Euronews - Real Economy: putting the wheels in motion! (07/02/2018)

Welcome to the 5th year of partnership with Euronews, which today is broadcasting the first episode of the new season of Real Economy. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Cohesion Policy, this year we will focus on the macro-economic policies in Europe that have an impact on the daily lives of the citizens, looking for solutions that work. The series kicks off with an episode produced with DG REGIO on "Transforming regions to compete in a globalized world". The episode provides an overview of how regions need to modernise their economies and create value in a globalised world. Further investments are needed especially in innovation, and decarbonisation. There is a need for continued support for all regions to focus on the promotion of new approaches, re-orientating private and public investments to address the challenges posed by the shift to the low carbon economy.

Advancing the New Urban Agenda with the EU's International Urban Cooperation programme (07/02/2018)

The European Union undertook a Voluntary Commitment, in framework of the Habitat III Conference of 2016, to expand opportunities for city-to-city cooperation at regional and international level, and in that way to contribute to implementing the New Urban Agenda, notably by fostering capacity building through knowledge-sharing, exchanges of experience and mutual learning on sustainable urban development policy and practice, in a multi-stakeholder approach involving all relevant actors. Accordingly, next 8 February, in the framework of the 9th World Urban Forum in Kuala Lumpur the European Commissions' Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy organises the networking event "Cities contributing to the New Urban Agenda implementation through the International Urban Cooperation programme", which aims to present the actions undertaken by the EU to deliver this Voluntary Commitment, under the EU funded International Urban Cooperation programme and World Cities project.

Urban Agenda for the EU : provide your feedback on Digital Transition, Circular Economy and Urban Mobility (07/02/2018)

Three more Partnerships established within the framework of the Urban Agenda for the EU (Digital Transition, Circular Economy and Urban Mobility) have finalised their draft Action Plans, which now await public input. The informal Public Feedback on all three draft Action Plans is open as of today and closes on Friday, 16 March 2018. All interested stakeholders (e.g. institutions and authorities, academies and research centres, companies, NGOs, experts and citizens) are invited to participate and contribute to the draft actions developed by the Partnerships. Each draft action has its own survey, allowing users to provide input on the themes and actions most relevant to them. The surveys can be answered anonymously.

Better competencies for better results in investing EU funds (02/02/2018)

The European Commission is helping Member States and regions to improve their capacity to invest EU funds for better results through strengthening their professional and operational competencies. A brand new tool is now available for all public institutions involved in managing the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund - national coordinating bodies, managing, audit and certifying authorities, joint secretariats and intermediate bodies – in order to identify and address competency gaps and adapt their training and recruitment strategies.

Conference on Good Governance and EU Cohesion Policy (24/01/2018)

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) is organising a conference on "Good Governance and the EU Cohesion Policy". The conference will take place on 24 May 2018 in Brussels. The aim of this event is to bring together decision makers and experts to discuss achievements and challenges in terms of administrative capacity and good governance in the management of European Structural and Investment Funds. The event will provide an opportunity to showcase the results of the capacity building initiatives undertaken by Member States, DG REGIO and other international organisations. We will also discuss how to p

Spread the word: your input on the future of Cohesion Policy is needed (24/01/2018)

This is a crucial time for the future of cohesion policy. The European Commission is currently working on proposals for the next generation of EU Funds and Programmes to be financed by the EU budget from 2021. These proposals will set priorities for investments in the context of growing challenges facing the EU, and increasing competition for resources. Now is the time to make your voice heard; what should be the priorities when designing our future policy? The Commission has launched recently several on-line public consultations to collect the opinions and ideas of all interested parties and citizens on how to make the most of the EU budget. The consultations will inform the preparation of the Commission’s proposals. We strongly encourage you to share your views via the on-line consultation on cohesion policy, available in all EU languages and open until 8 March.

Boosting growth in EU Border regions: a new online platform launched by the European Commission (17/01/2018)

DG REGIO organised in Copenhagen on 16 January the second of a series of workshops as follow-up action to the adoption of the Communication "Boosting growth and Cohesion in EU Border Regions". The seminar gathered experts and interested parties coming from border regions of North and North-West Europe. The main announcement made by the Commission during the event was the launch of the new online platform "Boosting EU border regions". This EU-wide online professional network is part of the 10 measures proposed in the Commission Communication, whose aim is to reveal ways to reduce the complexity, length and costs of cross-border interaction across Europe. The Communication also aims to promote the pooling of services along internal EU borders.

The Road Trip Project (17/01/2018)

This European travel experience will take 8 individuals (18-30 years old) on 4 routes across the continent between Spring and Summer 2018. Each of the four teams will embark on one of the road trip routes. Along the way they will meet locals and experience the local vibe, discover projects that change people's lives for the better, and explore unknown places and amazing landscapes. These four journeys will travel through the Baltics, the Danube, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic regions. The travelers will film and share their stories and what they learn along their journey. At the end of each journey, their unique experiences will be featured in a road movie, and reflected in an online travel guide to Europe 'off the beaten path'. Register or spread the word! https://roadtriproject.eu/ #RoadTriproject

European Week of Regions and Cities 2018: preparations have begun (10/01/2018)

Preparations for the 16th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities are under way! The event will take place during the week of 8-12 October 2018 with a main central venue, the Square Conference Center in Brussels, and will include new and innovative session formats! It will be designed with you, starting with a broad consultation on the themes on which you wish to focus. Please share your preferences via this online survey (max. 5 minutes length) by 14 January 2018 and save the date of 25 January 2018 (11:00-12:00) at the Committee of the Regions for the first kick off meeting of the EU Regions' Week 2018. Registration to attend the kick-off meeting is open until 15 January 12.00.

