From high-speed broadband networks in France, converting food waste in Italy, eco-villages in the Netherlands, to a homeless shelter in Poland, cohesion policy is contributing to meeting the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs).

One of the European Commission six priorities for 2019-2024 is to ensure that digital technology serves sustainable growth, improves quality of life and secures Europe’s leadership in the global economy. Cohesion policy is playing its part to make this happen.

Almost nine out of 10 Europeans are satisfied with life in their cities, and policymakers and leaders need to continue ensuring that residents have access to job opportunities, good public services like transport and administration, and housing, according to the Report on the Quality of Life in European Cities 2023, released on 13 December.

The 2023 edition of the Regions in Europe yearbook provides citizens with an in-depth picture of the demographics, economy and environment of where they live. It provides timely information such as employment rates for graduates, how tech savvy people are, and how climate change is affecting the need for heating and cooling in homes.

Recognising the urgency of achieving Europe’s climate change targets, the EU is investing one-third of its cohesion policy budget in regional projects to reduce emissions and help countries, businesses and people adapt to new realities.

The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is helping those regions likely to be hardest hit by the green transition preserve jobs and diversify their economies. Much of the EUR 25.4 billion in total funding will be dedicated to SMEs and skills development.

A shrinking population and a growing number of older people will require many EU regions to adjust their services over the next three decades. Policies will need to be adapted to meet the new challenges, strengthen economic, social and territorial development and ensure everyone benefits from the green and digital transitions, the European Commission says in its 8th Cohesion Report.

The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region supports the reduction of hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea, one of the most polluted areas in the world.

The EU’s Cohesion Policy is strongly aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The regional gender equality monitor features two indicators which reveal the EU regions where women achieve the most and where inequality holds them back. Interactive charts allow for easy exploration of the information.

The EU’s budget of EUR 392 billion for Cohesion policy over the next seven years represents an investment in national and regional programmes, including those to drive growth, jobs, social integration and better cooperation.

The latest Eurostat population projections for the period 2020-2030 indicate that while the population of the 65+ age group is expected to grow by 18 %, the younger population – 4- to 18-year-olds – is expected to shrink by 5 %.

High-quality drinking water and access to sanitation are essential for our daily life and economic activities. Thanks to EU policy and funding, most people living in Europe enjoy good access to water services. However, there is still room for improvement which is why Cohesion Policy continues to invest in this area, allocating EUR 15 billion to water management in the 2014-2020 programming period, although investment will run until 2023.

This year is the European Year of Rail, a timely opportunity to remind ourselves that rail transport is sustainable, safe and provides an extensive travel network! It is also a chance to put Cohesion Policy rail investments in the spotlight.