Adapting cohesion policy post-2027 is based on the simple ideas of “flexibility and predictability, partnership and responsibility”, said the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Vasco Alves Cordeiro, on Monday 9 October during European Week of Regions and Cities (see EUROPE 13267/12).
He believes flexibility is necessary to ensure the right balance between long-term investment objectives and the need to be responsive to unforeseen events (see EUROPE 13262/7). “Deciding how to manage emergency situations without any guidelines or rules means deciding in panic mode”, said Mr Cordeiro. To achieve the green and digital transitions, the Code of Conduct on Partnership also needs to be strengthened, he also suggested.
The CoR proposes carrying out a wide-ranging evaluation of simplification measures. Lastly, the CoR President advised that competition and overlap between funds and programmes should be avoided.
85% of funding has been absorbed. The Commissioner for Cohesion, Elisa Ferreira, pointed out that over 85% of the funding for the 2014-2020 cohesion policy has been absorbed to date, the same percentage as in previous programmes. “As we approach the end of 2023 deadline, implementation is accelerating, helped by the various flexibilities, including the SAFE (Supporting Affordable Energy) initiative, which mobilises unspent funds in favour of SMEs and vulnerable households affected by high energy prices”, said the Commissioner. “Let’s do all we can to encourage and facilitate implementation, so that no funding is lost through disengagement”, advised the Commissioner.
Under the 2021-2027 programmes, €73 billion will be invested in a smarter, more competitive Europe. “We hope to support 850,000 businesses and 1.3 million additional jobs”, said Ms Ferreira. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)