Overview   Cohesion, jobs, growth, and investment

​Cities and regions reflect Europe's cultural diversity and are best placed to turn Europe's cultural heritage into a strategic asset, local and regional leaders highlighted in a debate with Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport. The Commissioner, who took the floor at the European Committee of the Regions' plenary session, recalled that strengthening a common European identity and promoting social and economic cohesion are among the objectives of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 and conditions to build the Europe of tomorrow.

Cohesion policy is the main European investment policy to achieve the EU Treaty objective of economic, social and territorial cohesion. In doing so Cohesion policy has a clear added value in creating jobs, sustainable growth and modern infrastructure, overcoming structural barriers, boosting human capital and improving the quality of life for all citizens across the EU.

The EGTCs, as the first European cooperation structure defined by EU law, play a key role in strengthening cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation within the European Union and beyond. They often serve as laboratories of the European Union, testing new and innovative ways of cooperating across borders and work on practical projects aimed at improving the lives of EU citizens. As such, the EGTCs that together make up the CoR's EGTC Platform, gathered in Athens on 4 May to discuss their views on Europe's common future.

This year, the European Committee of the Regions and the DG Regional and Urban policy join forces with over 200 partners to prepare an exciting and innovative programme for the European Week of Regions and Cities 2018. Take a look at the list of partners!

Cohesion policy is the EU's most powerful investment tool and currently accounts for one-third of the EU budget but cuts proposed by the European Commission for the years 2021-2017 would reduce its share from 34% to 29%. Such reduction risks deepening divides in Europe and making Europe's future weaker according to the EU-wide #CohesionAlliance.

On 4 May, the historical city of Burgos in Northern Spain gathered together local and regional representatives from EU Member States in the framework of the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. The seminar was organised jointly by the Government of Castilla y León and the SEDEC Commission of the European Committee of the Regions with the aim to highlight and boost the role of culture as an important resource for for the future of Europe. The discussion on the importance of cultural heritage and its financing in the future of Europe comes timely as the new budget proposal for the EU after 2

The launch of the European Commission’s proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) throws a spotlight on how the EU budget should be used to maximise the added value of EU spending. In presenting the MFF proposals, President Juncker referred to the fundamental EU principle of “solidarity” and the need for spending to make “a real difference to the lives of citizens and businesses.” Yet, new research indicates a potential contradiction between the MFF proposed by the Commission, and what makes a difference to citizens’ perception of the EU.

​How to boost growth and cohesion in EU border regions and how to deliver on low-emission mobility, as well as the state of implementation of the Urban Agenda were the main topics discussed during the meeting of the commission for territorial cohesion policy and the EU budget (COTER) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). Also on the agenda was the appointment of the member responsible for shaping the position of cities and regions on the future EU budget.

The members of the European Committee of the Regions' (CoR) commission for economic policy (ECON) and the main EU territorial associations discussed the local and regional challenges of EU trade agreements as well as their transparency and democratic legitimacy with Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. The debate took place within the framework of a structured dialogue where the Commissioner announced the invitation to the CoR to become an observer to the Advisory Group on EU trade agreements.

The SEDEC commission of the European Committee of the Regions has endorsed the European Commission's efforts to secure a minimum level of transparency and predictability of working conditions across the EU for all different forms of employment contract. Rapporteur Isolde Ries (DE/PES), First Vice-President of the Saarland Regional Parliament, urged to pay special attention to non-standard forms of employment and to the 4-6 million workers in the EU with on-demand and intermittent employment contracts.

Last week to choose your favourite #EURegionsWeek session proposals! Take a look at the top 20 most popular sessions so far. It is up to you to help us develop #EURegionsWeek! You have until 27 April to share your opinion, via the online consultation on the event website.

The last global financial crisis and its aftermath exposed many European regions and cities to many unsustainable growth models. Globalisation has a highly differentiated impact on EU regions. Some are well positioned to take advantage of the new opportunities it offers, others are hit by job losses, stagnating wages and shrinking market shares due to low-cost competitors moving into more technological advanced sectors. Industrial transition, often in richer Member States and mid-income regions, brings economic and social challenges, including promoting innovation and creating SMEs in new, gro

The Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) of the European Committee of the Regions met in Tenerife to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the economic, social and territorial development of the EU’s outermost regions. The message is clear: the potential of the outermost regions is still untapped and more investments are needed to convert overseas territories into innovation hubs that foster growth and jobs while they reinforce EU’s strategic position globally. The COTER seminar has been hosted by the president of the Canary Islands Fernando Clavijo (ES/ALDE)

On 14 April 2018, Secretary General accompanied CoR President Karl-Heinz-Lambertz in Freyung, Lower Bavaria, to attend the ceremony of the 50th anniversary of the political working group Lower Bavarian Forest uniting local and regional politicians from Bavaria and Czech Republic as well as Austria. Together with these local and regional representatives, Mr Lambertz and Mr Burianek discussed the possible scenarios for the future regional strategy of the border region under the forthcoming multiannual financial framework 2021-2027.

Design the #EuRegionsWeek 2018 with us ! Launch of the online consultation on Monday 16 April