The period between 2000 and 2020 covers three programming cycles of cohesion policy. Common and specific regulations applied to each programming period (2000-2006, 2007-2013, and 2014-2020). These regulations set objectives and implementation modes for managing EU cohesion policy funds. Objectives and implementation modes evolved from period to period, taking into account the context and lessons learned.

This study aims to analyze the changes to the organizational models of managing authorities responsible for the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) in national and regional programs between 2000 and 2020. The analysis focuses on the organizational models of managing authorities and how they have changed across four strands:

- Staff: size and features of the workforce.
- Processes and internal organization: delivery of core activities, roles and responsibilities, systems, and tools used.
- Leadership: design and implementation of the authority’s mission.
- Stakeholders and partners: management of relations (including with the EU institutions) and coordination with other program authorities and relevant national/regional/local authorities.

t33 conducts desk research and interviews, through an in-depth analysis of the organizational arrangements of the four selected Italian ERDF Managing Authorities during the programming periods when they performed the tasks and functions of Managing Authority or Intermediate Body by filling in the online data collection form for each of the Managing Authorities and preparing fiches for each of the Managing Authorities

The study is led by PPMI, with t33 acting as subcontractor.