25 finalists announced for the 2021 RegioStars competition (14/09/2021)
The Commission has announced the 25 finalists of the 2021 RegioStars awards for the best Cohesion policy projects in five categories: ‘Smart Europe', ‘Green Europe', ‘Fair Europe', ‘Urban Europe', and the specific Topic of the Year ‘Enhancing green mobility in the regions: the European Year of Rail'.
Close to €100 million for green transport in Spain and a new sewerage system in Cyprus (14/09/2021)
On the 13th September, the Commission has approved two investments of almost €100 million for two major projects in Spain and Cyprus: €77 million from the European Regional Development Fund for the construction of a tram connection between Alcalá de Guadaíra and Seville, in Spain, and more than €22 million from the Cohesion Fund for the construction of sewage collection networks in the Kokkinochoria complex in Cyprus.
Eurostat 2021 Regional Yearbook (14/09/2021)
Eurostat published the 2021 Regional Yearbook. The publication contains regional statistics on the following topics: population, health, education, labour market, living conditions, digital society, economy, business, research and development, tourism, transport, environment and agriculture. Data covers EU Member States and, where available, EFTA and candidate countries.
Commission launches a video competition for schools: “Film4Energy Challenge” (14/09/2021)
On 1 October, the European Commission is launching the “Film4Energy Challenge”, a video competition that invites schools across the European Union (EU) to create a short film about the importance of saving energy. Open to 12-15-year-old schoolchildren across the EU, the competition is not only aimed at stimulating creativity, but also a deeper consideration of the importance of saving energy in the fight against climate change.
Tapping into regional differences to power cross-border innovation (14/09/2021)
The Interreg Europe programme is getting support on a regional and European level as cross-border cooperation has the potential to boost regional economies and help them build long-term competitive advantages.
But geographic proximity on its own will not ensure cooperation.
The New European Bauhaus 2021 prize ceremony (15/09/2021)
The New European Bauhaus initiative (NEB) – built around beautiful, sustainable and inclusive forms of living – comprises three main phases: design, delivery and dissemination. In April 2021, Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms and Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, launched the first NEB competition.
Winners of the New European Bauhaus Prizes to be announced on 16 September (08/09/2021)
During the Ceremony, the 20 winners will be announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as well as Commissioners Elisa Ferreira and Mariya Gabriel.
The first New European Bauhaus prizes will recognize and celebrate examples and concepts that illustrate how beautiful, sustainable, inclusive places already exist in our territories, our communities and in our practices, paving the way to the future.
Cohesion policy invested over EUR 37 Billion during the first semester of 2021 (08/09/2021)
More than EUR 37 billion was invested across the Union under the 4 cohesion policy funds. This represents a 6% point increase in investment spending since the end of 2020 – with a total of EUR 289 billion (58%) of the planned EUR 494 billion for 2014-2020 now invested.
Call for applications for dialogue with CPR partners - deadline extended until 28 September 2021 (08/09/2021)
The Commission is calling for applications with a view to selecting the expert group of partners who shall assist the Commission on questions relating to the implementation of support from the funds under the Common Provisions Regulation ; monitor the evolution of policy on partnership and multilevel governance and bring about an exchange of experience and good practices on partnership and multilevel governance.
Unleashing the transformative power of data for Europeans (08/09/2021)
Digital technologies are generating massive streams of data at dizzying speeds in European cities. This information offers incredible opportunities for entrepreneurship.
City authorities can use it to improve the quality of life for citizens through more efficient planning and better policies. The EU already recognises the value of digitalisation and its importance in creating smart, sustainable cities.
Registration to #EURegionsWeek 2021 is now open! (31/08/2021)
The 19th edition of EURegionsWeek ‘Together for Recovery’ is ready to take off virtually, with its 300 sessions dedicated to Cohesion, Green transition, Digital transition, Citizens’ engagement for an inclusive, participative and fair recovery.
Log in and create your profile to start your journey with us.
See you online from 11 to 14 October!
Last missing segment of A1 motorway in Poland to receive EU financing (31/08/2021)
The A1 motorway is a north-south motorway that runs through central Poland. The 44-kilometre co-financed stretch, which starts at the Częstochowa bypass and runs north to the town of Tuszyn, is an important segment in the A1 axis, which forms the backbone of the country’s transport system. It is the last missing segment of the A1 motorway.
The segment receiving EU co-financing today is set to be completed by November 2022. Together with the wider A1 motorway project it improves mobility and life quality in Poland.
