To celebrate World Justice Day 2025, Vania Freitas (AER Secretary General) and Marlen Niubó Edeler (Catalan Coordinator of the Committee for the Assistance of Refugees) feature on the Open Doors podcast, an initiative by UNITEE (New European Business Confederation) presented in their online magazine The New European. In this half-hour episode, they share personal and … [Read more...]
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! EU-Belong & DT4E: how intercultural integration can foster successful and sustainable labour migration pathways
On World Migration Day 2024, The Assembly of European Regions is pleased to release an exclusive interview, produced in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Country Office for Belgium and Luxembourg. The interview bridges two flagship AMIF-funded initiatives coordinated by the organisations: EU-Belong and Displaced Talents for Europe. While … [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...]
EU-Belong & History Box: demonstrating the role of history education in advancing intercultural integration across Europe
On 17 October 2024, Emanuela Pisanó, EU-Belong Project Manager, participated in the final event of History Box, an Erasmus+ funded project coordinated by KMOP Policy Centre. Different experts were invited to share experience and knowledge on the topic of migration and inclusion, resulting in an insightful conversation and inspiring best practices. The event underscored the … [Read more...]
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! EU-Belong at the European Citizens’ Panel on Tackling Hatred in Society: creating a safe and healthy European society through democratic participation
On 17 May 2024, Emanuela Pisanó, AER European Project Manager, joined the European Citizens' Panel on Tackling Hatred in Society, sharing insights from the AMIF-funded EU-Belong project. Afterwards, the European Commission shared the availability to release this exclusive interview, that demonstrate the need for collective action at all levels to build a safe and inclusive … [Read more...]
Why and how place matters | Highlights of the Partnership Leadership Programme Dúiche at the Irish College Leuven
From 14 to 18 October 2024, the Dúiche programme at the Irish College Leuven welcomed executives from development agencies, community development practitioners, public officials, and policymakers to explore how and why place matters in a global economy. In a world shaped by the unrelenting pressure of globalization, the place-based approach represents a paradigm shift from … [Read more...]
EU-Belong brings testimonials of intercultural integration strategies to the 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities
As Europe faces demographic shifts and an evolving migration landscape, projects like EU-Belong are essential for promoting integration and social cohesion. By promoting intercultural integration through multi-stakeholder governance, EU-Belong seeks to create the conditions for inclusive societies that celebrate diversity while addressing inequality. At the 22nd European Week … [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...]
Ukraine Focus Group—new partnerships between Catalonia Trade & Investment and Ukrainian Regions
At the launch of a new platform for cooperation between EU and Ukrainian enterprises, Catalonia Trade and Investment (ACCIÓ) signed letters of intention with Ukrainian member regions Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk It is no secret that financing Ukraine's reconstruction and recovery will depend, to a large extent, on significant financial support from international institutions, … [Read more...]
AER Vice President to speak at Rijeka conference on youth mental health
Johannes Sundelin, AER Vice President for Sustainability, Green Transition and Health will open the Conference "Mental Health Challenges in Today’s Youth – A Regional Perspective", which will take place in Primorje-Gorski Kotar (HR) on 22-23 October in the context of the AER Working Group on Mental Health and will feature practices from all over Europe. Interregional peer … [Read more...]
Applications for the 2024 competition ‘School Public Budget’ of the Poltava Region are now open
From September 15, 2024, it is possible to submit project ideas for the competition 'School Public Budget' of the Poltava Region. This initiative, established by the Poltava Regional Council, aims to engage youth and strengthen collaboration with local governments and executive authorities to enhance civic awareness. The competition encourages the pooling of resources and … [Read more...]
Job Vacancy: Financial and Administrative Manager (Strasbourg, France)
About the job The Financial and Administrative Manager will be responsible for overseeing the general financial administration of the association, including a part of the Assembly of European Region’s finances related to EU-funded projects. Prior experience in bookkeeping is essential for success in this role. Key responsibilities include financial reporting and related … [Read more...]
AER President issues statement following recent attacks on Ukraine
In the first week of September 2024, a Russian barrage targeted the civilian populations and infrastructure of Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Lviv and Poltava. In the aftermath of this deadly attack, AER President Albert Castellanos issued the following statement: 'There are no words to fully express the injustice of such an appalling, callous attack on the … [Read more...]
NEW PUBLICATION! Building Inclusive Societies: Regional strategies for intercultural integration
Co-financed by the EU Asylum, Migration, and Integration Fund (AMIF), the EU-Belong project wants to improve the socio-economic inclusion and migrants’ sense of belonging through innovative regional integration strategies. By utilising both intercultural and multi-stakeholder approaches, this groundbreaking initiative aims to set a new standard for inclusion. Today, after more … [Read more...]
Highlights from the Summer Academy of Culture in Bodø | Insights of the CL-YE study visit on models of youth engagement
Bodø, the first European Capital of Culture within the Arctic Circle, welcomed participants from all over Europe for the AER Summer Academy 2024. Co-organised by Nordland County Council and the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the Summer Academy explored best practices, experiences and examples of how culture can foster youth inclusion and engagement. The Summer Academy … [Read more...]