Text: Anja Karppinen, Baltic Sea Strategy Point

 

The High-Level Group on the Future of Cohesion Policy has published its strategic conclusions and recommendations in a final report "Forging a Sustainable Future Together: Cohesion for a Competitive and Inclusive Europe”. 

 

The role of the Macro-Regional Strategies is seen positively

The report calls for a policy without borders and says that the existing Cohesion Policy in the EU seeks to promote cross-border integration and drive cross-border cooperation. However, cooperation is not always smooth, and difficulties frequently emerge, the high-level group continues.

A reformed Cohesion Policy should, according to the report, "focus on increasing the budget and enhancing coordination and concertation, including via macro-regional strategies or interregional cooperation to transfer good practice."

Throughout 2023, the group has reflected on how to maximize the effectiveness of the Cohesion policy, including the macro-regional strategies. The now-published recommendations will add to the ongoing discussion and body of opinions from many stakeholders and institutions on the future of the Cohesion Policy in preparation for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) starting 2028.

Read the report here.

 

Interreg Post-2027 consultation

In connection with the overall post-2027 negotiations, the European Commission’s DG Regio initiated a consultation process to gather opinions on shaping Interreg post-2027. Following this, the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme launched an online survey, and is preparing for more detailed discussions with focus groups. The survey is open until 30 April 2024.

Read more and reply to the survey here.

 

The reflection on the Future of Cohesion Policy will continue at the 9th Cohesion Forum, to be held from 11 to 12 April 2024. The Commission will publish the 9th Cohesion Report in Spring 2024.