Public consultation on EU funds in the area of cohesion (10/01/2018)

In 2018, the Commission will make comprehensive proposals for the next generation of financial programmes for the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, which is the EU's long–term budget. The Commission's proposals will be designed to make it possible for the EU to deliver on the things that matter most, in areas where it can achieve more than Member States acting alone. This requires a careful assessment both of what has worked well in the past and what could be improved in the future. This consultation is an integral part of the process and its objective is to collect the views of all interested parties on how to make the most of every euro of the EU budget.

Panorama 63 - The Outermost Regions: joining forces across the EU (15/12/2017)

In this winter issue of Panorama we visit the EU's Outermost Regions, reporting on the recent Conference of Presidents attended by President Juncker and Commissioner Creţu. We analyse the renewed strategy for these regions, which aims to help them make the most of their unique position within the EU and the wider world, and feature projects and testimonials. We also dive into the recently published Strategic Report on ESI Funds implementation, and find strong evidence of the scale and impact of these investments on the lives of citizens across the continent. Our regional profile this time takes a look at Generalitat Valenciana in Spain, with project profiles and an interview with President Ximo Puig. We also feature young people and their various efforts to engage with the EU and regional policy, through our Europe In My Region blogging competition, young journalists training scheme and the Interreg Volunteer Youth programme.

Integrity Pacts: event brings together participants in the initiative for transparent and efficient procurement (15/12/2017)

The "Integrity Pact" Stakeholder Event takes place today in Bucharest and marks almost two years since the launch of the project "Integrity Pacts - civil control mechanisms for safeguarding EU funds, Phase II" by DG REGIO and Transparency International (TI). The participants are addressed in the opening session by Ms Vittoria Alliata di Villafranca, Director, DG REGIO, Mr Marius Nica, Romanian Minister-delegate for European Funds, Mr David Ondračka Executive Director, Transparency International Czech Republic and Mr Pascal Boijmans, Head of Unit, DG REGIO.

A Call for proposals open to help Member States make public spaces and urban areas more secure (15/12/2017)

In order to support the implementation of its Counter-Terrorism Package, which was adopted on 18 October, the Commission has published within the framework of the Internal Security Fund – Police a call for proposals with the total amount of EUR 18 500 000. The projects may last up to three years and the grant amount has to be more than EUR 350 000 and up to EUR 3 000 000. The call is addressed to Member States central, regional and local authorities as well as private stakeholders. The deadline for submission of proposals is 1 February 2018; 17h00 Brussels time.

European Week of Regions and Cities 2018: Survey for topics (15/12/2017)

The 16th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities is under preparation! The event will take place during the week of 8 to 12 October 2018 with a main central venue, the Square Conference Center in Brussels, and will include new and innovative session formats! It will be designed together with you, starting with a broad consultation on the themes on which you wish to focus. Please share your preferences via this online survey (max. 10 minutes length) by 14 January 2018 and save the date of 25 January 2018 (11:00-13:00) at CoR for the first kick off meeting of the EU Regions' Week 2018. Wishing you the best Christmas and looking forward to meet you again in 2018!

Already €278 billion delivered to Europe's real economy under the European Structural and Investment Funds (13/12/2017)

A new report published highlights what the five EU funds have achieved since the beginning of the funding period, as the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes has now reached full speed. By October 2017, almost half of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds' budget for 2014-2020 had been committed to concrete projects. By the end of 2016, almost 793,500 businesses had received support from the funds, creating an estimated 154,000 new jobs. 7.8 million people have already benefitted from assistance in finding a job or developing skills, while the biodiversity of 23.5 million hectares of agricultural land has been improved. Overall, 2 million EU-funded projects had been selected by the end of 2016, which is 1 million more than the year before.

Launch event "EU Cities for Fair and Ethical Trade" award - 7 December 2017 (28/11/2017)

The "EU Cities for Fair and Ethical Trade" award acknowledges the importance of EU cities as the focal point of fair and ethical trade. This new award aims to recognize and celebrate cities’ achievements and positive impact in the area of social, economic and environmental sustainability in international trade. Applications will open on 7 December and the launch event will take place the same day at the Committee of Regions from 12:30 to 14:30. Registration is possible at this link: http://www.phrenos.eu/eucityaward-launchevent/, and more information is available at our website: http://www.trade-city-award.eu/.

Training on State aid for ESIF authorities (13/11/2017)

Following the positive feedback received on the series of training seminars held in 2016 and 2017, we are pleased to announce a new training session "State aid in the management of the ESIF during 2014-2020 programming period". This course is designed for participants from ESIF managing authorities/ intermediate bodies/ audit authorities. Participation is free of charge but travel and accommodation costs are not reimbursed. When? 12-13 December 2017 Where? Brussels, DG REGIO Language: English The programme and registration can be found here.

Panorama 62: Boosting innovation across the regions (23/10/2017)

The autumn issue of Panorama focusses on innovation. An interview with Commissioner Corina Creţu gives us the state of play and next steps in preparation for post-2020 Cohesion Policy. Our in-depth regional feature showcases North Middle Sweden, where traditional manufacturing industries are disappearing to make way for a more modern knowledge economy. Smart specialisation strategies have helped them identify areas for growth, and we feature a series of projects which have benefitted from this new approach.