Progressive ministers met online today to exchange ahead of the start of the new European Commission mandate, which appears set to reform Cohesion policy post-2027.
Provide Cohesion Policy and its funding with a clear mandate, make it fit for the future and let local communities lead – this is the call of government ministers and representatives in the European institutions from the Party of European Socialists (PES) during their meeting today.
Participants underlined the need for a Cohesion Policy based on decentralisation and a strong financial commitment to the Policy in the next EU long-term budget. They also stressed the long-term character of the Policy, the need for flexibility and administrative simplification, and called for support for projects that will improve the daily lives of citizens. The exchanges today feed into the preparation of a PES communication on the future of Cohesion Policy.
Chair of the meeting, Yonnec Polet, PES Deputy Secretary General, said:
“As socialists and social democrats, we are committed to achieving upwards social convergence effectively and to assisting all regions and all citizens in Europe, regardless of where they live. As one of the most successful EU policies, Cohesion Policy plays a central role in this and requires full support.
“The new Commission will have a significant impact on this policy area, and we want to stress that it is crucial to maintain progressive cohesion principles. For us, it is clear that regional and local actors must never be locked out of decision making or lack the necessary capacities to make a difference for citizens.”
In the outgoing European Commission, Cohesion Policy was expertly overseen by European Commissioner Elisa Ferreira. Meeting Chair Yonnec Polet said:
“I would like to wholeheartedly thank Commissioner Ferreira for her hard work over the last five years. Thanks to her, Cohesion Policy made an important contribution to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and supported many Ukrainian refugees. It was also during her mandate that the Just Transition Fund was set up, ensuring every region benefits from the Green Deal. Elisa, thank you for everything that you have done to improve the lives of people.”
Cohesion Policy was a central focus of the 2024 European elections manifesto, which called for “an ambitious Cohesion Policy across Europe to improve quality of life in cities, rural areas and remote regions, and reverse the brain drain.” It adds that the PES family will “defend the partnership approach with regional and local authorities and their crucial role in shaping and implementing Cohesion Policy for upwards social convergence, together with civil society.”
Today’s cohesion ministerial meeting was attended by:
