Thesis

Local political leadership and administrative capacity for EU Structural Funds : the case of Cohesion policy in urban Romania

可下载的内容

下载PDF文件
Creator
Rights statement
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2023
Thesis identifier
  • T16704
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201681863
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • The EU Structural Funds are instruments to support less developed regions, aiming to close the gap between Europe's least and most developed regions. Their implementation is essential for the EU's regional policy to achieve economic development. Empirical evidence indicates that the implementation rate of Structural Funds in Romania has been consistently low. However, at regional and local levels, a different pattern emerges. This thesis emphasises the critical roles of local political leadership and administrative capacity to explain the success of local authorities in securing EU resources in a context unfavourable to such an outcome. Through an empirical analysis of thirteen municipalities during the 2014- 2020 programming cycle, this study assesses the ability of local elected leaders to leverage EU funds to address local needs and evaluates the administrative capacity in each municipality. It finds that political leaders affect implementation through the strategic decisions and actions they take in the early stages of the process (formulation), through the measures they undertake to mobilize resources and enable the public administrations to attract funds (mobilization) and the assistance offered during implementation. While administrative capacity is an essential and necessary condition for attracting resources, it remains insufficient without political drive. The findings confirm the intertwined nature of politics and administration in the implementation of EU Structural Funds, highlighting the significant role political leaders play alongside administrative capacity.
Advisor / supervisor
  • Mendez, Carlos
  • Bachtler, John
Resource Type
Note
  • Primary supervisor: John Bachtler
DOI
Date Created
  • 2022

关系

项目

缩略图 标题 上传日期 公开度 行动
file details PDF of thesis T16704 2023-10-03 公开 下载