Navigating a fragmented future: Towards a cohesive vision for Europe

December 2023

Three years ago, the Territorial Agenda 2030 was adopted aiming at a more green and cohesive Europe. Despite all nice words, territorial and societal fragmentations in Europe are on the rise, posing a threat to the continent's future. Mega-trends and transitions are accelerating these fragmentations, influencing local and regional development paths. Various policy efforts, including the Territorial Agenda 2030 and Cohesion Policy, have not managed to combat fragmentation challenges.

The Territorial Agenda 2030 – redefining cohesion

This makes the objectives of the Territorial Agenda 2030 ever more relevant. In December 2020, the ministers responsible for spatial planning, territorial development and/or territorial cohesion, adopted the Territorial Agenda 2030 ‘A future for all places’ (Si apre in una nuova finestra). It builds on the work of earlier Territorial Agendas and is rooted in the understanding that Europe faces major economic, social and environmental challenges which require a strong territorial sensitivity of policy making. The Territorial Agenda 2030 emphasises the need to act due to growing imbalances, demographic changes, and environmental pressures. It calls for a sustainable future for all places and people in Europe. For this purpose, it defines two overarching objectives, a just Europe that offers future perspectives for all places and people, and a green Europe that protects common livelihoods and shapes societal transition.

Taking a closer look, the Territorial Agenda actually builds on a contemporary understanding of cohesion, which even might be useful for the debate about the future of Cohesion Policy.