The Reform of the Cohesion Policy – What does the Proposal for the Next Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2014-2020 Bring?

Since 1988 the Cohesion Policy (CP) has become one of the most important and most debated EU policies. The recently proposed Regulation for the next multi-annual financial framework for the period 2014-2020 caused controversy regarding its basic proposals concerning simplification of policy delivery, use of conditionality and its results-focused orientation. The article delivers an overview of thecurrent process of reform of the CP which is focused on encouraging economic growth and competitiveness of the EU and its Member States, the reduction of the existing inequalities between regions as well as the promotion of harmonious development. Having in mind the proposed measures andother key strategic documents such as the Europe 2020 Strategy and the Fifth Cohesion Report, the article tries to explain why certain objectives and proposals are relevant for the Cohesion Policy and its future,and how they can affect national, regional and local actors in the coming period.