Activities of Caroline ROOSE related to 2023/2121(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Cohesion policy 2014-2020 – implementation and outcomes in the Member States (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on cohesion policy 2014-2020 - implementation and outcomes in the Member States
Amendments (62)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
– having regard to the UN IPCC report on Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of Climate Change,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)
Citation 11 b (new)
– having regard to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) special report on global warming of 1,5 °C, its special report on climate change and land, and its special report on the ocean and cryosphere in a changing climate;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 c (new)
Citation 11 c (new)
– having regard to the agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 13 June 2018 on cohesion policy and the circular economy (2017/2211(INI)),
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
– having regard to the report on the role of Cohesion Policy in addressing multidimensional environmental challenges in the Mediterranean basin (2022/2059(INI)),
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)
Citation 22 a (new)
– having regard to the study “EU lagging regions: state of play and future challenges” of September 2020 (PE 652.215),
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the outcomes of the 2014- 2020 programming period prove the indispensable role of cohesion policy as the only regional development instrument that is geared to local needs and addressing negative effects of climate change; whereas because of cohesion policy’s positive local impact, no other EU investment policy could replace it;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the implications of climate change can have the biggest impact on all European regions, bringing more drastic changes to the life of people and livelihood of regions especially in less developed regions, mainly located in the southern and eastern parts of Europe; whereas climate change thus is the biggest external threat to Europe’s cohesion in the future;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas it is of utmost importance to formulate any future cohesion policy with a strategic impetus that is being followed during the whole funding period, which should however be reassessed and adjusted in the midterm of the funding period;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas the ‘do no significant harm’ criteria must prevent environmentally harmful measures, as box-ticking of existing EU legislation is not sufficient to ensure environmental protection;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
A d. whereas cohesion policy can effectively support an emergency response to asymmetric shocks such as the refugee crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine or the negative economic and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; whereas this emergency help should however not undermine or threaten the strategic approach of the whole funding period;
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
A e. whereas brain drain disproportionately affects less developed regions and if left unaddressed, it will have long-term and permanent effects on the future of the European Union;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
A f. whereas the goal of a carbon- neutral Europe by 2050 at the latest should be coupled with the goal of a fair and just transition;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A g (new)
Recital A g (new)
A g. whereas cohesion policy funding should comply with the Charter of Fundamental rights, the principles of Rule of Law, and the European code of conduct on partnership;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A h (new)
Recital A h (new)
A h. whereas the pandemic and the current geopolitical tensions have confirmed the need to work towards a renewed Economic Governance Framework, including the Stability and Growth Pact, and to introduce a golden rule for cohesion policy investments that do not deviate from the respect of the Paris Agreement’s objectives, including the co-funding of the Structural and Investment Funds;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas despite the regulatory improvements introduced in the 2014-2020 programming period and the improvements in the 2021-2027 regulatory framework, a number of challenges still remain;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Insists that due to its regional focus, strategic planning and effective implementation model , cohesion policy should remain the EU’s main instrument for reducing disparities and stimulating regional sustainable growth and continue to be a key contributor toin supporting recovery from symmetric and asymmetric shocksfight against climate change, socially just transition and recovery from symmetric and asymmetric shocks, but guided with the strategic approach overall; stresses that all European regions should remain eligible for funding; calls for a clear demarcation between cohesion policy and other instruments in order to avoid overlaps and competition between EU instruments; believes that there must be an increase in the overall cohesion budget and in the MFF’s share of the policy compared to the 2021-2027 programming period; calls for 50% of climate related spending within the new framework in order to achieve climate objectives set by the Paris Agreement, and in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Emphasises the fast and full support from cohesion policy towards Ukrainian refugees as well towards regions affected hardly by the pandemic; however, underlines that extended flexibility provided by the Commission previously with the CRII and CRII+ regulations and through the CARE and CARE+ proposals on the ESI funds 2014- 2020, together with the RRF funds, undermines the strategic approach of cohesion policy that aims to tackle regional disparities across the EU in a long-run, with dedicated budget for climate and thematic concentration for specific policy objectives; underlines that other EU funds than cohesion policy should be mobilised to respond to unprecedented crisis in an emergency manner, that cohesion policy should not face budgetary cuts in order to respond to crisis and that cohesion policy should be invested to avoid unpreparedness of regions for any challenges that may occur and that way build up resilient and future- proof regions overall in the EU;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that cohesion investments should remain under shared management for programming and implementation in order to cater for local needs of regions, urban, rural and remote areas, and