The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has urged the European Union to focus more sharply on the local and regional level of government in the Western Balkans as the prospects of countries in the region becoming members of the EU rise. 

Europe is facing a housing crisis, exacerbated by demographic and urbanisation trends, and local authorities struggle to provide affordable housing amidst low renovation rates. Regions and cities demand a EU Housing Agenda, urging better policy coordination and financial support for social housing initiatives, alongside a focus on sustainable architecture in an opinion, led by Andres Jaadla, (EE/Renew), member of Rakvere City Council, which was adopted during the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 17 April.​  

​With the upcoming European elections in June, this year will mark the end of one legislative cycle and the beginning of a new one. While countering the various threats to elections, ranging from cyber-attacks to disinformation, it is crucial to ensure a high voter turnout to strengthen the EU's democratic legitimacy. This is the main message of an opinion on defending democracy, adopted during the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 18 April. ​ 

With one in four children at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the EU, local and regional leaders adopted their recommendations to guarantee free education, childcare, school canteens, and healthcare to vulnerable children across the UE, at the European Committee of the Regions plenary session on 18 April. They called for local and regional authorities to be given direct access to EU funding to deliver these objectives on the ground. 

Cities and regions call for a reformed Cohesion Policy that keeps supporting all territories, boosts investment and tackles the discontent among citizens.  

​EU regions and cities point out that their greater involvement and active participation is necessary to find new ways for livestock, people and large carnivores to coexist sustainably and safely while enhancing biodiversity. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) considers that the protection status of certain species should be periodically reassessed and that EU funding should fully cover measures to prevent damage or compensate damages. 

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) stresses that reducing plastic pellet losses is a key priority for the European Union's zero-pollution agenda, as microplastic pollution has a significant impact on the environment, climate and economy, especially for coastal communities and the fishing, agriculture and tourism sectors. The opinion drafted by Roberto Ciambetti (IT/ECR), President of the Veneto Regional Council, was adopted unanimously at the plenary session on 18 April. 

Mental health disorders affect around 84 million Europeans (at a cost of 600 billion euros), with significant regional, social, gender, race and age inequalities. At the April Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), local and regional authorities adopted an opinion on mental health, led by Mieczyslaw Struk (PL/EPP), acknowledging their important role in shaping the mental health landscape through the design and implementation of community-focused initiatives and recalling on their support to the ‘mental health in all policies’ approach.  

Regional and local leaders welcome the recent proposal by the European Commission, which, after years of political deadlock, designs new instruments to make life of citizens, workers and industries in border regions easier. The proposed regulation takes on board a large majority of recommendations made by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in an opinion drafted by Magali Altounian (FR/Renew E.), member of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Regional Council.  

More widespread bicycle use requires more investment in safety and more efficient infrastructure, including separate cycle lanes, strict speed limits and better enforcement of traffic rules. This is the key recommendation of regions and cities, as set out in the opinion prepared by Arianna Censi (IT/PES), Deputy Mayor for Mobility in Milan City Council, adopted at the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 17 April.  

The European Committee of the Regions has called on the European Union to be ready to provide additional long-term funding to support Ukraine's recovery from the war, in an opinion that backs the start of membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova.  

A new CoR-CEMR consultation shows that the territorial allocation of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility is widely perceived as unbalanced on the ground. 

UN Tourism has partnered with the European Committee of the Regions for a comprehensive study of the significant impact and potential of tourism in fostering socio-economic development in rural areas.  

Local authorities play a key role in integrating cultural heritage into the development of European cities, promoting more sustainable and inclusive communities, said the president of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research (SEDEC) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Tanya Hristova, in her speech at the Forum of the Festival of the New European Bauhaus. 

​EU cities and regions are urging to accelerate action at all levels of government for a more sustainable future by aligning the climate objectives, biodiversity targets and sustainable development goals (SDGs). In its ​draft opinion​, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) underlines that these global frameworks are substantially interconnected and should be tackled in synergy, from local to global level.  

​Ahead of the upcoming European elections, members of the CoR commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX) discussed active subsidiarity and increased participation of local and regional authorities in the EU legislative process, countering disinformation and fighting drug trafficking during the meeting on 10 April.  

The President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Vasco Alves Cordeiro, and the Chair of the COTER commission, Emil Boc, are bringing regions and cities' concerns about the future of cohesion in the EU to the 9th Cohesion Forum, which gathers in Brussels – today and tomorrow - hundreds of decision makers and stakeholders from across Europe. 

Two months ahead of the European elections, the main challenges for the future of Cohesion Policy – including a just transition towards an environmentally sustainable society, crossborder cooperation and Cohesion Policy’s role vis à vis new instruments like the post-pandemic recovery plan – were discussed on 8 April by members of the Commission for territorial Cohesion Policy and EU budget (COTER).  

The call for applications for the 2024 EU Organic Awards is open until 12 May. The awards, jointly organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, aim to reward different actors along the organic value chain that have developed an excellent, innovative, sustainable and inspiring project producing real added value for organic production and consumption.  