Belgium, Germany, Spain and Italy receive €373 million to support health and social services, SMEs and social inclusion (31/08/2021)
The Commission has granted €373 million to five European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) operational programmes (OPs) in Belgium, Germany, Spain and Italy to help the countries with coronavirus emergency response and repair in the framework of REACT-EU.
Last newsletter of the season, see you in September! (27/07/2021)
Your weekly REGIO newsletter is going on holidays and will be back in September to keep providing you with Cohesion Policy news and updates. Stay tuned and enjoy the summer!
EU cohesion policy in 2020, acting against COVID-19 (27/07/2021)
2020 was one of the most challenging years in the history of the European Union: a relentless pandemic and a severe economic crisis. In this context, EU cohesion policy’s support to healthcare and economic activity was literally vital.
Making use of circular procurement and specific targets and indicators (27/07/2021)
While the link between COVID-19 prevalence and urban design characteristics has created many debates in the media and the public, it is not clear how different design parameters such as connectivity, block size, land use mix, or polycentricity can influence infection and mortality rate and the capacity of cities to respond to the pandemic.
Turning data into public value (27/07/2021)
The age of big data and smart city technologies provides city governments with an unprecedent potential for data-driven decision-making. Helping cities to realise the potential of city data is a core commitment of the European Commission and embedded in the European policy framework.
Stories from the regions: The National Sport Academy of Bulgaria (27/07/2021)
This episode of the "Stories from the Regions" series brings us to the historic building of the National Sports Academy in the centre of Sofia, Bulgaria. Watch it now!
REACT-EU: almost €438.2 million for France and Slovenia to support people in need and invest in healthcare and in a green and digital recovery (14/07/2021)
The Commission has granted an additional Cohesion policy financing of almost €438.2 million to France and Slovenia to help them deal with the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic and boost a fair green and digital recovery.
Travel around the EU with the new #EUinmyregion quiz! (14/07/2021)
Do you know which European country has the best bathing water quality? Or what is the oldest and longest European Cultural Route that crosses Europe from East to West? Find out by taking the #EUinmyregion summer quiz!
EU Cohesion policy: Commission launches public consultation for a new strategic approach for the outermost regions (14/07/2021)
The Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views for a new strategic approach to the outermost regions for a green, digital and fair recovery.
Project Green Campus: Studying in green surroundings! (14/07/2021)
The University of Calabria (UNICAL) has built an energy system on its campus which uses geo-thermal, solar and photovoltaic energies.
The successes of the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region and its challenges from the Baltic cities’ perspective (14/07/2021)
The European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR) is the first macro-regional strategy in Europe, which was approved in 2009. Three key objectives of the EUSBSR are: saving the sea, connecting the region, and increasing prosperity.
Long-term vision for rural areas: for stronger, connected, resilient, prosperous EU rural areas (06/07/2021)
The European Commission has today put forward a long-term vision for the EU's rural areas, identifying the challenges and concerns that they are facing, as well as highlighting some of the most promising opportunities that are available to these regions.
Stories from the regions: Renovation of the Building in Calle Troilo, Cádiz, Spain (06/07/2021)
This episode of our series ‘Stories from the Regions’ bring us to Andalucía. In the heart of the old quarter of Cádiz, AVRA (Housing and Rehabilitation Agency of Andalusia) has completely refurbished a residential building that was in a state of ruin.
REACT-EU: €311 million to Germany, France and Latvia to invest in the green and digital transitions (06/07/2021)
The Commission will grant a total of €311 million to Germany, France and Latvia by modifying four European Fund for Regional Development (ERDF) operational programmes (OP) under REACT-EU.
Highlights of my IVY journey on the shores of the Baltic Sea (06/07/2021)
More than 540 volunteers aged 18-30 have joined the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative since March 2017 to experience and learn about cross-border, transnational or interregional programmes and projects. One of them is Luca Arfini, a young Italian passionate about communication. Read what it meant for him working as an Interreg Reporter at the Managing Authority/Joint Secretariat (MA/JS) of Interreg Baltic Sea Region.
Commission welcomes the adoption of €373 billion Cohesion policy legislative package 2021-2027 (30/06/2021)
The European Commission welcomes the adoption by the European Parliament of the political agreements on the Cohesion policy legislative package 2021-2027 of €373 billion and its signature by both co-legislators. This marks the final step of the legislative procedure and allows for an entry into force of the Cohesion legislation on 1 July.
#EURegionsWeek side events call for applications is open! (30/06/2021)
Would you like to organise a side event of the #EURegionsWeek 2021?
