Interview with Kata Tüttő - President of the European Committee of the Regions

Why do you think a more centralised Cohesion Policy would simply not work

Cohesion Policy is one of the EU’s most important stabilizing tools, especially in times when the world as we know it seems to be falling apart. It ensures that no matter where you live — whether in a metropolis or a rural village — you have the opportunity to reach your full potential.

On paper, centralisation might appear more efficient, but in reality, it disconnects decision-making from the people it impacts the most. A centralised and overregulated Cohesion Policy becomes rigid, and when that happens, it fails to fulfill its purpose in Europe's constant need for adaptation.

We need policies that reflect the realities of different regions, adapting to their strengths, industries and unique challenges. This isn’t just theory: whenever top-down approaches replace decentralised governance, the result is inefficiency, bottlenecks, and frustration at the local level. European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto has reaffirmed that cohesion must remain rooted in partnership, shared management, and a place-based approach. That’s how we keep Europe together, not by imposing uniformity but by respecting diversity and making it work.

There is a debate in Brussels about using cohesion funds for defence. What is your position?

Security is a fundamental human need, the foundation on which everything else is built. But security is more than just military defence. It encompasses economic, social, environmental, health, institutional and cybersecurity dimensions. Security means having a job, a home, affordable energy, a livable environment, clean air, drinkable water, and a future for our children. A truly secure society recognizes that instability in one dimension can quickly spread to others.

Cohesion Policy already plays a role in this broader security framework. Our cities and regions invest in protecting critical infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and strengthening community resilience against crises, whether they arise from war, climate change, or cyberattacks.

But we must be clear: diverting funds away from cohesion would be a catastrophic mistake. Europe needs both. Weakening cohesion weakens Europe’s ability to keep its regions strong and resilient in the face of growing instability. The debate should not be about reallocating existing funds but about securing new resources to safeguard Europe’s security in all its dimensions.

Are you worried about possible cuts to Cohesion Policy in the next EU budget?

Worried? Let’s put it this way: anyone can lead when there’s plenty of money, when the winds are favorable. True leadership is tested in times of scarcity. When cuts are necessary, the real question is: do we make them wisely, strategically, in a way that allows for future growth? Or do we cut so deeply that Europe struggles to recover?

Cohesion Policy is not just another budget line, it is Europe’s social and economic backbone. It funds the roads people drive on, the schools their children attend, the hospitals they rely on. If we cut recklessly, we risk deeper fragmentation, greater inequality, and ultimately, a weaker Europe.

That’s why the real issue isn’t just about avoiding cuts, it’s about securing the right investments for the future. Europe must identify new sources of revenue for its budget. Otherwise, we will be fighting over a shrinking pie instead of growing a bigger one.

In times of growing uncertainty and divergence, what role does the Committee of the Regions play?

In uncertain times, people seek stability, clarity, and leaders they can trust. And at the local and regional level, trust remains strong. Citizens know their mayors, their regional leaders, their communities. This gives us a responsibility: to be the ones who bring people together when the world is pulling apart.

When there is polarization, we must foster cooperation. When there is too much noise, we must bring clarity. When there is growing distrust in institutions, we must prove that governance can still work. We must be active optimists, not passive pessimists. If Europe is diverging, our job is to be the glue that holds our home together. City to city, region to region, leader to leader.

The future of Europe will not be decided solely in Brussels. It will be built through the connections we strengthen, the resilience we cultivate, and the communities we empower across the continent. This is what the Committee of the Regions stands for: not just defending cohesion, but actively creating it, every single day.