The study provides the CoR with the relevant evidence from the ground for assessing the application of the principles of partnership and multi-level governance in the preparation of the Partnership Agreements and programmes for 2021 -2027, which would be the basis for further political action.
The first part of the study provides an overview of the organisational and institutional arrangements for the programming exercise 2021-2027 in all 27 Member States, including possible differences/changes in comparison to the previous programming exercise 2014-2020.
The second part provides the necessary evidence on the proper application of the partnership principle in the programming exercises of the various Member States.
In a third part, the study provides an overall appreciation of the application of the partnership principle in the 2021-2027 programming exercise, in particular with regard to the developments in comparison to the previous programming exercise, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recognition of the new challenges and priorities.
The study also highlights best practice examples, as well as observed obstacles, and put forward recommendations with a view on how the principle of partnership could be reinforced.

The study is conducted by Spatial Foresight GmbH, with the contributions of Alessandro Valenza.