"RegioFlash" Newsletter Issues

Poland’s energy transition in the spotlight (12/09/2023)

Journalists from around Europe have discovered how EU funding in Poland is helping turn coal mining areas into hubs of culture, tourism, and entrepreneurship as part of the country’s transition to clean energy sources.

"We are a Europe of the Regions" said President von der Leyen in her SOTEU (13/09/2023)

In her State of the Union address on 13 September 2023, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen outlined the main priorities and flagship initiatives for the year to come, building on the European Union's successes and achievements of the past years. Rewatch full video.

Inauguration of the €1.1bn PEACE PLUS programme (12/09/2023)

The PEACE PLUS programme 2021-2027 was inaugurated during a ceremony in Belfast, Northern Ireland, attended by European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Maroš Šefčovič.

Reopening of La Bourse to the Public: The culmination of a massive project supported by the EU (12/09/2023)

After years of extensive work, La Bourse in Brussels is set to reopen its doors to locals and tourists alike on Saturday 9th September 2023. La Bourse, an iconic landmark, now offers 12,000 square meters of newly renovated space accessible to the public.

Harnessing Talent in Europe: Commission will offer selected EU regions technical assistance to help them attract and develop talent (13/09/2023)

The Commission will offer 11 EU regions technical assistance to help them untap their potential to attract, retain and develop talent.

Just Transition Platform announces participants of JTPeers Exchange programme (12/09/2023)

The Just Transition Platform (JTP) has recently launched the JTPeers Exchange programme to support JTF territories in implementing their Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs).

Call for Experts: Join JTPeers Experts Database! (Deadline 29/09/2023) (12/09/2023)

The European Commission is seeking experts to join JTPeers Experts, an invaluable database that will open doors to a vast pool of just transition professionals, offering a comprehensive overview of expert profiles.

Join a discussion on the opportunities and challenges of the Just Transition Mechanism (12/09/2023)

As the implementation phase of the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) is now getting started, it is time to examine the progress made so far and consider the complementarities between the three Pillars under the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM).

The development trap: a cause of Euroscepticism? (06/09/2023)

More and more people are dissatisfied with a perceived system they feel no longer benefits them. In the EU, this is reflected in the rise of Euroscepticism. The European Commission has examined the factors behind this phenomenon and how to address it, including through the EU’s cohesion policy.

State Of The Union: Join us on 13 September (06/09/2023)

In her 2023 State of the Union address, European Commission President von der Leyen will outline the main priorities and flagship initiatives for the year to come, building on the European Union's successes and achievements of the past years.

SDGs in Europe: regions join forces to design a new monitoring system (05/09/2023)

Save the date and follow live a series of local events, focusing on how to monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in EU regions.

€135 million initially planned for programmes with Russia and Belarus will be transferred to strengthen cooperation with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova (06/09/2023)

The Commission decided to transfer €135 million of Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation instrument, originally planned for 2021-2027 Interreg NEXT programmes with Russia and Belarus, to other Interreg programmes with Ukraine and Moldova.

€86 million for the expansion and upgrade of the Marbella public hospital (05/09/2023)

Nearly €86 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) have been allocated to expand and upgrade of the public Hospital Costa del Sol, in the city of Marbella, Spain.

More than €52 million to support the purchase of 37 electric trains in Romania (05/09/2023)

More than €52 million from the European Regional Development Fund will be allocated to support the purchase of 37 electrical trains for 13 interregional routes in Romania following today’s approval of this project by the Commission.

EU funds flood protection in Döbeln with €27 million (05/09/2023)

The construction of a new section ("Wappenhenschlange") of the flood protection facility in Döbeln (Saxony) started last week. This is part of a project funded by the European Regional Policy for the construction of two new sections of the flood protection system in Döbeln, the so-called "Wappenhenschanlage" and a section along the Freiberger Mulde in the area of the old town. The project is supported with €27 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

Call for expressions of interest to join C4T working groups (06/09/2023)

Applications for the Cohesion for Transitions (C4T) Working Groups are open! Interested stakeholders can join the groups on Energy, Environment and Climate change until 15 September 2023.

