​With its Cohesion Policy, the main objectives of the European Union is to support the development of the Regions of Europe, so that citizens can live in prosperity and security. The EU has set up a number of programs and initiatives to support European society, economic development, workers and entrepreneurs, small and large businesses. Also to improve educational opportunities, fight poverty and promote sustainable development consistent with the overall EU objectives. To do this, the EU has deployed appropriate funds and financial instruments for interventions either directly or through Member States and has created a legal framework that is continuously evolving.

In this chapter you will find all about what Europe does for regions and urban development. through the Cohesion Policy.

EU Legislative Activity

All EU Legislation in force and under discussion. Know the Members of  the European Parliament, their Staff and all working documents. Follow the meetings of the committees and of the EP Plenary. In streaming or the recording. All EU Council decisions as well.

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

  • About the Fund
  • Funding opportunities
  • Impact and performance
  • Fund features

Cities and urban development

EU works with cities to ensure a good quality of life.
See how the Commission helps cities to grow sustainably through sharing of knowledge, funding, and other urban policies and initiatives. 

Climate change and risk prevention

The recent acceleration of climate change can only have devastating consequences for life and for society itself. For this reason, the EU helps the Regions of Europe to find solutions for their own development that are compatible with the preservation of the environment in which they live.

Competition

Each EU member state can contribute to the development of its own Regions, but on condition that the competition rules are not altered, without which state aid can create "far west" systems, where the Regions compete unfairly. to collaborate.​

Culture

Culture is one of the unique and richest heritages that Europe has. It performs very important functions, from social to economic ones. European culture also has regional specificities and connotations that are almost unique to the rest of the world, as the eventful history of the European continent has also shaped and been shaped by culture in all its expressions. The EU is therefore careful to safeguard the cultural identity of each individual region, including through its promotion.​

Education and training

The true wealth of each Region: Education and training, European social fund for better education, skills and career development. Latest news, project information. 

Efficient public administration

The interest of the EU is to have Regions with administrative capacities such as to guarantee optimal management of the European funds made available to them. For this reason there are programs and initiatives to support the Regions in this effort of responsibility.

Employment and labour market

The interest of the EU is to have Regions with high employment rates, less and less dependent on public aid and more and more attractive for investors. All for the benefit of citizens.​

Energy networks

Energy has always been the engine that accompanies the development of our society. But energy can be scarce, it can pollute, it can create social distortions, etc. The EU has launched a strategy of connecting national energy networks and their digitization, in order to have an efficient, effective system for dealing with risk situations and which can reach any citizen. And of course by helping countries towards the energy transition.​

EU enlargement candidate countries

The EU has made various programs and financial instruments available to the candidate countries. EU intervenes a lot at the local level, to have an immediate positive impact.

Environment and resource efficiency

Since it is the Regions that have a fundamental role in the growth and environmental preservation of their territory, the EU has various policies to act directly at the local level: from agriculture, to environmental protection, to the management of natural resources.​

Europe's outermost regions

The EU has many peripheral and ultra-peripheral regions. They are characterized by different climates, by very specific social traditions, by territories with very different economic realities. For this reason, particular attention is paid to which regions and their inhabitants.

Health

EU Cohesion Policy invests in health, a key asset for regional development and competitiveness, in order to reduce economic and social disparities. Investment may address a number of different areas such as Europe’s ageing population, healthcare infrastructure and sustainable systems, e-health, health coverage, and health promotion programmes.