Foreword
Author: Normunds Popens
The current pandemic has added to the numerous challenges and changes that Europe is facing today. It has made us change drastically the way that we live and it will have a direct effect on European territories. It will be more important than ever to bring people and nations closer together, not only to continue our cooperation on mitigating climate change, encouraging digital transition and adjusting to demographic changes but also to face new realities that the coronavirus has brought upon us.
Cohesion policy is on the front line when it comes to responding to these changes and the needs of the Member States and regions, whether through the current crisis response initiatives or by supporting the economic recovery plan. Together with other EU Funds, the European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund have addressed the diverse needs in EU regions and cities. Urban or rural, large or smaller, cities and communities have all significantly benefited in the past, and the new multiannual budget of the EU will bring even more opportunities.