Brăila Bridge – a great leap for Romania and the EU (18/07/2023)

The new Brăila Bridge over the Danube is an engineering marvel which shows that Romania can carry out complex infrastructure projects. It represents another milestone in the efforts of EU Cohesion Policy to enhance territorial integration and promote economic growth in the EU.

REGIOSTARS 2023: 30 finalists announced (19/07/2023)

The 30 finalists of the 2023 REGIOSTARS competition for the best EU Cohesion policy projects are announced. 228 applicants competed in 6 categories: “A more competitive and Smart Europe”, “Green Europe”, “Connected Europe”, “Social Europe” “Europe closer to citizens” and the specific 2023 Topic of the Year “European Year of Skills”.

New report highlights how new requirements on digitalisation have reduced red tape (18/07/2023)

The Commission published a staff working document highlighting evidence from the evaluation on the implementation of legal requirements on electronic data exchange systems between beneficiaries and programme authorities of cohesion policy programmes, “e-cohesion systems”.

Inauguration of social housing in Vidin (18/07/2023)

The goal of the project is to improve the quality of life and standard of living for disadvantaged, vulnerable, and socially disadvantaged people by providing accommodation and improving the housing environment in the municipality.

Commission launches new Platform and working groups to tackle demographic challenges across the Union (19/07/2023)

The Commission stepped up its efforts to tackle the challenges posed by the demographic transition facing the EU, by establishing the Harnessing Talent Platform (HTP) and calling on stakeholders to join new, relevant working groups.

Call for expressions of interest to join C4T working groups (17/07/2023)

The Cohesion for Transitions (C4T) Community of Practice is a new initiative by the European Commission dedicated to stakeholders involved in the management of Cohesion Policy in the EU Member States and regions.

€226 million to modernize one of Madrid's most important hospitals (18/07/2023)

€226 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the programming period 2014-2020 will finance the construction of a new technical and hospitalisation block for the general hospital and the maternity and children's units of University Hospital ‘October 12', in the south of Madrid in Spain, following the approval by the Commission.

Novel DG REGIO initiative : Cohesion Policy supports the Green Deal (12/07/2023)

The Cohesion for Transitions (C4T) Community of Practice is a novel technical assistance initiative launched In January 2023, to support and accelerate the implementation of the European Green Deal via the investments foreseen in 2021-2027 cohesion policy programmes.

The largest suspended bridge over the Danube opens for circulation (12/07/2023)

One of the biggest Cohesion Policy-funded projects, the Brăila bridge in Romania, was inaugurated last week. It will connect the Black Sea ports and the Danube Delta with the rest of the country and with the wider Trans-European Transport Network.

Croatia received €1 billion in recovery support following the devastating earthquakes (12/07/2023)

Last week, Croatia took stock of its reconstruction efforts to recover from the damages following the devastating earthquakes of March and December 2020 in Zagreb, Petrinja and the Sisak Moslavina county.

Interreg unleashing Sustainable Tourism in the South Baltic (12/07/2023)

Heritage, culture, and active lifestyle are at the core of projects promoting sustainable tourism within the Interreg South Baltic Programme.

Smart Regions - The remote island of Madeira focuses on sustainability and renewable energies (12/07/2023)

Madeira is divided into the humid north and the drier south. Over centuries, authorities in Madeira were using tunnels to channel the water from the humid north to the drier south (called “levadas”).

The European Commission launches the Harnessing Talent Platform (10/07/2023)

Learn more about the EU’s actions to support regions in harnessing talent and dealing with demographic challenges. Stay tuned for the new features and calls to be launched this year

Monitoring SDGs in Europe’s regions: save the date for upcoming local events (04/07/2023)

How can we monitor the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regionally? What data is available and what gaps need to be filled? What is the role of regional governments in achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda? Several upcoming events across Europe will address these questions to help policymakers assess the growth of their territories.

Inauguration of one of the longest underwater tunnel in Europe (02/07/2023)

The longest EU-funded underwater tunnel in Europe was officially opened in Poland. The tunnel connects the islands of Usedom and Wolin, and the city centre of Świnoujście with the rest of the country.

