A meeting of the Council Working Party on Structural Measures and Outermost Regions (SMOR) is scheduled for 7 July 2026, according to a notice of meeting and provisional agenda published by the Council. The meeting will focus on cohesion policy support for youth employment and the 2026 European Semester Spring Package.
The agenda includes an examination of the first draft of Council conclusions on a European Court of Auditors (ECA) special report (No 15/2026) that assesses cohesion policy's effectiveness in ensuring lasting employment for young people. The Commission is also set to present the 2026 European Semester Spring Package, covering employment, social, and regional dimensions. The Presidency will outline its working programme for the meeting.
The discussions could shape EU-level conclusions on improving cohesion policy to achieve sustainable youth employment outcomes, potentially influencing future funding adjustments and the integration of employment priorities into the European Semester process. Stakeholders such as EU youth, national employment agencies, and regional authorities may be affected by any policy shifts aimed at reducing youth unemployment.