in line with the "do no harm to cohesion" principle; acknowledges that co-programming, co-financing, co- responsibility and co- ownership are the most effective and sustainable methods for successful implementation of any EU investment policy and any EU-financed project; furthermore, stresses the crucial role that investments in high quality public services have on building social resilience and coping with economic, health and social crises;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Recalls that the climate change effects underdeveloped regions disproportionally; therefore highlights the need to increase efforts to fight climate change and enhance climate mitigation particularly in those regions; emphasises that cohesion policy must support a strong climate mainstreaming in all sectors and ensure that all EU funding programmes and projects are embedded in strategies that support ambitious climate objectives; highlights the importance that regional environmental strategies are linked with ambitious climate targets that go beyond the overall target of achieving a climate neutral EU by 2050;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Highlights the impact that climate change related phenomena have on less developed regions and their economies, on working conditions particularly in the most exposed sectors and professions; believes that green collective bargaining is essential for both the workers and the employers to address the impact of the green transition on territorial and social cohesion, health and safety at work, the training and reskilling of workers and the creation of new quality jobs within the current changing labour market;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2 c. Considers that climate mainstreaming and climate proofing mechanisms should be an integral part of programming and implementation, in particular project selection;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2 d. Recalls that in the 21-27 cohesion policy framework gender equality and a gender perspective must be included and promoted throughout all stages of the process to prepare, implement, monitor and evaluate cohesion programmes;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2 e. Highlights that in the event of EU enlargement, average GDP per capita may fall in the EU, therefore calls the Commission to carry out a detailed assessment before proposing new framework for cohesion policy post-2027, in order to continue the assistance to all regions and that any unfavourable consequence on cohesion policy eligibility can be duly addressed;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underscores that the cohesion policy budget should not be used for new non-cohesion policy instruments and programmes, either within or outside the MFF; stresses that flexibility in the repurposing of cohesion funding should be a bottom-up driven process, initiated either by a Member State or by its regional or local level, and civil society organisations on the ground;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines that cohesion policy must not contribute to misuse of EU funds or further deterioration of the Rule of Law and democracy in Member States; expects therefore that the Commission takes fully into consideration the aspects of the Rule of Law throughout the ongoing negotiations regarding the Partnership Agreements and cohesion policy programmes; requires that the Commission analyses whether the draft documents already submitted or expected to be sent in the future are in full compliance with the enabling conditions on the effective application and implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights as outlined in the Annex III of the Common Provisions Regulation, and not to approve any Partnership Agreement or programme before this in depth analysis on these specific aspects leads to a high level of assurance of no risks;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for disaster prevention and preparedness investments to be guaranteed either through a dedicated policy objective, thematic concentration or a specific enabling condition to ensure sustainable investments in local infrastructure and risk management in less developed urban and rural areas, including border regions; believes that targeted financing should focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation by tackling the side effects of climate change locally (slow onset events as well as extreme weather events), including wildfires, strong winds, floods, landslides, heatwaves, rise of sea levels, coastal erosion and other events;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the creation of a technical assistance programme specifically designed for smaller municipalities and cross-border, remote and rural areas that face new challenges such as the green transition and climate change; believes that the support should be in the form of 100 % EU financing for administrative capacity- building, project design and strategic planning capabilities (including planning instruments), while the allocation criteria should include the number of inhabitants and the needs and challenges of these areas;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls for a better access to funding to enable investments in the local energy transition, including energy efficiency, decentralised distribution of energy and a strong focus on renewable energy and sustainable circular economy; furthermore, calls to strengthen the polluter-pays principle and promote decarbonisation both in mobility infrastructure and economy to contribute to the EU Green Deal and Fitfor55 Package;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Believes that cities and urban authorities must have direct access to EU funding; reiterates the importance of safeguards that would avoid an unfair penalization of the regional and local authorities situated in countries that may be subject to the activation of the Rule of Law mechanism; calls in the same time for a regional budget with direct access for regions;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for cohesion policy to include a stronger urban dimension through designated investments in urban areas as well as stronger links between urban and rural projects and sustainable investments; calls for the proportion of national ERDF allocations for urban development to be increased from 8 % to 12 %; calls for this funding to be co-programmed with local authorities and for their benefit; underlines in this context that administrative capacity is essential for ensuring that managing bodies and local authorities acquire technical knowledge on climate change which they can use for urban planning and urban management; is convinced that this will lead to better design and evaluation of project proposals, more effective allocation of