This week, the European Parliament will give its final green light on the new Cohesion Policy 2021-2027. The S&D Group expressed their satisfaction after three years of intense negotiations on the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR), the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund (ERDF-CF), and the European Territorial Cooperation goal (Interreg). The S&D negotiators managed to secure more investments in the digital and green transition, as well as in social projects, while ensuring that no one is left behind: €330 billion for cohesion policy with €243 billion for the ERDF-CF, €8 billion for Interreg and additional €17.5 billion for the Just Transition Fund (JTF) (all in 2018 prices).

Constanze Krehl, S&D co-rapporteur on the common provisions, said:

“The new funding period sets clear priorities towards innovation and fighting climate change. The budget cuts are painful, but all regions will still receive funding. I am very happy that we could modernise cohesion policy to make it fit for the challenges ahead. At the same time, we managed to reduce red tape, so that beneficiaries can really focus on good projects, instead of spending time with paperwork. I urge the member states to also reduce administrative burdens for applicants.”

Andrea Cozzolino, S&D rapporteur on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund (CF) for 2021–2027, said:

“The aim of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund is to strengthen the economic and territorial cohesion of the Union. In particular, the ERDF aims to reduce inequalities between the levels of development of the various regions within the Union, and to reduce the disadvantages of the least favoured regions.

“This regulation will change Europe by supporting five huge thematic goals to be achieved: the digital one, the environmental one, the connectivity one, the social one and the inter-territorial integration one. Each of them is not an abstract goal to be achieved, but a challenge for the future of our children. We, for our part, have done our utmost: just think of the huge investment made in the environment.”

Pedro Marques, S&D vice-president and negotiator on the specific provisions for the European Territorial Cooperation goal (Interreg), said:

“S&Ds successfully fought for concentrating an important part of Interreg resources in climate and social projects. We were also able to include the possibility of supporting the protection and economic and social integration of migrants and refugees.

“Interreg will now be fairer and contribute to a more inclusive Europe. It is a great victory for the progressive forces.”