About the Conference
"Bringing Europe closer to the people"
is the first political priority of the European Committee of the Regions
(CoR), and
the Conference on the Future of Europe
is the most important event in achieving this. The conference's
multilingual digital platform
allows people to engage with one another and discuss their proposals on
nine policy topics in the EU's 24 official languages.
As the EU body representing the level of government closest to citizens,
the CoR is committed to playing a significant political role in the
conference through the active participation of its representatives in the
Executive Board
and the
Conference Plenary. Moreover, some 120+ local and cross-border citizens’ dialogues will be
held, and the ideas and recommendations from these will be uploaded to the
platform.
The objective of the
CoR delegation
in the plenary sessions of the conference is to reach out to the other 420
delegates to strengthen the role of local and regional authorities in the
democratic functioning of the European Union and to promote the territorial
dimension of EU policies. Here is an overview of what matters to EU regions
and cities in relation to the conference's nine topics of discussion.
Climate change and the environment
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
The objective of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050
through the
"European Green Deal"
needs to be locally adapted. Local and regional authorities implement 70 %
of climate mitigation measures and 90 % of climate adaptation policies. EU
territories are diverse and therefore a bottom-up approach is needed in
order to comply with the principle of subsidiarity, while giving the
flexibility required to adapt to different needs. Regions and cities are in
a privileged position since they work directly with people and foster
citizens' behavioural change towards sustainability.
What does the CoR recommend?
The CoR advises EU institutions on legislation and policies through
opinions
that take into account the particular situation and needs of local and
regional administrations. Issues related to climate change and the
environment are dealt with by the
Commission for the Environment, Climate change and Energy (ENVE).
The political priorities of the European Committee of the Regions
2020-2025
include "Building resilient communities" as one of three key topics. It is
based on a recent initiative called
"Green Deal Going Local"
- a working group composed of thirteen locally and regionally elected
representatives.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/GreenDeal
Health
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
Local and regional authorities organise and deliver healthcare service on
the ground. In many places, they also manage, inspect and finance
healthcare professionals and property. Stretched to the limits by the
pandemic, these healthcare infrastructures and systems need rethinking in
order to become more resilient. They are the very cornerstone of the
European Health Union, in which all EU countries prepare and respond together to health crises,
where medical supplies are available, affordable and innovative, and all
work together to improve prevention, treatment and aftercare for diseases
such as cancer.
What does the CoR recommend?
The Committee calls for an open debate on EU health policy architecture. In
line with the demands of European citizens, the Committee supported the
stand-alone EU health budget and recommended the crisis proofing of health
systems. This translates into strengthening EU manufacturing capabilities
as well as building strategic stockpile to safeguard access to medicines in
normal times and in a crisis. The Committee wants to see faster progress in
health prevention and eHealth, and requests that changes be made to
cross-border healthcare cooperation in order to make it more accessible and
resilient as a key element of border regions' preparedness and response.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/Health
A stronger economy, social justice and jobs
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
Disparities between and within EU regions and cities in terms of economic
performance and employment vary significantly, which is why the European
Union has put cohesion policy and funds in place to reduce such
disparities. Moreover, Europe is currently experiencing its most severe
health, environmental, economic and social crisis, which affects the EU
territory differently and risks widening existing disparities even further.
Action at EU level alone is not enough: the key to success lies in the
hands of national, regional and local authorities, as well as social
partners and relevant stakeholders at all levels. Given the central role of
regional and local authorities in the execution of employment and social
policies, it is imperative to ensure adequate representation of the local
and regional dimension in the design and implementation of EU policies.
What does the CoR recommend?
In general, the CoR advises the EU institutions on legislation and policies
through
opinions,
taking into account the particular situation and needs of local and
regional administrations. Issues related to social justice and jobs are
dealt with by the
Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and
Culture (SEDEC).
The political priorities of the European Committee of the Regions
2020-2025
include "Cohesion: our fundamental value" as one of three key topics. It
relates to the implementation of the
European Pillar of Social Rights, which is a key priority area for the Committee, and has been included as
one of the priorities of the 2021 work programme. It is also of utmost
importance for the CoR since it could define a new work stream for the
European Institutions, moving from an intergovernmental approach towards a
European decision-making process.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
A stronger economy, social justice and jobs - Conference on the Future
of Europe (europa.eu)
EU in the world
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
Regions and cities are affected by the EU’s external relations and by
related policies such as trade, security, migration, and cooperation with
international organisations such as the United Nations and the OECD. They
also have partnerships with local and regional authorities outside the EU
and are actively involved in EU programmes with enlargement countries, the
European Neighbourhood Policy, development cooperation and the relationship
with the United Kingdom. The work of the CoR, and its opinions, are
nurtured by the discussions and political interactions in the joint bodies
the CoR has established with external partners and in dedicated working
groups. These bodies enable the CoR to effectively contribute to EU
enlargement and neighbourhood policies from a local and regional
perspective.
What does the CoR recommend?
The CoR can facilitate dialogue and cooperation with local and regional
authorities in third countries by providing expertise and peer-to-peer
exchanges to support the development of their capacities and multilevel
governance. In so doing, the CoR uses fora such as
Joint Consultative Committees and Working Groups, the
Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern
Partnership (CORLEAP), the
Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM)
and the
CoR-UK Contact Group.
