The aim of this research project is to investigate the operation and assess the added value of the EU cohesion policy’s special support instruments. By investigating the implementation of JESSICA and JASPER schemes and their impacts and spill-over effects in two of the Central and Eastern European EU member states, the study will fill a major research gap and offer a valuable contribution to the policy debate and scholarly literature on EU cohesion policy, multi-level governance and urban development.
Moreover, the study aims at contributing to improvement of the policy practice by identifying barriers for successful implementation of special support instruments and generating recommendations for policy-makers at EU, national and sub-national levels.