Just Transition Fund finances a new facility to produce rare earths magnets in Estonia (02/07/2023)

Last week, the first project that received support from the Just Transition Fund (JTF), has been launched in the city of Narva, in Estonia. The EU funding supports the construction of a factory producing rare earth magnets, which are magnets with the highest magnetic field strength.

Berlin is heading towards climate neutrality thanks to EU funding (02/07/2023)

The EU project “Berlin Programme for Sustainable Development II” (BENE II) has been lauched last week. BENE II is a framework programme supported by the ERDF which will support the transition to a green, low-carbon Europe through green and blue investments and through investments in climate change adaptation.

How the Public Sector Loan Facility supports just transition by blending grants and loans (02/07/2023)

A brochure outlining the interplay between the grant and loan components of the Public Sector Loan Facility (PSLF) of the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) is now available in all EU official languages.

Stories of European Cooperation: Interreg seen by young people (04/07/2023)

Interact has released the latest issue of “Stories of European Cooperation”, a series of articles written by Interreg volunteers and published by Interact in collaboration with the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) to showcase Interreg’s impact on our daily lives.

New series of study trips to Brussels for journalists and content creators (02/07/2023)

The Commission has extended the #EUinMyRegion Media Trips programme and is inviting regional & local journalists and content creators from the EU to apply until 21 July for a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge on Cohesion Policy, EU funds, and the broader functioning of the European Union.

Three girls, five countries, fourteen days and countless trains (27/06/2023)

On June the 2nd we found each other again in the sunny Krakow, ready to embark on the train trip of our lives. But neither of us were really thinking about the many adventures that were awaiting us.

Commission proposes to reinforce long-term EU budget to face most urgent challenges (27/06/2023)

As what regards Cohesion Policy, the MFF review includes the extension of administrative closures deadlines for the 2014-20 period, which is prolonged until 31 July 2025 for final interim claims and to 15 February 2026 for submitting the closure documentation.

New sustainable modern railway in Czechia (27/06/2023)

Last week, the renovated railway service in South Moravia, one of the biggest Cohesion Policy’s investments in Czechia, was inaugurated and opened to passengers.

Innovative Implementation of the Partnership Principle in EU Cohesion Policy (27/06/2023)

Three proposals have been selected to test innovative citizens participatory process in Brussels Region, Catalonia and Lazio. The call for expression of interest remains open in order to provide technical support to further proposals.

Join the European Community of Practice on Partnership (27/06/2023)

The European Commission is looking for partners who wish to actively engage and share their experience in partnership under the EU-funded programmes.

Smart Regions- discover “Foodmet”, Brussels’ sustainable food market (27/06/2023)

The food market building “Foodmet” in Brussels is leading the way in energy efficiency and sustainable practices.

The condition of European forests (27/06/2023)

Healthy forests are our key ally in our fight against climate change. European forests absorb almost 10% of all the greenhouse gasses that are emitted every year making forests essential in achieving a net-zero economy.

REGIO Annual Activity Report for 2022 published (27/06/2023)

Would you like to know how REGIO responded to the challenges of 2022, supported the green and digital transitions, and advanced key priorities? What concrete benefits did cohesion policy bring for citizens? And how did our management and control systems hold up? The answers to all this – and more – can be found in the newly published REGIO Annual Activity Report.

Discover the winners of the New European Bauhaus Prizes and European Urban Initiative Call (27/06/2023)

The Commission announced 15 winners of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Prizes 2023 and 14 selected projects of the first European Urban Initiative - Innovative Actions call during at a ceremony, taking place at the ‘NEB in Regions and Cities’ event in Brussels with Commissioner Ferreira.

EUSAIR Forum in Sarajevo: “We need to work with the youth” (20/06/2023)

Greater cooperation, dialogue and youth involvement can strengthen the role of the Western Balkans in the EU, leaders of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), said during its 8th annual forum in Sarajevo from 23 to 25 May 2023.

The Regio Waves podcast is back! (21/06/2023)

The first episode dives into the many ways in which Cohesion Policy adapts to ever-changing circumstances and new crises, for instance on supporting Ukrainians.

First project in the Netherlands supported by the Just Transition Fund has been approved (20/06/2023)

A start up in the Groot-Rijnmond region, “Concr3de”, will receive support from the Just Transition Fund to develop concrete printers which will convert waste streams from the demolition of buildings in new building material.

