European Union cohesion for the multianual financial framework 2021-2027

Abstract

The huge discrepancies between the different euroregions after the last enlargements of the European Union are a major concern of the Community authorities. Narrowing these gaps is possible through a well-thought-out investment policy with the optimal allocation of funds. The article briefly examines the history of the emergence of European funds that contributes to achieve economic, social and territorial cohesion. The evolutions of the last years have caused the European Union authorities to change the way of structural funds that are allocated for the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, both the objectives and the financing of the Euroregions. The volume of allocations in the structural funds will be affected by Brexit, which will affect the financing of projects and programs in the less developed regions. In this article we intend to examine the structure of the new European Union financial framework, the priority directions of investment support of the governments of the Member States through the allocations from the structural funds, as well as the geographical area of financing. The paper examined the new criteria for cataloging regions by development levels. The map shows the territorial changes of the regions NUTS II eligible for funding, as well as the degree of funds absorption within the Member States. In this article it is examined the winning and losing states in the new distribution of funds, resulting from the increase of welfare in the level 2 euroregions that until recently were not eligible. The work mentions the Joint Operational Programs for cross-border cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and Romania implemented in recent years.