Quality of government in EU regions: Spatial and temporal patterns
By Charron, N. & Lapuente, V., 2018
A wave of recent cross-national research has pointed to the positive consequences for countries with high levels of ‘quality of government’ (QoG), broadly defined, such as corruption, impartiality, and quality of public services (Mauro 2004; Norris 2012; Holmberg et al 2009). Yet the question of how QoG varies at the sub-national level is still widely overlooked. To address it, we present the third round of data from the regional ‘European Quality of Government’ (EQI) survey (Charron, Dijkstra and Lapuente 2014; Charron, Lapuente and Rothstein 2013), collected in 2017 and built upon the opinions of 78.000 respondents from 202 regions from 21 European countries. The data provides several contributions to the literature. First, while the majority of QoG-type indices rely on expert assessments, the EQI relies on the assessments of citizens, who are the on-the-ground consumers of public services. Second, the data begins to show trends on QoG variation over time, as well as across European regions. Consequently, this data is the most comprehensive sub-national data to date; mapping of QoG within and across EU countries over the past decade. Building on previous rounds of data collected in 2010 and 2013, the 2017 EQI, which is published free for scholarly use, the EQI builds on both perceptions and experiences of citizens in public service areas such as health care, education, and law enforcement. This paper presents the final results of the survey, sensitivity analyses and checks for external and internal validity, as well as the preliminary that we detect across European regions.
 CALIDAD DEL GOBIERNO REGIONES UE-charron_lapuente.pdf | [ ] |
A new, modern Multiannual Financial Framework for a European Union that delivers efficiently on its priorities post-2020
The European Commission's contribution to the Informal Leaders' meeting on 23 February 2018
Every seven years, the Union decides about its future finances. This is a time for Leaders to commit financially to the kind of Union they want. This is always an important moment. But it is doubly vital at a time when Europe is in the midst of a fundamental debate on how the Union should evolve in the years to come. We now have an opportunity to choose the Europe we want and to decide on a budget that helps us build it.
The Informal Leaders' meeting on 23 February is therefore both timely and essential. The first step is to define what Europe wants to do together and agree on priorities. The second is to equip the Union with the means to act. The two are inseparable. The choices we make on priorities and where we want the Union to be active will shape the type of budget we need. The EU budget is a means to achieve our political goals.
| Communication new modern multiannual financial framework | [ ] |
White paper on the Future of Europe
By European Commission, 2017
This White Paper is the European Commission’s contribution to this new chapter of the European project. We want to launch a process in which Europe determines its own path. We want to map out the challenges and opportunities ahead of us and present how we can collectively choose to respond.
After a broad debate across our continent in the months to come, including the European Parliament, national Parliaments, local and regional authorities, and civil society at large, I will take these ideas forward and give my personal views on the future of Europe in my State of the Union speech in September 2017. This should help the European Council draw first conclusions by the end of the year and decide on a course of action to be rolled out in time for the European Parliament elections in June 2019. As we decide which way to go, we should remember that Europe has always been at its best when we are united, bold and confident that we can shape our future together. The European Union has changed our lives for the better. We must ensure it keeps doing so for all of those that will follow us.
| White paper on the Future of Europe | [ ] |
Reflection paper on the future of EU finances
By European Commission, 2017
Today's reflection paper looks at this challenge and puts the key elements for discussion on the table, structured around the five scenarios of the White Paper: will the EU simply carry on, do less together, move ahead at different levels of intensity, do less but more efficiently or do much more together? Each of these illustrative scenarios would have different consequences - both in terms of how much to spend for what purpose, and on where the money could come from. Options range from reducing spending for existing policies to increasing revenues.
In addition, the reflection paper sets out the basic features of the EU budget and charts the principal trends and developments in key policy areas like cohesion or agriculture. It also addresses overarching issues like the added value of EU funding or the articulation between EU funding and structural reforms in Member States.
