NEW Live online training sessions for ESIF authorities (03/07/2020)
We are pleased to announce the opening of registrations for 3 online training modules. The interactive sessions will be spread over four half-days and will be delivered via a videoconferencing platform. The training sessions are designed for participants from ESIF managing authorities/ intermediate bodies/ audit authorities and are provided free of charge.
Smart Regions: I-MOVE COVID-19 to fight the virus with a multidisciplinary approach (03/07/2020)
I-MOVE COVID-19 is an EU project that is about strengthening the epidemiological and virological surveillance of COVID-19 in order to defeat the disease. In addition to bringing together case data from hospitals and other primary care clinics, the project is also studying the effectiveness of any future vaccines or treatments for the virus thanks to a multidisciplinary approach and with no pharmaceutical company involved. The goal is to obtain as much information as possible about COVID-19, and to make sure the same methodology is practised among the partners and 22 participating countries.
The 2020 European Week of Regions and Cities had two major challenges to address: organising a major event in the post-pandemic world and managing an absolute record of partners’ applications (more than double compared to last year). The solution? Three weeks instead of one!
TAIEX-REGIO PEER 2 PEER goes online! (26/06/2020)
TAIEX-REGIO PEER 2 PEER has improved its offer of peer learning on regional policy by adding a new option for organising online exchanges.
Green Deal: Coal and other carbon-intensive regions and the Commission launch the European Just Transition Platform (26/06/2020)
On Monday 29 June, the Just Transition Platform (JTP) will be launched to help Member States to draw up their territorial Just Transition Plans and access funding from the over €150 billion Just Transition Mechanism. This online Platform will provide technical and advisory support for public and private stakeholders in coal and other carbon-intensive regions, with easy access to information on funding opportunities and sources of technical assistance.
The Platform will ensure that the €40 billion (in 2018 constant prices) proposed under the Just Transition Fund is channelled to the right projects and that no region is left behind. It will also support access to the dedicated scheme under InvestEU and the public sector loan facility, which together with the Just Transition Fund form the three pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism.
European City Facility: First call open for municipalities (03/06/2020)
The European City Facility (EUCF) will assist municipalities with fast and simplified financial support for developing investment concepts delivering local sustainable energy projects.
More than €12m of funding will be available through a series of regional calls to support over 200 municipalities over the next three years. Municipalities can apply now until 2 October 2020!
Interreg: 30 years of sharing and caring across borders (03/06/2020)
Interreg, the EU’s flagship scheme for cooperation across borders at the national and regional level, is celebrating 30 years of achievements while looking to do more together in the future. During 2020, we will focus on three main topics which highlight what Interreg is all about while responding to citizens’ main concerns.
Celebrations throughout 2020 will provide opportunities to demonstrate Interreg’s many achievements. They will also focus on the future by launching a debate on cooperation policy post-2020. While Interreg covers cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, it also anchors cooperation in a more sustainable policy environment through, for example, Macro-Regional Strategies and the Border Focal Point.
Coronavirus: Czechia, Estonia, Spain, Greece, Poland and North Macedonia to apply for EU Solidarity Fund aid (03/06/2020)
Six more countries have submitted to the European Commission their preliminary applications for funding under the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) in the context of the coronavirus public health emergency. The Commission has also previously received notifications from Italy, Austria, Ireland, Romania, Lithuania, Belgium and Latvia.
We have 12 finalists for EU Datathon 2020! (03/06/2020)
Congratulations to the 12 teams preselected for EU Datathon 2020, the EU open data competition! Now the real work begins for them to build an application in time for the European Week of Regions and Cities in October.
This year’s EU Datathon adventure started in February with the call to data geeks worldwide to propose ideas for applications using open data from the EU institutions, agencies and bodies. The deadline for proposals was early May.
Stronger Together: Stories from the EU Regions Responding to COVID-19 Crisis (28/05/2020)
In recent months DG REGIO has collected many impressive stories from EU-funded projects and initiatives that responded in solidarity to the Coronavirus consequences in the EU and beyond. Some of them are told in short video testimonials grouped in a dedicated playlist on EU in My Region channel.
#EuinmyRegion postcard contest (28/05/2020)
There are so many beautiful EU supported projects around!
Join the #EuinmyRegion postcard contest whether you are a Managing Authority or a project beneficiary, by sending the best shots of your project and get the chance to receive 300 postcards and be featured on DG REGIO communication activities (Social Media, Panorama magazine, website):
Each month, until August, up to 25 winning pictures. So far we have already selected 36 winners!
Youth & European Territorial Cooperation: speak up & register now to join the online dialogue on 23rd June! (28/05/2020)
If you are a young European or you work in a youth organisation and you are interested and involved in European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) then you cannot miss the online dialogue on the role of youth in European Territorial Cooperation, which will be held on 23 June 2020 at 9:30 - 12:00 CET.
Commission proposes a public loan facility to support green investments together with the European Investment Bank (28/05/2020)
The European Commission presents its proposal for a public sector loan facility under the Just Transition Mechanism. The facility will be implemented with the involvement of the European Investment Bank and will encourage investments that support the transition towards a climate-neutral economy by public sector authorities to the benefit of coal- and carbon-intensive regions. The facility will include €1.5 billion in grants from the EU budget and up to €10 billion in loans from the European Investment Bank’s own sources. The facility will mobilise up to between €25 and €30 billion of investments for helping territories and regions most affected by the transition to a climate-neutral economy, prioritising those that have less capacity to deal with the costs of the transition.
EU budget for recovery: what role for cohesion policy? (28/05/2020)
The Commission proposed a major recovery plan with cohesion policy at its core.