resources and satisfactory budgetary implementation without significant risk of decommitments; acknowledges that integrated territorial investments have a fundamental role in quality implementation and absorption of resources;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Commission and the Council to promote earmarked funding for TA2030 programmes in rural areas and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps in the same way as 8% of the cohesion policy funds are earmarked for the development of programmes under the Urban Agenda; these funds shall be predominantly used via integrated territorial development tools; recalls the importance of strong rural-urban linkages as well as a particular support of women in rural areas;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Recalls that the European agricultural fund for rural development (EAFRD) should be linked to the cohesion policy framework, and be associated again with the Common Provisions Regulation, which is needed to fully develop rural regions;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Calls for conventional macro- economic indicators and the GDP to be complemented with new indicators (such as the EU Social Progress Index and the Climate Change Vulnerability Index) in order to address the new European priorities such as the European Green Deal or the European Pillar of Social Rights and to better reflect the ecological and digital transitions and the wellbeing of people; calls for an impact assessment and a territorial dimension to be considered to allocate cohesion budget in order to take into account the diverse economic, social and territorial situation in the different Member States;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the reductionat least 40% of thematic concentration requirements in order to allow for more flexibility to cater for local needs, following the principle of place- based policy in the EU’s territorial investments; underscores that thematic concentrations should be adapted to the way regions and cities operate in practical terms, from programming and reprogramming to implementation and closure from the ERDF to be allocated to the Policy Objective 2; is certain that the key principle should be a tailor-made investment approach geared to specific needs on the ground;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls the Commission to introduce strict criteria in the forthcoming cohesion policy post-2027 legal framework that aim to improve the application of the “do no harm” principle;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for initial allocations and co- financing rates to be assessed on the basis of NUTS 3 (nomenclature of territorial units for statistics) in order for funding to be directed to where it is most needed and to avoid pockets of poverty and underdevelopment from arising ; underlines that such a shift should take into account possible negative effects on EU financing for larger urban areas; stresses that this is necessary in order not to stall the development trajectory of metropolitan areas that were previously supported more intensively by cohesion policy;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that for the allocation of funds for local projects, the focus should be on a smaller number of higher budget, common benefit projects, instead of scattering the limited resources across a high number of low budget projects; calls for guidance and planning support to avoid decommitments and repurposing;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Emphasize the importance of small-scale and cross-border projects in bringing people together and in that way opening new potentials for sustainable local development and cross-border cooperation;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Calls for a better access to funding for cross-border regions to enable investments in the local energy transition, including energy efficiency, decentralised distribution of energy and a strong focus on renewable energy and sustainable circular economy;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10 c. Believes that future funding should be even more tailor-made and holistic; demands that local and regional authorities as well as citizens and NGOs shall be more included in the decision making and funding process to ensure that real needs are addressed properly; notes the potential that exists at local level could be better mobilised and investments in regional development could be more efficient by strengthening and facilitating citizens participation and community-led local development (CLLD) and similar bottom-up tools; takes the view that CLLD shall be mandatory for Member States to integrate in their programmes;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for the creation of local cohesion boards in the managing authorities and monitoring committees, which should have decision-making powers, including on co-programming and co-reprogramming with local authorities; reiterates that these boards should include representatives of urban and rural administrations, including mayors; highlights that quality of governance structures can determine the optimal mix of investment priorities in order to achieve the necessary multi-level vertical and horizontal coordination to design and deliver integrated development strategies;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Underlines the particular importance of youth mainstreaming in cohesion policy;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12 b. Recalls the importance of a stronger gender mainstreaming in cohesion policy and highlights the specific role of women, in particular in remote areas, as they play a major role in civil society and sustainable economic growth and at the same time face difficulties in accessing the labour market, as well as equal pay, public services such as health and childcare; emphasizes the role of young women in particular in rural areas and the tendency of their precarious role in rural societies;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for paths for the decentralisationstrengthening of cohesion policy management to be explored in order to bring management closer to the local level; stresses that preparatory work should ensure that adequate capacity and institutional backing is available in order to ensure effectiveness, reduce the number of irregularities and frauds, as well as no additional administrative burden for contractors and for final beneficiaries;
