What is the NRPP ?
The National-Regional Partnership Plan (NRPP) is a central component of the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), linked to the pillar “Economic, social and territorial cohesion of Europe, agriculture, rural and maritime prosperity and security.”
It aims to align European funds with the strategic objectives of each Member State and its regions, in a more integrated and coherent manner.
Each State will have to prepare one or more partnership plans, defining the main national guidelines, sectoral priorities, and their regional variations.
These plans will bring together investments and reforms, accompanied by measurable milestones and targets to assess performance and impact.
Approximately €865 billion, or nearly half of the proposed European budget for the period, will be devoted to these partnership plans.
What are the objectives?
The NRPP aims to:
- Strengthen consistency between national and European policies
- Simplify funding management by combining several funds under a single strategy
- Increase flexibility in the allocation of funds according to current priorities
- Optimize performance through monitoring using clear indicators (milestones and measurable results)
The ultimate goal is to promote better use of funds in the service of ecological transition, competitiveness, and social cohesion.
What changes have been made compared to the current MFF?
The NRPP marks a major structural change in the programming of European funding:
- Consolidation of sectoral policies: an end to the logic of “compartmentalized funds” (ERDF, ESF+, EAFRD, etc.), in favor of a unified and cross-cutting approach
- Increased flexibility: Member States will be able to reallocate funds according to their needs or strategic priorities
- Redesigned governance: the role of Member States in programming and arbitration is strengthened, while that of the regions becomes more dependent on the national framework
- Less segmentation by territory: measures dedicated to certain sectors or areas (such as the outermost regions) are likely to be diluted, raising concerns about the loss of territorial specificity
What are the implications for the regions?
The NRPP introduces a partial recentralization of decisions related to fund programming.
While this simplification may improve national consistency, it also poses challenges for the regions, including:
- A potential reduction in their autonomy in defining local priorities
- Increased competition between regions for funding
- A greater need for coordination between regional and national actors to defend projects with high territorial added value
Regions will therefore need to be proactive and strategic in preparing their applications in order to remain visible and influential in this new framework.
Summary
The NRPP aims to simplify, streamline, and refocus the management of European funding within a national-regional partnership framework.
However, this development also entails a profound change in governance, with a direct impact on the visibility and territorial specificity of the funds.
Our support
For more than 20 years, Welcomeurope has been supporting public, private, and non-profit actors in the preparation and success of their European projects.
We help our partners anticipate future MFF orientations, identify their funding levers, and structure their investment plans to maximize their chances of success.
Schedule a free introductory meeting now to discuss your needs and your eligibility for future European funding.
