Cohesion Shapes the Future

2026-07-22

"Cohesion Shapes the Future aims to address some priorities of the new European Commission, highlighted in the political guidelines published in July 2024. In particular, our aim is to stimulate discussion on issues that are intertwined with Cohesion Policy. The Structural Funds already invest considerable resources in the competitiveness of the European economic system, both to strengthen businesses and to strengthen infrastructure. Competitiveness – also in light of the Draghi plan – has become one of the drivers of EU policies. Cohesion policy will also be asked to contribute to this collective effort. Among the political objectives of the new commission on which we would like to keep the attention high are two issues related to the European social model that ""does not want to leave anyone behind"". First of all, we are referring to the demographic changes that the Member States are experiencing, with serious social and economic consequences for families, businesses and governments. Linked to demographic changes is the phenomenon of gentrification of cities, which generates housing crises and excludes the youngest and economically weaker sections of the population. Finally, the two-year period 2025-2026 will be decisive in shaping the new post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework. The change of strategy that is expected – resources in exchange for reforms, as for the RRF – will require a lot of media attention on the consequences that this may have on Cohesion policy in general."

Italy

2025-10-01