Cohesion policy objectives are the thematic areas towards which every form of support from European funds in the given period must be directed. They comprise a more competitive and smarter Europe with an emphasis on innovation and digitalisation, a greener Europe focused on energy and the environment, a more connected Europe focused on transport and networks, a more social Europe covering employment, education and social services, and finally a Europe closer to citizens, which supports territorial development. Programme priorities and specific objectives are derived from these objectives, and specific calls for proposals arise from those. For an applicant, understanding them has practical significance – if an intended project cannot be classified under any of them, no call for its funding from the funds will arise, regardless of how useful it is.
See also: Programme priority, Specific objective of the programme, EU cohesion policy.
