The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) stressed within the opinion adopted by unanimity at the Plenary Meeting on the 2nd of December, that the European Commission's report on competition policy 2020 must be followed by bold acts. The EU should take the needs of SMEs into account to create a fair and level playing field for the benefit of all EU citizens, considering the implications of the pandemic and the consequences of substantially increased amounts of state aid. Therefore, any COVID-19-related aid should be granted only to businesses that are experiencing the immediate financial impact of the pandemic. 

​On 30 November 2021, the Anna Lindh Foundation organised, in the framework of celebrations for the Day of the Mediterranean on 28 November and on the margins of the UFM Regional Forum, the award ceremony of the EuroMed Capital for Dialogue Award 2021 – a new initiative by this institution to promote intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region. 

A política de coesão deve abordar as questões da igualdade de género e da participação das mulheres no mercado de trabalho, cruciais para uma maior coesão económica e social na Europa. É este o apelo formulado no parecer elaborado por Donatella Porzi, membro da Assembleia Regional da Úmbria (Itália), adotado na plenária do Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR) em 2 de dezembro. Os dirigentes locais e regionais consideram extremamente importante que os planos nacionais de recuperação e resiliência integrem a perspetiva de género. 

Council of Europe leader calls for support for local media and emphasises the "major role" of local and regional authorities in tackling disinformation and hate. 

Organic farming, through its positive environmental and climate impact in terms of improved carbon sequestration and soil health, biodiversity conservation and animal welfare, contributes to the objectives of the European Green Deal and targets of the EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted on 2 December the opinion on EU action plan for organic farming. 

The Climate Pact Ambassadors of the European Committee of the Regions and the Directorate General Climate Action of the European Commission debated on the first CoR Climate Ambassadors event on the possibilities offered by the initiative whose purpose is to get individuals, communities and organisations involved in climate actions and build a greener Europe. Climate Pact Ambassadors play a key role in the CoR's actions for the Climate Pact . 

A recuperação económica e social, bem como as transições ecológica e digital, só terão êxito se os órgãos de poder local e regional participarem diretamente na elaboração e execução dos planos nacionais de recuperação e resiliência (PRR). O estabelecimento de uma parceria estreita entre todos os níveis de governação, os parceiros sociais e as ONG é da maior importância para assegurar que os PRR correspondem às necessidades dos territórios e evitar sobreposições com outros fundos e políticas da UE. Estas são as principais mensagens que o Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR) dirigiu aos governos nacionais e às instituições da UE no parecer elaborado por Rob Jonkman, membro da Assembleia Municipal de Opsterland, Países Baixos. O parecer foi adotado na reunião plenária do CR de 1 de dezembro. 

As regiões e os municípios instam a Comissão Europeia a prestar apoio adicional a todos os níveis de governo nos seus esforços para pôr termo ao fenómeno dos sem-abrigo na Europa até 2030. Num debate com Nicolas Schmit, comissário do Emprego e Direitos Sociais, os membros do Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR) congratularam-se com a criação da Plataforma Europeia de Luta contra a Condição de Sem-Abrigo. Num parecer hoje adotado em plenária, destaca-se o papel dos órgãos de poder local e regional na adoção de uma abordagem orientada para a habitação e de uma combinação adequada de medidas de prevenção que abordem as causas estruturais e pessoais da situação de sem-abrigo. 

As regiões e os municípios da Europa acolheram com agrado a proposta de designar 2022 Ano Europeu da Juventude. Uma resolução adotada hoje na reunião plenária do Comité das Regiões Europeu sublinha o papel fundamental dos órgãos de poder local e regional na promoção da participação dos jovens na democracia local e insta à integração da perspetiva da juventude em todos os domínios de ação da UE. Tendo em conta o impacto da crise da COVID-19 nos jovens e na sua educação, emprego, rendimento e saúde mental, o Comité apela para que se intensifiquem os esforços para combater o desemprego e as condições de trabalho precárias dos jovens, bem como para promover o seu acesso à habitação. 

The EU's regions and cities have underlined their essential role in boosting investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and fostering trust in AI solutions. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has adopted an opinion calling for more transparency and stricter information requirements, especially what comes to high-risk AI systems. It also points out the major human rights risks and implications associated with the use of social classification, which should only be allowed only for specific purposes and always with human oversight to avoid any violations to the right to dignity and non-discrimination and to the values of equality and justice. 

