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European Regions do care for you! Access health services… anytime, anywhere

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Brussels (B), 14 February 2007

Twenty-five regions from all over Europe gathered today in Brussels to launch a major initiative, which is set to revolutionise the way our health care systems are managed.
The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has launched the ‘e-Health network’, which will bring medical services closer to the citizens, ending up their isolation, especially in remote rural areas. Here are only a few practical examples of what the network wants to achieve:

– citizens will be able to have all their medical examinations carried out at their local clinic, instead of travelling to far away specialized centres. Specialists working in another clinic will check the patients through a remote controlled device;

– as a consequence, medical diagnoses will only be a few clicks away: the doctor receives the examination results through the web and can immediately make the diagnosis;

– the work of emergency services, especially ambulance crews, will be immensely facilitated: ICT tools can provide them with all the necessary information on the patient they’re rushing to assist, by  giving access to his/her personal dossier and all the data about previous health problems. The ambulance can then send information to the hospital, so that the emergency unit there is prepared to treat the patient as soon as it arrives;

– EU tourists travelling to another country in the Union will be able to consult a local doctor through a European ‘e-Health card’. That’s more than a pocket document: it contains the patient’s entire dossier in a microchip. Any diagnosis or treatment will thus be carried out on the basis of a full medical picture.

Apart from that, e-Health can prove a useful tool for better distributing the scarce resources that are usually allocated to health services, by increasing productivity and improving the flow of information among all the actors in the health care chain.

European regions belonging to the AER will take the lead in applying new technologies to health care, by creating a platform where all the interested parties can engage in interregional cooperation projects and develop e-Health tools, thus contributing to the development of this innovative sector.

 

Six regions are already at the forefront:

Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lombardia (Italy) have today proposed the development of an ICT tool, which can provide them a real-time picture of the current offer and needs in their healthcare and social systems and allocate their resources accordingly;

St. Gallen (Switzerland) wants to create a tool, allowing secure electronic Data interchange among health professionals, hospitals and physicians;

Norrbotten (Sweden) is planning to create an electronic platform, which will put patients’ health data at the disposal of all the local health professionals. The same region is also looking to produce a telemedicine tool for medical professionals in the field of heart diseases: as a practical consequence, tests and examinations will be carried out from a distance;

Noord-Brabant (The Netherlands) proposed the development of ICT tools for the early diagnosis of dementia, in order to allow people suffering from it to live at home longer;

Västerbotten (Sweden), with the help of the local Umeå University, will analyse the potential advantages that e-Health technologies can offer to old people, with respect to their mental and physical health.

For more information: [email protected]

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David Byrne congratulates the AER for its contribution to a new European Health Strategy

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Bad Hofgastein (A), 7 October 2004

David Byrne, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, addressed the member regions of AER Committee “Social Affairs and Public Health” at its meeting in Bad Hofgastein (A) on 7th October 2004 and congratulated them on their political activities in promoting good health.

Roel Augusteijn (Noord-Brabant, NL), the Committee Vice President in charge of health affairs, presented Mr Burn with a copy of the AER political resolution on a new European Health Strategy, which supports, amongst other things:

– the mainstreaming of health into other European policy areas, as it is often the case that Union actions in other sectors have a significant impact on health;

– prevention as a central focus of European, national and regional health policy, with a particular focus on youth care;

– the inclusion of health as a main objective under the Union financial instruments, in particular the Structural Funds.

“Interregional partnerships are an effective tool for developing health policy and addressing the health gap in Europe. The new European health strategy should especially encourage cooperation in the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, in the development of youth care and in responding to problems arising from an ageing society” said Roel Augusteijn.

The member regions also adopted a political statement on social and health services of general interest, emphasising the particular features of these sectors that do not allow a rigid application of market principles. The regions are especially concerned with the reference contained in the White Paper to “consumers” of health and social services. This is an economic concept that does not recognise the fundamental right of citizens to have access to these services.

The AER Committee on “Social Affairs and Public Health” acknowledges the need to review health and social services, but urges the European Commission to strike a balance between the internal market and the general interest.

For more information: [email protected]

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The AER deplores UK government decision to grant the EU exclusive competence in Health & Education Policy

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IGC-European Constitution 

Strasbourg (F), 15 June 2004

In a letter to the Assembly of European Regions (AER), UK Minister for Europe Denis MacShane, sets out the UK Government’s intention to give up core decision-making powers in the fields of culture, education, audiovisual, health and social services during the final round of negotiations on the European Constitution. The Assembly of European Regions calls upon the Intergovernmental Conference not to support the line followed by the UK government and to retain national sovereignty over these policy areas.

“There are some sectors that should not be completely regulated by the Union, due to the specific situations in the member states and to the need to foster diversity, which is Europe’s greatest asset for enhancing flexibility, creativity and innovation. All regulations ultimately entail a certain degree of harmonization. It is important that there remain some political sectors in which the competences of the member states and regions are not limited by submitting the policies to the decision of a majority, however large that majority may be”, declares the AER Secretary-General Klaus Klipp.

The AER, referring in particular to the already apparent negative results of the GATS-Process, expresses the fear that the transfer of additional regulatory powers to the Union will only enhance the processes of deregulation, liberalization and privatisation of public services. The AER is concerned that any moves towards enforced liberalisation of public services would limit regional authorities’ decision-making powers over these key areas.

It is important that democratically elected politicians within local and regional authorities can continue to make decisions about public services and remain accountable to the electorate for those services. The question has to be asked whether, in the current political environment, in which the citizens of Europe have demonstrated their mistrust in the European institutions through their refusal to go to the ballot box in the European Parliament elections, the surrender of decision-making powers to the European level really serves the interests of democracy.

In view of the opposition of the UK Government to Qualified Majority Vote in areas such as Security and Defence and Financial policy, the AER comes to the conclusion that obviously the UK government believes that policies for Culture, Education, Health and Social Affairs are better off in the hands of the European Institutions than at the level of national and regional governments.

For more information: [email protected]

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The YRN was represented at the 2nd International Youth Climate Summit in Slovenia

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An article by Marsel Haka, Chair of the YRN Committee for a Green & Sustainable Europe

6-8 December 2024 – The 2nd International Youth Climate Summit in Slovenia was a fantastic event organised by the Youth Health Organization (YHO), held in the picturesque coastal city of Koper. This gathering brought together passionate young climate advocates from diverse backgrounds and organisations from different countries, united by a common goal of addressing environmental challenges and mental health.

The summit was a dynamic blend of interactive workshops, insightful discussions and networking opportunities. Participants had the chance to share perspectives, work on innovative ideas, and strengthen connections with like-minded individuals. Experts from organisations such as Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) and Escape4Change delved into critical topics through their workshops and presentations. Particularly the first workshop facilitated by Escape4Change, which involved a cooperative game that challenged participants to uncover hidden secrets. As we navigated through the game, we gained valuable knowledge and insights into climate change issues. This interactive approach made learning enjoyable and effective through gamification.

Another highlight was the workshop on eco-anxiety prepared by YEE. This session shed light on the mental health impacts of climate change, providing participants with important concepts of eco-anxiety and eco-emotions. The workshop fostered open dialogue and reflection, leading to valuable discussions and shared experiences. Representatives from the Institute for Health and Environment shared a valuable presentation on the intersection of health and environmental topics directly relevant to the Summit’s focus, making the picture clearer for the attendees.

The Summit culminated in a Hackathon day where participants formed teams to develop innovative solutions for pressing environmental issues. This hands-on experience allowed young people to put their creativity and problem-solving skills to work. This part fostered collaboration and inspired young people to take action and drive positive change. The event’s success can be attributed to its engaging format, diverse range of topics and the passion of its participants.

In addition to the working agenda, the Summit offered an opportunity to explore the beautiful nearby cities. The festive atmosphere of Christmas added a special touch to this trip, creating memories among new friends in the beautiful month of December. By the end of the Summit, all participants left feeling motivated to continue their cooperation and drive a positive impact on their future environmental initiatives.

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The YRN Thematic Committee on Green & Sustainable Europe drafted a position paper for the UNFCCC COP29. This paper will be presented for formal adoption at the YRN General Assembly 2025. You can already read the draft position here:

YRN POSITION PAPER – UNFCCC COP 29

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! EU-Belong & DT4E: how intercultural integration can foster successful and sustainable labour migration pathways

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On World Migration Day 2024, The Assembly of European Regions is pleased to release an exclusive interview, produced in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Country Office for Belgium and Luxembourg. The interview bridges two flagship AMIF-funded initiatives coordinated by the organisations: EU-Belong and Displaced Talents for Europe. While doing so, it demonstrates the need to promote interculturally inclusive society, where skills are nurtured, and talents are unlocked, driving the transition towards a digital, green, and inclusive European future.

