Cohesion Policy – The Litmus Test of the European Future

Abstract

Europe is the winner of the Cohesion Policy. It is vi­tal that the model of shared management, multi-lev­el governance, and partnership remains the guiding principle of the Cohesion Policy beyond 2027. Sub­sidiarity and a place-based approach are crucial; we can’t afford to lose the territorial dimension. There is no future for this policy without a strong role of cities and regions. If you try to replace it with a centralized instrument as a top-down Recovery and Resilience Facility, you will destroy the very essence of the Co­hesion Policy.The Cohesion Policy is working on the ground, and it must be maintained, in a modernized way.The Cohesion Policy must continue to be the single policy to address the challenges inherent to cohesion in Europe. That includes supporting a just transition in all regions and supporting all territories so that they can take advantage of the single mar­ket. That includes supporting all regions so that the EU can be more competitive at a global level. Cohe­sion Policy is a solution, not a problem!

Keywords

• cohesion policy
• cities and regions
• multi-level governance
• solidarity.