EU Cohesion Policy 2021–2027: Absorption Trends and Structural Challenges in Romania

Simona-Beatrice Manolache, Alexandru-Mihai Firu and Cristian Marian Radu
Additional contact information
Simona-Beatrice Manolache: Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, Romania
Alexandru-Mihai Firu: University of Craiova, Romania
Cristian Marian Radu: Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania

Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies, 2025, issue 3, 66-80

Abstract: The study examines the dynamics of European funds absorption in Romania, using official data published by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects as of July 31, 2025. The analysis uses descriptive and applied statistics to assess general progress as well as differences between programs. Findings highlight significant variability in performance and a concentration of absorption around infrastructure programs, while social and digital sectors face persistent delays and compliance challenges. The assessment of financial efficiency reveals notable discrepancies across programs, indicating the need for operational adjustments and strengthened institutional capacity. Projections for the 2025–2027 period suggest that the final trajectory will depend on the administrative ability to streamline procedures, establish strategic priorities, and accelerate implementation. The overarching conclusion emphasizes that optimizing EU funds absorption requires diversifying performance drivers and reducing reliance on a limited number of dominant programs.

Keywords: European funds; absorption; financial efficiency; Romania (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.jards.ugal.ro/images/jards/journal/2025_3/Manolache_et_al.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ddj:ejards:y:2025:i:3:p:66-80

DOI: 10.35219/jards.2025.3.08

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Studies from "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Doctoral Field Engineering and Management in Agriculture and Rural Development Contact information at EDIRC.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Gianina Mihai ().