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GAUDRON Marine

Advisor - Territorial Cohesion & Local Finances

GAUDRON Marine
In Climate, Climate, EU budget, EU budget, Impact community Climate, Impact community Climate, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Local democracy, Local democracy, Publications, Territorial development

Investing in Europe’s future 

Investing in Europe - News

A new EU growth model must empower local services, boost resilience and deliver sustainable investments 

Read declaration

The war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis have placed Europe at a critical crossroads. These overlapping challenges are testing the strength of our democracies, economies and social fabric and call for a bold rethinking of Europe’s economic governance. 

In response, the SGIs Network, bringing together key public service stakeholders, has issued a joint declaration ahead of the Tripartite Social Summit on 23 March 2022. The message is clear: to manage the transition and strengthen the EU’s resilience, Europe must urgently shift towards a more forward-looking, inclusive and investment-oriented growth model. 

A new economic framework 
The current EU fiscal rules are no longer fit for purpose in the face of permacrisis. The declaration calls for a reformed fiscal architecture that reconciles debt sustainability with long-term, growth-enhancing investments. This includes distinguishing productive investments, such as in green infrastructure, digitalisation, healthcare and education, from unproductive spending. 

Empowering local action 
Local and regional governments are essential to achieving a green, digital and fair transition. The declaration stresses the need for their full involvement in implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs) and accessing the Next Generation EU funds. Without this multilevel approach, the EU risks missing the full potential of its recovery strategy. 

From temporary response to permanent capacity 
As the NGEU package and current EU budget cycle expire in 2026–2027, the declaration urges leaders to prepare for a longer-term fiscal and investment strategy. A permanent common fiscal capacity will be vital to address future shared challenges, from climate change to geopolitical instability, and avoid deepening inequalities between territories. 

The call from the SGIs Network is not just for more funding, but for better governance and greater solidarity. It is a reminder that investing in public services, social cohesion and local resilience is not a cost. It is the foundation of a stronger, united Europe. 

Read the declaration here 

For more information, contact: 

GAUDRON Marine
In Uncategorized

Cohesion policy Forum

Cohesion Policy Forum - News 2022

Cohesion policy is vital to cope with the fallout of the ongoing historic crisis

Following the publication of the 8th Cohesion Report, the EU-wide coalition put forward a series of joint observations towards the 8th Cohesion Forum, which takes place on 17 and 18 March. Members of the Alliance welcomed the positive results highlighted by the report: less-developed regions in Eastern Europe have been catching up , the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion fell by 17 million between 2012 and 2019, and economic modelling indicates that in 2023 GDP per head will be 2.6% higher in less-developed regions thanks to recent support from the EU’s cohesion policy.

However, several middle-income and less developed regions in the south of the EU have suffered stagnation or decline, caught in a form of development trap. The local and regional capacity in economic development is still uneven, and key challenges remain to be addressed if no one and no region is to be left behind.

The future of the cohesion policy will be closely linked with a possible reform of the EU economic governance framework. Nevertheless, there is no acknowledgement of the role of the EU Semester in the implementation of cohesion policy, the #CohesionAlliance pointed out, arguing that local and regional governments will have to be formally involved in the EU economic governance and will need their investment capacities to be strengthened.

The European Commission’s strong message to reinforce multi-level governance and partnership principle is timely and reassuring, members of the Alliance said. However, this acknowledgement comes in contradiction of the recent trend of the EU to recentralise the management of its funds and policies back to Member States – a trend evident in implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans and in the development of the upcoming national Social Climate Plans.

Members of the Alliance said that it remains to be seen how the new concept proposed by the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, on the “do no harm to cohesion policy” will effectively be applied across all other EU policies that have an impact on territorial development and at local level.

The President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said: “This report shows that cohesion policy works, but also that all EU policies must help reducing social and economic gaps. People need EU, national, regional and local actors to work together to create jobs, fight poverty, and bring the green and digital transitions in every region, city and village across Europe. This policy is the only EU policy that heavily invests on this cooperation. The pandemic – as well as the tragic situation caused by the war against Ukraine ordered by a ruthless regime – have proved how vital cohesion policy is for the EU to cope with both emergencies and longer-term change.“

For his part, the President of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Stefano Bonaccini, said: “We are not yet out of the pandemic and we have imagined everything but a new war in Europe. The crisis we have experienced in recent years show that European cohesion policy is more relevant than ever in the long run and that it must be strengthened in the years to come. It is a policy that connects European citizens to Europe through municipalities and regions. It is our best tool to pursue the European project and strengthen local democracy. “

Since its creation in October 2017, the #CohesionAlliance – an EU-wide alliance of 12,000 signatories advocating for a stronger cohesion policy – has managed to avoid dramatic budgetary cuts after 2020, helped maintain a cohesion policy that benefits all regions in the Union, and advocated simpler and more flexible rules for cohesion funds.

