At its December plenary session, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an opinion on a macro-regional strategy for the Carpathians, following an initiative by the Marshal of the Podkarpackie region Władysław Ortyl (PL/ECR). Putting in place a fifth macro-regional strategy would mean additional funding for all regions in the Carpathians, both EU and non-EU such as Ukraine, Serbia and Moldova.

On 4 December, the President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Karl-Heinz Lambertz, will deliver his third "The State of the European Union: the View of Regions and Cities" speech, during a debate with European Parliament President, David Sassoli. The speech, which comes as the CoR marks its 25th anniversary, will set our regions and cities expectations for the new EU mandate. The CoR's members will also discuss how to strengthen social rights with the new EU Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, and adopt their position on the European Green Deal, following a debate with Executive Vice-President, Frans Timmermans.

The voluntary amalgamation of local communities in Ukraine over the past year has been welcomed by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) as a sign of progress, as Ukraine continues along a process of decentralisation intended to empower local governments and increase their financial autonomy.

Around 400 citizens and representatives of local and regional administrations, civil society and businesses attended the first Polish Town Hall debate organised by CoR and the Podkarpackie region on 4 February. See the article for more.