At its Autumn meeting on 3 December, the AER Bureau will pave the way for a strategic discussion on the interests of regions in an evolving European landscape.

By bringing together regional representatives, political leaders and EU policymakers, the AER Bureau will explore how regions can position their interests within the new EU policy leadership to shape policies consistent with their priorities. The discussion will focus on guiding political direction and setting policy priorities, ensuring that regions are recognised as indispensable partners in the policy-making process.

On 4 December, the event will include hands-on workshops by the AER Working Groups on Green Hydrogen and on Mental Health. These meetings will be crucial for sharing grassroots expertise, bring together committed policymakers to learn from each other, reinforcing the role of regions in Europe as key drivers of a sustainable future.

Participants will also have the option of joining visits to different EU institutions and advisory bodies to gain insights on their new asset and priorities after the EU elections of June 2024. These optional visits will take place in the context of the Erasmus+ project Climbing the Ladder (CL-YE) and will welcome up to 15 AER members each.

Daily planning

3 December 2024

Visit to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) | 10:00-12:00, EESC (Rue Belliard 99/101, 1040 Bruxelles)

Registered participants are welcome to join the guided visit to the EESC , which will feature an exclusive conversation with Ms Susannah Hallgren, Representative of the EESC Youth group.

AER Autumn Bureau meeting | 14:00 – 18:00, European Parliament (Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Bruxelles)

The AER Autumn Bureau, hosted by  MEPs Lukas Mandl and Alexander Bernhuber will represent an opportunity for a strategic discussion on the interests of regions in the next term 2024-2029 of the European Commission, and the European Parliament. This high-level debate will serve as a critical opportunity for AER regions to unite, strategize, and strengthen their voice in the new European political cycle, setting a foundation for proactive engagement with EU institutions over the coming years.

• Draft overall agenda

Wednesday 4 December

Breakfast briefing on ‘How to build resilient societies to promote mental health’ | 9:00-10:30, Renewable Energy House (REH) (Rue d’Arlon 63-67, 1040 Bruxelles)

The breakfast briefing will explore the intersection between healthy democracies and mental wellbeing, discussing both recent publications from the European Joint Research Centre and publications on participatory democracy and resilient societies, and regional practices focused on improving resilience and mental wellbeing.

Visit to European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) | 9:30 – 10:30 ( Bd Simon Bolivar 34, 1000 Bruxelles)

Registered participants will have the opportunity to engage in an exclusive presentation on the Erasmus+ and CERV funding programmes.

Visit to the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) | 12:00-13:00, European Committee of the Regions (CoR) (Rue Van Maerlant 2, B-1040 Bruxelles) 

Registered participants are welcome join the guided study visit to the CoR. Recommended arrival time is 11.45.

Workshop on Green Hydrogen by the AER Working Group on Green Hydrogen | 11:00-13:00, Renewable Energy House (REH) (Rue d’Arlon 63-67, 1040 Bruxelles)

Join peers from across Europe to explore the role of regions in developing hydrogen value chains and fostering regional and transnational collaborations to scale the European hydrogen economy.

Registrations closed on 20 November 2024. If you are an AER member, please contact AER Communications and Events Coordinator Barbara Polin ([email protected])

Deadline for visits to EU institutions and advisory bodies: 4 November 2024

Deadline for registering in the Bureau meeting and Working Groups: 20 November 2024

Click here to know more about Climbing the Ladder