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In Impact community Cohesion, Latest

Cohesion report 

Cohesion Policy Study - News 2023

8th Cohesion Report: What Cohesion Policy after 2027?

On 28 February-1 March, ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy in all EU member States meet to exchange on the 8th Cohesion Report, which was presented by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira on 9th February. CEMR secretariat and the Chair of the expert group on territorial cohesion participate in the informal ministerial meeting as observers.

For CEMR, the publication of the 8th Cohesion report is launching a reflection on what should the Cohesion Policy look like in the future, in particular in the next programming period 2028-2034. It is an opportunity to share local and regional governments’ aspirations for a stronger Cohesion Policy that effectively reduce territorial disparities in Europe.

Strenghening European social, economic and territorial cohesion and reducing disparities between the levels of development of the various regions are objectives of the European Union enshrined in the Treaties (Art 174, 175 of the TFEU). To achieve these objectives, the main instruments are the European structural and investment funds (Cohesion funds) such as the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund or the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The publication every three year of a Cohesion Report is also a requirement of the treaties to assess the progresses made and achievements of EU Cohesion policy.


Mitigated results

In this latest Cohesion report, we understand that EU Cohesion Policy remain effective to support less developed regions catching up and reducing territorial and social disparities. Another key finding is that Cohesion Policy proved helpful responding to the COVID-19 health and economic emergency thanks to more flexibility to redirect Cohesion funds to the most critical sectors. This showed that Cohesion Policy have the potential to adapt and answer emerging challenges. Although the report recall that it should nowreturn to its core mission of reducing regional disparities and promoting long-term regional development.
On the less positive sides, many inequalities still remain and there seem to be a stagnation trend in the growth of most developed regions. The drivers of economic growth still remain concentrated in more developed regions and urban areas; employment disparities remain larger than before 2008; road and rail transport performance are lower in border regions; and demographic change, especially ageing is confirmed throughout Europe. In 2020, 34% of the EU population lived in a shrinking region, this is projected to reach 51% in 2040.

As many of these challenges affect in particular rural areas and border regions, it is likely that, following up the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas, the future Cohesion Policy should bring specific attention to these territories, building also on small and medium sized cities to become a development center for the broader territory around them.

European semester and reform of the EU economic governance

The future of the Cohesion Policy will be closely linked with the discussions on a possible reform of the EU economic governance framework and of the European Semester. Both have been shaken due to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, that compelled the EU and Member States to suspend the rules limited debts and controlling public spendings.
Indeed, the report showed that Cohesion Policy helped maintain public investments in the EU against the contradictory requirements of limiting Member States’ investments and spending that prevailed following the 2008-2009 economic crisis. Today the paradigm has totally shifted, with a general understanding that to achieve recovery and the green and digital transitions, Europe will need massive public and private investments in the coming years. Local and regional governments will have to be on board and will need their investment capacities to be strengthened

Recentralisation vs multi-level governance and Partnership Principle  

From the report we understand that the future cohesion policy may focus in particular on climate change and environmental transition, connectivity and technological transformations, diversification of economic activities, the demographic challenge and democracy and trust in the EU.

On this later dimension, the Commission identifies that territorial instruments that engage local actors and the Partnership Principle can help address pressure on democracy by increasing ownership of European policies. However, this acknowledgement of the need for multi-level governance of EU funds and policies and the recognition that municipalities and regions are the level of government the most trusted throughout European countries comes in contradiction of the recent trend of the EU to recentralize the management of its funds and policies back to Member States.

With the new programming period 2021-2027 we have seen this tendency confirmed: from the National CAP strategic plans, to the national Recovery and Resilience Plans, and upcoming National Climate Social plans; the Commission is giving the Member States increasing leeway to develop their investment strategies with no mandatory requirement to involve local and regional governments or civil society in these decisions. This trend is in total contradiction with the Partnership Principle, and it remains to be seen how the new concept proposed by the European Commissioner for cohesion and reform of “do no harm to cohesion policy” will effectively be applied throughout all the other EU policies that have an impact on territorial development and at the local level. 

