What future for EU Cohesion Policy? Reform ambitions and realities

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Mendez, Carlos and Kah, Stefan (2026) What future for EU Cohesion Policy? Reform ambitions and realities. EPRC Delft, Delft, Netherlands. (https://doi.org/10.17868/strath.00095319)

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Abstract

This paper assesses how the Commission’s MFF proposals for the 2028-34 EU budget would fundamentally reshape Cohesion Policy by merging instruments into a single Fund delivered through national plans and performance-based payments. While intended to improve strategic focus, flexibility and simplification, many stakeholders and the European Parliament warn of risks to shared management, regional autonomy and territorial cohesion. These concerns are heightened by a cut to Cohesion Policy funding, changes to allocation method and reduced guarantees for Transition and More Developed Regions. IQ-Net authorities acknowledge the need to align more closely with EU priorities but fear that reduced resources, increased competition and lower planning certainty could undermine the Treaty objective of reducing territorial disparities. Greater flexibility is welcomed but seen as weakening stability and predictability, while simplification is doubted due to new obligations. Governance and performance reforms may even raise administrative, capacity and delivery risks. The analysis concludes by identifying reform improvements including transparent and predictable allocation mechanisms, safeguards for all categories of regions, effective multi-level governance arrangements, and audit and control systems aligned with a performance-based delivery approach.

ORCID iDs

Mendez, Carlos ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7109-4444 and Kah, Stefan ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8777-621X;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)