Since the late 1980s, EU Cohesion Policy has been one of the most important EU policies. It is an attempt to reduce socio-economic disparities between and within EU member states and thus to make pan-European economic success more equitable. The main instruments for supporting less developed regions and countries are the European Structural Funds. Their impact has been the subject of numerous studies in recent decades. In most cases the socio-economic changes in a region can be identified relatively easy from figures and data. However, the aim of this paper is to focus on the qualitative effects of the Structural Funds on political structures, processes and actors and thus to conclude on the sustainability of their contribution to the development of a region, beyond the financial means. In the end, it is always a goal of regional development to overcome a region's dependence on subsidies.
The analysis in this paper focuses on the approach of multi-level governance as the modus operandi of EU Cohesion and Structural Policy. Taking the Scottish Highlands and Islands (H&I) as an example, the paper explores the extent to which the involvement of multiple political levels and a variety of different actors in the governance and implementation of Structural Funds programmes has influenced the success and sustainability of the region's economic and social development.
To come to the desired conclusion, the following chapters first give an overview of EU Cohesion Policy, describe the role of the Structural Funds and present the connection between the multi-level governance approach, the partnership principle and its consequences for less developed regions. The socio-economic problems of the H&I region, also referred to as the ‘Highland Problem’, are then described, as well as the previous social and economic development efforts. In particular, the Highlands and Islands Development Board (HIDB) and its successor, the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), laid important foundations for the later success of EU Structural Policy in the region. In the final part, the processes and contents of the individual EU funding periods are described and analysed regarding their impact on regional partnership structures, and a conclusion is drawn.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. EU Cohesion Policy and multi-level governance
2.1 Upgrading the regional level: the partnership principle
2.2 Europeanisation of regional policy: regional adjustment processes
3. The Scottish Highlands and Islands – a lost cause?
4. New attempts to solve the ‘Highland Problem’
5. EU Cohesion Policy in the Highlands and Islands
5.1 Early programme periods – mobilization of subnational actors
5.2 Maturity phase – expansion of partnership structures
5.3 Reduction of financial resources – the viability of partnership structures put to the test
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the qualitative impact of EU Cohesion Policy and Structural Funds on political structures, processes, and subnational actors within the Scottish Highlands and Islands (H&I), focusing on how these interventions influence the sustainability of the region's socio-economic development beyond mere financial transfers.
- Multi-level governance as a modus operandi for EU regional policy.
- The historical context and evolution of the 'Highland Problem'.
- The influence of subnational actors on regional development policymaking.
- The durability and transformation of partnership structures across different EU funding periods.
- The role of institutional capacity-building in peripheral regional development.
Excerpt from the Book
3. The Scottish Highlands and Islands – a lost cause?
The H&I were created as an administrative region in 1886 to group together the so-called ‘crofting counties’ and today consist of five local councils: Argyll and Bute, Highland, Western Isles/Eilean Siar and Orkney and Shetland (Schmied 2004: 70). According to current numbers, the region counts around 470,000 inhabitants and covers one sixth of the country's land area (Highlands and Islands Enterprise 2021). The H&I can be considered a classic peripheral region in several respects: In addition to its peripheral location to the main European, British and Scottish cities and markets, the region is characterised by a considerable degree of intra-regional peripherality. In other words, it consists in large parts of many small, scattered settlements that are far away from each other. In addition, its insularity brings with it several challenges, for example in terms of transport links or communication (Armstrong et al. 2015: 1572). Similar to other European peripheries, the H&I have struggled for many years with socio-economic problems such as relatively low income levels, high unemployment, low female employment rates, a large primary sector, population decline, low provision of social and economic infrastructure and, as a consequence, a relatively high dependence on government subsidies (Bryden 1981: 475 ff.). However, in the case of the H&I, these cannot be attributed to geographical disadvantages alone.
Schmied (2004: 69) points out that, contrary to earlier assumptions, regions can also be "made peripheral [at least in part] by power relations and external influences." For centuries, the inhabitants of the H&I were told by outsiders that their language, culture and way of life were inferior, insignificant and at odds with the rest of Scotland. In order not to perish, the region needed to change. This need for improvement, commonly known as the 'Highland Problem', refers to the widespread notion that the region's economic development and depopulation are based on an inherent flaw in the area that destines the north and west of Scotland to remain in a state of underdevelopment (McCullough 2018: 421 f.).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on qualitative effects of EU Structural Funds on political governance in peripheral regions, using the Scottish Highlands and Islands as a case study.
2. EU Cohesion Policy and multi-level governance: Introduces the theoretical framework of multi-level governance and explains how the partnership principle reshapes regional policy-making.
3. The Scottish Highlands and Islands – a lost cause?: Describes the historical socio-economic peripherality of the H&I region and the evolution of the so-called 'Highland Problem'.
4. New attempts to solve the ‘Highland Problem’: Analyzes local development efforts through agencies like HIDB and HIE, establishing the foundations for effective subnational engagement.
5. EU Cohesion Policy in the Highlands and Islands: Details the integration of EU funding periods in the H&I, examining the role of subnational actors and the resilience of partnership structures.
6. Conclusion: Evaluates the sustainable, qualitative contribution of EU policies to regional development through institutional cooperation, while noting uncertainties post-Brexit.
7. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources and documents referenced throughout the study.
Keywords
EU Cohesion Policy, Structural Funds, Multi-level Governance, Scottish Highlands and Islands, Regional Development, Partnership Principle, Subnational Actors, Highland Problem, Peripheral Regions, Institutional Learning, Socio-economic Development, Governance Structures, Sustainability, Policy Integration, Europeanisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the qualitative impact of EU Cohesion Policy on political structures, governance processes, and subnational actors within the Scottish Highlands and Islands, rather than just analyzing financial data.
What are the central thematic fields addressed?
The core themes include multi-level governance, the evolution of regional policy, the historic socio-economic challenges of the H&I, and the role of partnership structures in regional success.
What is the main research question or objective?
The research explores the extent to which multi-level governance and the involvement of various actors in Structural Fund programmes have influenced the success and sustainability of the region's development.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper utilizes a qualitative case study approach, drawing upon existing academic literature and institutional analysis to observe changes in political procedures, partnership dynamics, and governance arrangements.
What does the main body of the text analyze?
The main body analyzes the implementation of EU funding periods in the H&I, the shifting roles of subnational versus central authorities, and how partnership structures adapted to changes in funding and political contexts.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include EU Cohesion Policy, Multi-level Governance, Highlands and Islands, Regional Development, Subnational Actors, and Partnership Principle.
How did subnational actors in the H&I influence the EU funding process?
Subnational actors lobbied for Objective 1 status and were actively involved in implementation committees, using their regional knowledge to influence strategic planning and maintain partnerships even when financial resources were reduced.
What impact did the reduction of financial resources in 2007-2013 have on partnerships?
The reduction led to a more centralized 'top-down' management style; however, the fundamental partnership approach was maintained, and local-level collaborations were even strengthened during this period.
How does the author assess the long-term sustainability of these structures?
The author argues that the durability of these partnership structures, demonstrated across several funding cycles, confirms that the qualitative contribution of EU Cohesion Policy has been substantial and sustainable.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Helena Quis (Autor:in), 2021, The Contribution of EU Cohesion Policy to the Sustainable Development of Peripheral Regions, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1185152
