European Cohesion Policy: main principles and perspectives

European Cohesion Policy has so far served as a pivotal frame- work for regional development within the European Union (EU), address- ing disparities among regions and promoting economic integration. Rep- resenting a significant portion of the EU budget, the policy aims to foster balanced growth across diverse territories through targeted interventions. Recent discussions highlight the need for reforms to enhance the policy’s effectiveness, particularly in light of emerging challenges. The future of Cohesion Policy will depend on its ability to integrate with the EU’s broad- er economic agenda while continuing to support less developed regions in narrowing income gaps.