Cohesion Policy Post-2028: Local Governments Demand Greater Control Over EU Funds

During the “Pearl of Local Government” Congress in Toruń, regional leaders and experts warned that the next EU financial perspective must empower local authorities rather than centralizing decision-making on spending priorities.

Local Government Efficiency

Participants in the panel titled “Cohesion policy without external borders” argued that Poland’s success in utilizing EU funds was driven by delegating responsibility to regional governments. According to Piotr Całbecki, Marshal of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, regions succeeded by creating development strategies before selecting financial instruments, rather than chasing available funds with ill-conceived projects.

Całbecki warned against excessive centralization in the upcoming financial period. He maintained that local governments must retain real influence over both the distribution of money and the definition of the objectives those funds serve.

Aligning EU Priorities with Local Needs

Piotr Palutkiewicz, president of the Warsaw Enterprise Institute, acknowledged that Poland established an effective system for managing public funds and minimizing corruption. However, he questioned whether current EU priorities still align with Poland’s most pressing development needs.

Palutkiewicz argued that local and state authorities are better positioned to define their own requirements than centralized bureaucratic structures. He noted that Poland’s economic success stems more from access to the single market and foreign investment than from EU funding alone.

The Failure of Civic Education

Krzysztof Koman highlighted a significant failure in communicating the benefits of European integration. He argued that political and local circles have neglected civic education, often reducing the promotion of EU-funded projects to simple signage rather than fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of membership.

Koman also pointed out that development results remain uneven. While infrastructure has improved, smaller municipalities struggle with transport accessibility and depopulation, and some past investments were overscaled to satisfy local ambitions rather than actual needs.

Moving Beyond the “ATM” Mentality

Grzegorz Kubalski of the Association of Polish Counties criticized the tendency to view the European Union merely as an “ATM” for dispensing cash. He urged a shift in perspective, noting that European values encompass more than just financial transfers.

Kubalski warned that building public support solely on financial benefits is shortsighted. He emphasized that the primary value of integration lies in the common market, the free movement of people, and economic cooperation, which must be clearly communicated to the public.