Caro-energy, Fitto sends letter to EU regions to divert cohesion funds

From intentions to facts. After opening up in recent weeks to the possibility of using cohesion policy funds to combat the high cost of energy, Raffaele Fitto is now moving on to the operational phase. The executive vice-president in charge of Cohesion and Reforms has announced that he will send a letter to the presidents of the European regions responsible for managing cohesion programmes to formally inform them of the possibility of allocating resources not yet committed to new energy support measures.

The communication represents the first concrete step in the initiative promoted by Brussels to offer more flexibility to member states without changing the rules of the Stability Pact. "As announced, today I sent a letter to the presidents of the European regions responsible for the management of cohesion programmes to inform them of the possibility of allocating the resources not yet committed to measures against high energy prices," Fitto wrote on social media.

No defunding of existing programmes and no obligations for territorial administrations. The principle of voluntariness remains central to the Commission's approach. "No resources are being subtracted, options are being widened," the vice-president of the European executive specified, emphasising that the overall value of the cohesion programmes would not change and that the resources would continue to remain in the hands of the authorities already managing the funds.

The novelties mainly concern the extension of the types of intervention eligible under the energy priority already identified by Brussels. The measures include support for households and businesses to reduce the impact of rising energy prices, interventions to contain consumption, improving the energy efficiency of public buildings - from schools to museums and sports facilities - accelerating the spread of clean energy and investments in energy infrastructure.

Alongside the energy chapter, Fitto is also expanding the scope of cohesion funds to address the growing fertiliser crisis, an issue that has become strategic for the European agricultural sector. New investment possibilities include plants for wastewater management, separate collection and treatment of municipal organic waste, as well as the development of alternatives to conventional fertilisers through phosphorus and nitrogen recovery, the valorisation of sewage sludge and biogas production.