Ex-post evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund 2014-2020

The European Economic and Social Committee's ECO section has adopted its evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund for the 2014-2020 period. They aim to assess the effectiveness, relevance, and inclusiveness of these key EU funding instruments, providing insights that will shape future cohesion policies. ECO highlights the need to reduce bureaucracy, enhance territorial balance, and boost digital and green investments to improve the effectiveness, inclusiveness, and impact of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund.

Key points

In the opinion, ECO recommends

• Reducing bureaucracy and streamlining administrative procedures to improve access, particularly for SMEs and marginalised groups.
• Strengthening social cohesion policies by integrating best practices from the European Social Fund (ESF).
• Enhancing transparency and communication strategies to increase public awareness of EU-funded projects.
• Promoting a balanced territorial development approach to bridge urban-rural disparities.
• Increasing investment in digitalisation and the green transition to align with the EU’s sustainability goals.

…

Additional information

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

Opinion type: Information report (impact assessment)

Rapporteur: Maria del Carmen BARRERA CHAMORRO (Workers - GR II Spain)

Reference: ECO/638-EESC-2024

Date of adoption by section: 13/3/2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 26-27/3/2025

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