Arhiva news - Euroimpakt

Lecture by Prof. John Bachtler – The Future of Cohesion Policy: Opportunities and Risks of Reforms in the 2028-2034 Programming Period

Dragana Markanović — Fri, 29 May 2026 08:12:34 +0000

On Wednesday, 27 May 2026, a guest lecture by Prof. John Bachtler entitled “The Future of Cohesion Policy: Opportunities and Risks of Reforms in the 2028-2034 Programming Period” was held at the premises of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, organised within the framework of the EUROIMPACT project.

Prof. Bachtler, Professor Emeritus at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and former Director of the European Policies Research Centre, analysed the future of cohesion policy in the context of the reform of the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2034. He particularly focused on the increasing pressure of the EU’s new strategic priorities: competitiveness, strategic autonomy, green transition, demographic change, defence, resilience, and enlargement, on the available budgetary resources of the Union.

The focus of the lecture was on the European Commission’s proposals for the new MFF, including budget restructuring, strengthening competitiveness and security financing, reducing allocations for cohesion policy and common agricultural policy, and introducing national and regional partnership plans. Prof. Bachtler pointed out that the proposed reform opens opportunities for greater policy coordination, more flexible implementation, and a stronger emphasis on results, but it also carries important risks for the visibility, financing, and territorial orientation of cohesion policy.

Special attention is paid to the role of space and territorial differences in the realization of future European priorities. Prof. Bachtler emphasized that regional differences, the so-called “development traps”, the vulnerabilities of certain areas in achieving the goals of the green transition, the institutional capacities of regions, and the role of small and medium-sized cities must remain at the centre of the discussion on the future of cohesion policy. He also warned of the possibility of strengthening centralization, weakening regional ownership of programs, and increased competition between sectoral and territorial goals.

The lecture also covered the course of negotiations on the new MFF, the different positions of the Member States and the European Parliament, as well as open issues related to multi-level governance, implementation models, performance indicators, audit, simplification, and budgetary flexibility. In conclusion, it was emphasized that the reform for the period 2028-2034 will be one of the key tests for the future character of cohesion policy: whether it will remain a European development policy aimed at reducing territorial disparities or will it gradually be subordinated to broader sectoral and national priorities.

The lecture was followed by a discussion in which representatives of the academic community, public institutions, and the private sector participated. The discussion focused on the future distribution of EU funds, the role of regions in the new programming framework, multi-level governance, and the relationship between cohesion policy and the new European Competitiveness Fund.

The opening speeches were given by the Head of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, Ms. Zrinka Ujević, and the Director of the Institute for Development and International Relations, Jakša Puljiz, PhD, while the closing remarks were given by Emerita Sanja Maleković, PhD, from IRMO, who summarised the key messages of the lecture and discussion.

We thank Prof. Bachtler, the European Commission Representation in Croatia and all participants for a highly relevant and timely discussion.

Objava Lecture by Prof. John Bachtler – The Future of Cohesion Policy: Opportunities and Risks of Reforms in the 2028-2034 Programming Period pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

Director of IRMO Participated in an Expert Conference on Croatia’s Experience in the Use of EU Funds

Dragana Markanović — Mon, 25 May 2026 06:36:23 +0000

The Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), in cooperation with the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zagreb, organized an expert conference entitled “Opportunities and Experiences in the Use of EU Funds in the Republic of Croatia.” The conference was opened by Elma Kovačević Bajtal, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Republic of Croatia. In his presentation, Dr. Jakša Puljiz, Director of the Institute, emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and the transfer of experience in the field of the use of European funds. Director Puljiz highlighted that Croatia’s experience demonstrates that EU funds represent a significant development opportunity, but that their effective use also requires high-quality strategic planning, strong institutions, and the continuous strengthening of administrative capacities.

Participants had the opportunity to become acquainted with practical experiences in the preparation of project proposals, including the key elements of well-prepared projects, the most common mistakes, and lessons learned from project implementation.

The conference brought together representatives of public institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina who are involved or will be involved in the processes of preparing and using EU funds, with the aim of strengthening knowledge and exchanging experiences important for future development and integration processes.