Give a chance to displaced individuals, because their enthusiasm, passion to contribute, and dedication know no bounds.
(Ammar Kolko, displaced professional relocated to Belgium under DT4E)

Displaced Talents for Europe (DT4E) is one of the frontrunning initiatives – coordinated by the  International Organization for Migration (IOM) Country Office for Belgium and Luxembourg and funded by the European Union (EU) – to ensure safe labour migration pathways to Europe. With an increasingly shrinking population on the one side and the need to attract skills on the other, today’s challenge is impacting heavily on the European economy. Shaping new opportunities for labour migration represents not only a chance to enhance Member State’s financial performance, but also to accelerate the transition to a digital and green future.

Regions face the consequences of these disrupting dynamics, which can be solved only by embracing an intercultural perspective. The work done by EU-Belong represents a valuable example to enhance creativity, realise innovation ecosystems, and promote social dialogue in regional territories. By unifying their strengths and leveraging synergies, IOM and the AER can amplify the significant impacts of their initiatives, transforming “How People Work and Create”. This interview shows the respective potential of EU-Belong and DT4E, as well as other IOM-led labour migration initiatives, inviting public authorities to join forces and contribute in the realisation of safe pathways and welcoming communities.

We thank IOM Belgium & Luxembourg for the availability to release this interview, sharing great insights and inspiring experiences with the Assembly of European Regions’ network and members.

DT4E is focused on promoting labour migration as a solution to Europe’s talent gap and demographic challenges. Could you share what is the benefit of labour migration for Europe and what impact you are aiming to achieve?

In Europe, employers across various industries are indeed facing a shortage of skilled workers in the local labour markets, as a result of the twin (green and digital) transition and the natural decline of the working-age population, among others. This labour and skills gap creates substantial pressure on local economies and makes it difficult for employers to find the workforce they need.

As the Country Office for Belgium and Luxembourg of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, we address this shortage by creating safe and legal labour pathways to Belgium and other European countries. Some of our initiatives focus specifically on skilled individuals who are forcibly displaced. Many of these individuals have valuable qualifications, skills, and work experience but face barriers in accessing employment and mobility opportunities due to their displacement status. Through the EU-funded Displaced Talent for Europe (DT4E) initiative, displaced individuals can access job opportunities in Europe and build stable futures and fulfilling careers in new environments that recognize their skills and experience. Simultaneously, European employers gain access to an untapped pool of international talent, allowing them to fill shortages, build an inclusive workforce, and contribute to increased diversity in the European labour market. 

In addition to DT4E, at IOM Belgium and Luxembourg we also work to establish safe labour mobility pathways for other populations. For instance, our Learning Mobility Scheme between Tunisia and Belgium connects talented Tunisian graduates with Belgian companies, offering them valuable internship and traineeship experiences. This cross-border programme not only provides practical experience to young professionals from Tunisia and enhances their employability, but it also expands and diversifies the talent pool available to Belgian employers, fostering a sense of global collaboration. Similarly, our Skills Mobility Partnership between Suriname and Belgium links Belgian healthcare employers with Dutch-speaking healthcare professionals from Suriname, who can work in Belgian hospitals and elderly care facilities either temporarily or permanently. This partnership is mutually beneficial and grounded in reciprocity, as support is provided by Belgian employers and partners to simultaneously build the capacity of Suriname’s healthcare system.

What are the main challenges you encounter in creating safe labour migration pathways to Europe? How are you overcoming these obstacles?

Despite strong political support across Europe for safe labour migration pathways, policy and legislative frameworks have yet to align to allow for their development at scale. One of our main challenges is the legal and administrative complexity of work permits and visa pathways. The extensive requirements for these permits and visas disproportionately affect displaced talents due to the difficulty in obtaining certain documents such as international passports, proof of legal residence, and character checks. The very long processing times, up to six months for the single permit alone, also serve to discourage employers from engaging in international recruitment in general. To address this, IOM collaborates closely with public and private stakeholders to advocate for policy adjustments that streamline these processes. In Belgium, for instance, the authorities appointed contact persons in each relevant service to discuss and address any issue that may arise in the application processes for displaced talents. Protection safeguards were also secured, as well as a certain level of flexibility for some required documents, including character checks and expired documents. In the UK, where DT4E was already preceded by the so-called Displaced Talent Mobility Pilot, a dedicated desk at the Home Office was created and displaced talents have been granted access to the existing fast-track visa process free of charge. 

Diploma and skills recognition is another significant hurdle when it comes to regulated sectors such as the healthcare and legal sectors. International talents, including displaced individuals more specifically, often face challenges in having their professional qualifications recognized in Europe and in accessing job opportunities at their skills and qualification level. To help, we work with educational institutions and licensing bodies on both sides (countries of origin/first asylum and countries of destination) to expedite and facilitate the recognition process where possible. 

Lastly, the practicalities of integration can also pose a broad challenge for newcomers, such as language barriers and access to affordable housing. We’re addressing this by working with local stakeholders, establishing links with existing integration services, and encouraging employers to provide initial (practical and financial) support with housing and language training. We’re also exploring the potential of innovative financing solutions that would be able to cover settlement costs.

EU-Belong supports regional governments in developing intercultural integration strategies. Based on your experience, what role can regional governments play in establishing and supporting safe labour migration pathways?

Regional governments are uniquely positioned to play a critical role in this process. They are crucial to enabling the smooth integration of international professionals, including displaced talent, into local communities. For example, providing access to language courses and cultural orientation programmes equips newcomers with the skills and knowledge essential for successful integration. In Belgium, our partnership with the Flemish Integration Agency (AgII) allowed for talents recruited through DT4E to gain access to online pre-departure integration classes free of charge. This pilot is currently being evaluated and will hopefully become a structural offer for migrant workers preparing to relocate to Belgium. 

Ensuring access to safe and affordable housing is equally crucial for stability; regional governments can collaborate with housing authorities and NGOs to offer housing support.

Additionally, fostering community engagement through events, partnerships with diaspora groups, and social integration initiatives can build meaningful connections between newcomers and local residents. Regional authorities and services are also well placed to support access to healthcare, including mental health services, for displaced talent and other migrant workers. This can be done by structurally providing newcomers with information on available healthcare services, assisting with registration processes, and simplifying administrative procedures. Regarding mental health specifically, they can establish or fund community-based mental health programs by partnering with NGOs and community health organizations. Together, these efforts create a holistic approach to integration, benefiting both displaced individuals and the communities that welcome them.

Regions can also play a crucial role in raising awareness and building confidence among employers regarding these pathways. A primary challenge is helping employers, many of whom may be unfamiliar with hiring displaced talent, to feel equipped and prepared to engage with new talents. In the Belgian context, Flanders has launched numerous initiatives to support and facilitate international recruitment. For example, International Houses are being launched in various provinces to serve as physical hubs offering comprehensive assistance with relocation, social integration, and navigating life and work in different regions of Flanders. Additionally, websites like “Work in Flanders” and “Your Future in Flanders, let’s make it work” allow foreign professionals to access job vacancies open to international recruitment and extensive information about living and working in Flanders, contributing to making the region an increasingly attractive destination. 

Finally, through targeted outreach and partnerships with regional stakeholders, such as chambers of commerce or public employment agencies, regional governments can inform businesses of the benefits of hiring skilled foreign talent, addressing potential concerns and highlighting available support resources. By guiding employers in understanding the value of these programs, regional governments can help them become ambassadors for complementary pathways. 

Can you tell us about some of the success stories so far? 

Across Europe, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming 114 displaced talents along with 43 family members through DT4E, each bringing unique skills and experience. One of the most recent arrivals is Ammar, a Syrian national who was displaced to Jordan and arrived in Belgium with his family in late July. Ammar has begun work at a leading food processing and shipping company, making this employer the first in Belgium to hire and integrate a displaced talent through DT4E.

Ammar described the moment he received his job offer as “unforgettable,” sharing: “I had mixed emotions that cannot be described in words. The chain that had held me back for years was finally broken.” His arrival marked a new stage in this labour migration pathway to Belgium. In the coming months, 16 other talents are set to arrive, as they complete pre-departure language and orientation courses to ensure a smooth transition into their new roles.

Ammar also had an inspiring message for employers, encouraging them to give a chance to displaced individuals “because their enthusiasm, passion to contribute, and dedication know no bounds.”

Looking ahead, what are your plans for continuing this mission? How can the EU-Belong and DT4E networks collaborate to support each other in advancing inclusive societies and creating sustainable labour migration pathways?

We’ve recently launched the second phase of DT4E, known as DT4E 2.0, which upscales the existing pathway in Belgium and establishes similar pathways to France and Slovakia. We will also continue to advance our healthcare-focused Skills Mobility Partnership with Suriname and our Learning Mobility Scheme for interns and trainees from Tunisia. We are also committed to conceptualizing and developing new, innovative pathways that facilitate talent mobility to Europe, ensuring diverse and sustainable solutions for addressing labour market needs across the region. 

To make these labour pathways scalable and sustainable, supporting the smooth and successful integration of newcomers into their communities will be key. The expertise and insights of EU-Belong are instrumental in guiding regional governments, as well as public and private stakeholders, toward effective strategies for integrating displaced talent across Europe. At the same time, we as IOM can share our experiences and lessons learned from DT4E and other labour mobility pathways in regard to supporting both talents and employers throughout every stage of the recruitment process. This collaborative knowledge will help to refine and  strengthen our common goals. Looking ahead, we see great potential to amplify our impact by promoting a comprehensive approach to migration and integration. We hope to encourage a shift in mindset, where employers and other stakeholders see the hiring of displaced individuals as an opportunity to enrich their workplaces and communities, innovate, and thrive in an interconnected world.

Are you a public authority interested in developing safe migration pathways?

About the project

EU-Belong is a 3-year project co-funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union. Coordinated by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) within the framework of its Intercultural Regions Network (IRN), it is implemented in partnership with ten regional authorities from seven European countries: Arad and Timiș in Romania; Catalonia and Navarra in Spain; Donegal in Ireland; Emilia-Romagna in Italy; Leipzig in Germany; Pomerania and Poznan in Poland; Salzburg in Austria; and two technical partners: ART-ER Attrattività Ricerca Territorio and Istituto Economico Cooperazione Internazionale (ICEI).

Stay up to date with all updates by following EU-Belong on X/Twitter @EU_Belong
For questions, please contact Emanuela Pisanó, EU-Belong Project Manager at [email protected] 

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Highlights of the AER Autumn Bureau & Working Group meetings | Insights of the CL-YE study visit in Brussels

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The AER Autumn Bureau and Working group meetings in Brussels on 3 and 4 December wrapped up a year of intense political engagement for and with European regions. The Bureau also hosted a study visit of the Erasmus+ project Climbing the Ladder (CL-YE), which aims to explore models and mechanisms of youth engagement at regional and European levels.

For the AER Bureau, decarbonisation and rural development are essential to the future of European regions

The Autumn Bureau meeting and High-Level Debate took place at the European Parliament, hosted by AER Vice President and MEP Lukas Mandl and MEP Alexander Bernhuber.

After the introductory remarks of AER President Castellanos, Vice-President Sundelin gave an overview of key activities delivered since the Spring Bureau meeting in Batumi in June 2024. From the commitment to build capacity and frameworks for sustainable inclusion through the development of expertise on decarbonisation and rural development to the participation in the UNFCCC COP29 in Baku, and the organisation of bilateral meetings with the EU institutions to advocate for the needs of our regions. The AER demonstrated the ambition and capacity to be the go-to political platform for elaborating comprehensive strategies for the future of European regions.

The future of agriculture and rural development by the words of MEP Bernhuber (EPP, ENVI Committee)

The discussion on the adoption of Position Paper on The Future of Agriculture & Rural Development was an additional demonstration of AER’s capacity for strategic positioning on key issues. Hosted by MEP Alexander Bernhuber, member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), the discussion emphasized the need for place-based strategies for rural development, which must build upon the diversity of rural regions’ assets and challenges. As highlighted by MEP Bernhuber, designing place-based policies means also consulting directly with regions on pieces on legislation impacting their territories and communities. The debate highlighted how fundamental is for EU policy-making to implement a timely check-up with regional governments about issues impacting their communities and interests, such as soil monitoring and nature restoration.

Towards carbon-neutral regions: the path to decarbonisation by the words of MEP Lena Schilling (Greens/EFA, ENVI Committee) and AER Vice-President Sundelin

The Autumn Bureau meeting was also the opportunity to discuss and adopt the Position Paper on Decarbonisation: Towards Carbon-neutral Regions, presented and discussed by AER Vice President for Sustainability, and MEP Schilling from the European Parliament’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food (ENVI). Acknowledging that the path to decarbonisation is already on course, the paper calls for achieving the goal of net-zero emissions across all strategic sectors of European economy, such as transport, industry, agri-food and tourism, but also for the delivery of a green transition and sustainable growth through the creation of jobs and the involvement of regional authorities in the decision-making processes. As highlighted also by MEP Schilling, a successful transition to a climate-neutral economy depends on the constitution of multi-stakeholder partnerships and alliances featuring private actors committed to innovation and sustainability, but also regional governments and European policy-makers.

A High-Level Debate on Regionalism, EU funds and European democracy in the new European Agenda

The approval of both positions papers on Agriculture, and Decarbonisation paved the way for a high-level debate on the role of regions in shaping the future European agenda.  Moderated by MEP and AER Vice-President Lukas Mandl, the debate featured contributions by Marc Cools, President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe, Harold Zoet, Minister of Agriculture, Province of Gelderland, Nicola De Michelis, Acting Deputy Director-General DG REGIO, Claus Giering, Senior Expert of DG NEAR.

The panelists agreed that regionalism is an essential part of impactful policy-making as it reinforces multi-level democracy, institutional checks and inclusive policies. Considering the substantial pressure on the EU budget caused by parallel key priorities such as digitalisation, green transition, migration and others, the EU will need to extract €30 billion from its current resources, while ensuring the sustainability of innovation incentives and the maintenance of food availability and security. To make this possible, the harmonisation of national and EU funding instruments must be ensured.

The intersection between mental wellbeing and healthy democracies at the centre of the Breakfast Briefing on Mental Health 

What are the connections between healthy democracies and healthy citizens? How do participatory and deliberative practices foster trust? Why does trust matter? How do we build the relational competences, that are needed for mental wellbeing as well as for vibrant democracies? These were some of the questions members of the AER Working Group on Mental Health explored during the Breakfast Briefing ‘How to Build Resilient Societies to foster Mental Health’ led by the Chair of the Working Group on Mental Health Daniel Schützer (Varmländ, SE).

Anastasia Deligkiaouri, Policy analyst at the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC), offered insights on the fundamental role of trust in strengthening the credibility and resilience of democratic institutions in the wake of disinformation and malicious fake news. Her presentation “Strengthening democracies with participatory and deliberative approaches” showcased several democratic innovations, which are further explored in the European Commission’s Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy. The effects of deliberation on participants are multifold, it:

  • increases their knowledge on a topic and their self confidence
  • enhances their reasoned opinions
  • fosters collaboration, mutual respect
  • develops understanding of the diversity of perspectives, and the capacity to listen
  • creates a feeling of ownership and contribution in the final outcome and a sense of being valued.

The Joint Research Center provides a wealth of resources to support evidence-informed policymaking on its Knowledge for Policy website.

The theme of trust and care was then further explored from a completely different angle by Jocelyn Deloyer, Senior Project Manager at the Centre Neuro Psychiatrique Saint-Martin (Brussels Capital Region). He shared how the TRUST Erasmus+ project destigmatises mental health problems and fosters connections between mental health centers and artists. Through art therapy, the TRUST project fosters individual and collective healing in the aftermath of traumatic events, with particular attention on war traumas affecting survivors in Ukraine. In addition to experimenting innovative paths to mental wellbeing, the TRUST project has also the goal of promoting EU values of peace, solidarity, and inclusivity. Participants played with the different ideas and inputs to further explore insights for policies and practices in the regions as well as potential collaborations. They agreed on the next activity, which will be an online study visit to Värmland in Spring 2025. All information about the Working Group on Mental Health can be found here.

Challenges and achievements in the field of green hydrogen discussed at the Working Group on Green Hydrogen

As the Breakfast Briefing wrapped up, the Workshop on Green Hydrogen kicked off. Participating regions shared challenges, as well priorities and achievements in deploying green hydrogen infrastructure boosting the green transition at European level. For example, many regions reported difficulties in developing hydrogen facilities in various fields, from storage to transportation to implementation to agriculture and energy production.

For example, the Swedish region of Norrbotten, highly industrialised and high consumer of energy, shared the timeline and goals of the HYBRIT project, which, when completed, will be the world’s largest fossil-free steel plant. As highlighted by AER Vice President for Sustainability, Green Transition and Health Johannes Sundelin, the successful implementation of the HYBRIT project is fundamental to green and sustainable recovery of regional and national economy, highly dependent on the local mining activity. 

The workshop concluded by establishing a timeline of upcoming activities, including a webinar on the development of regional hydrogen ecosystems early 2025 and a study visit to discover Norrbotten’s greening of the mining industry through hydrogen innovations late Spring. More about the Working Group on Green Hydrogen can be found here.

A successful partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

The AER Autumn events and the CL-YE project study visit created the perfect space for a partnership opportunity with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). AER members and CL-YE delegates engaged in a discussion with the  EESC representative of the Ad Hoc Group on Youth Susannah Hallgren. From the role of the EESC in strengthening civil society voices to its commitment to engage youth representative across Europe, participants had the opportunity to learn more on the goals and activities of the Committee. Among the most recent achievements, the implementation of the EU Youth Test stands out as the EESC is first EU advisory body to unleash the empowering potential of youth participation. The CL-YE project was also presented, and the study visit offered an important occasion of mutual exchange with the EESC, thanks to the results achieved so far by the project.

Adopted in September 2022, the EU Youth Test is a tool that enables youth representatives to participate in the opinions of the EESC, ensuring that its advisory capacity is consistent with the priorities of involving youth in a policy-making based on consultation, impact assessment and mitigation measures. The AER Youth Regional Network, that gathers young leaders across European regions, was selected to take part in the implementation of the EU Youth Test.

As announced at the end of Autumn Bureau meeting, the Spring Bureau will take place  with the General Assembly in Maribor, East Slovenia, in June 2025. In this occasion, the Assembly of European Regions not only will  renew its political leadership, but it will also celebrate its 40th Anniversary.

Click here to know more about Climbing the Ladder

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The YRN capacity-building event in Zurich: Inspiring Collaboration Across Europe

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An article by Elona Matoshi, Chair of the YRN Committee for Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment

From October 31st to November 3rd, the Canton of Zurich hosted a YRN capacity-building event, bringing together young leaders from across Europe. With Switzerland’s breathtaking lakes and mountains as the backdrop, participants came together to tackle important youth issues and exchange fresh, innovative ideas for driving real change.

As our Vice President Sigrun Myrvang (Innlandet County) put it, “The capacity-building event in Zurich was incredibly engaging. It’s always inspiring to have meaningful discussions on topics that impact young people, both in and outside the meeting rooms.”

A Warm Welcome and Call to Action

The event kicked off with opening remarks from Mario Fehr (Government Councillor, Canton of Zurich), Norbert Nagy (YRN President), and Mirjam de Jong (Project Communications Manager, AER). In his address, President Nagy called for unity, saying: “In a world where everything seems to fall apart, youth must stay united. We must fight for our future, raise our voices, and embrace determination and perseverance for successful participation.” Councillor Fehr agreed with this view and expressed that it was an honour for him to host such passionate people from different European regions.

Panel Discussion: Enhancing Youth Participation

The first day featured a panel discussion on “Enhancing Youth Participation in Democratic Life.” Speakers included: Dr. Céline Colombo (Koordinationsstelle Teilhabe, Canton of Zurich), Gianluca Coccitti (Zurich Youth Parliament), Darleen Pfister (Dachverband Schweizer Jugendparlamente), Tarik Deljković (Youth Delegate for Denmark, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe) and Sigrun Myrvang (YRN Vice-President).

The panel discussion delved into youth participation practices across different countries and regions, offering valuable insights. A standout example was the Zurich Youth Parliament, which actively engages youth aged 16–25, including non-Swiss residents, in meaningful discussions and city policymaking. Gianluca Coccitti, representing the Youth Parliament, emphasized its inclusivity: “It’s not just about politics; it’s about giving everyone the chance to lead projects, voice opinions, and work collaboratively with city officials and organizations to shape our community”.

Equally fascinating was Norway’s approach, which mandates youth involvement in public decision-making processes, particularly at the municipal level. The country has even experimented with lowering the voting age to 16 in local elections to enhance youth engagement and evaluate its impact.

The discussion highlighted that different approaches reflect regional priorities while pursuing a common goal: to strengthen the voice of youth and involve them in decision-making processes.

The workshops: peer-learning and exchanging best practices

Throughout the event, the participants attended interactive workshops designed to address diverse challenges.

“Gender Assumptions”, facilitated by Elona Matoshi, YRN Committee Chair for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

This workshop focused on understanding and challenging gender assumptions. Participants engaged in interactive and enjoyable activities, such as Bingo Card game and empathy mapping, which encouraged group discussions and the sharing of personal experiences related to gender assumptions. To reinforce what they learned, participants wrote down actionable commitments about how they would challenge gender assumptions. These cards were kept as personal reminders of the collective effort to address these issues collaboratively.

“Understanding Emotions and the 5 Ways to Wellbeing”, facilitated by Jack McLaughlin, YRN Committee Chair for Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Jack introduced the “Five Ways to Wellbeing,” blending fun activities with mental health strategies.“The workshop on mental health and wellbeing in Zurich was a complete success.” shared Jack McLaughlin. Participants from across Europe gained valuable insights into understanding emotions and managing them effectively using approaches such as the 5 Ways of Wellbeing and youth work activities. Jack emphasized the importance of continuing this work: “From this workshop, we will further explore ways to support mental health and wellbeing while raising awareness about its significance. It’s essential to prioritize looking after your mental health.”

“Equipping Young People with Knowledge of Climate Change and Sustainability”, facilitated by Marsel Haka, YRN Committee Chair for Green and Sustainable Europe.

Marsel used interactive tools to inspire action, and introduced participants to Menti.com for interactive discussions and shared an inspiring video on green city practices, ending with Nelson Mandela’s quote: “Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is a waste of time. Vision with action can change the world.”

“Current Reality of Youth Participation – Focusing on activist burnout and mental health management”, facilitated by Mathilde Colarte, YRN Committee Chair for Youth Participation and Governance, alongside Moritz Elsner and Gianluca Coccitti, Zurich Youth Parliament.

Besides addressing the pressure faced by youth organizations, this workshop tackled ways to alleviate it, such as making activism playful. In particular, the participants actively discussed the overriding impact that the news can have on youth engagement.


Engaging Communications Training and Creative Feedback

To keep the event dynamic and interactive, participants attended a communications training session led by Mirjam de Jong, Project Communications Manager at the AER. During the session, the groups brainstormed innovative ideas for the AER’s 40th anniversary campaign, including creating a dedicated subsite to showcase four decades of impactful projects and events so that everyone gets a chance to see the impactful work AER has done and continues to do, with the events organized by YRN at the forefront. This was super fun to follow and participate in, seeing so many incredible ideas and different perspectives.

Participants shared valuable feedback on enhancing YRN events and attracting more youth, demonstrating remarkable creativity throughout the feedback session. Their enthusiasm and input made the session both productive and enjoyable. Reflecting on the session, Vice President Kasandra remarked, “It was incredibly rewarding to receive such positive feedback from participants across different regions. It shows how impactful and engaging this event has been for everyone involved.”

Study visits and discovering a city

What makes an in-person event valuable is also the opportunity it creates to connect with a city (here, also a Canton), and to learn on-site about its projects, history and culture. In this regard, the Canton of Zurich included the following activities in the capacity-building programme.

After the workshops, the first day continued with a study visit to the ETH Student Project House, where participants explored hands-on projects by ETH students, sparking inspiration for future collaboration. In their free time, participants enjoyed a visit to the focusTerra museum and had opportunities to get to know each other better or explore Zurich’s many attractions.

On the second day, the event concluded on a festive note with a Medieval City Tour through Zurich, adding a memorable and spooky touch to this enriching experience.

A boost of motivation and inspiration for the YRN

The event was such a great experience for all of us – engaging, productive, and filled with good energy. Even though it was short, we made the most of our time in Zurich. The workshops were insightful, the activities were fun, and there was plenty of room to connect and network with amazing people.

Additionally, the event acted as a strong source of inspiration for the YRN Presidium, encouraging them to continue pursuing important topics, organizing future initiatives, and expanding the network every day. The positive energy these events unleash motivates them to keep moving forward and ensure that the work done today lays the foundation for an even greater impact in the future.

An article by Elona Matoshi, Chair of the YRN Committee for Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment

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AER EU Funding Digest series #3: Social Inclusion

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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 multicultural exchanges.

Thematic focus

Since 2018, AER’s members have expressed a strong desire to share experiences and best practices in building intercultural communities. This collective movement inspired the creation of the Intercultural Regions Network (IRN), a platform designed to share knowledge, resources, and experiences to promote intercultural integration at the regional level. Additionally, through various meetings and consultations, the AER developed and implemented three flagship projects, funded by the European Commission’s Asylum, Integration, and Migration Fund (AMIF).

The first project, AMiD, was executed between 2018 and 2020, with the aim to support an efficient management of the reception and integration of asylum seekers and migrants with disabilities in the EU. Led by the European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), it involved 12 partners from Belgium, Cyprus, France, Austria, Italy, Greece, Finland and Germany.

The second project, Includ-EU, ran from 2020 to 2023 under the coordination of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Its goal was to foster more inclusive and cohesive European societies by enhancing transnational knowledge exchange, cooperation, and partnerships among local and regional authorities from Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain.

The third project, EU-Belong, began in 2022 and will continue until May 2025. Coordinated by the AER, this consortium includes 10 regional authorities from 7 European countries, along with 2 technical partners. The project aims to improve the socio-economic inclusion and sense of belonging among migrants by developing and testing regional integration strategies that incorporate an intercultural and multi-stakeholder approach.

These initiatives are inspired by the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities Programme (ICC) and align with key European policies and strategic documents, particularly the “Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion (2021-2027)”. They are supported by a broad network of relevant institutions and international organisations, contributing to policymaking processes at both European and local levels.

The outstanding results and high levels of participation achieved through these projects demonstrate AER’s deep commitment to social inclusion, which is a significant focus of the organisation’s work. Strongly believing in the benefits of an intercultural approach to regional policies and a multi-stakeholder governance model, AER is dedicated to expanding its efforts in these areas by engaging a broader range of regional actors and international stakeholders and fostering collaboration. Regular research and analysis of funding opportunities are crucial to ensuring meaningful engagement, resulting in a comprehensive mapping of financial opportunities.

Recognising the importance of knowledge sharing and reliable information exchange, this episode of the EU Funding Digest presents the results of our efforts, with the hope of sparking interest and initiating new impactful collaborations.

Focus: why an intercultural approach?

While assimilationism overemphasises equality neglecting diversity, and multiculturalism highlights cultural differences, the aim of interculturalism is to realise equality and societal cohesion by building on the diversity that enriches societies. 
Interculturalism recognises the importance of culture in building cohesive communities, accessing rights and realising opportunities. It emphasises the need to enable each identity to survive and flourish, but also underlines the right of all cultures to contribute to the cultural landscape of the society in which they are present. Interculturalism derives from the understanding that communities thrive only in contact with others through interaction, not in isolation. It seeks to reinforce intercultural interaction as a means of building trust and strengthening the fabric of the community, creating a collective identity that embraces cultural pluralism, human rights, democracy, gender equality, and non-discrimination. 

The Council of Europe Intercultural Cities Programme supports cities in reviewing their policies through an intercultural lens and developing comprehensive intercultural strategies to manage diversity positively and realise the diversity advantage. On the same line, the AER Intercultural Regions Network adopts this mission within a regional level of governance, through the implementation of flagship projects such as EU-Belong. In this context, a dedicated multi-stakeholder model framework and toolkit for regional intercultural integration strategies has been published to guide authorities in the application of the approach on the ground, along with many more free resources and tools. For more information, consult the EU-Belong website at https://eu-belong.aer.eu/get-the-gist/.

The framework

According to Eurostat, out of 448.8 million inhabitants living in the EU in 2023, 6% were non-EU citizens, while 9% were born outside the EU. Since 2015, the number of people crossing irregularly the European borders has significantly decreased.

Migration has always represented a hot topic in public and political debate in Europe, characterised by increasingly restricted policies and deterring practices. The spread of fake news and the use of alarming language led to a misinterpretation of the phenomenon, causing racist behaviours and extremists actions across the European continent. At the same time, Europe is confronting significant demographic challenges due to persistently low birth rates and higher life expectancy, resulting in an ageing population. Additionally, occupational shortages in specific sectors and regions across all skill levels are intensifying the global race for talent attraction and retention.

To address these transitions, Europe reviewed its immigration policies, and adopted the Pact on Migration and Asylum in April 2024, along with a dedicated Common Implementation Plan. Divided in ten interdependent building blocks, the Pact aims to provide a European solution to migration challenges by addressing multiple fronts simultaneously. One key component is the Resettlement, Inclusion, and Integration (Building Block 10), which reports the objectives and recommendations set in the Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion 2021-2027, covering measures related to employment, training, language, health care and housing. 

The Plan emphasises the importance of involving people with migration backgrounds in policymaking, encouraging their social, cultural, and economic contribution to European societies. However, Member States have the legislative competence in translating the Plan at the national level, causing important differences in the way countries manage migration and integration, facilitating or impeding access to employment or educational opportunities.

At European level, the above-mentioned scenario is translated into a cascade of financial opportunities to achieve the established common goals. In particular, the protection of people in vulnerable conditions is an element that can be found in multiple programmes under the  EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027, enlarging the spectrum of possibilities to find economic support towards social inclusion initiatives. 

Focus: The Pact on Migration and Asylum and its Common Implementation Plan

The Pact on Migration and Asylum is a set of new rules managing migration and establishing a common asylum system at EU level, based on four pillars: secure external borders; fast and efficient procedures; effective system of solidarity and responsibility; embedding migration in international partnerships.
The Common Implementation Plan, adopted on 12 June 2024, sets out the key milestones to make the policy operational by mid-2026. It provides a template for National Implementation Plans, that must be adopted by every Member States by 12 December 2024. Moreover, it outlines 10 fundamentally interdependent building blocks, to facilitate the practical efforts.

Analysis of funding opportunities

Access our mapped opportunities at this link!

The mapping exercise features key funding programmes that can be monitored to access financial support for social impacts initiatives. This is a non-exhaustive list that might change significantly in the future, also considering the relevant impact of the newly established Asylum and Migration Pact. The table below summarise the key characteristics:

Funding ProgrammeKey focus
Asylum Migration and Integration (AMIF)Strengthening the Common European Asylum System; Supporting legal migration; Countering irregular migration; Enhancing solidarity and responsibility
European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)Implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights via a shared management Strand, the Employment and Social Innovation Strand (EaSI) and the Social Innovation Plus Initiative
InvestEUSustainable infrastructure; Research, innovation, and digitalisation; Small and medium-sized businesses; Social investment and skills
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)Regional competitiveness; Smarter, greener, and more connected regions; Social inclusion; Citizen engagement.
Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)Equality, rights and gender equality; Citizen engagement and participation; Fighting violence (Daphne); Upholding Union values
Justice Programme (JUST)Judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters; Judicial training
ERASMUS+Cooperation among organisations and institutions, support to policy development and cooperation in the field of education, training, youth and sport in Europe
Creative Europe (CREA) Culture Strand and Cross-sectorial Strand to support initiatives to foster cultural diversity, promote artistic expression, boost the economic potential of the creative industries
Europe for Health Programme (EU4H)Access to health services for vulnerable populations; Non-communicable and communicable diseases; Mental health; Child health; Prevention-oriented healthcare
Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPA)Testing new actions; Developing new EU policies and legislation

As the map shows, the Asylum Migration and Integration (AMIF) Programme still remains one of the most relevant financial lines for social impact, especially when targeting migrant integration. The Programme is divided into four specific objectives (strengthen and develop the aspects of the Common European Asylum System; support legal migration; contribute to contouring irregular migration; enhance solidarity and responsibility) and has a global budgetary envelope reserved for grants of EUR 259 926 000.

Recently, the European Commission started a collaboration with the European Investment Bank on the implementation of AMIF objectives. This means that financial instruments (such as loans, guarantees, equity) can be established in the National Programmes, in a standalone mode or in combination with grants. Leveraging financial instruments can allow to achieve higher impact and make more efficient use of public resources. 

Fi-compass is providing horizontal and tailored support to local, regional and national authorities, financial intermediaries and other stakeholders to access opportunities under AMIF programme, as well as European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and InvestEU. Those two financial programs have also demonstrated to have relevant opportunities for social inclusion projects. 

ESF+ is the EU main instrument to support the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. It brings together four funding lines previously separated (the European Social Fund, the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived, the Youth Employment Initiative and the European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation) and it is managed both at national and European level. In particular, the European Commission reserved 142 billion EUR for Member States under the shared management strand, while 762 million EUR are still directly managed via the Employment and Social Innovation Strand (EaSI). While the former financial support can be accessed at national level, the latter operates through grants awarded to the networks that have signed a framework partnership agreement for the period 2022-2025.

Another part of the ESF+ budget is used to support the Social Innovation Plus Initiative, managed by the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation set up by the Lithuanian European Social Fund Agency. With a focus on social innovation and knowledge sharing, the Centre publishes EU calls for proposals to conceptualise tested approaches, scale up promising models, and help social innovation organisations to build up and expand their capacity across Europe.

InvestEU Programme supports sustainable investment, innovation and job creation in Europe by bringing together a multitude of financial instruments. Via the InvestEU Fund, the European Commission supports public and private investments in four policy areas (sustainable infrastructure; research, innovation and digitisation; small and medium-sized businesses; and social investment and skills). Project promoters can find available financial intermediaries by accessing a dedicated interactive website. 

The European Commission financial resources dedicated to social impact initiatives are cascaded down to Member States not only via AMIF, ESF+ and InvestEU programmes, but also at territorial level through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Fund wants to invest in initiatives able to make European regions more competitive and smarter, greener, more connected, more social and closer to citizens. It therefore links to other financial lines, such as Interreg Europe, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the EU Solidarity Funds. Further information varies on the specific agreements between the European Commission and single Member States, and can therefore be found at national level.

The next two financial programs relevant for social inclusion initiatives are part of the Justice, Rights and Values Fund: Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) and Justice Programme (JUST).

CERV sustains and develops open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law by operating on four pillars: equality, rights and gender equality; citizens’ engagement and participation, daphne (fighting violence) and union values. In particular, the call for proposals related to the first pillar (under the acronym EQUAL) represents a great opportunity for initiatives aimed at fighting various sources of discrimination and promoting diversity not only among the population but also in public institutions and workplaces.

JUST supports judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters such as training to judges and other legal practitioners and effective access to justice for citizens and businesses. Notably, this funding line could be used to finance initiatives focused on judicial training, to increase knowledge of EU civil, criminal and fundamental rights instruments and improve cooperation. 

Initiatives that focus on fostering collaboration towards inclusive education, as well as addressing the skill gaps and enhancing access to training opportunities, can find financial support from the ERASMUS+ Programme. In particular, under its Key Action 2 (Cooperation among organisations and institutions), the Programme reinforces transnational networks’ operations in the field of education, training, youth and sport. Moreover, Key Action 3 (Support to policy development and cooperation) enhance initiatives that develop ways to increase participation of adults, especially the up- and reskilling of in-transition-workers, unemployed or inactive people, from sectors in decline to sectors that are growing and in need of more workers with skills for the green and digital economy. 

Social inclusion projects that aim to enhance cross-border cultural understanding, can benefit from the Creative Europe (CREA) Programme. Aimed at safeguarding, developing and promoting European cultural and linguistic diversity while increasing competitiveness of the cultural sector, the Programme is divided in three strands (culture, media and cross-sectorial). Social inclusion projects can find particular support in the first and third strand. The Culture strand facilitates cross-border circulation of works and the mobility of cultural players towards a more accessible and inclusive culture. The Cross-sectorial strand addresses common challenges and opportunities, such as the promotion of knowledge, content creation and quality journalism.

The Europe for Health Programme (EU4H) is another funding line that could be considered for projects that want to enhance the access to health services towards vulnerable sectors of the population. In particular, inclusion of vulnerable people is specified in the following subtopics: non-communicable and communicable diseases; mental health challenges; reducing the burden of disease on public health; promoting a comprehensive, prevention-oriented approach to children’s health. 

Finally, Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPA) represent a funding opportunity that works in a different way compared to classic calls for proposals. While Pilot Projects are experimental initiatives designed to test the feasibility of new actions, Preparatory Actions are designed to develop new EU policies, legislations, programmes etc. A list of funded PPA is envisaged annually and each Director General of the European Commission can launch and manage PPA call for proposals. 

This mapping exercise demonstrated that protecting people and fostering an inclusive society are cross-cutting priorities which can be addressed through multiple perspectives across funding programs. Therefore, starting from regional priorities and initiatives’ goals it is possible to find a particular financial support under different programmes of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. 

Next steps

The AER continues its effort to foster a truly inclusive European society via initiatives such as EU-Belong and the Intercultural Regions Network. Would you like to participate?

Stay tuned for the next EU Funding Digest Chapter foreseen in January on the topic of green transition. If you like to suggest other topics for the upcoming chapters, let us know via our questionnaire. 

Follow us on social media or subscribe to the AER newsletter to be notified about the next publication!

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[REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSED] Regions Shaping Europe’s Future | Autumn Bureau & Working Groups

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

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

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

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

Daily planning

 

3 December 2024

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

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

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

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

Wednesday 4 December

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

 

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

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

 

 

Click here to know more about Climbing the Ladder

Highlights from the Summer Academy of Culture in Bodø | Insights of the CL-YE study visit on models of youth engagement

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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.

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 Nordland County Council, the opening plenary underscored the power of culture to bring together different people, countries and regions, enable dialogue and value diversity.

Eivind Holst, Mayor of Nordland County

Eivind Holst, Mayor of Nordland County, highlighted how cultural diversity is essential for mutual learning between regions as it represents the very material for knowledge transfer. The high commitment of Nordland to youth inclusion in cultural and societal activities was made clear by Linda Helén Haukland, AER Vice President for Employment, Education and Skills and Nordland County Councillor. She stressed the need for coordination and joint action between public and private sectors to ensure inclusion of young people, irrespective of their social background. As further underlined by Kine Olsen, Senior Advisor of FN-sambandet, the United Nations Association of Norway, addressing socio-economic disparities is essential to release the community-building potential of young people, who can create and maintain bridges between people of different backgrounds.

Speakers of the Panel Session, from L to R: Tanya Hristova, Anna Ramkovica, Nathaniel Holan Larsen, Norbert Nagy, Gianluca Rossino, Amanda Jenssen

Culture as enabler of positive change in politics and society

Culture as a force for political and social change was the common thread of the panel discussion featuring Tanya Hristova, Chair of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture, of the European Committee  of the Regions (CoR), Anna Ramkovica, Latvian Youth Delegate of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities (Council of Europe), Nathaniel Holan Larsen, Councillor of the Nordland County Council and alumnus of the Sàmi Pathfinders initiative, Norbert Nagy, President of the Youth Regional Network (YRN), Gianluca Rossino, advisor for DYPALL, and Amanda Jenssen, member of the Youth Advisory Board of Nordland County Council.

Chair Hristova reaffirmed the CoR’s commitment to stand for continued and predictable funding of programmes empowering youth such as Erasmus+. Its core spirit mirrors the commitment of the Council of Europe to open up spaces for youth participation, as demonstrated by the project ‘Rejuvenating Politics’, highlighted by Anna Ramkovica as a blueprint for involving people under 30 in regional and local politics.

Panelists also underlined the role of youth councils in ensuring young people’s access to policy-making. As underlined by Nathaniel Holan Larsen, youth councils in Norway are an effective instrument to youth representation. Their statutes prescribe that their representative can speak in the County government, and two members must be full-time employed by the County. At the same time, the work of Norwegian youth councils is vital to ensure the representation of minorities such the Sàmi, whose cross-border nation stretches between Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, and whose heritage can be maintained and respected only with continued support from institutions.

To be impactful, youth councils must be given conditions and resources to contribute to policy-making, as underlined by Gianluca Rossino, advisor for DYPALL Network, lead partner of the Erasmus+ project Climbing the Ladder (CL-YE) and Amanda Jensen, member of the Youth Council of Nordland County Council. Rossino also highlighted that it is essential to change the conditions for youth engagement to make it an essential part of community policy and politics.

Culture fuels political start-ups

Amund Sjølie Sveen, ‘Nordting’, Assembly of the North

The focus then shifted to political power of culture across Europe. Amund Sjølie Sveen, political and artistic director of the platform ‘Nordting’, Assembly of the North, showed that art can be a means for advocating for social change in situations of inequality. Gathering members from the Far North in Europe and North America, Nordting advocates for the well-being of communities living in the far north through public art installations, protests and debates.

Crossing Europe from the far North to the West, partnerships between culture and politics power up ‘Molenbeek for Brussels 2030‘, the initiative of Brussels-Capital Region for achieving the status of European Capital of Culture 2030. A key part of the bidding strategy is the build-up of youth engagement, such as the Youth Coalition of Molenbeek for Brussels 2030, which produced a participative manifesto on how Brussels should look like in 2030.

Insights from the Summer Academy workshops and cultural activities

From the use of art therapy for mindfulness to practical simulations of direct democracy, the regions from the Summer Academy Organising Committee (SAOC) steered a rich and diverse programme of workshops on how culture can foster youth participation and engagement.

During the Summer Academy, participants also enjoyed a variety of cultural activities and study trips, such as the guided tour of Saltstarumen, the world’s strongest tidal current, of Bodø, European Capital of Culture 2024, and of Kjerringøy, a village on a peninsula with breathtaking landscapes.

A view from Kjerringøy, Nordland, Norway

How to shape a culture of mental wellbeing: the use of AI by the YRN and Primorje-Gorski Kotar, and art therapy in Maramures, Østfold and Odesa

From L to R: Norbert Nagy YRN President; Mathilde Colarte, YRN Chair for Youth Participation

Mental healing and wellbeing are delicate matters whose care require an interdisciplinary approach. During the workshop on Mental Health, co-led by the Youth Regional Network (YRN), and the region of Primorje-Gorski Kotar (Croatia) from the AER Working Group on Mental Health, participants explored how AI tools and art therapy can support mental well-being. For example, through large quantities of data, AI tools on mobile devices can monitor mental health disorders, propose treatments based on virtual reality and support the development of supportive chatbots. At local level, the region of Primorje-Gorski Kotar used AI-powered tools for the project HelpTo, which enables smooth implementation of health services such as administering test results and booking medical exams, and which facilitates regular monitoring of mental health struggles.

Interested in the WG on Mental Health? Discover more here and/or contact AER Knowledge and Policy Transfer Coordinator Johanna Pacevicius

As Primorje-Gorski Kotar provided an overview of how AI can foster well-being, the regions of Maramures (Romania), Østfold (Norway), and Odesa (Ukraine), explored how art therapy can foster mindfulness and nurture personal development through art. From drawing spontaneous patterns to sharing reasons for frustration and gratefulness, participants experienced the capacity of art to understand and release repressed feelings.

Creating a culture of political participation: direct democracy in Zürich and student participation in decision-making processes in Vojvodina

Workshop on direct democracy by the Zürich Youth Parliament

Across European regions, cultures of political participation differ greatly. The Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia) and the Canton of Zürich (Switzerland) offered examples of how their regions foster a culture of political participation among and with young people.

Among the first in the world for active political participation, the Zürich Youth Parliament aimed to make participants understand and engage with direct democracy. By simulating a popular referendum on bringing the voting age to 16, participants discussed the pros and cons of giving decision-making responsibility to young people, and shared views on whether direct democracy could be exported outside the Swiss context. As shared by the facilitators, Gianluca Coccitti and Moritz Elsner, young and senior Swiss citizens value direct democracy for its representativeness and inclusiveness, characteristics which enable them to contribute to the political life of their community, as demonstrated by the comprehensive programme of activities by the Zürich Youth Parliament.

The workshop by the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina brought into focus the role of the Student Parliament at the University of Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia. Its statutory goal of immediate representation of the students body is ensured by its involvement in the definition of the regional Action Plan, which accounts for all actions, positions, analysis, needs and problems of young people in the Vojvodina Autonomous Province. The 2023-2025 Action Plan identifies the four key areas: of dignified work conditions for young people, active participation of young people in society, spaces for young people and areas of personal development of young people. The importance of implementing effectively these areas of action is acknowledged by the regional leadership, which funded relevant activities with €4 million, the highest budget in 10 years.

Opening up spaces for social inclusion: interculturalism in Donegal, building the future in Nordland, co-creating recipes in Catalonia, and cultural richness in the Gaeltacht

EU-Belong workshop at the Summer Academy

Consistent and continuous cultural dialogue is fundamental to shape inclusive communities, as highlighted by the workshop by Donegal County Council on the ongoing EU-funded EU-Belong project. The workshop was an opportunity to highlight the importance of the collaboration between the public sector and NGOs powering up the implementation of EU-Belong.

Joakim Evjen, Narvik War and Peace Centre

Consistently with the outward-looking approach of EU-Belong, focused on building a better future, the workshop by the Narvik War and Peace Center (Nordland, Norway) inspired participants to think about how a utopian land could have looked like, pushing them to imagine its fundamental laws and societal structure. By re-imagining present and future, participants had the opportunity to discuss existing societal structures and plan a fairer, more equitable political community.

Diversity as richness was the red thread between the workshops by Catalonia (Spain), Údarás na Gaeltachta / Muintearas (Ireland) and Sàmi Pathfinders. While Catalonia challenged participants to imagine a decolonised public space by blending different cultures through a metaphorical cooking, Údarás na Gaeltachta made participants experience the liveliness of Irish music and traditions through a live exhibition of local artists. During the workshop by Sàmi Pathfinders, an educational initative promoted by the Norwegian regional and national governments, participants had the opportunity to discover more on the Sàmi bond with their ancestral land, as well as on the richness of their culture and legacy, which unites them across borders and crosses the years.

Ida Emilie Marakatt Lindseth, Sàmi Pathfinder alumna

The Erasmus+ “Climbing the Ladder” (CL-YE) project at the Summer Academy

The Summer Academy 2024 was part of the first study visit organised within the Erasmus+ project Climbing the Ladder (CL-YE). All the partners involved from DYPALL, Europiamo, EDYN, Nordland County Council and the AER joined meetings with representatives of public and private sectors working in the field of youth engagement and participation in decision-making processes. From politics to business, the partners had access to best practices elaborated by Norwegian regional/local institutions and companies to boost youth inclusion in society and culture. The results will be available in a future report of the project. Find more about the CL-YE project here.

The project is led by DYPALL Network in partnership with Europiamo (Italy), Nordland County Council (Norway), EDYN (Slovakia), AER, SQLearn (Greece), under the Erasmus+ Programme.

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Youth Regional Network | Capacity-building weekend in Zürich

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Save the date and register! The AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) will gather in Zürich (Switzerland) for a capacity-building weekend, from the 31st of October to the 3rd of November 2024! We warmly thank the Canton of Zürich for hosting and co-organising the event, and for their commitment to ensuring youth participation in civic and political life.

The event 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.

The event is coordinated by the Canton of Zürich, the YRN Presidium (President, Vice-President and Chairs of the Thematic Committees), and the AER Secretariat. Participants are expected to arrive on the 31st of October (a welcome dinner is planned), and will depart on Sunday 3rd November throughout the day.

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE DRAFT AGENDA

 

The event will start with a panel discussion on the topic of “Enhancing youth participation in democratic life: sharing best practices and challenges from Zürich and the Youth Regional Network”.

The YRN Committees will organise capacity-building workshops on their respective topics: Youth Participation, Gender Equality, Mental Health, and Green and Sustainable Europe.

Cultural activities will allow the participants to learn more about the City of Zürich.

The event will be joined by local stakeholders involved in youth participation and inclusion, such as the Chancellor of the Canton of Zürich, a Government Councillor, the Head of the Koordinationsstelle Teilhabe, and the Zürich Youth Parliament.

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 YRN Solidarity Fund. If accepted, the organisers will cover up to 350€ 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 350€ depending on the final number of participants. Please wait for a confirmation by the AER Secretariat and the YRN Presidium before making any travel arrangements.

Accommodation & Meals

All lunches and dinners are covered from Thursday dinner to Saturday dinner.

The participants are expected to book their accommodation themselves. The Canton of Zürich recommends the ho(s)tels below, but participants are free to book in any ho(s)tel of their choice. The event’s main venue will be the historical town hall in Zürich, the “Rathaus” (address: Rathaus, Limmatquai 55, Zürich), so participants may want to book an accommodation at a walking distance, or with direct public transportation to the venue.

Recommended ho(s)tels:

How to attend the event?

Please fill in the application form by clicking on the button below. Please do not make any travel arrangements until your participation is confirmed by the organisers.

Who to contact?

Please contact the AER Secretariat at [email protected] and the YRN Presidium at [email protected] for any question you may have.

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

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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 the bioeconomy sector. Nataša Ritonija, representative of Eastern Slovenia and CEO of the Regional Development Agency of Podravje Maribor, was appointed as the new chairperson, opening the way for future advancements in sustainable initiatives at a regional level. 

Workshop on Bioeconomy and Chair of the WG on Bioeconomy

The way ahead: AER Bureau discusses political priorities for 2025-2030

On the afternoon of 12 June, the Spring Bureau Meeting set the stage for fruitful discussions with the key objective of defining the political priorities of the network and establishing the strategic direction of its advocacy work.

AER Vice President Johannes Sundelin (Norrbotten, SE) provided an overview of the Bureau activities from December 2023 to June 2024, highlighting the commitment on future cohesion policy aiming to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion across Europe. Harold Zoet, Regional Minister of the Gelderland (NL) and Chair of the AER Task Force on Agriculture and Regional Development, shared insights on the recent activities led by the task force. Mr Zoet reframed various challenges as opportunities for further advancement, focusing on issues such as energy, food security, health, water, and agricultural practices relevant across states and regions.

Spring Bureau meeting: interim SG Vania Freitas, President Albert Castellanos, Regional Minister Harold Zoet, AER VP Johannes Sundelin (from L to R)

The Bureau meeting also saw the adoption of the Position on Cohesion Policy post-2027. Albert Castellanos, President of AER and Co-chair of the Task Force on Cohesion Policy, presented the key messages of the position. He emphasized that future cohesion policy must strive to build a cohesive, competitive, and inclusive Europe, capable of addressing the challenges of the green and digital transitions while ensuring that no region is left behind.