The CoR asks for the stronger involvement of local and regional authorities
in EU relations with third countries, in order to respond to the challenges
faced by public administrations, both inside and outside the EU.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/EUInTheWorld
Values and rights, rule of law, security
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
Local and regional authorities play a crucial role in protecting
fundamental rights in a multi-level governance system. Better rights'
enjoyment has a positive impact on economic and social development, and it
is the best way to gain citizens' trust and enhance their engagement in
policy making at all levels of governance. Promoting a culture of respect
for the rule of law is therefore a shared responsibility at EU, national,
regional and local levels. With regard to "security", the fight against
terrorism is part of the broader concept of the
European Security Union,
and the key role of cities in the protection of public spaces and
preventing radicalisation, for example, is highlighted by the
EU Pledge on Urban Security and Resilience.
What does the CoR recommend?
The CoR suggests that regions and cities should be involved in promoting a
culture of respect of fundamental rights, EU values and the rule of law. In
particular, it is essential to strengthen young people’s ownership of these
founding elements of the EU. Civic attitudes play an important role in the
development of illiberal forms of populism, while education can make a
positive contribution towards combating the risks of democratic regression.
For example, with regard to the application of the
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the establishment of contact points at local level could provide guidance
for local and regional authorities on how to shape their policies, in full
compliance with the Charter, and highlight best practices. Another recent
example is the adoption of a
CoR opinion on the Counter-Terrorism Agenda for the EU.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/ValuesRights
Digital transformation
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
Access to digital infrastructure and services varies significantly between
and even within EU regions and cities. Digital transformation is crucial
for economic and societal development and digital technologies have become
imperative for every aspect of our lives. At the same time, the COVID-19
pandemic has exposed a growing digital divide across the EU, confirming
that the availability and accessibility of digital transformation
opportunities has an important impact on cohesion between EU regions and
cities.
What does the CoR recommend?
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has been advocating for the
concept of "digital cohesion" since the adoption of its opinion
Digital Europe for All
in 2019. Digital cohesion is seen as an important, additional dimension to
the concept of economic, social and territorial cohesion, as defined in the
EU Treaty. The CoR is currently examining the status of digital
transformation in EU regions as regards disparities concerning
infrastructure, internet usage and the availability of e-government
services.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/Digital
European Democracy
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
Enhancing the democratic functioning of the EU is a way to relaunch the
European project. Regions, cities, municipalities and more than one million
politicians elected at subnational level play an important role in making
European democracy more resilient. A greater involvement of local and
regional authorities and the European Committee of the Regions in EU
policy-making could bring Europe closer to the citizens.
What does the European Committee of the Regions recommend?
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) supports the further
development of the EU principles of "subsidiarity and proportionality",
which ensure that decisions are taken as closely as possible to the citizen
and that constant checks are made to verify that action at EU level is
justified, in light of the possibilities available at national, regional or
local level. Moreover, the CoR suggests making citizens' participation, as
promoted by the Conference on the Future of Europe, a permanent feature and
pooling expertise in citizens’ engagement through an EU-wide network of
regions and cities.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/Democracy
Migration
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
Migration has had a strong impact on EU regions and cities, in particular
those on the frontline of migratory flows. These regions and cities are
often responsible for the reception and integration of migrants, providing
them with vital infrastructure and services. In addition, the demographic
situation of all EU regions and cities, including its impact on labour
markets and public services, is significant, and will play a greater role
in policies delivered at local and regional level.
What does the European Committee of the Regions recommend?
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) calls for a comprehensive
migration policy at EU level, which includes the experiences and views of
regions and cities in its design and delivery. It should take into account
the regional and local input, and include integration, fair return
procedures and asylum policies that are be able to respond adequately to
current and future migration trends. It also needs to address the root
causes of migration, in cooperation with countries of origin and transit,
for those in need of humanitarian protection, while protecting the EU’s
external borders.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
https://futureu.europa.eu/processes/Migration
Education, culture, youth and sport
Why does it matter to EU regions and cities?
Education, culture, youth and sport meet the essential needs of our
societies, whether by encouraging economic and social development through
education, mutual understanding through culture and sport, or more
inclusive democratic life through youth participation. The role of regions
and cities in these fields is crucial and in many Member States, they are
in charge of the relevant infrastructures and services. The digitalisation
of education and culture, high levels of youth unemployment in some regions
and the aggravation of economic and social disparities are some of the most
pressing challenges that lie ahead for local and regional governments. Some
of these challenges and their regional dimensions may even become more
visible and pressing through the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What does the European Committee of the Regions recommend?
In general, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) advises the EU
institutions on legislation and policies through
opinions
that take into account the particular situation and needs of local and
regional administrations. Issues related to education, culture, youth and
sport are dealt with by the
Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and
Culture
(SEDEC).
The political priorities of the European Committee of the Regions
2020-2025
include "Bringing Europe closer to its people" and "Building resilient
regional and local communities" as two of three key topics. In its recent
opinion on
"Achieving the European Education Area by 2025", the CoR calls for a better recognition of regional needs and recommends
addressing regional disparities in the field of education.
What is the EU doing?
Find out more:
Education, culture, youth and sport - Conference on the Future of
Europe (europa.eu)