AER and the YRN are glad to present the agenda of the Spring Youth Regional Network plenary which will take place from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May in Lillehammer (Oppland/NO). In a spirit of better integration of the YRN work in the topics of the AER as well as increased contribution to the AER activities, the topics chosen for this Spring plenary mirror greatly the AER work.

First of all, Youth members will be given an introduction to a hot topic in Europe and AER : the circular economy. The potential and issues stemming from this type of economy will be presented and debated. The host region of Oppland will also present its good practices in the field.  The Regional Innovation award 2016 will be presented as the YRN has a seat in the jury and will be kept informed on the developments of the prize.

Most importantly, YRN members will be invited to prepare their contribution to the AER Spring Bureau on revitalizing democracy, Bureau that they will moderate. They will also be responsible for organizing and facilitating a workshop during the 2016 Summer Academy on youth entrepreneurship.

Further discussions will take place in the four YRN committees and we look forward to exchange on the issues brought forward by the members. The topic of migrants has already been put on the table for discussions.

Finally the elections of the new presidium will take place on 2 May, which will thus be the YRN General Assembly. AER is also happy to announce that a member region is enthusiastic about welcoming the Fall YRN plenary meetings, for which the dates will be announced soon.

We look forward to welcoming all our youth members soon. Don’t hesitate to spread the word about this meeting!

Programme: see below “plenary Agenda”

Elections and candidacies

Candidacies are open for the following positions:

• President
• Vice-Presidents (2)
• Treasurer
• Head (Vice Head) of YRN Committee on Professional Life and Youth Entrepreneurship
• Head (Vice Head) of YRN Committee on Culture and Education
• Head (Vice Head) of YRN Committee on Health and Social Affairs
• Head (Vice Head) of YRN Committee on Educational Training and Networking

Presentations on the circular economy & the Summer Academy

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Chapter 3: Social Inclusion We are excited to return with the third episode of our “EU Funding Digest” series, where we explore key EU funding opportunities under the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, examining funds that are directly, shared, or indirectly managed, each time focusing on a different topic. We are  kicking off this new chapter of our series with a key topic at the heart of AER’s work: social inclusion. As Europe becomes increasingly diverse, it is essential to harness the strengths and opportunities that this diversity brings, implementing initiatives to cultivate a sense of belonging and cultural understanding. Celebrating diverse identities while promoting equity is a delicate balance that requires robust policies to recognise and nurture the value of ...

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) and Secretary General Vania Freitas met with Mario Nava, Director-General at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion to underline the role of the regions in creating and improving job opportunities, highlighting their capacity to deliver the European Skills Agenda through initiatives like Eurodyssey. Potential areas of common interest, especially regarding upskilling and reskilling,  were also highlighted during the meeting with Karl Vanlouwe, President of the European ...

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, with recent estimates putting the total cost of reconstruction at nearly 500 billion euro. While most of the headlines (rightly) focus on immediate needs for reconstruction, less is being written about the need to secure private sector partnerships and investments that will rebuild the economy in the mid- to long-term. Indeed, the Ukraine Facility, the European Union’s 50 billion euro recovery fund, underlines the need to mobilise investment ...

Job Vacancy – Programmes Coordinator (Applications CLOSED)

Role Description The Programmes Coordinator manages the AER’s three flagship programmes: Eurodyssey, the Summer Academy and the Youth Regional Network (YRN). This entails network management, event organisation, advocacy, as well as budgetary and administrative tasks related to the Programmes’ functioning. The Programmes Coordinator reports directly to the AER Secretary General and to the Programmes’ Presidents. Key Responsibilities Coordination, management and development of the AER’s Programmes (Eurodyssey, Summer Academy, Youth Regional Network), of their activities, and of their steering committees. Member relations: supporting and liaising with member regions in the Programmes; following up on requests. Planning and organisation of events (from 100+ participants to smaller capacity-building activities), including coordinating multi-disciplinary teams (members in the steering committees, young volunteers, colleagues, facilitators, service providers…). Coordinating the participation of YRN members ...

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 learning for complex problems Current needs in terms of mental health and wellbeing are on the rise all over Europe in the context of polarisation and a decline in the popularity of human rights. Regions in the AER Working Group on Mental Health share concerns about suicide, violence at school and the impact of social media, fake news and isolation to name a few. Youth mental ...

Systemic solutions for a circular bioeconomy

In 2022, the Podravje region in Slovenia joined the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative and was selected as one of the 12 Pilots in Europe. After developing the first Regional Strategy for the Transition to Circular Bioeconomy Podravje 2030, the region is now establishing an effective action plan to implement the circular systemic solutions (development projects) identified in the strategy. Connecting the Bioeconomy & the agri-food sector The circular systemic solutions identified in the circular bioeconomy strategy are designed so that everyone who wishes, can participate in realising and building a greener future for the region. The chair of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy, Nataša Ritonija, (East Slovenia, SI) therefore took part in Agra, a major international Agri-food fair event, ...

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 efforts to address social, economic, environmental, and cultural development issues. This year, the competition features a new program, “Educational Bridges: Ukraine and Poland,” supported by the “Jagiellonian Foundation” and co-financed by the “Polish Aid for Development” program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. The initiative seeks to foster Polish-Ukrainian cooperation in youth projects, spark interest in the Polish language and culture among ...

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 administrative tasks. The AER has its main offices in Strasbourg and Brussels. The Financial and Administrative Manager will be based in Strasbourg, France. The role involves working closely with a dynamic team in the Secretariat, with the possibility of partial remote work. The manager will report to the Secretary General based in Brussels, and together they will coordinate on financial matters with the Treasurer, ultimately reporting to the Executive Board. ...

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 innocent people of Ukraine. We are keeping the families and friends of the victims in our thoughts. The targeting of unarmed civilians further underlines the need for continued international solidarity.  The Assembly of European Regions will redouble our efforts to mobilise European and international support; working with our 130 members and partners and remaining steadfast friends and allies of Ukraine.” The Assembly of European Regions also ...

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 than three years of dedicated effort, the ten regional authorities involved present the results of their work in the publication, “Building Inclusive Societies: Regional Strategies for Intercultural Integration”. Publication The process Regions play a pivotal role in building more inclusive and cohesive societies by cultivating welcoming and open communities where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. Since 2022, EU-Belong guides regions in the establishment of an intercultural approach ...

Interview with Nataša Ritonija, Chair of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy

The newly nominated Chair of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy, Nataša Ritonija, from East Slovenia (SI), shares her motivation for taking on this role, introduces herself, and presents the priorities the group agreed on at the AER General Assembly in Ajara (GE) in June 2024. Could you please introduce yourself? My name is Nataša Ritonija. In Slovenia, I am responsible for leading the largest and oldest regional development agency, RDA Podravje – Maribor. Throughout my career, I have gained valuable knowledge and experience in various fields, both at home and abroad, which have provided me with insights into the diverse opportunities for regional development. I have worked in public administration, the private sector, and non-profit organizations, focusing on project development, ...

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 also hosted the award ceremony of the Most Youth Friendly European Region (MYFER Award). Read more about the contest and winning projects. https://youtu.be/0yTen8PYwNc?si=QzrqcUNiNlkPmMTb Video by Maylinda Bajrami, former Chair of the Youth Regional Network‘s Committee on Gender Equality & Women Empowerment Insights from the opening plenary: culture builds bridges within and between communities Kickstarted by Kari-Anne Bøkestad Andreassen, President of the Summer Academy and County Councillor of ...

Share your experience on Youth Mental Health in Rijeka!

In the context of the AER Working Group on Mental Health, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County is inviting all AER members to a conference on: Mental Health Challenges in Today’s Youth – A Regional Perspective, which will feature regional practices and experts from all over wider Europe on 22-23 October. Shared concerns across Europe, peer learning at the fore Current needs in terms of mental health and wellbeing are on the rise all over Europe in a context of polarisation and a decline in the popularity of human rights. Recent events in the macroregion have raised concerns about violence at school and the impact of social media, fake news and isolation to name a few. At global level there are major concerns around youth mental ...

MYFER Award 2024 – Celebrating the most youth-friendly European regions

Nordland County Council, the AER and the Youth Regional Network (YRN) relaunched the MYFER Award in 2024, awarding the most youth-friendly European regions, and celebrating the youth initiatives from the AER member regions across Europe. 12 youth projects and initiatives were submitted to the MYFER Award, from the following regions: Krapina-Zagorje County, the Autonomous Region of Trentino-Alto Adige / Südtirol, the Cohesion Region of West Slovenia, the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, the Municipality of Brdovec (Zagreb County, Hrvatsko Zagorje – Prigorje Region), Varaždin County, the Azores, and Brussels-Capital Region. The jury highlighted the high quality of all applications received, as all the submitted projects and initiatives reflected concrete opportunities and commitments for youth participation, inclusion, education, active citizenship and/or professional development. It ...

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 to the EESC, the EU Youth Test and their role in it. This meeting will be joined by Mathilde Colarte, YRN Chair for Youth Participation & Governance, who sucessfully submitted the YRN application to contribute to the EU Youth Test at the EESC. Ms Colarte, originally from the AER member region of Wallonia, Belgium, shared the following: “As a youth organisation, this is a unique opportunity to ...

The YRN joined the Consultation for the Revision of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life

On the 5th of July 2024, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe organised a consultative meeting for the revision of the European Charter on the Participation of Young People in Local and Regional Life. Mathilde Colarte, Chair for Youth Participation & Governance in the Youth Regional Network, participated in this consultation, and reports about the experience and findings in the present article. The AER aims to empower the issue of youth participation. In this context, there are many opportunities available to members of the YRN (Youth Regional Network). As Chair of the Committee on Youth Participation within the YRN, I had the unique opportunity to take part in the Consultative Meeting for the Revision ...

Job Vacancy: Institutional Relations & Advocacy Coordinator (Applications CLOSED)

Role Description Reporting directly to the Secretary General, the Institutional Relations & Advocacy Coordinator will play a central role in coordinating and implementing the AER’s advocacy strategy, in collaboration with the AER’s members. The holder of this position will develop and maintain strong relationships with institutional stakeholders to maximise influence and deliver strategic objectives. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement AER’s advocacy strategy to promote regional interests and influence European and international institutions; Coordinate and facilitate the work of Bureau Task Forces; Support AER’s involvement in European and global policy debates and processes and influence policymakers on key areas for local and regional authorities; Promote AER’s advocacy messages across coalitions and networks at European and global levels; Coordinate and prepare policy and advocacy materials, including briefings, speeches, position ...

AER EU Funding Digest series #2: Green Hydrogen

Chapter 2: Green hydrogen Welcome back to our “EU Funding Digest” series, where we try to make more accessible the understanding of EU funding opportunities available for a specific topic!  We are mapping EU-funding opportunities, mainly calls for proposals, on the main EU funding Programmes under the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. We will investigate funds directly managed by the EU, such as Horizon Europe, LIFE, CERV, Erasmus+, the Single Market Programme, the InvestEU Programme and the Just Transition Fund, as well as shared or indirectly managed funds such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The research and mapping of funds are targeted towards the specific topic addressed by each chapter. The focus of this chapter is green hydrogen. As this ...

Highlights from the Europa Forum Wachau 2024

An article by Marsel Haka, YRN delegate at the Europa Forum Wachau 2024, and YRN Chair for Green & Sustainable Europe From the 19th to the 22nd of June, the AER sent a youth delegation to the yearly Europa Forum Wachau, composed of two former AER interns, and two members of the Youth Regional Network. Marsel Haka, one of the youth delegates, shares his experience with us. The 28th Europa Forum Wachau was convened under the motto “Rebooting Europe“. This yearly gathering brings together prominent figures from politics, business, culture, media and academia to discuss the critical developments needed within the European Union. The Forum aims to identify and illuminate key European visions for the future, fostering a unified way forward. A vibrant ...

Internship: Communications, Events and Programmes

The Assembly of European Regions is looking for a Communications, Events, and Programmes Assistant to join the Brussels team in Autumn 2024 for at least 3 months. Starting and ending dates are flexible with a preference for early-mid October. Deadline: 15.09.2024 COB. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Established in 1985, the AER is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. AER is a forum for interregional cooperation and a platform for regional interests on the European stage, being a key player in the regions’ dialogue  with the European Union Institutions, the Council of Europe, and other international organisations. AER supports members to improve their policies by exchanging experiences and sharing practices. It also manages a series of ...

The AER welcomes Vania Freitas as Secretary General

Vania Freitas has been appointed by the Executive Board as Secretary General of the Assembly of European Regions (AER). Previously in charge of institutional relations and advocacy for the AER, Vania Freitas brings to the network over fifteen years of experience in developing political priorities and strategies for membership-based organisations in international contexts. After a transition period as interim Secretary General, Ms. Freitas takes over from Christian Spahr, who led the daily work of AER from 2020 until 2024. Vania Freitas has gained extensive experience in institutional relations, advocacy, and outreach, at European and global level. As Institutional Relations and Advocacy Coordinator for the AER since 2017, Ms. Freitas has been committed to driving policy influence for sustainable impact at pan-European level. Announcing ...

A dense year for the Working Group on Mental Health

The Working Group on Mental Health, established in Autumn 2023, aims to facilitate knowledge sharing between regions in wider Europe. The group is chaired by Daniel Schützer County Councillor from Värmland (SE), who is supported in his engagement by Kaltum Hussein as the Seconded Officer for the Working Group. The Working Group works closely with the Youth Regional Network, which has been invited to contribute and share their perspectives, findings and experiences from the inception of the Working Group. All members of the Working Group can suggest and take the lead on the organisation of an activity (conference, workshop, study visit, webinar…) Below is a recap of the activities which were organised in the context of the Working group, between June ...

Working Group on Green Hydrogen: A year in activities

The working group on green hydrogen, established in Autumn 2022, facilitates knowledge sharing between regions in wider Europe. The group is chaired by Albert Castellanos, Catalonia (ES), who is supported in his work by two Seconded Officers: Albert Ballbé and Elena Herrero Pérez. Below is a recap of the activities carried out in the context of the Working Group on Green Hydrogen between June 2023 and June 2024. Current Work in Progress Preparation of a peer learning event on green H2 ecosystems online, in autumn 2024 Publication content and resources on green H2 ecosystems for members of the Working Group ahead of the autumn 2024 event Connection with Hydrogen Valleys and Hydrogen Ecosystems The AER Secretariat is gathering intelligence, mapping partners and innovative practices from ...

New Chair for the Working Group on the Bioeconomy!

The working group on the bioeconomy, established in Spring 2022, facilitates knowledge sharing, experience, and best practices between regions in wider Europe. On June 12, 2024, Nataša Ritonija, representative from East Slovenia (SI) was nominated as the new chair of the group. She will be supported in her engagement by is Brina Lazar, as Seconded Officer for the Working Group. The mandate of a Chair is of two years and is renewable. More information about Working Groups procedures. Below is a recap of the activities carried out in the context of the Working Group between the AER General Assembly of June 2023 in Barcelona and the 2024 General Assembly in Batumi. Organisation of a Workshop on “Changing Perspectives on Resources for a Sustainable ...

AER EU Funding Digest series #1: Urban renewal and revamping vacant properties

Chapter 1: Urban renewal and revamping vacant properties Welcome to the first article of our “Funding Digest” series, where we try to make more accessible the understanding of EU funding opportunities available for a specific topic!  Looks complicated, but we’ll make it easier together. The main scope of this series of articles is to bring closer the EU funding opportunities, which most often are not easy to spot especially when not familiar in navigating the EU Funding & Tenders portal. The EU funds will be explained in an easy language, with dedicated “quick zoom(s)” to break down the touched topics.  You can also express your interest in preparing or joining a project, if you’re interested in one of the calls identified. You will find ...

Highlights from the 2024 AER General Assembly & Spring Bureau meeting | 8th Black Sea Summit | Batumi, Ajara

The AER 2024 General Assembly, the Spring Bureau Meeting, the Bioeconomy Working Group meeting and the 8th Black Sea Summit took place from the 12 to 14 of June in the vibrant city of Batumi, in the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. The three-day event gathered regional representatives and stakeholders across all of Europe and represented an opportunity to foster interregional cooperation at the international level. Changing perspectives for a sustainable future On June 12, the three-day event kicked off with the workshop of Working Group on Bioeconomy “Changing perspectives on resources for a sustainable bioeconomy,” which provided a platform to explore diverse regional approaches to enhancing bioeconomy policies and practices. Participants shared examples of innovative strategies aimed at promoting sustainability in ...

AER Activity Report 2023 — ‘Regions Skilled for the Future’

The Assembly of European Regions is proud to present its annual Activity Report 2023. The theme of this year’s report is “Regions Skilled for the Future“, an expression of AER’s commitment to supporting its member regions in localising and delivering upon 2023 as European Year of Skills, a flagship initiative launched by the European Commission in November 2022. The cover page of the report, designed by Habile Studio, makes readers reflect on the urgent need to bridge the skill mismatch hampering European regions’ growth. It illustrates the impact of a permanent 10% reduction of the indicator of skills mismatch in regions whose level of mismatch is relatively high. The period January 2023 – December 2023 was action-packed, and inspired by the AER’s longstanding commitment ...

Addressing Racial Injustice, Discrimination, and Bias in AI within Public Administration | Insights from the EU-Belong Skills webinar for better policymaking

On 28 May 2024, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the Directorate General of Migration, Asylum, and Antiracism of Catalonia held a webinar titled “Addressing Racial Injustice, Discrimination, and Bias in AI within Public Administration.” Organised within the EU-Belong knowledge transfer clusters on Skills, this session centred on building skills and expanding education to equip public administration professionals with the knowledge needed to manage AI in ways that protect against racial bias and discrimination. This webinar addressed the growing reliance of public administrations on AI for services ranging from recruitment to fraud prevention and public safety. While AI offers efficiencies, it also presents risks, especially for vulnerable populations who may face unintended biases in automated decision-making. Recent studies, including the ...

YRN Photo Contest for the EU elections 2024!

The Youth Regional Network has launched a photo contest for the EU elections! If you have a right to vote at the European elections 2024, wants to raise awareness about these elections, and contribute to making young people’s vote visible, the YRN photo contest is something for you! Take and send your picture from your voting station! When voting at the European elections, take a picture of yourself in front of or inside your local voting venue, and send it to the YRN Presidium. How to send your picture? Send your picture to YRN Vice-President, Kassandra Petsa, at [email protected], publish your picture on social media and tag @yrn.aer Deadline: 10th of June

Bioeconomy: resources for policymakers

The ambition of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy is to facilitate exchanges among European regions to share challenges and opportunities and prepare for future partnerships and projects. In this context, the AER Secretariat mapped a series of resources to help policymakers navigate the abundance of online resources and information. Knowledge for policymaking Various types of knowledge may be useful at the different stages of policymaking, depending on needs and purpose. The below resources encompass policy briefs, reports, interactive tools and peer review services to tackle policy challenges. The AER Working Group itself will organise a workshop on “Changing perspectives on resources for a sustainable bioeconomy” on the occasion of the AER General Assembly in Ajara. Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform The Interreg Europe Policy ...

Call for Graphic Designer

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is looking for a graphic designer to work on the layout of the publication of the Intercultural Integration Strategy (approximately 30 pages), which will be largely distributed in its online and printed version in the context of the EU funded project EU-Belong. Requested services  The awarded designer will prepare the visual/graphic layout of the document of the EU- Belong Intercultural Integration Strategy according to the guidelines provided by the AER and Donegal County Council (DCC). Timeline 1st week of June 2024: First call between AER – graphic designer 20 June 2024: submission first draft 10 July 2024: deadline final version Application & evaluation In the evaluation of the offers, AER will take into account all the information requested in the ...

Internship: Policy & Knowledge Transfer [CLOSED]

Dates: October 2024-March 2025 Duration: 6 months Location: Strasbourg (FR) The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together regions from 35 countries, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional cooperation. Profile Candidates should have a general understanding of European policies, an interest in regional policymaking, analytical skills, be interested in what creates effective learning experiences, and have a strong capacity in organisation with the aptitude to work in a multinational team. Good IT skills are needed: our team is spread in different locations and we use cloud-based applications for most of our work. You will need to be able to very quickly master the different tools. The AER working language is ...

The Interreg Europe Programme: open opportunities for interregional cooperation

Interreg Europe is the Programme entirely dedicated to fostering interregional cooperation, co-financed by the EU. It facilitates the exchange of good practices and mutual policy learning among regions in 36 European countries – the EU27, Norway and Switzerland, and 7 new countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine. Read more about their involvement here! The core objective of Interreg Europe is the improvement of regional development policies through cooperation projects and its Policy Learning Platform. The third call for Interreg Europe project proposals is open now for all 36 countries. The proposals can cover any of the six topics contributing to Europe becoming smarter, greener, more connected, more social, closer to citizens or with better policy governance. The call closes ...

Farewell message of AER Secretary General

Dear AER members, partners and friends, In March, I have announced my intention to take on a new professional challenge. As agreed with the Board, I have passed the baton to our Institutional Relations & Advocacy Coordinator, Vania Freitas who is now managing the Secretariat as Interim Secretary General until my successor is chosen. Definitely: It has been a highly inspiring experience to serve regional democracy across Europe, and the diversity of our continent. It has been a privilege to stand up for pan-European values, cross-border solutions, and sustainable innovation. Politics must be made close to the people – our network proves this every day. Together, we are able to make the voice of regional governments clearly audible – be it in meetings ...

A moving study visit to Odesa

On 23 April 2024 the AER Working Group on Mental Health organised a study visit to Odesa. The event which was moderated by Kaltum Hussein, International advisor in Värmland (SE), was organised in two main parts: First a part on mental and physical rehabilitation, and second, a part on education and addressing the needs of children in the context of the war in Ukraine. Genuine connection despite circumstances and distance During an online visit, which was organised to be feasible even in the event of an air strike, participants were guided through the current reality of Odesa region. The war in Ukraine has led to mass displacement of people who were forced to leave their homes in search of safety and shelter. This resulted ...

“My LevelUP! experience” – Hear from YRN members following the European Youth Forum’s LevelUP! at the European Parliament

On the 12th and 13th of April, a dozen of members from the Youth Regional Network (YRN) had the chance to join LevelUP!, a large-scale youth event organised by the European Youth Forum (YFJ), and which gathered around 1,300 young people from across Europe at the European Parliament, ahead of the European elections. During two intense days, they had the opportunity to benefit from capacity-building activities, training and debates with politicians, institutional representatives, and youth organisations, to share their experience, and to exchange views and best practices with young people. A few YRN members share their feedback on the experience in the present article: Mathilde, 23 years old, Wallonia, Belgium From 12 to 13 April, we attended LevelUP!, an event organized by ...

Youth pre-event of the Europa Forum Wachau – The AER/YRN delegation’s weekend in Bratislava

An article by Peter Guidikov, AER youth delegate at the Europa Forum Wachau Every year, the Europa Forum Wachau brings together youth and politicians from all over Europe to discuss our common future. It takes place in scenic Göttweig Abbey, on the hills of Lower Austria. We wear dresses and ties to impress important people, and we chat about the economy and the historical significance of Taylor Swift. Once drinks are served and music starts playing, it begins to feel like summer camp for politically-minded young Europeans. In anticipation of the 2024 edition of the EFW, the AER delegation composed of two former AER interns (Joël and Peter) and two members of the Youth Regional Network (Maylinda and Hugo) was invited alongside ...

The Role of Regions in Decarbonising Europe

Last month, Albert Ballbé, programme manager at the General Directorate of Industry at the Government of Catalonia, who is also leading the activities of the AER Working Group on Green Hydrogen, contributed to the European Backbone Talk “Why Regions Matter” organised by Hydrogen Metropole Ruhr. An integrated hydrogen economy Regions have a pivotal role in shaping the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen Metropole Ruhr, a German think tank that aims to support the Metropole Ruhr in becoming a climate-neutral and green industrial region, organised the European Backbone Talk “Why Regions Matter”. In this context infrastructure is crucial for the development of the hydrogen economy in the future, as it enables the distribution of hydrogen from the producing regions and ports to the industrial centers. Albert ...

The YRN joined the EYCA Rural Youth Camp (Cazorla, Spain) in April 2024!

An article by Sigrun Myrvang, Vice-President of the Youth Regional Network From the 11th to the 17th of April 2024, seven YRN members attended the Rural Youth Camp organised by the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) in Cazorla, Andalusia, Spain! In the light of the unique challenges faced by rural youth, the EYCA Youth Panel has launched the Rural Youth Project. A project with the purpose of producing a roadmap on how to better engage with rural youth an their challenges and opportunities. After a phase of information gathering, and a phase of awareness raising and idea generating, the EYCA Rural Youth Camp in Cazorla was held as means of defining the roadmap. The event brought together 50 young people from rural areas across Europe. ...

Applications for Elections in AER – General Assembly 2024

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members. The General Assembly charges the Executive Board to implement its decisions. All procedures on elections are overseen by the Election Committee. At the AER General Assembly 2024 on 13 June in Batumi, the following positions are up for elections: 1 Vice President of the Executive Board The Vice Presidents have a mandate of two years and may be re-elected three times. 3 members of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group The positions in the Monitoring and Evaluation Group have a mandate of three years and may be re-elected twice. Current members are Thomas Hartman (Västerbotten SE), Chair and Kenneth Backgård (Norrbotten, SE). 1-3 members of the AER Election Committee The positions in ...

Mental health: Virtual visit to Odesa (UA)

Registrations are open for the virtual visit to Odesa on 23 April from 10:00-12:00 CET via Zoom, organised by the AER Working Group on Mental Health. The event will seek to explore measures implemented in the region to address mental health needs, and how these have changed in the current context of the war. A particular focus will be on measures for children. Register Here Peer learning for mental health policies The AER Working Group on Mental Health, which kicked off activities in October 2023, is chaired by Daniel Schützer (Värmland, SE). The working group is collaborating closely with the AER Youth Regional Network. On the occasion of the Winter Dialogues in Lower Austria (AU), the group held its first in-person workshop. Members exchanged ...

Interculturalism: A Strategy for Europe’s Future

On Wednesday, 27 March 2024, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities held the roundtable on “Intercultural Regions: Embracing Diversity”. The session brought together experts and representatives from different European regions to share insights and good practices related to implementing interculturalism strategies and fostering a more sustainable and inclusive Europe at the regional level. Voices from Three European Regions During the session, speakers from Catalonia (Spain), Emilia-Romagna (Italy), and Västerbotten (Sweden) presented their unique intercultural approaches tailored to their specific regional contexts. Eunice Romero, General Director on Migration and Anti-Racism in Catalonia, emphasised the need for international cooperation to combat discrimination and promote a person-centred approach, as part of the Intercultural Cities Programme and EU-Belong. They are executing 70 actions against racism and fostering ...

The MYFER Award is back! Be the next Most Youth-Friendly European Region

Send your project applications before the 21st of June and make your mark! The MYFER Award (Most Youth-Friendly European Region) is back and ready to celebrate the incredible youth initiatives and projects taking place across the member regions of the Assembly of European Regions (AER)! As a biennial award, the MYFER Award offers regions the chance to showcase their innovative youth projects / initiatives and spread the positive impact they’ve had on young people in their communities. Organised by the AER, following the proposal from Nordland County Council and the support from the Youth Regional Network (YRN), the MYFER Award aims to highlight the importance of youth policies at regional level, to improve the social inclusion and living conditions of young people, ...

EU-Belong Conference in Donegal | Intercultural Integration: A Shared Journey towards Equality and Belonging

From 19 to 21 March 2024, Donegal, Ireland, hosted the second EU-Belong Knowledge Sharing Event, an inspiring gathering focused on intercultural integration. Aligned with One Donegal Social Inclusion Week, the event showcased the region’s dedication to equality and belonging, while fostering collaboration and mutual learning among participants from across Europe. One Donegal Social Inclusion Week, coordinated by Donegal County Council, celebrates the efforts of local authorities, community organisations, and statutory bodies in addressing social inclusion. Against this meaningful backdrop, the EU-Belong event brought together over 100 participants from Ireland and 10 European regions to discuss interculturalism, exchange knowledge, and explore regional policies for inclusion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkDkX0w_I5w Day 1: Sharing Successes and Strategies The first day, set the stage for deep discussions and meaningful exchanges. It ...

YRN Statement on Youth Participation and Governance: “Young People are the Future”

The Youth Regional Network (YRN) is a the AER’s cross-regional youth platform, promoting active youth participation at regional level. It provides young people with an opportunity to express policy recommendations, to foster debate and capacity-building, to exchange good practices, to reach out to decision-makers, and to influence policies. The YRN is a unique forum for young people from diverse regions to raise their voice collectively, while introducing a European dimension to youth policy in those regions. The YRN activities and positions reflect the dedication, commitment, enthusiasm and ideas for the future, of driven young individuals seeking to enact positive change at both regional and European levels. In this regard, the YRN Thematic Committee on Youth Participation and Governance has released a statement emphasising the significance of youth involvement in ...

The Youth Regional Network – First revival anniversary. Highlights from the YRN General Assembly 2024!

The Youth Regional Network (YRN) General Assembly 2024 took place between the 14th and the 17th of March in Zalău, Sălaj County, Romania. Marking the first revival anniversary of the YRN, the event featured numerous engaging activities for young people, study visits, YRN Presidium elections, and a MEET Debate on the Future of Europe. The YRN General Assembly was a great success, gathering up to 80 diverse participants from all over Europe: young people (YRN members, local high school students, youth council representatives…) themselves of course, as well as politicians and civil servants from AER member regions in Sălaj, Nordland, Primorje-Gorski Kotar and Maramures Counties, dedicated to supporting the programme. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edozn8Cri7Y&ab_channel=AER-AssemblyofEuropeanRegions A Memorable Event The much-anticipated event began with a warm welcome from the ...

Upcoming management change at the AER

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is preparing for a change at the helm of its Secretariat: Secretary General Christian Spahr has announced his intention to take on a new professional challenge. Following consultation with the Executive Board, he will pass the baton at the end of April to the AER Institutional Relations & Advocacy Coordinator, Vania Freitas who will act as Interim Secretary General. The position of Secretary General is being re-advertised . “It has always been an inspiring experience to serve regional democracy and diversity across Europe,” says Christian. “Politics must be made close to the people – our network proves this every day. It has been a privilege to stand up for decentralised decision-making and public participation, sustainable ...

The AER is hiring its new Secretary General (Applications CLOSED)

About the Assembly of European Regions The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is not just the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe; we are a beacon for democracy, good governance, and regional innovation. Founded in 1985, our mission is to empower regions and foster a sustainable future through collaboration. With over 130 member regions from more than 25 countries, we are dedicated to making regions key players in the European project – from Norway to Turkey and from Portugal to Georgia. To this end, the AER raises the concerns of regional governments in dialogue with the EU, international organisations, national governments and the public, to ensure that regions have a say in all issues affecting them. The AER offers its ...

The AER is hiring a Financial and Administrative Manager (Strasbourg/Brussels) (Applications CLOSED)

Do you have a strong background in financial management? Do you enjoy providing high-quality administrative support to a team? And do you have work experience e.g., in an association, with EU-funded projects, in an international environment or a small company? If this sounds like you, you might be our new Financial and Administrative Manager (full-time).  You will handle the financial administration in our association and a part of the finances of our EU-funded projects. To be successful in this role, you should have previous experience with bookkeeping.  The AER has its main offices in Strasbourg and Brussels. You will be based in either of them, with a preference for Strasbourg, together with a part of our dynamic team. You can work partly ...

EU-Belong at One Donegal Social Inclusion Week

EU-Belong will organise its second Knowledge Transfer event in Donegal (IE), “Intercultural Integration:A Shared Journey towards Equality and Belonging” on the occasion of the One Donegal Social Inclusion Week. EU-Belong, an AMIF-funded project led by the AER and gathering 11 regions, is pioneering inclusion by using an intercultural approach to innovate policies and practices. The One Donegal Social Inclusion Week is an opportunity for this large international consortium of regions to dive deep into practices that foster a shared sense of belonging among people who live, work, create, and pay taxes in cities and regions. A Countywide Initiative for Diversity and Inclusion From March 17th to 24th, 2024, County Donegal will host its Social Inclusion Week, a series of countywide events aimed at ...

EU-Belong at High Level EU Event

On February 9, AER Secretary General Christian Spahr spoke at the plenary roundtable of the high-level policy forum and ministerial conference on “The Integration of Newcomers by EU Member States” organised by the Government of Flanders in the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council. A High-Level Policy Forum and Ministerial Conference on the Integration of Newcomers Ministers, heads of delegations, global policymakers and experts converged in Mechelen (Belgium) to chart the course for inclusive societies and shape the future of integration policies in Europe and beyond. Addressing barriers such as language, social support, and prejudice, the conference explored strategies for labor market inclusion, leveraging language learning, and fostering social cohesion. Emphasising integration as essential within the new Pact on ...

EU-Belong at Conference on Experimenting at Local Level to Improve Participation

On January 25th, EU-Belong Project Manager Emanuela Pisano spoke at the final event of the PISTE project, to share how EU-Belong is using the intercultural approach developed by the Council of Europe to innovate regional policymaking. By working with small and medium towns on the one side and regions on the other, the two initiatives promote migrant participation in policy processes. Together, EU-Belong and PISTE demonstrate how inclusive participation contributes to the construction of a safe and healthy European society. Experimenting Migrant Participation in Small and Medium-Sized Towns The PISTE project, funded by the European Commission’s AMIF programme, set out to work on the quality of civic participation and integration policies. The project partners from Belgium, Greece, Germany and Italy focused their ...

Access to Quality and Affordable Housing for all

Access to adequate and affordable housing is a crucial determinant of successful integration. Housing conditions have a substantial impact on employment and education opportunities and on the interactions between migrants and host communities. Poor housing conditions and segregation can exacerbate divisions, which undermine social cohesion. Inclusive housing is, therefore, essential for thriving neighbourhoods. EU-Belong: Interculturalism and Housing In the framework of the AMIF-funded EU-Belong project, the AER is facilitating peer learning to foster resource sharing and promote continuous improvement of policies and practices. The EU-Belong project is pioneering the field of inclusion and integration by using an intercultural approach developed by the Council of Europe to innovate regional policymaking. Interculturalism is a policy model for ensuring equality and cohesion in culturally diverse ...

The Interreg Europe programme is welcoming seven new countries!

Interreg Europe, one of the most known international cooperation programmes co-funded by the European Union, has now opened its doors to seven new countries: Albania Bosnia and Herzegovina Moldova Montenegro North Macedonia Serbia Ukraine Are you from one of these regions or you wish to build a partnership with one of these regions? Then this is the perfect occasion to join forces and build a solid project partnership! The programme is organising an online welcoming event for these new countries to discover the opportunities offered by the programme and to learn how to engage with these new countries. The event will be held on the 21 February 2024 from 10:00 to 11:30 CET. More information at this page. About the Programme The Interreg Europe programme is encased in the EU Multiannual Financial ...

Interreg NEXT MED Programme: The First Call for Proposals is OPEN!

The new Interreg NEXT ‘Mediterranean Sea Basin’ (NEXT MED) Programme launched its first call for proposals!  The Programme is a transnational cooperation initiative all about bridging the countries of the Mediterranean area to build partnerships in acting towards a more sustainable future. The novelty of the Programme lies within the broadened area of action: Algeria and Turkey are included in the eligible countries and are eligible to access project fundings! Eager to join the challenge in creating a smarter, greener, more inclusive, and better governed Mediterranean region? Eligible countries: geographical area of action The cooperation area covers different regions among 15 countries: Algeria | Tlemcen, Ain-Temouchent, Oran, Mostaganem, Chlef, Tipaza, Boumerdes, Tizi Ouzou, Bejaia, Jijel, Skikda, Annaba, El-Tarf, Alger Cyprus | whole country Egypt | Matruh, Al ...

AER Manifesto for the European Elections 2024: Trust in the Future Through Stronger Regions

In a world in turmoil, building trust in the future passes through fostering stronger local and regional democracies. The AER Manifesto for the European Elections 2024 underlines the importance of involving regional governments in European crisis management, and in creating a prosperous, sustainable, inclusive, and politically integrated Europe – especially in view of the next European legislative period. Key recommendations Reinvigorated subsidiarity A citizen and solidarity-focused recovery An innovative approach to sustainability A more vital, participatory Europe A complete, values-based Europe Download the AER Manifesto for the European Elections here

MEET Project | Debating the role of the EU in the region & the 2024 EU elections in Krapina Zagorje, Croatia

On Friday November 10th, 2023, Zagorska razvojna agencija (Zagorje Development Agency) held the debate within the framework of the MEET- project. The debate was organised in Marija Bistrica, in Krapina Zagorje County and a total of 120 participants were actively involved in the debate. Participants were secondary school students, mayors of cities and municipalities from Krapina Zagorje County, the deputy county prefect and employees of Zagorska razvojna agencija. The main topics of the debate were the European Parliament Elections 2024, the digitalisation and the impact that EU has on everyday lives in rural areas.  About the MEET Project With Europe at a crossroads at the end of the Conference on the Future of Europe and in the middle of the implementation of the ...

YRN Policy Recommendations for a more Democratic, Inclusive, Green, and Digital Europe: “Speak less about the youth, and more with them”

On 30 November 2023, the AER Youth Regional Network organised a workshop for young people in Sankt Polten, Lower Austria, in light of the MEET Intergenerational Debate taking place on the same day. Here, the YRN was presented to the young participants, who discussed the key topics of the debate, touching on the European Elections, youth participation, inclusion the green transition, the stakes in rural and urban areas, and other relevant aspects. The young participants were eager to exercise their rights as young European citizens and to contribute to this meaningful discussion. This workshop was a positive opportunity for them to share ideas and opinions on what can be done for a more Democratic, Inclusive, Green, and Digital Europe. Resulting from the ...

Call for Nominations: Task Force AER Political Priorities 2025-2030

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash We are seeking nominations from AER Bureau Members to join the AER 2025-2030 Political Priorities Task Force by completing the online nomination form available HERE. Following the decision by the Bureau to set up a Task Force to prepare the AER Political Priorities for the period 2025-2030 at the Bureau Meeting in Lower Austria (AT) on 30 November 2023, AER is forming a Task Force to carry out this work. Due regard to gender and geographical balance will be given when considering appointments to the Task Force. Deadline for nominations: 30 January 2024. Background AER Political Priorities are developed by the Bureau. They provide the priority areas for its mandate and general orientations for the work of the network. Every five years, at the ...

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 Winter Dialogues opened with an actively participated workshop on Mental Health chaired by Daniel Schützer from Värmland. Members exchanged about the challenges linked to social isolation, deep fake and changing relationships in an online world, as well as emergency situations such as natural disasters. The workshop was co-designed with the Youth Regional Network, and counted with the contribution of Jim Simonsen Jenssen, ...

Join our new AER Task Forces on Rural Development & Agriculture and Decarbonisation!

AER Task Force on Rural Development & Agriculture Addressing the challenges facing rural regions and the opportunities which rural economies and communities can benefit from in the green and digital transition goes hand in hand with Europe’s ambition to make its economy more competitive, environmentally sustainable and inclusive. The debate around the future EU common agricultural policy (CAP) post-2027 is also starting. The European Commission is set to open the discussions at the EU Agricultural Outlook Conference in December 2023 which will be followed by a public consultation on the upcoming CAP proposal in the first quarter of 2024, culminating in the release of a legislative proposal in July 2025. It is therefore crucial that AER members engage in these discussions and collaborate ...

[Partner Search] Region Jönköping is looking for partners in Smart Specialisation Strategies

Has your region developed a Smart Specialisation Strategy? Region Jönköping in Sweden is searching for other regions in Europe—preferably with comparable challenges—to collaborate, learn and exchange experiences relating to Smart Specialisation (S3) strategies. Jönköping County is starting work on their the smart specialisation strategy, both in the region itself, and together with other regions in the NUTS-areas in Småland and the island (south east of Sweden). Specific interest areas for collaboration: Jönköping are interested in improving innovation and building knowledge though networks for a Smart specialisation strategy on: smart industry – manufacturing forestry and the wood Industry foodstuffs tourism e-commerce and logistics creating a network to exchange ideas on S3 strategies What Jönköping County offers as a parnter: Situated in a strategic position at the centre of Northern Europe, the ...

Addressing racial discrimination in housing: a multi-stakeholder approach | A Recap of the First EU-Belong Webinar

On 23 November, the EU-Belong project hosted its first webinar, focusing on racial discrimination in access to housing through the experience of the Municipality of Olot, a mid-sized city in Catalonia, Spain. This session, held from 10:00 to 11:00 CET, invited participants from regions all over Europe to examine Olot’s approach and assess how intercultural strategies can help address these issues. The event provided a 30-minute interactive segment, allowing the almost 100 attendees to explore the challenges, enabling factors, and transferability of Olot’s model for addressing housing discrimination. Professor Quim Brugué, a Political Science professor from the University of Girona, led the presentation, sharing Olot’s multi-faceted strategy to address racial discrimination against third-country nationals in the housing market. Olot’s approach focused ...

YRN Youth Participation Toolkit

The YRN Thematic Committee on Youth Participation and Governance has developed a Youth Participation Toolkit! The aim of the toolkit is to inform young people about European opportunities that can empower and encourage them to become active citizens. Comprising practical tools tailored for the everyday tasks of youth politicians and activists, the toolkit also offers a comprehensive understanding of participatory concepts in relevant contexts. Furthermore, it serves as a source of inspiration for initiating and advancing initiatives at regional and local levels. Contact us For any questions or feedback, please contact the Chair of the Thematic Committee: [email protected]

AER Working Groups at Winter Dialogues

The AER Working Groups on Mental Health and the Bioeconomy will gather on 29 November, on the occasion of the Winter Dialogues. This event brings together the policy and knowledge transfer activities of the AER Working Groups with the advocacy work carried out in the Task Forces and the Bureau. A study visit on the Bioeconomy Discover a major bioeconomy activity in Lower Austria, with the visit of the AGRANA Plant: One of the objectives of the Working Group on the Bioeconomy, is to learn more about regional policies and practices on the bioeconomy, learn about challenges and enablers and exchange in order to identify elements of transferability. In this context, the region of Lower Austria, a founding member of the working group ...

Call for YRN members! Join a growing inter-regional and international youth network!

The Youth Regional Network (YRN) is launching a call for committed and motivated young peoplefrom all across Europe. Created by the Assembly of European Regions in 2008, the Youth Regional Network (YRN) is across-regional youth platform, promoting active youth participation at regional level. Composed ofregional-level youth councils, parliaments and organizations in AER’s network and membership, itprovides young people with an opportunity to express policy recommendations, to foster debate andcapacity-building, to exchange good practices, to reach out to decision-makers and to influencepolicies. The YRN is a unique forum for young people from diverse regions to raise their voicecollectively, while introducing a European dimension to youth policy in those regions. The YRN has its own Presidium, structured with: a President, two Vice Presidents and ...

Regions empowering & upskilling youth – Highlights from the Eurodyssey Forum 2023 in Ponta Delgada, Azores

Eurodyssey, the AER’s flagship youth mobility programme, has been facilitating opportunities for young individuals across the participating regions since 1985. The programme offers remunerated traineeships, completed with accommodation and language training, along with a range of cultural and social activities. Every year, the Eurodyssey Forum, the programme’s flagship event, is hosted and co-organised by one of the participating regions. There, Eurodyssey correspondents, coordinators, trainees and alumni from all over Europe come together to discuss and assess the programme’s implementation, achievements, challenges, and the developments they wish to see for its future. The Forum also offers the opportunity for regions interested in joining the programme to attend, to provide them with an opportunity to meet in person with the participating regions, ...

MEET Project | Debating Europe, the EU elections & digitalisation in the Azores, Portugal

The Eurodyssey Forum 2023, held in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal, 6-9 November, was host of the first MEET Intergenerational Debate on the Future of Europe. The First MEET Intergenerational Debate The first Intergenerational Debate of the MEET project took place on the 8th of November in Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal. Here, approximately 100 participants from across Europe gathered to deliberate on the Future of Europe and the forthcoming 2024 EU elections. Prior to the debate, participants had the opportunity to prepare for the discussion by addressing general questions related to the main topics. In order for the questions to be as engaging as possible, a unique, interactive method was used: Participants were given 2 coloured cards representing options “A” and “B”. Then, they ...

The YRN is back among the Congress Youth Delegates! Highlights from the 45th session, October 2023

By Sigrun Myrvang, Chair of the YRN Committee on Youth Participation and Governance With the Youth Regional Network (YRN) being revived in March this year, so are partnerships, such as the long-standing one between the AER and the Youth Delegates’ programme of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. Sigrun Myrvang, Chair of the YRN Committee on Youth Participation and Governance, from Innlandet County (Norway), took part in the Congress’ 45th session and youth training, from the 21st to the 26th of October. An exciting educational week at the 45th session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, as an observer from the AER Youth Regional Network, has come ...

Inclusion café: Co-design for temporary housing solutions

The first online EU-Belong Inclusion Café took place on 16 October to discuss how to address temporary housing needs in a sustainable and collaborative way. The inclusion cafés aim to become a regular space for exchanges with peers mutual learning and exchanges. One challenge, one solution, and where to begin For each inclusion café, one particular challenge is examined, and a practice is explored. Regional stakeholders working on inclusion exchange experiences, receive and provide advice on how to address similar situations in different places in Europe. Giulia Boldrini, from ANCI Toscana, opened this series of structured informal peer meetings by sharing how her organisation supported the region of Tuscany in addressing temporary housing needs by: 1/ co-designing a methodology for the development and implementation ...

Working Group on Mental Health kicks-off activities

The AER Working Group on Mental Health organised its kick-off meeting on 27 October to define priorities and develop activities for the coming months. In particular, the group decided to organise a workshop on mental health on the occasion of the AER Winter Dialogues in Sankt Pöllten (AT) (registrations until 15/11/2023). Getting to know each other The working group aims to be a space for targeted experience sharing, finding resources, and strategic intelligence, as well as developing joint activities. For this to be possible it is essential to get to know each other and hear why mental health is an important topic at the moment in different regions across Europe. Politicians from Värmland (SE), and Jönköping (SE), a whole team of mental health professionals ...

Real Cohesion is (not a) YOUTHopia – Highlights from the YOUTHopia project

Cohesion Policy is the net that holds EU regions together. As pan-European communication campaign, YOUTHopia’s aim has been highlighting the threads that create this net. Managed by the AER and ereb.eu (former Cafebabel) as media partner, YOUTHopia brought to light Cohesion Policy-funded opportunities which enable regions to work for a greener, more inclusive and cohesive EU. For one year, five  regions across Europe worked together to bring YOUTHopia to life. Donegal County, Eastern and Western Slovenia, Košice Self-Governing region and Union of Cyprus Municipalities collaborated to create a community-based communication campaign spreading awareness about the benefits of Cohesion Policy. 3..2…1..:  Action! AER shoots #HotlineCohesion Throughout one year, YOUTHopia generated communications about the benefits of Cohesion Policy in different formats. First released in February ...

A successful YRN capacity-building weekend in Koppang, Innlandet, Norway!

From the 22nd to the 24th of September, the Youth Regional Network organised a successful capacity-building weekend in Koppang, Innlandet County! The programme included workshops, thematic committees’ meetings, collaborative work on a YRN action plan, social and cultural activities, and a great opportunity for YRN members to get together in person! Read more about the event’s highlights from Sigrun Myrvang, Chair of the YRN Committee on Youth Participation and Governance. https://youtu.be/L98dwNbj0rY?si=LxmcFhpL9kqnrXpC The first day of the capacity-building weekend, a YRN Presidium meeting was held with the primary purpose of coordinating the weekend as well as preparing a proposal for an action plan for the network based on responses collected from our members. The meeting was followed by some exciting sightseeing in Stor-Elvdal ...

The Alpine Region’s Model for youth empowerment | Cohesion Policy | YOUTHopia

The EU-Strategy for the Alpine Region brings young people from the Alpine region in their summer camps, youth council events and workshops. The Alpine Space stands out in Europe for its natural beauty and rich multicultural diversity. Covering an area of 450,000 km², it is home to over 80 million people across 7 countries and 48 regions. Even if these regions have different governance systems and traditions, they share key priorities and face similar challenges. How to empower the Youth in the Alpine Region The EU-Strategy for the Alpine Region (Support EUSALP) addresses common challenges across regions. The regions form a macro-regional governance aiming to enhance cooperation and coordination of actions with the support of European Union investment tools, such as Cohesion Policy.  ‘Among ...

EU Regions Week: Empowering Outermost Regions – Harnessing Eurodyssey to Up-Skill Youth

The European Week of Regions and Cities offered many opportunities to discuss topics relevant to the future of Europe and its development to representatives and professionals engaged in EU regional affairs.  Several events took place throughout the week consisting of presentations, debates, speech panel discussions and  tasting booths. One of the many matters addressed was the promotion of skills and mobility in the outermost regions and how it can benefit their development. The “Promoting skills and learning mobility as an opportunity for the development of outermost regions” event featured an in-depth discussion on the importance of up-skilling, not only in Europe as a whole but also specifically in more disadvantaged regions that are in need of better-trained professionals to facilitate their development. ...

OPEN CALL FOR YOUNG PARTICIPANTS! Winter Dialogues and MEET Intergenerational Debate (Lower Austria 29-30 November)

In a world full of noise, we want to make your voice heard. Take part in the MEET Intergenerational Debate at the AER Winter Dialogues in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria! APPLY HERE What are the AER Winter Dialogues and how can I be involved as a young European citizen? Hosted in the Lower Austrian capital of Sankt Pölten on 29 and 30 November 2023, the two-day event will include a number of activities, culminating in the third MEET Intergenerational Debate on the Future of Europe. This debate will explore the role of active citizenship and youth participation in shaping a more democratic, inclusive and sustainable future for our continent, with a focus on the opportunities coming from the New Green Deal and its ...

AER Statement on the European Day of Languages 2023

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is committed to the cultural development of all our member regions. Culture, and cultural diversity are key elements of regional sustainability, and language is a fundamental element of Europe’s shared cultural heritage. Read the full AER  statement on the occasion of the European Day of Languages by AER President, Albert Castellanos Maduell and AER Vice-President for Youth, Culture and Tourism, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh.    

NEW PUBLICATION! Multi-stakeholder model framework and Toolkit for Regional Intercultural Integration Strategies

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. The Multi-stakeholder Model Framework and Toolkit describe the methodology used by EU-Belong partners in the establishment of their regional intercultural integration strategies. It provides not only the key elements that should be embedded, but also a practical guidance for policymakers to develop such policies. The document facilitates collaborative approaches essential for addressing the broader challenges of work and inclusion emphasised in the Knowledge Transfer Cluster “How People Work and Create”. Publication The process Intercultural strategies are designed ...

AER President and Vice-Presidents highlight Value of Diversity at Includ-EU Final Conference

AER President Albert Castellanos and Vice Presidents Nina Bjørby and Jean-Luc Vanraes underlined the importance of interregional collaboration and whole-of-society approaches at the Includ-EU final event on 6-7 September 2023 in Brussels. This major event culminated in a process initiated in early 2020 to set up an informal network of peers across Europe who would exchange on integration policies and practices. In the world of regional integration policies, the Includ-EU project spearheaded an exceptional initiative to foster collaboration among European regional and local authorities, and various stakeholders dedicated to integration practices. This endeavour, led by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), aimed to facilitate transnational knowledge exchange and enhance the inclusion ...

Join AER at the #EURegionsWeek 2023

The #EURegionsWeek, the largest event about Cohesion Policy in Brussels, is coming back from 9 to 12 October 2023. The #EURegionsWeek in a nutshell The European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) is an opportunity to generate and circulate ideas about the present and future of regions in Europe. Counting on a wide participation from policy stakeholders, representatives of regional and local governments, as well as EU institutions, the EWRC is a key platform for establishing and reinforcing connections that make regions to thrive. The AER is official partner of the #EURegionsWeek As one of the official partners of the EWRC, AER is co-hosting three workshops giving visibility and discussing different and relevant issues and topics, with a focus on the benefits of Cohesion ...

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 to “harness the potential of deep-tech innovation across the different EU territories, and addresses the innovation divide.” The Commission hopes to identify up to 100 regions committed to enhance the coordination and direction of their research and innovation investment and policies at regional level, and to collaborate on inter-regional innovation projects linked to key EU priorities.  Why this is important — reason one: to set an agenda that meet’s territorial needs Given the strategic importance ...

The Forum of Polish and Ukrainian Cities takes place in Kryvyi Rih

Polish and Ukrainian cities, with the participation of the AER, held a Forum in Kryvyi Rih (Ukraine) regarding ongoing cooperation and post-war support. The largest industrial centre of Ukraine – Kryvyi Rih city – hosted the Forum of Polish and Ukrainian Cities in cooperation with the Association of Polish Cities, the Union of Polish Metropolises and the Assembly of European Regions. Representatives of Polish cities and businesses, as well as Ukrainian cities (Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, Mariupol, Kherson, Kropyvnytskyi, Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk) participated in the event. Vice-President of the Assembly of European Regions, Deputy Mayor of Kryvyi Rih Sergii Miliutin noted: “One of the tasks of the AER is to deepen the cooperation between European regions to attract best experience and help in ...

(Closed) AER IS HIRING AN EU PROJECT MANAGER

AER IS HIRING AN EU PROJECT MANAGER We are looking for a colleague to help us in managing the implementation of EU funded projects, joining the AER Project Unit and being able to collaborate closely with colleagues in other workstreams of the AER Secretariat, member regions, and project partners. If you like to work for liveable, prosperous regions and a sustainable European future and you wish to be part of an international and motivated team, apply now! You must have the right to live and work in Belgium. This position is to be based in Brussels.  This is who we are  We’re a small team, so everybody is really important We’re also a great, proactive and imaginative team, with awesome people on board The aim we work for ...

AER is looking for a Communications & Events Assistant (Erasmus+)

About the Assembly of European Regions The Assembly of European Regions is looking for a Communications and Events intern to join the Brussels team in Autumn 2023 for at least 3 months. Starting and ending dates are flexible with a preference for late September/early October. Deadline: 15.09.2023 COB. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Established in 1985, the AER is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. AER is a forum for interregional cooperation and a platform for regional interests on the European stage, being a key player in the regions’ dialogue  with the European Union Institutions, the Council of Europe, and other international organisations. AER supports members to improve their policies by exchanging experiences and sharing practices. It ...

AER Ukraine Focus Group—Regional Partners for Reconstruction

AER’s unique community of regional stakeholders is focusing minds to support Ukraine’s recovery AER’s Focus Group on Ukraine has continued work in earnest in the three months since its first meeting in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in late March. https://twitter.com/europeanregions/status/1674070105905397760?s=20 At the second meeting in Barcelona on 28 June, co-organised with the Government of Catalonia, the Focus Group was proud to welcome delegations from Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, Odesa, Poltava and Transcarpathia. The Government of Catalonia, shared the extensive work being undertaken in the region itself to support Ukrainians in the region. Equally important were presentations on enterprise partnership opportunities for Ukrainian regions, and insights on the work of the Foreign Ministry to support Ukrainian regions during the reconstruction. From the EU perspective, Focus Group ...

2022 Summer Academy wins European Citizens’ Prize

The 2022 AER Summer Academy is one of two Irish projects selected as winners of the prestigious ‘European Citizens’ Prize’ for 2023.  Awarded every year by the European Parliament, the European Citizens’ Prize goes to projects “organised by people or organisations that encourage mutual understanding and closer integration between people in the EU, cross-border cooperation that builds a stronger European spirit, and EU values and fundamental rights.” The 2022 Summer Academy was selected alongside ‘The Shona Project’, social enterprise for womens’ empowerment, as winners of the award for Ireland. Youth delegates enjoy gteic@Gaothdobhair remote working hub in the Irish-speaking region of Donegal Maria Walsh MEP opens the 2022 Summer Academy event in Letterkenny Organised as part of the European Year of Youth, ...

Wrap-up: Highlights from AER 2023 Summer Symposium | General Assembly, Bureau Meeting and YOUTHopia Transnational Event

150 participants from 50 European regions attended the AER Summer Symposium 2023 In Barcelona.

EU-Belong Conference in Gdańsk: addressing the housing crisis

The EU- Belong conference that took place in Gdańsk from 14 – 15 June 2023 gathered several stakeholders and civil servants from Poland and various countries in Europe. The aim was to exchange good practices on housing policies as a key component for intercultural societies, as well as understanding current challenges faced by the region of Pomerania when it comes to the war in Ukraine and the accommodation of refugees. Regions across Europe are currently facing a widespread housing crisis, which touches upon several aspects of human rights, dignity, and equality. In this context, vulnerable groups, including people with a migratory background, are especially hit by the crisis facing difficulties in accessing housing. Moreover, beyond it being a human right, access to affordable housing is an essential parameter for other aspects related to inclusion (for instance labour market integration) and it increases the ...

AER Activity Report 2022 — ‘Regions for the Next Generation’ is out now!

The Assembly of European Regions is proud to present our annual Activity Report for 2021 – 2022. As 2022 was the designated the European Year of Youth by the European Commission, the theme of this year’s report is fittingly titled ‘Regions for the Next Generation‘. In keeping with this theme, Habile Studio‘s cover visual shows the tertiary education rate among young people in Europe; a key marker of economic participation over time. The 2022 Activity Report was officially released on 30 June at the 2023 General Assembly and Summer Symposium by AER President, Albert Castellanos Maduell, Honorary President, Magnus Berntsson, and Secretary General, Christian Spahr. So what’s inside this year’s Activity Report? The period from 2021 to 2022 was a ...

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 to make it better after 2027. This debate is a central one for regional authorities and a major opportunity for them to have a say in how cohesion policy is designed and implemented in the future. Therefore, it’s crucial for regions to engage in these discussions and push for a renewed policy that effectively addresses key challenges and opportunities, enabling them to ...

[PARTNER SEARCH] – Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs)

Are You The Next Innlandet Partner? The Innlandet Region, home to several champions within the bio-economy sector and Norway’s cleanest industry, is looking to partner up with regions to create a strong innovation ecosystem across Europe in the field of bio-based circular economy, i.e. mainland industry driven by circular and sustainable solutions and the creation of green circular hubs. What Drives Innovation In Your Region? To address the issue of fragmentation in Europe’s Innovation and Excellence, the European Commission launched the Regional Innovation Valleys to bring together less and more innovative regions with a view to addressing the most burning challenges facing the EU, namely reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, increasing global food security, mastering the digital transformation (including cybersecurity), improving healthcare and achieving ...

NEW PUBLICATION! Building Intercultural Competences: A handbook for Regions and Stakeholders

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. The first step to achieve the project goals requires a significant investment in education and awareness programs, able to demonstrate the benefits of interculturality among multiple sectors, advancing the Skills for the Future. This Handbook wants to facilitate this learning process, by collecting practical guidelines to organise and run capacity-building activities, based on the experiences of EU-Belong partners. Publication The process Intercultural competences, as defined by the Council of Europe, encompass the ability to mobilise and implement ...

Empowering Youth Through Cohesion – Dive into YOUTHopia Virtual Exhibition

The Future Fairs, the flagship events of YOUTHopia campaign, bring together young individuals in each of the five regions partners of the DG-Regio funded project, bearing the same name. These fairs serve as platforms for beneficiaries of Cohesion Policy to share their stories, inspire the next generation, and foster personal and professional networks. By organizing the fairs in conjunction with popular local events, the campaign maximizes impact and enlarge its network of supporters. Through engaging discussions, networking opportunities with local stakeholders and encounters with representatives from the regions, attendees discover new opportunities available to them thanks to Cohesion Policy and other EU-funded programmes, gain inspiration, and build connections. The Future Fairs empower young citizens to shape their destinies, fostering personal and ...

Open Call for Young Participants -Be part of the YOUTHopia Workshop: Unboxing EU Cohesion Policy

27 July – 3 August – 10 August (3-5 pm CET) Hear hear young people! If you are either from a youth organisation, a young regional representative from our Youth Regional Network (YRN), or just a young enthusiast curious about EU and regional policy and politics, then mark your calendar! AER’s YOUTHopia project is on a mission to uncover all you need to know about the biggest EU investment plan that covers one-third of the total EU Budget: the Cohesion Policy. They are all sealed in a mystery box prepared to be unboxed! Unlike the infamous Pandora Box, once you discover its content you will get all the knowledge you need to empower yourselves, transform your region and city. Don’t let the Cohesion ...

PEACE TWENTY-FIVE: The role of “everyday peacemakers” in nurturing peace and reconciliation in Ireland and across Europe

On the 7th of June, the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) and the Irish College of Leuven organised a study trip in Messines, Flanders, to commemorate the fallen Irish soldiers in the Flanders fields, during World War I.  The following day opening the Conference, AER’s Vice-President for Interregional and Global Cooperation Jean-Luc Vanraes, originally from Ypres, Flanders, joined IFI Chair Paddy Harte to reflect on the collective trauma of war in Europe and the creation of the European Economic Community thereafter. The catastrophic legacy of war in Europe was a catalyst for a European idea of democracy and the Peace Process in Ireland; where human rights and dignity, social justice, the rule of law and active citizenship at all levels of ...

AER Youth Regional Network present at the European Youth Event 2023 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Maylinda Bajrami, Chair of the Thematic Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment of AER’s Youth Regional Network (YRN), shares her experience participating in the European Youth Event 2023. Since 2014, the European Parliament has organised this international event to bring young Europeans closer to each other and to gain insights into young people’s ideas, expectations, and concerns about Europe. Thousands of people attend this event every year to interact, inspire one another, and exchange their views. Our YRN representative had the opportunity to network with many young people from different organisations, as well as share information about the progress of the YRN. She handed out flyers advertising the upcoming YOUTHopia opportunities to many interested young people. In particular, she informed young participants ...

AER is hiring a Financial and Administrative Manager! (deadline EXTENDED: 30 July 2023)

  Do you have a strong background in financial management? Do you enjoy providing high-quality administrative support to a team? And do you have work experience e.g., in an association, with EU-funded projects, in a small company or an international environment? If this sounds like you, you might be our new Financial and Administrative Manager (full-time, 39 hours/week). Our new colleague will handle financial administration in our association and a part of the AER’s project finances. To be successful in this role, you should have previous experience with bookkeeping and a flair for spotting numerical mistakes. Ultimately, you will be responsible for the financial reporting and administrative tasks. The AER has its main offices in Strasbourg and Brussels. You will be based in ...

YRN Presidium member Sigrun Myrvang participated in JEF Europe’s REVIVE training in Lublin, Poland

Participants in JEF Europe’s REVIVE training in Lublin, Poland, 26 May – 1 June 2023. Sigrun Myrvang, Chair of the Thematic Committee on Youth Participation and Governance of AER’s Youth Regional Network, shares her experience participating in a capacity-building training in the framework of JEF Europe’s REVIVE project. JEF Europe has been a project partner of the AER for several years, and the training took place in Lublin, Poland, this year’s European Youth Capital. Creative, rich and intensive days in Lublin as a participant in JEF Europe’s REVIVE project – Revitalizing Voices of Youth in Europe! A week with workshops revolving youth civic spaces, youth participation,activism and mental health, exploration of Lublin, being the “European Youth Capital 2023“,sightseeing and cultural experiences. The ...

#HotlineCohesion – Girls Go Circular: how the EU Turns Pink & Digital

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy. https://youtu.be/mPu8IOOgrtE Digital and Entrepreneurial Skills for the Circular Economy 2023 kicked off with the European Union’s commitment to address skills gaps in the European countries and boost the EU strategy to help re-skill workers and young professionals.  Within the framework and action plans of the 2023 European Year of Skills, the European Union is giving special attention to boost digital learning while closing the digital gender gap. According to the European Commission’s Women in Digital Scoreboard 2021, only 33% of STEM graduates and 19% of ICT specialists are women, highlighting a significant gender gap in specialist digital skills.  Addressing the digital gender gap implements the European ...

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 be paramount to boost economic growth, employment and productivity, encourage economic, social and territorial cohesion and improve quality of life across Europe.  This debate, organised in the framework of the European Year of Skills by the AER Task Force on the Future of Work, chaired by AER by Vice-President Lilijana Madjar (Zahodna Slovenija (SI), and hosted by the Government of Catalonia, will bring together representatives of local and ...

CLOSED [Call for facilitators] YOUTHopia Workshop Series: Unboxing EU Cohesion Policy

Are you a youth facilitator/trainer with experience in either EU legislation processes, Europe’s story-telling or youth advocacy and political participation? The Assembly of European Regions and the project YOUTHopia are looking for three motivated youth facilitators to plan and conduct three online sessions to inform and engage young people about EU Cohesion Policy, from its legislation, passing through the different programmes and opportunities that are being funded in Europe, to its communication.   These are the indicative dates for the sessions (dates can be changed): Session #1: 27th July Session #2: 3rd August Session #3: 10th August (15:00 – 17:00 CEST) Does this sound interesting to you? Read our terms of reference and apply by contacting [email protected] and [email protected]. Click here to download the Terms of Reference

EU-Funded Projects: Find Your Perfect Match!

You’d like to develop a project with other regions around the bioeconomy but don’t know where to start? We have you covered: the AER Secretariat gathered close to 100 opportunities for you and is willing to help you, be it for the development of a project, helping you find reliable partners, or to organise information sessions on specific tools or calls! Interregional collaboration made easy The AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy was created to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, experience and best practices between regions in wider Europe.  Members of the working group expressed interest in collaborating via EU-funded projects. In order to encourage and support such collaboration, the working group suggested the organisation of a matchmaking activity between regions working ...

#HotlineCohesion – YOUTH4ORS: Empowering Youth in Remote Outermost Regions

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prRKYMnRdZo How far does Europe go? The Outermost Regions (OMR) may be geographically distant from mainland Europe, but they are no less a part of the European Union. With a population of 4.8 million citizens, these territories include islands, archipelagos, and one land territory (French Guiana), each with unique potential and distinctive assets that can benefit the EU as a whole. Despite the thousands of kilometres separating them from the European continent, these regions are an integral part of the EU. To address this issue, the EU has launched the “Empowering Youth in the Outermost Regions” initiative, which aims to empower young people in these ...

#NEWWEBSITE – Youth and Five AER Regions at the Heart of the YOUTHopia Campaign

Check out the newly launched page of the YOUTHopia Project, a pan-European campaign aimed at promoting the benefits of Cohesion Policy across Europe. The project. YOUTHopia is an Action initiated by two partners (AER and Babel International) with the same ambition to help reconnect the EU with its local citizens, and in particular the youth, by putting them at the centre of the new European political priorities. This effort translates into a major communication campaign, from Europe’s western-most (County Donegal, Ireland) to its south-easternmost (Cyprus) point, passing through Košice, Slovakia and East/West Slovenia, and echoing throughout all Europe, to make young people aware of the tangible benefits and concrete opportunities made available by Cohesion policy, with the ultimate goal of empowering them ...

A Whole-of-Society Approach to Inclusion

The Includ-EU Workshop “Whole-of-Society Approach: Cross-sectoral and Multistakeholder collaboration for inclusion” in Cluj-Napoca gathered around 70 representatives from the Netherlands, France, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Romania to explore shared challenges, enabling factors for change, and the transferability of experiences. It was also an opportunity for the AER to reconnect with its Romanian members and hear about current stakes. Includ-EU: learn, build, share… repeat Includ-EU is an EU-funded project which facilitates capacity building and mutual learning. It also supports the implementation of actions that impact local and regional stakeholders directly, such as: psycho-social mentoring between young girls migrating alone and female university students in Catalonia innovative social housing solutions in Tuscany the implementation of inclusive health services in Crete digital skills, practical knowledge and language ...

#HotlineCohesion – Coal:Not Cool! But We Need A Just Transition (Fund).

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy. https://youtu.be/7EhT0mhSlSU The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a unique fund within the EU’s cohesion policy that provides targeted support, both geographically and thematically, to regions that are most affected by the green transition. Compared to other more general cohesion policy funds then, the JTF offers more specialized assistance to specific regions in need. Romania, Poland, and Germany are the top three member states that will benefit from this funding. For example, Romania’s Territorial Just Transition Plans have been approved, covering six counties, and will receive EUR 2.14 billion for reskilling and economic diversification measures. In Slovakia, the approved plans come from the regions of ...

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS – AER Presidency, Executive Board, Monitoring and Evaluation Group, Election Committee

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members. The General Assembly charges the Executive Board to implement its decisions. All procedures on elections are overseen by the Election Committee. At the AER General Assembly 2023 on 30 June in Barcelona, the following positions are up for elections: The President The Vice President – Treasurer 7-12 Vice Presidents, with thematic portfolios defined by the Executive Board following the General Assembly (currently, the AER has 10 Vice Presidents next to the Treasurer) 1 Member of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group (vacancy) 3-5 Members of the AER Election Committee HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION? Nominations for each position can be submitted by full members of the AER. The deadline for nominations is 2 June ...

We’re looking for a coach for a one-off online group coaching session in June 2023!

In the context of the Includ-EU project, the Assembly of European Regions is planning an online one-off group coaching session in June 2023 to help partners of the consortium build in the sustainability of what the project generated. For this one-off online group coaching session, we are looking for a co-coach to partner with our internal coach. The project Includ-EU aims to build a more inclusive and cohesive Europe via transnational knowledge and experience sharing. The project facilitates cooperation and partnerships between local and regional authorities from Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia and Spain. Launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project facilitated peer learning via a series of webinars and workshops, training sessions, and supported the implementation of ...

#HotlineCohesion – Harnessing Talents in Europe’s regions

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy. https://youtube.com/shorts/7S1JkLuh_go?feature=share Escape the Talent Development trap in Europe’s regions The EU is witnessing an alarming demographic transition that is threatening young talents’ employability across several European regions.  Lack of job opportunities and digital skills are obstacles to talent development and digital transition. More and more young people leave their home countries to find more favourable working conditions abroad and gain the skills they need to succeed in their professional career.  Skilled workers in their home regions contribute to sustainable growth, economic development, businesses competitiveness and enjoy better job opportunities. Under the framework of EU funding instruments, Cohesion Policy funds play a crucial role in steering skills development, ...

[Partner Search] Catalonia is looking to join Interreg Europe Projects on Green Hydrogen!

Is any organisation in your region looking for project partners in the field of green hydrogen? The Region of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya) is looking to join a consortium within Interreg Europe with a project on Green Hydrogen. In particular, the region is interested in launching pilot projects or sharing best practices on decarbonisation of industry and governance of hydrogen valleys. What they are looking for The Region of Catalonia, leader in the green transition and emission reduction in Southern Europe, is looking for reliable partners and relevant project ideas to join an Interreg Europe project on 3 topics: Decarbonising intensive energy consumer industry, such as ceramics, glass, concrete of steel. Use of hydrogen by industrial SMEs in production processes, using fuel cells or burners ...

AER is hiring an Advocacy and Institutional Relations Manager! (APPLICATIONS CLOSED)

Role Description Reporting directly to the Secretary General and under the guidance of the Institutional Relations & Advocacy Coordinator, the Institutional Relations & Advocacy Manager will play a central role in implementing the AER’s advocacy strategy, in collaboration with the AER’s members. The holder of this position will develop and maintain strong relationships with institutional stakeholders in order to maximise influence and deliver strategic objectives. Key Responsibilities Implement AER’s advocacy strategy in order to promote regional interests and influence European and international institutions; ●  Coordinate and facilitate the work of Bureau Task Forces; ●  Support AER’s involvement in European and global policy debates and processes and influence policy makers on key areas for local and regional authorities; ●  Promote AER’s advocacy messages across coalitions and networks ...

#HotlineCohesion – Youth4RevivingTerritories: the EU needs you(th)!

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy. https://youtu.be/NME-q9m827I Should I stay or should I go? Tell the EU! Leaving home is always a tough decision. If you are younger than 29, and you are considering leaving your home region, the EU wants to hear what it is pushing or holding this decision with Youth4RevivingTerritories. With Youth4RevivingTerritories, a 5-minute survey, you can express your point of view about the advantages and disadvantages linked to staying and working in your home region. Your answers will contribute to developing a toolkit with policy recommendations to reverse the trend of shrinking the youth population in EU regions. FILL IN THE SURVEY! Why Youth4RevivingTerritories is important? According to the ...

#HotlineCohesion – “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs: Retaining Talents and Igniting Innovation in Europe”

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy. https://youtube.com/shorts/I8fMe6ZJidU?feature=share FACILITATING GREAT IDEAS. The European exchange programme for Entrepreneurs, aka “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs,” plays a crucial role in retaining talented individuals within European regions. By offering a unique opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop their skills and knowledge through collaboration with experienced entrepreneurs, the programme provides an attractive alternative to emigrating in search of better opportunities. In this way, the programme supports the development of a strong and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem within Europe, which in turn helps to promote economic growth, create jobs, and stimulate innovation. “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” offers an invaluable opportunity for aspiring European entrepreneurs to acquire the skills and ...

AER Working Group on Green Hydrogen launches

The working group is a space for targeted experience sharing, finding resources, and strategic intelligence, as well as developing initiatives and projects on green hydrogen

EU-Belong: Diversity for Better Inclusion is a Shared Responsibility

On Tuesday 28th March, the EU Committee of the Regions was the setting for an exchange among public authorities and other stakeholders on the topic of migrants’ inclusion. In particular, the development of multi-level strategies promoting diversity as the backbone of thriving societies was showcased. The intercultural approach and its development within the EU-Belong project offer good practices to be replicated across European regions. An opportunity for cooperation among public authorities and stakeholders Last Tuesday, the AER and the EU Committee of the Regions co-hosted the conference ‘Empowering regions and cities in migrant integration governance’. The event gathered stakeholders from several regions and backgrounds, from research institutions to regional authorities, from EU decision-makers to civil society organisations. In the morning, two debates provided ...

#HotlineCohesion – European Solidarity Corps: the difference that matters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_YFa8kxKZ4&list=PLPd5ls7GTAxj1uJRhtdGUMOw3rmYltHz7&index=1 Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.  Opportunities for youth employment and green transition offered by Cohesion Policy require appropriate visibility, especially amongst the youth. Widespread information makes sure that opportunities reach their target, and that the future is shaped to the needs of those who will live in it.  Every week the AER will publish its series #HOTLINECOHESION with information concerning new funding opportunities and participatory processes open to youth in your regions! A Union of Solidarity The European Solidarity Corps for Youth (ESC4) aggregates solidarity from all Europe, bringing it where it matters the most. From social inclusion to environmental protection to humanitarian aid, the European Solidarity Corps creates a Union of ...

#HotlineCohesion – Get back on track with ALMA!

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.  Opportunities for youth employment and green transition offered by Cohesion Policy require appropriate visibility, especially amongst the youth. Widespread information makes sure that opportunities reach their target, and that the future is shaped to the needs of those who will live in it.  Every week the AER will publish its series #HOTLINE COHESION with information concerning new funding opportunities and participatory processes open to youth in your regions! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yan_B-O1rO8  With ALMA, no young person is left behind  Social inequalities and unemployment stop young people from achieving good standard of living and healthy lifestyle. After the pandemic excluded them from the labour market, the cost of living crisis worsened ...

AER’s Youth Regional Network is back! Highlights from the YRN General Assembly 2023

It’s official: AER’s Youth Regional Network is back! After a couple of years of YRN inactivity, the Assembly of European Regions started a revival process after the Summer Academy 2022, building from the feedback and willingness to be involved from the event’s youth delegates, and from our members’ eagerness to see the YRN coming back. A successful YRN General Assembly After a few months of preparations, statutory work, communication and outreach to young people in our member regions (and beyond!) and in youth organisations, we could convene the YRN General Assembly on the 10th of March 2023. The event gathered around 50 participants, in person in AER’s Brussels office, and online. Most participants were young people joining the new YRN, and we also ...

#HotlineCohesion: EUTeens4Green – Youth Ways for a Just Transition

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.  https://youtube.com/shorts/99RkaZWxKvs?feature=share HOW TO MITIGATE THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE TRANSITION It is no secret that the very needed green transition will lead to profound changes in the labour market – ‘new jobs will be created, while some jobs will be replaced and other refined’. Ensuring a fair and just transition becomes therefore a crucial point of action for regions and its youth. In the Zasavska region in Western Slovenia for instance, since 2013 almost 5.000 jobs have been lost and the GDP has been dropping to 53% of the Slovenian average due to the closure of the Zasavaje coal mine and the region’s coal-fuelled power ...

‘Elevating Citizens’ Voices’ – AER-ENoP Publication on Participatory Democracy at National, Regional and Local Levels

#Democracy is solid because it is not static: it constantly develops new forms of #citizenengagement. The AER is proud of the joint publication with ENoP- European Network of Political Foundations, which illustrates new forms of participatory democracy. It was presented last Thursday, 9.03.2023, at the European Parliament with opening remarks from AER Vice-President and MEP Lukas Mandl, the publication’s author, Maja Cimerman and editors Christian Spahr and Denis Schrey. AER is proud of the joint publication with ENoP- European Network of Political Foundations, which illustrates new forms of #participatorydemocracy, and it was presented last Thursday at the European Parliament with VP Lukas Mandl. The publication offers a close look at the opportunities and benefits of deliberative democracy in Europe and beyond. It ...

#HotlineCohesion: The IVY League of Volunteering

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uNh8ihnqSxY The IVY League of Volunteering Borders are theoretical, cooperation is practical. This is the spirit of The Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY), an initiative funded by Cohesion Policy that connects the values of European cooperation and the matters of local and regional communities.  Since 2017, IVY fosters a community of young volunteers and host organisations committed to implementing European projects across Europe. Funded through the EU Interreg programme, IVY has the dual goal to support cooperation thanks to the involvement of motivated young people and empower them professionally, while making the benefits of cooperation more visible among local communities and beyond. IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A ...

10 years of Eurodyssey- Discover the stories of Cinta, trainee in 2022, and her tutor Gaëlle, trainee in 2012 

The Eurodyssey programme has benefited many young people since 1985, not only by providing quality traineeship opportunities, but also by creating a supportive environment and fostering sense of belonging, where young people are empowered and supported.  Our two interviewees, Gaëlle and Cinta, represent Eurodyssey’s past and present, and their testimonies are interlinked: Gaëlle was a Eurodyssey trainee in the Valencian Community back in 2012, and is now Cinta’s tutor, working together for the Surfrider Foundation in Brussels.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRdnJLvgFQ4 Full interview with Cinta & Gaëlle What is the Surfrider Foundation?  The Surfrider Foundation is an environmental organisation that has been fighting to protect the world’s oceans for more than 30 years. It is a grassroots community that brings together people from very different backgrounds, including volunteers ...

#HotlineCohesion: Call from Interreg Europe – Sharing Solutions for Better Regional Policies

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.  Are you looking to team up with similar regions across Europe as a way to boost the development of your own region? The next Interreg Europe call, open from 15 March to 9 June 2023, could be the answer you are looking for! Cooperation Strengthens Cohesion The Interreg Europe programme, financed by the Cohesion policy’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is designed to support interregional learning among regions across Europe.  The aim of this programme is to facilitate knowledge-sharing between public authorities and learn from positive existing practices of other regions. By joining a project, for four years regions learn from each other and work ...

AER Focus Group on Ukraine – tell us how your region can support!

AER’s peer-to-peer Focus Group coordinates support for Ukraine On the one year anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against of Ukraine, the Assembly of European Regions created a new platform bringing regions across Europe together to coordinate support of our fifteen members Ukrainian in Ukraine. On 7 February 2023, the AER’s Executive Board adopted a proposal to create a dedicated Ukraine Focus Group, for tailored, region-to-region cooperation to support Ukraine in the short and and longer-term. AER Secretary General, Christian Spahr, welcomed the adoption of the proposal as a focal point for support initiatives within AER, saying “Multi-stakeholder platforms of regions, institutions and NGOs are an effective instrument of support and capacity-building. Through this Focus Group, the AER, our regions and partners ...

#HotlineCohesion: Youth4Regions, the programme for young journalists – Make Europe, do journalism.

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.  The many opportunities for youth employment and green transition offered by Cohesion Policy require appropriate visibility, especially amongst the youth. Widespread information makes sure that opportunities reach their target, and that the future is shaped to the needs of those who will live in it.  Every week the AER will publish its series #HOTLINE COHESION with information concerning new funding opportunities and participatory processes open to youth in your regions! https://youtube.com/shorts/bpo5HSaqg_Q Write about Europe to make it real EU Cohesion Policy is abstract until citizens understand it. One of the ways to make it real is to write about it. Youth4Regions is the programme by ...

​​#HotlineCohesion: Cohesion Policy for a Young and Green Future

Local, but European. Practical, but inspiring. #HotlineCohesion brings you the most interesting youth opportunities linked to EU Cohesion Policy.  The many opportunities for youth employment and green transition offered by Cohesion Policy require appropriate visibility, especially amongst the youth. Widespread information makes sure that opportunities reach their target, and that the future is shaped to the needs of those who will live in it.  Every week the AER will publish its series #HOTLINE COHESION with information concerning new funding opportunities and participatory processes open to youth in your regions! https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q3WyYo0kYoQ Youth unemployment is a longstanding challenge for Europe High youth unemployment in Europe has been a persistent issue for the last decades. Post-pandemic figures show that, as of October 2021, 2.905 million youth (under ...

“Get out of your comfort zone and join Eurodyssey”- How Eurodyssey traineeships benefit young people, hosting organisations and regions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wdjh9QjM-w AER’s youth mobility exchange programme, Eurodyssey, involves around 300 young trainees per year. It gives young people the opportunity to undertake an internship of three to seven months in another European member region.   The benefits of enrolling in Eurodyssey are concrete and visible. The testimonials of former trainees and regional correspondents prove that Eurodyssey provides relevant professional opportunities to young people at the beginning of their professional career.   Eurodyssey helps young professionals explore their professional vocation On average, 300 young people complete a Eurodyssey traineeship every year in one of the 19 participating regions in Europe. The programme contributes to training and upskilling young trainees, and it supports them in entering the labour market. For some beneficiaries, Eurodyssey represents their first professional or ...

Wrap-up: Highlights of the AER Autumn Bureau 2022

On 6 and 7 December 2022, AER convened its Autumn Bureau at the Abruzzo EU Regional Office in partnership with the Autonomous Government of Sardinia. It was an opportunity to highlight the 2022 achievements and discuss AER political priorities for 2023. On 6 December, the AER Autumn Bureau opened with a welcome reception celebrating the tradition and heritage of Abruzzo and Sardinia, the Italian regions co-hosting the Bureau. Participants could taste Sardinian wines and food while enjoying a permanent art exhibition of artists from Abruzzo. Later in the evening, regional heritage had an actual voice with the live classical music performance of Italian artists who sang about local legends of Abruzzo and Sardinia and recited poems in regional dialects. The artists were ...

NEW AER Taskforces 2023-2025 set for launch

During the 2022 Autumn Bureau Meeting, the AER members decided to establish two new Taskforces which will address the political priorities of the Bureau for the period of 2023-2025. Taskforce on Active Citizenship Why? The year 2022 has been key in setting a precedent for strengthening our democracies by enabling new participatory processes and putting citizens’ interests at the centre of decisions. Capitalising on the work of the Taskforce on Democracy, and with the end of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the AER recognises the need for continuing the path towards activating citizens’ participation through deliberative democracy mechanisms in place. The Conference on the Future of Europe has offered the opportunity to enhance deliberative democracy at the European level by bringing the ...

[CLOSED] CALL for Web Developer and Designer for EU-Belong Project

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is looking to engage a web developer experienced in graphic development to build a website section in the current AER website that should serve as an online repository for all project’s resources and tools.   Check out the Terms of Reference below and apply with your ideas before the 4th of January! Interested parties are required to submit the application as requested in the Terms of Reference to [email protected] and [email protected] on or before the 4th of January 2023  with the subject line “EU-Belong: online repository”. Background   EU-Belong is a 3-year project run by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and 13 partners and co-funded by the AMIF Programme (AMIF-2020-AG-CALL) of the European Union. The general objective of ...

YOUTHopia is Real: Discover how a pan-European communication campaign is built

YOUTHopia is a pan-European communication campaign that will engage five EU regions in bringing Cohesion Policy closer to their young citizens. AER Secretary General Christian Spahr and YOUTHopia regions officially inaugurating YOUTHopia! Cohesion Policy is a matter for and of citizens. Co-funded by DG REGIO, the YOUTHopia project aims to make sure that young people across Europe become aware of it and seize the opportunities it offers. As pan-European communication campaign, YOUTHopia has the goal of raising awareness of Cohesion Policy while empowering beneficiaries to communicate about its benefits. At the same time, YOUTHopia aims to encourage open dialogue between young people, stakeholders and policy-makers about the future of Cohesion Policy, a discussion that aims to put youth at the forefront of ...

[CLOSED] AER is hiring a Project and Communication Manager

Are you our next colleague? We are looking for a colleague to support our Project team in the implementation of EU-funded projects, and the delivery of project activities, related in particular to communication and advocacy.You must have the right to live and work in Belgium. This position is to be based in Brussels.  Our new colleague should have: University degree (MA or higher; or BA with additional academic qualification) in relevant subjects (e.g. Political Science, European Studies, International Relations, Cultural Studies, Communications, Management or similar); Proven experience in EU project management; a minimum of two years, full-time professional experience in project work, combined with advocacy and/or communication tasks. Additional relevant experience in the field of migrants integration and/or social inclusion will be an asset; Excellent English. Editorial/copy editing experience in English, as ...

SMEs and regions meet at the 5th Regional Business Forum

The 5th edition of the Regional Business Forum (RBF) started on the 15th of November in Novi Sad, in the Serbian AER member region of Vojvodina. A networking opportunity for regional businesses co-organized by AER and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, RBF brings together more than 200 participants from 20 countries. The opening ceremony was an opportunity to highlight different components of successful regional cooperation. Opening speeches were held remotely by Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, AER President Magnus Berntsson, and on-site by Bosko Vucurevic, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vojvodina, and Damir Zobenica, Vice-President of the Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and AER Vice-President for Regional Development & Investment. “Building physical connections ...

Bio-based Innovation to Decarbonise the Construction Sector

On 6 December, the day before the AER Bureau, the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy is organising a workshop on “The Bioeconomy & the New European Bauhaus“, which will look at bio-based innovation in the construction sector. Bio-based innovation: a catalyst for change The bio-based sector or bioeconomy, is a catalyst for systemic change. Indeed it opens new ways of producing and consuming resources while respecting our planetary boundaries. It contributes therefore directly to achieving the economic, social and environmental goals of the European Union’s Green Deal. Massive impact in the construction sector The construction sector has a considerable environmental impact, during the whole life cycle of buildings (construction, use, demolition) as well as the life cycle of construction materials. In this context, bio-sourced ...

AER at the European Week of Regions and Cities: “Youth is not our future. It is our present.”

Picture: AER Summer Academy 2022 – Panel discussion – Youth and regional Government: young people (re)shaping their regions – 30/08/2022, Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland. In early October, the Assembly of European Regions participated in the 2022 edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities. The European Year of Youth inspired numerous workshops on the links between Cohesion Policy and youth policy, and AER seized the opportunity to show its commitment to empower youth. “Youth is not our future, but our present” COVID-19 prevented active participation of younger generations in youth policy-making. The European Week of the Regions and Cities highlighted the need of young people for the right platform to make their voice heard, to react and to raise awareness about youth ...

Proposal for a Working Group on Green Hydrogen Adopted

The Executive Board which took place on 13 October 2022 in Brussels (BE) adopted the proposal for the creation of an AER working group on Green Hydrogen. The proposal for this working group is led by Catalonia (ES). It is supported by Burgenland (AU), Lower Austria (AU), Valle D’Aosta (IT), Flevoland (NL), Maramures (RO), Värmland (SE), Västra-Götaland (SE), Fribourg (CH), and Denizli (TR). Policy Exchanges to Accelerate the Green Transition On May 17th, the AER co-organised with Catalonia the event “Green (H)ydrogen: Powering Our Regions’ Future” at the AER premises in Brussels (BE), under the impulse of the Vice President for Sustainability, Environment & Climate, Albert Castellanos. The event was an opportunity to: Hear from EU policymakers about opportunities for regions to develop the ...

The 2023 DG Regio Call on Communicating Cohesion Policy is out!

EU Cohesion Policy is THE European Union’s tool to address economic and social inequalities between European regions and cities. It supports projects and initiatives that have a direct impact on people’s daily lives and foster their wellbeing. AER can help you to be part of it. EU Cohesion Policy is in the DNA of AER. Through DG REGIO funding opportunities, we have been working on projects that communicated and raised awareness of Cohesion Policy, such as Together for Cohesion or YOUTHopia, our new project. Have you read the news? If you are also working on this topic and looking for funding opportunities, we invite you to check out the latest call from DG REGIO. Also, if you need help building a project ...

AER’s Youth Regional Network (YRN) is back!

Spread the word among your youth regional councils: the Assembly of European Regions is reviving its Youth Regional Network (YRN)! Are you interested in joining the new YRN and taking part in its rebuilding process? In addition, are you interested in attending the YRN General Assembly (10 March 2023) and/or in applying to a position on the YRN Presidium? Then click on the buttons below to fill in the two dedicated forms: Join the new YRN! APPLY TO JOIN THE YRN GENERAL ASSEMBLY // YRN PRESIDIUM *Only eligible young people who register through these forms will be contacted to take part in the new YRN. About AER Youth Regional Network Created by the Assembly of European Regions in 2008, the Youth Regional Network (YRN) is a cross-regional ...

Wrap-Up: highlights from AER General Assembly 2022

The 2022 General Assembly took place on 14 October at the Lower Austria representation in Brussels and online. The General Assembly was chaired by AER President, Magnus Berntsson and AER Vice President Jean-Luc Vanraes, supported by AER Secretary General Christian Spahr. Jenny Evjen, acting President of the AER Summer Academy, joined on-site.  From new memberships in Ukraine, to the return of the Summer Academy and the ratification of new members of the AER’s political Bureau, the General Assembly welcomed more than 100 members in Brussels and online to set out how our network continues to make a positive impact on the ground in our regions across Europe. Eight Ukrainian regions join AER This was the first General Assembly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. ...

Interculturalism for Intercultural Regions to be!

Are you interested in knowing more about how a region can become intercultural and inclusive, yet you missed our first online capacity-building session on interculturalism for regions and local stakeholders? Also, are you keen to know more about who is the EU-BELONG team and how you can work together with us in the coming years? Dive into this quick article and rewatch the recording of the training below! A Warm Welcome in the EU-BELONG Team to the Local Stakeholders Last Thursday, the AER and all EU-BELONG partners were glad to meet and welcome an enlarged EU-BELONG team. Over a hundred regional representatives and local stakeholders working on the implementation of EU-BELONG gathered to attend the first online capacity-building session on interculturalism. ...

AER Position on Youth – Call for Amendments

AER is inviting members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Youth. This includes the regional youth councils in our member regions: the AER is very much attached to including youth voices in the process, make sure to spread the word among youth councils and youth organisations in your regions! The closing date for submitting amendments is the 14th of November 2022. Amendment proposals can be submitted using the online form below: Submit amendments HERE About this Amending Process This consultation aims to invite all AER members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Youth. At the Bureau meeting in December 2021, Bureau Members made Youth a priority topic for its political work in 2022, designated European Year of Youth by the ...

[Partner Search] Erasmus+ VET & Learning Mobility Grants

Is your region or are organisations in your region looking to upscale exchanges and mobility schemes to foster upskilling, employability prospects and internationalisation? The Public Service of Employment of Catalonia (SOC) is looking to establish reciprocity-based, long-term cooperation schemes, as well as explore other cooperation agreements, with the aim to send and host students and teachers carrying out a learning mobility experience. SOC has been accredited by the Spanish Erasmus+ National Agency (SEPIE) as coordinator of an Erasmus+ VET consortium to promote mobility among teachers and students of professional employment courses ­– targeted at both unemployed and employed citizens. Under this framework, SOC coordinates the ITER mobility project, a partnership of 28 Catalan VET centres which has been granted over 150 students’ mobility grants in ...

Don’t Miss The Projects Info-Stand On 14 October!

You have a project idea? You are trying to build a consortium? Or you have no clue where to begin with EU projects? Come and see us at the Projects Info-stand on 14 October 2022 during the AER General Assembly in Brussels. More info about the event right here! Let’s meet on 14 October! The Project Unit is very much looking forward to meeting you in person on the occasion of our General Assembly taking place in Brussels at the office of the Representation of the Government of Lower Austria to the EU and online on Friday, 14 October. The team will be available before, after and in-between the different sessions to discuss with AER members about the latest EU funding opportunities, ...

Skills for the Bioeconomy @AER Summer Academy in Donegal

The ambition of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy is to create a community amongst European regions to share challenges, and opportunities, and create the ground for future partnerships and projects. Youth at the heart of the shift to green gold On the occasion of the AER Summer Academy in Ireland, the AER working group on the Bioeconomy facilitated a workshop with young people, to challenge the current situation and ask how the bioeconomy can become the green gold for a sustainable future. Getting the opportunity to increase knowledge and awareness around the challenges in the field of agriculture, especially for youth, was a wonderful and rewarding experience. The discussions and conversations we had during as well as after the workshop ...

Second wave of EU4Health calls 2022

The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) published three calls for proposals under the EU4Health 2022 Annual Work Programme on: diabetes and cardiovascular diseases cancer and non-communicable diseases cancer training programmes The actions will support Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission The deadline of these calls is 21 February 2023 More information is available on the call webpage Background The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) implements European programmes and initiatives for health, food safety, digital, industry and space. It works closely together with five Directorates-General (DG CNECT, DEFIS, GROW, RTD and SANTE which is the lead DG for the HaDEA) and with the Commission’s European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), which are focused on legislative and strategic tasks in policy ...

Connecting Europe Facility: New call open

The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) launched a grant call under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)  on 13 September 2022. The call for proposals makes EUR 5.12 billion available for projects targeting new upgraded and improved European transport infrastructure.  The deadline for this call is 18 January 2023. Projects funded under this call will help to increase the sustainability of the transport network, putting the EU on track to meet the European Green Deal objective of cutting transport emissions by 90% by 2050. Sustainable, smart and resilient infrastructure The call supports the European Commission’s vision of sustainable, smart and resilient mobility. As the transport sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now the time to further develop sustainable transport modes ...

2022 AER General Assembly–online registrations close Monday, 10 October!

The Assembly of European Regions has announced the date and venue for its biggest statutory event, the annual General Assembly. The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members across Europe. The 2022 General Assembly will take place in Brussels, Belgium and online on 14 October, and AER is proud to announce it will be hosted by the Government of Lower Austria Liason Office. It will also be possible to join via Zoom. Members joining on-site are also invited to a welcome reception at 18:30 on Thursday, 13 October. All onsite events will take place at the Lower Austria Liason Office, Rue Montoyer 40, B-1000 Brussels. Register via the EVENT PAGE HERE. The deadline to register for online ...

Eurodyssey Forum 2022: Bouncing back on the European Year of Youth

The Eurodyssey Forum is back! This year’s edition will be a fully in-person event and will take place in Limassol, Cyprus, from the 7th to the 9th of November. The Forum will be hosted by the Union of Cyprus Municipalities and the Department of Labour of the Republic of Cyprus. An opportunity not to be missed! REGISTER HERE *Registrations are open until the 30th of September on a “first come first served basis”, with priority being given to the Eurodyssey participating regions. After this date, registrations will be possible only based on the number of spots still available. What is Eurodyssey? Eurodyssey is the flagship youth regional mobility programme of the Assembly of European Regions, entirely managed at regional level. Together with our participating ...

Let’s Get DIGITAL!

Mapping direct funding opportunities to advance the digital transition in schools and public administrations in Europe. In line with one of the European Commission’s main priorities for the decade, namely “A Europe fit for the Digital Age“, the NextGenerationEU and the Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2017), the AER promotes its regions’ digitalisation and exchange of knowledge to allow for more inclusive and accessible digital education and transformation. The lockdown has exacerbated the need for inclusive and accessible services, connections and learning opportunities, thus highlighting inequalities in different countries and in regard to vulnerable groups. Digital technology, when deployed skilfully, equitably and effectively by educators, can fully support the agenda of high-quality and inclusive education and training for all learners. It can facilitate ...

Interview with Aud Hove, Chair of the AER Working Group on the Bioeconomy

How exchanging experiences with other regions leverages knowledge and the ability to create impact: the Chair of the newly created working group on the bioeconomy & skills, Aud Hove, Innlandet (NO), shares about her motivation for setting up a working group within the AER network. Can you please introduce yourself? My name is Aud Hove, I serve as the deputy county mayor in Innlandet county, Norway. I come from a small mountainous village and municipality, named Skjåk, but due to my occupation, I currently live in Lillehammer. I have always been interested in bio-based business and nature management. In Norway we have a saying “from the earth to the table” not different from EU new initiative Farm to Fork, emphasizing that value ...

AER’s Regions stand with Ukraine – European solidarity in action

Last February, Ukraine suffered the full force of Russian aggression. Russia’s military invasion of the country marked the beginning of an escalation of violence that has led to thousands of Ukrainians losing their lives, millions more becoming refugees, and has thrown Europe into a military conflict on a scale not seen in decades. In the six months since the invasion, European regions have mobilised to provide humanitarian, financial and psychological support to Ukrainians fleeing the conflict, and on the ground in Ukraine itself. On the political level, regional authorities have joined forces to reaffirm the European values of peace, rule of law and defending democracy in Ukraine. In this article, we share stories of solidarity with Ukraine from our member regions ...

SOLD OUT: 2022 AER Summer Academy, County Donegal, Ireland

Co-hosted by Donegal County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta at the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Campus in Letterkenny, and the Gteic Gaoth Dobhair, “The AER Summer Academy—a Europe for the Next Generation” will bring together more than 100 politicians, youth delegates and civil society activists from across Europe for a week of debate on how to shape a more democratic, peaceful and sustainable future through real civic engagement of young people, starting in Europe’s regions.  This edition of the Summer Academy is the first one since the pandemic, and it will be the first time this event comes to Ireland.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csTo8UeYAKA&t=4s A Special Year for Ireland and Europe The Summer Academy takes place in a year of important milestones for Ireland’s relationship with its ...

Call for Nominations – AER Bureau Members 2022-2024

What? Per AER Statute and Procedures, ratification of the members of the Bureau will occur at the General Assembly in Brussels (BE) on 14 October 2022.  We are inviting AER members to nominate four representatives per country represented within the AER (two Bureau members plus two substitutes) by completing the online nomination form available here.  The nominations submitted must reflect the consensus reached by member regions from the same country.  Current list of Bureau Members 2020-2022: How to submit your nomination? We are inviting AER members to nominate four representatives per country represented within the AER (two Bureau members plus two substitutes) by completing the online nomination form available below: Submit your Bureau nominations HERE All completed nomination forms must be submitted before the 23rd of September 2022. Useful documents Call Bureau ...

AER Position on Jobs, Growth & Investment – Call for Amendments

AER is inviting members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Jobs, Growth & Investment. The closing date for submitting amendments is 14 November 2022. Amendment proposals can be submitted using the online form below: Submit amendments HERE About this Amending Process This consultation aims to invite all AER members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Jobs, Growth & Investment. The Task Force on Jobs, Growth & Investment is co-chaired by AER Vice Presidents Alessandra Zedda (Sardinia, IT) and Damir Zobenica (Vojvodina, RS). This draft position suggests a set of recommendations on how to recover the economy and boost growth, jobs and investments in order to build a competitive, resilient and inclusive Europe, highlighting the vital role of regional governments ...

[CLOSED] We’re hiring a Communications & Events Manager!

We are looking for a colleague to build on a renewed brand identity and to continue innovating our communications, taking AER to the next level. Are you our next colleague? We need someone who is creative, results-oriented and driven. In this position, you will be expected to constantly strive to improve AER’s visibility, recognition and image, to use your insights in a proactive manner, delivering results in a smart, politically sensitive way. Our new colleague should have: native-level English: editorial/copy editing experience in English will be considered an asset; a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (communications, journalism, EU public affairs, or similar). Additional relevant qualifications such as, but not limited to PR or journalism training will be an asset; a minimum of ...

Summer Academy Bureau Debate – Recovering together: youth policy in Europe

REGISTER HERE PRACTICAL INFORMATION According to the OECD, the COVID-19 crisis has taken a toll on the education, employment, mental health and disposable income of youth all across Europe, most notably due to public health restrictions. As this report from the European Parliament show, lower and unequal access to education and training, higher unemployment and a reversal of many positive social and economic trends for young people in Europe and beyond. These new difficulties must be addressed to ensure a brighter future for all. One, in particular, stands out: the rise of mental health afflictions like depression and anxiety among the youth. For instance, almost two-thirds of people (64%) in the age group 18–34 years were at risk of depression in spring 2021. ...

How To Foster An Intercultural Approach To Education & Training- Highlights From Includ-EU Webinar

  On 24 May 2022, AER organised, within the framework of the Includ-EU project and in cooperation with IOM (International Organisation for Migration), the 5th and last webinar on the series that looked into the 4 areas tackled by the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion (2021-2027), namely Education and Training, Employment, Access to Health, and adequate and affordable housing. It is by no chance that Education and Training are on top of the list, as they are considered as a pre-condition and the key enabler of social inclusion and empowerment encompassing all other areas of Inclusion (together with housing, the most tangible and thus need and also very high on the European agenda). That is why a firm commitment of IOM, as ...

AER working groups: it’s simple

The long-awaited guide for members willing to set up a new working group is finally there! Working groups are for all AER members All AER members can participate in working groups. Any AER member can submit a proposal for setting up a working group on a new topic. It is possible to contribute to the work by: Sharing needs and topics your region would be interested to work on Offering expertise, flagging good practices you would like to share with AER members, proposing speakers Participating in events organised by the Chairs of the Working Groups Representing AER at thematic events: all AER members can be AER ambassadors! To do this, contact AER Coordinator for Policy & Knowledge Transfer Johanna Pacevicius with ideas, proposals, requests. How to propose a new ...

Bioeconomy & skills: first meeting of working group

On 22 June 2022, the AER working group on the bioeconomy and skills held its first meeting to define priorities and develop activities for the coming months Getting to know each other The working group aims to be a space for targetted experience sharing, finding resources and strategic intelligence, as well as developing initiatives and projects. For this to be possible it is essential to get to know each other and hear what makes the topic of the bioeconomy a current one in different regions across Europe. The meeting therefore started with a presentation of each members and a pitch on the situation in each region. Defining priority areas for exchanges Members of the group discussed what they hoped to find in this group, and ...

Inclusion, Creativity & Human Potential

Labour participation is an essential building block for inclusion. It has a direct impact on access to housing, wellbeing and the ability of individuals to contribute. A Holistic Approach to Labour Market Inclusion The Includ-EU workshop “Inclusion, Creativity and Human Potential” on 14-15 June 2022 in Venice, highlighted regional policies and practices, that support stakeholders to build on their ideas, motivation, competences and experiences. Speakers included: Rossella Celmi, IOM Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, Lead Partner of the Includ-EU project Gloria Bondi, The Human Safety Net Angelique Petrits, DG HOME Rabab Ahmad, IOM’s Regional Office for the EEA, the European Union and NATO Alan Barbieri, The Human Safety Net Mónica Oltra Jarque, Vice President of and Minister for Equality and Inclusive Policies of Generalitat Valenciana, Member of Intercultural Regions ...

The AER Summer Academy Is Back!

With the European Year of Youth in full-swing, the AER is delighted to announce that our flagship youth event, the AER Summer Academy is returning in 2022 after a two-year hiatus.  In partnership with Donegal County Council and Údarás na Gaeltachta, this year’s Summer Academy will take place from 29 August until 1 September in the stunning surroundings of  County Donegal, in Ireland’s Atlantic North-West. ***NOTE: Members of the Summer Academy Organising Committee should contact Communications & Events Manager, Justin Sammon directly before booking tickets on Eventbrite. All other members and partners can register below. Why Ireland? 2022 marks fifty years since Irish citizens voted by referendum to join the European Community, precursor the European Union in 1972. 2022 also celebrates the Irish language ...

Inclusive Housing: Why And How?

Access to adequate and affordable housing is a key determinant of successful integration. Housing conditions have a strong impact on employment and education opportunities and on the interactions between migrants and host communities. Poor housing conditions and segregation can exacerbate divisions, which undermine social cohesion. Inclusive housing is therefore essential for thriving neighbourghoods. The need for cross-sectoral approaches In the framework of the Includ-EU project AER organised a webinar on cross-sectoral approaches to inclusive housing. The 4th Includ-EU webinar looked at practices that promote the benefits of intercultural identities of neighbourhoods. Encouraging social interactions via holistic housing policies and reinventing public spaces is of utmost importance to foster integration. Setting the framework Rossella Celmi, Project Manager at the IOM Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, ...

The Regional Dimension in Albania: Conclusions from our Conference in Tirana on March 28-30

At the Rogner Hotel in Tirana, the AER was joined by the Albanian regional representatives to discuss common challenges the Albanian regions are facing and what the international state of play is for regional cooperation. 3 Days of debates, presentations and exchanges led to some new insights that we are delighted to share with you here. The challenges for the newly born regions of Albania On March 28-30, representatives from Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Gjirokaster, Korca, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirana and Vlore joined the Assembly of European Regions and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung at the Rogner hotel to share their impressions of their young administrations and the challenges they are facing. As the regions in Albania have a relatively young history, ...

The Knowledge Transfer Toolkit is out!

Are you aware of an innovative practice and would like to test in your region or would you like to strengthen cooperation with other peers across Europe and beyond to foster innovation within your regional ecosystem? The AER developed a Knowledge Transfer Toolkit gathering its long-lasting expertise in the field and its recent application in the context of the SCIROCCO Exchange project as to support regional and local authorities and other organisation in the design and implementation of effective knowledge transfer programmes and activities. A tailor-made knowledge transfer programme In the context of the SCIROCCO Exchange project on health systems innovation, the AER developed a knowledge transfer programme, which was personalised for nine health and social care authorities with the aim ...

1st AER-ENoP Forum on New Forms of Democratic Engagement

How to actively involve citizens in policy development in order to regain political trust and add legitimacy to political decisions? The Assembly of European Regions, in cooperation with the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), is delighted to invite you to the first joint forum on new forms of democratic engagement, taking place in Comet Meeting-Louise and online on 1 June 09:30 to 2 June 16:45. During this occasion, key representatives from all levels of governance –European, national, regional, and local–will gather together to discuss the tools and mechanisms in place to enhance deliberative democracy and the opportunities and challenges of direct involvement of citizens in decision-making processes. Moreover, the conclusions of these discussions will aim at fostering and supporting the design of deliberative ...

Journey towards the Future of Europe – AER takes part in the Conference on the Future of Europe

Today on Europe Day, the Conference on the Future of Europe ends. This Conference was a citizen-led series of debates and discussions to enable people from across Europe to share their ideas and help shape our common future. The Conference, as a major pan-European democratic exercise, was the first of its kind and gave European citizens the great opportunity to debate Europe’s challenges and priorities for the years to come. In other words: how to make the Union fit for the 21st century’s next challenges? The current situation at Europe’s doorstep shows us once again the importance of European cohesion and solidarity between all levels of government. Since 2021, hand-in-hand with other associations and civil society organisations working on ...

OUT NOW: AER Booklet on “Unboxing the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027”

FINAL-Unboxing-the-Multiannual-Financial-Framework_compressedDownload Following the successful training sessions organised by the Assembly of the European Regions on “Unboxing the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027”, the content presented on direct and indirect EU funds as well as EU tools to foster the administrative capacity building of beneficiaries is summarised in a user-friendly booklet, aimed at guiding regions and their stakeholders in getting oriented throughout the resources available and how to access them. The training sessions – structured in a series of three webinars on “Cohesion and Rural Development Funds (Session I), “Accessing Direct Funding Programmes” (Session II), “Making EU funds working for your region” (Session III) – were attended by more than 300 participants representing mainly regional authorities and regional stakeholders and they will receive for ...

Wrapping Up The Skillnet Project And Defining The Future Of The TVET Alliance

Creating new learning, training and job opportunities for everyone across Europe will be crucial to recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and building more sustainable, fair and resilient communities as we transition to a digital and green economy and society.  The TVET Alliance summit, organized in the context of the Skillnet Project (IVETA, AER, ENNI, and EAPRIL), and in collaboration with the European Training Foundation took place on 5 and 6 April 2022 in Florence, Italy. The main purpose of the event was to bring together Skillnet project partners and high-level stakeholders operating in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to share a strong commitment to co-design of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable society, and reshaping the TVET of the future. The ...

EU4Health Programme: new calls for proposals open

EU4Health, with a budget of €5.3 billion, is the fourth and largest of the EU health programmes that provides funding to national authorities, health organisations and other bodies through grants and public procurement, contributing to a healthier Europe. The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) implements the EU4Health programme by managing calls for proposals and tenders from 2021 to 2027 and recently launched eight calls for proposals under the EU4Health 2022 Annual Work Programme. The total budget amounts to €107.3 million and the deadline to apply is 24 May 2022. The open calls are the following: EU4H-2022-PJ-01 – Call for proposals to monitor and strengthen the implementation of innovative approaches to prostate, lung and gastric cancer screening at Union level EU4H-2022-PJ-02 – Call for proposals on prevention of ...

