European regions and cities request a place-based approach to the thematic concentration of resources, a stronger flexibility in the definition of the funds allocation and clear rules for the involvement of regions and cities in defining operational programmes and partnership contracts through the four opinions adopted in plenary session by Members of the Committee of Regions.

The Committee of Regions (CoR) adopted at the May plenary four opinions on the regulations related to the Structural funds which made clear its position on the way forward for a successful cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020. The proposal for a cohesion policy 2014-2020 was presented by the European Commission in October 2011.

On the opinion on the General Regulation of the Funds covered by the Common Strategic Framework (CSF), the CoR expresses full support to most of the European Commission's "core" proposals such as the introduction of the new category of transition regions, the integrate approach to funds programming promoted through the CSF and the principle of thematic concentration of investments. In order to simplify the procedures applying to structural funds, the CoR proposes to rationalise controls and audits, reduce managing authorities’ reporting duties and delete the provisions introducing new accreditation bodies.

Furthermore the opinion on the regulation for the European Funds for Regional Development (ERDF) calls for a reduction in the mandatory percentage of ERDF funds to be allocated to the thematic objectives in each category of regions. According to the CoR, this would allow a wider margin of intervention and as such better focus ERDF investments on territorial competitiveness. For what it concerns the European Social Fund, the CoR 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.

Finally, in the fourth opinion adopted, the CoR emphasises that Cohesion Fund-driven investment in infrastructure conducted over the years has proven to deliver a very high level of European added value and that through these investments, the EU provides Europeans with higher living standards and businesses with opportunities for development. The opinion also stresses that the ECF should fund integrated projects on the energy performance of buildings and housing and supports the need for smart investment in infrastructure development at European level.