The Social Dimension of Cohesion Policy

In parallel to the formulation of the Europe 2020 strategy, the new regulation of the EU Cohesion policy has experienced some changes which - at least on paper - seem to rejuvenate its solidarity profile, bringing the aims of fighting poverty and promoting inclusive growth among the core priorities of the EU. In order to understand how and to what extent such changes in policy discourse correspond to concrete change in policy practices, this chapter tries to assess the nature and relevance of the social dimension in both the regulation of cohesion policy and the operational programs co-financed by the EU Structural Funds (today European Structural and Investment - ESI Funds), with a specific focus on the 2007-13 and 2014-20 programming periods. A distinction is made between measures oriented at increasing employment, such as services for employment, active labour market policies, human resources development and training activities, and measures which are more explicitly "social" in nature, such as reduction of poverty, fighting discrimination and the creation of social infrastructures.