About the AER Summer Academy

The concept of the AER Summer Academy (originally called “AER Summer School”) first arose in 1996, as a response to the increase in AER member regions coming from Central and Eastern Europe. These regions often had different needs from the AER members in Western Europe, especially in the context of EU accession. These new regions were looking into introducing new approaches to their work, in order to prepare themselves for eventual EU membership. The AER member regions of Western Europe were willing to share their experience with and offer support to their counterparts in the pre-accession countries. The Summer Academy was therefore designed as a privileged forum to facilitate the exchange of experience and best practices, and to build transnational partnerships between European regions.

Later on, the Summer Academy has evolved into a biennial forum dedicated to the exchange of experience and good practices in the area of regional development in Europe. Two dimensions in particular have taken more and more importance: youth engagement, and culture.

The AER Summer Academy 2022, “A Europe for the Next Generation”, co-hosted by Donegal County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta, was awarded the European Citizen’s Prize 2023 for Ireland by the European Parliament.

Objectives of the AER Summer Academy

• To facilitate the exchange of experience and good practices between regions on issues of common interest.
• To facilitate exchanges between policy-makers and young people.
• To support mutual learning.
• To promote regional democracy in Europe and the implementation of the principle of subsidiarity.
• To provide an opportunity for regional representatives to build networks with their peers across wider Europe (i.e. both in EU and non-EU countries).
• To foster interregional co-operation and set the ground to build regional partnerships across Europe.
• To highlight regional good practices and promote the host region
• To promote European integration, European identity, and strengthen relationships between regions across Europe.

Previous editions of the AER Summer Academy

Summer Academy Organising Committee (SAOC)

The AER Summer Academy is steered by an Organising Committee, consisting of a group of around ten AER member regions, who provide directions for the Summer Academy, build the agenda together, and contribute to it, especially through their respective workshops, and by bringing politicians, civil servants, experts and youth delegates to the event. The SAOC members contribute financially to the event, and as such are entitled to lead a workshop at the Summer Academy, showcasing their region’s expertise and best practices in a topic of their choice (in line with the main theme of the event).

The host region of a Summer Academy is in charge of the logistical organisation of the event. The AER Secretariat works jointly with the host region to elaborate the programme, to invite relevant speakers and stakeholders, and to develop the communication and promotion strategy. The SAOC provides guidance and support, organises their respective workshops, and brings along a regional delegation to the event.

Members of the SAOC:

Brussels-Capital Region (BE) | Catalonia – Catalan Youth Agency (ES) | Donegal County Council (IE) | Flevoland (NL) | Jönköping (SE) | Maramures (RO) | Nordland (NO) | Údarás na Gaeltachta (IE) | Østfold (NO) | Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (RS) | Canton of Zürich (CH).

Participants to AER Summer Academy

They should be regional politicians or officers working in regional administration, with a specific portoflio and/or experience in relation to the topic of the Summer Academy. Priority is given to the SAOC regions and to member regions of the AER.

The Summer Academy is also open to participants coming from the European institutions (EU or Council of Europe), and from (youth) civil society organisations.

Youth participants should be aged between 18 and 30 years and should be active in regional youth bodies, e.g. AER Youth Regional Network, youth councils, student councils, youth parliaments, civil society organisations, political parties etc. Underage participants must provide a Parental Consent Form.

Contact Persons

If your region is interested in joining the AER Summer Academy Organising Committee, or if you have any question about the Summer Academy, please contact the Programmes Coordinator at the AER Secretariat, Jeanne Demonque (j.demonque@aer.eu), or the Communications & Events Manager, Barbara Polin (b.polin@aer.eu), or the Member Relations Coordinator, Justin Sammon (j.sammon@aer.eu).