First Recap of the 2026 ARL Congress on European Regional Policy in Times of Transition
Discussions highlighted that European regional policy is entering a period of profound transformation, shaped by geopolitical, economic, environmental, demographic and technological transitions. Participants emphasised that competitiveness and cohesion should be understood as complementary rather than competing objectives, and that future EU Cohesion Policy must continue to promote cohesion and spatial justice while strengthening territorial governance, multilevel cooperation, local development capacities and territorial cooperation.

