European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund, a cross-border mechanism and Interreg

Briefing 14-09-2018

The European Commission recently issued the legislative proposals for the spending programmes of the MFF 2021-2027, including the legislative package on cohesion policy. Three of these proposals (on the ERDF and the Cohesion fund, on a new mechanism for cross-border cooperation and on Interreg) are covered by one IA. It provides a good description of policy challenges and ‘lessons learned’ from previous programmes. Potential effects of proposed measures are, however, discussed rather generally, neglecting in particular social, environmental and other specific or indirect impacts. Additional explanations regarding the assumptions (and uncertainties) underlying the analysis would have increased the completeness, precision and accountability of the IA.