Regional Policy

Alphametrics has worked closely with the European Commission on regional policy issues for many years and as a result of its analysis through a number of studies and reports has helped shape EU policy in this area. In doing so, Alphametrics has built up considerable expertise in this area and well situated to explore, as well as advise on, developments in the Union's regions.

Industrial Restructuring in the Accession Countries
a study to examine past and potential future structural change in the Accession countries with subsequent evaluation of their impact on employment structures and skill requirements, and to explore the policy options designed to address labour force adjustment in the light of structural change. The study is being carried out in collaboration with WIIW, Vienna and DIW, Berlin for DG Employment and Social Affairs and is due for completion in autumn 2004.

Needs of Regions in Current Member States and the Candidate Countries in Areas that are Eligible for Structural Funds
A project designed to identify the priorities for support and assistance under the Structural Funds and in other policy areas. A key area for analysis has been education and training systems in these countries examining issues related to infrastructure, educational attainment, participation in education and training. For DG Regional Policy, European Commission, 2003

Third Report on Economic and Social Cohesion
The editing, translation and production of the third report on economic and social cohesion adopted by the Commission on 18 February 2004. The report analyses the scale of regional disparities across the EU and the new Accession countries, the extent to which convergence has occurred over recent years and the effect of Community policies in narrowing disparities and strengthening cohesion. This analysis is the basis for the proposals presented in the report for a renewed regional policy designed to address development needs in the enlarged Union. Produced in collaboration with our associate company, Applica

Excerpts from the report are availble from the DG Regional Policy web site.

Second Report on Economic and Social Cohesion
Alphametrics was extensively involved in the production of the First Cohesion Report in 1996, which laid the basis for a thorough reform of EU regional policy. Once again Alphametrics played a key role in the production of the Second Cohesion Report, which provides a solid platform upon which to discuss the form which regional policy will need to take in an enlarged European Union. This report was published in 2001.

Excerpts from the report are included here in PDF format. To view, click on the links below:

summary.pdf

conclusions.pdf

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your PC, then you can donwload it free from Adobe:

To view and download the entire report please see the InfoRegio web site

Sixth Periodic Report
The Sixth Periodic Report on the social and economic situation and development of regions in the EU was published by the European Commission at the beginning of 1999. The report examines the following themes:

• the extent of disparities in GDP per head and unemployment across the EU and how this changed over the 1990s.
• Analysis of the causes of regional disparities in economic performance points to the importance of establishing a favourable structure of economic activity, a capacity to innovate, good communication links and a well-educated and trained work force in weaker regions, but also efficient public administration, effective business support services and extensive social facilities.
• regional developments in Central and Eastern Europe, where there has been some recovery of both output and employment after the initial deep recession following the collapse of the previous system of centrally-planned production and trade, but where the growing prosperity of urban centres and a number of Western regions bordering the EU contrasts with the acute problems faced in agricultural and industrial regions where large-scale job losses have occurred.

The text, maps, graphs and tables of the report are available in PDF format at the Directorate-General for Regional Policy site.