Although the European Union is one of the richest economies on the planet, there are still big differences between some of its regions, disparities which appear in the fact that one region in four has a gross domestic product per person under 75% of the bloc's average. How to deal with such differences in the future cohesion policy has been the central issue to be debated at the Fifth Cohesion Forum which took place in Brussels between 31 January and 1 February.

Experts and top-policy makers from the 27 member states invited by the European Commission took the opportunity to debate over these issues at the Fifth Cohesion Forum. In this Forum Member States and regions had a last opportunity to make their voices heard before the Commission presents its legislative proposals on the future cohesion policy, due out by summer 2011.

With the publication of the fifth cohesion report in November 2010, the Commission set out its initial ideas for further simplifying and streamlining the delivery system of cohesion policy, and improving evaluation, performance and results through more effective target-setting. The report showed that cohesion policy has made a significant contribution to growth and prosperity, with figures demonstrating how it helped to create an estimated 1.4 million new jobs, supported some 34 million unemployed to get back to work, enhanced the skills of another 36 million persons, funded 4 700 km of motorway and 1 200 km of high-speed rail, and provided waste water treatment for an additional 23 million people, access to clean water for an additional 20 additional million people, skills training for 10 million people per year, with a focus on vulnerable groups.

The Fifth Cohesion Forum

As the current funding period draws to a close, about 800 representatives from national, regional and local government met in Brussels for a Cohesion Forum, to discuss how to make funding better meet regional needs, taking into account that the European Union wants future funding to be targeted on jobs and growth and be in line with its Europe 2020 strategy for growth.

During the Forum, the debate focused on the strategy's push to develop sustainable economic growth that is smarter, greener and more inclusive. Within this context, the Commission underlined its will to give member countries and regions a chance to have their say before its first legislative proposals on future cohesion funding are presented by this summer.

The Forum was also the occasion to highlight the cases of some European regions which are already successfully using the funds in line with the Europe 2020 strategy such as Lithuania, Wales and Brandenburg, which were awarded the EU's annual RegioStars awards. During the forum, President Barroso presented these first 'Regions of Excellence' awards at a ceremony after the opening session.

The ‘Regions of Excellence’ recognises regions and countries that have successfully implemented policies, programmes and projects in line with the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The winners were selected as the best overall performers in the EU's annual RegioStars awards since 2008.