The World Sustainable Energy Days in Wels, Austria 2022: a great success! A review and a call for papers for the WSED 2023

Over 650 experts from 55 countries participated in the World Sustainable Energy Days 2022 from 5-8 April – more than 60 % of them on-site! The energy transition community met in Wels/Austria and presented opportunities, solutions and strategies to make global climate neutrality reality. ©OOe Energiesparverband The World Sustainable Energy Days 2022, titled “Energy transition – full speed ahead!”, were a great success! Now we are on the road towards the World Sustainable Energy Days 2023! Save the date for the next edition of this international conference and tradeshow on renewable energy and climate neutrality, which will be held from 1-3 March 2023. Calls for Papers & Speakers close on 10 October 2022. The WSED 2022 showed how to increase acceptance, trigger investments and ...

Capacity-building for Integrated Care: Join the SCIROCCO EXCHANGE Partners at its Final Conference!

Interested in knowing more about how your region can strengthen its health and social care system and improve the design and delivery of healthcare services? Join the Scottish Government and all the partners of the SCIROCCO Exchange project at its closing event ‘Capacity-building for Integrated Care: From the Maturity Assessment to Improvement Planning‘! The conference will be held on Thursday 5 May 2022 from 9 am to 4:30 pm CET and will be open online to all AER members and healthcare professionals in their region. REGISTER HERE! Throughout the past years, SCIROCCO Exchange has contributed to foster capacity-building among regional healthcare authorities through tailored evidence-based support for the adoption and scale-up of integrated care. As a result of this process, ...

Making TVET more attractive for Women!

Technical vocational education and training provide concrete opportunities for inclusion by developing innovative curricula matching rapidly changing societal needs and fostering life-long learning opportunities. Yet, the sector has been for long time predominately male centred making the need to counter the gender-bias and gender-stereotypes in the sector a foremost priority for a renewed TVET system as urged by the European Parliament in the resolution of 17 December 2020 and promoted by the SKILLNET Alliance. This is why the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with its member regions and leading experts of the TVET sector organised a mutual-learning session aimed at sharing good practices for improving the attractiveness of technical vocational education and training for women. The event was part ...

Partner search: innovating communication targeting SMEs

The AER member region Umbria, together with its Regional Development Agency Sviluppumbria, has developed a project idea to improve the communication with SMEs in order to facilitate their understanding and access to funding opportunities. This new project is designed in the framework of the EU funding programme Interreg Europe (first call for project proposal, having its deadline on 31 May 2022). About the project idea Technical language used by public bodies can be an obstacle to understanding their contents and therefore approaching opportunities. This is particularly true for SMEs, especially during the COVID emergency, when a larger amount of funds was released across Europe, driving SMEs to seek professional help to navigate the bureaucracy. Indeed, during the COVID period, Umbria region tested innovative ways to communicate to SMEs, based ...

Institutional Relations & Advocacy Officer (Maternity Cover)

Role Description Under the direct supervision of the Secretary General, the Institutional Relations & Advocacy Officer will play a central role in implementing the AER’s advocacy strategy, in collaboration with the AER’s members. The holder of this position will develop and maintain strong relationships with institutional stakeholders in order to maximise influence and deliver strategic objectives. Key Responsibilities Implement AER’s advocacy strategy in order to promote regional interests and influence European and international institutions; Coordinate and facilitate the work of Bureau Task Forces; Support AER’s involvement in European and global policy debates and processes and influence policy makers on key areas for local and regional authorities; Promote AER’s advocacy messages across coalitions and networks at European and global level; Prepare policy and advocacy materials, including briefings, speeches, ...

Skillnet Training Session III- Making EU funds work for your region

Implementing European programmes is often complex. The current programming period contains new rules, instruments and processes that might result difficult for the beneficiaries to fully understand and consequently to put in place the right actions to access them. Additionally, the management and the proper reporting of the use of these funds might be an additional challenge for them that leads to some gaps in how the funds are used. The implementation and the management of significant projects for the regions, especially after the effects of the pandemic on many sectors, are more necessary than ever. This is why accessing this knowledge will enable many regions in our network to bounce back from the pandemic. This is a sensitive matter that also ...

DG REGIO Opportunities: Fund Your Regional Innovative Practice On Citizens’ Participation in Cohesion Policy

EU Commission DG REGIO is seeking proposals by public authorities and civil society organizations, interested to strengthen citizen participation in cohesion policy through collaborative innovative solutions.

Job Vacancy: Financial and Administrative Officer

Do you have a strong background in financial administration? Do you enjoy providing high-quality administrative support to a team? And do you have work experience e.g. in an association, small company or an international environment? If this sounds like you, you might be our new Financial and Administrative Officer (part-time, 19,5 hours/week).  Our new colleague will handle financial administration in our association. To be successful in this role, you should have previous experience with bookkeeping and a flair for spotting numerical mistakes. Ultimately, you will be responsible for the financial reporting and administrative tasks. The AER has its main offices in Strasbourg and Brussels. You will be based in Strasbourg, together with a part of the dynamic team of our Secretariat. ...

Proposal for a Working Group on Bioeconomy adopted

The Executive Board which took place on 23 March 2022 adopted the proposal for the creation of an AER working group on the Bioeconomy. The proposal is led by Innlandet (NO) and is supported by Lower Austria (AU), Gelderland (NL), Värmland (SE). Skills & knowledge at the heart of the development of the Bioeconomy It is estimated that the bioeconomy contributes to almost 9% of the EU-27 labour force and 4.7% of the EU-27 GDP1. As a concrete operationalisation of the bioeconomy, more than 2,300 bio-based plants have been mapped by the Joint Research Centre across Europe. To fully reap the economic, social and environmental benefits of the bioeconomy, dedicated bioeconomy strategies, investments and innovation are required at all levels in the EU. That ...

Job Vacancy: Programmes Coordinator

Do you have experience in a member-based organisation? Do you have work experience in a European/international environment, interested in the European regional dimension and youth policies? If this sounds like you, you might be our new Programmes Coordinator.  We are looking for an experienced colleague who is pro-active, collaborative, organised and with a problem-solving attitude to manage three regional networks covering youth mobility, youth participation, and intergenerational programmes.  You will be reporting directly to the Secretary-General and will be based in Brussels.  You must have the right to live and work in Belgium.  Key Responsibilities Programme Management – 50% Acting as the main point of contact for the AER programmes: Eurodyssey, Summer Academy and the Youth Regional Network.  Building and maintaining close relations with the member regions of the AER ...

The AER Spring Meetings—Shaping our Common Future

Last week, the AER held its virtual Spring meetings. From sharing ideas for collaboration in our working groups, to reaffirming our political priorities in our Bureau, these meetings showed the value of bringing members together to meet new challenges and shape our common future. The day began with an energetic and fruitful brainstorming session on the AER action plan led by Policy & Knowledge Transfer Coordinator, Johanna Pacevicius. This was a chance for members to share perspectives on the priorities for their regions and find areas of common interest for the work of AER. Members from Innlandet to Ireland shared approaches to addressing common challenges, for example, reversing brain-drain from rural areas through setting up remote-working hubs to draw ...

NEW AER Task Force on Youth!

On the occasion of the AER Spring Bureau Meetings 2022, members decided to establish a new Taskforce focused on youth. Background Following the announcement made by President von der Leyen in her 2021 State of the Union address, the Commission adopted in October 2021 its formal proposal to make 2022 the European Year of Youth (EYY). The objectives of the EYY are to support the generation that has sacrificed the most during the pandemic with renewed perspectives and opportunities arising from the green and digital transitions; to empower all young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to become active citizens and actors of positive change; to promote opportunities provided by EU policies for young people to support their development and autonomy, mainly through the NextGenerationEU; and to draw inspiration from ...

“Europe starts in its regions, cities and villages” – AER joins 9th European Summit of Regions & Cities

On 3-4 March 2022, The Assembly of European Regions took part in the 9th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Marseille, France. The European Summit of Regions and Cities is a gathering of local representatives organised every two years by the European Committee of the Regions to discuss the EU’s future challenges. The 9th European Summit took place in the context of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This edition aimed to engage local and regional politicians across the EU in debates on the future of Europe, and to show how Europe’s regions and cities play a vital role in placing citizens at the heart of Europe. The AER featured prominently in this year’s edition, with ...

Cross-sectoral Approaches To Inclusive Housing

On 7 April 2022 AER is organising a webinar on cross-sectoral approaches to inclusive housing from 15:00-16:30 CET in the framework of the Includ-EU project. Access to adequate and affordable housing is a key determinant of successful integration. Housing conditions have a strong impact on employment and education opportunities and on the interactions between migrants and host communities. Poor housing conditions and segregation can exacerbate divisions, which undermine social cohesion. Building inclusive societies for all The EU action plan on integration and inclusion states that: Inclusion for all is about ensuring that all policies are accessible to and work for everyone, including migrants and EU citizens with migrant background. This means adapting and transforming mainstream policies to the needs of a diverse society, taking ...

Co-developing the AER Action Plan

AER members have the possibility to propose activities in the context of the different AER bodies. The AER Secretariat will facilitate a co-development session on March 24th. Members will be able to share inputs and define activities they would like to carry out together. The co-development session will be organised along three topics: Youth the Bioeconomy & Skills Culture & Tourism Youth: policies to help young people to bounce back The aim of this session is to hear from members what are the policies they have been implementing to help young people bounce back after the pandemic. This will, in particular, provide content for the preparation of the AER Summer Academy, which will take place from 27 to 30 June 2022 in Donegal (IE) Members will ...

“Making Culture a Strategic Resource for Europe and its Regions”

There is a great risk in neglecting culture as part of recovery policies. Culture is not a luxury for the few, it contributes to collective wellbeing and human values, as well as to generate jobs and growth. The unprecedented outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard the cultural and creative sector, affecting millions of jobs, in a sector that contributes to 4.2 % of the EU GDP. At the initiative of the Assembly of European Regions Chair of Working Group on Culture, Feresteh Jalayer Hess, a statement on the importance of culture for social cohesion and recovery has been issued by the AER Executive Board with recommendations for Europe and its regions to put culture at the heart of the ...

How will an Intercultural Approach to Migrant Integration help Europe’s Regions- The EU-BELONG Project takes off!

On 23-24 February, the Assembly of European Regions, together with 14 partners from 8 countries, kicked off EU-Belong, an ambitious project selected among 300 proposals, of which only 10% were approved by DG Home in its 2020 AMIF call: transnational actions on asylum, migration and integration. We are proud of this great achievement and conscious of the great responsibility that follows, in that we are called to develop and implement targeted integration strategies at local level while contributing to bringing integration policy in Europe forward, thanks to the consortium’s consolidated expertise, knowledge and ability to mobilise its relevant network.  This article is a snap journey through the key moments that led to this project, the principles and needs that helped shape ...

Call for Expression of Interest – Regional Good Practices on Migrant Integration

The Assembly of European Regions within the framework of the project EU-Belong: An Intercultural Approach to Migrant Integration in Europe’s Regions will carry out a preliminary peer review of good practices to collect, analyse and present innovative and successful experiences from European Regions on the topic of the participatory design, implementation and evaluation of intercultural integration strategies at the regional level.  The review will provide practical examples in 4 thematic areas key for the integration of migrants at the regional level: housing, integration in the labour market, exchanges between newcomers and the local population, sport and culture. At least 8 experiences will be selected, analysed and presented. The selected good practices will be published inapposite user-friendly and visually attractive factsheets, in order ...

AER releases statement on Invasion of Ukraine

Ahead of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on 22 February, AER President, Magnus Berntsson and Secretary General, Christian Spahr issued a statement of solidarity with the people of Ukraine on behalf of the Assembly of European Regions. In line with the values of democracy, mutual respect and dialogue that underpin the Statutes of the Assembly of European Regions, the President condemned in the strongest possible terms the use of “military threats and escalations to achieve political aims, and underlined that “Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders must be respected based on international law.” Soon after, AER Secretary General Christian Spahr stated: “The aggression against Ukraine is a disgrace and an attack on the whole European political order. Our compassion and solidarity in ...

Conference on “Strong counties serving their citizens – the future of regional governance in Albania” 28-30 March in Tirana

It is our pleasure to invite you to the Conference on “Strong counties serving their citizens – the future of regional governance in Albania”, held on 28-30 of March in Tirana, Albania. The Assembly of European Regions is proud to welcome you to our Conference on the Future of Regional Governance in Albania. Our aim is to bring together regional leaders within Albania and to bring about a debate on the future of regional cooperation and citizen-centered policy making at the regional level. During our 3-day Conference, we will look to answer questions concerning the key challenges for regional governance, trends and challenges to citizen-centered policy making and best practices. The event promises to bring together Albanian and international stakeholders to ...

2022 Spring Bureau & Member Engagement Meetings

We are delighted to invite our members to join our AER Spring Bureau, taking place fully online on Thursday, 24 March. We will give an overview presentation of the activities carried out by the AER task forces and other institutional related issues, as well as identify potential key priority topics for political discussion and advocacy action in 2022. Furthermore, we will host a debate on growth, jobs and investment where we will explore the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for local and regional authorities. Members are also invited to join the discussion and vote on the adoption of two position papers on Sustainable Mobility and on Democracy.  You can view the overview of the programme below: Overview Programme 14.00-14:10 Welcome & Introductions Magnus Berntsson, AER ...

AER Position on Democracy – Call for Amendments

AER is inviting members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Democracy. The closing date for submitting amendments is 8 March 2022. Amendment proposals can be submitted using the online form below: Submit your amendments HERE About this Amending Process This consultation aims to invite all AER members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Democracy. The Task Force on Democracy is chaired by the Region of Örebro (SE). This position paper addresses the main aspects for fostering good democratic governance and strengthening democracy in AER member regions. To make these proposals stronger, the Task Force is inviting AER member regions to share their proposed changes to the Draft Position. The amendment proposals can be submitted until 8 March 2022. Suggested amendments ...

The Includ-EU Project Launches Its Own Newsletter!

Stay up-to-date with innovative practices on migrants inclusion in Europe, from access to housing, health care and education, by subscribing to the Includ-EU quarterly bulletin! We are glad to share with you the first issue of the Includ-EU newsletter, a project of which we are partners and promoters. Includ-EU aims to contribute to building more inclusive and cohesive European societies by enhancing transnational knowledge and experience sharing, cooperation and partnerships between local and regional authorities from Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia and Spain. Funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union, it is structured around key thematic areas consistent with the EU Action plan on integration and inclusion: labour inclusion, health care, education, active citizenship and housing. The project website, designed as a platform where local expertise on inclusion can match migrants needs for ...

AER Position on Sustainable Mobility and Connectivity – Call for Amendments / Deadline: 8 March

AER is inviting members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position – Sustainable Mobility & Connectivity. Amendment proposals can be submitted using the online form HERE. The closing date for submitting amendments is 8 March. About this Amending Process This consultation aims to invite all AER members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Sustainable Mobility & Connectivity. At the Bureau meeting in December 2019, Bureau Members decided to set up a Task Force on Sustainable Mobility & Connectivity. Chaired by Vice President Alessandra Zedda (Sardinia, IT), the Task Force produced a common Position with a set of recommendations on how to develop the mobility and connectivity sector we need to build a greener, more inclusive and resilient Europe, highlighting the ...

Partner Search: resilient ecosystems for circular tourism

Are you interested in joining a project within the new Single Market Programme (SMP)? The Chamber of Commerce of Umbria, a key stakeholder of Regione Umbria (member region of AER), is looking for partners to join their new project on COVID-19 recovery through sustainable tourism and SME support. About the project proposal With reference to the SMP call “COVID-19 Recovery Through Sustainable Tourism Growth and SME Support (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME)”, the Chamber of Commerce of Umbria (IT) is leading a proposal on resilient ecosystems for circular tourism. The general objective of the call is to monitor the sustainability performance of SMEs in the tourism sector, whilst boosting their awareness, development and capacity in the area of sustainable innovations. To this extent, the project aims to ...

Call for participants – CoE Study session: Climbing the ladder | Deadline: 20 Feb

The AER is happy to announce a new partnership with the DYPALL Network and the Youth Department of the Council of Europe to host the study session Climbing the ladder – Capacitating youth leaders to facilitate youth participation in decision-making processes at the local level. This event will take place from 24 to 30 April 2022 in the European Youth Centre Strasbourg (EYCS), France. AER is looking for youth leaders coming from member regions to benefit from a one-week training module to acquire key competencies in the field of youth participation. Interested? Then keep reading below! A training session made by youth and for youth The study session “Climbing the ladder – Capacitating youth leaders to facilitate youth participation in decision-making processes at the local level” focuses on two of the five strategic priorities of the ...

Connecting Europe Facility – Digital Programme: new calls & info day

The Commission has launched the first calls for proposals under the digital part of the Connecting Europe Facility programme after recently adopting the first Work Programme, which defines the scope and objectives of the EU-supported actions needed to improve Europe’s digital connectivity infrastructures for 3 years. With the launch of the new calls, an Info Day will be held on 19 January! Connecting Europe Facility – Digital The digital part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Digital) will contribute to the development of projects of common interest relating to the deployment of safe, secure and sustainable high-performance infrastructure, including Gigabit and 5G networks. CEF Digital will also contribute to the increased capacity and resilience of digital backbone infrastructures in all EU territories ...

Partner Search: Town Twinning for Environmental Action

The Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, a member region of AER, is searching for project partners to join their project proposal related to climate and environmental issues in the framework of the Town Twinning Action between Turkey and EU-II Grant Scheme (TTGS-II). Working with the vision of offering a cleaner and more sustainable environment to future generations, it aims to enhance dialogue between Turkish and EU local authorities and strengthen the capacity of local authorities for the purposes of climate and environment based actions. The grant scheme provides support for projects aiming at developing town twinning relationships between local administrations/authorities in Turkey and EU Member States and strengthening their roles in the EU accession process. About Izmir and the project proposal Local authorities in Turkey ...

Catalonia is calling for partner regions for its Hydrogen Valley!

Our member region Catalonia is looking to partner up with interested regions in renewable hydrogen ecosystems for its Hydrogen Valley. Driving towards the implementation of green hydrogen as the key component of the energy transition, this project is the Catalan regional response to the strategy launched by the European Commission to reduce polluting emissions and strive for a climatically neutral Europe by 2050. About Catalonia’s Hydrogen Valley The Hydrogen Valley of Catalonia is based on previous work done by the Green Hydrogen Platform Southern Catalonia, created in October 2020 with the foundational purpose of bringing together all the agents that make up the value chain of green hydrogen and driving forward the understanding, production and implementation of this alternative source of ...

MIT’s ‘Innovators Under 35’ Festival returns to Europe — submit your nominations

In partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta, the prestigious “Innovators Under 35” Festival Europe comes to Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal (IE) on 19-21 May 2022. What is IU35? Selected by MIT’s Technology Review, Innovators Under 35 is an annual list that recognises outstanding young pioneers from across the globe. Each year, brilliant men and women under 35 are recognised for their advancements in diverse technical fields such as biotechnology and medicine, computer and electronics, hardware, software, internet, artificial intelligence, robotics, telecommunications, nanotechnology and materials, energy and transportation. https://twitter.com/UdarasnaG/status/1373991648116490243?s=20 35 entrepreneurs, inventors, visionaries, pioneers and humanitarians will be selected for their outstanding technological achievements. A committee of judges, made up of experts from leading universities and companies will select the 35 best profiles of candidates. ...

World Sustainable Energy Days 2022 | Energy Transition – Full Speed Ahead!

We are delighted to announce that our member region, Upper Austria, will again host its long awaited and well-renowned World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) on 5-8 April 2022! Organized by the energy agency of Upper Austria, OÖ Energiesparverband, the WSED is a leading annual conference on energy transition and climate neutrality, with more than 650 participants from over 60 countries. As in previous editions, in 2022 the event will take place in Wels, Austria. Interested in attending? REGISTER HERE What is it all about? In her 2020 State of the Union address, President of the European Commission Ursula von den Leyen proposed the emissions’ reduction target to be set at 55%, alongside a revision of the EU’s climate and energy legislation. The Commission adopted the communication ‘Stepping ...

‘Better Together’ — How Intercultural integration is making cities and regions more equal and inclusive

What makes a society sustainable? While shifting to a circular economy and saving the environment are obvious requirements, they do not paint the full picture when it comes to a truly inclusive and equal recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Real social change demands better multicultural awareness and integration among citizens. This is is why a number of goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aim to guarantee gender and educational equality, build resilient communities, and implement participatory urban planning. SDG 11: a new way to imagine our cities In 2018, 55% of the world population was living in urban areas; by 2050 this figure is expected to rise to 6.5 billion people. It is clear that migration is playing a key role ...

Skillnet Training Session II – Making the Most of Direct Grant Funding Programmes

“Accessing European funding is often complex. We want to help our nearly 140 members in 30 countries make the best of these possibilities.“ This is how Christian Spahr, AER Secretary General opened our second webinar on EU funding opportunities for regions, “Unboxing the MFF – Accessing Direct Grant Funding Programmes”. The programmes under discussion: Erasmus Plus, Creative Europe, LIFE, Horizon and Digital Europe are core building blocks of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EU’s €2.018 trillion long-term budget. These programmes will be a crucial source of source of funding for regions in areas as diverse as skill development, technological innovation, the green transition and promoting our cultural heritage into the future. As Christian Spahr put it, “These programmes are essential ...

Partnership in Focus n.18: CAPACITY BUILDING IN HIGHER EDUCATION II – A European Strategy for Universities

The higher education sector is key for finding solutions towards a sustainable and more digital Europe, as well as for equipping students (and professors) with the competences that our fast-changing society and economy need. In May 2021 the Council of the EU adopted conclusions on the European Universities initiative with “the aim of bridging higher education, research, innovation and society: paving the way for a new dimension in European higher education.” European Universities transnational alliances will become the universities of the future, promoting European values and identity, and revolutionising the quality and competitiveness of European higher education, in an optic of international cooperation, peer-learning and exchange of best practices between European higher education institutions and those from non-EU priority regions ...

Eurodyssey’s website launch – Behind the scenes

The new Eurodyssey’s website launch marks an important milestone in our programme’s journey. It has been a result of three years of close collaboration between our member regions and the AER Secretariat, from meetings to seminars and trainings. Featuring stunning new looks and a better user experience, its new functionalities will significantly improve the day-to-day management of the programme.  eurodyssey.aer.eu Three years in the making This collaborative process kicked off in February 2019, at the 2-day Website and Communications Training hosted by Catalonia’s Employment Agency, where AER Programmes Coordinator, Andrés Muñoz Rojo, together with WordPress Developer Audric Delcour run a full demonstration and set out the main features of the new website. Following such training, the AER Secretariat opened in Autumn 2020 a testing site ...

Eurodyssey Youth Programme -Information Session

Is your region looking for an opportunity to foster young people’s transition into the labour market, to provide your youth with as many opportunities as possible and, at the same time, be ambassadors of their own region? Then, the Assembly of European Regions would like to welcome you on 15 December 2021 (10.00 AM, CET), for an exclusive ‘Information Session’ about its Eurodyssey Youth Programme. Promoting youth development by youth exchange Promoting a Europe of Regions, encouraging local and regional business to train young professionals. Since its establishment in 1985, the AER Eurodyssey Programme has contributed to push youth development by enhancing young people’s professional experience and employability. Eurodyssey programme has enabled young people to grow professionally, widen their cultural horizon and ...

AER Activity Report 2021 — ‘Regions Bouncing Back’

The Assembly of European Regions is proud to present its annual Activity Report for 2020 – 2021. As Europe looks beyond the Covid-19 pandemic and towards recovery, the theme of this year’s report is ‘Regions Bouncing Back‘. With a fresh new look courtesy of graphic designers, Habile Studio, this year’s cover visual shows the evolution of employment figures in Europe over the course of the pandemic. Hard copies are available upon request by contacting AER Communications & Events Manager, Justin Sammon. An online pdf copy is available for download HERE. Welcoming the publication of ‘Regions Bouncing Back‘, AER President Magnus Berntsson pointed to the many successes of the AER network since June last year, despite the pandemic, “It has been a ...

Eurodyssey Forum 2021 — Let’s get Youth Moving Again!

Over two days on 2 and 3 December, the Eurodyssey Forum took place online for the second year in a row. This was an opportunity for correspondents from Eurodyssey regions to get together and share perspectives on the running of the programme, and chart a course for 2022 and beyond. Check out our highlights below! https://twitter.com/eurodyssey/status/1466424977008300040?s=20 Despite the second year of the pandemic putting the brakes on mobility programmes, 2021 has seen the Eurodyssey programme start to bounce back from the pandemic. Indeed, this year’s Forum was very much an optimistic, future focused get-together, with participants electing a new President and Steering Committee, learning how to use the long-awaited new website, and sharing ideas on how to make the programme more ...

Setting our Political Agenda — the 2021 AER Autumn Bureau Meeting

On 2 December 2021, members of the AER Bureau gathered together online to discuss the work carried out by the Task forces, and decide on our political priorities for 2022. But what does the AER Bureau do, you ask? The role of the AER Bureau is to act as the primary political voice of the AER. From democracy and citizens participation, to sustainable transport and tourism, the Bureau engages in issues of a pan-European and global nature that are important to our members, and sets out the political basis for the AER’s advocacy work. So what is in the political pipeline for next year? Check out the outcomes below and read conclusions from our debate on Sustainable Mobility and Connectivity! Adoption of ...

Partnership in focus n.17: EDUPRENEURSHIP – Fostering Entrepreneurship in Education and Training

The global pandemic has left many freelancers and entrepreneurs without income for months, which imposes an incoming challenge to stimulating entrepreneurship. If we want Europe to continue to nurture talent, create great startups, and compete on a global scale, we need to teach entrepreneurship. This will require joint efforts from the public and private sectors, as well as regional, national governments and European Institutions. This webinar gave us a glimpse of different actions needed at different levels to foster an inclusive entrepreneurial mindset and discussed local challenges for their implementation and replicability.  The AER launched this dedicated webinar within the 2021 edition of the Skillman International Forum which took place from 15-18 November 2021. The forum aimed to redefine the future ...

The New Guide on EU Funding for Tourism is Out!

Is Tourism, – be it cultural, rural, sustainable, or all of the above – on your region’s list of priorities? If the answer is yes, then this brief article may be the starting point for a great journey, destination EU projects funding opportunities! The online guide recently published by DG Grow (Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs) highlights the wide range of funding programmes financed by the new budget (the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and Next-Generation EU) which are directly or indirectly related to tourism and thus can be of interest and of inspiration to your region and organisation to develop a project to promote inclusive, smart and sustainable tourism in your region or city.  While some programmes (such as the ...

Includ-EU and the Agenda 2030- Two Days of Exchange at the Heart of Europe

On 28-29 October, the INCLUD-EU Project held its Second Regional Workshop in a series of 5 thematic sessions facilitating knowledge sharing and discussing the design of Includ-EU pilot projects, as well as other integration policies and projects carried out across Europe.  The Workshop happened in a hybrid format within the framework of the Agenda 2030 Conference, which took place in Strasbourg and online, and in partnership with Region Grand Est and the City of Strasbourg. On the morning of the 29, after the opening of Ms Rabab Ahmad, Policy and Programme Analyst (IOM), participants were welcomed by our facilitator, Mr Abram el-Sabagh (Design for Impact) and encouraged to share a picture telling the story of why they got into migration and integration, ...

Lead experience exchange: propose a new working group!

An AER working group provides a space for experience and knowledge exchange. The ground for mutual learning is the community the AER creates between member regions that have very diverse contexts and shared objectives. The AER community is one of its main added values when joining projects or developing advocacy activities. As the mandates of current Working Groups have all come to an end, AER is offering the possibility to all members to propose to lead knowledge and experience exchange on a regional policy area that is important for them. So… how to start a working group? Contact the AER Secretariat and tell us what you are looking for! If you’re not yet sure exactly about the activities or the specific focus of ...

Strengthening our joint commitment: the AER Manifesto on the 2030 Agenda

The year 2020 marked the start of the Decade of Action and Delivery, which was shaken by the outbreak of a global pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has reiterated, now more than ever, the urgency for accelerating the actions towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations and the need to safeguard public services. A crucial lesson learned from COVID-19 is that the common challenges we face do not respect borders. The environmental, social, and economic consequences of the pandemic have awakened a fresh impetus for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. The only way to successfully navigate this journey is by working together. Multi-stakeholder and multi-level partnerships are a critical dimension of the 2030 Agenda and we ...

Join our Campfire Event on AER’s EU Projects & Funding Services

The Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 provides wide opportunities for funding addressed to the regions and their stakeholders, which is boosted by a unique instrument as the NextGenerationEU. The AER is following closely this process by providing to members regions ad-hoc services as the ongoing series of webinars on “Unboxing the Multiannual Financial Framework” and the funding digest on specific EU funding programmes and call for proposals accessible for EU and non-EU member regions. In order to make the most of these opportunities, the AER Project Unit wishes to meet regions and their local stakeholders with the objective to get in touch, both virtually and online, and foster a stronger collaboration in terms of project development, capacity building actions and sharing of ...

Social Inclusion in TVET and Skills Development

Education and training play a crucial role in fostering social inclusion providing concrete opportunities for skills development that lead to individuals’ self-affirmation and the creation of diversified learning environments. Yet, rapid and increasing societal changes – as demographic trends, globalisation, and climate change – are bringing about an in-depth transformation of the economy and the labour market that often results in further constraints to inclusion and the societal wellbeing. This becomes even more relevant in the context of the pandemic, which has called for an increasing adoption of digital solutions.   In the context of the Skillnet project co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme, the Assembly of European Regions organised a webinar to address this key issue. The event was held on ...

Join our Bureau Debate on Sustainable Mobility & Connectivity — the Road to Recovery and the Green Transition

Want to join online?* ***UPDATE*** — we are delighted to announce that completing our panel will be Mr Ciarán Cuffe, Member of the European Parliament’s Committees on Transport and Tourism and Industry, Research and Energy! According to the European Parliament, transport accounts for 30% of the EU’s total emissions. If we are to keep global temperatures below 1.5C and achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, a change of gears is required to make our transport systems more efficient, less polluting and better value for money. Local and regional authorities have a clear and important role in making mobility more sustainable and inclusive through their strategic planning, provision of transport infrastructure and services, support to technological innovation and incentives for green transport options. Yet, there ...

UPDATED – Online Info Day on Erasmus+ Calls 2022: Civil Society Cooperation

What is this Online Info Day about? The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) is organising an information session on the application procedure of the Civil Society Cooperation (CSC) 2022 Calls for operating grants under the Erasmus+: Key Action 3.  The opportunities that will be presented are the CSC-EDU and CSC-Youth 2022 calls for proposals for EU operating grants in the fields of education, training and youth under the Erasmus+ Programme.  During this session, the calls and the policy context will be presented briefly and participants will have the opportunity to ask related questions and receive some clarifications directly from EACEA.  More information about the Erasmus+ CSC calls and the action are available here (Youth call) and here (Education & Training) Practical Information The online information ...

Agenda 2030 Conference: Transforming Regions, Changing the World

On 28-29 October, the Assembly of European Regions held our long-awaited Agenda 2030 Conference in Strasbourg, in partnership with Region Grand Est and the City of Strasbourg. Against the backdrop of the hugely consequential COP26 Conference in Glasgow and the IPCC’s recent “Code red” report on global emissions, ‘Transforming Regions, Changing the World’ came at a crucial time where difficult decisions need to be made to save our planet for future generations. Now more than ever, regions, alongside cities, must have a key role in implementing and achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set out in the 2030 Agenda. Having entered the decade of action, this conference represented an opportunity to set out how regions can deliver on the commitments that ...

Autumn Digest 2021: Funding Opportunities for EU and Non-EU Member Regions

Are you in pursuit of some new EU project funding opportunities? Here are some openings worth looking into! In line with the new Multiannual Financial Framework programme 2021-2027 which aims for more inclusivity and to support green and digital transitions, the AER Project Unit has mapped EU funding opportunities and calls for project proposals that are linked to green issues, digitalisation, and democracy & citizens participation. Green Transition Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Among the 6 priorities the European Commission proposed for the years 2019-2024 Climate Action is at their top concern. According to the Commission, “EU policy protects the environment and seeks to minimise risks to climate, human health and biodiversity. The European ...

Regional Business Forum in Novi Sad, 25th of November, 2021

On the 25th of November, the Regional Business Forum (RBF) in Novi Sad will be taking place again. This time, it will be held in the form of a hybrid event. Participants are most welcome to join us online and in Novi Sad, Vojvodina on 25 November 2021, with special B2B 1-on-1 online session possibilities until 10 December, 2021. The Regional Business Forum is an annual international forum to exchange ideas on support for SMEs, promote business and commerce, incentive the possibility to collaborate and share best practices between regions. Following the success of the previous events, this year’s Regional Business Forum will again be organised in partnership with the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Enterprise Europe Network, Chamber of Commerce and Industry ...

2021 Eurodyssey call for elections: Steering Committee Chair and Members

At the 2021 Eurodyssey Assembly, which will take place online and in Brussels (BE) on 2 December 2021, the incumbent Steering Committee members and President are expected to be re-elected. However, there is a vacancy available to be filled by a new member region! When? The elections will be celebrated on the 2nd of December within the 2021 AER Eurodyssey Forum. The deadline to submit your application to the Eurodyssey Steering Committee is the 26th of November 2021! What? If you think this might be of interest to your region, please consult the available vacancies of the Eurodyssey Steering Committee. You will find the list of current vacancies HERE. For further specificities on the roles and expectations for all the members taking part in the Steering Committee, please refer ...

Knowledge Transfer for Integrated Care – Sharing the Results with the International Healthcare Community

After almost a year of knowledge exchange and capacity-building support to healthcare authorities willing to adopt or scale-up integrated care, the AER and the project partners were eager to share the experience and the results of the SCIROCCO Exchange Knowledge Transfer Programme with a great variety of international healthcare professionals and practitioners. The SCIROCCO Exchange is a project co-founded by the third Health Programme of the European Union and lead by the Scottish Government. It provides evidence-based capacity-building support to health and social care authorities across Europe for the adoption or scaling-up of integrated care within their local healthcare systems. In this context, the AER in cooperation with the Scottish Government have worked with nine healthcare authorities for the co-development and ...

New AER survey sheds light on expectations of citizens, trust in governments, and gender equality

What are the priorities for citizens as Europe recovers from the pandemic? How much do they trust European, national and regional governments to solve the issues that matter to them? How many have heard of the Conference on the Future of Europe? These were some of the questions the AER put to 6,291 EU citizens as part of a survey across six countries, representing approximately 60% of the EU’s population: Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden and Romania. Conducted in June in collaboration with Savanta as part of the Y-FED Project, this representative survey sheds light on the shifting social, economic and political priorities of Europeans as they look beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.  So what did we learn? Below are a selection ...

AER Position on Climate – Call For Amendments

AER is inviting members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Climate. Amendment proposals can be submitted using the online form HERE. The closing date for submitting amendments is 8 November. About this Amending Process This consultation aims to invite all AER members to offer their amendment proposals to the Draft Position on Climate. At the online Bureau meeting in November 2020, Bureau Members decided to set up a Task Force on Climate. Chaired by the Region of Västra Götaland, the Task Force produced a common Position with a set of recommendations on how to produce a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050, highlighting the vital role of local and regional governments in accelerating climate action and delivering the climate targets. To make these proposals ...

Technical Vocational Education & Training and Civic Participation

Civic participation is a process in which people take collective action to address issues of public concern and can adopt many forms: from individual volunteering, community engagement efforts and organisational involvement to governmental support. With regard to governments, effectively engaging with stakeholders translates into better services, source ideas and knowledge, co-creation solutions and seizing new opportunities. In the context of its participation in the Skillnet project, AER organised a webinar on the ways in which societies can improve civic participation in a qualitative way, by involving young people from more diverse backgrounds High-quality civic participation is inclusive by design To achieve high-quality civic participation, it is crucial to make sure to involve all regional stakeholders. Research shows there is a large participation gap ...

Register Now: AER General Assembly & Agenda 2030 Conference

Joining the AER GA & SDG Conference online? AER General Assembly The General Assembly is organised in tandem with the Agenda 2030 Conference, hosted by the Region of Grand Est (France). The General Assembly will take place on 28 October from 10:15 to 12:30 CET online and on-site at Maison de la Région, 1 place Adrien Zeller, F 67000, Strasbourg.  Members are invited to join on-site or online by registering via the relevant links above. Registration for on-site participants will close on Friday, 8 October, online registrations will remain open until Monday, 18 October. Overview Agenda: Direct Links: Invitation Letter Draft Agenda Practical Information (transport, accommodation, etc) Wherever you are, we hope you can join us. You can find more information on the Agenda 2030 Conference below and on the dedicated website HERE. Online ...

PRESS RELEASE: Innovating Cultural Heritage, a Workshop by AER and CUBES

Cultural heritage has an inspiring and creative role in present European societies and communities. It has a positive impact on social cohesion as well as regional development and sustainable tourism. In the context of cultural heritage, innovation has a key role to play in the field of technology, social impact, policymaking, administration, and entrepreneurship. The workshop “Innovating Cultural Heritage”, jointly organised by the AER working group on culture and the CUBES Project, brings together practitioners, policymakers and experts. It will discuss current challenges and opportunities for European regions to invest in cultural heritage innovation and learn about sustainable and participatory cultural management practices. The workshop will be an opportunity to showcase and guide participants through the new digital platform produced by ...

AER at EU Regions Week 2021 – Online Debate on Gender Equality

We are delighted to announce that the AER is once again a partner for the annual European Week of Regions & Cities. The 2021 edition of #EURegionsWeek will continue in an online format, and it is our pleasure to invite you to our virtual workshop on… An Equal Europe? A truly democratic Europe demands an equal voice for all. Indeed, making “significant progress” towards a gender-equal Europe by 2025 is a key objective of the European Union, while ‘achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls’ is enshrined as goal number five of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet, at the current rate of progress, the World Economic Forum estimates that it will take 107 years to achieve equal ...

REGISTER NOW: Unboxing the MFF Session II — Accessing Direct Grant Funding Programmes

Date: 24 September 2021 Time: 10:30 – 12:30 CET Venue: Online (via Zoom) Background On 17 December 2020, after months of painstaking inter-institutional negotiations against the backdrop of a global pandemic, the European Union adopted the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), its long-term budget for 2021-2027. Together with the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument, the MFF represents an unprecedented €1.8 trillion of funding to support Europe’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU’s long-term priorities across different policy areas. It is therefore essential that Europe’s regions get training with these instruments to ensure a robust and sustainable recovery.  That is why as part of the Skillnet Project, the AER has put together 3 information sessions to help regions make the most of the MFF and NextGenerationEU Package. Featuring insights ...

Call for Nominations: AER Statutory Bodies

Nominations have now closed. Open Positions Ms Monica Gundahl, Chair of the Election Committee (Värmland, SE) has announced that the following positions will be open for elections at the 2021 General Assembly: as far as it is known, two Executive Board members are leaving their positions the position of Chair of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group (MEG) is open for election new members of the Election Committee will need to be elected Please note that any potential changes in the thematic portfolios of the Executive Board members will be decided after the election. Our General Assembly is due to take place on 28 October in Strasbourg and online, according to current planning. Nomination Process We would like to encourage you to put forward nominations for these positions as explained ...

AER is piloting the CUBES Platform: An E-tool for Cultural Administration and Management

Within the CUBES Project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, AER has had the great opportunity to work and gain knowledge around the preservation and innovation of Cultural Heritage and resources.After intense months of work, we are excited to announce that AER together with 8 cultural and educational organisations across Europe, has created a free e-training opportunity for all of you out there involved or interested in the cultural sector and cultural sustainability.The e-course is ideal to get you started and improve your skills in sustainable management and administration of cultural resources, and will equip you with all the indispensable knowledge in 4 main critical areas, assessed by peers as the top 4 training priorities lacking in the field, namely:1. ...

Internship Opportunities: European Projects Assistant

Ready to train with the EU projects team of the largest independent network of regions in Europe? We are looking for motivated interns (STUDENTS ONLY) to join the Project Unit at the AER’s Brussels Office, under the supervision of our European Projects Coordinator. We are currently offering 2 EU Projects Assistant positions: EU Projects Assistant – Autumn 2021: The intern will join the AER Project Unit team starting from September 2021 until end of January 2022 EU Projects Assistant – Spring 2022: The intern will join the AER Project Unit team starting from February/March 2022 until end of August/September 2022. Your main tasks will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events/webinars and meetings ...

Looking back to the 2019 Eurodyssey outcomes

The AER Secretariat elaborates yearly statistical reports to assess the developments of the Eurodyssey programme. The data is collected directly from the inputs given by the Eurodyssey correspondents who, year after year, keep the record of the mobility exchanges. Significant improvement has been made in the data processing and the production of statistical reports carried out by the AER Secretariat in partnership with member regions. A comprehensive Eurodyssey statistical analysis In 2019, the programme greatly recovered the gap of 2018 on many indices, strengthened and consolidated, and today offers a better perspective for the future. Furthermore, the AER Secretariat launched by February 2020 a new employment survey to the 2018 participants with the aim of assessing more accurately the impact ...

Not Just Another Workshop: Looking Back at the Includ-EU First Regional Peer-2-Peer Learning

The project in a nutshell: The Includ-EU Project is funded by the European Union’s AMIF– Asylum Migration and Integration Fund Programme and aims at enhancing regional and local expertise with engagement of social cohesion in Europe. In this workshop, we brought together representatives from all the different countries involved in the project: Italy, Greece, Spain, Romania, Slovenia and the Netherlands. Setting the Scene. We live in an increasingly complex society. There are no easy solutions or easy answers to the many challenges we are facing today, and the ones presented by migration, integration and inclusion are no exception. Policies and service designers must make sure these mirror the complexity of realities around us. That is why our first Includ-EU Regional Workshop focused not ...

A New Horizon for Europe: Navigating into the European Horizon for Research and Innovation

The launch of the new Horizon Europe funding programme worth 95.5 billion EUR and its first round of calls have being sparking enthusiasm and interest among the multiple actors that were long awaiting for initiating and testing their innovative actions for the green and digital transition, as well as an inclusive economy. Yet, while the scope of the funding programme meets widespread societal demands, it may not be that easy to navigate within one of the world’s largest research and innovation programmes. What do you need to know? The article provides an overview of the main opportunities under this programme as well as the links to the recordings from the informative sessions held by the European Commission. The new HORIZON ...

AER scales up its Project Unit! What’s in it for our Member Regions? Our Services at a Glance

You might have noticed that in the past months, despite the ongoing restrictions, your mailbox was still actively populated by AER project’s activities updates, invitation to workshops and webinars organised within the framework of some EU co-funded project with and for our members. This is because we haven’t stopped! On the contrary, the Project Unit from the AER Secretariat is now bigger than ever -with 5 colleagues ready to support AER’s work and bring additional capacity and fresh ideas to the network. We believe it is high time to remind our members what we can offer and how in turn they can engage with us in the framework of transnational projects funded by the EU 7-year programmes. In a nutshell, we are operative ...

Internship Opportunity: Events Assistant

We are looking for a motivated student to join the AER Team at our Strasbourg or Brussels Offices or, if desired, predominantly remotely for four to 4,5 months from early August 2021 until the middle of December 2021. Working closely with the AER Institutional Relations & Advocacy Officer and  Communications & Events Officer, your main tasks will be to: Assist in the event and communication management of the AER General Assembly & Conference related to the Sustainable Development Goals, 28-29 October 2021; Assist in the event and communication management of AER statutory and partner events in Q4 2021 About the Conference “Agenda 2030: Transforming Regions, Changing the World”  “This conference, jointly organised by AER and the Grand Est region together with partners such as United ...

Partner Search: New Project on Health Promotion for non-sporting Citizens

We are happy to share a partner search for a new project dealing with health promotion for non-sporting citizens in the aftermath of the pandemic. Lunda sports arena in Östervåla, one hour north of Stockholm Arlanda airport, is a municipal sports centre for school sports, football, tennis, ice hockey & cross-country skiing. They also run health promotion initiatives for the general public. If before the pandemic, motivating people to embrace healthier lifestyles was important, it has now become urgent. With that in mind, Lunda sports arena is looking to develop a project that will promote health and well-being for citizens, and are looking for other organisations who want to collaborate on this topic. The profile of the partners sought are European ...

Public consultation on Education for Environmental Sustainability

The European Commission has opened up an open public consultation to feed into a proposal for a Council Recommendation on Education for Environmental Sustainability later this year. The Recommendation will deal with all types and levels of education, including vocational education and training (VET) and Adult Learning (AL). Education to support the goals of the Green Deal Through the Green Deal, the EU is taking action to fight climate change and encourage all citizens to work towards a greener and more sustainable Europe. Education and training are key, helping citizens and local communities to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for this transition. This survey aims at gathering ideas and views from individuals and organisations on this initiative, which is ...

Rethinking Inclusive Societies in Light of Crises

“Migrants are ‘us’, not ‘them’. Everyone has a role to play in making sure our societies are cohesive and prosperous.”  Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson  Within the Includ-EU Project, AER continues its long-standing commitment to making the voice of its member regions heard, in both matters of migration and asylum and otherwise. In this context, we are proud the share their success stories developments and practices, in the upcoming workshop, organised with the involvement of Intercultural Regions Network.   Integration and inclusion of people with a migrant background is a process that involves a whole of society, that includes migrant and local communities, employers, civil society and all levels of government.  Regions, above all, have always had a paramount role to play and extensive experience in implementing innovative ideas and projects. They have the contextual knowledge and resources can be activated quickly.   In light of this, AER’s role in the ...

Job Vacancy: Member Relations Coordinator

Do you have experience in a member-based organisation? Do you have work experience in a European/international environment, interested in the European regional dimension, ready to travel across the continent? If this sounds like you, you might be our new Member Relations Coordinator.  We are looking for an experienced colleague who is proactive, diplomatic, collaborative, and organised to help with the management of the network, accompany our member regions in their AER experience and expand our membership base.  You will be working directly with the Secretary General and will be based in Brussels.  You must have the right to live and work in Belgium.  Key Responsibilities Account Management – 50% Acting as the main point of contact for the regions, and provide assistance to meet their needs Building ...

Partner Search: New Project on Cultural Planning & Rural Development

The region of Örebro County and the Coompanion Mälardalen in Sweden are looking for partners for a new project they are preparing within the Creative Europe programme, call for proposals CREA-CULT-2021-COOP-2 “European Cooperation projects (medium scale)”. The project will focus on cultural planning and rural development. Cultural planning is a broad, interdisciplinary approach that weaves cultural perspectives into community planning. It is a geographical rather than sectoral concept that includes both tangible and intangible cultural resources, and is becoming increasingly important in sustainably society planning. Cultural planning will form the starting point of this project. It takes the view that culture should not be treated solely as a sectoral theme, but as a cross-cutting/transversal dimension of all high-level EU policy initiatives, ...

First calls under the Creative Europe 2021-27 have been launched!

The new Creative Europe Programme for 2021-27 was launched with the adoption of its first Annual Work Programme and the opening of the first calls under the ‘Culture’ strand! The programme will finance actions in the cultural and creative sectors with a total budget of EUR 2.4 billion for the next 7 years (63% higher than the previous programme). About the new Creative Europe Programme Creative Europe is the programme through which the European Commission provides support to the culture and audiovisual sectors across and beyond Europe. The programme will promote the competitiveness of these sectors, while supporting them in becoming greener, more digital, and more inclusive. Moreover, special attention will be addressed to reinforce the resilience and recovery of the ...

AER Climate Debate: Back to Our Future – Regions Leading Europe’s Green Recovery

The COVID-19 crisis brought the world to a standstill in 2020. City centres became ghost towns, economic activity slumped, and political priorities fell by the wayside as managing the pandemic became the all-consuming political focus. However, what has not stood still despite the pandemic is the alarming rate that our planet continues to heat up. Unless we align our recovery with our climate targets, another global pandemic will be a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’. The need to make up for lost time to meet these targets – all while ensuring a resilient recovery from the pandemic – presents a once-in-a-generation political challenge. The scale of the task at hand has not been lost on Europe’s leaders, who are determined for ...

Skills for Effective Innovation Ecosystems

Article by Sandra Evans, Project Coordinator at Universität Tübingen. It is not a secret anymore that open innovation ecosystems provide optimal conditions for creating new value. But what makes innovation ecosystems effective, or how are effective innovation ecosystems created? This important question was the topic of a panel discussion organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) as part of a set of very topical webinars organised within the Erasmus+ Skillnet project on enabling multi-stakeholder approaches to help build more innovative societies. As we all have witnessed in the past year, a crisis can be an incredible driver for innovation by honing in on the most pressing issues. With the COVID-19 pandemic the overall mission was to reduce the number of infected ...

REGISTRATION OPEN: Social Inclusion in TVET and Skill Development – Leaving No-one Behind

TVET policies and programmes are of core importance to ensure that all people can enjoy inclusive skill development leading to both individuals’ affirmation and the creation of diversified learning environments.  As reported by Srinvas Reddy, Chief of the ILO Skills and Employability Branch, “inclusive skills development and lifelong learning opportunities are vital to prevent people from being left behind, to maintain people’s employability, and to ensure that economies and enterprises recover promptly from the crisis”.  (Guide on making TVET and skills development inclusive for all, ILO Skills and Employability Branch, 2020). Yet, as a result of rapid and increasing societal changes – as the digital transformation, climate change, globalisation and demographic trends – in-depth transformation have been taking place in the ...

Skillnet Training Session – Making the Most of Cohesion & Rural Development Funds

MFF, ERDF, ESF, EFRD, EAGF…navigating the sea of acronyms in the EU funding lexicon can be a daunting task for would-be applicants. Yet, unlocking these funds will be crucial for regions if they are to bounce back from the pandemic. What can be done to help regions access the crucial funding they need to support their recovery? The AER recognises these challenges members face when it comes to accessing EU funding. That’s why on 26 May, as part of our Skillnet Project on European funding opportunities, the AER held a training session for regions and their stakeholders looking to make the best of new EU funding opportunities. Featuring presentations and an extended Q & A with experts from the European ...

The AER needs YOU!

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has become an integral part of European citizens’ lives, as sustainability is the key to a brighter future. That’s why the AER and our partners are organising a high-level regional conference dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals, taking place in October 2021.  Regions are leading the way when it comes to delivering the SDGs on the ground, and we want to hear how your region is making a difference and shaping our sustainable future.  From local initiatives to policy and legislative proposals, we invite you to send us short, concise video messages and/or articles on what the SDGs mean to your region. All videos/articles should underline the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable ...

COVID-19 – Mental Health & Well-being of Healthcare Professionals

The Chair of the AER Digital Health Network, Donna Hendersson, Scotland (UK) is pleased to invite AER members and partners on 16 June 2021 from 11:00-12:30 CET for a webinar on supporting the psychological wellbeing of healthcare professionals. The event will highlight the potential of digital solutions and the importance of digital (technological) literacy in providing mental health support. Knowledge exchange to accelerate change Capacity-building and knowledge exchange is both the foundation and aspiration of SCIROCCO Exchange EU Health Programme funded project (www.sciroccoexchange.com). The ultimate objective of this project is to support health and social care authorities in their transformation towards sustainable integrated and more efficient health and social care systems through better understanding of local needs, mutual learning, access to tailored ...

Mobility as a Service: registrations are open!

On 17 June 2021 the Chair of the AER Working Group on Transports and Mobility, Martin Tollén, Östergötland (SE) is organising a webinar on Mobility as a Service, also known as MaaS. MaaS… I beg your pardon? There is an increasing demand for innovative services supporting seamless mobility combining on-demand transport modes in conjunction with public transport, leading to the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) concept: MaaS is a user-centric, intelligent mobility distribution model, in which users’ needs are met via a single platform and are offered by a service provider, the mobility operator. Source: http://www.maas4eu.eu/project/ This user-centricity shifts the focus from providers to users, which also means re-evaluating the role of the public sector, defining what matters, what stakeholders want to achieve, who needs to be involved ...

COVID-19: How to effectively communicate the need for change?

The Chair of the AER Digital Health Network Donna Hendersson, Scotland (UK) is pleased to invite AER members and partners on 26 May 10:00 – 11:00 CET to participate in a webinar focused on communication and awareness raising strategies for the wider public in the time of COVID-19 as well as training of healthcare professionals remotely. Change & greater demand for coordinated & integrated care The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a catalyst of change and of greater demand for coordinated and integrated health and social care services, with healthcare professionals and citizens at the centre of this change. This includes the need for effective communication strategies, including both top down and informal strategies via social media, in order to ...

AER Bureau Debate on Democracy: Putting Citizens back at the Heart of Decision-Making

Rising populism, widespread misinformation, and a loss of trust in governments and institutions. Add a global pandemic to that list of ailments, and it’s clear that democracy in Europe is not in the best shape. But what is the best course of treatment to restore Europe’s democratic health? The answer is a wholesale ‘lifestyle change’ for our democratic system, starting at local level.  On 12 May, the AER Task Force on Democracy, chaired by Örebro (SE), brought together representatives from member regions, EU policymakers and youth organisations to debate how to reform Europe’s democratic system from the bottom-up. This Bureau Debate, organised in collaboration with the EU Project ‘Y-FED: Europe is what we make of it’, and moderated by AER’s Vice President for ...

CUBES: Do you want to have a say on boosting sustainable cultural administration?

The AER together with our partners in the CUBES consortium are keeping busy providing reviews, initiatives and tools to address the lack of know-how regarding sustainable administration of cultural resources. We are fully committed to empowering all members of society to take ownership of their cultural resources, and administer them in more sustainable ways. That is why we are launching a new activity that will align the main project outputs and policy making elements to address ongoing challenges at local, regional and European level: the development of a Policy Paper. This Policy Paper will combine theory and practice, academic knowledge and policy drafting, as well as set out policy recommendations and scenarios for EU policy makers. More broadly, it will present ...

Internship Vacancy: EU Project Assistant

Ready to train with the EU projects team of the largest independent network of regions in Europe? We are looking for a motivated intern (STUDENTS ONLY) to join the Project Unit at the AER’s Brussels Office, under the supervision of our European Projects Coordinator. The placement would be for 6 months, starting as soon as possible. Your main tasks will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events/webinars and meetings at the European level). Supporting the AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members. Contributing to the implementation of all activities related to ongoing projects, including financial elements. Providing input and assistance in drafting documents for new project proposals. Writing articles on ...

EU4Health 2021-2027 is Adopted: Resilience, Innovation and Accessibility

On March 26, the European Commission announced the entry into force of the new EU4Health Programme to support the resilience and innovation of health systems across Europe throughout the period 2021-2027. With a budget of EUR 5.1 billion for investments in the health sector, the EU4Health 2021-2027 programme is financially the largest health programme ever launched! The adoption of the new EU4Health programme comes at a time when health systems and industries across the world have faced unparalleled threats, and it embodies the EU’s long-term response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As stated by the European Commission Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides: “The entry into force of our EU4Health Programme will give us the tools at hand to make long-standing ...

The best guide to the EU’s Funding & Tenders opportunities portal

The European Commission is offering a detailed explanation on how to access information on funding and use the Funding & tenders Portal on 27 May 2021 10:00-12:30 CEST (Brussels time), via its “Webinar session: The Funding & tenders Portal for beginners“ As from 2021, all Commission Services shall be using the Funding & Tenders opportunities portal. It will replace individual systems that were used by the DGs (i.e. SWIM for DG EMPL). In order to facilitate the transition, the European Commission is organising a webinar for (potential) new users of the Portal. It will explain and demonstrate: the search for funding opportunities and partners registration of your organisation submission of proposals managing your profile exploring funded projects and statistics and many more features. The participation does not require ...

Why Innovative Skills are the Catalyst for Rural Areas

On 25 March, the Assembly of European Regions hosted the “Ambitious Skills and Innovation Strategies: A Territorial Approach” webinar. The event was part of the series of webinars on EU funding opportunities organised within the Skillnet project (co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme) to bring together experts in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and to establish collaborations for future EU project proposals. We are now living in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where machines and artificial intelligence play a significant role in enhancing productivity and wealth. These changes have given rise to new skills requirements and a growing skills shortage among businesses and especially SMEs, which often struggle to find the talent they require. The new skills requirements are ...

Registrations open! Bright Ideas- The Role of Regions in Improving Energy Efficiency

Eva Hallström, Chair of the AER Working Group on Energy and Climate Change invites all AER members and friends to join an event on the role of regions in improving energy efficiency. Regions will share their experience, challenges, and enablers. This event is co-organised by Värmland (SE) and Viken (NO) Energy Efficiency: how to achieve the transition in the industry? This webinar aims to build a platform for discussions regarding the EU’s work on energy efficiency, focusing on the green transition within the industry. It will be an opportunity to share ideas, experiences, and best practices. Experiences from the Bioeconomy Region Värmland and Viken are both members of the “Bioeconomy Region”, a leading region of the forest bioeconomy. To achieve climate goals while making use ...

Erasmus+ 2021-2027: work programme adopted & first calls published

The EU Commission has adopted the first annual work programme of Erasmus+ 2021-2027, with a budget of €26.2 billion complemented by about €2.2 billion from the EU’s external instruments. The budget allocated to the new programme shows the high importance that the EU gives to education, youth and lifelong learning, as it is almost double compared to the amount earmarked for the 2014-2020 period. The new Erasmus+, which covers 33 countries, will fund learning mobility and cross-border cooperation projects. It will seek to be even more inclusive and to support the green and digital transitions, and it will also support the resilience of education and training systems in the face of the pandemic. The main elements of the new Erasmus+ programme are: Inclusive ...

Internship Opportunity: Events Assistant

We are looking for a motivated student to join the AER Team at our Brussels Office for six months from early to mid June 2021. Working closely with the AER Institutional Relations & Advocacy Officer,  Member Relations Coordinator and Communications & Events Officer, your main task will be to: Assist in the event and communication management of the AER SDG Conference & General Assembly About the Conference “Agenda 2030: Transforming Regions, Changing the World” “Entering the year 2020, we will see a comprehensive review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) making this a year of symbolic importance to the global agenda.  This conference, jointly organised by AER, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the Global Taskforce, Regions4, Strasbourg Eurometropole and the Grand Est region will ...

REGISTRATIONS OPEN: Improving the attractiveness of TVET for women

In the context of its activities around skills and the future of work, AER has been organising a series of webinar together with partners of the Skillnet project since Spring 2020. We are very pleased to invite you to join a webinar on improving the attractiveness of TVET for women. Important: The event has been postponed and will be held on 13 July 2021 at 10:00 CET. The change will not impact on the registrations already submitted for the initial date (19th of May) and no further action is needed by the registrants. Yet, for all those that have not registered, registrations are already open! What about gender? AER has been working on mainstreaming gender and equal opportunities in AER activities. This ...

Digital Transformation & Skills in the Agri-food Sector

The agri-food sector is facing a revolutionary transformation within a complex operating environment characterised by technological and economic change, consumer concerns, climate change, and global value chains. The so-called Digital Farms, which combine precision farming techniques with the use of digital and high-tech tools, have been promoted by the EU Agenda to help farmers work more precisely, efficiently, sustainably, and in turn, make rural communities more attractive. Yet, the use of advanced digital and technological solutions in the agri-food sector requires workers to develop new knowledge and skills. To support regional policy-makers, VET and agri-food experts in this process, on March 26th, the AER held a mutual-learning webinar, ‘Innovation and Farming: Applications of Advanced Manufacturing in the Food Value Chain‘. The ...

AER adopts Recommendations on the Conference on the Future of Europe

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has adopted its Recommendations on the Conference on the Future of Europe. The Conference on the Future of Europe aims to give citizens the chance to shape the European Union’s priorities. Through a series of open dialogues and debates across EU Member States, the Conference aims to give voice to ‘the silent majority’ of Europeans, and put people back at the centre of policymaking. At the Assembly of European Regions, we want to make sure that citizens feel their feedback counts. This demands a citizen-led approach starting in Europe’s towns, villages and cities, with a strong role for local and regional authorities as a channel for citizens’ ideas and aspirations. This is why on ...

Tourism & Remote Areas: A New Competitive Advantage after the Pandemic?

The Assembly of European Regions is delighted to share a unique peer-learning opportunity aimed at regional representatives responsible for cultural tourism offered by the European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) In the framework of the recently launched Horizon 2020 funded project “Beyond Cultural Tourism (Be.CulTour)”, ERRIN is opening a call for regional representatives to join the Be.CulTour Community. Cultural tourism, including heritage assets, will be at the heart of the peer-learning programme. Innovation Ecosystems & Circular Cultural Tourism 12 selected applicants representing their local and regional innovation ecosystems will have the opportunity to benefit from a fully funded peer-learning scheme which will follow a pilot / mirror approach. Via quarterly community conversations, dedicated interviews, tailored webinars, and offline learning labs ...

PRESS RELEASE: The Cultural Administration & Sustainability Boosters Curriculum is on its way!

The CUBES project, co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme, aims to empower all societal sectors to own and administer their heritage and cultural resources in a sustainable way, thus leading to both cultural democracy and sustainability. To this purpose, the project developed a training programme, Cultural Administration & Sustainability Boosters Curriculum, that will be offered on an inclusive, interactive and user-friendly digital platform. The curriculum is designed by all project partners based on the best practices, funding tools, local challenges, training needs and results identified during the development of the Review Paper on Parameters Mapping. More specifically, the programme is addressed to public bodies and authorities, NGOs and foundations at regional and national level working in the cultural sector for the promotion and ...

Register Now – Technical Vocational Education & Training and Civic Participation

We are pleased to invite you on 20 April 2021 at 10:00 CET to a webinar on how to encourage citizen participation of stakeholders in Vocational Education & Training What is active citizenship? Civic participation is a process in which people take collective action to address issues of public concern and can adopt many forms: from individual volunteering, community engagement efforts and organisational involvement to governmental support. With regard to governments, effectively engaging with stakeholders translates into better services, source ideas and knowledge, co-creation solutions and seizing new opportunities. To achieve high-quality civic participation, it is however crucial to make sure to involve all regional stakeholders. Research shows there is a large participation gap between college students and other young people. Thus, this ...

Registrations are open! Creating Effective Innovation Ecosystems

We are pleased to invite you to the webinar “Creating Effective Innovative Ecosystems” which will take place on 19 April 2021 at 10:00 CET. Innovation ecosystems: a complex set of relationships The term innovation ecosystem derives from the analogy with biological ecosystems. These are a complex set of relationships among the living resources, habitats, and residents of an area. Their functional goal is to reach sustained equilibrium. An innovation ecosystem describes the complex set of relationships among very diverse actors and entities, which work for technology development and innovation in a territory. Amongst others, this includes the material resources and human capital of universities, colleges of engineering, business schools, business firms, venture capitalists, industry-university research institutes, state or regional economic development agencies ...

A peer review service tailor-made for regions

The Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform offers a free on-demand peer review service, where a two-day knowledge-exchange experience can be designed to advise on a region’s policy frameworks. This service will be presented in detail on 25 March at the webinar “Ambitious Skills and Innovation Strategies: A territorial Approach” as one of the opportunities regions can use to implement bold regional development strategies. Peer feedback & insights for regional policymaking Policymakers and practitioners of regional development policies can face a number of challenges related to the design, implementation, and monitoring of the regional policies that they oversee. When faced with such challenges, one of the best solutions is to reach out for help to those who have relevant experience to share. This ...

Advocating for Youth Participation at Regional Level

Do you want to learn more about the European Youth Goals and its Youth Strategy, the opportunities and challenges for youth participation at local and regional level, and how to develop and effective advocacy plan? Read the Y-FED Training Handbook! In 2018, as a result of a Structured Dialogue with young people, decision-makers, and other stakeholders, the European Union developed the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027. This youth strategy set out to achieve eleven European Youth Goals. These aim to overcome main challenges that young people face in their daily lives, and present a vision of Europe that empowers young people to reach their full potential.  Promoting the active participation of young people in decisions and actions at local and regional level is ...

Job Vacancy: EU Projects & Policy Officer

Are you a motivated professional who is passionate about European policy? Do you have experience in the management of EU funded projects? Are you enthusiastic about knowledge sharing activities? If this sounds like you, and you are eager to reinforce an enthusiastic, international team with a wide range of responsibilities, you might be our new Project & Policy Officer. Apply now! We are looking for a colleague to support our Project and Policy teams in the implementation of EU-funded projects, and the delivery of related activities. We want this to be combined with a knack for supporting our team in mutual learning activities, policy analysis, as well as contributing to our advocacy work. We offer an initial 6-month, full-time Belgian employment contract, ...

Internship Vacancy: Project & Communications Assistant

Ready to train with the EU projects team of the largest independent network of regions in Europe? We are looking for a motivated intern (STUDENTS ONLY) to join the Project Unit at the AER’s Brussels Office, under the supervision of our European Projects Coordinator. The placement would be for 6 months, starting as soon as possible. Your main tasks will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events/webinars and meetings at the European level). Supporting the AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members. Contributing to the implementation of all activities related to ongoing projects, including financial elements. Providing input and assistance in drafting documents for new project proposals. Writing articles on ...

Have an Innovative Learning Practice? Share it at ‘Learning in the Age of Industry 4.0’ Conference!

The AER encourages its member regions to take an active part in “Learning in the Age of Industry 4.0.” This annual conference is organised by the European Association for Practitioner Research on Improving Learning (EAPRIL). Submit your proposal by 1st April! As part of the Skillnet project, AER members have the opportunity to share innovative practices from their region at “Learning in the Age of Industry 4.0” that will take place from 23-26 November in Kufstein (Tyrol, AT). About the Conference The conference will provide a space for dialogue “on the opportunities provided through learning in the age of industry 4.0 and digitalisation in education.” Experts will discuss: How digitalisation and new digital technologies can be applied to education and learning; How ...

Food for Thought – why regional leadership is a key ingredient in Smart Food Innovation

Technology has brought many improvements to the lives of people across the globe. Life expectancy has been trending upward, and many diseases can now be successfully treated, contained, or even completely cured. A big part of this improvement is due to the advances made in the domain of food production and supply. However, recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have shown us that challenging times lay ahead and that we need to continue improving technology to rise to the challenge. But how can regions lead the way towards more sustainable food systems, while ensuring our citizens are not left behind? The Innovation Show 2021 – How can we make food our most trusted ally? On 3 March 2021, the AER and ...

Call for Mentors: Support Young Activists in their Advocacy Actions!

The AER, in cooperation with JEF Europe, are looking for 8 mentors to guide and support 8 groups of young activists from across Europe in the implementation of local and regional advocacy actions! Apply by March 24th! As part of the “Y-FED: Europe is what we make of it” project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the EU, the AER, in cooperation with JEF Europe, has engaged in empowering youth in the European and regional political dialogues and, in turn, building a Europe that is closer to its young citizens. To this aim, the AER has recently held a three-days online training on advocacy. 24 young activists have enhanced their knowledge of the European  Youth Goals and the European Youth Strategy ...

Job Vacancy: EU Finance & Administration Officer

Are you a numbers guru, with experience in project management? Are you also a good organiser who is happy to reinforce an enthusiastic, small, international team with a wide range of responsibilities? If so, you may be our new EU Finance & Administration Officer. Apply now! We are looking for a colleague to support our Project Unit in the financial management of EU-funded projects. We want this to be combined with a knack for supporting the AER team in administrative matters, internal planning, and coordination tasks. We offer an initial 8-month, full-time French or Belgian employment contract, with the possibility of extension if our project activities continue to grow. You must have the right to live and work in the EU. This position is ...

The Long Road to Recovery – working in Renewed Partnership with Regions

Europe’s local and regional authorities have been on the frontline of the pandemic; working tirelessly on the ground in villages, towns and cities across the continent to shield citizens from the worst impacts of the crisis. Yet, as member states prepare their national plans to access funding from the EU’s Recovery & Resilience Facility (RRF), local and regional authorities have found themselves largely frozen out of discussions, or in some cases excluded entirely. With the April deadline for submitting the national plans looming, what can be done to make sure regions have their say in Europe’s post-pandemic future? On the evening of Thursday 4 March, the AER and the Government of Catalonia brought together representatives from the European Commission, ...

Registrations open! Innovation and Farming: Applications of Advanced Manufacturing in the Food Value Chain

We are pleased to invite you to the webinar “Innovation and Farming: Applications of Advanced Manufacturing in the Food Value Chain” that will take place on 26 March 2021 at 10:00 CET and focuses on advanced manufacturing solutions in driving sustainable change in the agrifood sector It will offer regions and stakeholders engaged with the agri-food sector the opportunity to learn and share experiences about how regions, companies, and Vocational Education & Training centers can identify common information communications technology (ICT) and advanced manufacturing solutions in driving the change in the food processing and supply chain, in order to foster regional cooperation based on the shared goals and values of the Smart Specialisation Strategies. A new approach to food production The agricultural sector, ...

Registrations open! Ambitious Skills and Innovation Strategies: A territorial approach

We are pleased to invite you to the webinar “Ambitious Skills and Innovation Strategies: A territorial approach” that will take place on 25 March 2021 at 10:00 CET Including rural areas in innovation strategies to tackle EU challenges Rural areas, cover 44% of the EU territory, and are home to almost 1 in 4 Europeans. Education, vocational training and lifelong learning play a vital role in the economic and social strategies of the European Union (EU). The strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training is called Education and training 2020 (ET 2020). It pursues four common objectives: make lifelong learning and mobility a reality; improve the quality and efficiency of education and training; promote equity, social cohesion and active citizenship; ...

How Smart is Your Food?

At a time where every aspect of our lives is getting “smarter”, can food get “smart”, too? The answer is yes, as will be demonstrated on 3 March at the AER’s 2021 Innovation Show – How Smart is your Food?, hosted by Gelderland (NL) in collaboration with Th!nk East Netherlands. Every link in the food value chain is being transformed by digital innovation, and in particular by Economy 4.0. Research on nutrition is bringing fresh insights and innovative ideas that affect every stage from production and processing, right through to consumption. Working towards nutrition security and sustainable diets, moreover, has been found to positively impact issues as diverse as climate change, health and citizen participation. Food value chain innovation and the ...

Active Participation & Social Inclusion To Harness The Diversity Advantage

On 16th February 2021, the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with IOM and the Intercultural Regions Network hosted the webinar “Intercultural regions: Active Participation & Social Inclusion“. This was the third webinar co-organised within the framework of the Includ-EU project which works towards building more inclusive and cohesive European Societies. Intercultural interaction at the core of positive diversity management Policies and practices that foster intercultural interaction and inclusion are instrumental in enabling cities and regions to manage diversity positively. This third webinar focused on regional and local experiences facilitating migrant’s active participation and social inclusion. Political will, effective methodologies, a learning environment The webinar, which was moderated by Irena Guidikova, Head of Division of the Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Programmes at the Council of Europe, presented different experiences of ...

National Recovery & Resilience Plans – Working Together in Renewed Partnership with Regions

On 4 March AER will host a debate on the role of regions in overcoming the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) represents a ray of hope for regions as Europe sets out on long road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.    However, a recent study conducted by the European Committee of the Regions and the Council of European Municipalities and Regions clearly demonstrates that our cities, regions and municipalities are not being meaningfully included in the member states’ preparation of National Recovery Plans. What can we do to ensure that regions have a greater say in the design and implementation of these recovery plans? Join us on Thursday, 4 March from 16:00 to 17:30 CET for our ...

Building a better future: Generating enthusiasm for Vocational Education and Training (VET)

On January 27th,  the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with Skillman Alliance hosted the “New enthusiasm for Vocational Education & Training, Boosting self-confidence in young people” webinar. This was the ninth webinar on EU funding opportunities that are being co-organized by AER within the Skillnet project framework (co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme) in order to bring together experts in different fields linked to vocational education and training (VET) and establish relevant groups of collaboration for future EU project proposals. Generating enthusiasm for Technical and Vocational Education and Training This webinar offered the opportunity to learn and exchange about regional policies and practices aimed at making young people more aware of the opportunities related to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). ...

Vocational Training in Times of Lockdown and Pandemic

Reducing the number of early leavers from education and training across the member states is one of the EU’s priorities in the field of education. The risk of an increased number of drop-outs from education is a growing concern in Europe; with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the challenges faced by vulnerable learners. In this context, young peoples’ feelings of exclusion and isolation may impact their motivation to continue studying, enrol in training or find a job, with considerable costs for individuals and society at large. To counter this trend and facilitate mutual learning between regions and vocational education and training (VET) organisations, the AER hosted our second Skillnet webinar of 2021. This webinar focused on how to ...

EXTENDED – Call for Participants: Advocacy Training for Young European Activists

APPLICATION STILL OPEN: The call for participants for the Advocacy Training for Young European Activists organised by the Assembly of European Regions and the Young European Federalists (JEF) has been extended! Submit your application by Friday 26th February 2021 via the online form! APPLICATION EXTENDED TO YOUTH FROM ALL OVER THE EU: The application has been opened to young citizens that are member of JEF Sections and/or the AER Youth Regional Network and/or representative a Youth Regional Council within the European Union! Priority (not exclusion) is given to applicants belonging to one of the above organisations/networks that are located in one of the country covered by the Y-FED project, namely: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, North ...

Interested to join a new project from Umbria to support the integration of migrants?

Are you interested in joining projects within the Transnational Actions on Asylum, Migration and Integration Call? TAMAT, a non-governmental organization located in AER’s member region Umbria, is looking for partners to join their new project to support integration and social inclusion of migrants. About the Transnational Actions on Asylum, Migration and Integration Call – Topic 1 Developing and Implementing Local Integration Strategies through Multi-stakeholder Partnerships  Even though integration mostly occurs at the local level, local plans and strategies have to coordinate interventions of different stakeholders. Thus the AMIF-2020-AG-CALL-01 aims to support the development and implementation of multi-stakeholder local integration strategies including various aspects of the integration process. The integration and social inclusion of migrants are crucial not only for ensuring the ...

Call for Trainers: Advocacy Training for Young European Activists

As part of the “Y-FED: Europe is what of make of it” project, The Assembly of European Regions (AER) and Young European Federalists (JEF Europe) are seeking to empower youth across Europe as major advocates of the European Youth Goals at the local and European level. To achieve this aim, we are currently looking for three trainers to facilitate and contribute to the organisation of an online training seminar on advocacy for young activists. The seminar will be held in the first week of March 2021. “Y-FED: Europe is what we make of it” is a project co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme of the EU with the aim of strengthening the relationship between the EU and its young citizens. ...

Intercultural Regions: Active Participation & Social Inclusion

On 16 February AER will organise a webinar on how regions can foster active participation & social inclusion of third-country nationals for better integration policies and practices, together with IOM and the Council of Europe Mutual learning to foster integration policies & best practices Regional and local authorities are at the forefront when it comes to addressing integration needs in practice. It is therefore particularly important to create opportunities for structured and meaningful mutual learning on integration. This will enable regional and local authorities to share good practices and improve policies and practices. Participation & Inclusion for Cohesion and Economy Organised in the framework of the Includ-EU project, an EU-funded project which contributes to building more inclusive societies by enhancing knowledge and ...

Building the Circular Economy through Circular Skills: Regions and Universities leading the Change

The transition towards a circular economy is among the core objectives of policy-makers at all levels of government. Yet, its full and effective achievement strongly depends on the readiness of all the societal and economic actors. In this regard, a growing mismatch between skills and labour needs can hamper both the transition as well as the possibility to exploit its great potential for employment and social inclusion. To counter this trend and facilitate the adoption of effective models by regions and vocational educational and training (VET) organisation, AER launched a dedicated webinar within the 2020 edition of the Skillman International Forum.   During the first day of the Skillman International Forum (10-11 December 2020), AER held the webinar ‘Circular Economy: Opportunities ...

New mobility services: qualification profiles and skill needs

On 11 December as part of the 2020 Skillman International Forum, the Assembly of European Regions hosted the webinar “New mobility services: Anticipating skills and job roles“. This webinar brought together experts working in the new mobility sector, who exchanged perspectives and examples of how emerging skill needs and professional profiles are being integrated into this growing sector by regions and private stakeholders. The event was part of the series of webinars on EU funding opportunities organised by AER within the Erasmus+ project Skillnet. These webinars bring together experts in different fields linked to vocational education and training (VET) and aim to build partnerships for future EU project proposals.  Transformation of mobility services and the need to embrace the change New mobility services offer ...

AER discussing Next (Talent) Generation EU

On 17 December 2020, AER took part in Finnova Foundation‘s webinar Next Talent Generation EU: COVID-19 Challenge, training in European Affairs for young people abroad. The webinar addressed the challenges that the COVID-19 crisis is posing to European mobility programmes, which are vital for upgrading the education and training of young professionals. A European Marshall Plan to invest in Youth Talent There are currently 1.8 billion young people between the ages of 15 and 35 in the world; the largest youth population in history. With 25 million jobs expected to be lost due to the health crisis, this cohort accounting for one-third of the world’s population is at a higher risk of exclusion amid the pandemic. At EU level, it is hoped ...

Skills, motivation, success: 2 webinars announced!

How to encourage young people and provide them with adequate support so they remain interested in learning in a global context that is particularly challenging? AER is proud to announce two webinars, which will provide an opportunity to share regional experiences and hear about support initiatives at EU level. Enthusiasm for technical & vocational training One of the challenges in Technical and Vocational Education and Training is that it is often associated with negative representations such as the difficulty to follow general education or attend university. The objective of the first webinar, which will take place on 27 January 2021 at 10:00 CET, is to learn about regional policies and practices aimed at making young people more aware of the opportunities related ...

Apply for the 2021 Emperor Maximilian Prize

Are you undertaking a project or initiative in your region that puts European cohesion into practice? The AER invites you to apply for the 2021 Emperor Maximilian Prize! Instituted in 1997 by the Land of Tirol and the town of Innsbruck, the prestigious ‘Emperor Maximilian Prize for European Service at the Regional and Local Level’ is awarded biennially to pioneering projects that stand for European cooperation beyond local, regional and national borders. The prize celebrates those that have shown outstanding commitment to strengthening the role of the regions and local government at European level. It consists of a cash prize worth €10,000, a medallion of Emperor Maximilian I and a certificate. Role of the AER We are delighted to announce that ...

Defining the new skills for an inclusive future at the Skillman International Forum 2020

As a proud partner of the Skillnet project, AER is very pleased to provide an overview of the very first virtual 6th edition of the yearly SIF – SKILLMAN.EU INTERNATIONAL FORUM 2020, about redefining the future of learning, which took place on December 10th and 11th 2020. Practitioners, innovative academics, and industrial experts in the field of  Vocational Education and Training joined forces to promote an approach to curricula design based on skills foresight analysis. This year the Forum adopted a holistic approach to face the new challenges risen during the pandemic in the context of skills and job opportunities. The underlying theme of the event was the importance of assessing and therefore providing key skills that people have to possess, especially in the Advanced ...

The commitment of regions to Sustainable Food Policies in the EU

Following the first European Green Deal webinar, which covered challenges and opportunities for regions in the time of Covid-19, the AER brought the second in our series: Farm to Fork – The Commitment of Regions to Sustainable Food Policy in the EU, in collaboration with the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of the Catalan Government (CADS). The panel debate moderated by Arnau Queralt, Director of the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of Catalonia, brought together regional authorities as well as EU and global representatives. During this online session, it was discussed the key role that the new comprehensive approach to food sustainability has to play in the European Union and the commitment from European regions towards developing and implementing food policies that contribute to a more resilient ...

Looking for an internship? We are hiring!

We are looking for our next intern! You will be working as an External Relations and Executive Assistant (Intern Contract – up to 6 months) – for STUDENTS ONLY We are looking for a motivated student to join the AER Team at our Brussels Office. You will work 70% with the Member Relations and Communication colleagues and 30% with the Secretary General. Your tasks will include but are not limited to:  contribute to the external relations (communications, member relations…) strategies of AER; assist in the development and management of our main communication channel (our website); assist in reaching out to AER’s audience via social media and our newsletter; support the organisation of events from start to finish; support the Secretary General (scheduling and organisation of meetings; ...

Are you developing a project in the tourism sector? Umbria is keen to join!

Are you currently developing a project proposal within the Cosme programme or are you planning to do so? Sviluppumbria, the Development Agency of Umbria (Italy), AER member region, is eager to join as a partner an established consortium and to input with their expertise. About the call This COSME action aims to promote entrepreneurship and improve the business environment for SMEs to allow them to realise their full potential in today’s global economy. In particular, the call for proposals Innovation uptake and digitalisation in the tourism sector (COS-TOURINN-2020-3-04) focuses on supporting the digital transformation of tourism entrepreneurs, particularly SMEs and start-ups, and enhance innovation along the tourism value chain, through the integration of tourism businesses and stakeholders in transnational and inter-regional innovation ecosystems as ...

Partner Search: Develop innovative land-based and offshore renewable energy technologies with the team from Umbria

Are you currently developing a project proposal within the Horizon 2020 European Green Deal Call or do you wish to do so? Then, Municipality of Acquasparta, Municipality of  Sangemini, Municipality of Terni and company Green Power, based in Umbria (Italy), AER member region, are eager to either join an established consortium or to find partners willing to co-create an effective project application. About the European Green Deal Call Horizon 2020 Green Deal Call launched on the 18th of September, offers €1 billion investment to boost the green and digital transition. It provides the opportunity and resources to achieve the primary objective of a sustainable Europe and planet. Project proposals have to be submitted by 26 January 2020. The structure of the call is mirroring the European Green Deal. One ...

Partner Search: New project proposal to boost the circular economy!

Are you looking for partners to join and contribute to your project proposal under the Horizon2020 Green Deal Call – Demonstration of systemic solutions for the territorial deployment of the circular economy? The paper-making consortium ECOVPRINT based in Città di Castello, in Umbria, one of the AER member regions, could be the right partner to join your project! About the European Green Deal Call Green Deal Call, worth €1 billion, has been launched on the 18th of September. It is the last call of the Horizon 2020 Programme and just ahead of the launch of Horizon Europe, the next research and innovation programme kicking-off in 2021. The Green Deal Call is all about making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, with ...

What is the future of mobility?

New mobilities is a topic regularly discussed at AER to help better integrate and manage urban transport. We have exchanged experiences of mobility solutions during Nancy plenaries and discussed new initiatives through the leadership of Östergötland in the AER Working Group on Transports and Mobility. The AER is now pleased to invite you to share your opinion and knowledge in the discussions on future opportunities for urban areas’ space for mobility. Share your views ALICE, EPA, and POLIS are launching a large-scale survey at the European level on curbside management, and your contribution can make the difference. Through this short questionnaire, we would like to collect some information that could help steer the discussion on curb management and define the main opportunities and ...

Digital Health, Wellbeing and Smart Specialisation

On November 18th, the AER Digital Health Network hosted the webinar Digital Health, Wellbeing, and Smart Specialisation. The webinar was moderated by Donna Henderson, Chair of AER Digital Health Network. It showcased the experiences of two AER in supporting the development of digital solutions that underpin healthy living and foster collaboration between the public sector, universities, civil organisations, entrepreneurs and businesses. Kenneth Johannesson, Vice President for Health Innovation of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health opened the webinar by stating that new forms of innovation in digitalisation are necessary to offer more proactive, personal, patient well-being oriented and cost-effective care. The benefits provided by the digitalisation of services, he explained, such as virtual visits, patient portals, electronic medical records, early disease ...

Horizon 2020-funded European Green Deal Calls for Proposals

The Green Deal Call worth €1 billion has been launched on the 18th of September. The call is the last within the H2020 Programme and just ahead of the launch of Horizon Europe, the next research and innovation programme kicking-off in 2021. Send your proposals by 26th January 2021! With 10 different areas of intervention, the H2020 Green Deal Call offers the opportunity and resources to achieve the primary objective of a sustainable Europe and planet by tackling the current major environmental, climate, and societal challenges. To this aim, the call attaches pivotal importance to: The impact of the action, with the Commission looking for projects that will deliver fast and visible results. The short term approach is the main difference ...

Wrap-Up: Highlights from the first virtual AER General Assembly, Bureau Meeting and Eurodyssey Forum

The first ever virtual General Assembly, Bureau Meeting and Eurodyssey Forum took place last week on 19-20 November. Owing to the Covid-19 crisis, these meetings scheduled to take place in Barcelona were moved online. Despite these challenges, AER members from across the continent tuned-in; making the most of the new format and ensuring the important work of the AER could continue in earnest. The General Assembly The General Assembly & Bureau meetings began with welcoming remarks from AER President, Magnus Bernttson. The President noted that the challenges posed by the pandemic have impacted the work programme of the AER, but stressed the need for optimism and noted the many achievements of the AER despite these difficulties. Most significantly, rumours of severe cuts ...

Join the webinar on “New mobility services: Anticipating skills and job roles”

The Assembly of European Regions is glad to contribute to Skillman International Forum by hosting the webinar “New mobility services: Anticipating skills and job roles”, organised within the Skillnet project co-funded by Erasmus+ Programme. The webinar will take place online on the 11th of December, 11:15 – 12:15 CET.  The event is part of the Skillnet series of 18 webinars designed to bring together experts in different fields linked to vocational education and training (VET), with the purpose of establishing relevant groups of collaboration and partnerships for future EU project proposals. The webinar will highlight regional examples on the integration of new mobility services and the development of skills and job roles needed in the sector.  New mobility services are offering solutions to ...

Join the Webinar ‘Circular Economy: Opportunities and Needs in the Labour Market’

Save the date! We are pleased to invite you to the webinar ‘Circular Economy: Opportunities and Needs in the Labour Market’ that will be held online on 10th December from 15:30 to 16:30 as part of the 2020 edition of the Skillman International Forum focused on “redefining the future of learning in the advanced manufacturing sector”! The event is part of the Skillnet series of 18 webinars designed to bring together experts in different fields linked to vocational education and training (VET) with the purpose of establishing relevant groups of collaboration and partnerships for future EU project proposals. It will offer regions and stakeholders engaged with circular economy the opportunity to learn and exchange about how regions, companies, and VET organisations can ...

Intercultural Regions: Improving Labour Market Inclusion

On November 10th, the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with IOM and the Intercultural Regions Network hosted the webinar “Intercultural regions: improving labour market inclusion“. This was the second webinar co-organised within the framework of Includ-EU project which works towards building more inclusive and cohesive European Societies. The webinar, which was moderated by Geertrui Lanneau, Senior Regional Labour Mobility and Human Development Specialist from the IOM Regional Office for the European Economic Area, the European Union and NATO, presented different experiences on how regions work to improve labour market integration policies and provided insights from IOM, and the European Commission. Multistakeholder approach to support cultural diversity Fereshteh Jalayer-Hess, co-chair of the Intercultural Regions Network, County Councillor of Värmland (SE) ...

Eurodyssey Forum 2020

The first-ever virtual Eurodyssey Forum took place on 19 & 20 of November 2020. These online sessions brought together the correspondents from Eurodyssey regions, hosting companies and youth alumni. In these sessions, participants discussed the functioning of the programme, and shared experiences and best practices to adapt learning mobility to the “new normal” of COVID-19. An online Eurodyssey Assembly In the afternoon of 19 November, following the AER General Assembly and Bureau meeting, the Eurodyssey Assembly gathered representatives from 20 member regions. The Assembly provided members with an opportunity to assess the state-of-play of the programme and exchange views on the regions’ prospects of hosting Eurodyssey participants in 2021, given the COVID-19 pandemic. https://twitter.com/europeanregions/status/1329425917157003264 In their opening remarks, AER President, Magnus Berntsson, ...

Partner Search: new project proposal to support youth employment across Europe

Are you interested in joining projects within the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment Call? Maramures County Council, local public administration in Romania and member region of AER, is looking for partners to join their new project to support youth employment.  About the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment  EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment aims to support transnational project initiatives that promote sustainable and quality youth employment. The focus on transnational cooperation reflects the view that unemployment among youth is a common European challenge and common European solutions should therefore be explored. This is in line with the Europe 2020 strategy and the EU cohesion policy that emphasize the importance of the regions and cross-border cooperation ...

Shape the Vocational Education Training scene in Europe!

Skills for the industry of the future The digital transformation, the greening of the economy, and demographic change all generate a large and structural need for employees with technical and digital skills. The lack of adequately skilled workers is a major issue in this context, which is only partially addressed by current Vocational Education and Training systems in Europe. In this context, the SKILLNET project – Sector Skills Network of Vocational Education and Training centres in Advanced Manufacturing-, co-funded by the Erasmus+ program, is developing a transnational and national network for Vocational Education Training providers. This network offers opportunities for mutual learning, information on funding, and fosters partnerships to improve the quality and efficiency of VET in Europe. Opportunities for regional stakeholders To ...

Join us at the Skillman International Forum

The sixth edition of the Skillman International Forum is getting closer! Do not miss the opportunity to learn more and contribute to ‘redefining the future of learning’! On 10th and 11th December, the 2020 edition of the Skillman International Forum (SIF) will be held online. The event is a yearly appointment launched by the Skillman Alliance in order to provide a space for exchanges relevant for improving the framework of education and Vocational Education and Training (VET) systems. This year, the SIF will focus on redefining the future of learning in the advanced manufacturing sector through a variety of activities and contributions. Through webinars, workshops, roundtables, pavillions, award ceremonies, and a VET cafè held and moderated ...

Digital Health Network: Knowledge Exchange Webinar

The rapidly evolving digitalisation of health and wellbeing requires new knowledge and collaboration models to accelerate growth globally. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need to increase their business development expertise and capabilities in the field of digital health. Health care providers need to speed up their adoption of digital innovations and assess the impact of digital solutions on healthcare processes. New collaborative action models at the European level will speed up this development and knowledge building. Digital Health, Wellbeing and Smart Specialisation The AER Digital Health Network is pleased to invite you to the webinar Digital Health, Wellbeing and Smart Specialisation organised on 18 November 2020, 10.00 – 11.30 CET. The objective of this webinar is to learn and exchange experiences of ...

Partner Search: new project proposal to support the Farm-to-Fork Strategy

Are you interested in joining projects within Horizon 2020 European Green Deal Call? Sibiu County Council, local public administration in Romania and member region of AER, is looking for partners to join their new project on the Farm-to-Fork Strategy. About the European Green Deal Call Green Deal Call, worth €1 billion, has been launched on the 18th of September. It is the last call of the Horizon 2020 Programme and just ahead of the launch of Horizon Europe, the next research and innovation programme kicking-off in 2021. The Green Deal Call is all about impact, with the Commission looking for projects that will deliver fast and visible results. This call is yielding tangible results that will bring changes by 2030.  The structure of the ...

DigiFest2020: the health innovation festival you shouldn’t miss!

The AER Digital Health Network is pleased to invite you to Digital Health & Care Event – DigiFest2020, Scotland’s largest annual digital health and care event is back and for the first time will be delivered virtually! What’s the Festival about? Digital health and care solutions have had a year of rapid scale-up and development. Taking time to reflect and learn about how digital solutions in Scotland and internationally have grown and been adopted is the focus of this year’s DigiFest.    2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and for staff working to innovate and deliver person-centred services. Digital tools, services and approaches have had a higher profile than ever before and are recognised as making a key contribution to delivering health and care ...

SKILLNET Webinars: Call for Proposals I

The series of webinars on EU funding opportunities launched within the Skillnet project continues! New themes and dates have been agreed and we are now launching a call to collect good practices on circular economy and new mobility services to be presented during the Skillman Internal Forum on 10th and 11th December 2020! As you know, a series of 18 webinars on EU funding opportunities was launched within the Skillnet project. The latter is a project co-funded by the Eramus+ Programme of the EU aiming at improving the overall framework of Vocational Education and Training systems to provide effective responses that are tailored to current societal and economic needs. Within this framework, Skillnet webinars on EU funding opportunities offer a space ...

Have you been inspired by Together4Cohesion? A new call for projects is open to communicate cohesion policy

Why do we need to communicate about cohesion policy? Cohesion policy provides investments that represent the most tangible and concrete proof of the EU’s impact on the everyday life of millions of citizens. Those investments aim to support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth, sustainable development, and improve citizens’ quality of life. Despite the local character of the cohesion policy and its major impact on citizens’ life, lack of knowledge about the policy is still widespread. To enable an informed debate about the EU’s future priorities and secure better transparency on the spending of the EU funds, citizens should be more aware of the investments in their countries, regions, and cities. The experience of Together4Cohesion Cohesion Policy is a key topic within AER ...

Committee 1 Annual Report June 2019 – November 2020

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developed and implemented within Committee 1 between the 2019 General Assembly in Larnaka (CY) and the 2020 online General Assembly. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic the AER Executive Board decided to prolong the validity of the AER Action Plan in order to allow the continuation of knowledge sharing between regions in a structured way. AER had to define ways to maintain planned activities and offer new opportunities for mutual learning in a radically different and uncertain context, where ...

Committee 2 Annual Report June 2019 – November 2020

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developed and implemented within Committee 2 between the 2019 General Assembly in Larnaka (CY) and the 2020 online General Assembly. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic the AER Executive Board decided to prolong the validity of the AER Action Plan in order to allow the continuation of knowledge sharing between regions in a structured way. AER had to define ways to maintain planned activities and offer new opportunities for mutual learning in a radically different and uncertain context, where ...

Committee 3 Annual Report June 2019 – November 2020

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developed and implemented within Committee 3 between the 2019 General Assembly in Larnaka (CY) and the 2020 online General Assembly. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic the AER Executive Board decided to prolong the validity of the AER Action Plan in order to allow the continuation of knowledge sharing between regions in a structured way. AER had to define ways to maintain planned activities and offer new opportunities for mutual learning in a radically different and uncertain context, where ...

Cluny Training Seminar: Local democracy for European identity and citizenship

To register to this event, please download the registration form on the event webpage of the Training Seminar For the second year in a row, AER is collaborating with the European College of Cluny to provide a training seminar for policymakers, which brings together both academics and practitioners in an interactive format. This year’s seminar is organised together with the European campus of Sciences Po in Dijon and will be held fully online. The collaboration with the European College of Cluny was initiated in the framework of an initiative led by Committee 3 President Radimir Čačić and aimed at facilitating civil servants exchanges and capacity building in public administration. Difficult questions for difficult times This training seminar will look at a question, which ...

Lifelong learning: Practices and Opportunities

On October  21st, the Assembly of European Regions in cooperation with Skillman Alliance, hosted the “Lifelong learning: Upskilling and Reskilling of 50+” webinar. This was the sixth webinar on EU funding opportunities that are being co-organized by AER within the Skillnet project framework (co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme) in order to bring together experts in different fields linked to vocational education and training (VET) and establish relevant groups of collaboration for future EU project proposals. The webinar presented examples of how regions address the need for reskilling and upskilling and provided insights on funding opportunities and EU programmes supporting life-long learning.  Rapidly changing labour markets In the context of rapidly changing labour markets, the upskilling and reskilling of adults has become a priority. Technological ...

To another 35 years of Eurodyssey regions on the move!

For the very first time, the AER-Eurodyssey programme was featured in the European Week of Regions and Cities in partnership with the Public Employment Service of Catalonia – SOC (es), Bureau International Jeunesse – Wallonia (be), Varazdin County (hr), Brussels Public Employment Service – Actiris (be) and the Sardinian Agency for Active Labour Policies – ASPAL (it). A celebratory event marking 35 years of Eurodyssey The Eurodyssey virtual lab Eurodyssey35: Regions on the move (14/10/2020), moderated by Hrvoje Kovaç, Chair of the AER Subcommittee on Youth, was joined by two inspiring panellists in the field of youth: Jovana Majstorovic, Board Member of the European Youth Forum, and Floor Van Houdt, Head of Unit for Youth policy and Volunteer Solidarity ...

Regional Business Forum 2020

Interested in sharing your business propositions and ideas to potential clients? Join us at the Regional Business Forum that will take place this year as a hybrid online event in Novi Sad. The Regional Business Forum (RBF) is an annual international forum to exchange on support for SMEs, promote business and commerce, incentive the possibility to collaborate and share best practices between regions. This 3rd edition will be a hybrid-event hosted in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina on 10 November. Following the success of last year’s forum, this year’s Regional Business Forum will focus on three main sectors: Agriculture & Food; the Construction Industry; ICT and Creative industries. Through B2B (business-to-business) meetings, participants will get the chance to find partners according to ...

Webinar on Improving Labour Market Inclusion: save the date!

We are pleased to invite you to a webinar on how regions can improve labour market integration policies and practices, with examples from different regions and insights from IOM and the European Commission When? Tuesday November 10th 2020, 14:00-15:00 CETWhere? GoToWebinar Mutual Learning to improve policies and share good practices Regional and local authorities are at the forefront when it comes to addressing integration needs in practice. The Covid-19 pandemic has strongly tested systems in place, revealing tremendous needs but also the resourcefulness which exists at local and regional levels. This shows how essential it is to create opportunities for structured and meaningful mutual learning on integration in order to enable regional and local authorities to share good practices and improve policies and ...

European regions, implementing the SDGs through Cohesion Policy

One more year the Assembly of European Regions took part in the European Week of Regions and Cities with the organisation of a webinar together with its partners: Regions 4, ORU Fogar, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Catalan Directorate-General for Development Cooperation (ACCD), and the European Union EUROsociAL+ Programme. The webinar which took place last 15 October addressed the question of “How cohesion policy can make regions deliver for a sustainable and fair Europe, and progress on the implementation of the SDGs“. Magnus Berntsson, AER President, moderated the workshop and introduced the relevance of bringing cohesion policy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development together. Local and regional authorities play a crucial role in achieving a sustainable future and ...

SKILLNET Opportunities I: Webinars on EU Funding Opportunities

Interested in knowing more about how you can be involved in the SKILLNET project and what opportunities are available to you? AER is launching an informative campaign on  SKILLNET’s core activities to answer these questions and ensure that our members and broader audience can gain the most out of the project! In the first contribution, we cover the 18 webinars on EU funding opportunities and the newly established Partnership in Focus hub – Read the full article and get involved!  SKILLNET – Context and Aims SKILLNET is a project co-financed by the Erasmus + programme and it aims to strengthen and improve the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system’s capacity to design effective and high-quality programmes that are tailored to current societal ...

Join the webinar on lifelong learning: upskilling and re-skilling of 50+

In the framework of SKILLNET project – Sector Skills Network in Advanced Manufacturing, a webinar will take place on October 21, 10:00/11:15 CET  dedicated to Lifelong learning: upskilling and re-skilling of 50+. The event is part of a series of 18 webinars designed to bring together experts in different fields linked to vocational education and training (VET), with the purpose of establishing relevant groups of collaboration and partnerships for future EU project proposals. This webinar will be a valuable occasion for participants from different countries and institutions to get insights from key speakers and to interact with experts in the field of lifelong learning.  Due to the rapidly changing labour markets and multiple challenges, such as digitalisation, technological changes, labour shortage, ageing societies ...

“The Future We Want, the UN We Need”- AER Reactions

The United Nations 75th Anniversary consultation on “The Future We Want, The UN We Need”, is an ambitious UN exercise in crowdsourcing priorities and solutions. The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments facilitated the drafting of a Visioning Report on behalf of the constituency to which the Assembly of European Regions is part of. On 21st of September, world leaders of the United Nations General Assembly gathered virtually to commemorate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the UN. On 8th of October, the constituency of Local and Regional Authorities met to not only celebrate but to also share the future United Nations they envision for 2045. On this occasion, the AER President, Mr Magnus Berntsson, will be representing the Assembly of European ...

Culture, a pillar of sustainable regional development

The AER conference “Territorial Approaches to Regional Development” focusing on the ways in which regions address differences between urban and rural areas aimed to look in detail at the role of culture to create inclusive and welcoming rural areas. In the below article, Eugenijus Kaminskis from Xwhy / Agency of Understanding in Lithuania, and a lead partner in the CUBES project, shares his experience on why and how culture is the fourth pillar of sustainable development, as stated by UNESCO. Cultural identity’s role for sustainable development There is a new positive direction of involving cultural sector and communities while developing strategies for regional development.Culture in relation to sustainable regional development is a horizontal priority and it plays an important role not only in promoting, ...

#EURegionsWeek – Conducting joint campaigns on Cohesion policy across European regions

Join our EURegions Talk on ‘Conducting Joint Campaigns on Cohesion Policy across European Regions‘ next Wednesday, 14 October from 18:00 – 18:30 CET, part of DG-REGIO’s Media Programme within the European Week of Regions and Cities! By presenting the steps, achievements, and challenges of the “Together for Cohesion: Let’s rEUnite” campaign – we will follow-up and continue further our successful work on the promotion of the benefits of European cohesion policy among citizens. As you may recall, Together for Cohesion is a wide-reaching communication campaign co-financed by DG-REGIO, and ran from March 2019 to July this year by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) in cooperation with the Media Consulta International Holding (mc Group) and with the strong involvement ...

Covid-19: important update regarding November events

After carefully considering the developments of the pandemic in Europe and the current regulations and guidance regarding international travel and large events, we have decided to hold the General Assembly, Bureau Meeting & Eurodyssey Forum on 19-20 November online.  While we regret that we will not be able to gather our members in person in Barcelona, we feel that public health and safety comes first.  We will soon be providing you with a link to register, as well as further information on updated agendas and practical modalities. As we move online, we will be updating the agenda to limit the meetings to what is essential. 

Measures in education during COVID-19 lockdown(s) and its aftermath: share your experience!

In Spring 2020 most European schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate burden on health systems. Different measures were implemented to support the continuation of teaching and learning during this period. Sharing experiences to improve practices On the initiative of Radimir Čačić (Varaždin County, Croatia), Chair of the Committee for Education, Culture and Youth, regions are invited to share their experiences and lessons learned via a survey. The aim of this survey is to provide valuable information about the organisation of classes in the exceptional school year 2019/2020, which will provide important and hopefully valuable information for the exchange of best practice examples, which could help other regions to improve the organisation of schooling and/or apply some new ...

Regions at the core of the European Green Deal

The first AER series of webinars on European Green Deal in collaboration with the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of the Catalan Government (CADS) was launched on 14 September. During the online session entitled EU Green Deal: Challenges and Opportunities for EU regions in times of COVID-19, it was discussed the key role that the European Green Deal and its Just Transition Mechanism will play in building more resilience and economic recovery to tackle the consequences that will be confronted by European regions in a post-COVID-19 era.  For this occasion, the more than one-hundred participants enjoyed the presence of experts working on the ground and implementing the new EU growth strategy from different perspectives. In this regard, the panel was composed ...

Funding Opportunities under the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation

New opportunities are arising for fostering social wellbeing in Europe and beyond! Two calls have been launched under the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (“EaSI”). The call are both aimed to actively address the major societal needs of nowadays societies through two different actions: On one side, VP 2020/010 is designed to fund the establishment of national competence centres for social innovation; On the other, VP2020/003 supports the development of policy innovations in the frame of the Principle 14 of the European Pillar of Social Rights providing that “everyone lacking sufficient resources has the right to adequate minimum income benefits ensuring a life in dignity at all stages of life, and effective access to enabling goods and ...

How to get involved in the Youth Policies of the Future with Skillman

On September 2nd, the Skillman Alliance, in cooperation with the European Training Foundation, hosted the “Youth Policy Partnerships” webinar. This was the fifth webinar on EU funding opportunities that are being co-organized by AER within the Skillnet project framework (co-founded by the Eramus+ Programme) in order to gather experts and practitioners in the field of TVET to exchange experience, network, and establish fruitful partnerships to be applied to future project opportunities. The webinar served as a great occasion to fuel discussions and exchange practices on how youth can be concretely “engaged, connected and empowered” as foreseen by the European Youth Strategy, as well as to lunch the newly established Skillman Youth Forum, a Basecamp platform where youth experts (TVET providers, academic ...

AER participating in #EURegionsWeek

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is pleased to announce our participation in the European Week of Regions and Cities (EURegionsWeek) in two sessions during the week of 12-16 October. The EURegionsWeek is an annual event taking place in Brussels dedicated to regional policy. During this week, political representatives, decision-makers, experts and practitioners of regional policy, as well as stakeholders from business, banking, civil society organisations, academia, the EU institutions and the media discuss common challenges for European regions and cities. In 2019, over 9000 participants took part in over 330 sessions. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the EURegionsWeek will be fully digital over 3 weeks from 5 to 22 October, each week covering a different theme: October 5 – 9: ...

Partner Search: Develop Integrated Interventions for Vulnerable People with Izmir Metropolitan Municipality

Are you currently developing a project proposal addressing the EaSI call VP/2020/003 “Establishing and testing integrated interventions aimed at supporting people in (the most) vulnerable situations” or do you wish to do so? Then, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, the third-largest municipality in Turkey and a hub for multiculturalism and integration, is eager to either join an established consortium or to find partners willing to co-create an effective project application to be submitted by 15/10/2020. About the Call By means of the European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), the European Union finances actions needed to pursue one of its core objectives, i.e. “the promotion of high-level quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and ...

Opportunity: Capacity Building Of City Services For The Inclusion Of Migrants

Helping city services to fight gender-based violence The EU-funded project Equalcity is supporting local services to better identify, prevent and tackle sexual and gender-based violence in migrant communities. This initiative was first introduced during the Q&A session of the “Intercultural Regions: Improving Access to Services” webinar organised by AER, IOM, and the Council of Europe. The opportunities Equalcity provides for cities will ultimately have an impact on the regional capacity to become more intercultural. AER, therefore, invites its members working on inclusion and migration to share these with cities in their territories. Practical training tools The Equalcity project, coordinated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), supports local authorities to foster the inclusion and protection of migrants. The project will achieve this through ...

Join the Digital Health Network!

The Digital Health Network provides a platform for AER regions to learn from each other on this very current topic. It is open to all regions willing to improve their digital health strategies. Regions will share their experiences, knowledge, and resources that support the effective deployment of digital health solutions within their regional healthcare systems. The Digital Health Network is chaired by Scotland. Transforming health & care The digital transformation of health and care requires further action in these areas: citizen’s secure access to and sharing of health data across borders; better data to advance research, disease prevention and personalised health and care; digital tools for citizen empowerment and person-centred care. Exchange of knowledge & experiences The exchange of knowledge is crucial to support the implementation and ...

Webinar: integrated care in remote and rural areas

The AER Digital Health Network is pleased to invite you to a webinar organised on 8 September 2020 14:00-15:00 CET in the context of the Scirocco Exchange project Delivering integrated care in remote and rural areas: Sharing the experience Acknowledging differences between regions The significance of integrated care as a means for improving health outcomes, effectiveness and sustainability of health and care systems is widely acknowledged. It is a central element in many on-going or planned healthcare system reforms, however, it is important to recognise that the regions and countries in Europe are experiencing different progress and levels of maturity for integration. This is particularly the case of delivering integrated health and care services in remote and rural areas. Sharing experiences: Slovenia & ...

European regions and the green transition in a COVID-19 era

The European Green Deal is the new EU growth strategy launched by the European Commission with the objective of transforming the European Union into a fair and sustainable society with a competitive and green economy where there are net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050. This EU strategy includes a roadmap to accelerate the green transition in Europe and to address a large number of economic, environmental and social challenges; such as global warming, biodiversity loss, food security, secured energy, sustainable mobility, carbon-free societies, etc. Moreover, the European Green Deal is an integral part of the European Commission’s strategy to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, which aims at putting sustainability and the well-being of citizens at the centre of the ...

Farewell Message from AER Secretary General

It is with much gratitude and appreciation that the AER President and Executive Board members share the following message from the AER Secretary General. Dear AER members, partners and friends, I hope this message finds you in good health and that you have had a nice Summer. I write to you today to inform you that I am embarking upon a new professional challenge, and that my time at the Assembly of European Regions has come to an end. The process to find my successor is underway. In the meantime, Ms Vania Freitas will be the acting Secretary General.  Running an ambitious and transformative organisation such as AER, made up of passionate and dedicated people, has been truly awe-inspiring. Together, we played our part in ...

Youth Policy Partnerships: Join the Webinar

Do you want to learn more about youth policies and to establish transnational partnerships to provide youngsters with enhanced opportunities? Join the Youth Policy Partnership webinar organized within the SKILLNET project on September 2nd from 10 to 11! Background – About SKILLNET The event is part of a series of webinars organized within the project SKILLNET –  Sector Skills Network in Advanced Manufacturing. The latter aims to enhance transnational partnerships and expertise in the field of vocational education and training (VET) in order to improve the match between individuals’ skills and economic and societal needs. The project is co-funded by the Erasums+ programme and coordinated by the Skillman Network, a transnational platform of centres for vocational excellence for the advanced manufacturing sector. The ...

AER Reaction to EUCO Budget and Recovery Package

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) welcomes the historic long-term budget and recovery package agreed upon by the European Council on 21 July. AER has stressed and will continue to emphasize the importance that cohesion policy has in promoting a fair, sustainable, prosperous future for the European Union.  Furthermore, cohesion policy has been integral in responding to the pandemic and reducing the societal and economic damages in our regions. On 29 May, AER released a statement on the proposal published by the European Commission on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 and the COVID-19 recovery plan. This statement not only underlines the central role that cohesion policy plays but also highlights the need to comply with the partnership principle, multi-level governance ...

