Towards a more place-based Cohesion Policy

April 2024

Cohesion Policy is the cornerstone of the EU's efforts to promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion by reducing disparities between regions. Since its inception, the policy has evolved to address the changing dynamics and challenges of places and people. Step by step, it has become more place-based. Today, one may argue Cohesion Policy stands at the forefront of this paradigm, advocating for a place-based, participatory approach to ensure the equitable development of its diverse territories. Still, more needs to be done. To deliver on the cohesion objectives, it needs to become more place-based and people centric.

The report of the group of high-level specialists on the future of Cohesion Policy (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), argues even that Cohesion Policy needs to reject ‘one-size fits-all’ approaches. It needs to reinforce its focus on investments which are sensitive to the unique strengths, challenges and needs of places. Only then it can become a policy boosting local capabilities and potential for developing future opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth through diversification and collaboration.

What are place-based and place-sensitive approaches?

The diversity of people and places is a considerable asset of the EU. It also means that development trends, transition challenges and policy-needs differ from one territory to the next. These differences require tailor-made responses, which need to be defined at the appropriate territorial scale. This is where place-based and place-sensitive approaches come into play.