On general guidelines for the preparation of the 2026 budget – Section III – Commission
REGI-AD-769941
Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Gabriella Gerzsenyi
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The Committee on Regional Development's opinion on the 2026 EU budget calls for cohesion policy to remain a key investment tool, with adequate funding, simplified rules, and attention to vulnerable regions and people.¶¶¶ It urges the Commission to improve monitoring, reduce bureaucracy, and ensure funds are used effectively, while supporting rural areas, outermost regions, and a just transition.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Regional Development calls on the Committee on Budgets to incorporate its suggestions into the motion for a resolution on the 2026 budget.¶
Key points
- Cohesion policy should be based on solidarity, create sustainable growth and jobs, and contribute to EU objectives including climate, energy, biodiversity, competitiveness, and social inclusion.¶
- Cohesion policy should complement, not replace, emergency instruments; legislative changes should not repeatedly alter its objectives and resources.¶
- Budgetary coordination is needed among all financial instruments supporting cohesion policy; NextGenerationEU funds should support and complement cohesion measures.¶
- The 'do no harm to cohesion' principle must be observed across the EU budget; new priorities should come with new resources, and long-term investment goals should reduce regional disparities.¶
- The Commission should step up monitoring of 2021-2027 programmes, ensure rule of law and sound financial management, reduce bureaucracy, and avoid decommitments and political manipulation.¶
- The Just Transition Fund needs adequate resources and a long-term perspective, with a realistic approach involving local authorities and social partners.¶
- Calls for further simplification of cohesion policy, and highlights the EU Councillors network as a tool for gathering evidence at local level.¶
- Rural areas should receive adequate funding for environmental protection, food production, tourism, and 'the right to stay', plus investment in services, digital access, and affordable housing.¶
- At least 8% of ERDF resources at national level should go to urban areas, with attention to functional urban and metropolitan areas.¶
- Calls for increased investment in digitalisation and innovation to boost SME competitiveness in less-developed regions and bridge the digital divide.¶
- Upskilling and reskilling of working-age individuals is needed, along with initiatives to increase acceptance of economic, industrial, and energy transitions.¶
- Full use of Article 349 TFEU should adapt cohesion policy to outermost regions, with additional allocations and an Islands Pact considered.¶
Who is affected
- Local and regional authorities, who should benefit from reduced bureaucracy and more accessible funds.¶¶
- Rural areas, outermost regions, islands, and regions facing transitions or natural handicaps, which need targeted support.¶¶¶
- Vulnerable people, including persons with disabilities, who should receive particular attention as beneficiaries.¶
- SMEs in less-developed regions, which should gain from digitalisation and innovation investment.¶
Figures and deadlines
- At least 8% of ERDF resources at national level should be allocated to urban areas.¶