EU Cohesion policy: €225.8 million for Croatia, France, Germany and Latvia to tackle the social and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis (01/06/2021)
The Commission has approved the modification of three European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) operational programmes (OPs) and one modification of the European Aid for the Most Deprived (FEAD) OP under REACT-EU
Smart Regions: 3D printing houses in Antwerp province (01/06/2021)
The KIEM project in the province of Antwerp is home to Europe’s largest concrete 3D printer, with which they have now produced the world’s first single piece concrete 3D printed house.
Stories from the regions: Increased transport sustainability in Iittala, Finland - Go Project (01/06/2021)
Following the train station renovation in the village of Iittala, Finland, there has been an increase in the number of commuters, and hence of use of sustainable transport.
E-Schools: success beyond the project life cycle (01/06/2021)
The ‘e-Schools project’, which has attracted significant attention since its launch in 2015 as a pilot project, aims to bring Croatian schools into the digital era. The project set out to make a long-term impact by paying particular attention to sustainable planning and implementation, as well as the strong involvement of the beneficiaries.
Last chance to apply to the New European Bauhaus Prizes! (25/05/2021)
The Prizes recognize and celebrate existing achievements and support the younger generation to further develop emerging concepts and ideas. Apply by May 31!
Stories from the regions: Fundación FISABIO in Comunitat Valenciana, Spain (25/05/2021)
This episode of the "Stories from the Regions" series brings us to Valencia where the funds from the ERDF Operational Programme for the Valencian Community 2014-2020 have financed a large part of the materials and equipment used to implement the COVID-19 surveillance network.
Supporting sustainability transitions under the European Green Deal with cohesion policy. Toolkit for national and regional decision-makers (25/05/2021)
This toolkit attempts to translate the European Green Deal into concrete tools, methodologies and steps that can be implemented in the context of the EU’s cohesion policy. It is available for download in all EU languages.
EU Cohesion policy: €908.8 million for Czechia and France to tackle the social and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis (25/05/2021)
The Commission has approved the modification of two European Regional Development Fund operational programmes (OPs) under REACT-EU to increase by €908.8 million the funding available for investments for Czechia and France to help tackle the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
EU population projections reveal growing gaps between young and old (25/05/2021)
The latest Eurostat population projections for the period 2020-2030 indicate that while the population of the 65+ age group is expected to grow by 18 %, the younger population – 4- to 18-year-olds – is expected to shrink by 5 %.
EU Cohesion policy: €133.4 million for Bulgaria and Sweden to tackle the social and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis (19/05/2021)
The Commission has approved the modification of three operational programmes (OPs) under REACT-EU to provide €75.9 million to Bulgaria and €57.5 million to Sweden to help tackle the effects of the pandemic.
Roadmap for a new Communication on the outermost regions as key partners in a green, digital and fair recovery (17/05/2021)
The Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) has launched a roadmap on the scope of a new Communication on the outermost regions as key partners in a green, digital and fair recovery.
Striving towards a greener Europe - Climate adaptation and energy transition driving change in urban areas (17/05/2021)
Climate adaptation and energy transition as key challenges for EU cities. This is the second article of the Urban Agenda for the EU series.
The first New European Bauhaus prizes will showcase good practices, examples, and concepts that clearly illustrate the New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. These examples must either already be implemented, or - if from students and young professionals (aged 30 or under) – should pave the way to the future.
The deadline for submissions is on 31 May 2021.
2021 Regiostars Jury will be chaired by Michel Barnier (28/04/2021)
We are thrilled to announce that Mr Michel Barnier, former EU Chief Brexit negotiator and former Commissioner for regional policy from 1999 to 2004, has accepted the invitation made by Commissioner Ferreira to become the Honourable Chair of the jury for the 2021 Regiostars Awards.
Stories from Regional and Urban Policy: New Digital Panorama (28/04/2021)
Last week DG REGIO launched the new format of its flagship magazine Panorama hosted online and featuring new sections and topics.
State aid: Commission adopts revised Regional Aid Guidelines (28/04/2021)
The European Commission has adopted revised EU guidelines on regional State aid (the “Regional Aid Guidelines”), setting out the rules under which Member States can grant State aid to companies to support the economic development of disadvantaged areas in the EU, while ensuring a level playing field between Member States. The revised Guidelines will enter into force on 1 January 2022.
EU Cohesion policy: support measures for recovery and transition approved for Denmark and France (28/04/2021)
The Commission approved the modification of two Cohesion Policy operational programmes (OP) that will increase the funding available for investments under REACT-EU (Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe) in Denmark and France by nearly €274 million.
Spring Issue: Digital Panorama To Be Launched Next Week (14/04/2021)
Last December we published the last edition of our Panorama magazine in its previous format and announced we are going green and digital in 2021. We are now ready to present the new format as a dedicated newsletter that will reach your inboxes on 21 April and a web page we hope you will enjoy browsing. Stay tuned!
Educational toolkit: Ready for the Green Challenge? (14/04/2021)
An educational toolkit providing fresh ideas and background information for classroom sessions on sustainability issues is available for secondary school teachers. The toolkit was developed as part of the Green Trip campaign, promoting sustainable projects and lifestyles among young Europeans.
Digital gamechanger? How Europe’s cities are adapting to the impact of COVID-19 on jobs and skills (14/04/2021)
What lasting impact will the pandemic have on jobs and skills across Europe’s cities?
This question is at the centre of our first article of the year, linking the work of the Jobs and Skills and Digital transition Partnerships of the Urban Agenda for the EU.
Smart Regions: restoring Greece’s treasures from antiquity (14/04/2021)
The “Cultural Route of the Αncient Τheaters” of Epirus aims at promoting Epirus’ five architectural treasures from antiquity (Dodona, Gitana, Amvrakia, Kassope and the Roman theatre of Nikopolis) as a brand new tourist trail which is 344 km long and covering 2,500 years of history!
