Cohesion Funds and the Strategic Turn: Defence, Dual-Use, and Supply Chain Resilience
The European Union’s mid-term review of cohesion policy in September 2025 marks a turning point in the integration of defence and security considerations into structural funding. Traditionally designed to reduce regional disparities and promote social cohesion, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund, and the Just Transition Fund (JTF) are now explicitly aligned with the strategic imperatives of resilience, autonomy, and deterrence. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine exposed the fragility of Europe’s industrial base and the vulnerability of critical supply chains. In this context, cohesion policy is being redefined: it is no longer solely an instrument for balanced development but also a lever to strengthen Europe’s defence-industrial and technological base (EDTIB). By linking cohesion resources to dual-use infrastructure, defence production capacity, cybersecurity, and civil preparedness, the Union elevates cohesion from a redistributive tool to a component of strategic sovereignty.