"RegioFlash" Newsletter Issues

Territorial Economic Data viewer supports policy monitoring (24/05/2023)

The Territorial Economic Data viewer (TEDv) gathers data on different Research and Innovation funding, helping policymakers monitor EU programmes and ensuring greater transparency in the use of public resources.

EUR 453 million for the reconstructed metro line in Budapest opened on 22 May (23/05/2023)

The renovated M3 or ‘blue’ metro line in Budapest, Hungary, was inaugurated and opened to passengers.

€52 million of EU investments for new bypass road around Poręba and Zawiercie, Poland (23/05/2023)

The European Commission has approved an investment of more than € 52 million from the European Regional Development Fund for the construction of a new bypass road around Poręba and Zawiercie in Poland.

Commission launches €122 million calls for proposals to bridge innovation gaps across the EU and empower innovation ecosystems (23/05/2023)

The Commission makes available €122 million under the European Innovation Ecosystems part of Horizon Europe and the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument part of the European Regional Development Fund to strengthen and advance European innovation ecosystems, connecting all EU territories, to address societal challenges, and to foster stronger cohesion.

Register now! Registration for the first Cohesion4Transitions Conference is open (23/05/2023)

The first edition of the C4T Community of Practice conference will take place in a hybrid format, in Brussels on 6 – 7 June 2023.

New Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument calls are out (24/05/2023)

The European Commission launched on 17 May 2023 two new I3 Instrument calls for proposals with a budget of EUR 62 million. These calls were launched in parallel with the Horizon Europe - European Innovation Ecosystems call to jointly tackle the disparities in research and innovation performance across the EU.

Relive the EU macro regional strategies week 2023 in Brussels (17/05/2023)

Who would have bet on bringing 150 stakeholders for the EU Macro Regional Strategies Week #EUMRSWeek in Brussels and online while the SeaFood Fair edition was happening in the same city at the same time? Nobody would have dared, but the Directorate General for Regional an Urban Policy – European Commission!

ERDF Supported Nikola Tesla Experience Center Opens in Karlovac (17/05/2023)

Did you know that Nikola Tesla received his only formal education in the City of Karlovac?

Energy transition: EU supports the creation of new prototype wave power plant (17/05/2023)

Last week, a new prototype of a wave power plant was presented to the public in Kiel. The small-sized prototype is using a generator to transform kinetic energy from waves into electric energy.

Smart Regions: The historic Citadella in Gozo has been restored thanks to European funds (17/05/2023)

The citadella in Gozo, one of the main tourist attractions on the island of Gozo in Malta, has been renovated thanks to European funds.

Calls for proposals under the LIFE Programme have been published on 18 April and 11 May (17/05/2023)

The open calls concern the 4 LIFE sub-programmes “Nature and Biodiversity”, “Circular Economy and Quality of life”, “Climate Mitigation and Adaptation” and “Clean Energy Transition sub-programme”.

Register to the conference “How debt instruments and advisory services may accelerate the just transition” (17/05/2023)

The Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) is one of the key pillars of the European Green Deal and regions in Poland are among its main beneficiaries. It is composed of three pillars of financing: (i) the Just Transition Fund, (ii) a dedicated just transition scheme under InvestEU, and (iii) the Public Sector Loan Facility.

Seventh Just Transition Platform Conference provides a forum to share successes and challenges (17/05/2023)

The seventh edition of the Just Transition Platform (JTP) Conference took place on 25-27 April 2023. Co-hosted by DG REGIO and DG ENER, the hybrid event brought together over 1 000 registered participants.

Our Doors are open – Europe Celebration Day in Brussels (10/05/2023)

What do a mystery quiz on just transition, a bike tour of EU funded projects and a stand on EU support for Ukraine have in common? They all reflect cohesion policy support for sustainable development, our commitment to European solidarity, and, last but not least, DG REGIO’s output at the EU Open Doors Day on the 6th of May in Brussels.

Discover the 75 youth-led projects of the EUTeens4green initiative (10/05/2023)

Youth from 44 EU carbon-intensive regions covered by the Just Transition Fund presented their projects for advancing the green transition on 6 May 2023.

New regional campaign - Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (10/05/2023)

These regional campaigns with an ultra-local flavour and with a smile are in partnership with the Regions.

Finalists of the 2023 New European Bauhaus Prizes (10/05/2023)

The 61 finalists of the 2023 New European Bauhaus Prizes, selected from among over 1450 applications, are now revealed. The public vote to choose their favourite beautiful, sustainable & inclusive projects are open until 24 May.

