Regional Policy
Commission sheds some light on cohesion policy reform
The European Commission cleared up some of the details of its proposal to reform cohesion policy in the next EU long-term budget during a second round of discussion with MEPs on Wednesday (21 June).
European regions in urgent need of a Brexit strategy
Brexit will have many practical consequences for the regional economy. Port cities like Zeebrugge in Belgium, which trade a lot with Great Britain, will be particularly affected. EURACTIV Germany takes a look at both sides of the Channel.
Goodbye Juncker plan, hello InvestEU, Europe’s new investment fund
The European Commission put forward a proposal on Wednesday (6 June) to bring all of the EU's existing investment instruments under the banner of a new fund called "InvestEU" which will formally succeed the Juncker Plan.
New cohesion policy is ‘as good as it gets’, Commission insists
The EU's new regional policy is a “balanced, simpler and ambitious” proposal, the best that could have ever been achieved under the current conditions, Commissioner Corina Crețu told Members of the European Parliament on Thursday (May 31).
Commission defends Cohesion-European Semester link, with suspended payments option
The Commission rushed on Wednesday (30 May) to defend its proposal on linking Cohesion Policy programmes with structural reforms in the European Semester, after MEPs and networks of regions and cities voiced concerns about the possible impact on Cohesion’s initial objectives to help less developed regions.
Regions confused by proposed Cohesion reforms
Networks of European regions and cities remain puzzled by the "mixed messages" sent from the presentation of the legislative package for Cohesion on Tuesday (29 May), where they heard Commission proposals to focus more on southern Europe and to apply significant changes in the structure of Cohesion Policy Funds.
Brace for impact: Parliament starts scrutinising EU’s regional budget reform
EURACTIV gathered a first round of reactions to the European Commission's proposal to reform the EU's €373 billion regional funding programme as part of the bloc’s 2021-2027 budget. One thing is certain: the proposed cuts will be a major issue of dissent in the European Parliament.
Commission proposes more spending on Italy and south, less on Visegrad Four
The European Union's executive proposed on Tuesday (29 May) to spend more of the bloc's money on Italy and other southern states hit by the economic and migration crises, while giving less to the Visegrad Four countries refusing to accept refugees.
EU-funded eco market becomes symbol of circular economy in Brussels
L’Abattoir, one of the biggest urban markets in Europe, built in an old slaughterhouse, could well be seen as a symbol of circular economy as it has become a source of income for the poor while promoting sustainable farming on its rooftop.
Martian olives, courtesy of Italian project and EU cash
Is there life on Mars? Maybe soon. What seems more like Hollywood sci-fi than genuine farming prospect could soon come to fruition, as an Italian project uses EU funding to grow plants in extremely hostile conditions. EURACTIV.it reports.
Berlin course trains teachers to understand young digital natives
A Berlin-based project uses EU funds to offer media courses to educators. The pedagogues learn how to creatively implement technology in their work with young people.
Schools open to all? Slovakia uses EU funds to include Roma children
Systemic segregation of Roma children in Slovakia's pre-schools and primary education has been around - and barely addressed - for many years. The lack of efforts on their inclusion has been highlighted by both human rights NGOs and the European Commission.
Romania squandering EU funding, Moldova deserves more, says EU regional boss
Romanian Commissioner Corina Creţu wants her country to take full advantage of the EU funding that is on offer and for Moldova to meet the bloc’s accession criteria in order to unlock even more financing.
Five EU states lead pilot to improve management of regional funds
National and local authorities in Greece, Poland, Spain, Croatia and Bulgaria will participate in a new pilot action to improve governance and administrative capacity-building in the management of regional funds, the European Commission announced on Thursday (24 May).
Tempi tunnels: A game changer for road safety in Greece
What do the Alps and Mount Olympus have in common apart from snowy peaks? Since 2017, tunnels have carved through the rock, slashing journey times and improving road safety. Greece's project took a long time to happen but EU funding ultimately made it all possible.
Alba Iulia: Ancient city transformed by EU funds eyes smart future
The EU-financed restoration of Alba Carolina Citadel has already transformed the city of Alba Iulia in one of Romania’s top tourist attractions. But the ambitions of the administrators of the 70,000-people city in central Romania have not stopped.
MEPs warn of possible higher budget cuts, impact on policies
The proposed expenditure cuts in Common Agriculture and Cohesion Policy in the next long-term EU budget are higher than what the European Commission announced and this might impact future EU policies, the European Parliament’s budget rapporteurs told reporters on Wednesday (23 May).
Czech social entrepreneur offers disadvantaged people a chance
Profit is not the only reason to start a business. There are enterprises in Europe whose aim is to help other people, usually the less fortunate ones, with their career.
Green cities for a greener future
On issues such as providing cleaner air, reducing noise pollution, establishing cleaner water and tackling waste, cities are at the forefront of change, writes Anna Lisa Boni.
Sofia metro lessons: Benefits and problems with the way EU funds are spent
In 14 years, Sofia's metro project has taken up nearly €1 billion from EU funds. It was declared "infrastructure project of the last decade" in Bulgaria. Due to be completed in less than two years, it should serve around 1.2 million people a day. EURACTIV's media partner Dnevnik reports.
Culture Zone in Katowice: Welcome world, farewell locals?
Over the past decade, Katowice – capital of Poland’s Silesia region – has transformed from a coal and steel city into a booming centre of business and culture. Its Culture Zone hosts major European and international music, cultural and business events and boasts unique architectural pearls.
Saving Europe’s biggest salt water lagoon
Clean-up squads, co-financed with European funds, stepped up their efforts in recent weeks in the Mar Menor region in southeast Spain, to remove dead algae and other waste from the shoreline of Europe's largest salt water lagoon.
EU in my region
Cohesion Policy is the EU's main investment policy, with a budget of 351.8 billion. It is also the bloc's second largest policy in terms of funding, after agriculture. This Special Report presents some of the flagship projects around the EU funded by Cohesion.