The absorption capacity of European Union funds for social inclusion. an analysis into the Phare 2004-2005 grants beneficiaries
The absorption capacity of European Union funds for social inclusion. an analysis into the Phare 2004-2005 grants beneficiaries

Summary/Abstract: The subject of Romanian institutional capacity to absorb European funds is largely debated by public institutions, civil society and mass media, thus becoming a relevant issue for scientific research. This study tries to provide a framework for the analysis and forecasting of the absorption capacity of EU structural funds aimed at promoting social inclusion in Romania by looking into the similar process regarding PHARE 2004-05 Economic and Social Cohesion (ESC) programs, which formed the last of the pre-accession EU funding. On this issue, most relevant studies are centred on absorption capacity from supply side (public management authorities) and very rarely on demand side (final grant scheme beneficiaries) and therefore this study aims to investigate the demand side of absorption capacity. The study is based on collected quantitative data regarding grant beneficiaries of PHARE 2004-2005 ESC programs and also on secondary data analyses upon administrative public documents related to these scheme grants. The field research regarding PHARE grant scheme beneficiaries was focused on a number of dimensions of the absorption and management capacity such as: identification of organizational profile, impact of PHARE programs on organizations, perceptions concerning management of the project and relationship with the managing authority, perspective on applying to ESF funding. Our forecast on ESF absorption is that that local and central government agencies will be the main beneficiaries of these grants at least until the second half of 2009.

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