Cohesion policy is the strategy of the European Union (EU) to promote and support the "overall harmonious development" of its Member States and regions.
Enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Art. 174), the EU's Cohesion policy aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion by reducing disparities in the level of development between regions.
Approximately 35.7 % of the EU budget 2007-13 (equivalent to ca. EUR 347.41 billion over seven years at 2008 prices) is allocated to financial instruments which support Cohesion policy. These are managed and delivered in partnership between the European Commission, the Member States and stakeholders at the local and regional level.