WIREDGOV

European Structural and Investment Funds ( ESIF ) play a vital role for the EU but clearer targets and simpler rules are needed to make it work better. This was the main message shared by regions' and cities' representatives from the European Committee of the Regions Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER) with the members of the European Parliament's Committee for Regional Development (REGI), in a joint meeting on 12 October.

The findings of the European Commission's in-depth assessment of cohesion policy 2007-2013 show that ESIF have been the main tool in Europe's hands to counter development gaps and boost competitiveness and growth, especially during the economic crisis. This evidence was welcomed and highlighted by COTER and REGI members in the a joint session held in the framework of the 14^th European Week of Regions and Cities, organised in Brussels from 10 to 13 October.

Nonetheless, the discussion clarified that cohesion policy effects are not uniform and performances still vary significantly among countries and sectors. The policy is designed to ensure a wide involvement of partners and beneficiaries among local authorities, universities, businesses, associations, but it also involves a high complexity in controls and accounting procedures.

" Cohesion policy improves the quality of citizens' lives and fosters EU solidarity, including by tackling major challenges such as migration, climate change and energy dependence. But programmes did not always focus on results and targets were not consistent or clear enough", pointed out COTER chair, Mr Raffaele Cattaneo, president of the Lombardia Regional Council, adding that: "We share with our REGI colleagues a strong commitment to make this massive investment plan for Europe – worth 637bn until 2020 – work better, deliver its promises for the all Europeans and become more visible so that citizens, businesses and all decision makers are fully aware of what it at stake when we discuss its future ".

" In a time of economic uncertainty and doubts on the European project, cohesion policy remains a crucial tool to attain the EU goals of solidarity and economic convergence", stated REGI chair, Ms Iskra Mihaylova, who added that: " We should be aware that the correct way to prepare ourselves for a better cohesion policy is to boost its performance in the current programming period. European citizens do their own personal evaluation on cohesion policy every day in their cities and regions and we should keep this in mind when focusing on regional policy results ."

The CoR President, Markku Markkula, and the EU Regional Policy Commissioner, Corina Creţu, joined the discussion, looking at how to further reinforce the interinstitutional cooperation, with a view to the shaping of cohesion policy after 2020.

In this perspective, the debate highlighted that, besides addressing regional disparities in all EU member states, cohesion policy has increasingly shifted towards other EU objectives, from the migration crisis to climate change. REGI and COTER members agreed on the need to effectively connect the next generation of ESIF-supported investment plans to the actual challenges faced by regions and cities on the ground.

The debate carefully considered the most recent contributions of the two institutions to the understanding and improvement of cohesion policy impact. These include:

• CoR opinion on Simplification of ESIF from the perspective of Local and Regional Authorities drafted by Petr Osval (CZ/PES) and adopted on 11 October
• EP ongoing report on Investing in jobs and growth – maximising the contribution of the European Structural and Investment Funds by Lambert Van Nistelrooij (EPP/NL)
• Ongoing CoR opinion on The future of cohesion policy beyond 2020 , by Michael Schneider (DE/EPP)
• EP report on The preparation of the post-electoral revision of the MFF 2014-2020 byConstanze Krehl (S&D/DE)

Contacts:

Committee of the Regions 
Pierluigi BODA 
Tel: +32 2 282 2461 
Mobile: +32 473 85 17 43 
pierluigi.boda@cor.europa.eu

European Parliament
Kristina-Antigoni ELEFTERIE 
Press Unit 
(32-2) 2 28 32798 (BXL)32-2) 2 28 32798 (BXL)
(+33) 3 88 1 74651 (STR)
(+32) 498 98 32 83
regi-press@europarl.europa.eu
@EP_Regional