A regional analysis of EU cohesion policy and Euroscepticism

Diermeier Matthias

External Publication 26. November 2025 Michael Bayerlein* / Matthias Diermeier in Journal of Comparativ Economics Exchanging money for love?: A regional analysis of EU cohesion policy and Euroscepticism

In the past, the European Union was able to tame Euroscepticism through regional ‘convergence’ funding. Meanwhile, new member states became the largest recipients of EU funding, but shifted from being the most supportive of integration to showing the strongest opposition.

External Publication 26. November 2025 Michael Bayerlein* / Matthias Diermeier in Journal of Comparativ Economics

Exchanging money for love?: A regional analysis of EU cohesion policy and Euroscepticism

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In the past, the European Union was able to tame Euroscepticism through regional ‘convergence’ funding. Meanwhile, new member states became the largest recipients of EU funding, but shifted from being the most supportive of integration to showing the strongest opposition.

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Motivated by this puzzle, we revisit the relationship between ‘convergence’ funding and Euroscepticism. In contrast to utilitarian economic theory, our empirical analysis finds no general relationship between EU funding and support for the EU. Nevertheless, by accounting for successful post-funding convergence and awareness of EU funding, we identify under which conditions ‘convergence’ funding can tame Euroscepticism. Focusing on successfully converging regions after receiving EU funding, we uncover positive trends in EU unification preferences. Finally, we show that the EU is able to win support in Eastern Europe where people are more aware of EU investments. Rather than expanding its fiscal capacity, Brussels must focus on place-based ‘convergence’ funding that stimulates economic growth and is unambiguously associated with the EU.

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Homebuyers, Liquidity Constraints and Private Market Solutions: European Best Practices

Even though the cost for owner-occupied homes fell sharply in the last years, homeownership rates in the EU remain sluggish. Sound economic policy would promote homeownership especially as rents are on the rise. Policies that facilitate schemes such as equity release options, housing saving plans and crowdlending seem promising.

External Publication 4. January 2019 Philipp Deschermeier / Heide Haas / Michael Voigtländer at the Journal of Housing and the Built Environment

The case of North Rhine-Westphalia: Impact of housing market transformation in Germany on affordable housing

The German housing market has changed significantly since the first decade of the new millennium. A considerable amount of public sector and company-owned employee housing has been sold off, while a number of large publicly listed real estate firms have emerged. This has been particularly evident in North Rhine-Westphalia.