GAUDRON Marine
In EU budget, EU budget, Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Local finances, Local finances, Publications, Territorial development, Territorial development

Boosting public investment for recovery

Cohesion Policy Alliance - News 2021

CEMR calls for investment-friendly EU economic governance reform

Read full position paper

The COVID-19 crisis exposed vulnerabilities in Europe’s economic governance and the need to rethink how EU rules support long-term, sustainable investment at all levels of government. In its 2022 position, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) argues that the reform of the EU’s economic governance framework is a vital opportunity to unlock local and regional investment capacity.

Local and regional governments, which account for 45% of public investment in the EU, were heavily impacted by the crisis. While they expanded essential services and supported communities, they also faced falling revenues and limited fiscal space. CEMR warns that without urgent reform, municipalities risk being held back from investing in vital green, digital, and social transitions.

CEMR proposes several key changes:

  • Strengthen multi-level governance: Local and regional voices must be involved in economic coordination, including through a reformed European Semester with mandatory application of the partnership principle.
  • Recognise investment as a priority: The new framework must distinguish between current spending and long-term, sustainable investment to avoid penalising municipalities for future-oriented projects.
  • Grant borrowing flexibility: Local and regional borrowing for structural investments should not be constrained by national debt calculations under the Stability and Growth Pact.
  • Establish a European municipal and regional bank: This new facility within the EIB would support local investment, particularly through pooled resources and tailored green or social bonds.
  • Support local capacity building: Municipalities need the tools and skills to plan and deliver strategic investments, especially in health, care, and infrastructure.

CEMR also highlights the importance of maintaining local leadership in the implementation of National Recovery and Resilience Plans. Without adequate autonomy, funding, and engagement, the EU’s sustainable recovery goals, particularly those of the Green Deal, risk being delayed or derailed.

Ultimately, CEMR calls for a governance framework that enables, not restricts, local ambition, empowering municipalities and regions to invest in the future of Europe’s communities.

Read the position paper here

For more information, contact:

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In Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Local finances

European Semester

European Parliament - News

A conversation with MEP Schuster on the future of the European Semester

While EU member states enjoy financial support from the Union’s largest ever package of economic support, the so-called the “EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility”, we spoke to MEP Joachim Schuster about his views on the reform of the “European Semester” formulating economic policy recommendations for all EU Member States.

The implementation of Member States’ recovery and resilience plans will drive their reform and investment agenda for the years ahead. For its part, the European Semester, with its broader scope and multilateral surveillance, will usefully complement the implementation of the recovery and resilience plans.

The European Semester process has been overturned by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Why is the debate around the European Semester so important now and what is at stake? 

The Commission has allotted a strong role to the European Semester in the Recovery Plan and therefore strengthened its importance for policy coordination at EU level. However, I am convinced that the effectiveness and success of the alignment of Member States’ investment and reform programmes will depend on the reform and simplification of the Semester as well as the increased ownership by the Member States when it comes to the implementation of the Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs). 

According to you, how should the future European Semester look like to become the main tool to relaunch growth and to allow strategic investments in the EU?

A reformed European Semester should build on the lessons learned from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) exercise and improve the existing mechanisms to establish a more transparent and democratic coordination process. This applies in particular to the definition of policy objectives in the European Semester and the CSRs, which needs the full involvement of the European Parliament and the Member States. A reform should also improve the cooperation between Commission and Member States in developing the needed reforms and investments on national level to achieve those policy objectives.

In the report “The European Semester for economic policy coordination: Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021” you called for a more democratic European Semester in line with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. How could local and regional governments be better involved in the elaboration of the country specific recommendations? What role could the European Parliament play to ensure a more democratic process?

The involvement of local and regional authorities, as well as social partners and civil society would enhance the ownership of Member States but also foster tailor-made solutions for their reforms and investments. The Member States should therefore put in place arrangements for the participation of local and regional authorities during the whole Semester process. Moreover, the European Parliament should be stronger involved in setting economic policy priorities and economic governance decisions, and ensure social dialogue.

How can the European Semester ensure a clearer and increased role of local and regional governments in the use of the recovery funds, and especially in reaching the SDGs?

The RRF gives a bigger role to local and regional authorities in the preparation and implementation of the national plans. We need to safeguard that the Commission is ensuring their involvement according to the Regulation and establishes adequate mechanisms in the future economic policy coordination. The upcoming reform must transform the Semester into a governance tool that implements the EU´s social and environmental ambitions. It must also ensure that economic and budgetary targets are on equal footing with social and environmental targets.

