The sixth EPRC webinar of the 2020-21 Series was held December 2nd 2020 (12:00 – 13:00 UK) over Zoom. Dr Maria Salomaa presented her PhD research on ‘Characterising Universities’ Role in the Implementation of Structural Funds Operational Programmes’.

Transparency has become a watchword in EU State aid control. Since July 2016, all granting authorities have been required to report awards exceeding €500,000 to a publicly accessible website. Yet, four years on, there is still scope for improvement in the timeliness of reporting, the accuracy of compliance assessments and rationalisation of obligations. An EPRC study prepared for DG Competition looks at how, and how well, the transparency requirement has been implemented and feeds into the wider Commission review of the State aid rules post 2020.