NextGenerationEU: Commission carries out €800 million of first payments to foster crisis repair and resilience (30/06/2021)
The Commission has today disbursed €800 million in payments under NextGenerationEU, the temporary instrument to finance Europe's recovery and foster a greener, more digital and resilient economy after the pandemic.
EU anti-fraud on-line resource promotes transparency and clean governance (30/06/2021)
Cohesion policy is the main investment tool of the EU and funds have increased significantly during and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. More funds mean more possibilities for investment but also more for potential for fraud. Managing Authorities in Member States are the main bodies responsible for preventing and tackling fraud related to Cohesion policy projects but they often lack the resources or know-how to do so effectively. To help them improve fraud detection and prevention, the European Commission launched the on-line EU Funds Anti-Fraud Knowledge and Resource Centre on 27 May.
REACT-EU: more than €2 billion in additional cohesion funds for Greece, Germany, Belgium, Slovakia and France to invest in SMEs, skills, IT and more (23/06/2021)
The Commission has approved the modification of eight European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF) operational programmes (OPs) in Greece, Germany, Belgium, Slovakia and France under REACT-EU, increasing them by a total of more than €2 billion.
European Innovation Scoreboard: Innovation performance keeps improving in EU Member States and regions (23/06/2021)
The Commission has today released the European Innovation Scoreboard 2021, which shows that Europe's innovation performance continues to improve across the EU.
The Sun Trip project: A journey to discover Europe in an inclusive and sustainable way! (23/06/2021)
On 16 June participants of the fourth edition of the “Sun Trip Project” started a trip all over Europe with solar bikes (bikes powered with solar energy). The “Sun Trip Project” is sponsored by the European Commission.
EEA and Norway Grants support Cohesion Policy in making Europe stronger (23/06/2021)
The EEA and Norway Grants represent Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway’s commitment to stimulate more sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe, promote bilateral cooperation and tackle shared challenges.
Cast your vote for the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2021! (15/06/2021)
After the public vote, the three most voted projects per category in each strand will be assessed by a jury composed of the official Partners of the New European Bauhaus.
The deadline for voting is 18 June 23:59:59.
EU Cohesion policy: more than €453 million for France and Slovakia to tackle the social and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis (15/06/2021)
The Commission has approved the modification of five European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF) operational programmes (OPs) for France and Slovakia under REACT-EU, increasing them by a total of more than €453 million.
EUTeens4Green : information session on call for proposals under preparation (15/06/2021)
The Directorate-General for Regional and Urban policy has budgeted EUR 1 000 000 for a new initiative dedicated to youth.
Report “EUSAIR facilitating the enlargement process of the Western Balkans” is published! (15/06/2021)
The report “EUSAIR facilitating the enlargement process of the Western Balkans” examines the complementarities between the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian macro-region (EUSAIR) and the enlargement process to the Western Balkan countries participating in the EUSAIR.
EU Funds Anti-Fraud Knowledge & Resource Centre (09/06/2021)
The European Commission has zero-tolerance to fraud. It shares responsibility with EU Member States for ensuring that EU Funds are spent properly. The EU Funds Anti-fraud Knowledge and Resource website has been published by the Directorate general for regional and urban policy (DG REGIO) and the European anti-fraud office (OLAF).
EU Cohesion policy: €336.7 million for France and Portugal to tackle the social and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis (09/06/2021)
The Commission has approved the modification of two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) operational programmes (OPs) for France and the modification of two European Social Fund (ESF) OPs for Portugal and France under REACT-EU, increasing them by €336.7 million.
Smart Regions: MOVELETUR: sustainable tourism through electric mobility in natural spaces in Spain and Portugal (09/06/2021)
Project MOVELETUR is a perfect example of sustainable tourism and mobility. In the Spanish-Portuguese Border Region, local authorities have joined forces to develop an eco-friendly mobility network of over 1000 kilometers which connects natural and cultural sites in the region.
Coronavirus response: more than €175.5 million to overcome the effects of the pandemic in Poland (09/06/2021)
The Commission has approved the modification of two operational programmes (OPs) under the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative in Poland that will redirect more than €175.5 million cohesion funding to address the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the country's economy and health system
European regions meet up at the Conference on the Future of Europe (09/06/2021)
Citizens from across Europe discussing the future they want for our Union and the issues and debates that are important to them … This may sound far-fetched but the Conference on the Future of Europe is aiming at nothing less than making this a reality.
