A Helping Hand, but not a Lift. EU Cohesion Policy and Regional Development
Eva Dettmann, Sarah Fritz
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 18,
2025
Abstract
This study provides new evidence on the impact of the EU Cohesion Policy on income growth in less developed regions. Our panel includes data from all European regions for the years 1989-2020. Using a fuzzy Regression Discontinuity Design, we model treatment dynamics by applying a random effects estimator. Based on digitized historical data, we precisely replicate the policy rule and correctly classify the regions’ eligibility status. Results show that the policy has a moderate positive effect on GDP per capita growth in the targeted regions.
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Employment Effects of Investment Grants and Firm Heterogeneity
Eva Dettmann, Antje Weyh, Mirko Titze
Regional Studies,
Vol. 59 (1),
2025
Abstract
This study estimates the firm-level employment effects of investment grants in Germany. In addition to the average treatment effect on the treated, we examine discrimination in the funding rules as a potential source of effect heterogeneity. We combine a staggered difference-in-differences approach with a matching procedure at the cohort level. The findings reveal a positive effect of investment grants on employment development. The subsample analyses yield strong evidence for heterogeneous effects based on firm characteristics and the economic environment. They highlight the responsibility of the local funding authorities to clarify ex ante which goals of a funding programme are most important in their regions.
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IWH FDI Micro Database
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Guiding Theme and Research Profile
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Organisation of Research
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Internationalisation
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4th TSI Workshop
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