How COVID-19 is affecting tourism in our Member Regions

Due to the recent global pandemic, the tourism and hospitality sector has faced some difficulties. Europe is the world’s leading tourist destination. The tourism sector in the EU represents 9.5% of the European Union’s gross domestic product (GDP), accounts for 11.2% of jobs in the European Union and is made up of nearly three million companies, 90% of which are SMEs. There are over 22.6 million people working in tourism in the European Union. Travel restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic have been a challenge to the tourism industry. Indeed, as a result of the various measures put in place to limit the spread of the virus, revenues are expected to fall by 50% for hotels and restaurants, 70% for travel ...

Together4Cohesion comes to its end: A Journey throughout its Road and Prospectives

The campaign #Together4Cohesion is now concluded and we want to go through the long road performed. At the same time, we hope that our actions were meaningful in generating a spark among all actors involved within cohesion policy persuading them to continue showing its benefits. To this end, we want also to share sustainable tools that can support practitioners in this long-lasting exercise, as well as our commitment to continue promoting cohesion policy.   Since April 2019, AER in cooperation with mc Group and in partnership with six flagship regions have been coordinating and implementing a widespread communication campaign on the benefits of European cohesion policy co-financed by ...

ARLEM Award 2021

Are you a young entrepreneur running a local business in the Mediterranean region and collaborating with your regional or local community? Then you may be eligible for the ARLEM Award 2021. The Assembly of the European Regions is pleased to present this initiative launched by the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) to award a young innovative entrepreneur addressing their local needs. Created in 2010 by the Committee of the Regions (CoR), ARLEM aims to give a territorial dimension to the Union for the Mediterranean; promote local democracy, multi-level governance and decentralized cooperation around the three shores of the Mediterranean; encourage North-South and South-South dialogue; promote exchange of best practices; and promote regional integration and cohesion. In the context ...

AER delivering universal basic services at the 3rd Local and Regional Government Forum

On 13 July 2020, Mr Magnus Berntsson joined the Local and Regional Government Forum (LRGF) organised within the framework of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum. The AER President had the pleasure to represent the constituency of Local and Regional Governments of the Global Taskforce and speak on behalf of those who could not make their voice heard on such an important day. The 3rd edition of the LRGF was marked by the pandemic, which prevented the participants to convene in New York as planned in the first place. The world has been put to test during the past several months, a test to which anyone was prepared for. As reiterated by many local and regional representatives, all of them ...

Webinar: implementing innovative TVET policies

You are all invited to attend the webinar organised by Skillman Network on the implementation of innovative technical, vocational education and training (TVET) policies through transnational cooperation. Mr Hrvoje Kovač, Chair of the Sub-Committee on Youth in the AER Committee for Culture, Education and Youth and Deputy Mayor of the Town of Lepoglava in Varaždin County (HR), will provide a presentation about mutual learning on skills development amongst European regions. SKILLNET – Sector Skills Network in Advanced Manufacturing AER recently joined a new project SKILLNET, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme. It aims at helping Vocational Education and Training (VET) organisations to network and anticipate changes in needs for skills. Skillnet addresses challenges such as the skills mismatch between the industry and the ...

AER and Intercultural Regions Network meet with Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson

On 10 July, the AER President, Magnus Berntsson, and the Chairs of the Intercultural Regions Network (IRN), Oriol Amorós, Secretary of Equity, Migrations and Citizenship of the Government of Catalonia, Conny Brännberg, Regional Minister of Culture of Region Västra Götaland, and Fereshteh Jalayer Hess, County Councillor from Region Värmland, joined by Irena Guidikova, Head of Division on Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Programmes of the Council of Europe, met via video conference with European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson. The Chairs of IRN took the opportunity to present the Intercultural Regions Network and its support for regions to develop comprehensive intercultural strategies to manage diversity and migration based on the principles of equal opportunities, recognition of diversity and positive interaction between people from different ...

Activity Report ’20: “Achieving Agenda 2030”

The Assembly of European Regions is proud to present its annual Activity Report 2019 – 2020. This theme of this year’s report is “Achieving Agenda 2030“, an expression of AER’s commitment to supporting its member regions in localising and delivering upon the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by the Member States of the United Nations by resolution A/RES/70/1 of the General Assembly of 25 September 2015. The cover page of the report, designed by Habile Studio, incorporates indicators from the SDG Index Score from the EU Sustainable Development Report as well as statistics reflecting the regional populations of AER member regions. The 2020 Activity Report is unique in that it also presents AER’s newly adopted long-term Political Priorities for the period 2020 ...

European Youth Together: Denizli (TR) is eager to join projects

Are you planning to apply to the Erasmus + open call European Youth Together? Are you still looking for partners? Denizli Metropolitan Municipality and Denizli City Council Youth Assembly could be what you are looking for. Denizli City Council Youth Assembly: the partner you were looking for? The Denizli City Council Youth Assembly is keen to get involved as a partner in a project answering the Erasmus+ open call “European Youth Together”. The Assembly aims at raising awareness of young people and ensuring their active participation in the mechanisms of local government. It also aims at raising awareness of social enterprise projects among young people. In the past years, the Denizli City Council Youth Assembly carried out various activities and projects in relation to education, culture, ...

The intercultural approach: a key for better service provision

Regional and local authorities are at the forefront when it comes to addressing integration needs in practice. The Covid-19 pandemic has strongly tested the current systems in place, revealing tremendous needs of authorities but also the resourcefulness which exists at local and regional levels. This shows how essential it is to create opportunities for structured and meaningful mutual learning on integration in order to enable regional and local authorities to share experiences and improve policies and practices. Mutual learning to improve services In order to facilitate mutual learning between regions, AER, IOM and the Council of Europe are a organising series of activities open to all. These will build a mutual learning community across Europe on integration policies and practices at the ...

AER Meeting European Commissioner Johannes Hahn

The AER President, Magnus Berntsson, met virtually today with Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration to discuss the Commission’s proposal for the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and recovery plan. Magnus Berntsson emphasized the importance of an ambitious long-term EU budget that secures a more sustainable, prosperous and inclusive Europe. The AER President underlined the critical role of cohesion policy in responding to the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and in supporting the transition towards a green, digital and fair Europe. The meeting was an opportunity to give a strong warning against the attempt to centralise cohesion policy and stress the importance of involving local and regional authorities in the design and implementation of future investment programmes, in line with ...

Eurodyssey is back!

After 3 months suspension, the members of the Eurodyssey Steering Committee adopted last Friday by consensus resolution 03/07/2020 to reactivate the programme and to set out the new conditions to adapt the programme to the “new normal”. Resolution 03/07/2020 The Eurodyssey Steering Committee encourages those member regions where the sanitary situation is stable to resume the publication of offers and host participants under the following new conditions (five “musts”): The Eurodyssey regions MUST guarantee, at least, a “blended format” prioritising, where possible, on-site work over teleworking. The Eurodyssey regions MUST make sure that host companies or organisations comply with the health measures set by the competent authorities for on-site work. The Eurodyssey regions MUST ensure effective linguistic training in any possible ...

Job Vacancy: Secretary General

Founded in 1985, the Assembly of European Regions is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe, bringing together regions from 30 countries – from Norway to Turkey and from Russia to Portugal. AER is present everywhere on the European continent, inside and outside the European Union. It is the political voice of its members, as well as a forum for interregional cooperation. AER has offices in Strasbourg (FR), Brussels (BE), and Alba (RO). The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is looking for its new Secretary General to start ideally by early November. We are looking for an experienced leader to oversee the management of our three offices, to ensure a smooth transition and implementation of our ambitious work programme, and ...

Localising Agenda 2030: how regions can help meet the SDGs

Last week, on 24 June, the online conference ‘Localising Agenda 2030: how regions can help meet the SDGs’ took place from 14:30 until 16:00 pm.  This event, the first of a series of events focusing on SDGs leading up to our final conference taking place in Strasbourg in June 2021, aimed to emphasise the importance of local actions in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The event gathered 64 attendees via the Zoom platform and 50 others followed the live web-stream. With the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, citizens have seen quick responses and actions from both regions and cities. The crisis has exposed inequalities and the role of regions for sustainable recovery and action for a more fair and resilient society can ...

Together4Cohesion strengthens Children’s Thinking on Climate Change: Drawing Exhibition and Award Ceremony in Csongrád County

We may think that children are not yet mature enough to have a say in major political debates but, as shown by the “Fridays For Future” strikes all over the world,  this is not the case – especially when it comes to climate change and the future of our planet. Their thoughts are clear, their demands are spoken laud, and it is important that their voices are heard and encouraged. This is why the Csongrád-Csanád County Government, within the Cohesion Calendar of the project Together for Cohesion, has given these young actors a space to communicate their views through a drawing competition on climate change. As pointed by the President of the Csongrád-Csanád County Assembly,  László Gémes, during the award ceremony held ...

Enrol in the 2nd Youth International Conference in Sweden!

Do you want to actively engage in the next global changes? Are you 18-24 years old? Do you want to raise your voice and be heard? Then you should definitely participate in the next Think Thank in Gothenburg on November 16–19, 2020! What is it about? The overall goal of the conference is to stand up for a democratic and open society and to counterbalance the pessimistic ideas of contemporary nationalism and populism. Moreover, this year there will be a test and report on new ways of combining and integrating various transport means for travelling to Gothenburg. The other end is to promote sustainable ways for people and ideas to move across Europe in the future.  A 4-day ...

COVID-19: What is at stake for youth development?

Undeniably, youth play a crucial role in the action plans to limit the spread of the COVID-19 and its adverse impact on public health, society and the economy at large. Young people are also among the most vulnerable groups who suffer from the pernicious consequences derived from this crisis. Labour turmoils The pandemic is admittedly making young people the main victims of labour market shocks. According to Eurostat, in April 2020 while the general unemployment rate increased by 0.2%, from 6.4% to 6.6%, the youth unemployment rate increased by 0.8%, from 14.6% to 15.4%. In OECD countries, the unemployment rate rose faster among women and young people aged 15 to 24 as reflected in the graphic below:   Source: OECD Statistics Over ...

Second Csongrád County Mayor’s Professional Forum

You may remember the highly successful first Professional Forum held in December 2019. Here comes the second! On 30 June 2020, the County Government of Csongrád-Csanád will hold the second Csongrád County Mayor’s Professional Forum. Together4Cohesion is approaching its final stop on the route to raise awareness of European cohesion policy and its benefits for the regions through the “European cohesion calendar”! Indeed, the 2nd Professional Forum will take place on 30 June in Szeged, at the Tisza River Restaurant and Event Boat, and this will be the last local event of our communication campaign! Event Page Here Registration Here before 25 June 2020 Programme 9.00: Registration9.30: Welcome speech by Mr László Gémes, President of the General Assembly of Csongrád CountyTopic: “Together for Cohesion: let’s rEUnite” project, and Area and ...

AER Regions taking part in Regiostars Awards 2020

Did you know that some of AER’s member regions are taking part in the Regiostars Awards this year? These awards go to EU-funded projects which demonstrate excellence and new approaches in regional development. These projects are made to inspire other regions and project managers across Europe.  Five categories are on the list for the competition and a public choice award are up for grab every year :   Industrial transition for a smart Europe,  Circular economy for a green Europe,  Skills & education for a digital Europe, Citizen Engagement for cohesive European cities,  Youth empowerment for cooperation across borders (through 30 years of Interreg) Check out some of the projects that AER members have submitted below!  (If we have missed your project, please contact Tina Wu with the ...

How is your country progressing in energy efficiency? We want to know!

AER invites you to participate in the EU-wide Energy Efficiency Watch Survey which collects opinions from experts in all EU Member States on the progress in energy efficiency in the last years in their own country. By taking part, you will be making an important contribution to energy efficiency efforts in Europe. The survey is targeted at all people working on topics relating to energy in the business sector, energy agencies, university/research organisations, the public sector and others. The European Commission and the European Parliament have expressed strong interest in the results of this survey, which is carried out in the framework of the H2020 Energy Efficiency Watch project. The Energy Efficiency Watch project (EEW4) supports policy makers on EU, national and regional levels ...

Improving access to public services: Join the webinar!

Hosted and moderated by AER in cooperation with IOM and the Council of Europe, the webinar “Intercultural regions: improving access to services” will be held on June 29th. The event will focus on the ways in which regions can improve the accessibility of public services for better integration policies and practices, with insights from IOM and the Council of Europe. When? Monday, 29 June 2020, 11:00 – 12:00 (CET)Where? GoToWebinar Mutual learning for better integration policies and practices Regional and local authorities are at the forefront when it comes to addressing integration needs in practice. The Covid-19 pandemic has strongly tested the current systems in place, revealing tremendous needs of authorities but also the resourcefulness which exists at local and regional levels. This shows ...

Together4Cohesion: Responding to the challenges of communicating cohesion policy.

The final conference of “Together for Cohesion: Let’s rEUnite!” took place online on 16 June 2020. The webinar gathered 115 participants including policymakers at various levels of government, project managers and various other stakeholders all involved in the implementation of cohesion activities and willing to learn more about its communication. The attendees had the opportunity to acquire or strengthen their knowledge about cohesion policy, including insights on the next programming period, as well as on how to effectively communicate its actions and benefits. Started in April 2019, the Together for Cohesion project will soon reach its end. AER, in cooperation with mc Group, have been actively engaged in communicating about European cohesion policy and its benefits through an active communication campaign ...

CLOSED: Communication & Events Assistant

This vacancy has now been closed. Shortlisted candidates have been contacted and invited to interview. We are looking for a colleague to build on a renewed brand identity and to continue innovating our communications systems, taking AER to the next level. We want this to be combined with a knack for organising events, from workshops, to multi-day conferences. We offer a Belgian 1-year full-time employment contract, with a competitive salary, and a possibility of extension. You must have the right to live and work in Europe. Are you our next colleague? We need someone who is creative, responsive and upbeat. In this position, you will be expected to constantly strive to improve AERs visibility, recognition and image, to use your insights in a proactive manner, delivering results ...

Generalitat de Catalunya’s Webinar on the necessity to feminise the management of public resources

On 22 June, the Generalitat de Catalunya is holding a webinar to discuss the necessity to feminise the management of public resources. The event is held in the context of the European Cohesion Calendar of the project Together for Cohesion and will target public authorities representatives. The webinar will be held in Catalan. It will start with a presentation from Lluís Juncà, General Director of Economic Promotion, Competition and Regulation, followed by an instructional welcome from Pere Aragonès, Vice President of the Government and Minister of Economy and Finance. Mercè Brey, consultant and speaker specializing in diversity and inclusive leadership, will present her paper titled: ‘Més enllà del gènere, una realitat possible’ (Beyond gender, a possible reality). A round table to ...

Smart specialisation & rural areas: the case of Covasna

“Smart specialisation strategies in rural areas, inclusion & wellbeing” was the topic of a debate which was foreseen to take place during the 2020 Spring plenaries. In order to harness the knowledge and expertise of our membership, AER is sharing content from speakers online instead. In the following article Dr. Marta Tatar, Chief cardiologist at the Dr. Benedek Géza Cardiovascular Recovery Hospital, Covasna, RO, and former Chair of the AER Focus Group on prevention & child healthcare, shares the experience of Covasna on using natural assets in a rural area for regional development and wellbeing. Social wellbeing and psychical wellbeing are more and more studied. There is a lot of academic research in this field. In different studies, the role and impact ...

EYE2020: Youth Mobility & COVID-19

The European Youth Event (EYE2020) is a major event at the European Parliament (EP) aiming to stimulate and involve active citizenship amongst young Europeans. It takes place every two years, but unfortunately, this year has been postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. In its stead, the European Parliament has organised a special online edition, with a variety of activities in digital format! On the 26 May 2020, a webinar on the impact of the COVID-19 on youth mobility was held. A very topical issue, considering that since the start of the crisis international mobility exchanges haven been completely stopped. Several mobility programmes have been suspended or have had to strictly adapt to the continuously changing conditions. Eurodyssey, AER’s youth mobility ...

Webinar in Varaždin on communication and cohesion policy

We know how to implement EU-funded projects, but do we know how to communicate about them? Effective communication strategies for how to make EU projects more appealing to the wider public were shared at the webinar held in Varaždin on 29 May 2020. Read on to learn more! The webinar was organised by Varaždin County, a flagship region of the project “Together for Cohesion: Let’s rEUnite!”, and the Alpheus agency from Zagreb. The workshop was designed to share insights on “How to communicate about the projects financed by instruments of Cohesion Policy”. Representatives of local and regional governments and other public institutions, as well as private entrepreneurs from Varaždin County virtually gathered to listen to: Larisa Križan Breljak, Deputy Head of Varaždin ...

Rural-urban relations in times of COVID-19

The AER conference “Territorial Approaches to Regional Development” focusing on the ways in which regions address differences between urban and rural areas had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to harness the knowledge of experts invited at this event, AER is sharing content online instead. One of the objectives of the AER conference in Covasna was to look at findings from the ROBUST project, which researches the interactions and dependencies between rural, peri-urban and urban areas via 11 Living Labs and five Communities of Practice. The below article draws on the experience of partners and goes beyond the initial focus of the conference, by providing unique insights on the impact of the pandemic on rural-urban relations. The ...

Territorial Approach to Smart Specialisation: Experience from Värmland

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the AER Spring Committee Plenaries in Covasna County, Romania. The debate on “Smart specialisation strategies in rural areas, inclusion & wellbeing” could therefore not go ahead as planned. In order to harness the knowledge and expertise of our membership, AER is sharing content from speakers online instead. In the below article, Kenneth Johannesson, Committee 2 Vice President for Health Innovation shares experience from Värmland (SE) on Smart Specialisation. Welcome to Rural Värmland… The Värmland region is part of North Central Sweden. Värmland borders Norway and the Oslo region and is thus a border region in the EU. Proximity to Oslo is an important condition for business and employment. The population of the region in ...

AAL Call: Healthy Ageing with the Support of Digital Solutions

Have you heard about the latest AAL Call for Healthy Ageing with the Support of Digital Solutions? If not, read this article to learn more! The call was launched by the Active and Assisted Living (AAL) Programme. It aims to support better quality of life for older people and to strengthen industrial opportunities while ensuring the sustainability of our health systems. The AAL Programme funds projects that work towards creating market-ready products and services for older people. Each project consists of SMEs, research bodies and end-user organisations. The current AAL Call is titled “Healthy Ageing with the Support of Digital Solutions”. Applications must be submitted before 24th August 2020 at 17:00 CET. The call aims at supporting innovative, transnational and multi-disciplinary collaborative projects. Project ...

Active and Assisted Living Forum: Call for Workshops

Do you work in the active and healthy ageing sector? Do you want to participate in the European discussion driving the future of healthy ageing? Then the AAL Forum is the perfect opportunity for you to be involved in an ecosystem that promotes a new social and economic approach to grow a more inclusive silver economy benefiting individuals, society and industry. The AAL Forum is the annual event for the community of healthy ageing gathers to discuss the existing opportunities in health technology and reflect on the future of ageing well in the digital world. It gathers more than 700 delegates from different fields and domains. The 2021 edition of the AAL Forum will be held in Trieste, Italy, from 10-12 May. The Friuli Venezia ...

Cohesion and partnership must be the driving force for European recovery

The #Cohesion Alliance – an EU-wide alliance of 12,000 signatories calling for a stronger cohesion policy after 2020 – welcomes the European Commission’s revised 2021–2027 EU budget and Recovery Plan proposals including the extension of the current cohesion programmes with increased flexibility and additional funding.  However, the Alliance urges the European Commission and Member States to ensure the involvement of cities, municipalities and regions and maintain a strong focus on cohesion in all recovery measures, aimed at rebuilding the economy, fostering sustainability and strengthening the territorial and social fabric of our Union, including in the European Semester process.   The EU’s Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) and Recovery Plan must focus on cohesion as a fundamental value of the European Union, to pursue major challenges such as ...

AER Response to MFF & Recovery Fund Proposals

On 27 May, the European Commission published its proposals for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 and COVID-19 recovery plan.  The next long-term budget of the European Union will be of crucial importance to the European project. Not only will it be delivered in exceptionally challenging times after the COVID-19, but it is also the Union’s first spending plan since the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union. AER has produced a ‘Statement on the European Commission Proposal  for the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework‘ that outlines 10 key points that the European institutions & national governments should take on board. Among these, AER welcomes the allocation of additional funding to form part of the Recovery Fund to help regions across the ...

Learning about Communicating Cohesion Policy: Join the Webinar

Join the Webinar on June 16th!

A youth voluntary response to COVID-19!

On the 14th of May, AER participated in the webinar Euro-Mediterranean Youth Voluntary responses to the COVID-19 hosted by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). AER programmes coordinator, Andrés Muñoz, joined a discussion panel on the role of regions and municipalities mobilising young volunteers to contain the spread of the virus. Two examples from AER member regions were featured in the discussions: Lepoglava municipality in Varazdin County (HR) and Ajara region (GE). Regions mobilising youth voluntary work! Regional and local authorities are at the frontline of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic engaging with communities to avoid the spread, delivering healthcare and other essential services and supporting the most vulnerable population, including young people. But youth has also proven to be ...

AER takes part in WSED 2020

The World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) is an annual conference that takes place in Wels, Austria (Upper Austria). This year’s edition took place from 4-6 March. The WSED is a large event attracting at least 700 participants from 60 countries as well as a trade show that attracts over 100,000 people. AER and its delegates took part in the European Energy Efficiency Conference, taking part in the conferences in the Energy Efficiency Policy Conference, Green Financing Workshop and the Smart E-Mobility Conference. AER invites you to fill out this EU-wide survey on Energy Efficiency. This survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Energy Efficiency Policy Conference During the conference, regional, institutional and industrial representatives provided their input on the ...

Impact of COVID-19 on regional economies & jobs: Meeting with Commissioner Schmit.

On Wednesday 13 May, AER’s president, Magnus Berntsson and Vice-President for Employment and Skills, Alessandra Zedda met online with Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs & Social Rights. Magnus Berntsson presented AER’s work and its existing programmes supporting its members in promoting job creation, equal opportunities and inclusion.  AER is keeping itself busy with a focus on Sustainable Development Goals,  and the launch of the Intercultural Regions Network, the kick-start of the IncludEU project and the expansion of the Eurodyssey programme. Ms Zedda stressed that local and regional authorities have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus outbreak. The AER Vice-President shared some examples of how European regions are responding to the crisis and its economic impacts, supporting the economy and employment.   Commissioner Schmit ...

Webinar for SMEs tackling Covid-19 in Catalonia.

Do you work for an SME that needs help to tackle the financial impact of COVID-19 crisis? Check out the next event organised in Catalonia, Spain. After several successful events organised in the frame of Together for Cohesion, such as the workshop in Csongrad County, the International Conference on Entrepreneurship Education in Varaždin and the Training Session on Communication in Trentino, the Generalitat de Catalunya is organising a webinar. When? The 27th of May 2020 from 9.25 to 10.30 AMWhere? Online, on the Zoom platformThe event will be held in Catalan. This event will be a one-hour webinar comprising a panel of experts to discuss the subject: ICF Eurocredit. This loan from European Funds helps SME with cash issues caused by COVID 19 ...

CUBES Update: mapping local sustainability & governance of culture, brand new website and…more!

The CUBES partners gathered on the 14th of May for an online consortium meeting, with their main goal to assess the progress accomplished since the CUBES Kick-off in October, as well as to move on to the next stages of the project implementation. The CUBES project aims to design and develop a training programme offered on an inclusive, interactive and user-friendly digital platform. Open and accessible to all, the project aims to empower all sectors of society to own and administer their cultural resources in sustainable ways, aiming at both cultural democracy and cultural sustainability. CUBES is a project co-funded by Erasmus+. One of the outcomes expected from this project is the so-called Review Paper and Parameters Mapping. This document is now ...

Emotional Support for Young People during Lockdown

The Catalan Youth Agency has published two interesting guides with tips and advice for young people on how to manage and deal with the lockdown. Since this had a significant impact on young people by exacerbating and accentuating their already widespread fragilities. The goal is to accompany young people to find meaning in the lockdown and transform this situation into a positive experience. The guides are addressed to young people, but also to all organisations and entities that operate and work with young people. To increase self-knowledge and personal growth, the guides place 3 fundamental points at the centre: Breaking isolation. We’re not alone either at home or outside it. We can create together and build networks.  Working on feelings and emotions. ...

EYE 2020 Online: Work in Times of Crisis (and afterwards…)

The European Youth Event (EYE2020) is the major event at the European Parliament (EP) aiming to stimulate and involve active citizenship amongst young Europeans. It takes place every two years, but unfortunately, this year has been postponed due to the ongoing COVID19 outbreak. In its stead, the European Parliament has organised a special online edition, with a variety of activities in digital format! Among the various topics dealt with, the session on 14 May on work today and after COVID-19 was particularly engaging. A number of stimulating questions were raised, including: What impact does COVID-19 have on our work? Could the present situation be the right opportunity to redefine the way we work? ...

Agenda 2030: Now More Than Ever

The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN in 2015 has always been of great importance. From Poverty to Education through Health and Climate Action, and many more areas, the SDGs offer a broad range of activities needed to improve societal and environmental issues.  However, recently, life has taken an unusual turn and the achievement of the SDG goals has gained significance. With the appearance of COVID-19, many areas have been affected or have shown to be needing improvement. Whether it is on a national or a local level, the crisis showed us that improvements have to be made in acting long-term and in a sustainable way. The health sector is not the only one that took a ...

Connectivity & Infrastructure in Europe

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Spring Committee Plenaries of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) in Covasna were cancelled.  The Committee Plenaries provide an opportunity for our member regions to come together, exchange ideas and best experiences and promote further interregional cooperation. Committee 1, headed by Kenneth Backgard (Norrbotten, SE) focusses on Economy & Regional Development and allows AER members to share experiences and improve regional policymaking. One of the key topics covered in this committee is transport & mobility. During the plenaries, Martin Tollen, Head of the Working Group on Transport & Mobility, was to organise a workshop on ‘Connectivity & Infrastructure in Europe’ with MEP Iuliu Winkler and Arne Engholm, County Councillor from Vasternorrland (SE). Although it did ...

How to communicate about projects in the online space: online workshop in Csongrad County

As a part of the “Together for Cohesion: let’s rEUnite”, a series of workshops are being organised throughout its six flagship regions to provide citizens and stakeholders with useful advice on how to communicate about projects. Read this article to know more about the webinar organised in Csongrad County! One of these workshops was held on the 28 April 2020. Eighteen stakeholders of EU cohesion, either beneficiaries of EU funding or companies interested in receiving EU funding, based in Csongrad County (Hungary) took part in this webinar. The theme of the workshop was how to communicate about projects in the online space. The rapporteur, György Dreisziger, gave a presentation on branding the use of social media, and how organisations working with cohesion ...

Spring Digest: Funding opportunities for EU and non-EU member regions

Looking for funding for your projects? Here are some opportunities you could be interested in! The AER Project Unit has prepared a selection of calls for proposals on the following subjects: Cohesion Policy, energy, climate action, civil society, citizen’s rights, youth and social economy. If you require any further information, are looking for partners, or planning to apply to these calls, don’t hesitate to contact the AER project unit. *** Update *** Due to the Covid-19 crisis, some deadlines for funding application have been postponed. The Horizon 2020 call titled Boost Rural Economies through Cross-Sector Digital Service Platforms, previously shared in this article have been updated. The submission deadline for this topic has been extended from 22 April to 17 June 2020. Cohesion Policy Support for ...

Roadmap For Recovery: Paving the way towards a more resilient, sustainable and fair Europe after COVID-19.

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a catastrophic crisis with dramatic effects on our society. The European Union had to come up with a strong response reflecting determination, unity and solidarity; the roadmap for recovery.  The roadmap for recovery is the result of the collaboration of the European Council, the Commission and the European Central Bank. It aims to show that the EU can and should have a coordinated exit strategy, a comprehensive recovery plan and unprecedented investment.  The roadmap proposes broad guidelines to follow in order to recover from the crisis. The first part focuses on the principles to follow. These principles are in line with those of AER. The first principle stresses the importance of solidarity, cohesion and convergence in the ...

Call for Proposals: Social Economy Missions

“Social economy missions” aim to accelerate the development and awareness of social economy potential within the European Union, in particular at local and regional level. Often the commitment towards this mission is insufficient with a lack of active collaboration. The European Commission, through the “COSME programme”, launched a call for proposals tailored to engage a network of regional and local authorities established in the EU and COSME participating countries to constitute a space for inter-regional learning and collaboration. Sharing of good practices and mutual learning The call will support consortia in sharing and replicating best practices, creating opportunities for future inter-regional partnerships on priorities related to “social economy missions”. The expected result is to support the development of the European ...

A Regional Approach to Reduce Brain Drain

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AER Committee Plenaries in Covasna were cancelled. Committee 3, which focusses on youth, education and culture, had planned a debate on brain drain vs brain gain. We are very happy to present the article drafted by Mr Radimir Čačić, President of Committee 3 as well as a video by Mr Hrvoje Kovac, Chair of the Sub-Committee on Youth. Many regions of Europe, and especially rural regions, are facing the problem of brain drain. Brain drain is the loss suffered by a region as a result of the emigration of a (highly) qualified person.  In Croatia, the number of inhabitants has decreased by 16% since the 1990s. Although most emigrants have only completed secondary education, ...

Coronavirus Global Response: 7.4 billion Euros raised for universal access to vaccines

On 4 May 2020, the Commission registered 7.4 billion Euros in donations worldwide, including a 1.4 billion Euros pledge from the European Commission. This is very close to the initial target of 7.billion Euros and is a solid basis for the start of the worldwide pledging marathon which started 6 May 2020. The aim of this donation collection is to accelerate and develop the collaborative and universal deployment of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines against coronavirus. This event was organised by the EU, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom. The call came from the World Health Organisation (WHO) along with a group of health actors for a global collaboration on new coronavirus ...

Stakeholder engagement: the essence of “Together4Cohesion” communication campaign

Together for Cohesion makes the stakeholders’ voice louder! We have defined a detailed plan identifying targeted stakeholders that have benefitted from cohesion policy in each flagship region. Now, we are ready for them to embark on our communication campaign! Stakeholders are key actors in the development and implementation of European cohesion policy and projects. As such, they can play a major role in the communication of the outputs and real-life benefits of the policy. This is the reason why stakeholders are the essence of the project and “Together4Cohesion” communication campaign. The involvement of pertinent stakeholders is the key to the action, and therefore a strategy has been carried out. Stakeholders at the core of “Together4Cohesion” communication campaign “Together for Cohesion: Let’s rEUnite!” aims ...

Call for Third Parties: Join Together for Cohesion

We are seeking third parties willing to embark on the very stimulating communication campaign of Together for Cohesion: Let’s rEUnite!.

Territorial approaches: the governance of Abruzzo for rural areas

To facilitate continuous knowledge flow between regions a series of articles and interviews is being published on the topic which was to be discussed in Covasna: “Territorial approaches to regional development”, with a particular focus on urban-rural divides. Indeed, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Spring Committee Plenaries of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) in Covasna were cancelled. The Committee Plenaries provide an opportunity for our member regions to come together, exchange ideas and experiences and initiate joint projects. Nicola Campitelli, Regional Minister for Urban Planning, Abruzzo (IT), and AER Committee 1 Vice President for Rural development, Energy and shares here the experience from his region. Rural development has never been more current and the post-COVID-19 economic recovery will require ...

Webinar with the College of Europe

On Thursday, 30 April 2020, the Assembly of European Regions participated in a webinar entitled “Subnational Diplomacy in Multi-Level Europe” in collaboration with the College of Europe in Natolin’s ‘Regions of Europe’ Society. Mathieu Mori, Secretary-General of the Assembly of European Regions, gave a keynote address and explained to students how cities and regions design and implement public policies throughout the world. He focussed in particular on the role regions play in European and international decision-making and highlighted the work of the Assembly in this regard. Mr. Mori’s address was followed by a presentation by AER Member Relations Coordinator, Tina Wu on the specificities of the Assembly’s network, its membership and how AER works across policy, programmes and projects to foster ...

International Conference on Entrepreneurship Education: The last Together4Cohesion local event in Varaždin

Together for Cohesion is moving ahead with the organization of the local events in its flagship regions! After the Splendid Ball and the International Conference on ESI Funds, Varaždin County draws the curtains with its third and final appointment in the Cohesion Calendar. Entrepreneurship is fundamental to trigger the economic potential of regions and local authorities, and as such, to boost cohesion among the regions of Europe. Of equal importance is the sharing of existing knowledge and experiences among regions. This is why the Varaždin County organized an International Conference on “Entrepreneurship Education”. The conference took place on March 5th in Varaždin and was organized by the Varaždin County and the Faculty of Organisation and Informatics in cooperation with the Public Institution ...

Eurodyssey response to COVID-19!

Following the decision 13/03/2020 of suspending temporarily Eurodyssey due to the COVID-19 emergency, a Eurodyssey monitoring group was immediately established to respond to the crisis and coordinate joint actions to protect the Eurodyssey trainees in mobility. Joint actions, joint solutions! As it is already well-known, Eurodyssey has proved once again to be a remarkable example of interregional cooperation across Europe by adopting joint measures aimed to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the Eurodyssey participants stuck in another region amid the sanitary crisis. In light of the first signs of the virus outbreak in Europe in early March, a group of Eurodyssey correspondents from different regions immediately reacted to the international sanitary call. A round of individual consultations, coordinated by the AER ...

Meeting with Commissioner Ferreira

AER President Magnus Berntsson met with European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms this afternoon to discuss the forthcoming EU Budget – the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021 – 2027. The discussion centred around the future of European cohesion funding, the new Recovery Fund to deal with the knock-on implications of COVID-19 as well as the future of the Just Transition Fund as part of the EU Green Deal. The AER President reiterated the concerns of the Cohesion Alliance, following the release of a common press release on 27 April, and stated that the Assembly of European Regions welcomes the recovery plan approved on 23 April 2020 by the European Council. He also took the occasion to ask for a stronger and ...

Cohesion Alliance: Press Release – 27 April 2020

Deal on EU budget and Recovery Fund is needed by June or delay will put citizens’ safety and cohesion in Europe at risk Following the video conference of the members of the European Council on 23 April the Cohesion Alliance – an EU-wide alliance calling for a stronger cohesion policy after 2020 – calls for cohesion policy to remain a priority amid talks about the Covid-19 recovery strategy taking regions and cities needs and experience on board. The fight against the COVID19 pandemic and the relaunch of Europe’s economy are a race against time. Any further delay in securing an adequate EU recovery plan, based on a bold EU budget, will undermine our capacity to protect citizens’ health and social rights, preserve ...

Coronavirus: Digitalisation and Contact Tracing to Lift the Confinement Measures

In response to the global health crisis due to coronavirus, EU Member States, with the support of the European Commission have developed an EU toolbox for the use of mobile applications for contact tracing and warning. This toolbox was created in advance of the lifting of the confinement measures in order to act with a common coordinated approach across the EU. The effectiveness, security, privacy and data protection aspects of digital solutions to address the crisis have been assessed to ensure that they will comply with EU rules. The aim is to interrupt the transmission of the virus by tracing people who have been in contact with an infected person. The advantage of contact tracing apps is that they can supplement already ...

Call for Proposals: Research & Innovation Projects in response to COVID-19

If you are an organisations interested in submitting research and innovation proposals in response to short to medium-term COVID-19 specific needs in Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Spain and Turkey, this call for proposals is for you. The Assembly of European Regions is happy to present this call launched by the Eureka Network. The Eureka Network is an intergovernmental organisation for market-driven industrial Research, Development and Innovation. The call for project proposals may include but not limited to:  Infection prevention and protection Sanitation technology Diagnostics and testing Therapeutics, vaccines and medicines Disease-tracking technology, analytical solutions for health systems Smart technology for COVID-19 patients Smart technologies and support systems for critical production and supply chains under lockdown Safe mobility: migration data and trends, regional risk monitoring, protection of isolated ...

Communication of European Funds using Social Media: Lessons from Together4Cohesion Training Session in Trentino

Keen to know about how to better communicate the actions undertaken with EU funds in social media? We have something interesting for you!  Read the article to know what are the lessons from the dedicated training organized in Trentino within the project Together for Cohesion: Let’s rEUnite! Stakeholders are major actors in the implementation of Cohesion policy actions, and, as such, their effective communication about the benefits of the policy is essential! This is why Together for Cohesion is launching a series of workshops trainings in its flagship regions offering stakeholders high-quality learning opportunities on how to better communicate. On January 23rd, the Province of Trento organized the training course “The Communication of European Funds using Social Media”, which was held by ...

Partner Search: Scandinavian Youth Council

DYPALL is seeking a Local Youth Council partner(s) located in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, or Iceland under the call KA2 – Strategic Partnerships for Youth – Innovation. DYPALL is a European platform of over 60 civil society organizations and local authorities from more than 30 countries that aims to involve young people in the decision-making process.  This project aims to strengthen young people’s democratic participation at the local and regional level by improving upon existing local youth councils through the creation of a White Paper on Quality of local youth councils.  The project sets the following objectives: Map current practices and structures of Local Youth Councils in the participating countries in order to extract key learnings in order to improve the existing structures; Develop ...

European Youth Foundation: Funding Opportunities Responding to COVID-19

If you are a local or a national non-governmental youth organisation looking for funding for activities aimed at demonstrating solidarity and supporting all persons affected by the COVID-19 crisis, this call is made for you. The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is happy to share this special call from the European Youth Foundation (EYF). The EYF is a fund established by the Council of Europe providing financial and educational support for European youth activities. For this call, priority will be given to pilot activities that aim at demonstrating solidarity and support to all persons affected by the COVID-19 crisis, such as: Reaching out to and supporting particularly vulnerable groups of people, including homeless, refugees and asylum-seekers, people with disabilities, people living in isolation ...

Tips and Hints from the Together4Cohesion Workshop in Alba Iulia

Do you want to learn more about new media’s effective communication strategies? Together4Cohesion is organizing a series of workshops training throughout its six flagship regions to provide citizens and stakeholders with useful ‘tips and hints’ on good communication techniques. Given the very positive feedback received by the participants to the workshops’ organized so far, we want to share all these precious tips with you all! Read the article to know about the workshop held in Albia Iulia on “Branding Yourself: Tips for Building a Strong Brand Image in the New Media Era”. On 21 February, the workshop training “Branding Yourself: Tips for Building a Strong Brand Image in the New Media Era” took place in Alba Iulia with the coordination of the ...

Call for proposals : LIFE 2020 for Environment and Climate Action

If you are a public, private or a non-commercial organization and are committed to taking action for environment and climate change, this call is for you! AER is happy to introduce this call for proposals launched under LIFE 2020 by the European Commission. The main objective of LIFE 2020 is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value. LIFE, created in 1992, is the European funding Programme for Environment and Climate Action. The LIFE Programme is composed of two sub-programmes: environment and climate action. The sub-programme for environment covers three priority areas: LIFE Environment and Resource Efficiency LIFE Nature and Biodiversity LIFE Environmental Governance and Information The sub ...

“Learning from Lockdown: Opportunity to reflect on climate change”

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis is having an impact not only on health systems, global travel and work patterns, but also on our environment.  This week it was announced that the COP26 climate summit, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy, due to take place in Glasgow in November 2020, would need to be postponed until 2021. Holding an inclusive and ambitious COP this coming November would be impossible in light of the global challenge the world is facing at the moment.  However, efforts still need to be made. Regions have an important role to play in tackling climate change and protecting the environment. Why not take this time to reflect on how they could take action on a local level?  Cities and ...

Partner Search: Sustainable Cities

The Development Policy Foundation is seeking European partner cities to apply for the Partnership for Sustainable Cities 2020 call. The Foundation is looking for a lead partner and would be preparing the application. This call is to promote integrated urban development through partnerships built among Regional & Local Authorities of the EU Member States and of partner countries in accordance with the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. The Development Policy Foundation has preselected and been in contact with the proposed beneficiary cities: Bitung, Indonesia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitung Ternate, Indonesia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ternate Kalay, Myanmar https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalay Kandy, Sri Lanka https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandy Colombo, Sri Lanka https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombo Kairouan, Tunesia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kairouan Khorugh, Tajikistan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khorugh Manzini, Eswatini https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzini,_Eswatini This application prepared by the Development Policy Foundation will be focused on 2 lots of the call: Lot 2: Partnerships for sustainable cities in Asia and the Pacific cities (budget EUR 2-5 million), value of EU subsidies: maximum 95% of the project ...

The Benefits of Cohesion for Citizens of the European Union: Together4Cohesion’s Event in Timiș

Another important stage was achieved on the route to raise awareness of European cohesion policy and its benefits for the regions through the “European cohesion calendar for local events” of the Together4Cohesion project!  On February 25th, the Timiș County Council held the conference “The benefits of cohesion for citizens of the European Union”. The aim of the event was to inform citizens, local authorities, and stakeholders about the benefits of European cohesion policy in the Region West in Romania.  Since the accession of Romania to the European Union, cohesion policy has played a fundamental role in promoting the economic development and well-being of the Region West. According to the president of Timis County Council, Călin-Ionel DOBRA: “Our West Region directly benefited from cohesion prioritization of the EU ...

Joint Call for Twinnings: Scaling-Up Digital Health and Care Solutions

European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) and Digital Health Europe (DHE) launched a joint call for twinnings to amplify the synergies and increase the total funding amount to more than €400.000. The aim is to support scaling-up digital health and care solutions across Europe. We are aware, from also the recent COVID 19 crisis, that investments in healthcare are crucial for the wellbeing of citizens, especially ageing people. Furthermore, health expenditure is recognised as a growth-friendly expenditure since it’s a precondition of economic prosperity. Concrete Opportunities for Regions and Reference Sites to share experiences The two schemes converge on the need to exchange information and knowledge at the local level but differ in the focus, eligibility and scale ...

COVID-19: A Global Crisis That Requires a Collective Response

A message from the AER President, Magnus Berntsson on COVID-19 and AER’s current and future work. The Assembly of European Regions and its members are acutely aware of how the current pandemic, the coronavirus, is affecting all members of society, not just in Europe but around the globe. Regional and local leaders are at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic – engaging with communities to avoid the spread and coordinating health and other essential services to look after those who become infected. Although this virus is a new challenge for European regions, there are some lessons we can take from previous crises. It is only through cooperation that we can successfully battle this virus and deal with its ...

DG Regio Opportunities: Cohesion Policy

On 6 February, AER attended a conference run by DG Regio on “Engaging citizens for good governance in Cohesion Policy” The conference addressed key questions such as How can citizens and civil society contribute to good governance in EU Cohesion Policy? How do we bring Cohesion Policy closer to citizens? What are the experiences from cooperation between authorities and citizens across Europe? With Cohesion Policy now in the spotlight as a result of the newly adopted Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative , it is a good time for regions to reflect on how better to communicate cohesion policy and how to engage citizens in the process. There are a number of existing opportunities related to Cohesion Funding that DG Regio is currently ...

Global Sustainable Development Report: Is it already too late?

On Monday 23rd February representatives from AER attended a Webinar on the 2019 Global Sustainable Development Report.The webinar was organised by the UN DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs), presented by Astra Bonini and Stephanie Rambler and focused in particular on which transformation is needed to attain the sustainable development goals. As we currently are lagging far behind in progress on the Global Sustainable Development Goals, it is important to highlight the need for all cities and regions to play an active part in achieving these goals. Overview The 2019 report was a product of a group of scientists with a diverse background, nominated by UN member states and appointed by the Secretary-General. It aims to be a tool to help develop ...

CEI Extraordinary Call for Proposals re: COVID-19

The Central European Initiative (CEI) has launched a call for proposals in the field of healthcare & telemedicine, education & e-learning/distance learning and Micro, Small and Medium-Size Entreprise. The call is addressed at the 17 Member States of the CEI and with particular attention to those not part of the EU.  Due to the recent COVID-19 crisis, schools, institutions and operators are seeking alternative ways to transform the current emergency into an opportunity for fostering and disseminating innovation at educational and professional level in order to enhance experiences already in place (i.e telemedicine).  The allocation of the grant (40,000 euros maximum) will be used to address the specific needs in the 3 fields at the local level.  Total Overall Budget of the Call: ...

POSTPONED – European Youth Event 2020

The European Parliament has decided to postpone the European Youth Event 2020 following the actions taken by the French authorities in relation to events and gatherings with more than 100 people and in view of the exceptional measures taken in relation with the COVID-19 emergency. The final decision on the new date of the event will be taken in due course by Parliament and will be communicated as soon it is known and information about the impact on AER’s participation at the EYE will follow. AER is contacting the European Parliament for further clarification regarding the postponement of the event so we can address every question in a timely manner.  In the meantime, we advise the AER participants to contact their airline or travel agency to find ...

[COVID-19] Eurodyssey

Decision 13/03/2020 by the Eurodyssey Steering Committee Following a round of consultations with all the member regions of the programme, the Steering Committee has decided that: The Eurodyssey programme must suspend until further notice all the exchanges of young people across Europe to prevent and contain the spread of the Coronavirus In practice, all Eurodyssey member regions are invited to stop every sending/hosting and postpone the publication of traineeship offers within the programme.  Regarding the current Eurodyssey trainees, the Steering Committee invites the sending/hosting regions to get in touch and to decide with the young people the best way to proceed.  Eurodyssey Monitoring Group The Eurodyssey Steering Committee and AER Secretariat will monitor the situation closely by meeting every Friday morning, in order to reactivate the program as soon as the situation is ...

AER’s contribution to EYCA Seminar – Maximising Impact

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) participated in a Panel Debate entitled ‘Social inclusion and youth mobility: challenges and opportunities at municipal and regional level’ in the context of the Annual Seminar “Maximising Impact” of European Youth Card Association (EYCA) which took place in Brussels on 3-4 March 2020. This two-day discussion focused on empowerment policies for young people. The panel debate on the 3rd of March, moderated by Manel Sánchez (EYCA Director), brought together Andrés Muñoz Rojo (AER), Patricia Couti (Eurocities) and Babis Papaioannou (EYCA member organisation in Greece). Beyond Mobility The discussion kicked off with Patricia Couti’s presentation who emphasised the key role played by cities for on-the-ground implementation of social inclusion policies due to their proximity ...

Quality Education – Why It Matters?

This article was first published on Regions2030.com It is no secret for anyone, education is the key to freedom and success. Basic education, which ranges from early childhood education to primary and secondary education, paves the way for a child’s future life. Indeed, people with a low(er) level of education are more likely to live in poverty as there is a greater possibility they will struggle on the labour market. SDG 4, Quality Education, therefore aims at including all girls and boys to have access to basic education but also for them to be able to complete their schooling. SDG 4 also focuses on tertiary education, as people with a higher education degree have a greater chance to be employed, ...

Join AER’s New Taskforces!

Two new Taskforces are set for launch: Democracy, and Sustainable Mobility and Connectivity. Read below for more information on the work of these new taskforces, and find out if it might be of the interest of your region to join them! AER Taskforce on Democracy At the AER Bureau meeting, in Larnaca (CY), the Bureau members decided to establish the Taskforce on Democracy under the proposal of Örebro (SE). The establishment of this Taskforce will advocate for ensuring one of AER’s Political Priorities 2020-2025: Promoting Democracy and good governance. Human rights are at the very core of European values and AER believes that citizens’ interests must be at the centre of all decisions. They must be involved in clear ways ...

Committee 1 progress Report Spring 2020

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Regional Development and Economy gather in plenary meetings. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Spring 2019 Committees’ plenaries in Örebro, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. A year later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Örebro, planned activities were organized in 3 categories:ProjectsGood practice sharingLobbying The below progress report was compiled for the spring 2020 plenary meeting in Covasna. It gives an overview of the situation, a year after the ...

Committee 2 Progress Report Spring 2020

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health gather in plenary meetings. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Spring 2019 Committees’ plenaries in Örebro, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. A year later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Örebro, planned activities were organized in 3 categories: ProjectsGood practice sharingLobbying The below progress report was compiled for the spring 2020 plenary meeting in Covasna. It gives an overview of the situation, 1 year after ...

Committee 3 Progress Report Spring 2020

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Culture, Education, and Youth gather in plenary meetings. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Spring 2019 Committees’ plenaries in Örebro, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. A year later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Örebro, planned activities were organized in 3 categories: ProjectsGood practice sharingLobbying The below progress report was compiled for the spring 2020 plenary meeting in Covasna. It gives an overview of the situation, 1 year after the ...

ESI Funds beyond 2020 – Together4Cohesion Event in Varazdin

On 13 February 2020, AER member region Varazdin (HR) hosted an event in the context of the Together4Cohesion Project called “ESI Funds beyond 2020”. Speakers included Daniel Pejic from the Ministry of Regional Development & European Funds; Jaska Pulijz from the Institute for Development & International Relations, Michiel Rijsberman, Regional Minister from Flevoland & Chair of the AER Task Force on Cohesion Policy; and Tina Wu, Member Relations of the Assembly of European Regions. The event was attended by over 60 stakeholders from not only the public & private sectors from Varazdin county but also other regions in Croatia, Austria and Slovenia.   This very timely event coincided with debates on the future budget, taking place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Indeed, the President of the European Parliament (EP), Mr David ...

Brain Drain vs Brain Gain

AER 2020 Spring Committee Plenaries will be held in Covasna County, Romania between 10-12 March. This year the Committee 3 debate topic will focus on brain drain vs brain gain. Brain drain is the loss suffered by a region as a result of the emigration of a (highly) qualified person, while brain gain is when a country benefits as a consequence of immigration of a highly qualified person. Dramatic impacts on people and territories Brain drain has a socio-economic impact on concerned regions. Human capital flight, more commonly known as brain drain, is a problem faced by many parts of Europe. It is characterized as the emigration of highly skilled laborers to other countries. In the EU countries such as Romania, Poland, Italy, and Portugal are especially affected ...

Smart Specialisation Strategies: Enablers and Challenges in Rural Areas

AER 2020 Spring Committee Plenaries will be held in Covasna County, Romania from 11-12 March. This year the Committee 1 debate topic will focus on Smart Specialisation Strategies and its importance in rural development. The Smart specialisation approach is a combination of Industrial, innovation and educational policies that advise the countries and regions to identify and choose a restricted number of areas to prioritize for knowledge-based investments. The goal here is to focus on their strengths and comparative advantages. Smart specialisation in rural areas and the issues at stake With Europe facing global competition and fiscal austerity simultaneously, it is necessary to focus resources on creating sustainable jobs and growth. For rural regions, the necessary competitive edge can be done by finding niches ...

Wind in their Sails – A Best Practice from Regione Abruzzo

AER is pleased to share success stories from its member regions. Below is a report from Regione Abruzzo (IT) about its recent triumph as part of a European project on renewable energy. “Regione Abruzzo is strongly committed to fostering the production of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. In the region, there are 10 big wind farms, located mainly in Chieti and L’Aquila provinces, with outputs of 185.4 MW of electric power and 329.4 GWh of produced energy in 2018. Regione Abruzzo recently released the authorization for the repowering of 4 large wind power plants belonging to “Alto Vastese” wind farm, located in 3 municipalities of the Chieti province: Castiglione Messer Marino, Schiavi D’Abruzzo and Roccaspinalveti. The repowering involves ...

EU Regions Week 2020

The call is now open for regions to apply to become a partner at the European Week of Regions & Cities 2020. EU Regions Week 2020 will take place from 12 – 15 October 2020 in Brussels. The events will be divided across two main venues: The Square, Brussels Convention Centre, Mont des Arts/Kunstberg, 1000 Brussels European Committee of the Regions, Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 101, 1040 Brussels The key topics for this year are: Green Europe Cohesion and Cooperation Empowering Citizens Partner events can take the form of EU Regions Talks, Q&A sessions, Workshops, Participatory Labs, Exhibitions & Food Tastings. There is also the possibility to form a regional partnership with a minimum of 3, and a maximum of 12, regions involved. The deadline to fill in one ...

Conference on Cohesion Policy & ESIFs in Varazdin, Croatia.

Keen on learning more about the use and benefits of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs) for your region? Within the “European cohesion calendar of local events” of the Together4Cohesion project and after the popular Agricultural Fair in Alba (RO), the successful Career Management Conference in Alba (RO), the political summit of the Forum of Mayors in Csongrad (HU), the inspiring training workshop on Cohesion & Communication in Trentino (IT) and the musical festival in Varazdin (CRO), Varaždin County is organising another DG REGIO-funded event: an international conference about EU Cohesion Policy and ESIFs on 13 February 2020. The event will be a half-day event comprising an international panel to discuss the topic: ‘ESI Funds Beyond 2020’. Among others, speakers ...

Internship “European Projects Assistant” – February/March 2020 (closed)

Ready to train with the EU projects team of the largest independent network of regions in Europe? We are looking for a motivated intern (ONLY STUDENTS) to join the Project Unit at our Brussels Office, supervised by the European Projects & Private Partnerships coordinator. The placement would be for around 6 months. Your main tasks will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events and meetings at European level) Writing articles on the results of your mapping as well as on running projects and activities Liaising and networking with regional organisations and actors for project management and reporting purposes. Disseminating information about EU-wide projects and funding opportunities on social media Supporting AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups ...

Funding Opportunity to attend the World Sustainable Energy Days

The World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) is a yearly event that takes place in Wels, Upper Austria, and brings together almost 700 experts from over 50 countries. The 2020 edition is taking place from 4-6 March and will be packed with interesting conferences and workshops. The recently introduced European Green Deal includes the ambitious plan of reducing the greenhouse emissions to at least 50% by 2030 and reaching climate neutrality within the EU by 2050. To reach these objectives, decarbonization of the energy system is critical and thus energy efficiency must be prioritized. In the context of the WSED, the European Energy Efficiency Conference will be taking place. The conference will focus on achieving energy neutrality and making the energy ...

Together4Cohesion heads to Varazdin: Music & Culture

The Together for Cohesion project is on its way to Varazdin (CRO). The first local event will be the annual Gala Ball of Varaždin County on 24 January 2020. This festival will be held under the patronage of the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (HR PRES). Therefore, there will be many protocol guests from Croatian top politics and from abroad as well as more than 20 people from Austria since 73rd Wiener Kroatenball is the partner ball of this year’s Gala Ball. Programme of the event: 8:10: March by Varaždin Chamber Orchestra – historic troops enter the hall together with Croatian Army Cadets and special guests 8:20: Croatian National Anthem (Lijepa naša domovino) + EU Anthem (9th Symphony, Ode to Joy) by ...

Road to the Future Final Conference – The curtain has not yet fallen

The EU funded project “Road to the Future” came to an end when its Final Conference took place on 20-21 January 2020. Young Europeans from all over the continent gathered together with civil society organisations and representatives of the European institutions to reflect on the “I Choose Europe” electoral campaign implemented in the run-up to May 2019.  The two-day conference aimed to analyse the objectives, the activities implemented and the results achieved over the past months, while at the same time, it was an occasion for the participants to discuss the role of young people and civil society in shaping Europe’s future, going beyond the 2019 European elections.  Share, Coexist & Learn from Each Other The Assembly of European Regions (AER), as a ...

Territorial approaches to Regional Development

The main focus of the AER 2020 Spring Committee Plenaries in Covasna County (RO) between 10-12 March will be territorial approaches. Urban-rural divides within regions will be in the spotlight. While the Autumn 2019 plenaries “Territorial cohesion and Contrasted Realities” looked at how regions address territorial differences, this spring’s plenary will take stock of the situation in Europe. How to bridge the gap between theories on place-based policies and the actual implementation of effective and participative policies? Members will in particular discuss the state of play of smart specialisation strategies in Europe, health innovation and wellbeing, as well as brain drain vs brain gain. Why do territorial approaches matter? A territorial approach focuses on the specific characteristics of a region. While this ...

Cultural heritage: Join Gävleborg for a Creative Europe project!

The objective: extraordinary experiences via digital   We want to explore new ways to disseminate European world heritage through innovative digital technology. Our goal is to create extraordinary experiences for the public, and to solve key challenges for the participating World Heritage Sites.  Placed-based approaches, exchanges & explorations With central issues in the dissemination work as a starting point, we will create workshops with broad interdisciplinary and European participation tailored to each world heritage site. The workshops will work on how to meet the challenges the individual place has with the combination of creative eagerness and new technology. We will follow up with experiments and exploration of some of the suggestions.  What kind of “innovative digital technology”? With innovative technology, we ...

Join the INFORM network on communication & cohesion policy

The “Together for Cohesion” is moving forward. The project is mainly built on a communication campaign on cohesion policy based on a bottom-up approach that aims to reach two main objectives:1) to raise awareness about the importance of programmes, projects, and services funded by the cohesion policy funds in terms of benefits on citizens’ life; and 2) to encourage the participation of citizens and stakeholders on cohesion policy to turn them in active players in the regional and national dialogue on cohesion policy.  In relation to this project, DG REGIO is leading the “INFORM” network – an EU-wide platform of communication experts dealing with communication on Regional Development Funding Programmes and Cohesion Fund investments in the Member States. Its main objectives are: To ensure the ...

Spend your Eurodyssey Traineeship at AER!

AER has a vacancy for a Eurodyssey Trainee to join our team in Brussels as a Programmes & Communications Assistant. The role is perfect for an outgoing young person who is engaged in youth activism & interested in honing the communications skills. Eligible trainees should be resident in one of the Eurodyssey member regions. Description of tasks to be undertaken by the trainee(s) 1) Support the work of AER Programmes coordinator in the field of youth policies. Supervise and update the statutory quality standards of the AER programmes: Eurodyssey, Summer Academy and the Youth Regional Network (YRN). Support the organisation of AER’s contribution to the European Youth Event 2020. Contribute to building up AER programmes’ membership: updating contact lists, retaining and activating members, ...

Basque Country Initiative on Integration of Migrants and Refugees

On 4 December 2019, the Assembly of European Regions participated actively in a seminar organized by the Basque country (ES) on the reception and integration of migrants and refugees, in Brussels. Indeed, AER work closely with our member regions by sharing knowledge and good practices on the topic. The purpose of the Basque country seminar was to present an initiative called “SHARE” about the principles of solidarity and co-responsibility in the reception, distribution and integration of migrants and refugees across the European regions. An update on the proposal for a new European Pact on Migration and Asylum (DG HOME, European Commission) was also provided. What is the Basque Country proposal about? SHARE proposal is led by the Basque Government with the support of ...

#COP25: The Way Forward

This years’ edition of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP) has failed to meet expectations – it is now time to work towards a successful COP26. AER President Magnus Berntsson was present at the COP25 in Madrid during the last week of the conference. AER was accredited observer status to this years’ conference following the networks increased work connected to climate and environment issues. During his stay in Madrid, the AER president met with several EU representatives, including the European Commission Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans. The European Green Deal is seen as a central component to EU’s ambitions of becoming a climate-neutral continent by 2050.  Magnus Berntsson also met with Ditte Juul Jørgensen, ...

A European Folk Festival

Varaždin County is organising an international folk festival on 25-29 June 2020. This event will feature 10 ensembles from 10 countries for 5 days of festivities. The idea of this international festival arose after the Spring 2019 Plenaries in Örebro (SE). Members of Committee 3 developped their workprogramme and decided to work on making culture accessible to all and specifically to youth. This European folk festival aims to contribute to safeguarding intangible cultural heritage by bringing together folk ensembles from all over wider Europe. It will include folklore workshops for children as well as a symposium on traditional culture in education. The objective is to get the festival to become a part of CIOFF®, the International Council of Organisations of Folklore Festivals ...

AER’s take on the EU Green Deal

The latest ‘Europe’s State of the Environment 2020’ report, which was launched by the European Environment Agency earlier this month, states that Europe is facing environmental challenges of unprecedented scale and urgency. This report underlines that Europe will not achieve its 2030 goals without urgent action over the next 10 years to address the alarming rate of biodiversity loss, the increasing impacts of climate change and the overconsumption of natural resources. In the light of such challenges of major importance, the Assembly of European Regions welcomes the launch of the European Green Deal by the European Commission, which now needs to be approved by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. The European Green Deal provides a roadmap ...

Internship: Member Relations

Member Relations Assistant (Trainee Contract – up to 6 months) – for STUDENTS ONLY We are looking for a motivated student to join the AER Team at our Brussels Office to support our member relations coordinator. The internship period will be for up to six months, preferably starting February 2020. Some of your main tasks will include: Work closely and support the member relations coordinator Keep our CRM (customer relationship management) system and other membership database up to date Provide support in updating members about AER’s member activities, projects and campaigns Research on European regions’ priorities and needs Come up with innovative ways of keeping in touch with our members and growing our impact This is the place for you if: You are interested in gaining experience in a European Association in a ...

Action Required to Safeguard Cohesion Policy!

Cohesion policy is the main European investment policy to reduce territorial disparities and deliver a fairer Europe.  It is important that an instrument such as this is appreciated and protected. It cannot be taken for granted. Cohesion Policy is now at the risk of being significantly reduced from the next Multiannual Financial Framework that the EU is negotiating for the upcoming 7 years. Therefore, AER, in order to endeavour our priority towards achieving a strengthened Cohesion policy, has signed a letter, in which all the members from #CohesionAlliance express their concern to the President of the European Council, Mr Charles Michel, and the Heads of States and Governments from the EU Member States. Following some worrying suggestions by the Finnish ...

Road-to-the-Future final project conference on youth and democracy!

After a good number of training workshops, advocacy activities at national and local level, an inspiring bus tour and many other successful lobby actions aimed to encourage youth participation and democratic engagement towards the 2019 European elections and beyond, the Road-to-the-Future / European Youth Together project is coming to an end. The “I Choose Europe” campaign has been led by civil society organizations, aiming to strengthen young people’s public participation before and after the European Elections 2019. Before May 2019, Les Jeunes Européens fédéralistes (JEF, project leader) and partners organized debates and public events intended to raise awareness of the European Elections and send a clear message to current and future decision-makers that young people’s voices matter. With the new Commission just ...

2019 Autumn Bureau Meeting in Brussels

The Autumn edition of the twice-annual AER Bureau Meeting took place in Brussels on 5 December 2019, hosted by the Brussels Capital Region. The Bureau is the primary political voice of AER. It engages in issues of a pan-European and global nature emanating from members and establishes the political base for AER’s advocacy work. Political Priorities 2020-2025 The Bureau members had a full agenda with the adoption of the AER Political Priorities 2020-2025 up for discussion and debate. The new political priorities will be put to a vote at the June 2020 AER General Assembly, and if adopted, will be in effect until June 2025. If you would like to learn more about the Political Priorities adoption process, see our latest article ...

Bureau signs off on Political Priorities 2020-2025

During the Autumn 2019 Bureau Meeting that took place on 5 December in Brussels (BE), Bureau members adopted AER Political Priorities for the upcoming 5 years (2020-2025). https://twitter.com/europeanregions/status/1202519812536225792?s=20 AER Political Priorities 2020-2025 were drafted by the appointed Taskforce from the Spring 2019 Bureau Meeting and identified the challenges that AER should address over the next five years. Among the priorities established in the position paper can be found: Ensuring good governance. Promoting decentralisation and subsidiarity. Respecting and protecting social cohesion and cultural diversity, as well as strengthening intercultural dialogue. Advocating for a stronger cohesion policy that ensures an enhances interregional cooperation. Reaffirming regional commitment towards reaching the pre-established goals in the Agenda 2030. Fostering a society that is based on the promotion and protection of equality. Read the ...

Debating the Role of Regions in the Digital Era

During the AER Bureau Meeting which took place in Brussels on 5 December 2019, the AER Taskforce on Digitalisation hosted a panel debate on Regions in the Digital Era at the BIP – the House of the Capital Region. The event was organised under the leadership of the Taskforce Chair, the Region of Lower Austria. The shift towards an information society has profoundly changed our way of living and thinking. Information society, with the help of ICT, offers great opportunities to local and regional authorities to enhance the democratic participation of citizens and increasing the quality and efficiency of public services and local administration. Likewise, regions plan and pursue their own digital strategies in order to enhance economic growth and to promote their citizens’ ...

Glocalising the SDGs – Moving Together in the Right Direction

The AER Taskforce on the SDGs organised a Panel Debate entitled ‘Glocalising the Sustainable Development Goals’ in the context of the AER Autumn Bureau Meeting which took place in Brussels on 5 December 2019. The debate was moderated by AER President Magnus Berntsson, who was joined by experts from the UNDP, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, and the European Economic and Social Committee. More than Climate Action The discussion kicked off with a question to the audience, asking them to reflect on what first comes to mind when they hear the phrase “Sustainable Development Goals”. The words that emerged immediately were ‘Future, Social, Climate, Environment, but the uniformity of responses did not surprise our guests. Maria Nikolopoulou – Member of the ...

Economy 4.0: Shaping a Shared Future

The annual mutual learning event hosted by AER, the Brussels Capital Region and the Government of Catalonia took place on 4 December 2019 in Brussels. The theme of the event was “Economy 4.0: shaping a future that works for everybody“. This was the fourth edition of this unique conference format. The day kicked off with an opening address and welcome by the hosts, Jean Luc Vanraes, AER Vice President for Cooperation & Strategic partnerships, Brussels Capital Region and Lluís Juncà, General Director for Economic Promotion, Competence and Regulation, Generalitat de Catalunya. Fabrizia Benini, Head of Unit, Digital Economy and Skills, DG CONNECT, European Commission then gave the European Commission’s view on the Economy 4.0 and pointed out some shocking ...

AER at Smart City Expo World Congress 2019

From 19 to 21 November, AER took part in the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona (Spain). The 9th edition of the largest international event dedicated to smart urban solutions provided a great opportunity to all levels of governments, companies and various stakeholders to learn about sustainable cities and share their solutions for a smarter future. Global Debate Starting at the Local Level This year’s edition gathered 24,399 visitors who had the chance to explore 3 areas of the SCEWC: Congress, Expo and Side Events & Activities. The Congress Area focussed on 5 themes dedicated to the most critical issues faced by cities today: Digital Transformation, Urban Environment, Mobility, Governance & Finance, Inclusive & Sharing Cities. Most of the topics ...

European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) 2021 – Call Now Open!

The successful European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) scheme, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, has been modernised and renewed for upcoming five years. https://youtu.be/uIRoE6gO_js Each of the annual calls for applications between 2021 and 2025 will have a lead theme, which is linked with the EU policy agenda and relevant to regional and local level. The EER 2021 label will be dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship for a green and sustainable future and will be open for applications from EU regions and cities until 31 March 2020. The EER label is awarded by the European Committee of the Regions each year to up to 3 cities or regions with outstanding, future-oriented strategies to support SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups. Becoming a European Entrepreneurial Region gives ...

Tool released to aid search for town twinning

Are you interested in town twinning or finding a sister-city? The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate for EU Affairs has released a town twinning tool, which can help you find the best match for you. This tool was developed in close collaboration with the Union of Municipalities of Turkey. Why town twinning?   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IgzzmjXF3o&t=4s The purpose of town twinning is to bring cities and communities closer to each other on a long term basis. It is a democratic and participatory approach to bring different communities closer on basis of common values and principles. The twin cities seek to facilitate joint solution of common problems, enabling the more efficient and effective utilization of resources through experience-sharing. The end goal is to increase the level of satisfaction of citizens, raise living standards and contribute ...

AER selected for the European Youth Event 2020! Apply now!

We are eager to announce that the European Parliament has granted AER to participate in the European Youth Event 2020 in Strasbourg! (Keep reading to join us in this exciting adventure…) What is EYE2020? From 29 to 30 May 2020, the European Youth Event will bring thousands of young people coming from all over Europe to Strasbourg (FR). The event is aimed to make young people active agents of change in the European democratic life rather than passive beneficiaries, by engaging in debates, workshops, hearings and digital activities on a very diversified range of topics. All the activities are co-created with partners, youth organisations and the participants. The EYE2020 is the perfect opportunity for youth to share their thoughts, concerns, hopes and meet ...

“Massively thought-provoking” – AMiD project Final Conference

Massively thought-provoking… That was the first reaction of one of the participants to the conference. The final conference of AMiD project. Why provoking? Because the topic is pretty new. And because it matters. Because as panellists and participants, there were representatives from the local authorities, disabilities organisations, service providers and international institutions. Because migration is not a problem, but a reality. Not just a conference… Gathering together this variety of participants had a purpose: to help them work together to shape recommendations. Just as in the project, it was a variety of organisations from different backgrounds that AMiD happen. So first came a round of panellists to open up the debate: diversity, data and evidence, a common European framework of welcomes, all ...

Internship Vacancy: Events & SDGs

Events Assistant (Trainee Contract – 6 months) Special Project: SDG Event 2020 We are looking for a motivated student to join the AER Team at our Brussels Office for six months from February 2020. Working closely with the AER Events Coordinator and Institutional Relations Officer, your main task will be to: Contribute to the overall successful running of AER Committee Plenaries (March 2020) and the AER General Assembly, Bureau and, in particular, the SDG Conference “Agenda 2030” (June 2020)  About the Conference “Agenda 2030: Transforming Regions, Changing the World”  “Entering the year 2020, we will see a comprehensive review of the Sustainable Development Goals making this a year of symbolic importance to the global agenda.  This conference, jointly organised by AER, UCLG, the Global Taskforce, Regions4, ...

AER mutual learning event: it’s all about the Economy 4.0!

This year’s mutual learning event, a cooperation between AER, Brussels Capital and Catalonia on 4 December 2019, will be on the Economy 4.0. The Economy 4.0 is a new era of productive, industrial and economic development with deep implications on sectors as diverse as education, culture, health, agriculture, industrial production and work in general. The complexity of the societal challenges arising from this transformation makes it all the more important to use collective intelligence and diverse perspectives to shape the future. Let’s plan the future together! The goal of this Economy 4.0 event is to think and shape the future together. Things do not happen by accident, they happen by design. Major societal challenges, therefore, call for the engagement of all ...

AER to host event on digital transformation in healthcare at Smart City Expo

The Smart City Expo World Congress will be taking place from 19-21 November in Barcelona. This congress will bring together public, private, regional and national actors together in a 3 day conference over topics such as smart mobility, urban environment, governance & finance, inclusive & sharing cities and digital transformation. The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is hosting a event on 19 November in the South Agora from 10-11:15 about Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Regional Perspective for Integrated Care What exactly is Integrated Care? The use of technological and digital tools is being integrated in all levels of society. This digital transformation has rapidly changed the landscape we live in and has shifted to a consumer focus paradigm. The healthcare sector is no exception. Using technological ...

AER President stresses the importance of regional authorities during Strategov Forum

The President of the Assembly of European Regions, Mr Magnus Berntsson, recently participated in the 18th Strategic Planning Leaders Forum of Regions & Cities of Russia (Strategov Forum) that took place in St Petersburg from 28-29 October. The forum focused on topics such as international & interregional cooperation, digital economy, green technology and sustainable development. Mr Berntsson took part in the welcome and two roundtables, one dedicated to International Cooperation for Regional Development and the second on International and Cross Border Intermunicipal Cooperation. During the Strategov Forum, Mr Berntsson stressed the importance of regions and cities as being instrumental in bringing about the 2030 Agenda and its sustainable development goals. This involvement of the subnational level is of utmost importance if we are to bring about this societal ...

Moving forward with Together4Cohesion: Career Management Conference in Alba (RO)

The European Cohesion Calendar of the Together4Cohesion project is making progress. The seventh edition of the Career Management Conference will be held on 20-22 November 2019, at the University “December 1, 1918” in Alba Iulia, in Romania. Indeed, this will be the largest annual event for personal and career development, held within the UAB, a conference organised by the Center of Career Information, Counseling and Guidance (CICOC-UAB). Alba Iulia is a public university founded in 1991. This edition will receive the support of Alba County Council partners such as the Alba Iulia City Hall, Alba Community Foundation, Alba County Employment Agency, as well as support from the National Council for Financing Higher Education. Especially, this year the event will count upon ...

Eurobarometer: What do we know about Cohesion Policy?

The results of the flash Eurobarometer 480 on “Citizens’ awareness and perception of regional policy” were published on 7 October, just in time for the European Week of Regions & Cities.  The flash survey was carried out on a sample of 700 -1000 respondents in each EU Member State in June 2019. 4 in 10 European citizens are aware of projects funded by cohesion policy.  Awareness of EU-funded projects has increased significantly since over the last three years. There could be many explanations for this, including an increased effort by the European institutions to communicate about cohesion policy, the 2019 European elections, or potentially even the ongoing Brexit process drawing attention to the merits of EU membership.  The increased awareness of cohesion policy is especially noteworthy in ...

Intercultural Regions Network set for launch!

European regions have agreed to establish an Intercultural Regions Network to better work together to develop comprehensive intercultural strategies to manage diversity and migration.  The initiative was presented by the Assembly of European Regions and the Government of Catalonia on 5 November at a meeting held at the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the EU in Brussels, to a gathering of network partners including representatives from European regions, the Council of Europe, the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions.  Europe is becoming more diverse. The key to fostering inclusion is adopting an intercultural approach based on strong coordination among all levels of government and other relevant stakeholders.  Inspired by the Intercultural Cities Programme (ICC) of the Council of Europe, the Intercultural Regions Network aims to provide a platform ...

The Role of Culture in Non-Urban Areas

The role of culture and social infrastructure in rural areas was discussed at the AER autumn plenaries in Podčetrtek. Indeed building on existing social infrastructure to develop cultural and economic activities is an essential element to increase territorial cohesion and citizens participation A changing paradigm The development of cultural activities has long been focused on major cities. This however was ignoring that a large proportion of the population lives in rural areas, towns, and suburbs. Only 40.4% of the population as per the EUROSTAT data hails in urban areas. The logic which prevailed was that people living in urban areas would go to cities to enjoy culture. Even initiatives aimed at bringing culture to smaller cities often resulted to importing a ready-made product ...

EU Disability Strategy 2010-2020: Are We on Target?

The European Commission is evaluating the European Disability 2010-2020 strategy‘s implementation. This strategy is the EU’s main policy in the disability sector. It sets out the objectives and actions for implementing disability policy at the EU level. Public consultation: your feedback is precious! One part of the ongoing evaluation is an online open public consultation that aims to collect feedback and views of citizens, institutions and organizations and other stakeholders across Europe. The wider participation in this online survey, the better. This will highlight the interest of citizens and organizations for disability policies. This consultation will be open until 13 November 2019 NB: The online consultation is available in all the national languages of the European Union. To access your language version, click on “English” at the top of ...

DG Regio Cohesion Policy: 3rd call for projects

Support information measures relating to the EU cohesion policy continues to be high topic for the European Commission, which launched the 3rd call for projects aimed to co-finance activities in this direction. This is, in fact, the continuation of a precious work under the umbrella of DG Regio that started in 2017 with the 1st call on the same topic, than relaunched with the 2nd call in 2018 and again in 2019 with the 3rd call. So far a total of 44 projects have been funded across Europe (19 within the 1st call and 25 within the 2nd call) including the project Together for Cohesion led by AER together with the media agency mc Group and the 6 AER flagship regions ...

Together for Cohesion project goes to the Council of Europe!

The Together for Cohesion project has been represented at the 37th session of the Local and Regional Authorities Congress, led by the Council of Europe and held in Strasbourg on 28-31 October 2019. At our dedicated stand, project representatives promoted and advertised the project mission and activities to the interested participants attending the congress. Thanks to this event, the project information reached out to many different stakeholders from all over Europe, mostly regional and local civil servants, governmental representatives, politicians and NGOs. Indeed, more than 300 participants took part in the congress and had the opportunity to get insights and Marketing materials from our project, either for information purposes or for getting somehow involved in the project activities. The project’s mission is now in the phase of being spread and disseminated all ...

Eurodyssey Assembly 2019

The Eurodyssey Assembly took place as part of the annual Eurodyssey Forum on 24 October 2019 in Cagliari, Sardinia (IT). The event brought together more than fifty representatives both from Eurodyssey regions and outside the programme to discuss the functioning of the programme, to share experiences and best practices and to explore future initiatives for Europe’s only regional youth mobility scheme. Youth Mobility The conference opened with two discussions on youth mobility, looking at both aspects of personal and professional development for young people as well as how youth mobility has a positive impact on regional development. You can read more on the topic of youth mobility in this article. How the Programme is Managed Elections of the Eurodyssey Steering Committee Every two years, ...

Youth Mobility at the fore during the 2019 Eurodyssey Forum in Sardinia

The experience of living in another country impacts a young person’s personal and professional development, increases independence and responsibility, helps improve knowledge of foreign languages and develops other valuable social skills and professional competences. Youth mobility can also indirectly contribute to dismantling certain prejudices or social constructs in times of political disaffection, radicalisation and economic recession across Europe. Most importantly, mobility is how young people develop a new viewpoint about their own reality, systems and culture. As a result of this mobility, and by gaining varied learning experiences, young people increase their chances for employment and in this way influence their own position in the labour market. The Eurodyssey Forum, a yearly event gathering representatives of all the regions that ...

AER advocates for reinforced Cohesion Budget during EP Plenary Week

Last week, an AER delegation led by President Magnus Berntsson met a large number of Members of the European Parliament, including the Chair of the REGI Committee, to discuss the future of Cohesion Policy and the upcoming EU Budget for 2021-2027. After the worrying working paper by the Finnish Council Presidency proposing further cuts to those already put forward by the European Commission for the 2021-2027 EU budget, AER was reassured to see a consensus among the REGI committee members who all described the Finnish proposal as “unacceptable”. A similar unanimity was agreed on: keeping cohesion policy accessible to every region the necessity to ensure a strengthened partnership principle in future cohesion policy to guarantee that local and regional governments are involved in ...

Competition “INTEGRATION THROUGH YOUR LENS”

Calling all budding photographers! The European Committee of the Regions, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and the Assembly of European Regions are organising a photo exhibition and contest on the topic of integration of migrants and refugees in Europe. Selected pictures will be displayed at the conference “GO LOCAL: SUPPORTING REGIONS, CITIES AND RURAL AREAS IN MIGRANTS’ INCLUSION” and on the premises of the European Committee of the Regions. If you’re interested in participating, you can find more information here. Please submit up to 2 photographs per entrant (accompanied by a caption of up to 80 words) to: [email protected] (cc-ed to [email protected]) by 31 October 2019 (midnight). The deadline has been extended until 7 November 2019. Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Regions in the Digital Era

The Assembly of European Regions will host a debate focused on the topic of Digitalisation on the 5th of December from 16.15h to 17.45h in Brussels. The 21st century has become the digital revolution era and the European Institutions are responsible for ensuring that this digitalisation is managed in a way that serves the interests of citizens in all EU member states. The European Commission has been supporting regions to adapt to the digital transformation; for instance, last year they presented some instruments and measures to bring artificial intelligence to European citizens, to boost innovation in the Digital Single Market, and to develop further initiatives to increase public and private investments in this field, which consequently boosts innovation in the ...

AER Debate on Glocalising the Sustainable Development Goals

The AER debate on Glocalising the Sustainable Development Goals will take place in Brussels on 5 December from 14.30-16.00. As we approach the decade of delivery of the 2030 Agenda, including a comprehensive review of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the European Union (EU) debates how it can follow up on its commitments by 2030, this panel debate will reflect on the contribution of local and regional authorities to the 2030 Agenda and invite views on how we can more effectively localise its goals. Local and regional authorities are at the forefront of development. Their role in realising the 2030 Agenda has been increasingly acknowledged. However, much more needs to be done to meaningfully engage them in the implementation, ...

Regional Parliaments: host a debate on the future of Europe

Regions shape Europe and, considering their proximity to citizens, regional governments are crucial actors for the achievement of effective democracy and good governance. In this context, a consortium of universities is looking for EU member regions willing to participate in a project focused at showcasing the role of regional parliaments in European democracy and at gathering their input in the future of Europe debate. What is REGIOPARL? REGIOPARL is a cooperation of researchers located at the Danube University Krems (Austria) and the European Democracy Lab in Berlin (Germany). This project brings together regional political actors with the aim to contribute actively to the ongoing debate on the future of Europe.  What does REGIOPARL do? REGIOPARL organises workshops with members of regional parliaments and assemblies in ...

European Week of Regions and Cities – Regions have much to say

From 7 to 10 October, AER attended the annual European Week of Regions and Cities organised by the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). The purpose of this four-day event is to bring local, regional, national and EU representatives interested in regional and urban policy from all over Europe together and give them the opportunity to exchange good practices and share their experiences. Every year, the different workshops follow a series of red threads related to the current European situation. This year the three main topics were: “A Greener Europe”, “A Europe Closer to Citizens” and “The Future of the EU and the roles of the Regions and Cities”. In ...

AER to represent SCIROCCO Exchange project consortium in the European Parliament Healthcare Conference

On 9 October 2019, nine EU umbrella health organisations held a debate: ”EU 2019-2024: Health Champions Wanted” on the health policy challenges for the European Union in the coming years. The goal of the event was to raise awareness on the main public health priorities including universal access to high quality and sustainable healthcare, disease prevention, the fight against cross-border healthcare threats and health inequities, as well as a continued supply of medicines for EU citizens. Indeed, these challenges require urgent EU action and appropriate budgets. More in particular… “When we wish people something good for their anniversary or for the New Year, we always say that health is the most important. That is why politics at all levels should ...

National insights. AMiD closer look at everyday situation of migrant with disabilities

AMiD project looks at the topic of migrant with disabilities under different angles. The very starting point of the journey was getting the picture of the different situation of migrants and refugees with disabilities in some EU member countries. Mostly, the ones on the front line to the welcome. Greece, Austria and Italy were part of the study. Finland played the role of reallocation countries. Findings and information gave the fuel to activities and the setting of the NAT-Need Assessment Tool. Knowing and understanding gaps and challenges in the existing disability sector and the services available to the migrants with disabilities were one of the basic cornerstones of the project. The report, as it is The report is the result of contributions collected in different ways and from different ...

REGIONerating Europe

As part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, AER hosted an event entitled “REGIONerating Europe” focusing on the role regions can play in regenerating the European Project as well as how citizens in the regions of Europe benefit from EU membership through Cohesion Policy, structural and development funds. The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual four-day event during which cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance. The timing of this event was particularly pertinent given that new European Parliament has recently been elected and a new Commission is currently being formed. The goal ...

Are you an expert on youth policy? The International Youth Forum Dialogue needs you!

Our member region in Georgia, Adjara, is organizing an International Youth Forum Dialogue from 15-19 November in Batumi. This forum aims to create a platform for youth dialogue, to promote effective communication among young people from various countries, to jointly address the challenges connected to youth and exchange on existing youth policies. The forum will bring together 50 representatives from 20 countries between the age of 18 and 29 who have a background and expertise in youth policy. The dialogue will take place in English and the LEPL Youth Regional Center will cover all costs (accommodation, local transportation, meals and other related costs) during the stay except flight tickets. There will be many interesting discussions during this week including: Georgian practice ...

Interested in promoting photovoltaic irrigation? Join this H2020 project!

The University of Vigo (ES) is developing a new project (SolAqua) in the framework of Horizon 2020 – call LC-SC3-RES-28-2019 of the Work Programme “Secure, clean and efficient energy” – aimed to promote the use of solar energy in irrigated farming, both in Europe and beyond. Before reaching that goal, a number of problems need to be addressed: there is a large deficit in knowledge over the technology and there is also a lack of tailored business models for the use of photovoltaic systems (PVI) as well as dedicated financial and policy instruments. To this extent, it is required the identification and diffusion of best practices, environmental impact methodologies, business models and public and private financing instruments suited to PVI. SolAqua aims to ...

Global Challenges, Local Actions

Approaching the end of this decade, it is clear that climate change is becoming an increasingly pressing issue worldwide. Local and regional involvement is required to stimulate an effective bottom-up transformation, bearing in mind that the focus must always be on people and the planet.  As a member of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments (LRGs), AER’s commitment to strengthen local and regional authorities action toward the successful localisation of the Goals by can have a strategic role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  We are approaching the implementation decade, therefore accelerated measures are needed as a response to the climate emergency that we are currently facing: the next 10 years will be our last wind of opportunity.  In the ...

#EPhearings – Our Candidate for Cohesion?

This afternoon, the European Parliament hearing for Portugal’s Commissioner candidate Elisa Ferreira will take place in Brussels. The proposed portfolio for Ms. Ferreira is “Cohesion and Reforms”. Read the ‘Mission Letter’ from Commission President Von der Leyen here. As the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe, AER will follow with great interest the discussion between Ms. Ferreira and MEPs to ascertain her suitability for this role. MEPs will be asked to assess the “general competence”, “European commitment and personal independence”, as well as the “knowledge of their prospective portfolio and communication skills” of each Commissioner-designate. The appointment of a Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms comes at an important juncture for the European Union. The overarching aim of ...

European Solidarity Corps 4 Youth – Let’s Invest in Europe’s Youth

Youth unemployment is one of the main concerns of younger generations and it is indeed one of the main priorities for AER. As such, the European Solidarity Corps 4 Youth, which is part of the European Solidarity Corps, was created as a project co-funded by the European Union to match potential employers and interested candidates looking for first work experience. What is ESC4Y? The project ‘’European Solidarity Corps for Youth – ESC4Y” offers young Europeans (aged between 18 and 30 years) the opportunity to work for a period varying from 2 to 12 months in an environment with a solidarity dimension. The work placements can be in form of a job, a traineeship, or an apprenticeship. The aim of this initiative is to build a ...

Takeaways of AER-YRN’s activities at the 20th University on Youth and Development

From 15 to 19 September, the Youth Regional Network of the Assembly of European Regions (AER-YRN) celebrated its Autumn Plenaries for the first time in the framework of the 20th University of Youth and Development (UYD) of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe. 23 young participants from 13 different countries representing the AER-YRN at the 20th UYD actively engaged in workshop debates, committees’ work and joint thematic activities themed around the UYD’s 2019 annual focus on “Youth, Justice & Strong Institutions” related to SDG 16. Advocacy on SDGs and innovative approaches to youth participation In the morning of the 16th, the first workshop debate Glocal Youth Advocating for SDGs began with the participation of Benjamin Günther, board member of ...

Elections at the Autumn Committee Plenaries

During the AER Autumn Committee Plenaries in Podčetrtek, Slovenia, elections took place to fill a number of vacancies. The following individuals were successfully elected by the respective committees: Committee 1 Vice President for Rural Development, Energy & Environment Mr. Nicola Campitelli, Abruzzo, (IT) Female Representative for Equal Opportunities Jessika Ulander, Västernorrland (SE) Committee 2 Male Representative for Equal Opportunities Erik Ringnes, Hedmark (NO) AER congratulates Nicola, Jessika and Erik on their election and looks forward to collaborating and engaging together on a wide range of topics in the near future. The election committee, chaired by Monica Gundahl (Värmland, SE), is in charge of running the election process and answering any question you may have. Your contact person is Ulla Höglund: [email protected].

Successful ‘Together4Cohesion project information desk’ at the AER committee’s plenaries in Podčetrtek (SI)

On 25 September 2019, at the committees’ plenaries in Podcetrtek in Slovenia, an information desk (stand) was organised to present and disseminate the Together 4 Cohesion project activities. In particular, participants had the opportunity to exchange insights about EU cohesion and structural funds from their point of view. Participants received a showcase on how to use the project website, how to handle the online database of good practices on communication campaigns and how to contribute to the so-called “European cohesion calendar of local events”. Flagship regions Trentino (IT), Varazdin (CRO), Catalunya (ES) and Timis (RO) had the opportunity to meet each other and to discuss and clarify aspects linked to the organisation and implementation of their corresponding regional events and activities. Participants ...

Make this Week Last All Your Life – AER-YRN at the 20th UYD

From 15 until 19 September, 23 participants from 13 different countries represented the AER – Youth Regional Network (YRN) at the 20th University on Youth and Development (UYD) of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in Mollina, Málaga (Spain). The UYD network provides a unique space for youth empowerment, offers non-formal education capacity building activities and endorses policies, mechanisms and tools for youth development, in order to increase the recognition of youth as agents for positive change.  In this context, AER – YRN celebrated its Autumn Committee Plenaries themed around the UYD’s 2019 annual focus “Youth & Justice”. AER-YRN Opening the 20th University on Youth and Development On Monday 16 September, the 20th UYD officially kicked off with the ...

Good Governance at the AER Autumn Plenaries

At the initiative of Ms Nina Björby, AER Vice President for Democracy and Ms Iren Lejegren, AER chair of the Task Force on Democracy, AER and the Centre of Expertise for Good Governance (Council of Europe/CoE) organised an exchange of views at the AER Autumn Committee plenaries on 25 September 2019. Ms Alina Tatarenko, Head of the Centre of Expertise exposed the 12 principles for a Good Democratic Governance at local and regional level, designed by the Council of Europe. The AER committees agreed to both promote these principles but also to promote the CoE label of governance excellence among its members. Several regions have already on the spot expressed interest in obtaining this label. Good governance is wide ranging and an everyday challenge. ...

Plenaries in Podčetrtek

The Autumn Committee Plenaries of the Assembly of European Regions took place on 24-26 September 2019, in Podčetrtek, Slovenia. The three thematic committees (Economy & Regional Development, Social Policy & Public Health, and Culture, Education and Youth) are at the heart of AER’s work on territorial innovation, policy learning and interregional cooperation. The Committees are a lab for innovation, a trusted space where policymakers interact with peers from all over wider Europe. It is the place where knowledge and experience exchange happens and where new forms of collaboration are shaped. Olimje Monastery On Tuesday 24 September, the event kicked off with a study tour of the Eastern Slovenia cohesion region. The tour, a highlight for many participants, included a visit to the Olimje ...

European Biodiversity: Protecting Primary Forests

In the context of the AER Autumn Committee Plenaries on 26 September, the AER Working Group on Rural Development hosted a Breakfast Debate on European Biodiversity: Protecting Primary Forests. Bringing together elected representatives and civil servants from across the regions of Europe, the breakfast briefing was an opportunity to decide on joint action in Europe for the protection of primary forests. Primary forests have high conservation value but are rare in Europe due to historic land use. Primary forests are biodiversity-rich and provide essential ecosystem services. Even if the majority (89%) of the primary forest is mapped as in protected areas, much of it is not strictly protected in practice. Wide patches of primary forest are being currently logged in many ...

Contrasted Regional Realities: The Need for Cohesion

On Tuesday 24 September at the AER Autumn Committee Plenaries in Podčetrtek, Slovenia, approximately one hundred elected representatives and civil servants came together to discuss regional realities of cohesion across the European continent. Not only can disparities within regions hamper sustainable regional development, but they also generate tensions and tough decisions between, for instance, innovation, on the one hand, and equal provision of services, on the other. Using a framework derived from the Sustainable Development Goals, the conference examined the situation using GOAL 3 (Good Health and Well-being), GOAL 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), GOAL 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and GOAL 10 (Reducing inequality within and among countries) as indicators of equalities and inequalities in the regions of Europe. Speaking ...

An Injection of Reality at AER Breakfast Seminar on Digital and Healthcare Innovation

Innovating is always an ambitious goal but there is much to be learned from one another. The Breakfast Seminar on “Innovation in Healthcare Design – what have we learned?” is a perfect example of mutual learning. On Tuesday 10 September, AER hosted an insightful seminar organised in partnership with its members, Region Värmland (SE) and the Scottish Government TEC and Digital Healthcare Innovation Division.   The breakfast seminar was an opportunity to highlight a European perspective on digital healthcare innovation and subsequently, look more specifically at the Swedish and Scottish experiences. The seminar gave all participants the opportunity to discuss this relevant and ever-present issue and to interact with regions who have already made strides in digital transformation. A nutritious Nordic ...

Is Education Today Fit for the Future?

The AER Subcommittee on Education is organising a workshop during the AER Autumn Committee Plenaries. It will take place on Thursday the 26th of September, from 11.30 to 12.30 am and it will be about the future of education in an ever-changing professional life. A changing environment Economic, environmental, social, and technological developments are reshaping the future of education. Updating teaching materials to keep them relevant for students is no longer enough, and a whole new approach to education might be necessary.Fast and technology-driven change is today’s reality and according to the OECD, the future will be characterised by new opportunities, as well as by new uncertainties. This represents a critical challenge for educators. With the current pace of innovation and shorter innovation cycles, ...

European Youth Foundation Open Calls!

Youth engagement at European level is very high in the AER agenda. In this respect, AER takes action and regularly gets involved in different projects and initiatives dedicated to young people especially through its Youth Regional Network. The Summer Academy 2019 and the 20th University on Youth and Development which took place this year, are one of the latest successful initiatives that AER organised to benefit the youth. In order to support young people’s projects, the Council of Europe (CoE) established in 1972 the financial instrument European Youth Foundation (EYF) within the Youth Department of the Directorate for Democracy. The projects must be developed by, with and for young people, responding to issues, needs and challenges that concern young people. The ...

World Sustainable Energy Days – Get Onboard!

Every year, our member region Upper Austria, hosts the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) in Wels, Austria. The next edition takes place from 4-6 March 2020. Over 660 participants, including representatives from public bodies, business actors engaged in energy transition, the sustainable energy research community and experts from over 60 countries, gather to receive up-to-date information on markets, policies, technologies, financing, business models and research case studies. There are also technical site visits, a trade-show with 1,600 exhibiting companies, networking possibilities and new business opportunities. Would you like to share your work, project, research result, achievement, idea or insight with the worldwide sustainable energy community? The organizers of the WSED are looking for papers and speakers on energy efficiency & ...

AER Political Priorities 2020-2025 – Have your say!

AER is seeking views on its proposed Political Priorities for 2020-2025.  This consultation is open to all AER members. Responses to the consultation can be sent using the online form here.  The closing date for responses is 10 October.  More details about the consultation and on how to respond below. About this consultation This consultation aims to gather views from AER members on the AER Political Priorities 2020-2025.  Following the Bureau decision to adopt five-year political priorities to provide a clearer direction and longer-term drive of AER operational activities, AER set up a Task Force to develop the network’s key priorities for the next five years.  To carry out this work, the Task Force is inviting AER member regions to share their views on the proposed critical issues AER ...

The Local Events of Together4Cohesion are starting!-“Apulum Agraria” Fair in Alba (RO)

Doesn’t time fly when we’re having fun? Well… right now we’re in the middle of a challenging project “Together for Cohesion: let’s rEUnite!” co-financed by DG Regio (Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy), which started in April 2019. We had some fun it’s true especially when we launched in June the communication campaign Together4Cohesion on occasion of AER General Assembly in Larnaca with a lot of positive vibes, balloons, and joyful audience from our member regions happy to discover what the project is about. But more than fun there was the cooperation and creative work of three important actors, AER as leading partner, mc Group as media partner and the local administration of 6 regions out of 5 different ...

The Policy Learning Platform – take the shortcut to smart regional solutions!

All over Europe, we are now in a moment that is decisive for the future of Structural Funds planning. As such, you might be looking for better and more innovative ways to manage your policy or programme in the future. If so, Interreg Europe has a solution to offer: check the services of the Policy Learning Platform!  The Policy Learning Platform is a free service that offers a variety of tools to all those that are looking for solutions to their regional challenges. ‘We believe in the value of cooperation and the power of creating links between professionals all around Europe.’ The Platform Proposes: Thematic and networking events all over Europe Personalised policy advice from experts and peers in the form of peer reviews (2 days) ...

Cohesion & Contrasted Regional Realities

This year’s AER Autumn Committee Plenaries in Podčetrtek (SI), will start off with a conference on Cohesion & Contrasted Regional Realities. Disparities within regions can hamper sustainable regional development by generating tensions and leading to difficult choices between for instance innovation on the one hand and equal provision of services on the other hand. A holistic approach to regional development is therefore needed. Place-based strategies, participatory approaches, and multilevel governance are of major interest in this context. At the same time, international cooperation provides opportunities for mutual learning and knowledge flow.  A shift towards inclusive growth policies According to the OECD, the GDP per capita dispersion is now greater within countries than between countries which means that the different national economies have converged ...

Committee 2 Progress Report Autumn 2019

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the development of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. During the AER Spring Committee Plenaries 2019 in Örebro (SE), AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions and came up with a work programme for 2019-2020 which was integrated in the AER Action Plan. Six months later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! The progress report below is organised into 3 categories and gives an overview of the current situation and progress of the different activities going on ...

Committee 3 Progress Report Autumn 2019

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Culture Education and Youth gather in plenary meetings. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the development of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. During the AER Spring Committee Plenaries 2019 in Örebro (SE), AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions and came up with a work programme for 2019-2020 which was integrated into the AER Action Plan. Six months later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! The progress report below is organized into 3 categories and gives an overview of the current situation and progress of the different activities going on within ...

Committee 1 Progress Report Autumn 2019

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Regional Development and Economy gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the development of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. During the AER Spring Committee Plenaries 2019 in Örebro (SE), AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions and came up with a work programme for 2019-2020 which was integrated in the AER Action Plan. Six months later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! The progress report below is organised into 3 categories and gives an overview of the current situation and progress of the different activities going on within ...

Together for Cohesion project – Get involved at the plenaries’ committee information desk!

On the occasion of the 2019 autumn committee plenaries in Podčetrtek, we are organising an interactive information desk (stall) in the context of the Together for Cohesion: Let’s rEUnite! Project (DG Regio/EU funded). During this info desk, participants are encouraged to exchange insights about EU cohesion and structural funds from their point of view. Participants will receive a showcase on how to use the project website, how to handle the online database of good practices and learn/share about communication campaigns and reflect on examples from other regions for mutual learning. In addition, participants will be invited to propose events or activities – within their regions – that can be linked to cohesion and structural funds directly or indirectly. These evens are to be included ...

The 2020 European Youth Event is around the corner– make yourself heard!

The flagship event for youth is back for its 4th edition. From 29 to 30 May 2020, the European Youth Event will bring thousands of young people coming from all over Europe to Strasbourg (FR). Young people as change-makers The event is aimed to make young people active agents of change in the European democratic life rather than passive beneficiaries, so the EYE2020 is the perfect opportunity for youth to share their thoughts, concerns, hopes and meet and inspire each other. And on top of that, some participants will also be able to present the most impactful ideas directly to the Members of the European Parliament. 360-degree view The EYE2020 will please everyone, through debates, workshops, hearings and digital activities, where all participants will ...

Let’s REGIONerate Europe!

One more time the AER has the chance to contribute to the European Week of Regions and Cities with its workshop entitled “REGIONerating Europe”, to held on the 8th of October. What’s the 2019 European Week of Regions and Cities? The so-called EU Regions Week is an annual event co-organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO). On this occasion, all the regional and local authorities, as well as other organisations related to regional policies, such as the Assembly of European Regions, can participate in order to showcase their good practices and exchange mutual learning. This year edition will take place from the 7-10 October 2019 in Brussels (BE). ...

AER Training Seminar in Cluny – building capacities for powerful regions

In partnership with the European College of Cluny, AER successfully organised its pilot training seminar Cities and Regions: New Actors of Change in Europe. Eleven participants from Zagreb (HR), Šibenik-Knin (HR), Varaždin (HR), Västra Götaland (SE), Satu Mare (RO) and Bourgogne Franche Comté (FR) gathered for three full days of learning and exchanges. Impactful interregional cooperation This seminar was an opportunity to boost the capacity of regions to engage in impactful interregional cooperation, in order to encourage innovation and foster territorial resilience. The state of regionalisation Enrico Martial, Italy expert of the AER Observatory on Regionalisation, opened the seminar with a lecture on the state of regionalisation. The presentation focused on the role of regions in the construction of Europe and the different ...

Rural touring for the enjoyment of the arts by rural communities

The Subcommittee on Culture chaired by Fereshteh Jalayer, Värmland (SE) will hold a workshop on the support to culture in rural areas during the AER Autumn Committee Plenaries in Podčetrtek (SI). This topic was defined following discussions at the Spring plenaries around culture for all. A European-wide rural touring network The workshop will be an opportunity to present the SPARSE project, which will foster touring for professional performing arts companies and artists into rural areas of European counties, which are partner of the project. Most European countries don’t have a rural touring structure. Therefore, the majority of cultural performances take place in urban communities. The aim of this project will be two-fold, bringing high quality performing arts shows to rural audiences and ...

What is good youth participation?

Discussions during the 2019 Summer Academy “Youth is future, youth is Europe”, showed youth participation is still a very hot topic. The AER Subcommittee on Youth chaired by Hrvoje Kovač therefore aims to relaunch a discussion among regions, together with the AER Youth Regional Network YRN, in order to better define and improve youth participation in regions accross wider Europe. A longstanding engagement for youth participation AER has a history of advocating for youth participation in regional policymaking, in particular via the establishement of youth councils in regions. This was to engage young people in policy thinking and influence regional policymaking. Indeed participation requires space as is very well highlighted in this 2010 video from the AER ...

Opportunity to join a new project on vocational education training!

Central European Chamber of Commerce (IGEŚ) from Poland is looking for a partner from Iceland, Norway or Lichtenstein to join a vocational education training (VET) project. A special focus of this new project – that will last for 24 months – is to support the development and quality assurance in Polish VET education through the exchange of professional and vocational learning and training practices.  To this extent, it aims to organise mobilities of students and teachers, 2 visibility and dissemination conferences as well as partner meetings.   The foreseen task for the searched partner is to host:  – 1 week-long vocational education training (VET) mobilities of students (preferably IT, economy, graphic designer, and hospitality) – 1 week long professional mobilities of teachers (vocational ...

Throwback Thursday: reflecting on the achievements of the AMiD project…

The AER flagship project on migration, AMiD-Access to Services for Migrants with Disabilities, has been running since early 2018. Soon, the final conference, scheduled in Brussels on 5th November, will present a one-stop-shop of all the project’s products and findings. AER focused in particular on how to set a common approach toward migrants and refugees with disabilities, improving cooperation among Local Authorities and NGOs. A series of events with various formats, took place over the last year. That is in line with the interest and commitment that the AER network has brought to migration and migrants, since the “Tampere Declaration on Migration and Integration” in 2008 to the important political statement on “Facing the migration and refugee challenges” adopted at the ...

Take a look at the AER-YRN’s programme for the 20th University on Youth & Development!

From 15 to 19 September, a group of young participants from 13 different European countries will represent AER – Youth Regional Network (YRN) at the Council of Europe North-South Centre’s (NSC) 20th University on Youth and Development (UYD) in Mollina (Málaga). AER – YRN will contribute to the programme of the 20th edition of the UYD with various seminars and activities in line with the main theme “Youth, Justice & Strong Institutions” in collaboration with other UYD partners. Scroll down to find out more! “Glocal” Youth Advocating for SDGs The 2030 Agenda established that young people are a driving force for development – but this can only be possible when they are well-provided with the skills and opportunities needed in order ...

Thinking about embarking on an EU project on transport? Attend the infoday on EU funding opportunities for transport projects!

The Assembly of European Regions and our members must play a role in European transport policy. We are driven by the principle that mobility should meet efficiency and inclusion, being eco-friendly and competitive for the regions and their citizens. Several examples of good regional practices and their concrete impact and added value in comparison to European and national initiatives have been shared at workshops and meetings organised by AER in the past within the framework of European funding programmes for transport (INTERREG IIIB, PHARE, ISPA…). In previous years, the AER sub-committee on “Sustainable transport development and the environment” has highlighted that the “Common Transport Policy is an instrument for harmonisation, but the regions must develop their own transport policies”, adding that “the transport network must allow for sustainable economic development and not simply ...

Regional Business Forum – Second Edition

The Second Regional Business Forum will take place in Vojvodina from 1-3 October 2019. Given the success of the previous edition, the Assembly of European Regions and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina want to establish this Regional Business Forum as an unmissable event in the business development year.  The expertise of the Enterprise Europe Network, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vojvodina, Vojvodina Development Agency and the Novi Sad Fair will help you make the right connections.  Shaping Business Cooperation The event will create an opportunity for companies to present their business potentials and ideas and exchange good practices and technologies. Business cooperation will be facilitated by Regional chambers of commerce, Regional development agencies and institutions supporting SMEs development. Sectoral Diversity This year, the Regional ...

Interested in joining a new EU project on digital skills for migrants? Örebro region (Sweden) is looking for partners!

AER is a partner in the EU-funded project called “AMiD-Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities” which aims to support an efficient management of the reception and integration of asylum seekers and migrants with disabilities in the EU. Following up on the above project, our member region “the Administrative Board in Örebro County” (Sweden) is now looking for partners for a new project focusing on digital competences among third-country nationals, funded by AMIF (Asylum, Integration and Migration Fund). What is this new project proposal about? In today’s social and work life, digital competence is a necessary skill for achieving self-sufficiency. However, many migrants who have come to Sweden lack the digital skills required, which risks delaying their entry into the labor ...

European Biodiversity: Protecting Primary Forests

The AER Working Group on Rural Development is organising a breakfast debate on the protection of primary forests in Europe on 26 September at the AER Autumn Committee Plenaries 2019 in Podčetrtek (SI). Members will discuss in particular why these rather rare forests matter and how AER members can collectively act to protect primary forests in Romania. Why primary forests matter Scientists at the Geography Department of the Humboldt-University of Berlin (HU) have compiled the first map showing Europe’s primary forests. Primary forests are forests of native tree species, in which there are no clearly visible indications of human activities, and in which ecological processes follow natural dynamics. These rare forests are the only places where many endangered species live. They provide ...

Digital health: request for information from NHS Scotland

The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland invites AER members to share best practices on digital health tools regarding digital prescribing and dispensing pathways. Reforming Primary Care The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland is currently in the process of reforming Primary Care. Elements of that reform include the expansion of the multi-disciplinary team so that people receive the right professional care at the right time and by the right clinician.  One key component that underpins this reform is the prescribing and dispensing (of medications) pathway. Options are explored for developing a fully digital prescribing and dispensing pathway that encompasses all primary care prescribers. The aim is to help to reduce duplication and improve clarity relating to accountability.  Scotland would like to learn from other regions that have fully or partially implemented digital tools and processes that support end-to-end, multi-disciplinary prescribing ...

Routes4U Calls for Proposals

Explore and boost Europe’s cultural heritage is a topic of high interest for AER and its member regions, which has been strongly approached on occasion of the 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures (Romania) where young people from various regions across Europe gathered to discuss and share experiences on cultural heritage for regional attractiveness. Therefore, AER is pleased to share with its member regions this grant opportunity aimed to put in value the cultural heritage of the European macro-regions’ Cultural Routes. Cultural Routes Launched by the Council of Europe in 1987, the Cultural Routes demonstrate, by means of a journey through space and time, how the heritage of the different countries and cultures of Europe contributes to a shared and living cultural heritage. European Cultural Route, is a certification awarded by the Council of ...

New EASI call for proposals on mobility for SMEs, employment and social innovation

The European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” 2014-2020 is a European-level financing instrument managed directly by the European Commission to contribute to the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy, by providing financial support for the Union’s objectives in terms of promoting a high level of quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and improving working conditions. Within the main purpose to promoting workers’ geographical mobility and boosting HR and employment opportunities in a SME environment focussing on the reduction of youth unemployment, improvement of working conditions and promoting inclusion and social enterprises as well as entrepreneurship in a business context; a new European call for proposals will support, in particular, ...

AER participates in training course on youth and democracy

Building on a strong coalition of youth-led and volunteer-led civil society organisations and a network of political stakeholders and regional authorities, the project “Road to the Future” is designed to encourage and strengthen European-oriented youth participation for a specific democratic milestone, the European Parliament Elections 2019 and in the longer term for the future of Europe. AER is a project partner in charge of working package 3 on monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance. This European initiative, funded by the ERASMUS+ programme, is built on the principle to develop strategies and organize advocacy actions for the implementation of the New Narrative for Europe using the ideas collected during the phase leading to the EP elections and their follow-up, both at the local ...

Good democratic governance at the AER Autumn plenaries

The Council of Europe Centre of expertise for good governance helps European countries deliver better local governance and promotes European standards and best practices in the field. The Centre has designed a number of tools to help public authorities assess how well they are doing on a range of issues linked to good governance. One of these tools is the European label of governance excellence (ELoGE), awarded to local authorities having achieved a high overall level of good governance. This label is a mean to promote the 12 principles of good democratic governance to local and regional authorities. This label is currently only given to local authorities but the Council of Europe would like to study with AER the possibility to open it up to ...

2019 Eurodyssey Steering Committee Elections!

Dear Eurodyssey members, during the 2019 Eurodyssey Assembly, that took place on the 24th of October in Cagliari, Sardinia (IT), the Steering Committee members and President were elected, however, there are still vacancies available that any of you can fill! When? The elections were celebrated on the 24th of October during the 2019 AER Eurodyssey Forum in Sardinia (IT). However, if you didn’t have time to present your candidacy you still can do it! The deadline has been extended until 15th of January 2020! What? If you think this might be of interest to your region, please consult the available vacancies of the Eurodyssey Steering Committee. You may find the list of current vacancies here. For further specificities on the roles and expectations for all ...

In Focus: the AER Code of Conduct for Members

AER members adopted unanimously their new AER code of conduct at its June 2019 General Assembly in Larnaca.  Led by AER Vice President for Equal Opportunities Andrew Gibson (Hampshire – GB), a group of members drafted this code of conduct to make sure AER continues to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members. Among others, the code of conduct includes the obligation not to allow external pressures, including financial ones, to deter members from pursuing AER’s public interests’ objectives and highlights that colleagues and officers of the AER must be treated with respect and in an appropriate manner.  This code of conduct applies to all members and co-opted members of AER and is based upon the values of selflessness, integrity, accountability, openness, ...

