[REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSED] General Assembly, Bureau & AER 40th Anniversary | Maribor Innovation Forum | 17-19 June 2025
2025-06-17 08:00 - 2025-06-19 17:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
Registrations closed on May 23, 2025. If you wish to be included in the list of participants, please reach out to AER Communications Coordinator Barbara Polin (b.polin@aer.eu)
Celebrating 40 Years of Connecting Regions, Inspiring Europe
Since 1985, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) has proudly amplified the voice of Europe’s regions. For four decades, the AER championed interregional cooperation as catalyst for deeper European integration, better governance, and more inclusive societies.
As 2025 marks a historic milestone, the AER and Eastern Slovenia warmly invite all members and partners to Maribor, on 17-19 June, to celebrate our legacy and shape the future of the AER as a pan-European, independent network. Recognised as European Best Green Capital and Tree City of the World, Maribor’s commitment to sustainable innovation offers the perfect backdrop to a landmark edition of the General Assembly and Spring Bureau meeting 2025. From 17 to 19 June, their discussions will be enriched by the insights and reflections of the Maribor Innovation Forum, a high-level conference on how to foster place-based innovation and enable European competitiveness with regions’ expertise.
2025 General Assembly & Spring Bureau meeting
The 2025 General Assembly and Spring Bureau meeting will take place on 18 June and they will mark the election of the new political leadership of the Assembly of European Regions, including the President, Executive Board and Political Bureau.
AER General Assembly 2025 (18.06.2025, 9:00-13:00)

Draft Agenda
Working Documents (available soon)

AER Spring Bureau Meeting 2025 (18.06.2025, 14:30-16:30)

Draft Agenda
Working Documents (available soon)

Voting Rights and Membership Fee Requirements
In accordance with article 5.3 of the AER Statutes, each region is entitled to one (1) vote during the General Assembly. Should your region not be able to take part in the General Assembly, it is possible to request proxy voting by using this form.
As outlined in the AER Statutes, members who have not paid their membership fee will have their membership rights suspended. This means that representatives from those regions will not be eligible to vote or stand for election at the General Assembly on 18 June in Maribor, nor for positions within the Bureau. To ensure full participation, we kindly encourage all members to settle any outstanding fees by 4 June.
Place-Based Innovation in Practice
Circular economy and sustainable tourism are key pillars of the place-based innovation practices pioneered by Eastern Slovenia. During the study visit on Circular Economy to the demonstration sites of Nigrad and Ptuj (more information here), participants will have the opportunity to explore how the EU-funded projects CINDERELA and Circsyst explore innovative approaches to waste and water management as well as to secondary raw materials. The study visit on Sustainable Tourism to Štajerska (more information here) will show how tourism can enhance the visibility and accessibility of local traditions and assets, from wine-making to local farming.
Draft Programme
AER_GA2025 + MIF programme_1606_fin
Click here to download the programme.
Travel Information
Venue
The event venue is the charming Old Puppet Theatre of Maribor, an ancient Minorite monastery completely renovated (Vojašniški trg 2A, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia).

Accommodation
June is high touristic season in Maribor and Slovenia. Please make sure to book your accommodation ahead of time. The host region have secured favorable rates at the following establishments. When booking, please specify that you will be attending the AER event.
All hotels are within walking distance from the event venue of the Old Puppet Theatre (Vojašniški trg 2A, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)
Hotel Maribor**** (https://www.hotelmaribor.si/en)
Hotel City **** (https://www.hotelcitymb.si)
Hotel Orel *** (https://hotel.hotel-orel.si/en)
B&B Hotel Maribor *** (https://www.hotel-bb.com/en/hotel/maribor)
Travel
The closest airports to Maribor are Ljubljana Airport (LJU) and Zagreb (ZAG). The host region recommends the shuttle service Goopti to travel from/to Maribor.
For more information, please consult the AER Information Package.

For questions, contact the AER Communications Coordinator Barbara Polin.