Challenges for EU cohesion policy (briefing)
By European Parliament, February 2017
In a 2015 speech, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Creţu, re-ignited the debate on the post-2020 cohesion policy reform by suggesting ten main issuesfor future reflection. One issue is about how the EU's cohesion policy can best contribute to its two objectives: competitiveness and cohesion. Finding the most efficient form of support is an important point of reflection: should it be grants, repayable assistance, financial instruments, or possibly a mix of all of these along with further thematic concentration? In addition, the way that cohesion policy addresses new or growing challenges (such as migration) is widely debated.
Other issues to consider are simplification of policy for beneficiaries, the importance of achieving better governance, and the contribution of cohesion policy to the EU’s economic governance. Another topic deals with the best way to support lagging regions. Special attention is also paid to the role of the urban dimension in cohesion policy. How cohesion policy can best support growth, jobs and innovation outside heavily populated areas and in regions with special geographical characteristics is also another issue of discussion in policy circles. Last but not least, the method of allocation of cohesion policy funds is another thought-provoking topic.
| Challenges for EU cohesion policy | [ ] |
Research for REGI Committee - Building Blocks for a Future Cohesion Policy - First Reflections
By European Parliament, April 2017
The reform of the EU budget and policy priorities in the post-2020 MFF comes at a difficult time for the EU with major internal and external challenges. The challenges for economic, social and territorial cohesion remain profound. However, there are also competing pressures on the EU budget, such as keeping net payers’ contributions within acceptable limits and striking the right balance between overarching EU goals and new challenges. Once again, Cohesion Policy is under pressure to justify its value in relation to EU political objectives. This study discusses the main themes relating to post-2020 Cohesion Policy, the rationale and overall framework of the policy, current and future challenges, and the post-2020 delivery system.
| Research for REGI Committee | [ ] |
My Region, My Europe, Our Future - Seventh report on economic, social and territorial cohesion
By European Commission, 2017
The Seventh Cohesion Report brings the necessary data and facts to check how cohesive, or divided, Europe is from an economic, social and territorial point of view; and by doing so, it helps us see with more clarity and objectivity what has been achieved and what needs to be done in the post-2020 financial period. In short, it sets the scene for shaping tomorrow’s cohesion policy.
The report also highlights that improving public administration can strengthen competitiveness, boost economic growth and increase the impact of investments, including those co-financed by cohesion policy. This is why it is important to continue to modernise public institutions and implement the necessary structural reforms to make them more efficient. Here again, cohesion policy, with its set of exante conditions to fulfil before receiving grants and its focus on sound governance, helps improve public administration.
The report shows that to remain competitive, we need to anticipate market changes and our people have to have the skills required. The current economic recovery will not be sustainable unless there is investment in both physical and human capital to support long-term growth. This is also essential to achieve our social goals of fairness and equal opportunity, as set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights, which serves as a guide towards better working and living conditions throughout the EU.
| My Region, My Europe, Our Future | [ ] |
More Territorial Cooperation Post 2020? A contribution to the debate of future EU Cohesion Policy
By Mehlbye, P. & Böhme, J., 2017
Today’s development challenges and potential can no longer be mastered by decision makers in charge of individual territories, be it municipalities, regions or countries. The high levels of territorial interdependencies and interaction imply that for almost any development issue, territorial impacts extend beyond administrative borders and decisions at different administrative/territorial units need to play together. Examples range from sewage water and waste treatment, environment challenges, via social inclusion, innovation, job creation, to industrial and economic synergies, infrastructure provisions, services of general interest and the creation of leisure facilities and green spaces for citizens. Ignoring territorial interdependencies brings risks of losing synergies, potential conflicting interventions and sub-optimisation of investments. Policy makers now express a growing interest in looking for opportunities beyond their territorial borders and address the function of larger areas.
| More Territorial Cooperation Post 2020? | [ ] |
Can the EU structural funds reconcile growth, solidarity and stability objectives?
By European Policy Centre, 2017
This study draws on desk research, a series of semi-structured interviews and data gathered during a workshop held on 31
May 2017 at the European Policy Centre (EPC). It examines the scope for strengthening the link between Cohesion Policy and EU economic governance objectives in the next Multiannual Financial Framework by looking more specifically at two instruments: ex-ante and macroeconomic conditionalities.
