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.

Putting the EU and cohesion policy in context (03/01/2024)

‘EUR 32.4 billion in resources from the development and cohesion fund will go to Italy’s regions and autonomous provinces for the 2021-27 programming period.’ Thus reads the tagline on the screen in my waiting room at Marco Polo Venice Airport.

New European Bauhaus Academy to build skills for sustainable construction with innovative materials (20/12/2023)

The NEB Academy, a training network first announced by President von der Leyen in Finland in November 2022, will aim to give a decisive push for new skills and education across all levels of the construction sector.

The preliminary results of the European Parliament study on "Absorption Rates of Cohesion Policy Funds" are out (20/12/2023)

The study uses Cohesion OpenData and case studies to understand the trends and drivers of absorption of 2014-2020.

Innovative Implementation of the Partnership Principle in EU Cohesion Policy (03/01/2024)

The region of Normandie and Relais Culture Europe will test a deliberative process to propose collective recommendations on how to better sustain the potential of cultural spaces. The call for expression of interest remains open until 31 March 2024.

EU supports just climate transition in Bulgaria with a budget of €1.2 billion (03/01/2024)

Bulgaria will receive €1.2 billion from the Just Transition Fund (JTF), following the adoption of Bulgaria's Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) by the European Commission.

Clean and Circle: Inaugurating a Hub for Sustainable Innovation (03/01/2024)

On December 21, 2023, Sofia witnessed a milestone in environmental sustainability with the inauguration of the Clean and Circle Centre of Competence.

Citizens’ engagement: A deep dive into Banská Bystrica’s Ideathon initiative (20/12/2023)

In this interview, we exchange with Ms Kariková Soňa, the person behind Banská Bystrica’s innovative Ideathon. As the coordinator for Open Government, Ms Kariková led the Slovakian city’s collaboration with the DG REGIO/OECD programme, to involve citizens in shaping the Integrated Territorial Strategy (ITS) for 2021-2027.

Cohesion – bonds that transcend time (20/12/2023)

EU Cohesion Policy is one thing. The act of cohesion is another. However, both have the same principles and outcomes.

Interreg programmes amended to increase funding and scope for cooperation with Ukraine and Moldova (20/12/2023)

As an additional response to EU support to Ukraine and Moldova, the European Commission modified eight Interreg programmes. The modification adds an extra EUR 135 million which will support new cooperation activities in cross-border and transnational programmes with Ukraine and Moldova.

Participation of the European Commission to the COP 28 Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and climate change (20/12/2023)

On 6 December 2023, a delegation from DG REGIO actively participated in the Second Edition of the Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change organized by UN Habitat the COP28 Presidency at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 28 in Dubai.

JTP Groundwork delivered technical assistance in Latvia (20/12/2023)

In 2023, the European Commission launched JTP GROUNDWORK, a technical assistance tool under the Just Transition Platform (JTP). Six beneficiaries – covering nine JTF regions – are currently receiving support from the first call of JTP GROUNDWORK, including the Vidzeme and Latgale regions in Latvia.

JTP GROUNDWORK Event: Sustainable Economic Opportunities in the Jiu Conurbation (20/12/2023)

A conference on "Sustainable Economic Opportunities in the Jiu Conurbation" was held on 13-15 December 2023, in Petroșani, Hunedoara, Romania. The conference concluded the technical assistance provided to Jiu Conurbation region through the Just Transition Platform Groundwork programme, which supports regions t to implement the Just Transition Fund (JTF).

23 new electric trains to improve transport in Latvia thanks to Cohesion Policy funds (20/12/2023)

Last week, a major revamp of Latvia’s rail service was inaugurated with the first of 23 new electric trains commencing its passenger service in Riga and its surrounding regional network.

Scaling up skills: call to identify real life examples of how skills projects help people (20/12/2023)

In the European Year of Skills we are gearing up for an exciting new venture that draws attention to the real-life impact of the Year and your initiatives! "Real People, Real Skills" - a campaign that celebrates the stories of individuals who've reshaped their careers and lives through upskilling and reskilling programmes.

