In a post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, Cohesion Policy will need to re-establish the added value of ESIF in a new context, provide greater budgetary flexibility to deal with unexpected challenges, ensure simplification and differentiation of management, promote good performance and manage stronger links with economic governance, and potentially make do with less funding.
Drawing on EPRC research conducted under the European Regional Policy Research Consortium (EoRPA), a new research paper by John Bachtler, Carlos Mendez and Fiona Wishlade examines future options for Cohesion policy after 2020. It begins by exploring the state of debate on the MFF, notably the reflections papers produced by the Commission, and the budget and policy dynamics influencing the discussions. It then explores the range of views on the content of the post-2020 policy drawing on the positions or views of EU institutions, Member State authorities and region al interest groups, before drawing conclusions on the way forward.
The research paper ‘Reshaping the EU budget and Cohesion Policy: carrying on, doing less, doing more or radical redesign?’ is published in EPRC’s European Policy Research Paper series here.