The results of a recent consultation carried out by CoR and CEMR highlight that many EU governments are excluding regions and cities from the preparation of post-COVID recovery plans. Regional and local leaders brought their concerns to the attention of the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People, Valdis Dombrovskis, during the March Plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR).

The second plenary meeting of the Fit for Future (F4F) Platform for better and less burdensome EU legislation chaired by European Commission’s Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight Maroš Šefčovič took place on 4 March with three CoR members Mark Speich (DE/EPP), Anne Karjalainen (FI/PSE) and Ulrika Landergren (SE/RE) and 27 representatives of EU Member States. Purpose of the meeting was to discuss and agree on the annual work programme of the Platform and its rules of procedures. The CoR advocated for having topics in the work programme in the fields of public procurement, ambient air quality legislation, cross-border healthcare and state aid legislation. All these proposals were taken up by the Platform.

​​​Regions and cities are ready to play their part in building a strong Social Europe which will ensure just transitions and recovery after the Covid-19 crisis. The Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights , which was presented today by the European Commission, sets three ambitious headline targets which should guide policy decisions in the Member States and their regions to achieve the objectives of the Pillar, also by making full use of different EU funds to unlock social investment.

​​Regions and cities are looking forward to the presentation of the Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights on 3 March. It should send a strong message to the Heads of State and Government gathering in Porto on 7-8 May to step up their ambitions and ensure just transitions after the Covid-19 pandemic, members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) stressed in a debate with the representative of the Portuguese Council presidency.