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The proposals for the new European Cohesion Policy after 2020 analysed in the summer issue of Panorama

Brussels, August 2018.

The summer issue of the European Commission's Panorama Review analyses the budget proposal for the funding period 2021-2027. In addition to an introductory article setting out the proposals and how the Cohesion Policy is expected to be reformed, an interview with Commissioner Creţu explains the main developments of the period and the reasons for them.

With a budget of €373 billion over seven years, Cohesion Policy remains the EU's largest investment policy. It will focus on a smarter, stronger and more united Europe: modern investments that prioritise smart industrial transition to meet the challenges of our global economy, as well as green growth and the transition to a low-carbon economy, without losing the commitment to a more social and connected Europe that is closer to its citizens.

In this new period, the promotion of innovative inter-regional investments stands out, focusing more on institutional cooperation and investing in joint services of public interest. The new Cohesion Policy rules propose the creation of interregional investments in innovation, whereby regions with the same "smart specialisation" assets would receive more support to work together in priority sectors such as mass data, bio-economics, resource efficiency or connected mobility.