Macro-regional strategies represent an essential aspect of coordination between EU policy and funding instruments. At the same time they represent a true multi-level governance and place-based approach to regional policy. They also play an important role in the integration of regions facing similar challenges due to their geographical situation. A macro-regional strategy for the Carpathian region could facilitate the initiation of cross-border activities in relation to economic, cultural, educational, tourist and environmental cooperation in this mountainous area. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has decided to prepare an own-initiative opinion to facilitate this bottom-up initiative to establish this fifth EU Macro-regional strategy and has appointed Mr Władysław Ortyl (ECR/PL), President of the Podkarpackie Region, as rapporteur.  

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and the European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE)​ are organising a conference on "Urban rail investments in the next MFF". The event will be held on 11 September 2019, 9:30 – 12:30, in the CoR (Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels, 5th floor, meeting room JDE 51). 

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion on a "European framework for regulatory responses to the collaborative economy" for which the rapporteur is Mr Peter Florianschütz (AT/PES), Member of the Vienna State Parliament and Member of the City Council of Vienna. Mr Florianschütz would welcome the opportunity to benefit from stakeholders' input in preparation of his draft opinion during a meeting to be held Thursday, 12 September 2019 at 14:30 (with registration beginning at 14:00) in room JDE 51 of the Committee of the Regions building (Rue Belliard 101, B-1040 Brussels). 

At the ‘No Democracy without Accountability’ conference on 17 September 2019, Maina Kiai, a former UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and a prominent Kenya human rights activist will give a much-anticipated keynote speech on this topic.  

15th meeting of the Technical Platform for Cooperation on the Environment 

The ninth annual meeting of the EGTC Platform will take place this year in Palma, Spain, on 27 September 2019, in partnership with EGTC Euroregion Pyrénées-Méditerranée and the Government of the Balears islands. During the event, the participants will discuss the current affairs related to EGTCs, the future of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) and the ongoing negotiations in the EU Council related to the ETC and the European Cross-Border Mechanism. The participants will also have an opportunity to meet the newly created EGTCs and hear some of the best EGTC practices from around Europe.  

The 25th SEDEC Commission meeting will take place on 30 September 2018 from 11:00 to 18:30 in the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, room JDE 52.  

The members of the European Committee of the Regions will meet in the 136th plenary session on 7, 8 and 9 October 2019. The Plenary will start with the official opening session of the 17th European Week of Regions and Cities. 

Cities and regions are among the most favourable grounds for social innovation and experimentation. By engaging into bottom-up approaches and co-creation together with different stakeholders of their ecosystem, they can contribute to the emergence of inclusive and resilient models, especially in regions where it is needed the most. This thematic seminar on "Regions and Cities catalyse Social Innovation" will focus on cities, regions, and their potential to unleash the power of communities and smaller organisations to address unmet social needs and drive system change. 

The 25th ECON Commission Meeting will take place on 22 October 2019 from 11:00 to 18:30 in the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, room JDE 52.​  

The 25th COTER Commission meeting will take place on 23 October 2019 from 11:00 to 18:30 at the European Committee of the Regions, Rue Belliard 99-101, Brussels, room JDE 52. 

The European Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Fair Trade Advocacy Office, the Global Competition Law Centre of the College of Europe and the Center for Economics, Law and Society at University College of London, with the support of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development have the pleasure to invite you to a conference on “Sustainability and Competition Policy: Bridging two Worlds to Enable a Fairer Economy” on Thursday 24 October 2019, Brussels, CoR/EESC, Rue Belliard 101, Room JDE 52  

EuroPCom, the European Public Communication Conference, is the l​argest annual meeting point for experts in the field of public communication and jointly organised by the EU institutions in Brussels. The 10th edition of the conference will take place on 7 and 8 November 2019. 

16th meeting of the Technical Platform for Cooperation on the Environment 

The 26th SEDEC Commission meeting will take place on 27 November 2019 from 11:00 to 18:30 in the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, room JDE 52. 

The 26th ECON Commission Meeting will take place on 13 December 2019 from 11:00 to 18:30 in the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, room JDE 52.​ 

The 26th COTER Commission meeting will take place on 16 December 2019 from 11:00 to 18:30 at the European Committee of the Regions, Rue Belliard 99-101, Brussels, room JDE 52.