In this study, the authors suggest that the post-2020 MFF constitutes a window of opportunity to reform Cohesion Policy and position it more clearly in the EU’s funding strategy. Our findings indicate that the integration of economic governance objectives into CP can help showcase EU added value in the growth and investment agenda. For this, there is a need to reframe the political vision linking ESI Funds to economic governance. This requires taking a holistic perspective that moves beyond the focus on macroeconomic stability and positioning sound economic governance in the wide spectrum of EU objectives and policies.
The report thus presents a set of strategic and concrete recommendations for how Cohesion Policy could be reformed to strengthen the link between its objectives and tools (e.g. ESI Funds) with those of the EU’s economic governance. We notably propose that the Commission take a role of ‘strategic enabler’ in the implementation of the EU’s growth agenda by repositioning growth-enhancing reforms and reforms linked to CP’s cohesion objectives at the heart of a new growth strategy for the EU.
New Urban Agenda
By United Nations, 2017
The New Urban Agenda represents a shared vision for a better and more sustainable future – one in which all people have equal rights and access to the benefits and opportunities that cities can offer, and in which the international community reconsiders the urban systems and physical form of our urban spaces to achieve this.
In this unprecedented era of increasing urbanization, and in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and other global development agreements and frameworks, we have reached a critical point in understanding that cities can be the source of solutions to, rather than the cause of, the challenges that our world is facing today. If well-planned and well-managed, urbanization can be a powerful tool for sustainable development for both developing and developed countries.
The New Urban Agenda presents a paradigm shift based on the science of cities; it lays out standards and principles for the planning, construction, development, management, and improvement of urban areas along its five main pillars of implementation: national urban policies, urban legislation and regulations, urban planning and design, local economy and municipal finance, and local implementation. It is a resource for every level of government, from national to local; for civil society organizations; the private sector; constituent groups; and for all who call the urban spaces of the world “home” to realize this vision.
The New Urban Agenda incorporates a new recognition of the correlation between good urbanization and development. It underlines the linkages between good urbanization and job creation, livelihood opportunities, and improved quality of life, which should be included in every urban renewal policy and strategy. This further highlights the connection between the New Urban Agenda and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities.
| New Urban Agenda | [ ] |
Evolution or Revolution? Exploring New Ideas for Cohesion Policy 2020+
By European Policies Research Centre (EPRC), 2016
The future of Cohesion policy is often uncertain at this stage in the MFF reform cycle but the options for change are currently more uncertain than in previous periods. Over the past three decades, there has been significant change in the mandate of the policy, to the extent where its role as a policy for ‘cohesion’ needs to be reassessed. The policy is in danger of being overloaded with numerous and contradictory objectives, diluting its Treaty focus on cohesion and reducing the importance of ‘place’ and ‘territory’ in the design and implementation of programs. The growing top-down prescription of ever-more regulatory requirements also runs counter to the principle of subsidiarity and weakens the ability of countries and regions to address development needs and challenges in ways most appropriate to national and regional circumstances. There is a strong argument for refocusing the policy on its Treaty mandate as a distinctively ‘regional’ policy; the question is whether this is achievable in the current environment while defending the significant resource allocation to Heading 1b.
| European Policies Research Centre (EPRC) | [ ] |
ET2050 Territorial Scenarios and Visions for Europe
By European Union, 2014
This document was produced by the “Scenarios and Vision for European Territory 2050” project (www.et2050.eu) of the ESPON Program (www.espon.eu). Alternative scenarios for the European territory towards 2030 and 2050 are defined and assessed, a Vision and a political roadmap towards 2050 are proposed.