Eurodyssey Forum & 40th Anniversary | Barcelona, Catalonia | 1-3 October 2025
2025-10-01 - 2025-10-03 | Barcelona, Barcelona, 08034, Spain
Celebrating 40 Years of Youth Mobility
Join us in Barcelona, Catalonia from 1 to 3 October 2025 for a very special edition of the Eurodyssey Forum as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Europe’s longest-running regional youth mobility programme!
A Milestone Celebration
Since 1985, Eurodyssey has empowered thousands of young people through meaningful international traineeship experiences across Europe. This year, we’re coming together to mark four decades of impact, connection, and transformation – with an eye on the future of youth mobility.

The three-day Forum will offer a dynamic mix of:

Panel discussion
Interactive workshops
Cultural visits to discover the heart of Catalonia
Anniversary celebration highlighting the programme’s legacy and success stories
As part of the ETI Labs project, the Forum will host a dedicated focus group session on young graduate traineeship tracks

Participants
The event is open to representatives of Eurodyssey member regions, current and former trainees, regional and youth mobility policy-makers, ETI Labs project partners, and all those committed to supporting and advancing youth mobility in Europe.
Registration are now closed*
* Registrations closed on 7 September. Please contact Jeanne Demonque (j.demonque@aer.eu) for any questions.

Don’t miss this unique occasion to connect, reflect, and shape the next chapter of Eurodyssey.

REGIONAL TALKS: Breakfast Briefing on Cohesion Policy post-2027 | 14 October 2025
2025-10-14 10:30 - 12:00 | AER Brussels Office, Rue d'Arlon 63, Brussels, 1040, Belgium
Cohesion Policy is one of the European Union’s most important tools to promote economic, social, and territorial cohesion, supporting regional development and addressing disparities across Europe.The upcoming negotiations on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 will shape the future and effectiveness of Cohesion Policy post-2027.
The Breakfast Briefing of the AER Task Force on Cohesion Policy has the goal to foster dialogue among regions, EU institutions, and stakeholders to assess the implementation of the current programming period and shape a robust, inclusive, and forward-looking Cohesion Policy for the post-2027 era.
The Breakfast Briefing will take place on 14 October 2025, at the Renewable Energy House (Rue d’Arlon 63, 1040 Bruxelles). Registrations will open soon.
The Breakfast Briefing will be the first AER Regional Talk of 2025, a Brussels-based event series animated by the goal of fostering dialogue on key issues impacting regional communities and territories.
REGISTRATIONS OPEN NOW!

REGIONAL TALKS: Young People in Politics | 15 October 2025 in Brussels
2025-10-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Atelier29 Brussels, Rue Jacques de Lalaing 29, Brussels, 1000
Youth participation in politics is essential for building democratic, inclusive, and future-oriented societies. Yet, young people across Europe continue to face barriers to engagement in political and decision-making processes.
The second debate in the Regional Talks series will explore how regional governance can bring together youth representatives, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to ensure inclusive and effective representation of diverse voices. Confirmed speakers include:

Astrid Begenyeza, Project Manager of Molenbeek for Brussels 2030 – Brussels Capital Region, Belgium
Christelle Savall, President of the Young European Federalists (JEF)
Eivind Holst, County Mayor and host of the Summer Academy 2024 – Nordland, Norway
Johanna Dayer Schneider, Children and Youth Officer, Cantonal Office for the Promotion of Children and Young People – Fribourg, Switzerland

The event is part of the Climbing the Ladder: fostering a culture of Youth Engagement (CL-YE) project, which addresses the need for effective and meaningful structures, mechanisms, and spaces for the active involvement of young people in policy-making and decision-making processes at the local, regional, national, and European levels. The debate will also draw on insights from project publications, including CL-YE Models and Mechanisms of Youth Engagement, which maps out approaches to involving young people in decision-making, and Good practices and case studies, highlighting concrete examples of youth engagement across Europe.
This is a European Youth Together project funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme.
The debate will take place on 15 October 2025, from 18:00 to 20:00 in Brussels.

REGIONAL TALKS | Caring Communities - Strengthening Families and Futures
2025-10-20 09:30 - 11:00
When violence strikes, children are the first to suffer. Based in Odesa, the Ukrainian Medical Centre for Rehabilitation of Mother and Child has a mission to restore and nurture the mental health of children, young parents, and families.
This online REGIONAL TALK session, organised by the AER Working Group on Mental Health, will explore how the Centre implements advanced international practices to provide free, high-quality psychological, mental health, and rehabilitation services aimed at developing adaptive skills, enhancing resilience, and restoring mental and physical well-being.

