The European Commission has received the report of an independent panel of experts, which contains recommendations for the future of cohesion policy.

The report, created by European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reform Elisa Ferreira, examines how cohesion policy can support growth and recovery in Europe's regions, in the light of the ecological and digital transition, as well as demographic, industrial and geopolitical challenges. The group highlights the existence of barriers to inclusion, with high economic disparities between regions and growing regional disparities.