The debate on the future of Cohesion Policy is in full swing, just a few weeks before the European elections, with the publication of the conclusions of the Group of Specialists on the Future of Cohesion Policy, the European Parliament’s resolution on the implementation of Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 and the publication of the 9th Cohesion Report. This is why LEADER France has published a press release, giving their opinion on these various contributions that came out in the past months. There, Leader France advocates new financial means for ruralities, a better consideration of rural areas and simplification, as always.
Extract
In the various pieces of work on the Cohesion Policy cited above, the European Commission openly acknowledges the risk for marginalised regions to fall into the “development trap” and for increased disparities between metropolitan and rural areas. In the 9th Cohesion Report, the European Commission calls for a better tailored support to regional needs, faster implementation and for a simplification of procedures.
“As the European Union is looking at the future, it is indeed essential to recall the role that rural areas play in Europe and the core importance of their link with urban areas. Thus, Cohesion Policy must be more inclusive and adjustable to rural areas, and attentive to the urban-rural link. These calls for vigilance and attention to rural areas could reassure us. However, it is alarming to note that the share of the budget devoted to Cohesion Policy has decreased in the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. However, the specific financial tools for the development of rural areas, which depend either on the Common Agricultural Policy (LEADER) or on their mobilisation by national managing authorities (ERDF OS 5), are already insufficiently funded. ” comments Thibaut Guignard, President of Leader France.
Here you can read the full PRESS RELEASE in pdf.