Commission proposes Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform to support European leadership on critical technologies (21/06/2023)

Within this framework, the new financial incentives proposed for cohesion policy funds are expected to accelerate the implementation and the disbursements of EU funds to Member States.

Commission proposes to reinforce long-term EU budget to face most urgent challenges (21/06/2023)

As what regards Cohesion Policy, the MFF review includes the extension of administrative closures deadlines for the 2014-20 period, which is prolonged until 31 July 2025 for final interim claims and to 15 February 2026 for submitting the closure documentation. Plus, the Strategic Emergency Aid Reserve - SEAR, including EU Solidarity Fund, will be reinforced with €2.5 billion.

Unveiling the New Resource and Creativity Center in the Province of Liège (20/06/2023)

On Saturday, June 24th, the public is welcomed to visit the new Center of the Resource and Creativity Center in the Province of Liège. Thanks to EU support, this glass and steel giant will be dedicated to reading, creativity, and digital innovation.

Waste management capacity has improved in Malta thanks to EU funds (16/06/2023)

The Commission welcomed the inauguration of the Multi-Material Recovery Facility in Ħal Far, Malta. The Facility will develop alternative ways of collecting waste with the aim of preparation and storage for recycling and export. This will improve Malta’s waste management capacity by deviating recoverable materials away from landfills and directing them into the circular economy.

The 'Guide to EU Funding - 2023' edition is now available (21/06/2023)

Produced by the European Parliamentary Research Service of the EP, the guide has been put together to serve as a source of information for regional and local authorities, NGOs, businesses, professionals and citizens on how to access funding. Follow the EU Funds LinkedIn page, coordinated by DG REGIO.

IVY at EYE2023: “We met a lot of young people interested in European cooperation” (20/06/2023)

Four IVY volunteers presented opportunities to get involved in European Cooperation Policy at the European Youth Event 2023: their experience was a great success.

Stronger collaboration on sustainable urban development in the Euro-Mediterranean Region (13/06/2023)

On 4 May, the third Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Ministerial Conference on Sustainable Urban Development adopted the declaration Implementing the UfM Strategic Urban Action Plan in Zagreb, Croatia.

Interreg Volunteer Youth at EYE2023 to inform young people about cooperation (13/06/2023)

Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY)’s participants Ancor Armas Martin, Julie Gondouin, Silvia Guastella and Julia Salabaraas and AEBR’s team will be at the European Parliament’s event targeting young people, the EYE2023, to inform about cooperation policy and opportunities to get involved in it.

b-solutions info session on 28 June : get support to solve your border obstacles (13/06/2023)

The Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) will host an online info session on Wednesday 28 June (11:30-12:15, Central European Standard Time) to present the b-solutions initiative addressing border regions.

Smart Regions - an ice house restoration is reviving the past in Étel, France (13/06/2023)

Constructed in 1946, la Glacière d’Étel (ice house of Étel ) produced ice for the local port. It was the last ice house in Morbihan, Brittany.

Geography of discontent: regional development traps lead to less support for European integration and values (13/06/2023)

The longer a region is caught in a regional development trap, the greater the impact on Eurosceptic voting is the result of a research paper published today by the European Commission’s Department for regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO).

The Regional policy performance statement has been published (14/06/2023)

In the context of the preparation of the EU Budget 2024, the Regional policy performance statement has been published. The statement gives a synthesis of the implementation of EU Regional policy supported by #EURegiodatastories and Cohesion Open Data.

Apply Now for Cohesion4Transitions (C4T) GROUNDWORK: Call for Experts (13/06/2023)

The Cohesion4Transitions (C4T) Community of Practice is pleased to announce the launch of a new call for experts to support the delivery of C4T GROUNDWORK. This opportunity aims to mobilize external experts who can contribute their expertise to assist regions and Member States in achieving sustainable transitions.

Supporting Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Urban Development (14/06/2023)

Are you an urban authority from small and medium cities, interested in exploring the main principles of the integrated, place-based approach to urban development? Do you need support to build innovative and integrated Sustainable Urban Development projects using Cohesion funds? Join the European Urban Initiative Event in Ljubljana on 4 and 5 July 2023!

