"RegioFlash" Newsletter Issues

A better transition from school to work in the Baltic Sea Region (04/05/2022)

Difficulties in education and entering the labour market are a challenge for many young people. The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) addresses this issue from the very beginning.

Europe Day – Join the celebrations with REGIO (03/05/2022)

On 7 May the EU institutions open their doors ahead of the 9th of May – Europe Day. DG REGIO is joining the activities in Brussels with a stand dedicated to the New European Bauhaus and its contribution to the Green Deal, as well as a bike tour of EU-funded green projects in Brussels.

Commission adopts €1.3 billion Partnership Agreement with Austria for 2021-2027 (03/05/2022)

The Commission adopted its Partnership Agreement with Austria, laying down Austria's €1.3 billion cohesion policy investment strategy for the period 2021-2027. The funds will support Austria in promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion, with a focus on key EU priorities such as the green and digital transition.

EU Cohesion Policy: European Commission approves first regional programme for the period 2021-2027 (03/05/2022)

The European Commission has approved the first regional programme for the period 2021-2027, for the German region “Schleswig-Holstein”.

The EU takes on fresh voluntary commitments to the New Urban Agenda (03/05/2022)

The EU and its Member States pledge three new commitments taking sustainable urban development forward and accelerating the delivery of the UN New Urban Agenda.

Commission adopts €6.4 billion Partnership Agreement with Lithuania for 2021-2027 (26/04/2022)

The Commission has adopted its Partnership Agreement with Lithuania, laying down Lithuania's investment strategy worth €6.4 billion in cohesion policy funding for the period 2021-2027.

More than €332 million to improve passenger transport by train in Latvia and Lithuania and flood protection in Karlovac-Sisak in Croatia (26/04/2022)

The Commission has approved investments of more than €114 million for the purchase of new electric trains in the Riga and Pieriga region (Latvia); more than €158 million for the electrification of the railway section between Kaišiadorys and Klaipėda (Lithuania), and more than €60 million to improve the protection against floods in the Karlovac-Sisak Area (Croatia).

Register for the Just Transition Platform Meeting on 10-12 May (27/04/2022)

Co-hosted by DG REGIO and DG ENER, this online event will facilitate exchange between stakeholders on the journey towards a climate-neutral Europe. Find out more and register via the link below.

European Citizen’s Prize 2022: submit or nominate a project (26/04/2022)

The European Citizen’s Prize recognises initiatives that contribute to EU cooperation and the promotion of common values. Are you involved in or know of such a project? Nominate it now!

Register for the Alpine Region Mobility Conference (26/04/2022)

Save the date and register for the (EU Strategy for the Alpine Region) EUSALP Mobility Conference on 13 May 2022! The conference will be an opportunity to learn more about the EUSALP declaration and strategy on the rail, freight and passenger transport in the Alpine Region.

European Funds for Internal Security: more than EUR 500 million to achieve a more secure Europe during the 2020–2027 period (20/04/2022)

The European Funds for Internal Security aim to achieve a more secure Europe and strengthen external borders to achieve effective immigration management.

Commission adopts €20 billion Partnership Agreement with Germany for 2021-2027 (19/04/2022)

The Commission adopted its Partnership Agreement with Germany, laying down Germany's investment strategy for more than €20 billion in cohesion funding for the period 2021-2027 to support German regions in promoting economic, social and territorial cohesion in line with key EU priorities such as the green and digital transition.

Smart Regions: An EU co-funded project provides social services and healthcare for vulnerable groups in Brussels (19/04/2022)

A European project in Brussels is providing social services and healthcare for a mixed population, with a special focus on accessibility for vulnerable groups.

Just Transition: Share your good practices and projects (19/04/2022)

The Just Transition Platform Secretariat has launched a survey to gather good practices and projects relating to the just transition towards a climate-neutral economy.

European Community of Practice on Partnership 1st meeting (20/04/2022)

Partnership is a key feature of the European Structural and Investment Funds and one of the ingredients of their continued success and added value. In order to further improve the quality of partnership in the implementation of European funds, the Commission is setting up the European Community of Practice on Partnership (ECoPP).

EU journalism: aspiring journalists invited to apply for training programme (13/04/2022)

The Commission opened the application period for the 6th edition of the Youth4Regions programme for journalism students and young journalists. Applications are accepted from EU Member States, neighbouring and accession countries.

Brain drain – mitigating challenges associated with population decline (13/04/2022)

Brain drain, combined with population decline, is driving critical human resources out of several European regions, undermining their growth potential.

