The first assignment within the DG Regio Multiple Framework Service Contracts – Studies related to the future development of Cohesion Policy and the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) involved OIR as co-leadpartner. Under the management of Bernd Schuh OIR will develop an evidence-base on how regulatory provisions relating to the performance framework have been applied in the programming phase. This evidence-base will cover all 28 Member States, Partnership Agreements and all Operational Programmes receiving funding from ERDF and CF, including multi-fund programmes. The kick-off meeting at the end of October 2014 has shown the strong interest in this study, as first EU wide assessment of this new element in Cohesion Policy.