This study focuses on EU Cohesion Policy in the nine outermost regions. It first outlines the geographic, climate, socio-economic, demographic and administrative characteristics of these regions and further analyses the vulnerabilities affecting their convergence processes. It pays particular attention to the implementation of EU Cohesion Policy and the use of place-based approaches to foster their economic growth. Finally, it reviews the importance of Article 349 of the TFEU and concludes with recommendations for its wider application.

The study is available on the website :

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2024/747282/IPOL_STU(2024)747282_EN.pdf