The coherence of common policies of the EU in territorial cohesion: A never-ending discourse? A review

Abstract

The measures of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Regional (Cohesion) Policy are aimed at achieving cohesion, i.e. reducing the economic (sectoral), social and territorial disparities at European Union level. The issue of rural areas has become an important part of the CAP measures in Pillar 2. Since the CAP does not have a primarily territorial orientation, it does not contribute to territorial cohesion of rural areas. In a similar vein, regional policy, which is primarily oriented towards territorial development, also failed to give rise to complete, balanced development. Using qualitative analysis, this article summarises references selected on the basis of the authors’ experience in policy issues. The types of discourse included on the subject of coherence of common policies are the role of agricultural, rural and regional policy in cohesion and the conflict of cohesion and competitiveness objectives. Modern political and economic efforts of converging competitiveness into the macro concept with spatial implication result in planning and implementation of inappropriate measures and instruments intended to encourage the balanced territorial development of the EU. From this arises a conflict of cohesion and competitiveness, coupled with long-term consequences for the most vulnerable areas.

Territorial Distribution of EU Funds Allocation for Developments of Rural Romania during 2014–2020

“…The economic literature does not have unanimous opinions on the effects of European funding on the processes of economic convergence. Some studies consider that inadequately accessed funding can increase the heterogeneity of economic development [15]. It was also highlighted that exact geographical areas with a more accentuated rurality have accessed less funds that allow productivity increases by incorporating innovative technologies.…”

Reforma samorządu lokalnego i terytorialnej organizacji władzy Ukrainy poprzez decentralizację

“…Zgodnie z wynikami analizowanych badań należy stwierdzić, że nie ma jedynych i uniwersalnych instrumentów wspierania spójności. Ważne jest, aby lokalne podmioty i społeczności jak najlepiej wykorzystywały swoje endogeniczne Wieś i Rolnictwo 2 (195)/2022 zasoby terytorialne, nawet jeżeli nie są one bardzo znaczące (Mikuš, Kukoč, Jež Rogelj 2019). Formalne stworzenie wspólnot lokalnych to zaledwie początek kształtowania i rozwoju współdziałającej wspólnoty mieszkańców, a także zrozumienia przez nich swoich możliwości i potrzebnych działań dla dalszego rozwoju.…”

Complementarity of the Measures of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Cohesion Policy for Rural Development Between 2021 and 2027 in the Light of Programing Documents

“…The coexistence of the Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Recovery Program brings opportunities and challenges resulting from the potential synergy effects of the impact of these programs on rural development (Mikuš, Kukoč, and Rogelj, 2019;Chmieliński and Gospodarowicz, 2018), and at the same time creates the problem of proper distribution of support so as to avoid duplication of competences and double financing of investments of a uniform type (Żbik, 2017). The NRP is assumed to have an impact on areas important for the development of rural areas, but not covered by the Cohesion Policy or covered by this policy in these areas where the NRP may be a supplementary source of financing (Table 1).…”