Publications
Panorama Magazine - The quarterly magazine for actors of regional development
Nr 45. - Spring 2013 - Bringing communities together
This issue's highlight is the role of Cohesion policy in returning growth to Europe. Cohesion policy is the investment arm of the EU budget, aiming to boost growth and competitiveness through capitalising on regional strengths. The policy will, in the future, reinforce even more the achievement of the 'Europe 2020' objectives and will focus on sustainable investment with a more effective use of EU, national and regional investment.
Other features include the EU PEACE programme, seeking to build reconciliation of divided communities in Northern Ireland and in the border region of Ireland, as well as an article on the key role of cities - the engines of the European economy. The Commission has recently created an extensive database of best urban development good practice in order to provide a detailed overview of projects, which could be a source of inspiration for cities, managing authorities and other stakeholders.
40p. (3MB)
Nr 44. - Winter 2012 - Smart specialisation - The driver of future economic growth in Europe's regions
The winter 2012 edition of Panorama magazine entitled "Smart Specialisation" is now online. The centrepiece is a 6 page feature on Smart Specialisation strategies as drivers of regional economic growth, which analyses the definitions and possibilities for smart specialisation, the support provided by the S3 Platform, and reports from the European Commission workshop in Bari in September 2012 which helped Italian regions prepare to use these strategies in the 2014-2020 programming period.
The other main highlight is an exclusive interview with Polish Minister for Regional Development Elżbieta Bieńkowska, who describes the progress made by Poland since accession in 2004 in developing its infrastructure, creating jobs and increasing GDP. She also looks to the future and anticipates increasing investment in research & innovation and sustainable energy and transport solutions in the next programming period.
Elsewhere the latest Eurobarometer survey "A view from the regions" is analysed showing some surprisingly positive results regarding quality of life and outlook for the future, and the winners of the Europe In My Region photo competition are featured, along with a pull-out mosaic poster of some of the many entries.
There is also a preview of Regiostars 2014 and another selection of profiles of successful projects from regions across the EU.
40p. (4MB)
40p. (4MB)
Nr 43. - Autumn 2012 - Investing in regions - Using financial instruments to leverage support for regional policy
One of the innovative ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the EU's regional policy is the use of financial instruments. These support mechanisms which range from financial engineering techniques to technical assistance facilities can help attract further funding and bring on board additional expertise and know-how.
40p. (3MB)
40p. (3MB)
Nr 42. - Summer 2012 - Partnership in cohesion policy - Reinforcing implementation of this key principle
At the heart of the successful use of the EU’s Structural Funds lies a partnership with local players at various levels in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the programmes. To generate maximum impact and ensure the most effective use of EU resources, the expertise of the different partners has to be effectively harnessed and integrated.
36p. (3MB)
36p. (5MB)
Nr 41. - Spring 2012 - Targeting results - Fine tuning cohesion policy
A key objective of the new approach to cohesion policy which we unveiled in October 2011 is to make it smarter and more focused. In this way cohesion policy can become the main investment strategy of the European Union post-2013 and the central tool for achieving jobs and growth – the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
36p. (3MB)
36p. (5MB)
Nr 40. - Winter 2011/2012 - Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 investing in Europe's Regions
In October the Commission’s proposals for cohesion policy after 2013 were unveiled.
In this edition of Panorama we give you an overview of the proposals as well as comments from some of the key stakeholders.
This new approach to cohesion policy takes place at a point in time when economic growth is vitally needed across all EU Member States. More than ever Europe has to make the necessary investments at all levels that will help activate its economic potential and create jobs.
Cohesion policy manages more than EUR 350 billion – one-third of the total EU budget – and should become a major instrument for achieving this.
36p. (3MB)
36p. (5MB)
Nr 39. - Autumn 2011 - 2020 The role of Regional Policy in the future of Europe
This edition of Panorama examines the role of regional policy in helping Member States reach the EU’s 2020 strategy targets, delivering high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion.
The 2020 strategy focuses on the three interlinked areas of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This integrated approach addresses the main challenges facing Europe, both currently and in the decade to come, such as an ageing population, insufficiently qualified workforces, the need for increased innovation, the relation between economic growth and environmental degradation, and energy security.
28p. (3MB)
28p. (3MB)
Nr 38. - Summer 2011 : Connecting Europe - Transport and regional policy
Transport is much more than just getting from one place to another: it is about the networks supported and developed by EU funds helping to shape economic growth, sustainability and access to vital services. In this edition of Panorama, we take a look at the whole picture from high-speed rail linking one country to another, to environmentally friendly urban transport systems.
28p. (3MB)
Nr 37. - Spring 2011 : the EU Strategy for the danube region a united response to common challenges
The Danube, Europe’s second longest river at around 2 850 km, links the Black Forest to the Black Sea and runs through ten countries, with four more in its basin. Hydro-electric power stations, a Pan-European transport corridor and home to some of Europe’s rarest species – the pressures placed on the river are often conflicting and the Region's political changes have had their impact on how challenges are met.
28p. (5MB)
Nr 36. - Winter 2010 - 2011: Delivering smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The fifth report on economic and social cohesion
The EU now boasts a long-term vision for its social market economy, thanks to the Europe 2020 Strategy. Adopted in June 2010, the strategy aims over the next decade to help Europe to exit successfully from the economic crisis while ensuring that Member States are put on a sustainable growth path that will deliver prosperity and social progress for years to come.
28p. (1.3MB)
Nr 35. - Autumn 2010 : Towards greater social inclusion - Regional policy's contribution
2010 has been designated by the EU as the Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. This edition of Panorama considers the issue and takes a close look at how the actions funded by regional policy are furthering the EU’s goals of an inclusive, productive society.
28p. (1.3MB)
Nr 34. - Summer 2010 : Regional policy, an integrated approach - A 360° view
In recent years, the debate about European cohesion policy has focused on its benefits as an ‘integrated approach’ towards policy-making. But what does it really mean? This issue of the Panorama magazine sets out to explain what the integrated approach is all about.
28p. (1.3MB)
Nr. 33 - Spring 2010 : Evaluating Regional Policy - Insights and Results
Between 2000 and 2006, Cohesion Policy not only spent one third of the EU budget, it was also a policy that was challenged by history and helped to change history. The enlargement of the EU by 10 new Member States in 2004 deepened the economic and social disparities in a manner never seen before. The policy had to respond to this challenge without forgetting those that continued to exist in the ‘old’ EU-15.
28p. (1.3MB)
Nr. 32 - Winter 2009-2010 : Communicating EU Regional Policy
Huge budget, ambitious programmes and large scale projects – for such an influential element of the European Union, European Regional Policy still struggles to get the visibility it deserves. In this issue of Panorama we consider the relevance of communication, examine the regulations that make communication activities obligatory, take a close look at the ways in which communication officers can get their message across and explore intriguing examples of successful activities which draw more on creativity than budget.
28p. (4.5MB)
Nr. 31 - Autumn 2009 : Climate Change - Responses at regional level
62% of Europeans questioned believe climate change to be the most significant problem facing the world today, a threat Regional Policy and the European Commission as a whole, is taking equally seriously. The EU is putting in place a range of measures to build resilience to the effects of climate change and reduce emission levels.
28p. (3.8MB)
Nr. 30 - Summer 2009 : The EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy - Towards a sustainable, prosperous future
A large portion of the Baltic Sea’s 8 000 km coastline is shared by eight EU Member States, each with its own priorities and cares, its economic imperatives and political concerns. A shipping highway, all too often a dumping ground – the Baltic Sea is surrounded by nearly one hundred million people.
28p. (1.8MB)
Nr. 29 - Spring 2009 : Creativity and innovation - Driving competitiveness in the Regions
2009 - The European Year of Creativity and Innovation sets out to inspire a general rethinking of what creativity and innovation mean and how they contribute to our personal, economic and social development. The idea is a broad one, the words hard to define and, although the field is drawing ever more researchers, for now the results remain difficult to quantify. Yet there is no doubt that if the EU wishes to stay competitive and foster the values shared by its Member States, these issues require exploration.
28p. (1.8MB)