Participate in the International Youth Conference in Sweden

Do you want to actively get involved in the future of Europe? Would you like to meet influential European decision-makers to bring in your ideas! Join the International Youth Conference of the International Youth Think Tank on 11 to 14 November 2019, in Gothenburg, (SE). Initiating the International Youth Think Tank The International Youth Think Tank is a project initiated by Dr. and Associate Professor in Political Science Urban Strandberg and EU-Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, both from Sweden. The idea is to develop a new and independent organization that brings together powerful European decision-makers from business, public institutions, and civil society, with European youth. The purpose is to stand up for democracy and the values of an open society. The goal is to set ...

Looking back at the 2019 AER Summer Academy in Vojvodina!

The Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (RS) hosted the 2019 AER Summer Academy, engaging almost 100 participants from all over Europe. Youth participation, equality, migration, environment and unemployment were some of the topics addressed during all the plenaries and parallel workshops. For all these reasons it was a great opportunity to discuss not only the problems that young Europeans are facing in Europe today but also the solutions and alternatives that can ensure a prosperous future. Valuable insights and unforgettable experiences Thanks to both the effort of the hosting region of AP Vojvodina and the proactivity of the participants, the Summer Academy 2019 became a great forum not to just discuss ideas and policies but also of informal knowledge-sharing. Some activities within ...

Discussing the Future of European Youths at the 2019 Summer Academy

Now that the 2019 Summer Academy is over, it is very fair to say that this year’s edition was a complete success with a total of 100 participants from 32 different regions and 19 countries from all over Europe and beyond! The 2019 AER Summer Academy with the motto Youth is Future, Youth is Europe! was hosted by the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (RS) in the beautiful city of Novi Sad from the 1st to the 5th of July. Throughout the week, the youth delegates and regional officials participated in plenary sessions, seminars, workshops and other activities that allowed them to have their saying and exchange their perspectives regarding the #FutureofEurope. Opening of the AER 2019 Summer Academy! On the 1st ...

Intercultural Regions – Where to Next?

Building on the impetus generated at the AER’s Spring Bureau Meeting in Larnaca (CY) on 6 June 2019, Catalonia has taken the initiative to lay out a plan for convening a Network of Intercultural Regions.  The network will be based on close cooperation and information sharing between European regions. If your region is committed to developing comprehensive intercultural strategies to manage diversity and migration and promote intercultural integration at regional level across Europe, you are invited to join the network! The members of the network will develop a mission statement and structure for their cooperation, as well as a strategy to better plan its interventions related to communication, knowledge exchange and advocacy. They will combine forces with the AER Committees to share ...

Apply now for the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe’s 20th University on Youth and Development!

AER – Youth Regional Network (YRN) is very proud to announce its partnership with the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe 20th University on Youth and Development which will take place in Mollina, Málaga (Spain) in September 2019. This will be also the occasion to celebrate the YRN Autumn Committee Plenaries themed around the UYD’S 2019 annual focus “Youth & Justice” in line with the UN SDG 16 – “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”. 25 YRN members and youth representatives from all AER member regions can apply to be part of this reference platform for youth participation in Europe! What is the NSC of the CoE University on Youth and Development? The University on Youth and Development (UYD) is ...

Cohesion Alliance One Year On: “Together for a strong Cohesion policy 2021-2027”

On 10 July, our President Magnus Berntsson spoke at the #CohesionAlliance Conference in Brussels.  One year after the presentation of the cohesion policy legislative proposals for 2021-2027 by the European Commission, and following the establishment of the first-reading position by the European Parliament and the agreement of the Council on partial negotiating mandates, the Conference brought together #CohesionAlliance partners to take stock of the achievements so far and to send a strong message to the upcoming European Commission, the new Parliament and the Council on the importance of a strong future cohesion policy. The President of AER highlighted the importance of shaping the future cohesion policy in a genuine partnership with all relevant partners. He added that delivering an effective and visible cohesion policy will be essential if the EU is to successfully meet people’s needs ...

Become an AER leader – Committees Elections 2019

Dear AER members,  A few positions will be open for elections in the presidiums of our three committees.Elections will take place on Wednesday, 25 September 2019 at the committee plenaries.  To see the detailed list of positions open for election and how to apply, please click HERE. One candidacy has been received for the position of Committee 1 Vice President, please click HERE. To read more about what is expected from AER leaders please click HERE.  To get the details about the Autumn Committee plenaries please click HERE.  The election committee, chaired by Monica Gundahl (Värmland-SE), is in charge of running the election process and answering any question you may have. Your contact person is Ulla Höglund: [email protected].

Your opinion on State aid for regional airports

Are you interested in the future of regional airports? Take part in an EU consultation and give your opinion on the use of State aid for smaller airports. The participation is open until 31 July 2019. AER spokesperson on regional airports Roger Estefors is kindly asking AER member regions, to answer a consultation on the 2014 Aviation Guidelines and particularly the State aid rules within the aviation sector. The consultation is conducted by the Directory-General Competition (DG Competition) of the European Commission. Developments of the State aid regulations In January 2019 DG Competition announced that they were going to prolong the validity for the General Block Exemption Regulations (GBER) from 2020 until 2022. These regulations today include State aid to some regional ...

Mersin Metropolitan Municipality (TR) is eager to join projects!

European Youth Together 2019 is a call for proposals within Erasmus+ Key Action 3, Support for Policy Reform. The main objective of this call is to promote young people’s participation in European civic life by encouraging them to create networks aimed at organising exchanges, promoting trainings and allowing them to set up joint projects. In this context, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality is looking to join projects as a local public body partner. Charming open-air museum! Mersin is a large city and port on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey. It does not only offer 321 km long sea shore with unique natural beauties like sea, sand and sun trio but also offers variety of tourism opportunities such as: culture, faith, congress, uphill, tracking, rafting, paragliding and mountain climbing. Often called ...

NEW Internship vacancy open! European Projects Assistant Wanted – Brussels office

Ready to train with the EU projects team for the largest independent network of regions in Europe? We are looking for a motivated intern (ONLY STUDENTS) to join the Project Unit at our Brussels Office, supervised by the European Projects & Private Partnerships coordinator. Work-placement would be for around 6 months. Your main tasks will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events and meetings at European level) Writing articles on the results of your mapping as well as on running projects and activities Liaising and networking with regional organisations and actors for project management and reporting purposes. Disseminating information about EU-wide projects and funding opportunities on social media Supporting AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members Contributing to the implementation of ongoing projects for all ...

AER training seminar in Cluny: boosting resilience & innovation

The flow of knowledge and practices, which happens through interregional cooperation, encourages innovation and fosters the resilience of territories. Based on this observation, AER is offering a training seminar from 26-30 August in Cluny (FR) “Cities and Regions: New Actors of Change in Europe” to boost the capacity of regions to engage in impactful interregional cooperation. It’s all about impact Historically very diverse territories have flourished thanks to strong international networks. Nowadays the question, however, is how to best organise efforts in interregional cooperation to make sure to benefit a territory. The results of interregional cooperation can be difficult to identify from the outside. Both because it is difficult to trace the origin of good practice, and because the multiplicity of stakeholders ...

Join the international festival of traditional culture in Varaždin

Varaždin (HR) is inviting all AER members interested in culture, to join the 5th edition of FolkoFonija, an international festival of traditional cultures, which brings together ensembles of 5 different countries. Initiated and organized by the Centre for Traditional Culture Varaždin, this festival will take place from 13 to 15 September 2019. It could be the basis for a joint project to be developed in AER on traditional cultures in wider Europe. FolkoFonija gathers cultural and artistic associations from Varaždin County and countries close to Croatia. The aim of this festival is to develop cultural sensitivity, awareness in a multicultural environment and to preserve and promote traditional forms of culture. A colorful and diverse program Each day of the festival will be ...

European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. 3rd Call for Reference Sites!

Active and healthy ageing is a societal challenge shared by all European countries, but also an opportunity for Europe to become a global leader that is capable of providing innovative solutions. In line with the initiatives of the European Commission, AER’s Committee 2 on Social & Public Health has been contributing over the years in building capacity among regions in order to implement innovative models in health and social care. In this respect AER as member of CORAL (“European Network of Regions collaborating in the field of Ambient Assisted Living and Active and Healthy Ageing”) has been regularly organising along with its member regions different advocacy actions, workshops and knowledge sharing activities like the project Scirocco Exchange and the e-health network. European Innovation Partnership ...

Sustainable Development Goals – Engaging Regions

In 2015, United Nations (UN) Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In that same year, at the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Parties to the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement, addressing the need to fight climate change. In 2020, the SDGs will have a comprehensive review and the Paris Agreement will come into force. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) is debating how it can lead in the sustainability transition and follow up on the SDGs by 2030. In January 2019, the EC launched a Reflection Paper Towards a Sustainable Europe by 2030 putting forward illustrative scenarios for the future to steer the ...

Looking for a new destination to spend your vacation?

Our member regions Adjara and Imereti (GE), are encouraging you to get to know the beautiful country of Georgia. Situated on the crossroad of Europe and Asia at the east of the Black Sea, Georgia has a unique and ancient cultural heritage and is known for its hospitality and cuisine. The nature is very diverse and is a good place for adventurous souls. It is one of the most ecologically diverse countries, from semi-deserts to subtropical and high alpine climate zones. People who like for example hiking, skiing, or taking the bike will have a great variety of places to go.  Georgia has three cultural monuments which are also included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage, a long culture of winemaking, and a diverse ...

European Committee of the Regions and Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe celebrate 25th Anniversary

On 27 June, AER marked the 25th Anniversary of the European Committee of the Regions and Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The President of AER, Magnus Berntsson, has joined the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, and the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Anders Knape, to mark the joint 25th Anniversary of these two assemblies of local and regional elected representatives. The theme of this joint anniversary event was “The Added Value of Local and Regional Authorities in the Unification of Europe”. The event provided an opportunity to discuss the state of local and regional democracy in Europe and showcase the synergies between the work of the two institutions to further strengthen local self-government and regional democracy. Karl-Heinz ...

SCIROCCO Exchange project

What? Scirocco Exchange is a 32-month project co-funded by the Health Programme of the European Union incorporating 14 collaborative partners across Europe and started on 1st January 2019.Scirocco Exchange builds on the achievements of the SCIROCCO project with an aim to:“support the readiness and capacity of health and social care authorities for the adoption and scaling up of integrated care by facilitating their access to tailored, evidence-based assets on integrated care and supporting personalized knowledge transfer and improvement planning.” Who? This project is in consortium with:The Scottish Government (Lead Partner, AER member)OptiMedis AGAssembly of European RegionsAgenzia Regionale per la Salute ed il Sociale, (Puglia)Kronikgune, Institute for health research servicesPavol Jozef Safarik University in KosicePolibienestar, University of ValenciaVilnius University Hospital SANTAROS KLINIKOSThe University of ...

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: become a YRN entrepreneur for a day!

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host the AER Summer Academy 2019 in the city of Novi Sad from the 1st to the 5th of July. This year’s edition entitled Youth is Future, Youth is Europe will be dedicated to reflecting on the Future of Europe from multiple angles and the role that young people can play in building a stronger Europe. The AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) in collaboration with EMAX Sweden will organise a workshop on the topic of Youth Entrepreneurship. E-Kampen: Become an entrepreneur for a day! What do you think is the age limit for starting a business plan? In Sweden, they believe that the younger the better. Proof of it is the fact that EMAX ...

Join the Digital Health & Care Learning Network day

Donna Hendersson, Chair of the AER e-health network is inviting all AER members interested in digital health and health innovation to join the Scottish Government Technology Enabled Care Division’s Digital Health & Care Learning Network day via webcast on Monday 24 June. The event starts at 9:45 GMT (10:45 CET) This Digital Health event is an opportunity for staff with a shared interest in how digital tools can be used to support service delivery. The event will be streamed online which could be of interest to the following stakeholders in your regions: staff delivering services in health, local authorities, third sector, housing organisations, policy, research, academics, and technology suppliers. You can access the webcast here. There will be two sessions, one in the morning from 9.45 ...

Making Europe fit for the future – Europa Forum Wachau

From 13 to 15 June 2019, over 70 students and young professionals participated in the Europa-Forum Wachau. It took place in Austria at Stift Göttweig, an abbey not far away from Vienna. The motto of this year’s forum was “Making Europe fit for the future”. 24th edition of the Europa Forum For the 24th time, AER member region Lower Austria organised the Europa Forum Wachau. It was founded 1995 on the occasion of Austria’s accession to the European Union. This year, people from 16 nations attended a three-day programme with conferences and debates focusing on megatrends in Europe like connectivity, health, and new work environments. Regarding the topic of health, the discussions turned especially around e-health and how artificial intelligence can be ...

Deciding Together on the Future of Europe

After the European elections in May, the EU has embarked on a number of institutional and personal changes. EU leaders meet in Brussels to set out a common future direction: On June 20 and 21, the European Council adopted the Strategic Agenda ahead of the new political cycle. These documents outline the future policy direction for 2019-2024 and guides the work of the EU Institutions. The Strategic Agenda reflects changes and challenges from the recent years which do not only affect the EU but are also relevant for international political decision-makers. Next to this, the EU leaders will also discuss key topics such as climate, disinformation, the long-term EU budget and external relations. Specifically, the new 2019-2024 Strategic Agenda sets ...

Regions for peace-building

On June 4th, 2019, AER co-organized a debate with the Congress of the Council of Europe about the role of local and regional authorities in peace-building. This debate took place in the context of the World Forum Normandy for Peace. It consisted of a vivid discussion between speakers of a debate panel and afterward with the public. Different perspectives on peace-building Moderated by Thomas Andersson, President of the Regional Council of Jämtland (SE) and active member of AER, the debate turned around the question of how local and regional authorities can contribute to peace-building and create stability in their respective region. Three speakers from different backgrounds were invited and shared their experiences and opinions on the topic. Ms. Kelly McBride, director of the Democratic ...

Together4Cohesion: Knowledge-Sharing – a regional perspective.

This article was penned by Hrvoje Kovač, Varaždin (HR), the Chair of the AER Subcommittee on Youth. Varaždin is one of the pilot regions of the Together4Cohesion project. Given that Cohesion Policy is a key EU investment tool to foster the development in Europe, regions could benefit from it in order to improve citizens’ quality life through job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development. That was the key point of a knowledge-sharing workshop in the context of the project “Together for Cohesion: Let’s rEUnite!” that took place during the 2019 General Assembly and Spring Bureau Meeting in Larnaca (CY). During ‘Knowledge Sharing Workshop’, participants shared their communication campaigns and reflected on concrete examples from the regions that participate in this ...

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: AMiD workshop on Migrants with Disabilities

“Opportunities for all abilities” The AMiD-Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities project is landing in Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS) for the 2019 Summer Academy with the aim to raise awareness among regional and local authorities and young representatives about one of the most fragile within the disadvantaged groups: migrants with disabilities. The AMiD official video, testimonies of migrants with disabilities, the human rights-based approach of the UN CRPD- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are ingredients of the cocktail to showcase how better services lead to more inclusive societies. Costs of participation can be reimbursed from the European Union’s AMIF – Asylum Migration and Integration Fund programme by signing up to this AMiD workshop taking place on Wednesday ...

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Zürich’s Youth for Debate!

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host the AER Summer Academy 2019 in the city of Novi Sad from the 1st to the 5th of July. This year’s edition entitled Youth is Future, Youth is Europe will be dedicated to reflecting on the Future of Europe from multiple angles and the role that young people can play in building a stronger Europe. The Canton of Zürich (CH) with the collaboration of the non-profit organisation Young Enterprise Switzerland (YES) will organise a workshop aimed at introducing the Swiss method of debating. Youth for Debate! Following the 1st Plenary Session of the Summer Academy entitled Youth is Democratic Participation and European Identity, the speakers from Young Enterprise Switzerland (YES) will present some basics for debating ...

Developing sustainable and inclusive food systems at regional level

The AER Bureau Meeting in Larnaca (CY) on 6 June included an in-depth panel on “Sustainability from Farm to Fork”, moderated by Irén Lejegren, Chair of the AER Task Force on Food Security, Region Örebro (SE). The session looked at the challenges and opportunities involved in developing sustainable and inclusive food systems at regional level. The Agricultural Research Officer at Agricultural Research Institute of Cyprus, Dionysia Fasoula, spoke about the major social, environmental, political and scientific challenges facing food security in Europe. She said that adopting a participatory approach, investing further in organic farming and agroforesting, and creating better awareness and education are key to deliver the solutions to these challenges and a prerequisite to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems.  Yannis Fallas, Member of the ...

Building Intercultural Regions

AER’s General Assembly and Spring Bureau Meeting in Larnaca (CY) on 5-6 June 2019 brought together regional leaders from across Europe to discuss how to harnesses the benefits of migration and diversity for a more inclusive and democratic Europe. Round Table “Connecting the dots – Multi-level, Multi-actor Migration” During the Round Table “Connecting the dots – Multi-level, Multi-actor Migration” on 5 June, representatives of local and regional authorities, civil society organisations and European Institutions shared experiences and methodologies on how to achieve a common approach among different stakeholders and better multilevel coordination on welcoming migrants and refugees. The event was held in the framework of the “AMiD – Access to Services for Migrants with Disabilities“ project, supported by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund ...

AER in Conversation: The Future of Europe – with Karl-Heinz Lambertz.

During the Assembly of European Regions Bureau meeting in Larnaca, Cyprus, AER had the pleasure of welcoming President of the European Committee of the Regions, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, to discuss the Future of Europe in conversation with newly re-elected AER President Magnus Berntsson. Mr. Lambertz arrived in Cyprus a day earlier for a citizen’s dialogue, part of an ongoing consultation between European institutions and actors at local and regional level to discuss the future of the European Union. Mr. Lambertz has participated in more than 50 of these dialogues, putting him in an unparalleled position to share the views of Europe’s citizens with the members of the Assembly of European Regions. AER President Magnus Berntsson led the conversation and opened with ...

Have you got your finger on the pulse? We’re Hiring!

External Relations Assistant (Trainee Contract – up to 6 months) – for STUDENTS ONLY We are looking for a motivated student to join the AER Team at our Brussels Office. Under the supervision of members of the AER Team, your main tasks will be to: contribute to the external relations (communications, member relations…) strategies of AER; assist in the development and management of our main communication channel (our website); assist in the creation of an updated database of contacts for AER (ranging from member regions to institutional actors and other partners); assist in reaching out to AER’s audience via social media and our newsletter; come up with innovative ways of keeping in touch with our members and growing our impact Here are some things that make ...

Together4Cohesion launch in Larnaca

The project Together4Cohesion aims to amplify communicative practices in regions and strengthen AER’s efforts in improving cohesion policy in Europe Many citizens in the regions are inadequately informed about the impact of cohesion policy in their daily lives. In an effort to improve the communication of these benefits, AER and mc Group have partnered up for the project “Let’s rEUnite: Together for Cohesion”. On June 5th, the project was officially launched in Larnaca (CY) together with its partners and AER members during the General Assembly.  Magnus Berntsson, President of AER, opened the event and stressed the importance of AER members as relevant amplifiers for cohesion policy. Whether it’s transport, healthcare, communication, leisure activities, community life – Cohesion Policy aims to reduce economic and ...

AER General Assembly: Elections 2019 in Larnaca

At the AER General Assembly on 5 June 2019, elections were held in accordance with the AER statutes. The following appointments were made by public ballot: AER PresidentMagnus Berntsson (Västra Götaland, SE) Magnus Berntsson was elected unanimously by the members of the AER General Assembly to serve a second term as AER President. AER TreasurerChristian Debève (Grand Est, FR) AER Vice Presidents: Nina Björby (Västerbotten, SE) Lukas Mandl (LowerAustria, AT) Albert Castellanos Maduell (Catalonia, ES) Andrew Gibson (Hampshire, GB) Damir Zobenica (Vojvodina, RS) Jean-Luc Vanraes (Brussels Capital, BE) Filomena Calenda (Molise, IT) Alessandra Zedda (Sardinia, IT) AER Committees AER Committee 1 for Economy and Regional DevelopmentCommittee 1 President: Kenneth Backgård (Norrbotten, SE)AER AER Committee 2 for Social Policy and Public HealthCommittee 2 President Mihai Ritivoiu ...

Activity Report 2018-19: Sustainability

2018-19 was a year of sustainability in more ways than one. The latest AER Activity Report, which was launched at the AER General Assembly in Larnaca on 5 June 2019, illustrates this through the medium of design. Towards A Sustainable Europe The theme of the Activity Report is derived from the AER Political Priorities which focused on economic, social, democratic and environmental sustainability. The report was thus conceptualised using elements of circularity to represent the renewable and lasting nature of the idea: sustainability. At this link you can explore the cover page of the Activity Report, where AER member regions are brought to life in an orbital, interactive graphic representation. Sustainable Development of AER as an organisation 2018-2019 saw AER bring sustainability ...

Let’s rEUnite project: Together for cohesion!

What? Let’s rEUnite project: Together for cohesion! is an EU-funded project (DG REGIO) that looks at identifying and exchanging successful good practices on communication strategies and initiatives at regional level in relation to the information and dissemination of the use and benefits of the EU Cohesion funds for transposition and/or scaling-up purposes across the diverse European regional contexts and environments. The “Together for Cohesion: let’s rEUnite!” project is built on two main objectives. The first objective is to raise awareness about the importance of programmes, projects and services funded by the Cohesion policy funds in terms of benefits on citizens’ life. At the heart of this proposal is a bottom-up approach: leading regions, citizens and stakeholders become the main protagonists and thereby Cohesion policy could benefit from ...

Want to learn about the role of public healthcare systems in tackling chronic diseases? Register to this international conference!

AER is committed to improving public healthcare systems with the view to improving patient attention and care quality, among others. Being involved in discussions at European Commission level, AER is now participating as a partner in the SCIROCCO project on “Scaling Integrated Care in Context”, led by an AER member: the NHS 24, a Special Health Board providing and facilitating the development of national telehealth and telecare services across Scotland. The SCIROCCO online tool will helps regions to conduct a sort of self-assessment based on participation and maturity levels with the goal to facilitating knowledge transfer, better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their regional context and engage in multi-stakeholder dialogue with national,  regional and local policy-makers about potential areas of improvement ...

AER President takes part in panel discussion at the R20 Austrian World Summit

“We are in a crisis – a climate crisis”. During the R20 Austrian World Summit, Greta Thunberg, the 16 year old activist from Sweden delivered a moving speech calling on the world leaders to influence, to make an impact and to start protecting our world. Indeed, the Summit saw world leaders joining together calling for nations to reaffirm their commitment to the Paris Agreement. Leaders such as Alexander van der Bellen, Federal President of Austria; the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres; and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chair of the R20 and former governor of California delivered key note interventions calling on us to act now. Antonio Guterres delivered a strong message that we needed to “end fossil fuel subsidies and to ...

Interested to learn more about active and healthy ageing? Register to the Homes4Life project workshop!

Our living environments have a tremendous impact on our health and wellbeing. Regions play a key role to ensure the suitability and adaptability of housing to people’s needs and preferences – so as to promote a better active and healthy ageing! The Homes4Life project aims at developing a European certification scheme for age-friendly housing – a home that is adapted to the progressive needs and preferences of people as they reach older age. The scheme will be based on an inspirational and realistic long-term vision of people’s needs and requirements in a holistic life-course approach. Following on up on the AER strategy on active and healthy ageing, AER has been working on this important topic over the past years as a partner of the ...

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Østfold’s Solutions to Youth Entrepreneurship

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host the AER Summer Academy 2019 in the city of Novi Sad from the 1st to the 5th of July. This year’s edition entitled Youth is Future, Youth is Europe will be dedicated to reflecting on the Future of Europe from multiple angles and the role that young people can play in building a stronger Europe. The region of Østfold (NO) will organise a workshop aimed at tackling the main Youth Entrepreneurship challenges and its possible solutions. Regional Solutions to Global Challenges in Youth Entrepreneurship In the framework of the 3rd Plenary Session: Youth is Social Entrepreneurship and Sharing Economy, Østfold County Council will identify the main global challenges and obstacles that concern young entrepreneurs ...

Connecting projects & sourcing good practices for Subcommittee on youth

Mr. Hrvoje Kovač, Varaždin (HR), the Chair of the Subcommittee on Youth, is participating in many external events and projects, where he represents both Varaždin County Council and AER. The idea is to seize opportunities for connections and to create synergies between initiatives both within and outside AER. Sourcing good practices on youth His participation in different projects on youth, enables Hrvoje Kovač to identify good practices and initiatives worth sharing within the Subcommittee on youth. In this context, the Chair of the Subcommittee on Youth traveled to Lithuania in April 2019 to participate in a study visit in the context of the Erasmus+ project “Europe goes local”. Youth work in Lithuania During the study visit, local and regional authorities and experts ...

Interested in giving a boost to your future? Join the Road to the Future training course on youth and democracy!

Following the #IChooseEurope campaign, AER along the Youth Regional Network (YRN) are happy to invite you now to the training course addressed to European-oriented youth participants within the EU-funded project “European Youth Together – Road to the Future”, which focuses not only on the engagement of young people to the European Parliament Elections 2019 but also on the longer term for the future of Europe so as to spread and promote European common values of democracy, citizenship and social inclusion amongst the youngest. The training will be a unique opportunity for organisers and facilitators of local activities that will animate the debate on the future of Europe! You will learn how to successfully organise a local advocacy campaign or event in your ...

AER to attend the R20 Austrian World Summit in Vienna

Next week, the R20 Austrian World Summit will again be taking place in Vienna. This long-term initiative to create a network platform to help regions, states and cities implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals and meet the global climate protection targets outlined in the Paris agreement stems from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s R20 Regions of Climate Action and is now in its 3rd edition. The effects of climate change can be felt globally via the increase of heatwaves, floods, droughts, melting glaciers and rising sea-levels. An estimated 9 million deaths are attributed to pollution every year. Additionally, a recent study found that the melting Artic permafrost could add nearly 70 trillion to the global cost of climate change if the planet warms by 3C by 2100. Even ...

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Brussels-Capital Region and its commitment to youth entrepreneurship

Written by Juan Antonio Gallardo Roca, Brussels International. “How to make youth entrepreneurship smart?” Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host in the city of Novi Sad the AER Summer Academy 2019 from 1 – 5 July. This year’s edition of the Summer Academy entitled Youth is Future, Youth is Europe will be dedicated to reflecting on the Future of Europe from multiple angles and the role that young people can play in building a stronger Europe. Brussels-Capital Region will organise a workshop, which will be focused on the role that enterprises play in youth entrepreneurship. The Brussels-Capital Region experience Since it became one of the first regions in continental Europe where the industrial revolution took place, Brussels has always been supporting ...

Scholarship Opportunities: Europa Forum Wachau needs you!

The Europa-Forum Wachau was founded in 1994 on the occasion of Austria’s accession to the EU. Since then, the aim has been to promote the topic of Europe and to communicate it passionately to the citizens. Since 1995, 26 Prime Ministers and 32 Foreign Ministers, 3 Commissioners and over 10,000 guests have taken part in the Europa-Forum Wachau in addition to one President. For 2019, a new format has been developed which focuses on youth,innovation and megatrends. The Europa Forum Wachau will take place on 13 – 15 June 2019 AER’s member region Lower Austria, through an Erasmus+ project, is in a position to offer scholarships to participate in the Forum to participants coming from France, Austria, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Hungary. Check out the ...

Committee 3 Annual Report June 2018 – May 2019

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developed and implemented within Committee 3 between the 2018 General Assembly in Lillehammer, Oppland (NO) and the 2019 General in Larnaka (CY). Activities are organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The AER Action plan, which brings together all the activities carried out within AER, is constantly updated. Projects “Road to the Future”: ongoing “Road to the Future” is a project submitted under the Erasmus+ programme, within the Key Action 3 – Support for Policy Reform, designed around the 2019 European Parliament Elections. ...

Committee 2 Annual Report June 2018 – May 2019

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developed and implemented within Committee 2 between the 2018 General Assembly in Lillehammer, Oppland (NO) and the 2019 General in Larnaka (CY). Activities are organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The AER Action plan, which brings together all the activities carried out within AER, is constantly updated. Projects SCIROCCO Exchange project – Personalised knowledge transfer and access to tailored evidence-based assets on integrated care: ongoing The SCIROCCO Exchange project, under the 3rd Health Programme, is based on the SCIROCCO project, which has resulted in ...

Committee 1 Annual Report June 2018 – May 2019

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developped and implemented within Committee 1 between the 2018 General Assembly in Lillehammer, Oppland (NO) and the 2019 General in Larnaka (CY). Activities are organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The AER Action plan, which brings together all the activities carried out within AER, is constantly updated. Projects Together for Cohesion: let’s rEUnite! project: ongoing This project is funded by DG REGIO. It will: raise awareness on the importance of programmes, projects and services funded by Cohesion Policy funds encourage the participation of citizens ...

Will you help us to rEUnite Europe?

Ever heard of European Cohesion Funds? … said nobody ever… According to a Eurobarometer survey from June 2017, in some regions, up to 95.3% of the population consider Cohesion Policy useful. This sounds great – but do people actually know about the EU’s investments in regions more generally?  The study revealed that only 35% of EU citizens are aware of projects funded by EU cohesion policy in their region. The most shocking fact that the survey revealed was that of all people interviewed, only 4% have heard about Cohesion Policy. Cohesify.eu found similar results: Asking “What do citizens think of Cohesion Policy and does it matter for European identity?” to focus groups in 16 regions across Europe, the participants recognise that Cohesion policy ...

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Jönköping’s approach to youth participation

“How to encourage active participation among first-time voters at the local level in the European election?“ Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host in the city of Novi Sad the AER Summer Academy 2019 from the 1st to the 5th of July. This year’s edition of the Summer Academy entitled Youth is Future, Youth is Europe will be dedicated to reflecting on the Future of Europe from multiple angles and the role that young people can play in building a stronger Europe. The region of Jönköping Iän (SE) will share its experience with the Summer Academy participants in mobilising young people to stand up for Europe and participate in the EU elections. Scroll down ...

YRN General Assembly and Spring Plenary 2019 in Lower-Silesia (PO)

The AER Youth Regional Network’s General Assembly and Spring Plenary 2019 will take place from 14-16th of June in Wrocław, Poland. During its General Assembly, The YRN Committees will invite the participants to discuss how the regional youth councils and other youth entities can effectively influence national politics and learn “mediation” techniques that can lead to the resolution of political conflicts. The YRN will elect a new YRN Presidium and approve the membership applications of the Spanish regional youth councils of Andalusia and Asturias as well as the Alliance for Democracy, International Dialogue and Development (A43D) NGO from the City of Yerevan (Armenia). Register now! Please, find the registration link here: https://youthregionalnetwork.typeform.com/to/bkNvP4 Please note that the registration will stay open until the 22nd ...

Regions take holistic and wholehearted approach to SDGs

On the morning of 15 May 2019, AER and Oppland (NO) co-organised a Breakfast Seminar entitled “The Sustainable Development Goals and regional growth – Is it possible?“, which took place at Oslo Region European Office in Brussels The sustainable development goals (SGD) call upon governments, businesses and civil society to come together and work towards a sustainable planet, leaving no one behind. Many, if not all regions, are working towards this in one form or another. The discussion, moderated by Turid Wulff Knutssen from Oppland County, featured input from Oppland County, (NO), Region Värmland (SE), Flanders (BE) and the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities. After some warm words of welcome by Even A. Hagen, County Mayor, Oppland, the discussion turned ...

Together for Cohesion: let’s rEUnite! and…let’s kick-off

When you say connection, you say cohesion. When you say cohesion policy you say regional policy. When you say regions you say the Assembly of European Regions. That’s the short way to say that one of the core reasons that led to the setting up of our network is to advocate the principles of regional cohesion at European level. This is how the action started and continues, as like in any complex narrative, challenges take the most interesting place. Background of the project Given that cohesion policy is a key EU’s investment tool to foster the development in Europe, regions could benefit of it in order to improve citizens’ quality life through job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development. Despite ...

AER at World Peace Forum in Normandy

The World Forum Normandy for Peace will take place in Caen (FR) at the Abbey aux Dames, the 4th and 5th June 2019. AER is contributing to this event with a debate panel on the role for local and regional authorities in peace-building. Peacemaking in Normandy For its second edition, the World Forum Normandy for Peace will be honouring “The Peacemakers”. The event will take place right before the commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings of June 6, 1944, and the Battle of Normandy. An international event open to all, the World Forum Normandy for Peace will be a place for reflection and exchange around tensions in the world and peace-building. Geopolitical experts, alongside representatives of governments, academia, and ...

TAIEX-EIR workshop in Gelderland: you’re invited!

Gelderland (NL) and the European Commission are organising a TAIEX-EIR workshop on “Maintaining and Enhancing Ecosystem Services in Urban Regions”. This event, which is open to AER members and can be fully funded by the European Commission will take place in Gelderland in the Veluwe area, 4 – 5 July 2019. TAIEX-EIR learning programme The TAIEX-EIR PEER 2 PEER learning programme is an opportunity for members to improve environmental policies. Topics addressed in the TAIEX-EIR programme are as diverse as air quality, waste management, water management, and the circular economy. This programme is easy and quick to access and is a good complement to activities carried out within AER. It represents an opportunity to access technical and financial support from the Commission ...

European Entrepreneurial Region Conference: empowering sustainability

The Province of Gelderland (NL), winner of the 2019 European Entrepreneurial Region award, is proud to invite all AER members to a two-day conference about empowering sustainability. The conference will take place in Arnhem (NL), 22 – 23 May 2019. Mutual learning for a sustainable future The International European Entrepreneurial Region Conference will give room to work on and accelerate innovation in sustainability. For this conference, Gelderland has invited entrepreneurs, regional and local authorities, universities and clusters from all over wider Europe to work together and accelerate innovation in sustainability. The aim is to inspire and generate opportunities for European cooperation with other entrepreneurs, authorities and education institutes. Day 1: Get inspired The first day of the conference will be dedicated to working ...

Final Call: European Capital of Smart Tourism

The European Capital of Smart Tourism initiative recognises outstanding achievements by European cities as tourism destinations in four categories: sustainability, accessibility, digitalisation as well as cultural heritage and creativity. This EU initiative aims to promote smart tourism in the EU, network and strengthen destinations, and facilitate the exchange of best practices. This year, two cities will be selected European Capitals of Smart Tourism 2020. In addition, four cities will receive European Smart Tourism Awards 2020 for their outstanding achievements in individual categories. The deadline to apply is 10 May 2019 by 18:00. AER Member Regions interested in applying can find out more at SmartTourismCapital.eu or by contacting Erica Lee, AER Communications Coordinator for further information.

Where do you want to #IChooseEurope?

Belgian MEP candidates and JEF Europe representatives in Brussels The #IChooseEurope campaign aims to encourage all Europeans to take part in the elections held on May 24-27 across the continent. To reach out, a series of debates and public events were organised by young activists to raise awareness about the European Elections. One of the key messages, campaigning for a more united Europe, was literally implemented with a dedicated bus which visited 12 cities. At each stop, the #IChooseEurope volunteers organised a public event where locals, politicians and gathered to speak about their visions for Europe. The campaign particularly involved young people as a growing social and political force, especially in the current debate on the future of Europe. The young activists ...

AER meets Commissioner for Environment

AER President Magnus Berntsson and Secretary General Mathieu Mori met on 10th April 2019 with Karmenu Vella, EU commissioner for environment, maritime affairs and fisheries. This meeting followed the publication of the second Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) package. This review is a tool to improve implementation of EU environmental law and policy. It aims to address the causes of implementation gaps and try to find solutions before problems become urgent.   An agreement was found on the need for these reviews to have a better regional approach at a time when localising SDGs are a key concern for all local and regional leaders. Further meetings to discuss this point will take place. This meeting was also an opportunity to exchange on how best to reach out to regions when it comes ...

Committee 1 explores collaboration opportunities on European certification initiative for SMEs

An innovative European certification initiative for regional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could represent leverage for growth and improved cross-border economic relations. Added value for SMEs On March 6th, Jean-Luc Vanraes the President of the AER Committee for Economy and Regional development met with a delegation from CAC en mouvement. CAC en mouvement is a think tank representing around 70% of the French statutory auditors. It has initiated a deep reflexion on how to modernise the profession to make it more useful to local businesses in France and around Europe. Olivier Salustro, President of CAC en mouvement and of the Paris Regional Company of Statutory Auditors, and Laurence Versaille, Vice-President of CAC en mouvement and of the Bordeaux Regional Company of Statutory Auditors, ...

AER participates in the launch of ‘Cities & Regions for Integration’ Initiative

On 10 April, during the plenaries of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), the initiative of “Cities and Regions for Integration” was launched. The European Committee of the Regions along with the leading European associations of cities & regions – the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) and Eurocities – have built a coalition for this initiative to shape the EU’s migration agenda in order to ensure that the local and regional perspective is better taken into account in the future. This initiative will offer regions, municipalities and cities a platform to: Contribute to better EU policies and funding for the integration of migrants;  Gather information on the EU funding;  Promote a ...

Is it possible to combine regional growth with the Sustainable Development Goals?

AER members have been working continuously and especially last year on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations. Their implementation by cities and regions is crucial but how can they ensure economic growth while contributing to these goals? Commitment of AER to use SDGs as a policy framework The SDGs are a call addressed to all the nations, businesses and civil society to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that everyone enjoys peace and prosperity. There are 17 goals which are interconnected and often go hand-in-hand. This means to be successful in one SDG also involves taking care of issues connected to another, they must be viewed as a whole. AER is therefore of the opinion to promote ...

Brexit and the Brussels-Capital Region

This article, written by the Brussels-Capital Region, is part of our Brexit & European Regions Series. The Brussels-Capital Region is important to the United Kingdom both in terms of economic opportunity as with respect to its citizens working in international institutions and the private sector. As the Brexit date approaches, businesses and citizens both in Brussels and in the UK are not only getting ready for potential adverse effects – opportunities are on their radar as well. Economic ties and Brexit as an opportunity for the Brussels-Capital Region The UK is the fourth largest commercial partner of the Brussels-Capital Region. About 700 Brussels’ businesses export to the United Kingdom, and 55,000 jobs are concerned. Hence, strong economic ties between the UK and Brussels ...

Central Denmark seeking partners for Erasmus+ Project on Recruiting and Retraining Young Farmers

The difficulties of attracting young people to become farmers is a challenge throughout Europe. This is reflected in the European Commission’s proposal on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2020 in which generational renewal is one of the nine clear objectives. As such, a proposed 2 percent should be allocated to each Member States’ efforts to attract young farmers by building on a single strategic plan that will simplify the support for this group. The project idea, which is planned as a Strategic Partnership under the Erasmus+ programme Key Action 2 ‘Exchange for good practice’, and proposes to set up a European partnership of at least three European countries involving educational institutions, farmers, agri-businesses and policy-makers with the aim of sharing good practice, finding new ways to attract more farmer students, to ...

New financial and networking opportunities for environment: LIFE Calls!

AER has a long tradition of knowledge sharing and initiatives on “green” topics. As President of AER, Mr Magnus Berntsson, is also President of R20 – Regions for Climate Action. In order to promote an integrated approach on this matter, AER regularly attended the UN climate Conference of Parties (COP), shared the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and organised ad-hoc activities for members as the study visits in the Province of Gelderland (NL) on energy transition and climate change. In terms of EU funding and projects, we would like to share with you the opportunities now available for 2019 within the LIFE Programme, the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate actions. LIFE Programme & Calls The EU LIFE Programme provides ...

Recap World Sustainable Energy Days 2019

Every year, AER’s member region of Upper Austria hosts the World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) in Wels. This year’s edition, which took place from 27 February to 1 March, welcomed over 660 experts from 60 countries. The focus of the 2019 WSED was energy efficiency and renewable energy as key elements for boosting economic competitiveness and the potential of using clean energy transition to the benefit of all citizens. Over the 3 days, there were 6 specialised conferences and an Innovation Workshop Energy and Buildings. The 6 conferences were as follows: European Pellet Conference Young Energy Researchers Conference European Energy Efficiency Conference Energy Efficiency Policy Conference Industrial Energy Efficiency Conference Smart E-Mobility Conference The most popular conference during the WSED was the European Pellet Conference, with over ...

AER at Democracy Alive

From 11 to 13 April 2019, AER attended the Democracy Alive festival on the island of Texel, North Holland (NL). Organised by European Movement in collaboration with the European Parliament it brought together citizens, stakeholders and elected representatives for three days of discussions, workshops and entertainment on the Future of Europe and the importance of active citizenship at European level. The festival opened with a performance by Irish comedian Andrew Maxwell before participants at the main stage were joined by Michel Barnier, EU Chief Negotiator for Brexit, fresh out of discussions the evening before which resulted in the United Kingdom and European Union extending the Brexit deadline to 31 October 2019. Talking Europe with Michel Barnier at DemFest Mr. Barnier spoke in-depth ...

What will the future of local and regional news look like? CIRCOM Regional has the answer!

Headway/Unsplash The 37th CIRCOM Regional Annual Conference will take place in Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Serbia, on May 30th and 31st, 2019. Placing regional broadcasting at the centre, the annual event gathers experts, thinkers and observers of the media world. This year’s theme, The Future of Regional Media (FoRM), reflects the numerous challenges and recent developments of the news industry. As advanced technologies are the driving force in media, striving for attractive content and excellent quality becomes more important than ever before. Particularly challenging for the industry are changing workflows due to the digitalisation of news consumption nowadays. Across Europe, local and regional news outlets see their business models coming under pressure: When social media and newsfeeds become more popular than the local newspaper, ensuring the ...

Open Call for Civil Society Projects

One of the core activities of AER and its member regions is to connect Europe with citizens. As we are facing a difficult time in terms of knowledge regarding Europe and its future, AER is putting effort in developing concrete actions in order to facilitate the citizens’ wider involvement in the current debates. Our engagement in the EU funded project Road to the Future as well as the active participation to the Democracy Alive festival represent strong initiatives in this direction. Synergetic with our activities, the European Institutions themselves play a key role in making Europe more understandable and relevant. In this context, the Europe for Citizens Programme is an important instrument aimed at getting citizens to play a ...

#Shinebright Oppland for promoting the 2030 Agenda

At the AER Spring Committee Plenaries in Örebro, the region of Oppland (NO) was recognised for their promotion of the 2030 Agenda within AER. The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are a universal call to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that everyone enjoys peace and prosperity. There are 17 goals interconnected to one another and often, the key to success on one, involves tackling issues associated with another. Oppland suggested that as many of AERs activities are already contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals, AER should promote the 2030 agenda, and raise visibility of how AER and its member regions are contributing to this. During last year’s Autumn Committee Plenary, the workshop on “The SDGs as Policy Framework” took ...

#Shinebright Maramures for hosting 2018 Summer Academy

At the AER Spring Committee Plenaries in Örebro, the region of Maramures (RO) was recognised for their involvement in AER activities and for hosting the 2018 Summer Academy. The Summer Academy is a week-long event where regions exchange their experiences in the area of regional development. The theme of last year’s Summer Academy was “Cultural Heritage for Regional Attractiveness”. Cultural heritage is a central part of every society and gives a region its own distinctive flair and identity. Cultural heritage can include traditions passed from generation to generation and landmarks which holds historical significance to its people. How to take this cultural heritage and shape it into a way to make it attractive for people to live, work and visit was ...

Integrated care systems: a practical approach

To innovate healthcare and improve the patient’s journey, more integrated care systems are essential. A range of opportunities is available to AER members in the context of the Scirocco Exchange project on integrated care, as the AER Project workshop showed on the occasion of the AER Committees Spring 2019 Plenaries in Örebro. The patient at the centre The objective of integrated care systems is to provide health and social care in a flexible, personalised, and seamless way. The integration of care can be vertical, involving patient pathways to treat named medical conditions that transcend organisational boundaries and connect community-based generalists with largely hospital-sited specialists or horizontal, involving peerbased and cross-sectoral collaboration to improve overall health closing the traditional gap that often exists between health and ...

Thank You Monica

Monica Carlsson, former AER Vice President for Equal Opportunities and Inclusion, passed away on Wednesday 3 April 2019 It is with great sadness that AER was informed of the death of Ms Monica Carlsson, a long term and active member of our organisation. Ms Carlsson, an elected representative of the Swedish region of Norrbotten, fought relentlessly, at home and in Europe, for fairer and more inclusive societies. During her ten years at AER, she pushed the equal opportunities agenda in the network. Her work on gender equality as well as Roma integration will be particularly remembered. She is at the origin of the creation of an AER Vice Presidency for equal opportunities and inclusion and the streamlining of the equal opportunity agenda in the AER thematic committees. Magnus Berntsson, AER President said : “Monica ...

General Assembly & Spring Bureau 2019

CONSIDER YOURSELF INVITED. The AER General Assembly & Spring Bureau Meeting will take place in Larnaca, Cyprus at the invitation of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities. The General Assembly will take place on Wednesday 5 June and the Spring Bureau Meeting will take place on Thursday 6 June. The venue is as follows:Radisson Blu Hotel, LarnacaAtlantidon 2, Larnaca 6058, Cyprus Our dedicated web page will be your one-stop-shop for all the important information and updates. There you can register and view the detailed agenda. We look forward to seeing you there!

Call for Nominations: AER Political Priorities Task Force

We are seeking nominations from AER Bureau Members to join the AER Political Priorities Task Force by completing the online nomination form available here. Following the decision by the Bureau to set up a Task Force to prepare the AER Political Priorities for the period 2020-2025 at the Bureau Meeting in Gelderland (NL) on 22 November 2018, AER is forming a Task Force to carry out this work. Nominations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. To foster a better gender-balance of AER working structures, the first four male and first four female nominated will be accepted. Deadline for nominations: 30 May 2019. Background AER Political Priorities are developed by the Bureau. They provide the priority areas for its mandate and general orientations for the work ...

AER is recruiting an EU Project Manager (Closed)

Interested in joining the Project Unit and managing European projects for the largest independent interregional network in Europe? We are looking for a colleague to help us in managing the implementation of EU funded projects, joining the AER Project Unit and being able to well liaise with the other staff of the AER Secretariat, member regions and project partners. If you like the idea and you wish to be part of an international and motivated team, apply now! This is who we are We’re a very small team, so everybody is really important We’re also a very great team, with awesome people on board The thing we work for is super cool: who could be against helping people across Europe to work together? It is a place for personal growth, ...

AER discusses Digitalisation and Health with European Commissioners

On 20 March, AER had not one but two meetings at the Berlaymont, the European Commission headquarters, in Brussels to discuss Digitalisation and Health.

The Committees’ 2019-2020 work programme is out!

On the occasion of the Committees’ plenaries in Örebro, AER members identified the topics which matter most for them and on which they want to develop joint actions on with fellow regions. The development of the work programme was a collective process to enable all participants to specify needs and decide to initiate activities which add value for their region. The principle is the following: as long as an action fits with the AER values, is in line with the AER priorities and has support from other regions, it can be included in the Committees work programmes. Committee for Economy & Regional Policy The planned actions in the AER Committee on Economy and Regional Policy can be summed up as follows: Innovation ...

Call for European Heritage Stories

Within the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, AER developed several activities in line with the overall goal of encouraging people to discover, explore and boost Europe’s cultural heritage. In this respect AER organised the 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures (Romania) that brought together over 100 young people from various regions across Europe to discuss about the many benefits that heritage and culture can bring to a region. In the same time during the AER 2017 Spring Plenaries in London and the Autumn 2017 plenaries in Nancy the delegates debated topics that tackled the crisis of cultural heritage on today’s society and provided participants with information on funding opportunities. The call for European Heritage Stories AER is enthusiastic to share with its members this funding opportunity that fits so well ...

Food in Focus at Spring Plenaries in Örebro

The AER Spring Committee Plenaries, which took place from 26-28 March 2019 in Örebro County, Sweden, revolved around food, innovation and health. The seminar ‘Food for Action!’ A regional approach to innovating food systems, was an exemplary opportunity for regions to share how they innovate food systems to achieve nutrition for healthy and sustainable diets, climate and environmental sustainability, circularity and resource efficiency, and innovation and empowering communities. Moderated by Tina Wu, Member Relations Coordinator the seminar saw participants engage in a multisensory activity on Sensory research within the field of Gastronomy – a multisensory perspective in order to promote healthy eating” delivered by Åsa Öström, from Örebro. This delightful and delicious experience was followed by inputs on nutrition & mental health ...

Democracy Alive is just around the Corner!

Spring has sprung, April has arrived and DEMOCRACY ALIVE is no joke! For three days, from 11 to 13 April 2019, everybody who’s anybody (in European affairs) will be on the beautiful Dutch island of Texel for a true celebration of European democracy. Inspired by the Nordic tradition of democracy festivals, DEMOCRACY ALIVE will encourage civic engagement and increase interest in European democracy. Bridging the gap between us citizens and our representatives, and reinforcing trust and optimism in the European project, the festival will create a space where citizens, stakeholders and our elected representatives can come together and engage in dialogue on prosperity, the environment, opportunities for the young, employment, human rights and the rule of law. AER is delighted to ...

Elections results for the AER Spring Committee Plenaries

The elections took place at the AER Spring Committee Plenaries in Örebro on the 26th and 27th of March. Each Committee elected its President & Vice-Presidents as well as the Chairs of the Working Groups and Subcommittees. The election of the Committee Presidents will be confirmed by the AER General Assembly in Cyprus. Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development Committee President: Kenneth Backgård, Norrbotten (SE) (View application) Vice-President for Economic Development and Mobility: Michiel Scheffer, Gelderland (NL) (View application) Chair of the Working Group on Investment, Business & SMEs: Maricel Popa, Iași (RO) (View application) Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health Committee President : Mihai Ritivoiu, Timis (RO)(View application) Vice-President for Health Innovation : Kenneth Johannesson, Värmland (SE) (View application) Chair of the E-Health Network ...

#IChooseEurope is on the Road to the Future!

From 13 to 18 of March, more than 120 young participants from all over Europe gathered in Île de France for the “I Choose Europe” Youth Exchange in the locality of Jambville and the launch of the campaign at “Quartier Général – the Festival of the Engaged Youth in Europe” in Paris. AER not only joined its counterparts of the “Road to the Future” project to support the event organisation but also delivered a workshop on youth employment and mobility in Europe, being these topics very high on the EU agenda in view of the European Elections in May. European youths together ! The quiet life of the locality of Jambville (FR) was disrupted by +120 temporary inhabitants from different ...

Candidates for AER Committees’ elections

The AER Election Committee has been screening applications for open positions within the Committees.  The elections will take place at the AER Spring Committee Plenaries in Örebro on the 26th and 27th of March. Each Committee will elect its President & Vice-Presidents as well as the Chairs of the Working Groups, Subcommittees and representatives for Equal Opportunities. The election of the Committee Presidents will be confirmed by the AER General Assembly in Cyprus. Applications approved by the Election Committee The list of approved applications can be found below: Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development Committee President: Kenneth Backgård, Norrbotten (SE) (View application) Vice-President for Economic Development and Mobility: Michiel Scheffer, Gelderland (NL) (View application) Vice-President for Rural Development, Energy & Environment: position currently held by Kenneth ...

Committee 1 Progress Report Spring 2019

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Regional Development and Economy gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Committees’ plenaries in Arad, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. Sa years later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Arad, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: ProjectsGood practice sharingLobbying The below progress report was compiled for the spring 2019 plenary meeting in Örebro. It gives an overview of the situation, a year after the adoption of ...

Committee 2 Progress Report Spring 2019

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Spring 2018 Committees’ plenaries in Arad, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. A year later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Arad, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: ProjectsGood practice sharingLobbying The below progress report was compiled for the spring 2019 plenary meeting in Örebro. It gives an overview of the situation, 1 year after ...

Committee 3 Progress Report Spring 2019

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Culture, Education and Youth gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Spring 2018 Committees’ plenaries in Arad, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. A year later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Arad, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: ProjectsGood practice sharingLobbying The below progress report was compiled for the Spring 2019 plenary meeting in Örebro. It gives an overview of the situation, 1 year after the ...

Innovating food systems: what are regions doing?

Policymakers from all over wider Europe will gather at the 2019 Spring Committee Plenaries in Örebro (SE), where AER is organising the seminar “Food for thought Action! A regional approach to innovating food systems” on March 27th. Regions will share how they innovate food systems to achieve:– nutrition for healthy and sustainable diets– climate and environmental sustainability– circularity and resource efficiency– innovation and empowering communities Ensuring the knowledge flow in AER The findings from this exchange of experiences will allow for mutual learning and improvement of regional policymaking across wider Europe and will provide elements to support the work of the AER Bureau Task Force on Food. This event will be an opportunity for members to learn from each others and to ...

The Committees’ work programme development explained

Spring is work programme definition season at AER! On the occasion of the Spring Plenary meetings in Örebro, members of the three thematic Committees will decide what they would like to do together and how they will leverage regional initiatives via the network. The below elements will help you make the most of this opportunity. Just do it! Many things change, but the n°1 rule doesn’t: everything is possible! The main idea is the following: if you want to carry something out within the network, just do it! Any idea is welcome!The actions members can implement via the committees are diverse: project development, organisation of a workshop, seminar, international conference, study visit, brokerage event, breakfast briefing, webinar, collection of good practices, elaboration ...

An integrated approach to the Sustainable Development Goals

The Committees’ Work Programmes for 2018-2019 demonstrates a strong commitment towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the main topics members decided to work on last Spring, was the use of the Sustainable Development Goals as a policy framework. Experience exchange and advocacy In this context, the AER Working Group on Energy and Climate Change exchanged experiences during a workshop in September 2018 in Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS). Working Group Chair Eva Hallström also attended a meeting represented AER at the 1st OECD Roundtable on Cities and Regions for the SDGs, which took place at the OECD Headquarters in Paris. The roundtable brought together cities, regions, national governments, international organisations, private sector and other key stakeholders to identify trends and ...

AMiD workshop: multilevel cooperation for migration policies

On the occasion of this year Spring Plenaries in Örebro (SE), AER is organising a workshop on multilevel cooperation for migration policies. What is AMiD about The AMiD-Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities project aims to support an efficient management of the reception and integration of asylum seekers and migrants with disabilities in the EU.AER is an important partner in the consortium, representing local authorities. Timis (RO), Värmland (SE) and Valencia (ES) have an active role in the Community Advisory Board (CAB), which gathers partnership members, European Regions and external experts from service providers. A multistakeholder approach In the migration context, cooperation and coordination between governments, local and regional authorities, civil society and other relevant stakeholders is needed. At the International Migrants Day: Promoting ...

Pack your bags! We’re going to Democracy Alive!

The European Movement International (EMI) is organising the Democracy Alive festival together with the Alliance for Democracy and the European Parliament, with the aim of encouraging civic engagement and increasing overall democratic interest. AER will take part in this event as a co-organiser from 11 to 13 April 2019 on the island of Texel (NL), where European decision-makers, organised civil society, businesses, influencers and other interested parties will meet to participate in debates, song contests, concerts, discussions, book readings, sports tournaments, etc.  AER will have a pavilion where we will present our best practices and initiatives and an information stand where we could publicise, among the Democracy Alive participants, AER, its member regions and its programmes and projects. Photo by Jonas Denil on Unsplash Our new Communications Coordinator, Erica Lee, is taking the lead in preparing our contributions ...

Blockchain in logistics to be discussed at AER plenaries in Örebro

Blockchain is still a relatively new type of technology. It is expected to see major growth from 2021 to 2025 and to reach maturity in 2026 and beyond. Excuse-me… blockchain? According to DHL Trend Research, blockchain can be defined as a distributed ledger technology that can record transactions between parties in a secure and permanent way. Blockchain allows information to be verified and exchanged without relying on a third-party authority.Blockchain is therefore especially interesting to exchange data in a secure way. Blockchain in real life: why, how what? Blockchain has applications in areas as diverse as healthcare, music, food systems, birth wedding and death certificates, personal identification, supply chains or finances. In logistics for instance, data sharing across the supply chain could enable higher levels ...

Need a partner for your Europe for Citizens proposal? Korça (AL) is keen

If you are building a network of local authorities under the Europe for Citizens programme, AER has a member region ready to complete your partnership. Korça Region (AL) is looking to join a partnership under the Networks of Towns measure of the Europe for Citizens programme — action grants 2019. Combining the qualities of an attractive destination and a top-notch team member, this Albanian county has what it takes to make a valuable contribution to your project.    A Dynamic and enchanting locale The city of Korça is as charming as its name. With cobbled streets, traditional houses full of light, serenades ringing in the night air, and a wealth of historical and artistic treasures, the often unmarked yet unmistakable legacy of a ...

AER working group on Transports & Mobility to share experiences on Open data

Open data is data that anyone can access, use and share. Governments, businesses and individuals can use open data to bring about social, economic and environmental benefits.There are many areas where open data can be of value: Innovation: access to reusable data inspires innovative services and new business models. For the period 2016-2020, the market size for Open Data is estimated to be 325 billion EUR. Transparency: publishing data about processes, spendings, priorities, use of services, outputs, and making it accessible is an essential part to improve transparency and governance Efficiency: by using Open Data, Member States are forecasted to make 1.7 billion EUR in efficiency savings by 2020. Innovating mobility Public transport companies are big producers of data. This data can be re-used to ...

If you missed the Eurodyssey Website Training in Barcelona…

On 14 and 15 February, regional correspondents of AER’s flagship programme Eurodyssey gathered in the sunny city of Barcelona for a 2-day Website and Communications Training. The event was kindly hosted by Catalonia’s Employment Office –Servei Públic d’Ocupació de Catalunya (SOC)–. Redesigned website for flexibility and efficiency The new Eurodyssey website features stunning new looks and a better user experience thanks to various new functionalities that will significantly improve the day-to-day management of the programme via the website. Andrés Muñoz Rojo, AER Programmes Coordinator & responsible for Eurodyssey, together with Audric Delcour, Wordpress Developer, conducted a two-round training session which consisted of a role-play simulation from the different user’s profile –namely, the region, the company and the young trainee/candidate– starting from registration until the ...

AER meets with the Cabinet of EU Commissioner Carlos Moedas

AER President Magnus Berntsson and Secretary-General Mathieu Mori today met with the cabinet of Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, to discuss the future of social innovation in Europe. Magnus Berntsson introduced the AER position on social innovation and exchanged views on some important issues under consideration in the future EU research and innovation policy. The AER President said “Regions play a vital role in tackling societal challenges and promoting social innovation. Engaging them in the next framework programme for research and innovation and its missions is therefore instrumental”. The meeting covered a range of issues of interest to European regions, including the support to regional innovation ecosystems, the synergies between the future framework programme for research and innovation ...

Tackle Energy Efficiency with upcoming calls from Horizon 2020

At the end of the month, AER member Upper Austria will be hosting the 2019 edition of the  World Sustainable Energy Days. AER is a longtime partner of this event, and is excited to see this year’s exchanges between stakeholders whose collaboration will be necessary to put into action Europe’s clean energy transition. Energy efficiency will be front and center in the program with the day-long European Energy Efficiency Conference, bookended by a Young Energy Efficiency Researchers Conference and technical site visits that will give participants a firsthand look at some concrete ways energy efficiency goals are being pursued on the ground. As you are planning your visit to Wels, it’s the perfect time to think about what actions European funds ...

Study Visit on Climate Change: Connecting Nijmegen Municipality and Denizli Metropolitan Municipality

AER aims to create a platform where members can learn from each other by exchanging best practices and sharing experiences. Here, we would like to share a fruitful study visit experience from two of our member regions. On 28 November, Denizli Metropolitan Municipality (TR) visited Nijmegen Municipality, Province of Gelderland (NL) to discover more about Climate Change. What is the project? At the moment, Denizli Metropolitan Municipality (TR), has a project called “Power The Revolution for Climate Action” under Capacity Building in the Field of Climate Change in Turkey Grant Scheme (CCGS) program that is co-funded by the European Union and the Republic of Turkey. The most important outcome of this project will be the Denizli Climate Change Action Plan where they will identify the ...

Towards a more sustainable Europe by 2030

The AER Working Group on Energy and Climate Change has recently exchanged experiences on the use of the Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for regional policy-making.In this context, the European Commission published on January 30th a Reflection Paper on a Sustainable Europe by 2030.As part of the debate on the future of Europe, the paper reviews challenges and debates on how the Sustainable Development Goals can be best achieved and how the European States and regions can best contribute by 2030. The Reflection Paper focuses on the key policy foundations for the sustainability transition, which include moving from linear to circular economy, correcting the imbalances in our food system, future-proofing our energy, buildings and mobility, and making sure that this transition ...

Why Food matters for regional development

Providing citizens with affordable, safe and nutritious food is complex. Moreover, the health and wellbeing of citizens and consumers are directly affected by the way cities and regions are shaping a sustainable food environment. The management of food systems and food quality has therefore far-reaching impact for areas as varied as health, climate, jobs and innovation. The development of the bioeconomy policy will be a primary determinant of Food and Nutrition Security. Bioeconomy is Europe’s response to key global challenges. It is meant to: make food available, accessible and affordable for all build climate smart food systems adaptive to climate change implement circular economy principles grow new jobs and industries, thus empowering communities The Bioeconomy: at the crossroads of sustainable development Food 2030, a timely EU ...

Meet us in Paris to launch the “I Choose Europe” campaign

For the past few months, AER has been working hard with partners to get the project European Youth Together: Road to the Future on its feet. Consider this your personal invitation to see it take flight. The project will launch the “I Choose Europe” campaign to engage youth ahead of the European elections in Paris on 16 March, as part of a large-scale youth event: Headquarters – the Festival of the Engaged Youth in Europe (“Quartier Général, le festival des jeunes engagé.e.s en Europe.”) What’s it all about? Headquarters, organised by our partners Animafac, will gather more than 2 000 participants from Europe and all over France for a convivial and festive day with an eclectic program imagined for and by engaged ...

Apply now for the “I Choose Europe” Youth Exchange

AER, proud partner of the EU funded project Road to the Future, is happy to share with the entire network the launching of the first large scale youth exchange. This mobility activity comes after several initiatives that project partners realised in order to create the framework to engage the youth in the discussions on the future of Europe. AER is strongly contributing to this project, having also the AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) represented in the consortium, being at AER the voice of the youth on critical issues and policies. ​Therefore, European politically engaged youth, this opportunity is for you! The “I Choose Europe” Youth Exchange is your chance to spend a week in France collaborating with people all around Europe ...

Interreg Central Europe funds experimentation and collaboration in final call

For their Final Call for Project Proposals, the folks at Interreg Central Europe are thinking outside the box. They are looking for experimental projects that will bring together outputs and lessons from several projects previously funded by their programme and other European funding programmes. The call will open 4 March 2019. What can I do? Projects should address one of seven topics: Industry 4.0/Advanced Manufacturing Energy Efficient Renovation of Public Building in Cities Climate Change Adaptation and Risk Prevention Social Entrepreneurship Low Carbon Mobility and Urban Air Quality Cultural Heritage Sites & Buildings At Risk Accessibility of Peripheral and Border Regions to TEN-T and CNC How can I do it? The partnerships will roll out promising project outputs and results of already funded Interreg Central Europe projects at the regional and ...

WANTED: Communications Assistant (trainee contract -up to 6 months)

We are looking for a motivated individual to join the Communication Team at our Brussels Office. Under the supervision of the Communications Coordinator, your main tasks will be to: contribute to the communications strategy of AER assist in the development and management of our main communication channel (our website); prepare the annual activity report reach out to AER’s audience via social media come up with innovative ways of keeping in touch with our members and growing our impact Here are some things that make working with us great:We are a team where everyone —including interns— is respected and treated equallyWe are a committed group of professionals, with terrific people on boardWe have a meaningful mission; helping people across Europe to work together is what drives usWe ...

What’s new on Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence has been discussed in AER events, especially in the 2017 event “Artificial Intelligence: are the regions up to challenge?“. The event brought together politicians, civil servants, entrepreneurs, academics and stakeholder groups to exchange about the disruption artificial intelligence brings for regional policymaking. The European Commission’s coordinated plan on AI & new guidelines With artificial intelligence making its way forward, Europe has actively been working on new approaches on how to regulate it. To steer the change in the right direction, last December the European Commission has published its coordinated plan on artificial intelligence, as well as a new set of guidelines that will set out how “trustworthy” AI can be achieved. More investments With an increase of EU investment on AI, ...

Learn how one project has put the “We” into eGovernment

Digital innovation and new technologies have become a potential game changer in the relationship between citizens and government. AER and its member regions have long been active in coming to grips with the challenges and opportunities digital tools present to public authorities. 2016’s AER General Assembly and Spring Bureau, for example, saw representatives of our member regions and the Youth Regional Network exchange with representatives of the Council of Europe and the Baltic Institute of Finland on (R)e-inventing democracy and the disruptive nature of technology, Notably, regions shared good practices in employing digital technologies to enhance the participatory nature of regional democracy. From these conversations the AER Bureau adopted the Declaration on (R)e-inventing democracy, laying out a regional approach ...

Join Marche Region’s (IT) Interreg Med project on Acquaculture

Marche Region (IT) and the University of Camerino (UNICAM) are looking for partners to express interest in a proposal for a project to push forward Blue Growth. They are applying under Interreg Med’s Third Call for Multi-Modular Projects (M2 Testing + M3 Capitalization). Their proposal focuses on Acquaculture, aiming to contribute to the transnational development, transfer and capitalization of innovative and sustainable technologies and know-how for aquaculture sector MSMEs throughout the involved Mediterranean maritime ecosystems. The Vision The lead partners hope to  build a broad multi-sector consortium, including public authorities, research institutions and businesses. Partners should be interested in testing tools for Micro- Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the acquaculture sector in their regional / national ecosystems and then transfer ...

Erasmus+: drive innovation in education and training, launch transnational sport projects

New calls for projects under the Erasmus+ programme are now open. Applicants are invited to propose projects under the calls Forward-Looking Cooperation Projects 2019 EACEA/36/2018 and Erasmus+: Sport 2019. Forward-Looking Cooperation Projects (FLCPs) One of the ways that the EU seeks to stimulate policy progress is by funding bottom-up innovation efforts. Under Key Action 3 of the Erasmus Programme, Forward-Looking Cooperation Projects (FLCPs) is the name given to large-scale projects that push policy and practice in education and training beyond the state of the art. Rather than high-level public authorities, stakeholders that are well-positioned to effect impactful change and influence the policy agenda take the lead. As the name suggests, transnational cooperation among stakeholders in finding, sharing, implementing, and collecting evidence ...

Public Authority wanted for a project on Skills Alliance

The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), partner of AER in the AMiD project, is looking for a public authority to join as a partner in their project within the Erasmus+ Sector Skills Alliance program. Who is EASPD? EASPD is an organisation that dedicates itself to persons with disabilities. Their objective is to deliver high-quality support services for those in need. What about the project? This project seeks to develop an alliance to provide training on the new technological competences and improve digital skills of the Health and Social Sector professionals who are supporting persons with disabilities. The training will help to identify the skills shortages and link these to ECVET points (European Credit System for Vocational Education & Training) and ...

Activate European citizenship through projects on remembrance, town twinning and networks of towns

In the first days of the New Year, many of us are doubtless wondering what 2019 will bring for Europe and its citizens. Will voters heed the lessons of the continent’s authoritarian past? Will European citizens be brought closer together or riven further apart by cynical exploiters of xenophobia? Here at AER, we act everyday to promote European values and bring citizens closer together. We are currently implementing the project Road to the Future, which aims to boost youth political participation ahead of the European Elections and beyond through trainings for young people and scores of local debates and advocacy activities. The Youth Regional Network, closely involved in this project, gives members of youth regional councils the opportunity to debate ...

European Projects Intern Wanted for Assembly of European Regions Secretariat Brussels (Closed)

Ready to train with the EU projects team for the largest independent network of regions in Europe? We are looking for an intern to join the Project Unit at our Brussels Office, supervised by the European Projects & Private Partnerships coordinator. Your main tasks will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events as Info Days on funding programmes) Writing articles on the results of your mapping as well as on running projects and activities Disseminating information about projects and funding opportunities on social media Supporting AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members Contributing to the implementation of ongoing projects for all concerning activities and finances Providing inputs in terms of drafting documents to join new project proposals The ...

AER President speaks at the UN climate conference on behalf of the world’s regions and municipalities

AER was present at this year’s UN climate meeting, which took place in Katowice, Poland. The highlight of AER’s involvement was when AER President Magnus Berntsson spoke at the high-level segment 12 December on behalf of all the regions and municipalities of the world.  Setting the scene AER has been building a strong voice on how regional climate action can advance global climate goals, convening the engagement of its member regions with the international development policy processes, notably the climate change agenda and its Conferences held in the frame of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Stretching from the 3 of December to 12 of December, this year’s Conference of Parties (COP) is expected to have gathered around 30 000 participants, among ...

At International Migrants Day event, regions share intercultural approaches to diversity, inclusion

On 18 December, AER marked International Migrants Day in Barcelona. A source of inputs for the AMiD project (Access to Services for Migrants with Disabilities), the event was partially funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. We and our co-host, AER member region Catalonia, brought together representatives from regions from around Europe to push forward the conversation on integration and diversity management. Participants came to exchange and learn, united in recognition of the vital role played by local and regional authorities in managing diversity and building cohesive societies, improving the lives and opportunities of citizens, and contributing to their social, economic and civic inclusion. The day-long event was held In the Petralbes Royal Palace, and simultaneous interpretation in ...

Become an AER leader – 2019 AER elections!

Being a political organisation, AER only thrives because of the involvement of its members. Some members take the opportunity to go the extra mile by endorsing political mandates within AER turning them into leaders of the largest regional network in Europe. Getting european visibility, defending the cause of regions and its citizens, helping them better their policies, gaining recognition among peers are all very good reasons to run for these elections. A variety of positions are up for elections for instance : Executive Board member Committee President for economy and regional development Committee Vice-President for health innovation Chair of the Sub-Committee on Culture Member of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group And many more ! To see the detailed list of the positions open for election and how to apply, ...

Engage youth for European elections! Join Road to the Future training

AER and the Youth Regional Network (YRN) are proud to be partners of the EU-funded project “European Youth Together – Road to the Future”, aimed at empowering young people to participate in European democracy leading up to the 2019 European Parliament elections and beyond. This project has a rich calendar of events and activities, both international and local, that will include young people, young activists and young youth workers from a diversity of youth networks. The bonds formed during this project will provide the basis for stronger cooperation on future projects and initiatives. We would like to share with you a unique opportunity within this project: a training for organisers and facilitators of local activities that will animate the debate on the ...

New rules, new roles for governments in a Sharing Economy

The Sharing Economy is disrupting not only transports and tourism, it may soon drastically change the way we envision public services, raising new questions for policymakers. On 4 December 2018 the “The Sharing Economy: Reshaping the way we do business” event, co-organised by AER, Brussels Capital and Catalonia brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, academics and representatives of the third sector for vivid exchanges. Governments in the Digital Age The digital transformation changes the way institutions work, share information and organise power. This is why the topic is recurring in different AER thematic activities be it e-health, transports, food… Indeed it touches upon governance and multistakeholder cooperation. With views to the sharing or collaborative economy, it poses new challenges to governments in terms of taxation ...

Call for regional and local experiences in implementing Agenda 2030

In September 2018 the AER Working Group on Energy and Climate Change exchanged regional experiences on the use of the Sustainable Development Goals as a policy framework. A global movement Since its inception in 2015, the UN Sustainable Development Agenda (Agenda 2030), calls on governments, businesses and citizens to collectively mobilize to end all forms of poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change. The 17 sustainable development goals are designed to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. The greening of the economy can be an exciting possibility for new industries, technologies and services. Gathering regional experiences, good and bad AER aims to be an active partner in reaching the sustainable development goals. In this effort, the Working Group on Energy and Climate Change would ...

Call from EEA and Norway Grants on social dialogue and decent work now open

EEA and Norway Grants 2014-2021 has released a new call for projects under their Social Dialogue – Decent Work Programme. Funding will be made available for projects favouring better working conditions, access to employment, and dialogue among workers, employers, and public authorities. Know the basics This grant scheme is funded by Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland with an aim to strengthen relations with beneficiary countries and reduce economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area (EEA). This call targets 11 beneficiary countries, each with its own specific call documents linked here: Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Social partners (i.e. employers’ organisations and trade unions), public authorities, or organisations of public authorities may apply as lead ...

AER discusses food sustainability and governance in the digital age

On the occasion of the elaboration of the AER Committee 1  work programme for 2018-2019, members decided to develop activities around quality food, short supply chains and sustainable development. In parallel, on the occasion of the Spring Bureau, members decided to initiate a Task Force on Food to develop policy messages on food for advocacy. The approach of the Task Force was from the beginning very holistic, including health, innovation and education. In this context AER decided to seize the opportunity to organise a side event at Smart City Expo World Congress to prepare a session on Food, Sustainability & Governance in the Digital Age. Complex challenges Food lays at the core of sustainable regional development as it touches upon topics as ...

Inspiring debates at the YRN Autumn Plenary in Cascais 2018!

From 16 to 18 November 2018, the YRN had the great pleasure to celebrate its Autumn Plenary Meeting in the framework of the 2018 Cascais: European Youth Capital. The event brought together young representatives from various regional youth councils and parliaments in Europe to discuss hot topics at the top of the EU Agenda in the beautiful municipality of Cascais (PO). The meeting kicked-off with the traditional report of the YRN Presidium presenting the latest developments and was followed by a presentation by AER Member Relations Coordinator Elin Berglie and AER Programmes Coordinator Andrés Muñoz’s  presentation of the “European Youth Together – Road to the future” project funded under Erasmus+, in which AER – YRN is a key partner in a consortium composed of various ...

Bring your talents to Road to the Future as external evaluator

The project European Youth Together – Road to the Future is looking to contract an external evaluator. Given the importance of this project’s aims, the consortium is especially committed to quality, transparency and accountability. The external evaluator will be key in ensuring these commitments are respected and that the project team and interested parties take away valuable insights from the project’s implementation. What is Road to the Future? Funded by Erasmus+ under Key Action 3 European Youth Together, Road to the Future aims to encourage and strengthen European-oriented youth participation for the European Parliament Elections 2019 and in the longer term for the future of Europe. It is led by the Young European Federalists (JEF Europe), who are joined in the consortium ...

Bureau Meeting in Gelderland: highlights and takeaways

Bureau members discuss about migration, diversity and inclusion and adopt AER Manifesto on European Elections 2019 and positions on future cohesion policy and social innovation   A Regional Debate: Migration, Diversity and Integration At AER’s Bureau Meeting on 22 November, regional leaders from across our membership discussed interrelated challenges facing regions in the areas of migration, diversity and integration and most effective approaches to promoting diversity and inclusion at regional level. In a debate moderated by Oriol Amorós, Secretary for Equality, Migration and Citizenship of the Government of Catalonia (ES), our guest speakers Antonio Polosa, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration in the Netherlands, Laura Corrado, Head of Legal Migration and Integration Unit of the European Commission Directorate-General for Migration and ...

Romanian-Bulgarian cross-border regional cooperation: successes, challenges, and the way forward

The Assembly of European Regions counts among its members four Romanian counties that share a border with Bulgaria. The Danube River winds along the southern edge of Mehendenti, Dolj, Olt, and Calarasi. For these regions, as with border regions across Europe, collaborations with neighbours across the border was not historically always the rule. With the beginning of the EU accession process for Romania and Bulgaria in the mid-2000s, however, came new legal and financial capacities for a deeper interaction between border regions. Two major EU contributions to a reimagining of territorial cooperation in the region are the Romania-Bulgaria Cross-Border Cooperation Programme, currently in the form of Interreg V-A Romania-Bulgaria and the Danube Region Strategy. Nonetheless, several obstacles to coordination and collaboration between ...

Fund your project on cultural cooperation with Creative Europe

Regions involved in Committee 3, we have a great funding opportunity for you. The call Support for European Cooperation Projects 2019 from the European Union’s Creative Europe programme is currently open.  While projects relating to culture may be admissible under calls from other programs (e.g. Interreg or Horizon2020), Creative Europe is the EU programme explicitly designed to support actions in the cultural and creative sectors. With a broad scope of objectives, this call is a great opportunity for those looking to fund transnational projects in this area. Build up your application The following priorities are identified in the call: Promote the transnational mobility of artists and professionals with a view to enabling them to cooperate internationally and to internationalise their careers; Strengthen audience development ...

Build partnerships for sustainable cities around the world with EU funding

Do you think global development initiatives can only be pursued by national or European authorities? Think again. Local authorities are encouraged to work together for sustainable development under the call “Partnerships for sustainable cities” from the European Commission’s Non-State Actors and Local Authorities Programme. The Directorate General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) is now accepting applications for projects that partner local authorities or associations of local authorities in the European Union with their counterparts around the world. Partnerships with cities in Sub-Saharan Africa will receive the greatest share of funding, but grants will also go to partnerships with cities in Asia and the Pacific; Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean; and the Neighbourhood South and East. What should the projects look like? This ...

We’re hiring a Member Relations Coordinator! (closed)

Interested in managing members for the largest interregional network in Europe? We are looking for a colleague to help us with the management of the network, accompany our member regions in their AER experience and extend our membership base to new regions. We offer a Belgian full-time employment contract. This is who we are Do you want to be our new colleague? Here are the things that are great about this workplace: We’re a very small team, so everybody is really important We’re also a very great team, with awesome people on board The thing we work for is super cool: who could be against helping people across Europe to work together? It is a place for personal growth, as you get to work with so many ...

All eyes on Education & Training at Sharing Economy event

The world is changing and so is business. These developments are reshaping the future of education. Updating teaching materials to keep them relevant for students is no longer enough, a whole new approach to education might be necessary. We are currently experiencing fast, technology-driven social change. According to the OECD, the future will be characterised by new opportunities, as well as by new uncertainties. This represents a critical challenge for educators. With the current pace of innovation and shorter innovation cycles, new technologies will keep transforming how we live and work. In a fast-changing world, producing more of the same knowledge and skills will not suffice to address the challenges of the future. Tomorrow’s services and products Sharing goods and services between individuals is ...

We’re hiring an Events and Communications Coordinator! (closed)

Interested in managing the events organisation and communications for the largest interregional network in Europe? We are looking for a colleague to build on a renewed brand identity that we launched last year and to continue innovating our communications systems, taking us to the next level. We want this to be combined with a knack for organising events, from workshops, to multi-day conferences. We offer a Belgian full-time employment contract, with a competitive salary. You should have the right to live and work in Belgium. This is who we are Do you want to be our new colleague? Here are the things that are great about this workplace: We’re a small team, so everybody is really important; We’re also a great team, with awesome people on board; We share ...

Are you an expert in European youth mobility projects? Join Road to the Future’s Advisory Board

The project Road to the Future is seeking two external experts to become members of its Advisory Board. Applicants should have experience with youth mobility exchanges and/or efforts to boost democratic participation and political debate among young people. What is Road to the Future? Funded by Erasmus+ under Key Action 3 European Youth Together, Road to the Future aims to encourage and strengthen European-oriented youth participation for the European Parliament Elections 2019 and in the longer term for the future of Europe. It is led by the Young European Federalists (JEF Europe), who are joined in the consortium by several youth-oriented organisations throughout Europe, the Assembly of European Regions, and the Union of European Federalists. Road to the Future will produce several major ...

European Week of Regions and Cities 2018

The AER took part in the annual European Week of Regions and Cities, organised by the Committee of the Regions. From 8 – 12 October representatives from all across Europe came to Brussels to discuss best practices and share experiences. The AER organised a workshop on Cohesion for Enlargement: Thriving in a Stronger Union. The workshop brought together experts to look at the role cohesion policy plays in strengthening the enlargement process for the Western Balkans. There was also a discussion on how the forthcoming legislative proposals for the renewed cohesion policy framework and instruments can deliver the best outcomes for social, economic and territorial cohesion in the view of a stronger and enlarged Union. Panellists: Vidosava Enderic – Director, European Affairs Fund, ...

Are you a Silver Economy tech innovator? Get funding for testing!

Though AER and its consortium partners have wrapped up work on the SEED project, opportunities for those innovating in the Silver Economy abound. The Activage project, funded by Horizon2020, is looking for SMEs, midcaps, and start-ups that have developed technologies oriented toward Active and Healthy Ageing (AHA). Their first open call provides an opportunity to test these technologies on the Internet of Things (IOT) ecosystem created by the project. Who is the call for? SMEs, midcaps, and start-ups from European Union member states and Horizon2020 eligible countries are welcome to apply. Successful applicants will be funded for a year starting in January 2019.  Proposals will seek to address one of the challenges identified by the Activage. These include issues ranging from cognitive stimulation and daily activity ...

EU Green Week 2019: the call for proposals for the official opening event is open!

The AER Working Group on Energy and Climate Change has recently exchanged experiences on the use of the SDGs as a framework for regional policy-making. In this context the below open call led by the Directorate-General for Environment (DG-ENV) of the European Commission can be of interest to AER members. Focus on the implementation of environmental policies The next edition of EU Green Week (13-17 May 2019) will put the process of environmental implementation into the spotlight. The European Commission will be asking stakeholders whether environmental laws really matter, and what are the added benefit for citizens. What does successful implementation look like? Why do “implementation gaps” exist? What generates ownership of environmental laws by stakeholders? And most importantly, how can the ...

AER at Smart City Expo World Congress, Barcelona

AER is organising a mutual learning event focused on food, in partnership with Smart City Expo World Congress. This event, which was announced at the Committee 1 Plenary meeting in Vojvodina by the Chair of the AER Working Group on Rural Development Olimpia Neagoe,  will take place on 14 November from 14:00 to 16:00 Food, Sustainability and Governance in the Digital Age The “SCEWC: Food, Sustainability, and Governance in the Digital Age” event AER is organising will be a mutual learning event on food which will be organised around 4 discussion groups. The group discussions are the raison d’être of the event, the place where the policy learning happens. The event will bring together regional policymakers, NGOs, academics, businesses to look at ...

Looking for partners? Sakarya Municipality (TR) is ready to join a cultural landscape project!

Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality (TR), member of AER, is looking for projects to join as a partner within the call “HORIZON 2020 SC5-20-2019: Transforming historic urban areas and/or cultural landscapes into hubs of entrepreneurship and social and cultural integration”. What is it for? Actions funded under this call will seek to re-activate and re-generate historic urban areas and/or cultural landscapes,  spurring innovation by facilitating collaboration among a diverse set of actors. This call is for projects aiming to: reverse trends of abandonment and neglect of historic heritage in urban areas and landscapes establish new and tested blueprints for the socially and economically viable regeneration of European historic urban areas and cultural landscapes. The project should assess cultural and heritage values, respect the identity of the places ...

A new exchange programme for civil servants

On the occasion of the Autumn 2018 Plenaries in Vojvodina, Committee 3 President Radimir Čačić announced the launch of a new exchange programme for civil servants. This programme will be hosted at the European College of Cluny, in the region of Bourgogne, France and is expected to be operational by 2020. If your region is interested please fill out this survey. A longstanding engagement for mobility & peer learning As the chair of the Committee 3 on Culture, Education & Youth, Radimir Čačić suggested in Spring 2018 to include in the work programme the development of a new civil servants’ exchange programme. The whole idea is based on the principle of a modern public regional administration, which is characterized by efficiency, transparency, ethics, equal ...

Learn more about the AER Project Unit!

Committee plenaries offer an opportunity to take a step back and take account of our work. This video prepared for the Fall 2018 plenaries in Vojvadina shares an overview of what AER project unit does and why we are here. Explore the pages under the projects tab to learn more, and never hesitate to ask us questions. We are here for you!

Fund your project in the 2nd call of the Black Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020

The Black Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020 is back with a second call for project proposals. In September, panels at the AER 7th Black Sea Summit discussed topics closely related to the programme’s focus on business development and environmental protection. This call is a great opportunity for AER members to translate the ideas discussed in Odessa (UA) into concrete action. As part of the European Union’s Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) under the European Neighborhood Instrument (ENI), the programme makes funding available to applicants from regions in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey, and Ukraine as well as to applicants throughout all of Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova. A list of all eligible regions can be found here. Grants between 300.000 and 1.500.000 EUR will be rewarded to partnerships ...

Need funds? Answer Interreg Alpine Space’s 4th call for project proposals

We have good news for Alpine regions looking for access to project funding. Interreg Alpine Space has opened its fourth call for proposals. Eligible public and private organisations must belong to the Alpine Space, which covers all of Austria, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, and Switzerland, as well as several regions in France, Germany, and Italy. This call follows a two-step application that will end in September 2019, when the Interreg Alpine Space committee will select the projects funded. These projects must involve partners from at least four different countries and may run for a maximum of 33.5 months. Find a topic To get a chunk of the call’s  24,8 million EUR of project funding, submit project ideas that match the programme’s four priorities: 1) Innovative ...

SEED comes to successful conclusion with Silver Economy Awards handover

After two years of dedicated work, the SEED project—‘Supporting the recognition of the Silver Economy in Europe in the Digital era’—has met its objectives and is wrapping up its activities. The project, which was launched in October 2016 with funding from Horizon2020, established an awards scheme committed to promoting and rewarding digital innovation that improves the quality of life of older persons throughout Europe: the Silver Economy Awards. During the Committees plenaries in Novi Sad (RS), AER members got a chance to discuss the achievements of SEED and the first successful edition of the Silver Economy Awards. With categories dedicated to public authorities, non-for-profit organisations, and for-profit organisations, the 2018 Silver Economy Awards attracted 95 applications from 22 countries. Awards went ...

Regional representatives gather in Vojvodina, Serbia

The AER travelled to Vojvodina, Serbia for its Autumn Plenary from 25 – 27 September 2018. A detailed recap of all the meetings that took place is available  below. The key takeaways from the plenary are as follows: There will be a strong collaboration in the coming months between the Committees, where mutual learning and experience exchange take place, and the Bureau Task Forces, where the findings from the Committees will be used to develop policy messages. For example, the three AER committees and the AER Task Force on Migration will work closely together to develop messaging ahead of the International Migrants Day: Promoting Diversity in Regions event in Barcelona on Tuesday 18 December. The Task Force on Cohesion Policy, which is currently under the responsibility ...

Umbria and Maramures: the power of social entrepreneurship

The AER Committees are a space for experience exchange, which enable mutual learning and regional policy innovation. During the 2018 Spring plenary of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health, members identified social entrepreneurship as a topic of high interest. This is why the President of the Committee  on Social Policy & Public Health, Mihai Ritivoiu invited Umbria (IT) and Maramures (RO) to share their experience on social entrpreneurship and initiate a discussion among members. Pioneering social change A social entrepreneurship does business focusing on a social purpose trying to bring a social change in the society. The Business encyclopedia says that the “social entrepreneurs combine commerce and social issues in a way that improves the lives of people connected to the ...

Latvian or Estonian? Join a project to revamp care for the elderly and the disabled

Örebro Municipality (SE), found within AER member region Örebro (SE), is seeking partners from Latvia and Estonia to join a project proposal within the Interreg Central Baltic Programme under Priority 4.1. The project will develop new methods for effectively serving the elderly and people with disabilities, forging durable relationships between public authorities and civil society organisations. As populations age, public authorities face new challenges in providing the care and supporting their citizens need. Örebro (SE)  is looking for creative solutions to overcome these challenges. Their project will focus on developing a rehabilitative working method that: Empowers citizens to set goals for their own care Establishes civil society organisations and citizens as equal actors and facilitates cross-professional cooperation Incorporates all aspects of daily life into rehabilitation While developing and ...

Committee 2 Progress report Autumn 2018

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Committees’ plenaries in Arad, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. Six months later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Arad, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the autumn 2018 plenary meeting in Novi Sad. It gives an overview of the situation, 6 months after the ...

Committee 1 Progress report Autumn 2018

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Regional Development and Economy gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Committees’ plenaries in Arad, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. Six months later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Arad, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the autumn 2018 plenary meeting in Novi Sad. It gives an overview of the situation, 6 months after the adoption ...

Committee 3 Progress report Autumn 2018

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Culture, Education and Youth gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme and to evaluate progress every six months. On the occasion of the Committees’ plenaries in Arad, AER members identified joint actions they wanted to implement with fellow regions. Six months later it is time to evaluate progress, celebrate achievements and share experiences! Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in Arad, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the autumn 2018 plenary meeting in Novi Sad. It gives an overview of the situation, 6 months after the adoption ...

7th AER Black Sea Summit focuses on opportunities the region offers for peace and prosperity in Europe

AER, in partnership with the German Marshall Fund, organised on 5-6 of September the 7th edition of its AER Black Sea Summit, hosted by the region of Odessa (UA). The focus this year was put on the link between the Danube and the Black Sea strategies. Following an opening address by President Nicolas Sarkozy, MEPs, European Commission officials, National and regional Parliamentarians from all across Europe and also business and civil society representatives gathered to discuss how the Danube and the Black Sea regions can contribute to establish prosperous and green foundations for a peaceful Europe. The detailed programme can be found HERE. Many partners present in Odessa, stressed how useful they find the trusted space of dialogue that is the AER ...

Coming to Vojvodina? Join our Summer Academy meeting!

If you have not yet heard about the AER Summer Academy, then you should join us at our next meeting on Thursday 27 September – during the AER Autumn Plenaries in Novi Sad (Vojvodina, SRB)– in order to find out more about what this initiative can offer your region. Registrations for the Plenaries are closing on Friday 14 September!  What is AER Summer Academy’s mission? According to its Statute –recently approved by the AER General Assembly– the programme aims to: To facilitate the exchange of experience and good practices between regions on issues of common interest. To facilitate exchanges between policy makers and young people. To support mutual learning. To promote regional democracy in Europe & implementation of the principle of subsidiarity. To provide an opportunity for regional ...

Watch the official video of the 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures

We are delighted to share with you this video of the 2018 AER Summer Academy produced by Maramures’ audiovisual services. This film definitely reflects what the programme has to offer to regions and participants: mutual learning, networking with experts and professionals, discovering the heritage treasures of the host region, empowering young people, gaining hands-on experience through study visits… and also having lots of fun and making friends from various regions in Europe! All these components together result in a comprehensive experience full of beautiful memories that remain forever! Join our Summer Academy Organising Committee ! The AER Summer Academy Organising Committee (SAOC) is looking for new regional partners willing to contribute to this great initiative and have the possibility to tap into the ...

Discussing Cultural Heritage at the 2018 Summer Academy Plenary Sessions

Over the course of five days regional politicians, officers and youth representatives from the AER member regions gathered together for the 2018 AER Summer Academy in Maramures (RO). The opening ceremony on the morning of 7 August was followed by the first of three plenary sessions spread over the week, in which experts and professionals working in this domain provided revealing insights into the question on what is at stake –from a regional perspective– for cultural heritage in Europe. EU Cultural Policies and Funding Programs The first session was on the topic of ‘EU cultural policies and funding programmes’ and how they serve in protecting and promoting cultural heritage. Virgil Ș. Nițulescu, from the Ministry of Culture and National Identity in Romania outlined the ...

Come and learn more on Energy funding opportunities – Info Day

Do you feel concern by energy matters? Do you have a project idea and want to exchange on it and find partners? Then this info day is for you! What is this info day about? The European Commission and the Innovation & Networks Executive Agency (INEA) are organising an Horizon 2020 Energy info day. It will present upcoming Horizon 2020 funding opportunities for projects focusing on smart energy system and smart cities and communities. Various calls for proposals will be covered during this info day. The application and evaluation process will be presented, and some tips for writing a good proposal will be shared. Eventually, two funded projects will share their experience. In parallel a brokerage event is organised. It targets professional with knowledge ...

Silver Economy Awards 2018 – re-discover the winners!

After having shared with you the 6th SEED webinar: “Discover the best solutions of Silver Economy Awards 2018- Public Authorities Category“, we would like to invite you to join the following two webinars: Silver Economy Awards 2018 – Non-for profit organisations – Monday 17 September 11.00-12.00 Silver Economy Awards 2018 – For profit organisation – Tuesday 18 September 11.00-12.00 These webinars are organised by the SEED project and will give participants the opportunity to learn more about three finalists in both categories. Although the winners were already celebrated during the European Awards Ceremony on 3rd May 2018 (http://silvereconomyawards.eu/sea/2017/awards#Awards_ceremony) the webinar will be a great opportunity to re-discover all the finalist’s innovative solutions. Do you want to know more about SEED project? If you want to learn more ...

Norrbotten and Scotland’s NHS24 help regions to deploy integrated care systems

To innovate healthcare and improve the patient’s journey the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health has constantly offered a place for experiences exchange and knowledge sharing on integrated e-care systems since the first AER Conference on Integrated Care in 2013. This topic gained new momentum with the intervention of EHTEL’s Diane Whitehouse at the workshop of the AER e-health network in Arad on the SCIROCCO maturity model for integrated care. Health innovation ecosystems & the deployment of integrated care systems In March 2018, during the Spring Committee Plenaries in Arad (RO), Committee 2 held a workshop on health innovation ecosystems & the deployment of integrated care systems. Both topics are closely related as they require to build relationships and establish ...

Brussels Capital: the Sharing Economy & the way forward

The sharing economy will be at the heart of discussions on the occasion of the Autumn plenary meeting of the AER Committee on Economy and Regional Development chaired by Jean Luc Vanraes, Brussels Capital (BE) The sharing economy: reshaping the way we do business In 2011 TIME Magazine described the sharing economy as one the ten ideas that will change the world (Walsch). Today the sharing economy is effectively reshaping the way we do business. It is a rapidly growing socio-economic trend disrupting traditional business sectors by revolutionising the way people share goods and services and interact with one another. It has allowed a substantial amount of flexibility for work and business, blurring the boundaries between employment and unemployment, consumer and provider, ...

Breakfast debate in Vojvodina: Youth on the move

On the occasion of the Autumn plenaries in Vojvodina, a Breakfast Debate will be organised on 27 September on “welcoming unaccompanied migrant children” . Youth on the move: a current topic The topic of this Breakfast Debate has been chosen based on exchanges held at the previous plenary meeting in Arad, where several regions expressed their interest in sharing experiences around the unaccompanied migrant children.  According to the European Commission, in recent years the number of children in migration arriving in the European Union -many of whom are unaccompanied- has increased in a dramatic way. A child-rights perspective The proposal by the President of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public health Mihai Ritivoiu is to take a child rights perspective for this ...

Östergötland (SE) leading the way in AER’s engagement on new mobility services

Through the leadership of Östergötland in the AER Working Group on Transports and Mobility, AER is involved in the New Mobility Services Initiative, of the European Commission. This initiative was set up within the Sustainable Urban Mobility Action Cluster of the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC). Bringing stakeholders together for smarter mobility The European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities brings together cities, industries, SMEs, investors, researchers and other smart city actors to accelerate innovation and cooperation. The New Mobility Services initiative is a market-changing undertaking supported by the European Commission which brings cities and regions together with other stakeholders to show-case innovative mobility solutions and support their replications. Shaping the infrastructures of tomorrow The New Mobility Services initiative was launched to help ...

Horizon 2020’s calls for proposals: some useful tips (3/3)

Have you read the general context of the 2019 calls for proposals under Horizon 2020? Are you interested in submitting a project within one of the topics, such as food security? Then you will find below some useful tips to help you draft and submit a successful project proposal. Tip 1: Read all the information (carefully!) Read the Participant Portal and the Work Programme. It will give you the necessary information to design your project proposal. Check relevant projects that have already received funding to have an idea of what already exists and what has been or is already implemented. In this regard, the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS) is a useful tool. Tip 2: Contact your National Contact Point National Contact Points can ...

Autumn plenaries : message from the Election Committee

During the 2018 Autumn Plenaries in Vojvodina, elections will be held. With views to the preparation of these elections, the Election Committee wishes to inform AER members about open positions. The AER Election Committee The Election Committee actively informs and encourages members to apply for positions within AER. It inventories and prepares for the elections at both the General Assembly and the Committees. Its members are : Chair : Brian Greenslade, Devon (UK) Monica Gundahl, Värmland (SE) Gloria Vitaly, Oppland (NO) Natalija Martincevic, Varazdin (HR) Message regarding the elections at the Autumn plenaries Looking forward to seeing colleagues in Novi Sad where there will be elections for the following positions. Committee 1 Chair of the Working Group on Transport currently Martin Tollén Chair of the Working Group on Investment, Business and SME’s ...

Take a look: Horizon 2020’s calls for proposals to tackle food security (2/3)

In July the AER Secretariat followed the web-stream session of the Info Day on the new calls for proposals under Horizon 2020 – Societal Challenge 2 and we gave you an overview. Following the AER Bureau’s decision in Oppland to have food security as a key topic, we attended a dedicated session on this topic. Below you can find a selection of some calls for proposals, specifically addressed to food security. Innovative and citizen-driven food system approaches in cities (CE-SFS-24-2019) 80% of the European population is expected to be living in cities in the future. This begs the question: how can we ensure that each city dweller will have access to healthy food? Simultaneously, cities have potential that needs to be explored and developed ...

An unforgettable Summer Academy in Maramures

The 2018 AER Summer Academy held in Maramures, Romania brought together over 100 participants from various regions across Europe to discuss and learn about the many benefits that heritage and culture can bring to a region. Through a series of plenaries, workshops and study visits, the delegates had the chance to find out about how cultural heritage contributes to the vitality of their region while also discovering the beauty of Maramures’ heritage sites and traditions. Knowledge-sharing and study visits Many relevant insights came out of the plenary sessions and workshops where the participants held debates on wide-ranging topics, such as the multiple positive effects of cultural heritage on regions’ prosperity; the role of youth in preserving the future of heritage sites; the growing ...

Overview on Horizon 2020’s 2019 calls (1/3)

AER is happy to share with you some practical information regarding the upcoming calls under Horizon 2020, societal challenge 2, that were discussed on the info day organised by the European Commission in June 2018. The general context The 2019 Work Programme has been designed with both global and European commitments – the Sustainable Development Goals, COP 21 agreement, bio economy strategies, the digital single market etc. Through the launch of calls for proposals, three goals are set: managing our resources wisely so as to nourish people sustainably; understanding, preserving and valuing oceans; developing smarter, greener, circular rural economies. The first goal will be implemented through the Sustainable food security calls, while the second goal will be implemented through the Blue growth calls. The Rural renaissance calls will ...

EuroAccess Macro-Regions: funding now available

Are you interested in funding opportunities but have trouble finding information on open calls? EuroAccess Macro-Regions might be the tool you need. What is EuroAccess Macro-Regions? EuroAccess Macro-Regions in an online platform and search tool for EU-funding available in four EU Macro-Regions, namely: Danube Region (EUSDR) Alpine Region (EUSALP) Baltic Sea Region (EUSBR) Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR) This platform provides information on all Interreg programmes available for these Macro-Regions. It also gives information on open calls for proposals for other European programmes; such as Europe for Citizens, COSME, Creative Europe as well as national programmes which concern these Macro-Regions. A (short) history of EuroAccess What started as a pilot initiative in the Danube Region, EuroAccess expanded in 2018 to cover the additional EU Macro-Regions listed above. We encourage you to use this ...

YRN travels to New York for United Nations High-level Political Forum

The President of the AER Youth Regional Network, Gloria Vitaly, travelled to New York from the 9 – 13 July to participate in the High-level Political Forum on behalf of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UN MGCY). The High-level Political Forum (HLPF) is the central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. It provides for the full and effective participation of all state members of the United Nations and states members of specialised agencies. The theme for this years HLPF was ‘Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies’ where the progress towards the SDGs was up for review. The United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth is the UN ...

Sardinia becomes the latest region to join the AER

Sardinia has become the latest region to join the AER and Eurodyssey network. Francesco Pigliaru, President of Sardinia, welcomed Mathieu Mori, AER Secretary General and Esther Estany Campos, Eurodyssey President, to the official signing ceremony in Cagliari on Thursday 20 July. Sardinia becomes the 7th Italian region to join the AER and the 4th to join Eurodyssey. The first AER activity for Sardinia will be the implementation of the Eurodyssey programme; due to be operational in January 2019 with fifteen young Sardinians benefitting from the AER Young Professional Mobility programme. ASPAL, the Sardinia agency for active labour policies and its Managing Director, Massimo Temussi, have been key in making this new partnership a reality. Of the mobility programmes already in place for young people, ...

Gävleborg: Virtual reality to communicate the essence of a heritage site

At AER Summer Academy in Maramures, Ms Sofie Notstrand of Region Gävleborg (SE) will deliver a workshop entitled “Communicating the essence of a heritage site” on virtual reality and storytelling techniques to visualise, communicate and bring out the narrative potential of a place. The workshop will showcase ways to explore different methodologies to describe a location in a suggestive way. Indeed, the Region of Gävleborg has worked in the last years to develop projects that highlight what the region can do to promote conservation, digitisation, infrastructure, research, and skills development. One of the main projects is The Virtual Heritage project, which was initiated by the world heritage site “The Decorated Farm Houses of Hälsingland” within the framework of the European year of cultural heritage 2018. Ms Notstrand has ...

Regional Business Forum in Vojvodina

On the occasion of the Autumn Committee Plenaries in Vojvodina from 25-27 September 2018 a Regional Business Forum is being organised together with the Enterprise Europe Network and the Vojvodina Chamber of Commerce and Development Agency.  Sharing experiences to support the business community The Regional Business Forum will gather in one place Regional chambers of commerce and Regional agencies in charge of investments, support for SME and promotion of business and commerce from wider Europe. The event creates a possibility for collaboration and good practice sharing. This event is an opportunity for regions to promote their business potentials and achievements through both dialogue and bilateral meetings. The Forum will be a place to exchange on the support for SME, promote business and commerce, incentive the possibility ...

Share your experiences in helping unemployed immigrants gain access to the labour market

Gävleborg region (SE), member of AER, is looking for partners to join a project they are developing within the Swedish European Social Fund (ESF). Overview of the project The project called “Extra Support in Gävleborg”, aims at bringing long-term unemployed immigrants closer to the labour market. The municipalities in Gävleborg will try out different methods and working tools to motivate, train and educate the people born outside Europe and excluded from the labour market. By transnational exchange, the project will gain experience from partners having a background within this field. The project focuses on three themes that will be discussed and compared: language social entreprise successful integration projects, towards further studies and jobs The project is carried out on a regional level. But there is also ...

EU funding programmes post-2020: what is foreseen?

The European Commission is currently working on the next Framework Programme for the period 2021-2028 which will have an impact on various funding programmes. AER had the opportunity to learn about the changes envisaged on two European programmes, Horizon 2020 and COSME, on occasion of a dedicated event organised by the Flanders-Europe Liaison Agency (VLEVA) and the Flemish Department for Economy, Science and Innovation. Horizon Europe, a new Horizon 2020? Horizon Europe is the Commission proposal for research and innovation funding programme post 2020. It will aim at strengthening EU’s scientific and technological bases, at boosting Europe’s innovation capacity, competitiveness and jobs and at delivering on citizens’ priorities and sustain our socio-economic model and values. Horizon Europe will be divided in three pillars: Open Science, aimed to ...

AER & the Rhine-Alpine Corridor EGTC

On 7 June 2018, on the occasion of the  Interregional Alliance for the Rhine-Alpine Corridor EGTC conference, AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori presented the experience of AER member regions which are part of a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC). AER aims to strengthen the cooperation with the European Corridors to help regions cooperate more along territorial axes which matter for them and engage regions across corridors. Facilitating cooperation along European corridors The main objective of the Rhine-Alpine Corridor EGTC is to facilitate territorial cooperation among its members and promote integrated development of the multimodal  from the regional and local perspective. The EGTC is a legal framework that helps public entities of different Member States to work together and develop projects under ...

Public open data in the spotlight at Vojvodina plenaries

On the occasion of the Autumn plenaries in Vojvodina, AER members will discuss how opening public data supports the emergence of startups in regions. The panel will bring together speakers from startups, regional policymakers, experts on design and data to discuss why, how and for what regions should open their data and look at challenges and opportunities. Open Data… why? Everyday, public institutions collect and generate enormous quantities of data in areas as varied as unemployment, air pollution, hospital consultations, trends in construction, petrol & diesel prices, wood harvesting, production of organic milk or the evolution of criminality. This data can be re-used to create or improve services both private and public. Innovation: access to reusable data inspires innovative services and new business ...

Project Development Workshop on Rethinking Education

Education is a topic of high importance within AER having a dedicated Committee (Committee 3) focused on it, fostering the discuss and knowledge transfer among regions. Therefore, we are always looking for new opportunities to develop projects within this field and we would like to share with you the fourth edition of the Project Development Workshop on “Rethinking Education”. Rethinking Education This Project Development Workshop is about bringing together civil society organisations, institutions, providers active in the field of education and training with the aim of building consortia for the next Erasmus+ call for applications. This year, the topic of the Workshop is Rethinking Education. It will therefore focus on projects fostering new ways of educating in all educational sectors and training. If you have ...

Heritage restored: Maramures and its unique projects

Maramures, Romania is the beautiful region that will host the AER Summer Academy from 6 to 10 August 2018.  It is a unique region, typified by picturesque countryside, small villages, rolling hills, pastures, and meadows full of wildflowers . This is where culture and traditions have been carefully preserved. This year’s AER Summer Academy in Maramures themed “Cultural Heritage for Regional Attractiveness” coincides with the European Year of Cultural Heritage. This is the perfect match for the Maramures region, an outstanding example of how cultivating heritage enriches the lives of citizens and stimulates tourism. One workshop, two successful case-studies The AER will hold a workshop in the Butchers’ Bastion, one of the oldest buildings (15th century) in the city of Baia Mare (county residence city). The ‘Restoration of Butchers’ ...

Environmental policies: more activities for regions

AER encourages its members to take advantage of existing programmes which offer support on policies which matter for regions. This is why the TAIEX-EIR programme of the European Commission seems of particular relevance. The diversity in services offered make the TAIEX-EIR a well suited tool to complement ongoing activities within the AER Working Group on Energy and Climate Change chaired by Eva Hallström, Värmland (SE). Better implementation of environmental policies & laws During the development of the AER Action Plan in Arad, several regions have expressed interest in learning more from other regions on  topics such as for instance waste management in rural areas, the energy transition and sustainable development in general. The TAIEX-EIR programme supports public administrations with the application and enforcement of EU ...

Information & networking days on Horizon 2020 – Societal Challenge 5: register now!

Environment is more than ever an important topic for everyone. The European Commission is always looking for innovative projects to fund, for example through the Horizon 2020 programme. Info days will be organised to present the new calls under Societal Challenge 5 “climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials“. What is the Work Programme about? Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2018-2020 targets the challenge on climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials. This Societal Challenge 5 focuses on moving to a greener, more resource efficient and climate-resilient economy while supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This Work Programme is structured around two calls: “Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future: climate action in support of the Paris Agreement” “Greening the economy in line ...

Optimum healthcare for every child

Launched in 2015, the Models of Child Health Appraised (MOCHA) is appraising the differing models of child healthcare that are used across Europe. This project, which aims to advise policy making and help every child benefiting from optimum healthcare, will be finalised end of 2018. AER & the MOCHA project Within this project, AER belongs to the External Advisory Board. Right from the start AER therefore set up a Focus Group on Child Health Care under the leadership of Dr Marta Tatar which aimed at following the project closely and channel findings to AER members in a continuous way. In this context the Focus Group met on the occasion of the 2016 Spring plenaries in Timis (RO) to hear about the ambitions ...

On the road: AER travels to Korçë, Albania to discuss EU funding opportunities

On 21 June 2018 AER Secretariat was in Korçë (AL) for the EU Funding Seminars. Hosted by our member region Korçë and the President Mrs Ana Verushi, we had the pleasure to meet and discuss with each 12 Albanian regions. The event gave the opportunity to highlight the role regional cooperation can have and to develop on Programmes and Funding opportunities Albanian regions can have access to. We also held a funding seminar in Varaždin County, Croatia. Find out more here. The power of regions The event began with introduction speeches which highlighted the importance of regions, interregional cooperation and work within a network. While Mathieu Mori reminded that working together is helpful to make progress in access negotiations, Aldrin Dalipi, President of  Tirana and President of ...

YRN’s perspective on Cultural Heritage: preserving the old while facing the new

As every year, the AER Youth Regional Network will actively participate in the AER Summer Academy in Maramures by organising a workshop that will focus on cultural heritage under the title “Preserving the old while facing the new”. The workshop aims to raise awareness of finding ways to preserve the unique traditions and cultural elements intrinsic to each region. The main focus of the workshop will be on how regions can enhance their traditions in a globalised world. YRN’s approach to Cultural Heritage The Youth Regional Network is a forum that brings together young people from diverse regions and gives them a collective voice on the European stage, and at the same time, introduces a European dimension to youth policy in those regions. YRN’s objectives include networking, ...

Open call for projects on Public Open Data

The European Commission has published a call which can be of interest to regional stakeholders. This call for projects is organised in the context of the Connecting Europe Facility and focuses on public open data. Why public sector open data? Public sector information within countries, across borders, and between sectors can be used for all sorts of applications. Real world examples of Open Data re-uses include transportation apps in France, the reorganisation of waste management in Mexico, insights on comorbidity in Spain, or property development in Great Britain. Crossborder and cross-sectorial synergies however are unlikely to be achieved without the deployment of infrastructure at EU level. Improved access to public sector information is therefore an essential component of the EU strategy for ...