Now that the Commission has re-launched the discussion around the reform of the EU economic governance system, which role do you think could the European Semester play in the coordination and management of the recovery funds? 

To recover from the pandemic and finance the climate-neutral and digital transformation, the Member States will need more fiscal flexibility even beyond the pandemic. I strongly welcome greater flexibility in the economic governance framework. However, it will only be accepted by all Member States and succeed if we come to a stronger binding economic policy coordination in Europe. Here, too, it is worth looking at the incentive-driven ratio behind the RRF, which could be a successful model for a reformed EU Semester: democratically set guidelines at EU level and involvement of the Member States in the elaboration of country-specific reforms. 

The European Semester, initially established as a pure instrument for fiscal surveillance has now included other policy areas, such as cohesion, green and social policies. Would you favour a reform of the Semester to ensure that the Green Deal or the results of the Social Scoreboard are duly taken into consideration?

Since the introduction of the EU governance system, we learned that it is not possible to pursue a successful economic policy based on fiscal surveillance alone. Therefore, I strongly support the Commission’s announcement to reform the European Semester and to convert it further into a tool to coordinate economic, social and environmental policies. The economic and fiscal policy should serve the Union objectives and principles such as the Green Deal, the SDGs or the European Pillar of Social Rights while ensuring financial stability in Europe.

As a German MEP, could you provide us more information on the state of play of the cooperation at subnational level in your country? How can a federal state such as Germany truly ensure the application of subsidiarity already in the design phase of national reforms?

In Germany, the principle of subsidiarity and the division of tasks and competences is enshrined in the constitution and is generally respected even in times of crisis. In political practice, this requires close cooperation between the federal government, the federal states and also the municipalities. The federal states and municipalities have a variety of formal and informal opportunities to participate in the process of shaping national reforms at early stage. In many areas, such as for the adoption of the RRF, the approval of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat (representative chamber of the Länder) is required for legislative projects to enter into force.

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In Impact community Cohesion, Latest

Ljubljana Agreement

Cohesion Alliance - News 2021

Green light for a renewed Urban Agenda for the EU

This is a major achievement of the Slovenian Presidency: EU Ministers responsible for Urban Development adopted the Ljubljana Agreement on 26 November 2021. By doing so, EU Member States and the European Commission commit to the continuation of the Urban Agenda for the EU and set new modalities for its implementation. CEMR has been closely associated with the preparation of this agreement. 

The ministerial meeting was attended by the European Commissioner for cohesion and reforms, Elisa Ferreira. She reiterated her support for the Urban Agenda and insisted on the need for changing paradigm towards a sustainable lifestyle, which is the objective of the Green Deal, and to which EU funds contribute. She also pointed the urban-rural linkages and inter-dependencies between urban centres and their surrounding rural peripheries “They need each other to develop in a sustainable way”. 

Together with Krzysztof Hetman, the Vice-Chair of the European Parliament REGI Committee, representatives of Eurocities and of the Committee of the Regions, CEMR spokesperson for territorial cohesion and regional councillor of Tuscany, Ilaria Bugetti seized this opportunity to recall the importance of synergies between EU funds, especially at urban and territorial level: “Synergy between Cohesion funds and Recovery Plans is needed. Never before the principle of proximity and territoriality has been so important in the interest of our citizens”. She emphasised the need for good cooperation between all levels in the programming of EU funds.

What does this agreement mean for local governement?

The Urban Agenda for the EU was launched in 2016 with the Pact of Amsterdam. It was the start of a completely new way of working on urban issues whereby cities of all sizes, ministries and European Commission’s directorate general gather together in thematic partnerships to discuss concrete issues such as public procurement, climate adaptation, digital transition or migrants integration.

Today with the Ljubljana Agreement, the Member States, the European Commission and local and regional governments representatives agree on a new work programme for the Urban Agenda. In this document some key aspects for CEMR are included:

The role of smaller and medium sized cities is clearly stated with the willingness to involve them in the thematic partnerships, and to better communicate on the achievements of the urban agenda. It is also worth noting that the role of national associations of municipalities and regions in supporting municipalities, but also to participate in the thematic partnerships is recognised. 

In 2022 the municipalities and regions will have to answer a call for interest to join future partnerships. The Commission will bring some dedicated support such as expertise or communication means. Member States in particular agree to bring additional financial or capacity to support the participation of smaller and medium sized municipalities in the partnerships.

