Hahn, J. (2014) “Public investment under the new EU Cohesion Policy is helping Europe out of the crisis and into growth“, LSE EUROPP, 27 May.
The EU’s Cohesion Policy (often referred to as the Regional Policy of the European Union) is one of the most important areas of spending in the EU budget. It aims to improve development and generate growth and employment by funding projects in regions across Europe. Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, writes on the importance of Cohesion Policy in realising the EU’s key goals. He notes that without Cohesion Policy public investment would have fallen at a faster rate in the countries hit by the crisis, and that future funding will be vital in generating economic growth, improving competiveness and tackling climate change.
In the last few years, with Europe’s deep financial and fiscal crisis, the role of EU Cohesion Policy, and the perception of it, has been cast in a different light. This has gone hand in hand with a fundamental reform of the policy to better equip it to be the strategic investment tool that to some extent it has already proved it can be, and that it certainly needs to be, to help Europe recover and move to growth. Crucially EU Cohesion Policy acts as the financial incentive for the EU to realise its key goals.
Relevant posts:
- Ladi, S. & Tsarouhas, D. (2014) “The Politics of Austerity and Public Policy Reform in the EU“, Political Studies Review, 12: 171–180.
- Jouen, Μ. (2014) “The Single Market and Cohesion Policy Dyad: Battered by the Crisis and Globalisation”, Notre Europe Policy Papers, 28 April.
- Barbiero, Fr., Darvas, Zs. (2014) “In sickness and in health: protecting and supporting public investment in Europe“, Bruegel Policy Contribution, Issue 2014/02.