EaSI programme has launched a new call for proposals. Have a look here!

AER is always eager to share with you funding opportunities that might be of interest. Today we would like to emphasise the EaSI call for proposal “Support for the deployment of skills assessments in the implementation of Upskilling Pathways”, having followed a dedicated webinar where useful information were shared. This call aims to address the following challenge: a high number of adults are relatively not qualified and either cannot benefit from adequate training or they can but they don’t. What is it about? Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion (EaSI) programme is the EU financing instrument to promote quality and sustainable employment and working condition, social protection and inclusion and to combat poverty. With this call, it wishes to face a major issue for ...

Join the new webinar of SEED project and discover the best solutions on silver economy from the public authorities

The SEED project – Supporting the recognition of the Silver Economy in Europe in the Digital era – is coming to an end. The First Silver Economy Awards Ceremony successfully took place in Brussels on 3rd May and awarded 3 winners while participants could get inspired by their ideas and solutions. Yet, SEED project is not over and it still has a lot to offer. A new webinar We are thus happy to share with you the 6th SEED webinar: “Discover the best solutions of Silver Economy Awards 2018- Public Authorities Category“. On 28 June 2018, starting at 11:00 am until 12:00 pm CET, the three finalists of the Public Authorities Category will present their ideas. For those of you who did not have the chance to attend the ...

New cultural heritage through the Norwegian Youth Festivals of Art (UKM)

The Norwegian Youth Festivals of Art (UKM) will participate at 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures  with a workshop that aims to stimulate young people’s creativity and make their cultural activity visible.  UKM is a cultural initiative and involves young people between the age of 13 and 20. The first festival took place in 1985 and within a few years almost all the regions had joined in in the activities, becoming an active part of the event. For more than 30 years Norwegian municipalities and regions have worked together to give young people the opportunity to express themselves through art, music, media and film. There has been tremendous growth in the participation and, in 2018, more than 22.000 young people took part. Young people are increasingly active ...

Greek partner wanted for a cultural heritage project (Interreg Adrion)

The Central Europe Initiative is leading a proposal within the current call of the Interreg Adrion programme and they are looking for an additional partner from Greece to complete the consortium. The proposal is addressed to the Specific Objective 2.1 “Promote the sustainable valorization and preservation of natural and cultural heritage as growth assets in the ADRION area”, Topic 1 “Preserve, Capitalise and Innovate cultural and Natural Heritage”, and it aims to launch the start up phase of an European Cultural Route focused on history. The consortium is currently composed by museums, municipalities, chambers of commerce, cultural associations from Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Erzegovina, Montenegro.  A Greek partner is now searched in order to finalise the consortium. If you are interested on this opportunity, ...

On the road: AER travels to Varaždin, Croatia to discuss EU funding opportunities

The EU Funding Seminars organised in Varaždin the 6th June by AER Secretariat and the great support of Varaždin County highlighted important take aways. Twelve Croatian Counties, AER member and no members, plus another one from the bordering Slovenia were represented in the audience. This high participation to the event confirms the interest of regions on funding, Structural funds as European programmes as well. And the need for public institutions to cluster around a network: to have a strong and effective impact. The warm up: overall picture from EU and national perspective Participants and speakers were welcomed by Robert Vugrin, Deputy Prefect of Varazdin County, and Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of AER. Mr. Vugrin underlined the engagement of Varazdin County when it comes to ...

Do you want to know how to better use ESIF funds for health?

Health is a topic of high importance for AER’s members, having one Thematic Committee dedicated to follow its developments. To this extent the AER eHealth network has been established since 2006 and AER often conducts workshops and events on topics related to health. Knowing the interest of our members in this area of work, we are happy to share with you some informations that could bring you new knowledge on this. The ESI Funds for Health is a project gathering knowledge on how European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are used to support health investments under the 2014-2020 programming period. Plus, it aims to further develop capacities of member states and regions to support the effective implementation of the ESIF for health. Within this project, ...

Are you a maritime region? Then blue growth is for you!

On 16 May, the project team of the AER Secretariat took part in an event organised in Brussels by ERRIN’s Working Group on Blue Growth: the Blue Growth Project Development meeting. European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is a Brussels-based platform aiming at strengthening regional research and innovation capacities. ERRIN is a partner network of AER, having had the opportunity to closely cooperate together as on occasion of the Brokerage Event: going Green in Seventeen! What is Blue Growth? Blue growth is a long term strategy to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sector. As emphasised by one of the speakers, Claus Schultze from DG of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), it is a broad and challenging field. It concerns every ...

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Partners wanted to exchange on supporting SMEs to benefit from digital innovation

AER is happy to share with you an interesting project proposal that comes by one of our member regions, Catalonia (ES). The proposal, that will be submitted within the Interreg Europe 4th call,  is led by the Spanish company Mesadvocats which is looking for partners to complete the consortium. The project titled “Supporting SMEs to take advantage of new IT breakthroughs to enhance internationalisation”, aims to improve response from public entities in the face on new electronic documents and digital processes related to import-export operations and intra-community goods transport. Managing authorities and intermediate bodies that manage structural funds usually implement programmes and services that support SMEs internationalization. The project’s objective is to establish an exchange of knowledge between partners and relevant stakeholders which usually implement programmes and ...

Wider competencies for three Italian Regions

by Enrico Martial On 28th of February 2018, Roberto Maroni, President of the Region of Lombardy, Luca Zaia, President of Veneto and Stefano Bonaccini, President of Emilia Romagna have signed three separate “Preliminary Agreements” with Gianclaudio Bressa, Secretary of State for  Regional Affairs and Autonomies, on behalf of the Italian national Government. The three Preliminary Agreements set principles, method and matters to be transferred to these Regions, according to the art. 116 of the Constitution as amended in 2001, which provides this possibility to the Regions asking for it.  The matters to be devolved cover legislative and regulatory powers, functions and offices in three areas: health, education, training and research, environment. The texts lays down specific details about each matter, as proposed ...

Fresh news from last AER Bureau Meeting in Oppland!

Following the past AER General Assembly which took place in Lillehammer (Oppland, NO) on 23 May, the Bureau members got together on Thursday 24 May to discuss key issues concerning the future of the cohesion policy budget and AER overall political direction and priorities for 2018-2019. The Bureau is the primary political voice of AER and establishes the political base for AER lobbying and advocacy actions by preparing strategical positions and decisions on European and global affairs affecting regions. Welcome words and introduction The Bureau Meeting was opened by Ms. Aud Hove, Deputy County Mayor of Oppland, who stressed the repercussions and challenges that climate change entails for policy-making urging to take advantage of the window of opportunities awaiting to build a ...

EEA Grant: looking for partners to join a project proposal

The New Tech vocational-technical school in Zamosc (PL) is working on a project proposal within the EEA Grant having the deadline on 1st July and is looking for additional partners to complete the consortium. The consortium is currently composed by 3 schools from Poland and a partnership with Simens. The lead partner wishes to add 2-3 vocational-technical schools from Portugal or Greece, Malta, Croatia, Cyprus, Turkey, that may be private or public school with pupils at the age of 14-18 years, teaching or ready to teach in the following subjects:  electronics, automatics and robotics. The cooperation will be initiated between vocational-technical schools from 3-4 countries. What are the benefits in joining this project? Implement innovative educational programme in the field of electronics, robotics and ...

Interested in collaborating with Castilla y León, Spain on innovative financing for social services?

Gerencia de Servicios Sociales de Castilla y León, which is the Public Body competent on Social Services in the region of Castilla y León (Spain), is searching an additional partner for the project proposal they are developing within the IV Call of the Interreg Europe Programme. The project aims at helping regional and local governments across Europe to develop and deliver better societal impact policies. It is set to drive societal impact by accelerating Social Impact Investments (SII) and it focuses especially on Social Impact Bonds (SIB). By learning from the most advanced/experienced regions that have already implemented SIBs in their territories, other regions in Europe can start testing the validity of this novel instrument and, if successful, induce a policy ...

Looking for partners? Kamza Municipality is available to join projects!

Kamza Municipality (AL) is looking for projects to join as partner within the Interreg Adrion Second Call for Proposals. Kamza is located 7 km far from the capital city, Tirana, and it is the 6th largest city in Albania. The geographical position of this city is most advantageous in the triangle strategic, Tirana – International Airport “Mother Teresa – and Durres. Kamza has previous significant experiences in European funded projects, in particularly within the IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme having been partner in the Project BWS314 “Build Waste Sustainability: New Capacities for a Sustainable Waste Management”, which was aimed at building the capacities of Local Actors in the field of integrated waste management. More information of Kamza Municipality are available here. If you are interested to receive ...

Cultural heritage for jobs: incredible stories at AER Summer Academy

On the occasion of the 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures, which will be about cultural heritage for regional attractiveness, Flevoland (NL) will facilitate a  workshop on “Turning cultural heritage into jobs”. The workshop will revolve around the idea that stakeholder engagement is key to strengthening a region’s outreach. Storytelling to empower stakeholders The workshop will show how to use the potential of cultural heritage in a region to create initiatives and jobs. Storytelling in this respect is a powerful tool for stakeholder empowerment. The workshop will detail the storytelling techniques that have allowed the region of Flevoland (NL) to brand its region and incentivise new activities, initiatives and jobs on its territory. The Story of Flevoland Using storytelling makes it possible to present ...

The DG Regio Cohesion Policy Call for Projects is back!

Cohesion policy is the hot topic of the moment. AER members were active part of the discussion set by the task force at the last Bureau in Oppland in the flow of the previous talk started in Lower Austria in 2017 and the agreement on the position on cohesion policy. At the same time, The European Commission gave already a preview of the next Multianual Financial Framework, the European budget in simple words, and the consequent reaction of the President Magnuss Berntsson. In this transition between the actual and the new cohesion policy, the DG Regio issued a call for proposals to provide support for dissemination of information and content linked to EU Cohesion policy. The second call “Support for information measures relating to ...

Regions wanted to uptake a new co-creational model for the health sector

Health is key for everyone and AER is glad to share with its member regions and network an enriching training opportunity linked to inDemand model on the eHealth co-creation. InDemand is a project funded by the Horizon 2020 programme. It offers digital health solutions, meaning a model where healthcare and companies co-create eHealth solutions, with the economic support of regional funds. It is aimed to increase the capacity of health entities to identify and solve their needs, while creating opportunities for private companies. Why is this interesting for regions? Within this project, a inDemand community is to be created and the project partners (Murcia – ES, Paris – FR and Oulu – FI) are looking for 12 regions who are interested to uptake the ...

AER visits Gelderland, The Netherlands to learn about best practice in the energy transition

From 17 to 19 April 2018 Gelderland (NL) hosted a Study Visit on the energy transition, which focused on governance and participatory approaches. Representatives from Värmland (SE), Vojvodina (RS), Diber (AL), Lubelskie (PL), Elbasan (AL), Gjirokastër (AL) and Fier (AL) had the opportunity to share experiences and observe how the Province of Gelderland (NL) is implementing a bottom-up approach to achieve the energy transition and develop an unique multi-stakeholder collaboration towards an energy neutral province in 2030. The programme started in Arnhem, with a presentation on perceptions about sustainable energy and the situation of the Netherlands in the past decade. Understanding perceptions is key to  drive change. From there, participants to the visited joined local stakeholders and policy makers for a serious ...

Culture & Transports, what else?

Because of the challenges they represent, but also thanks to the opportunities they can bring, culture and transport are two high topics on AER’s agenda and for many European regions. This is why we would like to update you on what has been done and to provide you some inputs on the opportunities that can arise and on what can be done. What has been done so far? *Culture In Nancy Committees plenaries, culture was a hot topic. A breakfast briefing on the role regions can play for the development of culture as well as the influence of culture for regional development was conducted. The regions shared also their experiences on this topic. Furthermore, a debate was held on culture and digitalisation, with a key question: ...

Regional Design and Management of Renewable Energy Sources: interested to join this project?

The Industrial and International Liaison Office (IILO) of the University of Camerino (UNICAM) in the centre of Italy is drafting a project proposal titled REGRES – Regional Design and Management of Renewable Energy Sources that will be submitted under the framework of the Horizon 2020 Topic LC-SC3-RES-28-2019. This project aims to develop a software tool to support the decision and policy makers in the optimal planning and more effective and sustainable deployment of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) at regional level by taking account of relevant bio-geophysical data, socio-economic aspects and legal information. This tool will be based on a detailed information of the territory (downscaled climate and weather data, geomorphological data, land use, etc.), and it will be also able to predict the peak in the power generation and consumption from the (1-5 day) ...

Introducing AER’s 2017-2018 Activity Report!

This year, the AER Activity Report takes on a new look. In collaboration with Habile Studio, we decided to make this year’s Activity Report a little different. To show AER’s calm and confident demeanour with regards to its future, we have developed and created a very zen and strong report that shows our commitment to a “Stronger Europe”, which was our political priorities for the “2017-2018” period. The abstract cover very much symbolises the simultaneous strength and confidence of AER as the largest network of regions in wider Europe. It shows our member countries’ population on the outer ring; the middle ring shows our member regions and their population, and the central blue shape brings the GDP of all our members under one shape, ...

Internship on EU projects & funding at AER Brussels Office (CLOSED)

Are you willing to learn and to be part of the team working on EU projects for the largest independent political network of regions in Europe? We are looking for an intern to join the Project Unit at our Brussels Office, supervised by the European Projects & Private Partnerships coordinator. Your main tasks will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (both based on desk research and by participating to relevant events as Info Days on funding programmes) Writing articles on the results of your mapping as well as on running projects and activities Supporting AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members Contributing to the implementation of ongoing projects for all concerning activities and finances Providing inputs in terms of drafting documents to join new ...

Highlights from the AER General Assembly and Bureau Meeting!

AER is in the city of Lillehammer, in the county of Oppland in Norway this week for its General Assembly and Spring Bureau meeting. Follow the happenings of the event here with us! Draft Programme Presentations (to be updated) Detailed Agenda of the General Assembly Detailed Agenda of the Bureau Meeting Day 1 (Wednesday 23 May) The General Assembly took place in the Scandic Hotel of Lillehammer, Oppland County, Norway. AER President, Magnus Berntsson welcomed members to the GA, and Mathieu Mori, Secretary General, presented the new Activity Report of the AER for the 2017-2018 period. Elections and by-elections By-election of the President of Committee 3 for Culture, Education and Youth Radimir Čačić, Varazdin (Croatia), was elected as Executive Board representative of Committee 3 until the General Assembly 2019. By-election of one Monitoring ...

Sunny 2018 AER Eurodyssey Forum in Brussels!

On sunny warm days Brussels-Capital Region hosted for the very first time the 2018 Eurodyssey Forum organised by AER, in cooperation with Actiris (Brussels’ regional employment service) and Brussels International.  The Forum is a unique opportunity for Eurodyssey correspondents of the member regions to exchange good practices and lessons learnt relating to the operational management of the programme. Unlike past editions, prior to this year’s Forum a couple of public events targeting non-member regions and various stakeholders took place at the premises of Actiris for the purposes of promoting the added value of Eurodyssey and raising awareness about the importance of youth mobility for regional development. A warm institutional welcome Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of AER, together with the President of Eurodyssey, Esther Estany, welcomed all ...

Inspirational Eurodyssey Events within the 2018 Forum!

On 18 and 19 April, AER, together with Brussels International (Brussels-Capital Region) and Actiris (Brussels’ regional employment service) organised a couple of events which preceded the more traditional Eurodyssey Forum aimed at raising awareness about the importance of youth mobility and employment for regional development through the medium of the Eurodyssey programme for traineeship exchanges. These two events along with the Eurodyssey Forum brought together in Brussels around 80 participants from 29 different regions or organisations. “Discover Eurodyssey” (18 April) On the afternoon of 18 April, the Eurodyssey regions participated in a mobility fair hosted by Actiris which consisted of information stands where the correspondents of the programme promoted their regions and approached young traineeship-seekers interested in embarking on new professional and cultural experiences abroad. In addition to this, the ...

Are you still looking for a partner to design a project within the Erasmus+ KA3 call?

Are you considering to submit a project proposal within the Erasmus+ KA3 “Social inclusion and common values: The contribution in the field of Education, Training & Youth” call for proposal but are struggling to find partners? Here is an organisation looking for you! Plan International, based in Madrid (E), would like to join projects within this call, and most specifically they would like to focus on Education and Training (lot 1). Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. The main objectives of this organisation are: the promotion of the development of the children’s potential in societies that respect the human rights dignity, the promotion of the relation between the population of different cultures and countries ...

Silver Economy Awards Ceremony – and the winners are… !

Over the past few months, we have been happy to share with you the development of the SEED project. SEED, which stands for ‘Supporting the recognition of the Silver Economy in Europe in the Digital era’, was designed to launch the first European-level award scheme rewarding innovative solutions for better quality of life of the elderly : the SEED European Silver Economy Awards Lately you have heard a lot about it and after two years of work of the partnership, here it is: the result of the first ever Silver Economy Awards! The Silver Economy Awards The Committee of the Regions hosted a hundred of participants who came from all over Europe and above to Brussels to attend this unique event. After an inspiring opening speech delivered by Maryia ...

AER Election Committee nominations for the General Assembly 2018

Per AER Statute and Procedures, elections at the General Assembly and the Committees are governed by the Election Committee. AER Election Committee 2018 The Election Committee’s nomination of candidates The Election Committee 2017 has discussed the formal requirements associated with the various positions and identified the needed competences. VI.a By-election of President of Committee 3 for Culture, Education and Youth 1) The Election Committee proposes Radimir Čačić, Varazdin (HR) as Executive Board representative of Committee 3. 2) The election should be considered as a by-election for one year, in order to preserve the Executive Board’s whole term of office. VI.b By-election of Monitoring and Evaluation Group member Medzait Ljatifi, Nordjylland (DK), has stepped down from his position in the Monitoring and Evaluation Group. The AER Monitoring and Evaluation Group ...

Policy responses to EU tourism’s challenges

Tourism is an important economic sector for most of our member regions, and the call for partners of the Municipality of Pescocostanzo in Abruzzo (IT) is a good example. Yet current trends, either economic, social or ecological, impact touristic development’s possibilities and represent a challenge for European regions especially those who depend heavily on this sector. The European Parliament has issued a briefing on Major Challenges for EU tourism and policy responses. It provides useful information regarding these challenges, their impact on tourism in Europe through numerous data and policies implemented to help tourist sector. Furthermore, funding opportunities and their possible use for tourism-related activities are listed in this briefing. It brings new information and perspective and thus complete the Guide on EU ...

Committee 1 Annual Report June 2017 – May 2018

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developped and implemented within Committee 1 between the 2017 General Assembly in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria (AT) and the 2018 General Assembly in Lillehammer, Oppland (NO). Activities are organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The AER Action plan, which brings together all the activities carried out within AER, is constantly updated. Silver Economy Awards (SEED): ongoing The Silver Economy Awards aim to catalyse a sustainable European digital Silver Economy movement by promoting and rewarding innovative solutions to improve the quality of ...

Committee 3 Annual Report June 2017 – May 2018

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developped and implemented within Committee 3 between the 2017 General Assembly in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria (AT) and the 2018 General Assembly in Lillehammer, Oppland (NO). Activities are organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The AER Action plan, which brings together all the activities carried out within AER, is constantly updated.   Involvement of YRN in AER projects: ongoing AER is supporting the YRN’s participation in European Projects in 2 main aspects: support in the development of own projects, as in the case ...

Committee 2 Annual Report June 2017 – May 2018

The General Assembly is the highest authority of AER and convenes representatives of all its full members at least once a year. The General Assembly adopts among other things, the annual reports of the Thematic Committees. This report is the compilation of actions developped and implemented within Committee 2 between the 2017 General Assembly in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria (AT) and the 2018 General Assembly in Lillehammer, Oppland (NO). Activities are organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The AER Action plan, which brings together all the activities carried out within AER, is constantly updated. Brokerage event in Partnership with ERRIN on health innovation: finished After the success of the brokerage event on the green economy and innovation early 2017, we collaborated with ERRIN to stimulate ...

AER reacts to Commission

Following the European Commission’s proposal on the EU budget, and more specifically on the future of the Cohesion budget, AER would like to share with you its reaction. We will be keeping on eye on the next developments in the specificities of the budget over the coming days and weeks, so please do not hesitate to contact us with your queries. For Institutional Relations questions, please contact Vania Freitas at [email protected]. For Press and Communication questions, please contact Freddie Martyn at [email protected] AER’s reaction: “While the Commission’s proposal to simplify the cohesion policy framework is welcomed, the proposed EU cohesion budget is less ambitious than we hoped. The proposed cuts to cohesion policy show a lack of commitment to scale up a budget that works towards ...

Good practices on refugees and disability inspired AMiD project

Refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities is the main target of AMiD project. Started on January 2018, the project team is working on the development of the main project output, the Need Assessment Tool – NAT. The lack of tool and procedures to support refugees and asylum seekers with disabilities with the right actions and services is the challenge that AMiD wants to face. The second project meeting was focused on the preparation of the Need Assessment Tool – NAT. The meeting was also the opportunity to present good practices among the project partners, as way to pave a useful, sustainable and successful Need Assessment Tool – NAT. AER already shared successful programmes to improve the refugees situation. During the meeting two good practices ...

Do you want to design a project on technologies and education? A partner is waiting for you!

Have you planned to design a project dealing with youth and new technologies but you were struggling finding partners? We are glad to present you E-juniors, a non-profit association based in Paris (FR). This association has 7 years of experience in the management of European projects (Erasmus+, Horizon 2020, EU for Citizens, COSME) and a wide network in the Parisian region. The objective of E-Juniors is to offer juniors, particularly those who are e-excluded, opportunities to learn new technologies (electronic, computer and multimedia) by proposing activities in addition to formal scholastic offerings, in order to: Study new applicable areas of interest  Inspire creativity and enhance vocational skills E-Juniors is interested in being partner in projects, such as projects designed under the Erasmus+ last call on Social inclusion and common values. If you are ...

Have you thought of Varaždin County as a partner for projects in education? You should!

We are happy to share with you that one of our member region is eager to be involved in projects in the field of education. Varaždin County (HR) is the third smallest county in Croatia but it is really much dedicated to its education offer. The County would like to be part of projects dealing with the following topics: Education of mentors for recognition and work with gifted students with specific learning disabilities (work on methods and programs ) Exchanging examples of good practice among partners (existing methods and education programs) Develop a methodology for recognising and evaluating gifted students and involving pupils with specific needs and  disadvantaged learners  (Roma children, migrant children …) in the system for estimates theirs talents. Develop procedures and instruments for ...

Varaždin County is looking for a lead partner & partners to develop a project within the Erasmus+ KA3

The County of Varaždin, in the south-west of Croatia, is looking for partners and lead partner to design a project in the field of education under the Erasmus+ Programme within Key Action 3. The AER Secretariat is happy to share with you this  proposal coming from a member region very active in this field! The overall objective of the project is to develop and implement innovative methods and practices to foster inclusive education/youth environments and promote common values in specific contexts. While the specific objectives are: to promote inclusive education and training and foster the education of disadvantaged learners, including supporting teachers, educators and leaders of educational institutions in dealing with diversity and reinforcing socioeconomic diversity in the learning environment; to support the inclusion of newly arrived ...

AER at Regional Airports Conference in Naples

AER expert on regional airports, Roger Estefors has been invited to speak at a panel on “Changes in airline strategies and their impact on regional airports” at the ACI Europe’s 11th Regional Airports’ Conference & Exhibition. Roger Estefors provides members of the AER Working group on Transports and Mobility with regular updates on changes in legislation affecting the ability of regions to support their regional airports and indeed their connectivity. In the below article, he shares insights on the upcoming conference, which will take place from 14-16 May in Naples (IT). AER has been contributing to the ACI Europe events for the last five years. From an AER perspective it is of great value to have the opportunity to take part ...

Regionalisation in Switzerland: connecting direct “four-fifth” democracy and flexible federalism #RoR2017

Swiss federalism is the result of a long historical process that different actors, institutions and interests have shaped for centuries. One can identify three major factors: the presence of territorial units differing in terms of culture, language, religion, and democratic perception but forced to cooperate for economic and political reasons; a constitution establishing the general principles of democracy and, through a bottom-up approach, dividing powers between the different levels of government; and the extensive use of direct democratic tools (i.e., popular vote-based) as a way of conveying legitimacy to the constitutional and institutional expression of federal principles. It is also important to stress that Switzerland must constantly seek the right equilibrium between its federalist commitment and the functional requirements of a ...

New project on connecting local governments & research communities: do you wish to join it?

AER Secretariat wish to share with the entire network an interesting project proposal that HESAM University in cooperation with the Burgundy-Franche-Comté region is developing within the 4th call for proposals of the Interreg Europe, one of the main funding programme that European regions can access. Lear more about the project proposal This project proposal, entitled  “COnnecting LOcal government and the REsearch community to address REsource efficiency and environmental opportunities” aims to improve regional policies, in particular these policies supported by ERDF / ESF operational programs, in the field of ecological transition and natural and cultural heritage protection (Priority Axis 4 – Environment and Resource Efficiency). The project relates more specifically to the cooperation practices between research universities/centers and mainly rural communities, that can support local ...

Interreg Europe launches its 4th call for proposals: useful information & tips!

We are happy to share with you that the Interreg Europe has launched its 4th call for proposals. A webinar took place on the 13 April and various national info days will be conducted. For those of you who are interested but cannot attend the info days, here are some useful information and tips. What is it about? The 4th call for proposals concerns the 4 issues tackled by the programme, namely: Research and innovation SME competitiveness Low-carbon economy Environment and resource efficiency This is the 4th call, which means that already a lot of projects have been approved and are implemented or are to be implemented. In order to maximise your chances to have your project selected, look at what has been done and distinguish yourself. Plus, ...

Regionalisation in Russia: persistent asymmetric federalism #RoR2017

Little history of Regional Russia Russia is a country covering a large part of eastern Europe and northern Asia. It became an independent country in December 1991, after the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR, commonly known as the Soviet Union). The sate-centred hierarchical approach has always been part of the Russian national historical tradition. During the Soviet period, the political system was highly centralised: it prevented regions to establish international agreements and to develop inter-regional networks. During the post-Soviet era, the Russian decentralisation process has been quite complex. The key objective for state survival has been how to balance centripetal and centrifugal forces, territorial and ethno-territorial principles of federalism. After the collapse of the USSR, Russia was ruled ...

New call for proposals on social inclusion through education

Aware of the interesting funding opportunities the Erasmus+ programme offers to regions, AER is always happy to share new calls. And here it is a new call under Key Action 3 Support for policy reform. What is it about? “Social Inclusion and Common Values: the Contribution in the Field of Education, Training and Youth” is the new call for proposals under the KA3. Two general objectives are targeted and one of them has to be addressed by the project: the dissemination and/or the scaling up of good practices and/or the promotion of common values the development and implementation of innovative methods and practices to foster inclusive education/youth environments and promote common values in specific contexts. Practical information Project must be submitted before 22 May 2018 13:00 (CET, Brussels ...

Interreg Adrion: 2nd call for proposals is open

AER continues its effort in looking for opportunities within the Adriatic Ionian area having many regions that belong to this territory. After providing information on the first call for proposals of the Interreg Adrion, we are now happy to share with you that the Interreg Adrion has launched its new call for proposals. What is it about? The second call for proposals will focus on the second priority axis, namely “Sustainable regions“, which encompasses: the promotion of the sustainable valorisation and preservation of natural and cultural heritage as growth assets in the Adrion area the enhancement of the capacity in transnationally tackling vulnerability, fragmentation and safe-guarding of ecosystems services in the Adrion area. Practical information The second call is open from 26 March 2018 to 26 June ...

Celebrating the Heritage of Astrid Lindgren

At AER’s 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures, Ms. Anna Mellergård from Jönköping County will conduct a seminar on the heritage of Astrid Lindgren, the renowned author of children’s book series featuring beloved characters such as Pippi Longstocking, Karlsson-on-the-Roof, and the six Bullerby children. Originally proposed at AER’s 2018 Spring Plenaries in Arad, Ms. Mellergård will give a presentation on Mariannelund’s Astrid Lindgren Filmbyn (Film Village) and its place in the cultural heritage of the town. What is Filmbyn? Filmbyn is an interactive film centre where visitors can experience scenes from classic children’s movies like Emil in Lönneberga, the Bullerby children, and Pippi Longstocking, all based on Lindgren’s novels. Fully immersing visitors in the world’s created by Lindgren, the centre contains famous film clips, original props, ...

Street Art Will Take Centre Stage at AER’s Summer Academy

At AER’s 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures, attendees will partake in a series of exciting, cutting-edge workshops planned by Brussels International. In the first workshop focused on graffiti, delegates will investigate ‘how regions can develop city-marketing tools through street art’. During a related workshop, participants will be able to observe and explore a wall painting created by a collaboration between Belgian and Romanian artists on a representative building wall in Baia Mare to commemorate the Summer Academy. Both workshops will be run by artists from Strokar, a Brussels based interdisciplinary creation label dedicated to street art. The Evolution of Street Art Originally popularised in the 1970s as forms of advocacy and protest, street art was long tainted by its reputation for defacing ...

Forest products as a way to move to a low carbon economy… if you agree, look at this project and join it!

Forest Science Center Catalonia – a regional stakeholder of Catalonia, AER member region – is working on the submission of a project under the Interreg Europe programme, within the category “Low-carbon economy”, objective 3.1 “Improving low‐carbon economy policies. In order to complete the partnership, they are looking for European partners interested to join forces with them. The project aims at boosting forest products in bioeconomic regional policies. Therefore the objectives are: to increase the share of forest products in our economies to take into account the role forest sector can play as a bioeconomic actor in all planning and decision making to lay the groundwork for future integrated regional bioeconomy strategies and programmes involving the forest sector You are welcome to join the consortium if ...

AER applauds Korca’s commitment to AER mission and objectives. #ShineBright

Korca has been recently praised for their dedicated work as part of AER’s Monitoring and Evaluation Group. This group assesses the outcomes of AER activities and actions, and ensures that AER mission and objectives are implemented in compliance with the Statute and the Procedures. On the occasion of the AER Spring Plenaries in Arad (Romania), Committee 1 President Jean-Luc Vanraes offered the ShineBright award to the Albanian region and congratulated them for constantly striving to improve AER’s work and outcomes, through their role in the Monitoring and Evaluation Group. We warmly applaud Korca’s efforts!

Do you want to exchange on tourism practices?

The Municipality of Pescocostanzo (IT) – which is located in our member region Abruzzo – is working on the development on a new project regarding tourism and is looking for other actors interested in cooperating with them on this topic. The overall objective of the project is to increase the tourism development of the region thanks to the comparison of tourist methods used by cities and towns in Europe. The main goal is to offer citizens the opportunity to discover different culture, to bring them closer to European institutions and to make them feel citizens of a broader territory. The project will be developped in the following areas: economy and especially boosting green jobs environment tourism administrative experiences stimulation of synergies and exchange of good practices among the ...

Regionalisation in Spain: a “nation of nations”? #RoR2017

Original publishing date – early 2017 Spain is a country of 504,645 square kilometres that shows important variation across regions in terms of economy, socio-political structure, language, culture and traditions. The Constitution of 1978, according to its redaction, was a compromise: it balanced the centralist institutions from the former regime (under Franco) and the federalist view of the country, which considers Spain as a “nation of nations”. At the same time, it was an agreement between those in favour of a symmetric process of decentralization and those favourable to an asymmetric process of devolution focused on the “historical nationalities” (mainly Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia). It is in fact the basic framework that explains the evolution of the decentralization process ...

AER at the 2018 World Sustainable Energy Days

AER was represented at the World Sustainable Energy Days 2018, by a delegation from Gelderland. The World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED), one of Europe’s largest annual events in this field, took place from 28 February – 2 March in Wels/Austria. The event was a great success – over 600 experts from 66 countries attended and took part in the specialised conferences, site visits poster presentation and tradeshow. The WSED 2018 focussed on energy efficiency and renewable energy as key elements for boosting economic competitiveness and on the potential of using the clean energy transition to the benefit of all citizens. The Energy Transition is also high up on the agenda for our member region Gelderland, so we had a fruitful discussion  with the host and ...

Call for support for paper on increasing CEF Transport budget

The Commission is currently revising the Connecting Europe Facility for the next funding period as of 2020. Many AER members are involved in CEF projects. As you might know the CEF funding is closely linked to the TEN-T maps. For regions which are on the Comprehensive network, it is currently very difficult to get funding because most of the funding is allocated to the Core network. The TEN-T maps are not up for revision yet,  but we can try to influence the way the budget is divided between the Core network and the Comprehensive network for the next funding period. For this purpose, a paper has been written advocating for an increase in the CEF Transport budget for the Comprehensive network in the ...

UIA: new call for proposals to be launched soon

More than half of the European population is living in urban areas. Those areas face numerous challenges but are also places of creativity and change. AER is committed to support urban areas who want to tackle issues and has already taken part in actions or events. Aware of the funding opportunities provided by the European Union, AER continues its work of monitoring calls for proposals that encourage the development of projects in this direction. Therefore, we would like to share with you the announcement of the 4th call for proposals of Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) dedicated to encourage innovative solutions to tackle issues urban areas face. What is the fourth call for proposals about? The UIA has announced the topic of its 4th call ...

Internship: Support AER’s member relations and events! (CLOSED)

Internship: how would you like to support our member relations and events coordinators? Are you interested in interning in events and member relations for the largest independent political network of regions in Europe. We are looking for an intern to work with us in the AER Brussels office to support our membership and events coordinators. NB: In order to apply, you must be in a position to sign a three-way agreement (convention de stage), with the university that you are registered to.  What you would do: Support the member relations and events coordinators in their day-to-day work. Ensure that the membership database up-to-date; Provide support in updating members about AER’s main activities, projects and campaigns; Research on European regions’ priorities and needs; Contribute to drafting events programmes; Provide support ...

Committees develop their 2018-2019 work programme

On the occasion of the Committees’ plenaries in Arad, AER members identified the topics which matter most for them and on which they want to develop joint ations on with fellow regions. The developement of the Action Plan was a collective process to enable all participants to specify needs and decide to initiate activities which add value for their region. The principle is the following: as long as an action fits with the AER values, is in line with the AER priorities and has support from other regions, it can be included in the Committees work programmes. Committee for Economy & Regional Policy The main upcoming actions in the AER Committee on Economy and Regional Policy can be summed up as following: Innovation ...

The #CohesionAlliance demands a stronger EU cohesion policy

The #CohesionAlliance is demanding a stronger cohesion policy post-2020. The declaration has been signed by more than 4000 supporters, regional and local governments, NGOs, and associations. The EU-wide alliance urges the European Commission, on the eve of the publication of the draft future EU budget on 2 May, to make cohesion policy stronger in every region of the European Union. Cohesion policy is the EU’s main investment policy that targets regions and cities in the European Union, support job creation, business competitiveness and sustainable development. In the declaration handed to Commissioners Oettinger and Crețu, the Alliance stressed that financial allocations for cohesion policy should not be cut in the next EU long term budget after 2020: at least one-third of the EU ...

AER praises Varazdin’s inspiring example! #ShineBright

On the occasion of the AER Spring Plenaries in Arad (Romania), Varazdin has been rewarded for their great engagement in AER Project Unit, as well as for their participation in the SEED Project during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2017. Committee 2 President Mihai Ritivoiu presented the ShineBright award to the Croatian region, for always being active in AER projects and for having showcased concrete solutions in the debate concerning the Silver Economy and the challenges coming from an ageing society. Applause to Varazdin!

Discover the 2018 edition of Fribourg’s business magazine!

After last year’s edition focusing on the digital world, the annual business magazine Fribourg Network Freiburg has chosen for the 2018 edition to share the experiences of entrepreneurs and other personalities in Fribourg and the reasons why they have decided to study, work or live in the canton. This year’s issue is out both in print and in eBook and is offered in English, French, German and Mandarin Chinese. The eBook version contains additional written and audiovisual material. You can download it for free from here. Here is the Press Release for the magazine’s 2018 edition.

Regionalisation in Slovenia: regions may fill the gap between the central government and the local level #RoR2017

Slovenia has only one tier of sub-national government, i.e. municipalities. Currently, there are 212 municipalities. This means that there are no other tiers of government, like counties, regions etc. Some other forms of regional segmentation exist (voting, police, financial, statistical districts), but not in the form of sub-national government. Local government prevails According to the Local Self-Government Act (2007), municipalities perform local matters of public interest in order to meet the needs of their citizens. Specifically, municipalities manage the municipal assets and organise municipal administration, develop conditions for the economic development of the municipality, provide spatial development plans and create conditions for housing, manage and regulate local public utilities and local public services provision, provide social services, and organise local road maintenance, ...

Recapping the AER Youth Regional Network’s Spring Plenary and General Assembly Meetings!

From 15 to 18 of March, the AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) held its General Assembly and Spring Plenary Meetings in Bodø, Nordland (NO), where YRN members attending this event were engaged in a three-day discussion and experience exchange on crucial issues for youth. Some of the main topics discussed during the meetings were youth mental health –through the idea of how arts and culture could contribute to preventing mental disorders–; Artificial Intelligence, science and technology; youth and democratic participation; youth involvement in Cultural Heritage safeguarding; and education and digital competences. The YRN 2018 General Assembly and Spring Plenary meeting was opened by county mayor Ms. Sonja Alice Steen, followed by an interactive workshop hosted by Hevrøy and Mette Jordahl-Broback about the ...

AER, a tool to further democracy in Europe

Nina Björby (Västerbotten, SE), AER Vice President for democracy facilitated a breakfast discussion on democracy in practice. After describing her portfolio within AER, Ms Björby proposed a definition of what democracy is or rather what it is not : when you do not trust the police, the tax administration or your justice system, when there is little investment in culture, then there is a problem with your democracy. (Presentation here) The European Union has been a great promoter of democracy in Europe and organisations like AER are as important, because they allow subnational leaders, in a space of trust, free of partisan divides, to exchange and learn from each others. Magnus Berntsson (Västra Götaland, SE), AER President, stressed that AER has accompanied many regions ...

AER Committee 2 President Mihai Ritivoiu looks back on the Plenaries in Arad

AER’s Spring Committee Plenaries took place in Arad (Romania), from 20 to 22 March 2018 in the very beautiful location of the City Hall of Arad. The City Hall is one of the most beautiful public building in Arad. “Ferdinand” room is a spectacular location and the warm welcome of the host made our stay even more pleasant. The astonishing building embodies one of the most significant works of eclectic architecture in the city. At the time of building “Palazzo del Municipio”, was reflecting the citizens of Arad will to follow the European model of urban renewal and modernisation. The central tower is 54 meters high. The clock situated at the top of the tower was brought from the Netherlands. ...

AER’s Equal Opportunities Group: inspiring work for regions

Day 2 of the Spring Plenaries 2018 ended with the update on the AER Equal Opportunities group activities and the inspiring sharing of examples of why equal opportunities matters for our network and for a more inclusive society. Kenneth Johannesson (Värmland, SE), stepping in for Andrew Gibson (Hampshire, UK), Vice-President for Equal Opportunities, started by giving an overview of the composition of the AER Equal Opportunities group. Members of the group belong to the three Committees, one woman and one man for each one. It is important to stress that there is still one vacancy for a female on the Committee 2. The idea is to assure that equal opportunities is mainstreamed inside the work of each Committee. This is implemented ...

The Committees’ plenaries: it’s all about sharing & learning

Twice a year the AER Committees meet to share recent achievements, launch new initiatives and learn from each others. At AER, Committees are the place where knowledge, needs, ideas, questions are shared in an open and trusted space. Trust and openess have made the Committees a space of mutual learning for regional policy makers, and indeed a lab for innovation. The Spring Plenary meetings in Arad in March 2018 were a good example of this. Sharing The joint plenary meeting was an opportunity to share initiatives which have been carried out since the Nancy plenaries. One of the main highlight being the work on Cohesion Policy post 2020, which is highly relevant to all regions. Cohesion Policy is a warrant for the ...

Regions hosting refugees – a report on the role of Turkish regions

Together with its honorary President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER has organised several activities dedicated to its Turkish members over the last months. We would like to inform you about them should you have missed them. Please also see the following report summing up the outputs from the workshop that took place on the 25th of January in the AER office in Brussels.  VISIBILITY and ADVOCACY In the end of January we received a delegation of politicians from Turkish municipalities. Among them was Fatma ŞAHIN, Mayor of Gaziantep; Halil AVSAR, deputy Secretary General from Adana Municipality and Hayrettin GÜNGÖR, Secretary General of the Union of Turkish Municipalities. Thanks to the work of AER in coordination with the European Parliament Turkey Forum, Ms. Şahin ...

Join our panel debate on regional challenges at stake for youth mobility!

The AER Secretariat is delighted to announce a new slot on the agenda within the Eurodyssey Events! In the morning of April 19th, a discussion panel entitled “Regional challenges at stake for youth mobility” will bring to the debate table to Mr. Manel Sánchez, Director of the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), Mr. Valentin Dupouey, Secretary General of the Young European Federalists (JEF), and Ms. Safi Sabuni, Policy and Training officer at Eurodesk, to discuss about burning issues regarding the challenges and implications of youth mobility for regional development. The debate will be moderated by Vania Freitas, AER Institutional Relations and Advocacy. Setting the scene The purpose of the Eurodyssey event taking place on 19 April is to bring together not only Eurodyssey member regions but also AER ...

Multilevel and Open Innovation Ecosystems discussed during Spring Committee Plenaries in Arad

On the occasion of the AER Spring plenaries in Arad, the main topic was, multilevel and open innovation ecosystems. This interesting and complex subject was moderated by Dr Sandra Evans, University of Tübingen, DE.   Dr Evans highlighted the paradigm shift we are facing today, from closed innovation, linear subcontracts, to open innovation, clusters to the world of today open innovation 2.0, with ecosystems. The value chains are becoming more interregional in the Multi-level Quadruple Helix Open Innovation Ecosystem , where a wider spectrum of stakeholders are necessary. An openness and engagement from everyone is essential. This opening was followed by a presentation by the President of Arad County Council, Iustin Cionca. 2018 marks 100 years since the formation of the modern Romanian state at the end of Word War 1. ...

AER explores E-Health, Transport & Inclusion during workshops at Spring Committee Plenaries

E-health workshop Agneta Granström (Norrbotten, SE), Chair of the AER E-Health Network, opened the workshop by providing a brief update on the activities of the Network. Highlighting the group’s key successes in bringing e-health to the forefront of the European agenda and fostering interregional cooperation in this field, Agneta mentioned the H2020 SEED project and its Silver Economy Awards to innovative solutions in improving the quality of life of the ageing population, and the MOCHA (Models of Child Health Appraised) project to appraise the differing models of child health used across Europe. Delegates also had the opportunity to hear about the development of a new EU project on leadership for the development of e-health in Europe (presentation here). Sandra Evans, from the University ...

Updates on ENSURE project

Alba County Council, Romania is one of 14 partners of the international project ENSURE, which stands for European Network for the Cohesion and Solidarity in Rural Areas. The partners representing local and regional authorities, federations of public bodies, a University, and Civil Society Organizations come from the European Union, Serbia and Montenegro. The project Leader is the Development Information Center Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia. The ENSURE project serves to increase the relevance of policy makers as actors addressing needs of rural citizens in the context of EU policies and European citizenship. In a time where citizens’ confidence in the EU decision making is at an all-time low, and especially the support from rural citizens is rapidly declining, this project aims to understand ...

AER recognises Trentino’s contribution to youth mobility! #ShineBright

Recently, Trentino has been rewarded for its achievements in youth mobility, as the region is the newest addition to the Eurodyssey Programme. On the occasion of the AER Spring Plenaries in Arad (Romania), Committee 3 interim President Aleksandra Djankovic offered Trentino the ShineBright award.  This award symbolises our warm welcome to the Italian region within the Eurodyssey Programme. We are certain that Trentino’s active participation will prove an asset to our youth mobility network!  

Regionalisation in Azerbaijan: a state within a state #RoR2017

The Republic of Azerbaijan is part of the Eastern Partnership, which is an initiative that enables closer political, economic and cultural relations among the EU, its member states and 6 eastern European partners. Azerbaijan belonged to the Russian Empire until World War I, during which period the Empire was dissolved. In 1918, Azerbaijan declared independence and established itself as the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. This first Muslim republic in the world only existed for two years, from 1918 to 1920, before the Soviet Army invaded Azerbaijan, which subsequently became part of the Soviet Union. Upon the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Azerbaijan re-established its independence. However, despite a cease re in place since 1994, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve ...

COSME: a new call for proposals on supporting migrant entrepreneurs!

Migration is a high topic of concern for AER members regions that has been approached in different ways, among which EU projects. To this extent, AER is involved as partner in a two-year project AmiD, which supports an efficient management of the reception and integration of asylum seekers and migrants with disabilities in the EU. Having in mind the opportunities given by EU funding programmes, AER continues its work of monitoring EU calls for proposals that could support the development of new actions in this direction. Therefore, we would like to share with you a new call for project proposals launched by COSME programme. What is it about? “Entrepreneurial capacity building for young migrants” is a call aimed at supporting the creation, the improvement ...

Development Opportunity for Regional Television Networks

The 36th Annual Conference organised by CIRCOM Regional, the professional association of regional public service television in Europe and an AER partner network, will take place in Leeuwarden (NL), on 24th and 25th of May. This event, which is the most inspiring conference in regional broadcasting, gathers experts, thinkers and observers of the media world. “Are we connected?” is the conference theme of this year.  How well to serve the needs of the audience as a public broadcaster? How important are the cultural and language elements in that connection? These are some of the questions that will be addressed at the conference. We encourage our members’ regional televisions to take part in this exciting meeting. What is CIRCOM? CIRCOM Regional is a professional association ...

AER in Arad, Romania for Spring Committee Plenaries

The AER Spring Committee Plenaries took place from 20 to 22 March 2018 in Arad, Romania. Below you will find a recap of the event, with updates, presentations, and take aways from the conference. Day 1 (20 March) The day started with, on one side, the AER Executive Board meeting, and on the other, a Study Visit of  the city of Arad.. Following this we moved on to the AER joint-committee plenary meeting. Members were welcomed by the President of Arad County Council, Iustin Cionca, and Magnus Berntsson, AER President.  AER’s member relations coodinator, Elin Berglie, then presented the AER presentation to members, which explains what AER is, how it works, and how it presents a great added value for its member regions. (This presentation is ...

Regionalisation in Sweden: a strong local administration with a weaker regional level #RoR2017

Sweden is a unitary state with a strong central administration. There is an undisputed regional level in Sweden, the provinces (landskap), with which there is a regional identification, although they ceased to play a part in the administration of Sweden in 1634 with the introduction of the county (län). The county level has a clear role in the provision of health and welfare care in the Swedish welfare state. It is the national government and the national parliament that set the framework for local levels of government tasks and competences – these can be found in the Local Government Act or in special regulations. The Local Government Act gives both county councils/regions and municipalities the right to form their own organisation, ...

AER Handbook on Culture for Inclusion

The AER Handbook of good practices on Culture for the inclusion of migrants and refugees has just been published! This work, which was initiated by Nina Björby, Chair of the AER Subcommittee on Culture with the help of her seconded officer Micaela Löwenhöök gathers good practices from all over Europe and aims to serve as an inspiration and a basis for collaboration. The impulse for the compilation of good practices came in the autumn of 2015, when the world was faced with a sudden influx of refugees fleeing the war in Syria. For many regions this was a situation not seen in decades. At the same time extreme right parties, and even ultra nationalists and Nazi ideas are gaining ground around Europe, ...

Applications for elections in AER Committees

The AER Election Committee have been gathering and pre-screening applications for open positions within the Committees.  The members of the Election Committee are: Brian Greenslade, Devon (UK) (Chair), Gloria Vitaly, Oppland (NO), Johan Edstav, Uppsala (SE) The elections will take place at the AER Spring Committee Plenaries in Arad on the 21st of March. Each Committee will elect the Chairs of the Working Groups or Subcommittees, as well as the 2 representatives for Equal Opportunities. Committee 3 will also elect their President. The election of the Committee President will be confirmed by the AER General Assembly in Oppland. Applications approved by the Election Committee The list of approved applications can be found below: Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development Vice-President for Economic Development and Mobility: Radimir ...

Are you interested to work on community resilience within the Turkey and EU grant scheme?

The Hatay Municipality (TR) is working on the submission of a project under the Town Twinning Action between Turkey and the EU Grant Scheme and is urgently looking for European partners to complete the partnerships. The overall objective of this project is to enhance knowledge on community resilience. The main goal is to prepare a city resilience status report to influence policy makers of cities involved. The project would cover the following areas: resilience to climate change wellbeing and quality of life, especially housing and traffic cultural resilience the management’s enhancement of environment and natural resources The project would allow the partners to discuss and develop a set of simple models but also to gain an understanding of the principles of resilience theory in different areas and ...

Regionalisation in Portugal: the need to reform the sub-national government #RoR2017

The transition from the authoritarian political regime to the II Republic, in 1974, marked a change in the national territory and in the nature of sub-national government in Portugal. During the period of the authoritarian regime (1926-1974), sub-national tiers of government were strictly controlled by central government. There was no direct and free election for the local boards and the local administration had no financial autonomy. This situation changed with the democratic Constitution of 1976, when a local self-government system was formally implemented. The Constitution introduced a new system of sub-national self-government, with three tiers – administrative regions, municipalities and parishes – all of them with directly elected boards and with politico-administrative and financial autonomy. In the case of Azores and Madeira, ...

Turkey and EU grant scheme: Izmir is calling EU partners on accessible tourism and disaster management

The AER member region,  İzmir Metropolitan Municipality (TR), is working on the submission of projects under the Town Twinning Action between Turkey and the EU Grant Scheme and is urgently looking for partners to complete the partnerships. Two potential projects are considered, both with the purpose of enhancing living standards. 1. First project idea: services for citizens with disabilities and accessible tourism The overall objective is to focus on applied methods for overcoming and removing the obstacles from disabled people’s life and to establish a long-term cooperation between the partners involved through seminars, conferences, workshops among other activities. To this extent, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality – which has a strong background on this topic – is searching local authorities in the European Union with experience on disabled citizens and ...

Committee 3 Progress Report Spring 2018

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Culture, Education and Youth gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme. Progress is evaluated, achievements are celebrated and experiences shared. Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in London, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the Spring 2018 plenary meeting in Arad. It gives an overview of the situation, a year after the adoption of the work programme. The 2018 Committee 3 work programme will be jointly developed and adopted on March 21st at the Committee 3 Plenary meeting. Activities which are still ongoing will be ...

Committee 2 Progress Report Spring 2018

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme. Progress is evaluated, achievements are celebrated and experiences shared. Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in London, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the Spring 2018 plenary meeting in Arad. It gives an overview of the situation, a year after the adoption of the work programme. The 2018 Committee 2 work programme will be jointly developed and adopted on March 21st at the Committee 2 Plenary meeting. Activities which are still ongoing will ...

Committee 1 Progress Report Spring 2018

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Regional Development and Economy gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme. Progress is evaluated, achievements are celebrated and experiences shared. Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in London, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Advocacy/ Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the Spring 2018 plenary meeting in Arad. It gives an overview of the situation, a year after the adoption of the work programme. The 2018 Committee 1 work programme will be jointly developed and adopted on March 21st at the Committee 1 Plenary meeting. Activities which are still ongoing will be ...

Regionalisation in Norway: is the future of regions difficult to predict? #RoR2017

Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a written constitution and a parliamentary system where the Government (Regjering) is responsible to the parliament (Storting). The Norwegian unitary state is based upon a three-level model. The authority of the local and regional bodies is allocated from the national state according to the Local Government Act. Today Norway has 19 counties, where the capital Oslo is both a county municipality and a municipality. County Councils The representatives to the county council are directly elected and the elections are held every fourth year. The county councils’ tasks are mainly to exercise authority for such areas as public transport, cultural monuments and heritage, and planning, or more specifically, regional planning. They also maintain public services such as ...

B-solutions: call for proposals for pilot actions is launched!

The ambitious 10 points Action Plan set out in the Communication “Boosting Growth and Cohesion in EU Border Regions” is moving one important step forward. The Association of European Border Regions (AEBR), under the supervision of DG REGIO have prepared and launched the initiative “b-solutions”, meaning a call for proposals to finance up to 20 pilot actions aiming at solving specific border obstacles of administrative and/or legal nature. Public authorities should seize the opportunity offered by this initiative to test effective ways —in the form of pilot actions— of overcoming border obstacles of a legal and/or administrative nature along EU internal land borders (including also the neighbouring EFTA countries) that can be replicable in other contexts. Each of these pilot actions must ...

The essential guide to contributing to the work programmes

Spring is work programme definition season at AER! On the occasion of the Spring Plenary meetings in Arad, members of the three thematic Committees will decide what they would like to do together and how they will leverage regional initiatives via the network. The below elements will help you make the most of this opportunity. Rule nº1: everything is possible The main idea is the following: if you want to carry out something within the network, just do it! Any idea is welcome! The actions members can implement via the committees are diverse: project development, organisation of a workshop, seminar, international conference, study visit, brokerage event, breakfast briefing, webinar, collection of good practices, elaboration of a political report based on the experience of ...

New project within Erasmus+ Sport Call: interested to join?

The Basque Government (Sport and  Physical Directorate) is looking for partners to take part in a project under Erasmus+ Sport Call (Collaborative Partnerships). The overall objective of this project is to increase the availability and quality of European sport related evidence and data at regional and national level. The goal is to define and develop a set of shared indicators which will be measured by the participating European regions and member states, and then gathered in a shared web platform. This project would allow public authorities, private entities and other interested stakeholders to know the state of the art of sports at regional and member state level and to analyze and compare data at regional, member state and European level. Moreover it ...

Regionalisation in Greece: are regions weak? #RoR2017

Regions were created in Greece in 1987 in order to respond to organisational and functional requirements of the EU structural policies. Greek regions were not the expression of historically rooted regional identities. Such identities are not particularly strong in Greece (with the exception of Crete), while all over the country local identities obviously overshadow the regional ones. Out of these Greek “Regions Programmes” only a part coincided with historical regions (in Crete, the Ionian Islands, Thessaly and Epirus). After the establishment of second tier local governments at the level of the former prefectures (in 1994), deconcentrated state administration was re-structured at the level of the regions (in 1998), which gradually built up their own administrative machinery. Re-scaling of second tier local ...

Learn how to better Decarbonise your Energy Systems

By virtue of its relationship with Heat Roadmap Europe (HRE) which began at the COP23, AER would like to invite its member regions to attend a workshop on “unlocking the decarbonising potential in heating and cooling”. Heating and cooling systems are at the forefront of energy policy-making at all levels of government. In improving the efficiency and sustainability of heating and cooling systems, regions stand to reduce energy costs and emissions while increasing their energy security. The workshop will provide scientific evidence for different decarbonisation pathways in Europe through presentations on scenario building and energy system analysis. By outlining multiple future pathways in the energy transition through scenario building, attendees will gain a better understanding of the role different technologies can play ...

EEA and Norway Grant: an all new fund for interregional cooperation

AER has been looking closely to the EEA and Norway Grant since a long time ago. This grant proposes fundings on topics of interest for AER members, such as civic participation, youth unemployment and social disparities. Mutual exchange projects are traditionally set on bilateral exchanges but last year the Grant Operator started a consultation on transnational projects. AER was the only European network of regions participating in that consultation, bringing experience on project application and the specific needs and expectations of regions. Now that the results of this consultation process are finally tangible, the EEA and Norway Grant have launched an all new Fund for Regional Cooperation that supports regional cross-border and transnational project initiatives. The motto is “shared solutions to common European ...

Look out! Come and discover Eurodyssey at the Brussels Event! (Registrations closed)

AER, together with Actiris (Brussels’ regional employment service) and Brussels International, is organising a couple of events aimed at raising awareness about the importance of youth mobility and employment for regional development through the medium of the Eurodyssey programme for traineeship exchanges. Wednesday 18 April / 13:00 – 18:30 (Public event) A first event, entitled “Discover Eurodyssey” will bring together Eurodyssey members, regional representatives, European mobility advisors and young traineeship-seekers at the Actiris offices. This session will consist of information stands where participants can discover Eurodyssey and the European regions involved in the programme. On top of this, young attendees will find out what they could gain from becoming a Eurodyssey trainee. Thursday 19 April / 9:00 – 13:00 (Round of conferences for Regions) A ...

Improving school performance for children with a migrant background: partners wanted!

Would you like to join a three year project on education within the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund? Building on its longstanding work with migrants, especially in the fields of education and culture, AER is pleased to support our member – Government of Catalonia – in searching partners to complete the consortia.  We wish to encourage AER members and partners to look carefully at this project idea and express their interest. The issue tackled is incredibly relevant at the European level, as it has a heavy impact on social cohesion in the EU and beyond. The Project This project idea on inclusive and non-segregated education aims to tackle the issues of children with a migrant background achieving lower scores compared to their fellows with ...

AER: Working to Improve European Transportation Systems

AER is excited to announce it will be attending the ACI Europe’s 11th Annual Regional Airports’ Conference and Exhibition in Naples, Italy. Mr. Roger Esterfors, the expert on regional airports from the AER Working Group on Transports and Mobility will represent AER at the conference. ACI Europe is the European branch of Airports Council International, the only global federation of airports operators, serving as the European trade body for airports. With a membership comprised of airport operators of all sizes, along with national airport associations, global businesses, and educational establishments, AIC helps members work together to ensure effective communication and advocacy on relevant legislative, commercial, technical, environmental, and passenger issues. The conference will consist of multiple high-level sessions including cutting edge presentations ...

Regionalisation in Montenegro: not regions, but municipalities #RoR2017

An ancient Balkan state, Montenegro came under Ottoman control at the end of the 15th century, but became an independent kingdom from 1910 to 1918. Montenegro then joined the newly formed Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. In 1991, 4 of the 6 Yugoslav republics declared independence, leaving Montenegro and Serbia to form a new republic in 1992, which was renamed the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2003. Montenegro left the State Union in May 2006 by a popular referendum, and became an independent country once again. On 22 October 2007, the new Constitution of Montenegro was proclaimed. Montenegro became a candidate for EU accession at the end of ...

Improving Capacity to Implement Environmental Policy: Peer 2 Peer Study Visits

Announcing EIR For years, AER members have been making strides in achieving sustainable development and pursuing progressive environmental policies. To equip regions with the knowledge needed to implement the EU’s environmental standards and regulations, AER has put together numerous events and tools. Along the way, members have consistently expressed interest in exchanging knowledge and best practices. Now with the European Commission’s new program, the Environmental Implementation Review (EIR), bringing regions together to learn from one another will be easier than ever. Designed to improve the implementation of EU environmental law and policy, EIR is a natural extension of the TAIEX Instrument, a peer-to-peer exchange tool which draws on a database of public experts. How it Works With EIR EU member states can take part in ...

#CohesionPolicyTips – Let’s work together for a stronger and more resilient cohesion policy

AER’s tips to influence: Towards a stronger and more effective Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 Over the last few weeks, we have offered small and big tips on how to approach and create a dialogue with your local and regional politicians to raise awareness on the needs of a strong more effective cohesion policy post-2020. Here are the tips! Sign the Cohesion Alliance declaration! Join the AER task force on Cohesion Policy Reach out to your local MEPs Reach out to national policy-makers Contribute to the Committee of the Regions’ opinions Get the attention of the regional media Liaise with other regions in your country Mobilise regional EU offices  See the summary video of the Cohesion Alliance!  See our position from June 2017 on the future of Cohesion Policy.  Contact our Institutional Relations coordinator ...

Regionalisation in Lithuania: an ongoing debate on regional reforms #RoR2017

Essentially, the definition “region” in Lithuania is associated with three types of territorial units: administrative units of the state territory of higher level – counties (apskritys); ethnocultural regions; territorial units where Lithuania’s national regional policy and the European Union’s cohesion/neighbourhood policy are implemented. Counties After the re-establishment of independence in 1990, the country inherited the system of administrative-territorial units from the Soviet period. Established in 1960, this system was adjusted to suit the centralised government’s needs, but it was no longer suitable for a democracy. According to official documents, the administrative-territorial system in 1990- 1995 consisted of administrative-territorial units, which fell into two levels and five categories: cities of national importance (higher level), rajonai (districts) (higher level), towns of regional importance (lower ...

Interreg NWE Project Ideas Lab: call for registration

The Interreg North West Europe organises a transnational Project Ideas Lab on the 28th of February in London! This event is specifically aimed at prospective applicants and will be structured around giving participants the floor to network, find new partners and develop project ideas. The NWE team will also share examples of successfully funded projects and explain  in-depth the programme’s priorities for funding. The countries target by the Interreg NWE are: Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and parts of France, Germany and the Netherlands. This is the perfect occasion for applicants to get some help in developing their project idea making sure to be ready for the upcoming  call for project proposals (deadline on 26 April 2018). Participation is free, but registration is mandatory,  therefore register ...

Do you want to contribute in creating job opportunities for persons with disabilities?

Divergent– Ghent University (BE), a specialized vocational training center, is looking for European Partners for a transnational ESF Project. The main question addressed by the project is: “How can we enhance employer involvement in creating labour market opportunities for persons with an occupational disability?”. While the focus of the project is on the role of the job intermediary or coach and their relationship with employers. The partners searched within other European Union countries should have the following characteristics: •    to be familiar with methods and tools for enhanced employer involvement in persons with an occupational disability •    to be prepared to start a partnership in your own country (as a promoter) and submit a proposal to the ESF project •    to have experience with transnational ...

Study Visit in Gelderland on the Energy Transition

Last spring on the occasion of the London Spring Plenaries, Committee 1 agreed to organise a study visit on the energy transition in Gelderland (NL) to share and learn from each other’s experiences. Originally, the study visit was planned for October 31st-November 2nd 2017 but has now been rescheduled for April 17-19 2018. All AER members are invited to participate and can find the new programme and registration form online. In order to ensure that as many regions benefit as possible, we kindly ask that delegations are limited to a maximum of 3 persons per region since there is a maximum of 20 spots available for the whole visit. Multistakeholder collaboration The main focus of the study visit, which will be organised in cooperation with ...

AER members share knowledge to improve situation for refugees in their regions

On 24 and 25 January 2018, AER co-organised several events focusing on local and regional responses to the Syrian refugee crisis in Brussels. AER would like to thank its honorary President, Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli, who was instrumental in making these events happen. Dr Bozatli has always been a strong supporter of the Turkish-Europe dialogue. These series of events proves it once more. The Press release and background can be found HERE. This article focuses on the experiences and best practices shared by the regions over the two days. Best Practices – Västra Götaland (SE), Catalonia (ES) and the Netherlands With control over the healthcare sector and certain dimensions of regional development, the AER President’s region, Västra Götaland (SE), had success integrating refugees ...

AER co-organises events on Syrian Refugee Crisis: Policy Insights and Recommendations

On 24 and 25 January 2018, AER co-organised several events focusing on local and regional responses to the Syrian refugee crisis in Brussels. AER would like to thank its honorary President, Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli, who was instrumental in making these events happen. Dr Bozatli has always been a strong supporter of the Turkish-Europe dialogue. These series of events proves it once more. The Press release and background can be found HERE. This article focuses on insights and recommendations shared by representatives from regions and NGOs over the two days on areas of migration policy which effect the regional and local levels. The Need for National and Local Cooperation Throughout each event, it became clear that collaboration between national and local governments is ...

Regionalisation in Georgia: the politics of regional development are improving #RoR2017

Georgia is an independent, unified, and indivisible state, as confirmed by the referendum of 31 March 1991 – held throughout the territory of the country, including in the Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of Abkhazia and the Former Autonomous District of South Ossetia – and by the Act of Restoration of State Independence of Georgia of 9 April 1991. Territorial arrangement remains an open question The Constitution of Georgia leaves open the question of territorial arrangement, leaving the issue aside and linking it to the future restoration of territorial integrity. According to Article 2, paragraph 3 of the Constitution of Georgia, “Constitutional law shall determine the territorial state structure of Georgia on the basis of the principle of delimitation of powers after the ...

Valorisation of talents with a migrant background: do you want to work on this?

EVA vzw (BE) – a social innovator in the social economy – is looking for European partners for the ESF project “Culture-sensitive Care ambassadors – Valorizing talents+”. This project aims to make the potential of informal caregivers with migrant roots visible and valorized in order to improve their transfer to training and job opportunities within the professional care. This should be made via a model structured according to three paths: individual coaching, training in group, and workplace learning. The reason behind the development of this project is linked to the diversification in the society, where the potential of people with a migrant background is a much overlooked feature. Nevertheless, the use of that potential, for example in the healthcare sector, can help to provide ...

AER presents its views on the future of EU Cohesion Policy to the European Parliament

On 1 February 2018 Mathieu Mori, AER Secretary-General, participated in the European Parliament’s Regional Development Committee meeting at the request of Chair Iskra Mihaylova (ALDE, BG) to present AER’s views on the future of Cohesion Policy. The meeting brought together European associations of cities, municipalities and regions to present their views on the future of EU Cohesion Policy. AER adopted its position on Cohesion Policy post-2020 at its Bureau Meeting in Sankt-Pölten (AT) in June 2017. Mr Mori’s speech is available at 02h:23m:00s HERE. Mr Mori said that “The achievements and additionality of Cohesion Policy are beyond dispute. Evidence is clear: cohesion policy has played a fundamental role in supporting regions in promoting job creation, business competitiveness and sustainable economic growth; and in ...

Are you interested to join a project within the Asylum, Migration & Integration Fund ?

A foundation of the Region of Murcia (Spain) – Fundación CEPAIM – is looking for partners to develop a project under the call of proposals in the area of Integration of Third-Country Nationals (2017). Priority 2: Community building at local level for integration including through volunteering activities (AMIF-2017-AG-INTE). The objective of this project is to promote processes of integration and social cohesion through democratic participation and coexistence of the local population and the newcomers of third countries in neighbourhoods of high diversity. The expected result is to achieve an improvement of the knowledge of, and the relationships between the local citizens and the ones of third countries in the neighbourhoods and to reinforce a structure of intercultural participation through networking, that assures the sustainability ...

Cultural Heritage High on the Agenda at AER!

Funding Opportunity After the Plenary Sessions in London and Nancy, AER is engaging on cultural matters and encourages its member regions to take action and promote culture at the territorial level and at the European scale. This year is the European Year of Cultural Heritage, and AER is committed to keep culture high on the agenda in the long term. It is our belief that cultural heritage should be valued as a leverage of sustainable local development, and we see great potential in this field for our regions. Few funds have been allocated specifically to this topic: two calls were published under the Creative Europe programme. Nevertheless, we encourage our member regions to take into consideration cultural heritage as a core topic ...

Governance, a new topic for the Horizon 2020 programme

Funding Opportunity The Horizon 2020 Programme is the main source of funding to implement front running and innovative ideas. Several calls for projects pointing out governance as main topic have been published recently, and some others are foreseen in autumn 2018. The new calls for projects on governance The new Horizon2020 calls want to tackle urgent and recent social issues that European Member States are facing. Populism, polarisation of the political debate and the society itself, along with the further radicalisation of groups of citizens are some of the societal challenges under the spot. These recent phenomenons are seen as threats for key constitutional and institutional areas such as social rights in Europe, trust and citizenship. The approach chosen by the calls for projects is to ...

Work-Life balance the focus of the new EaSI call for projects

Funding Opportunity The European Commission has made available some funds to implement the Europe 2020 strategy. The European programme for Employment and Social Innovation “EaSI” addresses social challenges tackling key issues such as sustainable employment and decent social security, along with the fight against poverty and social exclusion. A new social innovation call for proposals was published on 19 January 2018. The call concerns social innovation and national reforms on Innovative Work-Life balance Strategies to facilitate reconciliation of professional and caring responsibilities. The AER network has already been working on this topic and published a political report on how to measure tangible progress on the quality of life. The aim of the call for projects is to support governmental and non-governmental actors, social partners in delivering national policy ...

Erasmus+ Sport InfoDay: have a look at the opportunities & tips!

Funding Opportunity The European Commission and the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) organised an Erasmus+ Sport Info Day on 30 January 2018, in Brussels. The main aim of the event was to explain the funding opportunities available as well as to give an update on policy developments. For those who were not able to attend, the Info day was also web streamed, having all useful information available here. The Sport Chapter in the Erasmus+ Programme aims to support European partnerships on grassroots sport in order to pursue the following objectives: Tackle cross-border threats to the integrity of sport, such as doping, match fixing and violence, as well as all kinds of intolerance and discrimination; To promote and support good governance in sport and dual careers of athletes; To promote voluntary activities in sport, ...

Explore the opportunities of the Town Twinning Action Between Turkey and EU Grant Scheme

Following AER’s focus on Turkish member regions and the work addressed to them in terms of EU funding and relations, we would like to focus again on an initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable structures between local administrations/authorities in Turkey and EU Member States: the Town Twinning Action Between Turkey and the EU Grant Scheme. Within this initiative, which has been already shared with member regions, an information meeting for representatives of local authorities in the EU Member States, Unions and networks representing the local administrations in EU as well as all related parties will take place in Brussels on 8th February 2018. If you are interested in joining this meeting, please register here by 1st February. We would like to stress the importance of this meeting ...

The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

Throughout 2018, people across Europe will gather to celebrate Europe’s unique cultural heritage as part of the European Year of Cultural Heritage. For thousands of years, culture has remained a fixture in people’s lives, shaping people’s identities and world views. Culture is reflected in the art and literature people create, the food people eat, and stories passed down through generations. It is visible daily through natural and archeological wonders. With the emergence of new technologies and the mixing of different societies, culture slowly changes with each generation but still retains its identifiable characteristics. This evolution of culture has given rise to the slogan for the year: where the past meets the future. As part of the celebrations numerous  events organised by ...

Regionalisation in Moldova: are regions lacking autonomy? #RoR2017

The Republic of Moldova is part of the Eastern Partnership, which is an initiative that enables closer political, economic and cultural relations among the EU, its member states and 6 eastern European partners. Moldova gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The young republic later established itself as a “sovereign, independent, unitary and indivisible state” in 1994 according to the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, which has been amended several times to date. The transition of the country from a communist regime to a democratic one gave way to the strengthening of national political stability and administrative bodies, the reform of central and local governments and the restructuring of domestic legislation. During the transition period, the Republic implemented three ...

Call for nominations: AER General Assembly and Committees 2018

Per AER Statute and Procedures, the AER Election Committee will inventory and prepare for the elections at the General Assembly and the Committees. The time-table is as follows: AER Spring Committe Plenaries, 20 March 2018 Call for nominations: 23 January 2018 Candidate’s applications: The Election Committee will accept applicants until 23 February 2018   Candidate’s portfolios distributed: 6 March 2018 AER General Assembly, 22 May 2018 Call for nominations: 27 March 2018 Candidate’s applications: 10 April 2018 Candidate’s portfolios distributed: 8 May 2018 The AER secretariat will not be in a position to answer questions relating to the election process. All applications and questions relating to the elections should be addressed to: Kurt Ake Hammarstedt, +46 70 527 83 50 Elections at the General Assembly The Election Committee will nominate candidates for the elections at the General Assembly by listing all nominees ...

Mayor of Gaziantep, Turkey in Brussels to discuss role of cities and regions in welcoming refugees

A delegation of politicians from Turkish municipalities visited Brussels on the 24th and 25th of January 2018. Among them was Fatma ŞAHIN, Mayor of Gaziantep, Turkey and a 2016 nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize for her role in helping Syrian refugees. Ms. Şahin was invited by the European Parliament to deliver a speech at the opening session of the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the European Agenda of Migration held on 24 January. There, she offered Gaziantep’s perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of refugee integration in Turkey, and in the rest of Europe. Magnus Berntsson, AER President, said “giving the opportunity to one of our members (Gaziantep) to share their view point on the refugee crisis and their important role in ...

Regionalisation in Ireland: is the state still the “gatekeeper” to EU? #RoR2017

When the Irish state was established, it inherited the British system of local government, which pre-dated the state’s birth. After independence, no constitutional provision was made for local government. A centralized system of governance The Irish state developed a highly centralized system of government. The Irish government’s desire for centralized power was, however, concerned less with political principle and more with finding immediate and pragmatic solutions to the problems of government in the aftermath of war. The preference for functional efficiency, even at the expense of democratic accountability, is a trait that has characterized local government in Ireland since its foundation and perhaps best exemplified by the ‘managerial system’ of local administration. Ireland is now divided into three regions, the Connaught-Ulster Region, the ...

Regionalisation in Macedonia: no longer one of the most centralised countries in Europe #RoR2017

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) was a constituent state of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until 1991. Despite experiencing considerable decentralisation in the Yugoslavian period, after independence the country increasingly centralised itself. As a result, in the Nineties, FYROM was regarded as one of the most centralized countries in Europe. The Constitution and law prescribed a number of competencies to the local self- government units, such as in the areas of urban planning, pre-school and primary education, primary health care, social welfare, culture and sports. In practice, however, the competencies were limited to only a few. This is due to the fact that the enabling legislation for implementing such competencies was not put in place. History of FYROM ...

Technology for healthy ageing in rural communities

Livestream will be available from 9:10 for the RemoAge event on innovative health and care services on Tuesday 16 January. Ageing in place in remote areas The RemoAge project addresses the challenge of supporting people with dementia and other frail older people to age at home in remote and sparsely populated areas. Long distances and limited resources are two challenges to overcome. Expected results are improved access to personalized services in direct support in daily life, support to family carers and health personnel, but also increased involvement of the community. Target groups of the project: – Frail older people, including people with dementia, in remote communities – Carers both professionnal and informal – Community members – Health and social care professionals The target groups are being involved throughout the ...

Town Twinning: Connecting Europe and Turkey

AER is glad to announce the launch of the Town Twinning Action Between Turkey and the EU Grant Scheme (TTGS). The aim of the programme is to create sustainable structures for exchange between local administrations in Turkey and local authorities in EU Member states to assist in the EU accession process. Relationships can be developed between Turkish special provincial administrations, union of municipalities, governorates or district governorates, and local authorities in EU Member States. All project proposals must fall between 60,000 and 130,000 Euros. All projects should be directed towards reinforcing the role of local authorities in European Integration and EU-Turkey Relations in accordance with the EU acquis chapters or the UN Sustainable development goals. With these goals in mind, projects can ...

#CohesionPolicyTips – Member of AER? Join the AER task force on Cohesion Policy

AER’s tips to influence: Towards a stronger and more effective Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 Over the next few weeks, we will be offering small and big tips on how to approach and create a dialogue with your local and regional politicians to raise awareness on the needs of a strong more effective cohesion policy post-2020. This week’s tip. Are you a member of AER? You should definitely join the AER Task Force on Cohesion Policy.  See our position from June 2017 on the future of Cohesion Policy.  Contact our Institutional Relations coordinator for more information: See last week’s tip! See the summary video of the Cohesion Alliance! 

Eurodyssey in Valencia

Hello Four New Interns! Ayuntamiento de Alzira, offering creative and practical solutions to many of citizen´s demands has been hosting volunteers and interns for several years. As we said goodbye to our two interns from France and Madeira, we recently welcomed four new interns entering via program Eurodyssey. Their projects include European Projects Management, Local Development and since this year our interns will also help out with Tourism Promotion and Arboriculture. Program Eurodyssey consists of five months of practical experience and one month of intensive language training in Valencia in the beginning of their stay. That helps interns to understand more about local culture and lifestyle and to integrate more easily. Altogether 35 participants from ten different European regions have a chance to enter the ...

Regionalisation in Czech Republic: between independent and delegated competences #RoR2017

The Czech Republic is a country located in central Europe. It comprises the historical provinces of Bohemia and Moravia as well as the southern tip of Silesia, which are collectively often called the Czech Lands. At the end of the World War I, with the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the state of Czechoslovakia was established. The democratic and post-communist Czechoslovakian state lasted only four years (1989-1993). Indeed, on January 1, 1993, Czechs and Slovaks decided to dissolve the union of their nation-states. As the Czech Republic, the new country joined the European Union (EU) in 2004. Regions: territorial communities of citizens In the Czech Republic, in accordance with the law on regions, a region is considered a territorial community of citizens ...

#CohesionPolicyTips – Reach out to national policy-makers

AER’s tips to influence: Towards a stronger and more effective Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 Over the next few weeks, we will be offering small and big tips on how to approach and create a dialogue with your local and regional politicians to raise awareness on the needs of a strong more effective cohesion policy post-2020. This week’s tip. Reach out to national policy-makers, including Ministers responsible for Cohesion Policy and Budget to present their/AER/Cohesion Alliance positions. Advocacy must be tailored to the decision-maker they are communicating with. And the message must be shaped in a way that reflects the specific situation and interests of the region. Gathering some evidence (fact and figures) will help make our case stronger. The Eurostat data on cohesion policy and ...

Regionalisation in Bulgaria: reducing regional disparities #RoR2017

Bulgaria covered a surface area of 111,000.9 sq. km and has a population of 7,153,784 inhabitants at the end of 2015. Over the years, the administrative and territorial division of the country was subject to multiple changes, reflecting the geopolitical, demographic and territorial dynamics. The principles of local self-government and a three level territorial organisation were established with the Tarnovo Constitution (1879). The introduced European Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics went through several stages and took the current form in 2008 with 2 NUTS 1 regions, 6 NUTS 2 regions, 28 NUTS 3 districts, 265 LAU 1 municipalities, and 5,258 LAU 2 municipalities. The formal regions were established for planning, programming, management, supply of resources, monitoring and assessment of regional ...

#CohesionPolicyTips – Reach out to your local MEPs

AER’s tips to influence: Towards a stronger and more effective Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 Over the next few weeks, we will be offering small and big tips on how to approach and create a dialogue with your local and regional politicians to raise awareness on the needs of a strong more effective cohesion policy post-2020. This week’s tip. Mobilise regional EU Offices to influence at EU level, notably by reaching out to national MEPs and Permanent Representations and their respective representatives following the COREPER and Working Party on Structural Measures, which deals with cohesion policy.  See last week’s tip! See the summary video of the Cohesion Alliance! 

Looking to 2018 – Join us at upcoming AER events!

As this year comes to a close, we would like to get you all ready for the year to come. It is sure to be a busy one. We will be formally ratifying our political priorities for the period 2018/2019, priorities which were adopted by the AER bureau in Maastricht in late November 2017. Our second General Assembly since the election of a new Executive Board in Sankt Pölten (AT) in June 2017.  The 2018 General Assembly will take place in Oppland (NO). For our 2018 Committee Plenaries we will head to Arad (RO) in the Spring, and to Vojvodina (RS) in the Autumn. We will shortly be updating you on the general theme for these plenaries. This year, in Spring, Sustainable Finance ...

#CohesionPolicyTips – Contribute to the Committee of the Regions’ opinions

AER’s tips to influence: Towards a stronger and more effective Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 Over the next few weeks, we will be offering small and big tips on how to approach and create a dialogue with your local and regional politicians to raise awareness on the needs of a strong more effective cohesion policy post-2020. This week’s tip. For those regions represented in the CoR, contribute to the Committee of the Regions opinions and influencing work on the future MFF and cohesion policy. See last week’s tip! See the summary video of the Cohesion Alliance! 

A Eurodyssey story!

El vecino de Ronaldo (Ronaldo’s neighbour) Hello there! (probably one of my favourite expressions) My name is Fábio, I am a 26-year-old Madeiran young man and currently taking part in the Eurodyssey programme here in IDEA. As to what makes me apply for it, simply by change. As I applied to an EVS (European Voluntary Service) I got to know about Eurodyssey and found it to be more appealing than the previous mentioned one. I will be here until the 31st of March (I hope) working in the European projects department of IDEA and I hope to gain more experience in an area I have no idea how it works. I can deal with administration and management since both were quite a big part of ...

Council of Europe Development Bank: a trusted partner for regions

Investing in regions reduces social and economic disparities and promotes inclusive growth, one of the priority areas of operation for the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB). In recent years, the Bank has stepped up its cooperation with regions and municipalities in its member countries in order to lend its full support to their social investments. The  scale  of  needs  in local infrastructure  across  the continent is  particularly  large,  given  demographic pressures and climate  change adaptation. Local governments are responsible for a quarter of all public expenditure and almost half of all public investment; however, slow and uneven recovery in public investments since 2009 has been a concern. CEB’s recent investments in regions across Europe include revitalisation and modernisation of urban and ...

EGCT in Central Europe: example of Hungary and Poland 

The main objective of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), as a new legal instrument of cooperation, is to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the EU and the implementation of the Europe 2020 goals. Its involvement in the creation and operation of the groupings in different countries is much diversified. Despite some similarities between EGTCs established by Hungarian and Polish local governments, differences in the governments’ attitude towards the role of groupings exert considerable influence, especially concerning the number of registered EGTCs. Euroregion and EGTC International cooperation of local government, especially in the case of borderlands, was an important part of the European integration process after the Second World War. These bottom- up initiatives, inspired by local needs, were ...

How to Write a Project Proposal: the Experts’ Top Tips

On 20 November, during the ERRIN Projects Development Week, professor Nikolaos Floratos gave an inspiring presentation “How to Write a Successful Proposal”. Despite the presentation being focused on Horizon 2020, suggestions and information given can be useful for each and every project proposal. This article summarises the main points of the presentation. First Remarks When considering to embark on a project, applicants must get acquainted with the documents and technicalities of the programme they want to apply for. Tailoring the project idea on programme priorities is a prerequisite of every successful project preparation. Evaluators will look closely at the sustainability of the project, avoiding to finance project ideas which are likely to end in nothing once the money flow from the commission ...

Youth and citizens, European programmes to support good ideas

The end of the year is a time for good resolutions. The AER Bureau gathered its brilliant representatives to adopt AER’s new political priorities for 2018-2019. Youth and citizenships were very frequently mentioned in the talks before the final decision on priorities was made. “Democratic Sustainability” effectively summarises those exchanges in this clear statement: “Encourage opportunities for citizens, especially young people, to engage in society and actively participate in decision-making, through stronger European regions.” At the same time everyone knows that statements and good ideas are not enough. European funding programmes can be one of the solutions to “give legs” to ideas and turn them into reality. European Funding Programmes for youth and citizens Erasmus+ and Europe for citizens are the two programmes that support projects ...

Health and Horizon2020: a Good Match.

On 21 November CORAL members, hosted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in Brussels, discussed Horizon 2020 and many project ideas. The meeting opened with a presentation of EuroScience Open Forum – ESOF, which will take place in Trieste, 4-10 July 2020. Trieste has seen the development of important international and national institutes for research, technology transfer and the dissemination of science. Nowadays, the percentage of researchers working in the city is among the highest in the world. As a Central European city, Trieste works to make ESOF2020 an occasion for strengthening bonds with Central and Eastern European scientists, business, politicians and citizens. Health Research under Horizon 2020 After the presentation of EuroScience, the floor was taken by Giorgio Clarotti, Health Policy Analist ...

Tailored Help for Facilitating the Digital Transformation

With digitalisation well underway, companies are seeking to adapt themselves to the digital age giving rise to the term digital transformation. Digital transformation impacts every aspect of an organisation from the technology it uses, to the skills and competencies it looks for in employees. New Skills and Competencies Needless to say, companies need access to the latest technology which can bring them into the digital age. Moreover, being able to adapt to the digital age is impossible without having modern infrastructures and teams in place, necessitating the recruitment of highly capable tech talent. However, the success of IT departments is built upon group cohesion, not the ability of one person. Put differently, people need to have strong tech skills but the ability to ...

AER and R20 contribute to the One Planet Summit success through major announcement

AER and R20 take big steps forward! A joint venture aiming to generate a large volume of bankable projects from African sub-national authorities was announced today in Paris. The joint venture involves the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the R20, the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) and the European Commission. This grouping of actors follows on several years of partnership with the R20 and the European Commission on developing access to funding for sub-national governments, leading to promising negotiations during COP23. Magnus Berntsson, AER and R20 President, Arnold Schwarzenegger, R20 Founder, Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission Vice President and Global Covenant Co-Chair, presented this important declaration at the One Planet Summit. https://twitter.com/europeanregions/status/940615397426040832 The European Commission, the R20 and the GCoM will seek synergies to support the development of bankable low ...

Tackling the Ethics of AI

During AER’s event on artificial intelligence (AI) attendees broke into five roundtable discussion groups, each addressing an area of AI important to stakeholders. The group called “AI: Towards a Soulless World” discussed the ethical issues created by the rise of AI and what it means to be human in an era of highly intelligent robots. Debates were moderated by Diane Whitehouse, a Principal eHealth Policy Analyst at EHTEL. Participants discussed issues such as AI’s potential to increase inequality and the social consequences of artificial intelligence. This group contained a wide range of perspectives involving representatives from industry, the political sphere, and the healthcare sector. Contributors Nilofar Niazi the Founder and CEO of the TRAINM Neuro Rehabilitation Center and Benoît Vidal the Co-founder of ...

WANTED! EU – Projects INTERN (CLOSED)

Are you interested to learn and to be part of the team working on EU projects for the largest independent political network of regions in Europe? We are looking for an intern to join the Project Unit at our Brussels Office, supervised by the European Projects & Private Partnerships coordinator. Your main tasks will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (both based on desk research and by participating to relevant events as Info Days on funding programmes) Supporting AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members. Writing articles on the results of your mapping Contributing to the implementation of ongoing projects for all concerning activities and finances Providing inputs in terms of drafting documents to join new project proposals Finally, the intern will assist the team ...

The Future of Work: Skills and Competences

During AER’s event on artificial intelligence (AI) attendees broke into five roundtable discussion groups, each addressing an area of AI important to stakeholders. The group called Skills and Competences: Racing with Machines discussed the skills and competences which will become the most valuable as AI continues to progress. A central focus for the group was on the reforms needed in education systems to better prepare students for labour market’s changing landscape. The group benefited from the presence of multiple education experts whose regions are at the forefront of educational reform. Moderating the group was Ann Nowe of the VUB Artificial Intelligence lab, who brought first-hand knowledge of the latest developments in the capabilities of AI. The VUB AI lab was an event ...

Regionalisation in Cyprus: a pressing need for reform #RoR2017

The evolution of local administration has deep roots in the progression of Cypriot history. The current form and nature of local administration in Cyprus is inherently linked to the transition of Cyprus to a unitary state in 1960. Moreover, local administration and the Cyprus issue are inextricably linked, since the creation of separate municipalities based on community lines was one of the main factors that resulted in the collapse of the system in 1963-64. Moreover, and from a historical perspective, local administration even before the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus, was inevitably linked with the rights granted to the inhabitants of the island on the basis of varying modes of enhanced self-governance and decentralisation. Needless to say, such empowerment ...

AI: The Next Wave in Culture

During AER’s event on artificial intelligence (AI) attendees broke into five roundtable discussion groups, each addressing an area of AI important to stakeholders. The group titled the culture in the digital age discussed the progression of AI generated art and its future role in the creative arts industry. For an hour, topics such facilitating collaboration between AI and artists to what AI’s impact on our conception of art animated conversations. The group was fortunate to have a wide range of contributors who are well versed in a relatively new area of AI. Moderating the group was Christophe de Jaeger, Director of Gluon. Gluon brings together academics, artists, entertainers, and innovators to provide an opportunity for them to learn from one another ...

Funding opportunities on Artificial Intelligence!

Following the recent success of AER’s event “Artificial Intelligence: Are Regions Up to The Challenge?” on Thursday 30 November, which brought together policy makers, stakeholders, academics, and entrepreneurs to discuss the policy implications of the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Projects Unit of the AER Secretariat is pleased to share with you some relevant information on funding opportunities matching this topic. Funding Artificial Intelligence across the EU A key point in the agenda of the said event was the presentation of Ms. Cécile Huet, European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT), who briefed the audience on funding opportunities under Horizon 2020 to exploit the technological possibilities of AI and robotics in multiple economic sectors as well as addressing its societal ...

AI: A Revolution in Heathcare

During AER’s event on artificial intelligence (AI) attendees broke into five roundtable discussion groups, each addressing an area of AI important to stakeholders. The group titled the healthcare revolution was to discuss the disruption AI will bring to the delivery and organisation of healthcare. For an hour, issues such as the changing nature of medicine, relationships between physicians and patients in an era of AI, and the integration of AI into healthcare policy animated discussions. To suit the large spectrum of issues this group was to discuss, group contributors drew from a broad cross-section of society, bringing with them diversity in knowledge and experience. Contributor Maria Merce Rovira Regas, a Member of the Board at the European Institute of Women’s Health brought ...

Debate: “Europe: the way forward. What future for regions?”

What are the main challenges of the European project? Is the EU still fit for purpose? What is the future of regions in a reformed Union? Here are some highlights of the “Europe: the way forward. What future for regions?” debate held in the City of Maastricht on 29 November as part of the AER Autumn Bureau meeting. The future of Europe has been part of many conversations among AER member regions. Not surprising, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty and the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties, and the European Union steps up to set out a vision for the future of the Union at 27. The debate, convened by AER and the City of Maastricht in ...

#CohesionPolicyTips – Get the attention of the regional media

AER’s tips to influence: Towards a stronger and more effective Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 Over the next few weeks, we will be offering small and big tips on how to approach and create a dialogue with your local and regional politicians to raise awareness on the needs of a strong more effective cohesion policy post-2020. This week’s tip. Get regional and national media’s attention. They can be useful to put yours and our message across. See last week’s tip! See the summary video of the Cohesion Alliance! 

Stimulating Innovation in AI

Supporting innovation, Attracting Innovators At AER’s event on artificial intelligence (AI) attendees broke into five roundtable discussion groups, each addressing an area of AI important to stakeholders. Contributors highlighted the changes they expect to see in their fields with the progression of AI and its implications for their work. The group titled supporting innovation, attracting innovators was to discuss how regions can support innovation in AI the purpose of doing so. For an hour, they engaged in lively debate over issues such as the financing of AI projects and investment stimulation in a market dominated by GAFA. Accordingly, group contributors brought extensive expertise in public sector technology investment and included Jean-Luc Vanraes, the President of AER Committee 1 and Chair of AER’s Working Group ...

Mutual Learning at AER event on Artificial Intelligence

Policy makers, stakeholders, academics, and entrepreneurs gathered in Brussels on Thursday 30 November at AER’s event “Artificial Intelligence: Are Regions Up to The Challenge?” to discuss the policy implications of the rise of Artificial Intelligence. Genuine exchange The event offered a rare opportunity for the various participants to take part in a genuine exchange. While one goal was to identify areas where regions can be active now, the event was designed to facilitate mutual learning through the stories and experiences shared by each participant. By way of discussions, participants gained perspective on the obstacles and opportunities their peers are facing with the progression of AI. As a follow up to last year’s successful event last year on E-Health, this year’s focus was ...

Culture stands out in Grand Est #ShineBright

The region of Grand Est (FR) has been doing exceptional work in the field of culture. It is not a simple topic and that’s why it is so important to encourage collaboration between regions. AER is home to many cultures and it is crucial to not forget this aspect while addressing regional issues. Culture is the perspective of a brand new area being opened for interregional cooperation. On the occasion of the AER Committee Plenaries 2017, AER recognised the efforts of Grand Est for all the work done in the field of culture. Thank you for your engagement in culture, Grand Est!      

Regionalisation in Slovakia: Voice of regions on the rise #RoR2017

Slovakia is a parliamentary representative democratic republic governed under the Constitution of 1992. In terms of territorial administration, the Slovak Republic is divided into 8 regions (corresponding to the EU’s NUTS 3 level) and 2,890 municipalities (as of Dec. 31, 2014). The public administration is organised on three levels: state – region – municipality. Every level has its own elected officials, distributed responsibilities and liabilities. Regions of Slovakia are statistically divided according to EU territorial classification into four NUTS 2 level regions – Bratislava region, Western Slovakia, Central Slovakia and Eastern Slovakia. Slovak public administration is of a dual nature, with relatively separate lines of local government (local and regional) and state administration (regional general state administration, specialised state administration). There ...

Bureau Members adopt AER’s political priorities for 2018-2019

During the AER Autumn Bureau Meeting, that took place on the 29th of November in Maastricht, Bureau members voted on the 2018-2019 political priorities for AER. It was an interesting process, as the priorities were drafted and voted on, in the same day. The discussions leading up to this were therefore very dynamic and fruitful. Setting the overarching political goal Members and guests sat in 5 groups of 12 to 15 and each group was asked to develop a sentence made of 10 words, outlining the global political priority. After this session was complete, Bureau members were invited to vote for the one they thought fit the most with AER’s ambitions. Defining the political priorities for 2018-2019 Once the political goal was voted on, the next step ...

Artificial Intelligence on regions’ agendas in Brussels

The Artificial Intelligence event brought together politicians, civil servants, entrepreneurs, academics and stakeholder groups in genuine exchange. The objective was to share experiences, stories, to understand each others’ challenges and to identify fields for action which can start now. 2016’s event focused on finding a common language for the deployment of e-health. 2017’s edition was all about the artificial intelligence disruption and its impacts at regional level. For more information on the event, and to view the programme, please visit the event page. This event was co-hosted by AER, Brussels International and Innoviris.

The Future is Now: Innovation in AI

Innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) is turning what was once science fiction into reality. With the exponential pace at which technology develops, barriers are being broken in AI faster than many have thought possible. On 30 November, AER’s event Artificial Intelligence: Are Regions Up to The Challenge? will bring together field experts, academics, and stakeholders giving attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest trends and innovations in AI. A Tool of the Present and Future Discussions around AI often involve looking far into the future where the world is inhabited by autonomous robots, sometimes minimising the large role that AI currently plays in our lives. While like Google’s Alpha Go beating Master Go player Ke Jie or Tesla’s self driving cars may attract ...

AER welcomed its members to the Autumn Bureau Meeting in Maastricht!

To mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, the 2017 Autumn Bureau Meeting took place in the city of Maastricht, The Netherlands on 29 November 2017. The Bureau meeting was an opportunity for European regions to celebrate the Maastricht Treaty, take stock of the achievements of the common European project and its economic, social and territorial cohesion efforts, and reflect on Europe’s future. Bureau members were asked to develop, through internal discussions, the AER political priorities from General Assembly 2018-2019. The Bureau also came to Maastricht with a debate on “Europe: the way forward. What future for regions?”. The panel discussion looked at the developments and challenges facing Europe today and asked regions for their views on the EU in ...

#ShineBright for an eco-friendly world, Abruzzo!

The region of Abruzzo (IT) has been very active in the past 6 months. AER has been working on climate change and energy transition for many years and Abruzzo has provided valuable input into this initiative. On the occasion of the AER Committee Plenaries 2017, in Nancy (FR), Abruzzo received a #ShineBright award for its remarkable action in the climate change field. In October, AER and Abruzzo co-organised a workshop “Regions and cities for climate and energy transition: a joint exercise”, within the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities. This workshop focused on how Regions and Cities are increasing their engagements on climate and energy in the post-2020 perspective. The content was designed in a way to be fully transferable to ...

Regionalisation in The Netherlands: Regional reform discussed, but limited #RoR2017

The current administrative structure of the Netherlands consists of three levels: central government, provinces and municipalities. The administrative set-up of the Dutch nation state has been rather stable since 1830 and changes to the territorial structure of the provinces have been marginal (as opposed to the municipal level where restructuring and merging has been a constant). Currently there are 12 provinces in the Netherlands. The tasks and competencies of the provinces are laid down in the Dutch Constitution and in the law on provinces (the “Provinciewet”, which originates from 1850). Rules regarding provincial finances and the financial relations between the various levels of government are laid down in the “Financiële-verhoudingswet” (originating from 1897). The Dutch provinces have tasks in many fields. Competencies ...

AER 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures

It’s official! Maramures will host the 2018 AER Summer Academy from August 6-11. This unique forum brings together policy makers and young people to exchange experience related to regional development in Europe. Since its establishment in 1996 AER’s Summer Academy has developed into one of its most popular programs, helping to transfer best practices on issues of common interest. Introducing the 2018 Summer Academy Maramures has been a member of the Summer Academy Organising Committee for many years and hosted the 2006 Summer Academy on European integration, which left vivid memories with all participants. The theme of the 2018 edition of the Summer Academy will be Cultural Heritage for Regional Attractiveness. Cultural heritage remains a central part of our lives and societies. It ...

#CohesionPolicyTips – Mobilise regional EU offices!

AER’s tips to influence: Towards a stronger and more effective Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 Over the next few weeks, we will be offering small and big tips on how to approach and create a dialogue with your local and regional politicians to raise awareness on the needs of a strong more effective cohesion policy post-2020. This week’s tip. Mobilise regional EU Offices to increase your influence at the EU level. Ways of doing this can notably be by reaching out to national MEPs and Permanent Representations and their respective representatives following the COREPER and Working Party on Structural Measures, which deals with cohesion policy. See last week’s tip! See the summary video of the Cohesion Alliance! 

Coding for Ethics With AI

Ethical issues around the future usage of artificial intelligence (AI) have helped turn it into a polarising issue in society. From techno-optimists to people derided as luddites, many have an opinion on the ethics of AI. Later this month, AER’s event Artificial Intelligence: Are Regions Up to The Challenge? will bring together field experts, academics, artists, politicians, and stakeholders to discuss these ethical issues, giving regional decision makers the opportunity prepare for the future together. Difficult Ethical Questions It is quickly becoming impossible to imagine a world where artificial intelligence does not play a prominent role. Whether it’s using Google Maps to navigate a new city or asking Siri to make restaurant reservations, AI impacts nearly everyone’s daily life. As AI continues to advance, ...

#ShineBright Örebro, coordination is the key!

The region of Örebrö has been developing a remarkable work, regarding the exchange of information among the Swedish regions. On top of their active participation in AER activities, the region took over the role of Swedish Coordinator. Thanks to Örebrö, the members have an excellent coordination among themselves. The time and energy that Örebrö is investing in this task ensures that the information reaches all regions and the exchange of experiences is more effective. Örebrö is a true example. It is thanks to such actions that we are able to improve the AER work!   Photo credits: Domingo Leiva @Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/dleiva/

Regionalisation in Poland: modifying territorialisation while acknowledging different regional identities #RoR2017

A little history of Poland Poland is a country in Central Europe. In the early Middle Ages, Poland’s small principalities and townships were subjugated by successive waves of invaders, such as Germans, Balts and Mongols. In the mid-1500s, united Poland was the largest and perhaps most powerful European state. However, during the Partitions of Poland (1772–1918), the nation was divided into three different parts, under the control of the empires of Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Poland was restored as a state in 1918, but lost again its independence during the Second World War, when it was occupied by Nazi Germany, and becoming a communist satellite state of the Soviet Union after the war. Poland acquired new territories on the west, which previously ...

AER engaged in constructive dialogues at COP23!

This year again, AER was present at the COP meeting. As a member of the Global Taskforce made up of the key city and region networks joining forces to tackle global challenges, AER was partner to the Climate Summit of Local and Regional Leaders. On Sunday 12 November, more than 350 political leaders from across the globe gathered in Bonn to show the world the commitment of cities and regions to fight climate change. At a time when the United States federal government wishes to leave the Paris agreement, the presence of many USA mayors and governors pledging to continue their fight against  climate change illustrated that even when States do not deliver, subnational governments are there to pick up the ...

Youth mobility: a policy that goes beyond employment

At their Autumn Plenary meeting in Brussels, the Youth Regional Network (YRN) took a closer look at the topic of youth mobility. The aim was to grasp the incredible potential (and underlying repercussions) for the stakeholders involved in promoting the mobility of (young) people in Europe. As youth delegates from their regions, YRN members were encouraged to keep these stakes in mind when considering youth mobility policies in the future. Youth mobility at AER Our very own youth mobility programme: Eurodyssey 28 AER member regions are involved and managing the AER Eurodyssey programme. The programme offers internships and language courses to young graduates (up to 35 years old) in another European region. The programme prides itself in promoting fair mobility: mobility for all. It does ...

#CohesionPolicyTips – Liaise with neighbouring regions in your country

AER’s tips to influence: Towards a stronger and more effective Cohesion Policy beyond 2020 Over the next few weeks, we will be offering small and big tips on how to approach and create a dialogue with your local and regional politicians to raise awareness on the needs of a strong more effective cohesion policy post-2020. This week’s tip. Your neighbours are your allies in the fight for a strong renewed Cohesion Policy. Contact them to stand strong behind a renewed and refreshed Cohesion Policy beyond 2020. Liaise with other regions in your country for concerted, collaborative and therefore, stronger, advocacy. If you ensure that your Cohesion Policy messages are shared and understood by your neighbours, then the weight of your opinions will increase. Countries ...

Don’t miss out on the chance to apply for the Silver Economy Awards!

If you are reading this, it’s because you are thinking of applying for the Silver Economy Awards! The SEED Consortium is searching for talented candidates like you to showcase innovative solutions addressing the needs of ageing populations and thus contribute to raise awareness on the implications of demographic change. Do not wait any longer to submit your proposal for the Awards and get outstanding recognition by becoming the European Ambassador of Silver Economy. The deadline for applications has been extended until the 10th of December!  What makes the Awards so special? If you think this project is just about an award, then you’re completely wrong. It has major implications for this expanding economic sector as a collector of financial, intellectual and technical resources of the Silver economy: The awards ...

New Horizon 2020 calls committed to the SDGs and the Paris Agreement

On 8 and 9 November 2017, the EU Executive Agency for SMEs (EASME) launched in the European Commission’s Charlemagne building an Information Day and brokerage event targeting potential applicants to the 2018 calls for project proposals under the Horizon 2020 Challenge 5 “Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials”. Allison Imrie, from the EC – DG Research and Innovation, gave an insight into the new Work Programme for 2018-2020 which focuses on moving to a greener, more resource efficient and climate-resilient economy in sync with the natural environment, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the targets of the COP21 Paris Agreement. Outline The Societal Challenge 5 Work Programme –aimed at increasing European competitiveness, raw materials security and improve ...

Human Culture in a Digital World

Future artificial intelligence (AI) programs promise to alter our understanding and experiences with human culture. From the music, to language, to art, AI will play a more prominent role in human culture in the years to come. AER’s event Artificial Intelligence: Are Regions Up to The Challenge? will bring together field experts, academics, artists, politicians, and stakeholders to discuss these coming changes, providing an excellent learning opportunity for each involved. Redefining Human Culture The name for the human species, Homo Sapiens literally translates into wise man. The name we gave ourselves was a compliment to our intellectual abilities, a nod to the notion that humans possess abilities no other animal does. For hundreds of years, skills ranging from cooking to painting have ...

Personalised Medicine: an Inspiring Debate!

On 7 November, the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands to the EU hosted an Oxford-style debate organised by POLITICO. Debaters argued around a crucial topic for EU policy makers and interested bodies such as AER: is personalised medicine the key to sustainable health care? The Framework In his introduction, Jan Kimpen, Chief Medical Officer from Philips, gave the audience a bit of context. He emphasised that the paradigm of medicine is changing, and pointed out that, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, the 40% of the treatments prescribed to patients turn out to be inefficient. This gap could be bridged by making the system more efficient by digitalising the healthcare sector. Digitalisation can contribute to improve the healthcare sector by upscaling good ...

#ShineBright – Sustainable mobility – Izmir

Izmir has been investing in a more sustainable mobility for the past years. AER recognises the region’s dedication and rewards it with a ShineBright award! Upgrading public transport in order to make them more eco-friendly is not an easy task, but Izmir is keeping up with the challenge. The region of Izmir has developed an ambitious connectivity strategy. The region is implementing a wide range of successful actions in order to improve the sustainability of mobility. Others have recognised Izmir’s successful transition to a sustainable mobility. The communication agency, Revolve, dedicated a whole article about the region’s achievements on the sustainable development field. Izmir is carrying out a wide-range of actions to improve the sustainability of mobility. There are almost 6 million journeys taken in one day in İzmir and ...

The Nordic Region: from hourglass to hourglass, or to vase? 

What is the status, what are the debates, what seems to happen, what should happen when it comes to regionalisation, multi-level governance and regional administrative reforms in the Nordic countries Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden? What could we need of further policy development, further research and development activities? There is a long tradition in all four countries to discuss the number of administrative levels and tasks and responsibilities between levels, number of municipalities, the number of counties / regions, the number of regional state agencies and the geographical structure of all this. A never ending story where the situation today is no exception. The situation we are presenting is far from exhaustive, but will hopefully provide a fairly accurate description regarding what ...

Highlights from the AER Youth Regional Network’s Autumn Plenary Meeting!

On the 3-5 November in Brussels, the AER Youth Regional Network held its Autumn Plenary Meeting, with three days of discussions, experience exchange and decisions on some of the most topical issues regarding youth. The meeting outlined debates and reactions to the integration of young migrants, youth mobility and youth participation in sustainability. The Plenary kicked off with a workshop debate with Yoomi Renstrom, Member of the European Committee of the Regions and Mayor of the Municipality of Ovanåker, on the integration of migrant young people. YRN delegates stressed that regionally based policies and strategies can more effectively support young migrants to integrate and that a multi-level governance approach, with the engagement of youth, is fundamental to the social, economic and civic ...

Sign the #CohesionAlliance declaration!

What is the Alliance? Currently worth one third of the EU budget, the EU’s cohesion policy reduces regional disparities, creates jobs, opens new business opportunities and addresses major global issues such as climate change and migration. The #CohesionAlliance is a coalition of those who believe that EU cohesion policy must continue to be a pillar of the EU’s future. The Alliance was created through cooperation between the leading European associations of cities and regions and the European Committee of the Regions. It demands that the EU budget after 2020 makes cohesion policy stronger, more effective, visible and available for every region in the European Union. From national, regional and local governments to SMEs, NGOs, schools, universities, cultural organisations, anyone who believes in EU cohesion policy is ...

Last call to join the Horizon 2020 Project Development Week!

What are you waiting for to join the Horizon 2020 Project Development Week? The deadline for the registration, set on the November 27th, is getting closer so do not miss this fantastic opportunity to exchange project ideas, find partners for consortiums, ensuring your success when applying for Horizon 2020 funding. What? After the success of the brokerage event on the green economy and innovation, we are this time proposing a new type of event in collaboration with ERRIN to stimulate project development: the Horizon 2020 Project Development Week. This 5-day event replaces the half day brokerage event on e-health initially foreseen. It will bring together over 400 different regional stakeholders around a series of selected EU calls to initiate project partnerships, in a wide ...

Skills and Competences in an AI era

In the next decade, it is a virtual certainty that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will begin to replace increasing numbers of labourers. The outsourcing of labour to machines will alter the skills and competencies which are valuable in a competitive labour market. At AER’s event on Artificial Intelligence, speakers will address this topic, highlighting the challenges and solutions that exist for regions as the skills and competences that are important in society begin to change. Changes in the Workforce In late 2016, Amazon debuted ‘Amazon Go’, its first checkout free grocery store. With Amazon Go consumers were simply able to walk out of the store with their goods and have the charge added to their online accounts. While the store demonstrated Amazon’s growing ...

Internship – Member relations Turkey (CLOSED)

Internship: how would you like to support our member relations with our Turkish member regions? Are you interested in interning in member relations for the largest independent political network of regions in Europe. We are looking for an intern to work with us in the AER Brussels office to support our membership for our Turkish members. NB: In order to apply, you must be in a position to sign a three-way agreement (convention de stage), with the university that you are registered to.  What you would do: Support the member relations  in the day-to-day work with a special focus on our Turkish regions; Ensure that the membership database up-to-date; Provide support in updating members about AER’s main activities, projects and campaigns; Research on Turkish regions’ priorities and ...

Regionalisation in Belgium: “Risk of implosion of the Belgian state is existent” #RoR2017

Belgium became independent in 1830. Between 1970 and 1993, the country evolved into a more efficient federal structure. This occurred through six state reforms (in 1970, 1980, 1988-89, 1993, 2001 and 2014). As a result, today, the first Article of the Belgian constitution reads: “Belgium is a federal state, composed of communities and regions”. The leadership of the country is now in the hands of various partners, which independently exercise their authority within their territories: The federal state (foreign a airs, national defence, justice, finance, social security, important parts of national health and domestic a airs); The communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German- speaking Community (language and culture); The regions: the Flemish Region, the Brussels Capital Region and the Walloon ...

#ShineBright – Dedicated to climate action – Upper Austria

AER has been working for several years on concerted climate action. This is a topic, which realistically concerns all of us but those who will be most impacted by our action or lack of it will be the youth. This is why, while climate action is normally tackled exclusively by Committee 1, Committee 3 President 3 Dag Rønning made a point to highlight the actions of Upper Austria for Climat action on the occasion of the AER Plenaries in Nancy. Upper Austria therefore received the AER #Shinebright recognition which underlines the remarkable actions regions develop and share with the network for policy innovation. Upper Austria organises each year their World Sustainable Energy Days which bring together more than 700 delegates from over 50 ...

Tips & tricks to make the most of the Policy Learning Platform

AER is involved in the Policy Learning Platform, but how can you take advantage of that? If you’re not sure what that Policy Learning Platform is, read this before going on with the tips below. Two networks, multiple synergies AER and the Policy Learning Platform share common principles and reach out to similar target groups; both are involved in regional policy making and working with public regional or managing authorities. The overarching principle behind the Interreg Europe programme, better growth and jobs, is consistent with AER’s constant effort to help regions make a difference for their citizens. Both focus on regions experimenting to find innovative solutions for common challenges and developing valuable experiences, stories and good practices. So synergies do seem quite ...

