Review and assessment of simplification measures in cohesion policy 2007-2013

This paper provides a review and assessment of the simplification measures in Cohesion policy in 2007-13. Simplification has been an ongoing feature of reform debates since 1988. The most recent simplification exercise responds to the economic crisis and involves measures for speeding up programme implementation. The measures have been at least partially effective, with some programmes playing a major role in dealing with the crisis, through accelerated spending or special instruments. The longer term focus of attention is on how the current, administratively complex management and control system can be simplified while maintaining assurance on the regularity of spending.