EU addresses ‘talent development trap’ in new call for regions to harness existing talent (20/12/2023)

The Commission will offer 10 EU regions technical assistance to help them attract, retain and develop talent.

Europeans give city living the thumbs up (13/12/2023)

Almost nine out of 10 Europeans are satisfied with life in their cities, and policymakers and leaders need to continue ensuring that residents have access to job opportunities, good public services like transport and administration, and housing, according to the Report on the Quality of Life in European Cities 2023, released today.

Building trust and discovering cohesion policy at Youth4Regions (13/12/2023)

The glass doors of the Hilton let us in one by one. Thirty-eight young people filled the rooms, a little scared and excited at the same time. There was a buzz of different languages in the air: the Italians spoke with emotion, using their gestures as punctuation. French, Greek, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and many other languages echoed from the corners of the room. English united us all, building bridges between people who would never have met in other circumstances.

Commission proposal to strengthen the Single Market by tackling legal and administrative obstacles in Europe’s cross-border regions (13/12/2023)

Yesterday 12 of December, the Commission has adopted an amended proposal for a ‘Regulation on Facilitating Cross-Border Solutions’ in order to help Member States resolve obstacles that are impacting the daily lives of the 150 million European citizens living in Europe’s cross-border regions.

JTP Groundwork event in Region Västerbotten, Sweden explores how to attract workers for growing green economy investments (13/12/2023)

The European Commission recently launched JTP GROUNDWORK, a new technical assistance facility, aiming to support eligible Just Transition Fund (JTF) regions to implement their Territorial Just Transition Plans (TJTP). Six beneficiaries – covering nine JTF regions – are currently receiving support from the first call of JTP GROUNDWORK, including Region Västerbotten in Sweden.

Celebrating the key Achievements of the Operational Programme "Regions in Growth" 2014-2020 in Bulgaria (13/12/2023)

Last 8th of December was the day to celebrate the meaningful achievements of the territorial programme in Bulgaria, making a difference for all Bulgarian citizens, wherever they live across the country.

New EU-funded research centre in Bulgaria contributes to the clean energy transition (13/12/2023)

Today, the European Commission and the Bulgarian Government inaugurated the National Centre of Mechatronics and Clean Technologies located at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Smart Regions: Ecovillage Boekel shows how communities can become more resilient to climate change (13/12/2023)

Boekel is a self-sufficient eco-village with climate-positive houses made of sustainable material (such as hemp) and a testing ground for all kind of innovations such as the César heating system.

Spotlight on European Broadband Awards 2023: ERDF-Funded Projects Pave the Way for Digital Connectivity (06/12/2023)

Delve into the transformative world of Europe's digital connectivity through the lens of the European Broadband Awards 2023. Discover how ERDF-funded projects are bridging the digital divide, propelling rural areas into a future of technological advancement, economic vitality, and societal inclusivity

Youth4Regions series - ep. 1: How horrific contrasts can be a lesson in journalism (06/12/2023)

On 7 October 2023, fighters of the Islamist terror group Hamas breached the border defenses separating the Gaza strip and southern Israel. There they would stay for more than a day before the Israeli security services drove them back to Gaza. In their wake, they left carnage.

The conclusions of the General Affairs Council on the future of cohesion policy (06/12/2023)

Important Council conclusions on future of Cohesion policy: -key pillar of the EU -improving well-being & levelling playing field -place-based policies -do no harm to Cohesion’ principle -challenges & development traps -simplification & modernisation

EU Solidarity Fund grants €100 million of advance payment to Slovenia following the summer floods (06/12/2023)

The Commission has approved an advance payment of €100 million to Slovenia under the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), to ease the financial burden of reconstruction efforts after the damage caused by the devastating floods that took place in the country in August 2023.

Almost €34 million in European Solidarity Funds awarded to Romania to repair damages caused by severe drought in 2022 (06/12/2023)

The Commission has approved €33.9 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support Romania in addressing the extensive damages caused by droughts and wildfires in 2022.

