The Multiplier Effect of European Union Funds in the Alentejo Region, Portugal, Between 2014-2020

Abstract

The Partnership Agreement established between the European Union and the Member States for the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds for the period 2014-2020 has come to an end. It is, therefore, important to understand what impact the Partnership Agreement had on public and private investments in the different Portuguese regions. Support for regional investment has allowed the construction or modernization of collective infrastructures, such as schools, promotion of cultural and natural heritage, investment in energy efficiency, investment in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for public services, develop research and development initiatives, as well as urban rehabilitation and mobility. This also includes investments of intermunicipal and business nature. This paper is part of an extended study that analyses the multiplier impact of the application of European Union funds in public and private investment in the 7 Portuguese regions: Porto and North of Portugal, Centro, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo, Algarve, Azores and Madeira. In this article we analyse the multiplier impact of the investment of the European funds allocated to the Alentejo Region, in Portugal, under the H2020 Program until the month of March 2020.