A new study on “Improving essential services in EU regions: The role of Cohesion Policy” explores how EU policy instruments – particularly Cohesion Policy – support access to essential services in remote, rural and depopulating regions. With a focus on healthcare, childcare and services for vulnerable groups, the study analyses key barriers to service provision and showcases examples of how Cohesion Policy contributed to navigating these barriers from across the EU. It also assesses the contribution of EU funding to improving service availability, accessibility and quality on the ground. The study concludes with policy recommendations for the next MFF, focusing on territorial fairness, the implications of performance-based delivery in remote and disadvantaged regions and the use of integrated and place-based instruments.
Read the full study here.
