The presentation of the study Improving Essential Services in the EU regions: The role of Cohesion Policy took place on 25 February 2026 and focused on the following topics:
- Demographic change, territorial disparities, and implications for essential services
- EU support to essential services in remote and shrinking regions
- Barriers and approaches for the provision of essential services in vulnerable regions
- The use of performance-based schemes for essential services
- Recommendations for the new MFF 2028-2034
The presentation was followed by questions from the Members and a stimulating debate, including on what defines rural areas, the role of Cohesion Policy in Eurosceptic regions, and the implications of the Commissions’ MFF 2028-2034 proposal on the future support for essential services in vulnerable regions.
Presentation
Watch video of the event (with multilingual interpretation):
