The European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) adopted an opinion on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), including Interreg, and the Cohesion Fund. The opinion was drafted by María Guardiola Martin (ES/EPP), President of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, who served as Rapporteur.
The opinion recognises the impact of ERDF and Cohesion Fund investments and their irreplaceable value for the territorial development of local and regional authorities. It highlights that cohesion policy funding has supported more than 2.5 million SMEs, helped create over 370,000 jobs, and enabled the implementation of major infrastructure and environmental projects across the EU.
Call for strong and inclusive cohesion policy post-2027
Speaking on behalf of Rapporteur María Guardiola Martín, Pablo Hurtado Pardo, Director General for External Action of the Regional Government of Extremadura, underlined the importance of maintaining a strong legal and financial framework for cohesion policy. He stressed support for the introduction of a specific chapter for the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund in the Regulation, similar to the existing structure for Interreg. He also emphasised the need for a cohesion policy that continues to support all regions, ensuring that the ERDF contributes to all the general objectives set out in the Regulation on national and regional partnership plans.
The opinion calls for clear and earmarked financial allocations for both the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund in the next multiannual financial framework.
The COTER opinion advocates that the N+2 decommitment rule should apply for the programming period 2028–2034. This rule would allow two years after a budget commitment for responsible authorities to submit eligible payment claims, reducing the risk of automatic decommitment and providing greater flexibility and legal certainty for managing authorities, particularly for complex regional and infrastructure projects.
In addition, the opinion calls for the reintroduction of specific provisions for small projects under Interreg, recognising their added value for cross-border cooperation, local actors, and smaller regional authorities.
Next steps: The opinion is scheduled to be adopted by the Committee of the Regions plenary session in May.