1. Update on post-2020 cohesion policy
EUROCITIES position on the future cohesion policy
Marton MATKO
EUROCITIES policy advisor
WG metropolitan areas
Essen, 18 October 2017

2. The broader context EUROCITIES strongly involved in:
Setting up and running the urban agenda for the EU
Debate on the future of Europe
Linking EU and local initiatives addressing current challenges (e.g. circular economy, smart cities/digital and energy transition, urban mobility, climate change, local jobs&skills, inclusion and the social pillar, integration of migrants and refugees)
All these have strong implications on the resources, objectives, thematic foci and modus operandi of future cohesion policy.

3. Prospective timeline for post-2020 cohesion policy
EP elections
Brexit negotiations
Cohesion Forum
Cohesion report
Proposal on next MFF
Proposal on cohesion pol
Impact assessment
with public consultation
Legislative negotiations
Legislative negotiations
2017
Mar
June 26-27
October
2018
May
2019
2020
2021
Advocacy activities
EUROCITIES
Statement
CP post-2020
EUROCITIES policy paper
CP post-2020
EUROCITIES policy response to CP proposal

4. Challenges to overcome
Extremely difficult setting for debate on future EU budget
Unfavourable global political climate, new challenges
Brexit and its unclear implications
Lack of commonly agreed vision (and appetite) for future of EU
Mainstream discourse ignores territorial approach
Lack of overarching strategy (SDGs?) or territorial vision
Links to EU economic governance, structural reforms as main principle
EU added value of expenditure (EU public goods) – CP, CAP questioned
Financial engineering vs grants
Simplification objective becoming a pretext to cut ‘complexity’ of CP, risking place-based approach and partnership

5. Why is cohesion policy vital for the future EU?
Main expression of solidarity within EU (people and territories)
An indispensable resource for long-term investments in large parts of EU
Tangible local impact: better access to housing, education, jobs, health and social care (especially for vulnerable groups), improved research and business environment, better water and air quality, lower emissions
Improves governance in policy making and implementation (evidence-based, strategic planning, place-based, integrated approach, multi-level governance, bottom-up initiatives)
Helps local innovation through experiments and cooperation (Interreg, URBACT, urban innovative actions)

6. How to make CP more impactful and efficient?
EUROCITES policy paper on future cohesion policy (June 2017):
Maintaining its share withing EU budget, covering all regions
Making multi-level governance and partnership a reality
Strengthing the integrated approach and the urban dimension
Providing flexibility within a coherent strategic framework
Simplifying access and implementation

7. Specific recommendations
Real partnership with cities
Enforcement of the European Code of Conduct on Partnership
Meaningful dialogue with cities on identifying programme priorities
Strenghtened urban and territorial dimension to support the integrated, place-based, strategic approach
Better coordination bw ERDF and ESF MAs to help combine funds locally
Stronger incentives to use ITI and CLLD
Increased ERDF earmarking for integrated SUD strategies, also extended to ESF
Promote cooperation at functional area level
Promote bottom-up, community inititiatives
Light procedure to delegate powers to cities
Direct access to TA for capacity building
Flexible stragegic framework
Need for comprehensive EU-wide strategy post-2020
More flexibility in programming based on local conditions (thematic concentration)
Simplification of delivery
Single rulebook for ESIF, timeliness
Shift from sanctions to prevetion
Proportional reporting and audit
Equal State-aid treatment for ESIF
Innovation, transfer of good practice
Strengthening ETC (Interreg) pillar, specifcally the URBACT programme
Urban innovative actions maintained
Improved use of existing networks

8. What are we doing to achieve this?
Collecting local evidence on benefits of CP
Formulating proposals through the urban agenda partnerships
Voicing our opinion and building alliances
Policy statement at Mayors’ summit (March 2017)
Policy paper on future cohesion policy (June 2017)
Direct dialogue with Commission, EP, Council
Responding to public consultation on future CP (Q4 2017?)
EWRC: the current event + Cohesion Alliance (October 2017)
EMA European Metropolitan Authorities (October 2017)
Cities Forum (November 2017)
Policy response to future CP proposal (June 2018?)