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Rouen© AdobestockOn 1 March 2022, in Rouen, the French Presidency of the Council of the EU will bring together: the 27 EU ministers responsible for cohesion policy; European Commissioner Elisa Ferreira; the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas; the Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Regional Development, Younous Omarjee; and the President of the Section for Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion of the European Economic and Social Committee, Stefano Palmieri. In the context of recovery of European economies, which have been hard hit by the public health and economic crisis, the Commission’s Eighth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion will form the basis for discussions.
Cohesion policy for harmonious and adapted development of European regions
The European Union consists of 27 Member States and 242 regions with economic and social disparities. The economic, social and territorial cohesion policy aims to bridge the wealth and development gaps between the EU regions, by investing in growth and employment. Through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF), the policy finances research and development, digital technology, SME development and ecological transition projects, as well as actions promoting employment, training and social inclusion, all while adapting to the specificities of each region, particularly overseas territories.
As such, thousands of projects throughout Europe are supported by this policy, in the aim of facing common challenges, namely, the major environmental, technological and demographic transitions. These projects are led by a wide variety of stakeholders, companies, public bodies and associations. A symbol of solidarity, the EU’s cohesion policy promotes the harmonious development of the Member States and regions.
The Commission’s Eighth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion as the guiding theme of the meeting
The publication of the Commission’s Eighth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion has brought to light the state of cohesion within the EU. It starkly highlights the impact of the crisis on local economies and provides an overview of the progress achieved over the last few years relative to cohesion, the role of European structural funds and the effects of other EU policies in the regions.
The OECD’s analysis of the optimisation of public investment in other regions of the world, reaching the same conclusions, will guide discussions on the type of public investment to be mobilised to address European and global challenges.
The ministers will therefore be encouraged to establish a basis for future priorities and long-term objectives concerning a policy that aims for a greener, more innovative and inclusive society.
For better consideration of territorial disparities
In order to meet forthcoming challenges in the best way, citizen support remains vital. This gives rise to the question of their trust in institutions.
In this respect, particular attention must be paid to the problem of growing territorial disparities, especially those of rural areas. The discussions will include proposed solutions to draw citizens closer to the European project.
