5th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion: the Future of Cohesion Policy
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24 June 2019Every three years, the European Union publishes a report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, detailing progress in these areas and how the EU, national and regional governments have contributed. The 5th Cohesion Report has just been published. The document shows that the EU's cohesion policy has made a significant contribution to growth and prosperity and promoting balanced development across the Union. Nevertheless, in view of the substantial economic and social developments over recent years, the policy now has to address new challenges.
Presenting the report, EU Regional Policy Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, said: "This report shows how cohesion policy has had a major impact on the European economy, reducing economic differences and promoting environmental and social development. To ensure more value for money, we need to make the policy even more effective, in delivering concrete and measurable result. We need to spend more intelligently, focus on the EU's top priorities and add visible value to what national and regional authorities are already doing. The findings from this report and the consultation to follow will help us prepare a cohesion policy that is better adapted to the economic situation of today."
The report presents an extensive assessment of the economic, social and environmental situation and trends in EU regions and sets out a number of different options for adapting the policy post-2013. It shows how cohesion policy has benefited all regions both through direct investments and indirect trade benefits, as well as supporting EU-wide priorities, such as environmental protection and research and innovation.
However, despite these achievements, large economic differences between regions remain. The report reveals striking regional differences in areas from productivity, to infant mortality rates and vulnerability to climate change. Drawing on lessons learnt from the current and previous programming periods as well as discussions with a broad range of stakeholders, the report makes a series of proposals for reforming the policy.
The economic and financial crisis has underlined the need for a policy that invests in the competitiveness of all regions as well as continuing to support development in those lagging behind. Coinciding with the wider examination of total EU expenditure, the report stresses that future funding should focus on a limited number of priorities, in line with the goals set by Europe 2020 strategy for achieving 'smart, sustainable and inclusive growth'. Emphasising the benefits of designing funding to suit national and regional development needs, it opens a debate on how the overall architecture of cohesion policy can ensure that each fund contributes effectively to achieving Europe 2020's policy objectives. The report argues that cohesion policy planning and management cycles should be recast to ensure that these objectives are translated into investment priorities.
The publication of this report marks the launch of a public consultation process which will run until 31 January. All stakeholders are invited to submit their views on the different questions raised in the conclusions of the 5th Cohesion Report on-line.
The Fifth Cohesion Forum taking place in Brussels on 31 January and 1 February 2011 will provide another opportunity to discuss the orientations and options presented in the report. The Commission will table formal legislative proposals on the future cohesion policy by the summer of 2011 following the adoption of proposals on the new EU budget.
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