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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260417T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260417T110000
DTSTAMP:20260521T011927
CREATED:20260316T145219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T122654Z
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SUMMARY:Breakfast Briefing - Competitiveness & Rural Development in the Next EU Budget
DESCRIPTION:📅 17 April 2026🕘 09:00 – 11:00 CET📍 Stable Room – Rue d’Arlon 63\, 1000 Brussels & ONLINE \nRegional 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. \nThis 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. \nThe 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. \nParticipants 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. \n\nAgenda\n09:00 — Registration & Coffee\n09:30 — Welcome & Introduction\n\nJohannes Sundelin\, AER Vice President for Clean Industry\, Transportation\, Transition\, Sustainability & Health\n\n09:35 — Keynote Speech \n\nPaulo Do Nascimento Cabral (EPP/ PT)\, Member of the European Parliament and EPP Rapporteur on Competitiveness\n\n09:45 — Roundtable Discussion\n\nPehr Granfalk\, Member of the European Committee of the Regions and Rapporteur on Competitiveness\nJohannes Sundelin\, AER Vice President for Clean Industry\, Transportation\, Transition\, Sustainability & Health\nLilijana Madjar\, AER Vice President for Cohesion & Public Services\nJan Klopman\, AER Bureau rapporteur on the MFF negotiations\n\n10:45 — Closing Remarks\n  \n \n  \n☕ 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.
URL:https://aer.eu/events/save-the-date-breakfast-briefing-on-competitiveness/
LOCATION:AER Brussels Office\, Rue d'Arlon 63\, Brussels\, 1040\, Belgium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aer.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Untitled-design-jpg.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="AER%20Task%20Force%20on%20Agriculture%20%26%20Rural%20Development":MAILTO:g.guari@aer.eu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260421T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260421T113000
DTSTAMP:20260521T011927
CREATED:20260407T124357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260420T102902Z
UID:51909-1776762000-1776771000@aer.eu
SUMMARY:Breakfast Briefing - Access to Housing and the next EU Budget: how will Europe deliver for Regional Communities?
DESCRIPTION:📅 Tuesday\, 21 April 2026🕘 09:00 – 11:30 CEST📍 Board Room – Rue d’Arlon 63\, 1000 Brussels & Online \n\n🏠 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. \n\n ☕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: \n1. Present and explore scalable regional solutions to the housing crisis relevant for urban and rural regions\, and; \n2. 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. \n\nAgenda\n09:00 — Registration & Coffee\n09:30 — Welcome & Introduction\n\nJustin Sammon\, AER Advocacy and Member Relations Coordinator\n\n09:45 — Presentations \n\nFrancesco Amodeo\, Senior Policy Advisor\, Housing Task Force\, Directorate General for Energy\, European Commission\nMary Brady\, Housing Attaché\, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union \nGerry Murray\, AER Vice President for Social Policy and Housing\, Councillor\, Mayo County Councillor (IE)\nVania Freitas\, AER Secretary General\n\n10:55 — Open Discussion \n \n⚠️ 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. \nFor any questions reach out to the AER Secretariat – Justin Sammon\, Advocacy & Member Relations Coordinator  (j.sammon@aer.eu). 
URL:https://aer.eu/events/breakfast-briefing-access-to-housing-and-the-next-eu-budget-how-will-europe-deliver-for-regional-communities/
LOCATION:AER Brussels Office\, Rue d'Arlon 63\, Brussels\, 1040\, Belgium
CATEGORIES:AER Events,AER Member Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aer.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BB-Housing-21-April-2026-1.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260423
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260425
DTSTAMP:20260521T011927
CREATED:20260205T120058Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260205T120058Z
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SUMMARY:Study Visit - Sustainable Food Production | Fribourg\, Switzerland
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe 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. \nDraft Programme highlights: \n\nAgriCo Campus – Switzerland’s leading hub for food and biomass innovation.\nLocal Farm Visit – Insights into sustainable agricultural practices.\nGruyère Cheese – Explore the origins of Gruyère cheese.\nGrangeneuve Agricultural School – Training and advisory excellence in farm management and agrotechnology.\nAgroscope Research Centre – Pioneering applied research for sustainable and competitive food systems.\n\n \n 
URL:https://aer.eu/events/study-visit-sustainable-food-production-fribourg-switzerland/
LOCATION:Fribourg\, Canton of Fribourg\, Switzerland
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aer.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Visual-Study-Visit-Fribourg-1-scaled.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="AER%20Task%20Force%20on%20Agriculture%20%26%20Rural%20Development":MAILTO:g.guari@aer.eu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260427T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260427T193000
DTSTAMP:20260521T011927
CREATED:20260410T143710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260410T165636Z
UID:51949-1777312800-1777318200@aer.eu
SUMMARY:YRN Webinar on Genuine Youth Participation | 27 April 2026
DESCRIPTION:Genuine youth participation is a cornerstone for building and sustaining trust in democracy across generations.\n\nThe 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.\n\nRead more
URL:https://aer.eu/events/yrn-webinar-on-genuine-youth-participation-27-april-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aer.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/27-April-2-jpg-e1775831794887.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260521T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Brussels:20260521T140000
DTSTAMP:20260521T011927
CREATED:20260316T145351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T104912Z
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SUMMARY:Briefing Lunch - Access to Healthcare & Connectivity
