Research and Technological Development: Staff Working Document published on the evaluation findings of ERDF support in 2007-2013

In the period 2007-2013, over EUR 86 billion, nearly 25% of total Cohesion Policy funding, went towards innovation in the broader sense. Looking at RTD specifically, some EUR 17 billion was invested under the ERDF through 215 operational programmes (OP) in projects supporting RTD infrastructure, competence centres and activities in Member States and regions.

Overall, ERDF investment contributed to reducing disparities among EU regions in performing quality research. There were observable effects on scientific production and capacity, as witnessed by some key RTD performance indicators: the increase in the volume of scientific publications; the increase in the number of people with a tertiary education employed in science and technology; and the growth rate in the number of R&D personnel and researchers.

Drawbacks from the 2007-2013 period such as the lack of observable long-term impacts and the lack of harnessing better scientific knowledge for industrial and commercial application were addressed in the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 periods. Smart specialisation strategies are stimulating coordination, concentration and prioritisation of funding at local level, having a stronger emphasis on market orientation (i.e. higher technological readiness levels) and greater focus on capability building for regions left behind. Starting from this, future evaluations, particularly the ex-post evaluation of cohesion policy programmes 2014-2020, will continue to assess RTD investments.

• Read the SWD and executive summary (ENG, FR, DE)
• Read the full evaluation published on 10 December 2021
• Find out more on DG REGIO Research and Innovation policy and general evaluation framework