As part of the implementation of the Structural Funds, DG Regional Policy of the European Commission is holding a series of meetings with the other skateholders involved in the issue from an economic and social view.

The Structural Funds regulations foresee regular consultation meetings with the economic and social partners. Traditionally, this has been limited to economic and social partners such as the European Trade Union Confederation or BusinessEurope.

In an effort to broaden relations with other civil society partners, the Directorate General for Regional Policy invited several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working at the European level on regional policy and Structural Funds to a first informal round table on 30 April.

The participating NGOs represented the following policy areas: environment and sustainable development, as well as social inclusion (including Roma communities) and gender mainstreaming.

While the two morning sessions were dedicated to exploring these thematic areas from a regional policy angle, the afternoon discussions focused on the implementation of the partnership principle and the future of cohesion policy.

The NGO representatives expressed their readiness to contribute closely to all phases of the policy process, in line with the partnership principle enshrined in the Structural Funds regulations. The Commission then presented first thoughts on the future of cohesion policy and offered the NGOs the possibility to further debate this issue during next year's Cohesion Forum.

Building on the success of this first meeting, the European Commission will continue its structured dialogue with civil society partners during further round table sessions in the future.