Alignment of European and National Policies for Sustainable Regional Development in Romania

Abstract

Sustainable regional development represents one of the fundamental priorities of the European Union, supported through policies and financial instruments aimed at reducing territorial disparities and strengthening economic, social, and territorial cohesion. In this context, the alignment of European and national policies becomes essential for the effective and coherent implementation of sustainable development objectives at regional and local levels. This paper aims to analyze the degree of integration and coherence between European and national policies regarding sustainable regional development in Romania, highlighting the main challenges and opportunities generated by this process.

The research is based on a qualitative approach grounded in the analysis of relevant European and national strategic documents, the legislative framework, and the institutional mechanisms regulating regional development policies. The analysis includes programmatic documents such as the European Union Cohesion Policy, the European Green Deal, the Europe 2030 Strategy, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and the operational programmes related to the 2021–2027 programming period. The study focuses on identifying the mechanisms through which European priorities are transposed and adapted into national and regional policies.

The findings indicate the existence of a strategic framework that is relatively well aligned with European priorities; however, significant difficulties persist in the effective implementation of public policies. The main challenges identified include institutional fragmentation, limited administrative capacity at local and regional levels, and insufficient coordination between governance levels. At the same time, the research highlights opportunities generated by access to European funds, the digitalization of public administration, and the integration of green and innovation objectives into regional development strategies.

The paper emphasizes the need to strengthen interinstitutional cooperation and administrative capacity, highlighting the importance of an integrated and participatory approach in implementing sustainable regional development policies in Romania.