DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-082-5-0053

The Future of EU Cohesion Policy After 2028 and the Development Needs of Czech Municipalities

Jan Holub ORCID...¹, Tomáš Sýkora ORCID...¹, Petra Olšová ORCID...¹

¹ Faculty of Social and Economic Studies, J. E. Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Pasteurova 3544/1, 400 96 Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic

In the context of the forthcoming EU Cohesion Policy Strategic Framework 2028+ and the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework after 2027, significant changes in the funding conditions are expected to have an impact on the development of municipalities in the Czech Republic. The article discusses the future of EU cohesion policy after 2028 in relation to the development needs of Czech municipalities. It is based on a combination of analyses of EU and Czech strategic documents, a questionnaire survey conducted in municipalities, and focus groups representing different types of municipalities. The results confirm the stability of local priorities, especially in the areas of transport, education, and the environment. The focus is on the expected shift of cohesion policy towards a narrower thematic concentration and greater use of repayable financial instruments, which may disadvantage smaller municipalities with limited administrative capacity and financial stability. The study stresses the need for a balanced mix of grants and financial instruments, the strengthening of national grant programmes, and the reduction of administrative burdens. These steps are key to ensuring sustainable local development and preventing the widening of regional disparities.

Klíčová slova: Development Needs of Municipalities, Cohesion Policy, Local Administration

stránky: 53-59, online: 2026