Regional Policy
Europe depends on its cities
Cities are the place where the fight against climate change becomes real, most of the decisions are taken and where equal and inclusive societies can be made, Anna Lisa Boni claims.
In Bucharest, local leaders call to rebuild the EU from the bottom
Hundreds of European local and regional leaders demanded a bottom-up approach to rebuild the EU, during the 8th Cities and Regions summit in Bucharest, ahead of the informal European Council on the future of Europe in Sibiu in May.
Brexit impact in Northern Ireland: When peace is at stake
Time is running out as the UK is set to leave the EU on 29 March, and an orderly withdrawal is not yet secured. EURACTIV has travelled to Northern Ireland where Brexit is more than a political or economic issue - it is a challenge for peace.
German action plan for insect protection: Farmers want greater say
With insects declining at an alarming rate, the German environment ministry wants an action plan to protect them before the end of the year. But farmers are feeling ignored in the process and are calling for more environmental protection incentives. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Looking back to move forward: Building trans-generational peace in Northern Ireland
Shay McArdle is 21 years old. He lives in Dundalk, Ireland, and has no idea what a hard border looks like or what it was like to live through the 'Troubles'. But he is committed to preserving the state of peace that he was born into.
EU is a driving force in supporting peace in Northern Ireland
Peter used to be a policeman during ‘the Troubles’, while Tom served 13 years in the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a paramilitary group. Now, both help former combatants reintegrate into Northern Irish society. A project like this would have been almost impossible without the EU’s support. VideoPromoted content
EU Cohesion Policy: a tool you benefit from without knowing it
It is called Cohesion Policy: it is the main investment, solidarity and development tool of the EU for its cities and regions. It gives a face to Europe on the ground. Still, many erroneously believe it only invests in disadvantaged regions, while more privileged areas are just losing money they send to the EU.
Northern Ireland – A cross-border economy at stake
As the UK prepares to leave the EU, Northern Ireland will be severely affected as its economy is highly interlinked with the Republic of Ireland. Disruptions to the supply chain and access to markets are the main concerns for businesses.
Voices from the regions: Brexit impact along the Irish border
On 29 March, the United Kingdom is set to leave the European Union. EURACTIV.com's on-the-ground reporting looks into the effects of Brexit on EU regions and, in particular, its implications for the relationship between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Brexit will be painful for the EU27 too. This is where it will hit hardest
As the deadline for the UK's departure from the EU approaches, EURACTIV.com looked at how Brexit will impact the rest of Europe. Ireland, France and Germany are likely to be the most heavily affected.
EU Commission wants to support health systems better through structural funds
Many regions of Europe for poor medical care because there is a lack of doctors, money or infrastrcture. The Commission is now considering how the structural funds can help in a targeted way. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Environmental organisations ‘very disappointed’ with new ERDF Regulation
The European regional development fund currently amounts to €200 billion. German environmental organisations have criticised the fact that its new version sets the wrong priorities. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Don’t link EU regional funds with budget deficit rules, Parliament insists
EU lawmakers rejected on Wednesday (13 February) a controversial proposal by the European Commission to make payments of cohesion funds conditional to the observation of country-specific recommendations on economic reforms.
EU needs ambitious Cohesion policy to achieve SDGs, socialists argue
Europe’s economic strategy should focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Cohesion policy is key in getting there, socialist groups in the European Parliament and in the Committee of the Regions said in an appeal launched on Thursday (7 February).
Romania PM says EU regional cooperation key to fight Euroscepticism
Cooperation between EU institutions and regional and local authorities is key to fight Euroscepticism, Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă said on Wednesday (6 February) while addressing the European Committee of the Regions.
European Parliament votes for much greener cohesion policy
The European Parliament’s committee on regional development has voted on Cohesion policy regulation, and there is the clear intention of making Cohesion much greener from 2020. For the first time, there is also to be a ban on providing support for fossil fuels. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Juncker Plan’s results may be overstated, auditors say
The amount of investment mobilised by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) may have been overestimated, a new report by the European Court of Auditors has warned. It added that it may have also favoured larger member states.
Study: Cohesion’s impact on local audiences still remains limited
Social outcomes in Cohesion policy remain relatively obscure for the general public compared to economic developments, a recent project study has found. In addition to that, the process of reaching local audiences remains a challenge for policymakers and organisations across the European regions.
Romania glosses over presidency preparedness concerns
As Romania formally launched its six-month-long presidency of the EU, its foreign affairs chief insisted that the country was prepared to helm the Council ship for the very first time.
Local organisations are fighting youth unemployment in Europe: this is how
More than three million young people are unemployed in the EU and although Europe does not have competences over the labour market, it helps fighting unemployment including through the use of the Cohesion Fund. We have travelled across Europe to find out how.
Tsipras says CAP and regional policy cuts a ‘gift’ to anti-Europeans
Athens will oppose proposed cuts in the post-2020 agricultural and regional policy as this will be a “gift” to anti-EU populist forces, Greek premier Alexis Tsipras said on 13 December at the EU Council.
Of funds and values: Conditionality in EU cohesion policy
As the EU's multi-annual budget is being negotiated, the amounts and efficiency of spending matter but also priorities and European values when disbursing programmes. Smarter conditionality is needed, triggering less political backlash, and, where needed, direct payment to beneficiaries, argue Benedek Jávor and Laszlo Andor.
Study: EU regional policy influences how people vote
Voters who are aware of EU support in their region vote in larger number for pro-Europe politicians. However, EU structural funds remain largely unknown - and often inefficient. EURACTIV Germany reports.