Join the 22nd edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities! Applications to become a partner are open until 2 April (13/03/2024)

We are looking forward to your application - follow the steps on EURegionsWeek 2024 how to apply to become a partner, there is time until 02 April 2024!

EU co-funded Digital Learning Campus revolutionises education in Schleswig-Holstein (13/03/2024)

Today, Schleswig-Holstein witnessed a ground-breaking transformation in education with the inauguration of its new Digital Learning Campus (DLC). This innovative initiative, one of Schleswig-Holstein’s Operations of Strategic Importance (OSI), brings together 12 universities with interdisciplinary consortia from various sectors, marking a significant leap towards the future of learning.

Map-based survey gives citizens a voice in public development projects (13/03/2024)

Discover the PARTIMAP initiative, supported by EU funding, and how it revolutionises public participation in urban development projects through innovative map-based surveys. Citizens have a new tool to collaborate with professionals to shape the future of their communities, fostering inclusive decision-making and transparent governance. Discover the challenges faced and future prospects of PARTIMAP, aiming to enhance community engagement and empower citizens in development processes.

The public vote for the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2024 is now open (13/03/2024)

The public vote will remain open Until 27 March on the New European Bauhaus Prizes website where everyone can vote for their favourite project online.

Commission speeds up support to regions most affected by the transition to climate neutrality (13/03/2024)

The Commission has disbursed €5.9 billion in pre-financing under the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to European regions. This was enabled by the entry into force of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) initiative on 1 March, which aims to boost investments in critical technologies in Europe, leveraging and steering resources across various EU funding programmes.

What has Cohesion policy done for Slovenia? (13/03/2024)

How is #CohesionPolicy helping Slovenia become more competitive, sustainable, and inclusive? € 7.8 billion in Cohesion funding contributed to great achievements in 20 years of EU membership! (read Commissioner Elisa Ferreira complete thread on X/twitter)

What has Cohesion policy done for Romania? (13/03/2024)

Cohesion Policy support has played a big role in Romania’s spectacular transformation and the doubling of its GDP since EU accession in 2007. Romanian regions benefitted from € 44 billion from #Cohesion to become more competitive, inclusive & sustainable. (read Commissioner Ferreira thread on X/Twitter)

Smart Regions: EU-funded project “ReproUnion” tackles infertility (13/03/2024)

Reproductive challenges affect some 25% of couples in Scandinavia. An EU funded project is working to tackle this challenge.

New European Bauhaus Prizes 2024: The public vote for is now open! Cast your vote for your favourite project among the 50 finalists (06/03/2024)

The public vote will remain open Until 27 March on the New European Bauhaus Prizes website where everyone can vote for their favourite project online.

New EU toolkit provides focused support to rural areas 06 Mar 2024 (06/03/2024)

To ensure that Europe’s rural areas continue to provide Europeans with food, homes, jobs and other services, the EU has developed a Rural toolkit. Thanks to this new tool, local authorities, regions, businesses, and individuals can more easily access information on the different EU funding opportunities and take advantage of EU initiatives to improve the quality of life in their territories.

Poland's efforts to restore rule of law pave the way for accessing up to €137 billion in EU funds (06/03/2024)

Today, the European Commission has adopted two legal acts that will pave the way for Poland to access up to €137 billion in EU funding. These acts relate to the rule of law reforms that Poland has adopted and the more recent and immediate steps that it has taken to address the milestones to strengthen judicial independence.

Unveiling Unique Research Hub: Sofia's New Laboratory Complex Revolutionizing Infectious Disease and Immune Response Studies (06/03/2024)

A state-of-the-art laboratory complex dedicated to research on infections and immune responses has been inaugurated in Sofia on March 5, 2024. The Competence Center for Fundamental, Translational, and Clinical Research in Infections and Infectious Immunology unveiled its renovated facilities with an official ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the field.

Inauguration of the Vinjan Viaduct: A Significant Milestone in Slovenia's Divača-Koper Second Track Project (06/03/2024)

Wednesday 28 February marked a significant milestone in Slovenia's Divača-Koper second track project, with the inauguration of the Vinjan viaduct.

