In this edition of our series on Cohesion policy, we have two very special guests joining: European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira and EURACTIV’s Jorge Valero. We take a closer look at how Europe’s historic recovery fund will work alongside the classical instrument of Cohesion policy, and what are the challenges of implementing these giant money pots simultaneously.

Cohesion Policy is the European Union’s mechanism that supports its economic and social cohesion. Its’ main subjective is to reduce the disparities between the various regions and reassure the competitiveness of the less expanded economies. The regional development funds, the “engine” of cohesion policy, are vital to each country’s economy because the define the development of many sectors, such as tourism, infrastructure, education and others. Cohesion policy is a key element in the Union’s disposal to tackle any possible crisis, such as the COVID- 19 crisis.