URDICO-Urban Dimension of Cohesion Policy and other EU Programmes: Final Report

Drawing on in-depth analysis of eight European cities – Budapest, Florence, Ghent, Prague, Rotterdam, Strasbourg, Valencia and Warsaw – URDICO examines how cities participated in and influenced Cohesion Policy during the 2014–2020 and 2021–2027 programming periods. The research combines detailed fieldwork, stakeholder engagement and original data collection to assess governance models, funding patterns, institutional capacity and the alignment of EU funds with long-term urban strategies. The findings show that while the urban dimension of Cohesion Policy has been formally strengthened, cities’ real influence, autonomy and access to resources vary widely across Member States. Where cities are entrusted with clear roles, adequate instruments and stable mandates, Cohesion Policy delivers more integrated, place-based and visible results. Conversely, increasing centralisation and fragmented governance risk weakening subsidiarity and diluting the territorial impact of EU investments.