What has Cohesion policy done for Germany? (06/03/2024)

As the largest EU economy, Germany has both greatly contributed and benefitted from the internal market and EU funds! In Germany, over the last two decades, EU CohesionPolicy has supported: 30,150 enterprises and 89,355 full time new jobs. (Read Commissioner Elisa Ferreira's complete thread)

What has Cohesion policy done for Denmark (06/03/2024)

Since 1994, EUR 1 730 million from CohesionPolicy support have helped companies in #Denmark become more innovative, competitive and resilient. This includes 12 750 companies supported since 2007, of which 4 300 are startups. (read Commissioner Elisa Ferreira complete X thread)

EU Cohesion Policy: €125 million for the construction of the D1 Motorway in the Hubová – Ivachnová section in Slovakia (06/03/2024)

The European Commission has approved an investment of €125 million from the Cohesion Fund for the construction of a section of the D1 motorway between Hubová and Ivachnová in Slovakia.

Study on living conditions and access to selected basic needs in the EU outermost regions (06/03/2024)

DG REGIO has just published an independent study on people’s access to a selection of basic needs - housing, drinking water and sanitation, electricity, cooling and heating and internet and telephone connectivity - in the outermost regions.

Invitation to participate in the EU City Labs on Local Food Systems (06/03/2024)

In 2024, the URBACT programme and the European Urban Initiative join forces to co-organise three EU City Labs on Local Food Systems in an effort to facilitate the dialogue amongst European cities, increase their knowledge, and share good local practices on the topic.

High-Level Group Report Sets Blueprint for Future of EU Cohesion Policy (28/02/2024)

On the 20 of February, the High-Level Group on the Future of Cohesion policy Report unveiled its final report containing strategies to address future challenges and adapting the Cohesion policy to ever-changing circumstances.

Communities for Climate: Local action to respond to climate change (28/02/2024)

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a pressing reality. Floods, fires, droughts, and the loss of biodiversity are impacting us, worldwide. To address this urgent issue, the European Commission is launching the Communities for Climate (C4C) pilot action.

Most EU regions record an increase in real GDP in 2022 (28/02/2024)

In 2022, real GDP increased in 231 out of 242 EU regions, while decreases were noted in 11 regions. The region with the largest growth in GDP volume was in Algarve in Portugal, with +17.0%.

Smart Regions: EU funds revitalize the medieval town of Ptuj in Slovenia (28/02/2024)

The ancient town of Ptuj, in northeastern Slovenia, has been transformed in recent years and is enjoying a new lease of life!

What has Cohesion policy done for Estonia? (28/02/2024)

Since joining the EU 20 years ago, Estonia received EUR 7.65 billion of Cohesion Policy funds. These funds supported 40,000+ projects to boost the balanced territorial development of Estonia.

What has Cohesion Policy done for Czechia? (28/02/2024)

Since joining the EU 20 years ago, Czechia benefitted from EUR 50 billion in Cohesion policy funding. This support helped propel GDP per capita to converge to 90% of EU average - with growth in regions like Jihomoravsky kraj & Vysocina surging from 70% to 85%.

Join the City-to-City Exchanges: online matchmaking event on 11 March 2024 (28/02/2024)

What about starting this spring with a boost of inspiration? Join the European Urban Initiative online event on 11 March 2024, 14:00-16:00, to learn about City-to-City Exchanges and find your match!

New call of C4T GROUNDWORK for the implementation of Policy Objective 2 (28/02/2024)

Apply now! Applications for the third call of C4T GROUNDWORK are now open.

Register now! Next Just Transition Platform Conference to take place on 16-18 April (28/02/2024)

Registrations are now open for the next Just Transition Platform Conference, which will be held in Brussels and online on 16-18 April 2024. This hybrid event will be co-hosted by DG REGIO and DG ENER.

Apply and help young people share their views on the future of cooperation! (28/02/2024)

The new Youth4cooperation call is now open for applications, deadline on 3 April 2024.

A more efficient and frequent rail service in Warsaw thanks to EU funds (28/02/2024)

Today, the Commission has approved an investment of more than EUR 425 million from the Cohesion Fund to finance the first stage of works to modernise the cross-city railway line between eastern and western Warsaw.

Report from experts on Cohesion Policy proposes ways to maximise the effectiveness and impact of Cohesion Policy in the future (21/02/2024)

Yesterday, the independent Group of High-Level Specialists on the Future of Cohesion Policy presented its report, which assessed the functioning of Cohesion Policy and included recommendations on how to ensure the Policy continues to promote prosperity and convergence across the EU.