International Town Twinning Conference 22-23 November in Istanbul

Save the date 22-23 November Local/regional authorities in Turkey and EU member states are invited to join the International Town Twinning Conference which aims to create network and partnerships between local administrations from Turkey and the EU countries. The conference will be held 22-23 of November in Istanbul. The deadline for applications is 11th of November 2017 For more information and registration, please see below link: www.towntwinningconference.com  

A platform for policy learning: what you need to know

If you’re working in regional policy making or active somehow in the Interreg Europe programme, you will probably have heard of the Policy Learning Platform. Yes, another platform, another network but stay tuned, we are here to convince you that this one is worth taking a closer look at. AER has a long history of helping regional policy makers to learn from each others in order to innovate the public sector. This is done by exchanging experiences, learning form each other, joining forces to influence and initiate cooperation projects. AER provides the space where project ideas are generated, often in the framework of Interreg programmes, in fact AER as supported the development and been involved in dozens of projects. The Policy ...

Regionalisation in Armenia: improvements of local self-government needed

The Republic of Armenia is part of the Eastern Partnership, which is an initiative that enables closer political, economic and cultural relations among the EU, its member states and 6 eastern European partners. Armenia gained independence from the Soviet Union on 21 September 1991. For seventy years Armenia had been under Soviet rule, which had imposed the Soviet system of governance based on “democratic centralism”. Since Armenia had been entrenched in the traditions of the highly centralised Soviet state, the introduction of a new territorial administrative division and the establishment of local self-governance proved to be rather difficult. The transition to a more decentralised model of governance was further impeded by a number of factors, including the war in Nagorno-Karabagh, ...

Covasna’s relentless engagement for e-health deployment #ShineBright

Covasna has shown that with political will we really can make change happen. We offered them a ShineBright award for this reason. Covasna have shown relentless engagement for e-health deployment. A special recognition to Marta Tatar, who as a cardiologist and a politician knows exactly what health innovation can bring for a region. Two years ago, AER worked hard for the development of a project aimed at creating health innovation ecosystems in Central and Eastern Europe. This was done with the support of Coral, the engagement of true supporters in Timis ranging from the politicians to the teachers and ninjas from the coder dojo and other regions such as Baden Würtemberg. It is heart-warming to see how health innovation ecosystems are actually developing everywhere ...

AER’s position on Catalonia/Spain

We urge all parties to proceed in an environment void of violence, where constructive exchanges can take place.  

A milestone in the Silver Economy Project: 2017 European Week of Regions and Cities

The AER and the SEED Consortium can only be proud of the great success of the workshop “An Alternative for the future: Silver Economy for cities and regions”! Through the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2017 in Brussels, the workshop on October 10 attracted around 250 representatives from local and regional authorities, business and service providers, academia and civil society to hear about the social and economic benefits that lay in the European Silver Economy. A High-level Opening The workshop was opened by the First Vice President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Markku Markkula, and was moderated by Anne-Sophie Parent, Secretary General of AGE Platform Europe. The former, who was officially announced as the moral patron ...

Decisions from the Eurodyssey Steering Committee in Sibenik-Knin (HR)

In their last meeting in Sibenik-Knin (HR) at the 2017 Eurodyssey Forum, the newly elected members of the Steering Committee took some strategic steps to continue the process of change and renewal for the programme. New procedures for better cooperation After the adoption of a new Statute at the AER General Assembly in May 2017, the Steering Committee has now adopted its Procedures. The draft proposal was discussed and well received by the Eurodyssey members at the Forum. The text was finalised by the Steering Committee members to take on board the comments received. The final text is available in English and French. The aim of the Procedures is to provide minimum quality standards for all parties involved in the programme (regions, young ...

Regionalisation in Denmark: Centralised, for now.

Denmark has been a constitutional monarchy since 1848. By the 19th century, Denmark was a centralised, absolutist kingdom. The present administrative structure was established in 2007 with the administrative reform, which merged the previous 271 municipalities to 98 and the 14 counties into 5 regions. The only direct task of the regions is the organisation of the hospital system. They are also obliged to counsel the municipalities on spatial planning and regional development and have established so-called growth fora. Lastly, they organise regional public transportation (bus services and some non-state owned railways), in cooperation with the municipalities. Both subsidise the routes, and quite a few inter-municipal routes have been cut at municipal boundaries. The regions also have a part to play ...

#ShineBright Promoting sustainability, taste & equality in Jämtand & Härjedalen

On the occasion of this year Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the regions of Jämtand and Härjedalen in Sweden that presented their project Food In Action. The initiative aims at creating successful, sustainable concepts, experiences and brands within the field of sustainable, creative gastronomy. It promotes new ways to grow, serve and enjoy food.  Its moto: GOOD FOOD revolves around 3 key words: sustainable, taste and equality. Food In Action believes that these 3 ingredients are the perfect recipe of regional force for sustainable growth! FIA collaborates with all sectors and across cultures to promote equality, trust and raise awareness to design profitable ecosystems. The programme aspire to a true green, social, cultural and local economic development. Food In Action founded eco and ...

Outcome of Executive Board meeting (Brussels 11/10/17)

The third meeting of the new Executive Board took place in Brussels on Wednesday 11 October 2017 during the European Week of Regions and Cities where AER was particularly involved. Here are some of the EB highlights: The meeting was dominated by the discussion on the AER Vice Presidents’ portfolios. The AER Vice Presidents presented the way in which they plan to make their portfolios lively and useful for AER and its members in the next two years. A consolidated version of their goals will soon be made available to all members. In the meantime please (re)-discover our Vice Presidents. Events : The EB validated the choice of the Summer Academy Organising Committee to have Maramures host the 2018 Summer Academy on the ...

Connectivity: AER at Smart Airports in Germany

AER was invited to contribute to Smart Airports in Munich, a series of conferences about the role, evolution and future of airports. Martin Tollén, Chair of the AER working group on Transports & Mobility shared insights on growth, social responsibility and sustainability during the first day conference “Aviation & Economic Development”. His presentation on regional connectivity and competitiveness provided a much needed regional perspective on this topic since all other presentations and speakers were focused on national airports and their contribution to national economic growth. The topic The topic of regional airports has been dealt with for several years within the AER working group on Transports & Mobility as it is a key element of regional connectivity as demonstrated by the SEO ...

DG Regio supports innovation and industrial transition

Innovation and industrial transition are almost obvious topics on the agenda for all levels of authorities. AER, as a network of regions, has shaped those categories in different ways. AER regions were active on energy transition and circular economy since a long time now as e-health and active ageing. The European Commission is fully engaged in supporting regions to build resilient economies. The way adopted is that of smart specialisation, introduced in all regional policy programmes since 2014. The aim is to improve the way regions design, adopt and implement regional innovation strategies in close coordination with local businesses and researchers. The two calls for expression of interest for pilot projects will support all the five steps of the smart specialisation process: embracing ...

AER members share their sustainable transport achievements with Revolve Magazine

In this month’s issue of Revolve Magazine, AER was fortunate to have the opportunity to showcase the efforts of its members in the field of sustainable transport. The issue can be visualised here. AER member regions’ efforts can be seen on pages 16 through 22. The article, entitled “The Modernisation of Transport: where mobility meets efficiency”, showed that as our perception of distance is changing, our reliance on certain resources must evolve. With the advent of climate change, models of mobility must be re-thought. Member regions used as examples of change for the better were: Izmir, Turkey, who have set up an impressive medley of different public transportation models; Oppland, Norway, have come up with a way of linking waste management to greener transportation; Östergötland, Sweden, who ...

Regionalisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a sum of reform successes and failures

Understanding the current state of affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina when it comes to its European integration process and regionalism is, in general, closely linked to the outcomes of EU conditionality in practice. The current situation may be observed as a sum of reform successes and failures in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, in order to understand the process better, one has to view the entire game from another perspective, namely to measure the variable impact of EU conditionality in terms of differentiated reforms on the entities, the cantons and Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a much more difficult task because the focus shifted from the national level down to the regional level, but is this not what Europe ...

#ShineBright Västerbotten’ sustainable & innovative social development

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Västerbotten, in Sweden that presented its project The Innovation Loop – an ecosystem for Open Social Innovation. The main purpose is to create the best possible atmosphere and excellent opportunities for ideas and innovation to flourish. The Innovation Loop is designed to create sustainable regional social development. It is an open platform that wants to engage every sector of society – students, politicians, scientists, seniors, entrepreneurs, etc;-. – and give them the opportunity to be the change they want to see in the world. The process is then simple to adapt for both national and international regions, communities and organisations. The initiative, led by citizens, takes part ...

The Eurodyssey family continues to grow!

The Croatian region of Šibenik-Knin hosted the Eurodyssey Forum, from 3 to 5 October. The participants were welcomed by a sunny and warm weather: a pleasant atmosphere for the forum’s 2017 edition. On the first day, a new member region was presented, Arad (RO). Lavinia Terpea, the region’s correspondent, introduced the region and its goals for the programme. Presentations AER Secretariat presented the Data Collected for 2017, regarding the numbers about the Eurodyssey. The members get to know the participation of each region in the programme and briefed about what they could do better in order to balance the numbers. The co-presidents, Laurence Hermand and Arlette Brone, presented the Quality Charter that was discussed later on. We also had the opportunity to exchange views ...

Learning to play “Brussels”: regional actors and paradiplomacy in multi-level Europe

Decision-making in the European Union (EU) is often described as a system and process of multi-level governance. In other words, it requires actors from many levels to play a part in decision-making. Indeed, the EU is one of the main arenas in which what scholars call ‘paradiplomacy’ – diplomacy and international relations carried out by actors from regional and local levels – can be discerned. When a state becomes a member of the EU, then, the demarcation between domestic politics and foreign policy can become somewhat blurred. Exactly how blurred depends on the degree to which a given policy has been ‘Europeanised’. This changes over time, as the member states alter the balance of power by agreeing new EU treaties. There ...

New calls on Cultural Heritage are out!

On 4 October, delegates from the Directorate General for Education and Culture – DG EAC presented the new Year of Cultural Heritage at the Committee of the Regions. In his introductory speech, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, president of the Committee of the Regions mentioned culture and cultural heritage as means to bring the EU closer to its citizens. Regions and local authorities will play a crucial role in this process, turning culture into a lever of sustainable local development. An effective development strategy starts from good cooperation among different layers of governance, at the EU, national, and local level. Indeed, culture can play a crucial part in regional development, both at urban and rural level. 2018, European Year of Cultural Heritage Michel Magnier, director ...

Active and Healthy Ageing: a major concern for the AER and CORAL

On 20 September, invited to the Coral Meeting hosted in Brussels by the Region of Valencia, a Policy Officer from DG CONNECT talked about the approach taken by the European Commission with regard to health policies. Based on the EU focus on elderly people and digitalisation, the officer emphasised the need for a better exploitation of tools which are there, in order for EU investments and policies to be more result-oriented. CORAL and AER The Community of Regions for Assisted Living – CORAL is “a European Network of Regions collaborating in the field of Ambient Assisted Living and Active and Healthy Ageing”. This important regional network is shaped as “a learning community working on the implementation and upscaling of innovative solutions for ...

AER at the 2017 edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities

Next week is the European Week of Regions and Cities’ 2017 edition. AER is proud to have been part of the organisation of several events, that are listed below. We hope to see you during next week’s sessions to discuss, exchange and look towards next steps in our cooperation. 10 October An alternative for the future: Silver Economy for cities and regions 14:30 – 18:00 This workshop will take its participants through four inspiring examples of how a Silver Economy can help regions and cities to better match the needs of their ageing population while supporting local businesses and solution providers. It will be the opportunity to discuss the complementarity between these examples and the initiatives at EU level. The networking session that follows will bring together potential ...

AER meets with the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions

A busy week in Brussels On 26 and 27 September, AER President Magnus Berntsson, Vice-President Anna Magyar and Rapporteur on the future of cohesion policy Michiel Rijsberman met with EU Commissioners Corina Creţu and Günther Oettinger, and the President of the Committee of the Regions, Karl-Heinz Lambertz in Brussels. The meetings covered the future of the EU budget and cohesion policy beyond 2020. In continuation of this series of meetings, AER President Magnus Berntsson participated in the Structured Dialogue held on the 27 September with Commissioner Crețu, Commissioner Oettinger and European associations of cities and regions on the Reflection Paper on the future of EU finances. Magnus Berntsson outlined AER’s position on the future of cohesion policy, stating that the need for a ...

Workshop on smart green and integrated transport systems

The AER working group on Transports and Mobility held a workshop on smart green and integrated transport systems on 14 September, during the Nancy plenary meetings. The aim was to enable AER members to discuss issues of sustainable mobility, including the European Strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), and the role regions can play in a C-ITS environment. European Strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) In November 2016, the European Commission (EC) adopted a European Strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), a milestone on the path towards cooperative, connected and automated mobility (COM(2016) 766). The objective of the C-ITS Strategy is to facilitate the convergence of investments and regulatory frameworks across the European Union (EU), in order to see deployment of C-ITS services ...

Outcome of Executive board meeting (Nancy 12/09/17)

As the next Executive Board (EB) meeting is around the corner, here is a short recap of the main outcome of the last one. The second executive meeting for the new board took place in the beautiful city of Nancy, Grand-Est. Many things are happening for AER, and the new board could easily fill in the three hours dedicated to the meeting. Here are some of the highlights: Two new regions have applied for membership. Adanna (Turkey) has asked to become full member. Udaras na Gaeltachta (Ireland) has asked to become associate member. The EB was happy to welcome them. The AER Vice Presidents were handed new portfolios. The portfolios have been suggested after bilateral discussions with the president. The portfolios are distributed ...

#ShineBright Sustainable cities in Timis

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Timis, in Romania that presented its project on Urbanize Hub. The start-up, Urbanize Hub, is an online platform built around the idea of urban development and oriented towards the study and promotion of sustainable future cities. The initiative is covering the following topics: Urban Regeneration: housing, inclusion, architecture and design, civil society actions, Future Cities: technology and innovation, green cities, Community Ideas & Opinions: a space for experts in the field to contribute with ideas and solutions for cities, Projects & Cities: example of good practice for others Renewable Energy: how it can be used practically and creatively to make a city more sustainable, Waste Management Circular Economy It aims to involve experts, public ...

AER was in Šibenik (Croatia) for the Eurodyssey forum!

The Eurodyssey Forum took place from 3 to 5 October in the Croatian city of Šibenik, at the Solaris Beach Resort. The Forum was a crucial opportunity for Eurodyssey correspondents and AER members to get up to date about what is new about the programme and also the right platform to discuss the challenges and solutions facing Eurodyssey. This year, particular emphasis was given to exchanges best practices and experiences between the members. See more on the event by visit its event page here. The draft agenda can be downloaded here. Presentations Outcomes from Lanarka Arad (RO) Presentation Eurodyssey Statute Presentation (Mathieu Mori) Presentation on statistics (Agneta Kardos) Analysis of incoming requests (Agneta Kardos) Data Collected for 2017 (Céline Dawans) Branding Presentation (Freddie Martyn)

Regionalisation in Italy: “components of the republic”

In Italy, regions are grounded in the Constitution, which lists them in Article 131 and identifies them in Article 114: a region is a “component” of the republic, together with the state and other territorial entities. Regions and the state share legislative powers, all the territorial entities have autonomy in finance and expenditure. Regions can have an Ordinary Statute approved with an ordinary law (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata and Calabria) or a Special Statute approved with a constitutional law (Valle d’Aosta / Vallée d’Aoste, Trentino-Alto Adige / Südtirol, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardinia and Sicily). Regions with special statutes are also entitled to special conditions of autonomy according to the first paragraph ...

Silver Economy Awards support Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society

Tuesday, September 26, 2017 – 14:26 The 2017 theme of the International Day of Older Persons is crucial to build an inclusive, fair, and sustainable future for us all. The Silver Economy Awards are meant to support this call, by tapping of talents, contributions and participation of older persons in society. As outlined by the United Nations, “preparing for an ageing population is vital to the achievement of the integrated 2030 Agenda (for Sustainable Development), with ageing cutting across the goals on poverty eradication, good health, gender equality, economic growth, reduced inequalities and sustainable cities”. The Silver Economy Awards will contribute to these efforts by promoting & rewarding innovative solutions led by public authorities, businesses, and civil society organisations from across Europe. Applications are welcomed ...

Fairer Assessment for Migrants with Disabilities? Accomplished, with the AMiD Project!

Good news for AER partners! EASPD, the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities, and AER, together with 10 other partners, struck a grant agreement on a new project. We believe such initiatives to be particularly interesting for regions and local authorities dealing with migrants to better support those with disabilities. Three AER member regions are represented in the project Advisory Board, providing a link between project outputs and the regional dimension. This makes the project even more appealing for other AER members, disabilities being a long-standing issue on the agenda of the organisation. The project will have a duration of 2 years starting in December 2017. Want to know more? The Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities – AMiD project addresses scarse communication ...

Energy study visit: the programme is out!

As announced at the Committees’ plenaries in Nancy, the programme of the study visit in Gelderland (NL) is now available. This event on the energy transition is aimed at regional policy makers, businesses and knowledge institutes. A multi-stakeholder approach, what else? The main focus of the Gelderland study visit, which is being organised in cooperation with other interregional networks, will be the bottom-up approach for the energy transition, which was implemented in the region. This multi-stakeholder cooperation was materialised by the Gelders’ Energy agreement (GEA). The shared goal is to make the province energy-neutral by 2050. Local and regional industries, governments and NGOs’ in the province of Gelderland, Netherlands, have pledged for the province to become energy-neutral by 2050. It facilitates a ...

Regionalisation in Iceland: from the national level, straight to local

Divided in Statistical regions Iceland is an island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean. A member of the European Free Trade Association, from March 2015 it is not anymore a candidate country to the European Union. Iceland is a unitary State and a republic with a parliamentary government. It presents two levels of administration: the national/central government and local authorities (municipalities). No regional level exists. There are regional committees based on regional cooperation between local governments, but they cannot be considered as separate units of administration. The eight landsvæði (regions) in which the country is divided are only used for statistical purposes, e.g. demography. The Icelandic statistical regions are: Capital region, Southwest, West, Westfjords, Northwest, Northeast, East and South. Landsvæði are ...

#ShineBright Brussels Region’s shift to circular economy

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the Brussels Region, in Belgium that presented its Program for a Circular Economy (BRPCE). On the initiative of 3 regional Ministries he Brussels Region has adopted in March 2016 a global strategy for moving from a linear to a circular economy: The Brussels Regional Program for a Circular Economy (BRPCE). In terms of circular economy, the Brussels region faces tremendous challenges as revealed in a recent study : 9 million tons of resources imported every year (22kg/inhabitant/day) 7 million tons of resources exported per year (16kg/inhabitant/day) 1,3 million tons of waste are exported/year (average of 2kg/habitant/day). This BRPCE is an integrated strategy englobing 111 measures covering both transversal, governance, territorial and sectorial topics for ...

Activity report 2016-2017

View and download our publication: Or read it online.

Nancy workshops: targeted experience exchange

The value of data, smart green and integrated transport systems, regions and culture,  youth mental health and life-cycle approaches: the workshops organised on the occasion of the Nancy plenary meetings were an opportunity to exchange experiences on a series of topics close to regions’ heart. Data, the world’s most valuable resource We generate quantities of data each day said Agneta Granström, Chair of the AER e-health Network and Committee 2 Vice President for Health Innovation, and know only part of how this data is used and by whom. Yet data may be referred to as the new oil: complex to collect, expensive to transform, central to the economy and with endless potential. In healthcare applications include a variety of aspects including the patient’s ...

The AER Committee Plenaries –  Thank you for an eventful week!

The AER Autumn committee plenary week was very busy indeed. Hosted by the city of Nancy and the region of Grand Est, we were pleased to welcome our members in the grand setting of Nancy town hall (Grand Est-FR). As the week went by, we covered an incredible range of topics and gave concrete tips and cooperation opportunities to our members. Many things were accomplished during the week. The Executive Board (EB) gathered and decided on the Vice Presidents’ portfolios. Their action plan will be discussed at the next October EB meeting. Another gathering occurred: the renewed AER team comprised of the Strasbourg and Brussels staff and the Seconded officers team. This was quintessential to align working methods, and ensure great cooperation in the ...

AER/R20 – Training to get money for your infrastructure projects

Following the successful “100 climate solutions projects campaign“, an AER/R20 partnership to show the public and private financial world that regions had green projects worthwhile investing into, the R20 is now offering regions training in better projects structuring. Financiers are not only looking for interesting projects, they also need the projects to be presented in a way that stick to their frames of analysis. This is why the World Bank and a consortium of development banks has mandated the R20 to teach regions how to use SOURCE, a dedicated software, recognised by most public financial institutions in the field of project design that has been launched by the World bank, R20 and AER in April 2017 in Washington. SOURCE is a ...

Policy learning event on energy and resource efficiency

Are you registered for the #policylearning event in Seville organised by the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform? The two day networking conference will be a unique opportunity to meet peers and stakeholders working on energy efficiency and resource efficiency, to find out what the platform has in store for you and to share and learn from other policymakers. 17-18 October 2017 in Seville – Energy and resource efficiency During the two-day events you will: Meet colleagues working with similar topics Hear about the latest EU-wide developments in your field Have opportunity to share experiences, learn from each other and collaborate with each other Test the services of the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform The events welcome Interreg Europe project partners, representatives of the managing authorities of the ...

Policy learning event on research and innovation and SME competitiveness

Don’t miss the #policylearning event in Milan organised by the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform. The two day networking conference will be a unique opportunity to learn about the latest developments concerning the use of R&D results and open innovation, to share on how to better contribute to the competitiveness of SMEs and regional growth and to find out what the platform has in store for you. 19-20 October 2017 in Milan – Research & innovation and SME competitiveness During the two-day events you will: Meet colleagues working with similar topics Hear about the latest EU-wide developments in your field Have opportunity to share experiences, learn from each other and collaborate with each other Test the services of the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform The events welcome Interreg ...

Regionalisation in Germany: the advantages of a federal state

Autonomous Länders Germany is a federal state, composed of 16 regions (Länder). The federal structure of 1949 was designed by representatives of the already existing Länder in the Parliamentarian Council under Western Allied supervision. Some Länder could keep their traditional structures after 1945, like Bayern, Hamburg and Bremen. Others were formed out of smaller regions or were the result of the deconstruction of the former Prussian state. The federal principle is fixed in Article 20 of the Basic Law and cannot be changed (Article 79, III). The original intent was to establish a decentralised federal structure based on a strict separation of powers and own finances for each level of government, where all power is distributed to the Länder unless otherwise ...

AER Committee Plenaries – 12/14 September – Relive the week here!

#AERCP2017 From 12 to 14 September, AER was in Nancy, France for their Autumn Committee Plenaries. The programme focused on the following topics: For presentations, please visit the event’s webpage. >>HERE<< As the autumn committees’ plenaries have come to an end, we look back on three very interesting and intense days, gathering more than 130 people from approximately 50 regions. The theme for the plenaries was “Is there a future for culture in the digital age? The rhetorical question was vividly discussed the first day by the moderators as well as by our member regions. Several regions shared their experiences and best practices, and many good examples on how to make culture more accessible and how to empower the citizens were given. The regions also got an ...

#ShineBright Vojvodina improves waste management systems

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Vojvodina, in Serbia that presented its project on a Regional Waste Management Center. The overall objective of the project is to develop an EU-standard integrated sustainable solid waste management system in the region of Zrenjanin, Vojvodina. In the region, there is no control, treatment or systematic monitoring  of emissions, leachate waters or landfill gas. In that sense, the initiative aims to build a regional sanitary landfill; a composting facility; a transfer station; local recycling centres. Adding  improvements to waste collection services and the closure and rehabilitation of selected existing waste disposal sites. Improvements in the waste management system will contribute to significant improvement of health and environmental conditions ...

Culture and digitalisation: a debate.

On Wednesday 13th of September, during AER’s Committee Plenaries in Nancy, culture and digitalisation took centre stage as a dynamic debate unfolded. AER saw its members engaged in an approachable debate that showcased many important regional projects from AER members (detailed below) Michel Magnier, director of culture and creativity of the European Commission was on the panel, joined by Khalila Hassouna (from Iconem), Françoise Benhamou (Economics professor, specialised in culture), and Rüdiger Klein (Secretary General of Culture Action Europe). Jointly moderated by Divina Frau-Meigs (Professor at the university of Sorbonne Nouvelle) and Freddie Martyn (AER), the discussion took many turns, grabbing the attention of the audience. Many subjects were discussed during the debate, among them were: The clash of generations and the impact this may have ...

Committee 1 debates artificial intelligence

On the occasion of AER 2017 Autumn Plenaries, Committee 1 will host a debate on Artificial Intelligence. Proposed by Jean-Luc Vanraes, President of the AER Committee on Regional Developpement and Economy, the debate will aim to capture needs, challenges and remarquable practices from the regions. This will help to prepare the “Artificial intelligence: are regions up to the challenge?” event hosted by Brussels capital on 30 November. After e-everything comes #AI The AER Committee on Economy and Regional Development is a space for exchange of experiences where members discuss policy innovation and engage in interregional cooperation. The cooperation with the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public health, which has been working on e-health for over 10 years led to a joint ...

#ShineBright Zuid Holland ‘biological revolution’

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Zuid Holland, and more especially the village of Berkel en Rodenrijs in Netherlands that presented its project on Biological Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture. The initiative started in 1967, where Jan Koppert set out to reduce the usage of chemicals in commercial indoor agriculture. Koppert Biological Systems has introduced a range of biological solutions that has changed the horticulture industry and caused a ‘biological revolution’. Today, European commercial indoor agriculture is almost free of harmful chemicals. The impact? Healthier, cleaner food for consumers, a safer working environment for growers and less damage to nature. After revolutionising horticulture, Koppert wants to spark a similar revolution in commercial outdoor agriculture. In 2015, Koppert introduced ...

Regionalisation in Hungary: once again a centralised country

The Hungarian state has always been centralised throughout the 1000 years of its history. The county and the traditional administrative unit was born together with the kingdom, and served mostly as a subordinated agent of the central power during history. There have been attempts to rescale the county division by replacing it with larger regional units but these territorial reforms failed due to the successful opposition of the political elite. The reform debates and conflicts have always been influenced by the aim to protect the independence of the Hungarian state since rescaling or modernisation reforms were initiated by foreign empires. For the first time in Hungarian history the systemic change gave the chance to decide independently on the territorial governance model ...

Call for proposal on Cohesion Policy: the perfect call for AER region members!

There are no topics that fit AER’s mission more than cohesion policy. During its Bureau meeting in Lower Austria, AER issued its statement on the future of cohesion policy post 2020. Led by the task force on Cohesion policy, this discussion will progress during the upcoming Fall Plenaries hosted by the Grand-Est Region in France. Participants will be able to get informed and take part in the future of AER’s project on Cohesion policy. The call “Support for information measures relating to the EU Cohesion policy” by DG Regio DG Regio is not well known for calls for proposals, but in this case they have come up with the right call at the right time. The objective of the call is clear: to ...

Friendlier Healthcare for all regions? We’re working on it!

Have you ever found yourself stuck for hours in your doctor’s waiting room, waiting for a consultation that turns out to be useless, or leading to further, more stressful examinations? If the answer is “yes”, you share this with many others from all around Central Europe. DH-SMART is here to help everyone overcome similar issues, once and for all, and is seeking partners to join in! Want to know more? As Europe grows old, healthcare services are under increasing pressure, and a conceptual revolution is needed. AER is well aware of this need, and is answering a call for proposals from INTERREG Central Europe, together with LHA Bologna and CUP2000. This project seeks to provide general practitioners with an information exchange platform, enabling them ...

The SEED Project is knocking on your door again!

We do not tire of saying how proud the AER is of being a partner of the SEED Project! Following the 2017 General Assembly in Sankt Pölten (AT) – which was an important milestone in terms of promotion –, AER would like now to share with member regions more information being the time for the launching of new activities concerning the Silver Economy Awards. What’s next? On the occasion of the 2017 Autumn Plenary in Nancy (FR), the AER will take this opportunity to promote the Awards providing key information on the application process and encouraging the participation among the AER network. To this end, just as it happened at the General Assembly, the AER team will set up an info stand accessible to ...

Preserving cultural landscapes in Europe? A fight we can win!

Hello there! It seems like you are doing great, but… would you really leave your cultural landscapes behind, in your march towards economic progress? If your region is looking for a way to balance economic development with traditions, this project is here for you to join! Want to know more? 2018 will be known as the “European Year of Cultural Heritage”. In this framework, “Documenting Cultural Heritage Landscapes in Europe”, promoted jointly by Norconsult AS and AER, aims at identifying and safeguarding cultural landscapes around Europe, documenting and advertising them through various channels. The project is still in its ideational phase, and we are looking for partners to join and contribute to it. By participating in the project you will preserve and ...

#ShineBright Umbria promotes business & schools cooperation

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER award, ShineBright on the region of Umbria, Italy that presented its project of Business at school. The initiative aims to promote cooperation between schools and the business community by providing training and various related activities to students. The main objective is to provide young people with the necessary skills for the development of entrepreneurship so as to spread the enterprise’s culture in Umbria’s schools. The students are getting the opportunity to follow an expert’s training on topics such as the concept of the enterprise, local economy, marketing and communication. The program organises case studies and visit of local companies to complete the training. In the end, students can create a true business plan and take ...

Regionalisation in Ukraine: lead by local communities

Centralised governance inherited from the Soviet times Ukraine is part of the Eastern Partnership, which is an initiative that enables closer political, economic and cultural relations among the EU, its member states and 6 eastern European partners. Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. For almost seventy years Ukraine had been under Soviet rule, which was guided by the Soviet system of governance based on a centralised structure. In fact, the current administrative and territorial structure has not changed greatly since independence in 1991; the “current spatial division reflects political principles of territorial organisation inherited from Soviet times,” even though Ukraine ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 19933. Despite the fact that the Ukrainian Constitution defines the country ...

My internship at AER: an insight into European regional cooperation

This week, was Lou-Anne’s last week as an intern at the Assembly of European Regions’ Strasbourg Office. This in an opportunity to get a special insight on AER’s work and recent achievements. “My internship as part of the Assembly of Regions was full of unexpected experiences! So many things happened and I enjoyed every bit of it. First the General Assembly in Lower Austria and finally the Autumn plenaries, important events that need organisation, coordination and communication. For me, it was a great opportunity to see an organisation at work, so close to its members, always alert to provide all the support regions need. Additionally, I got to know how regional and interregional cooperation in Europe is effectively achieved, how regions get ...

Committee 3 Progress report 2017

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Culture, Education and Youth gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme. Progress is evaluated, achievements are celebrated and experiences shared. Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in London, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the autumn 2017 plenary meeting in Nancy. It gives an overview of the situation, 6 months after the adoption of the work programme. Projects Involvement of YRN in AER projects: ongoing AER is supporting the YRN’s participation in European Projects in 2 main aspects: support in the development of own projects, as in the case of ...

Committee 2 Progress report 2017

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme. Progress is evaluated, achievements are celebrated and experiences shared. Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in London, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the autumn 2017 plenary meeting in Nancy. It gives an overview of the situation, 6 months after the adoption of the work programme. Projects Brokerage event in Partnership with ERRIN on health innovation: ongoing After the success of the brokerage event on the green economy and innovation, we are this time proposing a new type ...

AER E-health journey

With its many years working on e-health and social innovation technologies, AER is recognised as leader in the field. Today, let’s go a few years back and look at everything AER has achieved from the creation of its E-health network in 2006 to its longstanding cooperation with ALEC. E-health political breakthroughs E-health can be defined as a set of IT tools used to meet the needs of citizens and patients as well as healthcare professionals, service providers, local authorities and national governments in the field of health. It is of great political interest as it represents an innovative way to deliver health services, in particular in remote rural areas and to people with mobility difficulties. E-health is seen as an alternative in order to release scarce ...

Committee 1 Progress report 2017

Twice a year the members of the AER Committee on Regional Development and Economy gather in plenary meeting. This is the opportunity to set goals for cooperation through the elaboration of a joint work programme. Progress is evaluated, achievements are celebrated and experiences shared. Evaluating progress During the elaboration of the work programme in London, planned activities were organised in 3 categories: Projects Good practice sharing Lobbying The below progress report was compiled for the autumn 2017 plenary meeting in Nancy. It gives an overview of the situation, 6 months after the adoption of the work programme. Projects Silver Economy Awards (SEED): ongoing The Silver Economy Awards aim to catalyse a sustainable European digital Silver Economy movement by promoting and rewarding innovative solutions to improve the quality of life ...

#ShineBright Vrancea facilitates remigrated children’s integration

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER award, ShineBright on Vrancea County, Romania that presented its project “Grow up in Vrancea – Remigrated children in Vrancea County – Educated, Supported, Counseled!” The scope of this project is to facilitate the social and educational integration of children that return in Romania after a period abroad. The initiative implements certain active measures for psychological and educational counseling of children. It also targets the development of parent’s competences and the skills of the specialists involved in the children’s education. Thanks to the project, three regional centers were set up in Focsani, Adjud and Marasesti fot the psycho-educational care of the remigrated children. The programme’s activities are truly innovative and want to reduce social and educational ...

The rise of regional electoral democracy

Democratic governance in Europe has dramatically changed over the past four decades. The institutions of the European Union have accumulated important policy-making powers in areas such as the monetary and fiscal policy, agriculture and fisheries, the common market, external relations, and immigration. With the accumulation of powers at the European Union level there was a commonly felt need to give citizens a say in EU policy-making and since 1979 citizens of the EU members states can vote representatives into the European Parliament. During the last European elections of 2014, voters elected 751 members of European Parliament who represent 510 million citizens across 28 member states. A similar but often less noticed development has been a rise of electoral democracy at ...

Join the Committees’ Presidiums!

AER is looking for candidates to fill out newly vacant positions in the Committees’ Presidiums. It includes Vice-President positions and various representative posts inside all three AER Committees. Join the Committees’ leadership and get a profound involvement into AER decision making process! What’s a Committee Presidium? The AER Committees are the backbone of our activity. They are the place where knowledge and experience exchange happen and where new collaborations are shaped. To this end Committee members meet at least twice a year on the occasion of their Spring and Autumn plenaries. Workshops are organised along with the statutory meetings in order to dig deeper in specific topics and identify areas for policy innovation. Through experience sharing, including both good and bad practices, ...

World Sustainable Energy Days 2018

This year again, the World Sustainable Energy Days 2018 will take place in Wels, Austria. From 28 February to 2 March Upper Austria will be the capital of energy efficiency, biomass and smart building. As a longstanding partner to the WSED, AER is proud to invite its members to attend one of Europe’s largest annual conference on Energy! What’s in for regions? Experts from all over Europe will come to Upper Austria to share good practice and experience on policies, technology innovation and market development for clean energy. Exchanges with delegates from the public as well as the private sector and the research community are bound to be fruitful. Energy efficiency and renewable energy are key to boost the economic competitiveness of Europe, ...

Take part in the Horizon 2020 Project Development Week! (Deadlines Extended!)

Do you have a project idea but are looking for good partners to build a consortium and get Horizon 2020 funding? Do you have skills and capacity to offer but have not any project ideas to submit for funding? Then the ERRIN Project Development Week is your chance! What is it about? After the success of the brokerage event on the green economy and innovation, we are this time proposing a new type of event in collaboration with ERRIN to stimulate project development: the Horizon 2020 Project Development Week. This 5-day event replaces the half day brokerage event on e-health initially foreseen. It will bring together over 400 different regional stakeholders around a series of selected EU calls to initiate project partnerships. The aim ...

Cohesion Policy: are you getting anything out of it?

Cohesion policy represents a key investment in the social, economic and territorial development in EU regions. The current debate on the post-2020 – where this is all under threat – is therefore central for regional authorities and a major opportunity for them to shape a future cohesion policy that is able to deliver on the sustainable and inclusive development of European regions. And the time to do that is now!   At a pivotal moment for the debate on the future EU cohesion policy, with institutional actors starting to work on a consolidated position on the reformed policy, the Committees’ Autumn Plenary in Nancy brings a timely opportunity for AER to look at some of the key policy developments and consider next steps for its joint advocacy work towards EU Institutions ...

Why one should think of life cycle approaches at the regional level

The upcoming AER Committees’ Autumn Plenaries will feature a workshop on  life cycle approaches for renewable energy, circular economy and regional development. Its main objective will be the identification of opportunities for life cycle approaches to regional sustainable development. Most regions have sustainability policies and programmes of various sorts, trying as best as they can to meet the many challenges in implementation.  While a holistic approach seems too complex to many administrators, a series of simpler piecemeal actions often just solve one problem at the expense of another, as for example when production of biofuel occurs at the expense of biodiversity, water consumption and pesticide use. These problems can be overcome by a greater use of “life cycle tools” that substantially improve the sustainability ...

Workshop on youth mental health: get involved!

On the occasion of this year Autumn Plenaries in Nancy (FR), AER is organising a workshop on youth mental health. All regions can take this excellent opportunity to define a new project, closer to their citizens! AER takes action As members from very diverse regions across wider Europe identified Youth mental health as one of the growing and most urgent issues all over Europe at the 2016 Autumn Plenaries in Izmir, AER decided to take action! This year, AER doubled its efforts to foster cooperation and improve regional policies in the field. Mutual learning and practice exchange proved to be a great catalyst for policy design and implementation. At the Spring Plenaries in London, members decided to develop an online working group ...

Culture and digitalisation in the spotlight

In Nancy at the AER Committees’ plenaries culture will be in the spotlight. We’re asking the question: “is there a future for culture in the digital age?”. IT has been permeating all aspects of society. So what does this mean for culture? Will we get more, better, awful or awesome culture or will culture disappear altogether? Culture in the digital age Culture is a crucial part of regional policy-making. It is of specific interest for governments, businesses and investors as it ranges from cinema to tourism or education, and brings together diverse public and private actors. Culture is a policy area which reaches a large spectrum of population. Today, culture is shifting: kindles and iPads replace books and leaflets, 3D movie glasses, ...

#ShineBright Youth projects in Lower Austria

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER Award, ShineBright on the region of Lower Austria that presented its project on Youth Coaches for Lower Austria Communities. Initially a pilot-project, Youth Coaches has been integrated in the normal course of activities of Lower Austria authorities. The initiative provides support for the implementation of youth projects for municipalities. Youth coaches, along with a youth local consultant, helps develop and accompany their implementation. Youth Coaches gives guidance, support and encourages young people to take an active part in the project to tailor the concept to the specific needs of the community. In that sense, youth coaches aims at equipping adolescents with new competences and include young people in designing the community. It promotes youth culture ...

Regionalisation in Albania: a must for EU Accession

Albania derives from a deeply centralised tradition of the pre-pluralist era. The transition from a centralised to a democratic system led to the inclusion of Albania in a comprehensive process of political, economic, fiscal and administrative decentralisation. Albania’s history of decentralisation The period from 1991 to 1998 marks the first phase of political decentralisation – the transition from de-concentration to decentralisation and the creation of local government units. During this phase, political decentralisation prevailed over fiscal decentralisation and economic reforms. The Constitution, approved in 1998, sanctioned three levels of governance in Albania: national, second level-regional (qarks) and first level – local (municipalities and communes). The period 1999-2003 marked the start of the second phase of decentralization with the presentation of the National Strategy ...

Data is the world’s most valuable resource

According to the magazine The Economist, data is becoming the world’s most valuable resource. Data more valuable than oil? So why is information more valuable than oil or gold? Let me share an example on how even small bits of data can create valuable insights given by Peter Sondergaard, global head of research at Gartner Inc. Consider this example: An elevator company packages and sells the data it collects to landlords. An elevator company? Collecting data? Selling it? Talk about thinking outside the box (sorry I couldn’t resist)! Think about it. The elevator company tracks how many people access each company on every floor in the office buildings it services. Once it pairs that information with publicly available financial data for those companies, the ...

Regionalisation in Luxembourg: municipalities reign, but are merging

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one of the world smallest countries, is located in North- Western Europe. It lost part of its territories to France (1659), Prussia (later Germany, 1815) and Belgium (1839), whereas its independence was established by the Treaty of London of 1839. Luxembourg is a unitary State with a municipal level of decentralisation, established under the 1868 Constitution. It was one of the founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community (1952) and of the European Economic Community (1957), which later became the European Union (1993). Three languages are practiced and recognised in Luxembourg: Luxembourgish, French and German. Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy, characterised by a flexible separation of powers. Its Parliament (Chambre ...

#ShineBright Hedmark’s Youth County Council

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER award ShineBright on the region of Hedmark, Norway, that presented its project of a Youth County Council. This initiative, promotes the involvement of Youth in regional politics. Norway conducts its governance on three different levels: the State, the county (fylke) and the local level. At the county level, the County Council represents the democratically elected body. In order to improve decision making, Hedmark’s programme developed a Youth County Council. The new body gathers 45 members from age 13-25, 2 from each municipality, and work as an advisory for the County Council. The Youth County Council is deeply engaged in making young’s people voices heard in policy decision making, especially in matters that targets them. The YCC, also ...

#ShineBright Youth entrepreneurship in Umbria

On the occasion of the AER 2017 MYFER award, ShineBright on the region of Umbria, Italy, that presented a project on Creativity Camp. The initiative aims at encouraging the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Umbria. Creativity Camp supports young people (18-29 yo) to acquire skills and competences related to the field of entrepreneurship and make them aware of their potential. The main objective is to stimulate the creation of innovative businesses through the enhancement of youth creativity and talent. Young people are invited to present an innovative idea that will turn into a real business plan after an intensive 3-days-training. A board of experts and potential donors evaluate each idea during a competition. The initiative answers a real local need of marketable ...

Regionalisation in Latvia: narrow range of competencies, but space for change

After the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918, two levels of territorial division were introduced: there were 19 districts and more than 500 rural or cities municipalities. Self- governments were abolished after the coup d’état, which established the regime of Kārlis Ulmanis on 15 May 1934. During WWII Latvia was occupied three times: in 1940 by the USSR, in 1941 by the national- socialistic Germany and in 1944 by the USSR again. The third occupation ended in 1994 when Russia withdrew its occupation troops. Self-governments were re-established at the end of 1989. On 21 April 1990, deputies of local governments and district governments in the town meeting gathered the newly elected parliament to proclaim the restoration of national independence. From ...

#ShineBright Children support centre in Antalya

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER Award, ShineBright on the region of Antalya, Turkey that presented a project called GEDAM. The initiative aims to provide support for children through free academic and artistic activities as well as specific counseling. GEDAM targets young people between 7 and 25 living in Antalya. In the center, around 50 teachers are giving free classes in Turkish, Mathematics, Science and Technology, English and Computer and many other fields. On the artistic side, 17 different courses are available from ballet to piano and chess. In addition, the centers offer protective and preventive actions for youth, including psychological counseling and a psycho-social support for young victimes of violence. GEDAM intends to accompany young people and improve their self-confidence, ...

Regionalisation in Croatia: established but uncertain

Regionalisation process Croatia is a country that was developed on the contact of different geographical units (Adriatic – Dinaric – Pannonian area). The Croatian state, established in its first form since 7th C., consisted of two complementary regions: Littoral/Adriatic Croatia and Pannonian Croatia. Croatia entered the 20th century with consolidated administrative units: 8 counties (“županija”) and the City of Rijeka in the Hungarian part of AU Monarchy, 5 in the Austrian part. After WWII, during the communist rule, the scheme of regionalisation changed often and radically, with all the characteristics of confusion. In 1955 the number of districts diminished to 27, as well as the number of municipalities, to 299. Although this last scheme was finally acceptable and lasted seven years, ...

Thinking the EU budget post 2020

The need to consider the crucial role of European regions Discussions on the post 2020 EU budget will soon be launched. Debates on the future EU budget are traditionally animated. The forthcoming discussion will not deviate from this rule. This debate will take place in a context of budget restriction, both at the national and regional level. At the same time, without an in-depth reform of the EU’s own resources system, prospect for future at the Community level will be limited. In this constrained environment, the question of “how to spend public money in a better way” is raised in an acute way. At the EU level, the current debate on the future of the EU budget reveals that the focus is ...

#ShineBright Canton of Fribourg develops childhood-youth policy

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER award, ShineBright on the Canton of Fribourg in Switzerland, that presented its project “Je participe !/Ich mache mit!” (I participate). The initiative is a follow-up of a Law adopted by the region on 12 May 2006 on Children and Youth on the development of a global and coordinated childhood-youth policy. The Canton of Fribourg created “Je participe !” to design related policies with a participatory process. The objective is to define global objectives, set fields of actions and develop a Plan of action. The program is a process of participation and consultation of children, young people, associations, communities and state services. Thanks to “Je participe !”250 actors and 136 municipalities were brought together in an ...

Apply now for a LIFE Action Grant!

The submission deadlines for LIFE Calls for proposals is getting closer! The LIFE 2017 Info Day and Networking event,  a side session of EU Green Jobs Summit within the EU Green Week, took place between May 29th and June 2nd. Several other partner events, such as the ‘Green is the new smart. Green jobs boosting regional economy’ (organised by the Pomorskie Regional EU Office), were also held during the EU Green Week. AER is pleased to share some useful information and tips with you to succeed in the application process. Why important? Since circular economy and green jobs are a core topic of these events, AER got deeper insight on May 31st and June 1st. Both events referred to the opportunity for Europe having a leading role in paving the way ...

#ShineBright Vojvodina

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER Award, the Jury elected the Region of Vojvodina, Serbia as its grand winner on a project on Health and sexual education for high school students. This project started in 2013, after a survey of high school students returned alarming results indicating poor knowledge among sexually active teenagers. As regular school curricula in the country do not include sex education the region took action and implemented an extra-curricular programme for students. This comprehensive sex and relationship education programme includes 14 one and a half hour workshops, a trainer’s guide and a book for students. Classes discuss sexuality, attraction vs. love, communication, gender roles, equality, sexual and reproductive rights, anatomy, AIDS and STIs, contraception and family planning, ...

Regionalisation in France: developed, but incomplete

French regionalisation, as developed as it may seem, is still incomplete. The phenomenon is surrounded by political controversies and marked by contradictory strategies. Decentralisation reforms, particularly the 2004 laws on regionalisation, were not of such a nature as to rectify the budgetary imbalances, the specialist knowledge, and the resources that cripple the French regions. The inertia of their skills in the management fields (technical personnel of high schools) has not fostered municipal investment in the eld of innovative public policies, and even less so in terms of inventing euro-regional good practices that can be exported into the evolving linkage system in greater Europe. This results from the fact that, from a political, institutional, as well as functional and financial standpoint, ...

Join the V-CEG project on Active Youth for EEA and Norway Grants!

AER received another project ready to be submitted for the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. The Department of Business Administration, University of the Aegean aims at combatting youth employment and addressing the needs of NEETs in their project proposal, called ‘Virtual Campus for Employability & Growth (V-CEG) in the non-financial business economy’. Who can join the Consortium? Eligible partners sought are from the following countries: Beneficiary states: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal. Ireland, Italy and Spain. Consortium members may not participate in other projects under this Call. They are looking for partners among all the eligible entities, especially: Regions, associations of regions and Social partners (employer associations, chambers of commerce and industry). Who is in the Consortium? The lead partner is ...

Internship: Would you like to be the new AER intern on EU projects & funding? (CLOSED)

Are you interested to learn and to be part of the team working on EU projects for the largest independent political network of regions in Europe? We are looking for an intern to join the Project Unit at our Brussels Office, supervised by the European Projects & Private Partnerships coordinator. Your main task will be: Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (both based on desk research and by participating to relevant events as Info Days on funding programmes) Supporting AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members. Writing articles on the results of your mapping Contributing to the implementation of ongoing projects for all concerning activities and finances Providing inputs in terms of drafting documents to join new project proposals Finally, ...

Host the next AER event! Visibility, good practice exchange & experience

Dear members, the Assembly of European Regions is looking for hosts for its future events! Since AER’s creation, we have brought our member regions together all across Europe. In 2018, we would love to arrive at your doorsteps! 2016-2017 was very fruitful in terms of good practice exchange and experiences from the whole of Europe. This upcoming year promesses to unravel and develop even more exchanges and cooperation! Upcoming events The Youth Regional Network – End 2017 Created by the Assembly of European Regions, the Youth Regional Network (YRN) is a platform of regional-level youth parliaments, councils and organisations from wider Europe. YRN provides a truly unique forum giving young people from diverse regions a collective voice on the European stage while introducing a European ...

Join “The Cities of the Future 2017” Brokerage Event!

Following the successful event on EU Funding for Turkey (which took place in Ankara on May 4th), the AER is now pleased to announce the launch of the “Cities of the Future 2017” Brokerage Event which will be held in Brussels on the 26th and 27th of October 2017. The so-called event is organised by the “Turkey in Horizon 2020”, a consortium formed by International Development Ireland LDT (IDI), the Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) of Austria, the European Business Innovation Centers Network (EBN) of Belgium, Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovaçao (SPI), and G&G Consulting (Turkey). What is it about? The event will bring together up to 400 researchers, industry professionals, government officials and policy makers from Europe and Turkey, targeting the following ...

The state of regionalisation in Romania

Romanian administrative division into counties (judete) has been documented since the XIV century. In modern times, between 1918 and 1968, Romania’s administrative division suffered repeated changes. After World War II, when the communist regime reached power, Romania’s administrative division was changed five times. In this context, the new administrative-territorial organisation was shaped, through the adoption of the law of 17 February 1968 on the administrative organisation of the territory of the Socialist Republic of Romania. The counties, cities and communes represented the administrative territorial units, which were kept until present. Now, the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) is a standard imposed by the European Union for each member country which represents the regional division of the country for statistical purpose. ...

#ShineBright Catalonia

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER Award, the region of Catalonia in Spain received the special prize for its project on New opportunities and unique programs. Confronted with the daunting task to curb a 48.9% unemployment rate for young people under 25 in 2013, this region developed its own Youth Guarantee model based on social innovation, with two highly successful programmes. The “New Opportunities” programme targets early school leavers. Creative methodologies is used to offer job guidance, training, mentoring and insertion. After a short period of personal and vocational guidance exploration young people follow personalised itineraries of up to 2 years. The “Unique” programme focuses on increasing employability. Major landmarks of this programme are the training activities outside the classroom, the work on ...

AER: a frontrunner for territorial innovation

This week an AER delegation composed of members of the Summer Academy and the Youth Regional Network is participating in the Summer Seminar of the College of Cluny to identify cooperation opportunities. AER: a history of territorial innovation The cooperation of AER with the European College of Cluny is a continuation of AER’s longstanding support to territorial innovation. The AER Summer Academies, the YRN, the former Centurio programme or Training Academies are all examples of this history of making mutual learning happen. Mutual learning is AER’s trademark and it works in an incremental way: the more experiences are shared, the more the practices are developed and become useful to more stakeholders. Examples abound of good practices being shared within the interregional network, then ...

Project on Youth Career Centre for EEA and Norway Grants

Searching for projects targeting youth employment? If so, you are at the right place for finding your Consortium. The Inter-municipal Development Centre of the Municipalities Grosuplje, Ivančna Gorica and Trebnje (Slovenia) are currently looking for partners to develop an innovative project which will be submitted within the framework of the EEA and Norway Grants Fund for Youth Employment. You can find all the information about the Call for Proposal in our previous article regarding this funding opportunity. Why getting involved? The aim of this initiative is to establish youth career centres in order for youngsters to benefit from life-long career orientation mechanisms and thus enable them to enter the labour market and remain there in the long term. In other words, this international non-profit youth ...

Would you like to join the E-VAI 3.0 LIFE project?

FNM E-VAI 3.0 project is a LIFE Close-to-market proposal, delivering improved environmental solutions, capable of being widely taken up by the society and economy in particular. FNM SpA (Lombardy, Italy) is looking for a partner to join. The proposal will be submitted for LIFE Environment & Resource Efficiency. What is this project about? The project aims at E-car sharing innovative solutions for medium and small urban areas and outside the metropolitan areas where car-sharing has proven to be successful, integrating it in a railway station. Electric car sharing services will be innovated in railway stations of the Lombardy Region, run by E-Vai public company. The E-Vai model which tends to maximise its use during the day by integration of other mobility services already existing ...

Exchange to change with the Policy Learning Platform

AER is a key partner of the Policy Learning Platform (PLP) which is the second action of the Interreg Europe programme established to boost EU-wide policy learning and capitalisation of practices from investments on growth and jobs. The Platform is a space for continuous learning where regional actors in Europe can tap into the know-how of experts and peers. The Platform held its first events from 26-30 June. Four thematic workshops brought together 40 Interreg Europe projects, and European Union (EU) level stakeholders and experts, with an aim to meet, learn about, inspire and stimulate each other. Heading for a low carbon economy The first thematic workshop was held on Monday, 26 June. It was organised by the Policy Learning Platform on low carbon economy ...

Artificial Intelligence: a revolutionary wave

Artificial what? Cognitive scientist Marvin L. Minsky, who is also a co-founder of the MIT AI Laboratory, defines artificial intelligence as “the science of making machines do things that would require intelligence if done by men”. The term artificial intelligence is therefore used when machines perform human-like cognitive functions such as learning, understanding, reasoning and interacting. Out of the lab, into society Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly permeating our economies and societies. The OECD estimates that artificial intelligence already underpins over 50% of  global financial transactions. This innovative technology has brought recent breakthroughs in both machine learning techniques, computational power, and systems design by adopting more human-like performance. In addition to this, the prevalence of data, computation, and communication has also contributed to ...

For a general approach to inclusion

To share good practice on inclusion and develop a general approach to inclusion, Committee 2 President Mihai Ritivoiu would like to initiate an interregional project. Different regions, similar approaches? What if inclusion were first and foremost a question of approach? This project idea, which was announced at the AER Spring 2017 Plenaries in London, and included in the Committee 2 work programme is based on the idea that inclusion strategies across Europe are likely to share commonalities. By identifying these commonalities regions could develop a grid for understanding, evaluating, improving and transferring policies. The process At the upcoming Committee 2 Plenary meeting in Nancy AER members will discuss the issues addressed by this project,  identify needs and stakeholder groups as well as useful outputs. ...

Erasmus+ project on peer review in adult learning

AER is happy to share a successful project from Umbria region, aimed to provide a good practice adaptable for future projects in the field of formal and non-formal adult learning. PRALINE  project – ‘Peer Review in Adult Learning to Improve Formal and Non-Formal Education’, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, aims at developing innovative and sustainable initiatives to support Adult Learning (AL) providers through a piloting of the European Peer Review methodology adapted to the adult education sector and tested in five countries: France, Italy, Lithuania, Malta and Portugal. The final conference of this project, part of the EAEA’s campaign – the Year of Adult Education in Europe 2017, was organised in Brussels on 10th May at the Umbria region office and got an high number of participants as well as ...

#ShineBright Flevoland

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Flevoland (NL) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its active participation on the topic of Cohesion Policy. A Task Force on Cohesion Policy was set up during the Autumn plenary meeting in Izmir, and Flevoland have been working hard since to develop a survey on the use of structural and investment funds in the regions. The response has been quite good and we now have a broad overview of the situation in the regions. The Task Force met in London to discuss simplification and audit;
 Cohabitation with other funds and programmes; Multilevel governance and gold plating and finally Philosophy and long term goals of cohesion policy beyond the next ...

#RoR2017 – This week’s focus: Estonia

The report gives an overview of the Estonian administrative system today and discusses the current administrative-territorial reform. Estonia is one of the smallest countries in the EU with a surface of approximately 45,000 km2 and population of 1.3 million. Furthermore, the structure of Estonian administrative system is also different from the ‘usual’ one, as Estonia has no regions. Local self-government is exercised only at the municipal level. However, there are fifteen maakond which can be translated as counties. Maakond are just administrative units of the central government. Legally, they are departments of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, as their budgets are also part of the state budget. Historically, from the 13th to 16th century, Estonia was divided into 14 sections (provincia) ...

AER presents its new branding, for a stronger Europe

On Tuesday 20 June, AER launched its new visual identity. This new branding symbolises AER’s political priority: “A Stronger Europe”. This transition to a renewed AER could not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of AER during the last four years, under the presidency of Dr. Hande Ozsan Bozatli. Let us now work all together – local, regional, national and European levels – to address the challenges ahead and bring cooperation and solidarity to the forefront of our priorities to deliver the policies our citizens truly deserve. Dr. Hande Ozsan Bozatli, AER Honorary President. On 31 May, during AER’s General Assembly in Sankt Pölten (AT), Magnus Berntsson (Västra Götaland – SE) was voted in as the new President of the Assembly ...

#RoR2017 – This week’s focus: Malta

Malta is a centralised state and the powers that have been delegated are those to the local government. Indeed today two levels of government exist at the central and local level. Though the centre retains power, Maltese people tend to identify themselves with their locality. In every locality one finds that people tend to be proud of their hometown or village, and are willing to give their time for its improvement and its welfare. In this sense, the division of Malta into localities makes sense, because it is a division along lines that the majority of people recognise, understand, identify with and accept. That makes them more supportive and appreciative of the hard work carried out by the local government. Malta ...

#ShineBright Värmland

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Värmland (SE) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its leading role in Committee 2 on the topic of equal opportunities. Värmland was the first region in Committee 2 to nominate a politician for the role of Committee 2 Representative for Equal Opportunities. It is fair to say they contributed considerably to the vitality of the AER transversal group on Equal Opportunities. Thanks to them, inclusion, the rights of women and very vulnerable migrants and the implementation of human rights at regional level rose high on the agenda of AER, especially via the events they organised both in Timis and in Vienna. Moreover Värmland recently joined the advisory board of a ...

AER & R20: a winning alliance for European regions

This week (19 June 2017) AER President Magnus Berntsson was elected R20 (regions of climate action) President by the R20 Governing Board and General Assembly. AER and R20 have enjoyed a close relationship over the last years, leading to a smooth and almost expected result. After many years of technical assistance to regions throughout the world to enable their green transition, R20 is now working, with the support of AER, towards becoming the leading organisation to help subnational governments finance green projects with a mixture of public and private investments. To know more about the current joint AER/R20 work see here. After Magnus Berntsson’s election, AER Vice President Lukas Mandl and AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori took part in the first R20 Austrian ...

AER & R20: where do we stand?

This week (19 June 2017) AER President Magnus Berntsson was elected R20 (regions of climate action) President by the R20 Governing Board and General Assembly. AER and R20 have enjoyed a close relationship over the last years, leading to a smooth and almost expected result. But where do we stand in our alliance with the R20 to help regions fund their green transition ? Lately, AER has been a contributor to the R20 campaign « 100 climate solutions projects campaign » with 36 projects from AER members proposed for financing. This important step was crucial to show doubtful investors that regions had well planned projects ready for investments. Thank you again to all AER members who participated in this call and whose projects will be further ...

AER to speak at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform first workshop

The Assembly of European Regions has been a key partner for Interreg Europe in setting up and implementing its Policy Learning Platform. AER is invited for the first thematic workshop to share good practices on health and well-being. Interreg Europe The Interreg Eruope programme intends to reinforce economic and social cohesion in the European Union through the promotion of cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation. It works also towards a balanced an sustainable development of the territory. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) finances the programme. Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform The Policy Learning Platform is a space where policymakers can find solutions to improve the way they manage and implement their public policies. It mainly targets four priority topics: Research and Innovation SMEs Competitiveness Low-carbon economy Environnement and ressource efficiency Domains ...

#RoR2017 – This week’s focus: Brexit

The Brexit dilemma: redrawing the map The vote to leave the European Union after over 40 years membership threw up some major challenges for the United Kingdom, not least for the regions. Whilst England and Wales voted out, Scotland and Northern Ireland supported “Remain”. The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly said, “Scotland will not be taken out of the EU against its will”, but how that should come about is unclear. In the last year Scotland has been given even more autonomy especially on tax rates and welfare and has a special status amongst the four regions making up the UK which include England. In all the population of the UK is around 65 million with just five million ...

#ShineBright Harghita

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Harghita (RO) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its leading role in Committee 3 on the youth. Harghita organised a workshop together with AER on the occasion of the European Week of Cities and Regions entitled “EU Regions Partners for Youth” which looked at the issues of young people not in education, employment or training, brain drain and youth empowerment. Following this workshop the region is now developing a project to allow for better dialogue between young people and decision-makers and increased youth participation.

#ShineBright Antalya

On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER Award, the region of Antalya, in Turkey presented its project of School League. The initiative aims at creating social inclusion among young people through sport. It targets school-aged youngster, especially children with fewer opportunities within municipalities of Antalya: Muratpasa, Konyalti and Dosemealti. Sport competitions create equal opportunities and raise awareness on the relevance of physical education in the process of inclusion. During the competitions, all youngsters will participate and play together regardless of their gender or social background. The project plays a great part in the integration of different social groups together, gender equality and the implementation of key skills development for young people. Plus, around 4000 from 230 schools participated! For more information visit the ...

European Young Leaders is looking for Candidates!

Friends of Europe invited AER members to participate in the nomination process for their 2018 European Young Leaders (EYL40 programme). What you have to do? Send your suggestions for someone you admire, from the age of 30 to 40, who would be a high-potential candidate for EYL40! Friends of Europe Friends of Europe is a think tank which tries to bring people together by encouraging debate. FoE wants to stimulate change for a more inclusive, sustainable and forward looking Europe. It revolves around 6 policy areas which are: Future Europe, Smarter Europe, Greener Europe, Quality Europe, Global Europe and Security Europe. The EYL40 Programme The European Young Leaders programme is a multistakeholder initiative, which aims to promote a sense of European identity. It brings together ...

The first SEED webinar – register today

1st Webinar: ‘’Why is this award something for me?’’ 21st June 2017 from 11:00 – 12:00 h CET Webinar: Supporting the recognition of the Silver Economy in Europe in the Digital Era – Submit your application now! The Silver Economy Awards is a new initiative to reward ICT-based innovative solutions that improve the lives of European seniors and support the growth of the European Silver Economy. Serving as a catalyst to stimulate a sustainable Europe-wide digital Silver Economy movement, the Awards promote and reward innovative and creative ideas that have proven benefits for people aged 50 and above. The call for applications opens on 8 June 2017 and deadline for receiving applications is on 15 November 2017. The Silver Economy Awards consists of three ...

2017 Eurodyssey elections: call for applications for Steering Committee Chair and Members

The call for applications for Steering Committee Chair and Members is now open. The procedure can be found below. Elections at the Eurodyssey Forum According to Eurodyssey Statute 5.4 c), “the Eurodyssey Forum elects, for a mandate of two years, renewable, the Steering Committee chair and members”. The positions of Steering Committee Chair and members are now open for applications. The Eurodyssee Statute foresees the following: In the event of a tied vote, on issues other than elections, the Chair of the body in question has the casting vote.   Statute Article 1.5: Mission and objectives 1.5 All votes are by simple majority, defined as a majority of the members present and voting, unless otherwise specified in the present statute. All elections are carried out by secret ballot, unless ...

Democratic innovation: are regions up for the challenge?

  OPINION PIECE by Valentin Dupouey Regions are, along with cities, the first ring of the democratic chain that links local to global, cities to continents, grassroots initiatives to global challenges, citizens to institutions. This democratic chain is under heavy pressure but we cannot afford to see it break.   The health of democracy is extremely heterogeneous across the different rings of the chain. At the scale of the wider rings, the nation states and the European Union, democracy is under direct and serious threat. Citizens’ growing disinterest in political matters, the so-called disenchantment for democracy, the growing gap citizens perceive between their decision makers and their daily lives appears very sharply. Ever lower records of voter turnout, in particular among young people, and ...

#RoR2017 – This week’s focus: Regions in Finland

The article describes the Finnish regions from a number of different viewpoints. It delineates the overall politico-administrative architecture of Finland in order to place the regional councils in context. Thereafter it follows a delineation of the basic characteristics of the regions, and the tasks of the Finnish regions, emphasising both their formal characteristics as well as the dynamism of conducting the tasks. Then, the endings and conclusions with challenges facing the regions in the current socio-economic development are discussed. The political structure of Finland is formally two-fold consisting of the national and the local level of governments. Regions, however, play a role in the Finnish politico-administrative system too; they refer to geographical entities with a long historical background. Secondly, there are ...

#ShineBright Nordland

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Nordland (NO) was recognised in the #ShineBright. The region of Nordland received a special recognition for the work it has carried out  on the Most Youth Friendly Region Award.  The award is a way of raising awareness on youth participation and inclusion while shining a light on successful and transferable examples in the regions.

JPICH Digital Heritage: Looking for a research lab?

As we approach the European Year of Cultural Heritage, AER and its members have been active and creative in engaging culture-focused projects. Mesarch, a research laboratory dealing with the history and theory of Modern Architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean (Department of Architecture, University of Cyprus) is interested in teaming up with other research networks working on the JPICH Digital Heritage Call. Are you interested in growing your network within the scope of the JPICH Digital Heritage Call? Are you working on projects dealing with cultural heritage? If yes is your answer, Mesarch is interested in hearing from you. What can Mesarch offer for your project? At least three research teams and a maximum of five teams are allowed for each project Consortium, each from a different eligible country. ...

European College of Cluny Summer Workshop – A few places left for Youth delegates!

The European College of local self-government and territorial innovation is organizing from 5 to 11 July 2017 a Summer Workshop on “What’s going on with democracy in your corner of the world?”. The organisers are looking for a few more youth people to be involved. The European College of Cluny The European College of Cluny is a training facility for students, locally elected officials and territorial authorities from all over Europe. It is an action/research center in terms of territorial innovation at national and European levels. The training uses a cooperative approach. It focusses on practical and concrete action, promoting the exchange of best practices, professional learning and networking. It is based on current major issues, such as the digital revolution, new technologies, climate change, ...

#RoR2017 – This week’s focus: Regions in the UK

Relative to most other European countries, the governance of the United Kingdom has tended to be characterised by a high degree of centralisation. Some areas of policy-making social security, defence have typically been managed largely or exclusively from London, with a limited degree of administrative decentralisation to regional outposts. However, this general pattern of centralised governance is complicated by asymmetric devolution to the Celtic nations in respect of some aspects of government. For the most part, regional government in England is weakly developed. Regionally-based institutions and policy initiatives in England have been dependent on Westminster and Whitehall for their existence. In general, regional government in England has been an area of intermittent experimentation and occasional tentative interest, rather than an established ...

#ShineBright Timis

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Timis (RO) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its leading role in Committee 3 on the topic of youth mobility. Two years ago, Timis applied for the presidency of the Eurodyssey youth mobility programme and has been involved in reforming the programme to ensure its sustainability. This past year the programme has undergone several changes in its organisation in order to enable young people all over wider Europe to do an internship abroad after their graduation. The programme has a very good success rate as most young people find a stable job right after their Eurodyssey internship.

Fears expressed regarding White House stance on Paris Agreements

AER condemns the stance taken by President Trump regarding the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreements. European regions have, for very long, been at the forefront of the fight against climate change. AER has participated in many Conference of the Parties and very actively in COP21 and COP22 with the aim of strengthening its political message in favour of a sustainable Europe. AER encourages US States to find ways of continuing their active fight in their own interest and in the interest of the whole world and assures them of AER’s support.

AER adopts its position on cohesion policy

The AER’s Summer Bureau meeting took place in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria (AT), on 1 June 2017 to debate the future EU cohesion policy beyond 2020. At the meeting, AER Bureau members adopted a position on cohesion policy post 2020, setting out AER’s views and recommendations for the forthcoming policy reform. The position calls for a strong renewed cohesion policy for all regions. Emphasising the added value of Europe’s largest investment policy, it notes that an effective cohesion policy will be essential if the EU is to successfully address the challenges confronting Europe today and deliver the results for a greater economic, social and territorial cohesion beyond 2020. By this text, AER underlines that the high level of ambition for the future cohesion policy must be matched by adequate financing. It ...

MYFER Award ceremony

The Most Youth Friendly European Region Award ceremony took place yesterday in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria on the occasion of the 2017 AER General Assembly. This ceremony, chaired by Sonja Steen, outgoing President of the AER Committee for Culture, Youth and Education, highlighted the efforts region make to become more youth-friendly territories. Youth participation and inclusion are very high on the AER agenda and the award is a way of raising awareness on this topic while shining a light on successful and transferable examples in the regions. …And the winner is Jury Members unanimously awarded the MYFER award to Vojvodina (SRB) for their project on sex and relationship education for high school students. The MYFER Special Prize went to Catalonia (ESP) for its tailor-made Youth ...

AER elects a new Executive Board!

Monday (31 May), during AER’s General Assembly, a new Executive Board was elected. It has a mandate of 2 years, as stated in the AER statute. Below you can find the list of the new elected members: President Magnus Berntsson (Västra Götaland – SE) Treasurer Christian Debève (Grand Est – FR) Vice-Presidents Nina Björby (Västerbotten – SE) Albert Castellanos Maduell (Catalonia – ES) Andrew Gibson (Hampshire – UK) Lukas Mandl (Lower Austria – AT) Anna Magyar (Csongrad – HU) Damir Zobenica (Vojvodina – RS) Committee Presidents Jean-Luc Vanraes (Brussels-Capital – BE), President of Committee 1 for Economy and Regional Development Mihai Ritivoiu (Timiş – RO), President of Committee 2 for Social Policy and Public Health Dag Rønning (Hedmark – NO), President of Committee 3 for Culture, Education and Youth Adjunct members Gloria Vitaly, Oppland (NO), President of the AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) Rune Fredriksen, Østfold (NO), ...

#RoR2017 – This week’s focus: Regions in Austria

The failure of the structural reform of the federal state in 1994 has led to a standstill in reforms in Austria’s federal system. Since Austria’s accession to the EU in 1994 and its loss of competencies towards the EU, various other competencies have been transferred to the federal level, but in turn the Länder have not been compensated. The Länder have only succeeded in improving their position with regard to the Pact of Consultation and the Pact of Stability. In addition, the restrictions concerning the competencies for civil servants of the Länder and the municipalities were lifted in 1999, paving the way for bureaucratic reform in the Länder. Nevertheless, cooperative federalism plays an important role in Austrian federalism. Cooperation between the various ...

AER launches its report on Regionalisation

Today, during AER’s General Assembly, our outgoing President launched AER’s Report on the state of Regionalisation in Europe. The story behind the report Early 2014, as the new programming period started, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) decided to look into the role regional authorities play in European politics and in Europe in general. To what extent is the subsidiarity principle implemented in European countries? Have Regions seen their competences and influence developed in the last years? How does multilevel governance look like in the various European states? If we consider the case of EU regional policy, to what extent has the partnership principle been respected for the setting up and implementation of this key policy for European regions? These questions have been ...

AER starts its General Assembly in Sankt Pölten (AT)

We are halfway into today’s General Assembly and all reports have been given. The next step is the election of our new Presidium. After “Ode to Joy” opened the floor for today’s event, the different committee members gave their presentations. For more information on the day’s proceedings, visit the event page. To follow the event on Twitter or Facebook go to #AER2017GA

Study visit on the Energy transition: you’re invited!

On the occasion of the London Committee 1 plenary meeting, members agreed to organise a study visit on the energy transition in Gelderland (NL) to share and learn from each other’s experiences. Multistakeholder collaboration The main focus of the study visit, which will be organised in cooperation with other interregional networks, will be the Gelders’ Energy agreement (GEA). This collaboration between local and regional industries, governments and NGOs’ in the province of Gelderland, Netherlands, has pledged for the province to become energy-neutral by 2050. It facilitates a co-creative process where initiatives, actors, and energy are integrated into society. A bottom-up approach The unique nature of the GEA resides in its origin. The initiative sprouted from society when it faced the complex, intricate problems of the energy transition. The ...

AER President welcomes new member: Kryvyi Rih (UA)

AER President, Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, was in Ukraine from 18-21 May. From Kiev to new AER member Kryvyi Rih, the President was delighted to see the changes in this fast evolving country which has always shown, despite the difficulties, a significant interest in the Assembly of European Regions. Guided by Mr Oleksandr Vilkul, AER envoy to Ukraine and the country’s former Vice Prime Minister, the President was keen to deliver a message of solidarity on behalf of the European regions and at the occasion of the local festivities for the Europe Days. This trip was also the occasion to inaugurate the new AER office in Ukraine together with its director, Mr Vyacheslav Berezhnyy and to discuss the new opportunities of cooperation with Ukranian regions ...

#ShineBright Lower Austria

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Lower Austria (AT) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in acknowledgement of its active participation on the topic of Cohesion Policy. Under the leadership of Lower Austria and the Assembly of European Regions, 337 political representatives of regions from 22 member states (71,5% % of EU population) and 5 interregional organisations signed a common declaration to demand the continuation of a EU Cohesion Policy for all regions after 2020. The book of signatures was handed over to representatives of EU institutions as a mandate of regions and local authorities in a Europe of the regions.

Follow up on youth mental health: join our working meeting at 2017 AER General Assembly

Following the discussion on youth mental health on occasion of the AER Spring Plenaries, AER Secretariat is fully supporting the development of actions on this topic having AER members chosen to create a specific working group aimed at both sharing experiences and defining a joint European project proposal. To this extent, AER Committee 2 on Social Policy & Public Health and Committee 3 on Culture, Education & Youth decided to join forces and use interregional cooperation to improve policies in this field. To move this decision into actions, we take the opportunity of member regions gathering together at 2017 AER General Assembly to organise a first operational meeting in order to brainstorm on this topic, sharing previous experiences, analysing EU funding opportunities ...

The first European Silver Economy Awards at the AER General Assembly

The AER General Assembly is one of the launching events of the fist European level Silver Economy Awards. AER is proud to be a partner of the SEED project, the promoter of this important initiative. Silver Economy is on the AER priority list since years. Already AER and member regions addressed Silver Economy  at the Training Academy in Aalborg in 2015 and more recently at the 2016 European Summit on Innovation for Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA), network in which eight AER member regions are active players. SEED project powers the Silver Economy Awards SEE project represents a good achievement for AER within the project side, having a big potential for the three Committees both in terms of content and activities. AER ...

#ShineBright Östergötland

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Östergötland (SE) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in acknowledgement of its leading role in Committee 1 on the topic of mobility and transport. The engagement of Östergötland as chair of the working group on Transport and Mobility has been instrumental to move towards new topics such as connectivity, data management and sustainable mobility. Sustainable mobility was high on the AER agenda both on the occasion of a panel discussion in Brussels and at the AER Autumn plenary meetings in Izmir. The working group moreover organised a Breakfast Briefing on Urban Mobility while in London with a highly renowned speaker, Pilipp Rode Executive Director of LSE Cities and joint Research Director of ...

Interreg Europe for cultural heritage: do you want to join ProCHESS?

Cultural heritage continues to be a key topic for many AER member regions. To this extent, we would like to inform you about an interesting project proposal that Umbria region (IT) is preparing on this topic in the framework of the Interreg Europe programme, priority axis 4 “Environment and resource efficiency (Investment priority 6c “Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage”, specific objective 4.1: Improving natural and cultural heritage policies) and make you aware that Umbria is looking for partners to complete the consortia. Therefore, we invite our member regions to take advantage of this valuable opportunity! Project summary This project, called Promoting Cultural Heritage through Entrepreneurship Support and Simplification (ProCHESS), aims to improve and promote policies/instruments relevant for any European region facing ...

Gender Budgeting: the example of Vojvodina

In AER, the topic of Equal Opportunities is mainstreamed across the thematic work in the Committees.This is an opportunity to engage in mutual learning, share challenges and celebrate good practice. One of the topics, which was addressed on the occasion of the AER events on Equal Opportunities was gender budgeting, a practice which has been successfully implemented in Vojvodina. What is gender budgeting? The European Institute for Gender Equality, which has also repeatedly contributed to the work on Equal Opportunities in AER, defines gender budgeting as a gender-based assessment of budgets, incorporating a gender perspective at all levels of the budgetary process, and restructuring revenues and expenditures in order to promote gender equality. Gender mainstreaming The Autonomous Province of Vojvodina strives to contribute to ...

MYFER Award jury meeting

Today, Tuesday 16 May early in the morning the jury of the Most Youth Friendly European Region Award met in Brussels, Belgium. Together, they evaluated the 10 shortlisted applications. After passionate debates, the  jury selected MYFER 2017’s grand winner. The winner will be publicly announced on  31 of May at the AER General Assembly in Austria. A special prize will also be awarded. Candidates  Ten candidates from various regions applied for the prize: AP Vojvodina, Serbia : “Health education on reproductive health of high school students in the region of Vojvodina”, Hedmark, Norway : “Youth County Council of Hedmark”, Lower Austria, Austria : “Youth coaches for Lower Austria communities”, Umbria, Italy: “Creative Camp”, County of Vrancea, Romania : “Grow up in Vrancea – remigrated children in Vrancea county – educated, ...

AER attended the Copernicus for Cultural Heritage Workshop

Following the outcomes of the AER Spring plenaries in London where members highlighted their interest on cultural heritage both in terms of exchange of good practices and project development, AER attended a workshop in Brussels focused on Copernicus in support of cultural heritage, in particular for what concern preservation. Therefore, AER had the possibility to get deeper insight into the Copernicus Programme and wish now to share it with member regions and partners. The Programme supports technological tools and services to tackle societal and territorial challenges in diverse fields, among which cultural heritage. Why do we care? Cultural heritages are under threats of material degradation and/or change of cultural landscape. 76% of World Heritage Sites are affected at least by one geo-hazard. There has been already a link between ...

Join the “New possibilities” project on model of working with addicts

We are happy to announce a new partner search from the Wroclaw Centre for Integration (WCI), the unit of the Municipality of Wroclaw involved in social and professional activation of people without employment who are experiencing problems such as disability, homelessness. What is the proposed project  about? The project idea, titled  “New possibilities”, is about developing a model of working with addicts, based on the concept of harm reduction in order to maintain total abstinence. Abstinence is an unattainable goal. There is no access to other alcohol harm reduction models, so a significant proportion of people with a problem cannot fully benefit from help getting back into the labour market. The Wroclaw Health Centre has started the implementation of alcohol harm reduction program ...

#ShineBright Brussels-Capital

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Brussels-Capital (BE) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its leading role in the 2016 Regional Innovation Award. The region of Brussels Capital last year gave a new impulse to the AER Regional Innovation Award which was focused on the circular economy. The awarding ceremony was combined with an information session on the Juncker Plan and the following day Brussels Capital hosted a very interactive and highly inspiring event “E-health: let’s find a common language” which also included a visit to the Microsoft Innovation Centre in Brussels. The feedback from SMEs and non profits was very positive on this event, which was also a very nice example of transversal cooperation between Committees. ...

AER Election Committee nominations for the elections at the General Assembly 2017

Per AER Statute and Procedures, elections for the Executive Board and the Election Committee and ratification of the members of the Bureau will occur at the General Assembly in St. Pölten (AT) on 31 May-2 June 2017. Elections for Committee Presidents took place at the Committee’s Plenary meeting in London (UK) on 21-23 March 2017. Call for nominations and all statutory regulations concerning the elections Established by the AER General Assembly in Västra Götaland 2015, the AER Election Committee will inventory and prepare for the elections at the General Assembly and the Committees by Gather nominations from AER members; and Nominate one candidate for each position to be elected; If necessary, the Election Committee may nominate candidates of its own. Members of the Election Committee 2017 Elected by ...

EEA and Norway Grants: tackle “hard-to-reach” youth unemployment

Youth employment is a top priority not only for the European Union. AER is fully engaged since years to support the implementation of concrete and effective actions. The AER Summer Academy 2016 was especially focused on entrepreneurship and the workshop “EU Regions – Partners forYouth” was the successful try to build a bridge between young adult and European Institutions. The first AER programme, Eurodyssey was the opportunity to improve skills and experience for more than 13.000 young adults since 1985. EEA Grants and Norway Grants focus also on that emergency. AER is in direct contact with the department in charge of the programme, to bring the insight of AER regions point of view. At the end of April, AER was the only European network ...

ACTPHAST: A shining light for Photonics Innovation in Europe

One year after its presentation at the AER Spring Plenary held in Timișoara (RO), the ACTPHAST programme, which stands for Access Centre for Photonics Innovation Solutions and Technology, has proven to be an effective mechanism aimed at accelerating innovation for all European SMEs. Since the launch of this initiative funded by the European Commission, Prof. Thienpont and his team have been in charge of the development of a “one-stop-shop” photonics innovation hub delivering fast, flexible and scalable access to expertise and technology platforms in order to boost product innovation for the European Industry. The ACTPHAST comprises today the state-of-the-art expertise and technologies of 23 of the top research institutes in photonics from across the different European networks (the ACTPHAST Partners), centrally ...

YRN at the European Platform on Learning Mobility

  The Youth Regional Network (YRN) participated in the Steering Group meeting of the European Platform on Learning Mobility (EPLM) that took place on 17-18 May in Bordeaux (FR). YRN was represented by the President of the Committee of Economy and Regional Development, Mr. Vahram Vardanyan. The meeting focused on the work undertaken by EPLM, in particular on the “European Charter on Quality in Learning Mobility in the youth field”, and the forthcoming activities of the Platform, including the EPLM bi-annual conference “From Good to Better: Enhancing Quality in Learning Mobility in the Youth Field from a Cross-sectoral Perspective” to be held on 22-24 January 2018 in France. In addition, the Steering Group decided to hold an expert group meeting in Budapest on ...

Social entrepreneurship: partners wanted!

Europe, as a community of shared values and a framework for collaboration, will only be able to endear itself to the majority of Europeans if it manages to carry a significant social dimension. A social dimension which visibly impacts the lives of Europeans in a positive way. Social entrepreneurship can help growing this social dimension. Social inclusion: a real need in Europe Social inclusion is a key aspect for Europe. It, therefore, is also a key policy goal. Indeed, many citizens are still not able to equally benefit of all the opportunities Europe has to offer. Women are still underprivileged in certain respects, young people and elderly people as well. Immigrants often have a hard time to be fully included in their ...

Are you searching for partners for the Erasmus+ KA3 call on social inclusion?

AER is glad to propose you a good partner to join your project proposals within the Erasmus+ KA3 on Social inclusion through education, training and youth. If you are designing your project for one of the specific objectives in Lot 1 – Education and training, the Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) would be happy to join your consortium as additional partner. UCAM is keen in working on Erasmus+ projects and AER is happy to continue supporting them in creating links and connections with potential other partners and lead applicants. What can they offer? The private Catholic University will contribute to the success of your project having specific expertise in the project cycle management. In particular, the International Project Office (OPRI) is an office responsible for the management ...

Event – Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations: A Regional Contribution

EVENT on the 22nd of May 2017 The Regional Initiative for Culture and Creativity (RICC) is having a conference that will address the issue of the international cultural relations focusing on the leading role of the regions. RICC is an informal European network comprised of 25 regional governments, led by Friuli Venezia Giulia (an AER member region), the Basque Country and Emilia-Romagna. Regions are, indeed, essential actors to preserve and valorise the cultural diversity among the European Union but also to disseminate the future EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations abroad. The next Culture EU Council (23rd May) is going to adopt a Draft Council conclusions on a strategic approach to international cultural relations, and the European Parliament and the ...

The Harvard Club of Belgium welcomes AER’s president

Are you a member of AER? We encourage you to attend an event organised by the Harvard Club of Belgium, where AER’s president, Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, will be speaking. In the context of a dinner-debate organised by the Harvard Club of Belgium, Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli will be discussing the topic “For a Sustainable Europe, an Opportunity to Preserve the EU-Turkey Relationship”. Dr. Özsan Bozatli will offer her insight on the ever-growing need to ensure a good relationship between the European Union and Turkey. The dinner-debate will take place on 29 May 2017, at the University Foundation building in Brussels. To register, please click here and select the ticket “AER Guest”. Please also RSVP to Freddie Martyn at f.martynaer.eu.  

Gain insight from the info day on social inclusion through education, training and youth

AER is pleased to share with member regions and partners the outcomes of its participation to the Info Day organised by the European Commission and the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) on 25th April in Brussels. The aim of the conference was to provide information on how to apply within the Call for Proposals on Social Inclusion through Education Training and Youth – EACEA/07/2017, beside the Applicant’s Guideline. Despite many efforts through education and training, there are still many challenges to face like educational inequalities and youth unemployment. This call aims to raise the message that education should play stronger role in promoting shared values and educating active and responsible citizens, targeting all vulnerable segments of the society as well as all sectors, ...

AER celebrates Europe Day!

Today, on May 9th 2017, AER celebrates Europe Day! This year, AER’s political priority is a stronger Europe. Strong European regions are a pathway to a stronger Europe. We believe that a prosperous, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual Europe goes hand in hand with prosperous regions. AER provides its members with opportunities to exchange experiences, to share best practices, all aiming to provide capacity building solutions. With this bottom-up approach, AER’s activities and actions make a real difference for Europe and its regions. Over the last few weeks, and for the next few, we will be shining a light on the achievements of our member regions in the context of AER. We have named this initiative #ShineBright. You can see the list of highlighted regions here. Today, at the YRN General Assembly in ...

ACI Regional Airports’ Conference & Exhibition

The Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE) 10th Annual Regional Airports’ Conference & Exhibition will take place from 15 to 17 May at the Cork Airport in Ireland. This year, the event will attract over 200 delegates from over 25 different countries and 25 different airports and airport operators. Three exciting days to exchange best practices, discover latest trends and enjoy experts opinions! Conference of opportunities AER is once again supporting ACI EUROPE! Indeed, regional airports play an important role in building up regional development. Improving the regions’ connectivity and outreach, airports are truly a springboard for regional economies. For the participants, the event is especially relevant to share knowledge, good practices and discuss key challenges facing the aviation industry. Therefore, it is a great networking opportunity! By joining, ...

#ShineBright Guadeloupe

This week we are shining a light on our member Guadeloupe. A Guadeloupean association called Arrimage Good’Iles, in partnership with the Erasmus+ programme, launched a project aiming to accompany young workers towards empowering young women in difficulty. The goal of this campaign is to turn the young women into agents of change in their respective communities. To see more on this exciting project, entitled: Youth Women Win, please visit the project page!

Successful event on EU funding for Turkey

More than 100 participants from all across Turkey, including most AER Turkish members, took part in an event on EU funding on Thursday 4 May in Ankara. The event was greatly hosted by Ankara Metropolitan municipality with AER as co-organiser. Wide participation was ensured thanks to the cooperation of the Turkish Ministry of EU affairs, the Association of Turkish municipalities and the Turkish interior ministry. The opening speeches by the AER President, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Secretary General and the Vice President of AK Party in charge of Foreign affairs as well as the closing speech by the deputy head of the EU delegation to Turkey, were the occasion to state the will of both Turkey and the European Union to continue ...

#ShineBright Arad

The Arad County Council celebrates its 25th anniversary and 24 years of AER membership

#ShineBright Vojvodina

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Vojvodina (RS) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its active participation on the topic of Equal Opportunities. Vojvodina has organised 2 forums on Equal Opportunities, in Timis on women in emergency situations and in Vienna on the implementation of human rights at regional level. They coordinated the efforts of the Committees’ representatives for Equal opportunities and organised several meetings and working lunches in the past year. Their contribution to mainstreaming equal opportunities is significant.

The 100 Climate Solutions Project Campaign

Important issues were highlighted by local and regional leaders at the COP22 conference in Marrakech, the most urgent one: access to finance for cities and regions.

“SOURCE” is launched in Washington

On Wednesday 19 April at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, AER, R20 and other allies took part in the Sustainable Infrastructure Foundation annual meeting.

Updates on MOCHA project: events, newsletters and outcomes

Time flies. The MOCHA project (Models of Child Health Appraised) team have already carried out many tasks and initiatives. Updates on the recent work has been published in March and AER wish to share it with member regions and partners. Moreover, in April the project reached its mid-point and initial results of the analysis carried out were presented at the 64th Working Group on the Quality of Childhood (QoC) hosted by MEP Hannu Takkula (Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Finland) at the European Parliament on 11 April. Newsletter March 2017: In January, the 18-Month report was submitted to the EC as a requirement of their funding and base for strengthening their inter-project working. MOCHA project was presented at ALEC ...

Decisions from the Executive Board in London

The AER Executive Board (EB) met at the occasion of the Spring Committees Plenaries in London on 21 March for their first meeting in 2017. High on the agenda was the preparation for the General Assembly as well as following topics of strategic importance in various fields. Here are some of the key decisions that were taken. Revising the planning strategy The recent changes in the Statute adopted by the General Assembly in June 2016 sought to clarify and simplify the roles of the AER bodies (Bureau, Committees, General Assembly) giving them each prominence in their fields. The planning strategy needs to reflect these changes for the sake of coherence: Political priorities: the political priorities will now run for 1 year in order to better reflect ...

#ShineBright Østfold

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Østfold (NO) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its leading role in the AER Summer Academy. Østfold holds the presidency of the Summer Academy Organising Committee and hosted the 2016 Summer Academy, which focused on youth entrepreneurship. The Summer academy was developed not only with the members of the Organising Committee but also with other regions and with the AER Youth Regional Network. In order to keep the costs low for attendees and allow young participants from Russia, Armenia, Turkey, Estonia, Sweden, Croatia to get involved in the workshops, Østfold even developed an Erasmus + project.

Interested in joining a project to foster the dialogue among youth and policy makers?

Following the successful workshop organised within the European Week of Regions and Cities 2016 “EU Regions-Partners for Youth”, Harghita County Council is now leading the drafting of a project proposal in the framework of the Erasmus+ programme – Key Action 2, Strategic Partnerships in the field of Youth. This project, titled “Youth Caravan”, aims to foster the dialogue between decision-makers and youth experts so that the voices of young people get to the decision makers. The target group that the project aims to reach is therefore composed by students, young people, teachers, teaching and administrative staff, youth workers, policy makers, youth policy experts resident in the countries involved in the project. The main activities planned are the following: international / transnational meetings (“Youth Caravan”) that provide opportunities ...

AER supports the Balkan Trafik Festival

On the occasion of Balkan Trafik! Festival, a creative breath of fresh air from South East Europe is once again invading Brussels. While our countries have been looking inwards, the festival remains an essential space for dialogue and new discoveries. For 11th years now, Balkan Trafik! brings to light cultural richness and diversity of the Balkan region and, more broadly, the regions of South Eastern Europe. It tears down the walls between people to gather them around a universal value: art. The fabulous musicians of the New York Gypsy All Star and the legendary Baba Zula from Turkey are amongst the 250 or so artists present this year. Also on the programme, the exceptional collaboration of Goran Bregovic’s Wedding and Funeral Orchestra and ...

#ShineBright Gelderland

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Gelderland (NL) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its particularly active participation in Committee 2 with the organisation of a study visit and project development meeting last year on patient centered care. This was an opportunity for many members to discover ParkinsonNet, an initiative which brings together all health and care stakeholders both public and private, from the industry and the insurance sector, to develop an ecosystem which enables them to offer Parkinson’s disease patients the best possible care, as well as to improve their quality of life by improving Parkinson-specific expertise and supporting personalised healthcare. This excellent practice was presented at the E-health event in December in Brussels as well ...

Together with Stockholm

It is with great sadness that we learnt about the attack in Stockholm today. The AER President Hande Özsan Bozatli immediately reacted: “AER is deeply moved and strongly condemns this new act of violence Europe faces today. We stand together, united and in solidarity, with the families of the victims, with the public authorities, and with the Swedish people.“ The Assembly of European Regions will continue – more than ever – its work to foster mutual understanding, respect diversity and improve public policies for the benefit of all citizens.

Join the EU pilot-initiative “Interreg Volunteer Youth”

The Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) initiative is part of the broader European Solidarity Corps Initiative launched by the European Commission in December 2016. IVY officially started on 1st March 2017 and is a 1-year pilot action to offer the possibility to young Europeans aged 18-30 to serve as volunteers in the cross-border, transnational or interregional programmes and related projects. Each experience is between 2 and 6 month long. The initiative aims at involving young volunteers to support, promote and report the concrete achievements of Interreg programmes and projects, as well as generally promote cooperation across European borders and related values such as solidarity. IVY will give volunteers the opportunity to familiarise with the Interreg programmes and projects, make them aware of the ...

INTERREG North West Europe: looking for an innovative project?

The University of Greenwich (UK) as lead partner, in collaboration with the Royal Borough of Greenwhich and Lille Metropole are developing a project within for the fifth call of INTERREG North West Europe Programme. Activities like exchanges of good practices, especially operational projects including pilot and innovative projects, will be supported within this programme. They plan to design and test an innovative digital platform to foster entrepreneurship and soft skills among inactive young people. New partners are welcome to join this project! The project is already at advanced stage and will be applied in the priority axis ‘Innovation’. The actions planned will target excluded population or population at risk of exclusion as well as communities under pressure by delivering societal benefits through innovation. The goal of the project is to ...

New call for proposals on social inclusion through education, training and youth

We are pleased to share with you that the new call for proposals in Erasmus+ Key Action 3 is available for applicants with projects aiming at stimulating innovative policy development, policy dialogue and implementation as well as the exchange of knowledge in education, training and youth. The following three main instruments are managed through specific calls call for proposals: Initiatives for policy innovation, supporting Forward-looking cooperation projects to stimulate innovative development Initiatives for policy innovation supporting European policy experimentations of high level organisations and public authorities to experiment policy implementation, Civil Society Cooperation, supporting European NGOs and EU-wide networks targeting at raising awareness about European policies and boosting the cooperation with the public authorities in fields of education, training and youth. As in the previous Info Day on “Erasmus+ Key Action 3: Support for Policy Reform ...

World sustainable energy days: Experience sharing & business

At the AER Spring Plenaries, regional policy makers reiterated their interest in the World Sustainable Energy Days, one of Europe’s largest annual conferences on sustainable energy. The WSED17 event, which took place from 1 to 3 March 2017 in Upper Austria (AT) gathered around 700 participants from 59 countries achieving resounding success. What was WSED17 all about? 8 Conferences, treating relevant thematics as energy efficiency, biomass and sustainable buildings and 3 interactive events with technical study visits, allowing participants to gain first-hand information and to discuss specific questions on-site with the project operators. Through a call for papers, around 80 papers were submitted by young researchers from 35 countries in the fields of energy efficiency and biomass. Some of the papers were selected and presented ...

Chiara: “I felt inspired by the work of AER”

Friday was Chiara’s last day in Strasbourg. This is an opportunity to look back on what has been achieved in the past 6 months! Chiara, who holds a Masters degree in Political Economy did an Erasmus+ internship at our Strasbourg office and supported the organisation of the Autumn plenaries in Izmir, the “E-health: let’s find a common language” event in Brussels and the Spring plenaries in London. Her work was instrumental in the development and implementation of the “Policy & Knowledge transfer” activities in the AER network. “Considering the variety of the tasks, from the research to the most practical work, this experience has been particularly useful to understand what I really like. What I can say, in my last day here ...

#ShineBright Västernorrland

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Västernorrland was recognised in the #ShineBright session for its particularly active participation in Committee 3 in the field of education and more specifically in combatting early school leaving. Early school leaving is a major threat in Europe and Västernorrland have managed to bring together a whole group of regions to work and learn from each other in the framework of the working group. They also carried out a European project to exchange and transfer good practices and develop policy recommendations. They finalised the work with a very useful handbook which brings together good practices from 11 regions in wider Europe.

Noord-Brabant encourages bio-based economy – #ShineBright

On the Occasion of the Regional Innovation Award on Circular Economy, ShineBright on the region of Noord-Brabant, in Netherlands that presented its project Green Chemistry Campus: Waste2Aromatics project by Biorizon. The Green Chemistry Campus is a business accelerator for developing biobased chemical building blocks for the chemical industry. The Campus thus contributes to the realisation of a biobased economy. One of the multiple programs and projects that are hosted by the Campus is Shared Research Center Biorizon. It’s aim is to develop technologies to produce aromatics from organic waste. Aromatics are one of the main feedstocks of the chemical industry, constituting 40% of the total market. Currently, these are exclusively produced from fossil sources, generating considerable CO2 emissions. Biobased aromatics reduce dependence ...

AER series on investments: Episode 2

Episode 2 of the AER series on investments focuses on the EFSI technical and advisory services available to regions for a sound and smooth implementation of the Juncker Plan. Reaching the real economy At the Opening Conference of AER Committees’ Plenaries in London, Florentine Hopmeier, Team Leader for the Investment Plan for Europe, European Commission, presented the latest features of the Investment Plan. She insisted on the EFSI technical and advisory services in particular. Regions had the opportunity to discuss and ask her questions about the challenges their facing. The European Fund for Strategic Investment is mobilising at least € 315bn for access to finance and strategic investments and is already supporting projects from areas such as research & innovation, digital economy, energy union, transport or ...

Outermost regions’ work in AER and worry about Guyana

It is with great worry that the Assembly of European Regions follows the situation in its French outermost member region, Guyana. After two weeks of unrest and the region’s activity put to a standstill, we look upon the start of the negotiations with the French government with trust and confidence. AER President Hande Özsan Bozatli : « I want to address to the President Rodolphe Alexandre and the people of Guyana the solidarity of the members of AER and the wish that a positive solution to this grave crisis will be found soon. AER will remain an ally of all Spanish, Portuguese and French outermost regions and wants to cooperate more with them ». These territories are of huge importance for Europe. Leaders in terms ...

Cultural heritage: from Veneto to Flanders via… Nordland

How a storm, which in 1431 dramatically changed the route of  Pietro Querini, a Venetian merchant, now is a motive for experience sharing on innovation and entrepreneurship! Cultural heritage a basis for exchange On the occasion of the AER Spring plenaries, delegates interested in cultural heritage had the opportunity to participate in a workshop on cultural heritage. The main objective was to set up partnerships for European projects and identify specific topics for interregional cooperation. The region of Nordland is currently developing a project on a cultural heritage route from south to north in Europe, based on the story of Pietro Querini. The Venetian merchant sailed from Crete, bound for Bruges in Flanders. Altogether 68 men sailed on three merchant ships loaded with ...

Youth mental health: pressing needs across Europe

On the occasion of the AER Spring plenaries, regional policy makers from wider Europe made a point on working together on the topic of youth mental health and improve regional policies in the field. Health, youth and the future of Europe The difficulty for young people to relate to others is a growing severe problem across Europe as was identified by AER members on the occasion of the Autumn Plenaries in Izmir. This issue translates into different social problems, such as early school leaving, substance abuse, violence or extremism. “We need transversal approaches. In Catalonia the departments in charge of health, education and youth now work together to address the situation in an efficient way, this needs to be the case at ...

Breakfast Briefing on Urban mobility

At a Breakfast briefing at the Spring Plenaries in London last week, we had the pleasure to listen to Mr Philipp Rode, Director of LSE Cities and joint Research Director of the “Towards New Urban Mobility” paper. Mr Rodd presented the report ‘Towards New Urban Mobility: The case of London and Berlin’ which provides insight into how urban transport policy can better leverage new and emerging mobility choices in cities. Today the policy makers must embrace an increasing number of alternatives, including cycling and walking as main modes of travel, bike and car sharing, multimodal travel options and electric vehicles, as changes in urban mobility patterns no longer follow traditional patterns of motorization. Smartphone applications now support people’s travel decisions as they move through the city, ...

What Brexit means for local government – insight from British Member of Parliament

For our very first cocktail debate, we were honoured to welcome Mr Jim Mc Mahon, British Labour and Co-operative Party politician, MP for Oldham West and Royton, who spoke of the challenges and opportunities that local governments face in the wake of Brexit. As our moderator Mr Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGIU put it, it is difficult to ignore the elephant in the room when holding meetings in London these days. So after an expert panel discussion on sustainable financing for regions earlier that day, AER members tuned in for a passionate and open story of what is at stake for local government to prepare for the future of the United Kingdom. Addressing his audience directly, Mr Jim Mc Mahon strongly assured ...

#ShineBright Norrbotten

At the AER Spring Committee meetings in London, the region of Norrbotten (SE) was recognised in the #ShineBright session in recognition of its active participation in Committee 1 on the topic of energy and the energy transition. Norrbotten led the work for the drafting of the AER report on energy security. Several meetings of the working group on energy and climate change were dedicated to defining shared challenges, gathering good practices, identifying recommendations for the elaboration of the report. The report was finally published on 14 June in the context of the Renewable energy week in Brussels. The report, was handed to Miguel Arias Cańete, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy on the occasion of the Structured Dialogue at the Committee of the ...

AER series on investments: Episode 1

The Prodi High Level Task Force As a follow-up on the AER conference on sustainable financing for the regions, AER will be publishing a series of articles on investments. These will provide deeper insight on the different financing tools available for regions, which were presented on the occasion of this conference. Maximising public value AER is participating in the work currently being carried out at European level on long term investments. On the occasion of the Spring plenary meeting,  Jonathan Watson, Managing Director of the Think Tank INTEGRATE updated AER members on the EC High-Level Task Force on financing social infrastructure and maximising public value, also called the Prodi High Level Task Force. This Task Force is providing inputs to the Commission on ...

Committees elect new members in their Presidium

At their Spring Committee meetings in London, AER members elected new members for their Committee Presidium. Congratulations to the new representatives! Committee 1 for Economy and Regional Development President Jean-Luc Vanraes Brussels-Capital (BE) (will be confirmed at the General Assembly) Representative for Equal Opportunities Sıla İlgi Akkaş Izmir (TR) Committee 2 for Social Policy and Public Health President Mihai Ritivoiu Timis (RO) (will be confirmed at the General Assembly) Vice-President for Health Innovation (interim) Agneta Granström Norbotten (SE) Committee 3 for Education, Youth and Culture President Dag Rønning Hedmark (NO) (will be confirmed at the General Assembly) Vice-President Aleksandra Djankovic Vojvodina (RS) Representatives for Equal Opportunities Attila Klarik Covasna (RO) Desislava Cvetkova Västernorrland (SE)

Sport and Eco-Labelled Green Tourism: partners wanted for two different project proposals

The Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey) is currently working on two projects and is looking for partners that could join the consortia. AER is pleased to share this research with member regions and the entire network, being this a good opportunity to be involved on projects in line with AER priorities and topics. 1) The first project targeting teenagers and refugees will be submitted within Erasmus+ Sport Programme. The project objectives are to foster intercultural dialogue among teenagers, to set up teams together and to encourage them towards sports by offering them opportunities for shared-learning and discover their individual skills. The activities foresee within this project are the followings: informing and raising awareness about a healthy life disseminating ethical behaviour among sportsmen and sportswomen organising conferences where ...

AER saddened by Westminster attack

While AER members are in London, gathering for their committee plenary meetings, the news of a terrible attack shocked the world. Targeting the UK Parliament, a symbol of democracy, the Assembly of European Regions empathises strongly with the people of the United Kingdom who are having to go through this dreadful event. Our thoughts and sympathy are with the victims, their friends and families, emergency services, and all the British nation. The UK is a multi-faith and multicultural society to be proud of. The Assembly of European Regions, its members an its staff stand with its UK members and the UK government in unity and solidarity at this painful time.  

Cohesion policy’s challenges and the voice of AER

Challenges posed to the EU cohesion policy, according to EPRS Last month the European Parliament Research Service issued a briefing on the issues in the forthcoming post-2020 reform, entitled “Challenges for EU cohesion policy,” which was authored by Mr. Vasilis Margaras, Policy Advisor, European Parliament.  In a nutshell, there are numerous issues facing the post-2020 EU cohesion policy reform. They cover a range of topics, such as the 2020-2026 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the impact of Brexit, economic governance and reform, flexibility with a focus on new policy challenges, performance and simplification, financial instruments and European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the urban agenda of the EU with consideration to areas with geographic specificities, alternative indicators to GDP, a stronger ...

Local investment needs: a study by the Council of Europe Bank

At the opening conference on sustainable financing for the regions, 21 March in London, a very brand new study on investment in public infrastructures will be presented by Mr. Jérôme Hamilius, ECS Director at the Council of Europe Development Bank – CEB. Just today, the CEB has published on its website the study “Investing in Public Infrastructure in Europe. A local economy perspective”, presenting an overview of the CEB’s long-standing experience in improving the living conditions in urban and rural areas across Europe. It also assesses recent trends and challenges in the provision and financing of local infrastructure across CEB member states and their implications for future lending to this sector. Here the key messages of the study. The dragging of the crisis There has been a slow ...

First results of the Task Force on Cohesion Policy post-2020

General Documents Concept note on the task Force (pdf – word) Questionnaire on the future of Cohesion Policy (online – pdf) Registration to the Task Force (online) Task Force meeting, 23 March 2017, London (UK) Preparatory document for the Task Force meeting on 23 March in London (pdf – word) First results of the questionnaire (pdf) The regions which took the questionnaire: Abruzzo (IT) Auvergne Rhône Alpes (FR) Bihor (RO) Brussels-Capital (BE) Calarasi (RO) Catalonia (ES) Covasna (RO) Cyprus Donegal (IE) Friuli Venezia Giulia (IT) Gelderland (NL) Hampshire (UK) Hedmark (NO) Hunedoara (RO) basel-Stadt (CH) Karlovac (HR) Korce (AL) Noord Brabant (NL) Nordjyland (DK) North Karelia (FI) Norhwestern Switzerland (CH) Olt (RO) Ostbelgien (BE) Jämtland (SE) Örebro (SE) Östergötland (SE) South Ostrobothnia (FI) Västerbotten (SE) Västernorrland (SE) Västra Götaland (SE) Vienna (AT) Vojvodina (RS) –> TAKE THE QUESTIONNAIRE The members of the Task Force Chair: Flevoland (NL) Brussels-Capital (BE) Jämtland (SE) Västernorrland (SE) –> JOIN THE TASK FORCE

Discover UK’s places of power

On 21 March 2017, ahead of a busy agenda for the AER Committees’ Spring Plenary, AER members are invited to take a walk in the city of London to get an insight of the places of power of Her Majesty’s country. From “The Palace“ to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, from Theresa May’s Downing Street to the banks of the Tames and – finally – to the AER/LGIU Conference room, the participants will get a full coverage of the political history of the country, the famous British Parliamentarism and the key moments of the Kingdom’s life. The meeting place is set at the Victoria Memorial, in front Buckingham Palace, at 10 AM. The guide will then bring us safe and sound to the Conference ...

URGENT Partners wanted for Erasmus+ KA2 project on Strategic Partnerships

ARTos Foundation (Cyprus), a contemporary arts and science centre, is looking for partners to join a project they are drafting within the Erasmus+ programme, Key Action 2: Strategic Partnerships – School Education. This project titled “hisTOrY: An innovative toy-based educational tool for History”  aims to introduce an innovative educational tool for history, based on toys and their evolution through the last two centuries. Its main outcome will be is a movable educational tool to be used at schools and other educational spaces, having the form of a bookshelf made of cartoon where there will be 3D printings of toys and tablets. Children will have the opportunity to travel to the past using the tablets where videos and audios will interfere giving the information and incentives to learn ...

URGENT partner search: project for groups at risk of discrimination

Abi Foundation – a Romanian non-profit organisation active in initiating and supporting projects in the field of education, culture and sports – is working on the launch of a Diversity Chart in Romania and is looking for European partners to join their project that will be submitted within the call for proposal ‘Action grants to support national or transnational projects on non-discrimination and Roma integration’ (REC-RDIS-DISC-AG-2016). This call focuses on supporting activities for racial or ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, older/younger people, religious minorities and LGBTI people, and it is structured on the following priority areas: Fighting against discrimination based on sexual orientation in society and promoting the rights of LGBTI people; Diversity management in the public and private sector: identification of existing practices, measurement ...

Gävleborg: a county of cultural heritage

With 2018 a year designated by the European Commission as European Year for Cultural Heritage, Gävleborg (SE) decided to develop a project to highlight what the region can do to promote conservation, digitisation, infrastructure, research, and skills development in the field. The recently published report Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe demonstrates that cultural heritage creates job opportunities, attracts investment, and that it can strengthen social cohesion. Cultural heritage for all The project developped by the Office for Cultural Development in collaboration with the Gävleborg County Administrative Board will highlight the cultural heritage of the region and ensure that it is accessible for a wider and more diverse audience. Among other things, this includes developing methods to attract people and to acquire further ...

Looking for partners: project for early childhood education and care

Kind en Gezin (Child and Family) is looking for partner to join their project proposal on “SCHOOL EDUCATION: Supporting efforts to increase access to affordable and high quality early childhood education and care (ECEC)” which will be submitted in the framework of Erasmus+ programme. This project aims at increasing the accessibility of integrated ECEC-services to support all families with young children. Kind en Gezin is a Flemish governmental organisation, aiming at physical, mental, emotional and social development of children, with respect for diversity and rights. It is responsible for: registration of high quality child care support for parents-to-be and parents with young children the criteria for adoption agencies Consequently, Kind en Gezin has experiences in developing scientific (educational and medical) methods and monitor all these changes ...

