The Assembly of European Regions is proud to present our annual Activity Report for 2021 – 2022.

As 2022 was the designated the European Year of Youth by the European Commission, the theme of this year’s report is fittingly titled ‘Regions for the Next Generation‘. In keeping with this theme, Habile Studio‘s cover visual shows the tertiary education rate among young people in Europe; a key marker of economic participation over time.

The 2022 Activity Report was officially released on 30 June at the 2023 General Assembly and Summer Symposium by AER President, Albert Castellanos Maduell, Honorary President, Magnus Berntsson, and Secretary General, Christian Spahr.

So what’s inside this year’s Activity Report?

The period from 2021 to 2022 was a transformative and challenging year for Europeans. Just as it seemed Europe was turning the page on the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 upended all norms and expectations across the continent, and the ensuing refugee and cost of living crises have demanded more of regional leaders than ever before. As Magnus Berntsson outlines in his President’s forward, at a time where the European way of life as we know it has come under threat, AER’s members have shown resilience, resourcefulness and solidarity; uniting as never before to support Ukraine, and welcoming eight new members at the time of publication.

More broadly, the tremendous work being undertaken by members to help refugees, empower young people, and shape a balanced recovery is reflected on every page of this year’s Activity Report. Whether through AER’s European projects, thematic working groups, dedicated advocacy work, or youth programmes, the AER Secretariat has worked tirelessly to bring members together and shape novel solutions to common challenges.

Flip through a digital copy of ‘Regions for the Next Generation’ below!

Hard copies are available upon request by contacting AER Communications & Events Manager, Barbara Polin.