ESF complex operations, financial implementation and performance orientation

Based on the ongoing debate on the future of the European Cohesion Policy, the study aims to explore possible adjustments that could improve the effective implementation of the European Social Fund (ESF) in the following areas:

• complex operations (i.e., the division of responsibilities between Cohesion Policy funds);
• financial implementation of the programmes (shared, direct, and indirect management), in line with the principles of the EU Financial Regulation;
• performance orientation of the Cohesion Policy.

The study focuses on future implementation options for the ESF, while also taking into account Cohesion Policy as a whole, and drawing on insights from other funding instruments such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).

The study will involve both desk research (literature and data analysis related to Cohesion Policy) and fieldwork, including extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, such as ESF+ managing authorities, bodies responsible for the coordination of Cohesion Policy and RRFs, experts, evaluators, and EU officials.

To this end, the study will analyse available evidence from the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 programming periods, as well as relevant EU and non-EU funding instruments. The research is structured around two tasks, aligned with the objectives outlined above.

The study specifically aims to:

• identify and analyse possible options to support complex operations (e.g., fully financed by either ESF+ or European Regional Development Fund);
• examine which management and performance-oriented approaches could be considered for the ESF post-2027, with particular reference to the mid-term review and enabling conditions.

Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini will act as project coordinator and is responsible for Task 2, covering future options for the financial implementation of ESF+ and performance orientation.