Sustainable Development Goals and public participation in focus at Cities and Regions for International Partnerships forum. 

The blue economy employs close to 4.5 million people and generates around €650 billion in turnover and €176 billion in gross value added in the EU. Aquaculture – fish farming - accounts for 20% of fish and shellfish supply in the EU. The sector is composed of 15,000 enterprises and employs 70,000 people. As part of the blue economy, fisheries and aquaculture are key to boosting the COVID-19 economic recovery, creating jobs and offering sustainable development opportunities to coastal and rural populations. Yet red tape and insufficient investments continue to hinder the full development of a European aquaculture sector. 

The EU needs a strategy that can help industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach climate-neutrality at the same time as helping to recover from the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. A set of concrete measures on how this can be achieved – including strengthening the role of SMEs and the territorial dimension of the EU's industrial strategy, pushing for place-based innovation policies, smart specialisation strategies and closer links between industrial and regional ecosystems – were adopted today by the European Committee of the Regions in its opinion 'Updating the 2020 New Industrial Strategy: Building a stronger Single Market for Europe's recovery'. 

Registration is now open for the 9th European Summit of Regions and Cities, scheduled to take place in Marseille (France) on 3-4 March 2022, in the context of the incoming French Presidency of the Council of the EU. 

A Conferência sobre o Futuro da Europa é uma oportunidade única para aproximar a UE dos seus cidadãos e reforçar o respetivo sentimento de pertença ao projeto europeu. Para o efeito, é essencial que as conclusões da conferência atribuam ao Comité das Regiões Europeu um papel de coordenação e de comunicação em nome dos órgãos de poder local e regional no futuro processo de decisão europeu. Tal ponto de vista foi partilhado por Herman Van Rompuy, antigo presidente do Conselho Europeu e presidente do Grupo de Alto Nível do CR para a Democracia Europeia, e Renaud Muselier, presidente da região meridional de Provença-Alpes-Côte d’Azur e presidente delegado da Associação das Regiões de França, durante um debate sobre o futuro da democracia na Europa por ocasião da reunião plenária do Comité das Regiões Europeu. 

The European Union's debate on its future should result in deeper and more systematic collaboration with local and regional authorities, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) said on 1 December in recommendations that likewise called for direct consultation with the public to become a greater part of the life of the Union. The CoR, which brings together governors, mayors and councillors from across the EU, underlined the need for a regional perspective to become standard by suggesting that, whenever the EU chooses not to make an assessment of the impact of legislation on regions, it should be obliged to provide a public explanation. 

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, presidente do Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR), deu as boas-vindas ao presidente da República Francesa, Emmanuel Macron, na reunião plenária do Comité das Regiões Europeu (#CoRplenary) para um debate sobre a revitalização da democracia e dos valores europeus. O presidente francês confirmou o papel primordial que cabe aos órgãos de poder local e regional na defesa dos valores europeus e na revitalização da democracia e expressou a sua vontade de associar o CR aos trabalhos da Presidência francesa do Conselho da União Europeia (ver vídeo do debate aqui ). 

On 29 November 2021, ARLEM vice-president André Viola, member of the Member of the Departmental Council of Aude (France), addressed the co-presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean and ministers of foreign affairs at the UfM Sixth Regional Forum held in the framework of the celebrations of the Day of the Mediterranean of 28 of November. 

Co-organised by the CoR, East Poland House and Polish rail operator PKP, the conference brought together local and regional authorities, sectoral stakeholders and EU institutions. The importance of close cooperation between all levels of governance and sectoral stakeholders for the shift to rail objectives set out under the EU Green Deal and in the context of the European Year of Rail 2021 (EYR 2021) was underscored from the outset by Marie-Antoinette MAUPERTUIS (FR/EA), second Vice-President of the CoR's COTER Commission. The focus on regional rail was particularly welcomed in particular by Alberto Mazzola, Executive Director of the Community of European Railways (CER), who called for regional rail to be more prominently addressed at EU level, recalling that most passenger rail journeys in the EU are made at local and regional level.  

The chairman of the CoR's High-Level Group on European Democracy – Herman Van Rompuy, former President of the European Council – will lead a debate on 1 December on strengthening European democracy in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe. 

