On 9 October 2023, the Committee of the Regions has published its EU Annual Report on the State of Regions and Cities, as a snapshot of the most pressing challenges faced by regions and cities across Europe, as well as solutions from the ground to inform EU policy decisions.
It provides insights on how regions and cities address crisis, such as climate disasters or the Russian war against Ukraine. It will show how regions and cities contribute to the long-term transformation of our societies, with the green and digital transition, while strengthening cohesion.
Understanding Europe from the local and regional perspective
Based on original studies commissioned by the European Committee of the Regions, as well as academic research, contributions from other European institutions and open source documentation, the Report provides facts and data for policy-makers and relevant stakeholders. The main findings and recommendations have been echoed in the annual address on the State of Regions and Cities in the European Union, to be delivered by the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro on the 9th October 2023.
This year's Report focuses on the most pressing challenges that EU regions and cities are facing. From emergencies and crises, such as climate disasters, the Russian war against Ukraine or energy shortages, to long-term transformation via the green and digital transition, while strengthening cohesion, the Report will provide solutions and ideas from the ground.
The Report is forward-looking, acting as a foresight guide in view of the European elections and the next legislative term of the EU institutions.
The Report also features its "Regional and Local Barometer", presenting the views of elected representatives from across Europe surveyed in partnership with IPSOS.
Regional and Local Barometer
In the 27 Member States of the European Union, there are more than one million politicians elected at the subnational level. These local politicians represent a highly diverse set of constituencies at various levels of government, including federal states, regions, provinces, counties, districts or municipalities. The Eurobarometer Flash survey provides an important platform for local politicians in the EU to share their opinion on Europe's challenges and priorities.
The answers reveal what local politicians would prioritise at the EU level, how aware they are of EU-wide initiatives and of EU funding opportunities, what they think of the future of Europe, and what their responses are to the emergency created by the war in Ukraine.
Main findings
- 50% of local politicians said that their regional or local authority creates reception centres and provides housing for refugees, while 33% provide access to social welfare and medical care for refugees.
- More than four in ten respondents (45%) considered that regions and cities can contribute to the reconstruction of Ukraine by involving EU regions and cities in a wider European plan for the reconstruction of Ukraine. About three in ten respondents consider the most effective response to be providing financial and material support (31%), twinning programmes to strengthen technical and institutional capacity and exchange best practices (30%) and promoting good governance at local and regional level (27%).
- Regarding the awareness of any EU funding (under Cohesion Policy), about a quarter of respondents (23%) answered that they are aware of, and have been involved in EU Cohesion Policy funding received by their city or region in the past two years. In contrast, 36% of respondents replied they are aware but have not been involved and 33% answered that they are not aware and have not been involved; this number ranged from 2% in Croatia to 71% in Denmark.
- When asked about the added value of cohesion policy, compared to other funding streams (national or regional), a majority of respondents (53%) answered that such funds support specific types of projects. A quarter of respondents (25%) replied that such funds bring added value when it comes to cross border cooperation with other cities and regions.
- A majority of respondents (62%) answered that their city or region has taken actions in relation to the European Green Deal to reduce energy consumption. Four in ten respondents (40%) said that their city or region has taken measures to promote nature conservation and greening of cities (e.g. planting trees), and a somewhat lower proportion (37%) mentioned 'actions to reduce waste and its environmental impact'.
- A vast majority of respondents (91%) either totally agree or tend to agree that regions and cities should have more influence in EU policy-making and in the debate on the future of the European Union
- When asked in which areas regions and cities should have a greater say in EU policy-making, about half of respondents selected 'a stronger economy, social justice and jobs' (52%), 'education, culture, youth and sport' (51%) and 'climate crisis and the environment' (51%)
- The 'Local politicians of the EU and the future of Europe' survey was conducted by IPSOS. Between 25 July and 11 September 2023, 2907 interviews were completed with local and regional politicians in the EU.
