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European Union Funds

Course developer

Course abstract

The aim of the study course is to acquaint master students with in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and institutional framework of the European Union (EU) funds, to describe the EU regional and cohesion policy, its goals and tasks, development periods. Students will learn the principles and legal framework of EU fund management. In the lectures, students are introduced to the process of planning, implementation and monitoring of EU funds in Latvia. In practical classes, students acquire skills to evaluate EU funds as instruments of sectoral policy and to understand the institutionalization of the acquisition of EU funds in Latvia.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge. Knows and understands the theoretical and institutional framework of EU funds, the principles of management of EU funds and the legal framework; knows and understands the planning, implementation and monitoring processes of EU funds.

Skills. Ability to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge for the evaluation of current European Union public policies, to describe the connection of programs and funds with the EU multiannual financial framework, ability to describe the framework of national EU funds, understand the institutionalization and conditions of EU funds acquisition.

Competence. Ability to identify and define the suitability of the corresponding EU fund in projects, able to cooperate and develop conclusions and proposals on the organization of EU funds and project processes.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. European Union policy, limits of competence.
2. The EU's multiannual financial framework and its impact on EU funds.
3. The essence and historical development of EU Regional Policy.
4. Objectives and tasks of EU Cohesion Policy.
5. Institutional framework for implementation of EU Structural Funds in Latvia.
6. The European Regional Development Fund and its operational programs.
7. Objectives and tasks of the European Social Fund.
8. European Territorial Cooperation.
9. EU Education, Civic and Cultural Programs.
10. Future challenges for EU policy and fund development.

Topics for seminars (12 hours)
1. The EU's multiannual financial framework and its implications for EU funds (2 hours).
2. The impact of the Lisbon Treaty on EU Cohesion Policy (1 hour).
3. EU programs and funds, priorities, nature and types. (1 hour), 1st independent work.
4. Planning, implementation and monitoring of EU funds in Latvia. (2 hours).
5. Evaluation of EU funds, its role. (1 hour).
6. EU funds planning periods, their characteristics. (2 hours), test.
7. EU funds administration system and digitization (2 hours).

8. Evaluation of EU funds and communication management in projects. (1 hour) 2. independent work.

Requirements for awarding credit points

At the end of the study course there is a test with a mark. The final evaluation is cumulative on the following topics: 1) developed and defended independent work on the example of a project, analyzing the suitability of one EU fund (1st independent work - 30%), 2) Developed and submitted an evaluation of one EU fund (2nd independent work - 30%), 3) test on the theoretical and institutional framework of EU funds, principles of management of EU funds and legal framework; EU funds planning, implementation and monitoring processes (test - 40%).

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Independent and practical work has been completed, research has been carried out independently and a test has been passed.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Master students must pass and develop: 1. independent work (30%), 2. independent work (30%), test (40%). 10% corresponds to one point on the 10-point assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Genschel P., Jachtenfuchs M. (2013) Beyond the Regulatory Polity?: The European Integration of Core State Powers. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 288p. Pieejams: https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/ZTAwMHh3d19fNjcyMTI5X19BTg2?sid=8cfccdb4-427e-44f1-9e35-62c669d8a26c@redis&vid=10&format=EB&rid=4
2. Borchardt K.D. The ABC of European Union law. European Commission. Luxembourg: Publications Office. 2018, p.140 p. Pieejams: file:///C:/Users/sony/Downloads/NA0716024ENN.en%20(1).pdf
3. Dadomo C., Quénivet N. (2020) European Union Law. Third edition. Saltfor: Hall & Stott, p.512. Pieejams: https://web-s-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/ZTAwMHh3d19fMjYyMzM4Nl9fQU41?sid=8cfccdb4-427e-44f1-9e35-62c669d8a26c@redis&vid=8&format=EB&rid=9
4. Raagmaa G., Stead D. Impacts of European Territorial Policies in the Baltic States. London; New York: Routledge, 2015. 160 p. Pieejams: https://books.google.lv/books?id=RGxQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA9&lpg=PA9&dq=4.+Raagmaa+G.,+Stead+D.+Impacts+of+European+Territorial+Policies+in+the+Baltic+States&source=bl&ots=-iVuL6bwyU&sig=ACfU3U1utRHBQgtk_IbWIgXBryEoZTajdQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwim-ebHlff0AhVqSPEDHcVRAgcQ6AF6BAgMEAM#v=onepage&q=4.%20Raagmaa%20G.%2C%20Stead%20D.%20Impacts%20of%20European%20Territorial%20Policies%20in%20the%20Baltic%20States&f=false
5. Piattoni S., Polverari L. Handbook on Cohesion Policy in the EU. UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. 2016. 584 p. Pieejams: https://books.google.lv/books?hl=en&lr=&id=S2rPDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=Handbook+on+Cohesion+Policy+in+the+EU&ots=5qrfE5k4YR&sig=dqzOrcH0zD9L7cLiRYgaR9ipY_Y&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Handbook%20on%20Cohesion%20Policy%20in%20the%20EU&f=false
6. Ševe C., Buka A., Gailītis K. (2014) Eiropas Savienības tiesības. Institucionālās tiesības. I un II daļa. Rīga: Tiesu namu aģentūra.

