On 2nd May, the European Commission published a Staff Working Document "Cohesion 2021-2027: forging an ever stronger Union - report on the outcome of 2021-2027 cohesion policy programming". We spoke to Normunds Popens, Director General (Acting) of DG REGIO about the report’s conclusions and how cohesion policy delivers for EU citizens.

Peace and reconciliation, economic development, more opportunities for workers, women and young people, and greater political influence on the global stage: over the 50 years since joining the EU, Ireland has undergone a social and economic transformation.

The new Brăila Bridge over the Danube is an engineering marvel which shows that Romania can carry out complex infrastructure projects. It represents another milestone in the efforts of EU Cohesion Policy to enhance territorial integration and promote economic growth in the EU.

From traditional canoes in the Pacific islands, to hip hop culture in French Guiana and a digital museum on Curacao, the EU-funded Archipel.eu project has helped promote art, culture, and heritage in the EU’s outermost regions and overseas countries and territories.

The European Commission launched an unprecedented alliance placing local authorities at the core of the European public sphere. Spread the word, the call for application is open.

On 4 May, the third Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Ministerial Conference on Sustainable Urban Development adopted the declaration Implementing the UfM Strategic Urban Action Plan in Zagreb, Croatia.

The Cohesion for Transitions (C4T) Community of Practice is a novel technical assistance initiative launched In January 2023, to support and accelerate the implementation of the European Green Deal via the investments foreseen in 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes.

The Territorial Economic Data viewer (TEDv) gathers data on different Research and Innovation funding, helping policymakers monitor EU programmes and ensuring greater transparency in the use of public resources.

On June the 2nd we found each other again in the sunny Krakow, ready to embark on the train trip of our lives. But neither of us were really thinking about the many adventures that were awaiting us.

Greater cooperation, dialogue and youth involvement can strengthen the role of the Western Balkans in the EU, leaders of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), said during its 8th annual forum in Sarajevo from 23 to 25 May 2023.

How can we monitor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regionally? What data is available and what gaps need to be filled? What is the role of regional governments in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda? Several upcoming events across Europe will address these questions to help policymakers assess the growth of their territories.

What do a mystery quiz on just transition, a bike tour of EU funded projects and a stand on EU support for Ukraine have in common? They all reflect cohesion policy support for sustainable development, our commitment to European solidarity, and, last but not least, DG REGIO’s output at the EU Open Doors Day on the 6th of May in Brussels.

Who would have bet on bringing 150 stakeholders for the EU Macro Regional Strategies Week #EUMRSWeek in Brussels and online while the SeaFood Fair edition was happening in the same city at the same time? Nobody would have dared, but the Directorate General for Regional an Urban Policy – European Commission!