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On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034

Full title

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034

Document EMPL-PA-786812 · COM(2025)0552 – C100168/2025 – 2025/0238(COD)

Kind
Opinion parliamentary committee draft EMPL-PA-786812
Date
21 April 2026
Committee
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Rapporteur
João Oliveira
Dossier
2025-0238
More facts (3)
Subject matter
COOR, COES, PREG
Reference
COM(2025)0552 – C100168/2025 – 2025/0238(COD)
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In short

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The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs proposes amendments to the proposed regulation establishing the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Interreg and the Cohesion Fund for 2028 to 2034. The amendments add social conditions: support for quality employment, affordable housing, public services and social and labour rights, and exclude funding for beneficiaries that breach social and labour obligations. They require impact assessments on employment, annual reports on cross-border workers, and simpler access to funds for local authorities, small firms and social and cooperative organisations. They also seek extra support for island and outermost regions, including a POSEI Transport programme and possible additional ERDF allocations for islands.

Position. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs proposes amendments to the Commission proposal, adding social and labour rights conditions, housing rules, support for public services and cross-border workers, and measures for island and outermost regions.

Key points

  1. Support from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund is to be provided without prejudice to support from the National and Regional Partnership Fund.
  2. The recital listing the funds covered by the National and Regional Partnership Regulation is deleted.
  3. Member States and the Commission should aim to eliminate inequalities, promote equality between men and women, combat discrimination, and direct support to quality employment, poverty reduction, affordable housing and better working conditions.
  4. The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should support a significant increase in public investment in universal, free, high-quality public services, including education, health, care facilities, water, energy, communications and public transport.
  5. The ERDF should support affordable and quality housing, public housing stock, non-profit construction and the social and cooperative sectors, and must not fund market-price or tourism housing, evictions or tax benefits for real estate funds, banks and large landowners.
  6. Support should fight precarious work and unemployment among young people and promote education, quality employment and opportunities in disadvantaged and depopulating regions.
  7. The ERDF should support small and medium-sized enterprises, productive sectors, reindustrialisation of depressed regions and modernisation of traditional industries.
  8. Island regions without a permanent fixed road or rail link to the mainland may receive an additional ERDF allocation to offset insularity costs, and outermost regions may benefit from an expanded POSEI including a POSEI Transport programme.
  9. The classification of NUTS 2 regions and EU co-financing rates should be reviewed so they reflect economic and social realities beyond GDP per capita.
  10. Interreg programmes should address cross-border labour challenges on employment and social security, recognition of professional qualifications, and access to communications and transport, with annual reports on cross-border workers benefiting.
  11. Member States must exclude from ERDF funding beneficiaries that do not comply with social and labour rights, and measures on enterprises or restructuring must be assessed for employment impact and guarantee improved working conditions.
  12. The administrative burden on local authorities, small and medium-sized enterprises and social and cooperative organisations should be reduced to a minimum through simplified cost options, lump-sum funding or non-cost-based financing.

Who is affected

  • Member States and their regions, which define funding priorities and must ensure compliance with social and labour rights.
  • Local authorities, small and medium-sized enterprises, and social and cooperative organisations, whose administrative burden should be reduced.
  • Cross-border workers, who should benefit from measures on employment, social security and recognition of qualifications.
  • Island and outermost regions, which may receive additional ERDF allocations and POSEI support.
  • Beneficiaries of ERDF funding, who must comply with social and labour rights to access funding.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2028 to 2034: the period for Union support to regional development under the regulation.
  • 2050: the target year for the fair transition towards a clean, climate-neutral and resilient economy.
  • Article 174, third paragraph, of the TFEU: recognises islands as territories requiring specific attention.
  • Article 349 of the TFEU: lists the permanent restraints of outermost regions.
  • Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003: establishes the classification of NUTS 2 regions.

