This policy paper provides key recommendations outlining ways to proactively engage citizens in EU cohesion policy processes. The recommendations are designed to support EU, national, and regional level policymakers to achieve the priority goal for the 2021-2027 EU cohesion policy programme period of bringing ‘Europe closer to citizens’.
European Union (EU) Cohesion Policy is the one area of EU policy competence with the highest potential for directly engaging citizens in EU policymaking processes. While the European Commission has introduced many cohesion policy instruments that bring policymaking closer to regional and local levels, direct citizen involvement in this policy sphere remains negligible. A citizen focused approach needs to be embedded within existing cohesion policy structures to maximize the potential of cohesion policy for strengthening the connection between the EU and citizens.
The main questions addressed in this policy brief are:
- Why is citizen engagement in EU Cohesion policy important?
- What are the current levels of citizen involvement in EU Cohesion Policymaking?
- Is there political support for enhancing citizen involvement in EU Cohesion Policy?
- What are the main barriers to citizen engagement in EU Cohesion Policy?
- What are the benefits of citizen engagement in EU Cohesion Policy?
