AN EVALUATION OF EUROPEAN-UNION OBJECTIVE 2 PROGRAMS IN INDUSTRIAL SOUTH WALES 1989-93

This article reports on an in-depth evaluation of European Union (EU) Objective 2 Structural Funding in Industrial South Wales (ISW). The ce ntral aim of the evaluation was to assess the main results obtained du ring the programming period 1989-93, as part of an analytical review o f the main problems that ISW confronted during the programming experie nce. The major strategic objectives of the programme were tackled usin g six subprogrammes: industrial infrastructure; communications; busine ss development; environment; tourism; research and development/vocatio nal education and training facilities. Despite encountering numerous p roblems in the evaluation process, it was estimated that the programme created 2544 direct jobs, in addition to 7500 temporary construction jobs and the creation and upgrading of a range of physical infrastruct ure. Although there was an economic climate of recession during much o f the programming period, the programme itself was seen to have positi vely and significantly contributed to the restructuring and diversific ation of the South Wales economy. It is suggested that the 'learning p rocesses' associated with this programming period helped to 'push' fun ds in subsequent programming periods from projects concerned purely wi th physical assets to those involving human resource development. In c onclusion, it is argued that following constitutional change in Wales, the opportunity exists within ISW to further converge EU, national, r egional and local policies, producing further transparency and coheren ce in economic planning and regeneration strategies.