Members of the European People's Party Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) held a high-level debate today with Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms of the European Commission, to discuss the future of cohesion policy. Emphasising the need for cohesion funds to remain a long-term investment tool, rather than a one-size-fits-all crisis solution, the debate also underlined the importance of a bottom-up approach that empowers local and regional authorities.
Sari Rautio, EPP-CoR President and Member of Hämeenlinna City Council, opened the debate, stating: “We must ensure that this flexibility to shift Cohesion funds is used wisely. Cohesion Policy, by its nature, is a long-term policy. It should not be treated as a money pod for all emerging challenges. To make tangible progress, new resources must be identified. To this end, we must also ensure that poorer regions do not bear the brunt of these changes, so that no one stays behind.” She stressed that “decisions on the ground should not be forced through a top-down approach. Empowering local and regional authorities, in line with the principles of active subsidiarity, will allow for solutions that genuinely meet local needs. Simplification of rules should not lead to centralisation but rather to empowering those who understand the local context best.”
Brigitta Pallauf, President of the State Parliament of Salzburg, reiterated this message: “Cohesion policy should be long-term, not centralized, not a crisis element. And this is why regions are important. We need a resilient life also in the countryside. And this is what cohesion policy should be aimed at.”
José Enrique Millo Rocher, Secretary General for External Action, European Union and Cooperation, Government of Andalusia, remarked: “We recognize that geopolitical priorities have changed, but we must not dismantle a policy that works. The goal is not to repurpose cohesion policy but to update it in line with new priorities, adding funds and listening to the regions. Ultimately, it is about restoring the EU’s competitiveness, which requires simplifying regulatory burdens to maximize the impact of cohesion policy.”
Mark Speich, State Secretary for Federal, European and International Affairs and Media of North Rhine-Westphalia, underlined the importance of maintaining cohesion policy’s long-term objectives: “In recent years, cohesion policy funds have been used in emergency and crisis situations—understandably. However, I am concerned that the constant reallocation of cohesion funds weakens the long-term objectives. Investments need long-term perspectives and financial stability. This must be taken into account for the next MFF. We need a separate budget heading for cohesion, and for emergency or crisis responses, different budget lines must be earmarked.” He also noted the value of using regional experience to reduce bureaucracy, highlighting the cooperation agreement between the Commission and the CoR as a strong starting point.
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, made a powerful call for financial clarity and ambition: “Cohesion policy must be a predictable and long-term investment policy for the EU. Europe must not have to choose between defence and cohesion—we must do both. We need more own resources. Let’s not choose between protection and prosperity; let’s choose both.”
Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo Municipality, said: “Cohesion policy is not just a funding mechanism, but the EU’s deepest promise for solidarity, fairness, and long-term investment in people and places. We must be careful in reshaping it and guarantee that it does not lose its successful aspects. We all are ready to contribute to EU strategic priorities, but it should not be at the expense of LRAs.”
Ivan Žagar, Mayor of Slovenska Bistrica and EPP-CoR COTER Coordinator, emphasized: “The EPP-CoR Group supports the voluntary approach to repurpose Cohesion Funds towards important goals. However, this flexibility must be used wisely. Cohesion Policy is long-term by design, and much of the allocated budget is already committed to essential projects.” Addressing Commissioner Fitto, he added: “We need new resources—not constant reprogramming. Reprogramming can create unnecessary red tape, complicate fund management, and delay progress. If funding is redirected to 100% co-financing for new priorities, the pool available for public projects may shrink.” He concluded with a warning: “Less developed regions must not be left behind. That would undermine the core of cohesion policy—reducing economic, social, and territorial inequalities.”
Nikolaos Chardalias, Regional Governor of Attica, said: “Cohesion is the anchor of European unity. We welcome the Commission’s acknowledgement of the need for flexibility, but challenges remain. Resources must be distributed fairly, and own resources increased to ensure enough financing for cohesion. The EU should place more trust in LRAs.”
Francisca Ramis Pons, Director General for Institutional Relations and Relations with the Parliament, Balearic Islands Government, highlighted: “Cohesion funds have enabled major investments in my region. We support a decentralised, multi-level governance model. Regions must be involved in designing the future of cohesion policy. Particular attention must be paid to island communities, which face unique challenges.”
Jesús Ángel Garrido Martínez, Director General for Funds and Relations with the European Union, Government of La Rioja, added: “Changing circumstances require adaptation, but we must set medium-term goals within the new MFF framework. Our duty is to be demanding and urge the Commission not to disappoint our expectations. Institutions exist to serve—when they fail, extremism rises. We seek simplification, improvement, and greater efficiency—what works must be preserved.”
Jan Klopman, Regional Minister of the Province of Flevoland, noted that while modernising cohesion policy offers opportunities, implementation remains challenging: “Modernising cohesion policy gives chances, but for the Netherlands, it is difficult to use them in some areas. A good defence is important for us—but we need clarity in how cohesion funds fit into this.”
Olgierd Geblewicz, Marshal of Zachodniopomorskie Region, stressed: “We must ensure complementarity between funds. For example, we cannot currently finance civil protection mechanisms through the ESF. We need true synergies between funding mechanisms to maximise their potential.”