Updated EU Solidarity Fund data on the Commission’s Open Data platform (10/05/2023)

New data on the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) is now available on the European Commission’s Open Data Platform. The platform displays the achievements of the EUSF in responding to natural disasters in Member States and accession countries from the past 20 years.

European Ombudsman Award for Public Administration: vote now! (10/05/2023)

Until 14th June, you can vote for your favorite initiatives in the European Ombudsman Award for Public Administration.

Register now! Registration for the first Cohesion4Transitions Conference is open (10/05/2023)

The first edition of the C4T Community of Practice conference will take place in a hybrid format, in Brussels on 6 – 7 June 2023.

Apply now for C4T GROUNDWORK – the new technical assistance for cohesion for sustainable transitions! (10/05/2023)

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.

Just Transition Platform launches the Call for JTPeers Exchange (10/05/2023)

On May 2nd DG REGIO launched JTPeers Exchange, a peer-to-peer programme to facilitate in-person and online exchanges.

Call to Interreg Programmes to host Youth Volunteers (10/05/2023)

Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) to hold information session –open to all Interreg Programmes - on Interreg Volunteer Youth Initiative (IVY) on 31 May.

Missions and Cohesion Policy: Living separate or dancing together? (10/05/2023)

This paper explores avenues for cross-fertilisation between the mission-oriented approach and Cohesion Policy. It argues in favour of mutual policy learning between the two to address some of their respective shortcomings: Cohesion Policy is facing a gradual erosion of its identity, whereas the mission-oriented approach needs a stronger territorial perspective.

Interview with Normunds Popens on Cohesion policy's outcome and future (03/05/2023)

On 2nd May, the European Commission published a Staff Working Document "Cohesion 2021-2027: forging an ever stronger Union - report on the outcome of 2021-2027 cohesion policy programming". We spoke to Normunds Popens, Director General (Acting) of DG REGIO about the report’s conclusions and how cohesion policy delivers for EU citizens.

Commissioner Ferreira in Réunion for the celebrations of the 40 years of the Region (03/05/2023)

From 28 April to 1 May, Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, was in the French outermost region of la Réunion, on invitation of the president of the region, to participate in the official celebrations of the 40 years of the first regional elections.

New working paper - How fast are rail trips between EU cities and is rail faster than air? (03/05/2023)

This paper analyses rail speed on a set of 1 356 routes between medium and large EU cities located less than 500 km apart. On only 3 % of routes between these cities do rail speeds exceed 150 km/h and on 30 % of routes the speed is below 60 km/h.

2021-2027 programmes expected to create 1.3 million jobs in the EU (03/05/2023)

Cohesion Policy funding in 2021-2027 is expected to support the creation of 1.3 million jobs, and to increase the EU's GDP by 0.5% on average by the end of the decade, and up to 4% in some Member States. It will also help deliver many common public goods, providing tangible and concrete benefits to European citizens, regions and cities.

Germany: EU co-funded geothermal heating plant in Schwerin is being officially inaugurated (03/05/2023)

Last week the chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz attended the inauguration of a geothermal heating plant in Schwerin, Germany. The geothermal plant benefits from 4.2 million EUR of cohesion policy support.

Join us at the EU Open Doors Day! (03/05/2023)

If you are in Brussels on the 6th of May, you are warmly invited to the activities at the EU Open Doors Day at the European Commission’s headquarters Berlaymont. DG REGIO is welcoming visitors at its indoors stand dedicated to the Just Transition Fund and its outdoors guided bike tour around EU-funded projects in Brussels.

“Building Europe with Local Councillors” - BELC is the initiative bringing Europe closer to people (26/04/2023)

The European Commission launched an unprecedented alliance placing local authorities at the core of the European public sphere. Spread the word, the call for application is open.

Kick-off of the seventh edition of the Just Transition Platform Conference with Commissioners Ferreira, Breton and Simson (26/04/2023)

On 25th and 26th May, the Commission has been hosting the seventh edition of the Just Transition Platform Conference organised in hybrid format. The Conference is gathering representatives from EU regions benefitting from the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to discuss the impact of the climate transition on the most affected communities and how they can transform it in new opportunities in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal.

