How to integrate the EU flagship initiatives into cohesion policy in the current and future funding periods

Summary:

This study focuses on the Europe 2020 strategy with particular reference to its seven Flagship initiatives (Innovation Union, Digital Agenda, Industrial Policy, Resource-efficient Europe, Youth on the Move, New Skills and Jobs, and the European Platform against Poverty). It explores their coherence with Cohesion Policy with a view to the 2014-20 programming period and identifies ways of integrating the Flagship initiatives into the future Common Strategic Framework. Using a number of detailed case studies, the report thoroughly examines experience in the implementation of the Lisbon strategy in the context of the Structural Funds. Detailed roadmaps are provided for each Flagship initiative, indicating what, when, how and by whom actions should be carried out over short-, medium- and long-term perspectives. Lastly, the report delivers recommendations related to the implementation of the Flagship initiatives using Cohesion Policy instruments.