Youth: inclusion & social skills

On March 23rd in London, UK, at the AER Spring plenary session, the workshop “Youth: Inclusion&  social skills” will provide delegates with an opportunity to share experiences in the implementation of youth policies. They will identify implementation challenges as well as the success factors for regions. Difficulty for young people to relate to others Following the workshop in Izmir, TR in November 2016, the Sub-committee on Youth decided to focus its attention on the difficulties for young people to relate to others. This topic covers a wide range of problems affecting the young generation. From the educational system which not always takes into account the changes occurring in our society, to the lack of outdoor social activities engaging young people. Problems in communication and reciprocate understanding ...

Combatting school dropout: the Handbook is out!

The Handbook with regional good practices to combat school dropouts compiled by Västernorrland has just been published. It brings together examples from 11 regions to help young people evolve on a success path, whatever their own challenges may be. A long-standing engagement Back in September 2012 Västernorrland organised a conference on combatting early school leaving, which kick-started the work on this topic in AER.In April 2013, the AER Sub-committee on Education decided to establish a working group to share good practices on a challenge which is In April 2013, the AER Sub-committee on Education decided to establish a working group to share good practices on early school leaving, a challenge which is plaguing several European regions. In 2014 some members of the working group ...

#BeBoldForChange for the 2017 International Women’s Day

March 8, 2017 marks the 106th year that International Women’s Day (IWD) is recognised. IWD is a worldwide event that celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and calls for gender equality. Since full gender equality has yet to be achieved, IWD calls for women across the world to come together to force the world to recognise these inequalities.  In order to overcome some of the current barriers blocking the way to full gender equality, let us #BeBoldForChange by helping to forge a better working world – a more gender inclusive world. On the occasion of the 2017 International Women’s Day, AER President Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli urges all member regions to foster women’s participation and activism in the social ...

Interested in tackling skills gaps? The Catholic University San Antonio in Murcia is looking for a lead applicant to join

If you are designing a project under the ERASMUS+ Key Action 2: Sector Skills Alliances EACEA 04/2017 and you are looking for partners, we are glad to inform you that the Catholic University San Antonio in Murcia (UCAM) is interested to join this kind of proposals. The University has 18 years of experience of personalised teaching methods and offers distance teaching. As Higher Education and VET provider, it cooperates with regional, national, and multinational institutions, SMEs and companies. Your potential partner has been actively involved in European and International Projects through its Research Groups and its technical unit, called the International Projects Office (OPRI), and can take in charge the Dissemination and Exploitation of Results activities, because of its resources in the field of Audio-visual communication. In brief, the aims of ...

Cocktail Debate: a new concept to discover in London

A brand new concept, combining pleasant times and useful discussions, we are proud to introduce you with our first Cocktail Debate to take place on 21 March in London, at 5 PM, in the framework of the AER Committees’ Spring Plenary. After the opening conference on sustainable financing for the regions, all participants are invited to a networking drink to celebrate reunions with your peers from Europe or simply top get to know each other better. To introduce this networking session, two contradictory speakers will have 10 minutes each to underline their main arguments regarding the consequences of the Brexit for subnational authorities in UK and in Europe. After the speeches, the floor is open to the questions of the audience, and we encourage all ...

Give your input to the Policy Learning Platform

Policy Learning Platform is a new feature to Interreg Europe to open up the programme’s knowledge for the benefit of all the project partners and the whole community of regional policy stakeholders. The Interreg Europe Programme needs your input in shaping the details of the Policy Learning Platform. The Platform provide policy support to European regional and local stakeholders through expert services such as peer reviews, bench-marking exercises, thematic workshops, capacity building events and learning activities. The Platform shall also enable networking and mutual exchange between the regional, local and national authorities involved in the design and implementation of European Structural Fund programmes. The experts of the Policy Learning Platform started their work in autumn 2016. So far they focused on the analysis of ...

We’re hiring the perfect promoter of regionalisation ! (now closed)

Interested in advocating for the interests of the regions of Europe? We are looking for a colleague to help us advertise the regional dimension in Europe, create magic links with the European institutions and fight for regional policy. We offer a Belgian full-time employment contract (initially 6 months contract, with possibility of converting it to a permanent position). This is who we are Do you want to be our new colleague? Here are the things that are great about this workplace: We’re a small team, so everybody is really important We’re also a very great team, with awesome people on board The thing we work for is super cool: who could be against helping people across Europe to work together? It is a place for personal growth, as you ...

Develop a project on cultural heritage

The workshop on cultural heritage organised at the AER Spring plenary meetings in London will provide participants with information on funding opportunities and support the definition of one or more project ideas. European Year of Cultural Heritage On 9 February 2017 Council and European Parliament representatives reached a provisional agreement on a decision establishing 2018 the European Year of Cultural Heritage. Cultural heritage encompasses resources from the past in a variety of forms and aspects. These include monuments, sites, traditions, transmitted knowledge and expressions of human creativity, as well as collections conserved and managed by museums, libraries and archives. Cultural heritage is a topic which is of particular interest to members of the AER Committee on Culture Education & Youth which have been exchanging ...

Not your usual plenary meetings

The AER Committees are the R&D lab of AER where experiences are shared, discussed, transferred to other regions, transformed, brought back in the network and adopted by yet other regions. However, the plenary meetings don’t always do justice to the wealth of ideas and initiatives regions are implementing or want to implement. Just do it! Spring is coming, and at AER, spring is Action plan preparation season. On 22 March at the AER Spring Plenaries in London, members of the three thematic Committees will develop jointly their action plans. The main idea is the following: if you want to carry out something within the network, just do it! Any idea is welcome! The actions members can implement via the committees are diverse: project development, ...

Call for expressions of interest for third call of Interreg Europe

We are pleased to share with you that the next edition of the interregional cooperation forum, Europe, let’s cooperate, will be held on 22-23 March 2017 in Malta by Interreg Europe. The forum’s goal is to help prepare for the third call of Interreg Europe by facilitating the presentation and exchange of ideas, along with building new partnerships and completing existing ones. As such, it could be especially interesting for regional authorities to attend. If you are a region in the European Union, you can apply to get co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund for working with other regions (also in the EU), learning from each other and solving common challenges under the following topics: Research & innovation, SME competitiveness, Low-carbon economy, and Environment and resource efficiency. Research & innovation: aims ...

What can the Investment Plan for Europe do for health?

Today, in Brussels, Member States and regional representatives, healthcare service providers, public and private investors, economists, and practice innovators, participate in a Seminar on strategic investments for the future of healthcare, organised by the European Commission. A vital economic sector Health is a vital economic sector representing 10% of the EU’s GDP and accounting for 8% of the total workforce in the 28 EU countries. Today’s seminar explores what the Investment Plan for Europe can do for health: What types of investments are needed in the health sector? Which funding streams can support these investments? How can we invest to ensure successful implementation of new care models? These are just some of the questions that will be raised. The Seminar was opened by ...

Call for Partners: project for children with autistic spectrum disorders

The Regional Ministry of Education of the Region of Murcia (Spain) is searching for public or private institutions for an ERASMUS+ KA2 project they are drafting. To this extent, the Ministry is working in close cooperation with Murcia Regional Association of Professional Art-Therapists (MURARTT) in order to develop the following topic: ‘Art therapy and Inclusive Art for the Emotional and Cognitive Development of Children on the Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)’. The aim of this project is to design a programme of art therapy structured in workshops aimed at increasing cognitive and emotional capacity of children with ASD, within educational settings (infant and primary schools), NGOs and other related institutions. The project will be delivered by accredited professionals in associated countries. The partners searched to complete the consortia are: private and ...

AER task force on cohesion policy

In AER, we put a strong emphasis on the future of cohesion policy and look for our members to jump in the process! A bit of background… In the last years, AER took part to a number of debates and workshops aiming at a necessary re-thinking of the European cohesion policy and its delivery mechanisms, as well as objectives, tools and assessment criteria. In a first meeting with Commissioner Corina Cretu, AER President Hande Özsan Bozatli higlighted the lack of involvement of the regions in the shaping of the future cohesion policy and the absolute necessity to maintain it as a strong mechanism of investments for all regions in Europe. At the 2016 AER General Assembly in Nordland (NO), the members decided to get the grips with ...

INTERREG North West Europe – Fifth call for project proposals!

On 14th February 2017, an Info Day on the INTERREG North-West Europe Programme was organised by the Brussels Capital Region, Brulocalis (the Association of the City and Municipalities of Brussels) and the Secretariat of the INTERREG North West Europe Programme, at the offices of the Region. This Info Day, addressed to public and private actors – such as regional organisations, local authorities, associations, companies and universities, gave an overview of the funding possibilities offered by the INTERREG Europe North West Programme. The INTERREG North West Europe Programme supports cooperation projects between actors based on eight countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The activities that can be funded are exchanges of good practices, especially operational projects including ...

We’re hiring a communications whiz (now closed)

Interested in managing the communications for the largest interregional network in Europe? We are looking for a colleague to lead and innovate our communications systems and to take us to the next level. We offer a Belgian full-time employment contract (initially 6 months contract, with possibility of converting it to a permanent position). This is who we are Do you want to be our new colleague? Here are the things that are great about this workplace: We’re a very small team, so everybody is really important We’re also a very great team, with awesome people on board We share strong values of open-mindedness, honesty, responsibility and positive-attitude The thing we work for is super cool: who could be against helping people across Europe to work together? It is ...

Urban Mobility: join the AER Breakfast Briefing in London!

On 23 March AER and LGIU are hosting a Breakfast Briefing with the presence of Philipp Rode, Executive Director of LSE Cities and joint Research Director of the “Towards New Urban Mobility” paper. Urban mobility On the occasion of the AER Spring plenary meetings in London on 21-23 March 2017, policy makers will have the opportunity to exchange views on the topic of urban mobility, a topic of particular interest to AER members. Participants will in particular look into the findings of the “Towards New Urban Mobility” paper and its impacts for policy makers. The report ‘Towards New Urban Mobility: The case of London and Berlin’ provides insight into how urban transport policy can better leverage new and emerging mobility choices in cities. Drawing ...

Regions most influential through AER, academic research shows

Through a wide research project led by the University of Antwerp, hundreds of regions’ policy actions in Brussels have been studied. How regions work towards Europe and how successful they are were the two topics discussed on Friday 3 February at the Committee of the Regions. Representing the key network of regions in Europe, AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori was invited to comment on the results presented that day by the academics. The study shows that whatever the profile of the region, large and powerful or small and weaker, the only way to be successful in interacting with the European institutions is to build large and nationally diverse coalitions. The study therefore highlights the crucial role played by associations of regions ...

ALEC: a success story

The fifth edition of the Artic Light E-health Conference in Norrbotten is an opportunity to look back on one of the major achievements of the AER e-health network. The event brought together 300 participants from 16 countries in the world this year around the themes of digital transformation & health equity. Scale e-health awareness The AER e-health network was created back in 2006 to support the deployment of e-health solutions and enable experience sharing. It has since been involved in the preparation and implementation of Smart Care, the largest EU deployment project of integrated care e-services and Engaged, a mutual learning network of diverse stakeholders in the field of IT innovation and active and healthy ageing. Since 2010 AER has also been ...

Investing for green projects

While different solutions exist to reduce CO2 emissions, limit the scope and mitigate the impacts of climate change, most large-scale initiatives require substantial investments. The London plenary meetings of the AER Committees will shed some light on impact investing and in specific green investing, which is a topic on which AER has been working for several years new via the Regions4GreenGrowth INTERREG IVC project and the collaboration with the R20 in particular. Where is the money? Green impact investing refers to projects which aim to have a beneficial impact on the environment. This includes the development of renewable energy systems, building green infrastructure, reduction of climate change. Many initiatives address the need to improve the conditions of our society, for the present and future ...

Interested in EACEA Forward-Looking Cooperation Projects?

On 27 January, AER Secretariat participated in the Info day organised in Brussels by the the European Commission and the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), whose aim is to explain the funding opportunities available under Erasmus+ Key Action 3: “Support for Policy Reform – Initiatives for policy Innovation” Call n° EACEA/41/2016-  Forward-Looking Cooperation Projects.  This call is looking to fund projects, which would foster the achievement of relevant and high quality skills and competences, social inclusion, open and innovative practices in a digital era, educators, and sustainable investment, performance and efficiency. The priorities of the call are the following: Acquisition of basic skills by low-skilled adults Promoting performance-based approaches in VET Promoting innovative technology in the field of providing career guidance Professionalisation of staff (school education, including ...

Support people to find more job opportunities thanks to environmental good practices

Pro Natura is a social enterprise based in Belgium. The core of Pro Natura action is the natural landscape design. By doing so Pro Natura supports people who have troubles to find a job on the regular labour market. The organisation provides to them tailored trainings and work experience to increase the chances for a new start in their career. Pro Natura is constantly looking for organisations to join the exploration of innovative services and open to new markets to keep going in its mission. PARTNER SEARCH Pro Natura wants to get in touch with player in the social economy, local authorities, knowledge institutions, all around Europe. The goal is to get in touch with them to build an informal network to participate in European project. Pro ...

Integration in the labour market for asylum seekers and refugees: looking for project partners!

Kahramanmaras Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey), member of the Assembly of European Regions, is preparing a project proposal as lead partner in the framework of the Employment and Social Innovation EaSI programme aimed to promote a high level of quality and sustainable employment, guaranteeing adequate and decent social protection, combating social exclusion and poverty and improving working conditions. The call addressed by this project is “Fast track integration into the labour market for third country nationals targeting exclusively asylum seekers, refugees and their family members – VP/2016/015” which might be shared by other AER member regions being the topic of migrants and refugees very high in the AER agenda and discussions. The objectives of this Call are: • to promote the development and testing of innovative and effective mechanisms ...

Project on training of buddies in the fight against poverty: partner searched!

ArmenTekort is looking for European partners to develop and improve evaluation methods and an e-learning tool for their buddy concept that has as goal to combat poverty on a large scale. In particular, with this project ArmenTekort wants to: – Tune and improve the evaluation tools on empowerment and self-esteem – Tune and improve the E-learning modules, such as social skills, conversation skills and self-reliance – Up scale the  number of privileged and disadvantaged buddies The potential new partners to join the consortia should have  experience in the “buddy-concept”, in evaluation methods and e-learning tools for this target group. If you like to join this project and/or ask for additional information, please get in touch with AER Secretariat! Deadline to join this project is 14th February.

Black Sea Basin Programme 2014-2020: 1st call for projects is open!

Funding opportunities for the Black Sea area have been discussed on occasion of the 6th edition of the AER Black Sea Summit, where we had the pleasure to host experts from the Joint Operational Programme Black Sea Basin 2014-2020 which followed up in sharing within AER the public consultation they lunched  regarding the Draft Guidelines for Grant Applicants. We are now pleased to share with you the launch of the 1st call for project proposals of the ENI CBC “Black Sea Basin Joint Operational Programme 2014-2020 with the deadline of 31st of May 2017, h 23:59 (GMT+2). Please, have a careful look at the Application Pack. This call is open for project proposals contributing to all Programme thematic objectives and priorities: 1. Promote business and entrepreneurship within the ...

Partner search for a project on sustainable job creation for people with learning disabilities

Groep maatwerk, the umbrella federation of social enterprises that provide tailored work for people with disabilities in Flanders (Belgium), is looking for European partners for a project on sustainable job creation for people with learning disabilities. They want to exchange successful practices that can give an answer to this challenge and engage stakeholders on different levels: federations, employers, authorities and educational institutions. They are looking for partners with an experience in the employment of people with learning disabilities, as they want to integrate the knowledge and expertise of complementary partners. –    At least 1 federation of employers that focus on the employment of people with learning disabilities –    At least one 1 employer that demonstrates an evidence-based HR-model on the inclusion of people ...

Report from the 2016 Eurodyssey Forum in Larnaka

The 2016 Eurodyssey Forum, was kindly hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Welfare and the Union of Cyprus Municipalities from 22-24 November 2016 in Larnaka. In the following report, you will find: • Agendas • List of participants • Summary of proposals and ideas • Detailed report Workshop 1: thematic strategy and interregional cooperation • Detailed report Workshop 2: Matching lab • Detailed report Workshop 3: out of the box “Eurodyssey in 2030” • Detailed report Workshop 5: Strategic partnerships and financing Many ideas were put forward in the brainstorming and discussion workshops which will be used as a basis for the work of the Steering Committee. All additional information about the forum is available on our event page.  

Project proposals on circular economy: looking for partners!

Following the Brokerage Event “Going green in Seventeen” jointly organised by AER and ERRIN, we are glad to share with AER member regions two project proposals on circular economy that have been discussed during the break-out sessions. 1) Blue Crude Nordic Blue Crude, a single purpose company who will establish a production facility for synthetic crude oil in Norway, based on hydro power, presented the “Blue Crude” project idea, which could be fund within Horizon 2020, call LCE-19 2016-2017 Topic: “Demonstration of the most promising advanced biofuel pathways” or CIRC-01-2016-2017 Topic: “Systemic, eco-innovative approaches for the circular economy: large-scale demonstration projects” . Through this project, Nordic Blue Crude is looking for ways to fund the construction of a production plant for synthetic crude oil in Norway. Potential partners ...

Project proposal on innovative financing schemes: looking for partners!

Following the Brokerage Event “Going green in Seventeen” jointly organised by AER and ERRIN, we wish to share with AER member regions a project proposal on innovative financing schemes presented by the Municipality of Assen during one of the break-out sessions. Service costs model for sustainable measures in private houses The Municipality of Assen, a city of 67.000 inhabitants in the North of the Netherlands, is interested to develop a project proposal within Horizon 2020, EE-23-2017 call Topic: “Innovative financing schemes”, not necessarily as leading partner. Its main areas of expertise are sustainability, energy poverty and sensor. The proposed project is “Service costs model for sustainable measures in private houses” and it aims at helping owners of private houses to finance sustainable measurements such as ...

AER 2016 Summer Academy (video)

Project proposals on energy efficiency: looking for partners!

Following the Brokerage Event “Going green in Seventeen” jointly organised by AER and ERRIN, we are glad to share with AER member regions three project proposals on energy efficiency that have been discussed during the break-out sessions. 1) Groningen Smart Energy City The City of Groningen (NL) presented the project idea “Groningen Smart Energy City”, which focusses on positive energy districts, upscaling smart grids and hydrogen economy. Groningen aims at generating all the energy used in the city in a sustainable way in 2035.  The Horizon 2020 calls that could be addressed for this project are: EE-06-2016-2017 call Topic: “Engaging private consumers towards sustainable energy”, but also EE-11-2016-2017 Topic: “Overcoming market barriers and promoting deep renovation of buildings” and EE-23-2017 Topic: “Innovative financing schemes”. The City of ...

Project proposal on air quality: looking for partners!

Following the Brokerage Event “Going green in Seventeen” jointly organised by AER and ERRIN, we are happy to share with AER member region a project proposal on air quality which have been presented during one of the break-out session. This project is looking for partners to join the consortia! Green Solution for Outdoor Air Pollution Politecnico of Milano, a scientific-technological university which trains engineers, architects and industrial designers, presented the project idea “Green Solution for Outdoor Air Pollution”, which will be submitted within Horizon 2020,in relation to the call SCC-02-2016-2017 Topic: “Demonstrating innovative nature-based solutions in cities”. It proposes to use green roofs as a solution for improving air quality and life in cities. The research aims at developing a tool capable to quantify ...

Project proposal on raw materials innovation actions: looking for partners!

Following the Brokerage Event “Going green in Seventeen” jointly organised by AER and ERRIN, we wish to share with AER member regions a project proposal on raw materials innovation actions that has been discussed during one of the break-out session being this project open to other partners that could join it. Raw Materials Exchange CIRCLES and Cleantech Region are the leading partners for the “Raw Materials Exchange” project, which will be submitted within Horizon 2020,  SC5-14-2016-2017 call Topic: “Raw Materials Innovation Actions”. The idea is to develop a ‘raw materials exchange’ in (and between) 5 or 6 European regions. The project will consist of 2 main activities. The first activity consists in draw up a best practice on a European scale of existing commercial ...

Integrated care: tapping into social capital

Consent, Trust and Enablement in a Digital World In the framework of the ALEC 2017 AER organised a mutual learning workshop on social capital for integrated care. Dr. Michael Rigby, Emeritus Professor of Health Information Strategy at Keele University (UK) and Deputy Principal Investigator for the MOCHA H2020 project led by the Imperial College of London on “The Informal and Formal Virtual Care Team – Consent, Trust and Enablement in a Digital World ” We focused on stakeholder engagement, specifically on the largely untapped potential of social capital in integrated care systems. While we at least theoretically know how to involve the professionals, it is, for various technical, ethical or other reasons, difficult to enable more people around the patient to get ...

Project proposals on green buildings: looking for partners!

Following the Brokerage Event “Going green in Seventeen” jointly organised by AER and ERRIN, we are glad to share with AER member regions two project proposals on green buildings that have been discussed during the break-out sessions. 1) BTG BIM – Technology & Green Construction Skills Training Module(s) – A Transparent Training Model towards a Greener building environment  This project is led by Belfast Metropolitan College, one of the largest colleges in the UK providing further and higher education. It is designed in the framework of Horizon 2020, EE-14-2016-2017 call Topic: “Construction skills” and it aims to develop a training module for construction skills based on a prototype building example using BIM. In order to complete the consortium, Belfast Metropolitan College is looking for the following partners: ...

Successfully “Going green in Seventeen” – brokerage event on green projects

The joint AER-ERRIN brokerage event “Going green in Seventeen” which was held in Brussels, Belgium on 19 January 2017, was a great success. With a focus on Horizon 2020 energy and climate change calls with a 2017 deadline, the project brokerage session drew a myriad of representatives hailing from regional delegations, universities, companies, and public authorities. In addition, the plenary session allowed attendees to gain insight on the new call and advice on how to design a successful project proposal. This event aimed to foster the participation of our member regions in EU funded green projects, in line with our new service dedicated to assisting them with EU projects and programmes. By acting as a channel through which to facilitate the meeting and networking of ...

Public authorities wanted: two calls from Horizon 2020 programme

The brokerage event organised by AER in collaboration with ERRIN showed once again AER commitment to keep members update on funding opportunities and projects. After the last presentations on European programmes done at the Autumn Committees’ Plenary 2016 in Izmir, AER goes further with an event dedicated to one of the main European funding programmes: Horizon 2020. The brokerage was the stage for regions to present their project ideas on energy efficiency and climate change as well as the perfect place to meet potential project partners. Please, find in the event page all presentations and projects ideas shared during the brokerage event. Now, we would like to share with member region some additional information on the programme Horizon which could be particularly useful for ...

2017 Elections: call for nominations for the General Assembly and Committees

Per AER Statute and Procedures, elections for the Executive Board and the Election Committee and ratification of the members of the Bureau will occur at the General Assembly in St. Pölten (AT) on 31 May-2 June 2017. Elections for Committee Presidents will occur at the Committee’s Plenary meeting in London (UK) on 21-23 March 2017. Elections at the General Assembly Members of the Executive Board According to AER Statute 4.6, The General Assembly elects separately, for a mandate of two years, the members of the Executive Board: Position Current holder May be re-elected The President Hande Özsan Bozatli, Istanbul (TR) No The Vice-President Treasurer Magnus Berntsson, Västra Götaland (SE) No Three Vice Presidents, with assignments defined by the Executive Board* Roy Perry, Hampshire (UK), Vice President for Institutional affairs Ana Tomanova Makanova, Vojvodina (RS), Vice-President for Equal opportunities, integration ...

Youngest AER Youth Regional Network member meets “Napalm Girl”

Last December, Ms Göksu Zeybek, AER’s youngest Youth Regional Network member met with Kim Phùc, also known as the “Napalm Girl” while she was in Istanbul. Ms. Phùc, now 53 and a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, shared some of her great life lessons on forgiveness and courage to make a difference in a war-torn world. Ms Zeybek concluded from this exceptional meeting: “I was very honoured and humbled to meet with such an inspiring women (…) Her hopeful vision for the future inspired me, and if she, a woman who has experienced war first hand and suffered for many years, can have hope for the future, we all can.” Read the full article here:

European Energy Efficiency Conference 2017

In the framework of the World Sustainable Energy Days, our Member region Upper Austria is organising the European Energy Efficiency Conference 2017. It will take place in Wels, from 1 to 3 March, hosting 6 conferences and 3 interactive events. The conferences’ themes are the following: Energy Efficiency Services and Business Conference E-mobility & Smart Buildings Conference European Nearly Zero Energy Buildings Conference European Research Conference: Buildings European Energy Efficiency Watch Conference Young Researchers Conference: Energy Efficiency The interactive events will involve technical site visits, cooperation platform and tradeshow. Please find all relevant information about the detailed agenda in the Programme page and in the Info and Registration pages.

Clean Energy for all Europeans: Call for applications

Call for applications and sessions! From 19 to 25 June 2017, the EU Sustainable Energy Week is taking place in Brussels for its 12th edition. It is supported by a series of side events across Europe throughout May and June. The Assembly of European Regions would like to recommend this event and invite members to participate and get involved in such stimulating environment. The theme of this year is “Clean Energy for all Europeans“ and there are three ways to take part in it: -Apply to organise a session at the EUSEW Policy Conference in Brussels, the Europe’s largest conference dedicated to sustainable energy policy issues. Applications have just been launched. -Nominate your project or initiative for an EU Sustainable Energy Award, for ...

ALEC 2017: accelerating Digital Health

The 1 and 2 February 2017 the fifth Artic Light E-health Conference is taking place in Luleå, Sweden. Top-level thought leaders, politicians, business innovators and e-health professionals will meet to discuss and develop tools to design better health and networking. Two main themes of the Conference: the Digital Transformation of Healthcare and Health Equity in the Digital Age. The Digital Transformation of Healthcare Digital Transformation is the whole scale change to the foundational components of healthcare: from its operating model to the infrastructure, from the services provided, to who receives them. It touches every function of healthcare: workforce training, HR, finance, reimbursement and evaluation models, through operations, technology, communication and business development. Healthcare is affected by all changes occurring in society, from patient behaviours to tech, ...

Quality networking starts here

The AER Committees are a lab for innovation in the public sector. They enable vivid interregional cooperation, sustainable partnerships and mutual learning between regions in Europe. In short: quality networking. Sustained networking In order to make this true in the longer run, continuous and targeted exchanges need to be facilitated for AER members between plenary meetings. We therefore created 3 online discussion forums, one for each of the AER thematic Committees, to provide you with -follow-up exchanges on meetings -opportunities for cooperation between meetings -opportunities to represent AER at external events -a space to exchange on project ideas and relay information on open calls & partnerships -an online discussion forum on specific topics -an alternative to face to face meetings (the tool allows to make calls too) -support to stronger ...

Call for Partners: adult education, local cultural policy and superdiversity

The Commune of Ixelles is one of 19 communes/municipalities in Brussels with a local council. Along with other Brussels municipalities, and at the request of the Flemish Community, Ixelles has marked the local culture with a spirit of quality, commitment, and participation. The commune has also set up a cultural council that informs the commune about its cultural life. The Commune of Ixelles is searching for partners with experience in local community building initiatives for a Erasmus+ KA1 project on adult education in local cultural policy and superdiversity. The commune of Ixelles would like to learn how to better discover citizen initiatives of minorities and how to accompany motivated people from other communities in realising their socio-cultural projects. The idea is to gather knowledge ...

Women entrepreneurship and citizenship in Guadeloupe

As women entrepreneurship is an important issue in which the Assembly of European Regions is involved, we featured the Youth Women Win project in one of our success stories from a member region – Guadeloupe (FR). The project, which is spearheaded by Arrimage Good’iles in collaboration with C for C NGO and Groupe One, is funded by the Erasmus+ programme and aims to give vulnerable young women the means to create their employment and access to real economic independence. AER is pleased to invite you to the closing conference of Youth Women Win. The conference, which will be held on 30 January 2017 by Arrimage Good’iles in Gosier, Guadeloupe, aims to present the results of the project. C for C NGO and ...

Long term Investments, the EU and you

Are you the regional expert we need? AER has been invited to name one or two experts for the work currently being carried out at European level on long term investments. Does your region want to be involved? A High-Level Task Force on financing social infrastructure and maximising public value is being set up by the European Association of Long Term Investors and the Think Tank Integrate. This High-Level Task Force is supported by EC Vice President Jirki Katainen and the European Investment Bank. The Chair of the High-Level Task Force will be Romano Prodi and Deputy Chair Christian Sautter. Direct impact on future funding for regions The Task Force will look at long-term investments for health, education and housing in particular in order ...

Impact investments: sustainable returns to society

With the economic and financial crisis of the recent years, governments had to commit themselves to balance their budget and reduce public debt and deficit. These constraints have put limits to national expenditures, meaning that many social issues have been left aside because of a lack of funds. However, youth education, social inclusion, healthcare, climate change all have a significant impact on economic development. In order to be addressed these issues need to attract investment. What is social impact investing? Finding innovative mechanisms to finance social improvements is not something new. Some countries have already been searching for new financial sources and for ways to better and more efficiently use tight public budgets. Many public-private partnerships have been developed in order to gather resources and improve some ...

A stronger regional policy means a stronger Europe

Last week European Commissioner Corina Cretu published an article on the need for Europe to build on territorial cohesion: “Cohesion Policy alone won’t heal Europe, but Europe won’t heal without Cohesion Policy”. This idea which is very dear to AER, is particularly relevant in the current geopolitical context and is the foundation of the new AER political priority: A Strong Europe. Commissioner Cretu identifies climate change, populism and ineffective communication as major challenges for Europe and reasserts the need for a policy, which is close to citizens’ needs and visible to citizens. And indeed Cohesion Policy is key to turning speeches into actions: This is why AER members gathered last September to demand a strong renewed EU Regional Policy after 2020. Under ...

Interested in prevention and early intervention of behavioural problems in schools?

Education is arguably essential to the development and improvement of the lives of young people. Indeed, a myriad of factors can affect the pupil’s progress in school along with that of other pupils in the same environment, especially when related to behavioural problems. Toppunt vzw is an association of pupil guidance centres in Ghent (Interstedelijk CLB Gent, VCLB regio Gent en CLB GO Gent) that works closely with schools, pupils and parents. This association works according to the principles of action-oriented cooperation (AOC or HGW), and has experience implementing this framework within experimental groups of schools and guidance centres. Their work focuses on working together effectively with everyone who is involved in supporting the pupil. Toppunt vzw is looking for partners for ...

Partner search: food surpluses and/or secondary flows

KOMOSIE (Koepel van Milieuondernemers in de Sociale Economie) is the non-profit umbrella organisation of recognised reuse centres and energy savers in Flanders. Since 2013 Komosie has been building up a new ‘branch’: Foodsaving – being socially active with food surplus and secondary flows. Komosie brings together social economy enterprises that carry out activities with ecological added value and provides them with support for their professional operation. Komosie wants to help protect the environment, all the while creating and maintaining jobs for at-risk groups in the labour market. KOMOSIE is searching for partners for a project on food surpluses and/or secondary flows, in the framework of the Interreg 2 Seas programme. They want to strengthen the network of social enterprises and organisations that ...

Pilot projects for minority groups and multiculturalism supported by Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme

One of the strengths and richness of the EU is its diversity. AER is the place where local and regional diversities are indeed represented being a value for mutual learning and exchange of experiences. Mutual understanding, acceptance and tolerance is a core element of fruitful coexistence of different ethnic, religious, national and linguistic groups, as well as of different generations and minority groups. The REC-Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme 2014-2020, managed by the DG Justice, defends the rights and freedoms that people are entitled to under EU law. In the frame of this call “Pilot Project – Europe of diversities” – REC-RPPI-EUDI-AG-2016″ programmes, projects or activities that already achieved good results are wanted to share or be improved by new inputs and higher ambitions. With ...

Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees under the spot: two new funding opportunities

Migrants and refugees are on the top of the European Commission agenda since the flow of people coming to Europe blow up. AER is also closely following this topic big very high in the agenda of European regions, which had discussed it on occasion of several AER meetings, in particular during the 2015 AER General Assembly & Autumn Bureau and the 2016 Committees Spring Plenary Meetings. Since 2015, different strategies were put in place by the European Commission to look for complementary solutions to manage the issue. It now goes further to support organisations, institutions and other stakeholders with other calls for proposals especially targeting the group of migrants or third-countries nationals as call in the call for proposals, refugees and their families. The first opportunity ...

Q&A: Regions as partners for youth?

The Assembly of European Regions has a long history supporting youth issues, with a particular focus on lifelong learning and economic development since its creation in 1985. A recent example of AER’s dedication to the field is that of its involvement in the “EU Regions – Partners for Youth” workshop that it organised with Harghita County Council (RO) and the Romanian delegation to the COR. Among the issues that were discussed in the debate, youth unemployment and youth empowerment stood as pressing concerns. A series of questions resulted from the workshop, to which written answers have been provided by the speakers to follow-up on the discussion that took place during the event. In this regard, Mr. Gyula Winkler, Member of European Parliament, answered the ...

AER and cohesion policy: fighting for regional interests

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is closely following the ongoing European debates on cohesion policy, whose future is uncertain. Aiming at defending regions’ interests in this field and make their voices heard, AER has been and will continue to work intensively on this issue. Context To begin with, on 28 September 2016, during the Summit of the Regions in Brussels, AER and its long-time partner Lower Austria (AT) organised an important event that gathered together high ranking European politicians and officials. More than 300 regions signed and sent to EU politicians, including Mrs Corina Creţu, EU Commissioner for Regional policy, a book asking for regions to be more involved in shaping cohesion policy. Between 7 and 10 November 2016, the AER Committees met in Izmir ...

Interreg MED second call: opening on 30th January

The Interreg MED 2014-2020 is the transnational European Cooperation Programme for the Mediterranean area, aimed to promote sustainable growth in the Mediterranean area by fostering innovative concepts and practices and a reasonable use of resources and by supporting social integration through an integrated and territorially based cooperation approach. The second call for project proposals will open on 30th January 2017 at 12:00 (Paris Time) and close on 31 March 2017 at 12:00 (Paris time). The call will be restricted on different levels. First, only three types of projects will be allowed:  “Testing” projects (M2) “Capitalising” projects (M3) “Integrated” projects: “studying” (M1) + “testing” (M2)+ “capitalising” (M3) No other types of projects will be allowed. For detailed explanation about the Interreg MED project typology and architecture, please read Chapter 2 of the ...

Join our team for an internship opportunity on EU projects (now closed)

Are you interested to become a new intern at AER Secretariat working on EU projects? We are looking for an intern to work with us at AER Brussels office being part of the Project Unit following the implementation of current projects and supporting the development of the foreseen activities. Under the supervision of the European Projects & Private Partnership Coordinator, the intern will: support the services of the Project Unit to AER members as partners search and follow up map regularly call for proposals and relevant information on funding support the implementation of the running projects in terms of activities and finances contribute in drafting documents to join new project proposals Finally, the intern will assist the team in general office management tasks. This is who we ...

Condemning violence, standing united with victims

The barbaric and cowardly events of the past 24 hours urge us to react and to condemn, once again, all forms of violence against citizens and to show the solidarity of European regions to the people of Germany, Russia and Switzerland. Our condolences go to the victimes and their families in Berlin, to the Russian diplomacy and family of Ambassador Karlov and to the injured in Zurich. We stand for a strong Europe, for tolerance, freedom and peace in Europe and the Middle East and call on all leaders, national and regional, to redouble efforts to manage the global crisis that is jeopardising our societies.

Meeting Spanish regional diversity and interests

On the week from 12 to 16 December, AER Vice-President Treasurer Magnus Berntsson, Vice-President of the region of Västra Götaland (SE), reached out to five Spanish regions, non members of AER, to inform them about the new ways of working of the organisation, and hear about their needs and priorities. As he stated after the week of meetings: “it is indeed key to constantly adapt our work and our focus, to stay in line with what really matters for the regions of Europe, and there is nothing better than face-to-face meetings with the main stakeholders, in their own region, to understand these needs and the fabulous diversity of our territories!”. Mr. Berntsson was accompanied in this important task by Charlotte Beijer, Seconded Officer to Mr. ...

AER answer to EC consultation on State aid to airports

The AER working group on mobility & transports has long been involved in the defense of regional airports as they constitute often one of the only sustained connection with other territories for remote regions. They have therefore a crucial economic development role which justifies the support they get from governments. While regions are nowadays also working on developping alternate and less polluting forms of transports (as exemplified during the joint plenary meetings in Izmir last November), regional airports are still vital for the regional development of many of them, as was underlined in the AER position on regional airports in 2013. Roger Estefors, the AER expert on regional airports acting on behalf of the AER working group on Mobility and Transports, ...

E-health, connect the dots: connect people

In areas involving multiple stakeholders, communication is important to avoid misunderstandings and improve collaboration & co-creation This is the absolutely the case of e-health! While this health innovation area involves many different kinds of activities and stakeholders, it is still often difficult to generate common understanding. it is therefore urgent to create opportunities for genuine discussion and sharing of experiences. In an ever changing environment, bringing stakeholders together is fundamental to let ideas develop and cooperation happen. Share experiences AER is proud of the success of the event it organised on December 1st in Brussels, “E-health: let’s find a common language!” together with Brussels Capital region and partner networks. The objective was to increase collaboration and improve communication among stakeholders, beginning at the regional level. ...

Attack in Kayseri

AER is deeply moved and strongly condemns the terrorist attack of 17 December in its member region of Kayseri (TR). We stand together, united and in solidarity, with the families of the victims, with the authorities, and with the Turkish people.

Come discover a Turkish Women Lobby Association

Under the framework of the topic of Equal opportunities and Inclusion, lies the topic of Gender Equality, which has been a key priority of AER for many years. In this vein, we are sharing information on the About All Women Lobby Association (AWLA or TÜKAL in Turkish), a leading Turkish Women Lobby Group. Founded in May 2006, AWLA is a NGO which provides support to Turkish Women by using their knowledge and experience to determine the future of Turkey in national and international fields. AWLA’s goal is to create and identify a Woman Status in Turkey, which does not fully exist yet. AWLA’s doors are open to all individuals and institutions. Should you be interested in getting in touch with them, please ...

Interreg Europe: 3rd call opens on March 2017

The end of the year brings to regions the opening of the call for proposals of one of the main programmes for regional authorities, the Interreg Europe . The third call will open on 1 March and close on 30 June 2017. The application pack will be  available online in January 2017. To learn more information and to understand how you can already start your involvement in a project proposal, check the Interreg Europe announcement, read carefully the programme manual and join the Interreg Europe community. Here the link to the page of the programme for what concerns call for projects. AER Secretariat will closely follow the developments to give you the last updates on this call for proposals. Do not hesitate to get in touch with the ...

Europe for Citizens: 2017 deadlines are published

The European project stands on the participation of their citizens. Without a feeling of ownership the European Union can not exist as we know. Based also on this consideration, the European Commission promotes since decades the programme “Europe for Citizens”. The programme is in the same flow as the 2016 new year resolution taken by AER and its members to put their energies on democracy, human rights and civic participation. The programme “Europe for Citizens” has been thought as a “plug and play” programme to allow all sorts of organisations to be able to access and manage their projects. The programme is composed by two actions, called strands: European remembrance (Strand 1): raise awareness of remembrance, common history and values and the Union’s aim Democratic ...

Inclusion and participation of European Citizens in host countries: call for proposals

Democracy is the core of our living together and the civic and political participation its more natural expression. Since several years the European Commission and the other European Institutions have been raising the worry of low electoral participation and the consequences on the quality of European democracy. AER and regions are aware of this issues. How to increase the democratic participation is one of the driving goals of our network. AER and member regions made a clear choice when choosing to focus on “Revitalizing democracy”. In several events of this year, 2016 AER General Assembly and Spring Bureau and AER Youth Regional Network, the discussion around citizens participations, digital democracy and others were the focus of the agenda. The call for proposals on “Action ...

A recognition of excellence

The 2016 European Summit on Innovation for Active and Healthy Ageing was an opportunity to highlight the excellent initiatives from regions across Europe. The Summit brought together diverse stakeholders to boost Europe’s competitive advantage in the Silver Economy The Silver what? Europe is growing older and while this is a challenge because society has to adapt its strategies, products and services, it could also be an opportunity. Indeed in terms of world demographic trends, Europe will become older first. If Europe innovates first it will get a competitive advantage. If a large part of the population is getting older this means also a new market is being created, hence the reference to the Silver economy. the Silver Economy is believed to grow ...

Get the European label for your festivals

Festivals in regions across Europe make it a vibrant cultural space. Did you know that you could get a European label for the festivals in your regions? The EFFE (Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe) label 2017-2018 Call is now open. This initiative of the European Festivals Association (EFA), co-financed by the EU, is a European Union initiative to label and award successful festivals throughout Europe under a specific set of criteria: artistic commitment and innovative approaches, involvement in local communities and a European and global outlook. If your region is running a festival, and interested in having a quality label of international recognition, please feel free to apply for the EFFE Label 2017-2018. The deadline is 17 March 2017. For more information or to ...

Don’t miss our brokerage event on green projects, tailored just for you

Within the effort on working on projects and funding, AER Secretariat launched the first brokerage event on energy and climate change projects in order to foster the participation of AER member regions in EU funded projects, build consortia and enlarge the cooperation and partnerships with relevant European stakeholders. Being the access to funding opportunities through EU projects and programmes crucial for regions, AER developed a dedicated service for regions which consist in assisting them in finding project partners, disseminating project information to the whole network, taking part in projects and assisting with the project writing and development. The  brokerage event is part of the new services provided to our member regions to develop project ideas and join EU projects. AER decided to ...

Call for European partners: empowering volunteer instructors/teachers

DINAMO is a Belgian independent non-profit organisation that organises education for adults. Remarkably, all of their courses, workshops and outings are given or led by volunteer experts and instructors. Ten professional team members direct 230 volunteers who deliver and lead some 400 activities per year. The average participant enrols in about 2.3 activities, which means DINAMO counts about 6,000 enrolments per year. This makes DINAMO the largest provider of personal growth and development, being a sustainable source of volunteer work and networking opportunities for all. DINAMO wishes to collaborate with European partners to seek a methodology to strengthen, coach and evaluate volunteer instructors within its project “Empowering volunteer instructors/teachers”. In particular, DINAMO is interested to find answers/solutions to the following questions: Which educational skills and ...

Are you interested to develop a project on education & skills for young innovators?

We are happy to share with you a project proposal from a key stakeholder of our member region Umbria (IT) who is looking for a partner to lead the project and to work with them! This idea was presented to the AER Secretariat by Agenzia Umbria Ricerche – AUR as the Research Agency of Umbria Region for social, economical and territorial affairs. AUR has a solid background in the drafting and implementation of EU projects co-funded both by Structural Funds and EU programmes in the areas of youth entrepreneurship, mobility schemes industry, tourism and cultural heritage, research and innovation, etc. The project is developed within Horizon 2020 – Europe in a changing world – Inclusive, innovative and reflective Societies, Topic “Education and skills: empowering Europe’s young ...

Looking for EU partners: social employment & elderly care

In different European countries, the European Social Fund agencies are launching calls for transnational collaboration. In Belgium, Flanders different projects were approved to go to the second phase. In this phase the Flemish organisations are looking for European partners, who are interested in the same topic and who want to collaborate, with funds from their own local ESF agency. De Biehal is looking for European partners, to collaborate around a project idea on the use of social employment in the sectors assisted living and elderly care. This project focuses on two sectors, having looked at some urgent issues from both perspectives and willing to connect them: social economy (social employment) and assisted living and elderly care. The questions raised are the following: How can ...

Message of condolences following the death of Mr Jean-Claude Frécon

It is with great sadness that I was informed of the sudden death of Senator Jean-Claude Frécon, late President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Local and regional authorities have lost a talented defender of subsidiarity and the Assembly of European Regions a trusted friend. I present, on behalf of all AER members, our sincerest condolences to his wife Ginette and his three children. Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli President, Assembly of European Regions

Looking for partners: project on living with Islam

The Autonomous Region of Navarra (Spain) – General Directorate for Peace, Coexistence and Human Rights is looking for partners in order to apply for a project concerning the Coexistence with Islam, in the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme for the topic “Support dialogue and exchange of best practice in fostering tolerance and mutual respect” (Topic identifier: REC-RRAC-RACI-AG-2016). The partners should preferably be EU bodies, public or private, preferably regional, or cities of large or medium size which are interested in developing intercultural strategies in their villages and/or neighborhoods. The project’s approach requires from each partner to work in its own territorial area of competence in cooperation with small towns and small-sized cities or in larger city neighborhoods that have a certain social organization. The ...

Looking for partners: “Cognition and Inclusion” – persons with disabilities

AER continues its focus on people with disabilities also on the projects side. Following its participation on 29 and 30 November at the European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2016 organised by the European Disability Forum and the European Commission in Brussels and the work carried out by the Working Group “Equal Europe for People with Disabilities” within AER Social Policy and Public Health Committee, it is now time to share concrete actions that could foster an inclusive society. Den Achtkanter, a Belgian organisation supporting learning disabled adults, is looking for European partners to build the project ‘Cognition and Inclusion’ within the Erasmus+ programme. An inclusive society adapts the environment physically and mentally to the disabled person, taking into account the ‘disabilities’ . Although ...

AER reacquainting with Italian regions

Following the decision of the AER Executive Board, widely supported by the General Assembly, to strengthen the links between the Assembly of European Regions and the Italian regions, an AER delegation visited four regions on 21-25 November 2016. The delegation was led by Sonja Steen, President of the Committee on Youth, Culture and Education and Mayor of Nordland County Council (NO), accompanied by Eirik Fiva, Head of International Relations in Nordland County; and Alexandre Brecx, Coordinator for members and institutional relations within the AER Secretariat. Focus on Central Italy A first successful visit of that kind to the Italian regions has been organized earlier this year, focusing mainly on the North. The delegation paid this time a visit to two long-standing AER members: Abruzzo and Umbria, as ...

Handbook on early school leaving: send your region’s good practices!

In order to conclude a 3 year engagment on combatting early school leaving in the regions via mutual learning, the  AER working group on early school-leaving is now compiling a handbook with a collection of good pratices. Several of these good practices have been showcased during the different meetings. Others have been identified and shared within the context of the ERASMUS+ project Joint Efforts To Combat School Dropout (JET-CD), which just ended. The idea of the handbook is to highlight regional good practices and compile them in a format, which allows for quick analysis and comparison in order to facilitate the transfer of good practices between regions. On the occasion of the AER Fall Plenary meeting in Izmir, the working group ...

Shedding light on the European Fund for Strategic Investments

In the framework of series of events on “Investing in the future: new perspectives for the regions” AER organised a conference on the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) on 30 November. The event was kindly hosted by Mr Filip Dierckx, Vice-Chairman of the Board, BNP Paribas Fortis and opened by AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli. We were honoured to welcome the Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr Jyrki Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness and Mr Matthijs van Miltenburg, Member of the European Parliament. The objective of the session was to provide regions with a comprehensive picture of the otherwise distant and complex EFSI. MEP van Miltenburg, who referred to himself as a “constructive liberal”, used his intervention as an “early warning” to ...

Partner search on entrepreneurship support schemes for the Syrian migrant community

A member of the Assembly of European Regions, Kahramanmaras Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey), is going to submit a new project within the Call for Proposals for Migrants Entrepreneurship Support Schemes launched by the European Commission – Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), deadline 20 December 2016 17.00 hours (Brussels time). The project idea deals with the establishment of a Migrant Education, Training and Advice (META) centre to support the Syrian migrant community in order to set up their own businesses. The centre will provide migrants with the opportunity to become more familiar with the local business and regulatory environment as well as local language courses. The lead partner is looking for two additional partners to complete the consortium, coming from EU members and COSME ...

AER at European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2016

Ángel Bonafé Osca, Director of the Valencian Institute for Social Action and María Sorzano Castellón, European Project Manager represented AER on 29 and 30 November at the European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2016 organised by the European Disability Forum and the European Commission in Brussels. UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities: 10 years! The conference evaluated the progress made in the EU to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, based on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This topic has been dealt with extensively at AER in the Committee on Social Policy and Public Health in previous years. A handbook for regional policy-makers was for instance published in 2010 which is a very ...

E-health: how to find a common language?

Regional governments and their stakeholders, in particular, companies shared experiences on 1 December 2016 at the “E-health: let’s find a common language” event hosted by Brussels Capital at the Committee of the Regions. The event aimed at providing participants with information on funding opportunities in the field of healthcare,  new connections, tested ideas to improve communication between stakeholders, inspiration and mutual understanding. Genuine exchanges E-health brings together stakeholders which are not always used to work together. While improving cooperation is on all lips, the consequences of miscommunication are often under-estimated. The so-called geek gap is costing millions to the economy. The cultural clash between different stakeholders prevents them from building trust and deepen cooperation. The event, therefore, was designed with a strong focus on enabling ...

Cultural heritage & the environment

Natural disasters and extreme climate-related events are among some of the risks that are threatening the livelihood of cultural heritage sites. Indeed, climate change is negatively impacting the preservation of these sites, especially in terms of environmental, economic and social aspects. As cultural heritage is a topic of high interest to many regions and to AER Committee 3 for Culture, Education & Youth in particular, we wish to inform you about an interesting event organised by the European Commission – DG Research and Innovation where policy makers, stakeholders, researchers and innovators will gather together to discuss the latest developments on cultural heritage at risk. The event titled “Cultural heritage, disaster resilience and climate change: the contribution on EU Research and Innovation”, focuses ...

And the winner is…

The region of Brussels-Capital (BE) and the Province of Noord-Brabant (NL) were recognised in the 10th AER Regional Innovation Award on 30 November in the framework of the series of events on “Investing in the future: new perspectives for the regions”. The award ceremony was hosted by BNP Paribas Fortis and handed over by the AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and Mr Jean-Luc Vanraes, President of AER Committee on Economy and regional development. In this edition, the Award aimed at recognising initiatives in the field of circular economy. The jury decided to recognise two projects in the framework of the Regional Innovation Award: 2016 AER Regional Innovation Award to Brussels-Capital Region (BE) for the initiative “Brussels Regional Program for a Circular Economy (BRPCE)” & 2016 Special ...

Pushing the rural agenda forward for a sustainable future

On 29 November, the Parliamentary Intergroup on Rural, Mountainous, and Remote Areas (RUMRA) and Mercedes Bresso, Chair of RURMA, hosted a breakfast debate on the need of addressing the energy needs of rural and mountainous areas. The event brought together both industry and policy makers, including Brendan Devlin of the European Commission, who discussed the prospect of the Energy Agenda for Rural and Mountainous Areas. Committee 1 Vice-President Damir Zobenica (Vojvodina-RS) participated at the event and stated, “AER members represent different parts of the continent. A bit more than 50% of our members are composed mainly of rural areas. A lot of focus is currently put on the EU urban agenda. Yet, a sound territorial development will only happen if urban ...

E-health: the future of healthcare!

  The new era of technology has opened a way to build an innovative system of healthcare, the so called e-health. It’s not only about technological improvements, the way of thinking is mainly changing. Many sectors are involved and the consequent shortcomings in communication and efficiency need to be addressed. E-health and diversity The healthcare system is now moving towards a new frontier. Open spaces for scientific information as online database for patients, forum for experience sharing and connections among stakeholders might be soon available. This new e-health environment is in fact bringing together stakeholders from very different sectors. Medical, business and technological companies need to work together. The diversity, however, is often generating communication problems which bring about not negligible consequences. Bad quality services, inefficiency, ...

EU Cohesion Policy and its governance: an academic debate

On 9 November 2016, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) organised a conference to present and debate on the “Handbook on Cohesion Policy in the EU”, edited by Prof Dr Simona Piattoni, from the University of Trento, and Dr Laura Polverari, Senior Research Fellow at the European Policies Research Centre of the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. The conference was moderated by Sarah Sheil, Head of Unit “Structural Policies” at the European Parliament Research Service. Dr Piattoni presented the handbook. Instead of chapters on how Cohesion Policy (CP) impacted each one of the EU Member States, a different approach, focussing on problems, was chosen. Authors insisted on the highly political nature of this policy and the debates behind it. Several chapters analyse ...

YRN members take bold decisions on the future of their organisation

Gathered for their Plenary meeting in the County of Vrancea (Romania) from 18 to 20 November 2016, the delegates from the AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) took strong decisions on the future of their organisation, to make it more adapted to the realities faced by youth in their regions, more relevant, more transparent and more efficient. The latest Plenary meeting of the YRN has been a great opportunity for the members to express their wishes and concerns over the network, with open discussions and honest debates. This preliminary work will now give a strong mandate to the YRN Presidium to present a final statutory document, that will be presented, amended, and voted at the next General Assembly. Closer relationship with the Assembly ...

Call for Proposals for Migrants Entrepreneurship Support Schemes by EASME

Against the backdrop of economic crisis, terrorism, rising populism, and Brexit, Europe is faced with an unprecedented influx of migratory flows. This dramatic increase in the number of migrants and refugees arriving at Europe’s borders poses a great challenge to its member states, especially in terms of integration. This migration issue is not only affecting the member states, but also the regional territories that compose the member states. Indeed, AER grasps the importance of this phenomenon and has contributed to finding solutions in various ways. AER focused on the migration challenge during the 2015 AER General Assembly & Autumn Bureau, and since then, has taken actions and disseminated information towards its member regions on Calls for Proposals in the field of integration, social ...

Sibenik-Knin (HR) welcomes the Eurodyssey Forum in 2017

The 2016 Annual Forum of the Eurodyssey took place in Larnaka (CY) from 22-24 November 2016. At this occasion, Sibenik-Knin County offered to host the 2017 Annual Forum of the programme. The vent will most probably take place in the second semester of 2017 (Sept. or Oct.) Sibenik-Knin is an AER member since 2012, active in the Eurodyssey programme since 2013. Download the presentation. Eurodyssey is the AER youth mobility programme used by regions as a tool to tackle unemployment and provide their young people with a concrete way to improve their CV and professional experience. Eurodyssey prides itself in the quality of its exchanges which is the result of careful matching for each participant in the programme and a tailored approach to ...

Eurodyssey regions make “fair” mobility a reality

The 2016 Eurodyssey annual forum took place in Larnaka, Cyprus, from 22-24 November. The topic at the centre of the discussions was “fair mobility”. Eurodyssey is AER’s international youth mobility programme, providing young people with opportunities to engage in internships in in other European countries thus easing the access to the job market. Eurodyssey is an excellent tool for regions to tackle youth unemployment. The programme benefits from many unique traits that were presented during the Forum. AER Committee 3 Vice-President and Chairman of Hedmark County Council (NO) Mr Dag Rønning stated “the Eurodyssey programme is a flagship initiative in AER, a perfect illustration of true interregional cooperation and an exemplary service that provides true added value for the regions involved”. ...

The European Solidarity Corps: Acting for Europe (video)

Although Mr Joseph Jammar, Head of Representation of the European Commission in Belgium could not take part in the Eurodyssey Forum in Cyprus, he prepared a video message for the participants to provide them with information on the future European Solidarity Corps in the framework of the conference “A fair mobility”. The European Solidarity Corps (ESC) is conceived to offer people under 30 in Europe the chance to support a non-governmental organisation (NGO), local authority or private company active in addressing challenging situations across the European Union – for instance: rebuilding communities following natural disasters; addressing social challenges such as social exclusion, poverty, health and demographic challenges; or working on the reception and integration of refugees. The Corps will develop its own distinct identity, ...

Eurodyssey success story from MSF Brussels (video)

Joffrey Monnier works for MSF in Brussels and if a former Eurodyssey trainee. He took part in the programme in 2004 in Paris. Convinced by the added value of Eurodyssey, Joffrey continues to work with interns from the programme and has even hired two. He and Ghislain Massotte explain the benefits of the programme and the importance of youth mobility for access to the job market. Eurodyssey is the AER youth mobility programme used by regions as a tool to tackle unemployment and provide their young people with a concrete way to improve their CV and professional experience. Eurodyssey prides itself in the quality of its exchanges which is the result of careful matching for each participant in the programme and ...

Cyprus on the starting blocks for youth mobility

After successfully hosting the 2016 annual Eurodyssey Forum, Cyprus is on the starting blocks to launch its mobility programme. The Forum was an excellent opportunity for Eurodyssey coordinators to get to know their new partner in order to ensure a smooth integration into the programme. The Forum was opened by Mr Alexandros Alexandrou, Director of the Department of Labour, Ministry of Labour and Social insurance and Mr Christos Hatziyiangou, Acting Secretary General of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities. Mr Savvas Savvides, Mayor of Akanthou, and representative to the AER for the Union of Cyprus Municipalities was also present on this occasion after his recent involvement in the AER Bureau in Vienna in October. The Eurodyssey programme in Cyprus is co-funding by the ...

EFSI: a concrete opportunity for regions

The Investment Plan for Europe, also known as “Juncker Plan“, adapted in 2014, is built around three pillars: the European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI) the European Investment Project Portal (EIPP) and the European Investment Advisory Hub (EIAH) Improving Investment Environment. The focus of the AER briefing seminar on 30 November with EC Vice president Jirki Katainen will be on EFSI, the main instrument for boosting investment, employment and economic growth in general. The total investment target is EUR 315 billion in additional to public and private investment over the next three years. EFSI has been launched together with the EIB Group – European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund – and the European Commission. The activities on which EFSI focuses are strategic infrastructures; education, ...

Health innovation ecosystems: who’s in?

(If you feel you understand all of the words of the title but not the title itself, please read through, you will be seeing clearly soon)   E-health, economic growth & social change Delegates at the AER Committees joint Fall Plenaries in Izmir (TR) had the opportunity to participate in a workshop on health innovation ecosystems, which is a continuation of the work initiated by Committee 1 President Jean-Luc Vanraes and Committee 2 President Agneta Granström in the field of e-health last Spring in Timis (RO). Indeed while demographic change should be an opportunity to develop IT innovation and e-health technologies, SMEs are the backbone of the European economy and more than ever before regions need to support their companies in being able ...

Committees plenaries: results for projects, good practice exchange and lobbying

During the joint plenaries delegates had the opportunity to participate in 2 workshops aimed at identifying project ideas, topics for good practices and lobbying activities to be carried out within the network. The workshops were also an opportunity to share information about upcoming EU calls for projects. Youth empowerment for a sustainable Europe Sharing experiences: the case of Izmir After a presentation on the development of youth training in the Izmir Peninsula, where several initiatives have been implemented to ensure young people are trained, remain in the area and valorise its cultural heritage, delegates were informed about the awareness raising and engagement efforts of the region in terms of European affairs and relations. Quite interestingly in order to increase knowledge about opportunities, the department ...

BNP Paribas Fortis: partner for expats

Welcome to Belgium The presence of the EU and other international institutions, plus a large number of multinational companies and NGOs, has made Belgium a popular place to live and work. The documentary series made by TV5 Monde on the ‘Capital of Europe’ clearly illustrates this. Today we invite you to discover a side of a city that is more than just the capital of a State: Brussels . It’s the capital of Belgium, capital of Flanders and the Brussels-Capital Region but especially it’s the capital of Europe. Due to its geographic positioning, and its cultural and economic resources, it is the real hub of Europe. Thanks to the presence of the European institutions and many other international organizations, more and more expatriates ...

Committee elections in Izmir

The AER Committees were in Izmir from 7-10 November for the Autumn Committees Plenaries at which time elections took place for the open positions. We would like to congratulate Mr Martin Tollen (Östergötland-SE), Mr Kenneth Johannesson (Värmland-SE), Mr Michiel Rijsberman, (Flevoland-NL)and Mr Damir Zobenica (Vojvodina-RS) for their election. The Committees are now composed of the following politicians: AER Committee 1 for Economy and Regional Development President: Jean-Luc Vanraes, Political representative of the Government, Brussels-Capital (BE) Vice-president for Rural development, Energy and Environment: Kenneth Backgård, County Councillor in Norrbotten (SE) Vice-Presidency for Economic Development and Mobility: Damir Zobenica (Vojvodina, RS) (elected in Izmir) Chair of the working group on Investment, Business and SMEs: Jean-Luc Vanraes, Political representative of the Government, Brussels-Capital (BE) Chair of the working group on Mobility ...

COP22 – AER at the forefront of regional climate change fight in Marrakech

After the COP 21 in Paris last year that led to a historic agreement in the reduction of 40% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2013, the COP 22 in Marrakech is the COP of implementation measures. With the danger of a State like the United States withdrawing its engagement, the mood is bleak in the COP corridors. Another illustration of the importance of local and regional governments. When States fail, we can make a difference, as cities and regions are responsible for 80% of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. To show the commitment of European regions to fight climate change, AER came with a strong delegation : President Hande Özsan Bozati, Vice President Magnus Berntsson, Youth Regional Network President Gloria Vitaly ...

100 Solutions Projects Campaign: most projects from AER member regions were preselected!

AER is pleased to announce that the “100 Solutions Projects Campaign,” launched by R20 in collaboration with AER as the campaign’s European partner and under the mandate of the Leonardo di Caprio Foundation, has just completed its first round of preselection. This preselection test aimed at qualifying the projects that were most in line with the campaign’s priorities. Most of the submitted projects from AER member regions passed the test. The AER members’ preselected projects are: Albania – Korca; LED Georgia – Batumi; Waste Georgia – Batumi; Waste Georgia – Imereti Region- Kutaisi; LED Ireland – Donegal; LED Ireland – Donegal; RE Italy – Molise Region; Waste Italy – Trentino; RE Italy – Trentino; RE Italy – Veneto Region – Affi; RE Portugal– Madeira; LED Portugal – Madeira; RE Portugal – Madeira; RE Portugal – Madeira; ...

Committee 2 takes a closer look at the health of refugees

At their plenary meeting in Izmir on 9 November 2016, Committee 2 took a closer look at the challenges facing regions for tackling the health of refugees. The work on this topic was initiated in September this year when AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli visited Saint-Pierre University Hospital in Brussels to raise awareness on the issue. The visit crystallised the numerous challenges that medical practitioners face to provide care to asylum seekers and the need to share expertise among regions. Committee 2 took advantage of their presence in Izmir to hear from Ms Fatma Sıla Asıbostan, Health Care worker at ASAM, Multi Service Center for Refugees. She highlighted the specific needs of asylum seekers in Izmir which include providing information and training, with interpreters but ...

Join AER at COP22

AER is pleased to invite its member regions to the AER/R20 and partners joint event at the COP22 entitled Innovative Value Chain & Financial Ecosystem for Sub-national Governments this upcoming Saturday, November 12 (Sebou Room, green zone, from 3pm to 4:30pm). This COP 22 side event, will be the opportunity to show how concretely AER fights climate change by helping its members get access to financing for green projects. Thanks to the AER partnership with R20 in the “100 Solutions Projects Campaign,” which is under the mandate of the Leonardo di Caprio Foundation, AER member regions are able to get access either to free green audits of their green policy or to free financing to implement climate change mitigation measures. Being the largest ...

AER’s Committees meet in Izmir for talks on sustainable mobility

“Sustainability is key for all development and the regions have an important role to play in this” AER President, Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, said in her opening speech. “Regions are diverse, as are the problems we face when working towards sustainability. That is why cooperation between regions all over Europe is important” she said an pointed out that Izmir sets an example for regions to drive sustainable mobility. In his opening words, the host and Mayor of Izmir, Mr Aziz Kocaoglu underlined this and stated “Izmir’s objective is to get to a really sustainable world, and it starts with a sustainable region” The conference on sustainable mobility took place on 8 November in the framework of the Autumn Committees Plenary in Izmir ...

Sustainable mobility: the way forward

The modernisation and democratisation of means of transports have radically changed how we perceive distances and the world in general. At the same time resource scarcity, climate change and geopolitical stakes have obliged us to re-think models of mobility. Sustainable mobility: a brand new world From 7 to 10 November AER members are gathered in Izmir (TR) on the occasion of the Fall Plenary meetings of the 3 AER thematic Committees. The overarching theme of this series of meetings is sustainable mobility, because mobility is first of all access – to work, education, goods and services including health, friends and family. Choices in mobility therefore directly affect the competitiveness of territories but also rural-urban relations, territorial and social cohesion, fairness in terms ...

We’re on Instagram !

In an endless worry of keeping AER up to date with the modern world and bringing the organisation closer to its members, partners and friends, we are happy to announce that we now hold a fresh account on Instagram! After our recent great news of reaching 3.000 friends on Facebook and 2.000 followers on Twitter, after having successfully re-launched a YouTube channel, time had come for climbing a step further in the world of social medias. the Instagram account will be a nice way to share the best moments of AER, the people and faces behind our network, and of course the beautiful regions we’re lucky to visit for all our events. Join us now on Instagram and share your best AER moments and memories with ...

Democracy at play in EU-Turkey relations

The stakes of the EU-Turkey relation at this extremely crucial point in time bring us to the very relevant “Turkey and the EU: Shared Challenges and Common Opportunities” panel discussion that was held on 18 October by the Istanbul Policy Center – Sabanci University – Stiftung Mercator Initiative and Friends of Turkey in the European Parliament. The panel was composed of Mr. Fuat Keyman, Mr. Artis Pabriks, Ms. Nilgün Arisan Eralp, Ms. Kati Piri, Ms. Alexandra Stiglmayer, Ms. Senem Aydin-Düzgit, Ms. Nathalie Tocci, and Ms. Ilke Toygür. Just as the European Union has been facing extraordinary challenges in recent years, so too is Turkey undergoing difficult times of its own. While the European Union deals with the economic crisis, the refugee crisis and Brexit, Turkey is confronted with its ...

Culture as a driver of economic growth in the regions of the EU

On 13 October, as part of the the 14th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) in Brussels, the workshop, “Culture and creative industries in the Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (R3S): how are regions handling it?” was held. It fell under the Sustained and sustainable economic growth theme of EWRC. The workshop analysed how EU regions can support culture and creative industries (CCI) through the use of structural funds. It also discussed, in a broader sense, other EU initiatives that benefit creativity on the regional level, including Creative Europe, European Capitals of Culture, and other projects funded under the INTERREG programme and the EU Investment Plan. The chair was Mr. Walter Zampieri; and the speakers included Mr. Patrick Cocquet, Mr. Carlo ...

At the intersection of urban policies and the migration issue

On 13 October, as part of the the 14th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) in Brussels, the workshop, “Migration and Cities: Territorial Aspects of Migration” was held. It fell under the Inclusive economic growth theme of EWRC. The workshop focused on the intersection of urban policies and the issues of migration, which tend to be discussed separately although migration is primarily concentrated in urban areas. The speakers – Ms. Aspa Gospodini, Mr. William Le Goff, and Ms. Yvonne Franz – presented three different cases of the interdependencies between migrants and urban areas, using data from Greek cities, Paris, and Vienna, respectively. The first speaker, Ms. Yvonne Franz – a researcher with Institut für Stadt – und Regionalforschung (ISR), presented us with the ...

When Space meets Agriculture by NEREUS

On 14 and 15 November 2016, the “When Space meets Agriculture” workshop will be held in Matera, Italy by NEREUS and the Basilicata Region, in collaboration with Consorzio TeRN, and with the support of COPA, COGECA, and the ERIAFF network. This workshop aims at promoting a better understanding of the significance and potential of Europe’s space systems, Copernicus and EGNOS/Galileo, for the agricultural sector. It will introduce Rural Development Programmes of selected NEREUS regions, and explore opportunities to set synergies for the development of space applications for the agriculture sector. Moreover, it will present the main strands of the European Agriculture Policy, and, more generally, link the space community to the agriculture community. Part of the workshop falls under the EU framework for ...

UrbanizeHub, the new platform for cities!

A new web platform, UrbanizeHub, was born this week, after months and months of development. One of his founder, Gratian Mihailescu, who is also an acknowledged expert from the AER’s Observatory on Regionalisation, tells us more about this brand new initiative and its main goals and purposes: UrbanizeHub (UHub) is a global online start-up, an aggregator of ideas, opinions, projects and news about smart cities and sustainable urban development. Our purpose is that of creating a global community of responsible individuals, experts and specialists in various fields (designers, architects, scientists, etc.), all interested and involved in discussions around the evolution of cities. The platform is written in the English language, it has contributors from all over the world and is part of ...

Education, Training and Youth Forum 2016

Connecting Education, the Labour Market and Society: Delivering the New Skills Agenda for Europe Brussels, 20-21 October 2016 The European Education, Training and Youth Forum is an annual event which brings together key stakeholders in education, training and youth. This year’s Forum was focused on how to best deliver on the New Skills Agenda for Europe adopted by the Commission on 10 June 2016. The New Skills Agenda aims to ensure that people develop a broad set of skills and competences from early on in life in order make the most of Europe’s human capital, as well as to improve employability and competitiveness. Improving skills levels, educational attainment and promoting key competences, including transversal skills, are essential to improving people’s employability, their chances ...

AER Bureau brings answers to a post-Brexit Europe

The last time Bureau members met, it was the eve of the long-awaited UK referendum; AER was gathered in Bodo (Nordland-NO) for its General Assembly. Words of hope but also concerns were shared by two British politicians, Cllr Roy Perry from Hampshire (AER Vice President for Institutional Affairs) and Mr Brian Greenslade from Devon (Honorary AER member) also long-time AER friends and true Europeans. Numerous Bureau members took the floor show their support in the final countdown. After the initial shock of the results subsided the next day, AER was quick to point out the value of the democratic process and the importance to respect the voice of citizens. Almost 4 months later, the aftermath of Brexit is still to be ...

Bureau members drive AER to aim for “a strong Europe”

The AER Bureau is the highest political voice in AER. It provides the political direction and impetus for the work carried out in the network. The Bureau is responsible for launching the work on the political priorities and gathering the inputs of the different bodies in the network. The next political priorities will be adopted in June 2017 at the AER General Assembly. At the Bureau meeting in Vienna on 24 November 2016, members agreed on the direction of AER for the next years, summarised in a nutshell by the notions of “a strong Europe”. This will be the overarching priority for AER’s work. The notion of strength covers a wide range of issues, including strength in unity: political and economic ...

AER declaration: status quo is not an option

Political declaration Status quo is not an option for the European regions Adopted by the AER Bureau on 24 October 2016 in Vienna (AT)   The Assembly of European Regions (AER) was deeply impacted by the results of the referendum held on 23 June 2016 on the United Kingdom’s membership to the European Union. Although AER expresses major concern over the outcome, it also acknowledges the results of this democratic vote and respect the decisions of the British citizens to leave the European Union. The outcome of this referendum embodies the numerous problems we are facing in Europe today, from which it can only recover with sound and major changes. The current politically and institutionally stagnant period, which is exacerbated by the economic crisis, has ...

Roy Perry – “A post-Brexit system: How will Europe be reshuffled?”

On 24 October, Cllr Roy Perry, AER Vice-President for Institutional Affairs and Leader of Hampshire (UK) gave a speech during the Bureau Meeting in Vienna, in the part “Europe after Brexit, is status quo an option?”. Mr Perry gave a historical overview of the relations between the UK and the European Economic Community (EEC), that later became the European Union (EU). The Douglas-Home Conservative Government applied to join the EEC in 1963, and then the Wilson Labour Government too (1967). However, they both failed because of French President De Gaulle’s refusal. The UK finally joined the former 6 EEC members in 1973, when the Conservative Edward Heath was Prime Minister, together with Ireland and Denmark. In 1975, PM Harold Wilson (Labour Party) organised ...

Looking for partners to join a new project on “Capacity building in the field of climate change in Turkey”

Capacity Building in the Field of Climate Change in Turkey Grant Scheme (CCGS) is a multi-faceted programme to support a wide range of activities required to contribute to the global efforts to mitigate climate change and to increase the resilience of its citizens in line with the National Climate Change Strategy, National Climate Change Action Plan, the Europe 2020 Strategy and other national strategies related to climate change. The activities under this programme are also expected to have visibility function, via informing and awareness raising towards various stakeholders nationwide, by which they will also be aware about the importance and the objectives of the project. Edirne Special Provincial Administration (TR) as Lead Applicant, together with Korudag Environmental Association (TR) as Co-Applicant, are ...

Draft procedures for the political election committee

AER Election Committee Procedures Adopted by the AER Executive Board 25 October 2016. Article 1 – Objectives Established by the AER General Assembly in Västra Götaland 2015, the AER Election Committee’s objectives during the year prior to an election are to a) Gather nominations from AER members before the next General Assembly; b) Nominate one candidate for each position to be elected at the General Assembly. Article 2 – Statutory elements 2.1 Elements included in AER Statute as adopted by the AER General Assembly on 23 June 2016 in Nordland (NO). 2.1.1 The composition of all AER bodies should respect a geographical and gender balance. (AER Statute 1.5) 2.1.2 Delegates in all bodies of AER must hold a regional political mandate. They may give due written authorization for a ...

Interested to join a new project on care sector & social economy?

Four organisations dealing with care and social economy in Flanders (BE) are looking for partners willing to join a project proposal they are developing on this topic: “Collaboration between care sector and the social economy: exchanges of good practices”. This project proposal – that will be submitted in the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme – aims at exchanging good practices at European level on how to extend and deepen a collaboration between the care and social economy sector. The exchange good practices will be realised on different levels: Macro level: Are there policy measures taken to stimulate the collaboration? Are there collaboration mechanisms between the 2 sectors installed? Meso level: How are organisations from the 2 sectors collaborating? Are there innovative approaches that ...

How low density regions are generating growth

In the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (with regions from northern Sweden, Norway and Finland) and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland organised the workshop “Renaissance for Remote Rurban Regions through Research”. The well balanced panellists offered viewpoints from the European, national and regional level as well as the technical expertise of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECd) due to publish the 2016 Regional Outlook on the development of less densely populated areas. Although Dr José Enrique Garcilazo, Head of Unit, Rural and Regional Development at the OECD did not provide too much insight on the report (released a few hours later and now available), he did share detailed insight on some of ...

Looking for regions to join the AER Political Election Committee

On 2 September, the Monitoring and Evaluation Group, together with representatives from Värmland discussed the process of establishing the Political Election Committee. The proposal was made by Värmland (SE) at the 2016 General Assembly Bodo (NO) to establish a political election committee (EC) to prepare the elections at the coming General Assemblies. The proposal stated that, during the year prior to an election, the political election committee should explore amongst the members of the AER who may be suitable for AER assignments. In collaboration with the regions, the committee should discuss and generate data for identifying the skills and formal requirements to be associated with the various assignments. Following this meeting, the Executive Board adopted the proposal to: Announce a call for nominations ...

Youth empowerment & employment

What is the role of the AER network for youth empowerment and employment? The Assembly of European Regions has a history of working on participation and inclusion and more specifically on youth empowerment. Since its creation in 1985 the network has had youth, lifelong learning and economic development in its core topics. This is how for instance the AER youth work placement programme Eurodyssey was created, the first in Europe. Mobility & employment Eurodyssey is AER’s international mobility programme for young people. It is an excellent tool for regions to take action against youth unemployment by providing their young people with a first professional experience in a European region. The Eurodyssey programme offers not only quality and relevant work experience but also an ...

AER youth representatives challenge European politicians about their future

On 12 October 2016, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) organised a workshop at the Committee of the Regions (CoR), entitled “EU Regions Partners for Youth”, with Harghita County Council (RO) and the Romanian delegation to the CoR. Ms Marta Vilalta, Chairwoman of the AER Sub-Committee on Youth, participated in the debate as representative of the AER, and Ms Gloria Vitaly as President of the AER Youth Regional Network (YRN). The workshop included speakers from Romanian and Hungarian Counties, Ukraine, Spain and Norway. Among the issues raised by politicians were the high levels of NEETs in Eastern and Southern Europe, the importance of cohesion policy to prevent brain drain and the need to listen more to youth’s concerns, involving them more in ...

Building new ties with the French regions

On 10 and 11 October, a delegation from the Assembly of European Regions (AER) traveled to France to meet with four regions which are currently not members of AER: Bretagne, Pays de la Loire, Normandy and Ile-de-France. This field visit took place in the framework of this year’s territorial reform in France, that reduced – by merging – the number of metropolitan regions from 22 to 13, while giving them more competences, notably in the field of economy, employment and transport, three key topics for AER. As a result of this reform, coupled with the regional elections of 2015 and many new majorities arising, the AER Executive Board decided to put a strong focus on France this year, and build new ...

2016 Regions and Cities Magazine explores visions for future cities

The fifth edition of EUobserver’s Regions and Cities Magazine explores visions for future cities and learns lessons from the past. “The EU is grappling with difficult problems – Brexit, migration, and the economy to name a few – but despite the gloomy pall over EU affairs, lots of European cities are investing and reinventing themselves.” Cities are an important part of European regions and AER often tackles the interlinkages between urban and rural ares. The EU observer magazine illustrates many of the challenges facing Europe’s cities and how they are shaping their future.

When the medical world faces the migration and refugee crisis

On 29 September, AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, her special advisor Laurent of Belgium and the AER Secretary General Mr Mathieu Mori visited Saint-Pierre University Hospital with the aim of kick-starting AER’s work on the issue of health of migrants and refugees. The delegation was welcomed by Ms Patrice Buyck, Director General of CHU Saint-Pierre, Professeur Pierre Mols, Chief of Emergency Department, Ms Chloé Dungelhoeff, Communications Director and Ms Cécile Rubay, Patients’ Administrative Management. Ms Agneta Granström, AER Committee 2 President, has urged AER members to act on this pivotal topic, underlining three main reasons: Migrants are becoming an increasing proportion of the population in Europe, therefore health professionals, managers and politicians need more knowledge on migrants’ health and ability to access care in order to make informed decisions. Illness may impede the integration processes ...

Success of the “100 solutions project campaign”: more than 550 projects received!

AER is happy and proud to share with its member regions and partners the first outcomes of the “100 solutions project campaign”, which was launched in June in partnership with R20 and Leonardo di Caprio Foundation. This initiative aims at valorising regional green projects by giving them visibility on the international stage and by helping regions finance their green projects, either directly or indirectly. In particular, projects dealing with waste management, renewable energy and LED in street lighting. The AER Secretariat launched an intense campaign towards its member regions in order to involve them in this valuable opportunity which could support their projects that foster and accellerate the transition to 100% clean and renewable energy for all people. The response of AER regions has been very ...

Field mission to the French regions after the territorial reform

On 10 and 11 October, the AER Vice-President for Institutional Affairs and Leader of Hampshire County (UK) Cllr. Roy Perry will pay visits to various French regions, in order to re-engage and rebuild ties with them. France has indeed seen significant changes in 2016 with a major territorial reform that has led to less regions with more competences. From 22 metropolitan regions, there are now 13 new entities. It is therefore key for AER to get to know those new regions (many of them being a merge of members with non-members), to understand their true needs and priorities, and to inform them about the numerous activities and services offered by AER.  In his mission, Mr. Roy Perry will be supported by Mr. Christian Debève, the new AER representative of Grand Est ...

Science and Policy Making: the challenges of establishing a new dialogue

There is an dangerous trend toward a post-facts society, where truth and evidence are losing value and they are replaced at the heart of decision making processes by emotions. In this context, the European Commission and the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) jointly organised on 29 and 30 September 2016 the international conference Science and Policy Making: towards a new dialogue. The need to combine evidence and scientific advice with the inherent primary role of values in every democratic political system was one of the key messages of the conference. Commissioner Moedas opened the conference stating that the role of scientific advisers in the XXI century is not to provide all the answers. They have a more complex task, because together with the relevant answers, they need to ...

Funding for smart grid and storage projects

The Energy Challenge is designed to support the transition to a reliable, sustainable and competitive energy system. To make the transition to a competitive energy system, there is a need to overcome a number of challenges, such as increasingly scarce resources, growing energy needs and climate change. The 2016-2017 Horizon 2020 Work programme ‘Secure, clean and efficient energy’, in particular under the ‘Competitive low-carbon energy’ (LCE) call, is facing these challenges offering funding opportunities addressed to smart grid and storage projects. The info day that took place in Brussels on 3rd October, focused on the content of the calls and the application procedure. Please, have a careful look at the presentations and recording of this event!

Horizon 2020: partner search for a project on water systems

Ambling Ingeneria y Servicios SL, an experienced Spanish company in water handling, is searching partners for a project on the improvement of water system and services which will be submitted in the framework of Horizon 2020 – Water in the context of circular economy b) Towards the next generation of water systems services large scale demonstration projects (2017). Currently transport infrastructures do not have integrated water reuse systems even though they have large areas for collection. This project aims to collect rainwater through transport infrastructures for its treatment, storage and reuse. In order to complete the consortium the lead partner is looking for European research centres with experience in water management, new materials, and monitoring and sensor systems, as well as companies specialized in the management ...

Partner search: project on new technologies to foster social innovation

The University of Greenwich (lead partner) located in London (UK) in collaboration with one French and one Belgium local authority are looking for partners to develop a project under the Interreg North-West Europe’s priority axis ‘Innovation’, which supports actions aimed at delivering societal benefits through innovation. Actions developed under this project will target specifically excluded population or population at risk of exclusion and communities under pressure. Actions will aim at supporting the development, testing and implementation of innovative solutions for social needs and problems (‘social innovation’). The high level objective of this project is to develop new innovative approaches to engaging with key sections of the community that, hitherto, were found difficult to access, and to pilot the use of new technology ...

Creative Europe: call for European Cooperation projects

Are you looking for grants supporting pan-European cooperation projects in the fields of culture, with a focus on transnational mobility of cultural and creative works and cultural and creative players? The call for proposals for European Cooperation projects has now been published, having its deadline on 23 November 2016, before h 12:00 CET/CEST. It supports cultural and creative organisations from different countries taking part in the Creative Europe sub-programme, within the EU and beyond. This funding opportunity is for: – supporting the capacity of EU cultural and creative sectors to operate transnationally and internationally – promoting the circulation of cultural and creative works and the mobility of its players at transnational level – improving the access to EU cultural and creative works and extend their ...

Horizon 2020: funding opportunities for smart cities and communities

Smart cities and communities are a key challenge for the society that more and more needs a sustainable development of urban areas. This requires integrated approaches and new, efficient, and user-friendly technologies and services, in particular in the areas of energy, transport and ICT. In order to get the latest news on funding opportunities that could address this challenge and that regions and their stakeholders could actually use, AER attended an info day in Brussels on the Horizon2020 calls on Smart Cities and Communities. This event was the occasion to learn more about the call content and the application procedure and AER is happy to share them with it member regions and partners. Please, find below all relevant documents: – 2016-2017 Horizon 2020 Work ...

Regions demand to be involved in shaping Cohesion policy post-2020

337 Regions, cities, municipalities and interregional organisations demand a strong renewed EU Regional Policy after 2020. Regions send a highly visible and strong signal to the leaders of Europe on the future of Cohesion policy. Under the leadership of Lower Austria (At) and the Assembly of European Regions, 337 political representatives of regions from 22 member states (71,5% % of EU population) and 5 interregional organisations signed a common declaration to demand the continuation of a EU Cohesion Policy for all regions after 2020. AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and Vice-President Treasurer Mr Magnus Berntsson represented AER member regions in this high level event. The book of signatures The initiative is about making a clear and united commitment for the prolongation of EU Regional ...

Fostering cooperation among AER and DEIK – the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey

AER continues to foster the dialogue and cooperation with Turkish partners both at political and economic level. DEIK – the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey has been welcomed at AER Brussels Office by the AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli together with H.R.H. Prince Laurent of Belgium, her special advisor, AER Secretary General as well as representatives of the Executive Board. This first meeting has been an occasion to introduce both organisations and to explore several fields of cooperation, being DEIK responsible for leading foreign economic relations of Turkish private sector and for exploring inward and outward investment opportunities, and being AER the largest independent network of regional authorities in wider Europe. Environment, renewable energies, energy-efficient constructions were identified as areas ...

Aligning positive thoughts to stand united for Cohesion policy post 2020

Regions gathered at the AER Brussels office for an informal briefing to prepare for an eventful day branded “Cohesion Policy Post 2020”. 28 September will be remembered as a key milestone for regions in their efforts to be heard in the discussions on the future of regional policy and cohesion funds. At the breakfast briefing, AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli confirmed that “we have been working behind the scenes for two years to prepare for the next programming period and we are pleased to co-organise this day with Lower Austria and to take the lead for our members as we did in 2010 with the St. Pölten manifesto“. The spirit and nature of the discussions were positive and constructive and comforted in ...

AER Secretariat is recruiting a Project Finance Manager (now closed)

We are looking for an open minded and dedicated project finance manager to deal with European projects as well as search for interesting opportunities to animate our network and offer to our member regions. If you like the idea and you wish to be part of an international and motivated team, do not hesitate and apply now! EU Project Finance Manager Set up in 1985, The Assembly of European Regions is the largest network of regions in wider Europe, bringing together 200 regions from 35 countries and 15 interregional organisations. AER is the political voice of its members, as well as a forum for interregional cooperation. AER has offices in Strasbourg (F) and Brussels (BE) as well as representations in Alba (RO) ...

Strengthening cooperation between EU leaders and European regions

AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, together with Laurent of Belgium, her special advisor and Mr Mathieu Mori, AER Secretary General met with Mr Guy Verhofstadt, member of the European Parliament and Leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. AER is meeting with EU leaders to strengthen cooperation on cultural and social matters with European regions, Turkey and the muslim community. Representing regions outside of the EU borders and promoting multi-level governance, AER is in a unique position to support its EU institutional partners in their efforts to cooperate with non-EU regions. The work done by the AER delegation in Ankara, made up of AER member regions but also representatives from the institutions (Committee of the Regions and European ...

Funding for climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials

AER keeps its focus on searching funding for projects and initiatives that are facing the challenge of fostering the transition to an economy based on a sustainable relationship between nature and human well-being. The Horizon 2020 is actually offering several opportunities to bring innovation in these fields that will bring innovation and growth for regions and its main players. With big pleasure AER attended the Horizon2020 info day on Societal Challenge 5 “Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials” which gave an overview on the 2017 call for proposals, gathering together representatives of the research community, SME associations, businesses, public authorities and European institutions. Presentations and videos of the info day. Below a report on the info day made by our intern Gianmartino ...

Workshop invitation: innovation in rural areas

The Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) invite you to a workshop organised with the OECD in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities. The debate, titled “Renaissance for Remote Rurban Regions through Research – the Case of Less Urban Areas in the North”, is hosted by Scotland Europa at Scotland House, Rond-Point Schuman 6, 1040 Brussels, on 11 October 2016 at 14:30-17:00, with a reception afterwards. The main topic will be the publication of the Regional Outlook conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD. The OECD Regional Outlook focuses this time on the development of less densely populated areas. Main speaker is Dr José Enrique Garcilazo, Head of Unit, Rural and Regional Development at the ...

Shedding light on Turkey post failed-coup

AER President, Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli led a delegation of AER members and representatives of partner organisations (see list below) to Ankara for unique encounters with regional and national high level officials from the main political parties. The aim of this visit was to show solidarity to Turkey after the failed coup d’Etat on 15 July 2016. AER counts many Turkish members, which have been affected by this coup attempt. Standing for multilevel governance, democracy and subsidiarity it was only normal that the European regional level, alongside the international and national levels, showed solidarity to Turkey : “AER has decided to put focus in 2016 on revitalising democracy, it is therefore only normal that we act, at our level, for the ...

DG Growth event on attracting investment and upgrading skills

On 14 October 2016, the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs is organising a high level event on “Attracting investment and upgrading skills in textiles, clothing, leather and footwear industries: Good Practices in European Regions“. The event falls under Juncker’s Investment Plan. In this context, the European Commission created a Smart Specialisation Platform on Industrial Modernisation to provide hands-on support to regions in order to attract investment related to industrial modernisation and skills. The ultimate aim is to create an investment pipeline of mature projects in new growth areas with the support of different EU investment instruments (e.g. the European Structural and Investment Funds, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and the EIB). An important factor in the success ...

Key decision from the Executive Board meeting in Batumi

The Executive Board met on 15 September 2016 in Batumi (Ajara-GE) in the context of the AER 6th Black Sea Summit. The busy agenda raised many key issues with decisions taken on several fronts. Key decisions of the Executive Board in more details: Membership Action Plan: focus on Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland Wind of change for the Eurodyssey programme “Revitalising democracy” remains top choice of the Executive Board AER contributes to continue the dialogue with Turkey Update on projects and grants The future of the Black Sea Summits AER was the first to organised a coordinated effort in the Black Sea area to support regions around the Black Sea to better coordinate and drive their common policies. Many other organisations and institutions have picked-up on this trend ...

Black Sea Basin Programme 2014-2016: be an active part in the public consultation for the Grant Applicants Guidelines!

On occasion of the 6th AER Black Sea Summit experts from the Joint Operational Programme Black Sea Basin 2014-2020 presented funding and project opportunities available for regions of the Black Sea area, which will be concretely available with the launch of the 1st call for proposals scheduled on October/November 2016. The Draft Guidelines for Grant Applicants for the 1st call for proposals under the Joint Operational Programme Black Sea Basin 2014-2020 has been published for public consultation and is currently open until 23rd September 2016. AER regions and partners are invited to be an active part on this process taking the advantage of sharing their suggestion, recommendation or query in order to improve the drafting of this key document for potential applicants. Therefore ...

European Week of Regions and Cities 2016: side event on smart cities and communities for all

AER is happy to share within our network a side event organised by our friends of Age Platform Europe together with other partners in the context of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2016. The side event titled “Smart cities and communities for all: How to become smart and age-friendly” will take place on 10th October and is hosted by the Fundación Galicia Europa in Brussels. The debate will offer room for discussion on inclusive smart cities and communities and shed light on concrete examples from cities and regions. It will also make the link with the Urban Agenda for the EU, the EIP on Active and Healthy Ageing, the EIP on Smart Cities and Communities, the emerging European Silver Economy ...

Update on projects and grants

The Executive Board in Batumi (Ajara-GE) on 15 September reviewed the state of play of AER’s involvement in projects and grants. This new service to members has been operational for a few months with a double objective: first, to provide member regions with relevant information on funding opportunities and projects and second, involving AER in specific tenders and projects for the benefit of all member regions. In less than one year, AER has joined 9 project consortia, 3 of which are successful and 3 are still pending. Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform AER is a proud partner of the winning tender for the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform (Interreg Europe) The Platform is aimed to facilitate ongoing EU-wide policy learning and capitalisation of ...

“Revitalising democracy” remains top choice of the Executive Board

In their meeting in Batumi on 15 September, the Executive Board reviewed the annual theme that naturally took its place from AER’s new year’s resolution last December.  Chosen for 2016, the issue of “Revitalising democracy” is ever more relevant and topical in the current political context and the Executive Board has given the network a strong political impetus by maintaining the theme for 2017. The issues that led to choosing this topic in 2015 included the refugee and migration crisis, the continued rise of unemployment, terrorist attacks and weaker economic growth. Unfortunately, a new set of severe and alarming factors have given “revitalising democracy” a more pronounced and profound reason for being in the past months. In the aftermath of Brexit, cleavages and tensions between European ...

Wind of change for the Eurodyssey programme

In its meeting on 15 September in Batumi (Ajara-GE), the Executive Board took stock of AER’s 30-year youth mobility programme and agreed on a series of measures and changes necessary to guarantee Eurodyssey’s next 30 years of activity. In doing so, the Executive Board confirmed the political will to maintain and boost Eurodyssey as a flagship initiative for the AER with great value for member regions and a direct impact on citizens. The proposals put forward by the Executive Board will not impact the very nature of the programme; the value of the exchanges, the quality of the work accomplished by the regions involved in the programme and the results have time and time again proven their worth and raised interest of other regions, ...

Interreg Europe at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2016: policy learning lab

AER would like to share within its network a very interesting workshop organised by the Interreg Europe in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2016 (EWRC), aimed to present the Policy Learning Platforms. The platforms are a hub of information and services for continuous learning where any organisation dealing with regional development policies in Europe can find inspiration and solutions to improve the way they design and implement their public policies in these four areas. The workshop, taking place on 11th October, will provide interactive sessions giving insight into the topics covered by platforms – Research and innovation, SME competitiveness, Low-carbon economy and Environment & resource efficiency. Get involved in this initiative and register yourself to EWRC! Workshop code: 11A49 Please ...

Membership Action Plan: focus on Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland

At the Executive Board (EB) in Batumi (Ajara-GE) on 15 September, EB members confirmed their concerted efforts to target membership actions in 4 key countries: Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland. A first series of visits in these countries was organised in Spring 2016 and showed great potential to renew links with current members and showing the AER added value to non-members. The week long visits have been planned as follows: 10-13 October: Cllr Roy Perry (Hampshire-UK), AER Vice-President for Institutional affairs will travel to France 21-25 November: Ms Sonja Steen (Nordland-NO), President of AER Committee 3 will travel to Italy 5-8 December: Mr Lukas Mandl (Lower Austria-AT), AER Bureau Rapporteur will travel to Switzerland 12-16 December: Mr Magnus Berntsson (Västra Götaland-SE), AER Vice-President Treasurer will travel to ...

Norrbotten: Arctic Light e-Health Conference, 1-2 February 2017

The Swedish region of Norrbotten is organising for the 5th consecutive year, the Arctic Light e-Health Conference 2017. ALEC is a captivating event uniting digital health professionals from across the globe in the arctic region of Norrbotten for two days of inspiration, networking and skill development. The event is hosted by the President of AER Committee 2, Ms Agneta Granström who is also the Chair of the AER e-health network. Top-level politicians, digital health thought leaders, business innovators and e-health professionals will meet to experience thought provoking keynotes on digital transformation. Seize this opportunity to connect with peers to discuss digital’s potential to bridge health gaps, and develop tools to design better health for all. AER is a long time partner to ALEC ...

AER contributes to continue the dialogue with Turkey

Under the guidance of the Executive Board and its President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER has gathered representatives from various interregional organisations and institutions to safeguard the constructive dialogue with Turkey in this fragile political time. With active Turkish members and a President herself from Istanbul, AER is in a unique position to open doors and arrange exclusive meetings with leading government and opposition officials. The backdrop of this initiative is AER’s strong belief in true multi-level governance which requires a dialogue involving all relevant levels. In meetings with the AER President, the Turkish EU minister and the EU representative in Turkey, both have encouraged such a delegation to come. The visit has been organised in cooperation and with the approval ...

Joining forces for the future of the Black Sea programme

The 6th AER Black Sea Summit took place in Batumi (Ajara, Georgia) on 15 September. Once more an opportunity for AER members from the Black Sea region to share on their priorities and exchange on the topics they wish to cooperate on. The presence of experts from the Joint Operational Programme Black Sea Basin 2014-2020 helped members understand better the subtelties of the programme’s remit and application process, whereas AER experts presented tips on how to give your applications the best chances of success. The future of the programme was also tackled and AER President, Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli stated “the Black Sea regions need to join forces to ensure the programme grows again in the next programming period. AER plays its ...

Regions lead the way to sustainable mobility

The Sustainable Mobility Debate of REVOLVE took place in Brussels on Thursday 15 September 2016. Two panels and more than ten speakers advancing mobility solutions to reach a reduction of 50% in transport-related CO2 emissions by 2030. The opening speeches set the tone of the debate, introducing first the EU strategy towards low emission mobility (Edoardo Turano, DG Clima) and an advance of what would be a key question of the debate: how a mental shift is necessary to effectively achieve a model shift (Francois Bellot, Belgian Federal Minister of Mobility). The first panel on how regions are showing the way towards sustainable mobility counted with four speakers. We were very proud to see three of our member regions sharing their experiences. Pascal Smet‘s presentation shared the very inspiring story of ...

Discovering the Agro Centre in Ajara

The 6th AER Black Sea Summit started with an interesting study visit at the Ajara Agro Service Centre where representatives of many European countries got the chance to experience the culture, tradition and local products of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara. The deputy minister of Agriculture of Ajara and the lovely team of the Agro Service Centre accompanied the delegation in a real trip through the Georgian traditions and in particular the production of its wine by traditional making technologies, a masterclass on baking Georgian bread which was enjoyed very much the delegation and a wine testing as a conclusion. The Agro Service Centre is the only non commercial organisation in the Region that implements various demonstration projects to develop several sectors ...

Building on relations with Croatian regions

Ms Fereshteh Jalayer, Swedish County Council Commissioner from the region of Värmland, met with the Prefects of all Croatian regions in Sibenik to renew ties and strengthen cooperation with Croatian regions. AER President Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli explains that “a successful network depends on active members and win-win relations. Our members make the best ambassadors and we depend on their involvement to increase the input and involvement of all regions”. Some of the issues addressed in the meeting included the added value that AER can bring to Croatian regions through its wide-range of services. Delegates showed particular interest in AER’s international mobility programme for young people, Eurodyssey, as well as AER’s work on European programmes and funding as a means to develop a project with ...

Black Sea Summit 2016 is ready to start

On 15 September the AER’s Black Sea Summit will open in Batumi, the capital city of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara (Georgia). During two days, participants in the summit will exchange best practices and discuss the main challenges of the area. Working sessions will focus mainly on funding opportunities. With the support of in-house and external experts, these three workshops will provide insight into the topics: Business and entrepreneurship in agriculture Environmental challenges in the Black Sea region Sustainable growth using learning networks For the full programme and the list of speakers, go to the BSS event page. You can follow the discussions through the hashtag #BSSAjara. Pictures will be posted in a dedicated Facebook album.  

Reference site status for AER regions

A recognition of excellence A Call for Reference sites 2016 was launched in December 2015 at the Conference of Partners of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. A total of 74 regional and local organisations have now been awarded “Reference Site” status. These organisations have demonstrated the existence of comprehensive strategies to advance innovation for active and healthy ageing, based on a “Quadruple Helix” model that includes stakeholders from industry, civil society, academia and government authorities at a regional and local level. Investing in active and healthy ageing Together these regions represent a commitment of over four billion € (2016-2019 period) to invest in innovative solutions that will lead to improvements in the quality of life of the ageing population, support efficiencies ...

Culture & inclusion: call for contributions

Sharing experiences Within the framework of the AER Subcommittee on Culture, Västerbotten is carrying out an inventory of good practices on culture & inclusion. Several regions have already sent their good practices on this topic. It’s not too late to contribute and highlight a succesful example from your region. It doesn’t need to be a large-scale initiative, actions need to start somewhere! It is by sharing the steps regions are doing everyday to be inclusive territories that they become an inspiration for others. Culture & inclusion Europe is facing a significant mission right now and for the coming years: how to handle the migration challenge? Several AER regions jointly decided to focus on the role culture can have in including migrants and refugees. During ...

Hands-on business practices in Østfold: the YRN Business Game

YRN organised a very interactive workshop at the Summer Academy. The Youth Entrepreneurship Business Game was the result of the discussions of YRN Committee on Professional Life and Youth Entrepreneurship last year at the summer academy in Portugal, and at the spring plenary meeting this year in Lillehammer. The introduction to the workshop was done by Ms. Stine M. Bjørnstad from Fru Blom Design. She shared her experience of starting her own business, responding with creativity to a concrete need. The coffee shop where she was working needed heavy tables for outdoor conditions that would not be easy to steal. Since they couldn’t find them anywhere, Ms. Bjørnstad decided to create them using local resources, and when clients started to ask ...

How to make it into the business jungle without a degree?

Florence, Max and Jeremy are three young entrepreneurs from Brussels. They came to Sarpsborg to present their experience in Eyecone. Through their very different personal paths, they explained the difference between entrepreneur, intrapreneur and expert, as well as the pros and cons of each model. The premise of the workshop was to discuss what are the options for young talented people starting in the business world. Those are moments of uncertainty, and young entrepreneurs often find themselves struggling to identify what is right for them and their future career. At the workshop, the Summer Academy participants were introduced to a concept that most of them had never heard of before: Intrapreneurship. It is the practice of entrepreneurship in an established firm. Intrapreneurship applies the ‘start up’ ...

Entrepreneurship as a tool for regional growth

Entrepreneurship is a vital component of economic growth and development. The creation of new business entities not only generates added value, fiscal revenues, employment and innovation, but is an essential ingredient for the development of a vibrant small- and medium-sized business sector—the core of most competitive economies. Hild Marit Olsen, an Executive of Education from the region of Nordland, talked to the Summer Academy participants about how they integrate entrepreneurship in regional development strategies. Entrepreneurship in a regional perspective has the potential to contribute to specific sustainable development objectives, such as the employment of women, young people or disadvantaged groups, Ms Olsen underlined. Taken into account the increased need of integrating refugees and asylum seekers, a possibility to start up their own businesses might ...

One month to apply for the Regional Innovation Award!

The Assembly of European Regions calls all regions in our continent to look at the successful stories of innovation in their territories in the field of Circular Economy. What is Circular Economy? Circular Economy is a new way of doing things. It is time to overcome the old model of linear economy: resources-production-distribution-consumption-waste. Natural resources are finite, so it is a matter of responsibility to find an environmentally and economically sustainable strategy to use them. According to the EU definition, “in a circular economy the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible; waste and resource use are minimised, and resources are kept within the economy when a product has reached the end of its life, to be used again and again to create ...

Guide on EU funding for the tourism sector – updated version

AER continues to monitor funding opportunities for the tourism sector, being a key factor for the economic and social development of European regions. In fact, the tourism sector represents the third largest EU economic sector and contributes to nearly 10% to the EU Gross Domestic Product and employs around 17 million people. Following our previous article, AER would like to inform its members and partners about the updated version of the Guide on EU funding for the tourism sector for the 2014-2020 programming period which was released by the European Commission (last update on 05/08/2016). The Guide gathers information on sources of EU funding of interest to the European tourism industry from both private and public sector. This new version comes with ...

How can the AgriFood sector attract young entrepreneurs?

On the 18th of August, Margriet Papma, Sarah Nietiedt and Dieuwertje de Vries, from the region of Flevoland (NL), hosted a workshop at the AER summer academy in Østfold. The title of the workshop was “Youth Co-makership and Entrepreneurship in Organisations” and focused on one main question: How to involve young people into the regional labour market?” The goal of the workshop was to find new strategies to combine two important issues for the region of Flevoland (and other European regions), namely the stimulation of young entrepreneurship (of high-educated youngsters) and the stimulation of innovation in the AgriFood sector. After a short presentation on the issue, the participants of the workshop were divided in groups to creatively brainstorm about new strategies and ideas to ...

Live your values, by David Asplund

Some of the adjectives I heard used to describe the Summer Academy in Øsfold were the words “mind-opening”, “emotion-filled”; not so common you may say for a week of conferences… But that’s just it, the Summer Academy is not just any “week of conferences”. The programme is minutely prepared to balance the different parts, to keep the participants on the move and to favour engagement and participation. One workshop that seems to have thrived on these principles was the “Live your values” session, led by David Asplund (Västernorrland-SE). The workshop was designed to highlight the importance of finding and sharing what drives you as an individual. We all have unique (hi)stories and backgrounds and it is important not to jump to conclusions or to judge others on ...

Did you miss the Summer Academy?

Find out what happened in Øsfold (NO) from 16-20 August with the story from our social media. A big thank you to all the participants who actively shared information and pictures on Facebook and Twitter. For the full programme, go to out event page. Stay tuned on our social media with #AERSA2016. Pictures are published on our Facebook album. The topic of the Summer Academy was youth entrepreneurship and the programme proposed many interactive sessions, workshops, keynote speeches and study visits.

Invitation debate & exhibition: “reinventing urban mobility” 15 September, Brussels

Within the framework of the European Mobility Week and in the follow-up to COP21 targets set in Paris, AER and Revolve Media invite you to its 2016 Mobility Debate about the solutions that are making mobility more sustainable on 15 September in Brussels, 15:00-20:00. This initiative is highlighting  the innovative solutions that exist today to encourage citizens and key stakeholders in Europe to take action in creating a more sustainable transport environment. Through this partnership,  AER is going to showcase regional initiatives and projects, bring visibility to its members and raise awareness on the importance of the regions in the European context. You can find out more about the partnership here. Join leading European regions, international associations and companies in discussing the great challenges confronting ...

Summer Academy 2016: World cafe on youth and social entrepreneurship

Thursday morning the Summer Academy focused on social entrepreneurship and the opportunities it offers to young people. The three moderators from the Youth Regional Network (Sebastian Sandberg, Diana Galeeva and Anton Eriksson) led the participants through the different phases of the interactive workshop and contributed to a fruitful session where everybody shared and learnt with the guest speakers and from the other participants. First speaker was Tone Helstad Glomsrud, from Rakkestad School. She teaches entrepreneurship to young students coming from a rural area. Yesterday we had the opportunity to meet some of her students and learn about their projects. Today we have listened to more stories from the students at Rakkestad, their struggles and the successful stories, all of them shared with passion and inspiration ...

Keynote speech #AERSA2016: Youth entrepreneurship and self leadership

Looking forward to inspiring and productive discussions on Youth Entrepreneurship in this Summer Academy 2016, after the keynote speech delivered by Staffan Taylor, one of the most talented young speakers in Sweden who is a member of YES for Europe, the European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs. Staffan Taylor inspired the crowd with a focus on the choices we have, fears that prevent us from reaching our full potential, and how a strong self leadership can improve our way of being entrepreneurs. He shared his own story, what are the keys within entrepreneurship and his best tools within the area of self leadership. About his experience as an active member of YES for Europe, Staffan said: “I am thankful for being part of YES Europe. ...

Awarding youth-friendly practices in European Regions

Ms. Sonja Steen, President of the AER Committee on Youth, Education and Culture, announced during the opening ceremony of AER’s Summer Academy in Sarpsborg the 2017 edition of the MYFER award, recognising the efforts of the most youth friendly European regions. A dedicated webpage will all the details of the competition and the application form will be ready soon, but here are some highlights of the competition: It aims to present and recognise best practices of European regions in facilitating participation of youth in all aspects of society, encouraging to take an active role as citizens. It is open to every region in Europe, be it a member of AER or not. Deadline to submit initiatives to the competition will be closed on 16 December 2016. Award will be given ...

Stay tuned for the Summer Academy #AERSA2016

The 2016 AER Summer Academy taking place in Østfold (NO) is starting today. The topic discussed will be “Youth Entrepreneurship”. For the full programme, go to out event page. Stay tuned on our social media with #AERSA2016. Pictures are published on our Facebook album.

Partner search: Erasmus + KA2 project on co-working

AER would like to disseminate and share with its member regions and partners a project opportunity developed by its partner network ALDA – The European Association of Local Democracy. The project proposals “INCOME – INnovating COworking Methods through Exchange”, will be submitted in the frame of the ERASMUS + programme, KA 2 strategic partnership in the filed of youth, and aims at creating strategic partnerships based on multi-stakeholder approach, bringing together established co-working spaces, local authorities and associations of workers, entrepreneurs or craftsmen, or other entities with similar functions, which support, and are interested to improve, the existing co-working structures. The co-working in this project is not meant only as a physical space that workers can share, but a working style, a community that cooperates for the wellbeing ...

World Sustainable Energy Days 2017

The World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) is a worldwide event that has grown over the past 20 years into one of the largest conferences on energy efficiency and renewable energy, becoming an important opportunity to actively contribute to raise awareness in these fields. As a platform to bring expertise, inform about technologies, policies and markets, give an update on trends and provide valuable networking possibilities, WSED as been a partner to AER for the last 11 years, having co-organised in past conferences and workshops where AER’s memeber regions were able to share their good practices in the sustainable energy sector. For each edition of the WSED, a series of interactive events gathers experts form all over the globe in Upper Austria, having ...

Eurodyssey: a stepping stone for a job

Eurodyssey is the AER Youth Mobility Programme providing young people with work placement opportunities in other European regions thus helping them transition to the job market. Ambra Adamini is a Eurodyssey intern in Besançon (Bourgogne-France-Comté, France) from Italy and shares her experience in the programme. Contact us if you would like to join this programme. https://youtu.be/j1uH2-HbRCY

Blue Economy Business Awards

The first summit of the Blue Economy Business and Science Forum will take place in Hamburg on 12-13 September 2016 at the International Maritime Museum Hamburg (see programme). The Blue Economy Business & Science Forum is meant to be not only a place to discuss together about challenges and ways forwards, but also an occasion to celebrate scientific and industrial achievements connected with the sea. For this purpose, the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) is organising the Blue Economy Business Awards 2016 ceremony that will accompany the Forum and showcase excellent practices from industry in the blue economy field. The Blue Economy Business Awards recognises and reward individuals or organisations who have made a specific contribution to bringing and developing ...

Summer Academy 2016

The AER Summer Academy received in 2016 the support of the ERASMUS+ programme. The Summer Academy 2016 is focused on Youth and Entrepreneurship in Europe’s Regions and it is one of the main events in the calendar of AER and specially the YRN. The lead parter is the Region of Østfold in Norway. By bringing together decision makers, professionals and youth representatives from the regions in the wider Europe, the AER SA provides an opportunity to share best practice, build networks and promote democratic participation. By focusing on youth entrepreneurship it will strengthen the role of youth as an actor for its own development and the creation of its own opportunities through creativity and innovation. Here is a summary of the objectives of the project: foster informal learning ...

AER Observatory on Regionalisation contribution on regional diversity

The AER Observatory on Regionalisation (Enrico Martial and Alexandre Brecx) took part on 21 April 2016 in the first Jean Monnet seminar in Lille focusing on the heterogeneity of the regions inside the EU. French author Edith Lormel wrote about the main findings in an interesting article recently published on the website La documentation française. The article makes a review of the main conclusions of the seminar, which can be summarised in two main ideas: a) the diversity of European regions makes it impossible to apply a general rule. This diversity has its roots on the different situations member states were when they joined the EU, but also on the diverse reaction of these member states to the European policies that aim to promote subsidiarity and to encourage ...

