Cohesion policy as a key engine in achieving EU goals and reforms: how to further build on its performance-based approach while respecting decentralisation, partnership and multilevel governance
COTER-VIII/002
Cohesion policy as a key engine in achieving EU goals and reforms: how to further build on its performance-based approach while respecting decentralisation, partnership and multilevel governance
The opinion aims at exploring how the future programming and implementation of Cohesion Policy can be developed in order to further strengthen its performance-based approach without weakening its golden principles (shared management, multi-level governance, partnership, and place-based approach) and to provide recommendations concerning the link to investments and reforms.
The opinion received positive feedback at the informal meeting of ministers responsible for cohesion policy, territorial cohesion and urban matters on 21 May 2025 in Warsaw, where it was presented by the rapporteur. The event was organised by the Polish Presidency of the Council.
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (CoR)
- points out that cohesion policy is the main link between Europeans and Europe, and that it is a tangible form of communication policy. Stresses that there is considerable evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, that cohesion policy is effective;
- disputes the allegations regarding the low uptake of cohesion policy appropriations. A distinction needs to be made between commitment rates and payment rates;
- firmly believes, like the Letta report on Much more than a Market or the High-Level Group’s report on Forging a sustainable future together: Cohesion for a competitive and inclusive Europe, that in taking account of local situations, place-based policies are crucial for boosting the competitiveness, sustainability, productivity, social inclusion and resilience of Europe as a whole;
- has already, in several opinions, expressed grave concern at the negative effects of a centralised approach and reiterates the need to observe the fundamental principles of cohesion policy;
- reiterates that in order to comply with the principle of active subsidiarity, it is essential to keep regional programmes part of the delivery of cohesion policy funds; the local approach is best suited to identifying the challenges, needs, possibilities and goals specific to each region and enables EU policies and initiatives to be effective and sustainable;
- believes that while cohesion policy already meets many of its objectives, there is room for improvement, including with regard to strengthening coordination and synergies between instruments and policies and streamlining and simplifying its procedures;
- calls for a modernisation of the European Semester: local and regional authorities should be involved (rather than just consulted) in the drafting of the country reports and country-specific recommendations. In this regard, the CoR calls for a code of conduct to be adopted;
- welcomes the ideas for a broader introduction of a system of ‘payments by results’.
- points out that cohesion policy is the main link between Europeans and Europe, and that it is a tangible form of communication policy. Stresses that there is considerable evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, that cohesion policy is effective;
- disputes the allegations regarding the low uptake of cohesion policy appropriations. A distinction needs to be made between commitment rates and payment rates;
- firmly believes, like the Letta report on Much more than a Market or the High-Level Group’s report on Forging a sustainable future together: Cohesion for a competitive and inclusive Europe, that in taking account of local situations, place-based policies are crucial for boosting the competitiveness, sustainability, productivity, social inclusion and resilience of Europe as a whole;
- has already, in several opinions, expressed grave concern at the negative effects of a centralised approach and reiterates the need to observe the fundamental principles of cohesion policy;
- reiterates that in order to comply with the principle of active subsidiarity, it is essential to keep regional programmes part of the delivery of cohesion policy funds; the local approach is best suited to identifying the challenges, needs, possibilities and goals specific to each region and enables EU policies and initiatives to be effective and sustainable;
- believes that while cohesion policy already meets many of its objectives, there is room for improvement, including with regard to strengthening coordination and synergies between instruments and policies and streamlining and simplifying its procedures;
- calls for a modernisation of the European Semester: local and regional authorities should be involved (rather than just consulted) in the drafting of the country reports and country-specific recommendations. In this regard, the CoR calls for a code of conduct to be adopted;
- welcomes the ideas for a broader introduction of a system of ‘payments by results’.
