Local and regional leaders have highlighted to Nicolas Schmit, new European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, that the EU needs to set clear rules for platform economy to guarantee workers' rights and ensure a level playing field between online and offline economic activities in the single market.

On 4 December, the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Karl-Heinz Lambertz, will deliver his third "The State of the European Union: the View of Regions and Cities" speech, during a debate with European Parliament President, David Sassoli. The speech, which comes as the CoR marks its 25th anniversary, will set our regions and cities expectations for the new EU mandate. The CoR's members will also discuss how to strengthen social rights with the new EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, and adopt their position on the European Green Deal, following a debate with Executive Vice-President, Frans Timmermans.

Tanya Hristova (BG/EPP), Mayor of Gabrovo, has been elected today as new chair of the SEDEC Commission of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the EU's assembly of cities and regions. SEDEC is one of CoR's six thematic commissions and stands for Social Policy, Employment, Research, Education and Culture.

Narrowing the innovation and digital divides in Europe was in the spotlight on 11 July, when the European Committee of the Regions' Commission for Social Policy, Employment, Culture, Education and Research (SEDEC) met in Brussels. Members adopted an opinion drafted by Eamon Dooley (IE/Renew Europe), a member of Offaly County Council, on the future of research infrastructure and the European Research Area.