Financial dynamics in Interreg A: A quantitative analysis of the determinants of budget execution

Abstract This article offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the financial dynamics underlying the EU’s Interreg A (cross-border) programmes during the 2014–2020 period. Drawing on microdata from 54 programmes and over 4000 projects, the study explores how participation dynamics and budget execution are shaped by participant profiles and programme management. The principal findings indicate that public organisations predominate both participation and budget allocation, with smaller territories being overrepresented and more affluent areas receiving relatively lower budgets, which is in keeping with cohesion policy goals. The effectiveness of budget execution is positively linked to technical assistance, overall programme size, and institutional quality. Moreover, higher execution rates are associated with programmes that involve lower-population or demographically diverse partnerships, alongside stronger institutional quality and increased investment in technical assistance. These findings complement earlier research focusing on geographic and substantive dimensions, and they provide further conclusions to be considered jointly from academic and policy perspectives.