By Elsie Grover-Jones, University College London
All opinions are those of their respective author, and are not indicative of the stance of EUPS.
The 13th of October marked the start of the 23rd year of the European Week of Regions and Cities, held in Brussels. This year’s opening session brought together the voices of those dedicated to Cohesion policy to discuss Europe’s future under a shared vision: ‘Shaping Tomorrow, Together.’
What is Cohesion Policy?
Cohesion policy is at the core of the workings of the EU, and was described by President of the European Parliament– Ursula von der Leyen– as “the heart of the European budget”.
It is delivered through four specific funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund (CF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), and the Just Transition Fund (JTF). These funds benefit a country in accordance with whether it is categorised as being less developed, more developed or in transition.
The decisions regarding the allocation of the budget, which is €392 billion for the 2021-2027 period, rest on five long-term priorities: competitiveness, water resilience, defence, environmental and digital developments, and a reinforcement of democracy. The ultimate aim of the EU’s cohesion policy is to close the disparities– economic, social and political– across the continent, leading to a more equal and unified Europe.
The Future of Cohesion
The main discussions surrounded the goals and priorities of cohesion policy for the 2021-2027 period, including the housing crisis, the right to stay or leave, and fears surrounding the centralisation of cohesion. Amid challenges to Europe’s borders and beyond, the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő, asserted that cohesion policy is essential for Europe to “invest in its future”, addressing the need to “zoom in” and assess “where we stand and where we are going”.
Interestingly, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, former member of the Regional Assembly of the Azores, challenged the common misconception that cohesion and competitiveness are opposing concepts, instead arguing that “they strengthen each other”.
This follows historic discontent, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, at the concentration of funds to ‘less developed’ countries such as Poland and Hungary, which are the largest net beneficiaries of EU membership.
Concerns over Centralisation
Another key talking point of the session was the proposal to merge the Multiannual Financial Framework funds with those allocated to agriculture and fisheries. This unsettled representatives of local and regional authorities, who feared that it could lead to the centralisation of funds and the reduction of local decision-making power, which is valued so highly amongst ‘less economically developed’ areas. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, as suggested by the Commission, has been deemed to be ill-suited to addressing specific local challenges.
Findings from the EU annual report on the state of regions and cities echoed this, reporting that “the proposed MFF would be a step backwards in terms of certain resilience-related policies”, and “weakens the bond between the EU and its regions and cities…, undermining strong efforts towards development across all EU regions”.
For instance, the Mayor of the Gabrovo Municipality in Bulgaria, Tanya Hristova, emphasised that Cohesion Policy is not only a financial instrument, but it is also a matter of trust. “If Europe fails to listen and stay close to every region, we risk loosening the bond between the Union and its citizens. We need simplification, modernisation, and greater efficiency, but not at the cost of centralisation. Europe cannot afford to abandon its local heart.”
However, the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Rafael Fitto, was quick to debunk these concerns by emphasising that, in a world where challenges and needs constantly evolve, a more horizontal approach is needed. This involves working closely with local representatives and listening to their experiences and ideas.
An End to the Opening, but the Start of Something Greater
As the opening session closed, one message stood out: Europe’s strength lies in its regions. When asked what message she would send to local leaders, Kata Tüttő reflected: “I would tell them that they have the power – the power that comes from the responsibility they take for their communities, and from the trust they have from people. It is time to step up for the future of cohesion.”
Perhaps the sentiment was best portrayed by the slogan for the week: “Shaping Tomorrow, Together.”
