Yingyin Wu from The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), presented “Building beneficiary capacity under EU Cohesion Policy”.
In this episode we explored:
- Key capacity gaps and the challenges faced such as administrative burdens and skill gaps
- How technical assistance is utilised and what can be done at EU level to enhance long-term impact
- A new four pillar framework designed to strengthen beneficiary capacity building across Europe
Wu’s presentation can be accessed here. If you missed the session you can watch the recording below or catch up on our YouTube channel.
Abstract: EU Cohesion Policy funds are invested every day by local governments, businesses, NGOs, and other beneficiaries. To invest successfully, many turn to managing authorities – who oversee Cohesion Policy programmes and distribute funds – for guidance and support. But what holds beneficiaries back from making the most of these funds, and what can be done to address it? This study, based on a European Commission-OECD pilot project with six national, regional, and Interreg programmes and insights from over 1,000 beneficiaries, provides some answers. It highlights key capacity gaps, including shortages of thematic expertise, heavy administrative burdens, and procedural complexity. Crucially, it shows that capacity needs vary significantly depending on programme type (regional, national, transnational), organisation (public or private), project size, and experience level – calling for a more targeted approach to support. The study also takes stock of how technical assistance is currently used and explores what can be done at the EU level to help managing authorities pursue a more long-term, impact-oriented approach to capacity building. Finally, it introduces a structured and practical framework centred on four pillars: people and organisation, beneficiary capacity analysis, technical support and communication, and engagement with external actors, along with a practical toolkit to strengthen beneficiary capacity-building activities across the EU.
Below are some links that may be of interest to you:
- Study on Roadmaps for Administrative Capacity Building – Design and Implementation
- Beneficiary Capacity Building under Cohesion Policy Report
- Beneficiary Capacity Building Toolkit for Managing Authorities
- Strengthening Governance of EU Funds under Cohesion Policy
- Administrative Capacity Building self-assessment instrument for managing authorities
- All OECD work on administrative capacity building for regional development
Yingyin (Wing) Wu is a Policy Analyst at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, with expertise in administrative capacity building and the governance of EU Cohesion Policy. Since 2018, she has worked closely with EU national and regional authorities to strengthen their capacity to design, manage, and implement investment programmes. She was a key contributor to the Administrative Capacity Building Roadmap, now applied by managing authorities in 15+ EU countries. Her research and projects focus on subnational public investment, multi-level governance, regional development strategies, and regions in industrial transition, across both EU and non-EU countries. She is co-author of the paper Implementing Regional Development Strategies: A Practitioner’s Guide and the Multi-level Governance chapter in the published book The Future of City Centres: Perspectives from the Global South.