A few days after the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Europe's local leaders and MEPs re-entered the debate on the urgency to combat gender-based violence, which has far-reaching consequences not only at the individual but also at the societal level. At the 29 November plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), local leaders adopted an opinion calling to focus on tackling the root causes of such violence, such as gender inequality and harmful cultural or societal constructs, and urging to invest more in prevention, education and awareness raising. 

Members of the European Committee of the Regions have defended the essential role of local and regional authorities in developing an inclusive sports model that is open to all, tackles social disparities and builds a more cohesive Europe at the plenary session on 30 November. In an opinion drafted by Roberto Pella (IT/EPP), mayor of Valdengo and 1st vice-president of the National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI), they called for the promotion of a European sports model based on values, considering its social and educational role in fighting prejudice and promoting peace, especially among the younger generations. 

The ambitious goals of the European Green Deal require unprecedented and rapid changes in the coming decades largely at the local and regional levels. To ensure that all Green Deal initiatives are "local-proofed" and will not lead to growing territorial and social disparities, regions and cities are calling on the EU co-legislators to engage an in-depth review and revision of the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation and to establish a permanent climate and energy dialogue. The recommendations drafted by Joško Klisović (HR/PES), President of Zagreb City Assembly, were adopted by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 30 November. 

Supporting culture and cultural industries in rural areas is vital to promote the sustainable development of these regions so that they can retain and attract young people and combat demographic decline. The active participation of local authorities in managing these cultural policies is essential to adapt the measures to the needs of rural areas. These are the key messages of the opinion led by Csaba Borboly (RO/EPP), President of Harghita County Council, adopted at th​e Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions on 29 November. 

While more and more public services become digital and mutually interconnected, the risk of major cyber-attacks or physical attacks on critical infrastructures sharply increases, potentially leading to a ‘digital pandemic’. In order to increase the digital resilience in regions and cities, members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) have adopted by unanimity during the plenary session on 30 November an opinion on the Cyber Solidarity Act and Digital Resilience, calling for concrete support from the national and European level for regions and cities undergoing the digital transition, not least to raise the cybersecurity level in smaller municipalities. 

Renewable hydrogen is an essential building block to reach the Green Deal objectives and achieve climate neutrality, especially when it comes to decarbonising industrial activities and heavy transport in EU cities and regions. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) calls on the European Commission to reconsider the role of local and regional authorities for the future functioning of the European Hydrogen Bank, which is being set up to stimulate and support investment in renewable hydrogen. The CoR opinion drafted by Arianna Censi (IT/PES), Councillor for Mobility of the City of Milan, was adopted at the plenary session on 30 November, one week after the European Commission launched the €800m first pilot auction under the European Hydrogen Bank.