ABSTRACT
The persistent regional disparities in the European Union (EU) have led to a questioning of the effectiveness of the EU Cohesion Policy. This chapter highlights the effectiveness of the institutional framework as one of the most important elements in achieving Cohesion Policy goals. It analyses the place-based approach in the context of Cohesion Policy planning and in close conjunction with the nature of public administration. The chapter provides an insight into the institutional framework that has been implemented in Latvia and discusses the main elements of the place-based approach. The analysis of the institutional framework with a specific focus on the role of the planning regions provides useful information about governance related to the process of administrative territorial reform and discussions about the role of the planning regions since the mid 2000s. Public administration reforms are often based on the need to improve operational efficiency and to create more accessible public administration.
