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.

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

The Union enshrines among its objectives the strengthening of economic, social and territorial cohesion between the countries of the EU. Cohesion policy has become a key lever for moving towards a more balanced growth of the Union, encouraging, among others, job creation, entrepreneurial competitiveness, sustainable development and environmental protection, benefiting all regions and cities in the European Union.

European funds in support of cohesion policy

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

• 

  Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

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

  Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

  European supports employment and the creation of a fair and socially inclusive society.
• 

  Fair Transition Fund (FTJ)

  support for the regions most affected by the transition to climate neutrality.

The Association Agreement, which each Member State agrees with the European Commission, sets out the broad 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 translated into concrete actions in the various programmes designed within the scope of each of the cohesion policy funds.

A policy in support of the regions

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

According to Community legislation, EU regions are classified in less developed, transition or more developed regions on the basis that their level of GDP per capita is less than 75% of the EU27 average, is between 75% and 100% of the EU27 average, or more than 100% of the EU27 average, respectively. For each category of region, different co-financing rates are provided for actions under cohesion policy funds (85 per cent for the less developed, 60 per cent for the transition regions and 40 per cent 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 number of policy objectives (OPs) focusing on support from the funds have been established:

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, low-carbon Europe in transition to a zero-carbon 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 citizens, promoting the integrated and sustainable development of all kinds of territories and local initiatives.

Cohesion policy in Spain 2021-2027

With a budget of 35,562 M€, Spain is the third largest beneficiary of EU cohesion policy funds in the period 2021-2027. The Spanish Association Agreement 2021-2027 constitutes a comprehensive and flexible framework agreement which provides coverage for programmes designed in the area of 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