Strategic Objective 5 of Cohesion Policy promotes the sustainable and integrated development of all types of territories and local initiatives.
The European Union is committed to supporting the sustainable and integrated development of urban, rural and coastal areas through local initiatives. To achieve European cohesion, it is essential to solve multi-thematic problems for integrated regional development in all sectors. With the introduction of this cross-cutting objective, the EU aims to recognise the importance of integrated investment strategies that target different territorial levels – for example cities, rural areas, metropolitan areas and functional regions – where people work, live and travel to work every day. Therefore, the EU aims to respond to problems identified in a given territory for which local stakeholders develop local solutions. Having a clear territorial objective means that development needs, problems and opportunities must correspond to the appropriate spatial scale and territorial context. The Commission recognises the role of small and medium-sized cities and functional area approaches as important drivers for attractiveness and regional and rural development, creating positive spill-over effects between urban and other territories and strengthening links between urban and rural areas. During 2021-2027, in each Member State at least 8% ERDF resources are reserved for cities of all sizes and their metropolitan and functional areas through territorial and/or local development strategies, i.e. using Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI), Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) but also similar instruments to support integrated approaches devised by Member States. Territorial strategies provide an opportunity to build capacity and launch local actions that promote European policies, including the green and digital transitions.
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