Image source, bbc

Professor John Bachtler from University of Strathclyde says: "We have lost a valued element of partnership working in the arrangements.

"We've lost a degree of challenge, if you like, that was built into the system.

"We've lost a degree of innovation and experimentation in our approach."

The academic concludes saying with or without Brexit there would have been an opportunity to think about where to go from here.

Image source, bbc

The Conservative government pledged during the genral election campaing to replace EU economic aid for poorer parts of the country with a UK shared prosperity fund.

The intent of this fund would be to reduce inequalities across the four nations.

The Tory manifesto said they'd consult with the devolved administrations on how to spend it, but critics feared a power grab by a UK government apparently keen to decide priorities.

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Professor John Bachtler from University of Strathclyde says the current structure is due to diminishing funding, increasing complexity and efforts to reduce problems with the management of ESIF.

Prof Bachtler argues that management of ESIF has been centralised.

There is a similar process in Sweden and Finland, where there has been a rationalisation of the process, he posits.

However in France there has been more devolution of the decision making in terms of the funds.

Image source, PA/Getty Images

Back on 13 August 2016, Chancellor Philip Hammond insisted EU funding for farmers, scientists and other projects would be replaced by the Treasury after Brexit.

In a move which could cost up to £6bn a year, the Treasury confirmed it would guarantee to back EU-funded projects signed before 2016's Autumn Statement.

Agricultural funding now provided by the EU will also continue until 2020.

But critics said the guarantee does not go far enough and there was "continued uncertainty".

Mr Hammond said EU structural and investment fund projects signed before the Autumn Statement later this year, and Horizon research funding granted before leaving the EU, will be guaranteed by the Treasury after the UK leaves.

The EU's 80bn euro (£69bn) Horizon 2020, external programme awards funding for research and innovation and is open to UK institutions while the country remains a member.

Read more here.

Ms Stewart calls for more alignment between the four ESIF routes.

The concept at the start of the programme looking at a small number of strategic investments was right, she argues.

Problems surfaced afterwards, the UHI spokesperson says.

Ms Stewart suggests the system has become "overly bureaucratic".

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Committee convener Gordon Lindhurst asks about how other countries have utilised EU funds.

Linda Stewart from the University of Highlands and Islands argues this area is crucially important and a "huge, huge challenge".

Ms Stewart points to structural issues in utilising the funds.

She says there were very serious issues in the past and there was not always a very good alignment with national and EU policies.

Ms Stewart describes how best practice in Scandinavia and in England was then looked at, leading to a good understanding of the 2014-20 ESIF programme.

The Economy Committee issued a general call for views in Februray, on the topic of European Structural and Investments Funds (ESIFs).

Here's what it received:

Written Submissions, external

Image source, bbc

ESIFs currently help fund a number of economic development programmes in Scotland, supporting public bodies such as Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Funding Council, Skills Development Scotland, local authorities and some of the work of the Scottish Government itself for a wide range of activities, including skills and training programmes, research and development, support to business and the development of infrastructure.

Over the course of May and June this year, the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee will hold an inquiry into ESIFs and what could replace these once the UK leaves the European Union.

Read more here., external

Committee convener Gordon Lindhurst welcomes the witnesses.

Image source, SPL/Thinkstock/Scottish Parliament/BBC

The Economy Committee will shortly take evidence on European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF).

MSPs will quiz:

• Professor John Bachtler, head of the European policies Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde, external
• Linda Stewart, director of European and International Development from the University of Highlands and Islands, external
• Robin Smail EIPA visiting expert, consultant, Regional Economic Development, EU Structural Funds, external
• Professor Steve Fothergill, from Sheffield Hallam University, external

Read their submissions here., external

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on Tuesday 15 May 2018.

All eyes are on the Scottish Parliament this afternoon as MSPs debate for the final time whether to give legislative consent to the EU Withdrawal Bill.

The crucial vote is at 5pm.

Join us for extensive coeverage, including live reporting, analysis and social media reaction.

Image source, Scottish Parliament/PA/Getty Images

Before all that we begin with the Economy Committee taking evidence on the soon to be gone European Structural Funds. What will replace them? A raft of academics will put forward their theories.

The member’s debate marks 70 years since what Palesinians refer to as the Nabka, in which more than 750,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes.