EconomyPolicy

EU Regional Development Funds Face Scrutiny as Budget Overhaul Sparks Debate

New economic research suggests the EU’s €392 billion cohesion policy generates minimal GDP returns, fueling controversy as Brussels proposes merging regional and agricultural funds. The planned budget overhaul would halve dedicated regional spending, drawing warnings from dependent regions about reversing decades of progress.

Economic Impact Under Scrutiny

The European Union’s flagship cohesion policy, designed to reduce regional inequalities, delivers limited economic returns according to new research emerging as Brussels prepares its most significant budget restructuring in over three decades. Analysis by Zareh Astryan, economics professor at Münster University, indicates that each euro spent through the €392 billion program generates only approximately €1 in additional GDP growth, the report states.