This European cohesion program spans across three decades with a steady impact
For thirty years, Europe has steered a concerted effort to lift the poorest regions through a cohesive investment strategy. In total, 179,000 million euros have been channeled into development across the Union, aiming to balance growth, modernize infrastructure, and strengthen the internal market. The European Commission has emphasized that the Cohesion Fund has been a vital driver of convergence, competitiveness, and sustainable development. It is also viewed as a key tool for equal opportunity, helping to raise living standards across member states. Implementations from this fund include iconic bridges, efficient railways and urban transit systems, airports, and essential water and waste treatment projects. These investments have directly improved daily life for millions of Europeans and supported the modernization of many countries. The Fund’s role has evolved as Europe’s needs have changed, but the core aim remains the same: to modernize and strengthen the Union from within, ensuring broader access to opportunity for people and regions that lag behind.
Across the Iberian Peninsula, the Cohesion Fund has financed several landmark projects. The construction of the Vasco da Gama bridge in 1998, spanning 12.3 kilometers, marked a milestone in Lisbon and became the longest bridge in the European Union. The fund has also supported the Alqueva dam on the Guadiana river, one of Europe’s largest strategic water reserves, located near the southern Portuguese border with Spain. Beyond individual structures, the Cohesion Fund has played a significant part in developing the Trans-European Transport Network TEN-T, backing the construction and improvement of thousands of kilometers of routes, including tens of thousands of kilometers of roads and railways, and contributing to essential aqueducts and tunnels that knit together the continent’s transportation grid.
High-speed rail as a defining achievement in Spain
In Spain, the Cohesion Fund is celebrated for funding a modern high-speed rail network. The notable Madrid to Barcelona corridor, extending to France, spans approximately 804 kilometers and stands as a core artery for connections between Spain and the broader European framework. This project showcases how targeted cohesion investments can reshape national mobility, shorten travel times, and boost regional economic activity by integrating more tightly with neighboring markets and hubs.
The Cohesion Fund currently benefits 15 member states whose gross national income per capita remains below 90 percent of the EU average during the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework. The nations included are Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia. This framework reflects a deliberate focus on nations needing more robust support to catch up with the European average, enabling them to invest in infrastructure, employment, and social programs that promote long-term resilience.
The Financial Instrument for Cohesion, initially named the Cohesion Fund, originated on April 1, 1993, with its actual operations beginning in 1994. Early beneficiaries included Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain during the first wave. Over time, more countries joined the program: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined in 2004; Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007; and Croatia joined in 2013. This expansion reflects the EU’s broader strategy to reduce disparities by extending cohesion support to more regions in need.
The Cohesion Fund’s budget has grown substantially with each enlargement cycle. During the 1994-1999 period it allocated about 18 billion euros, followed by 30.6 billion for 2000-2006, 68.5 billion for 2007-2013, and a further substantial allocation in 2014-2020. In the 2021-2027 programming period, approximately 60 billion euros is directed toward cohesion initiatives, with more than a third of the overall fund earmarked to meet climate objectives. These figures highlight the ongoing prioritization of sustainable development, climate resilience, and modern infrastructure across Europe, guiding national investments toward higher productivity, cleaner energy, and more reliable public services.