The document follows up the tradition on prospective studies and political visions in spatial development elaborated in Europe, in particular the ESDP (European Spatial Development Prospective, 1999), developed after the Europe 2000 and Europe 2000+ (DGXVI, now DGREGIO, 1991, 1994), taking into account the evolution of the last two decades and future prospects, in the 2008 crisis aftermath. Most recent European policy framework documents are taken as starting points.
| Territorial Scenarios and visions for Europe | [ ] |
The urban and regional dimension of the crisis - Eighth progress report on economic, social and territorial cohesion
By European Commission, 2013
In 2014, the Cohesion Policy programming period will start in the aftermath of the worst recession of the last fifty years. The crisis has reversed the process of convergence of regional GDP per head and unemployment within the EU. The challenge now is to ensure a prompt return to a strong growth path, especially in the less developed regions and cities.
To support the forthcoming programme negotiations, this report highlights the crisis-induced changes that will affect the context and priorities of the new programmes. The report first sets the scene with an overview of the main developments at national level. It then looks at the impact of the crisis on regions and cities and the growing disparities. Finally, it outlines how the changed economic environment will affect the future Cohesion programmes and underlines the need for a strong thematic concentration.
This report follows the 7th progress report, published in 2010, and will be followed by the publication of the 6th Cohesion Report in 2014. The 6th Cohesion report will also cover issues such innovation, climate and environment, which could not be included here.
Common Strategic Framework 2014 to 2020
By European Commission, 2012
Europe needs to put its economy back on a sustainable growth path. This requires a combination of budgetary consolidation, structural reforms, and environmentally sustainable growth-enhancing investments.
The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) assigns clear objectives to these instruments. The Commission considers that they can be more effectively pursued if the five Funds are better coordinated to avoid overlaps and maximise synergies, integrated fully into the economic governance of the European Union, and contribute to the delivery of Europe 2020 by engaging national, regional and local stakeholders.
In order to facilitate the development of Partnership Contracts and programmes, the proposal foresees the adoption of a Common Strategic Framework (CSF). The CSF should increase coherence between policy commitments made in the context of Europe 2020 and investment on the ground. It should encourage integration by setting out how the funds can work together. It will provide a source of strategic direction to be translated by Member States and regions into the programming of the CSF Funds in the context of their specific needs, opportunities and challenges.
| Common Strategic Framework Part 1 | [ ] |
| Common Strategic Framework Part 2 | [ ] |
Blue Growth - opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth
By European Commission, 2012
If we count all economic activities that depend on the sea, then the EU's blue economy represents 5.4 million jobs and a gross added value of just under €500 billion per year. In all, 75% of Europe’s external trade and 37% of trade within the EU is seaborne. Much of this activity is concentrated around Europe's coasts, but not all. Some landlocked countries host very successful manufacturers of marine equipment.
This has opened up an opportunity for blue growth – an initiative to harness the untapped potential of Europe's oceans, seas and coasts for jobs and growth. The potential is significant, provided the appropriate investments and research are made. Growth in the blue economy offers new and innovative ways to help steer the EU out of its current economic crisis. It represents the maritime dimension of the Europe 2020 strategy. It can contribute to the EU's international competitiveness, resource efficiency , job creation and new sources of growth whilst safeguarding biodiversity and protecting the marine environment, thus preserving the services that healthy and resilient marine and coastal ecosystems provide.
This Communication drives forward the Commission's Integrated Maritime Policy and launches a process which will place the blue economy firmly on the agenda of Member States, regions, enterprise and civil society. It describes how Member States and EU policies are already supporting the blue economy. It then identifies specific areas where targeted action could provide an additional stimulus. A set of initiatives will subsequently be launched to explore and develop the growth potential in these areas.
 Blue Growth | [ ] |
The Territorial State and Perspectives of the European Union
EU (2011 update)
In 2007 under the German EU Presidency in Leipzig, the Ministers responsible for spatial planning and development had agreed on the Territorial Agenda of the European Union (TA). Together with TA another document had been prepared with the title “Territorial State and Perspectives of the EU” (TSP) providing evidence base for the TA. In 2011 under the Hungarian EU Presidency the revised Territorial Agenda is adopted by the Ministers at their meeting. In order to adopt the revised TA to the changing circumstances, also an update of the TSP was decided upon - building both on the valid content and the changes encountered since 2007. Based on the agreements in May 2009, Prague the Scoping Paper of the DG meeting declared that the update process would use the results of the evaluation of TA 2007 as well as the first results of the First Action Programme in order to be able to provide relevant basis for the revised Territorial Agenda as its background document. It is important to point out that the updated TSP is not discussed by the Ministers oriented status and processes of the European Union.
