A New Era for EU Cohesion Policy 2028-2034 and Implementation Lessons from Structural Funds Programmes 2021-2027

All change for Cohesion Policy programmes!

The new draft regulations for 2028-2034 were published in July 2025. What are the radical changes proposed and what will the new architecture for Cohesion Policy interventions look like? Will structural funds programmes be replaced by “cohesion chapters”, and will “measures” make a comeback? Is the RRF method going to replace completely the long-established cohesion policy programming and programme method?

For the ongoing 2021-2027 programmes, we are now beyond the Mid-Term Review process. Programmes which chose to take advantage of the 2025 Amending Regulations, could introduce a number of new emergency investment categories. These include defence production and infrastructure, energy networks, affordable housing, security of water supplies, and upskilling and reskilling related to these key areas and other strategic technologies.

Do you know how current programme structures have been modified? What lessons can we learn from ongoing implementation, as we look forward to the new era for Cohesion Policy?

This face-to-face, 2-day course will address these questions and consider how current programmes are progressing, and how future programmes might look. There will be a special focus on FNLC (financing not linked to costs) and using simplified cost options, as well as monitoring progress and the use of indicators.

Practical issues to be discussed will include:

• Moving away from expenditure-based payment claims to the European Commission
• How future Cohesion Policy will adopt the RRF (Recovery and Resilience Fund) method linking finance and performance
• Financial tables and the new flexibilities in 2021-2027
• Using simplified cost options and how to choose between them

You will be guided by Marco Lopriore and Robin Smail, two experienced structural funds experts who have worked in Brussels and across the EU, gathering numerous case studies and examples of good practices. The course will be as interactive as possible. Workshops and exercises will be used to help participants get to grips with practical tools and methodologies. Participants will also have ample opportunity to exchange views informally on the course’s topics.

This course is intended for:

• Managers and practitioners from managing authorities (Managing, Certifying and Audit authorities) whether they are national, regional or local authorities; and from other public bodies of EU Member States (and associated countries) working with Structural Funds
• Economic and social partners, stakeholders working with Cohesion Policy interventions, such as employers’ associations, consultants, NGOs, education bodies, etc.

Project number: 2630202

Course venue
Instituto Nacional de Administración Pública (INAP)
Address: C. de Atocha, 106, 28012 Madrid, Spain

Senior Project Officer
Ms Rafaella Giussani
Tel: +31 43 32 96 372
r.giussani@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments and lunches. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
EIPA offers 10% off on registrations made eight weeks or more before the start of a course. The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.

EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.