Objava Director of IRMO Participated in an Expert Conference on Croatia’s Experience in the Use of EU Funds pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Lecture by Prof. John Bachtler – The Future of Cohesion Policy: Opportunities & Risks in the Reforms for 2028-34

Dragana Markanović — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:02:16 +0000

The Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO) invites you to a guest lecture by Professor John Bachtler on the future of cohesion policy. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 at 12:00 at the premises of the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia, Augusta Cesarca 4, Zagreb.

Please register via the following link: https://forms.gle/CnFHnHB84VFjYXMR7

Professor John Bachtler will deliver a lecture entitled “The Future of Cohesion Policy: Opportunities & Risks in the Reforms for 2028-34”, addressing key challenges and future directions of EU cohesion policy in the context of evolving economic, political and institutional dynamics. Particular attention will be paid to post-2027 reforms, the role of cohesion policy in strengthening competitiveness and territorial cohesion, and its links to major EU priorities such as the green and digital transitions. The lecture will also address issues related to policy effectiveness, multi-level governance and the future allocation of EU funds.

John Bachtler is Professor Emeritus of European Policy Studies at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and former Director of the European Policies Research Centre (EPRC). He is one of Europe’s leading experts on EU cohesion policy, regional development and European integration. His research focuses on regional and industrial development, including EU cohesion and structural policies, territorial development, innovation (RTDI), foreign investment and policy evaluation. He has led major research programmes, including the IQ-Net programme on the management and delivery of cohesion policy across EU Member States.

He has coordinated and contributed to numerous international research and advisory projects, with a strong focus on policy effectiveness, governance and administrative capacity. His work spans more than 30 European countries and includes long-standing involvement in comparative research initiatives such as the European Regional Policy Research Consortium (EoRPA).

He has extensive experience as an expert adviser to national governments across Western, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as to key international institutions including the European Commission, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, European Court of Auditors, OECD and Nordic Council of Ministers. He has also served as an expert adviser to 12 EU Council Presidencies on budgetary, policy and regulatory reform and was a member of the High-Level Group on the Future of Cohesion Policy.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and a Fellow of the Regional Studies Association. A full list of his publications is available here: https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/john-bachtler/publications

The lecture by Prof. Bachtler is organised as part of the EUROIMPACT project, supported by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia.

Objava ANNOUNCEMENT: Lecture by Prof. John Bachtler – The Future of Cohesion Policy: Opportunities & Risks in the Reforms for 2028-34 pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

Book Chapter on Croatia’s Experience with IPA Assistance Published by Springer

Dragana Markanović — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:20:43 +0000

Dr. Jakša Puljiz, co-authoring with Matea Roknić, has published a paper titled “Experience with Implementation of IPA Assistance—Was Croatia a Success Story?” as a chapter in the book The Palgrave Handbook of European Union Enlargement and Pre-Accession Assistance, published by the renowned academic publisher Springer.

The chapter analyses Croatia’s experience with the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), a key financial mechanism of the European Union in the process of preparing countries for membership. Croatia joined the European Union in 2013 following a complex negotiation process, during which the IPA programme played an important role in strengthening administrative capacities, particularly through staff training and the development of institutional structures.

The research findings show that, despite positive developments, the limited financial scope of pre-accession programmes reduced their broader developmental impact. The fragmentation of projects and the lack of an integrated reform approach made it more difficult to address deeper structural challenges. In addition, the effectiveness of IPA assistance was influenced by both external and internal factors, including frequent programme revisions, complex public procurement rules, the 2009 economic crisis, and limited institutional capacity.

In conclusion, the chapter demonstrates that IPA significantly contributed to Croatia’s capacity to manage EU funds after accession, but that its design limitations and insufficient integration with comprehensive national reforms reduced its long-term effectiveness.

The book The Palgrave Handbook of European Union Enlargement and Pre-Accession Assistance examines the development, design, and effects of pre-accession assistance across different waves of EU enlargement. It places particular emphasis on the comparative analysis of the experiences of candidate countries and Member States, providing insights into similarities and differences across cases, as well as the role of pre-accession instruments in shaping public policies and countries’ developmental trajectories on their path to EU membership.

The chapter is available at:
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-13349-6_4

Objava Book Chapter on Croatia’s Experience with IPA Assistance Published by Springer pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

Article on Challenges Faced by Local Government Units in Using EU Funds Published

Dragana Markanović — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:19:26 +0000

Dr. Jakša Puljiz, co-authoring with Mijo Bežovan and Dr. Igor Vidačak, has published an original scientific article titled “Challenges Faced by Local Government Units in the Use of EU Funds” in the journal Croatian and Comparative Public Administration.

The article analyses the key challenges faced by local government units in Croatia in using European Union funds. The findings identify four main challenges: limited human capacity, difficulties in ensuring financial sustainability, the administrative complexity of EU funds, and the influence of politics on the processes of EU fund management. The article contributes to the debate on the need for a comprehensive reform of the local self-government system in Croatia, advocating territorial amalgamation as one of the key mechanisms for strengthening absorption capacity. Such an approach is recognised as a prerequisite for more effective implementation of cohesion policy and the achievement of balanced regional development.

The article is available at:
https://doi.org/10.31297/hkju.26.1.1

Objava Article on Challenges Faced by Local Government Units in Using EU Funds Published pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

Participation of IRMO in the International Conference on the Future of Rural Development Policy after 2027

Dragana Markanović — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:01:18 +0000

The Director of IRMO, Jakša Puljiz, PhD participated in the international conference “The Future of Rural Development Policy after 2027,” held from 23 to 25 March 2026 at Terme Tuhelj. The conference was organised by the LEADER/CLLD Thematic Working Group of the National Network of the Common Agricultural Policy and brought together representatives of European and national institutions, experts, and stakeholders in rural development.

The central day of the conference was dedicated to discussions on the future Multiannual Financial Framework of the EU and the role of rural policies after 2027, with a focus on the LEADER/CLLD approach, territorial instruments, and the integrated development of rural areas.

As part of the panel “Rural Development Policy Today and after 2027 in Croatia,” Dr Puljiz delivered a presentation entitled “Croatian Experiences with EU Territorial Tools – Lessons for the Future,” in which he presented the development and application of the territorial approach within EU cohesion policy in Croatia.

The presentation particularly highlighted key implementation challenges, including coordination across sectors, administrative capacities, and the need for a stronger territorial approach in the forthcoming programming period.

The conference further confirmed the importance of an integrated and participatory approach to rural development, as well as the role of research institutions in providing an analytical basis for future territorial policies of the Republic of Croatia.

Objava Participation of IRMO in the International Conference on the Future of Rural Development Policy after 2027 pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

IRMO at the Budapest Balkan Forum

Dragana Markanović — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:46:07 +0000

Krševan Antun Dujmović, M.Sc., Expert Advisor at the Department for European Policies of IRMO participated in the work of the panel discussion under the title “Make Europe Greater Again! Discussing Enlargement Momentum” as part of the Budapest Balkans Forum (BBF), which was held in the Hungarian capital Budapest, from 9th and 11th March 2026.

BBF is one of the flagship conferences of the Hungarian Institute of International Affairs (HIIA) and it was launched in 2016.

This year’s edition gathered decision-makers, policymakers, and the expert community to discuss the most pressing trends and opportunities shaping the Western Balkans.

For more information about the Budapest Balkans Forum visit the official website:  

https://budapestbalkansforum.hu/

Objava IRMO at the Budapest Balkan Forum pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

IRMO Director at the International Conference “Pact for the Mediterranean: Partnerships for a Changing World”

Dragana Markanović — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:13:44 +0000

The Director of the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), Jakša Puljiz, PhD, participated as a panelist at the international conference “Pact for the Mediterranean: Partnerships for a Changing World”, which was held at the Providur Palace in Zadar. The event was organized by the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Zadar County and the City of Zadar. The conference was opened by the European Commission Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, who in her speech highlighted the strategic importance of the Pact for the Mediterranean as a new framework approach for strengthening cooperation and economic ties between the two shores of the Mediterranean — with a focus on people, economy, security and resilience.