Legal basis. Articles 174, 176 and 177 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

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AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs submits the following to the Committee on Regional Development, as the committee responsible:

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 3

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(3) This Union support under the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund is to be provided under the National and Regional Partnership Fund, in accordance with the rules governing that Fund and set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] of the European Parliament and of the Council4 .(3) This Union support under the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund is to be provided without prejudice to support from the National and Regional Partnership Fund, in accordance with the rules governing that Fund and set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] of the European Parliament and of the Council 4 .
4 OJ …4 OJ …

Or. en

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(4) Regulation (EU) XX [NRP Regulation] sets out common rules applicable to various funds including the ERDF, the European Social Fund (‘ESF’), the Cohesion Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (‘EMFF’), the Asylum and Migration Fund (‘AMIF’), the Internal Security Fund (‘ISF’) and the Border Management and Visa Instrument (‘BMVI’) which operate under a common framework (‘the Funds’).deleted

Or. en

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(5) Horizontal principles as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (‘TEU’) and in Article 10 of the TFEU, including principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the TEU, should be respected in the implementation of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, taking into account the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Member States should also respect the obligations of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure accessibility in line with its Article 9 and in accordance with the Union law harmonising accessibility requirements for products and services. Member States and the Commission should aim at eliminating inequalities and at promoting equality between men and women and integrating the gender perspective, as well as at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Funds should not support actions that contribute to any form of segregation. The objectives of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union’s promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment as set out in Articles 11 and 191(1) of the TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, operations benefitting undertakings shall comply with State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.(5) Horizontal principles as set out in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (‘TEU’) and in Article 10 of the TFEU, including principles of subsidiarity and proportionality as set out in Article 5 of the TEU, should be respected in the implementation of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, taking into account the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Member States should also respect the obligations of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and ensure accessibility in line with its Article 9 and in accordance with the Union law harmonising accessibility requirements for products and services. Member States and the Commission should aim at eliminating inequalities and at promoting equality between men and women and integrating the gender perspective, as well as at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The Funds should not support actions that contribute to any form of segregation or that jeopardise compliance with the highest applicable social and labour standards under current legislation, including access to and quality of employment. The Funds should therefore direct their support to measures aimed at promoting quality employment, combating poverty and social exclusion, providing affordable housing, and improving working conditions. The objectives of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should be pursued in the framework of sustainable development and the Union’s promotion of the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment as set out in Articles 11 and 191(1) of the TFEU, taking into account the polluter pays principle. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, operations benefitting undertakings shall comply with State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.

Or. en

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(6) The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should contribute to the specific policy objectives set out in Articles 2 and 3 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], within their respective scopes set out in the Treaties. It is necessary to further specify the possibilities for support from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund for disadvantaged areas, urban areas and the outermost regions. Furthermore, it is necessary to lay down provisions for the implementation of European territorial cooperation (Interreg).(6) The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should contribute to specific policy objectives defined within their respective scopes set out in the Treaties. It is necessary to further specify the possibilities for support from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund for disadvantaged areas, urban areas and the outermost regions, especially with regard to promoting quality employment and enhancing local productive capacities, investing in public services, supporting productive activities and SMEs, recognizing the decisive role of these factors in ensuring balanced economic, social and territorial development. Furthermore, it is necessary to lay down provisions for the implementation of European territorial cooperation (Interreg).

Or. en

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(6a) Universal, free, high-quality public services, as well as goods and services of general economic and social interest, provided with adequate infrastructure and a sufficient number of workers, are essential to achieve high levels of social protection and cohesion and improve access to employment, with particular attention to the most disadvantaged and isolated areas. The provision of these services is hampered by several factors, such as persistent problems related to the continuity of services and insufficient resources, so the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should support a significant increase in public investment in these services, in order to guarantee their proper functioning, their modernization and their role in safeguarding the rights of populations, regardless of territory or region, including in areas such as education, health, social support structures and equipment for children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, culture and sport, water and sanitation, energy, communications and public transport.

Or. en

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6 b (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(6b) In view of the housing crisis faced by Member States, which is also reflected in poverty and social exclusion rates in the Union, the ERDF should play a role in supporting the financing of measures aimed at meeting the needs for affordable and quality housing. Support cannot be used for measures that contribute to speculative practices in the real estate sector and should target objectives and measures of a social nature, such as the expansion and upgrading of public housing stocks in Member States, the promotion of affordable and non-profit construction, and the revitalization of the social and cooperative sectors in construction, in order to support Member State policies that promote sustainable urban development models adapted to social needs and territorial specificities.

Or. en

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(7) In line with the principle of intergenerational fairness and the Union’s commitment to the rights of the child and the Youth Strategy, the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should support measures that contribute to sustainable development for future generations, promote access to opportunities for young people across all territories, and address the specific needs of youth in disadvantaged areas, particularly in disadvantaged and depopulating regions, including infrastructure for skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods and culture or sports. Such support may be implemented via integrated urban or local strategies.(7) In line with the principle of intergenerational fairness and the Union’s commitment to the rights of the child and the Youth Strategy, the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should support measures that contribute to sustainable development for future generations, promote access to opportunities for young people across all territories, fight the high rates of precarious employment and unemployment in youth and address the specific needs of youth in disadvantaged areas, particularly in disadvantaged and depopulating regions, including education and quality employment, infrastructure for skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods and culture or sports. Such support may be implemented via integrated urban or local strategies.

