European funds have accelerated the reconstruction in Marche, Abruzzo, and Umbria after the 2016-2017 earthquake, promoting economic recovery and safety.

On Monday the 24 of June the Commission, has approved funding worth more than €110 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to revamp the Madrid-Seville high-speed railway line in Spain and ensure that the transport system becomes smarter, sustainable, and more efficient.

Culture and heritage are cornerstones of European identity, fostering a sense of belonging and shaping communities. They not only enhance a city's attractiveness, but are also a key driver of social cohesion, economic growth and well-being of its inhabitants. Recognising this power, the European Union has promoted many initiatives to support culture and cultural heritage in cities, including the Urban Agenda for the EU (UAEU), Urban Innovative Actions (UIA), European Urban Initiative (EUI) and URBACT, to help cities capitalise on their cultural assets.

In a significant move to boost Greece's startup ecosystem, Greek Alternate Minister for Economy Nikos Papathanasis, EIF’s Director General Marjut Falkstedt, and EIB Group’s Vice-President Yannis Tsakiris have signed an agreement in Athens to extend the successful equity financial instrument (FI), known as EquiFund, for the 2021-27 period, co-financed by Greece's cohesion policy Competitiveness Programme.

The Commission has identified 151 regions as Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs), as part of the New European Innovation Agenda (NEIA). By bringing together a range of regions across Europe with different innovation levels and linking up their key innovation actors, RIVs aim to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, bridge the innovation gap in Europe and improve Europe's overall innovation performance.

Sunday 23 of June, Malia, Olena and Sara, the young winners of the Megalizzi– Niedzielski prize for aspiring journalists, kicked off their trip across Europe that will take them to visit EU-funded projects from Venice to Malaga, through France. Follow their adventure on DG Regio's instagram page!