Cohesion policy

A change in the way EU Cohesion policy supports local and regional governments may be needed after 2020. This is one of the key messages CEMR addressed at a conference on the future of the Cohesion Policy, organised by the Committee of the Regions on 3 March 2016.

Speaking on behalf of CEMR, the mayor of Sala (Sweden) and CEMR spokesperson on territorial development, Carola Gunnarsson, put forward the following three messages:

1. The future cohesion policy should be inclusive

The future Cohesion Policy should involve towns and regions to a broader extent than in the previous programming period (2014-2020). To this aim, it is crucial to reinforce working partnerships between central and local governments in all phases when applying and delivering European funds: the design, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of the programmes that are to receive EU funds. 

2. The cohesion policy should focus on place-based approach and territorial development 

The future cohesion policy should be open and adapted to all kinds of territory, especially the less developed areas. This approach will result in a better participation of local governments in the use of the European Structural and Investment Funds for local or sub-regional projects. 

3. The cohesion policy should be simplified and flexible

The multi-fund approach is difficult to implement due to the different rules and approaches to each EU fund. Therefore, the EU should move towards a single process for application, reporting, and audit across all funds. This new approach will encourage local governments to make use of European funds in a better way than in the past. 


CEMR is currently working on a statement to be published in the coming weeks. The statement will open proposal to engage in a discussion with EU institutions about alternative views on how the EU could better support the economic, social and territorial development of local and regional communities.