Executive Summary, December 2025

This report provides an analysis of the framework of the EU Cohesion Policy, including the current state of the policy environment, its evolution, timeline of future developments, and key technology-focused aspects. Furthermore, it tackles the stakeholder environment on the EU and national levels as regards implementation.

For this ad hoc policy mapping activity, the key research question consists of two parts. First, providing an overview of the Cohesion Policy, the policy process for the work under the policy, the different funds and the topics that they may address, and the and the next steps for how the Cohesion Policy will develop under the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2032.

The second part of the analysis focuses on the governance structure of the Cohesion Policy, and the key actors involved at the European Commission/DG REGIO level, as well as how EO is involved and could potentially be involved. The report also provides case studies on two Member States and their implementation of the Cohesion Policy, namely France and Italy.

Finally, the report provides a list of recommended actions/interventions that could further encourage the inclusion of EO in different aspects of the Cohesion Policy and its different aspects.

If you wish to engage with the SEF team further about this topic, please contact us at esa-sef@evenflow.eu.