From 2 to 4 June 2026, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the Timiș County Council will offer regional leaders and stakeholders the opportunity to explore how regions can reinforce the resilience and responsiveness of our democracies, forming multi-level democratic partnerships among academia, civil society and media.

The Regions Forum will take place in the main government building of Timiș County Council, situated in Bulevardul Revoluției din 1989 nr.17.

2 June 2026 | High-Level Conference – Defending Democratic Resilience in the Age of Disinformation

 The high-level conference on 2 June 2026 aims to discuss how regions can defend democratic resilience amid the rise of AI and disinformation. It will include a political roundtable on how to address the risks of AI-powered manipulation and disinformation in democracy, and how to build democratic resilience across the regional, national and European levels. The conference will also include two workshops, one on regions acting as grassroots democracy shields and one on the role of the media in times of crisis. 

As representatives of regional governments and their key partners, participants are invited to share their experiences on the impact of disinformation on democracy, taking inspiration from the questions listed here. Interested participants will have the opportunity to share these experiences during the conference.

3 June 2026 | 2026 AER General Assembly, Spring Bureau meeting Intercultural Regions Network

The 2026 AER General Assembly, Spring Bureau meeting and the Intercultural Regions Network Plenary will take place on Wednesday, 3 June. The discussions will bring into focus the issues of Cohesion Policy, agriculture & rural development, right to stay & access to services, multilateral processes & the global agenda, disinformation and migrant inclusion.

During the General Assembly, the AER will elect the following  positions will be up for election:

• 1 Vice President – member of the Executive Board
• 1 member of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group (MEG)
• 2-4 members of the Election Committee

4 June 2026 |  General Assembly of the Youth Regional Network | Capacity Building & Study Visits

The Youth Regional Network will hold its General Assembly on the morning of 4 June. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in innovative capacity-building sessions through hands-on insights on disinformation on migration, rural development and urban renewal.

About the Study Visit on Urban Renewal 

Timișoara, the 2023 European Capital of Culture, offers several meaningful examples of urban regeneration. The study visit on urban renewal will feature highlights from different industrial sites which have been re-imagined as inspiring venues for social innovation and cultural development. These sites include:

• The Water Museum, a former industrial water plant that has been reimagined as a public cultural and educational space, preserving the city’s technical heritage while opening it to citizens and visitors. 
• The Corneliu Miklosi Public Transport Museum, which highlights the importance of industrial mobility heritage and demonstrates how transportation history can become part of a contemporary cultural narrative.
• The ISHO House, built between 1904 and 1905, was one of the first buildings of the ILSA wool factory, supplying fabrics and tapestries to prestigious companies throughout the country. Today, it houses the Art Encounters Foundation.
• The Faber Creative Hub, an old industrial facility turned into a dynamic hub for culture, education, entrepreneurship, is an example of how to give new meaning to spaces that once defined the economic identity of a city.

About the Study Visit on Rural Development

Timiș County has strong agricultural traditions, fertile land, and a growing ecosystem of local producers who are investing not only in business development, but also in the identity and attractiveness of rural areas. The study visit demonstrates how rural development goes well beyond agriculture, as it encompasses place-based innovation and long term prosperity. It will feature:

• Local wineries (Petro Vaselo, Aramic and Thesaurus) showing how local entrepreneurship can generate economic growth, tourism opportunities, and jobs while promoting regional identity and quality local products.
• Social hub in Cerneteaz, where local initiatives support both seniors and young people through dedicated clubs, activities, and community services. This center is an example of how local authorities, civil society, and communities can work together to reduce vulnerability, combat isolation, and strengthen social ties.

Practical Information

How to get to Timișoara (TM)

• Fly direct flights to Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR) from European airports:
  Munich, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Dortmund, Nuremberg, Frankfurt-Hahn, Istanbul, Rome, Bari, Milano, Napoli, Bologna, Treviso, Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Brussels, Pari, Beauvais, Basel, London Luton, Bucharest
• You can fly to one of the nearest airports and then take a rental car to Timișoara:
  Belgrade Airport (BEG): ~163 km, ~2h50 by car Budapest Airport (BUD): ~277 km, ~3h12 by car 

Where to sleep in Timișoara

• Use the code “ARE2026” before 31 May 2026 when booking with the hotels listed here.

Curious about Timiș?