Brussels: EU citizens’ perception of the impact of EU regional policy remains largely positive, a newly published Eurobarometer survey reveals.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the survey indicates that 40% of respondents are aware of EU-funded initiatives, with nearly four fifths (79%) of these respondents believing that such initiatives contribute positively to living conditions in their respective countries or regions. Additionally, 57% of those surveyed feel that EU-supported projects in their area have strengthened their sense of being EU citizens.
The survey further reveals that two-thirds of the individuals surveyed are familiar with at least one cohesion policy fund, such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cohesion Fund, European Social Fund, Interreg, or the Just Transition Fund. Awareness is notably higher in Poland and Slovakia, with 92% and 91% awareness respectively.
On average, 17% of participants report having personally benefitted from a project supported by the ERDF or Cohesion Fund, with this figure rising to 50% in certain countries. In terms of future EU investments, respondents prioritize the improvement of healthcare and education infrastructures (49%), environmental protection, water resources, and climate action (38%), job creation and access to the labor market (31%), and housing and energy efficiency enhancements (27%).
A significant majority (64%) of those surveyed believe that cohesion policy should support all EU regions, with a particular emphasis on areas experiencing high unemployment (63%), deprived urban areas (51%), and remote rural or mountainous regions (50%). More information on the latest flash Eurobarometer on citizens’ awareness and perception of EU regional policy can be found online.