Pandemijska kriza uzrokovala je mnoge izazove na globalnoj razini. Europska unija pokušala je pravovremeno i optimalno odgovoriti na neke od izazova koji su zahvatili njezino područje, a autorica je uočila sljedeće: ekonomski pad; kriza zdravstvenog sektora; nepostojanje cjepiva; smanjenje mobilnosti građana unutar i izvan državnih granica; širenje dezinformacija te pitanje očuvanja europskih vrijednosti i propadanja demokracije. Uz to što će prikazati reakciju EU na pojedine izazove u 2020. godini, analizirat će i strategije triju država članica koje su primijenile različite pristupe borbi protiv virusa – strategiju Njemačke, Švedske i Mađarske. Autorica će doći do zaključka da je EU uspješno odgovorila na jedan dio navedenih izazova, dok je na drugi dio ipak mogla čvršće reagirati. U borbi s izazovima nije pomogla niti različitost strategija država članica, a neke od njih pronašle su i nove saveznike izvan EU. ; The pandemic crisis has caused many challenges on a global level. The European Union tried to respond in a timely and optimal manner to some of the challenges that affected its area, and the author detected the following: economic decline; health sector crisis; lack of vaccine; reducing the mobility of citizens inside and outside national borders; spreading misinformation and the issue of preserving European values and the decline of democracy. In addition to showing the EU's response to certain challenges in 2020, the strategies of the three member states that have applied different approaches to fighting the virus - strategies of Germany, Sweden and Hungary - will be analyzed. The author will come to the conclusion that the EU has successfully responded to one part of these challenges, while it could have reacted more strongly to the other part. The various strategies of the member states did not help in the fight against the challenges, and some of them even found new allies outside the EU.
Europska unija je jedinstvena zajednica europskih zemalja koja ima za cilj unaprijediti život svim stanovnicima u Europi te osigurati mir i sigurnost, poticati međusobnu suradnju i razvoj, gospodarski rast i razvoj te "ujediniti se u različitosti", što je ujedno i glavni motiv Europske unije. S obzirom na svoju viziju i misiju, Europska unija je unikatna organizacija u svijetu. Za ostvarenje ciljeva u Europskoj uniji koristi se kohezijska politika. Ona podrazumijeva ostvarivanje pametnog, održivog i uključivog rasta u svim zemljama članicama EU. Kohezijska politika Europske unije je investicijska politika za promicanje ravnomjernog razvoja država članica i njihovih regija. Ona potiče socijalnu, ekonomsku i teritorijalnu koheziju između razvijenih i nerazvijenih zemalja članica. Donosi se za programsko razdoblje u periodu od sedam godina i ujedno je financijski okvir za projekte u gospodarskoj, teritorijalnoj i društvenoj koheziji. Cilj ovog diplomskog rada je prikazati stanje Varaždinske županije u odnosu na (izabrane) županije Republike Hrvatske te analizirati na koji način Varaždinska županija koristi prednosti, odnosno beneficije kohezijske politike. Ujedno će se voditi računa o institucionalnom okviru EU, ali i nacionalnoj razini, važnoj za djelovanje regionalne politike RH. Kako bi se ostvario navedeni cilj rada, u diplomskom radu će se definirati i analizirati ključni pojmovi, modeli i pristupi regionalne politike Republike Hrvatske s naglaskom na Varaždinsku županiju, te kohezijske politike koju provodi Europska unija. Također prikazat će se praćenje trenda promjena regionalnog rasta županija u Republici Hrvatskoj. ; European Union is a unique community of European countries that aims to improve the lives of all European people, ensure peace and security, encourage cooperation and development, economic growth and development and "unite in diversity", which is also the main goal of the European Union. Given its vision and mission, European Union is a unique organization in the world. Cohesion policy is ...
