The presented thesis The causes of insufficient use of EU funds in Slovakia during the 2007- 2013 programming period addresses a system of utilisation of the EU funds in Slovakia which were provided by the European Union's Cohesion Policy in 2007-2013 programming period. The period is the first Cohesion Policy's programming period that could be fully benefited by Slovakia, and although Slovakia was economically highly evaluated even with regards to the economic crisis, at the end of the period the exceptional prolongation of the n+2 rule was demanded, and eventually approved. Therefore, the aim of the thesis is to find and explore possible causes of the lack of benefit of the EU funds that lead to obtaining the exception. The first part of the thesis analyses the theory of regional policy which provides multiple possible alternative hypotheses that answers to the research question. These potential answers constitute the chapters in the second part of the thesis: the responsibility of the utilisation on the regional level, the problems in settings and functioning of the bodies on national level, the external factors impact, and finally the rules posed by the EU. All hypotheses are analysed by the process-tracing method tracking the process of using of the funds. The method tests the key moments in...

This Diploma thesis deals with the support system for the Czech urban areas development, available in the EU Funds in the 2007-2013 programming period. First, the work briefly discusses the characteristics of the EU Cohesion Policy, and then describes the development of its urban dimension emphasizing the period after 2000. The main objective of this thesis is to analyze Czech strategic documents for the implementation of the EU Cohesion Policy and specific programmes linked to urban development, i.e. the Regional Operational Programmes and the Integrated Operational Programme. The final part includes the case study of Pilsen city, as a concrete example of the analyzed programmes implementation.

This work focuses on evaluation of possible impacts of structural and regional EU policy applied in the Czech Republic. Besides preliminary assessment of the use of economic, social and territorial cohesion policy in the Czech Republic, its aim is to put our national specific approach in the context of the whole European Union. It required not only a general appraisal of single priorities but also direct comparison with impacts of similar measures on the economies of the EU in the past. For this objective, an important part of the work consists in four case studies, analysing the application and impacts of the EU cohesion policy instruments in cohesion countries (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland) since the first programming period 1989--1993 until the current period 2007--2013. With respect to the starting point of these economies and societies I would consider the convergence process to the EU relatively successful. Nevertheless, there are some important differences in the use and impact of the cohesion policy in these four member states. The results show that the impact of the Structural Funds in Spain has been quite sizeable in terms of its contribution to the economic growth and reduction of unemployment. Spain as a whole is approaching the EU average in most of the economic indicators. The convergence of the Portugal economy was markedly less substantial and the disparities increased on the regional level. The significant side effect of spending of Structural Funds in Greece consists mainly in the improvement of the institutional framework and strategic planning. The Irish example points to the importance of using the assistance rather for public goods than for supporting the private sector. The Czech Republic should take an example from this experience. Effects of the EU cohesion policy on the domestic economy could be very significant -- not only for a short-term but also for a long-term perspective. However, it is necessary to be aware of the fact that we are still talking about possible impacts, whose real successful fulfilment depends on individual participants -- whether on the strategic or the final beneficiaries levels.

L’oggetto della ricerca è costituito dalla cooperazione territoriale tra regioni confinanti e geograficamente non contigue che appartengono a Stati diversi nell’ambito dell’Unione europea. La tematica è studiata come caso specifico dell’internazionalizzazione delle regioni attraverso alcuni approcci disciplinari tipici degli studi europei, la multi-level governance, i policy networks e l’europeizzazione. L’analisi ripercorre le tappe principali dell’evoluzione della cooperazione territoriale in Europa, evidenziando l’impatto sulla stessa dei contesti giuridico-costituzionali nazionali e delle politiche delle istituzioni sopranazionali (Consiglio d’Europa e Unione europea). Lo studio è particolarmente incentrato sul ruolo giocato dalle caratteristiche delle singole regioni nella determinazione delle scelte e delle strategie in materia di cooperazione territoriale. A livello empirico, viene effettuata una comparazione tra le quattro regioni italiane del nord a Statuto ordinario. / Object of the research is the territorial cooperation among regions belonging to different States in the context of the European Union. With the term “territorial cooperation”, we refer to both cross-border and interregional cooperation. We deal with the topic as a specific case of the internationalization of the regions from a European studies’ perspective (multi-level governance, policy networks, Europeanization). The analysis is focused on the main stages of the evolution of the territorial cooperation in Europe, highlighting the impact on the issue of the heterogeneous national constitutional contexts and the supranational institutions’ policies (Council of Europe and European Union). In particular, we concentrate on the role of the regions’ features on their choices and strategies about territorial cooperation. The case-study is the comparison of the four Italian regions with ordinary statues.