Dies ist die jüngste Ausgabe des Green Deal Funding Alert, eines monatlichen Newsletters, der Sie über Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten und Initiativen zur Förderung der nachhaltigen Entwicklung und des Übergangs zur Klimaneutralität auf dem Laufenden hält. Diese Ausgabe bietet Ihnen professionelle Unterstützung und Orientierungshilfen für die Suche nach dem richtigen Finanzierungskonzept für Ihre Projekte zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel. Zudem bietet sie Ihnen die Gelegenheit zum Peer-Learning von anderen Städten mit ehrgeizigen Klimazielen. Hier erfahren Sie, wie Sie von diesen Initiativen profitieren können. 

The President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Vasco Alves Cordeiro, and the Chair of the COTER commission, Emil Boc, react to the publication of the 9th Cohesion report by the European Commission. 

The deadline for submission of the proposals for the EURegionsWeek 2024 call for application to become a partner has been extended until 05 April at 12:00 (Brussels time). 

Ahead of the adoption of an important opinion on the Future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the two co-rapporteurs together with members of the natural resources (NAT) commission held a debate on European agricultural policies with Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, and major stakeholders of the agri-food value chain on 22 March.  

President Cordeiro and the European Commission Executive Vice-President for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, Maroš Šefčovič signed a revised cooperation agreement  

Im Vorfeld der Europawahl und kurz vor der Tagung des Europäischen Rates versammelten sich über 3 000 Kommunal- und Regionalpolitiker aus ganz Europa in Mons, um die Agenda für die Zukunft Europas aufzustellen und ihre Gestaltungs- und Handlungsfähigkeit mit Blick auf die Bewältigung von Herausforderungen auf der lokalen Ebene zu bekräftigen. 

The European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine on 19 March called for a decentralised approach to Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery, with Ukraine's regional and local authorities being given "intensive" support to enable them to play a "meaningful" role in the process.  

Das 10. Europäische Gipfeltreffen der Regionen und Städte, das gemeinsam vom Europäischen Ausschuss der Regionen und der Wallonischen Region organisiert wurde, wurde am 18. März in Mons unter reger Beteiligung von Vertretern der regionalen und lokalen Ebene eröffnet. Die wichtigsten Themen der ersten Tagessitzungen waren die EU-Investitionen für einen gerechten Übergang, die Digitalisierung und Gleichstellung und Integration der Geschlechter. 

Weniger als drei Monate vor den Europawahlen bekräftigen die Städte und Regionen vereinigt die Notwendigkeit einer gestärkten Kohäsionspolitik, um einen gerechten Übergang als Teil des künftigen EU-Investitionsrahmens zu ermöglichen, der auf die Förderung des wirtschaftlichen, sozialen und territorialen Zusammenhalts ausgerichtet ist. Der Europäische Ausschuss der Regionen (AdR) hat zusammen mit den Gründungspartnern der EU-weiten Koalition #CohesionAlliance einen gemeinsamen Aufruf an die europäischen Institutionen und die nationalen Regierungen gerichtet, die Kohäsionspolitik auch im nächsten Jahrzehnt als Hauptpfeiler des EU-Entwicklungsmodells zu erhalten. 

Der Präsident des Europäischen Ausschusses der Regionen (AdR), Vasco Alves Cordeiro, der Ministerpräsident der belgischen Region Wallonien, Elio Di Rupo, sowie Kommunalpolitikerinnen und -politiker aus der gesamten Europäischen Union und anderen Teilen der Welt werden mit dem belgischen Premierminister Alexander De Croo und weiteren führenden Vertretern der EU, der Mitgliedstaaten und der internationalen Ebene die Prioritäten für die Zukunft erörtern. 

On International Women's Day, the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Vasco Alves Cordeiro, and the Committee’s rapporteur on the Gender Equality Action Plan, Sauri Ratio, called on Member States to put in place measures for more women to enter and play a role in politics. 

​In recognition of International Women's Day, Donatella Porzi (IT/RE), CoR rapporteur of the opinion on "Stopping gender-based violence - cities and regions leading the way", shares her insights into the deep-rooted challenges and developments in this battle, emphasising the importance of education, societal change, and legislative action. 

As part of the CoR's contribution to improving gender equality and to building a more inclusive, gender-equal and fair EU, it has put in place since end of 2023 a dedicated Gender Equality Action Plan, which summarises its own processes and practices aiming to improve gender equality at the Committee of the Regions. To support this process the Bureau appointed a special Bureau rapporteur on the CoR Gender Equality Action Plan, Ms Sari Rautio (FI/EPP), Member of Hämeenlinna City Council. 

Applications for the EURegionsWeek2024 are open! Do not miss your chance to be part of the biggest annual event dedicated to regional and urban policy! 

Ahead of the upcoming European elections in June 2024, elected representatives from the European Committee of the Regions - EU’s assembly of local and regional authorities – and the European Parliament reinforce their cooperation to promote democratic engagement and contribute to an open public debate on EU’s challenges and opportunities. 