Europska unija je jedinstvena zajednica europskih zemalja koja ima za cilj unaprijediti život svim stanovnicima u Europi te osigurati mir i sigurnost, poticati međusobnu suradnju i razvoj, gospodarski rast i razvoj te "ujediniti se u različitosti", što je ujedno i glavni motiv Europske unije. S obzirom na svoju viziju i misiju, Europska unija je unikatna organizacija u svijetu. Za ostvarenje ciljeva u Europskoj uniji koristi se kohezijska politika. Ona podrazumijeva ostvarivanje pametnog, održivog i uključivog rasta u svim zemljama članicama EU. Kohezijska politika Europske unije je investicijska politika za promicanje ravnomjernog razvoja država članica i njihovih regija. Ona potiče socijalnu, ekonomsku i teritorijalnu koheziju između razvijenih i nerazvijenih zemalja članica. Donosi se za programsko razdoblje u periodu od sedam godina i ujedno je financijski okvir za projekte u gospodarskoj, teritorijalnoj i društvenoj koheziji. Cilj ovog diplomskog rada je prikazati stanje Varaždinske županije u odnosu na (izabrane) županije Republike Hrvatske te analizirati na koji način Varaždinska županija koristi prednosti, odnosno beneficije kohezijske politike. Ujedno će se voditi računa o institucionalnom okviru EU, ali i nacionalnoj razini, važnoj za djelovanje regionalne politike RH. Kako bi se ostvario navedeni cilj rada, u diplomskom radu će se definirati i analizirati ključni pojmovi, modeli i pristupi regionalne politike Republike Hrvatske s naglaskom na Varaždinsku županiju, te kohezijske politike koju provodi Europska unija. Također prikazat će se praćenje trenda promjena regionalnog rasta županija u Republici Hrvatskoj. ; European Union is a unique community of European countries that aims to improve the lives of all European people, ensure peace and security, encourage cooperation and development, economic growth and development and "unite in diversity", which is also the main goal of the European Union. Given its vision and mission, European Union is a unique organization in the world. Cohesion policy is ...
U radu se razmatra potencijalni doprinos socijalnih inovacija jačanju socijalne kohezije i ublažavanju učinaka krize. U politikama i programima financiranja Europske unije socijalne inovacije prepoznaju se kao važan doprinos jačanju socijalne kohezije, koja slabi uslijed krize i povećane socijalne ranjivosti. Istovremeno, pokazuje se da su socijalne inovacije u hrvatskom kontekstu i dalje slabo poznat koncept priređivačima politika, stručnjacima i široj javnosti. Nalazi i zaključci rada temelje se na empirijskom istraživanju provedenom u okviru međunarodnog FP7 projekta WILCO – Welfare Innovations at Local Levels in Favour of Cohesion, unutar kojeg su studirani izabrani gradovi (u Hrvatskoj su to bili Zagreb i Varaždin); obilježja njihovih socijalnih sustava te su analizirani identificirani primjeri socijalnih inovacija. Lokalni socijalni sustavi gradova u istraživanju tek djelomično odražavaju karakteristike nacionalnih socijalnih režima, a otvorenost i podrška lokalnih vlasti ključna je za razvoj i održivost socijalnih inovacija. Većina istraživanih inovacija je u području usluga, iako se inovacije prepoznaju i u inovativnim instrumentima regulacije i socijalnih prava, novim oblicima vladavine te novim modalitetima rada i financiranja organizacija te one mogu utjecati na postupne promjene samih lokalnih socijalnih sustava. U hrvatskom kontekstu razlikujemo tri tipa socijalnih inovacija: (1) inovacije koje nastaju u javnom sektoru, uz podršku stručnjaka izvan sektora, (2) inovacije koje dolaze iz inozemstva, kao rezultat inozemnih financijskih programa te (3) inovacije koje dolaze iz civilnog društva, temeljem samoorganizacije građana. Dok se u primjerima nekih zapadnoeuropskih gradova javni sektor sa svojim profesionalnim kapacitetima prepoznaje kao važan proizvođač socijalnih inovacija, u Hrvatskoj prijašnja iskustva te istraživanja provedena u projektu sugeriraju da većina socijalnih inovacija dolazi iz civilnog društva, pri čemu je razina kulturnog i socijalnog kapitala važan preduvjet razvoja i uspjeha inovacija. ; This paper discusses a potential contribution of social innovations to strengthening social cohesion and mitigating the effects of the crisis. In EU funding policies and programs, social innovations are recognized as an important contribution to strengthening of social cohesion, which has weakened due to the crisis and increasing social vulnerability. At the same time, it is shown that social innovations in the Croatian context are still a concept poorly understood by policy creators, experts, and the general public. The findings and conclusions of the paper are based on the empirical research conducted within the international FP7 project WILCO - Welfare Innovations at Local Levels in Favour of Cohesion, which studied the selected towns (in Croatia Zagreb and Varaždin) and characteristics of their social systems, and which analyzed identified examples of social innovations. Local social systems of cities included in the research reflected the characteristics of national welfare regimes only partially, and the openness and support of local authorities is crucial for the development and sustainability of social innovations. Most of the studied innovations were in the field of services, although innovations were also recognized in innovative instruments of regulation and social rights, the new forms of governance and new modes of work and funding of organizations, and they can have an impact on the gradual changes of the local social systems. In the Croatian context, three types of social innovations can be distinguished: (1) innovations occurring in the public sector, with the support of experts from outside the industry, (2) innovations that come from abroad, as a result of foreign financial programs, and (3) innovations coming from civil society, based on the self-organization of citizens. While in the examples of some Western European cities the public sector with its professional capacity is recognized as an important producer of social innovations, in Croatia, past experiences and the research conducted within the project suggest that most social innovations come from civil society, where the level of cultural and social capital is an important prerequisite for the development and success of innovations.