Discover #EUfunded green projects in Brussels (13/04/2022)

What does the EU do and what does it do for you? On 7 of May #EuropeDay, join a free 2 hours tour where a professional guide will take you around Brussels to discover #EUfunded projects that make this city vibrate!

Interreg Central Europe stands with Ukraine: Transnational solutions for better refugee management (13/04/2022)

Across the programme area, local and regional authorities are supporting people who flee the war in Ukraine. In doing so, they often face similar challenges.

Kohesio promotes visibility and transparency of Cohesion funding (30/03/2022)

The new Kohesio knowledge base of cohesion policy-funded projects provides publicly available data on EU investment to support policymaking and tackle disinformation.

REACT-EU: €107.3 million to support the recovery in France, Germany and the Netherlands (29/03/2022)

Regions in France, Germany and the Netherlands are receiving additional grants of €107.3 million under the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU) to support economic recovery and boost the digital and green transitions.

Which European regions have the highest Quality of Government? (30/03/2022)

The European Quality of Government Index (EQI) captures average citizens’ perceptions and experiences with corruption, quality and impartiality of three essential public services – health, education and policing - in their region of residence.

Call for the 1st Edition of the Mediterranean Awards (29/03/2022)

The Junta de Andalucía (Regional Government of Andalusia, Spain), through the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation is launching a call to make visible the best practices in the Mediterranean in the areas included in the European and Mediterranean agenda.

The URBACT City Festival is back and registration is open (29/03/2022)

The URBACT City Festival 2022 will take place in Pantin / Greater Paris (France), from 14 to 16 June. Under the French EU Presidency, this will be URBACT's first carbon-neutral event ever. Register now!

Smart Regions: The project “Visit Arctic Europe” is promoting sustainable tourism in the Arctic region (30/03/2022)

The project Visit Arctic Europe, supported by the European programme “Interreg Nord”, is boosting tourism in the Arctic while at the same time respecting the Arctic’s fragile ecosystem.

Showcasing the EU dimension to local solutions in the region of Attica (23/03/2022)

Increased road safety for pedestrians, enhanced equipment for firefighters and a new health centre are at the core of a one-month communication action under the -“Europe in my region” campaign.

I3 calls: Additional cut-off date for the I3 Call dedicated to Strand 2a: 20 April 2022 (23/03/2022)

The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) has set an additional cut-off date for submitting applications to the I3 Calls dedicated to Strand 2a. Documentation and links for submitting applications to the I3 Call dedicated to Strand 2a are now available online.

#EURegionsWeek 2022: Finalise your application! Let’s discuss together on Ukraine crisis (23/03/2022)

In the light of the crisis raised by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the #EURegionsWeek organisers invite all applicants to contribute to the discussion on the challenges emerging at European, regional and local level.

Smart Regions: The HELIO project is using the power of the sun for clean and potable water (23/03/2022)

The European project HELIO has developed spheres, which are using solar power to distil dirty water and seawater and turn it into drinking water.

EU solidarity: €5.4 million of advance payments to Spain following the volcanic eruption in La Palma (23/03/2022)

About €5.4 million from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) are granted to Spain as an advance payment to cover the costs of the immediate emergency and the recovery operations carried out in response to the volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma, Canary Islands.

EU cohesion policy: More than €70 million to improve water quality and wastewater infrastructure in Romania (23/03/2022)

Today, the Commission has approved an investment of more than €70 million from the Cohesion Fund to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in Romania’s Sibiu and Braşov counties in line with the Drinking Water Directive and the Urban Waste Water Directive.

Gdansk MMB Team wins Poland’s Grand Challenge to develop wind energy technology (16/03/2022)

Aneta Ruzik, programme manager for Poland’s Grand Challenge – Energy, talks to Panorama about organising the competition, which was won by the Gdańsk MMB Team , led by Professor Zbigniew Krzemiński, for the best prototype of a domestic wind power plant.

8th Cohesion Forum – Follow the Discussions Live (16/03/2022)

The 8th Cohesion Forum starts tomorrow in Brussels. Follow the live streaming and join the discussions on social media #CohesionForum.

Brexit Adjustment Reserve: Commission approves €2 billion of pre-financing for 12 Member States (15/03/2022)

The Commission has approved the disbursement of more than €2 billion under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to a group of 12 Member States. This decision will make available a total of €819.2 million by the end of March 2022 and the rest by April 2023.

Innovative Implementation of the Partnership Principle - Call for expression of interest (15/03/2022)

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy is seeking proposals by public authorities and civil society organizations, interested to strengthen citizen participation in cohesion policy through collaborative innovative solutions.