This is the latest edition of the Green Deal Funding Alert, a monthly newsletter that keeps you informed about funding opportunities and initiatives that support sustainable development and the transition to climate neutrality. This edition focuses on guides to help you finance circular projects in your city and to apply for funding of green projects, as well as calls to participate in green city award competitions. 

24 February 2024 marks the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The following statements were made by the President of the European Committee of the Regions, the chair of its Working Group on Ukraine, and its rapporteur on the EU's newly approved support package, the Ukraine Facility. 

Improving the well-being of children and protecting them from violence, poverty and social exclusion were the main focus of the meeting of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (SEDEC), held in Ancona (Italy) on 22 February. The meeting was followed by a high-level conference on regional innovation as a key driver of the EU's green and digital transition, attended by local and regional authorities, representatives of the Italian national government and of the European Commission. 

The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, met in Brussels with the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, with whom he addressed the growing concerns expressed by farmers across the EU, regarding pressures on their incomes, profitability and the regulation of the sector within the EU framework.  

​The creation of a European administrative space to raise the quality of services in the public sector was the main topic on the agenda of the meeting of the Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 12 February. Europe's digital transformation and the challenges of achieving the Green Deal objectives at local and regional level were also discussed with representatives of the European Commission.​  

Just two days after the European Commission published its communication on the 2040 climate targets, members of the CoR’s Commission for Environment, Climate and Energy (ENVE) gathered to discuss the Belgian EU Council’s priorities and ongoing work on Green Deal policies. Members also adopted draft opinions on the challenges linked to large carnivores and on the role of geothermal energy in localising energy production.  

The improvement of key aspects of Europeans' daily life was the f ocus of a meeting of the Commission for territorial cohesion policy and EU budget (COTER), on 9 February. Local and regional leaders adopted two draft opinions with recommendations to EU institutions on affordable and sustainable housing and on make cities friendlier and safer for cyclists.  

Interview with Albert Castellanos - President of the Assembly of European Regions. What do you see as the most pressing challenges that Cohesion Policy will face in the coming years and how can the Assembly of European Regions (AER) address these challenges? 

This is the latest edition of the Green Deal Funding Alert. It's a monthly newsletter that keeps you up to date on funding opportunities and initiatives that support sustainable development and the transition to climate neutrality. This edition focuses on guides to help you navigate your way through EU funding options, as well as reminding you about the ongoing call for projects for climate resilience. Read on to find out how you can apply for these initiatives! 

Members of the European Committee of the Regions have given their preliminary endorsement of the European Commission's assessments that Ukraine and Moldova are ready to start negotiations on EU membership, while also broadly supporting its appraisal of progress made by other countries seeking membership. 

In the framework of the strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture, members of the NAT commission adopted an opinion on new genomic techniques and plant reproductive material during the 21st meeting on 5 February. Despite its support for resilient and sustainable production systems to sustain agriculture and maintain rural vitality, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) raised a series of risks for the future of European agriculture that the proposals could present. An opinion on a comprehensive and cross-sectoral approach of mental health was further adopted the meeting.  

Engaging young people in political processes, closing the gap between generations, and addressing the concerns of young people, such as secure housing and employment, is essential to motivate the young European generation to vote in the upcoming European elections in June 2024. These were the main messages of a debate which took place during the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 1 February. The debate was joined by the presidents of the youth wings of the European political parties.  

Während in Brüssel und in ganz Europa Proteste aus der Landwirtschaft stattfinden, hat der Europäische Ausschuss der Regionen (AdR) die Europäische Union aufgefordert, die Mittelvergabe an die Landwirte zu überprüfen, um sie besser vor den zunehmenden Risiken durch Wetterextreme, Marktschwankungen und globale Krisen zu schützen. 

Die Städte und Regionen der EU erwarten von der Europäischen Kommission nächste Woche ehrgeizige Klimaziele für 2040, um bis 2050 Klimaneutralität zu erreichen. Die neue Kommission sollte mit Blick auf dieses Ziel enger und unmittelbar mit ihnen zusammenarbeiten und die Förderung für die lokale und regionale Ebene aufstocken, den Dialog über klima- und energiepolitische Fragen auf mehreren Ebenen fördern und im Einklang mit der auf der COP 28 ins Leben gerufenen CHAMP-Initiative bei den nationalen Energie- und Klimaplänen auch die lokale und regionale Dimension berücksichtigen. 

Extending the scope of the European disability card to cover transitional periods spent by people with disabilities in another EU member state to work or study is one of the main demands of the opinion drafted by Marko Vešligaj (HR/PES), mayor of Pregrada, adopted during the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) plenary session on 31 January. CoR members also called for a full recognition of the role of local and regional authorities in setting up and managing the cards and for adequate EU financial support.  

The European Committee of the Regions has hailed the European Council's decision to approve a €50 billion package of support for Ukraine as "a stepping stone towards Ukraine's accession to the EU".