Economic, social and territorial cohesion are key objectives of the European Union giving every EU region a fair chance to actively participating in the European Union. In recent decades Cohesion Policy played an important role in accompanying the completion of the Single Market, the establishment of the European Monetary Union, and in supporting EU enlargement. The European Structural and Investment Funds are the most visible EU instruments at local and regional level, demonstrating the benefits of European Union to its citizens. Therefore, the future of cohesion policy is closely linked to the debate on the future of the European Union, particularly since the European Commission itself has recently expressed doubts about the added value and the future role of cohesion policy at EU level.

Following the adoption of the CoR Opinion on "The Future of Cohesion Policy beyond 2020" at the CoR Plenary  of 11-12 May 2017 and in view of the upcoming 7th Cohesion Forum at the end of June, it is important to address some of the criticisms recently raised. This is why the European Committee of the Regions is organising, in close collaboration with leading territorial associations, a high level conference on an "Alliance on the future of Cohesion Policy in the EU", in order to send a strong message of support for cohesion policy beyond 2020.

The event, which will take place on 18 May 2017 from 9.00 to 12.30 at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, will bring together leading representatives from the European institutions, Member States, cities and regions as well as territorial associations.

Registrations are closed for this event.