COTER, the Committee of the Regions Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy, adopted four opinions on the structural funds regulations which aims to add flexibility, simplification, full involvement of regions and cities at shaping and implementing operational programmes and partnership contracts. The opinions will be voted by the CoR at the next CoR plenary session on 3-4 May.

The CoR Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER), unanimously adopted an opinion on the General Regulation of the Funds covered by the Common Strategic Framework. This opinion sets out the CoR vision of the overall priorities of the new programming phase. One of the key messages put forward on this opinion is the need for a strong involvement of regions and cities in the framing of the partnership contracts. In addition, the opinion on the regulation for the European Funds for Regional Development, also adopted by COTER, asks for more flexibility and a softening of mandatory percentages in thematic funds allocations.

COTER has also adopted the opinion drafted in relation to the new rules for the European Social Fund (ESF). While recognising the value of promoting a stronger weight of ESF projects in Member states’ and regions’ development strategies, it opposes the strict method for setting ESF shares by category of region and calls for indicative percentages to be translated into shares tailored to the actual needs of local communities. Regarding to the scope of the fund, the opinion warns about the risk of the ESF becoming a tool exclusively devoted to the Europe 2020 Strategy, losing its function as a lever of social cohesion. It also regrets the absence of any reference to promoting flexicurity in the labour market – an issue covered in Europe 2020 Integrated Guidelines.

The opinion on the proposed regulation on the Cohesion Fund adopted by COTER emphasises the role of multilevel governance in ensuring a balanced territorial development and an effective implementation of Cohesion fund-driven investments in infrastructure. It welcomes the added value of the CEF for the territorial development of EU regions and cities. However, there is a danger of failing to prepare mature cross-border projects and to fully implement the new Facility’s budget. In respect to the expenditure priorities, the opinion supports the Commission’s selection of the areas of action and emphasises the growing relevance of housing policies and the opportunity of supporting projects aimed at improving the energy performance of buildings.