🏛️ AER Autumn Bureau Meeting 📅 10 December 2025 | 🕘 09:20 – 10:20 Shaping the Post-2027 Cohesion Policy Framework Cohesion Policy is one of the European Union’s most important instruments for strengthening economic, social, and territorial cohesion, fostering development, and reducing inequalities between regions. As discussions begin for the 2028–2034 … [Read more...]
“No Services, No Stay: Turning Access Into a Right” – AER Bureau debate
Official Launch of the AER Task Force on Access to Services📅 10 December 2025 | 🏛️ AER Autumn Bureau Meeting Building a Europe Where Everyone Has Access to Essential Services Access to quality essential services—education, healthcare, housing, transport, digital connectivity—is a cornerstone of well-being and equality. Yet, across Europe, many citizens in rural, … [Read more...]
Policy Briefing | MFF 2028 – 2034: Regional Development at Stake
The European Commission’s proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, worth €1.98 trillion (1.26% EU GNI), introduces National Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) as the main delivery mechanism for EU funds, including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Cohesion Fund (CF), Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and other instruments. While the … [Read more...]
Join the new AER Task Force on Access to Services!
About the Task Force Building upon the AER Political Priorities for 2025-2030, members of the AER Political Bureau during the Spring meeting in Maribor (June 2025) decided to establish a new Task Force on Access to Services, which will run from 2025 to 2027. This Task Force seeks to improve the design and delivery of essential services across all European regions, … [Read more...]
NEW PUBLICATION – Building Inclusive Regions: The EU-Belong Model for Intercultural Integration
How can regions across Europe effectively support the inclusion of migrants and refugees, while taking into account local diversity, needs, and capacities? This is the challenge the EU-Belong project set out to address. The outcome is an innovative and adaptable model that supports regions in embedding intercultural principles into local governance, helping to build stronger … [Read more...]
A Multiannual Financial Framework That Works for All Regions
A call for an EU budget that works for every territory, every community, every citizen, by the AER Bureau rapporteur on the MFF negotiations, Jan Klopman (Flevoland, NL) In response to the European Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 –“An ambitious budget for a stronger Europe”– the Assembly of European Regions are calling for … [Read more...]
The 2025-2030 AER Political Priorities
Working for the European Regions of 2030 Every five years, the Bureau of the Assembly of European Regions sets the political voice underpinning the AER's priorities as a pan-European and independent network. At the Spring Bureau meeting that took place in Maribor, Slovenia, on 18 June 2025, members agreed on the direction of the AER for the upcoming five years. The … [Read more...]
The Future of Agriculture: the role of European Regions
Towards the European agriculture of the future The resilience of European agri-food supply chains, the impact of climate change and digital innovation on new agricultural models, and the generational renewal and well-being of farmers are only a few of the issues shaping the present and future of European agriculture. As illustrated in its position paper and demonstrated … [Read more...]
Highlights of the AER Autumn Bureau & Working Group meetings | Insights of the CL-YE study visit in Brussels
The AER Autumn Bureau and Working group meetings in Brussels on 3 and 4 December wrapped up a year of intense political engagement for and with European regions. The Bureau also hosted a study visit of the Erasmus+ project Climbing the Ladder (CL-YE), which aims to explore models and mechanisms of youth engagement at regional and European levels. For the AER Bureau, … [Read more...]
The AER at the 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities
Empowering communities requires action on multiple levels and fields. During the European Week of Regions and Cities, the AER political leadership put forward our commitment to advocating for Cohesion Policy as means to ensure territorial cohesion and boosting competitiveness. President Albert Castellanos (Catalonia, ES), Vice President Linda Helén Haukland (Nordland, NO) … [Read more...]
Press release – The Youth Regional Network is selected to take part in the EU Youth Test at the European Economic and Social Committee
The Youth Regional Network (YRN) has been officially selected to take part in the EU Youth Test at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The EESC will hold a first online kick-off meeting on the 3rd of September, gathering the youth organisations who will participate in the initiative. The meeting will represent the occasion to introduce the participants … [Read more...]
Highlights of the AER Winter Dialogues 2023 – Autumn Bureau Meeting & MEET Intergenerational Debate
The AER Winter Dialogues on 29 and 30 November 2023 in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria were an opportunity to practice and showcase the different activities which build the AER's pan-European network, from the Workshop on Mental Health chaired by Värmland to the Bureau session on the future Cohesion Policy. Workshop on Mental Health and Study Trip to the Agrana Plant The AER … [Read more...]
Regional Innovation Valleys — join AER to put regional priorities on the EU Innovation Agenda
AER calls on members to strengthen regional perspectives on EU innovation policy, and build partnerships for future funding opportunities The European Commission has launched a call for expression of interest for Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs), to strengthen and advance European innovation ecosystems. Under the New European Innovation Agenda, RIVs will aim … [Read more...]
Join our new AER Task Forces!
AER Task Force on Cohesion Policy The discussion about the future of the EU's cohesion policy is gaining momentum. In just a few years, the European Commission will unveil its proposals for the next EU programming period. Key institutional actors and stakeholders are already thinking about how cohesion policy has worked in the past and present, and they're exploring ways … [Read more...]
Bureau Debate – Next Generation Skills: Regions shaping the Future of Work
Barcelona, Catalonia - 29 June 2023 10.00 - 12.00 The Fourth Industrial Revolution along with the digital transformation driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, the demographic change and the digital and green transition, are profoundly changing the nature of work, leading to new ways of working and creating new jobs. Maximising the opportunities these trends offer will … [Read more...]