The Promise and Perils of the Performance Turn in EU Cohesion Policy

The aim of this report is to review the new performance orientation for Cohesion policy in2014-20 and the potential for change in practice, based on the views and initial plans of IQ-Net programme authorities. A general observation is that the reaction to the new performance requirements is less than might have been expected. Many managing authorities are not anticipating major changes to their programming and programme management procedures as yet. Refinement and relatively minor adaptation of systems seem to be the watchwords, driven as much by administrative experience in the current period as the new regulatory obligations. The report assesses performance plans and experiences with respect to programming, management mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity.