Multi-level governance and structural funds,one step beyond? Examples from the interreg implementationin France and Spain

Resumen

This paper questions the logics of diffusion of a multi-level governance scheme by the European Commission at the sub-state level. It focuses on the INTERREG initiative in France and Spain from 2000 to 2003. This analysis puts to the fore four assumptions. Firstly, it argues that the execution of INTERREG facilitated the transition from a state-centric paradigm to multi-level governance but only from a formal point of view. Secondly, this article demonstrates that this initiative has not evolved from being “a policy for the regions to a policy by the regions” as many expected, but that their implementation rather reveals a wide range of configurations. Thirdly, it presumes that the early versions of INTERREG favoured the emergence of stable political networks amongst territorial actors mobilised to receive European grants. Finally, this article calls for a cautious use of the multi-level governance model for analysis and advocates a focus on political roles and representations.