This study examines how the bodies responsible for managing and controlling European Regional Development Fund programmes have organised their operations in the 13 Member States that joined the Union after 2004. It will explore the balance between centralised and decentralised governance arrangements, highlight each model’s strengths and vulnerabilities, and offer concrete recommendations to refine the EU-level regulatory framework. In addition, the research will investigate the links between these governance structures and key performance outcomes—such as fund absorption rates, audit results, financial corrections and fraud-prevention measures—across the 2014–2020 and 2021–2027 programming periods. The analysis encompasses Managing Authorities, Audit Authorities and other coordinating bodies.

Data collection will combine an in-depth review of legislative texts, official reports and quantitative performance datasets with semi-structured interviews conducted on-site with senior officials in the institutions under scrutiny. The study is led by Blomeyer & Sanz in partnership with t33.