Thomas Schwab
@schwabvonpostel.eu
Economist | Project Manager | Research Architect @ Bertelsmann Stiftung
I specialize in European economic policy with a focus on how to foster economic cohesion all over the EU.
Views are my own
I specialize in European economic policy with a focus on how to foster economic cohesion all over the EU.
Views are my own
A socially fair ETS2 is possible—but only if investment support comes first.
#ETS2 #CohesionPolicy #SocialClimateFund #Housing #JustTransition #EUClimate
5/5
#ETS2 #CohesionPolicy #SocialClimateFund #Housing #JustTransition #EUClimate
5/5
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 AM
A socially fair ETS2 is possible—but only if investment support comes first.
#ETS2 #CohesionPolicy #SocialClimateFund #Housing #JustTransition #EUClimate
5/5
#ETS2 #CohesionPolicy #SocialClimateFund #Housing #JustTransition #EUClimate
5/5
Policy priorities:
✔️ Target support precisely
✔️ Use the Social Climate Fund for investment, not blanket transfers
✔️ Scale up funding beyond ETS2, especially via Cohesion Policy
4/5
✔️ Target support precisely
✔️ Use the Social Climate Fund for investment, not blanket transfers
✔️ Scale up funding beyond ETS2, especially via Cohesion Policy
4/5
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Policy priorities:
✔️ Target support precisely
✔️ Use the Social Climate Fund for investment, not blanket transfers
✔️ Scale up funding beyond ETS2, especially via Cohesion Policy
4/5
✔️ Target support precisely
✔️ Use the Social Climate Fund for investment, not blanket transfers
✔️ Scale up funding beyond ETS2, especially via Cohesion Policy
4/5
👉 The real bottleneck is investment. Without frontloaded support, many households risk fossil lock-in while carbon prices rise.
3/5
3/5
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 AM
👉 The real bottleneck is investment. Without frontloaded support, many households risk fossil lock-in while carbon prices rise.
3/5
3/5
Here the key findings:
• Most households can absorb ETS2 heating cost increases (≈€60/year at €60/t CO₂).
• A smaller group—often older, lower-income homeowners—cannot.
• ETS2 revenues can fund targeted compensation, but not the investments needed to replace fossil heating.
2/5
• Most households can absorb ETS2 heating cost increases (≈€60/year at €60/t CO₂).
• A smaller group—often older, lower-income homeowners—cannot.
• ETS2 revenues can fund targeted compensation, but not the investments needed to replace fossil heating.
2/5
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 AM
Here the key findings:
• Most households can absorb ETS2 heating cost increases (≈€60/year at €60/t CO₂).
• A smaller group—often older, lower-income homeowners—cannot.
• ETS2 revenues can fund targeted compensation, but not the investments needed to replace fossil heating.
2/5
• Most households can absorb ETS2 heating cost increases (≈€60/year at €60/t CO₂).
• A smaller group—often older, lower-income homeowners—cannot.
• ETS2 revenues can fund targeted compensation, but not the investments needed to replace fossil heating.
2/5
🔥 ETS2 & heating: what the evidence shows
New analysis from @bertelsmannst.bsky.social mannstiftung.bsky.social: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/publicati...
1/5
New analysis from @bertelsmannst.bsky.social mannstiftung.bsky.social: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/publicati...
1/5
Heating Up Inequality?
ETS2 will introduce uniform EU-wide carbon pricing for heating, affecting about half of all households across the Union. Using a synthetic EU population of 188 million households, this study shows tha...
www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de
January 22, 2026 at 7:29 AM
🔥 ETS2 & heating: what the evidence shows
New analysis from @bertelsmannst.bsky.social mannstiftung.bsky.social: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/publicati...
1/5
New analysis from @bertelsmannst.bsky.social mannstiftung.bsky.social: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/publicati...
1/5
If they reach a deal ➡️ multi-level governance maintained & renewed trust.
If not ➡️ turbulence ahead for cohesion + institutional
balance.
Which path seems more likely to you? #EU #MFF #Politics #CohesionPolicy
If not ➡️ turbulence ahead for cohesion + institutional
balance.
Which path seems more likely to you? #EU #MFF #Politics #CohesionPolicy
November 10, 2025 at 10:57 AM
If they reach a deal ➡️ multi-level governance maintained & renewed trust.
