Brussels – Slovakia is among the EU nations seeking to optimize resource allocation through cohesion policy. This was emphasized by Richard Raši, the Minister of Investment, Regional Development, and Informatization of the Slovak Republic, during a meeting of the EU Council for Competitiveness that took place on Thursday, November 28. The discussion revolved around plans for eurofunds following 2027 during Hungary’s presidency of the EU Council, as reported by the TASR correspondent.
Raši highlighted the need for strong support from member states to establish a unified stance. “We are part of a coalition of around 15 countries that advocate for cohesion, aiming for a system of shared management. This means involving as many stakeholders as possible from each country in the creation and administration of eurofunds,” he explained, underlining the importance of including regional and local authorities as well as the communities they serve.
He pointed out that the objective is to avoid top-down management of cohesion funds after 2027, contrasting it with the national recovery plans where decisions were made solely by ministry officials.
This approach translates into preparing a national stance that is receptive to the needs of development aid recipients, facilitating simpler access to funds, and allowing for flexibility in redistributing eurofunds based on emerging needs, such as those highlighted by the pandemic or the conflict in Ukraine. Raši mentioned that member states often find themselves constrained and unable to reallocate funds to areas where they are most needed.
“The core message was clear: we want eurofunds to be managed collaboratively and at multiple levels. We need a simpler system that allows member states to adjust these resources according to local needs. We desire more flexibility and less stringent regulations on the allocation of eurofunds,” Raši stated. He noted that regions requiring greater investment in infrastructure over digital economy initiatives should have the freedom to make those adjustments.
Looking ahead to the programming period after 2027, Raši acknowledged that potential EU expansion could lead to a greater division of funds among additional member states. He also anticipated demands for increased financial resources in future long-term EU budgets from proponents of cohesion.
Raši reminded attendees that in Slovakia, as much as three-quarters of public investment for the modernization of municipalities and regions is sourced from European funds. He expressed the necessity of planning for a future where eurofunds might dwindle. “While eurofunds will still be available after 2027, their future is uncertain. Thus, we must use these funds not merely to compensate for funding gaps in cities and municipalities but to invest in initiatives that will generate more income for them in the long run,” he asserted.
Leave a Reply