Implementing multi-level governance has been a key priority in EU cohesion policy. This study assesses the perceived achievements and shortcomings in implementing European Social Fund by analyzing the deficits and weaknesses as well as the poor participation of local agents who are in direct contact with the beneficiaries in order to design and implement this fund, which is the main financial instrument of EU social policy.
local agents; multi-level governance; social cohesion policy
| Function | Task | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Managing Authority | PO management and implementation. Guarantees the appropriate use of the ESF. | Unidad de Gestión de la Unidad Administradora del FSE (Ministerio de Empleo y Seguridad Social –MESS-). |
| Certifying Authority | Certifying expenses and supervising payment to beneficiaries. | Unidad de Certificación de la Unidad Administradora del FSE (MESS). |
| Audit Authority | Legal-financial supervision of funds |
Intervención General de la Xunta de Galicia, integrada con la Intervención General de la Administration estatal. |
| Intermediate Bodies | Coordination, counselling, and evaluation of the implementing agencies. Mediation between agencies and the supervising authority. | Dirección General de Proyectos y Fondos Europeos (Xunta de Galicia). |
| Implementing agencies and managers (beneficiaries) | Project coordination, design, presentation, financing, and implementation. Responsible for project justification, legality, and implementation. | Provincial councils, commonwealths of municipalities, local councils and other agencies |
| Final Beneficiaries or recipients | Final Beneficiaries | Businesses and workers from specific sectors, unemployed, women, youngsters, immigrants, impaired, people at risk of being excluded from work, not-for-profit organizations, associations, etc. |
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