​​​​Moving towards zero-pollution, making the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) work for EU cities and regions along with gender equality and climate change are three of the main topics discussed at the ENVE commission meeting on 23 and 24 November. The meeting hosted the award ceremony of the Transformative Action Awards 2021. The conclusions of the COP26 climate summit have been part of the discussions with members celebrating the Glasgow Climate Pact reference to 'the urgent need for multilevel and cooperative action' to tackle the climate crisis. 

​​2021 marks the fifth anniversary of the Transformative Action Award, which recognises ongoing or concluded Transformative Actions - inspired by the 15 pathways outlined in the Basque Declaration - that accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement, in addition to spearheading the socio-cultural, socio-economic and technological transformation of societies. The Transformative Action Award is organised by ICLEI Europe, the Basque Country and the City of Aalborg with the support of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Investment Bank. 

The European Committee of the Regions' Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) met on 22 November to discuss and adopt a draft opinion on the EU Long-term vision for rural areas, which should take into account the specific needs of European territories and the differences among them. During the meeting, members also presented their expectations and hope for tourism in the next decade and exchanged views on the future EU State aid rules for agriculture, rural areas and forestry; on the Health Emergency Response Authority ​and on the new EU Forest Strategy for 2030. 

The transfer of more powers and funds to local government – coupled with specific efforts to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability – have boosted public trust and made possible significant increases in investment in public services in Ukraine, leaders of local-government associations and city mayors told the European Committee of the Regions on 18 November. 

We are pleased to share the third edition of the COP26 Glasgow Chronicles series, bringing you a summary of the activities - and updates on the negotiations, that the members of the European Committee of the Regions delivered during the second week of COP26, the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) that was hosted by the UK in Glasgow from 31 October to 13 November 2021. On the closing day, the CoR published a COP26 political declaration endorsed by several partners. The COP26 conclusions are gathered in the Glasgow Climate Pact. Following the end of Glasgow climate talks, the LGMA constituency, gathering subnational governments in the UNFCCC system, published that 'Multilevel action is the beacon of hope to keep the 1.5 degree goal alive'. Already in July 2017, the CoR published that 'Cities and regions can bridge the emissions gap'. 

O Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR) lançou o convite à apresentação de candidaturas à edição de 2023 do Prémio da Região Empreendedora Europeia (EER). No âmbito desta edição, com o tema geral «Empreendedorismo e comunidades resilientes», os municípios e as regiões podem apresentar estratégias sobre a forma como tencionam apoiar as PME nos próximos dois anos. O prazo para a apresentação de candidaturas termina em 29 de março de 2022. 

​​​The future of European democracy requires permanent dialogue between citizens and their elected representatives and a clear understanding of the need for greater ownership of the European project at every level of government. This is one of the main conclusions from the work of the CoR's High Level Group on European Democracy chaired by former European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, shared today at the CoR's commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs – (CIVEX). 

This year's edition of the ESPAS Annual Conference, co-hosted by the EP and the EC, will see a high-level contribution by former CoR President Markku Markkula (FI/EPP). The ESPAS 2021 Conference will be held online on 18-19 November, under the headline 'Shaping Europe's future: Global trends and strategic choices.' 

​After two weeks of negotiations, the latest COP26 conclusions highlight the urgent need for multilevel and cooperative action. The reference was deleted in previous drafts, but reinserted after the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), speaking on behalf of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities Constituency, called for it to be included during the COP26 stocktaking plenary session on 11 November, the cities and regions day at COP26. The latest draft also urges Parties to further integrate adaptation into local, national and regional planning and recognise the important role of non-Party stakeholders in contributing to the goals of the Paris Agreement. Looking ahead to the COP27, a coalition of international networks – led by the CoR and representing cities and regions worldwide – today adopted a political declaration in support of further strengthening multilevel collaboration as a prerequisite to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C by the end of the century. 

​The event took place on 12 November 2021 in fully remote format, co-organised by CEI and the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro (UOM). Roberto Ciambetti (IT/ECR), President of the Regional Council of Veneto and Co-Chair of the Joint Consultative Committee between the CoR and Montenegro, represented the Committee of the Regions. 

Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and Montenegro held its 16th meeting on 3 November 2021, in Brussels-based hybrid format, under the joint leadership of its two Co-Chairs, Roberto Ciambetti (IT/ECR), President of the Regional Council of Veneto, and Aleksandar Kašćelan, Mayor of Cetinje. 