Almost €21 million in European Solidarity Funds awarded to the Marche region in Italy to repair damages caused by the severe flooding in 2022 (06/12/2023)

Yesterday 5th of December, the Commission has approved €20.9 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to support the Marche region in Italy in addressing the extensive damages caused by the rainfall and floods in September 2022.

European Commission's Smart Specialisation (S3) Forum 2023: A Resounding Success for Regional Innovation (06/12/2023)

The Smart Specialisation (S3) Forum 2023, organised by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy in collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya and the S3 Community of Practice Secretariat, concluded with resounding success on November 29, 2023.

The results of the “EUSALP Pitch Your Project” 2023 (06/12/2023)

On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, in Strasbourg, the final of the "PITCH YOUR PROJECT" competition took place. An event co-organized by the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Grand Est regions as part of the European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP), in the presence of Marie-Guite Dufay, President of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region.

Inauguration of Spanish rail connection ‘Variante de Pajares’ thanks to Cohesion Policy funds and other EU support (06/12/2023)

Last week saw the inauguration of the Spanish rail connection, ‘Variante de Pajares’, running from La Robla in Castilla y León to Lena in Asturias, marks the end of an important project which saw the construction of a high-speed railway line stretching across 49.7km.

Launch of the 2023 report on the quality of life in European cities (06/12/2023)

Which city in Europe has the best quality of life, according to its citizens? Which city is the cleanest or the safest, or the most inclusive? In which city is it easier to find a good job or an affordable house? Answers to these questions – and many others - will be provided at the launch event of the report which will take place in the Charlemagne Building, from 09:30 to 13:00. Register before 8 December to attend, either in person or online.

Regions and cities set out building blocks for a reformed Cohesion Policy post-2027 (06/12/2023)

Local and regional leaders put forward their key requests on how to make EU's regional policy more flexible, robust and for all territories in the coming decade.

Applications now open for journalists and content creators wishing to learn more about all things Cohesion Policy (06/12/2023)

If so, you are invited to apply for the 2024 edition of the Commission’s #EUinMyRegion media trip programme. The call is open till Monday, 8 January 2024, at 17:00 CET. The programme is open to regional & local journalists and content creators in the EU and includes a two-day study trip to Brussels.

TerritoriALL 11: Thriving Regions, Stronger Together (06/12/2023)

Under the slogan “Thriving regions, stronger Europe”, the 21st edition of the EURegionsWeek hosted over 7.500 participants from all over Europe focused on the achievements of Cohesion Policy and other EU funded instruments. This issue of ESPON magazine focuses on the main takeaways of the week's sessions and their potential impact on policymaking for people and places in Europe.

Revolutionizing growth: EU's smart specialisation strategies unleash regional powerhouses (29/11/2023)

Good ideas could come from anywhere. But how do you ensure that good ideas receive the investments they need to become real? How do you ensure that research and development translate into regional growth? The European Commission adopted the concept of Smart Specialisation as the foundation for the development of regional innovation strategies.

The Council is expected to approve conclusions on the future of Cohesion policy (29/11/2023)

On 30th November, Ministers will exchange views on the closure of the 2014-2020 programming period. The Council will also hold a discussion on cohesion policy and European strategic autonomy.

Castilla y León modernises the forest fire prevention and extinguishing operation with European Funds (29/11/2023)

The inauguration event, on the 21st of November, aimed to highlight how the European Commission and European funds have collaborated in the unprecedented improvement of the Forest Fire Prevention and Extinction Operative of Castilla y León.

How to be better prepared for the pandemic? An EU-funded project is having the answers (29/11/2023)

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused more than 6.9 million deaths worldwide and parts of our life have come to a halt. Thanks to the European project “Perform-REACT”, the Institute of Environmental Medicine of the Helmholtz Centre in Munich has acquired new high-tech equipment.

