"RegioFlash" Newsletter Issues

Beyond casual - The story of the indie game company Joyxir (08/03/2023)

Connection… established. Reza Hassanzadeh and Ali Sharpasand joined Ari Brozinski, communication manager in the Joint Secretariat of the Central Baltic Programme 2014-2020, from their Estonian office in Tartu. Ari, Reza and Ali exchange about their game studio Joyixir, a play of words on joy and elixir. Let’s have a taste.

Cohesion Policy: supporting gender equality (08/03/2023)

Over 30% (EUR 110 billion) of all cohesion policy investments (incl. the Just Transition Fund) will support gender equality in the 2021-2027 period, either through direct gender equality measures or gender mainstreaming.

A new fund in the Cohesion policy family (08/03/2023)

The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is one of the most striking and visible aspects of the 2021-2027 period of Cohesion policy. Use this data story to explore the investment plans of the JTF in the EU and in specific territories.

Thanks to EU support a high school in Estonia has undergone a sustainable revolution (08/03/2023)

Põlva in south-eastern Estonia is proud of its flagship public high school the first in the country with a near-zero carbon footprint.

Follow the 2nd meeting of the Group of high-level specialists on the future of Cohesion Policy via web-streaming (08/03/2023)

The meeting will take place on 9 March 2023. The main topic will be "Enhancing resilience of regions against emerging challenges".

Register now! Next Just Transition Platform Conference on 25-27 April (08/03/2023)

Registrations are now open for the seventh edition of the Just Transition Platform Conference, which will take place in Brussels on 25-27 April 2023. This hybrid event will be co-hosted by DG REGIO and DG ENER, with participants including Commissioners Thierry Breton, Elisa Ferreira and Kadri Simson.

Cohesion Report highlights need to adapt policies to changing demographics (01/03/2023)

A shrinking population and a growing number of older people will require many EU regions to adjust their services over the next three decades. Policies will need to be adapted to meet the new challenges, strengthen economic, social and territorial development and ensure everyone benefits from the green and digital transitions.

Join us for the 21st edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities! (01/03/2023)

The two co-organisers, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and the European Committee of the Regions, officially launched the new edition during the kick-off on 13 February.

Commission announces kick-off of the 2023 REGIOSTARS Awards competition (28/02/2023)

On 27th February, the Commission opened the 16th edition of the REGIOSTARS Awards competition that rewards the best projects financed under Cohesion Policy each year.

Registrations open for the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) Conference on 30 March 2023 (28/02/2023)

Registrations have opened for the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) Conference 2023, which is the launch event for the new S3 Community of Practice.

“Cohesion is beautiful” – taking stock of the 2022 edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities (22/02/2023)

This article was written by a young member of the Youth4Regions programme, following her participation in Regions Week. She argues that the event is an opportunity to bring citizens and EU institutions together. Young journalists can contribute to closing the gap between them and to communicating the benefits of cohesion policy funding.

Commissioner Ferreira in the Netherlands to launch the just transition programme (21/02/2023)

On Monday and Tuesday, 20 and 21 February, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, was in the Netherlands to launch the Dutch €623 million Just Transition programme that will support the country in its transition towards a climate-neutral economy.

€136 million for construction of section of Poland’s S19 express road, between the Nisko South and Sokołów Małopolski North junctions (21/02/2023)

The European Commission has approved an investment of more than €136 million from the Cohesion Fund for the construction of a 29.67 km section of the S19 express road which is connecting Lublin and Rzeszów in Poland.

The LOFAR super telescope explores the far-reaches of the universe (21/02/2023)

In Exloo, in the Netherlands the largest pan-European radio-frequency telescope (“LOFAR”) is revealing the far-reaches of the universe.

Share your views on just transition communication and awareness-raising (21/02/2023)

The Just Transition Platform Working Group on Horizontal Stakeholder Strategy has launched a survey: ‘Communicating and raising awareness about just transition at the local level’. The survey only takes around 10 minutes to complete, so don’t miss the chance to submit your responses by 17 March.

Call for expression of interest - Innovative Implementation of the Partnership Principle in Cohesion Policy (21/02/2023)

For the second time, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy is seeking proposals by public authorities and civil society organizations, interested in implementing innovative citizen participation practices in cohesion policy.

The call for the EU Green Week 2023 Partner Events is open! (21/02/2023)

The EU Green Week, the largest annual environmental event in Europe, will take place between 3 and 11 June. Make EU Green Week 2023 your own, and organise a partner event!

Cross-border cooperation helps game companies get publishing deals (15/02/2023)

Outside, the dusk is settling, but inside the lights remain off. The big hall is lit by hundreds of PC monitors. A digital clock in the middle of the hall starts counting down. It becomes quiet, except for the clicking of keyboards and the constant background hum of computers. After a while, the eerie silence is interrupted by a man who stands up, tosses his headset onto the table and yells “Victory!”.

Commissioners Ferreira and Schmit in Poland to celebrate the adoption of 22 national and regional Cohesion Policy programmes (15/02/2023)

In her speech Commissioner Ferreira stressed the need to undertake the necessary reforms, build administrative capacity, especially at the regional and local levels, and finalise the enabling conditions.

Over 1400 applications for the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023! (15/02/2023)

From Cyprus to Estonia, from Portugal to Serbia, and many international projects across EU and Western Balkans may soon be among this year's finalists.

REPowerEU: Energy measures to be added to national recovery plans (15/02/2023)

MEPs approved including REPowerEU measures in national plans to be more independent from Russian fossil fuels, speed up the green transition and tackle energy poverty.

EUTeens4Green: young people accepted the challenge with great enthusiasm (14/02/2023)

More than 160 young people between 15 and 24 years old applied for funding to contribute to the Just Transition process.

Interreg offers expert policy input for green and smart regions (07/02/2023)

Warmińsko-Mazurskie region in Poland made a green shift in its regional development policy with the help of Interreg Europe. Find out how the input of experts from other corners of Europe helped to improve the region’s policy.

Commissioners Schmit and Ferreira in Poland to launch Cohesion Policy programmes for 2021-2027 (07/02/2023)

On 8th February 2023, Commissioners for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit and for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira will be in Poland to launch the €76.5 billion Cohesion Policy programmes for the 2021-2027 funding period.

The JIC Innovation Park in Brno empowers people to create businesses that boost the local economy (07/02/2023)

The city of Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, has one of the first technological incubators in the eastern part of the European Union, the JIC Innovation Park.

Auditors reflect on Cohesion policy as a crisis response tool (08/02/2023)

The EU swiftly adapted its rules to provide greater flexibility to member states in using cohesion policy funds in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also brought in significant new resources to fund additional investments. But these measures also added to the pressure to spend EU funds quickly and well, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors.

Apply for Just Transition Platform GROUNDWORK – new technical assistance for Just Transition Fund regions! (07/02/2023)

On 6 February 2023 the Just Transition Platform (JTP) launched a call for applications for targeted technical assistance: JTP GROUNDWORK. It will support eligible Just Transition Fund (JTF) regions in implementing their Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTP).

Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Work Programme 2023-2024 is out! (08/02/2023)

The European Commission adopted the new Work Programme for the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument with a budget of €159 million on February 6, 2023.

#EURegionsWeek 2023: register to attend the kick-off meeting (08/02/2023)

Join us and register to attend the kick-off meeting on 13 February at the Committee of the Regions or online.

More than €183 million for building 33.403 km of the new Europa Motorway (07/02/2023)

The Commission has approved an investment of more than €183 million from the Cohesion Fund for building 33.403 km of the new Europa Motorway within the section linking the Kalotina checkpoint at the Bulgaria-Serbia border with the ring road around Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia.

An ode to the young journalists of Europe (30/01/2023)

This article was written by Nina Bo Wagner, a member of the Youth4Regions programme, following her participation in #EURegionsWeek. She expresses admiration for the spirit of inclusiveness, cohesion and freedom that the EU embodies.

€378 billion Cohesion Policy up and running to boost EU’s regions (30/01/2023)

The adoption of the decisions needed to get the 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy programming period up and running is now finalised allowing Member States to accelerate the investment of a total amount of €378 billion to foster the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU.

European Structural and Investment Funds supported SMEs, employment of millions of people and clean energy production (01/02/2023)

In 2014-2020, the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) unleashed a total investment of €731 billion, of which €535 billion was funded by the EU, fostering lasting socio-economic convergence, territorial cohesion, social Europe and a smooth green and digital transition.

EU Cohesion Policy beyond 2027: Commission establishes High-Level Reflection Group (31/01/2023)

The Commission has established a group of high-level specialists on the future of Cohesion Policy.

Joint Audit Directorate ensures more effective protection of the EU budget (24/01/2023)

The Joint Audit Directorate for Cohesion (DAC) has successfully combined the strengths of two DGs and become an efficient tool to prevent and detect financial irregularities. Its director Franck Sébert tells Panorama what the unit has achieved since its creation and how it will face the challenges of the 2021-2027 funding period.

Video: The European project “I Know How” is breaking the taboo of remaining at work with cancer (24/01/2023)

The European project, together with patients, companies and caregivers has developed a programme to help people with long-term illnesses return to or stay in their jobs.

Call open to form part of the 4th EU MRS Week programme (24/01/2023)

The call for stakeholder sessions of the 4th EU Macro-Regional Strategies Week (EU MRS Week) is open from today until 10 March 2023!

Public consultation on the ex post evaluation of ERDF and CF 2014-2020 (24/01/2023)

DG REGIO invites project and programme stakeholders and the wider public to participate in the public consultation on the ex post evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund (CF) 2014-2020. The evaluation is in its initial phase and will be completed in 2024.

Calling all diversity and inclusion champions (25/01/2023)

Applications are open for the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Awards 2023 which promotes diversity and inclusion in towns, cities and regions in 2 main categories: less than 50,000 inhabitants and over 50,000. This year’s edition includes a special award for fostering LGBTIQ equality. Closing date 15 February.

Register for the second info day on the Public Sector Loan Facility! (24/01/2023)

On 9 February 2023, the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) in collaboration with the Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission (DG REGIO) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) will organise the second Info Day of the public sector loan facility of the Just Transition Mechanism.

Citizens don’t understand the EU they are living in - Young journalists can change that (17/01/2023)

This article was written by a young member of the Youth4Regions programme, following her participation in Regions Week, which was held in October this year. She argues that aspiring journalists should explain to citizens, in clear, accessible language, how the EU works and its impact on their lives.

Harnessing Talent in Europe: a new boost for EU Regions (18/01/2023)

Europe's got talent. But talent needs to be nurtured, especially as the EU is going through important demographic transition. The Commission has identified 82 regions that suffer from a shrinking labour force and a low share of persons with a tertiary education, and in regions hit by the departure of young people.

New European Bauhaus a major catalyst of the European Green Deal, funding to be scaled up further (17/01/2023)

The Commission is presenting the first New European Bauhaus (NEB) Progress Report taking stock of the achievements in the initiative's first two years as well as the first assessment tool for NEB project: the NEB Compass.

The Commission adopts the fourth report on the implementation of EU macro-regional strategies (17/01/2023)

The Commission adopted the fourth report on the implementation of the EU macro-regional strategies. It highlights achievements and cooperation actions taken in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region and the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region.

€24.5 million for French Outermost regions to boost skills, youth employment and support a sustainable recovery (17/01/2023)

French outermost regions will receive an additional €24.5 million under REACT-EU to support employment, education and the green transition.

Cities Forum 2023 - Registration is now open (17/01/2023)

Committed to a green & just future for EU cities? Then don't miss the 5th edition of the #CitiesForum in Torino, Italy! When? 16-17 March. Workshops, sessions & debates, all delving into the urban dimension of #CohesionPolicy & the #EUGreenDeal. Register now!

Cities Forum 2023: Together for green and just cities (10/01/2023)

Increasing urbanisation, digitalisation, health, energy and environmental crises are forcing cities to rethink and adapt to how citizens live, work and travel. The Cities Forum 2023, to be held in Torino, Italy on 16-17 March 2023, will allow EU institutions, national, regional and local authorities to discuss how cities can continue to transform while being sustainable and inclusive.

Over €145 million to modernise railway infrastructure in Polish regions (10/01/2023)

On 6th January, the Commission has approved an investment of more than €145 million from the Cohesion Fund for the modernisation and electrification of a railway line section between Ełk and Giżycko in Poland.

Smart Regions - Cluj-Napoca: Europe's fastest growing city making strides in automation (10/01/2023)

How do we meet the challenges of work automation? To answer this question, Cluj-Napoca in northwest Romania has set up the "Future of Work" project.

How the EU delivers on a social Europe that is fair, inclusive and full of opportunity (04/01/2023)

Together with the Member States, the EU is vested with guaranteeing equality and non-discrimination and ensuring social and territorial cohesion. In practical terms, this translates into supporting high levels of employment and skills, modernising labour markets, training and social protection systems, eradicating poverty and addressing social exclusion and improving public health. That is what inclusive growth in the EU is all about.

Investing in a fair climate and digital transition while strengthening Hungary‘s administrative capacity, transparency and prevention of corruption (03/01/2023)

On 22th December, the European Commission adopted the Partnership Agreement with Hungary that includes a detailed roadmap to improve Hungary's administrative capacity and tackle challenges such as transparency of, and competition in, public procurement; prevention, detection and correction of corruption; fraud and conflict of interest; and capacity building of beneficiaries of Cohesion Policy funding and partners.

Almost €869 million for a just climate transition in Spain (03/01/2023)

Spain will receive almost € 869 million from the Just Transition Fund following the adoption of the Just Transition Programme which includes its Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP).

More than €465 million for a just climate transition in Finland (03/01/2023)

Finland will receive more than €465 million from the Just Transition Fund (JTF), thanks to the adoption of its Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP).