Study on the coordination and harmonisation of ESI Funds and other EU instruments

The study assessed the coherence, complementarity and coordination (3Cs) within the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds, and between these funds and other EU instruments, covering grants and financial instruments, under central and shared management. The report presents a set of key findings and options for consideration as part of the impact assessment for the post-2020 period. 

The report is based on evidence from some 238 interviews, 32 focus group meetings, over 250 documents and two expert workshops. It concludes that there have been many positive results from reforms made to the design and operation of the 2014–20 funds, such as the introduction of the Common Provisions Regulation. Furthermore, the OMNIBUS Regulation plans to introduce further simplification measures and options for the Managing Authorities. 

Three major strategies were identified that could improve the operation of the 3Cs. One strategy is to further harmonise financial and implementation rules to realise more complementarities between funds and simplify the implementation process. A second is to promote clearer demarcation between funds to increase coherence. A third is to improve clarity in the information on funding opportunities available to beneficiaries, Managing Authorities and other stakeholders, in order to improve coordination.