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Evaluating the results of cohesion policy investment in Europe's regions is critical to its success. Evaluations increase transparency and accountability and help to ensure the best use of public funds.
Following the programming period 2000-2006, the European Commission launched a series of ex-post evaluations looking at the 230 programmes supported by the policy during that time. These evaluations focus on two funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF). On 19 April 2010 the Commission presented a synthesis report which wraps up the main findings of the ERDF evaluation. The report shows that € 123 billion invested through the ERDF between 2000 and 2006, has had a significant impact on the regions across the EU.