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of the region of Central Macedonia, spoke on 9 November at the Berlin Conference organised every year by the Stiftung Zukunft Berlin to mark the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The theme of this year's conference is "Europe Bottom Up!". 

​We are pleased to share the first of the COP26 Glasgow Chronicles series, intended to bring you updates on the activities and key messages that the members of the European Committee of the Regions are delivering at COP26, be that remotely or from Glasgow. Please click here to download the CoR official delegation and key messages to COP26. Here is our dedicated COP26 web portal. 

We are pleased to share the second of the COP26 Glasgow Chronicles series, bringing you updates on the activities and key messages that the members of the European Committee of the Regions are delivering at COP26. This second issue includes major COP26 developments and new pledges and additional press coverage. 

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Commission jointly held the third meeting of the Broadband Platform on 27 October. Members learnt about the latest policy initiatives on digital transformation, such as the Digital Policy Programme, the Digital Principles, the European Green Deal and digitalization, the National Recovery and Resilience Plans funding connectivity, the security dimension of 5G and the EDIH network. CoR Members directly informed Commission's experts about the digital challenges they experience at local and regional level.  

​​The Councillor of the French Finistère Departmental Council, Nathalie Sarrabezolles (FR/PES), was elected new chair of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget (COTER) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). During the meeting, members of the COTER adopted an opinion on the gender dimension of cohesion policy drafted by Donatella Porzi (IT/PES), and debated on cohesion as an overall value of the EU within the framework of the Conference on the Future of Europe.  

The development of innovation ecosystems and the management of changes to the tourism industry will be critical to the long-term recovery of Mediterranean economies from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to local and regional politicians as well as representatives from the United Nations, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the European Union. 

Na sessão plenária da Conferência sobre o Futuro da Europa que teve lugar este fim de semana no Parlamento Europeu, em Estrasburgo, a voz de mais de um milhão de dirigentes políticos eleitos a nível local e regional foi ouvida mais claramente do que nunca graças a uma delegação alargada. No total, 30 delegados regionais e locais participaram na segunda sessão plenária da Conferência sobre o Futuro da Europa. 

CIVEX secretariat is delighted to report on the commission's contribution to this year's edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities - the largest European event dedicated to our regions and cities and their optimal development. #EURegionsWeek took place from the 11 October to the 14 October 2021 and featured three events organised by the CIVEX commission.  

Take part in the public consultation for more responsible short-term accommodation rental services The ECON commission warmly encourages you to participate in the European Commission's ongoing public consultation on short-term accommodation rentals to get your voice heard. 

Efforts by the European Union to involve regions and cities in counter-terrorism efforts over the past five years have been welcomed by the European Committee of the Regions in a set of recommendations that, as well as calling for a continued deepening of cooperation, urge extra support for law-enforcement efforts at the EU level and the extension of support for the victims of terrorism. 

No debate de hoje com a vice-presidente da Comissão Europeia responsável pela Democracia e Demografia, os membros do Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR) elogiaram a Comissão pelo papel que tem desempenhado para assegurar que a voz das regiões, dos municípios e das aldeias esteja devidamente representada na conferência. Reiteraram o seu apelo para que o debate sobre o futuro da Europa chegue aos cidadãos através dos órgãos de poder local e regional, em resposta às suas reivindicações. 

In an opinion adopted by the plenary session today, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) welcomes the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy but warns that we are at the same time experiencing regression in respect of EU values, with some authorities continuously using anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric and even adopting discriminatory policies and legislation. The assembly of EU's regions and cities argues that European funds should not be granted to governments promoting structural discrimination mechanisms against LGBTIQ people and suggests providing more financial support to equality and diversity programmes at local level. 

Os deputados ao Parlamento Europeu e os membros do Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR) debateram com a comissária da Coesão e Reformas, Elisa Ferreira, o novo período de programação 2021-2027 e a dimensão territorial do Mecanismo de Recuperação e Resiliência (MRR). Solicitaram à Comissão Europeia que assegurasse o pleno respeito do princípio da parceria e da governação a vários níveis e que apresentasse recomendações aos Estados-Membros e às autoridades de gestão pertinentes no sentido de melhorar os processos de parceria. Instaram igualmente os Estados-Membros a velar por uma maior participação das regiões na execução do MRR e a Comissão Europeia a garantir que os planos nacionais de recuperação são elaborados no pleno respeito dos artigos 174.º e 175.º do TFUE e privilegiam as regiões menos desenvolvidas e em transição, bem como as regiões que mais sentiram as repercussões socioeconómicas da crise da COVID-19. 

