Building a dynamic theory of citizens’ awareness of European Cohesion Policy interventions

Since more than thirty years, the European Cohesion Policy aims to reduce economic disparities and support regional development by funding local-orientated projects. However, citizens’ awareness of follows an unexpected longitudinal pattern characterised a notable decrease after initial increase. Although researchers have been investigating relationship between policy implementation public awareness, lack systemic comprehension underlying mechanisms is evident. Using system dynamics, we develop causal model explain roots declining towards interventions. The findings highlight how citizens initially manifest high collective attention that tends decay over time. These combined with inherent tendency lose information saved in their long-term individual memory, could elucidate system's behaviour. This novel dynamics application provides policy-makers operational guidelines for developing efficient communication strategies improve awareness.