Effective Cohesion Policies to Strengthen Social Integration in the EU

Rafael de Hoyos () and Michał Rutkowski ()
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Rafael de Hoyos: Inter-American Development Bank
Michał Rutkowski: World Bank

Chapter Chapter 7 in The Future of European Integration, 2026, pp 189-223 from Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract: Abstract This chapter examines the European Union’s (EU) efforts to promote economic and social integration. Despite significant convergence across EU member states, regional inequalities persist, particularly between urban centers and lagging rural areas, fueling Euroscepticism and political polarization. To counter these issues, the chapter proposes a three-pronged strategy to strengthen social integration. The European Social Fund+, a vital component of Cohesion Policies, could focus on targeted social assistance programs, such as the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI), and combine them with “case management,” enhancing the effectiveness of social policies in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable groups. Second, administrative capacities at the local level should be enhanced to ensure an efficient use of Cohesion Policy funds. Finally, the chapter recommends fostering policy innovation and rigorous evaluation to adapt social policies to evolving economic challenges, including population aging, technological shifts, and the green transition. This approach could maximize the impact of EU social policies, addressing rising disparities within and between regions to promote a more inclusive and resilient Union.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:stuchp:978-3-032-20186-7_7

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-20186-7_7

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