YRN Capacity-Building in Karlstad, Sweden | 13-15 November 2025
2025-11-13 - 2025-11-15
The AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) is organising its yearly capacity-building in Karlstad (Sweden), from 13 to 15 November 2025. Region Värmland is kindly hosting us for this weekend of workshops, study visits, and social gathering.
The event, coordinated by Region Värmland, the YRN Presidium, and the AER Secretariat, is open to all members of the YRN, and to AER members working on youth issues, such as regional politicians in charge of Youth, or the Youth Coordinators in regional administrations.
– Registration are closed –

Solidarity Fund
Young participants whose travel costs cannot be supported by their region, a regional council, a youth regional council, a youth organisation, etc., may apply to the Solidarity Fund generously provided by Region Värmland. If accepted, we can cover up to 250€ of your travel and accommodation costs, as a reimbursement by bank transfer after your attendance to the entire event, and if you provide all necessary supportive documents (invoices, receipts, original boarding passes, train tickets, bus tickets). The reimbursement may exceed 250€ depending on the final number of participants.
All the details about the Solidarity Fund have been communicated by email to the selected participants.
Practical information
All lunches and dinners are covered from Thursday dinner to Saturday lunch.
The event’s main venue will be the Regionens hus, in Karlstad.
Participants are expected to book their flights/trains/buses themselves.
Flight / How to get to Karlstad

Oslo, Gardemoen: there is a direct train from the airport to Oslo Central (approximately 19 minutes). Tickets for the flight transport are purchased at the airport. There are direct trains and buses from Oslo to Karlstad. Tickets can be purchased from SJ, Bus4You or Flixbus. All options take approximately 2-3 hours from Oslo Central to Karlstad.
Stockholm, Arlanda. There is a direct bus from Arlanda Airport to Karlstad, that we would recommend rather than having a transit in Stockholm Central. The bus takes approximately 4h20. Tickets can be purchased from Bus4You or Flixbus.
Gothenburg, Landvetter. There is a direct bus from the airport to Gothenburg Central (approximately 30 minutes). Tickets are purchased from “flygbussarna”. There are trains departing from Gothenburg to Karlstad which take approximately 2h30. Train tickets can be purchased from SJ. There is also the option to take a bus, Bus4You or Flixbus, to Karlstad.

Recommended ho(s)tels

Solsta Hotell
Carlstad City Hotell
Carlstad Hostel (participants will stay in that hostel)

Youth Participation Toolfair: Sharing and Connecting Ideas | 13 November | Online
2025-11-13 12:00 - 14:00
How can we enhance the meaningfulness and impact of youth participation across Europe?
Join us for the “Youth Participation Toolfair: Sharing and Connecting Ideas”, an online workshop that brings together youth workers, policymakers, and young people to explore effective models and mechanisms of youth engagement.
During this interactive session, you will:

Exchange ideas and network with peers and policymakers from across Europe
Discover innovative models of youth participation and decision-making
Gain practical tools to foster active youth engagement in your community

When: 13 November – 12:00pm – 13:45pm (CET)
Where: Online
Register here to join the event: https://forms.gle/9QN1cJaB9JUR7DdM9
This initiative is part of Climbing the Ladder, a project led by DYPALL Network in partnership with the Assembly of European Regions, AER member region Nordland fylkeskommune (Norway), Europiamo ETS (Italy), YEPP EUROPE (Germany), EDYN (Slovakia), SQLearn (Greece) and funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ Programme.

20-21 November 2025 | VIII Regional Business Forum - Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS)
2025-11-20 - 2025-11-21
The Regional Business Forum (RBF): a platform connecting businesses, ideas and people across borders
Co-organised by the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the Regional Business Forum has proved to be an incubator for business partnerships across the EU and international regions. In 2025, the Regional Business Forum will explore macro-issues, like the growth trends in regional economies and the future of the automotive industry, but also specific developments like the affirmation of the Danube as a regional tourism brand and the supply chains between farms and markets.
AER members and friends are welcome to follow the live stream on YouTube.

AER Autumn Events | 9-10 December 2025, Brussels
2025-12-09 - 2025-12-10 | Brussels, Belgium
AER Celebrates 40 Years: Join Us for the 2025 Autumn Events!
As the Assembly of European Regions (AER) marks its 40th Anniversary, we invite you to a series of forward-looking discussions shaping the future of territorial cohesion across Europe. From key developments in the MFF negotiations to ensuring accessible public services, this year’s Autumn events offer spaces for dialogue, exchange, and action to strengthen the place-based approach at the heart of regional cooperation.
Deadline for registrations: 24 November 2025 (COB)

Programme Overview
(click here for the downloadable version)
📅 Tuesday, 9 December 2025

10:00 – 11:30 Meeting of the AER Working Group on Mental Health
This meeting marks the culmination of two years of work dedicated to exploring and sharing regional best practices in mental health. It will be an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the Working Group’s achievements, and to discuss how to advance the work done. The discussion will be enriched by inputs from:

Norbert Nagy, President of the Youth Regional Network
Michele Calabrò, Director, and Marco Di Donato, Policy and Projects Officer, from the network of European Regional and Local Health Authorities (EUREGHA)

📍Region Värmland European Office (Rue du Luxembourg 3, 1000)
🔒 Only AER members

14:00 – 15:30 First Plenary of the AER Intercultural Regional Network
The first IRN Plenary aims to strengthen the foundations of the IRN as a dynamic and inclusive network of regional authorities committed to intercultural inclusion and equality. The meeting will include the approval of the terms of reference and the 2026 Work plan.
📍AER Officces, (Rue d’Arlon 63-67, 1040)
🌍 Open to the public

15:45 – 17:30 Which Governance for the AER of the Future?
This in-person discussion aims to enable a thorough assessment of the effectiveness, agility, and impact of the current AER governance structures.
📍AER Offices, (Rue d’Arlon 63-67, 1040)
🔒 Only AER members

18:00 – 19:30 AER 40th Anniversary Debate: The Future of Interregional Cooperation
This debate is a continuation of the principles and achievements established over 40 years of working for advancing regional democracy and interregional cooperation. It will bring together regional leaders from across Europe to discuss how regions can enhance democracy, promote collaboration, drive innovation, and tackle shared challenges, followed by the 40th Anniversary Reception offered by Lower Austria.
Confirmed speakers:

Lukas Mandl, AER President and Member of the European Parliament
Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
Pavel Branda (ECR/CZ), Chair of the Cross-border Interregional group in the European Committee of the Regions
Aida Karimli, AER Vice President, Deputy Regional Councillor in Västra Götaland, Sweden, Vice Chair of the Environment and Regional Development Committee

📍Lower Austrian European Liaison Office, (Rue Montoyer 40, 1000)

Read the concept note

🎉 Open event + Reception

📅 Wednesday, 10 December 2025 — Autumn Bureau Meeting & Ukraine Focus Group Meeting
📍 Zweig Visitor Centre, European Parliament (Ardenne-Belliard, Rue d’Ardenne, 1000 Bruxelles)🪪 Security Check at the Zweig Visitor Centre

Agenda

📝 Working documents

8:20 Security Check at the Zweig Visitor Centre

9:00 Welcome & Introductions

Working Document 0. Agenda

9:10 Bureau Updates – Institutional Relations & Advocacy

Working Document I. Bureau Updates

9:20 Dialogue on Cohesion Policy & MFF with Members of the European Parliament & Adoption Position Paper on Cohesion Policy post-2027
The meeting will focus on the future of Cohesion Policy post-2027 and the priorities of regions for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework. (Read more here)

Working Document II. Position Paper
Working Document II.B Concept Note debate

10:20 Identification of Bureau Priority Topics

Working Document III. Bureau Priorities

10:30 ☕ Coffee Break

11:00 Bureau Debate – “No Services, No Stay: Turning Access Into a Right”
The Bureau debate on “No Services, No Stay: Turning Access into a Right“, will discuss how access to services is key to retaining talent, boosting prosperity and enhancing the competitiveness of European regions.
Confirmed speakers:

Gerry Murray, Councillor, Mayo (Ireland)
Daniel Schützer, Regional Councillor, Värmland (Sweden)
Robert Matić, Vice-President, Primorje-Gorski Kotar (Croatia)
Marc Bournisien De Valmont, Policy analyst at the Regional Development and Multi-level Governance Division of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, and Regions & Cities (OECD)
Kadri Uustal, Head of Unit Cities, Communities, People, DG REGIO, European Commission

Working Document IV. Concept Note debate

12:30 Closing Remarks

Free time

Ukraine Focus Group Meeting
16:00
Grand Est Representation Office (Rue du Luxembourg, 15 B-1000 Bruxelles)
*only for AER members

Member Event - World Sustainable Energy Days | Wels, Upper Austria - 24-27 February 2026
2026-02-24 - 2026-02-27 | Wels, Pollheimerstrasse 1, Wels, Wels, A-4600, Austria
Energy transition and energy independence at the World Sustainable Energy Days 2026
Energy transition leads to energy independence. This is the core motto of the World Sustainable Energy Days, taking place from 24 to 27 February 2026, in Wels, Upper Austria, an AER member and leader in the climate transition. In recent years, Upper Austria has reduced gas emissions by 42% and ensures that 72% of indoor heating and 33% of primary energy comes from renewables.
The World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) is a high-level international conference that presents policies, technologies and business models which increase competitiveness and energy affordability. Every year, WSED welcomes over 650 participants from more than 60 countries.
Event highlights

6 thematic conferences (European Pellet Conference, Energy Efficiency Conference, Energy Efficiency Policy Conference, Energy Communities, Industrial Energy Transition Conference, Smart E-Mobility Conference)
Young Energy Researchers conference
80+ renowned speakers on market trends, policies, technologies and innovation
20+ hours of networking
Poster Presentations

Audience
The audience includes representatives from the entire value chain of energy transition, including:

stakeholders from the private sector, such as energy companies and technology and equipment companies, service providers, planners, developers, and the financing community
representatives from the energy transition research community
representatives of the EU, national, regional and local levels

Registration & Information

Breakfast Briefing - Competitiveness & Rural Development in the Next EU Budget
2026-04-17 09:00 - 11:00 | AER Brussels Office, Rue d'Arlon 63, Brussels, 1040, Belgium
📅 17 April 2026🕘 09:00 – 11:00 CET📍 Stable Room – Rue d’Arlon 63, 1000 Brussels & ONLINE
Regional competitiveness and rural development are increasingly interconnected in the debate on the next EU budget. With the proposed European Competitiveness Fund under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, the European Union aims to strengthen innovation, industrial capacity, and strategic sectors across Europe.
This breakfast briefing will bring together regional authorities, EU institutions and policy stakeholders to discuss how competitiveness policies can also support rural development, regional innovation ecosystems and territorial balance.
The discussion will explore how new EU funding instruments can create synergies with existing policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy, while ensuring that regional authorities remain key actors in shaping investment priorities.
Participants will exchange views on how place-based approaches, regional innovation strategies and stronger multi-level governance can ensure that all regions—urban and rural alike—benefit from Europe’s competitiveness agenda.

Agenda
09:00 — Registration & Coffee
09:30 — Welcome & Introduction

Johannes Sundelin, AER Vice President for Clean Industry, Transportation, Transition, Sustainability & Health

09:35 — Keynote Speech

Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral (EPP/ PT), Member of the European Parliament and EPP Rapporteur on Competitiveness

09:45 — Roundtable Discussion

Pehr Granfalk, Member of the European Committee of the Regions and Rapporteur on Competitiveness
Johannes Sundelin, AER Vice President for Clean Industry, Transportation, Transition, Sustainability & Health
Lilijana Madjar, AER Vice President for Cohesion & Public Services
Jan Klopman, AER Bureau rapporteur on the MFF negotiations

10:45 — Closing Remarks

☕ This breakfast discussion provides a space for informal exchange between regional leaders and EU policymakers on how competitiveness policies can support strong and resilient rural territories across Europe.

Breakfast Briefing - Access to Housing and the next EU Budget: how will Europe deliver for Regional Communities?
2026-04-21 09:00 - 11:30 | AER Brussels Office, Rue d'Arlon 63, Brussels, 1040, Belgium
📅 Tuesday, 21 April 2026🕘 09:00 – 11:30 CEST📍 Board Room – Rue d’Arlon 63, 1000 Brussels & Online

🏠 Lack of access to affordable, good quality housing is a generational policy challenge for the European Union. The societal impact is significant, and has a clear territorial dimension. Europe’s housing crisis is hurting communities in both urban and rural regions, albeit in different ways.

