Study on Strategic Evaluation of Transport Investment priorities under Structural and Cohesion Funds, 2007-2013

The objective of the evaluation is, not only to fulfil the regulatory requirements, but also to learn from the experiences gained in the ISPA, ERDF and Cohesion Fund practice and to enhance the quality and consistency of the National Strategic Reference Frameworks and Operational Programmes related to the transport domain.

Three specific objectives have been formulated:

• To provide an analysis of the situation in selected fields relevant to transport using structural indicators across Member States, plus Romania and Bulgaria;
• To assess the contribution of structural and cohesion funds relative to the current and previous programming periods and draw lessons of relevance for the purpose of the study in terms of identification of potential shortcomings in the development of transport priority projects that might have hampered the utilization of those funds or their expected benefits;
• To identify and evaluate needs in the selected fields and identify potential investment priorities of structural and cohesion funds for the programming period 2007-2013.

Evaluation, feasibility studies:

• A comprehensive analysis of the current situation in the 15 countries;
• Analysis of strategic choices and corresponding EU financial allocations during the current and previous programming period and to identify good practices relative to strategic approaches;
• Identification and evaluation of needs for each country;
• Identification of relevant EU and national factors which are likely to influence those needs;
• Recommendations on investment priorities.

Client: European Commission - DG Regional Policy