ERDF including ETC and CF Regulation

The draft Opinion aims to safeguard the distinct role, visibility and long-term impact of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF) within the post-2027 EU budget, while ensuring strong territorial governance and continuity of European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg).

Essential points
• Clear recognition of ERDF and CF as distinct funds, ensuring that both funds remain explicitly earmarked, legally distinct and visible within the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), with predictable allocations and eligibility for all regions, in line with Articles 174–177 TFEU
• A reinforced place-based and integrated territorial approach, maintaining strong legal provisions for integrated territorial development, sustainable urban and rural strategies, functional areas and urban–rural linkages, and preventing the dilution of territorial instruments under a more centralised NRPP logic
• Stronger support for competitiveness, innovation and just transition, reaffirming ERDF and CF contributions to smart specialisation, regional innovation ecosystems, infrastructure, connectivity, housing, social services and climate-neutral transition,
• Robust multilevel governance and administrative capacity, preserving shared management, the partnership principle and the role of local and regional authorities, while warning against hidden budget cuts, excessive centralisation or flexibility mechanisms that weaken predictability and long-term territorial transformation
• Continuity, legal certainty and simplification for Interreg, recognising European Territorial Cooperation as a flagship EU added-value instrument, advocating for stable legal provisions from the start of the programming period, limiting reliance on delayed implementing acts, and safeguarding programme continuity beyond 2027
• Enhanced cross-border governance and delivery, promoting the full use of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) as managing authorities or beneficiaries, ensuring cooperation with non-EU neighbouring countries, maintaining all four Interreg strands, and reintroducing specific provisions for small projects and small-project funds
• Proportionate performance and financial rules, supporting adaptable indicators tailored to Interreg’s specific nature, calling for the application of the N+2 decommitment rule for 2028–2034, and seeking clarity on the impact of horizontal conditionalities (e.g. rule of law) on multi-country Interreg operations