The 8th Evaluation Conference of EU Cohesion Policy (20-21 June), sponsored by the European Commission on the theme “Investing in Our Shared Future”, has opened in Bucharest today. “Cohesion policy is the EU’s main investment arm, with a third of its budget supporting projects across the EU”, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Corina Cretu, said in her opening remarks, recalling that resources should “be used wisely, making sure that no EU city or region and no EU citizen are left behind”. During the event, policy makers, national, regional and local authorities, experts, academics, civil society and other stakeholders are called upon to reflect on the role and exchange views on the contribution of this policy to promoting growth-oriented public investments. Another main focus of the event will be the “evaluation” of cohesion policies, role, criteria and scope, a theme that will be further discussed in the afternoon workshops. The event also provided an opportunity to look into the EU’s next multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027.