Or. en

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(9) In view of promoting sustainable urban development, it is considered necessary to support integrated territorial development in order to more effectively tackle the economic, environmental, climate, demographic and social challenges affecting urban areas, including functional urban areas, while taking into account the need to promote urban-rural linkages. Measures reflecting these approaches should be established in appropriate chapters of the National and Regional Partnership Plans.(9) In view of promoting sustainable urban development, the ERDF should support integrated territorial development in order to more effectively tackle the economic, environmental, climate, demographic and social challenges affecting urban areas, including functional urban areas, while taking into account the need to promote urban-rural linkages.

Or. en

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(9a) The development of diversified economies that allow for the satisfaction of economic and social needs constitutes a pillar of economic, social and territorial cohesion. The enhancement of local productive capacities and resources, the creation of decent and quality jobs and the promotion of balanced regional development models, linked to the guarantee of social rights and the ability to retain populations, particularly young people, require the support of the ERDF for SMEs, productive sectors, the reindustrialisation of economically depressed regions and the modernisation of traditional industries, ensuring the full harnessing of their productive potential.

Or. en

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9 b (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(9b) Island regions that are not connected to the continental territory of a Member State by a permanent fixed-link road or rail infrastructure face geographical, economic and social structural disadvantages resulting from their isolation. These disadvantages, including higher costs of energy, transport and connectivity, poorly diversified economies, restricted access to public services and dependence on a limited economic base, are permanent in nature and directly impede the creation of and access to quality jobs and undermine social cohesion. Article 174 of the TFEU, third paragraph, explicitly recognises islands as territories requiring specific attention in cohesion policy, thereby justifying specific ERDF support.

Or. en

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 10

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(10) Specific attention should be paid to outermost regions, namely by adopting measures under Article 349 of the TFEU providing for measures for the outermost regions to offset the additional costs incurred in these regions as a result of one or several of the permanent restraints referred to in Article 349 of the TFEU, namely remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, economic dependence on a few products, the permanence and combination of which severely restrain their development. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, and as is the case for all operations co-financed by the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, any ERDF support to the financing of operating and investment aid in the outermost regions should comply with State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.(10) Specific attention should be paid to outermost regions, namely by adopting measures under Article 349 of the TFEU providing for measures for the outermost regions to offset the additional costs incurred in these regions as a result of one or several of the permanent restraints referred to in Article 349 of the TFEU, namely remoteness, insularity, small size, difficult topography and climate, economic dependence on a few products, the permanence and combination of which severely restrain their development. To this end, it is essential to mobilize the Programme of Options Specifically relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI), currently covering the areas of Agriculture and Rural Development. Its scope should be expanded through the creation of a POSEI Transport programme. Without prejudice to specific measures framed by the POSEI 2028-2034 programme, it is important that this Regulation is understood and applied in such a way as to ensure that the outermost regions can fully and effectively benefit from the support of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund. Member States with outermost regions should have the right to request a reasoned derogation to address their specific constraints, which the Commission should assess promptly and in the light of Article 349 TFEU. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market, and as is the case for all operations co-financed by the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, any ERDF support to the financing of operating and investment aid in the outermost regions should comply with State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU.

Or. en

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 10 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(10a) The classification of NUTS 2 regions as least developed, in transition or most developed, as established in Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003, must be based on objective criteria capable of adequately reflecting the level of economic and social development of each region. EU co-financing rates must likewise be linked to the economic and social reality of the regions. Current classification criteria, based exclusively on GDP per capita, do not reflect possible considerable internal asymmetries within each region, including differentiated social and labour realities, asymmetrical territorial centres of economic activity within the same region or unequal conditions in access to employment and public services. These criteria should be reviewed in order to avoid inappropriate reclassifications in light of regional realities, with negative social and economic impacts on the most disadvantaged regions, including on their respective co-financing rates, resulting in considerably higher effort rates for regional and local beneficiaries, which reduces the possibility of executing essential and structuring projects and investments.

