Reconciling crisis response and long-term objectives: Dealing with multiple pressures in Cohesion Policy programmes

In the challenging context created by the ongoing effects of the pandemic combined with the growing pressures of the energy and refugee crises, programme managers are navigating through multiple and often overlapping priorities. Ensuring good implementation and progress towards finalising the 2014-20 programmes, as well as preparing their orderly closure are among the key tasks now and for the months to come. At the same time, the approval and launch of the 2021-27 OPs are seen as pressing priorities, particularly in order to catch up with the delays in the adoption of the legislative framework and negotiations with the Commission, and to address effectively the on-going and emerging challenges and structural needs at national and regional level. This paper reviews the progress in implementing IQ-Net programmes over the last six months, highlighting the key constraints and responses.