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OPINION (COM(2025)0552 – C100168/2025 – 2025/0238(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034

EMPL-AD-786812

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: João Oliveira

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The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs proposes amendments to the proposed regulation establishing the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Interreg and the Cohesion Fund for 2028 to 2034. The amendments add new objectives and recitals on social cohesion, housing, public services, island and outermost regions, cross-border workers, partnership and administrative simplification. They require Member States to involve social partners, civil society and local authorities in programming, and to allocate resources for their administrative capacity. They set minimum shares of ERDF resources for social cohesion and for sustainable urban development, and an additional allocation for island regions. They add rules on housing support, just transition, community-led local development, and easier access to funds for final beneficiaries.

Committee position. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs proposes amendments to the lead Committee on Regional Development, adding social, employment, housing, partnership and accessibility provisions and minimum resource allocations to the proposed ERDF, Interreg and Cohesion Fund regulation.

Key points

  1. The committee submits amendments to the Committee on Regional Development on the proposed ERDF, Interreg and Cohesion Fund regulation for 2028 to 2034.
  2. A new recital says the budget should ensure predictability and visibility of cohesion policy investments, ensuring continuity with the 2021-2027 programming period.
  3. Amendments add that the Funds should not support actions jeopardising the highest applicable social and labour standards, and should guarantee accessibility for persons with disabilities in all new infrastructure projects.
  4. A new recital requires Member States to take specific commitments on how resources reflect social and employment needs, including when changing the share allocated to those priorities.
  5. A new recital says NUTS 2 classification based exclusively on GDP per capita should be reviewed, and allows reclassification of regions to the category immediately below at the request of national and regional authorities.
  6. New recitals call for ERDF and Cohesion Fund support for public services, regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, affordable and social housing, and youth in disadvantaged and depopulating regions.
  7. Amendments require at least 10% of ERDF resources allocated at national level to be directed to integrated urban development strategies, maintained throughout the programming period.
  8. New recitals call for support to SMEs and reindustrialisation, to territories affected by decarbonisation, to outermost regions with a specific additional allocation, and to island regions.
  9. A new article requires each Member State to organise a partnership including regional and local authorities, economic and social partners, civil society organisations, and research organisations and universities.
  10. A new article requires minimum allocations of ERDF resources for social cohesion at the level of category of region, starting with at least 15% for more developed regions.
  11. New articles set rules on just transition, housing support, integrated territorial investment and community-led local development, and on reducing administrative burden for final beneficiaries.
  12. Amendments add Interreg support for cross-border labour markets, social infrastructure, one-stop hubs, and actions for young people and NEETs, with monitoring committees including partners from all participating Member States.

Who is affected

  • Member States, which must organise partnerships, take social commitments and ensure compliance with social and labour obligations.
  • Regional and local authorities, which gain a role in defining priorities and selecting operations.
  • Social partners, civil society organisations and SMEs, which should get easier access to funds and administrative capacity support.
  • Island and outermost regions, which should receive additional allocations to offset insularity and remoteness costs.
  • Cross-border workers and young people, including NEETs, targeted by Interreg employment and training measures.

Figures and deadlines

  • At least 10% of ERDF resources allocated at national level for integrated urban development strategies.
  • At least 15% of ERDF resources for social cohesion in more developed regions (GDP per capita above 100% of EU-27 average).
  • Transition regions defined as GDP per capita between 75-100% of EU-27 average.
  • The Commission shall assess Interreg Plan chapters within 4 months of their submission.
  • The fair transition towards a clean and climate-neutral and resilient economy by 2050.