Or. en

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 13 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(13a) The reality of border regions is significantly and structurally marked by the situation of cross-border workers, which raises specific coordination challenges between Member States regarding matters such as employment and social security frameworks, recognition of professional qualifications, and access to communications and transport. The ERDF and Interreg programmes should specifically support measures to address these challenges, in order to guarantee the development of border regions and the full harnessing of their productive potential, ensuring quality employment and equal conditions for cross-border workers.

Or. en

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 19 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(19a) Considering the different local realities, specific needs and distinct economic and social contexts, in particular with regard to access to employment, the development of productive sectors, access to public services between regions and within each region, the priorities and objectives for the use of funds should be defined by the national authorities of each Member State, and by the regions within their own competences, in order to guarantee adapted regional development policies and democratic participation at national, regional and local levels.

Or. en

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 19 b (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(19b) Evidence from previous programming periods demonstrates that excessive administrative complexity in the application and access processes constitutes one of the main obstacles to access to cohesion funds by end beneficiaries, discouraging them from applying for support and reducing the social and territorial reach of funded operations. Therefore, measures should be taken to ensure access to funds by end beneficiaries in a simpler, faster, less bureaucratic and less dependent way on intermediary and consultancy service providers.

Or. en

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 1

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
This Regulation lays down specific conditions for the implementation of Union support in accordance with the general objectives laid down in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation], and in particular point (a) and (e) thereof.This Regulation lays down specific conditions for the implementation of Union support in accordance with the general objectives laid down in Articles 174, 176 and 177 of the TFUE.

Or. en

Amendment 17

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 – paragraph 3

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
This Union support shall be provided under the National and Regional Partnership Fund, in accordance with the rules governing that Fund and set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].This Union support provided under this Regulation is without prejudice to the support provided within the scope of the National and Regional Partnership Fund and shall be provided in accordance with the rules governing that Fund and set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation].

Or. en

Amendment 18

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund shall support the specific objectives set out in Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] contributing to the general objective set out in Article 2(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] in accordance with their respective scope set out in Articles 176 and 177 TFEU.The ERDF and the Cohesion Fund shall support specific objectives contributing to the general objective of strengthening the economic, social and territorial cohesion of Member States and their regions, in order to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions and the backwardness of the least favoured regions, in accordance with their respective scope set out in Articles 174, 176 and 177 TFEU.

Or. en

Amendment 19

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The contributions from the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund are governed by the following principles and objectives, with the Cohesion Fund being limited to those relating to point (b)(iv) to (vii):
a) the guarantee of broad social and labour rights:
i) the promotion of quality employment and collective bargaining;
ii) the fight against precarious work and unemployment and the promotion of full employment, with special attention to young people;
iii) access to affordable, sustainable and decent housing;
iv) social protection and inclusion;
v) the fight against discrimination and poverty; vi) access to education and training;
b) the universal, accessible and high-quality nature of public services and goods and services of general economic and social interest:
i) crèches and childcare and early childhood education facilities;
ii) long-term care facilities and equipment, including homes for the elderly and home care support structures;
iii) support structures for people with disabilities, in accordance with EU obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
iv) health, education, culture and sports infrastructure and equipment;
v) water and sanitation management infrastructure;
vi) energy and communications infrastructure;
vii) public transport, including rail, road, river and airport infrastructure, rail rolling stock and road and river fleets;
c) the revitalisation of regions and the development of diversified economies that meet the economic and social needs of the populations:
i) support for SMEs, the development and modernisation of productive sectors, reindustrialisation and the modernisation and adaptation of traditional industries;
ii) leveraging regional knowledge, resources and potential as a driver for the creation of decent and qualified jobs, the strengthening and modernisation of public services and the capacity to retain populations in areas of low population density.

Or. en

Amendment 20

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 b (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Member States shall ensure that programmes supported by the ERDF provide for the exclusion from access to funding of beneficiaries who do not comply with the applicable obligations regarding social and labour rights, as defined by Union or national law or applicable collective agreements.

Or. en

Amendment 21

Proposal for a regulation

Article 2 – paragraph 1 c (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Measures that define support for enterprises or that involve the restructuring of enterprises and their economic activities must be accompanied by an assessment of the impacts on employment and its quality. Their approval will depend on the guarantee of improved working conditions and compliance with social and labour rights, in particular the provisions established by law or collective agreements.

