The Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO) invites you to a guest lecture by Professor John Bachtler on the future of cohesion policy. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 at 12:00 at the premises of the Representation of the European Commission in Croatia, Augusta Cesarca 4, Zagreb.
Please register via the following link: https://forms.gle/CnFHnHB84VFjYXMR7
Professor John Bachtler will deliver a lecture entitled “The Future of Cohesion Policy: Opportunities & Risks in the Reforms for 2028-34”, addressing key challenges and future directions of EU cohesion policy in the context of evolving economic, political and institutional dynamics. Particular attention will be paid to post-2027 reforms, the role of cohesion policy in strengthening competitiveness and territorial cohesion, and its links to major EU priorities such as the green and digital transitions. The lecture will also address issues related to policy effectiveness, multi-level governance and the future allocation of EU funds.
The lecture by Prof. Bachtler is organised as part of the EUROIMPACT project, supported by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia.
John Bachtler is Professor Emeritus of European Policy Studies at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and former Director of the European Policies Research Centre (EPRC). He is one of Europe’s leading experts on EU cohesion policy, regional development and European integration. His research focuses on regional and industrial development, including EU cohesion and structural policies, territorial development, innovation (RTDI), foreign investment and policy evaluation. He has led major research programmes, including the IQ-Net programme on the management and delivery of cohesion policy across EU Member States.
He has coordinated and contributed to numerous international research and advisory projects, with a strong focus on policy effectiveness, governance and administrative capacity. His work spans more than 30 European countries and includes long-standing involvement in comparative research initiatives such as the European Regional Policy Research Consortium (EoRPA).
He has extensive experience as an expert adviser to national governments across Western, Central and Eastern Europe, as well as to key international institutions including the European Commission, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, European Court of Auditors, OECD and Nordic Council of Ministers. He has also served as an expert adviser to 12 EU Council Presidencies on budgetary, policy and regulatory reform and was a member of the High-Level Group on the Future of Cohesion Policy.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and a Fellow of the Regional Studies Association. A full list of his publications is available here: https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/john-bachtler/publications
