GAUDRON Marine

Is territorial dimension disappearing from Cohesion Policy?

The Cohesion Forum took place on 11-12 April in Brussels, organised every three years by the European Commission following the publication of its Cohesion Report, it is an important event gathering the Member States, Managing Authorities, regions, and cities involved in the implementation of the Cohesion Policy. And in this election year, the Forum was an even more important moment for the European Commission to start preparing Cohesion stakeholders for the big change ahead.
 
The proposals for the next EU long-term budget (2028-2034) are expected to be published in the first half of 2025, therefore it is no surprise that the current Commission used the Cohesion Forum to test some ideas. Increasingly DG REGIO is talking about a radical change for the Cohesion Policy, which is no longer called “Cohesion” but “Instrument for Reforms and Investments” – on the model of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The idea of linking instruments to reform conditionality seemed to be quite consensual during the Cohesion Forum. This is presented as a major simplification together with a “performance-based model”, meaning that the funds will be delivered upon completion of activities and milestones, which is expected to reduce a significant part of the administrative burden compared to the current system of financing linked to actual costs.  
 
In this scenario, it is possible that the different Cohesion funds as we know them (ERDF, ESF+, Just Transition Fund, etc) could be merged into a single instrument. But will the fundamental objectives of Cohesion Policy remain in such architecture? Commissioner Ferreira started her opening speech of the Cohesion Forum saying “This is an important moment for economic, social and political cohesion in Europe”. It can only be deliberate that the Commissioner ignored the “Territorial” dimension of Cohesion Policy as enshrined in article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. And versions of the upcoming strategic agenda for Member States’ leaders also referred only to “economic and social cohesion”, forgetting the territorial dimension.
 
In this context it will be important to strongly share the messages of the CEMR position paper on future of Cohesion Policy, advocating for a place-based approach and the extension of the Partnership Principle to all EU Policies with an impact on local and regional levels, and particularly the European Semester which will guide Member States reforms agenda. Whatever the shape of the upcoming instrument(s) for investment, it is essential to ensure it will not be spatially blind, and able to answer the specific needs of the various municipalities and regions in Europe.
 
Local and Regional governments are also invited to sign and share the Cohesion Alliance joint call on a renewed Cohesion policy post-2027 that leaves no one behind.

GAUDRON Marine

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

The Cohesion Alliance Join Forces in Launching Joint Call: “A Renewed Cohesion Policy Post-2027 That Leaves No One Behind”

The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is proud to announce the launch of the Joint Call of the Cohesion Alliance, “A Renewed Cohesion Policy Post-2027 That Leaves No One Behind.” This Declaration brings together elected representatives of regions and cities across Europe to advocate for a comprehensive EU agenda that prioritises social, economic, and territorial cohesion.

In a united effort, CEMR, the Committee of Regions and the organisations of the Cohesion Alliance call upon European institutions and national governments to devise an inclusive EU agenda that places the strengthening of social, economic, and territorial cohesion at its core, as stated in the CEMR position on the Future of Cohesion Policy.

Christoph Schnaudigel, Co-President of CEMR, remarked, “We need a Cohesion Policy that puts the Local and Regional public services and investments at the centre to make our territories resilient to face the next crises. This will allow citizens to see that the EU is placing them at the centre.”

Recognising that Cohesion Policy serves as the glue of European action, Fabrizio Rossi, CEMR Secretary-General, adds: “CEMR advocates for a dedicated Commissioner for Territorial Development in the upcoming EU Commission, recognising the vital interconnection between various EU policies and their tangible effects at local and regional levels. Such an appointment would support cohesive, sustainable growth that resonates across every corner of Europe.”

The joint call outlines several key principles for a renewed Cohesion Policy post-2027:

1. Inclusivity: Ensuring that all regions, cities, and municipalities have access to Cohesion Policy, regardless of their economic status or geographical location.
2. Alignment with Green Deal and Digital Agenda: Anchoring social, economic, and territorial cohesion within the EU’s Green Deal industrial policy and strategic autonomy.
3. Just Transition: Prioritising tailor-made solutions based on the principles of just transition to address the challenges of climate neutrality.
4. Place-Based Solutions: Recognising the diversity of territories and enabling local-level strategies within a stable and predictable framework.
5. Shared Management Principle: Strengthening shared management, partnership, and multi-level governance to overcome fragmentation and enhance effectiveness.
6. Culture of Trust: Fostering a new culture of trust between different layers of government in the EU to ensure Cohesion Policy’s actual impact on Europeans’ lives.
7. Territorial Cooperation: Supporting cross-border and interregional cooperation to deliver concrete improvements in people’s daily lives.
8. Do No Harm to Cohesion: Ensuring consistency across all EU policies to strengthen economic, social, and territorial cohesion.

The full Call to Action can be signed through this link: Cohesion Alliance Joint Call (europa.eu)

The Cohesion Alliance invite the general public, trade unions, businesses, and non-governmental and civil society organisations to join in their efforts to secure a just Europe that leaves no one behind. 

GAUDRON Marine

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

Portico, the new gateway to urban learning in the EU

Portico, the new knowledge-sharing and community platform for sustainable urban development in the EU, is set for official launch on 10 October at mid-day during the 2023 European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels.

The new platform is being launched by the European Urban Initiative (EUI) in partnership with CEMR and a range of initiatives, programmes and organisations supporting urban development under the EU Cohesion Policy. It combines knowledge and resources from EUI and partners on productive, green and just cities, as well as key tools for putting policy into
Urban knowledge, tools, people, community

Discover Portico’s three main pillars, available from 10 October 2023 mid-day:

• Knowledge Hub: This knowledge repository integrates resources and tools from the European Urban Initiative, EU Urban Agenda, URBACT and other Cohesion Policy actors to support urban practitioners in building their knowledge and skills.
• Urban Panorama: Drawn from existing EU knowledge and initiatives, this is an overview of the main bodies contributing to the design and implementation of sustainable urban development policies and strategies in Europe.
• Portico Community: Brings together practitioners, policymakers, urban experts, mayors… anyone interested in improving sustainable urban development from across the EU. This is where peers can exchange ideas, get information on upcoming events, and participate in discussions on sustainable urban development themes.

As Portico develops in line with users’ needs, new modules will become available. Sign up and join the journey!

Follow Portico on social media: #portico #EUI4learning
Register for the guided tour of Portico at EURegionsWeek
For more information, contact: communication@urban-initiative.eu

GAUDRON Marine

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

Implementing Cohesion Policy funds: Insights and Training

On 30 June, CEMR will introduce its new report on the implementation and management of European Structural and Investment Funds in the European countries. On this occasion, local and regional governments and their associations are invited to a hybrid training event on the European Cohesion Policy.

With the new funding period 2021-2027 being now underway, Cohesion Policy funds have been programmed in all Member States through Partnership Agreements, and most are already starting to be implementated.

But how does it work in practice? Who is in charge of implementing the funds? Are Member States privileging centralised or decentralised approach for funds targeting territories?  How are the different funds coordinated at central level to avoid overlap, and how do they coordinate with non-Cohesion Policy funds such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility?

All these questions, and more, will be covered during the event.

Information

Schedule: 30 June – 9.30-16.30

Format: Hybrid event (House of Cities and Regions, 1 Square de Meeus, 1000 Brussels and via Webex)
Inperson attendants will also receive a copy of the Overview of Implementation of Cohesion Policy fund, a new study to be released on the occasion of this event.

Discover the public agenda here.

Register for this event here.

GAUDRON Marine

Advisor – Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances