The social dimension of cohesion policy

The chapter attempts to assess the relevance of the social dimension in both the regulations of Cohesion policy and the operational programmes co-financed by the EU Structural Funds with a specific focus on the 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 programming periods. Within this context a distinction is drawn between measures oriented at increasing employment , such as active labour market policies and training activities, and measures which are more explicitly ‘social’ in nature, such as those aimed at reducing poverty, fighting discrimination and creating social infrastructures. Based on this distinction, the evidence presented in the chapter allows to better appreciate : (a) whether the balance between the two rival rationales underpinning cohesion policy – that is, increasing competitiveness and promoting solidarity – has actually changed in favour of equity and social inclusion in the programming periods under consideration , as official documents and policy discourse suggest; and (b) whether and to what extent the European Commission is able to steer the national allocation of funds, and thereby preserve an overall coherent strategy.