As part of the panel “People: Driving Force for Change, Connections and Innovation in the Mediterranean”, the IRMO Director emphasized the importance of higher education, vocational training and skills development, and the mobility of young researchers as fundamental elements for long-term connections and fostering innovation in the region.

The conference brought together numerous international participants and experts, and served as a platform for the transition of the Pact from a visionary phase to concrete action plans and initiatives that will contribute to projects of importance to citizens and economies across the Mediterranean region.

About the Pact for the Mediterranean

The Pact for the Mediterranean is a new strategic initiative of the European Commission, designed to enhance cooperation, economic connectivity and stability between the countries of the northern and southern Mediterranean. It is based on the principles of co-creation and ownership through concrete initiatives with added value for citizens and economies on the shores of the Mediterranean.

More information about the event: https://croatia.representation.ec.europa.eu/events/najava-pakt-za-mediteran-partnerstva-za-svijet-koji-se-mijenja-2026-02-09_hr

Photo: European Commission Representation in Croatia

Objava IRMO Director at the International Conference “Pact for the Mediterranean: Partnerships for a Changing World” pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

Dr. sc. Stjepan Srhoj part of World Bank initiative on firm transaction networks

Dragana Markanović — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:10:46 +0000

Stjepan Srhoj, PhD, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), is part of the World Bank’s “Investing in Firm Networks for Growth, Resilience, and Jobs” initiative, which develops internationally comparable evidence on firm networks based on microdata on transactions between firms.

Firms do not operate in isolation: they are linked through buyer-supplier relationships in production and transaction chains. The research examines how these interconnectedness affects growth, job creation, and resilience, alongside common factors at the firm and market levels. It uses detailed transaction data from more than 10 countries on four continents to illustrate the structure of these relationships, including the role of supporting sectors (e.g., information and communication technologies and transport), the integration of small and medium-sized enterprises, and concentration in supply chains. Such insights facilitate the assessment of how supply disruptions and other shocks are transmitted through the economy and which policies and investments are most effective in strengthening resilience and preserving jobs. The results are also used to shape public policies – from public spending and return on investment in infrastructure and logistics to the targeting of supplier development programs.

Teams from more than 10 countries are participating in the initiative; the leader is Dr. Chiara Criscuolo, and the coordinators are Dr. Verena Christina Wiedemann and Dr. Davide Samuele Luzzati.

Participation in the World Bank initiative is complementary to the core project of the Croatian Science Foundation (IP2022-10-8560) led by Dr. Stjepan Srhoj.

Objava Dr. sc. Stjepan Srhoj part of World Bank initiative on firm transaction networks pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.

Stjepan Srhoj on the editorial board of The Journal of Technology Transfer

Dragana Markanović — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:08:51 +0000

Stjepan Srhoj, PhD, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), has been appointed Associate Editor of The Journal of Technology Transfer.

The Journal of Technology Transfer addresses topics that are key to how knowledge is transformed into new products, services and more productive enterprises. The process of technology transfer is important for the wider economy because it connects research and innovation with market application, thereby accelerating growth, competitiveness and the creation of quality jobs. Effective transfer narrows the gap between scientific discoveries and commercial applications and helps public and private investments in research result in measurable economic impacts. Therefore, the journal particularly emphasizes the role of public policies, governance and cooperation mechanisms that shape the speed, scope and success of technology diffusion in the economy. In this sense, research published in the journal contributes to understanding the institutional and organizational conditions under which technology transfer generates social and economic value.

The Journal of Technology Transfer is ranked A according to the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) ranking (within the ABDC Journal Quality List), has 3 stars according to the Academic Journal Guide (AJG) ranking, and is positioned as Q1 in the Scopus database and Q2 in the Web of Science (WoS) database.

Stjepan Srhoj, PhD, is also an associate editor at the Journal of Small Business Management. And that journal is A according to the ABDC scale, has 3 stars according to the AJG scale, and is positioned as Q1 in the Scopus database and Q1 in the WoS database.

Link: https://link.springer.com/journal/10961/editorial-board

Objava Stjepan Srhoj on the editorial board of The Journal of Technology Transfer pojavila se prvi puta na Euroimpakt.