Način funkcioniranja i prilagodba nacionalnog sustava upravljanja i provedbe instrumenata kohezijske (u nastavku: regionalne) politike Europske unije (u nastavku: EU) te, posljedično, učinkovitost toga sustava, ima presudan utjecaj na dinamiku i svrsishodnost povlačenja sredstava fondova regionalne politike EU. Uzimajući u obzir aktualnost te teme uslijed završetka proračunskog razdoblja EU, 2014. - 2020. i perspektivu novog proračunskog razdoblja EU (2021. - 2027.), doktorska disertacija izdiže se iznad vremenskih ograničenja proračunskih razdoblja jer analizira problematiku korištenja sredstava regionalne politike EU u kontekstu znanstvenog doprinosa predlaganju modela institucionalnog okruženja sustava upravljanja instrumentima (fondovima) regionalne politike EU u Hrvatskoj. U tom kontekstu, jedan od najvećih problema i izazova je činjenica da je Hrvatska zadnja država koja je postala članica EU te istovremeno i jedina koja koristi fondove regionalne politike EU samo jednu proračunsku perspektivu. Stoga je i dodatni izazov prikupiti dostatne empirijske i ekonometrijske spoznaje o funkcioniranju sustava upravljanja fondovima regionalne politike u odabranim državama EU, a da bi zaključci bili primjenjivi na Hrvatsku. Posebna pozornost posvećena je prikazu sustava upravljanja fondovima regionalne politike EU u državama sličnih usporednih karakteristika kao i Hrvatska, putem empirijskih spoznaja i zakonitosti, suvremenih pristupa i teorija koje pridonose rješavanju aktualnih, kompleksnih, teorijskih i praktičnih problema, a koji do sada nisu dovoljno istraženi niti prisutni u nacionalnom istraživačkom području. Rezultati organizacijske analize te analize učinkovitosti sustava upravljanja fondovima EU u odabranim državama u fokusu je istraživanja provedenog u okviru ove doktorske disertacije. Znanstveno istraživanje temelj je za davanje smjernica pri definiranju optimalnog modela sustava upravljanja fondovima regionalne politike EU u Hrvatskoj koji, do trenutka izrade doktorske disertacije, zbog svoje nedovoljne učinkovitosti, kompleksnosti sustava donošenja odluka i svojevrsne "isprepletenosti" institucija u procesu pripreme i implementacije, negativno utječe na maksimiziranje iskorištavanja sredstava fondova regionalne politike EU. Kako bi se iz postojećih sustava upravljanja odabranih država EU empirijski mogli utvrditi ključni institucionalni čimbenici apsorpcije fondova EU, uzimaju se u obzir postojeći sustavi upravljanja. Znanstvenim istraživanjem i komparativnom analizom sustava upravljanja fondovima regionalne politike EU u devet država središnje i istočne Europe te iskustvima funkcioniranja hrvatskog sustava, nastoji se formulirati optimalni okvir nacionalnog sustava upravljanja fondovima regionalne politike EU koji bi mogao omogućiti donošenje kvalitetnijih strateških odluka izvršnoj vlasti kako bi se isti, u što je moguće većoj mjeri, odrazio na gospodarski rast putem učinkovitosti korištenja sredstava fondova regionalne politike EU. Rezultati provedene ekonometrijske analize doprinose zaključcima koji potvrđuju da su primljene bespovratne pomoći EU dovele do povećanja gospodarskog razvoja država EU. Međutim, sama alokacija sredstava pomoći nije nužno dovela do povećanja kvalitete institucionalnog okvira te konkurentnosti analiziranih zemalja. Stoga se potvrđuje važnost uspostavljanja institucionalnog okvira upravljanja fondovima EU koji, ne samo da će dovesti do povećanja apsorpcije fondova EU, nego će unaprijediti opću djelotvornost javnog sektora te konkurentnost države. Stoga je, temeljem sustavnog i sveobuhvatnog znanstvenog istraživanja u ovoj doktorskoj disertaciji, predložen i argumentiran model institucionalnog sustava za upravljanje i provedbu instrumenata (fondova) regionalne politike EU u Hrvatskoj, a primjenjiv je u kratkom i dugom roku. ; The national system of management and implementation of the European Union (hereinafter: EU) cohesion (hereinafter: regional) policy, its manner of functioning, its adjustment and, consequently, the effectiveness of this system, has a decisive influence on the dynamics and expediency of drawing from EU regional policy funds. Considering the relevance of this topic due to the end of the European budgetary period 2014-2020, and the perspective of the new budgetary period (2021-2027), this doctoral thesis rises above the time limits of budget periods because it analyses the use of EU regional policy funds in the context of scientific