Overview

The European Commission is preparing a new strategy on the “right to stay,” with a strong focus on regions and territories. It will examine the key challenges local communities face and the support they need to thrive. The strategy will highlight relevant EU policies and initiatives, showcase practical solutions from across Europe, and offer ideas to make regions more attractive, competitive, and resilient.

The Harnessing Talent Platform’s Health Workgroup launched a survey to assess factors influencing health professionals' workplace choices, aiming to inform policies and improve service models, working conditions, and quality of life to attract and retain talents in the sector.

The Commission has published a call for evidence and a public consultation on the Public Procurement Directives. The Commission invites interested parties to express their views on whether the directives have effectively achieved their objectives, among them fostering a high level of competition in the single market, increasing SMEs’ participation in procurement procedures, ensuring transparency and promoting a greener, more social and innovative EU economy. The contributions will feed into the Commission’s evaluation of the Public Procurement Directives. The call for evidence and public consultation will be open until 7 March. Share your insights and help shape the future of EU public procurement!

The "Bridging Gaps" publication, about the achievements of the 2014-2020 Programming period is now available in the format of country-specific factsheets, translated in each of the EU Member states languages. Take a look at our catalog and take your pick!

The European Commission is strongly committed to the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

How can Managing Authorities strengthen cooperation across levels of government, engage stakeholders more effectively and prepare for future governance requirements under EU Cohesion Policy? This training provides practical tools, methods and examples to apply multilevel governance, the partnership principle and citizen engagement throughout the programme cycle, drawing lessons from the 2021–2027 period and supporting preparation for the post-2027 framework. Places are limited, so do not hesitate and register now! Deadline for applications is 22nd of July 2026. Free of charge | Delivered in English | Limited to 30 participants

The training provides practical insight into Green, Social and Innovative Public Procurement, as well as into the latest developments in the PP legislative framework (such as international issues, crisis management). Participants: practitioners in Programme Authorities: managing authorities/ intermediate bodies/ audit authorities in the EU Member States. Free of charge, online, in English. Registration is open for the next IN PERSON session on 20-21 May 2026 (2 full days). Register here: https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/TrainingSPP-May2026-Registration

DG REGIO puts forward a new training module on Public Procurement: how to avoid most common errors.This training module is designed to deepen the participants’ understanding of public procurement errors within the context of EU Cohesion Policy-funded programmes and projects. It aims to improve participants awareness and operational knowledge to reduce the error rate linked to PP procedures. The training is designed for participants from Cohesion Policy Funds managing authorities/ intermediate bodies/ audit authorities in the EU Member States and is provided free of charge. Authorities in each Member State are kindly invited to nominate technical level experts, having at least 2 years of experience in Cohesion Policy Funds, to participate in the training. Please note the training is provided in English. Format: 3 half days online in EN, free of charge. Registrations are open: hhttps://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/TrainingPPerrors-April2026-Registration

Catch the good vibes of Tallinn in this short and sweet 47-minute recap video (just kidding...). You can watch it on Teams by clicking below or find the most recent post in the INFORM EU Teams group.

On 20 May 2025, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Piotr Serafin, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, delivered opening speeches at the Annual EU Budget Conference 2025.

In her recent statement, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticised President Trump's announcement of universal tariffs, including those affecting the EU, highlighting the potential severe repercussions for the global economy. She emphasised that such measures could lead to increased uncertainties and significant economic challenges worldwide.

Do you have an idea that could shape the future of the Alpine Region and need support to bring it to life? Apply now for a chance to travel to Innsbruck and win up to 5000€ to help implement your project! Three winners will receive prizes by the Région Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. The competition will remain open for applications until 8 October 2025 at 23:59.

Following the successful conclusion of the Integrity Pacts Pilot Project, 15 Member States have committed to implement and/or encourage the uptake of Integrity Pacts in more of their projects. The Commission wants to support them in this effort by launching this call for proposals to Civil Society Organisations (CSO) to set up up an "IP Helpdesk". Individual CSOs or consortia led by a CSO are invited to submit their proposals before 02/04/2024 – at 18:00.

Following the success of the Integrity Pacts Pilot Project (2015-2022), 15 Member States have committed to implement and/or encourage Integrity Pacts in their projects. The Commission wants to support them by launching this call to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to set up an “Integrity Pact Helpdesk”. Individual CSOs or consortia led by a CSO are invited to submit their proposal before 02/04/2024, at 18:00.