TWO ADDITIONAL WEEKS to have your say on the Urban Innovative Actions! (20/05/2020)
Since the first call for proposals in 2015 and one last call ongoing, the Urban Innovative Actions has attracted great interest from urban authorities with more than 1100 applications that have so far translated into 75 innovative projects in 18 Member States to test new solutions to make EU cities greener, more productive and inclusive or ready for the digital transition. We value every successful project and every positive change generated for citizens’ lives. But we are striving to deliver more for cities, provide them with best conditions to innovate, in a nutshell, to make the next generation of urban innovative actions more efficient and easy to use!
Live Q&A session on EU Solidarity Fund for COVID-19 for applicants (20/05/2020)
To help the preparation of EU Solidarity Fund applications for the COVID-19 emergency, the Commission organises a live Q&A session on Thursday 28 May, from 10 to 12 am.
The aim of the event is to present the main features of the instrument and answer questions on the application procedure. The event is restricted to national authorities in charge of the preparation of the application, who will have the opportunity to directly exchange with the Commission’s team responsible for the EU Solidarity Fund.
Coronavirus: How EU Cohesion Policy supports research in tests, treatments and prevention (20/05/2020)
The global coronavirus pandemic requires a global response. The world quickly needs to develop and deploy effective diagnostics, treatments and a vaccine. Without them, every country in the world remains vulnerable. Countries and organisations around the world are joining forces to ensure that not only do we develop these life-saving tools but that we ensure they are universally available and affordable. No person, country or region should be left behind.
MisMi: a cohesion policy project supporting those most hit by COVID-19 (20/05/2020)
‘MisMi’ is an Interreg France-Italy ‘Alcotra’ project financed by EU cohesion policy, which supports people living in mountain, rural and dispersedly populated areas between Valle d’Aosta region in Italy and Tarentaise in France. The project is about linking people in need with caregivers and the community using technology, thus contributing to fight people’s isolation and social and health inequalities. This project is even more valuable in the current context of COVID-19 spread as citizens can benefit from tele-medicine and two nurses who are helping on the ground in hospitals and patients’ home.
In profile: cohesion policy improving health services in the regions (13/05/2020)
The latest in our Cohesion Data Stories series analyses how ERDF investments in health services are helping fight COVID-19.
Belgian innovative lab in the frontline for prototype development against coronavirus (13/05/2020)
Many projects across the continent are using EU funding to develop responses to the coronavirus crisis.
Covid-19: EU funds help better equip emergency healthcare services in Bulgaria (13/05/2020)
Robert Schuman stated 70 years ago: "Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity." Those words ring even louder today.
In this period of crisis, it is important to remember what the EU and its Cohesion Policy do on the ground for citizens and regions. One example among many others: thanks to EU funds in emergency healthcare services, Bulgaria is now much better equipped to fight the spread of the Covid-19.
237 emergency medical centres have been modernised throughout the country, 400 medical vehicles have been purchased and 182 ambulances already delivered are equipped with modern equipment.
We are assessing the Urban Innovative Actions and want to hear your views! (05/05/2020)
Since the first call for proposals in 2015 and one last call ongoing, the Urban Innovative Actions has attracted great interest from urban authorities with more than 1100 applications and have so far translated into 75 innovative projects in 18 Member States to test new solutions to make EU cities greener, more productive and inclusive or ready for the digital transition. We value every successful project and every positive change generated for citizens’ lives. But we are striving to deliver more for cities, provide them with best conditions to innovate, in a nutshell, to make the next generation of urban innovative actions more efficient and easy to use!
Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Event (05/05/2020)
How does cohesion policy support research in tests, treatments and prevention?
The global coronavirus pandemic requires a global response. The world quickly needs to develop and deploy effective diagnostics, treatments and a vaccine. Without them, every country in the world remains vulnerable. Countries and organisations around the world are joining forces to ensure that not only do we develop these life-saving tools but that we ensure they are universally available and affordable. No person, country or region should be left behind.
Stories from the Regions: Adaptive Innovation Powered by Interreg (06/05/2020)
The FILA project (IPA-CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro) aims to enhance SMEs competitiveness and cross border cooperation through the creation of ‘Fertilization and Innovation Labs in Agro-food’ (FILA Labs). In the face of the pandemic, one of the partners in the project – the Innovation and entrepreneurship center TECHNOPOLIS - quickly adapted and started using its 3D printer to produce protective equipment – visors – for essential medical and economic staff.
#EUdatathon: Call to share your #ideas4eu (30/04/2020)
Create an app using #opendata for the #EUdatathon for one of the below challenges:
1- the EU Green Deal
2- an economy that works for people
3- a new push for democracy
4- a digital EU
An application to tackle COVID19 issues is also welcome under any of the four challenges.
New call for tenders to support the implementation of the Commission Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the EU’s Outermost Regions (29/04/2020)
A new call for tender has been announced to support the implementation of the Commission Communication on a Strategic Partnership with the EU’s Outermost Regions (COM(2017)623 Final)
ICT 2020 event: ERDF projects in the field of ICT & digitalisation encouraged to apply by 28 May (29/04/2020)
For the first time ever, ERDF (and not just H2020) projects can apply by 28 May 2020 to take part to the ICT 2020 event and exhibition area organised by European Commission’s DG CNECT and the German Presidency of the EU with ca. 5,000 participants in December 2020 in Cologne, Germany. ERDF project beneficiaries working in the field of ICT and digitalisation are strongly encouraged to apply & take part to this event so to increase their visibility and network with relevant stakeholders of the ICT community.
