Who are you?
AER is a network of regional politicians, governments and administrations that is fostering transnational and interregional exchange of knowhow, expertise and contacts in order to improve the policy making in regions and beyond. AER believes that successful regions make a successful Europe.
What do you want to achieve?
Our mission is to • Create regions that become better territories for their citizens. • Offer members reliable, innovative and concrete information and tools to improve the development of their regions for the benefit of their citizens. • Brake barriers – connect people. • Create a bottom up European identity rooted in its diversity and local traditions and lives.
What’s your dream, your vision?
• A Europe where regions can unfold their territorial, linguistic and cultural diversity to the benefit of its citizens and Europe as a whole. • A Europe where regions can unfold their territorial, linguistic and cultural diversity to the benefit of its citizens and Europe as a whole. AER wants to be the network that best understands and satisfies the information and development needs of regions.
What do you stand for?
Our values are: • Faith in proximity between governance, politics, territory, people; place-based policy making. • Recognition of the political expression of citizens in the regions – regional democracy in Europe and beyond. • Cooperation between people and cultures as key to peace and prosperity. • Respect and recognition of diversity of Europe’s peoples.
How do you work?
• Provide various platforms for exchange and cooperation. • Connect decision makers from regional, national and European level. • Connect decision makers, civil servants and citizens horizontally. • Publish statements and positions. • Develop joined projects.
Who makes the decisions in AER?
Our governance: • An elected president (mandate 2 years). • An elected executive board (mandate 2 years). • The General Assembly – all members.
How does it concretely benefit my region? What’s the added value for me?
• You get up-to date and relevant information to improve your regional policy making. • You will be able to meet with your peers and learn from them and exchange experience. • You will get European exposure for your politicians and for your civil servants. • You will create an international brand and outlook for your region. • You will get to know relevant people and get contacts.
Why should I work exactly with AER?
• AER is a key player in European interregional cooperation and has 30 years of experience that you can benefit from. • AER has a standing secretariat structure with experienced staff members that ensures continued and sustainable cooperation. • AER is covering various thematics in one network allowing you to benefit from network expertise in various policy areas in one network. • Your region will benefit from the AER brand.