No evento «Cidades que promovem a democracia na União Europeia: Perspetiva urbana para a Conferência sobre o Futuro da Europa», coorganizado pelo Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR), pela Eurocidades e pelo Conselho dos Municípios e Regiões da Europa (CMRE), os dirigentes locais e regionais apresentaram as suas expectativas para a Conferência sobre o Futuro da Europa e partilharam as suas experiências sobre o reforço da democracia local. Debateram exemplos de mecanismos de participação inovadores, projetos ecológicos, serviços digitais prestados aos cidadãos ou ainda a integração das comunidades. O evento deu lugar à adoção de conclusões , que contribuirão para a Conferência sobre o Futuro da Europa. 

A criação de um novo sistema para a proteção das indicações geográficas industriais e artesanais à escala da UE, semelhante ao modelo de êxito comprovado utilizado para os produtos agrícolas e alimentares, seria vantajosa tanto para os artesãos como para as economias locais. O novo sistema reforçaria a proteção jurídica dos produtos de excelência e contribuiria para combater a contrafação, assim como para criar e manter postos de trabalho. A proposta consta do parecer elaborado por Martine Pinville, membro da Assembleia Regional da Nova Aquitânia, adotado por unanimidade na quarta-feira, 13 de outubro, pela Assembleia Plenária do Comité das Regiões Europeu (CR). 

Janez Janša, Prime Minister of Slovenia, currently holding the Presidency of the EU Council, remotely attended the Plenary of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), discussing with regional and local authorities how to address local communities' needs. He told local and regional politicians that the top priority of his country's presidency of the Council of the European Union is to stop the pandemic and support the EU's economic recovery. Prime Minister Janša also thanked the European Committee of the Regions for excellent cooperation during the first half of the Presidency and for a great discussion in June already when State Secretary Gašper Dovžan presented the Presidency priorities to the Bureau, as well as congratulating the Committee members on their flagship "European Week of Regions and Cities" event. 

Jari Andersson, chair of Sastamala City Council (FI/EPP), has drafted an opinion urging the EU Member States to accelerate implementation of the EU strategy on the rights of the child and the European Child Guarantee. Mr Andersson's opinion was adopted at the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) on Tuesday 12 October. The opinion underlines that regions and municipalities play an important role in combating child poverty and exploitation and preventing exclusion. 

O Comité das Regiões Europeu adotou uma resolução sobre a COP 26 , que apresenta as suas reivindicações no domínio do clima, duas semanas antes das negociações das Nações Unidas sobre o clima em Glasgow. Numa altura em que o planeta enfrenta vagas de calor, inundações, furacões e subidas do nível do mar sem precedentes, os dirigentes locais da UE exortam as Nações Unidas e os governos nacionais a reconhecerem formalmente, a acompanharem e a incentivarem a redução das emissões de gases com efeito de estufa pelos municípios, pelos governos locais e pelas regiões a nível mundial. Mais ambição climática, mais transparência e mais responsabilização na redução das emissões de gases com efeito de estufa e no financiamento da luta contra as alterações climáticas para os mais vulneráveis são os três aspetos principais a debater em Glasgow. 

No Dia Internacional para a Redução do Risco de Catástrofes , o Comité das Regiões Europeu realizou um debate com Mami Mizutori , representante especial do secretário-geral das Nações Unidas para a Redução do Risco de Catástrofes, e com Janez Lenarčič , comissário da Gestão de Crises, sobre as formas de aumentar a resiliência às catástrofes. O debate teve lugar após um verão marcado por catástrofes naturais que afetaram gravemente muitas das regiões, cidades e aldeias da Europa. Os dirigentes locais e regionais apelaram à ONU e à UE para que trabalhem em conjunto com o Comité das Regiões no sentido de acompanhar, avaliar e reforçar a capacidade de preparação nas regiões e nos municípios. O reforço da resiliência a nível local, regional e nacional através de estruturas sólidas de gestão do risco, flanqueadas por medidas técnicas e financeiras, constituem medidas fundamentais para reduzir o impacto das catástrofes.