After the opening of the Structural Funds to the energy-efficiency improvements in social housing, CECODHAS, the European network of national federations of social and cooperative housing, welcome another breakthrough in the field of EU regional development: the Barca report on the future EU cohesion policy rightly outlines the change of paradigm needed to make Cohesion Policy an efficient and fair policy to improve people’s quality of life.

Indeed, CECODHAS supports, in particular, the view of the report that a significant volume of cohesion policy resources should be dedicated to reinforcing social inclusion (“equity”), aimed at progressively
guaranteeing socially agreed essential standards to all European citizens (and then addressing the issue of interpersonal disparities),

the Cohesion Policy should also develop the instruments to help communities reach their full potential, economically, socially and environmentally (“place-based strategy” to create “European public goods”). It is crucial to include local actors as part of the necessary partnership to put in place this strategy

Social and cooperative housing providers in Europe not only build high quality and affordable homes, they more generally contribute to the development of the European territories, urban and rural areas. Too often though they find it extremely difficult, if not impossible for legal reasons, to use European Structural Funds for housing-related issues. The simplification measures for the Structural Funds adopted this year by the EU as part of the Economic Recovery Plan go in the right direction. But they should be only seen as part of a necessary overhaul of the EU cohesion policy to make it closer to the EU citizens’ concerns and expectations.

Actors of the local development,  including social and cooperative housing providers need EU Structural Funds which can be easily used, which are focused on improving people’s quality of life and creating successful and sustainable places but also, which are allocated and monitored in partnership with grass-roots organisations. That is why the Barca report is a very positive signal that should be sent to EU decision-makers in their discussion over the future Cohesion Policy after 2013.

> Read the full report at: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/policy/future/pdf/report_barca_v0605.pdf