The article highlights the ongoing struggles of the Creuse department in France, which is noted for its low population and poverty levels. Despite receiving €18 billion in EU cohesion funding for 2021-2027, the region faces significant inequalities and risks falling into a 'development trap' where initial growth is followed by stagnation. The report underlines that many regions in France, including Creuse, have historically underperformed in terms of economic cohesion in comparison to other European regions.

This second part of an examination of EU cohesion policy vividly illustrates how the Creuse's population has dropped to only 115,000, making it one of France's least populated departments. While the EU has made substantial financial commitments to assist these regions, the outcomes are often minimal, with investments in sectors that lack sustainable long-term potential. This precarious situation emphasizes the need for effective management of EU funds to ensure that they genuinely contribute to the revitalization of neglected areas like Creuse.

Additionally, the article points out the importance of repopulating regions like Creuse through European projects, which aim to increase stability and quality of life for residents. The combination of strategic investment, community engagement, and sustained funding is crucial for avoiding a downward spiral of decline in these regions. The case of Creuse serves as a cautionary tale for other areas at risk of similar fates and sheds light on broader issues of regional inequality within France and the EU at large.