Cohesion policy

The European Commission launched a public consultation on the future of EU cohesion policy (open until 31 January 2008).

The consultation aims to collect ideas and contributions on the question of how the Union's cohesion policy should adapt to new challenges and how its delivery can be improved in order to maximise its impact in the future.

Contributions are expected from Member States, regions, municipalities, cities, EU institutions, economic and social partners, civil society organisations, academics and citizens. They should be based on a number of questions which were published in the European Commission's Fourth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion.

Background information

The 4th cohesion report provides an update on the progress made towards achieving economic, social and territorial cohesion, and on the way in which Community and national policies have contributed to it. It looks at the new challenges ahead and submits for debate a series of questions on how the Union's cohesion policy should adapt to new challenges and how its delivery can be improved in order to maximise its impact in the future.

Growing regions, growing Europe: Questions of the Consultation
The Fourth Report on Economic and Social Cohesion