7. Vaidere I u.c. (2008) Reģionālā politika un pašvaldību attīstība Eiropas Savienībā. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 296 lpp.

Further reading

1. Stehrer R., Stöllinger R., Hunya G., Hanzl-Weiss D., Holzner M., Reiter O. (2020) How EU funds tackle economic divide in the European Union. Brussels: Policy Department for Budgetary Affairs, 106 p. Pieejams: file:///C:/Users/sony/Downloads/QA0120575ENN.en.pdf
2. Adams N., Cotella G., Nunes R., Territorial Development, Cohesion and Spatial Planning: Knowledge and Policy Development in an Enlarged EU. London: Routledge, 2011. 457 p.
3. Dijkstra L., My Region, My Europe, Our Future. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2017. 249 p. Pieejams:
https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/official/reports/cohesion7/7cr.pdf
4. European Union Cohesion Policy. Reassessing performance and direction. Edited by J. Bachtler, P. Berkowitz, S. Hardy, T. Muravska. London: Routledge. 2016. 320 p.
Pieejams: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/e/9781315401867
5. Līgums par Eiropas Savienības darbību. Konsolidētā versija. Eiropas Savienības Oficiālais Vēstnesis, C83/47, 30.3.2010., Pieejams: https://cfla.gov.lv/userfiles/files/Zi%C5%86u%20dokumenti/Ligums_par_ES_darbibu.pdf
6. ES Strukturfondu projektu grāmata. LR Finanšu ministrija. Eiropas Savienības fondu vadošā iestāde. Rīga: SIA ”Apgāds Mantojums”, 2007. 66.lpp., Pieejams: https://m.esfondi.lv/upload/00-publikacijas/Gadagramata_2007_gala.pdf

7. Bachtler J., Mendez C. EU Cohesion Policy and European Integration: The Dynamics of EU Budget and Regional Policy Reform. London: Routledge, 2016. 336 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Globālie satricinājumi un Latvijas izaicinājumi. Latvija 2022. Domnīca Certus: 2017. Pieejams: http://certusdomnica.lv/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/web_CertusZinojums_2017_Latvija2022_IzaicinajumiUnIespejas_LV-1.pdf
2. Ž.Ozoliņa zin. red. Latvijas Politologu biedrība. Periodika: Latvijas intereses Eiropas Savienībā. Rīga. Pieejams: https://politologubiedriba.lv/politologu-biedribas-publikacijas/
3. LR Finanšu ministrija www.esfondi.lv
4. Eiropas Komisija. Reģionu politikas ģenerāldirektorāts. http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/regional_policy
5. LR Valsts reģionālās attīstības aģentūra www.vraa.gov.lv

6. Latvijas Nacionālā projektu vadīšanas asociācija (LNPVA http://lnpva.lv/