If not ➡️ turbulence ahead for cohesion + institutional
balance.
Which path seems more likely to you? #EU #MFF #Politics #CohesionPolicy
If not ➡️ turbulence ahead for cohesion + institutional
balance.
Which path seems more likely to you? #EU #MFF #Politics #CohesionPolicy
This isn’t just about budget lines — it’s a test of EU governance:
Can Brussels find a balance between efficiency, inclusiveness, and democratic legitimacy?
The outcome could redefine how national + regional voices shape EU priorities.
Can Brussels find a balance between efficiency, inclusiveness, and democratic legitimacy?
The outcome could redefine how national + regional voices shape EU priorities.
November 10, 2025 at 10:57 AM
This isn’t just about budget lines — it’s a test of EU governance:
Can Brussels find a balance between efficiency, inclusiveness, and democratic legitimacy?
The outcome could redefine how national + regional voices shape EU priorities.
Can Brussels find a balance between efficiency, inclusiveness, and democratic legitimacy?
The outcome could redefine how national + regional voices shape EU priorities.
🇪🇺 Big day in Brussels: von der Leyen meets Metsola to break the deadlock over the EU’s MFF.
The EP fears the plan sidelines regions + weakens its role.
Commission hints at concessions — but will that be enough to avoid a showdown?
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
The EP fears the plan sidelines regions + weakens its role.
Commission hints at concessions — but will that be enough to avoid a showdown?
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
POLITICO
European Politics, Policy, Government News
politico.eu
November 10, 2025 at 10:57 AM
🇪🇺 Big day in Brussels: von der Leyen meets Metsola to break the deadlock over the EU’s MFF.
The EP fears the plan sidelines regions + weakens its role.
Commission hints at concessions — but will that be enough to avoid a showdown?
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
The EP fears the plan sidelines regions + weakens its role.
Commission hints at concessions — but will that be enough to avoid a showdown?
www.politico.eu/article/euro...
November 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
In a time when Europe needs to act faster, it also needs to govern better.
Strengthening regional voices isn’t a barrier to reform — it’s the key to legitimacy.
👉 Read my piece on why the real MFF debate is about who gets a say in Europe’s future.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/eu-bud...
Strengthening regional voices isn’t a barrier to reform — it’s the key to legitimacy.
👉 Read my piece on why the real MFF debate is about who gets a say in Europe’s future.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/eu-bud...
EU Budget: Is Cohesion Policy’s Federalism Killing the MFF Reform?
Negotiations on the future EU budget have begun. With the European Commission’s proposal released in July, far-reaching changes are on the table.
www.linkedin.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
In a time when Europe needs to act faster, it also needs to govern better.
Strengthening regional voices isn’t a barrier to reform — it’s the key to legitimacy.
👉 Read my piece on why the real MFF debate is about who gets a say in Europe’s future.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/eu-bud...
Strengthening regional voices isn’t a barrier to reform — it’s the key to legitimacy.
👉 Read my piece on why the real MFF debate is about who gets a say in Europe’s future.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/eu-bud...
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞? 🇪🇺
The EU’s new budget debate isn’t just about money — it’s about power and participation.
By centralising decisions in national governments, the Commission risks sidelining regions and civil society — the very actors who make policies work on the ground.
1/2
The EU’s new budget debate isn’t just about money — it’s about power and participation.
By centralising decisions in national governments, the Commission risks sidelining regions and civil society — the very actors who make policies work on the ground.
1/2
November 9, 2025 at 1:36 PM
𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞? 🇪🇺
The EU’s new budget debate isn’t just about money — it’s about power and participation.
By centralising decisions in national governments, the Commission risks sidelining regions and civil society — the very actors who make policies work on the ground.
1/2
The EU’s new budget debate isn’t just about money — it’s about power and participation.
By centralising decisions in national governments, the Commission risks sidelining regions and civil society — the very actors who make policies work on the ground.
1/2
Reposted by Thomas Schwab
As I understand it, Cohesion Funds will be reduced to €218 billion, supplemented by €150 billion in loans. Farmers remain at the same level.
July 16, 2025 at 2:56 PM
As I understand it, Cohesion Funds will be reduced to €218 billion, supplemented by €150 billion in loans. Farmers remain at the same level.
So the question is:
👉 Does money follow policy, or does policy follow money?
Here some line where I dig into this and more:
🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/mff-ho...
Would love to hear your views.
#EU #MFF #CohesionPolicy #Governance #EUBudget #StructuralFunds
👉 Does money follow policy, or does policy follow money?
Here some line where I dig into this and more:
🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/mff-ho...
Would love to hear your views.
#EU #MFF #CohesionPolicy #Governance #EUBudget #StructuralFunds
MFF: The How and What of Cohesion Policy
1. Setting the Stage: A Crucial Juncture for EU Policy On July 16, the European Commission will unveil its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)—the EU’s long-term budget, tradit...
www.linkedin.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
So the question is:
👉 Does money follow policy, or does policy follow money?
Here some line where I dig into this and more:
🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/mff-ho...
Would love to hear your views.
#EU #MFF #CohesionPolicy #Governance #EUBudget #StructuralFunds
👉 Does money follow policy, or does policy follow money?
Here some line where I dig into this and more:
🔗 www.linkedin.com/pulse/mff-ho...
Would love to hear your views.
#EU #MFF #CohesionPolicy #Governance #EUBudget #StructuralFunds
At its heart, Cohesion Policy is about what kind of EU we want:
– Inclusive?
– Regionally balanced?
– Green and digital for everyone?
Not just about money—but purpose.
– Inclusive?
– Regionally balanced?
– Green and digital for everyone?
Not just about money—but purpose.
July 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
At its heart, Cohesion Policy is about what kind of EU we want:
– Inclusive?
– Regionally balanced?
– Green and digital for everyone?
Not just about money—but purpose.
– Inclusive?
– Regionally balanced?
– Green and digital for everyone?
Not just about money—but purpose.
💡 What’s needed?
Reform + investment, bundled smartly.
But conditionality is tricky:
– Ties regions to national performance
– Can backfire politically
– Risks turning Brussels into a scapegoat
It has to be done with care.
Reform + investment, bundled smartly.
But conditionality is tricky:
– Ties regions to national performance
– Can backfire politically
– Risks turning Brussels into a scapegoat
It has to be done with care.
July 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
💡 What’s needed?
Reform + investment, bundled smartly.
But conditionality is tricky:
– Ties regions to national performance
– Can backfire politically
– Risks turning Brussels into a scapegoat
It has to be done with care.
Reform + investment, bundled smartly.
But conditionality is tricky:
– Ties regions to national performance
– Can backfire politically
– Risks turning Brussels into a scapegoat
It has to be done with care.
Cohesion Policy has had successes—but big gaps remain:
Southern Italy, rural France, parts of Spain… still lagging.
We must talk about why it didn’t work in these places.
Ignoring failures ≠ progress.
Southern Italy, rural France, parts of Spain… still lagging.
We must talk about why it didn’t work in these places.
Ignoring failures ≠ progress.
July 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Cohesion Policy has had successes—but big gaps remain:
Southern Italy, rural France, parts of Spain… still lagging.
We must talk about why it didn’t work in these places.
Ignoring failures ≠ progress.
Southern Italy, rural France, parts of Spain… still lagging.
We must talk about why it didn’t work in these places.
Ignoring failures ≠ progress.
The current debate?
It’s focused more on the how than the what.
✅ Yes, we need better delivery.
❌ But we risk sidelining local voices, civil society, and subnational actors.
The lessons from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) are mixed.
It’s focused more on the how than the what.
✅ Yes, we need better delivery.
❌ But we risk sidelining local voices, civil society, and subnational actors.
The lessons from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) are mixed.
July 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The current debate?
It’s focused more on the how than the what.
✅ Yes, we need better delivery.
❌ But we risk sidelining local voices, civil society, and subnational actors.
The lessons from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) are mixed.
It’s focused more on the how than the what.
✅ Yes, we need better delivery.
❌ But we risk sidelining local voices, civil society, and subnational actors.
The lessons from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) are mixed.
📉 With growing pressure from defence, tech, and competitiveness agendas, Cohesion funding is likely to shrink in relative terms—maybe even absolutely.
Whether the budget grows or not, regions may lose ground.
Whether the budget grows or not, regions may lose ground.
July 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
📉 With growing pressure from defence, tech, and competitiveness agendas, Cohesion funding is likely to shrink in relative terms—maybe even absolutely.
Whether the budget grows or not, regions may lose ground.
Whether the budget grows or not, regions may lose ground.
📅 On July 16, the European Commission will propose the new MFF.
It's not just about how much money the EU will spend—but where it goes, and what kind of Europe it builds.
Cohesion Policy, the second-biggest budget line, could be redefined. Or downgraded.
It's not just about how much money the EU will spend—but where it goes, and what kind of Europe it builds.
Cohesion Policy, the second-biggest budget line, could be redefined. Or downgraded.
July 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
📅 On July 16, the European Commission will propose the new MFF.
It's not just about how much money the EU will spend—but where it goes, and what kind of Europe it builds.
Cohesion Policy, the second-biggest budget line, could be redefined. Or downgraded.
It's not just about how much money the EU will spend—but where it goes, and what kind of Europe it builds.
Cohesion Policy, the second-biggest budget line, could be redefined. Or downgraded.
🚨 MFF: The What and How of Cohesion Policy 🇪🇺💶
As the EU prepares its next long-term budget (MFF), the future of Cohesion Policy is at a crossroads.
What’s at stake?
👇 A short thread 🧵
As the EU prepares its next long-term budget (MFF), the future of Cohesion Policy is at a crossroads.
What’s at stake?
👇 A short thread 🧵
July 10, 2025 at 9:23 AM
🚨 MFF: The What and How of Cohesion Policy 🇪🇺💶
As the EU prepares its next long-term budget (MFF), the future of Cohesion Policy is at a crossroads.
What’s at stake?
👇 A short thread 🧵
As the EU prepares its next long-term budget (MFF), the future of Cohesion Policy is at a crossroads.
What’s at stake?
👇 A short thread 🧵
Partnership = smarter policies + stronger democracy.
We outline how to ensure effective partnership in a reformed Cohesion Policy system.
Let's not centralize away what makes Europe work. 🇪🇺
Full Brief here ➡️ www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/publikati...
#EU #CohesionPolicy #Democracy #Partnership
We outline how to ensure effective partnership in a reformed Cohesion Policy system.
Let's not centralize away what makes Europe work. 🇪🇺
Full Brief here ➡️ www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/publikati...
#EU #CohesionPolicy #Democracy #Partnership
Cohesion Policy in National Envelopes: How to integrate Partnership
Future EU Cohesion Policy is likely to hand more decision-making over to member states with the European Commission’s plans of merging multiple funds delivered to member states by national envelopes. ...
www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de
April 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Partnership = smarter policies + stronger democracy.
We outline how to ensure effective partnership in a reformed Cohesion Policy system.
Let's not centralize away what makes Europe work. 🇪🇺
Full Brief here ➡️ www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/publikati...
#EU #CohesionPolicy #Democracy #Partnership
We outline how to ensure effective partnership in a reformed Cohesion Policy system.
Let's not centralize away what makes Europe work. 🇪🇺
Full Brief here ➡️ www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/publikati...
#EU #CohesionPolicy #Democracy #Partnership
New Policy Brief: Cohesion Policy in National Envelopes: How to integrate Partnership
EU Cohesion Policy is changing — but local voices must not be lost. 🛡️
✅ National Partnership Committees
✅ Stronger rules for stakeholder involvement
EU Cohesion Policy is changing — but local voices must not be lost. 🛡️
✅ National Partnership Committees
✅ Stronger rules for stakeholder involvement
April 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
New Policy Brief: Cohesion Policy in National Envelopes: How to integrate Partnership
EU Cohesion Policy is changing — but local voices must not be lost. 🛡️
✅ National Partnership Committees
✅ Stronger rules for stakeholder involvement
EU Cohesion Policy is changing — but local voices must not be lost. 🛡️
✅ National Partnership Committees
✅ Stronger rules for stakeholder involvement
Worüber wir im Bereich der Kohäsionspolitik zu diskutieren haben, habe ich vor einiger Zeit hier aufgeschrieben: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/publicati...
Quo vadis, Cohesion Policy? European Regional Development at a Crossroads
Cohesion Policy seems to be on the backfoot: Given a raft of new policy priorities and tightening fiscal room to maneuver, a fundamental discussion on the relevance and future direction of Cohesion Po...
www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de
April 9, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Worüber wir im Bereich der Kohäsionspolitik zu diskutieren haben, habe ich vor einiger Zeit hier aufgeschrieben: www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/publicati...