EU Cohesion policy: some fundamental questions

This paper asks key questions about the impact of the European Union’s cohesion policy both in terms of economic efficiency and redistribution to needy areas of the EU.
The paper illustrates with data the confusion created by the multiple objectives of current EU cohesion policy and by the political horse-trading over levels of aid granted to different member states and regions.
The paper shows how a significant part of EU structural funds involves – in net economic terms – simply transferring funds between individuals within one and the same region.