The European Commission wants to preserve the next framework of funds for the Cohesion Policy. Despite the current crisis that Europe is facing, mainly related to the energy crisis, Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, hopes that the next community framework 2021-2027 can solve more problems, namely around the social inequalities aggravated by the pandemic. For the Commissioner it is important to “look at the long-term”, as Cohesion policy has to be applied to hit the aim of “transforming the regions and cities”.
In the same vein, Vasco Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions, mentions that the energy problem is related not only to the war in Ukraine but also to the climate crisis. “The most important” is not to lose sight of the “fundamental” role of Cohesion policy, that is, “prepare regions, cities, and territories for the future”. The President of the Committee of the Regions, therefore, wants to continue to see investments with strategy and planning.
Cohesion Policy is in solidarity with the Ukrainians
To mark the opening of the European Week of Regions, the two speakers also insisted on reinforcing the importance of community funds in the economic, social, and territorial cohesion of the European Union. “European funds helped in the solidarity efforts with the Ukrainians”, specifies Elisa Ferreira, and in “8% of cases it forms the only source of funding”, she reinforces.
Meanwhile, according to Vasco Cordeiro, the European Committee of the Regions is considering a European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the reconstruction of Ukraine. This, according to Cordeiro, meets the expectations of half of the respondents to the Barometer about the Union's regions and cities, which considers that the most effective way of rebuilding the country implies the involvement of cities and regions.
The same document, whose summary has already been revealed, in connection with the European Week of Regions and Cities, states that the countries that are closer to Ukraine will have a sharp drop in GDP this year. “Some are growing more than others”, laments the European Commissioner. Even so, Elisa Ferreira has no doubts that the Cohesion policy will live up to expectations.
The topics of this year's European Week of Regions cover green, digital transition, territorial cohesion, and youth empowerment. The event has been promoted by the European Committee of the Regions and the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission for 20 years, to provide a moment of learning and exchange through debate. The program includes around 100 work sessions.
By Beatriz Leite,
Edited by Irene Barahona
