| Abstract [eng] |
The Master‘s thesis deals with theories of regional development and concepts of regional convergence, EU cohesion policy and EU structural funds. The directions of impact of the EU structural funds and the core aspects of the EU structural funds reform carried out before the period 2007-2013 are analyzed in the Master’s final work too. Review of empirical researches of Lithuanian and foreign authors and analysis of regional differences trends showed that EU is struggling with process of regional divergence. In order to explain trends of regional differences, model of the impact assessment of the EU structural funds for regional convergence is realized and the analysis of dynamics and structure indicators and data location characteristics of EU structural funds is carried out. It was found that more support was given to the countries with larger regional differences (new EU member states which joined EU in 2004 and later) and the volume of funding regional inequality reduction increased comparing period of 2007-2013 with 2000-2006. Nonetheless, regional disparities are increasing, so analysis of other determinants of regional convergence is necessary. Implemented model of assessment of EU structural funds impact for regional convergence showed that impact of EU structural funds for regional convergence have changed comparing period of 2007-2013 with 2000-2006. In the period of 2000-2006 EU structural funds caused an increase in regional economic disparities in short term and have no significant impact for regional convergence in long term. In the period of 2007-2013 the growth of EU structural funds has led to a slight decline in the regional economic disparities in short term. Impact mentioned above was slightly higher in long term than in short term. Impact of the EU structural funds can be limited due to inefficiency of communication policy, low level of the EU cohesion policy and national regional policy interoperability, negative impact of the EU structural funds, ineffective usage of the EU structural support, occurrence of the internal and external shocks in the economy and etc. Regression analysis of EU structural funds impact for regional convergence also showed that trade openness rate and initial level of country development had a positive impact to the reduction of regional economic disparities in the period of 2000-2013. The small positive impact of fiscal decentralization level for regional economic disparities reduction is also found. Growing share of people with higher education has led to a growth of regional economic disparities in the period of 2000-2013. |
