Research for REGI Committee - The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on EU cohesion and EU cohesion policy - Part I: Overview and first analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated fragmentations between societal groups and between places. It risks reinforcing existing imbalances and inequalities in the EU. The worst and most direct impacts have been avoided by swift policy actions. In this context Cohesion Policy played a role. The swift introduction of new measures to counteract the socio-economic effects of the pandemic were extremely important. To address cohesion challenges lying ahead of us and use the crisis as a chance for a transition towards a greener and more digital future, Cohesion Policy might need to adjust.