Cohesion policy mid-term review (2025)

In response to the European Commission’s proposals for revising cohesion policy regulations, the European Economic and Social Committee's ECO section has adopted an opinion supporting a pragmatic mid-term review of the EU’s cohesion policy for 2021–2027. The Committee acknowledges that changing geopolitical, economic and environmental conditions call for a more flexible and strategically targeted approach, while cautioning against losing sight of cohesion policy’s fundamental purpose: reducing regional disparities.

Key points

In the opinion, the ECO section

• agrees with the need to align cohesion policy with pressing EU priorities such as competitiveness, defence, energy transition and water resilience. It welcomes the introduction of financial incentives and more flexible funding conditions to support these goals.
• stresses that the overarching goal of cohesion policy—to reduce regional disparities—must remain central. It warns against disproportionately benefiting Member States with lower absorption rates and calls for equal access to incentives like 100% EU financing and extended eligibility.
• sees the review as a preview of the next MFF and calls for greater use of financial instruments, long-term revenue reform, and a stronger territorial dimension to ensure strategic investments also contribute to regional convergence and EU unity.

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Additional information

EESC section: Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion (ECO)

Opinion type: Referral

Rapporteur: David SVENTEK Employers - GR I Czech Republic

Reference: ECO/676-EESC-2025-1236

Date of adoption by section: 15/4/2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 29-30/4/2025

Contact

Thomas Kersten

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 (0) 2 546 8931

Email : thomas.kersten@eesc.europa.eu

Georgios Meleas

Policy Officer

Tel. : +32 (0) 25469795

Email: eco@eesc.europa.eu