☕Delivering affordable housing for all is a priority for the AER’s Task Force on Access to Services. Bringing together policymakers and experts, this breakfast briefing will be an opportunity for AER members to:
1. Present and explore scalable regional solutions to the housing crisis relevant for urban and rural regions, and;
2. discuss EU initiatives and funding mechanisms foreseen in the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034, with a specific focus on the European Affordable Housing Plan, as well as the priorities as regards housing for the upcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Agenda
09:00 — Registration & Coffee
09:30 — Welcome & Introduction

Justin Sammon, AER Advocacy and Member Relations Coordinator

09:45 — Presentations

Francesco Amodeo, Senior Policy Advisor, Housing Task Force, Directorate General for Energy, European Commission
Mary Brady, Housing Attaché, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union
Gerry Murray, AER Vice President for Social Policy and Housing, Councillor, Mayo County Councillor (IE)
Vania Freitas, AER Secretary General

10:55 — Open Discussion

⚠️ Due to the limited capacity of the room, participation is prioritised for AER members, and registration in advance is required. Online participation is also possible.
For any questions reach out to the AER Secretariat – Justin Sammon, Advocacy & Member Relations Coordinator (j.sammon@aer.eu).

Study Visit - Sustainable Food Production | Fribourg, Switzerland
2026-04-23 - 2026-04-24 | Fribourg, Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland
The Task Force on Agriculture & Rural Development is organising a study visit hosted by the Canton of Fribourg in Switzerland, dedicated to exploring the region’s gastronomic delicacies, sustainable food production, and innovation in agriculture.
The visit will take place from Thursday, 23 April until Friday, 24 April 2026, offering participants an opportunity to discover Fribourg’s excellence in sustainable agriculture, applied research, and world-renowned food traditions.
Draft Programme highlights:

AgriCo Campus – Switzerland’s leading hub for food and biomass innovation.
Local Farm Visit – Insights into sustainable agricultural practices.
Gruyère Cheese – Explore the origins of Gruyère cheese.
Grangeneuve Agricultural School – Training and advisory excellence in farm management and agrotechnology.
Agroscope Research Centre – Pioneering applied research for sustainable and competitive food systems.

YRN Webinar on Genuine Youth Participation | 27 April 2026
2026-04-27 18:00 - 19:30
Genuine youth participation is a cornerstone for building and sustaining trust in democracy across generations.

The Youth Regional Network (YRN) and Region Västra Götaland are glad to announce a joint webinar on 27 April 2026 (18:00-19:30), dedicated to exploring effective strategies for fostering genuine youth participation across European regions. Through an open discussion on methods, challenges, and insights rooted in regional realities, the webinar will go beyond the usual tropes of youth engagement and explore how to develop youth participation models that impact the present and future of democracy.

Read more

Briefing Lunch - Access to Healthcare & Connectivity
2026-05-21 12:00 - 14:00 | AER Brussels Office, Rue d'Arlon 63, Brussels, 1040, Belgium
📅 21 May 2026🕘 12:00 – 14:30 📍 AER Offices in Brussels (Rue d’Arlon 63, 1000) & ONLINE
Organised by the AER Task Force on Access to Services and hosted by Region Värmland
Ensuring equitable access to healthcare and digital connectivity is essential for inclusive and sustainable rural development. Yet many regions across Europe still face significant gaps in access to essential services, economic opportunities, and infrastructure, challenges that increasingly affect people’s ability to remain and build their future in the places they call home.
This lunch briefing will bring together regional authorities, EU institutions, and policy stakeholders to explore how stronger digital connectivity and accessible healthcare services can support Europe’s emerging “Right to Stay” agenda.
What will be discussed?
The discussion will focus on:

Reducing territorial inequalities in access to services
Strengthening healthcare accessibility in rural and remote areas
Unlocking the potential of digital infrastructure and telemedicine
Improving coordination between local, regional, national, and European policies

The event will also contribute to the European Commission’s ongoing Call for Evidence for the upcoming EU Right to Stay Strategy. Participants are invited to share regional experiences, challenges, and recommendations, which will help inform a consolidated AER contribution to the consultation.
The discussion builds on AER’s ongoing work on territorial cohesion and access to services, including the publication of the Recommendation Paper on Access to Essential Services & Quality of Life developed within the Harnessing Talent Platform together with DG REGIO.

