Excel

Course title	Regional Policy and Cohesion
Course code	PolZM002
Credit points (ECTS)	5
Total Hours in Course	135
Number of hours for lectures	20
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes	20
Number of hours for laboratory classes	0
Independent study hours	95
Date of course confirmation	12/03/2025
Responsible Unit	Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities
Course developers
Mg. paed., lekt. Baiba Miltoviča
Prior knowledge
PolZM001, Public Administration SociM006, Rural Studies
Course abstract
The aim of the study course is to deepen the understanding of master's students about the theoretical knowledge, goals and objectives of the European Union’s regional and cohesion policy, their development periods. Students will learn in depth the principles of EU fund management, legal framework and analyse the process of planning, implementation and monitoring of funds and cohesion instruments in Latvia. The course content analyses European Union funds as sectoral policy instruments, their institutionalization.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
Knowledge. In-depth knowledge of the foundations, objectives and tasks of the European Union's regional and cohesion policy, their development periods, the institutional framework of the EU cohesion funds, the principles of EU fund management and the legal framework - tests, exam. Professional skills. Able to navigate the framework of national and European Union funds, able to describe the planning periods of EU funds, the institutionalization of fund absorption. Understands the meaning and application of Cohesion Reports – (practical work). Soft skills: able to responsibly plan and complete assigned tasks, demonstrates interpersonal, collaborative and organizational skills (practical work). Competence. Ability to create a scientific report on a specific topic and present the results of the study (study and its presentation during the exam).
Course Content(Calendar)
Full-time studies: Lecture topics (20 hours): 1.European Union policy, its competence boundaries and essence. Institutional framework of EU funds (2 hours) 2.EU multiannual financial framework and its impact on EU funds and cohesion. (2 hours) 3.Essence and historical development of EU regional policy. EU regional policy guidelines, equalization of development of EU regions. (2 hours) 4.EU Cohesion Policy objectives and tasks. Impact of the Lisbon Treaty on EU cohesion policy. (2 hours) 5.Institutional framework for the implementation of EU structural funds in Latvia. Regulatory acts regulating EU structural funds in Latvia and their hierarchy. (2 hours) 6.European Regional Development Fund and its operational programmes. (2 hours) 7.Objectives and tasks of the European Social Fund. (2 hours) 8.European territorial cooperation. (2 hours) 9.EU education, civic and cultural programmes. (2 hours) 10.Future challenges of EU policy and fund development. Global economic development trends, growth indicators of European Union countries and their synergy. (2 hours) List of seminars and practical works (20 hours): 1.Fundamentals, objectives and tasks of the European Union regional and cohesion policy, their development periods. (2 hours) – Test 1 2.Institutional framework of EU cohesion funds. Principles of EU fund management and legal framework. (2 hours) – Test 2 3.Framework of national and European Union funds, differences in EU fund planning periods, institutionalization and development of fund absorption. (2 hours) 4.Importance and application of cohesion reports, their role in regional policy planning. (2 hours) practical work (analyse one sector of the cohesion report, using statistical data from the cohesion report) 5.The role of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional Policy in solving EU regional policy issues. (2 hours) 6.Characteristics and essence of EU cross-border cooperation programmes. (2 hours) 7.EU fund planning periods, their characteristics. (2 hours) 8.EU fund administration system and digitalization (2 hours) 9.Evaluation of EU funds and communication management in projects. (2 hours) 10.Future challenges of EU regional policy and fund development. Further enlargement of the European Union study. (2 hours) Part-time distance learning: All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies.
Requirements for awarding credit points
Exam. The final assessment is cumulative on the following topics and tasks: 1) Fundamentals, objectives and tasks of the European Union regional and cohesion policy, their development periods (Test 1 20%); 2) EU regional policy cohesion framework, EU fund management principles and legal framework (Test 2, 20%); 3) EU fund framework, institutionalization of EU fund absorption (practical work, 20%); 4) Exam: research and its presentation – 40%. The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable.
Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work
Master’s students study scientific literature on the European Union’s regional and cohesion policy, study Cohesion Reports to prepare for tests, independent work, and exam.
Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes
Master’s students must prepare for and successfully pass two tests (40%), successfully elaborate a practical work (20%), prepare a study paper and present it within the time allotted for the exam (40%). 10% corresponds to one point on a 10-point study results assessment scale.
Compulsory reading
1.Raagmaa G., Stead D., Impacts of European Territorial Policies in the Baltic States. London; New York: Routledge, 2015.-p.160. Pieejams: file:///C:/Users/sony/Downloads/10.4324_9781315690049_previewpdf.pdf 2.Rokasgrāmata praktiskam darbam ar ES jautājumiem. Rīga: LR Ārlietu ministrija, 170.lpp., 2010.gads, Pieejams: https://www.vestnesis.lv/ta/id/145806 3.Ševe C., Buka A., Gailītis K. Eiropas Savienības tiesības. Institucionālās tiesības. I un II daļa. Rīga: Tiesu namu aģentūra. 2014. gads. 4.Wallace H., Pollack M.A., Roederer-Rynning C, Young R.A. Policy-Making in the European Union. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2020. –p. 592.
Further reading
1.Bandelow N.C., Hornung J. Policy programme cycles through old and new programmatic groups. Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 August 2020. 2.Becker, S. O., Egger, P. H., & Von Ehrlich, M. (2018). Effects of EU regional policy: 1989–2013. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 69, 143-152. Pieejams: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2017.12.001 3.Dijkstra L., My Region, My Europe, Our Future. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. 2017.- p.249. Pieejams: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/official/reports/cohesion7/7cr.pdf 4.EC Cohesion Policy 2021-2027 - outcome of programming. 2023, Pieejams: https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/stories/s/d6tf-zqvc
Periodicals and other sources
1.EU Funding Watch. EU Programmes for the Social Economy. 2023. EVPN. Pieejams: https://www.evpa.ngo/eu-funding-watch 2.EC Single Electronic Data Interchange Area (SEDIA), Funding & tender opportunities. Pieejams: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home 3.Ozoliņa Ž. zin. red. Latvian Association of Political Scientists. Periodicals: Latvia’s interests in the European Union. Riga. Pieejams: https://www.mfa.gov.lv/lv/zurnals-latvijas-intereses-eiropas-savieniba
Notes
Restricted elective study course in the ESAF academic master study programme “Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration”