Will the New Rules Result in a Better Fulfilment of the Objectives of Cohesion Policy? The Relationship between Programme Management and Socio-Economic Results in Italy

A major objective of the new Cohesion Policy Regulations for 2014-2020 is to bring closer alignment between funds and socio-economic results. Whilst in some parts of the EU Cohesion Policy has been correlated with significant socio-economic convergence, at least until 2008, in Italy this has not been the case. Why has this been so? And, will the new Regulations bring a change? The paper presents an analysis of the past relationship between regional operational programmes and changes in regional GDP and highlight why in Italy there has not been a close relationship between Cohesion Policy and regional performance. The paper also considers the new regulatory requirements and the manner in which the Italian national authorities have prepared the Partnership Contract in response to the programming philosophy contained in the new Regulations. Will the recently created Agency for Cohesion help Italy change its course or will path dependency win again?