The initiative, a joint effort between the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and the regional authorities, aims at highlighting meaningful achievements that have a direct impact on the daily lives of the local populations.
Urban greening in Ruse
First stop in Bulgaria: with support from the EU, the municipality of Ruse undertook a large-scale renovation of its city-centre and the greening of the public recreational areas along the Danube. The interventions included the rehabilitation of pedestrian areas in the central urban area, the renovation of green areas and the construction of sports infrastructure for children. In May, the initiative is inviting citizens to take part in educational games and a photo competition revolving around their city.
Shaping the future of culinary arts in Campania
Heading south: in the Italian region of Campania, the ex mountain Colony “Principe di Napoli” in Agerola, restored with EU funds, is now a gastronomy educational hub led by the renowned chef Heinz Beck. The Università Gastronomica trains professionals in culinary arts and in the food service industry. During the weekend of 13 May, local populations had the opportunity to rediscover this emblematic place as part of a 2-day festival.
Bringing digital into the classrooms in Western Macedonia
Last, but not least, in the Greek region of Western Macedonia, 451 schools have been supplied with digital equipment. Computers, laptops, projectors, robots and 3D printers have been provided to schoolchildren to enable them to hone their digital skills. The campaign is supported by the Olympic Gold Medalist Miltos Tentoglou. In a video for the campaign, he connects the dots between his experience and the action of the EU for the pupils of his region. During the month of May, a dedicated roadshow has reached four cities in the region to offer an interactive virtual reality experience to local populations.
In each area, the campaign is visible through the whole region, notably through media channels, social media, and outdoor billboards.
From 2021 to 2023, “Europe in my region” operations are planned in Bulgaria, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Romania. Each campaign features familiar, emblematic co-funded places and initiatives, and is co-created with partner Regions.
Thanks to their ultra-local flavour and their genuine proximity, “Europe in my region” campaigns are instrumental for a better, positive perception of the EU’s actions on the ground. The primary audiences are people who are positively impacted by the EU’s actions, yet unaware that the EU takes part in worthwhile developments at their doorsteps.
This initiative is part of a broader communication effort, which has been deployed since 2018 by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and has highlighted more than 50 European regions to date.
Find out more:
Europe in my region: Region of Ruse Europe in my region: Region of Campania Europe in my region: Region of Western Macedonia
