Transcript Reflections on the future Cohesion Policy

Reflections on the future
Cohesion Policy
DG Regional Policy
European Commission
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Main stages of the reflection process
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Fourth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, 2007
Fifth Progress Report on Economic and Social Cohesion, 2008
Prospective work on 2020 challenges, 2008
Debate on territorial cohesion, 2008
Enhanced dialogue with academia, international organisations
Barca Report April 2009
6th Progress Report in June 2009
Ex-post evaluations and studies 2009
Technical discussions with MS experts begin October 2009
Fifth Cohesion Report 2010
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Budget review
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European value added
EU priorities – new challenges, climate change, globalisation,
demographic change
Transparency and accountability
Flexibility
Effectiveness
Efficiency
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Global challenges have a strong territorial dimension
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Rapid globalisation, competitive pressures
Population change, migration flows
Global climate change
Rising energy prices, energy security
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Divergent patterns and dynamics across Europe
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Globalisation
Globalisation
vulnerability index,
2020
Note: Index based on
estimated productivity,
employment rate, high
education rate and
low education rate in
2020.
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Demographic
change
Demographic
vulnerability index,
2020
Note: Index based on
the estimated share of
people aged 65 and
above in total population,
share of working age in
total population and
population decline in
2020
Source: EUROSTAT
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Climate change
Climate change
vulnerability index,
2020
Note: Index based on
change in population
affected by river floods,
population in costal
areas below 5m,
potential drought hazard,
vulnerability of
agriculture, fisheries and
tourism, taking into
account temperature and
precipitation changes.
Source: EUROSTAT, JRC, DG REGIO
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Implications of the economic crisis
• Focus on real economy, infrastructure and exit strategies
• Sustainability of public finances
– Crisis as structural break in EU economies with impact on fiscal
constraints;
– Relevance of Stockholm Strategy to all MS (managing
demographic change)
• Deficit and debt reduction
• Increasing employment rates
• Reform of social protection systems (pensions)
– Increase in quality of public expenditure
– Additionality, cofinancing, growth and stability pact
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Mission and Objectives of Cohesion Policy
Mission of the policy
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Social and economic cohesion remains central to the European
integration process in the 21st century.
– Treaty commitment to cohesion, implications of the new Lisbon
treaty
– A structural policy for all regions linked to the Single Market,
Economic and Monetary Union, importance of current crisis
Objectives of the policy
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The objectives of the policy need to be clarified (risk of mission creep).
There is a need for stronger focus on European value-added.
– Promoting growth in lagging regions
– Improving competitiveness (Lisbon)
– Addressing problems with cross-border and transnational spillovers
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A policy for all European regions
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The European economic integration, driven by the Single
Market can only work if all regions can contribute and reap
the benefits.
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There is potential for growth across all types of regions,
dependent on how well regions mobilize their assets and
potentials.
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Cohesion policy should play a stronger role in strengthening
inter-connections between lagging and leading regions
(maximising spill-over effects of leading areas).
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A More Effective Policy
• Need for concentration of resources on a limited number
of priorities
– Modernising the economy
– Enhancing environmental sustainability
– Promoting employment and sociao cohesion
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More coherence in delivering strategic priorities
• Need for better coordination of policies and instruments at EU
level.
– Lisbon process
– Sustainable development
– Other Community policies
• Possibility of conditionalities (structural reform) and joint
programming, single fund?
• Stronger focus on institutions
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Delivery Mechanism
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Simplification
More differentiated approach (proportionality)
Increased role of financial engineering
Block grants, budget support, payment for results?
Reinforcement of the role of civil society
Reinforcement of current multi-level governance system
respecting both adminstrative structures and economic realities
of Member States
• Greater role of regional and local actors in implementation of
relevant EU priorities (Lisbon etc.)
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Thank you for your
attention!
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