The future for the EU Cohesion Policy

In 2000 the EU designed a strategy to make Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world. Known as the Lisbon Strategy it has six areas of focus including employment, social inclusion, equal opportunities, the environment and sustainable development.

EU policies on social cohesion are one of the main ways in which the EU strives to meet the goals of the Lisbon Strategy. The Cohesion Policy is designed to reduce disparities between regions of the EU and act as a catalyst for the economic, social and territorial development of the Union. The Structural Funds are an important part of this policy.

The current debate is focused on what the Cohesion Policy should look like after 2006 when the EU will have 25 (EU25) instead of 15 (EU15) members. In EU25 the development gap between the rich and poor regions will widen. For example, in today’s EU those lagging behind in development have a GDP of around 75% of the EU average. (Objective One status for the Structural Funds)This time next year the less well developed regions will have a GDP of 30-40%. This will mean that 25% of the total population of the EU will live in Objective One regions as opposed to the present figure of 18%.

So how can the Cohesion Policy cope with such new and wide reaching challenges? The debate addresses a number of issues such as what are the main challenges facing the Union? Is a regional policy on Cohesion more effective than leaving it up to member States? and how can the Structural Funds be made more effective?

The debate has been ongoing within the EU and consensus has been reached on a number of key issues, however comments from interested bodies are still welcome.

For more information on the Social Cohesion Policy and the current debate visit the EU’s website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/index_en.htm