The category contains a collection of AER posts, linking to archives, videos, position papers and much more

New tools for policy making – the IDeal Index:

9 June, 2013 By Editor

The report suggests the use of the IDeal index to improve the lackings of GDP as an indicator of the true progress of a society. This new index takes into account life expectancy, perceived satisfaction over one’s quality of life and socio-economic and environmental parameters. “The enclosed phrase ‘I deal’ also carries the idea of ‘I participate in the sustainable development … [Read more...]

AER background note on integrated care

2 June, 2013 By Editor

Integration of care services is emerging as a central challenge of health care delivery, particularly for patients with elderly and complex chronic conditions. In 2003, the World Health Organisation (WHO) already began to identify it as one of the key pathways to improve primary care (World Health Report: 2003); in 2004, the European Commission declared integrated care as vital … [Read more...]

Economic crisis: 10 recommendations from regions

26 May, 2013 By Editor

Confronted by the crisis which affects Europe as a whole, Regions must take up the challenge and act as a true driving force to make proposals and impulse new policies at regional level. Their current economic difficulties should not prevent them from fully exploiting their strengths and potential. European Regions must work together in order to bring trust back to their … [Read more...]

Political report on “Rurality and regional development: Unlocking our territories’ economic and social potential”

2 May, 2013 By Editor

"There is a temptation to focus on a number of points and targets which appear to increase effectiveness, for example, placing an emphasis on competitiveness, urban areas and innovation. This is justifiable, but only to a certain point! Beyond this, there is a real risk of imbalance". Jean-Paul Denanot, Raporteur President of the Limousin Region (FR) Chairman of the RUR@CT … [Read more...]

Political report on “IDeal Index: Measuring real tangible progress and quality of life in the European regions”

2 May, 2013 By Editor

"Even though its contribution may be important, money doesn’t buy happiness, and neither do simple production and output. Indeed, it stands to reason that one should not rely strictly on GDP figures to judge socio-economic health". Beat Vonlanthen , State Councillor Minister of Economic Affairs-Canton of Fribourg (CH) (Use Pop Out button to Download/Open) or download it in … [Read more...]

Briefing note on local government in the Ukraine

25 April, 2013 By Editor

Table of contents: Ukraine - historical background Attempts of decentralisation in Ukraine Local and regional government in Ukraine - legal basis Local and regional government in Ukraine - overview Current issues for local and regional government in Ukraine International support for decentralisation in Eastern Partnership countries (Use Pop Out button to … [Read more...]

Political report on “The Role for the Regions in Enabling a Future for Electric Vehicles”

2 April, 2013 By Editor

"There is a pressing need for Europe to reduce it’s carbon emissions and transport is one of the key areas through which this can be achieved. I believe that electric vehicles have an important role to play in attaining this, and in the future mobility of European regions". Melville Kendal, Rapporteur Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council (UK) (Use Pop Out button to … [Read more...]

How to transfer good practices?

2 April, 2013 By Editor

A guide from the RURACT methodology. The concrete manifestations of interregional cooperation and partnership actions between European territories are not yet sufficiently well known. Nevertheless, European regions have considerable experience in this domain, indicating the interest of such enterprises. And although these joint endeavours represent a daily challenge, often … [Read more...]

Briefing note on the Eastern Partnership

20 March, 2013 By Editor

Context Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a special dimension of the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) towards 6 partner countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. This initiative was launched in May 2009 with Poland and Sweden as the originators of the idea. The EaP was strongly inspired by previous enlargements of the European Union (EU): in … [Read more...]

Conference report: Youth as a source and a lever of regional growth in times of crisis

8 March, 2013 By Editor

Table of contents: Panel 1: Youth Mobility Programmes: which perspectives and challenges for young European citizens in 2013 and beyond? Panel 2: Developing educational schemes and accompanying measures for young entrepreneurs: What can Regions do? (Use Pop Out button to Download/Open) … [Read more...]

AER Resolution: “Youth as a source and a lever of regional growth in times of crisis”