Finally, the Ljubljana Agreement also includes the proposals of CEMR and Eurocities for four new themes: Cities of equalities; urban food; greening cities; sustainable tourism.

What’s next?

The French Presidency starting on 1st January 2022 agreed to launch two new partnerships on greening cities and sustainable tourism. First, an ex-ante assessment will be carried to better define the scope, relevance of the timeline and identify key stakeholders and EU policies relevant for these two themes. Then (mid or end 2022) a call for interest should be launched to select the cities who will join thematic partnerships. For the next themes (cities of equality and urban food), the process should be launched in 2023.

Additional links

– press release

– Ljubljana Agreement

– Multi-annual work-programme for the Urban Agenda for the EU

– CEMR tweet

GAUDRON Marine
In Local finances

Uncertainty amidst recovery 

Recovery - News 2022

Over a year into the pandemic, local governments are still missing long-term support

Local and regional finances are under pressure due to the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis: spikes in pandemic-related spending were paired with falls in revenue. More than a year after the coronavirus was declared, local and regional governments still lack long-term support from national governments.

This is revealed by the latest edition of the CEMR analysis of COVID-19’s impact on local and regional finances. The study draws on data from 18 local and regional government associations in 15 countries*, shedding light on recent trends in territorial finances. 

The situation in Europe’s towns, cities and regions is critical. “The scissor effect caused major problems for many : less income coming in, more expenditure going out. Not an ideal state of affairs!” said Flo Clucas, Councillor for Cheltenham (UK) and CEMR spokesperson on local finances. “What has become clear is that national governments must work with local and regional governments if lessons learned are to be better understood and applied.”

How COVID-19 led to increases in local and regional expenses

Absolute estimates of local and regional governments’ additional expenditures in 2020 range from €5 million to €10 billion depending on the country in question.

Most of the expenses were related to social care (housing, childcare and poverty alleviation), the purchase of protective equipment and enforcement of safety measures,  or additional support to local businesses, associations and cultural institutions. 

The decline in income due to lockdowns severely impacted local and regional finances. This was principally due to loss of local businesses taxes and fees, but also due to the decline in tourism.    However, these losses vary significantly according to countries’ local finance system – such as whether local governments depend primarily on own taxation or allocations from national taxes – and each territory’s economic profile.

What support from national governments?

National support to local governments ranged from additional transfer of resources to coverage of extra expenses (e.g., purchase of masks, protective equipment, etc.) or flexibility in procedures. According to CEMR’s survey, this represented an average of €2.9 billion in short-term support in each country. 60% of respondents declared that national support remains insufficient to compensate the budgetary deficits in the long run. 

Since the real impact of the COVID-19 crisis is likely to be revealed in the medium to long term, it is crucial that central governments regularly exchange with national associations of local and regional governments to anticipate the long-term economic and social effects.

In this respect, national recovery and resilience plans represent an opportunity to boost local and regional capacities to invest and deliver on their essential mission to their citizens. This is why we at CEMR call on national governments to fully involve cities, towns and regions in the implementation and assessment of national recovery plans.

At the EU level, the assessment of local and regional involvement must be a priority in the Commission’s mid-term review of the recovery plans in 2022 if it wants to make the green and digital transitions a reality on the ground.

*Austria (GEMEINDEBUND, STAEDTEBUND), Belgium (VVSG), Czech Republic (SMOCR), Denmark (LGDK), Estonia (ELVL), Finland (Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities), Germany (DST, DStGB), Luxembourg (SYVICOL), Netherlands (VNG), Portugal (ANMP), Serbia (SKGO), Slovenia (ZMOS), Spain (FEMP), Sweden (SALAR/SKR), United Kingdom (LGA, COSLA), Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South East Europe (NALAS).

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In EU budget, EU budget, Latest, Local finances, Local finances, Publications

Local finances hit by COVID-19

MFF and COVID recovery - News 2020

CEMR report reveals rising costs and falling revenues for local and regional governments during the pandemic, threatening public services and investments

Read full study

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept through Europe, local and regional governments (LRGs) were on the frontlines, maintaining public services, managing emergency measures, and supporting vulnerable communities. A new analysis by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) sheds light on how this essential work came at a high financial cost, creating long-lasting challenges for municipalities and regions across Europe.

Based on a survey conducted among 40 national associations in 15 countries, the CEMR report highlights what it calls a “scissor effect”: rising local expenditure paired with declining revenue. While towns and regions had to invest in health, social care, education, and digital tools to respond to the crisis, income from taxes, public service fees, and tourism sharply declined.