What has Cohesion policy done for Finland? (21/02/2024)

Business support is at the heart of Cohesion Policy support in Finland. It has helped enterprises & start-ups develop their business through innovation, new business activities, services & products, & increased capacity to internationalise.

What has Cohesion policy done for Bulgaria? (21/02/2024)

Since joining the EU in 2007, Bulgaria benefitted from €13.5 billion from Cohesion policy support for economic development. This support helped Bulgaria's GDP per capita to converge towards the EU average, rising from 35% in 2004 to 60%.

New Croatian technology supports sustainable management of coastal areas (21/02/2024)

Croatia is better able to predict the impact of pollution and climate change on its coastline, and support sustainable management of these areas, thanks to a project that received Cohesion Policy support.

REGIOSTARS 2024 competition has been launched! (21/02/2024)

Projects can apply in one of the 5 competition categories, tied to the Cohesion policy objectives, via the competition platform by 31 May.

Apply now! Promoting the Energy Efficiency Transition of EU firms (21/02/2024)

The European Commission and the World Bank are launching a call to countries for identifying challenges firms face to improve energy efficiency and expanding areas of policy intervention.

Apply now! Three new calls for support services under the Just Transition Platform (21/02/2024)

The Just Transition Platform (JTP) has launched three calls for applications for new editions of support services provided under the Platform.

Good Governance for EU regional policy: registration is open (21/02/2024)

The 3rd series of events on ‘Good Governance for EU Regional Policy’ is ready and open for registration.

EU Cohesion policy helps Bulgaria strengthen climate risk prevention and emergency response (21/02/2024)

Last week, the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water and the Ministry of Interior signed the financing agreement for an emblematic EU co-financed project under the Programme Environment 2021-2027.

Tunnel Zheleznitsa inaugurated in Bulgaria: the longest and most modern road tunnel in the country built with EU funds (21/02/2024)

The longest and most modern road tunnel built so far in Bulgaria, tunnel Zheleznitsa, close to the city of Simitli, was inaugurated yesterday.

Usquare.brussels: Transforming former Barracks into a Sustainable and multicultural Hub in the Heart of Brussels (21/02/2024)

On February 15th, the Usquare.brussels project in Brussels has finally been inaugurated. The former National Gendarmerie Barracks in Brussels are undergoing a transformative redevelopment known as Usquare.brussels. This ambitious project co-financed by the EU focuses on creating a sustainable and cohesive living environment.

EUR 114 million for a new section of the S1 expressway in Poland (21/02/2024)

Last week, the European Commission has approved an investment of more than EUR 114 million from the Cohesion Fund for a new section of the S1 expressway between Kosztowy and Bielsko-Biała in Poland.

More than EUR 250 million in Cohesion Policy funds for a new electricity connection between Crete and Attica (21/02/2024)

More than EUR 250 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will finance the first stage of high-voltage electricity infrastructure between the island of Crete and the Attica region, located in mainland Greece.

Cohesion policy helps Europe take the lead in the digital age (14/02/2024)

One of the European Commission six priorities for 2019-2024 is to ensure that digital technology serves sustainable growth, improves quality of life and secures Europe’s leadership in the global economy. Cohesion policy is playing its part to make this happen.

Operations of strategic importance: update of the toolbox & new language versions (14/02/2024)

A new version of the “Communicating operations of strategic importance in 2021-2027: a practical toolbox” is published, together with translations to six EU languages.

What has Cohesion Policy done for Belgium? (14/02/2024)

Belgium 🇧🇪 has strongly contributed to the construction of the EU 🇪🇺 from the very first day. The EU, through #CohesionPolicy, has also greatly contributed to Belgium’s prosperity & well-being. read Commissioner Elisa Ferreira's full thread on X (Twitter).

What has Cohesion Policy done for Sweden? (14/02/2024)

Since Sweden joined the EU in 1995, €5.6 billion from Cohesion Policy supported the promotion of entrepreneurship and competitiveness via research and innovation. Read Commissioner Elisa Ferreira's thread on X (Twitter).

Commission signs €400 million agreement with Türkiye to support its recovery after the 2023 earthquakes (14/02/2024)

Last week, the Commission signed an agreement with Türkiye on a €400 million grant from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to finance post-disaster recovery operations after the devastating earthquakes that hit the country in early 2023.