For a change of scenery, here's an example from outside the Cohesion Policy world. Check out DG INTPA's communication campaign, designed to showcase the EU's sustainable energy investments across Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. As part of Global Gateway, the communication team partnered with local artists to create songs about sustainable energy and managed to reach audiences far beyond the usual policy circles. See the Chilean campaign example via the link below.

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/sfc2021/sfc-fo/programming/document/vtc/92496/sdt-doc

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/sfc2021/sfc-fo/programming/document/vtc/83677/sdt-doc

Indeed, quite far ahead but we're already excited.

Take part in the Interreg flagship event in November.

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Islands are an integral part of the EU’s identity, shaping its economy, history, geography and culture. They range from densely populated territories close to the European mainland to sparsely inhabited areas in the periphery. Islands face structural challenges linked to their specific characteristics and are explicitly recognised in Article 174 TFEU among regions suffering from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, which may hamper their development. Their insularity limits their capacity for sustainable growth and resilience, at the same time, their territorial specificities, cultural heritage and natural environment offer significant and diverse opportunities.

In an era of increasing climate-related disasters, one thing is clear: floods, fires, and other extreme climate-related events do not stop at borders. Dr. Nicola Tollin, a leading expert in urban resilience with over 20 years of international experience, shares powerful insights on how cities can better manage climate-related disaster risks and build long-term resilience.

This month, we talked about EU visibility with Philippe Rousseau, ERDF Vlaanderen communication officer.

Read the story of Ruben, a Spanish volunteer deployed in Hamburg at Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron (DESY) lead partner of the Baltic TRAM project.

Are you a creative content creator passionate about sustainable tourism? Take pert in our competition and win a trip to Croatia to cover a Mediterranean sustainable tourism event.

The European Commission welcomes the appointment of María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar as the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus.

All selected partners are currently working hard on preparing their event: they are identifying their speakers and moderators, defining precise content and structure, making some videos… The full programme of the 300 sessions will be published on our website on 23 August. Register to your favourite sessions as of 30 August.

Check out the video presentation for the EU strategy for Islands!

The city of Pilsen has transformed an historic brewery into one of the most modern technology parks in the Czech Republic. Known as TechTower, the park offers facilities and offices for innovative companies, technology enthusiasts, programmers and start-up entrepreneurs. Of the total cost of €26 million Cohesion policy contributed with approximately €7 million. In addition to its multifunctional events hall, the building's 10,000 square metres is home to offices, coworking spaces, and other facilities.

The European project ERUDITE (Enhancing Rural and Urban Digital Innovation Territories) has a total cost of 2.08 million euros, 1.74 million of which came from the European Cohesion Policy through an Interreg programme, involving seven different regions.( in Ireland, Finland, Sweden, France, Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary). The project has developed the innovative methodology SEROI+methodology, in which citizens and local companies are actively involved in defining objectives and analysing the social and economic return on investment, to make sure their regions thrive.

This study examined 171 strategies and identified 1,064 priorities, which typically combine sectoral strengths with cross-cutting objectives related to competitiveness, digitalisation, and the green transition.

Adopted in 2025, the mid-term review modernises cohesion policy to reflect Europe’s evolving economic and geopolitical context, while maintaining its focus on regional cohesion. New flexibilities and incentives have enabled Member States to redirect funding towards key priorities such as competitiveness, housing, defence, water and energy. Check the data in detail on the Cohesion Open Data platform.

From biodiversity to renewable energy, communities across Europe are stepping up to tackle the climate crisis. But what support do they need to succeed? Check the insights from the Communities for Climate (C4C) pilot.

Seagrass meadows, vital for marine biodiversity and climate action, are vanishing fast. The EfxINNOs project, classified as an Operation of Strategic Importance under Interreg Black Sea Basin Programme, is mapping and monitoring them across borders.

The Integrity Pact Knowledge Hub is an online resource that gathers relevant information about the Integrity Pacts in a single location. You can explore examples of Integrity Pact implementation practices and related details across 28 different countries worldwide through an interactive map. In this page, you also find sections with frequently asked questions as well as resources and tools to help you carry out analysis, policy development, and set up new initiatives – whether you work in government, international institutions or civil society. The IP Knowledge hub has been developed by Transparency International as part of the Integrity Pacts helpdesk supporting Programme Authorities in implementing Integrity Pacts to monitor Public Procurement project financed by EU Cohesion Policy Funds.