Report on the outcome of 2021-2027 cohesion policy programming

On 2 May 2023, the European Commission published a Staff Working Document: Cohesion 2021-2027: forging an ever-stronger Union - Report on the outcome of 2021-2027 cohesion policy programming.

The report shows how the policy will unleash investments worth a total of €545 billion, of which, €378 billion is funded by the EU. These funds aim to foster:

• lasting socio-economic convergence
• territorial cohesion
• a social and inclusive Europe
• a smooth and fair green and digital transition, making sure that no one is left behind

Overall, cohesion policy funds will:

• increase the EU’s GDP by 0.5% by the end of the implementation period
• support the creation of 1.3 million jobs
• provide many more benefits to the EU’s regions and citizens

A smarter and more competitive Europe

Cohesion Policy funds will greatly contribute to fostering research and innovation and addressing the innovation and digital divide. For example, 83,000 researchers will have access to improved facilities and 725,000 companies will be supported in their smart growth. The policy will support modernisation of public services, digital skills and infrastructure (e.g., high-speed mobile network and fixed digital infrastructure will connect 3.1 million homes), digitisation of public services (e.g., 22,500 public administrations) and the digital transformation of businesses.

A greener, low-carbon transition towards a net-zero carbon economy and resilient Europe

Green investments in climate mitigation and adaptation actions will directly contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal to reduce EU emissions in the EU by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to reaching EU climate neutrality by 2050.

Support will be provided to projects in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy. This will play a particularly important role in implementing several key actions under the REPowerEU plan. For example, it is expected that 32 million m2 of public buildings and 723,000 homes will improve their energy performance and 9,555 MW of additional renewable energy capacity will be installed.

Clean water and improved wastewater infrastructure will reach 16.4 million people.

Investments will also be made in climate change adaptation and disaster risk management, e.g., 229,000 hectares of new green infrastructure will be financed.

Last but not least, it will support sustainable urban mobility, e.g. 1,230 km of new and modernised tram and metro lines and 12,200 km of dedicated cycling infrastructure.

A more connected Europe

The policy will support efficient transport systems at all territorial levels, for example, investments will be made in rail, being one of the safest and cleanest mode of transport, e.g. 3,900 km of TEN-T railway lines will be newly built, upgraded, reconstructed or modernised.

A more social and inclusive Europe

Cohesion funds are a tool for investing in people for social and inclusive growth, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights.

 Cohesion Policy aims to support at least 6.5 million unemployed people and  investment in professional skills and lifelong learning, as underlined by the European Year of Skills. This will contribute to reaching the 2030 EU target of at least 60% of all adults participating in training every year.

 Cohesion funding will also improve the integration and inclusion of more than 3 million people, including 600,000 people in marginalised groups such as Roma.

 1.7 million pupils in primary and secondary education will be supported and almost 3.5 million people are expected to study in new or modernised education facilities.

Health and long-term care, including infrastructure and equipment, will benefit from important improvements, while 60 million patients are expected to receive medical advice or treatment in new or modernised healthcare facilities.

 Europe Closer to the citizens

2021-2027 cohesion policy has brought a strengthened bottom-up, place-based approach by empowering sub-regional territories and local communities to identify their own priorities and projects in an integrated and participatory way. This approach is unique and represents one of the main added values of the policy.

This approach will be implemented via more than 2 150 strategies for integrated territorial development and more than 400 community-led local development (CLLD) strategies with enhanced ownership and the participation of local stakeholders and communities. More than 19 billion are planned for these strategies with almost two thirds planned for investment aimed at fostering integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security within urban areas, while one third will pursue such objectives in non-urban areas. As a result, for example, 2 million m² of public buildings will be energy renovated, 33 km2 of open space will be created or renovated in urban areas, and around 3 800 cultural or tourism sites will be supported.

Towards a just transition

Cohesion Policy will help people and territories most impacted by the transition to climate neutrality so that no region is left behind.

Almost 39,000 enterprises will be supported in the transition and more than 5,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) will invest in new skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship. Up to 120,000 unemployed people will benefit from the measures and almost 200,000 people will gain new qualifications. Among other things, the policy will also support the rehabilitation of almost 46,000 hectares of land.

 Additionally, the policy will also support health and long-term care, including infrastructure and equipment with, for example, 60 million patients receiving medical advice or treatment in new or modernised healthcare facilities.

Interreg

Finally, under European territorial cooperation across the EU and its neighbours, funds will be invested in joint projects involving more than 2 million people, 40,299 organisations and 25,456 SMEs.

Channelled through a unique place-based approach, the policy helps all regions to develop their competitiveness and enhancing social well-being across the EU territory, while also supporting provision of basic services in the least developed areas. In the coming years, more than 379 tailor-made programmes will shape the socio-economic landscape of our regions. Work on their successful implementation has already started.