European Funds made possible the creation of a new Institute for Applied Research in the Aeronautical Industry in Toledo, Spain (29/11/2023)

With an investment of more than 3.23 million euros, the building that today houses the Institute for Applied Research in the Aeronautical Industry has been refurbished and adapted for research activity through the co-financing of the Castilla La Mancha ERDF 2014-2020 operational programme.

Harnessing Talent: Launch of platform and support for regions in a ‘talent development trap’ (29/11/2023)

Last week, the Commission launched the Harnessing Talent Platform, a new hub for sharing best practices, which will help EU regions attract and retain people with the necessary skills to mitigate the impact of the demographic transition.

The second call for technical assistance of the C4T GROUNDWORK is now open (29/11/2023)

The second call for technical assistance of the Cohesion for Transitions (C4T) Community of Practice, C4T GROUNDWORK, is now open for applications until December 1, 2023, at 23:59 CET. This call is covering all thematic areas of PO2 except SO 2.8 on sustainable urban mobility. If you are interested, apply by completing this EU-Survey.

2023 Regiostars Awards shine a light on outstanding cohesion policy projects (21/11/2023)

Held in Ostrava, Czechia, on 16th November, the 2023 Regiostars Awards celebrated seven inspiring projects that promote economic and social development across Europe, with the support of cohesion policy funding,

A modern cultural hub in Molenbeek supported by the EU is reopening (21/11/2023)

On Friday, November 17, Gemeenschapscentrum Vaartkapoen opened its renovated doors, marking an important moment not only for Molenbeek but also as a proof of the collaborative efforts of the EU in fostering cultural spaces.

Investing in a cleaner environment: new waste installation in Bulgaria (21/11/2023)

On 20th November, the European Commission and Bulgarian institutions opened a new waste installation in Burgas. The EU co-funded the project with EUR 14 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

Commission sets out key priorities in the European Semester for the year ahead (22/11/2023)

Yesterday, the Commission launched the 2024 European Semester cycle of economic policy coordination. The Autumn package draws on the Autumn 2023 Economic Forecast which showed that the EU economy continues to be resilient in the face of the multiple shocks endured in recent years.

Opening of the call 'Capacity Building Strand 2b' under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument (21/11/2023)

The European Commission has launched a call for proposals for Capacity Building Strand 2b (I3-2023-CAP2b) under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument on 15 November 2023.

The launch event of the Harnessing Talent Platform will take place tomorrow (22/11/2023)

The event will provide an opportunity to reflect on territorial dimension of policies for attracting, retaining and developing talent and how the underlining demographic transition influences the prosperity of EU’s regions.

Just Transition Fund helps Sweden move towards climate neutrality (15/11/2023)

The EU has set up the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to help the regions who are likely to be hardest hit by the green transition. One JTF-funded project in Sweden is showing how the steel industry can reduce its carbon emissions with hydrogen technology.

Almost EUR 95 million from the EU Solidarity Fund to Italy following the floods in the Emilia-Romagna Region (14/11/2023)

In July 2023 Italy submitted an application for a contribution from the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to finance emergency and recovery operations following the floods in the Emilia-Romagna Region in Italy in May earlier this year.

'The future starts here, in Europe's cities.' says Commissioner Ferreira (15/11/2023)

'Cohesion Policy is here to support your investments in this future. Supporting your local strategies, your social ambitions and your innovative ideas', speech by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira for the Cities Social Summit High-level panel organised by Eurocities.

EU Annual Budget 2024: EUR 47.9 billion for regional development and cohesion (15/11/2023)

Swift agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) revision, as proposed by the Commission in June 2023, is urgently needed in order to provide the necessary resources for crucial new needs, which cannot be financed under the MFF ceilings as they currently stand.

Just Transition Platform Conference gathered stakeholders to share knowledge in Brussels (14/11/2023)

The eighth edition of the Just Transition Platform (JTP) Conference took place on 23-25 October 2023. Hosted by the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and the Directorate-General for Energy in co-operation with the European Committee of Regions, the hybrid event brought together over 200 attendees in Brussels and a further 400 online.