Or. en

Amendment 22

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 1

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1. In accordance with Article 174 TFEU, Member States shall pay special attention to addressing the challenges of disadvantaged regions and areas, in particular rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as the northernmost regions with very low population density and island, cross-border and mountain regions, and also just transition areas and regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Member States and regions shall, where appropriate, set out an integrated approach to addressing demographic challenges or specific needs of the regions and areas referred to in this paragraph in their National and Regional Partnership Plans in accordance with Articles 72 to 74 [integrated local and urban development] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation]. Such an integrated approach may include a commitment on dedicated funding for that purpose and may be included in dedicated chapters of the National Regional and Partnership Plan.1. In accordance with Article 174 TFEU, Member States shall pay special attention to addressing the challenges of disadvantaged regions and areas, in particular rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as the northernmost regions with very low population density and island, cross-border and mountain regions, and also just transition areas and regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Member States and regions shall, where appropriate, set out an integrated approach, within the scope of this Regulation, to addressing demographic challenges or specific needs of the regions and areas referred to in this paragraph in addition to the provisions in their National and Regional Partnership Plans in accordance with Articles 72 to 74 [integrated local and urban development] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation]. Such an integrated approach may include a commitment on dedicated funding for that purpose.

Or. en

Amendment 23

Proposal for a regulation

Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
1a. Member States with island regions that are not connected to the continental territory of the Member State by a permanent fixed-link road or rail infrastructure may allocate to these island regions an additional ERDF allocation to compensate for the costs arising from their insularity, in particular in terms of additional costs for energy supply, transport connectivity, access to public services and access to employment.

Or. en

Amendment 24

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 – paragraph 1

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
As part of their territorial development, Member States shall support integrated urban development strategies which focus on sustainable development and tackle environmental, energy and climate challenges, in particular the fair transition towards a clean and climate-neutral and resilient economy by 2050, paying special attention to housing, poverty, cultural heritage and to harnessing the potential of digital technologies for innovation purposes and energy efficiency, to supporting the development of functional urban areas, as well as supporting urban-rural linkages.As part of their territorial development, Member States shall support integrated urban development strategies which focus on sustainable development and tackle environmental, energy and climate challenges, in particular the fair transition towards a clean and climate-neutral and resilient economy by 2050, paying special attention to decent and quality employment, affordable, sustainable and decent housing, the fight against poverty, safeguarding cultural heritage and to harnessing the potential of digital technologies for innovation purposes and energy efficiency, to supporting the development of functional urban areas, particularly with regard to investment in public services, support for productive activities and SMEs, and in key economic activities, as well as supporting urban-rural linkages.

Or. en

Amendment 25

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 5a
Housing
The ERDF shall support:
a) affordable, sustainable and dignified housing solutions, adapted to the needs of the population and within a framework of urban development and sustainable spatial planning at the social and environmental level;
b) the expansion and upgrading of public housing stock in Member States;
c) the construction of affordable, non-profit housing and the promotion of the social and cooperative sectors;
d) energy efficiency and renovation measures;
e) socio-economic inclusion of marginalised communities, migrants and people at risk of poverty and social exclusion;
The ERDF shall not support:
a) financing of real estate investments aimed at the sale of housing at market prices or for tourism and short-term accommodation purposes;
b) sale of public properties used for or potentially suitable for housing purposes;
c) measures that imply, facilitate, or promote evictions;
d) measures involving the granting of tax benefits to real estate funds, the banking sector, and large landowners;
e) measures that promote the growth of tourism supply in areas identified as high-pressure areas by the competent national and regional authorities.

Or. en

Amendment 26

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 1

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Measures shall be established in the National and Regional Partnership Plans to cover structural support for their economic, social and territorial development and operating costs or compensation including for the provision of services under a public service obligation and contracts in those regions with a view to offsetting the additional costs incurred in the outermost regions as a result of one or more of the permanent restraints to their development listed in Article 349, first paragraph, TFEU.Without prejudice to the provisions of the Programme of Options Specifically relating to Remoteness and Insularity (POSEI) and the POSEI Transport, Member States may establish measures to cover structural support for the economic, social and territorial development of outermost regions and operating costs or compensation including for the provision of services under a public service obligation and contracts in those regions with a view to offsetting the additional costs incurred in the outermost regions as a result of one or more of the permanent restraints to their development listed in Article 349, first paragraph, TFEU.