Due to the fact that the overwhelming part of the TSP 2007 is valid for the present and also for the next decade in the course of the TSP update those statements of the old document which are still valid and relevant were kept in the chapters. In some cases where the data were obsolete or circumstances had changed statements have been updated. Regarding the new issues and phenomena which have a significant influence on territorial structures of the economy and society some new content appeared in the updated TSP including territorial impacts of the financial and economic crisis and the recovery; the increased impact of globalisation and its anticipation; the issue of territorial integration after the enlargement of the EU; the growing challenges from the demographic imbalances and the high volatility of energy prices and the issues of energy security, renewable energies, and energy efficiency which themes were touched already by the TSP 2007. Out-of-date and irrelevant parts of the content have been deleted from the final document.
| The Territorial State and Perspectives of the European Union | [ ] |
Territorial Agenda of the European Union 2020 - Towards an Inclusive, Smart and Sustainable Europe of Diverse Regions
By European Commission, 2011
Agreed at the Informal Ministerial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Spatial Planning and Territorial Development. Main chapters of the report:
- Territorial cohesion is a common goal
- Challenges and potentials for territorial development
- Territorial Priorities for the Development of the European Union
- Making EU territorial cohesion a reality
| Territorial Agenda of the European Union 2020 | [ ] |
Cohesion Policy 2014 -2020
European Union - Cohesion Policy, 2011
On 6 October 2011, the European Commission adopted a draft legislative package that will frame EU cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020.
The total proposed budget for the period 2014-2020 will be EUR 376 billion, including funding for the new Connecting Europe Facility, which is designed to enhance cross-border projects in energy, transport and information technology.
| MEMO | [ ] |
 Overall table | [ ] |
 Presentation | [ ] |
| Cohesion Policy 2014 -2020 Investing in growth and jobs | [ ] |
How to strengthen the territorial dimension of ‘Europe 2020’ and the EU Cohesion Policy
Böhme K., Doucet P., Komornicki T., Zaucha J., Świątek D., 2011
The main purpose of this note is to initiate a dialogue between authorities already involved in the TA 2020 process and other policy makers who have barely or perhaps never heard of it, despite their input being essential to its success. In this respect, it is of critical importance to bridge the overall approach of ‘Europe 2020’ and the territorial approach of the TA 2020.
At present, the problem is that the strategic discussions about the future of Europe are being held in various specific “clubs”. There are “sectoral clubs” generated by the administrative division of tasks and competences. There is also a much wider “Europe 2020 club”. Following the adoption of the Europe 2020 strategy by the European Council, many decision makers responsible for economic, social and environmental policies at various tiers of government, including national/regional departments and EU bodies involved in cohesion and regional policy, have decided to take action. Fears may be expressed however about a lack of coordination between the various initiatives. Finally, there is a “territorial club” which has, for more than two decades, mobilised many of the key territorial development policy players across Europe.
| How to strengthen the territorial dimension of ‘Europe 2020’ | [ ] |
Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe
By European Commission, 2011
Europe has enjoyed many decades of growth in wealth and wellbeing, based on intensive use of resources. But today it faces the dual challenge of stimulating the growth needed to provide jobs and well-being to its citizens, and of ensuring that the quality of this growth leads to a sustainable future. To tackle these challenges and turn them into opportunities our economy will require a fundamental transformation within a generation – in energy, industry, agriculture, fisheries and transport systems, and in producer and consumer behaviour. Preparing that transformation in a timely, predictable and controlled manner will allow us to further develop our wealth and wellbeing, whilst reducing the levels and impact of our resource use.