Strengthen young women’s support toward entrepreneurship

The Assembly of European Regions is always very proud to share information about the success stories in its member regions. Today, we would like to highlight a project from Guadeloupe (FR) called Youth Women Win. Why ? Worldwide, including Europe, young women are the first affected by unemployment, with an average rate of 52%. Youth Women Win aims to give to the vulnerable young women the means to create their employment and to access to real economic independence. Youth Women Win goals are: STRENGTH the support for vulnerable young women towards entrepreneurship, PROMOTE the inclusion of the gender dimension in the entrepreneurial culture, EXCHANGE good practices for entrepreneurship, transfer of innovative methodological tools and networking. “Youth Women Win” is an innovative project that bring together partners of island from ...

BIOTEAM Magazine on bioenergy and sustainability

On 15 March 2016, the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina together with the Assembly of European Regions hosted the conference ‘Biomass: What are the best ways to use it?‘ in Novi Sad, Serbia. At the conference, Mr. Eise Spijker from Joint Implementation Network, the Netherlands; coordinator of the EU co-funded project BIOTEAM provided a presentation on: ‘The Cost-Effectiveness of Bio-Energy Support Schemes’ (download here). The presentation included a number of key findings and insights on the design and impact of bioenergy support schemes developed within the BIOTEAM project. To get a full overview of the EU BIOTEAM project, please have a look at our special issue BIOTEAM Magazine. The Magazine was launched as a final product of the BIOTEAM project. The BIOTEAM Magazine provides an overview ...

Horizon 2020 “Health, demographic change and wellbeing”: Work Programme 2017 and funding opportunities

With the principle of research for better health for all at its core, Horizon 2020’s Societal Challenge 1 (SC1) related to Health Demographic Change and Wellbeing focuses on personalised health and care. Its updated Work Programme 2017 and related call for proposals have been presented in Brussels on occasion of a dedicated info day on July 8th. The overall budget is about € 400 million and covers calls on personalised medicine, including coordination activities, SME instrument and other actions (including InnovFin ID and Birth Day Prize). The final version of the Work Programme 2017 is planned to be adopted by the end of July. Regarding the participation of UK entities, the Commission ensured that before and during negotiations under Art. 50, the UK remains a full member ...

Together with Nice

France was savagely attacked in Nice on the day it celebrated its core values of freedom and tolerance. I express the sympathy of all European regions to the French people with a special thought to the PACA region, especially touched today. Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER President

Promote your region within the European Mobility Week!

AER and Revolve Media are happy to share with you a new initiative within their partnership and commitment on the issues of environment, sustainability, energy efficiency and green economy. After the success of Visualizing Energy 2016 it now time for the launch of Sustainable Mobility 2016, a Revolve initiative within the European Mobility Week (16-22 September 2016). This year the European Mobility Week will be held under the banner of “Smart and sustainable mobility – an investment for Europe”, referring to the close ties between transport and economics.  In this framework Revolve developed a unique action combining a special photo exhibition with a debate on reinventing urban mobility, which brings to light the innovative solutions that exist today to encourage citizens and ...

Improving Administrative capacity of Regions in Public Procurement

AER participated on 5 July to a lunch time briefing aimed at presenting good practices and recommendations as regards the public procurement systems in EU Member States. The Committee of the Regions hosted this meeting with a view to enhancing investments at local and regional level. It also aimed at raising awareness of the pivotal role of administrative capacity in the EU’s efforts to enhance investment in all EU regions. Speakers from European Commission’s DG REGIO (Regional and Urban Policy) and the Committee of the Regions shared a series of  good practices and recommendations as regards the public procurement systems in EU Member States. The European Commission presented the current status of its Action Plan on Public Procurement, which objective is to enhance investments at local ...

Lower registration fee for AER Summer Academy!

In April 2016, Østfold County Council -host region for this year’s AER Summer Academy– applied for the Erasmus+ Key Action 3 “Support for policy reform: meetings between young people and decision-makers in the field of youth” specifically fulfilling one of the main priorities in the framework of this project: National meetings and transnational/international seminars that offer space for information, debate and active participation of young people – in dialogue with youth decision-makers -on issues which are relevant to Structured Dialogue or to the EU Youth Strategy. Well, we have great news: the project application has been approved! This not only allows to further develop the dialogue between youth and regional politicians -which is already a highlight of the Summer Academy- ...

Intern wanted: AER secretariat in Brussels (now closed)

The Assembly of European Regions is the political organisation of the regions of Europe and a representative of their interests at the European and international levels. Its mission: to defend the interests of the regions in the political process and to develop interregional cooperation. Regions from 35 countries and 15 interregional organisations are members of the AER. We are looking for an intern to assist us in our Brussels office on the management of our network, which is composed of around 200 regions. Under the supervision of the AER Membership and Institutional Relations’ Coordinator, as an intern you will: monitor the political developments in the member regions, implement strategy and actions with member regions, establish a strategy towards non-member regions, support the visits ...

Baltic Rim Economies: special edition on the Arctic

The Pan-European Institute publishes a discussion forum, Baltic Rim Economies (BRE), which deals with the development of the Baltic Sea region. In the BRE review, high level public and corporate decision makers, representatives of Academia, as well as several other experts contribute to the discussion. Special issue on the future of the Arctic was published on 20.6.2016. Expert articles: Ola Elvestuen: 20 years of peaceful cooperation in the Arctic Aleksi Härkönen: The role of Finland in Arctic cooperation Hannele Pokka: Clean technology brings new prospects in the north Marja-Leena Vuorenpää: The role of Barents cooperation in the development of the European Arctic Fujio Ohnishi: The Arctic concert system and its challenges Liu Xu: China-Russian Arctic cooperation: black gold and beyond Timo Laukkanen: Action to enable more sustainable business in the ...

Project opportunities on migration and social inclusion

Europe is facing a dramatic increase in the number of refugees and migrants travelling to the continent. This unprecedented inflow of people, many of whom are vulnerable individuals seeking international protection, presents a challenge across Europe not only in terms of their immediate reception, but also with regard to their long-term integration into society. Throughout history, common values and the collective identity of Europe have been shaped by the help of the diversity of its people which represent a challenge but, at the same time, also an opportunity to build new inclusive communities and to grow Europe’s society. AER member are strongly committed in sharing discussions and good examples on how to foster the integration of migrants and also open to act ...

Partner search: Life project on climate adaptation

The AER Secretariat is happy to share with its member regions and partners a project opportunity developed by its partner network ALDA – The European Association of Local Democracy with the leadership of the Municipality of Santorso (in Vicenza province – Italy). The project “Rural and Urban Lands of NOrth VIcenza Province under a Sustainable WATER management” will be submitted within the Life Programme and it relates with climate adaptation. Its main objective is to demonstrate that local communities could make the difference in order to reduce the impact of floods. More specifically, the project is aimed to: demonstrate that small diffused works and implementation of best practices can guarantee hydraulic safety and face climate change consequences effectively; establish a local administrative, financial, and ...

Declaration on (R)e-inventing democracy

Project opportunities related to health

Many challenges need to be met to grant everybody’s legitimate wish for a long, happy and healthy life. European research and innovation in health helps to tackle these challenges. It is an investment in our health and, on a larger scale, an investment in a healthy workforce, a healthy economy and lower public health bills. The return on this investment will be finding new ways to prevent diseases, developing better diagnostics and more effective therapies, as well as taking up new models of care and new technologies promoting health and wellbeing. New technologies could keep older people active and independent for longer and help European health and care systems to remain sustainable. European research and innovation in health is about working ...

AER meets EU institution leaders

One week after the Brexit, AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and Secretary General Mathieu Mori met with Mr Timmermans, first vice President of the European Commission. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the 2017 work programme of the European Commission but also to enquire about the steps the Commission will take following the loss of one of the key EU members. After restating the key AER messages on current key topics such as renewal of cohesion policy, urban agenda while also calling for the Commission to produce a white paper on rural areas that would lead to a post-2020 rural development policy. The implementation of the European fund for strategic investment as well the future of asylum ...

Transparency: a tool for change

Remember the picture? United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon holding a report which outlines the actions of States and Regions with regards to climat change. Because regions are implementing a variety of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, AER is joining forces with the Compact of States and Regions to encourage regions across wider Europe to make their engagement and achievements public. This cooperation was also presented on the occasion of the last meeting of the AER working group on energy and climate change. Figures are not just numbers At COP21, the Compact of States and Regions was hailed as one of the most impactful collective initiatives as it allowed, for the first time, to accurately reflect the level of ambition shown by ...

COP22: the final countdown

One of the major achievements of COP21 was to underline the central role of regional and non-State stakeholders to protect natural resources, reduce global warming and mitigate its effects. At the end of this year in Marrakech, COP22 will look at the progress made since. Because the Mediterranean area is especially vulnerable to climate change, it is essential that the Mediterranean voice on climate issues be heard. 2000 representatives of Regions, the R&D sector, NGOs, the private sector and civil society will therefore gather to prepare this event on the occasion of the MEDCOP, on 18-19 July in Tangiers. MEDCOP 22 was formally announced by the French President and the King of Marroco last September. This will be an opportunity to ...

Did you miss the General Assembly? Catch-up with our social media story

Take a glimpse at what happened in Nordland (NO) from 22-23 June 2016 at our Bureau on (R)e-inventing Democracy, the General Assembly and the Keynote discussion on the devlopment in the High North, the Arctic. All the key moments are highlighted in our social media. Our pictures are available on our Facebook page. Thank you to all active members on Twitter and Facebook.

Congratulations to the new members of the Monitoring & Evaluation Group

Three members were elected for the Monitoring & Evaluation Group (MEG) in Nordland at the General Assembly on 23 June 2016. Congratulations to the three nominees! They will be leading the work of the MEG for the next three years. Thomas Hartman Västerbotten-SE Chairman of the MEG Ana Verushi Korça-AL Member of the MEG Medzait Ljatifi Nordjylland-DK Member of the MEG Find out more about the Monitoring & Evaluation group.

AER Procedures (23 June 2016, Nordland)

Adopted by the AER Executive Board on 16 March 2016 in Vojvodina Ratified by the AER General Assembly on 23 June 2016 in Nordland

AER Statute (23 June 2016, Nordland)

Adopted by the AER General Assembly on 23 June 2016 in Nordland (NO) (Use Pop Out button to Download/Open)

Action plan 2016-2017

The AER action plan was adopted by the General Assembly in June 2016 and runs from Spring 2016 to Spring 2017. AER Priorities 2015-2017 • Supporting regions in ensuring a sustainable future for all • Sharing regional policies that improve wellbeing • Making European Regions the connecting link between Europe and citizens, while increasing the link between the European Regions • Using networks and interconnections to boost the regions’ innovation potential • Accompanying youth towards better involvement and participation in public life The Focus for the AER 2016 agenda is “Revitalising democracy”. This lead to the organisation of the Seminar on “Communication & Actions in times of crisis” on the occasion of the Committees’ Spring Plenary. Members discussed how policy makers need to engage with citizens, listen ...

Final conference school dropout: Just another brick in the wall?

Young people are the future Yet judging by the figures the perspectives are rather gloomy: according to Eurostats, one sixth of all young people were neither in employment nor in education or training in the EU-28 in 2014. In this context early school leaving is a major issue and a threat to social and economic cohesion. AER members regions have been working on this topic via the working group on school dropouts. In this context the JET-CD project held its final conference on 21-22 June in Hampshire. 27 participants from the partner organisations and from different organisations from the region attended the event. Early school leaving: long term impacts Early school leaving (ESL) is predictive of a range of economic and social outcomes. Early leavers ...

Brexit: about time to react

AER experiences everyday the need for solidarity, mutual understanding and joint action among its elected members across Europe. We therefore regret but respect the outcome of the U.K. referendum. We urge the EU institutions to act upon the strong message sent by the people of the United Kingdom and to take the necessary measures to adapt and improve its core mechanisms. The EU must find ways to better communicate the added value and concrete benefits of its existence. Despite often cumbersome administrative procedures, Regions are great beneficiaries of EU policies through cohesion policy and structural funds. AER and regions in general are willing to do their part in better communicating the benefits of EU policies to its citizens. Closer to ...

Minutes: General Assembly, 23 June 2016, Bodø (NO)

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Video message of EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella at AER General Assembly

EU Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, addressed the AER General Assembly on 23 June in a video message during the Keynote discussion on why the arctic dimension matters for all Europeans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G07UssvJ4xw

Strong voices for voting “remain”

The AER Bureau took the opportunity of its meeting today to talk about the UK referendum. For obvious reasons, AER Vice-President Cllr Roy Perry (Hampshire-UK) could not take part in events in Nordland (NO) but addressed the assembly on the eve of the UKs referendum. Cllr Perry insisted on the two top achievements of the EU: peace and economy. He remarked on the difficulty of the campaign and confirmed his unwavering belief that being part of the EU is the only way forward. Brian Greenslade, AER Honorary member, added to Cllr Perry’s intervention with more arguments in favour of the UK remaining in the EU and shared his distaste for the lies and twisted arguments in that have been put forward by Brexit ...

On the road to digital democracy

The 2016 AER General Assembly and Spring Bureau kicked-off with the discussion on (R)e-inventing democracy and the disruptive nature of technology. We have all been confronted with the ephemeral feeling of confusion and frustration when faced with the updates of our applications, programmes, software, phones (etc.) and any other day-to-day ICT; we tend to rely heavily on habits when using such technology but luckily individual habits are (somewhat) easily changed. As difficult as this adaptation might be on an individual level, it is exponential when set up in the wider framework of a public administration. Innovation in the public sector is or should be a high priority for any public administration which are more and more pressed for efficiency and transparency. Setting the ...

Minutes: Executive Board, 22 June 2016, Bodø

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Cllr Roy Perry (Hampshire-UK) on UK referendum

Cllr Roy Perry (Hampshire-UK) could not attend our General Assembly in Bodø last June due to his responsibilities in the Remain campaign for the UK referendum. However, he sent this video to be presented at the Bureau meeting on June 22 2016. The Bureau was focused on the possibilities that new technologies offer to regional authorities to imporve governance, but was closed with a brief but intense discussion on the possible scenarios after the referendum the day after. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTHR2pBfJ8c

Welcome to Bodø: ready to kick-off!

The rooms are set, papers, badges and lists are ready, presentations are being fine-tuned and rehearsed, the team from Nordland County Council is in the starting blocks, members are arriving… let the show begin! We will kick-off tomorrow with the Bureau discussion on (R)e-inventing democracy and our panelists: Stay tuned! #AERGA2016 @EuropeanRegions

Energy: let the fight start!

Energy champions A full day for sustainable energy: to speed the deployment of sustainable energy policies! Sharing knowledge, experience, success and failures, this is why members get together at AER meetings. Why? Because this is a proven method to deploy solutions which work. Know your Enemy! The AER working group on energy carried out a stakeholders analysis exercise in the morning. This exercise allows to identify the different stakeholders which will be involved in a particular challenge and list their interests. Although interests more than often compete, allowing these different interests to be expressed instead of ignoring them in order to “simplify the problem” is key. It helps indeed to identify the forces in favour and the forces against and, in fine, propose ...

Franche-Comté is the home of many famous historic figures

France’s most famous writer, poet and playwright, Victor Hugo was born in Franche-Comté, at the foot of the majestic Citadelle. Although he left the region in his early years, he was in constant correspondance with local dignitary. Other famous men, Claude Jouffroy-D’Abbans, Rouget De l’Isle, Toussaint Louverture, Gustave Courbet, Louis Pasteur, the Peugeot family, Petit Gibus, and Bernard Clavel all have one thing in common: Franche-Comté, either as their birthplace, place of inspiration, invention and discovery. The region of Franche-Comté is an active member of the AER youth international mobility programme, Eurodyssey. Since the territorial reform in 2016 in France, the region has merged with Bourgogne and is known as Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

Looking back on what was accomplished: our activity report is out!

We are pleased to share with you the 2015-2016 Activity Report. “It has been a busy year and we are proud to show what we have accomplished, for and with our members. The results and outputs are both impressive in their quantity but most importantly in their quality” said Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER President. The AER Secretary General, Mr Mathieu Mori added “We would like to thank all members and partners for their active involvement in the network (for hosting our events, leading activities, drafting positions, managing the Committees, taking part in activities, traveling for events, etc.) and their dedication to the AER cause. We look forward to continue the current projects and activities and launch new ones” Grab your copy ...

Activity report 2015-2016

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Urgent partner search for a project on the role of older women in societies

The AER member Donegal County Council is urgently seeking partners to participate in a funding bid to the recent DEAR funding call Lot 4 “Global Learning Education and Campaigning and Advocacy Projects led by a local authority”. Donegal County Council is a local authority in the north west of Ireland and has responsibility for the delivery of a range of public services to a population of some 160,000 citizens.  The Council has significant experience of EU projects across a range of programmes, including Interreg A,B,C strands, Peace programmes and more recently participation in the LADDER programme supported by the EU. The OWLS (Older Women Learning and Sharing) project seeks to deal with issues of migration, gender equality and climate change and to recognise the ...

AER regions & ParkinsonNet: joint action on centered health care

AER and the Province of Gelderland (NL) joined their effort in launching a project development initiative for AER regions in order to share experiences and work together on centered health care. On 18th-20th May, a motivated group of participants among which AER Secretariat, Norrbotten, Jönköping, Värmland (SE), Kleve (DE) and Western Islands (Scotland) had a fruitful discussion in Nijmegen (NL) on E-health, self-care, participatory role for patients, building a network, changing the way healthcare is financed and other topics related to health care innovations. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange knowledge and experiences with patient-centered care systems across the EU and to explore opportunities for a joint project development. The meeting was enriched by the presentation of the best practices that have ...

AER Report – Energy security from a regional perspective

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AER at e-health week

Coalition of the willing AER participated in a session organised by ECHAlliance on a new “Coalition of the Willing”. This digital health journey across Europe aims at speeding up the deployment of e-health in regions. Agneta Granström, President of the AER Committee on Social Policy and Public Health and leader of AER ehealth network presented the issues faced by europeans regions. When it comes to using ehealth to build a new, sustainable and patient-centered health system, which supports health innovation, leadership is key. Mrs Granström emphasized the need for change management, change leadership and an increased focus on improving digital literacy among leaders. A week focused on empowerment & trust The 2016 eHealth Week was organised by the Dutch Ministry of Health as ...

(Flipbook) Activity report 2015-2016

Sign here for the future of Cohesion policy

The current programming period of cohesion policy is set until 2020. However, the discussions already started behind the doors of the European Commission and other institutions, especially as we are coming close to the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which will serve as a strong working base to prepare the post-2020 period. The EU Cohesion policy, as one of the biggest beneficiary of the EU budget, will obviously be discussed as well as the question whether Cohesion policy should cover all regions or only less developed regions in the future. This could be questioned as it is the only policy solely dedicated to the benefit of the regions and as such gives visibility to the regions of Europe and legitimation ...

Energy security & regions

While Brussels is revamping into the capital of Sustainable Energy, on the occasion of the annual EU Sustainable Energy Week, AER is launching its Report “Energy security from a regional perspective”, led by Kenneth Backgård (Norrbotten, SE). Energy security and the role of regions The report, which presents the experience from regions accross Europe in the development of sustainable energy sources was handed by Mr Jean-Luc Vanraes, President of AER Committee 1 to Miguel Arias Cańete, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy on the occasion of the Structured Dialogue at the Committee of the Regions. Renewable energy sources have a strong potential to reduce dependency on external energy imports to Europe, while at the same time contributing to the transition to a sustainable ...

New platform for local civil servants to acquire international experience

A tumblr platform has been created by the National Institute of Local Studies (INET). The aim of the platform is to present the opportunities for local civil servants to acquire a European or international experience and the different possibilities for them to go abroad. The page has been created in order to encourage European and international mobility. This kind of mobility is marginal due to three main obstacles: the administrative barriers, language skills and lack of information.  We modestly want to act on this third reason. There is plenty of information about mobility but it does not target local civil servants in particular. The aim of the platform is to inform this public and to show the many opportunities. The platform centralises ...

Poll: Identifying obstacles to investments

What are the obstacles to investments at local and regional level? Re-launching public and private investments to boost long-term growth is on top of the EU policy agenda. As stated by Jean-Luc Vanraes President of the Committee 1 on Economy and Regional development,“SMEs play a key role in growth and job creation and cities and regions are essential in paving the way for future private investment”. In this framework, the European Commission invites the Member States to help in identifying obstacles to investment, and  the local and regional authorities (LRAs) should take part in this task. To help facilitate this exercise the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is launching a survey to help local and regional authorities (LRAs) to identify ...

Do you remember the winners of the 2007 edition of the Regional Innovation Award?

The AER team is preparing the Regional Innovation Award 2016 and we came across some pictures of previous awarded regions. Here you can see the winners of the 2007 Communicating Europe awards: Extremadura Region (ES), the region of Lower Austria (AT), and Sisak-Moslavina (HR) together with the President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso. On teh category Innovation, the winners were Lower Austria (AT), Comunidad Valenciana (ES) and Upper Austria (AT). The 2007 edition of our awards focused on three main areas: Innovation, Communicating Europe, and Most Youth-Friendly European Region. About the Regional Innovation Award Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending ...

In healthcare, the days of business as usual are over

During the last Committee’s Spring Plenaries hosted by The County Council of Timis (RO) and the Assembly of European Regions on 11-14 April, Professor Dr. Marc Noppen presented the key defiance for Hospital ICT in a continuous changing Healthcare environment. Prof. Noppen is CEO at UZ Brussel. The current paradigm of Health Care delivery is facing multiple global challenges. Factors such as changing demographics, budget constraints and expensive diseases to treat, place Healthcare in a situation where innovation is needed more than ever. What is more, the existing deficiencies in the current healthcare system lead to silos between stakeholders, care is not delivered in an integrated way, or that part of the health care spending goes to unnecessary bureaucracy, as Prof. ...

A conference on non-formal education in Brussels to close the YBB project

AER would like to share the invitation from the Abruzzo region (IT) to take part in the final conference of the project: “yBBregions – Youth and Brussels-based“, which will be held at the premises of the Abruzzo region in Brussels from 9.00 on 16th June 2016. The yBBregions project offered 80 young people coming from Abruzzo and three other regions (Dubrovnik-Neretva in Croatia, Lubuskie in Poland, and Prešov in Slovakia) the same cooperation platform which operates on daily basis for their respective regional office in Brussels. It created a set of opportunities to go through a unique non-formal learning experience. The conference “Non-formal learning in the Brussels-based regions: lessons learnt and recommendations for the future” will present the outcome of the project and discuss with European and regional stakeholders a long-term ...

Summer Academy: registrations now open!

Registrations for the 2016 AER Summer Academy in Østfold (NO) are now open! This mutual learning event on youth entrepreneurship  will take place from 16 to 19 August and will gather policy makers young and less young from all over Europe. Investing in the future The title of this year’s Summer Academy is “Investing in our future: Youth entrepreneurship in Europe’s Regions” and will feature workshops, study visits and seminars on topics ranging from energy and ICT to achievement in the business jungle without College or University experience. The AER Youth Regional network will have a major role in the Summer Academy with the organisation of a business game on youth entrepreneurship and a plenary session on social entrepreneurship. Youth: a priority For AER supporting ...

Project on Life Balance of vulnerable youngsters: looking for a coordinator and partners

The AP University College in Antwerp is looking for a coordinator and partners to develop a project on Life Balance. Their aim is to develop a digital tool (mobile phone application) to self-monitor and to optimize life balance in vulnerable youngsters. The tool will be developed in close collaboration with the youngsters and other actors and implementation will be evaluated. The idea is to design this project in the framework of the following Horizon 2020 Calls: Promoting mental health and well-being in the young PCP – eHealth innovation in empowering the patient The AP University College is looking for partners having the following profile: Organisations in society (focussing on asylum seekers and/or youngsters) University (college) partners Technological/technical organisations for the development of the instrument(s) We invite AER members and ...

Get visibility and financing for your green projects

R20, AER and The Leonardo di Caprio Foundation launch the “100 Solutions Project Campaign“ Under the mandate of the Leonardo di Caprio Foundation, the R20 is responsible for launching the « 100 Solutions Project campaign ». This campaign aims at valorising regional green projects by giving them visibility on the international stage and by helping regions finance their green projects, either directly or indirectly. AER is the R20 European partner in this project. Therefore, out of the 100 projects to be identified worldwide, AER has the opportunity of promoting the projects coming from European regions. The target is ambitious : to identify by the end of August 2016, around 10 energy, waste and energy efficiency projects from AER member regions that require technical and financial support ...

What topic for the next AER Equal Opportunities conference?

The AER Equal Opportunities Group is preparing its next move. What are the most relevant issues to address this year? What are the hot topics on the agenda of your region? We want your input!  In recognition of this topic’s importance within AER’s work, the Equal Opportunities Group (EOG) has worked on a number of activities for this year’s agenda with the aim of ensuring that these issues are mainstreamed across the entire organisation. Mrs Ana Tomanova Makanova – Vice-President of Equal Opportunities and Integration and Chair of the AER Equal Opportunities Group- has stated that “equal opportunities should not only cover gender issues, but also promote and strengthen respect for Human Rights, democracy and rule of law, in parallel with the destination of ...

Jan Owe-Larsson, Chairman of AER working group on Transports & Mobility

Jan Owe-Larsson is the Chairman AERs working group on Transports & Mobility and the second vice-chair of Region Östergötland’s Transport and Urban Planning Committee. The AER working group aims for smart and connected regions and has recently broadened its activities to better grasp the potential and address issues and barriers for regions. With the digitalisation of the economy and the growing weight of data management, the working group now looks at themes such as connectivity and permeability (in particular intelligent transport systems, seamless transport services; -freight management & data; smart green infrastructure; financing of infrastructure; follow up of the regulation of state aid and regional airports. Jan Owe-Larsson is particularly interested in leading the AER work on transport and mobility as ...

Smart Regions: the growth that Europe needs

The AER participated in the Smart Regions conference, where European regions could present their successful stories on Smart Specialisation and their strategies to achieve innovation-driven economic transformation. At the same time, the European Institutions had the opportunity to listen to these examples and meet the people that make them happen, establishing a dialogue between the decision-makers of regional, national and European level, and the research, industry and social actors. The event was focused on three priority areas: Energy, Agri-food and Industrial Modernisation. These key fields aggregate the regions in three Thematic Smart Specialisation Platforms already in place (or just launched at the conference) set to encourage the regions to develop interregional partnerships and to share best practices in similar fields. During Wednesday afternoon, an interactive workshop was ...

EU Health Award launched!

The European Union Health Policy Forum (EUHPF), is a communication platform between the European Commission and health stakeholders that brings together umbrella organisations representing European stakeholders in the fields of public health and healthcare, with the aim of helping to ensure the EU’s Health Strategy is open, transparent and responds to public concerns. AER has been a member of the platform, where it has been representing regions for several years. In this context, the European Commission just launched its new EU Health Award, which this year will recognise and reward the efforts and achievements of European NGOs towards reducing the threat to human health from antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The call for applications focuses in fields such as: · Prevention of infection · Appropriate use of antimicrobials · ...

Young entrepreneurship in Croatia-Norway: looking for Norwegian partners!

The City of Kutina Development Agency (Sisak-Moslavina County, Croatia) is looking for partners from Norway (Legal persons registered in Norway as private or public entities, including non-governmental organisations as well as International organisations) to join the project proposal “From local to global – development economy cooperation of young entrepreneurship from Republic of Croatia and Kingdom of Norway”. The proposal will be presented within the Fund for Bilateral Relations in Republic of Croatia, aimed to strengthen bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Norway and Republic of Croatia by stimulating long-lasting cooperation between institutions and organization through the implementation of activities with partners from Kingdom of Norway, including through partnership at project level in all programme areas supported The main objective of the project ...

The circular economy: challenges and enablers for SMEs

SMEs represent 99% of businesses in Europe thus they are the backbone of the European Union’s economy. Adopting a “circular economy” business model will not only decrease resource consumption but will bring competitive advantage and open new markets to companies. Nevertheless,  SMEs often encounter different types of barriers and challenges for which they need practical, legal, and of course, financial support. The financial aspect is one of the major barriers when adopting sustainable practices by SMEs. On the other hand, SMEs might have difficulties to understand the processes of accessing funds, EU or government grants due to lack of time and staff. The lack of government support and effective legislation is also recognised as an obstacle. Sometimes these barriers might be found ...

Re-connecting with the French regions

Following the meeting on 20 May between AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, Secretary General Mathieu Mori and the new politicians from the Ile-de-France region, three more French regions have been visited from 25th to 27th of May by the AER. After the regional elections that took place in France a few months ago and the reform of French regions, AER wanted to meet the new executives of the regions and show its solidarity with its members at a challenging institutional times which has seen many regions merge. Mr Magnus Berntsson, AER Vice-President, SG Mathieu Mori and officer Mikael Appelqvist have visited the new regions of Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes ; Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Wednesday 25 May – Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes Mr Mori met in Bordeaux with Ms Isabelle ...

Migration & culture: call for action

Culture as an inclusion strategy Europe is facing a gigantic mission right now and for the coming years: how to handle the current migration trends? How to include newcomers and their families? What can AER members do to contribute in the face of this challenge? During the 2016 Spring plenary meetings in Timis, RO, the seminar “Communication and Actions in Times of Crisis” featured a workshop on the role of culture for the integration of migrants. Members shared many good examples, from Hälsingland and Västerbotten in Sweden, Catalonia in Spain, Timis in Romania and many other regions. Presentations are available on the events webpage. Bringing together regional experiences Sharing experiences is instrumental for mutual learning. While the challenge is real, many regions are already deploying ...

Connecting perspectives on e-Health: industrial, academic and institutional actors meeting up at the e-Health 360° Summit

Quality healthcare provisioning in Europe has become a major issue for the EU healthcare systems. The population growth and the increasing number of chronic patients is creating a strong budgetary pressure on governments. AER is strongly following this issue and providing concrete actions to face this challenge within its Committees, favouring a dialogue among health, innovation, enterprises and social policies. In this context, innovation through electronic and mobile health solutions could be a crucial asset in order to overcome these challenges, and to contribute to a more patient-focused healthcare. The ultimate goal is to empower people and to support the shift towards prevention, while at the same time improve the efficiency of the existing healthcare systems. Representatives from the industry, academy and institution will ...

The city of Kragujevac in Serbia (Sumadija and Pomoravlje) is known as the city of the many ”firsts”

Photo by Miroslav Vajdic Almost all scopes of social, public and economic life in Serbia have its roots in Region of Sumadija and Pomoravlje: In 1833 the First Grammar School was established and than the “Lyceum”, the forerunner of the first Serbian University, in 1838. First constitution in the Balkans was proclaimed in this city in 1835. Print works in 1833. Professional National theatre 1835. Military academy 1837. The first bulb in Serbia lit up in 1884, when the First Electrical Power plant was built. Weapons manufacturing in Kragujevac began in 1853. The former state-owned Zastava Automobiles Company was founded in 1953, produces over 1 million of famous FIAT 750 known as FICA. Zastava was sold to Fiat in 2008. Total volume of investment is over 1 billion Euros, while ...

Join Värmland in the way to innovation and become the next winner of the Regional Innovation Award

The 2014 Regional Innovation Award (RIA) was awarded to Värmland County Council (SE) following the building of a hospital in Karlstad, which aimed at monitoring and assessing an environmentally conscious choice of materials, as well as phasing out harmful chemicals in the construction of a new department for premature babies at the hospital. The prize was officially presented in Brussels on 18 March 2014 in the framework of a round table on the future of European industrial policy.   Do you want to become the next winner of the Regional Innovation Award? This is what you need to know! About the Regional Innovation Award Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their ...

A more efficient implementation of environmental policies through the regions

“It is useless to come with directives, regulations and strategies if they are not implemented“: Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, opened the meeting with the delegation led by AER Vice-President Magnus Berntsson on 20 May 2016 in a frank and honest way, stressing the importance for the European Commission to cooperate with the regions for an efficient implementation of the environmental policies. Magnus Berntsson took the opportunity of this meeting to introduce the keynote discussion on the topic of the Arctic that AER will hold in the framework of its 2016 General Assembly on 23 June in Nordland (NO). M. Vella presented the European Commission’s communication on “an integrated European Union policy for the Arctic” and expressed the crucial need to find ...

For a better digital single market with regions

  An AER delegation led by President Hande Özsan Bozatli met today with Andrus Ansip, Commissioner for digital single market. With a communicative passion for his portfolio, Commissioner Ansip was glad to meet representatives of regions when he is mainly used to deal with national governments. AER and its members work on many topics that fall under his responsibility : e-health, e-government, cultural and creative industries, data protection, interoperability… Ensuring personal data protection is key and is ensured, although too often used as an argument to prevent progress in the spread of the digital single market which would mean a more transparent, more efficient and more practical Europe for citizens. Commissioner Ansip who has a local background is convinced of the need for him ...

Acting together for the future of cohesion policy

AER met on 19 May with Commissioner Corina Creţu in charge of regional policy. A delegation reflecting the diversity of AER members, led by President Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli with the presence of Magnus Berntsson, AER Vice President, and AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori discussed the future of cohesion policy. Ms Crețu highlighted her priorities for the future of cohesion policy : flexibility, performance and delivery, simplification. AER President insisted on the following AER messages : cohesion policy must continue to cover all regions for the post 2020 period ; grants must continue to be a key funding instrument for all regions. Finally, at a time when Europe is so criticised, it is crucial that the policies which benefit in the most concrete and closest manner ...

Why the Arctic matters

On 23 June, the region of Nordland (NO) invites you to a keynote discussion on “Development in the high North: the Arctic” in the framework of the AER General Assembly and Spring Bureau. The timing of the debate coincides with the European Commission’s joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council on “An integrated European Union policy for the Arctic”, published on 27 April 2016, which reflects on the strategic importance of the region for its 4 million inhabitants but also for Europe and the rest of the world; the Arctic is rich in providing fish, minerals, oil and gas to other parts of the world and is a key regulator of climate change. The region is recognised as an example of constructive international cooperation ...

Laurent of Belgium supports AER on environmental issues and sustainability

AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and Laurent of Belgium made official their cooperation agreement on 17 May. The background of the collaboration is the growing environmental and climate challenges for which Laurent of Belgium has valuable expertise and great personal interest. AER and its regions have initiated multiple actions over the past decade to promote regions in their energy transition and the AER’s presence at COP21 last December crystalized the potential of regions in the climate negotiations. The advisory role of Laurent of Belgium to the President will also extend to other areas based on his extended experience in private companies, international organisations and the public sector. Laurent of Belgium insisted on his fervent support to the AER cause ...

Press conference, AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and Laurent of Belgium

AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and Laurent of Belgium made official their cooperation agreement on 17 May. The background of the collaboration is the growing environmental and climate challenges for which Laurent of Belgium has valuable expertise and great personal interest. AER and its regions have initiated multiple actions over the past decade to promote regions in their energy transition and the AER’s presence at COP21 last December crystalized the potential of regions in the climate negotiations. The advisory role of Laurent of Belgium to the President will also extend to other areas based on his extended experience in private companies, international organisations and the public sector. Laurent of Belgium insisted on his fervent support to the AER cause ...

Vienna “building bridges”

The City of Vienna has just published its annual International Activities Report 2015. The report is driven by the motto “building bridges”, as explained by the Mayor and Governor of Vienna, Dr. Michael Häupl, “Vienna has indeed been actively involved in the building of bridges, especially in international relations, in the 70 years that have passed since the end of World War II. Collaborative projects and initiatives were launched with other cities, especially with the capitals of the Central and Eastern European region, and we have worked to develop joint strategies in an effort to solve problems on an equal footing.” Download the publication (English) Download the publication (German) Printed brochures can be ordered at this address: [email protected]

Call for nominations: Monitoring and Evaluation Group

Mandate The mandate of the AER Monitoring and Evaluation Group is defined in the Statute article 4.8: The General Assembly elects, for a mandate of three years, three members, not involved in other governing structures of AER, to form a Monitoring and Evaluation Group. One of the politicians will have a coordinating role. The group, reporting to the General Assembly, will be responsible for: a) Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the mission and objectives of AER, in compliance with the provisions of the Statute and the Procedures; b) The efficient and sound use of financial and human resources. The members of the group will be supported by an officer/officers from their region. The group will assess the outcomes of the actions and activities and ...

Follow Wielkopolska’s lead: become the next Regional Innovation Award winner

The 2011 edition of the Regional Innovation prize was awarded in Ponta Delgada, Açores (P) on the 25 November 2011 to the project “Promoter of Innovation” presented by the region of Wielkopolska (PL). This initiative aimed at providing capital, legal advice, technical know-how and other services to facilitate the development of knowledge-based SMEs. President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso gave a speech during the ceremony.                   “This year’s edition of the Regional Innovation Award is of particular importance as it will address the issue of Circular Economy. We look forward to promoting regional initiatives in this area, showing once again that regions are motors of economic growth and on the starting blocks in terms of developing policies and actions in ...

Regions delivering on the Paris Agreement: information webinar

Invitation: webinar about the Compact of States and Regions As a critical part of the post-Paris agenda of action by Non-State Actors, AER invites all European regions to report to the Compact of States and Regions between April 4 and July 2016. The Climate Group and CDP invite you to a webinar to find out how your government can join the Compact of States and Regions, the benefits involved and how to disclose your environmental data. About the webinar: Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 4.30pm BST– 12.30pm BRT / 11.30am EST / 5.30pm CET / 08.30am PDT (check your time zone here) Please register here before joining the webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2088737115936319489 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Audio: Please dial in ...

Join Gelderland’s (NL) event on chronic diseases (18-20 May)

Demographic, societal and technological developments call for a fundamentally new approach to healthcare. The complexity of care is increasing and the number of healthcare professionals is decreasing. The increase in patients with multiple chronic diseases leads to uncontrollable costs, and good quality of care cannot be guaranteed for future generations. The Foundation ParkinsonNet (NL) developed a new approach and ecosystem in innovating health care for patients suffering from chronic diseases. Over the years, ParkinsonNet built a network and national infrastructure of specialized care in all 70 Dutch health regions and more than 3000 care professionals. This network disseminates best practices and aims to optimize the quality of care in a patient oriented approach. In this framework, the Province of Gelderland (NL) is glad ...

Interreg Atlantic Area: 1st call for projects is open!

Interreg Atlantic Area  just launched its 1st call for projects, which will be open until 31st May h 12.00 noon (GMT). This call supports transnational cooperation projects in 38 regions of 5 Atlantic countries: France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, contributing to the achievement of economic, social and territorial cohesion. The overall objective is to implement solutions to answer to regional challenges in the fields of innovation, resource efficiency, environment and cultural assets, supporting regional development and sustainable growth. The Programme is committed to funding high quality sustainable projects addressing key transnational challenges or common transnational problems shared by different regions across the Atlantic Area. Therefore, they should also be impact oriented, seeking to generate sustainable change in the regions ...

Europe Day: an occasion for celebration but also for reflection

Message from the President, Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli Citizens of Europe are in doubt. Doubt about the state and future of Europe, doubt about the capacity of Europe to make their lives better and protect them, doubt about the strength of Europe in the world. Each European organisation must, at its level, take this reality into account. At the regional level, the Assembly of European Regions has, for 30 years, promoted a Europe closer to the citizens, an everyday life Europe. We believe that a multi-ethnic, mutli-cultural and multi-lingual Europe is in the DNA of the European values, values we share and promote at AER. By organising its work above political parties, AER shows its capacity at working on pragmatic issues with an ...

Join Västra Götaland in the ranks of top innovative regions

In 2009, the region of Västra Götaland (SE) was awarded the AER Regional Innovation Award (RIA) for its project “Industrial Dynamics” which was regognised by the jury for stimulating innovation in the region and promoting industrial companiesʼ growth and stronger competitiveness through more forceful exploitation of development potential and support for innovation. “The jury was particularly impressed by the quantitative independently evaluated. There was a clear focus on the regionʼs potential. Finally, this initiative is politically backed and is based on a strong existing demand.”  Dr. Joachim Hafkesbring President Technology Transfer and Innovation (TII) About the Regional Innovation Award Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending applications for the ...

Participate for free in the first development conference in Mus Region (TR)

The Eastern Turkish region of Mus invites you to participate in its very first « Social Development » conference hosted by the Mus Alparslan University from 28-30 September 2016. The conference is open to all disciplines related to tourism, industry, energy, education and agriculture along with their sub-disciplines. A special call is made for agricultural topics (horticulture, plant protection, crop science, soil science and plant nutrition, agricultural biotechnology, animal science etc.) Should you wish to participate, speak and/or submit papers on all these topics please visit and register on the conference’s website. Please bear in mind that no participation fee will be charged from both domestic and foreigner participants. Also, accommodation and meals of all participants during the conference will be covered. All information ...

Promote your region’s innovative policies on Employment

The Zero Project -an organisation focusing on the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, and one of our partner network- has opened a call for nomination (deadline: 15 May) 1.What is the initiative about? Work is essential for realizing other human rights and it forms an inseparable and inherent part of human dignity. Employment of persons with disabilities is about the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible. Hence, the Zero Project 2017 is focusing on Work, Employment, and Vocational Education and Training and invites leading experts and organisations to nominate innovative policies on this topic. Innovative Policies can be laws, regulations, standards, strategies, programmes, adopted by local, ...

Political declaration: call for amendments

The AER Bureau in Nordland (NO) on 22 June will address the issue of (R)e-inventing Democracy and the impact of technologies on the democratic process. All member regions are invited to submit amendments to the proposed political declaration. Please use the comment box below, providing the name of your region, to submit amendments or send us an email. (R)e-inventing Democracy A regional approach Whereas: participation in elections is decreasing steadily in Europe; Whereas: governments are faced with increasingly complex challenges ranging from economic development to countering radicalisation or fighting climate change; Whereas: new technologies are multiplying the opportunities for citizens participation by means of sharing opinions, advice, evaluation, financial support, co-creation; Whereas: new technologies must be used in respect of the citizens’ privacy; Whereas: tapping into the human ...

YRN prepares highly-interactive workshop on Youth Entrepreneurship

During the YRN Spring Plenary meeting, the committee of “Professional Life and Youth Entrepreneurship” worked with the outline of the workshop that is going to be held at the AER Summer Academy 2016 in Østfold (NO). With an aim to give the participants an insight to the topic of Youth Entrepreneurship, and encourage them to come up with creative and innovative solutions the committee propounded the idea of holding an interactive 120-minute workshop for 30 people. In order to raise the awareness and enhance the entrepreneurial spirit, the participants will be offered an opportunity to attend a lecture held by an inspiring guest speaker and learn from successes and failures from the real life experience. The second section – a business game – ...

Join Noord-Brabant amongst the winners of the AER Regional Innovation Award

In 2008, the Provice of Noord-Brabant (NL) was awarded the AER Regional Innovation Award (RIA) for their Innovative Actions Braban program 3 (IAB-3) which was regognised by the jury for stimulating innovation in the Province and finding smart solutions for the ageing population.   “This project targets one of the most significant social predicaments facing Europeans and citizens around the world: an ageing population. Noord Brabant suggests an innovative approach to proactively deal with a major societal challenge.” Susanne Justesen Innovation Advisor, Ph.D, Innoversity Copenhagen About the Regional Innovation Award Since 2006, the RIA aims at honouring European Regional Authorities’ actions which have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory. The RIA 2016 edition targets projects on the circular economy. The deadline for sending applications for the call is 15 June 2016 and ...

New YRN Presidium elected in Oppland (NO)

The YRN elected their new Presidium at the plenary meeting in Oppland (NO) this weekend. Gloria Vitaly (Oppland-NO) President Lara Kvesic (Zagreb-HR) Svetlana Lanets (Kaliningrad-RU) Vice Presidents Branimir Culina (Zagreb-HR) Treasurer Katalin Arany (Csongrad-HU) Luka Bogdan (Zagreb-HR) Jurica Jug (Zagreb-HR) Lara Kvesic (Zagreb-HR) Heads of Committes Pawel Brusilo (Lower Silesia-PL) Alma Haugen (Østfold-NO) Sebastian Sandberg (Oppland-NO) Vahram Vardanyan (Yerevan City-AM) Vice-Heads of Committees The team will be leading the YRN for the next year. Among other issues, the YRN will be active in the 2016 Summer Academy with a workshop on Youth Entrepreneurship in Østfold and moderating the Bureau discussion on “(R)e-inventing Democracy” in Nordland (NO). For more information on the YRN, click here.

Learning from the European Regions: my Experience as an intern at AER

Today is Tomaso Comazzi’s last day as intern at the AER Brussels Office. Before moving on, we asked him to share his experience from working with us. Tomaso, which are your feelings at the end of this path? Personally, I felt very enriched by this experience, not just because of what I learned during these four months of intensive work as External Relations Assistant, but especially because I discovered in each team member a really kind person, taking care of me, sharing their skills and experiences and (as it was promised to me since the very first day) feeling really part of the AER family. I am sure that will remain the secret of all your future success! What about your future perspectives, now? After graduating in ...

Circular economy: the main focus of YRN Spring Plenary Meeting

The 2016 Youth Regional Network spring plenary meeting that took place in Oppland (NO) from 30 April to 2 May proposed an ambitious programme. First, during the opening session, the welcome words were followed by the announcement of the Regional Innovation Award, to then yield the floor to the introduction of a very important topic in the European agenda, keynote in this event: the circular economy. In this framework, the RMC-Covenant Circular Economy gave a presentation that aims at providing a general overview on this matter, its potential and issues at stake.  Oppland, the host region, presented and shared its good practices in the field which was followed by an open debate. Most importantly, YRN members prepared their moderation of the AER Spring 2016 ...

Trentino’s MUSE is the only museum in Italy awarded in the 2015 “European Museum of the year”

1.061.041 visitors, 5000 teachers member of the “Docenti Club”, 498 membership partners…since its opening in 2013 the Science Museum (MUSE) of Trento (Trentino-South Tyrol, I) is promoting science and culture in a very innovative and successful way. The main building has been projected by Renzo Piano and hosts an expositive path, a research center on biodiversity, zoology and botanic, a public library and the archives. However, ten other centers, spread around the province of Trento – and in Tanzania! – complete this wide educational and scientific project, aimed to interpret nature, starting from the mountains, using the eyes, tools, and applications of scientific research, taking advantage of the challenges of the contemporary world, stimulating scientific curiosity and the pleasure of knowledge, ...

Interreg Central Europe: 2nd call is open!

The Interreg Central Europe launched the 2nd call for proposal, open until 23 June 2016 h 18:00 CET. This call offers around 90 million Euro ERDF co-financing for the best transnational project ideas in all programme priorities and specific objectives. The co-financing rates reach up to 85% depending on the location of an institution. This programme is looking for transnational partnerships that jointly address challenges shared across central European cities and regions – related to either innovation, CO2 reduction, natural and cultural resources or transport. Such partnerships can be formed by both public and private organisations. The eligible areas are all regions from Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, as well as eight Länder from Germany (Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Sachsen, ...

Register now: event on chronic diseases, 18-20 May, Gelderland (NL)

The province of Gelderland (NL) is glad to invite all regions that have experience with projects on chronic diseases or that are willing to implement a broader strategy in this field, to a two-day working meeting with AER in close cooperation with Radboud University in the city of Nijmegen. We invite members with health work background, as well as public servants, health cost representatives, private health care providers and (E)-health entrepreneurs working on self management supporting tools or metholodogy to attend this interesting meeting, where participants will be able to share their experiences in E-Health in terms of patient self-care and self-empowerment, and to explore the possibilities of bringing “ParkinsonNet” E-Health/self-care model to other regions in Europe. ParkinsonNet is an initiative of Radboud ...

Getting the most out of the European Fund for Strategic Investments

AER met Friday 22 April with European Commission Vice President, Mr Jyrki Katainen, Commissioner for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness. Lukas Mandl, member of the parliament of Niederösterreich (AT) and Mathieu Mori, AER Secretary General, discussed with Mr Katainen about the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) and its uptake at regional level. The first results of this initiatives are encouraging but many more projects should be flowing towards the European Investment Bank which still has a huge potential of investment in various sectors. AER has taken the opportunity of this meeting to raise the issue of European accounting rules which require regions to charge the cost of investments to the budget and the account for the year in which the ...

(R)e-inventing Democracy

The AER Spring 2016 Bureau (22-24 June, Nordland-NO) will focus on the ways technology helps innovation in democracy, highlighting the disruptive nature of technology and the need to renew existing models. The debate will be lead by key actors from the public and private sectors experienced on topics such as new forms of citizens engagement and participation; big data for policy making; design thinking in the public sector; e-litteracy, etc. A declaration will be presented during the event to: acknowledge the awareness of regions on a series of hot topics such as: IT participatory tools, big data for policy making, design-thinking, innovation for by and with the people, co-creation etc declare that interregional cooperation is a tool to fast track innovation in the public sector recognise there ...

Time to Make the EU’s Single Market Fit for the Digital Age

Digitalization Transforms Our world On 21 of April, Press Club Europe Brussels hosted the European Confederation of Directors Associations – ecoDa 2016 Annual Conference. The theme of the conference was digitalization and the core question if “the European Directors are ready for a digitalized word?” Existing barriers, legal, cultural, perceptional and other mean citizens miss out on goods and services, internet companies and start-ups have their horizons limited, and businesses and governments cannot fully benefit from digital tools. It’s time to make the EU’s single market fit for the digital age – tearing down regulatory walls and moving from 28 national markets to a single one. This could contribute €415 billion per year to our economy and create hundreds of thousands of new ...

Photonics: the key to innovation for the European SMEs

From 11-14 April, The County Council of Timis (RO) and the Assembly of European Regions hosted the Spring Plenary of the three AER Committees. Within the Plenary meeting of the Committee 1 on Economy and regional development, Professor Hugo Thienpont presented ACTPHAST programme followed by a Q&A session from the audience. Prof. Thienpont is a full professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), member of the Brussel’s Photonics Team (B-Phot) and coordinator of ACTPHAST. What is ACTPHAST and how can it benefit the regions? ACTPHAST is an Integrated Project funded by the European Commission and seeks to overcome the barriers that the SMEs may encounter in their innovation efforts with photonics. It aims at boosting photonics innovation in European ...

The regional perspective on “Women in emergency situations”

On 14 April 2016 AER organised the Equal Opportunities Forum on “Women in Emergency situations” in Timis County (RO) in the framework of the Committees’ spring plenary meetings. The Forum gathered around 50 participants from AER member regions, to speak about European experiences, solutions and the regional perspective on this hot topic. As the European Parliament has urged the European Commission to deliver a new communication strategy on gender equality and women’s rights for 2016-2020, the member regions of AER aimed to define common messages based on their diverse and vast knowledge, and also on their experiences on equal opportunities, on women’s rights. AER vice-president for Equal Opportunities and Inclusion, Mrs Ana Tomanova Makanova, chaired the Forum and spoke about Voivodina’s experience ...

Minutes: Bureau, 22 April 2015, Strasbourg

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Interreg North-West Europe: 3rd call now open!

The Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) 3rd call for project proposal is now open and looking to receive transnational cooperation initiatives that can deliver concrete results for the North-West Europe area and its citizens. The Programme encourages public, scientific, private and civil society organisations to cooperate with a view to improving the economic, environmental, territorial and social development of Europe’s regions. All projects financed by the Programme will need to demonstrate high, transnational cooperation intensity throughout their lifetime with a clear focus on results. To deliver its aim, the Interreg NWE has identified three thematic priorities and five specific objectives: 1. Innovation: – To enhance innovation performance of enterprises throughout NWE region 2. Low Carbon – To facilitate the implementation of low-carbon, energy and climate protection strategies to ...

AER/SEO new agreement to foster regions’ connectivity

AER is happy to launch a new partnership agreement with SEO Amsterdam Economics. The partnership enables AER members to take advantage from SEO’s in-depth knowledge of regional connectivity analysis. SEO’s service includes a connectivity scan, a benchmark with competing regions, an analysis of the strong and weak spots of a region’s connectivity and ways to improve a region’s connectivity. SEO was founded in 1949 as a research institute of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Amsterdam and became legally independent from the University in 1980. It carries out applied economic research on behalf of the public and private sectors which can make a major contribution to the decision-making process of regions. SEO’s team consists of highly qualified experts within ...

Erasmus+ Key Action 3: call open on policy reform & social inclusion

Following the outcomes of the AER Comittee’s plenaries in Timis (RO) and the high interest of member regions on the issues of social inclusion of migrants and integration of refugees, we would like to raise again your attention on a funding opportunity addressed to disadvantaged learners, which was already announced in a previous article and shared during the meeting in Timis. Education, training and youth policies have a key role to play in fostering social inclusion, mutual understanding and respect among young people and communities. Therefore it is crucial to ensure equal access to high-quality education, in particular by reaching out to the most disadvantaged and integrating people with diverse backgrounds, including newly arrived migrants, into the learning environment, thereby fostering upwards ...

Communication & Actions in times of crisis

The Committees’ spring plenary meetings, gathered over 180 delegates from all over Europe in Timisoara (Timis, RO) from 11 to 14 April 2016 on the theme “Communication and Actions in times of crisis”. This series of more than 20 events included workshops, working groups, statutory meetings, study visits and a seminar. The general theme of these events reflects the situation in Europe, the observation of the rise of populism, the oversimplification of complex issues and simultaneously a growing feeling of distrust amongst citizens. It fits also in the framework of the 2016 AER general theme “revitalising democracy”. Policy makers discussed questions such as “how can policy makers communicate better with citizens, listen to their needs and worries? “How to generate adherence?” ...

Successful Committee Meetings in Timis (RO)

AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori were delighted to be able to thank in person and on behalf of all 200 AER delegates, the Timisoara county President, Mr Titu Bojin and the county councilor in charge of AER Mr Mihai Ritivoiu. The welcome was wonderful and all AER members felt at home for their 3 productive days of more than 20 different types of meetings, from plenaries to workshops to study visits. Timisoara has lived to its reputation of a county of openness, welcome and tolerance. Thank you once again!   Visit the event page to find out about the Commmittee Spring Plenary meetings.

AER visit to Northern Italy: another successful field mission

AER President, Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli, alongside the President of the AER Commitee on Education, Culture and Youth, Mrs. Sonja A Steen, her Director of International Office, Mr. Eirik Fiva and AER Secretary General, Mr. Mathieu Mori, spent last week visiting nine Regioni in Northern Italy with the aim of both strengthening the existing links between the AER and its members (Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige), and introducing the AER to five non-member regions (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Marche, Piedmont and Veneto), as well as to two Autonomous Provinces (South Tyrol and Trentino). After five days of enriching discussions around the priorities of the regions, their approaches to different topics, their needs in terms of  building and enhancing cooperation channels and their new ways of working, as well as ours, ...

Catalonia (ES) leading regions on youth policies

Election of a New Chairwoman of AER Sub-Committee on Youth. Ms Marta Vilalta, General Director For Youth of the Catalan Government was elected Chairwoman of the AER Sub-Committee on Youth on 13 April 2016 in Timis (RO) at the AER Spring Committee Meetings. She will be leading the work of the Sub-Committee to promote the key issues related to youth policies in Europe with AER members on issues including employment, entrepreneurship and school drop-out. The diversity that regions bring to Europe today is recognised as a key asset. No one could imagine a Europe where States are the only ones to give voice to their citizens. Networks such as AER are essential to understand the reality of Europe and its citizens because ...

Early school leaving: working group meets at AER plenary

The first presentation on the working group meetings in Timis was about the efforts and achievements to combat drop-out in Catalonia by the representatives of the Employment Service of Catalonia (ES). This regional organization is also a partner of the Erasmus+ JET CD project. Catalunya also chairs the AER Subcommittee on Youth.   Report on JET-CD project The presentation and discussion on the regional experiences were followed by an update on the ERASMUS+ poject “Joint Efforts To Combat Dropout”. Ilona Novak, the project Co-ordinator presented a summary of the results and achievements from the start of the project regarding the following intellectual outputs O1 – Study reports on dropout in regional context and about the result of the inventory work regarding best practices for ...

AER – The Rain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0D4qMwR-EE&nohtml5=False

Timis (RO) on finding solutions for refugees and migrants

A delegation of AER members visited the Emergency Transit Centre in Timis (RO) on 12 April 2016. They were welcomed by its Director, Mr Filimon Pitea, and Mrs Cornelia Nitu Fratila from UNHCR. Both organisations play a key role on the asylum ‪refugees‬ issues in Romania. The centre opened its doors in May 2008 as part of a Tripartite Agreement between Romania, UNHCR, and International Organization for Migration (IOM). With room to host up to 200 people, the facility provides temporary shelter to refugees who are in need of immediate evacuation from their first country of refuge. Such evacuations occur when refugees face life-threatening risks – forcible return to areas where they would face persecution, or residence in an unstable, inhumane or dangerous ...

Meeting the EU Commissioner Tibor Navracsics, in charge of education, culture, youth and sport

AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori and Ms Imma Buldu-Freixa from the Catalonia delegation to the European Union met with the commissioner this morning. Stressing the importance of the AER for testing new ideas and using it as platform for communicating to regions, AER President also highlighted the need for the Commission and AER to work together on promoting youth professional mobility and its Eurodyssey programme. A series of follow up meetings with cabinet members is being planned to organise concretely the joint work on Eurodyssey and the other youth, culture and education topics.

Erasmus+ KA1: Call for Partners!

Cooperativa Sociale “Il Mosaico” – member of ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy) – is working on the submission of an interesting project proposal within Erasmus+ program, Key Action 1 on youth exchanges. The project will be developed in the city of Dueville (nearby Vicenza, Italy) which will host young people from different countries involving them in a program of activities about digital fabrication. The aim is to increase creativity through digital innovation, 3D printing and handicraft know-how, taking inspiration from all the activities that can be made in a Fab Lab – Fabrication Laboratory. A Fab Lab is a small-scale workshop offering (personal) digital fabrication. It is set up to inspire people to turn their ideas into new products and prototypes by giving them ...

Women Entrepreneurship Academy

Discover the good Equal Opportunities idea of the week! At the initiative of AER Vice President for Equal Opportunities, Anna Tomanova Makanova, members of the AER executive board met representatives from the Women Entrepreneurship Academy in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina on March 16, 2016. The meeting took place in Backi Petrovac, a small municipality with a large Slovak minority, located in close vicinity to Novi Sad, the second largest region in Serbia. The Academy is an NGO, which has, since 2006, implemented over 19 national and international projects; trained more than 1800 women and girls and has become a partner to 20 municipalities in Serbia and abroad. The Academy’s focus is on economic empowerment of women. They assist girls and ...

YRN plenary: Last Days for Candidacy & Registrations!

Spring is the Season of Youth! The next YRN plenary meeting (30 April – 2 May in Oppland) will see the election of the new YRN executive board. The elections will take place on the last day of the Spring plenary, on Monday 2 May. This day will therefore be the YRN General Assembly. You will find on our website all the necessary information about the elections, including the positions available, the positions’ description and the way to apply. Please find all information regarding this meeting and the online registration form here. If you have not done so, please register to the YRN plenary! Deadline for registration: 22 April 2016, midnight. All applications should be sent to Alexandre Brecx.  

Partner Search for a project within the 3rd Health Programme

The Government of the Balearic Islands (E) is looking for partners to join a project proposal that will be submitted within the 3rd Programme of Community Actions in the Field of Health (2014-2020), Topic « Gathering knowledge and exchanging best practices on measures reducing underage drinking and heavy episodic drinking » (Call PJ-02-2016, deadline 2nd June 2016 h 17:00 CET). This project aims to study and determine the alcohol-related trauma in summer destinations along the Mediterranean coast, connecting the dots followed by the young European tourists going on holidays which often involves heavy drinking as main ingredient, that suffer an alcohol-related major trauma. That means getting to know their reasons in order to be able to establish preventive measures in their countries of ...

AER Letter of Condolences to the Government and People of Belgium

After the tragic events that occurred in Brussels, the AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli has addressed a letter to Mr Charles Michel, Prime Minister of Belgium. In this letter she conveys the condolences to the families of the victims and to the Belgium people and underlines, sadly once again, that it is important for Europeans to stand strong for the values they believe in: freedom, democracy and justice. Download the letter: Answer by the Prime Minister of Belgium:

Self esteem key to combat school dropouts

Early school leaving (ESL), is a growing severe problem in Europe which has long-term effects on economic growth, societal developments and individuals. The future of Europe depends on young people’s success both in working life and in society. Dropouts have hence become a major obstacle in these respects. Combating ESL demands a deep insight of the whole cause and effect process, which is also essential to develop comprehensive policies focusing on the entire chain (prevention, intervention and compensation) in order to achieve sustainable results. This is why the AER has created a Working Group that is part of a broad partnership from different countries and cultures that studies the above-mentioned chain in the framework of the ERASMUS+ Project “Joint Efforts to ...

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs: looking for the last project partner!

LocalEurope is looking for the last partner to join a project proposal on young entrepreneurs that will be submitted within the Call for Proposals of the programme “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” (deadline 05 of April 2016). The potential partner should be an Intermediary Organization with at least 4 years of experience in implementing “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” projects. The consortium is currently composed by partners from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Czech Republic, Germany and United Kingdom. If you are interested to join this proposal and/or to get additional information, please contact quickly the Lead Partner (LocalEurope) being the deadline quite short.

AER Delegation visit to Northern Italy

Following a first trip to Spain, last month to meet with AER member and non-member regions, an AER delegation composed of the AER President, Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli; the President of the AER Commitee on Education, Culture and Youth, Mrs. Sonja A Steen and her director of international office Eirik Fiva and the AER Secretary General, Mr. Mathieu Mori; will meet Presidents, Ministers and other regional representatives from nine northern Italian Regioni in the week of 4th to the 8th of April. The planned agenda for this tour includes the visits to two AER members (Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige), five non-member regions (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Marche, Piedmont and Veneto), and two Autonomous Provinces (South Tyrol and Trentino) in order to deepen the existing links between the AER and its members, as well as to ...

Launch of a trilateral Interreg Cooperation in the Balkans

The official launch of the trilateral Programme of Crossborder Cooperation between Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina marked by the Interreg Conference, has been launched on March the 10th at the Croatian city of Split. The Programme foresees funding of 67 milion €, for crossborder projects (with €57 million coming from the European Regional Development Fund and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance/IPA) in an area covering 87,000 square kilometres with a population of 5.5 million. EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu said: “Our cross-border programmes provide concrete measures to improve the quality of life and offer new economic opportunities and jobs to people living in the border regions of the European Union and its neighbours. These programmes are an opportunity for regions ...

AER/EC on Erasmus+ and European Voluntary Service

In view of scheduled meeting with commissioner Tibor Navracsics, AER met the European Commission – Directorate General for Education and Culture to bring the perspective of regions and to get useful inputs on youth programmes and tools. Erasmus+ and European Voluntary Service (EVS) have been touched upon. Presentations on European Projects possibilities will be done at Committees’ Plenary in Timis (RO). AER will provide information on the EVS, in partnership with the European Commission in the near future. The exchange started with Erasmus+, the EU programme aimed to boost young people’s skills, job prospects and personal development and to modernise the education, training and youth work sectors. A special focus was made on the European Voluntary Service (EVS), that is currently celebrating ...

Space techonologies can help your Region

European local and regional authorities (LRAs) are responsible for territorial management and environmental policy implementation. The European Earth Observation programme COPERNICUS can provide an effective support in this respect thanks to the data provided by the Sentinel satellites. However, this opportunity is not always fully understood or readily exploited.  AER partner NEREUS (Network of European Regions Using Space Technologies) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have joint forces for improving Copernicus uptake among Local and Regional Aministrations, organizing workshops across Europe. The Azores, Lombardy and Bavaria hosted thematic discussions in order to familiarize LRAs with Sentinel-based potential applications. What are the roadblocks to Copernicus uptake among LRAs? What are the useful actions which can be taken to overcome them? The results of this ...

Erasmus+ project proposal on social-farming: looking for partners!

A member of ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy) is looking for partners to join a new project proposal that will be submitted within Erasmus+, Call 2016 – Key Action 2 on Strategic Partnerships (deadline 31 March h 12:00 CET). The project proposal is led by Unione degli Assessorati Comunali e Provinciali alle Politiche Socio-Sanitarie e del Lavoro (Palermo, Italy) and aims to design and piloting a training curriculum concerning the professional profiles working in the socio-farming sector (the ones already existing and the potential ones), whose employability is rising all over Europe. In fact, the social-farming field is progressively developing, both in terms of employment offer and production, and it is generating a plurality of profiles integrating agronomic competences with ...

AER Planning Strategy 2016

The present Planning strategy – approved by the AER Executive Board on 16 March 2016 – is part of a fourfold global strategy of the Assembly of European Regions which aims at setting the stage to ensure that the mission and objectives of AER are implemented effectively. (Use Pop Out button to Download/Open)

AER Member relations strategy 2016

  The present Member relations strategy – approved at the AER Executive Board on 16 March 2016 – is part of a fourfold global strategy of the Assembly of European Regions which aims at setting the stage to ensure that the mission and objectives of AER are implemented effectively. (Use Pop Out button to Download/Open)

Minutes: Executive Board, 16 March 2016, Vojvodina

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Successful field mission to the Spanish regions

AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori spent the whole of last week meeting representatives of Spanish regions in their home regions. Politicians from AER member regions, Valenciana, Catalonia, Murcia but also non AER members Aragon, Navarra, Castilla la Mancha and Madrid welcomed the AER delegation. Going directly to the contact of the regions, in their environment, will enable AER to answer their needs even better. Understanding the reality of our territories to better serve their development is our core mission. Back to basics with this initiative ! With new executives in place in many of the regions visited, the timing was chosen to trigger discussion on the new priorities and ways of working of the ...

Interreg Europe, project on food security: looking for partners!

The CIHEAM-IAMM in Montpellier (France), one of four Mediterranean agronomic institutes of the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies, is working on a project proposal on “The governance of food security as a new driver for innovative and sustainable territorial economies” (Interreg Europe, 2nd call, Objective 4.2: Improving resource efficient economy policies). The project idea is to take food security as a global cross-cutting concern and to see how this issue can drive innovation and economic and social development of the territories in the non agricultural sectors of the economy. That is the originality but also the challenge of this proposal! The consortium is already composed by partners from Italy, Spain, France, Denmark and Poland. In order to finalize it, CIHEAM-IAMM ...

Erasmus+ Key Action 3: Policy Reform Call

Erasmus+ aims at boosting skills and employability, and modernising Education, Training and Youth work, providing opportunities for over 4 million Europeans to study, train, gain work experience and volunteer abroad. In addition to providing grants for individuals, Erasmus+ supports transnational partnerships among Education, Training and Youth institutions and organisations to foster cooperation and bridge the worlds of education and work, and supports also national efforts to modernise Education, Training and Youth systems. The field of Sport is also approached, supporing grassroots projects and cross-border challenges such as combating match-fixing, doping, violence and racism. Erasmus+ Key Action 3 covers the area of Supporting Policy Reform.  A call has been issued in the area of European Policy Experimentations with the general objective of promotion the improvement of the ...

Indicative planning for Life calls 2016

An indicative planning for the LIFE call 2016 is now available. Applicants busy designing a potential new LIFE project now have a rough guide to the expected deadlines and submission routes. In addition, the total budget allocations for project types and subprogrammes are detailed. The official 2016 call is provisionally scheduled to be published in the second half of May. Once ready, an application package and supporting information will also be made available. The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. The general objective of LIFE is to contribute to the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate policy and legislation by co-financing projects with European added value. LIFE programme is structured as follows: – ...

2016 Summer Academy & Erasmus+ project

Østfold County Council is inviting AER members to join an Erasmus+ project proposal Østfold is going to lead. The idea is to develop a joint project, which will be rolled out on the occasion of the Summer Academy. Meetings between young people and decision-makers: The project Østfold County Council  plans to apply for is the Erasmus + Key Action 3 “Support for policy reform: meetings between young people and decision-makers in the field of youth”, specifically fulfilling the following priority: National meetings and transnational/international seminars that offer space for information, debate and active participation of young people – in dialogue with youth decision-makers -on issues which are relevant to Structured Dialogue or to the EU Youth Strategy Deadline: April 26th 2016 The project will allow ...

AER President meets Spanish counterparts

On the week of 7-11 March, AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori, will meet Presidents, Ministers and other regional representatives from seven Comunidades Autonomas of Eastern Spain. Dr. Bozatlı and M. Mori will visit three AER members (Valencia, Catalunya, Murcia) and four non-member regions (Aragon, Navarra, Madrid, Castilla La Mancha) for this week long tour in order to deepen the existing links with its members and introduce AER to non members. Presenting the new ways of working of the organisation; sharing on the political priorities and the major topics of relevance for the regions and exploring new paths of cooperation will be at the heart of discussions.  This trip is part of an initiative to strengthen the Southern European representation within our Assembly. Southern Europe has been ...

Interreg Europe 2nd call: application pack now available!

The Interreg Europe monitoring committee has approved the terms of reference for the 2nd call for project proposals. If you want to improve regional policies on research and innovation, competitiveness of SMEs, low-carbon economy, and the environment and resource efficiency in your region,  Interreg Europe will be accepting applications for the second call from 5 April to 13 May 2016. You can get co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund for working with other regions, learning from each other and solving common challenges. The application pack is made up of: Terms of reference Updated programme manual (version 19 January 2016)  Letter of support  Partner declaration  Taking into consideration the high interest of regions and local public authorities across Europe for this Programme as well as the high competition, ...

New EU-backed loan facility under the Horizon 2020 programme

SMEs in South-eastern Europe (from EU MS and Associated Countries) to benefit from €250 million in EU-guaranteed loan InnovFin SME Guarantee Facility, managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF), is, in addition to InnovFin SME Venture Capital,  part of “InnovFin – EU Finance for Innovators”, an initiative launched by the European Commission and the EIB Group in the framework of Horizon 2020. It provides guarantees and counter-guarantees on debt financing of between €25,000 and €7.5 million in order to improve access to loan finance for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and small midcaps (up to 499 employees). The facility is managed by the EIF, and is rolled out through financial intermediaries – banks and other financial institutions – in EU Member States and ...

Regionalisation in Romania

Gratian Mihailescu, AER expert on regionalisation issues, was invited at Adevarul live to comment latests statements of Romanian prime minister Dacian Ciolos regarding decentralisation and reform of public administration. The Romanian government is concerned about three main aspects: a) fragmentation at decision level of local government, especially in rural areas, but also at regional level b) serious problems of coordination and integration of various development programs financed from national funds or European at all levels: local, county, regional, national. c) financial resources available to local government: their low incomes and the fact that majority of local authorities rely almost exclusively on funds transferred from center authorities (taking into account the political color of the mayor or president of the county) Regarding the debate of the ...

Engage citizens?

Participation requires space as is very well highlighted in this 2010 video from the AER Youth Regional Network. And by space it’s not just physical space that is meant, such as meeting rooms, but also space in the institutions, in the decision making process. This is valid for young people but also for society at large: how do we make space for citizens participation? If citizens are to adhere to and engage in actions, they need to be involved in more than just validating decisions. AER has long been advocating for the creation of regional youth councils. Its report on youth participation lists a series of recommendations in the field. The joint Committee 2 and Committtee 3 plenary meeting in march ...

Closing the loop: funding opportunities for circular economy projects

An EU Action Plan for sustainability The European Commission  Action plan for the Circular Economy wants to go beyond recycling. It raises awareness on principles such as eco design, extended warranty, lower resource use and less waste. This plan sets clear targets: The EU’s action plan for a circular economy A common EU target for recycling 75% of packaging waste by 2030 A common EU target for recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2030 A binding landfill target to reduce landfill to maximum of 10% of all waste by 2030 A ban on landfilling of separately collected waste Besides the Action plan, the Commission is promoting the transition towards a more resource efficient economy. This is done through changes in the legislation (Eco-design Directive and revised legislative ...

“On y va – auf geht’s – let’s go!” is open for applicants

The ideas competition “On y va – auf geht’s – let’s go!” aims to support active citizenship in Europe and projects which benefit the community. The award is a recognition of this involvement, but at the same time it is a way to encourage the project initiators to develop and expand their activities with partners from other European countries. It is a Robert Bosch Stiftung programme, run jointly with the Deutsch-Französisches Institut (dfi), which acts as project coordinator. “On y va – auf geht’s – let’s go!“ is looking for teams of 3 partners, one from Germany, one from France and one from another EU country to carry out a charitable and voluntary project together. The second round of entries closes on ...

Ankara bombings

AER is yet again sad and shocked to hear that a terrorist attack occurred in one of its member countries. We present our condolences to all the families touched by this dreadful crime in ‪‎Ankara‬. Yet again another reminder that we must, as we have been doing since the end of 2015 and continue doing in 2016, put the issue of terrorism and its consequences, the flow of refugees, high on our agenda. Dr. Hande Özsan Bozatli, AER President.

Intern wanted for our Brussels office (CLOSED)

Internship (Brussels) Event Management – starting date ASAP   General information The Assembly of European Regions is the political organisation of the regions of Europe and a representative of their interests at the European and international levels. Its mission: to defend the interests of the regions in the political process and to develop interregional cooperation. Regions from 35 countries and 15 interregional organisations are members of the AER. We are looking for an intern to assist us in our Brussels office on organizing the content, logistics and promotion of the numerous events AER organises throughout the year. Under the supervision of the AER membership and institutional relations’ coordinator, the intern will identify the right speakers, work on the meetings’ formats and contribute to the content and management of the website and digital tools’. ...

1st Call of Urban Innovative Actions is open!

AER would like to raise the awareness of member regions and partners on the launch of the 1st call for proposals of the Urban Innovative Actions Initiative, which is open from 15 December 2015 to 31 March 2016 at 02:00pm CET. Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) is an Initiative of the European Commission that provides urban areas throughout Europe with resources to test new and unproven solutions to address urban challenges and see how these work in practice and respond to the complexity of real life. Approximately 359 million people – 72% of the total EU population – live in cities, towns and suburbs. Urban areas face multiple and interconnected challenges related to employment, migration, demography, water and soil pollution. But, they are also ...

Registrations for 2016 Spring plenaries now open!

Registrations for the plenary meetings of the AER committees open today. This series of events will feature a joint thematic session on “Communication & actions in times of crisis”. The theme of this session is based on the current situation in Europe and the observation of the rise of citizens’ worries and at the same a quick development of far-right rhethoric. Regions often find themselves in a difficult position, having to act quickly and efficiently while their citizens also need to understand what is going on, why to adhere to the action and how to contribute positively to it. “Communication” here refers both to listening better to citizens needs and creating a narrative which is engaging. “Actions” is self explanatory, but a necessary part ...

AER supports its members from Associated Countries along the European integration process

Vice-Mayor of Brcko District (BiH) visits AER Office in Brussels In course of his two-day mission to Brussels, on Friday 5 February, Mr. Esed Kadric, Vice-Mayor of Brcko District of BiH visited the AER Office in Brussels. Alexandre Brecx, on behalf of Secretary General Mathieu Mori, welcomed Mr. Kadric and offered him a tour of the new AER Brussels office. In the follow-up discussion, Vice-Mayor Kadric,  accompanied by Mujo Hadzic, Détaché Adviser for Intergovernmental Relations,  discussed with Mr. Brecx the ongoing and future activities in 2016. Following a short presentation of AER Programs, current and forthcoming activities, Vice-Mayor Kadric, has shown extensive interest in AER’s Eurodyssee Program. Mr. Kadric offered a brief overview of the current status of Bosnia’s path towards the EU membership and ...

AER continues its focus on migration: open Call on Integration

The European Commission’s DG Home Affairs launched a Call for Proposals on the Actions in the area of Integration within the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (2014-2020). The Fund aims at supporting actions to contribute to the efficient management of migration flows and the implementation, strengthening and development of a common union approach to asylum and immigration. Recently, the EU has witnessed a dramatic increase of migratory flows through its borders. This unprecedented influx, largely composed by people seeking international protection, constitutes a challenge for the European Union and its Member States both in terms of reception and integration in the host society. This important issue is reflected also in regional territories and AER is following the thematic of migration within ...

Call for reference sites now open!

Is your region leading in innovation for demographic change and the silver economy? Apply for the selection of “Reference sites” of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing! Highly inspirational ecosystems Reference Sites are highly inspirational ecosystems. They deliver creative solutions that improve the lives of older people. These solutions can be scaled-up and replicated across the EU. For a more formal definition, they are “ecosystems which comprise different players, including regional and/or local authorities, cities, integrated hospitals/care organisations, industry organisations, SMEs and/or start-ups, research and innovation organisations, that jointly implement a comprehensive, innovation-based approach to active and healthy ageing, and can give evidence and concrete illustrations of the impact of such approaches on the ground”. Benefits of becoming Reference Site The benefits ...

Together with AER, push for a better recognition of Rurality !

AER members represent the diversity of Europe. A bit more than 50% of our members are composed mainly of rural areas. A lot of focus is currently put on the EU urban agenda. Yet, a sound territorial development will only happen if urban and rural connect cleverly. It is therefore important to think and discuss the future of European rurality. This is why AER has signed the appeal of its partner network, the European Countryside Movement, to push the European Commission to produce a white paper on rurality in order to force Europe to have this discussion. Current development policies generate significant imbalances between cities and countryside. The gap is growing and leads away from the territorial cohesion required by the Maastricht ...

AER Youth Regional Network back in force

We are glad to announce that the region of Oppland (NO) will welcome the YRN Spring plenary meeting from Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May. Practical information and agendas will follow soon but please book the dates. In 2016, AER puts the theme of revitalising democracy in focus. No serious discussion on this topic can happen without actively involving the YRN in the AER Spring bureau meeting. Furthermore, with a Summer Academy dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, the YRN will be heavily integrated in this event as well. The contribution to these two events as well as the election of the new YRN President and any topics emerging from the youth will be at the heart of the next Plenary meeting. The ...

Adrion: 1st call for proposals is open!

AER wishes to share with member regions and partners the launch of the 1st call for proposal in the framework of the Interreg V B Adriatic Ionian – ADRION Programme. The call is open from 1 February 2016 to 25 March 2016 (h: 17:00 CET). The Programme provides with the implementation of the priorities of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR), enhancing economic, social, and territorial cohesion in the Region. The call for proposals  supports the selected applications with around EUR 33 million of ERDF and IPA II, co-financing (up to 85%) the following programme priority axes and specific objectives : Priority Axis 1: Innovative and Smart Region Specific Objective 1.1: Support the development of a regional innovation system for the Adriatic-Ionian area. Priority ...

World Sustainable Energy Days: A focus on sustainable energy

The Energy World meets in February in Wels/Austria As one of Europe’s largest annual conferences on energy efficiency and renewable energy, the WORLD SUSTAINABLE ENERGY DAYS (WSED) have grown over the past 20 years into a global meeting place for the sustainable energy community. Each year, the unique combination of events attracts experts from all over the world to Wels. 6 specialised conferences offer the opportunity to learn about current trends in the sustainable energy world. Interactive events provide valuable networking possibilities. In 2015, 750 energy experts from 65 countries took part in the World Sustainable Energy Days. The next edition will be held from 24 – 26 February 2016 in Wels/Austria. The World Sustainable Energy Days inform about technologies, policies and markets, ...

Polish Local Governments attitude towards the refugee crisis

Adriana Skorupska, expert from AER’s Observatory on Regionalisation, published an analysis on the attitude of Polish Local Governments towards the refugee crisis in the Bulletin of the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Despite the many unknowns, including the date of arrival, funding for and characteristics of the refugees who will come to Poland in 2016 and 2017, it is certain that primary responsibility for their integration into Polish society will lie with local authorities. Key issues associated with this will be in the legal and funding areas, and regardless of when the refugees arrive, broad and swift inclusion of social partners and local government in preparations will maximise the chance that the integration process will run smoothly and in the interests ...

AER participation to Dr Sully’s Good Governance Series

Dr. Melanie SULLY, professor of Political Science and Director of Go-Governance Institute – Vienna, is building a book on the highly successful conference 2015 held in Yerevan, Armenia, based on the theme of Good Governance and Participation, one prerequisite for future participation being youth engagement. The book will be published with the help of the Austrian Foreign Ministry and the City of Vienna. The contributions on youth topic, of different countries and regions, presented in this book, deal with best practices or case studies, and the themes cover: civic participation by young people, in NGOs, civil society; the role of social media / e-governance in reaching out to young people young people in parliaments, governments, local and regional politics, Europe; engagement or otherwise in elections, ...

Let’s be the frontrunner for eHealth services in Europe!

United4Health’s final conference took place on 19th and 20th January 2016 in Brussels. The two days offered plenty of opportunity for higher-level and policy messages. Yet, they were also full of real-life experiences shared by the more then ten deployment sites. The sites presented practical experiences on subjects as diverse as stakeholder engagement, patient acceptance, organisational transformation, workforce adoption, health/information technology infrastructure, and electronic health records. It now appears that “Telehealth is here. It is happening!” To complete the first day of the conference, Prof. George Crooks, United4Health’s project coordinator, introduced United4Health’s three key policy messages around: • Ensuring a policy environment that promotes and supports telehealth deployment. • Seeking national consistency with local adaptation. • Empowering patients, carers and healthcare professionals to take full ...

Mobility: smart and connected regions

With the digitalisation of the economy and the growing weight of data management, the AER Working Group on Transports has decided to widen its remit. The working group will now work on the different aspects of mobility and transports from a regional perspective. Smart mobility The themes the AER Working Group on Transports will focus include for instance: -connectivity and permeability, in particular intelligent transport systems, seamless transport services -freight management & data -smart green infrastructure -financing of infrastructure -follow up of the regulation of state aid and regional airports Collective knowledge What the group wants to achieve is increased collective knowledge on current topics. This helps members to act at regional, national and european level. Sharing experiences feeds policy-making in the regions. With its focus on mutual learning AER ...

Bad Ischl – Upper Austria invites you to the 15th World Conference of Historical Cities

Austria, 5-10 June 2016 Our member region Vienna (AT) will host the kick-off meeting of the important 15th World Conference of Historical Cities and invites the AER member regions to join the conference which will focus on “Smart, innovative, creative historical cities of the future” with lectures, workshops and discussion. The main part of the conference is planned to be held in Bad Ischl (7-9 June), placed in one of the most beautiful, but also historical areas of Austria and part of the AER member region of Upper Austria. However, part of the programme will be also held in other beautiful historical cities of Austria, such as Vienna (5-6 June) and Salzburg (10 June). An excursion to the exeptional world cultural heritage city of Hallstatt (Upper Austria also) ...

Visualizing Energy 2016: getting involved!

Revolve Media, a communications agency fostering cultures of sustainability, is launching its annual exhibition on the energy transition, within the EU Sustainable Energy Week (13-17 June 2016). From the capital of Europe to regional and European integration to the EU Energy Union, Revolve’s annual Visualizing Energy photo exhibition showcases the projects that are leading the energy transition towards a cleaner future. Visualizing Energy highlights workers in action on different renewable energy and energy efficiency projects around Europe and beyond. An impact report of the previous edition is available for potential participants. Regions and interested actors willing to present their innovative and sustainable projects and solutions at Visualizing Energy 2016  can contact directly Revolve Media: Stuart Reigeluth, phone +32 23183984 Micol Barbarossa AER is sharing and supporting ...

Internship at the Secretary General’s office, Strasbourg (closed)

Starting date: Immediate Duration: 3 months minimum, preferably 6 months Location: Strasbourg (F) The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 200 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organizations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation. AER is looking for an intern to work in the Secretary General’s office. The selected person will be under the lead and responsibility of the Secretary General and will work closely with the Coordinator for Policy and Knowledge transfer. Profile Candidates should have a general understanding of European policies, an interest in political matters and a strong capacity in organization with the aptitude to work in a multinational team. The AER working ...

European Sustainable Energy Week 2016: AER opens its doors

The AER Brussels office will be open during the whole EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW), from 13-17 June 2016, so if you’re travelling to Brussels don’t hesitate to pop in and say hello! This will be an opportunity to share regional good practices, boost networking between members and visit the AER office, which is located at the House of Renewable Energy together with several organisations and NGOs promoting sustainable energy policies. Save the dates Two weeks before the EUSEW, on 2 June 2016, the AER working group on energy  will have a meeting, which will be followed by a lunch and a seminar on energy transition at the House of Dutch Provinces in Brussels. During the EUSEW, AER will voice the regions by participating in ...

The circular economy: opportunity or threat?

The circular economy is becoming a central topic in policy and business circles. It is presented as the sustainable alternative to the traditional linear model of economic growth, which has already reached its limits. The linear economy is based on ‘take-make-use-dispose’, whereas the circular economy encourages the reparability of products and the reuse of materials. But, what is exactly the circular economy? It entails a change in the whole economic paradigm, from the first stages of product design, to the production process and waste management in order to convert waste into useful resources. In this model, the resources are minimised and the live of the materials is prolonged. There is a considerable decrease of waste as when a product has reached ...

Meet Ana Tomanova Makanova, AER Vice-President for Equal Opportunities and Inclusion

After four year smartly spent at raising awareness on the topics of equal opportunities, Monica Carlsson (Norrbotten-SE) passed on the baton to Ana Tomanova Makanova (Vojvodina-SR) who was unanimously elected by the General Assembly on 1 December as the new AER Vice-President for Equal Opportunities and Inclusion: Equal opportunities and inclusion has been an important topic at AER for many years and I am honored to take over this important portfolio and thank the AER members for trusting me with such a crucial issue. I have been closely following the work of my predecessors, especially Ms. Monica Carlsson and look forward to furthering the cause she and all others before her have so passionately fortified. The region of Vojvodina is particularly well placed to speak ...

First 2016 high level meeting with the European Commission

In the framework of the structured dialogue’s first meeting of the year, AER Secretary General Mathieu Mori met on Friday 22 January the Secretaries General of the European Commission Alexander Italianer, of the Committee of the Regions Jiří Buriánek and a few selected other networks of cities and regions. This meeting prefigures the annual meeting of President Hande Özsan Bozatli with the Presidents of these organisations on a date to be confirmed. A key point of discussion was the future of cohesion policy post 2020 and the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) scheduled for the end of 2016. If the European Commission stated that cohesion policy would remain a key tool to fight development gaps between regions, nothing on the scope of the ...

Let’s develop a new project together!

The Province of Gelderland (NL) works on a fundamentally new approach to healthcare. Due to demographic, societal and technological developments the complexity of care is increasing while the number of healthcare professionals is decreasing. The Foundation ParkinsonNet was created to tackle this challenge. It developed a new innovative approach and ecosystem to care for patients suffering from chronic diseases. ParkinsonNet was publicly initiated by Radboudumc, the medical centre in Nijmegen. Over the years, ParkinsonNet built a network and national infrastructure of specialized care in all 68 Dutch health regions and more than 3000 care professionals. ParkinsonNet has derived working relationships with health insurance companies, sharing the objectives of an effective value based care. The network has an outstanding position also to create ...

Broadening your horizons

In the wake of the AER initiative for revitalising democracy, we are pleased to advertise a symposium where our Vice President for Institutional Affairs, Roy Perry, will speak. The international institute of municipal clerks is organising on 2 and 3 June 2016 an international gathering of civil servants and thoses working in democratic services to discuss the challenges of serving local communities. This conference will be a good opportunity to compare local government democratic systems around the globe with a focus on Europe. You can find further information about the programme and registration details here.

International forum of sporting events

CITY EVENTS is the international forum that lays the foundations for sporting events of the future, bringing stakeholders together to dream up and develop new growth drivers for this truly dynamic market. On March 14th  and 15th, the sporting event market actors get together in Paris (sport federations, cities, suppliers, sponsors, media, private organizers…) to discuss different news topics but also to create and enhance their international network all in order to stimulate the sporting events development. As we believe people getting in touch with each other is the best way for our industry to go forward,  CITY EVENTS is now also an online networking platform dedicated to all the delegates, exhibitor, sponsors, partners, speakers, suppliers. This is the best way to ...

Dutch EU Presidency focuses on four of AER’s main policies

An agenda in line with AER’s The Netherlands Presidency of the European Union (from January to June 2016) aims to promote prosperity, freedom and security in the EU during the next half year, by focusing on Migration, Innovation, Economy and Energy Policies. The Assembly of European Regions can provide a wealth of knowledge and experience from the regions about these themes, these being at the core of its engagement. This is especially relevant given AER’s 2016 focus on Revitalizing Democracy, with a number of topics and events in line with the priorities of the Netherlands Presidency. Dutch regions AER boasts a special relation with the Netherlands, through the participation in AER of three very dynamic Dutch Regions: Flevoland, Gelderland and Noord-Brabant. These provinces already cooperate ...

Partner search: project proposal within Europe for Citizens

The European Association for Local Democracy (ALDA) is looking for partners to join a new project proposal that will be submitted in the framework of the Europe for Citizens Programme, on the measure Network for Town. The project proposal is led by Consorzio Leonardo di Cooperative Sociali (member of ALDA) and it scratches from a crucial assumption that the current socio-economic situation brought many challenges with regard to the issue of addressing population needs and challenging European model of development. These newly emerged needs are often not addressed properly neither by public institutions, nor private ones, having lack of resources and slow procedures to improve situation in the first case and prevalence of, mainly economic interests in the second case. Therefore, ...

Interreg Europe networking and partner search event

AER would like to share with member regions the save the date launched by the Interreg Europe for the 2nd edition of the partner search/networking event which will welcome around 650 people from all around Europe. The event will take place in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) on 22-23 March 2016 and is structured in a plenary session (available also via web stream) and different workshops offered to participants who have project ideas and have questions or need assistance by the Interreg Europe Joint Secretariat in preparing applications for the 2nd Call of proposals. Interreg Europe helps regional and local governments across Europe to develop and deliver better policy, offering opportunities to share their ideas and experiences on public policy in practice and ...

Migration challenge, first follow up of the AER Bureau discussion

Following the bureau discussion on migration, Secretary General Mathieu Mori met with European Commission’s DG Home Affairs, in charge of migration and integration of migrants and refugees. An action plan for the migrants and refugees by the European Commission will be published in April 2016. This action plan will focus on the following areas: Access to the job market Social inclusion through culture or sport for example Better use of European funds Territorial dimension, for instance a better coordination of the topic with the urban agenda A discussion has started about best ways for AER members to share their good practices and advise the European Commission. AER has asked to be involved in the drafting of the action plan and its implementation. The European Commission will ...

Fourth muliplier event on school dropouts: getting to the next level

Partners of the ERASMUS+ project Joint Efforts to Combat School Dropouts met last week in Västernorrland for a seminar and workshop on ways to help early school leavers to re-enter the education system. 55 participants from the partner organisations and from different organisations from the region attended the event. Partners from Östfold (NO), Hampshire (UK), Barcelona (ES), Tulcea (RO) and Västernorrland (SE) shared their experience and the solutions they have implemented in their regions. Solutions include for instance professional guidance and training, coaching, as well as re-motivation and self-appreciation methods to help youth rebuild confidence and trust. A series of study visits and interviews allowed to go deeper in the analysis of common denominators between regions. The project is now in its final ...

Welcome to Østfold (NO)

The President of the AER Summer Academy Organising Committee, Mr Rune Fredriksen (Østfold-NO) is pleased to invite you to Østfold for the 2016 Summer Academy from 16-20 August 2016. Østfold is situated in the South-Eastern part of Norway, on the border to Sweden. Even though Østfold is the second smallest county in Norway, we like to call our region “compact and complete”. Everything is reached within an hour or so by car. Østfold is a region with a diverse nature – rivers, quiet lakes and forests in the inland, and a beautiful coastline that attracts a great number of tourists every summer. Østfold is the gateway to Norway – and is actually your first meeting with the Norwegian fjords, as you cross the ...

The Regional Innovation Award is back !

The run up for the 8th Regional Innovation Award has started! The Regional Innovation Award (RIA) is one of AER’s many tools to highlight and share good practices of regions to the whole network. Over the years, numerous regions have been recognised for their efforts in different fields. In 2016, the Innovation Award is back and aims to identify regional actions in favour of the very topical “circular economy”. Don’t miss your chance to apply. All information is available here.  

Connecting Europe Facility Calls for Proposals 2015

Through its 2015 multi-annual work programme, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) has launched two calls for proposals for projects in the transport sector with deadline on February 16th. The funds available are divided between allocations coming from the Cohesion Fund and a general call, totalling €7.6 billion (€6.47 through the Cohesion Fund and €1.09 through the general call). For the allocations from the Cohesion Fund, usual rules apply, meaning that only member states that are covered by the Cohesion Fund can receive funding. From the general call, any member state can receive funding. There are a total of 12 priorities to be funded, divided into three funding objectives: removing bottlenecks and bridging missing links ensuring sustainable and efficient transport systems in the long run optimising ...

Save the date for the 2016 edition of the AER Summer Academy

The 20th AER Summer Academy will take place in the county of Østfold (NO) from 16-20th August 2016. The host region and the members of the Summer Academy Organising Committee (SAOC) are happy to propose the theme of Youth Entrepreneurship. What a better place to discuss this topic than a multi-awarded region for its youth activities. AER itself awarded Østfold its MYFER award in 2014. Youth entrepreneurship had already been a topic of the AER Summer Academy in 2008 in Jämtland, 8 years later it is time to look at what has been achieved and how we can further progress. In close cooperation with the AER Youth Regional Network and the Junior Achievement Young Entreprise, the SAOC members intend to offer you a ...

AER New Year’s Resolution: 2016 – a year for democracy

“Democracy, human rights and civic participation are entwined. One is not possible without the others.” AER President, Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, explains the reasoning behind the 2016 theme, Revitalizing democracy. 2015 has been a challenging year for Europe. Rising unemployment in many countries, divisions on the attitude towards a historic influx of refugees, economic growth weaker than on other continents, terrorist attacks in various countries and a growing feeling among citizens that the European Union, national governments and politics in general are not always measuring up to the challenges. The AER Fall Bureau’s political discussion on “Facing the refugee crisis”, concluded that the European crisis challenges the social cohesion of our societies and puts into question our values and democracies as such. Important role for ...

Moscopole was the cultural center of the Aromanians

Moscopole (Voskopojë) is a magical tourist green village that combines with its rich culture, traditions and landscape harmoniously unified to give a permanent tourist value. It is located at a distance of 21 km from Korçë, in the mountains of southeastern Albania, at an altitude of 1160 meters. The village is known for its centuries-old civilization since 1330, stunning scenery, numerous churches and frescoes, which have in themselves a precious cultural heritage and organic food or traditional dishes. Precisely this artistic and architectural heritage served in numerous churches of the village are rich with images of icons of wall paintings that unfold before tourists’ village, which once stood on the list of the most important cities in the Balkans. Moscopole biggest boom has been ...

Welcome to Bodø (Nordland-NO)

AER Committee 3 President and Mayor of Nordland, Ms Sonja Steen, welcomes AER members and stakeholders to Bodø (Nordland-NO) for the 2016 AER General Assembly (GA) form 22-24 June. It will be the first GA ever to take place in Norway. Bodø is the capital city of Nordland and counts 50.000 inhabitants (of the 242.000 in the region) and will celebrate its 200 years in 2016. The main conference topic that will be highlighted at this time will be the sustainable development of the rich resources in the north, including safety and emergency preparedness (- Natural resources in the north, green energy, oil& gas, minerals, traditional fisheries and fish farming, and environmental issues and climate change in the high north is extremely important for ...

Reflexion on aviation

Roger Estefors, member of the Working Group on Transport and Regional Airports, shares some reflexions following the new proposal made by the European Commission for an aviation strategy in Europe: The entire aviation sector in Europe has gone through a transformative process from 1986 until 1992 when the Third Aviation Liberalisation Package was agreed on. The process in itself was a culmination of liberalisation steps to create a single internal European market in aviation across the range of economic activity. The process in itself meant a tumultuous time for Europe’s state-controlled airlines to transform themselves into actors in a free market with access to all Member State’s airports. The process covered a period when previously state owned airliners, so called Flag Carriers ...

New aviation strategy for Europe

At the beginning of December Violeta Bulc, European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport, presented a New Aviation Strategy for Europe. The communication from the Commission states three focus areas. The first part of the strategy covers the aim, on guaranteed equal conditions, to improve market access with third countries in combination with investment opportunities. The second part lays out the ambition to actively promote measures to overcome capacity gaps in the air and on the ground in combination with increasing efficiency and connectivity. The third part identifies the possibilities of shifting to a risk and perfomance approche to maintaining high EU safety and security standards One, out of many other, driving forces that has been forwaded from the Aviation Industry to the ...

Newest member of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group

Mr Goran Pauk, from Šibenik-Knin (HR), was elected as member of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group on 1 December 2015. It is a great honour for me to be elected in the AER Monitoring and Evaluation Group (MEG) on 1 December 2015 and I would like to thank AER members for trusting me with this responsibility. This group has had a key role to play in keeping the AER relevant for members and stakeholders and I look forward to contributing to this mission in the future. My region, Šibenik-Knin (HR), has been active in AER since 2011. We have been particularly interested in youth exchange and we have been implementing Eurodyssee programme successfully since 2012. We find that exchange of youth provides ...

Historic agreement in Paris

AER warmly welcomes the global agreement signed Saturday in Paris between 195 countries and encourages all current and future leaders to meet these important commitments in a fast and fair implementation. For several years, the regions of Europe have shown their strong involvement in tackling the challenges of the climate change on the field. AER calls on the European Union, its Member States and all the European countries to acknowledge the concrete impact as well as the key role played by the regional and local authorities in fighting climate change; and to actively support them in order to meet the newly established global objectives and targets together. AER Rapporteur for COP21 Eva Hallström (Värmland-SE) represented the Assembly of European Regions throughout the Conference ...

Hande Özsan Bozatli unanimously re-elected for second mandate

“First of all I would like to thank you for re-electing me as President of AER. I’m proud and honoured, of course, but let me also take this opportunity to make some reflections on what this means not only to me, but to AER and our role in the world in which we live. The election sends a strong message not only to EU, but to the wider Europe as well. I think you all agree when I say that the first two years were difficult. The Executive Board and the Secretariat worked hard to put AER back on track. It was hard work, yes, but it was worth it! With the changes decided by the General Assembly in Västra Götaland, ...

Promoting urban and regional development

Nordland County Council is working on a strategy on urban and regional development. The strategy will constitute a conceptual and integrated basis for the organisation of effective urban policies in small and medium-sized cities in the Nordic peripheral context that can contribute to the promotion of urban and regional development and how the region can benefit from learning from other EU regions. Bodø is also planning to become a « Smart City ». On 19 November Nordland County Council organized a workshop as a part of « Open Days 2015». The local event made a perfect arena for exchanging best practices and experiences, and gave us the opportunity to have a closer look on successful projects in Sweden and the Netherlands ...

EIP-AHA: it’s possible to join!

A new call for reference sites is being prepared by the European Commission together with the current reference sites. This was announced at the Conference of Partners of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing on 9-10 December 2015. The call will be published mid January and regions will have until 15 March 2015 to submit their application and explain why they can be considered an inspiring reference point in the for creative and workable solutions that enhance the lives and health of older people. Being a reference site first and foremost provides regions with enhanced visibility on the European Commission website, social media and events. It also generates new opportunities for collaboration, peer learning on demographic change and ...

Taking stock of regions @ COP21

At the occasion of the COP21 in Paris, AER was present to voice the concerns and solutions proposed by regions to face the world most pressing challenge. Eva Hallström from the region of Värmland (SE), rapporteur for AER on the COP21 and accredited to Le Bourget at the heart of the negotiations, is participating in many events that you are able to follow on Facebook and takes every opportunity to voice the need for regions to be included at an early stage in the negotiations. AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli and AER Vice President Magnus Berntsson, were also on stage at the occasion of a joint AER/German Marshall Fund event at Paris City Hall in the framework of the local leaders ...

Looking for partners for Horizon2020 project on Smart Specialisation

PBL (Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency) is a part of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment in the Netherlands and has been working in the past couple of years with other partners on the large FP7 project called Smart Specialisation for Regional Innovation. PBL has also created the S3 inter-regional trade tool of the EC Smart Specialisation Platform. PBL is looking to form a consortium for the new Horizon2020 call that is meant for regional authorities and/or national/regional/local structures responsible for the implementation of Smart Specialisation strategies: CIRC-03-2016: Smart specialisation for systemic eco-innovation/circular economy Topic Description Specific Challenge: Regions are key players in the transition to a circular economy and can together create new circular economy value chains with critical mass. However, knowledge of each other’s strengths and the available ...

Our 2016 calendar of events

2016 will be another eventful year for European regions and we are pleased to share the dates that have already been confirmed for the different key events. Mark your agendas!

AER Conclusions on the refugee and migration crisis

Given that it is local and regional authorities that are confronted directly with the welcoming, integration and management of this migration flow, AER’s December Bureau meeting focussed on this topic. Regions from various geographic backgrounds of Europe shared their stories, the situations they are in, the difficulties they have faced and the solutions and strategies they came up with in order to cope with the situation. The purpose was to engage in a dialogue and exchange between regional decision and policy makers. Given AER’s member regions broad geographic diversity, new insights as well as a political statement were generated. AER Declaration on facing the refugee and migration challenges

Report on regionalisation: trends and challenges

The Observatory on Regionalisation is a network of some 40 experts, from Academy and research centres throughout Europe, passionate about the state of regions in their respective countries, independent from the AER and contributing on a voluntary basis to publish this comprehensive study and overview of the State of Regions in Europe. After publishing the individual country reports, the AER experts are now faced with the challenge of drawing conclusions and an overall analysis of the situation in Europe. Enrico Martial former Director of the Italian Conference of Presidents of Regional Assemblies, and former Secretary General of the Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies (CALRE) presented the first trends and challenges identified by the experts at the AER General Assembly on 1 December ...

Bureau concludes talks on the refugee crisis

Conclusions of the AER discussions on “Facing the migration and refugee challenges” Whereas: across Europe, both within and outside the EU, there is a wave of migration unprecedented since World War II, Whereas: the causes are primarily political with civil war in Syria and unrest in other countries such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan but also economic factors, Whereas: environmental pressures such as water shortage and climate change can be foreseen as potential future causes of migration, Whereas: international institutions such as UN and EU as well as nation states have a primary responsibility to address these problems but recognising such mass movements, Whereas: impact will always be felt at a regional and local level and will need the efforts, capacities and experience of regional ...

The regional perspective at French Senate event

On Wednesday 2 December, AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli took part in a forum on the future of the welfare state in Europe organized at the invitation of the French Senate by the Lecanuet institute. Surrounded by experts and politicians from all across Europe, the AER President illustrated how regions, at the end line and heart of delivering public services, provide quality services thanks to innovation through the example of the health sector. There is no such thing as a single vision of the welfare state across Europe. Each country has its own definition of the welfare state. What matters, in the end, is the delivery of public services according to the needs of the population. Regions, in that respect, ...

Newly elected Executive Board will focus on “Revitalising democracy” in 2016

The General Assembly elected on 1 December the members of the Executive Board: The President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, Istanbul (TR) The Vice-President Treasurer Magnus Berntsson, Västra Götaland (SE) The Vice-President for Equal Opportunities & Inclusion Ana Tomanova Makanova, Vojvodina (RS) The Vice-President for Institutional Affairs Roy Perry, Hampshire (UK) The full executive board can be found on the following link. After some months of transition and major change, the new Executive Board is now eager to bring the organisation in a new era of its existence. The active debate and involvement of Bureau members on the issue of the refugee crisis on 2 December and the trustworthy atmosphere at the General Assembly are promising signs for the network to continue its efforts in favour of regional interests. The Executive Board ...

Monica Carlsson passes on the baton for Equal Opportunities & Inclusion

Ms Monica Carlsson, Norrbotten (SE), addresses AER members for the last time in her capacity as VP for Equal Opportunities & Inclusion. She has been active in the organization for 10 years and highlights AERs crucial role for bringing people together to learn and share experiences and act for regional development. She also stresses AERs capacity to act as a peace project building fruitful and long-standing relations. The activities and actions of the past year have focused on gender equality and Roma inclusion. Both remain high on the political agenda and need to be pursued in the future. One lesson learnt is that a successful inclusion of the Roma community is only possible by including the Roma population and their representatives ...

Minutes: Executive Board, 1 December 2015, Brussels (BE)

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Minutes: General Assembly, 1 December 2015, Brussels (BE)

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Mathieu Mori is appointed Secretary General

The Executive Board on 1 December 2015 appointed Mr Mathieu Mori as Secretary General of the Assembly of European Regions. Mr Mori has been heading the organisation, as Acting SG, in the time of the transition and implementing the necessary changes to secure AER’s future and sustainability. With its renewed Executive Board and newly appointed SG, the organisation is ready to start a new chapter in the story of European regions.

In Alba County, a glade takes the shape of a heart

It is called Poiana Inimii – “Heart’s Glade” – and it is one of the most unusual glades in Romania. It has a heart shape which can be clearly seen from the opposite slope. A glade is a clearing, an open space in a forest, and this one is in the process of being recognised as a protected area. It is also used as a symbol by Alba County Council in promoting local tourism, in an effort to tap into the potential of tourism as a source of sustainable and economic growth for the County.

COP21: Regions need to be included in climate talks

Eva Hallström, Värmland (SE), AER member and rapporteur at the COP21 “It is a great privilege for me to attend one of the world’s most anticipated and topical events of the year; the stakes are as high as the expectations for the upcoming COP21 in Paris. Although much media attention and focus will be turned towards the leaders of national governments, regional actors will also contribute to the discussions. My region, Värmland (SE) and all regions represented in AER will take this opportunity to voice that regions are key motors in defining policies and actions to fight climate change. Although it is well documented that regions already have implementet some solutions to reduce their greenhouse emissions. I am pleased to see ...

AER President at French Senate

After the AER General Assembly and Bureau and before the AER event at the COP21, Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, has been invited at a conference on the future of the welfare state and the role of regions in Europe by the Jean Lecanuet think tank. This conference will take place at the French Senate. Together with senator Yves Pozzo di Borgo, economist Nicolas Bouzou, philosophers, professors and think tanks from all across Europe, the AER President will bring the perspective of regions to this debate. This meeting will take place at the French Senate, room Monnerville, 26 rue de Vaugirard from 2:30pm to 6pm. Simultaneous translation will be available (FR/EN). Passport required. For further information and registration please click here (only in French)

Invitation: European Maritime Day 18-19 May 2016

João Aguir Machado, Director General of DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Aleksi Rendall, Mayor of Turku, are happy to invite you to the European Maritime Day Conference (EMD). The conference will take place on 18-19 May 2016 in Turku, Finland and will be followed by activities for the general public on 20-22 May, such as a Maritime Concert with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. The conference will provide a strong input to shape future policies and the practical steps needed to drive transformational change in the blue economy and the maritime policy agenda. It will focus on smart and sustainable solutions for blue growth, ocean governance, clean energy and skills development and it will discuss how to facilitate strategic partnerships and ...

Call for a white paper on rurality

Together with the European Countryside Movement (ECM) and their other partners, the Assembly of European Regions calls for the production of a White Paper on rurality by the European Commission as an urgent need for the success of the broader European project and the well-being of its inhabitants. 8 keys to understand this urgent need: The territorial importance of rurality in the EU makes it a major part of the European project. The added value and the potential for creativity and innovation that rural areas can bring, in all their diversity, are significant. The contributions that rural territories can make to the inclusive, sustainable and smart growth aimed at by the Europe 2020 Strategy are under-recognised and under-exploited and the current European policies fail ...

EU funding for innovation procurements

Innovation procurement can drive the R&D and deployment of innovative solutions from the demand side through respectively pre-commercial procurement (PCP) and public procurement of innovative solutions (PPI). This can speed up public sector modernisation and open new market opportunities for companies in Europe. Coordination and support actions typically support procurers to investigate the feasibility and prepare the ground to start new PCPs or PPIs. PCP and PPI Cofund actions co-finance an actual PCP or PPI procurement (one single joint PCP or PPI call for tenders per action) plus additional coordination and networking activities related to the procurement. A total budget of circa €130 million is available for EU funding for PCP and PPI  projects across the different 2016-17 Horizon 2020 work ...

AER meetings maintained in Brussels next week

Following the increase in security measures over the week end in Brussels, we are in touch with the relevant authorities. The Committee of the Regions where our meetings will take place next week is operating normally today. All companies, public administrations and European institutions are also open and working. There is therefore no plan of canceling our GA and Bureau meetings on 1-2 December in Brussels. We will keep monitoring the situation with the competent authorities and update you accordingly.

Erasmus+ programme guide is out!

The Erasmus+ programme guide has just been published, it is available in English only. Beware the deadline for candidacies is now 2 february 2016 at noon. The guide is a tool for anybody who would like to have a thorough knowledge of what the Erasmus+ Programme is about. This document is mainly addressed to those who wish to be: participating organisations: meaning those organisations, institutions, bodies organising activities supported by the Programme; participants: meaning those individuals (students, trainees, apprentices, pupils, adult learners, young people, volunteers, or professors, teachers, trainers, youth workers, professionals in the field of education, training, youth and sport, etc.) involved in activities organised by the participating organisations. When planning an application, potential participating organisations can also be inspired and informed by ...

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