Archipel.eu puts the spotlight on the arts and culture sector in the EU’s outermost regions and overseas countries and territories (07/06/2023)

From traditional canoes in the Pacific islands, to hip hop culture in French Guiana and a digital museum on Curacao, the EU-funded Archipel.eu project has helped promote art, culture, and heritage in the EU’s outermost regions and overseas countries and territories.

iMAL presents its new infrastructures in new infrastructures in Brussels (07/06/2023)

iMAL, the Brussels-based center for digital culture and technology, unveils its new infrastructures after several years of renovation and expansion works. The inauguration is taking place on Wednesday, June 7, and is bringing together important figures from the political and cultural scene of the region. The project has received a financial contribution of 1.4 million EUR from the European Union (ERDF).

Matériaupôle Chérioux: Fostering Material Innovation in the Parisian Region (07/06/2023)

On 6th June, Matériaupôle proudly unveiled its new collaborative workspace, marking a significant milestone for the cluster dedicated to advancing cutting-edge projects in the Île-de-France region. The project has received a financial contribution of €65,000 from the European Union (ERDF).

Discovering Europe – three young journalists embark on a train trip to discover Europe’s people, projects and places (07/06/2023)

Three young European journalists set off on a two-week train trip to discover EU-funded projects, locals and their cities in five countries. They will visit Krakow, Katowice (Poland), Olomouc (Czechia), Vienna, Graz (Austria), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy).

New regional campaign - South region (07/06/2023)

New regional campaign - South region

€120 million call for urban innovation projects (07/06/2023)

EU Cohesion Policy helps innovating our cities. The European Urban Initiative (EUI) launched a second call for proposals worth €120 million for innovative projects that should develop and test new solutions to tackling current urban challenges.

Apply now for C4T GROUNDWORK – the new technical assistance for cohesion for sustainable transitions (07/06/2023)

The European Commission will roll out support to EU regions in advancing sustainability transitions in the European Union. This is part of the Cohesion for Transitions (C4T) Community of Practice bringing together relevant stakeholders engaged in the implementation of sustainability transitions with ERDF and CF funds.

New report highlights that a cohesive development of regions is key for the EU's growth agenda (07/06/2023)

The Commission has adopted a report on regional trends for growth and convergence in the EU showing that Europe has experienced a significant dynamic of upward convergence over the last 20 years.

Celebrating innovation: New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023 reveal the soul of the European Green Deal (31/05/2023)

In Brussels on 22 June, the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023 will award innovative solutions from people across Europe and beyond, demonstrating the immense potential for making Europe more sustainable, beautiful, and inclusive.

Inauguration of the largest geothermal heating system in the EU, in Szeged, Hungary (31/05/2023)

The biggest geothermal heating system in the EU has been inaugurated in Szeged, in the south of Hungary. The EU has invested €23 million to provide clean, renewable, and affordable energy to over 28,000 households and over 400 public buildings in the area.

New €3 million pedestrian and cycle bridge inaugurated in Galway, Ireland (31/05/2023)

The Salmon Weir Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Project in Galway, Ireland was officially inaugurated. The project, which received a contribution of €3.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund, is the first bridge to be built over the river Corrib in over 30 years.

Ukrainian art comes to Brussels: a way to show Ukrainian culture at the heart of Europe (31/05/2023)

The exhibition “On the edge of the future” by the Ukrainian artists Sergiy Tkachenko and Serhiy Vilganovskiy, was showcased in Brussels during the 2023 EU Macro-regional strategies week.

Smart Regions: In Sweden, cities are on track to become climate-neutral with a fossil fuel-free strategy (31/05/2023)

In Southern Sweden, cities want to become climate-neutral across a number of municipal services.

City-to-City Exchanges - call for applications (31/05/2023)

The Call for Applications for city-to-city exchanges is now open, providing support to urban authorities in addressing implementation challenges related to sustainable urban development.

PITCH YOUR PROJECT 2023: Youth project competition for the sustainable development of the Alpine region is now open (31/05/2023)

Under the motto "Your Alps! Your Future! Your Project!” young people from all Alpine regions are invited to submit their project ideas for an attractive, modern and sustainable development of the Alpine space by 10 September 2023.