Transformation will need a policy framework that creates a playing field, where innovation and resource efficiency are rewarded, creating economic opportunities and improved security of supply through product redesign, sustainable management of environmental resources, greater reuse, recycling and substitution of materials and resource savings. Decoupling growth from resource use and unlocking these new sources of growth needs coherence and integration in the policies that shape our economy and our lifestyles. Action on climate change has already led the way in helping to decouple growth from the use of carbon.
The Europe 2020 Strategy and its flagship initiative on "A Resource Efficient Europe" set the EU on the path to this transformation. The flagship called for a roadmap" to define medium and long term objectives and means needed for achieving them". This Roadmap builds upon and complements the other initiatives under the flagship, in particular the policy achievements towards a low carbon economy, and takes into account progress made on the 2005 Thematic Strategy on the Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and the EU's strategy on sustainable development. The Roadmap should also be seen in the context of worldwide efforts to achieve a transition towards a green economy.
| Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe | [ ] |
| Working paper Part 1 | [ ] |
| Working paper Part 2 | [ ] |
Energy Efficiency Plan 2011
By European Commission, 2011
Energy efficiency is at the heart of the EU’s Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and of the transition to a resource efficient economy. Energy efficiency is one of the most cost effective ways to enhance security of energy supply, and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. In many ways, energy efficiency can be seen as Europe's biggest energy resource. This is why the Union has set itself a target for 2020 of saving 20% of its primary energy consumption compared to projections, and why this objective was identified in the Commission’s Communication on Energy 2020 as a key step towards achieving our long-term energy and climate goals.
Substantial steps have been taken towards this objective – notably in the appliances and buildings markets . Nonetheless, recent Commission estimates suggest that the EU is on course to achieve only half of the 20% objective. The EU needs to act now to get on track to achieve its target. Responding to the call of the European Council of 4 February 2011 to take 'determined action to tap the considerable potential for higher energy savings of buildings, transport and products and processes', the Commission has therefore developed this comprehensive new Energy Efficiency Plan.
| Energy Efficiency Plan 2011 | [ ] |
| Working document | [ ] |
Energy Roadmap 2050
By European Commission, 2011
The EU is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80-95% below 1990 levels by 2050 in the context of necessary reductions by developed countries as a group. The Commission analysed the implications of this in its "Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050". The "Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area" focussed on solutions for the transport sector and on creating a Single European Transport Area. In this Energy Roadmap 2050 the Commission explores the challenges posed by delivering the EU's decarbonisation objective while at the same time ensuring security of energy supply and competitiveness. It responds to a request from the European Council.
Uncertainty is a major barrier to investment. The analysis of the projections conducted by the Commission, Member States and stakeholders show a number of clear trends, challenges, opportunities and structural changes to design the policy measures needed to provide the appropriate framework for investors. Based on this analysis, this Energy Roadmap identifies key conclusions on "no regrets" options in the European energy system. This makes it also important to achieve a European approach, where all Member States share common understanding of the key features for a transition to a low-carbon energy system, and which provides the certainty and stability which are needed.
The Roadmap does not replace national, regional and local efforts to modernize energy supply, but seeks to develop a long-term European technology-neutral framework in which these policies will be more effective. It argues that a European approach to the energy challenge will increase security and solidarity and lower costs compared to parallel national schemes by providing a wider and flexible market for new products and services. For example, some stakeholders show potential cost savings of up to a quarter if there was a more European approach for efficient use of renewable energy.
| Energy Roadmap 2050 | [ ] |
Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system
By European Commission, 2011
The European Commission adopted a roadmap of 40 concrete initiatives for the next decade to build a competitive transport system that will increase mobility, remove major barriers in key areas and fuel growth and employment. At the same time, the proposals will dramatically reduce Europe's dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions in transport by 60% by 2050.
By 2050, key goals will include:
- No more conventionally-fuelled cars in cities.
- 40% use of sustainable low carbon fuels in aviation; at least 40% cut in shipping emissions.
- A 50% shift of medium distance intercity passenger and freight journeys from road to rail and waterborne transport.
