On behalf of the European Committee of the Regions SEDEC Commission Chair, Mrs Tanya Hristova, we are pleased to invite you to attend the EU digital policy discussion from 11 to 13.15 on Thursday, 28 November. Its aim is to provide follow-up to the CoR Opinion on Digital Europe for All (rapporteur Mrs Anne Karjalainen), adopted on 9 October and discuss with the representatives of the DG CNECT, EIB and major stakeholder organisations how to strengthen the local and regional dimension in an inclusive digital single market and how to stimulate local investment in infrastructure. 

The European Committee of the Regions is drafting an opinion on "the European Commission Report on Competition Policy 2018" for which the rapporteur is Mr. Dominique Lévêque (FR/PES), Mayor of Aÿ-en-Champagne.  

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion on "Brain Drain in the EU: addressing the challenge at all levels". This is an own initiative opinion, scheduled to contribute to addressing the challenges that the brain-drain phenomenon can pose to the EU's territorial development, cohesion, and competitiveness. The main objective is to help formulating appropriate policies and/or measures to retain, attract, or regain a highly educated workforce in sending regions based on various tools existing in LRAs and Member States in order to prevent and mitigate brain drain, and to attract brains both within and beyond the EU. The rapporteur of the opinion, Mr Emil Boc (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cluj-Napoca, together with his expert, Mr Călin-Emilian Hințea, would be happy to meet with representatives of your organisation and other important stakeholders for a consultation and an exchange of views on the relevant aspects of this opinion.  

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is currently drafting an opinion on the "Local and Regional Authorities Shaping the Future Eastern Partnership ". The rapporteur of the opinion, Mr Tadeuš ANDŽEJEVSKI (LT/ECR), Member of Vilnius District Municipal Council, invites the representatives of local and regional authorities and stakeholders for a policy debate in order to exchange views on the content of the future opinion.  

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion "Towards sustainable neighbourhoods and small communities - Environment policy below municipal level" and is organising a Stakeholder Consultation on Monday 30/09/2019. 

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). 

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 is currently preparing an own-initiative opinion on "The potential of the rail sector in delivering EU policy priorities". Local and Regional Authorities (LRAs) have prime responsibility for designing and implementing public transport services on their territories and are also tasked with fostering greater territorial cohesion between urban and rural areas.  

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion on "Platform work: local and regional regulatory issues". This is an own initiative opinion, scheduled to provide clarification and a legal framework on various issues of the work on digital platforms. The rapporteur of the opinion, Mr Dimitrios Birmpas (EL/PES), Mayor of Aigaleo, together with his expert, Mr Michail Kypraios, would be happy to meet with representatives of your organisation and other important stakeholders for a consultation and an exchange of views on the relevant topics of this opinion to gather the different points of views and discuss the main issues.  

​​​The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has decided to prepare an opinion on "The challenges of metropolitan regions and their position in the future Cohesion Policy post 2020".  

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an Opinion on "Covenant of Mayors post 2020". To discuss the topic of the opinion, the Rapporteur Ms Benedetta BRIGHENTI (IT/PES) and her expert would be happy to meet with you.  

Cohesion policy is the main European investment policy to achieve the EU Treaty objective of economic, social and territorial cohesion. In that sense, better communicating Cohesion policy projects is very important as it can also affect citizens' perceptions of the EU and raise awareness on the positive impact the EU has on the everyday lives of people. Communicating on cohesion policy is also a shared responsibility. Based on the respect of the partnership and multilevel governance principle, local and regional authorities should play a fundamental role in implementing cohesion policy and in ensuring the visibility of the projects funded by this policy. The European institutions alone cannot be the driving force behind this challenge.