‘Transform to thrive': Kick-off of the 4th EU Macro-Regional Strategies Week #EUMRSWeek (26/04/2023)

On Monday, 24 April, the 4th edition of the EU Macro-Regional Strategies Week (#EUMRSWeek) started under the motto ‘Transform to thrive'. The event ishybrid, with the first two days of online thematic sessions followed by physical high-level group meetings.

New regional campaign - South-West Oltenia (26/04/2023)

These regional campaigns with an ultra-local flavour and with a smile are in partnership with the Regions. Discover emblematic places and initiatives in South-West Oltenia that are promoted.

Greece: Launch of the Just Transition Fund in Megalopolis (26/04/2023)

On 21th May, the Just Transition Development Programme (first pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism) has been officially launched in Tripolis (Greece).

Interreg ALCOTRA programme launches call to join Youth Council (26/04/2023)

Call for applications to join the Interreg France-Italy ALCOTRA programme’s Youth Council remains open until 31 May 2023.

Second call on EUI-innovative actions coming soon! (26/04/2023)

As announced by Commissioner Ferreira at the Cities Forum, the European Urban Initiative (EUI) will launch a second call for proposals on EUI-Innovative actions in May 2023.

More than €190 million for a better railway infrastructure in Slovakia (26/04/2023)

Slovakia will have the opportunity to complete the railway infrastructure connecting the Žilina-Teplička marshalling yard railway, a core Trans-European Transport Network, thanks to a newly adopted investment of more than €190 million from the Cohesion Fund 2014-2020.

€137 million for the development of water and wastewater infrastructure in Maramures County, Romania (26/04/2023)

Thanks to a new EU investment of €137 million, citizens in Maramures County will benefit from an improved water and wastewater infrastructure network. The investment from the Cohesion Fund was approved by the European Commission.

Just Transition Fund to ensure a smoother road to carbon-neutral regions (19/04/2023)

The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is helping those regions likely to be hardest hit by the green transition preserve jobs and diversify their economies. Much of the EUR 25.4 billion in total funding will be dedicated to SMEs and skills development.

Interreg NWE GROOF project wins prestigious Energy Globe Award (19/04/2023)

The Interreg North-West Europe project GROOF was awarded the Energy Globe Award for its outstanding contributions to sustainable energy solutions. The project studies synergies between the construction and agriculture industries by building four greenhouses on rooftops.

Successful cooperation between entrepreneurs from Estonia and Latvia (19/04/2023)

While tackling challenges in the new programming period, Estonia-Latvia Programme reflects on its many achievements in the past years!

BRUGEO is helping Brussels to tap into its potential of geothermal heat (19/04/2023)

Brugeo is an EU-funded project that brings together specialist companies and scientists to promote the potential of geothermal energy of the Brussels-Capital region.

Call for expressions of interest to join C4T working groups (19/04/2023)

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.

BOOST5 – Unlocking the potential of cultural and natural heritage (12/04/2023)

The Boost5 project, based on five previous Interreg-funded projects in Italy and Croatia, is promoting the Adriatic region’s heritage to develop the sustainable tourism sector and contribute to economic growth. It is producing a guide of best practice projects, building skills in the sector and opening new markets.

75 projects from young people selected under the #EUTeens4Green initiative (12/04/2023)

Following a call for projects launched last year in the framework of the European Year of Youth, 75 projects from young people have been selected for funding under the #EUTeens4Green initiative, for a total budget of more than €723.000, around €10.000 each.

Research and Technological Development: Staff Working Document published on the evaluation findings of ERDF support in 2007-2013 (12/04/2023)

The European Commission has published its Staff Working Document (SWD) on the evaluation of Research and Technological Development (RTD) infrastructures and activities supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the period 2007-2013. The document reports on the main findings of the full evaluation published in December 2021.

Training opportunity: journalism students and young journalists invited to apply (12/04/2023)

The Commission opened the application period for the 7th edition of Youth4Regions, the programme for aspiring journalists.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Calling all young Europeans! (12/04/2023)

Are you between 15 and 29 years old? Do you want to make your region a better place? Do you want to make a real difference to European policy? If so, the EU needs you!

Brussels is my New York (29/03/2023)

This article was written by a member of the Youth4Regions programme, following her participation in Regions Week. The experience allowed her to expand her horizons – to learn from experienced journalists and discover the workings of EU policy and institutions.

Applications for the #EURegionsWeek 2023 are officially open! (29/03/2023)

If you wish to participate as a partner, please visit the event website and read carefully the guide for event partners to find out all you need to know. Applications are open until the 11 April.

How competitive is your region? Commission publishes the Regional Competitiveness Index (29/03/2023)

The Commission has published the Regional Competitiveness Index (RCI), a fully revised version of a now long-established tool that measures different competitiveness dimensions for all EU regions.

Commission supports 151 reform projects in Member States to strengthen resilience and competitiveness (29/03/2023)

The Commission has approved a new round of 151 projects under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), to support all Member States in preparing, designing and implementing up to 326 cutting-edge reforms in 2023.

Commission launches call towards 100 Regional Innovation Valleys to bolster local and regional innovation (29/03/2023)

On 28th May, during the ‘Partnerships for Regional Innovation’ event, the Commission has launched a call for expression of interest for Regional Innovation Valleys to advance European innovation ecosystems and better connect innovation players across Europe, including in regions lagging behind; address pressing societal challenges; and foster stronger cohesion.

Handbook of Territorial and Local Development Strategies (22/03/2023)

Policymakers and managing authorities promoting the growth of non-urban areas have a new tool at their disposal: the recently published Handbook of Territorial and Local Development Strategies. Both the handbook and a new cohesion policy objective will contribute to achieving sustainable growth in all EU regions and bringing Europe closer to citizens.

Commission launches the European Urban Initiative (22/03/2023)

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, launched the European Urban Initiative (EUI), that aims to increase innovation and improve the quality of investments in urban areas.

Launch of the EU Regional Competitiveness Index 2.0 - 2022 edition (22/03/2023)

This is the fifth time the European Commission publishes the EU Regional Competitiveness Index, a composite indicator aiming at measuring the ability of a region to offer an attractive environment for firms and residents to live and work. The event will start at 14:00 on Monday 27 March and will be live-streamed.

European project “CORALLIA” gives a boost to innovation and entrepreneurship in Greece (22/03/2023)

CORALLIA is a unit of the Athena research centre in Greece that brings together hi-tech clusters, business incubators, and extensive entrepreneurship programme.

The 2022 General report on the activities of the European Union is out (22/03/2023)

Cohesion Policy has having being instrumental to smooth the impacts of crisis (Ukrainian refugees, energy) and to foster long-term competitiveness and convergence.

Ireland celebrates 50 years of EU membership (22/03/2023)

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Ireland receiving the first batch of over EUR 20 billion of Cohesion Policy funds.

€124 million for the construction of a section of a gas transmission pipeline in Poland (22/03/2023)

The Commission approved an investment of more than €124 million from the European Regional Development Fund for the 2014-2020 programming period for the construction of a 253 km-long section of a gas transmission pipeline between Leśniewice and Wronów in the Masovian, Łódzkie and the Lubelskie regions, in Poland.

“Europe is closer than you think” – a virtual travel to EU-funded projects (15/03/2023)

Together with 21 pupils, Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, travelled virtually to EU-funded projects in Flanders and exchanged impressions on the European Union action for regions and for its people. The action took place within the “EU in my school” initiative, part of the Europe in my region campaign, on the 7th of March 2023.

The European Commission is launching the 2022 edition of the EU Regional Competitiveness Index (13/03/2023)

This is the fifth time the European Commission publishes the EU Regional Competitiveness Index, a composite indicator aiming at measuring the ability of a region to offer an attractive environment for firms and residents to live and work.

The Danube Region Monitor: Exploring Education & Labour Market Trends (13/03/2023)

The Danube Region Monitor informs stakeholders about key education and labour market trends in the Danube Region. Its reports and database were developed within the Priority Area “People & Skills” of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region.

Good Governance for EU regional policy: registration is open for online and hybrid 2023 events (13/03/2023)

The European Commission is launching a second series of events for Member States under the joint heading ‘Good Governance for EU Regional Policy’.

Youth for Outermost Regions: €1 million to support youth in the outermost regions (13/03/2023)

The Commission relaunched its €1 million call for proposals to support young people in the outermost regions shape projects to develop their regions.

17 million euros of EU support for the extension of the sea centre “Nausicaa” (13/03/2023)

The European Commission has approved to phase over to the 21-27 programming period the extension of the Nausicaa sea centre, in Boulogne-sur-mer.

More than €159 million for the development of water and wastewater infrastructure in Iași County, Romania (13/03/2023)

The Commission has approved a contribution of more than €159 million from the Cohesion Fund for larger and better sewage networks in Iași County.