Cohesion Policy

Cohesion policy is one of the European Union's most important investment instruments. It aims to provide support for the reduction of imbalances between regions.

From the outset, the process of European integration had to face up to the challenge of disparities between the regions that make it up, with particular attention to rural areas, areas affected by the industrial transition and those that start with natural and demographic disadvantages, as well as the possible impacts arising from the process of developing the single market.

One of the objectives of the Union is to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion between EU countries. Cohesion policy has become a fundamental lever for moving towards a more balanced growth of the Union, favouring, among others, job creation, business competitiveness, sustainable development and environmental protection, benefiting all regions and cities of the European Union.

European funds in support of cohesion policy

The EU supports the achievement of cohesion objectives through the implementation of a series of funds under shared management. In the period 2021-2027, Spain is a beneficiary of the following:

• 

  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

  It invests in the social and economic development of all EU regions and cities.
• 

  European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

  It supports employment and the creation of a just and socially inclusive society.
• 

  Just Transition Fund (JTF)

  It helps the regions most affected by the transition to climate neutrality.

The Association Agreement, which each Member State agrees with the European Commission, establishes the main strategic lines of cohesion policy for the Member State throughout the programming period, promoting coordination and coherence in action between the various instruments of cohesion policy. These broad strategic lines are materialised in concrete actions in the various programmes designed within the scope of each of the cohesion policy funds.

A policy in support of the regions

Cohesion policy has a pronounced territorial dimension and, as a mechanism to support the reduction of territorial disparities, it naturally concentrates its investment effort on the less developed regions.

According to Community regulation, EU regions are classified as less developed, transitional or more developed regions on the basis that their level of GDP per capita is less than 75% of the EU27 average, 75% to 100% of the EU27 average, or more than 100% of the EU27 average, respectively. For each category of region, different co-financing rates are envisaged for actions under cohesion policy funds (85% for the less developed, 60% for the transition regions and 40% for the more developed regions).

Aligned with national and Community priorities

In order for cohesion policy, in addition to its main objective, to contribute to the achievement of the Union's priorities, for the period 2021-2027 a series of political objectives (POs) have been established in which support from the funds is concentrated:

1. 

   OP 1

   A more competitive and intelligent Europe, promoting innovative and intelligent economic transformation and regional connectivity to information and communication technologies.
2. 

   OP 2

   A greener Europe, low in carbon, in transition to a net-zero and resilient economy, promoting a clean and equitable energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management and sustainable urban mobility.
3. 

   OP 3

   A more connected Europe, improving mobility.
4. 

   OP 4

   A more social and inclusive Europe, through the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
5. 

   OP 5

   A Europe closer to the citizens, promoting the integrated and sustainable development of all types of territories and local initiatives.

Cohesion policy in Spain 2021-2027

With an allocation of 35,562 M€, Spain is the third largest beneficiary of EU cohesion policy funds in the period 2021-2027. The Association Agreement of Spain 2021-2027 constitutes a broad and flexible framework agreement providing coverage for the programmes designed under the three cohesion policy funds for which Spain is a beneficiary (ERDF, ESF+ and FTJ).

Association Agreement of Spain 2021-2027

Association Agreement (PDF)Explanatory Document of the Agreement (PDF)

Table of data by region

Regions	ERDF	ESF+	FTJ	TOTAL
Less developed regions (*)	12.254	5,846	160	18.260
Regions in transition (**)	8.287	3,908	613	12,808
More developed regions (**)	2,857	1,541	96	4,494
	23.397	11.296	869	35,562