About: EU cohesion policy
MEPs ask EU to keep funding peace in Northern Ireland after Brexit
The European Parliament considers the experience of Northern Ireland as an example of the success of the EU's cohesion policy. As Brexit draws nearer, MEPs are demanding that the EU keep funding projects in the region to preserve the peace.
Poland’s push for Via Carpathia may boost cooperation in Eastern Europe
For a long time, Warsaw has been looking for opportunities to boost regional cooperation with neighbours. Now plans for the so-called Carpathian Strategy have gained the support of some countries in the region, paving the way for a series of joint projects partly funded by the EU.
EESC rapporteur: reducing future Cohesion’s budget affects EU’s credibility
The European Economic and Social Committee expressed strong disagreement with the Commission’s proposal to cut Cohesion policy funds by 10% in a recent opinion, saying the EU executive must show sensitivity for the current political environment rather than focus only...
“Time is Brain”: How ERDF funds save lives in Berlin
The most comprehensive EU regional development instrument is the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). But in most cases, its work remains largely unknown to the public. An example from Berlin shows how it literally saves lives. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Nicola Dobroslavić: ‘There is nothing ‘traditional’ here but the value of EU solidarity’
Negotiations over the EU's next long-term budget will start soon and the reform of the Cohesion Policy is one of its main elements. Nikola Dobroslavić (EPP), the European Committee of the Regions' rapporteur on this matter, analysed the worries cities and regions have about the current proposal in an interview with EURACTIV.
In Sète, EU funds help stop coastal erosion
A redevelopment project co-financed by the ERDF in the commune of Sète (France) aims to mitigate erosion which threatens the site. The fund contributes to projects on sensitive issues in the area by the Mediterranean, such as maritime pollution and sustainable tourism. EURACTIV.fr reports.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Simplification still the main challenge for EU cohesion policy control
The European Commission will soon present its legislative proposal for the future EU cohesion policy, in the context of negotiations for a new long-term budget. But in order to define new financing instruments, it is important to understand if the existing ones worked or not.