Opening with a warm welcome and acknowledgment of collaborative efforts, Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto addressed participants at the 23rd European Week of Regions and Cities, emphasizing a theme of unity: "Shaping Tomorrow, Together." The speech outlined three core thematic pillars: "Cohesion and Growth for the Future," "Right to Stay: Unlocking the Potential of Every Territory," and "Cities Building Tomorrow."
Mid-Term Review Modernization as Policy Foundation
Fitto detailed the recent modernization of cohesion policy via the mid-term review for the 2021–2027 funding period. This reform provides Member States and regions with regulatory flexibility to redirect investments toward five key priorities: competitiveness, defence, water management, energy transition, and housing. This regulatory adjustment intends to stimulate growth now by enabling efficient use of funds and aligning spending with emerging national and territorial priorities.
Integrated Approach to Territorial Development
On the "Right to Stay" theme, Fitto called for a multi-sectoral approach to address factors influencing population retention such as job availability, healthcare, childcare, education, mobility, and affordable housing. This suggests a shift toward policies that balance social welfare with economic incentives at local and regional levels to combat depopulation and unlock territorial potential.
Urban Challenges and Policy Focus
The third focus area spotlights cities as vital growth engines facing common challenges of sustainable mobility, public service accessibility, and affordable housing. Fitto’s remarks imply a continued or enhanced engagement of EU funds and institutional support tailored to urban contexts.
Implications and Stakeholder Impact
For EU regulatory bodies, this mid-term policy adjustment implies increased responsibilities in supervision and allocation flexibility, balancing cohesion goals against emerging priorities. National authorities and regional governments stand to gain by shaping investments more responsively to local needs but will face challenges in coordinating integrated policy actions across sectors.
The urban and regional business sectors may encounter opportunities through increased investment in infrastructure and services related to competitiveness and energy transition, but also face demands for compliance with new policy orientations. EU citizens, particularly in smaller or less-developed territories, could benefit from improved access to services and job opportunities, although success depends on effective implementation.
Overall, Fitto’s speech signals incremental but concrete steps toward deepening EU cohesion policy’s adaptability, aiming to achieve balanced growth that respects both regional diversity and urban challenges, through enhanced policy integration and financial incentives.