The future of Cohesion Policy (14/02/2024)

The Group of high-Level specialists on the future of Cohesion Policy, set up by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira to reflect on the future of Cohesion Policy, will present its Final Report on 20 February 2024. The Report is the outcome of intense work by the Group throughout the last year, enriched by academic contributions, issue papers prepared by Commission services, and invaluable insights from stakeholders. It will contribute significantly to the ongoing reflections on the future of Cohesion Policy.

Smart Regions: Discover Europe's largest underwater telescope! (14/02/2024)

The IDMAR is Europe's largest underwater telescope, supported by the EU’s Cohesion policy with about €19 million.

Kohesio’s new feature: a look under the hood (07/02/2024)

The EU’s interactive archive of 1.9 million EU-funded projects rolls-out a new feature enabling managing authorities to make projects easier to understand and more accessible. Kohesio redefines engagement and closes the gap between EU funds and EU citizens

Commissioners Ferreira and Schmit participated in the informal General Affairs Council on Cohesion Policy, in Mons (07/02/2024)

Yesterday, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira and Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit participated in an informal meeting of the General Affairs Council on Cohesion Policy in Mons, Belgium.

First time ever revision of the EU long-term budget will help address the EU's main challenges (07/02/2024)

The European Commission welcomes the historic agreement of the European Council to for the first ever revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework's ceilings. Read the Council conclusions and the implications for Cohesion Policy.

EU budget's absorption under shared management - overview (07/02/2024)

This data story provides an overview of the EU budget's absorption under "shared management" programmes in terms of net EU payments by Fund and by Member State. It covers the 2014-2020 and the 2021-2027 programming periods respectively (also called Multiannual Financial Frameworks - MFF).

Bulgaria receives the first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service financed with EU funds (07/02/2024)

Last week, the Bulgarian authorities together with the European Commission representatives celebrated the delivery of the first Helicopter allowing for the functioning of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service to start in Bulgaria.

EU supports digital documentation of historical collection at Friedenstein Castle in Gotha, Germany (07/02/2024)

Thanks to EU co-financing of about EUR 14 million, the historical collection of the Friedenstein Castle Foundation Gotha is being digitally recorded.

New Amvrakia – Aktio Motorway improves connectivity and growth in Greece thanks to Cohesion Policy funds (07/02/2024)

Last week, the Amvrakia – Aktio motorway in Greece, a 48.5 km road connecting Aktio to the Ionian motorway around Lake Amvrakia, has been inaugurated. Initiated in March 2010 and co-financed by the Cohesion Fund, the project had a total budget of more than €220 million and marks a transformative step in fostering economic development, tourism growth, and enhancing general road safety across the region.

New UIB building an EU investment in future of Balearic Island education (07/02/2024)

The recently inaugurated "Margalida Comas i Camps" Health Sciences interdepartmental building at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) is an investment in the future of education in the region.

Apply now! Three new calls for support services under the Just Transition Platform (07/02/2024)

The Just Transition Platform (JTP) has launched three calls for applications for new editions of support services provided under the Platform.

“Youth4Cooperation: the future of cooperation”, the new call for proposals to be published on February 22nd (07/02/2024)

Have you heard about the post-2027 consultation on Cohesion Policy? The European Commission wants to hear what young people have to say about it!

The EU Solidarity Fund: a commitment to help (31/01/2024)

Since 2002, the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) plays a crucial role in providing financial support for post-disaster recovery. It focuses on natural disasters, but since 2020 also on major public health emergencies.

"Let us change our thinking, change our cities, and so change Europe" says Commissioner Ferreira (31/01/2024)

Read the speech by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira at the High-level event of the Belgian Presidency on European Urban Policy.

EU and Bulgarian Southern regions celebrating the achievements of Urban Development and Sustainable Cities (31/01/2024)

On January 25, the Urban Development Funds and Sustainable Cities Fund for Sofia and South Bulgaria celebrated the successful completion of the first investment cycle, marking an important milestone in the sustainable urban development of Bulgarian cities at a closing ceremony held in Sofia.

Join the European Summit of Regions and Cities (31/01/2024)

In a few weeks only, the city of Mons will welcome the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities, on 18-19 March 2024, as part of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

How can cross-border disaster risk & crisis management enhance EU resilience? (31/01/2024)

Join us for the 16th edition of the Beyond Borders Breakfast Debate Series, where we will explore strategies to enhance disaster resilience and crisis management in EU border regions.

ARIEM+ emergency response project brings Spain and Portugal closer (24/01/2024)

Extreme weather events are becoming a regular phenomenon across Europe due to climate change, resulting in floods, wildfires, landslides, heavy storms and also drought. Being prepared and coordinating joint responses across borders can not only save lives, but also property and things that are dear to us.

Cohesion policy boosts high-performance computing capacities for R&D, innovation, business & IT infrastructures (24/01/2024)

The European Commission adopted an initiative to make supercomputers available to innovative start-ups to train AI models. Cohesion Policy has financed over 90 projects and activities in 9 countries for a total investment of over €270 million.

Launch of the Rural toolkit: register now (23/01/2024)

Plenty of EU funding and support initiatives are at hand for rural communities to develop their territories. The Rural toolkit is the new online guide to discover the most appropriate schemes and take full advantage of them! Join the launch on 6 February to learn more.

EUR 40 million allocated to the creation of new hospital in Évora, Portugal (23/01/2024)

More than EUR 40 million from the European Regional Development Fund will finance the construction of the new Alentejo Central Hospital in Évora, Portugal, to improve access to high-quality healthcare services for some 470 000 people living in the region.

Commission adopts decision to support Greece with EUR 25 million as an advance from the EU Solidarity Fund (23/01/2024)

Yesterday, the European Commission has approved an advancement payment of EUR 25 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to support Greece in addressing the extensive damages caused by the cyclone “Daniel” from 4 to 11 September 2023.

EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region contributes to the recovery of Ukraine (17/01/2024)

Contributing to the recovery of Ukraine is one of the priorities of the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea Region since 2022. Today, there are several initiatives regarding immediate support, sustainable rebuilding, and the road towards a full EU membership.

Cohesion Policy supports the employment of millions of people, improves energy efficiency, and protects citizens from natural climate disasters (17/01/2024)

The European Commission published its 2023 Summary Report on the Implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), showcasing some of the overarching achievements of the ESI funds as things stood at the end of 2022.

The Festival of the New European Bauhaus is coming back in 2024 (17/01/2024)

Save the date! The Festival of the New European Bauhaus is coming back for its second edition on 9-14 April 2024 in the Parc du Cinquantenaire and the Arts &History Museum in Brussels. Registrations will open on 18 February 2024.

Commissioner Ferreira inaugurated Tournai Xpo, Belgium (17/01/2024)

Commissioner Elisa Ferreira attended the inauguration of Tournai Xpo, in Belgium. A flagship initiative funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project received over EUR 6 million in investment, contributing to the revitalization of Tournai's urban landscape.

Apply to the call for Innovation Transfer Networks (17/01/2024)

URBACT has just launched a Call for Innovation Transfer Networks, an outstanding opportunity for European cities to transfer and adapt in their local contexts an innovative project funded under the Urban Innovative Actions.

High-level group ensures that Cohesion Policy stays focused on development: discussion with Prof. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose (10/01/2024)

The findings of the high-level group on the future of Cohesion Policy will be released in early 2024. Panorama spoke to the group’s chair, Prof. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, about ensuring that the policy can help all EU regions realise their full potential and contribute to a united and prosperous EU.

The cumulative achievements of the 2014-2020 programmes are published (10/01/2024)

The cumulative achievements of the 2014-2020 programmes reported by the Member states until end 2022 were published last month on Cohesion Open Data. Check the full list of achievement values (common indicators).

The cities at the forefront of Europe’s move to fossil-free district heating (10/01/2024)

The need to replace Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels with renewable energy sources has never been more urgent. With the help of EU funds, Szeged (Hungary) and Salaspils (Latvia) switched their district heating systems to geothermal and solar energy.

S3 CoP Observatory - discover the brand-new tool (10/01/2024)

This tool offers a comprehensive overview of S3s across the EU. The project team identified Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) priorities directly from regions' and member states' S3 documents and deployed tools from Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Generative AI and entity extraction and disambiguation for automatic topic tagging and classification.

Video: Wrapping up the 2014 round of Cohesion Policy programs (10/01/2024)

Explore the transformative impact of these funds on EU regions and cities, fostering fresh investments, advancing territorial convergence, enhancing key sectors like transport and health, and elevating the overall quality of public services.