The aim of this article is to illustrate the main features of the policy for economic, social and territorial cohesion of U.E. for the 2014-2020 programming period. In particular, the most important differences from the previous policy for the 2007-2013 period have been highlighted, specifying also the new objectives which the Member States and regions should pursue, spending most of the financial resources overall allocated. Finally, the case of Italy is mentioned, which is an emblematic country due to the preexisting socio-economic imbalances, which have also been accentuated following the serious crisis of the recent years.
Keywords: Cohesion Policy, objectives and tools, Italian case.
Jel Code: R 58.