Some countries, such as Sweden and Estonia, offered significant support to help offset these financial shocks. Others, including Portugal, provided little to no compensation. The situation varied widely, revealing major disparities in how LRGs were supported at the national level.

The report also underscores the challenges LRGs faced in accessing EU support due to limited consultation, legal constraints, or complex procedures. Despite some flexibility under EU fiscal rules, many authorities remain uncertain about their mid- and long-term financial stability. The risk: cuts to investment in essential areas like climate action, digitalisation, housing, and public transport.

CEMR calls for a long-term rethink of how LRGs are financed and included in national and EU recovery plans. Municipalities and regions have proven their capacity to lead in times of crisis. To continue doing so, they need clear legal frameworks, financial autonomy, and a real partnership with national and European institutions.

The report is a clear reminder: Europe’s recovery depends on strong, resilient local and regional governments. Equipping them today is the key to building a more sustainable, inclusive, and future-proof tomorrow.

Read the study here 

For more information, contact: 

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In Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Territorial development

Rural development

Rural Development - News

Exclusive interview: Commissioner Dubravka Suica on the future of rural areas

On 30 June, the European Commission released the Communication “A long-term vision for the EU’s Rural Areas – Towards stronger, connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas by 2040”. The content of the communication is very comprehensive, ranging from the provision of public services in rural areas to digital solutions and the diversification of the economy. We spoke with the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica, about the challenges, objectives and next steps of this initiative.

What was the driver for the Commission in deciding to release this communication now and what will be its objectives? 

The demographic transition being experienced in the EU is felt in different ways in different regions, but there is no doubt that it has had a particular impact on our rural areas. The more remote rural areas in particular have experienced loss of population, ageing and challenges in provision of services and infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic only increased some of these gaps within the EU.

With this Vision we wanted to reach more than 137 million people living in around 80% of our territory and ensure that they can thrive in the areas they call home. 

This vision presents very concrete actions, which will immediately start contributing to creating jobs, upgrading infrastructure and mobility, attracting and retaining young talent.

Being a former mayor yourself, what do you think that are the most relevant aspects that will help local politicians address pressing challenges, such as demographic and economic decline in their rural territories and municipalities? 

The vision is very broad and implementation of the actions proposed in it requires involvement of all levels of governance: European, national, regional and local. We also need to engage the local civil society actors, associations and the business community. This is why the vision proposes the EU Rural Pact. 

As a former mayor, I know how important it is to build coalitions beyond the local community and this is why the overall objective of the vision is to create effective ways for engagement with multiple stakeholders. The EU Rural Pact will be a great opportunity for the mayors to exchange ideas and plan targetted projects with stakeholders who might otherwise be more difficult to reach.

The communication on long term vision for EU’s rural areas is just a first step: looking ahead to 2024, what are the next steps envisaged, both for the Commission and stakeholders?

By the end of this year the EU Rural Pact will be launched together with the Committee of the Regions. We will also start implementing the rural action plan that contains tangible and operative flagship projects to sustain rural areas. Altogether, we have nine flagships and 15 accompanying actions.

As an example, the first flagship project is the “rural revitalisation platform” that will predominantly support rural areas affected by population loss, ageing and a lack of economic opportunities while the flagship ‘rural digital futures’ proposes an integrated set of actions to boost the sustainable digital transformation of rural areas.

According to a recent Eurobarometer, 79% of EU citizens support the EU giving consideration to rural areas in public spending decisions and 65% of EU citizens think that the local area or province should be able to decide how the EU investment in rural is spent. To what extent will the new communication aim to influence how EU funds will be allocated in rural areas, in the upcoming years?

The Vision highlights the importance of achieving the full potential of rural areas. This can only be done with appropriate encouragement and support. The vision gives a clear message to all stakeholders, including national governments, on the importance of providing funding and a framework for support to the rural areas . Already last year I sent a letter to the Member States together with Commissioners Ferreira and Wojciechowski asking them to draw attention to rural areas in the preparation of the common agricultural policy strategic plans and the cohesion policy operational programmes. 

In addition, the Vision proposes a toolkit on access to, and optimal combination of, EU funding opportunities for rural areas. The toolkit will improve synergies and complementarities between funds and allow local residents to benefit from multiple funds.

How can the Next Generation Europe also contribute to the goal of revitalising rural and remote areas?  

Recovery and resilience facility, InvestEU, the European Investment Bank and other EU programmes can be used to promote activities in rural areas and we have invited the Member States to use these funds having the specific needs of rural areas in mind. 

