MANAGING CONTINOUS TRANSFORMATION AND COMPLEXITY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION COHESION POLICY. THE SIMPLIFICATION CHALENGE

This article provides an analysis of the continuous transformation of the cohesion policy since its establishment to present. Despite of the original aim at delivering and efficient and effective policy to address the challenges of a harmonious development of all regions and territories of the member states, revisions and changes introduced form one programming to another transformed the cohesion policy into one of the most complex EU policies and generated higher administrative burden for all participants to the management and implementation of the cohesion policy. This article compares the changes produced in the cohesion policy from one period to another with the aim of identifying the transformation produced from one period to another and the main factors contributing to continuous increasing complexity. The results of this analysis provide an overview of the cohesion policy landscape for better understanding which are the challenging areas for the simplification as prerequisites for a smother and more effective the cohesion policy.