On 27 March, the Commission published the 9th Cohesion Report. The document presents an assessment of the state of cohesion in the Union, showing that the Cohesion Policy is fulfilling its mission to narrow economic, social, and territorial disparities across the EU, while drawing lessons for the future.

One of the nine report chapters is focused on regional innovation and digital transition. Among its findings, the report draws attention to the persisting innovation divide and advocates a differentiated, place-based approach to fostering innovation as essential for promoting economic convergence across regions and reducing the innovation gap.

Looking forward, the report comments on remaining challenges such as sub-national disparities between large metropolitan areas and other regions, and those regions caught in a ‘development trap' and that are lagging behind, as well as demographic changes further impacting these challenges.

Drawing lessons from the implementation of Cohesion Policy, while taking into account the experience of other instruments such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Communication on the 9th Cohesion Report points to the need to reflect on how to improve the design of the Policy to better deliver on its Treaty objectives. Some aspects include addressing emerging economic dynamics and new imbalances, tailoring support to regional needs, faster implementation, further simplification, stronger performance orientation and linkage with reforms, and built-in flexibilities to react to unforeseen events.

These reflections link to the ongoing ERRIN work around the future of cohesion policy post-2027 and its R&I dimension, with our first messages on the topic shared in August last year.

A first discussion of the findings from the 9th Cohesion Report will take place during the upcoming 9th Cohesion Forum, 11-12 April 2024 in Brussels. Representatives from stakeholders to national, regional, and local authorities, will reflect on how Cohesion Policy can continue to ensure that no region is left behind in the ongoing structural changes.

Read the Commission's press release here and find the full report alongside highlights and interactive maps here.

The Cohesion Report is published by the Commission every three years to assess the state-of-play of the EU's economic, social, and territorial cohesion, present progress made and lessons learned, and show the EU's role as a driver for regional development. The Report is data-driven: it analyses the evolution of cohesion according to a wide range of indicators, such as prosperity, employment, education levels, and governance.