In addition as proposed in the Long Term Vision for Rural Areas all of the future EU policies will be screened for effects on the rural areas through the process of rural proofing proposed in the Vision.  Beyond financial support, the Vision creates a momentum motivating action for the benefit of the rural areas from a range of stakeholders. 

There is a growing perception that rural areas are low down the EU’s priority list. According to the Commission’s public consultation, 56% of inhabitants of rural areas felt left behind. How can the Conference on the future of Europe contribute to cope with this feeling? How can we ensure the relevance of the debate on the future of Europe for citizens, especially those in rural territories? 

In launching the Long Term Vision for Rural areas, the European Commission has made a clear commitment to prioritise the well-being and prosperity of rural areas, looking at them in a way that goes beyond the traditional view of agriculture. The multiple actions proposed in it will touch the lives of many in our rural areas to help address this sense of being left behind. 

The Conference on the Future of Europe is designed to engage and include all of our citizens, also those who are sceptical towards EU and who feel left behind. It is an opportunity for the rural actors to express their views and have their voices heard primarily by taking the initiative to organise their own events and to feed them into the multilingual digital platform or through the conference panels and plenary,. 

How do you envisage local elected representatives – other than those representing the Committee of the Regions – , being able to exploit this opportunity to be present in the Plenary of the Conference on the future of Europe? How can their inputs effectively contribute to the debate at the level of EU institutions? 

The Committee of the Regions is co-ordinating to ensure a balanced participation of these elected representatives, who are not sitting members of the Committee of Regions. The members of the will debate recommendations from European and national Citizens’ Panels and input from the multilingual digital platform with citizens, national and European Members of Parliament and representatives of civil society organisations, social partners and other stakeholders. All of these inputs can be shaped by the local representatives’ points of view and the local representatives should engage with all of these levels to ensure their contributions are heard.

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In Uncategorized

Cohesion Alliance

Cohesion Alliance - News 2021

The EU recovery will not be effective without a solid cohesion policy built in genuine partnership with European cities and regions

EU-wide coalition urges EU institutions and national governments to promote synergies between the recovery instruments and the structural funds to maximise the impact of European action. 

The COVID-19 crisis has shown that cohesion policy is needed now more than ever to strengthen resilience in Europe, protect citizens, bring the recovery to every corner of the European Union and leave no one behind. Since its creation in October 2017, the #CohesionAlliance – an EU-wide alliance of 12,000 signatories advocating for a stronger cohesion policy – has managed to avoid dramatic budgetary cuts after 2020, keep a cohesion policy for all regions in the Union and put forward simpler and more flexible rules. During a videoconference dedicated to the new course of the #CohesionAlliance, its founding members renewed their commitment to join forces and keep cohesion policy as a EU top priority. The #CohesionAlliance will be vigilant that the partnership principle will be fully applied by Member States in the design and implementation of the cohesion policy 2021-27. Coherence and synergies between the recovery instruments and the structural funds are of paramount importance to avoid overlaps and maximise the impact of the European action.

Two months after the entry into force of the new cohesion policy regulations for the period 2021-27, the #CohesionAlliance took stock of the results of its activity so far and outlined its future commitments, based on the renewed Declaration 2.0 adopted in July 2020. The #CohesionAlliance’s work will be focused on the successful implementation and delivery of cohesion policy without further delays in the spirit of genuine partnership and in synergy with other instruments, thereby promoting the concept of cohesion as an overall and fundamental value of the European Union. 

Local and regional authorities highlighted the urgent request to extend the flexibility measures introduced last year to mobilise EU structural funds and state aid in the fight against COVID-19. This issue was also raised in an exchange of letters with president Ursula von der Leyen, who acknowledged the budgetary constraints that many regional and local authorities may be currently facing due to the pandemic. With regards to the potential extension of a 100% co-financing rate for structural funds, the Alliance’s partners strongly appreciated the Commission’s commitment to closely monitor the situation closely and consider further action if deemed appropriate. 

The discussion showed that the #CohesionAlliance’s mission is far from over. The European recovery must start from citizens on the ground, and it won’t be successful if their voices and the ones of local and regional politicians – who are closest to their needs – are not taken into account by EU institutions and national governments.   