contribution to a draft model of the institutional framework for managing EU regional policy instruments (funds) in Croatia. In this context, one of the biggest problems and challenges is the fact that Croatia was the last to become an EU member country and at the same time the only one that uses EU regional policy funds for only one budgetary period. Therefore, it is an additional challenge to gather enough empirical and econometric knowledge about the functioning of the EU regional policy funds management system in selected EU countries, for the conclusions to apply to Croatia. Special attention was paid to the presentation of the EU regional policy funds management systems in countries with similar characteristics comparative to Croatia, through empirical knowledge and laws, modern approaches and theories that contribute to solving current, complex, theoretical and practical problems, which have not been sufficiently researched or present in the national research area. The results of the organizational and efficiency analyses of the EU funds management system in selected countries are the focus of the research conducted within this doctoral thesis. Scientific research served as the basis for providing guidelines for defining the optimal model of the EU regional policy funds management system in Croatia, which, by the time of this analysis, due to its low efficiency, the complexity of the decision-making system and a kind of "intertwining" of institutions in the process of preparation and implementation, has failed to maximize the utilization of EU regional policy funds. To be able to empirically determine the key institutional factors for the EU funds absorption from the existing management systems of selected EU countries, the existing management systems are considered. Through scientific research and comparative analysis of the EU regional funds management system in nine Central and Eastern European countries, along with the experiences of the Croatian system, this paper aims to determine an optimal framework for a national EU regional policy fund management system that would enable the executive power to adopt better strategic decisions. The abovementioned framework should, to the greatest extent possible, stimulate economic growth through the efficient use of EU regional policy funds. The results of the conducted econometric analysis contribute to the conclusions confirming that the received EU grants have led to an increase in the economic development of EU countries. However, the allocation of funds alone did not necessarily lead to an increase in the quality of the institutional environment and the competitiveness of the countries analysed. Furthermore, it is confirmed that an institutional framework for the management of EU funds should be established, which will not only increase the absorption of EU funds but will also improve the overall efficiency of the public sector and the competitiveness of the state. Therefore, this doctoral thesis, based on systematic and comprehensive scientific research, proposes and asserts a model of an institutional system for management and implementation of instruments (funds) of EU regional policy in Croatia that is applicable in the short and long term.
The author analyzes the theoretical postulates of Emile Durkheim's concept of solidarity, which in Croatia -- due to the circumstances -- has outstanding theoretical & practical significance. The author looks into the theories that shaped Durkheim's idea of solidarity: that of legal solidarity, a major theoretical development, particularly within French administrative law of the time (with a special emphasis on the seminal book by Leon Bourgeois); & that of the theory of community, focusing on German sociologist Ferdinand Tonnies as well as on some of his predecessors such as Otto von Gierke, Henry Sumner Maine, & Fustel de Coulanges. The author claims that this mental framework immensely influenced Durkheim's concept of solidarity, which he put forward in his famous study De la division du travail social in 1893. The author reviews Durkheim's central postulates & discusses the distinctions between the so-called "mechanical" & "organic" solidarity. Finally, certain faults in Durkheim's theory are pointed out. Nevertheless, & despite these well-founded objections, Durkheim's solidarity theory remains an "object lesson" in understanding solidarity. 25 References. Adapted from the source document.
The author analyzes the theoretical postulates of Emile Durkheim's concept of solidarity, which in Croatia -- due to the circumstances -- has outstanding theoretical & practical significance. The author looks into the theories that shaped Durkheim's idea of solidarity: that of legal solidarity, a major theoretical development, particularly within French administrative law of the time (with a special emphasis on the seminal book by Leon Bourgeois); & that of the theory of community, focusing on German sociologist Ferdinand Tonnies as well as on some of his predecessors such as Otto von Gierke, Henry Sumner Maine, & Fustel de Coulanges. The author claims that this mental framework immensely influenced Durkheim's concept of solidarity, which he put forward in his famous study De la division du travail social in 1893. The author reviews Durkheim's central postulates & discusses the distinctions between the so-called "mechanical" & "organic" solidarity. Finally, certain faults in Durkheim's theory are pointed out. Nevertheless, & despite these well-founded objections, Durkheim's solidarity theory remains an "object lesson" in understanding solidarity. 25 References. Adapted from the source document.
Način funkcioniranja i prilagodba nacionalnog sustava upravljanja i provedbe instrumenata kohezijske (u nastavku: regionalne) politike Europske unije (u nastavku: EU) te, posljedično, učinkovitost toga sustava, ima presudan utjecaj na dinamiku i svrsishodnost povlačenja sredstava fondova regionalne politike EU. Uzimajući u obzir aktualnost te teme uslijed završetka proračunskog razdoblja EU, 2014. - 2020. i perspektivu novog proračunskog razdoblja EU (2021. - 2027.), doktorska disertacija izdiže se iznad vremenskih ograničenja proračunskih razdoblja jer analizira problematiku korištenja sredstava regionalne politike EU u kontekstu znanstvenog doprinosa predlaganju modela institucionalnog okruženja sustava upravljanja instrumentima (fondovima) regionalne politike EU u Hrvatskoj. U tom kontekstu, jedan od najvećih problema i izazova je činjenica da je Hrvatska zadnja država koja je postala članica EU te istovremeno i jedina koja koristi fondove regionalne politike EU samo jednu proračunsku perspektivu. Stoga je i dodatni izazov prikupiti dostatne empirijske i ekonometrijske spoznaje o funkcioniranju sustava upravljanja fondovima regionalne politike u odabranim državama EU, a da bi zaključci bili primjenjivi na Hrvatsku. Posebna pozornost posvećena je prikazu sustava upravljanja fondovima regionalne politike EU u državama sličnih usporednih karakteristika kao i Hrvatska, putem empirijskih spoznaja i zakonitosti, suvremenih pristupa i teorija koje pridonose rješavanju aktualnih, kompleksnih, teorijskih i praktičnih problema, a koji do sada nisu dovoljno istraženi niti prisutni u nacionalnom istraživačkom području. Rezultati organizacijske analize te analize učinkovitosti sustava upravljanja fondovima EU u odabranim državama u fokusu je istraživanja provedenog u okviru ove doktorske disertacije. Znanstveno istraživanje temelj je za davanje smjernica pri definiranju optimalnog modela sustava upravljanja fondovima regionalne politike EU u Hrvatskoj koji, do trenutka izrade doktorske disertacije, zbog svoje nedovoljne ...
One of the most significant results of European convergence is an increase in the number of channels for the "European" policy activities of subnational actors. These actors are no longer limited to bilateral political relations & national i.e. state actors, but are to cooperate & communicate with different actors in different arenas of decision-making & make use of various channels of influencing the European policy process. The question of subnational mobilization has become extremely significant in the theory of European convergence, particularly following the major reform of the EU cohesion policy of 1988 & the introduction of the partnership principle. In that sense, the mobilization of subnational actors is closely linked to the evolution of the EU cohesion policy. Tt should be noted that despite this, the EU cohesion policy is primarily the essential catalyst of subnational mobilization & thus not "exclusively" linked to the public policy realm; it has increasingly become a prominent feature of other public-policy areas. And finally, hand in hand with the elaboration of the common cohesion policy (related to subnational mobilization) the concept of the so-called multilevel governance was formulated in the context of the European integration, in the sense of identifying the environment in which the processes of the formation & the implementation of common European policies are today taking place. Figures, References. Adapted from the source document.