Darbe naudojamos šios pagrindinės sąvokos: Europos Sąjungos biudžeto išlaidų politika, BŽŪP, Sanglaudos politika, Konkurencingumo augimui ir užimtumui skatinimo išlaidų politika. Šiame darbe autorius aptaria Europos Sąjungos biudžeto išlaidų politikos sampratą, jos struktūrą, uždavinius, tikslus bei finansavimo kryptis. Aprašomos dvi pagrindinės, didžiausią dalį Europos Sąjungos biudžete užimančios politikos kryptis, tai gamtos išteklių valdymo ir apsaugos, bei tvaraus augimo politika. Struktūriškai išanalizuojamas bei aprašomas minėtų krypčių skirstymas į siauresnes išlaidų politikos sritis bei pateikiamas jų finansavimo dydis. Analizuodamas dabartines 2007-2013 m. finansinės perspektyvos kryptis, autorius pateikia tiriamų išlaidų privalumus bei trūkumus. Darbe yra analizuojama naujausia informacija apie pasirengimą reformuoti Europos Sąjungos biudžeto išlaidų politikos kryptis. Autorius pateikia reformos priežastys bei galimus reformų būdus, kurie leistų padidinti Europos Sąjungos biudžeto išlaidų sukuriamą pridėtinę vertę. / The key concepts used in the paper are: the European Union budget expenditure policy, common agriculture policy, cohesion policy, expenditure policy for competition and employment development. The present paper is devoted to the analysis of the European Union budget expenditure policy concept, its structure, aims and objectives as well as financing directions. The author considers two key European Union budget policy directions – natural resources management and protection policy and sustainable development policy – which cover the major part of the European Union budget expenditure. The paper sets down structural analysis of the mentioned European Union budget policy directions looking into more specified expenditure policy directions as well as the amount of their financing. While analyzing the directions of financial perspective for 2007-2013 the author speaks about advantages and disadvantages of the expenditure issues under discussion. The paper deals with the most updated information on reforming the European Union expenditure policy. The author analyzes the reasons for reforming it and the ways which could lead to the growth of surplus value generated from the European Union budget expenditure.

Upon accession to the European Union, the Czech Republic has been given the opportunity to use the support provided within the scope of economic and social cohesion policy. For the Programme period 2007-2013 the Czech Republic has prepared twenty four Operational Programmes. In this work I focus on one Oprational programe - Education for Competitiveness to be able cover all necessary aspects of Decision, Implementation and Contol mechanisms.

This diploma thesis deals with an analysis of submitted project applications within the Education for Competitivenes Operational Programme. The very beginning of thesis is paid attention to theory of human capital, where its development contribute to the growth of competitiveness not only individual but also society as a whole. Development of human capital is implemented primarily by supporting of education that has became a priority for the modern knowledge economy. The second part of diploma thesis is devoted to issue that the Czech republic has an opportunity to support development of education via the Education for Competitivenes Operational Programme. The greatest emphasis on characterization and description of Priority Axis 2 - Tertiary education whose two areas 2.1. Vocational education and 2.2 Higher education are analyzed. The aim of thesis is to analyze and evaluate the submitted project application served in the programming period 2007 - 2013 in the mentioned areas of support.

The main topic of my thesis called „Investment construction co-financed from EU Funds“ is basic description of principles and objectives of of structural (cohesion) policy including its development and instrument for its application – EU Funds. Specific attention is dedicated to Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund. The attention is also focused on Financial perspective for period 2007 – 2013 in theoretical part. Also the prediction for next multiannual financial Framework 2014+ is mentioned in the part. Practical part comprises description, analysis and evaluation of finished construction Project co-financed by Structural Funds. This project was carried out whithin Regional operation programme North-West and it solved the issue of „brownfields“ in the city center.

The aim is to describe the structural policy of the European Union and the Czech Republic. Including their tools. Another section contains familiar with the particulars of the project and the procedure for drawing up requests for support from European funds. The practical part is analyzed and evaluated finished investment project and on project applied theoretical knowledge.

This thesis is devoted to analyze the decentralization process in selected Central and Eastern European countries. Its aim is therefore to evaluate and compare the results of decentralization in selected countries in the context of European regional policy - the Europe of the regions. The basic hypothesis is that regional policy provides a sufficient incentive for the EU nation-states to launch decentralization and proceed into the establishment of regional levels of government in the form of new political entities that are institutionalized, have their own poltickou representation and play a key role in planing and implementation of the structural and cohesion funds. The hypothesis will be investigated using analysis and comparison of the results of decentralization in the five Central and Eastern European Countries: Estonia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.