DESCRIPTION:📅 21 May 2026🕘 12:00 – 14:30 📍 AER Offices in Brussels (Rue d’Arlon 63\, 1000) & ONLINE \nOrganised by the AER Task Force on Access to Services and hosted by Region Värmland \nEnsuring 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. \nThis 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. \nWhat will be discussed?\nThe discussion will focus on: \n\nReducing territorial inequalities in access to services\nStrengthening healthcare accessibility in rural and remote areas\nUnlocking the potential of digital infrastructure and telemedicine\nImproving coordination between local\, regional\, national\, and European policies\n\nThe 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. \nThe 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. \n\nAgenda\n12:00 — Registration & Networking Lunch\n13:00 — Welcome & Introduction\n\nJohannes Sundelin\, AER Vice President for Clean Industry\, Transportation\, Transition\, Sustainability & Health\nDaniel Schützer\, Co-Chair Task Force on Access to Services\n\n13:15 — Roundtable Discussion\n\nSzilvia Kalman\, Deputy Head of Unit\, Cities\, Communities and People\, DG REGIO\, European Commission\nFlorian Meyerhoefer\, Head of International Affairs and Analysis Unit\, Council of Europe Development Bank\nMichele Calabrò\, Director\, EUREGHA – European Regional and Local Health Authorities\n\n14:25 — Closing Remarks\n14:30 — End of Roundtable\n \n \n\n☕ 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. \nContribute to the AER Joint Call for Evidence\nAs 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. \nWe encourage all members to contribute evidence\, examples\, and recommendations by reading the Call for Consultation and filling out the form before 25 May 2026. \n\n \n 
URL:https://aer.eu/events/save-the-date-breakfast-briefing-on-access-to-healthcare-connectivity/
LOCATION:AER Brussels Office\, Rue d'Arlon 63\, Brussels\, 1040\, Belgium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aer.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BB_Health-Connectivity_21-May-2026-1-1-jpg-e1775733811699.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260602
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260605
DTSTAMP:20260521T011927
CREATED:20251222T080849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T130425Z
UID:51571-1780358400-1780617599@aer.eu
SUMMARY:(Registrations are closed) AER Regions Forum - General Assembly & Spring Bureau Meeting 2026 | 2-4 June\, Timișoara\, Timiș\, Romania
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe Regions Forum will take place in the main government building of Timiș County Council\, situated in Bulevardul Revoluției din 1989 nr.17. \n \nRegistrations 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. \n2 June 2026 | High-Level Conference – Defending Democratic Resilience in the Age of Disinformation\n 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.  \nAs 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. \n \n3 June 2026 | 2026 AER General Assembly\, Spring Bureau meeting Intercultural Regions Network\nThe 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. \nDuring the General Assembly\, the AER will elect the following  positions will be up for election: \n\n1 Vice President – member of the Executive Board\n1 member of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group (MEG)\n2-4 members of the Election Committee\n\nRead more about the 2026 elections\n4 June 2026 |  General Assembly of the Youth Regional Network | Capacity Building & Study Visits\nThe Youth Regional Network will hold its General Assembly on the morning of 4 June\, including the election of the new YRN Presidium. \nParticipants will have the opportunity to engage in innovative capacity-building sessions through hands-on insights on disinformation on migration\, rural development and urban renewal. \nAbout the Study Visit on Urban Renewal  \nTimișoara\, 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: \n\nThe 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. \nThe 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.\nThe 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.\nThe 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.\n\nAbout the Study Visit on Rural Development \nTimiș 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: \n\nLocal 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.\nSocial 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.\n\nPractical Information\nHow to get to Timișoara (TM) \n\nFly direct flights to Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR) from European airports:\nMunich\, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden\, Dortmund\, Nuremberg\, Frankfurt-Hahn\, Istanbul\, Rome\, Bari\, Milano\, Napoli\, Bologna\, Treviso\, Madrid\, Valencia\, Barcelona\, Brussels\, Pari\, Beauvais\, Basel\, London Luton\, Bucharest\nYou can fly to one of the nearest airports and then take a rental car to Timișoara:\nBelgrade Airport (BEG): ~163 km\, ~2h50 by car Budapest Airport (BUD): ~277 km\, ~3h12 by car \n\nWhere to sleep in Timișoara \n\nUse the code “ARE2026” before 31 May 2026 when booking with the hotels listed here.\n\nCurious about Timiș?\n \n 
URL:https://aer.eu/events/2026-general-assembly-2-4-june-timis-romania/
LOCATION:Timis County Council\, Timisoara\, Romania
CATEGORIES:AER Bureau plenaries,AER Events,AER General Assemblies
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aer.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/GA26_visual-website-1-1-e1777566570414.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260916
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260920
DTSTAMP:20260521T011927
CREATED:20260129T124412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T130958Z
UID:51623-1789516800-1789862399@aer.eu
SUMMARY:Save the Date - Summer Academy 2026 | 16-19 September 2026 | Coma-ruga\, Catalonia
DESCRIPTION: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. \nMore information will be shared here soon. Stay tuned! \n  \nIn the meantime\, you can read more about the Summer Academy here\, and explore all past editions here. \n  \nIf you have any questions\, contact the AER Programmes Coordinator\, Jeanne Demonque: j.demonque@aer.eu
URL:https://aer.eu/events/save-the-date-summer-academy-2026-16-19-september-2026-coma-ruga-catalonia/
LOCATION:Coma-ruga\, Catalonia\, Spain\, Coma-ruga\, Catalonia\, 43880\, Spain
CATEGORIES:AER Events,AER Summer Academies
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://aer.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SA262_Save-the-date-jpg.webp
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