Or. en

Amendment 27

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
Article 6a
Reduction of burden in support for end beneficiaries
The administrative burden borne by end beneficiaries that are local authorities and entities, SMEs, and entities and organizations in the social and cooperative sectors, shall be reduced to a minimum by the European Commission and Member States, in the scope of their respective competences, including through simplified cost options, lump-sum funding, or non-cost-based financing mechanisms.

Or. en

Amendment 28

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point b

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(b) describe the intervention strategy of the Interreg Plan chapter based on a clear analysis of territorial needs and gaps in the area covered, identifying the measures for cooperation, including any measures for territorial or local developement and explaining how these measures are expected to contribute to the objectives set out in Articles 2 and 3 [policy objectives] of Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] and the Interreg-specific objectives referred to in paragraph 4 of Article 7 of this Regulation and to transition to climate neutrality;(b) describe the intervention strategy of the Interreg Plan chapter based on a clear analysis of territorial needs and gaps in the area covered, identifying the measures for cooperation, including any measures for territorial or local developement and explaining how these measures are expected to contribute to the objectives set out in Article 2 and the Interreg-specific objectives referred to in paragraph 4 of Article 7 of this Regulation and to transition to climate neutrality;

Or. en

Amendment 29

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point c

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(c) provide a list and description of measures, including the general and specific objectives that each measure primarily pursues and the list of envisaged milestones and targets, with their indicative completion date during the programming period. The indicators proposed for the targets shall be based on the output indicators listed in Annex I to Regulation XX [Performance] except where duly justified;(c) provide a list and description of measures, including the general and specific objectives that each measure primarily pursues, which shall include employment impact assessments and the fight against poverty, with their indicative completion date during the programming period.

Or. en

Amendment 30

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point d

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(d) set out the total estimated costs of the measures together with information on existing or planned Union financing where relevant, backed up by appropriate justification and by explanations of how it is in line with the principle of cost efficiency, sound financial management and commensurate to the expected economic and social impact;(d) set out the total estimated costs of the measures together with information on existing or planned Union financing where relevant, backed up by appropriate justification and by explanations of how it is in line with the principle of cost efficiency, sound financial management and commensurate to the expected economic and social impact, including in terms of creating quality jobs and combating poverty;

Or. en

Amendment 31

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point f

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
(f) promote partnership and knowledge exchange by setting out which stakeholders have been consulted, how they were selected, how their representativeness has been ensured and how their input is reflected in the Interreg Plan chapter in line with the code of conduct on partnership, and by including a summary of the consultation process conducted for the preparation of the Interreg Plan chapter;(f) promote partnership and knowledge exchange by setting out which stakeholders have been consulted, including trade unions, and social partners and organisations, how they were selected, how their representativeness has been ensured and how their input is reflected in the Interreg Plan chapter in line with the code of conduct on partnership, and by including a summary of the consultation process conducted for the preparation of the Interreg Plan chapter

Or. en

Amendment 32

Proposal for a regulation

Article 8 – paragraph 3 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
3a. In the chapters of the Interreg plan that include border regions, the specific measures foreseen must address cross-border labour challenges, including: (a) the framework of employment and social security schemes; (b) the recognition of professional qualifications; (c) conditions of access to communications and transport. The managing authorities must submit annual reports on the number of cross-border workers benefiting from these measures.

Or. en

Amendment 33

Proposal for a regulation

Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)

Amendment: Text proposed by the Commission and Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionAmendment
The specific provisions within the framework of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund set out in this Regulation shall prevail over any general rules to the contrary, in order to ensure a particular and autonomous oversight, adapted to the needs, purposes and specificities of these funds.

Or. en

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Sources & citation

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Data source
Licensed CC BY 4.0.
Retrieved
25 September 2026

Cite as

European Parliament (2026). “DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034”. Text, 21 April 2026. docId EMPL-PA-786812. EU Parl Watch Research. https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/EMPL-PA-786812 (retrieved 25 September 2026). Data: EP Open Data API: document record, https://data.europarl.europa.eu/api/v2/documents/EMPL-PA-786812 (CC BY 4.0).
BibTeX
@misc{epw-text-empl-pa-786812,
  author = {{European Parliament}},
  title = {{DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034}},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-04-21},
  howpublished = {\url{https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/EMPL-PA-786812}},
  url = {https://news.eu-parl.st-solutions.dev/texts/EMPL-PA-786812},
  urldate = {2026-09-25},
  publisher = {EU Parl Watch Research},
  note = {Text. docId EMPL-PA-786812. Data: EP Open Data API: document record (CC BY 4.0)}
}