One of the most significant results of European convergence is an increase in the number of channels for the "European" policy activities of subnational actors. These actors are no longer limited to bilateral political relations & national i.e. state actors, but are to cooperate & communicate with different actors in different arenas of decision-making & make use of various channels of influencing the European policy process. The question of subnational mobilization has become extremely significant in the theory of European convergence, particularly following the major reform of the EU cohesion policy of 1988 & the introduction of the partnership principle. In that sense, the mobilization of subnational actors is closely linked to the evolution of the EU cohesion policy. Tt should be noted that despite this, the EU cohesion policy is primarily the essential catalyst of subnational mobilization & thus not "exclusively" linked to the public policy realm; it has increasingly become a prominent feature of other public-policy areas. And finally, hand in hand with the elaboration of the common cohesion policy (related to subnational mobilization) the concept of the so-called multilevel governance was formulated in the context of the European integration, in the sense of identifying the environment in which the processes of the formation & the implementation of common European policies are today taking place. Figures, References. Adapted from the source document.
Modern states display a pluralism of ethical, religious, & philosophical convictions that brings into question the possibility of a strong identification of citizens with the political community. Due to these centrifugal tendencies, as well as to the disintegration of the traditional ties, modern political communities need more solidarity to be able to efficiently solve the complex problems of modern society. The burden of political decision making in modern societies is constantly growing, while its space is, at the same time, getting more confined due to the tendency of differentiation & separation of the administrative & economic sphere of power from the disposition of politics. How can modern societies surmount these challenges by linking tolerance & solidarity, democracy & social complexity? What are the cultural prerequisites for this & which institutional rules are necessary to overcome these difficulties? How is it possible in such a situation to achieve political unity & ensure the legitimation of activities necessary for a normal functioning of a political community? Here, the author outlines Rawls's answer regarding the pluralism of modern societies & the solutions he offered. First, he focuses on the changes in Rawls's original position that occurred after his book A Theory of Justice; then he highlights several themes contained in the criticisms that prompted Rawls to change his original position; next he analyzes the concept of justice as fairness from the point of view of pluralism; & finally, he outlines Rawls's concepts that are, according to him, conducive to political unity & legitimacy. 8 References. Adapted from the source document.
U radu su pobliže istraženi teritorijalna kohezija i politika ruralnoga razvoja Europske unije, regionalne razlike u razvijenosti zadrugarstva te njegov prostorno diferenciran utjecaj na socijalno-ekonomski razvoj Hrvatske. Rezultati potvrđuju važnost zadrugarstva kao čimbenika teritorijalne kohezije te visok stupanj pozitivne korelacije između zaostajanja u regionalnom odnosno ruralnom razvoju i razvijenosti zadružnoga sektora. Zadrugarstvo najviše utječe na regionalni razvoj u Južnoj Hrvatskoj, tj. Dalmaciji (posebno na socijalni razvoj) i Istočnoj Hrvatskoj (posebno na gospodarski razvoj). Najveći utjecaj na ruralni razvoj zadrugarstvo ima u županijama s najvećim udjelom jedinica lokalne samouprave (upravnih gradova i općina) s indeksom razvijenosti ispod 75 % državnoga prosjeka, prije svega u Vukovarsko-srijemskoj i Osječko-baranjskoj županiji. ; This paper closely examines the territorial cohesion and rural development policies of the European Union, regional differences in the level of development of the cooperative system, and its spatially-differentiated influence on the social and economic development of Croatia. The results confirmed the importance of the cooperative system as a factor of territorial cohesion, and the high level of positive correlation between lagging behind in regional and rural development, and the level of development of the cooperative system. The cooperative system has had the greatest influence on regional development in Southern Croatia/Dalmatia (especially on social development) and in Eastern Croatia (especially on economic development). It has had the highest impact on rural development in counties with the largest share of local self-government units (administrative towns and municipalities) with a development index below 75% of the national average – primarily in Vukovar-Srijem and Osijek-Baranja Counties.
