Today the Commission publishes the 2019 Regional Competitiveness Index and a Eurobarometer on Regional Policy. Information such as public opinion, identify regional assets and better focus investments will help authorities in charge of designing the future Cohesion Policy programmes for the 2021-2027 EU budget period 

Negotiations on the next EU budget for 2021-2027 and the future Cohesion Policy are ongoing with the European Parliament and the Member States. In parallel, the Commission has started a discussion with all EU countries on the priorities of the future Cohesion Policy programmes. This is so EU investments can reach the ground as soon as possible. The Competitiveness Index and the Eurobarometer aim to feed into this programming process.

Updated every three years, the Regional Competitiveness Index allows regions to monitor and assess their development over time and in comparison with other regions.

With its interactive web tool, policy-makers and citizens alike can see how their region scores in terms of innovation, governance, transport, digital infrastructure, health or human capital. By helping regions to identify their strengths and their weaknesses and to target public investments, the index can be a powerful tool in the preparation of the new programmes.