Save the Date: The 8th edition of “Europe, let’s cooperate! Interregional cooperation forum” by Interreg Europe programme (15/03/2022)

On the 5th of April 2022 the 8th edition of “Europe, let’s cooperate! Interregional cooperation forum” will take place online. It will be the launch of the first call for project proposals of Interreg Europe Programme in the 2021-2027 period.

Ukraine: Cohesion funding to support people fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (09/03/2022)

The Commission has adopted a proposal for Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) allowing Member States and regions to provide emergency support to people fleeing from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Cohesion Policy Improves the Lives of EU Citizens: 8th Cohesion Forum Opens in Brussels (09/03/2022)

Interview with Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms: what to expect from the 8th Cohesion Forum?

Commission suspends cross-border cooperation and transnational cooperation with Russia and Belarus (08/03/2022)

Following the Russian military aggression against Ukraine and in line with the Commission’s decision to fully implement all EU restrictive measures, the Commission has suspended the cooperation with Russia and its ally Belarus in the European Neighbourhood Instrument cross-border cooperation programmes (ENI CBC) as well as in the Interreg Baltic Sea region programme.

EURegionsWeek 2022: Become a partner (08/03/2022)

The call to become a partner at EURegionsWeek 2022 is still open. Do not miss the opportunity to shape our 20th edition and discuss around Green transition, Territorial cohesion, Digital transition and Youth empowerment: apply by 31 March!

Sign up to the Just Transition Platform Newsletter (08/03/2022)

The Just Transition Platform newsletter provides free news about the Just Transition Platform, the key tool to help EU countries and regions to unlock support through the Just Transition Mechanism. Subscribe to stay up to date on the Platform’s events, Working Groups and more.

Smart Regions: “Batteries for the Future” develops batteries which can boost the energy transition! (08/03/2022)

At the University of Jena in Germany, the Batteries for the Future project, which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund, is developing batteries which are buffering electricity produced from renewable energy sources.

Strong progress in Cohesion Policy expenditure in 2021 (01/03/2022)

Member States have reported Cohesion policy spending in 2021 of EUR 81 billion. The total cohesion expenditure in the period 2014-2020 now reaches EUR 331 billion. This corresponds to 63% of the total planned investment of EUR 522 billion.

Beyond Borders: Breakfast Debates - Border cities: champions of development and integration in cross border regions (01/03/2022)

Following the success of the previous six episodes of the ‘Beyond Borders: Breakfast Debate’, the next edition will take place on 10th March 2022, and focus on the role of border cities in promoting territorial development of border regions.

Deadline for application to the #NewEuropeanBauhaus Prizes extended to 7 March (01/03/2022)

We are looking for great creative and visionary minds whose projects and ideas are shaping the Europe of tomorrow.

New regional campaign - Region of Attica (01/03/2022)

Regional campaigns are deployed around a familiar place and highlight EU-enabled ideas and initiatives that make a difference at the local level.

San Marino welcomes inclusion in EUSAIR (02/03/2022)

« It is a great honour for me to express, on behalf of the Government and myself, our great satisfaction at the inclusion of the Republic of San Marino in the EUSAIR as the tenth participating country. » says Mr Luca Beccari, Minister of Foreign Affairs of San Marino.

Mapping the state of women’s equality region by region (23/02/2022)

The regional gender equality monitor features two indicators which reveal the EU regions where women achieve the most and where inequality holds them back. Interactive charts allow for easy exploration of the information.

The benefits of the Cohesion Policy in the mountains (22/02/2022)

Montana174 is a 12-month large communication campaign on the Cohesion Policy in mountain areas, funded by the European Commission – DG REGIO, and coordinated by Euromontana.

New Massive Open Online Course on Interreg (22/02/2022)

Interested in discovering the history of European territorial cooperation (Interreg)? Would you like to learn more about the key considerations which led to the creation of Interreg while keeping abreast of the very latest developments in this key European initiative?

REACT-EU: 285 million to support jobs, skills and social inclusion in France, Germany and Romania (22/02/2022)

The Commission has granted €285 million in total to European Social Fund (ESF) operational programmes (OPs) of France, Germany and Romania under the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU).

#Youth4Coop: Sana’a, the first cross-border neighbourhood ambassador of the European Year of Youth (22/02/2022)

Meet the first young ambassador of the 2022 European Year of Youth across the external EU borders: Sana’a, 27, Jordanian, attended a training course with the RESMYLE project. An experience that has changed her life.