Panorama 61: Cohesion Policy looks to the future (25/07/2017)
The latest issue of Panorama magazine is a special edition dedicated to discussion of Cohesion Policy post-2020. The Cohesion Forum, which takes place on 26-27 June in Brussels, will be an important milestone in this process. Cohesion policy needs to reflect on the demanding challenge of making Europe's economy more inclusive, competitive and resilient and must address the questions raised by the White paper on the future of Europe about the added value of EU policies, subsidiarity, and gaps between promise and delivery. Our magazine has given the floor to representatives of EU institutions, national governments, regional authorities, various associations and universities in an attempt to gauge people's feelings about the future of this key EU policy.
Commission acts to help regions build resilient economies in the era of globalisation (18/07/2017)
Globalisation has brought enormous benefits to the less-developed economies of the world and many opportunities for Europeans; but while the benefits are widely spread, the costs are often borne unevenly as the Commission's reflection paper on harnessing globalisation highlighted.
To take up the challenge of economic modernisation, Europe needs to empower its regions and help them create value. This means embracing innovation, digitisation, decarbonisation and developing people's skills.
Today, the Commission is proposing a new set of actions to further help Europe's regions invest in their niche areas of competitive strength ("smart specialisation") and generate the innovation, resilience and growth needed.
Urban Agenda for the EU: Launch of the Public Feedback (13/07/2017)
The Urban Agenda for the EU has significantly progressed in the past month. The launch of the Public Feedback represents an important step for the four pilot Partnerships. This Public Feedback, together with the Background Papers, are open to contributions from all stakeholders.
Through the Public Feedback you are invited to provide your views on the draft actions proposed in the Background Paper by the Partnerships. This feedback will be used by the Partnerships for the preparation of the final Action Plan. Have your say and join the Public Feedback!
Commission supports Member States in implementing State aid schemes under ESI Funds (13/07/2017)
The European Commission supports national and regional authorities managing EU funds in strengthen their State aid competencies. The correct application of State aid rules can be challenging but is essential for the functioning of the Single Market, for avoiding irregularities and financial corrections and, ultimately, for quality investments.
The European Commission modernised the State aid rules by making them less bureaucratic and more transparent. However, the changes placed greater responsibility on Member States for designing and implementing aid measures. This requires a particular attention and a continuous effort in increasing awareness.
RegioStars Awards 2017: Jury selects 24 finalists as Europe's most outstanding regional projects (04/07/2017)
Today, we announce the finalists for the 2017 edition of the RegioStars Awards, the yearly competition honouring Europe's most inspiring and innovating regional projects supported by EU Cohesion Policy Funds.
An independent Jury, led by MEP Lambert Van Nistelrooij, selected 24 finalists from 103 entries on the basis of four key criteria: innovation, impact, sustainability and partnership.
The 24 selected finalists come from regions and cities in 20 Member States and one neighboring country: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Many of the finalists are addressing common challenges through cooperation across borders.
Citizens’ perception of EU regional policy on the rise, latest Eurobarometer shows (04/07/2017)
More than three in four EU citizens, 78%, see a positive impact of EU regional investments in their city or region (up 3 percentage points (pp) from 2015). This is one of the key findings of regional policy Eurobarometer 452, which was published today. Citizens' generally positive opinion about Regional policy is also reflected in their view that it should continue investing in all EU regions: 53% of Europeans expressed this opinion.
The European Commission invites you to save the date for three related EU-level broadband events taking place on the 20th and 21st November 2017 in Brussels.
-20th November afternoon: Broadband access for everyone in Europe - Launch event for the "Broadband Competences Office Network (venue: Centre Albert Borschette)
- 20th November evening: 2017 European Broadband Awards (venue: Solvay Library)
- 21st November: "B-Day: Towards Giga Europe!" conference (venue: Centre Albert Borschette).
These three events will keep you abreast of key broadband developments.
Panorama 61: Cohesion Policy looks to the future (15/06/2017)
The latest issue of Panorama magazine is a special edition dedicated to discussion of Cohesion Policy post-2020. The Cohesion Forum, which takes place on 26-27 June in Brussels, will be an important milestone in this process. Cohesion policy needs to reflect on the demanding challenge of making Europe's economy more inclusive, competitive and resilient and must address the questions raised by the White paper on the future of Europe about the added value of EU policies, subsidiarity, and gaps between promise and delivery. Our magazine has given the floor to representatives of EU institutions, national governments, regional authorities, various associations and universities in an attempt to gauge people's feelings about the future of this key EU policy.
Thousands of EU projects across the EU will open their doors to citizens, who can also take part in several contests
The "EU in my Region" campaign starts today and throughout May, hundreds of EU-funded projects open their doors to the public; find one near you on this interactive map. Photo and blogging competitions are also organised so that citizens can share their experience. Commissioner for Regional policy Corina Crețu said: "Open your eyes and you will see that the EU's Cohesion Policy is everywhere around you, working for a better quality of life in your region and city. There are so many success stories out there and everyone needs to tell them."
