On 28 March, the Council of the European Union approved conclusions outlining its position on key aspects of cohesion and the future of EU cohesion policy. The document will serve as a basis for upcoming discussions and the Commission’s work on the post-2027 legislative framework for cohesion policy.
The conclusions reaffirm that economic, social, and territorial cohesion lies at the heart of the European project. EU policies and actions should actively contribute to this objective by incorporating a territorial dimension, ensuring coordination, and involving national, regional, and local authorities and stakeholders as appropriate. The Council also stresses the need to enhance synergies between EU policies while avoiding overlaps among different instruments.
The text reaffirms that competitiveness and cohesion are interconnected. Strengthening the EU’s overall competitiveness while improving cohesion across countries and regions supports the achievement of EU strategic priorities and helps address common challenges in a mutually reinforcing manner.
The conclusions recall the foundations and key principles of cohesion policy, such as shared management, multi-level governance, partnership, as well as people- and place-based approach, being applied alongside the principles of proportionality and subsidiarity. In this context, cohesion policy should continue to play a key role in reducing regional disparities in Europe, helping less developed regions to catch up with the more developed ones, with a view to upward convergence of the EU.
In terms of governance, shared management between the Commission, Member States, and regional and local authorities must remain the delivery method of cohesion policy. The Council recalls the importance of multi-level governance that enables effective interventions at the most appropriate territorial levels in each member state, at the same time strengthening the sense of shared responsibility. Together with shared management and dialogue with partners, both during the programming and implementation phases, multi-level governance facilitates the achievement of EU policy goals and empowers the Member States, regional and local authorities.
The Council also calls on the Commission to simplify and enhance monitoring and evaluation systems to better assess how investments and reforms deliver on strategic objectives. It highlights the need to strengthen impact assessment tools, including territorial impact assessments, in policy preparation and evaluation.
Finally, the conclusions note that cohesion policy is a long-term investment tool, and its efficiency and effectiveness can be improved through a stronger focus on results. The Council urges the Commission to present proposals for the next Cohesion Policy legislative package as early as possible in 2025, enabling swift negotiations and a smooth start to implementation.
The full text of the Council’s conclusions is available here.
