PERCEIVE Project Deliverable Report on the statistical analysis of communication efforts' impact and effectiveness on citizens' awareness and appreciation of EU-financed projects

Why is a focus on policy communication relevant to the practice and study of European integration? Over the two last two decades, no clear pattern seems to have emerged linking the efforts of the European Union (EU) to foster local development and reduction of disparities with a generalized increase in the levels of European identity. This constitutes a relevant challenge for both policy makers and local implementers as well as for students of the European integration process. In this context, it is surprising how little attention has been paid to the potential role of cohesion policy – the EU’s largest investment policy aimed at promoting regional development and reducing disparities.

Based on a recognition of previous research and direct experience acquired through interaction with practitioners of the cohesion policy field, in this report, we point out the importance of ‘awareness’ and ‘appreciation’ (of EU efforts) by EU citizens. This means that, albeit not a general rule, those who are aware of the policy often appreciate EU developmental policies and, when these two conditions are matched with each other, tend to fell more European. In managerial terms, this gap between institutions and citizens points to the centrality of policy communication. That is, we need to better understand the mechanisms and outcomes of communicating policy in today's’ practice of policy implementation.