The European Union macro-regional strategies represent a policy framework that aims to enable EU Member States and third countries sharing common interests to better coordinate their potentials in order to make the best possible use of available opportunities. This paper looks into the specificities of four EU macro-regional strategies covering 19 European Union Member States and nine non-EU countries. Given the challenging situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it also considers the future perspectives of EU macro-regional strategies as well as their adaptability to new circumstances. More specifically, it focuses on intergovernmental initiatives and their implementation, underlying the importance of the application of the principle of subsidiarity. In addition, the aim of the paper is to provide a critical overview of the subject by highlighting two pivotal elements. First, it assesses whether the EU macro-regional strategies could be genuinely successful, given the fact that they do not have their separate allocation but use the existing funding instead. Second, it explores the ability of the EU macro-regional strategies to bridge wider EU-level policies on the one hand and local policies on the other. Finally, the idea of the paper is to offer an overview of the state of affairs when macro-regions are concerned. ; Makroregionalne strategije Europske unije okvir su politike koji ima za cilj omogućiti državama članicama EU-a i trećim zemljama, koje dijele zajedničke interese, da bolje koordiniraju svoje potencijale kako bi na najbolji način iskoristile dostupne mogućnosti. Ovaj rad razmatra specifičnosti četiriju makroregionalnih strategija EU-a koje pokrivaju 19 država članica i devet zemalja koje nisu članice EU-a. S obzirom na izazovnu situaciju uzrokovanu pandemijom bolesti COVID-19, razmatraju se i buduće perspektive makroregionalnih strategija EU-a kao i njihova prilagodljivost novim okolnostima. Točnije, usredotočuje se na međuvladine inicijative i njihovu provedbu, što je temelj primjene načela ...
U ovom doktorskom radu analizira se utjecaj instrumenata kohezijske politike na regionalni razvoj novih zemalja članica Europske unije. Istraživanje se sastojalo od teorijske i empirijske analize. Teorijski dio rada obuhvaća analizu apsorpcije i mogućnosti novih zemalja članica u korištenju financijskih instrumenata kohezijske politike. Analizirajući apsorpciju sredstava iz instrumenata kohezijske politike, nove zemlje članice (EU-13) sporije apsorbiraju sredstva u odnosu na starije zemlje članice (EU-15). Prema literaturi najistaknutiji faktor u uspješnoj apsorpciji EU fondova institucionalni je sustav zemlje članice. Sukladno tomu ključ za uspješno korištenje EU fondova jest jačanje ljudskih resursa i potpornih institucija. Empirijski dio rada obuhvaća dvije analize panel-podataka. Prva analiza usmjerena je na utvrđivanje utjecaja isplaćenih sredstava iz ESI fondova na razvoj NUTS 2 regija novih zemalja članica mjereno kao BDP po stanovniku. U panel analizi su se uzeli pokazatelji za 57 NUTS 2 regija novih zemalja članica u razdoblju od 2008. do 2016. godine. Nakon provedene statičke i dinamičke panel-analize zaključilo se da su isplaćena sredstva iz ESI fondova ostvarila pozitivan, ali malen utjecaj na BDP po stanovniku. Druga empirijska analiza utvrđuje utjecaj ugovorenih sredstava iz ESI fondova na razvoj NUTS 3 regija Republike Hrvatske u razdoblju od 2013. do 2017. godine. Temeljem provedene statičke analize panel-podataka zaključilo se da ugovorena sredstva imaju malen, ali pozitivan utjecaj na BDP po stanovniku NUTS 3 regija odnosno županija u Republici Hrvatskoj. Najvažniji poučak ovog istraživanja jest da se ne smije oslanjati na instrumente kohezijske politike kao jedine izvore investicija i pokretače razvoja. Oni jesu kvalitetan temelj za rast i razvoj regija novih zemalja članica, ali sami neće dovesti do regionalne konvergencije niti unutar Hrvatske niti unutar Europske unije. ; This doctoral thesis analyses the impact of cohesion policy instruments on the regional development of the new Member States of the European Union. The research consisted of theoretical and empirical analysis. The theoretical part of the doctoral thesis includes absorption analysis and opportunities of new European Union states in the usage of financial instruments of cohesion policy. Analysing fund absorption from cohesion policy instruments, the new EU member states (EU13) are more slowly absorbing resources in comparison with the older EU member states (EU15). According to the literature, the foremost factor in successful adsorption is the institutional system of the Member State, following that the key to the successful usage of EU funds is strengthening of the human resources and supporting institutions. The empirical part of the doctoral thesis includes two-panel data analysis. The first analysis is directed to the determination of disbursement impact from ESI funds on the development of the NUTS 2 regions of the new Member States on GDP per capita. Indicators for 57 NUTS2 regions of the new Member State in the period from 2008. to 2016. were taken into the panel. After conducting statistical and dynamic panel analysis, it was concluded that disbursed funds, from ESI funds, had a small positive impact on GDP per capita. The second empirical analysis determines the impact of contracted funds, from ESI funds, on the development of NUTS 3 regions of the Republic of Croatia in the period from 2013. – 2017. Based on the conducted statistical analysis of panel data, it was concluded that contracted funds have a small impact, but a positive impact on GDP per capita of NUTS 3 regions or counties in the Republic of Croatia. The most important lesson of this doctoral thesis is that it must not rely only on cohesion policy instruments as the only sources of investment and drivers of development. They can be used as a quality basis for the growth and development of the regions of the new Member States, but only cohesion policy instruments will not lead to regional convergence nor in Croatia or within European Union.