- All of which will contribute to a 60% cut in transport emissions by the middle of the century.
| Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area - White paper | [ ] |
| Working document | [ ] |
Barca report
By Barca, F., 2009
To contribute to the debate on future cohesion policy, Commissioner Danuta Hübner has asked Dr. Fabrizio Barca (Director General, Ministry of Economy & Finance, Italy) to prepare an independent report containing an assessment of the effectiveness of cohesion policy to date as well as a series of proposals how to reform cohesion policy for the period post 2013.
The report discusses the economic rationale and motivation of an EU place based development policy and provides an assessment of EU cohesion policy. In addition it identifies a limited number of core priorities on which to focus cohesion policy. Finally, it presents recommendations on key pillars of cohesion policy governance pinpointed for reform.
The proposals of the report have been developed in full independence from the Commission. They provide many interesting ideas for the ongoing debate on future cohesion policy.
Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion Turning territorial diversity into strength
By European Commission, DG Regional Policy, 2008
From the frozen tundra in the Arctic Circle to the tropical rainforests of Guyane, from the Alps to the Greek islands, from the global cities of London and Paris to small towns and villages dating back centuries, the EU harbours an incredibly rich territorial diversity.
Territorial cohesion is about ensuring the harmonious development of all these places and about making sure that their citizens are able to make the most of inherent features of these territories. As such, it is a means of transforming diversity into an asset that contributes to sustainable development of the entire EU.
EU Cohesion Policy: Challenges and Responses
By Barnier, M., 2003
The cohesion policies of the European Union financed under the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund, with a total allocation of €213 billion for the period 2000-06, have grown to become the second largest expenditure in the Community budget after the Common Agriculture Policy (with 33% and 47% of the total, respectively). Their existence refl ects the political agreement on the part of all of the Member States of the European Union on the principle that the process of increasing economic integration in Europe must be accompanied by efforts to ensure the widest distribution of the resulting rewards in both geographical and social terms. Through three generations of regional development programmes over nearly fi fteen years, the Union has already contributed signifi cantly to reducing the gaps between the regions against a background of the completion of the internal market and the introduction of a single currency. This work is by no means complete. Cohesion policy will need to be renewed and reformed if it is to respond to the widening gaps that will follow the next enlargement of the Union in 2004 and to the ongoing challenges to all of Europe’s regions arising from globalisation.
| EU Cohesion Policy: Challenges and Responses | [ ] |
Delivery and implementation of cohesion policy after 2020: Council adopts conclusions
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION:
- RECALLS the scope and aims of cohesion policy and the ESI Funds as set out in Art. 174 TFEU;
- RECALLS its conclusions of 15 November 2017 on Synergies and Simplification for Cohesion Policy post-2020 [1];
- RECALLS the Final Conclusions and Recommendations of the High Level Group (HLG) on Simplification for post-2020 [2];
- WELCOMES the Strategic Report 2017 of the Commission on the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds [3];
- TAKES NOTE of the positive assessment in this Strategic Report of the new elements introduced in the 2014-2020 programming period to improve delivery, such as ex-ante conditionalities, the alignment with relevant country-specific recommendations, the reinforced performance orientation and better synergies with other instruments; WELCOMES the progress achieved across Member States and policy areas with regard to the selection of projects, and CALLS on Member States to further speed up the implementation and spending in view of maximizing the contribution of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds to key Union priorities;
Leaders’ Agenda
The budget of the European Union, as determined by the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), is an essential tool to achieve our shared objectives and deliver on the commitments made. Therefore, the MFF has always been a matter for the Leaders, and the post-2020 MFF will be a recurring theme on the agenda of the European Council. The purpose of the Leaders’ discussion on 23 February is to prepare the ground for that process.
In line with Treaty objectives, the bulk of the EU budget supports agriculture and rural development as well as investments under the cohesion policy. Research and innovation is a priority whose share in the MFF 2014-2020 has grown significantly, reflecting its importance for the EU’s competitiveness. The EU’s external action and Trans-European transport and energy infrastructure are other increasingly important financing areas.
| Leaders' Agenda MFF.pdf | [ ] |
