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European Week of Regions and Cities

How to reconcile Growth and Convergence. Exploring the neglected dilemma of Cohesion Policy

Can cohesion policy promote overall growth while also delivering regional convergence? Can the objectives co-exist under the policy remit without tensions? Where should the balance lie between the two? The workshop aims to host a discussion among scholars and experts about equity-efficiency trade-offs faced by cohesion policy and avenues to address them. The topic will be addressed from both a theoretical and empirical perspective, by presenting work from academia, RSA #CPnet, the JRC REMO team.

  • Territorial | Local and regional | National | EU/ European | Sustainable | Cohesion | Investment and Finances
  • Code: 09WS241668
  • Albert Borschette Conference Centre, AB-3A

Speakers

Moderator

Practical information

When
Wed 09/10/2024, 09:30 - 10:30 CET
Where
Albert Borschette Conference Centre, AB-3A
Type of partnership
Partnership
Format
Workshop/ panel debate
Theme
Competitiveness and convergence: two sides of the same coin
Language
English

Document

eu-regions-week_presentation_ida-musialkowska_2024_comp
(824528 KB - pdf)
Download 

Reporting

Session summary

During the session three speakers, and a moderator: Anabela Santos from the European Commission JRC REMO Team, Ugo Fratesi from Politecnico di Milano, Ida Musiałkowska from Poznań University of Economics and Business, and Serafin Pazos Vidal representing AEIDL (all representing Regional Studies Association CPnet) had a chance to exchange views and discuss the dilemma of growth and convergence in Cohesion Policy. Trade-offs between these two persist and we were looking at the evidence in relation to where and at which level convergence has been achieved, and which trade-offs scenario might happen, which regions are better equipped to face current and future challenges of sustainable development, twin transition, research and innovation development. We pointed out the change that is needed should not lead to growing divide between cohesion and convergence. The experts were providing also potential solutions to existing problems e.g. in cross-border co-operation, functional urban areas, inter and intraregional disparities. Also lessons learnt from the implementation of smart specialization as well as Just Transition Fund were pointed out as a reference point. We also discussed new instruments such RRF and its interplay with cohesion policy investment including potential changes of policy implementation in the future.
Many questions were asked by the audience representing both academia and practice.