On
11 October 2022, the Committee of the Regions will publish its EU
Annual Report on the State of the Regions and Cities, as a snapshot of
the most pressing challenges faced by regions and cities across the
Union, that helps to inform EU policy decisions.
Understanding Europe from the local and regional perspective
Based on original studies commissioned by the
European Committee of the Regions, as well as academic research,
contributions from other European institutions and open source
documentation, this report provides facts and data for policy-makers and
relevant stakeholders. The main findings and recommendations will be
echoed in the annual address on the State of Regions and Cities in the
European Union, to be delivered by the President of the European
Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro at the plenary session in
October 2022.
This year's report focuses on the most pressing
challenges that EU cities and regions are facing: the economic and
social consequences of Russia's war against Ukraine, the lasting effects
of the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary recovery, the climate
emergency and energy transition, the fight against inequalities, and the
future of democracy building on the conclusions of the Conference on
the Future of Europe.
The report will also feature its "Regional and
Local Barometer", presenting the views of elected representatives from
across Europe surveyed in partnership with IPSOS.
Regional and Local Barometer
In
the 27 Member States of the European Union, there are more than one
million politicians elected at the subnational level. These local
politicians represent a highly diverse set of constituencies at various
levels of government, including federal states, regions, provinces,
counties, districts or municipalities. The Eurobarometer Flash survey
provides an important platform for local politicians in the EU to share
their opinion on Europe's challenges and priorities.
The answers
reveal what local politicians would prioritise at the EU level, how
aware they are of EU-wide initiatives and of EU funding opportunities,
what they think of the future of Europe, and what their responses are
to the emergency created by the war in Ukraine.