During her intervention, Commissioner for Cohesion Policy and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said: “Cohesion has to remain a cornerstone of the Recovery. It is in the aftermath of crises that asymmetries grow. The Cohesion Alliance is more necessary than ever. The Partnership Agreements for Cohesion 2021-2027 will be instrumental. We have to speed up their negotiation, but quality cannot be compromised. I count on your support to also ensure that the implementation of our other policies and instruments is not spatially blind and supports the long term development of all regions. I’ve asked Member States to be mindful of the territorial dimension in preparing their Recovery and Resilience Plans, both in consulting and engaging with regional stakeholders as well as in the implementation phase. We will only achieve our objectives by making sure that our instruments work in the same direction. Promoting Cohesion cannot be the responsibility of Cohesion policy alone. That is why we must mobilise all the relevant actors, including local stakeholders and citizens as full partners, making sure that the new green and digital priorities work for all.”

Younous Omarjee, chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development, declared: “It is essential that the recovery funds go as a priority to the least-developed regions and to the ones most affected by the economic and social consequences of the Covid-19. I call on Member States to involve regions and cities as much as possible and to ensure that these funds go to the ground as close as possible to the needs. I also call on Member States to be consistent. Short-term recovery and longer-term cohesion policy are two sides of the same coin and must serve the same purpose. If short-term recovery is not consistent with the longer-term objectives set by cohesion funds, then the economic, social and territorial disparities will only deepen and all our efforts for the long term will be destroyed.”

VOICES FROM THE #COHESIONALLIANCE: 

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and Governor of the Region of Central Macedonia (GR), said: “The #CohesionAlliance’s efforts contributed to avoid major budgetary cuts after 2020 and promote cohesion as guiding principle for the EU’s recovery plans. Now, we need to turn our focus towards programming and implementation. To do this, we need to carefully consider key aspects like the application of the partnership principle in the new programmes; the impact of Covid-19 related measures and the consequences of their shutting down – a topic we addressed in a fruitful, exchange of letters with President Von der Leyen; the rural and urban dimensions of cohesion policy; and the synergies between cohesion and the Recovery and Resiliency Facility.”

Ilaria Bugetti, spokesperson for territorial development of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) on Cohesion and Councillor for the Tuscany Region (IT), said: “In the programming phase of EU cohesion funds, we could still see cases where local and regional governments were not properly involved, either due to insufficient time for consultation or inadequate contact at the ministerial level. We must overcome the remaining barriers in the years to come for the implementation and monitoring of the funds. The work of the Cohesion Alliance is then far from over!”

Cees Loggen, President of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) and Regional Minister of the Province Noord-Holland (NL), said: “Unprecedented delays could materialise under future cohesion policy due to late adoption of legislation. Regions will feel the brunt. They are prevented to start spending while regional economies are desperate for investments to support the recovery. We urge the Commission to facilitate a smooth implementation of cohesion programmes and participation of regions in recovery plans, as synergies between funds bring results closer.”

Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) and Member of the Parliament of the German-speaking Community in Belgium, said: “Cross-border cooperation is an essential element of the EU’s cohesion policy. What happens around the Union’s internal borders has a major impact on the Union’s ability to respond to the major challenges of our time. The EU’s capacity to act would be considerably strengthened if the cross-border cooperation mechanism proposed by the Commission is finally adopted by the Council.” 

Kata Tüttő, member of Eurocities and Deputy Mayor of the City of Budapest (HU), said: “The forthcoming investments through EU’s cohesion policy will be more important than ever. It will be crucial to finance the projects and reforms that can bring all Europe’s cities and regions on the path for green and just recovery. As local leaders, we have a central role in making sure this money is targeted where it is most needed and where it benefits people the most. We can be invaluable partners to the EU when the partnership principle is fully implemented in all parts of the EU. Investing in Europe’s urban areas will support the longer-term resilience of Europe and help all of us stand stronger in the face of future crisis.”

Jean-Claude Marcourt, Chair of the Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE) Working Group ‘European legislation and public investments’ and President of the Parliament of Wallonia (BE), said: “Cities and regions must have the ambition to strengthen the cohesion of their territories, to reduce disparities and inequalities while raising economic, social and environmental standards in compliance with the democratic values and principles that are the founders of a prosperous and sustainable European Union.” 

Magnus Berntsson, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and Vice President of the Region Västra Götaland (SE), declared in the margins of the conference: “The new Cohesion Policy can be truly transformative for rural communities across Europe. The AER is fully committed to working together with national governments and the European Commission to deliver a Cohesion Policy that builds back better for rural regions; ensuring that they are better connected, more resilient, vibrant and prosperous by 2040.”

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