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Future of Cohesion Policy

European Parliament adopts report on EU Cohesion Policy

In its recent plenary session the European Parliament adopted a report on the role of territorial cohesion in regional development. The report calls for regional development to be founded on programmes which guarantee equality of treatment between the EU's territories, while preserving their diversity. This implies that, says the committee, appropriate measures be taken to ensure accessibility of services of general interest (SGI) and services of general economic interest (SGEI). The committee also wants, with a view to measuring regional development and evaluating it objectively, the adoption, alongside GDP figures, of new territorial indicators, namely " the decentralisation and accessibility index, infrastructure and transport provision, research/ innovation, education and training activity, level of diversification of productivity in the area, and unemployment rate." Read report>>

Cohesion Policy in Support of Growth and Jobs: Community Strategic Guidelines, 2007-2013

As a first step in launching the discussion on the priorities for the new generation of cohesion policy programmes, the Commission published on 6 July 2005 draft Community Strategic Guidelines entitled "Cohesion Policy in Support of Growth and Jobs: Community Strategic Guidelines, 2007- 2013". The Guidelines set out a framework for new programmes which will be supported by the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Cohesion Fund.

These programmes aim to promote balanced, harmonious and sustainable development throughout the EU and improve the quality of life of Europe's citizens. The key test for programmes in the future will be that of their contribution to growth and jobs in line with the renewed Lisbon agenda, which was agreed by the Member States meeting at the Spring Council in March 2005.

Fourth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion

On 30 May 2007, the European Commission adopted the Fourth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion setting out a new vision for cohesion policy for the enlarged European Union for the period 2007-2013.

The Report provides an update on the progress made towards achieving economic, social and territorial cohesion, and on the manner in which Member States' and Community's policies have contributed to it.

It gives a first assessment of the preparation for 2007-2013 and looks at the new challenges which will add up to the context for regional development in the next 20-30 years - such as demography, climate change, social exclusion or energy.

Proposals for the new Structural Funds (2007-2013)
The Commission adopted on 14 July a proposal of five new regulations for renewed Structural Funds and instruments. Over the period 2007-2013, these instruments present about one third of the EU budget or a total of EUR 336.1 billion. The majority of this amount will be spent in less-developed Member States and regions. Structural Funds and instruments aim to promote growth-enhancing conditions for the Union's economy and will focus on three new future objectives: convergence, competitiveness and co-operation.

Key discussion documents:

October 2004	Factsheet: 'Cohesion policy: the 2007 watershed. Legislative proposals by the European Commission for the reform of cohesion policy (2007–13 period)'
14 July 2004	Proposals for the new structural funds regulations for the period 2007-2013
10-11 May 2004	European Cohesion Forum, Brussels
18 February 2004	Third report on economic and social cohesion
10 February 2004	Building our common future: Financial and political outlook for the enlarged Union 2007-2013
20 October 2003	Informal meeting of the Ministers responsible for Regional Policy, Rome
17 July 2003	Meeting with Commissioner Barnier on the urban dimension of future cohesion policy.
8 July 2003	Conference : "Cohesion and constitution: the roles and responsibilities of the regions"
5 and 6 May 2003	The Leipzig Declaration
3 and 4 March 2003	Conference on "Managing structural funds in the future: which division of responsibilities ?"
17 February 2003	Meeting between Michel Barnier and European Mayors and Presidents of regions on the future of cohesion policy
30 January 2003	Anticipated adoption of the Second progress report on economic and social cohesion.
17 and 18 October 2002	Seminar on "Community policy and mountain areas" in the framework of the International Year of Mountains.
8 and 9 July 2002	London conference on "Cities for Cohesion: Lessons from the European URBAN Programmes".
27 and 28 May 2002	Seminar on "The Union's regional priorities - Defining community added value".
30 January 2002	Adoption of the First progress report on economic and social cohesion, which sets forth the disparities in an enlarged Union and presents lessons learned in the 2001 debates.
21 and 22 May 2001	The Second Cohesion Forum takes place in Brussels, bringing together 1,500 political, economic and social policy makers.