Source: European Parliament
1. The Commission acknowledges that EU islands are highly diverse and face challenges requiring tailor-made responses across several EU policies . Cohesion policy supports investments in both the South and North Aegean, with a substantially increased budget[1] compared to the previous programming period aiming to strengthen the regions and address significant needs. In line with the shared management principle, the selection and implementation of co-financed projects falls under the responsibility of the national authorities.
2. Under the Common Provisions Regulation[2], programmes must establish the performance framework with measurable indicators against which progress is monitored. Achievements are made publicly available through the Cohesion Open Data Platform[3], ensuring transparency and accessibility of results. Managing Authorities also carry out programme-specific evaluations, while the Commission regularly monitors implementation and cooperates with national authorities to ensure that resources are used soundly in line with EU regulations and programme priorities.
3. Cohesion Policy remains committed to supporting regions, ensuring that people can exercise their right to stay in the place they call home. The mid-term review of cohesion policy[4] offers Member States an opportunity to revise and better align policies and financing mechanisms with local realities, while ensuring consistency with both regional needs and EU’s political priorities. It also allows for an assessment of how programmes are supporting islands and coastal areas in addressing their challenges.
- [1] Specifically for 2021-2027, some EUR 677 million total public funding (versus EUR 424.1 million in 2014-2020) has been allocated under the two regional programmes, aimed at fostering, amongst others, entrepreneurship and competitiveness, enhance education, health and social infrastructure, as well as promote sustainable development. Cohesion Policy also supports the GR-eco islands initiative, promoting energy autonomy, green mobility, and sustainable tourism on 39 islands, including 27 from the South Aegean and 5 from the North Aegean.
- [2] Consolidated text: Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy.
- [3] https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/.
- [4] Regulation (EU) 2025/1914 — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/1914/oj.