The European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek) is the biggest annual Brussels-based event dedicated to cohesion policy. This unique communication and networking platform brings together regions and cities from all over Europe. Politicians, decision-makers, experts and practitioners of cohesion policy, as well as stakeholders from business, banking, civil society organisations, academia, the EU institutions and the media gather to promote policy learning and the exchange of good practice. The 2020 digital edition reached more than 12,000 participants trough 510 sessions. The European Week of Regions and Cities is organized jointly by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). The purpose of the European Week of Regions and Cities is to facilitate cooperation and networking between regions and cities as a platform for capacity-building, learning and exchange of experience and good practice for those implementing EU cohesion policy and managing its financial instruments. Open debate on EU cohesion policy in a wider context fosters discussion on common challenges for Europe’s regions and cities.
In 2021, the event will provide an opportunity to learn more about and engage in further debate on the European response to the health, social, economic challenges and OCVID-19 crisis. The focus will be on the capacity of the EU and of national and regional governments to support European citizens and their local communities with practical measures and public policies aimed at investing in a fairer, greener and more digital future. Correspondingly under the slogan “Together for recovery”, the #EURegionsWeek will be centered on the four thematic topics of this year:
Cohesion and the road from emergency to resilience, showcasing the added value of cohesion policy and its synergy with other investments tools to face the pandemic emergency and to contribute to the European recovery.
Green transition and the role of EU’s regions and cities role in addressing both short- and long- term, green and socially fair transition challenges.
Digital transition will focus on how to use ESI funds to successfully deliver the digital and green transitions for people.
Citizens’ engagement will put in focus rethinking the EU democratic model and its effectiveness in addressing people’s needs, in particular in the light of the COVID crisis.
Session formats and duration: Workshops (90 minutes); EU Regions talks (30 minutes); Information sessions (60 minutes); Participatory labs (90 minutes); and Exhibitor’s pitch (60 minutes).
How can you apply as an event partner? Submit your event proposal via the online application form available on the event website: https://europa.eu/regions-and-cities/partners/become-event-partner_en. The deadline for submission of applications is 26 March 2021. The 19th European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 11 to 14 October 2021 in a digital format.
Partner up and let’s build resilient Europe together!