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Encourages multi-city projects and collaboration agreements in order to harness pooled capacities and economies of scale in EU investments in infrastructure, climate change and the green and digital transition; believes that this process should lead to a greater sense of ownership of projects and the consolidation of sustainable investments, instead of fragmentation and lack of synergies;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Stresses the importance of more sustainable mobility solutions throughout the EU territories, including the TEN-T policy; calls on the Commission to promote smart and green mobility; is of the position that smart and sustainable mobility solutions should be prioritized for EU funding;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Calls on the Commission to exclude the national co-financing of the investments funded by the ERDF, JTF, ESF+, INTERREG that do not deviate from the respect of the Paris Agreement’s objectives from the assessment of the Member States’ fiscal position in the context of the Stability and Growth Pact;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14 c. Calls for the discontinuation of the macro-economic conditionality in the new funding period since the link between the EU economic governance framework and cohesion policy must not be based on a punitive approach holding ESI Funds hostage to national decisions;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for the further involvement of the EIB Group in cohesion policy investments, especially in less developed regions through the provision of support to sustainable cities, sustainable energy, circular economy, green jobs and local innovation projects; calls for the expansion of the local project assistance and financial instruments that complement and leverage EU grants;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Calls for more greener spending in post-2027 cohesion policy which is geared towards sustainable investment and for more items of harmful spending to be excluded from support from the outset compared to previous periods, such as landfills, waste incinerators, airports, etc.; calls on the Commission to promote further biodiversity and climate-related spending, a wider exclusion list to strengthen the “do no harm” principle and fully phase out fossil fuels, the gender dimension in cohesion policy and EU- wide citizen participation;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Reiterates the need to urgently strengthen EU policy regarding mitigation and adaptation to climate change, also in the light of the growing trends of extreme weather events occurred in these last years and months in the EU; highlights, in this context, the need to step up ambition and quantity of the present and future pilot projects within the objective “Greener Europe” and its first priority “Healthier environment”, taking into account that the signatories of the Territorial Agenda have already set out, inter alia, the development of new crisis management tools to increase places' safety and resilience, the respect the natural limits of Europe's common livelihoods and the increase in the resilience of all places impacted by climate change, and the need for strengthening awareness and empowering local and regional communities to protect, rehabilitate, utilise and reutilise their (built) environments;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15 c. Highlights the relevance of the territorial tools in terms of increased and inclusive participation from civil society and local governments; calls on the Commission to explore new ways to raise further awareness on their rationale and to substantially increase the use of ITI and CLLDs, also by potentially earmarking a mandatory percentage to be used in the post-27 cohesion policy framework;
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 d (new)
Paragraph 15 d (new)
15 d. Supports the creation of new macro-regional strategies that can strengthen partnerships and help to address common challenges, in order to promote sustainable economic development, social cohesion and environmental protection;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Insists on a critical review of Commission’s ad hoc initiatives and the thorough screening of new initiatives; demands that this process is managed jointly and in partnership, with guaranteed representation of the local level, both of cities and rural areas; calls for limiting the number of Commission ad hoc initi, and civil society organisativeons, some of which prove to be of less use to the local level and mightin order not to undermine the effectiveness of overall cohesion appropriations planned in advance by scattering them; insists that every new Commission initiative must be accompanied by a corresponding budgetary top-up;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to ensure and strengthen further, in the new funding period, environmental protection requirements, resource efficiency, better water and waste management, energy efficiency first principle, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, disaster resilience, and risk prevention and management in the preparation and implementation of Partnership Agreements and programmes;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Highlights the importance of upholding the Partnership Principle in all programming, implementation and monitoring of EU cohesion policy and to set up a strong cooperation between regional and local authorities, NGOs and stakeholders, including environmental NGOs; stresses that this process should take into account the gender perspective as well;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16 c. Calls for a mandatory participation of Member States in the work of the European Public Prosecutor Office in order to enhance the fight against corruption and misuse of EU funds;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16 d. Calls on the Commission and Member States to make further efforts of utilizing the cohesion policy in order to support actions promoting effective interventions that contribute to the realisation of children’s rights;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16 e. Calls for further strengthening the communication and visibility of the programmes and EU funded projects across the Member States, through defining its objectives, target audiences, communication channels, social media outreach, planned budget and relevant indicators for monitoring and evaluation;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)
Paragraph 16 f (new)
16 f. Calls on the Council to unblock and start its work on the European Cross- border Mechanism file;
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for the creation of a dedicated mechanism for the early detection of red tape and actions in breach of or not effectively applying the multi-level governance principle; calls for the inclusion of the pPartnership pPrinciple in the European Semester; is convinced that the Commission and the ECA should have the right to follow-up, perform checks and make corrective recommendations;