Further EUR 73 million in Cohesion Funds used to extend tram network in Bratislava, Slovakia (14/11/2023)

Last week, the Commission has approved Cohesion Policy support of more than EUR 73 million from the 2014-2020 programming period to build the second section of the Šafárik Square-Janíkov dvor tram line. The investment is part of an overall aim to improve public transport in the Petržalka borough of the Slovak capital, Bratislava.

Revolutionizing port operations in Bulgaria with Cohesion Policy (14/11/2023)

Bulgarian ports are getting a major upgrade for efficiency. Yesterday the European Commission and Bulgaria were inaugurating the Port Community System (PCS), which the EU co-funds with EUR 4 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

Territorial programmes in Hungary: 40,000 in kindergarten, 2,000 primary healthcare renovated and much more (14/11/2023)

More than 200 local actors gathered in Budapest, Hungary, last week to celebrate their life-changing achievements with the help of EU funds 2014-2020: 10.000 additional places in nurseries, 40.000 in kindergarten, over 2.000 primary healthcare units renovated, 3.700 hectares of new business parks in less developed settlements.

A few extra days to apply for NEB Prizes 2024 - deadline extended to 17 November (14/11/2023)

The deadline for applications to the New European Bauhaus Prizes 2024 has been extended to 17 November at 19:00 CET.

Join us for the Harnessing Talent Platform launch event on 23rd November (15/11/2023)

This event will give you the opportunity to learn about the support offered to EU regions by the European Commission through the Talent Booster Mechanism and the Harnessing Talent Platform, among other things.

Smart Regions - the European project PICSA supports sustainable construction and transport in Andalucía (14/11/2023)

Thanks to the PICSA European sustainable construction project supported by the EU’s cohesion policy, thousands of buildings have been thermally insulated in record time in the Spanish region of Andalusia.

Smart Regions - Northern Europe tackles social isolation (14/11/2023)

Seven countries across the European continent; Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Norway, have carried out more than 45 activities to move from isolation to inclusion as part of the European I2I project co-funded by the European Cohesion Policy.

Regions in Europe 2023 gives citizens a closer look at where they live (08/11/2023)

The 2023 edition of the Regions in Europe yearbook provides citizens with an in-depth picture of the demographics, economy and environment of where they live. It provides timely information such as employment rates for graduates, how tech savvy people are, and how climate change is affecting the need for heating and cooling in homes.

Cohesion policy 2.0: navigating towards a stronger, more inclusive Europe (08/11/2023)

At the request of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the EESC offers an insightful perspective on the future of cohesion policy.

The transition towards a greener future of Western Macedonia is the first project supported by the European Union’s Public Sector Loan Facility (07/11/2023)

Commissioner Elisa Ferreira, Paloma Aba Garrote, and George Kasapidis announced that the Socioeconomic Transition of Western Macedonia project has officially entered into force on the 27th of October with the signing of a Grant Agreement by all parties.

Commissioner Elisa Ferreira's speech at the REGI Interparliamentary committee meeting (08/11/2023)

The Future of Cohesion Policy post 2027: discover the opportunities, challenges and next steps discussed at the European Parliament.

Spanning the whole of Hungary – EU funds build 670 kms of road, rail, tram and metro lines (07/11/2023)

On 6 November 2023, the European Commission’s Directorate for Regional and Urban Policy attended the closure event of Hungary’s cohesion policy programme 2014-2020 for Transport.

Cohesion policy funds help modernise Elin Pelin – Kostenets Railway Section in Bulgaria (07/11/2023)

The modernization of the Sofia-Plovdiv railway line has reached another crucial milestone with the stone-laying ceremony which took place on 30 October 2023 in Ihtiman.

C4T Forum to be held in Brussels and online on 21-22 November (08/11/2023)

After the success of the C4T Community of Practice Conference in June, we are pleased to announce that the first edition of the C4T Forum will take place in Brussels and online on 21-22 November2023.