The “Regions Got Talent” session at EWRC 2024 highlighted EU regions’ innovative approaches to demographic challenges, emphasising collaboration, talent retention, and the role of Cohesion Policy.
Regions Got Talent: highlights from the European Week of Regions and Cities session
- 23 October 2024
Held during the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) 2024 in Brussels, the “Regions Got Talent” session showcased innovative strategies to address demographic challenges across EU regions.
Dubravka Šuica, European Commission’s Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, emphasised the importance of Cohesion Policy in creating vibrant, resilient regions capable of attracting and retaining talent. She highlighted initiatives like the Demography Toolbox and the Harnessing Talent Platform, which facilitate the sharing of best practices among regions.
Šime Erlić, Croatia’s Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, discussed Croatia’s positive migration trends and economic growth, attributing these successes to strategic investments mainly through Cohesion Policy. He stressed the need for place-based solutions tailored to the unique needs of urban, rural, and mountainous areas.
Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo, Bulgaria, underlined the human factor in policymaking and advocated for a quadruple helix approach involving academia, local and regional labour markets, industry, and citizens.
Michele Emiliano, President of Puglia Region, Italy, shared Puglia’s regional talent strategy aimed at reversing brain drain and fostering innovation.
Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk, Poland, highlighted the success of initiatives like “Gdańsk City of Professionals” in integrating the labour market and enhancing vocational education.
The session emphasised the vital role of collaboration between regions rather than competition, recognising demographic change as a territorial phenomenon with varied facets across EU regions. There was a strong emphasis on the development of human capital and the necessity of a genuinely place-based Cohesion Policy to address the multifaceted challenges linked to demographic transitions. It concluded with a call for enhanced collaboration among regions to address demographic challenges effectively.
The EWRC is an annual four-day event held in Brussels, where cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and demonstrate the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance. This year’s event, held from 7-10 October 2024, featured high-level policy sessions, workshops, participatory labs, an exhibition, and regional tastings. The theme for 2024 was “Empowering Communities,” focusing on competitiveness and convergence, strengthening European democracy, smart and sustainable growth, and showcasing regional talent.