Key Themes and Discussions

On 23 February 2026, the workshop “Governance and Transitions in the New Cohesion Policy: Evidence and Reform”  was held at the Department of Economics, Roma Tre University.

The event brought together scholars and policy experts to discuss recent empirical evidence and ongoing reforms in EU Cohesion Policy, with particular attention to governance arrangements and the territorial implications of the green and digital transitions.

The discussion addressed:

• empirical evidence on the role of the governance for Cohesion Policy and Next Generation EU

• the territorial implications of different policy frameworks and transition pathways;

• the causal impact obtained by Cohesion Policy

• strategic perspectives for the post-2027 programming period
  
  

The workshop was structured into two thematic sessions, followed by a keynote speech by Riccardo Crescenzi (London School of Economics; Member of the High-Level Group on the Future of Cohesion Policy) and a policy roundtable discussion.

The event aimed at contributing to the broader debate on the future role of Cohesion Policy with new empirical evidence and fostering a dialogue between academia and Institutions.