ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the provision of regional public goods (RPGs) within the European Union (EU), by examining the interrelated issues of trade, integration, and economic development in a climate of increased austerity and social dislocation. It discusses the range of RPGs in Europe. The chapter focuses on the evolution of trade integration and regional and social policy as two case studies. It emphasizes the impact of constraints on public finances in providing RPGs. The chapter discusses the evaluation and impact of RPGs so as to highlight both the weakness and strengths of policy design and instruments, as well as the impact of sequencing on the provision of public goods. There has been increased attention given to the role of performance evaluation and impact assessment within international organizations, driven in part by the public sector managerial reform movement, which has promoted indicators and measures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program objectives.