River'tri is Europe’s first waterborne waste collection facility and sorting unit of its kind. The boat, located in Lyon (France), can collect up to 300 tonnes of waste a year and is used by 5000 people. Not only is the barge helping the locals get rid of unwanted large items, but it's also reducing traffic and contributing to repurpose or recycle waste. Watch the latest episode of “Smart Regions” in partnership with Euronews to understand how this EU cohesion policy project works as a great example of circular economy.
Engaging citizens in Cohesion policy: Youth in Action for Cohesion Policy (YACOPO) (07/04/2021)
We are happy to continue presenting you the beneficiaries of the grants for engaging citizens for good governance of EU cohesion policy. Today’s presentation is about an Italian project focused on youth and led by Associazione culturale Malik.
EU Cohesion policy: first REACT-EU support measures for recovery and transition approved for the Netherlands and Austria (07/04/2021)
The Commission approved the first decisions under REACT-EU (Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe) involving a modification of four operational programmes for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the Netherlands and Austria that will increase the funding available for investments by nearly €262 million from REACT-EU.
Stories from the Regions: Cooperative planning for zero emissions city district – Hiedenranta, Finland (07/04/2021)
This episode of the "Stories from the Regions" series brings to us nearby the large city Tampere in the Southern Finland where we discover an interesting urban planning project.
EUSALP: policy recommendations from the « Smart Villages » project (29/03/2021)
The Smart Villages project is an operational initiative of the macro-regional strategy for the Alpine space, EUSALP. The project runs from 2018 to 2021 and is funded by the Interreg Alpine Space Programme. The policy recommendations resulting from this project are therefore a major contribution to the implementation of EUSALP.
EU invests in new road infrastructure in Romania (30/03/2021)
Last Wednesday the Commission approved the construction of an express road between the cities of Craiova and Piteşti, in Romania. The EU will contribute with €726 million to the new 121 km connection between the two cities.
Polish supercomputer powers project that could help forecast floods (30/03/2021)
An ERDF-financed project harnesses the power of a Polish supercomputer to provide near-real-time access to satellite data which could help to monitor, respond to, or even ward off natural disasters.
Spanish school sees savings after sustainability upgrade (30/03/2021)
Thanks to an ERDF-funded insulation project, a school in southern Spain has cut its energy consumption by 70 %, helping to promote the benefits of investing in sustainability.
EU solidarity in action: Commission proposes €86.7 million for the recent natural disasters in France and Greece (23/03/2021)
The European Commission is proposing a financial support of €86.7 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to provide relief to the population of several regions in France and Greece hit by natural disasters in 2020.
Smart Regions: MESTRELAB, a European software against coronavirus (23/03/2021)
The Spanish Galician company “MESTRELAB” has developed a European software that enables researchers to speed up drug production by interpreting chemical compounds and molecules on a range of laboratory machines.
Engaging citizens in Cohesion Policy: Participatory Mapping in Cohesion Policy in Hungary (PartiMap) (23/03/2021)
We are thrilled to present another of the beneficiaries of the grants for engaging citizens for good governance of EU cohesion policy.
Partner up for #EURegionsWeek2021: deadline is approaching! (23/03/2021)
Only two days left to apply to become partner of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2021!
EU Solidarity Fund: Commission proposes to mobilise almost €530 million to support emergency measures against the coronavirus pandemic (16/03/2021)
The European Commission is proposing an overall package of almost €530 million in financial support under the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) as an additional financial contribution to the efforts deployed by 17 Member States and three accession countries to fight the coronavirus health emergency.
Slovenia gets in on the act to help children with special needs (16/03/2021)
Helping special needs children discover the joy of creative expression, whilst building their self-confidence and social skills, is the aim of an artistic project receiving ERDF funding in Slovenia.
Cyprus encourages homeowners to ‘save and upgrade’ (16/03/2021)
Residents on the third-largest island in the Mediterranean are being offered a financial incentive, through the ERDF-funded ‘Save and Upgrade’ project, to let their homes reduce their energy consumption by at least 60%.
Bulgaria's Vidin municipality takes care of its most vulnerable residents (16/03/2021)
Faced with low economic growth and widespread poverty, Bulgaria’s Vidin Municipality is using ERDF funding to build 37 homes to provide shelter for those unable to help themselves.
Smart Regions: EGALURG, innovation and mobilisation to serve people beyond borders (10/03/2021)
Thanks to the financial support of Interreg POCTEFA programme, the “EGALURG” project is a true example of innovation and mobilisation to serve people beyond borders.
Watch the latest episode of Smart Regions produced in collaboration with Euronews to find out more!
Cross-border obstacles between EU Member States and Enlargement Countries: fill in the survey! (10/03/2021)
DG REGIO has launched a study “Cross-border obstacles between EU Member States and Enlargement Countries”. Spatial Foresight, in cooperation with EureConsult and t33 perform this study.
EU Cohesion policy boosts gender equality and women’s empowerment in Europe (10/03/2021)
EU Cohesion policy celebrates International Women’s Day not just on 8 March, but every day. Indeed, Cohesion policy plays an important role in implementing gender policy in the EU – at the national, regional and local levels. It addresses gender inequality with investment measures and by mainstreaming the gender perspective horizontally in all investments.
Over €63 million for improved drinking water and wastewater services in Burgas district, east Bulgaria (10/03/2021)
The European Commission has approved an investment of more than €63 million from the Cohesion Fund to provide better access to drinking water and improved sewerage for the people living in the district of Burgas, in east Bulgaria near the Black Sea. The project will contribute to improve the quality of life of more than 300,000 people.