U ovom doktorskom radu analizira se utjecaj instrumenata kohezijske politike na regionalni razvoj novih zemalja članica Europske unije. Istraživanje se sastojalo od teorijske i empirijske analize. Teorijski dio rada obuhvaća analizu apsorpcije i mogućnosti novih zemalja članica u korištenju financijskih instrumenata kohezijske politike. Analizirajući apsorpciju sredstava iz instrumenata kohezijske politike, nove zemlje članice (EU-13) sporije apsorbiraju sredstva u odnosu na starije zemlje članice (EU-15). Prema literaturi najistaknutiji faktor u uspješnoj apsorpciji EU fondova institucionalni je sustav zemlje članice. Sukladno tomu ključ za uspješno korištenje EU fondova jest jačanje ljudskih resursa i potpornih institucija. Empirijski dio rada obuhvaća dvije analize panel-podataka. Prva analiza usmjerena je na utvrđivanje utjecaja isplaćenih sredstava iz ESI fondova na razvoj NUTS 2 regija novih zemalja članica mjereno kao BDP po stanovniku. U panel analizi su se uzeli pokazatelji za 57 NUTS 2 regija novih zemalja članica u razdoblju od 2008. do 2016. godine. Nakon provedene statičke i dinamičke panel-analize zaključilo se da su isplaćena sredstva iz ESI fondova ostvarila pozitivan, ali malen utjecaj na BDP po stanovniku. Druga empirijska analiza utvrđuje utjecaj ugovorenih sredstava iz ESI fondova na razvoj NUTS 3 regija Republike Hrvatske u razdoblju od 2013. do 2017. godine. Temeljem provedene statičke analize panel-podataka zaključilo se da ugovorena sredstva imaju malen, ali pozitivan utjecaj na BDP po stanovniku NUTS 3 regija odnosno županija u Republici Hrvatskoj. Najvažniji poučak ovog istraživanja jest da se ne smije oslanjati na instrumente kohezijske politike kao jedine izvore investicija i pokretače razvoja. Oni jesu kvalitetan temelj za rast i razvoj regija novih zemalja članica, ali sami neće dovesti do regionalne konvergencije niti unutar Hrvatske niti unutar Europske unije. ; This doctoral thesis analyses the impact of cohesion policy instruments on the regional development of the new Member States of the European Union. The research consisted of theoretical and empirical analysis. The theoretical part of the doctoral thesis includes absorption analysis and opportunities of new European Union states in the usage of financial instruments of cohesion policy. Analysing fund absorption from cohesion policy instruments, the new EU member states (EU13) are more slowly absorbing resources in comparison with the older EU member states (EU15). According to the literature, the foremost factor in successful adsorption is the institutional system of the Member State, following that the key to the successful usage of EU funds is strengthening of the human resources and supporting institutions. The empirical part of the doctoral thesis includes two-panel data analysis. The first analysis is directed to the determination of disbursement impact from ESI funds on the development of the NUTS 2 regions of the new Member States on GDP per capita. Indicators for 57 NUTS2 regions of the new Member State in the period from 2008. to 2016. were taken into the panel. After conducting statistical and dynamic panel analysis, it was concluded that disbursed funds, from ESI funds, had a small positive impact on GDP per capita. The second empirical analysis determines the impact of contracted funds, from ESI funds, on the development of NUTS 3 regions of the Republic of Croatia in the period from 2013. – 2017. Based on the conducted statistical analysis of panel data, it was concluded that contracted funds have a small impact, but a positive impact on GDP per capita of NUTS 3 regions or counties in the Republic of Croatia. The most important lesson of this doctoral thesis is that it must not rely only on cohesion policy instruments as the only sources of investment and drivers of development. They can be used as a quality basis for the growth and development of the regions of the new Member States, but only cohesion policy instruments will not lead to regional convergence nor in Croatia or within European Union.