Agenda
12:00 — Registration & Networking Lunch
13:00 — Welcome & Introduction

Johannes Sundelin, AER Vice President for Clean Industry, Transportation, Transition, Sustainability & Health
Daniel Schützer, Co-Chair Task Force on Access to Services

13:15 — Roundtable Discussion

Szilvia Kalman, Deputy Head of Unit, Cities, Communities and People, DG REGIO, European Commission
Florian Meyerhoefer, Head of International Affairs and Analysis Unit, Council of Europe Development Bank
Michele Calabrò, Director, EUREGHA – European Regional and Local Health Authorities

14:25 — Closing Remarks
14:30 — End of Roundtable

☕ This breakfast discussion offers a space for informal exchange between regional leaders and EU policymakers on improving access to healthcare and connectivity, and ensuring that rural communities can fully benefit from Europe’s digital and social transitions.
Contribute to the AER Joint Call for Evidence
As part of the European Commission’s consultation on the upcoming EU Right to Stay Strategy, AER is preparing a joint contribution gathering perspectives from members of the Task Force on Access to Services.
We encourage all members to contribute evidence, examples, and recommendations by reading the Call for Consultation and filling out the form before 25 May 2026.

(Registrations are closed) AER Regions Forum - General Assembly & Spring Bureau Meeting 2026 | 2-4 June, Timișoara, Timiș, Romania
2026-06-02 - 2026-06-04 | Timis County Council, Timisoara, Romania
From 2 to 4 June 2026, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and the Timiș County Council will offer regional leaders and stakeholders the opportunity to explore how regions can reinforce the resilience and responsiveness of our democracies, forming multi-level democratic partnerships among academia, civil society and media.
The Regions Forum will take place in the main government building of Timiș County Council, situated in Bulevardul Revoluției din 1989 nr.17.

Registrations closed on 15 May. If you are an AER Bureau, an EB member or a speaker, and you wish to join the event, contact the AER Communications and Events Coordinator Barbara Polin (b.polin@aer.eu) at your earliest convenience.
2 June 2026 | High-Level Conference – Defending Democratic Resilience in the Age of Disinformation
The high-level conference on 2 June 2026 aims to discuss how regions can defend democratic resilience amid the rise of AI and disinformation. It will include a political roundtable on how to address the risks of AI-powered manipulation and disinformation in democracy, and how to build democratic resilience across the regional, national and European levels. The conference will also include two workshops, one on regions acting as grassroots democracy shields and one on the role of the media in times of crisis.
As representatives of regional governments and their key partners, participants are invited to share their experiences on the impact of disinformation on democracy, taking inspiration from the questions listed here. Interested participants will have the opportunity to share these experiences during the conference.

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

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

Read more about the 2026 elections
4 June 2026 | General Assembly of the Youth Regional Network | Capacity Building & Study Visits
The Youth Regional Network will hold its General Assembly on the morning of 4 June, including the election of the new YRN Presidium.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in innovative capacity-building sessions through hands-on insights on disinformation on migration, rural development and urban renewal.
About the Study Visit on Urban Renewal
Timișoara, the 2023 European Capital of Culture, offers several meaningful examples of urban regeneration. The study visit on urban renewal will feature highlights from different industrial sites which have been re-imagined as inspiring venues for social innovation and cultural development. These sites include:

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

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

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

Practical Information
How to get to Timișoara (TM)

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

Where to sleep in Timișoara

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

Curious about Timiș?

Save the Date - Summer Academy 2026 | 16-19 September 2026 | Coma-ruga, Catalonia
2026-09-16 - 2026-09-19 | Coma-ruga, Catalonia, Spain, Coma-ruga, Catalonia, 43880, Spain
Catalonia, through its Regional Youth Agency (Agència Catalana de la Joventut), will host the 2026 Summer Academy in Coma-ruga on 16-19 September 2026.
More information will be shared here soon. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, you can read more about the Summer Academy here, and explore all past editions here.
