CURRENT AFFAIRS: The Future of Cohesion Policy

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Safeguarding solidarity, territorial balance and social justice

The future of EU Cohesion Policy must build on simplification and flexibility while preserving its distinct identity, long-term objectives and core mission of reducing territorial disparities. While the European Commission’s intention to streamline funding instruments is welcome, simplification must be accompanied by concrete guarantees to ensure predictability, visibility and effective support for regions, communities and vulnerable groups. Flexibility should not come at the expense of cohesion, solidarity or trust in the European Union.

Strong concerns arise from proposals to group diverse investment needs – such as cohesion, agriculture, fisheries and security – under a single funding umbrella. Such an approach risks creating competition between priorities, diluting resources and weakening accountability. It could undermine climate and digital transition goals, while leaving farmers, fishers and vulnerable regions without stable, long-term support. Grouping should therefore be strictly limited to funds with closely aligned objectives.

Equally troubling is the potential shift of responsibility from regional to national level, which would undermine subsidiarity, territoriality and multi-level governance. Regions must retain a direct relationship with the European Commission, and shared management should be adapted to ensure inclusive participation. National and Regional Partnership Plans must guarantee the meaningful involvement of local authorities, social partners and civil society organisations throughout programming and implementation, supported by a revised European Code of Conduct on Partnership and enforceable minimum consultation standards. This is why the EESC is calling for a civil society check together with a regional check.

Cohesion Policy must remain accessible to all territories, including islands, regardless of national-level governance failures, in line with Articles 174 and 175 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Stronger social and territorial conditionalities are essential to promote quality jobs, fair pay, poverty reduction and social inclusion. The social spending target should be increased and more precisely defined, while a dedicated Just Transition Fund must be maintained to ensure that the green transition is fair and leaves no region behind. Finally, investment harmful to the environment must be excluded, in line with the EU Green Deal and the EU’s long-term cohesion and sustainability objectives.

Ioannis VARDAKASTANIS (Greece)

EESC rapporteur, ECO/689 The Island Dimension in European Cohesion, Competitiveness and Sustainable Development Policies (opinion to be presented at the EESC plenary session in February 2026)

Member, EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group

President, Greek National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities (ESAMEA)

President, European Disability Forum (EDF)

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