Pan-European achievements and strategic commitments secured during the General Assembly 2024

The General Assembly 2024 highlighted key achievements and long-term strategic commitments.

The event was enriched by the insightful remarks of Tunc Soyer, President of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. A significant milestone of the assembly was the ratification of the AER Multi-Annual Strategy 2024-2031, a pivotal document outlining the AER vision for the future. This Strategy reaffirms our core values, restates our ambitions and charts the best course to address new challenges and opportunities for regions, increasing the impact of our work. Read it here.

Updates from Knowledge and Policy Transfer activities

Policy and knowledge transfer activities continued to advance thanks to the constant efforts of the AER Working Groups. Daniel Schützer (Värmland, SE), Chair the Mental Health Working Group. Nataša Ritonija, Chair for Bioeconomy Working Group, Albert Castellanos (Catalonia, ES) for Green Hydrogen Working Group emphasised the working groups’ role as vital hubs for knowledge exchange and collaborative initiatives among AER members.

Highlights from Eurodyssey, Youth Regional Network, Summer Academy

Esther Estany Campos (Catalonia, ES), Eurodyssey President, highlighted recent developments within the program, noting active participation from member regions like the Azores, Catalonia, and Cyprus. The upcoming 2024 forum in Brussels aims to deepen cooperation among members.

Sigrun Myrvang (Innlandet, Norway), First Vice-President of the Youth Regional Network, outlined the transformation of YRN into a vibrant platform for European youth. Myrvang highlighted the role of digital cooperation and capacity building events across Europe, underscoring YRN’s commitment to amplifying youth voices within AER and beyond.

At the same event, Stig Olsen, Åshild Opøyen, and Kassandra Eleni Petsa (Nordland, NO) from the Summer Academy 2024 team invited participants to join the Summer Academy in Bodø, Norway. They showcased Bodø’s cultural richness as the European Capital of Culture for 2024, with numerous events planned throughout the year.

From L to R: Sigrun Myrvang (Innlandet, YRN), Åshild Opøyen (Nordland, Norway on the Summer Academy), Esther Estany on Eurodyssey (Catalonia, ES)

Highlights from the AER EU Projects

Mirjam de Jong, EU Finance and Communication Manager, delivered an insightful overview of the achievements of EU projects led and joined by AER. She highlighted successful engagement with EU funding sources, which have fostered dialogue and collaboration among regions. EU projects have also provided an efficient framework for integrating initiatives of strong interest to member regions, such as the MEET Project and intergenerational debates on Europe’s future. Mirjam encouraged participation in upcoming events like the AER event during the EU Week of Regions and Cities and EU Belong webinars. She also introduced exciting new projects such as “Climbing the Ladder,” which focused on youth empowerment.

2024 Elections at the General Assembly

During the Elections session at the General Assembly, Linda Helén Hautland (Nordland, NO) was elected Vice President. Thomas Hartman (Västerbotten, SE), Erjon Nexhipi (Korçë, AL), and Vyacheslav Berezhnyy (Kryvyy Rih, UA) were elected as members of the Monitoring and Evaluation Group. Marina Medaric (Primorje-Gorski Kotar, HR) and Kenneth Backgård (Norrbotten, SE) were elected Members of the Election Committee.

The 8th Black Sea Summit at a glance

Held on 13 and 14 June, the 8th Black Sea Summit explored the issues of interregional cooperation, innovation, and agriculture and rural development, examining how all these elements can foster partnerships and leverage strategic advantages for mutual benefit.

As Master of Ceremonies of the Opening Plenary, Dr. Leila Alieva, Affiliate at REES, Oxford School for Area and Global Studies, set the tone for the Summit by highlighting the importance of overcoming physical and cultural barriers to build cross-border bridges. Dr. Alieva stressed the evolution from tolerance to appreciation, emphasising the crucial role of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and dignity in nurturing international cooperation.

Dr Alieva at the Opening Plenary of the 8th Black Sea Summit

Tornike Rijvadze, Chairman of the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, expressed aspirations for cooperation between Ajara and other regions within the Assembly. Stressing alignment with common European values as they move towards EU membership, Rijvadze highlighted the significance of intergovernmental and interregional collaboration in driving economic growth and prosperity, positioning the region as a hub for innovation and tourism. He also emphasised the strategic importance of the Black Sea in connecting Europe and Asia, fostering economic activity, trade, and bolstering Europe’s autonomy through collaborative efforts.

Jaba Phutkaradze, Ajara’s Minister of Finance and Economy, highlighted the strategic location of Ajara within the the country and the Black Sea Region, renowned for its rich historical heritage and Georgian hospitality. He promoted Ajara as an inclusive destination welcoming visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds, advocating for rapid progress and development across the region and the nation as a whole.

From L to R: Tornike Rijvadze, Albert Castellanos, AER VP Davit Batsikadze, Jaba Phutkaradze

Connectivity as an asset: the Black Sea region between politics, economics and sustainable development

The three panels of the Black Sea Summit dived in three key issues: interregional cooperation, innovation and start-ups and sustainable agriculture and rural development. In a region whose greatest asset is being a connection between Europe, Russia and Middle East, these issues are deeply intertwined: their successful development is subject to a cross-party, resilient cooperation between local actors with a global mindset.

The first panel, moderated by Dr Alieva, focused on regional dynamics and political cooperation, and it was animated by contributions of Tunc Soyer, President of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Ambassador Venera Domi, Executive Manager in charge of Environmental Protection of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), and Vadym Shkarivskiyi, Deputy Chairman of Odesa Regional Council.

From L to R: Dr Alieva,Vadym Shkarivskiyi, Ambassador Domi, Tunc Soyer

The second panel, moderated by Natia Tsiklauri, Head of Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the Georgia Innovation and Development Agency, explored the progress of start-ups and innovation in the Black Sea region with Zana Gumüš, City Council Member of Sariyer District Municipality and Tornike Zirakishvili, Deputy CEO of Enterprise Georgia.

From L to R: Tsiklauri, Gumüs, Zirakishvili

The third panel, moderated by Vania Freitas, Acting Secretary General of AER, explored the interaction between agriculture, rural development and decarbonisation with the contributions of Ambassador Venera Domi, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Irakli Goradze, UNDP Coordinator for the agro-farms in the National Park of Machakhela, Ucha Surmanidze, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Ajara, and Aida Karimli, First Vice President, Environmental Committee, Region Västra Götaland.

A study visit to Machakhela National Park – UNDP Funded agro-farms as an example of innovative sustanability

The conclusion of the event was marked by a visit to the UNDP-funded agro-farms in Machakhela National Park. Here, guests were able to witness firsthand innovative activities such as beekeeping, winemaking, and advanced biomass utilisation. These initiatives are the result of collaborative support projects involving UNDP, the Ministry of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia, the Ministry of Agriculture of Ajara Autonomous Republic, and Khelvachauri Municipality, funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the Japanese Government.

As announced during the General Assembly 2024, the General Assembly 2025 will take place in Maribor (East Slovenia).

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Internship: Policy & Knowledge Transfer [CLOSED]

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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 English. A proficient level of English and excellent writing skills are required.

Duties
The selected candidate will have to deal with some daily organisational work required in the office of the AER Secretary General as well as public policy work.
The main tasks asked will be:
– administrative work (20%)
– background research on specific policies (40%)
– news articles, drafting of briefings (20%)
– help in the liaison with members, support the organisation of events (20%)

Conditions
For all internships within AER, a contract must be signed by AER and the student’s home University/School/Institute. Please note that this is compulsory.
The internship is remunerated according to the legal requirements in France. The student meets their travel and living costs.

Application

Please check the following links to get acquainted with policy & knowledge transfer work at the AER:

A Mutual-learning Community
Working Group on the Bioeconomy: https://aer.eu/tag/wg-bioeconomy/
Working Group on Mental Health: https://aer.eu/tag/wg-mental-health/
Working Group on Green Hydrogen: https://aer.eu/tag/wg-green-hydrogen/

Some tools we developed in the context of EU projects with regions:
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
If you are interested, please send a CV + a cover letter in English to: Johanna Pacevicius by Tuesday 28 May 2024 20:00 CEST

Short-listed candidates will receive an answer on Thursday 30 May in the evening at last, and will be invited for interviews to take place between 4-10 June 2024. By Thursday 13 evening, all short-listed candidates who went through the interview process will have a final answer on this internship offer.

Check our work before applying! We expect you to be able to

  • understand who we are in the European landscape
  • what the purpose of policy and knowledge transfer is in this context
  • situate yourself in this work and imagine what you could bring that ChatGPT cannot

Photo credits: photo by Vincent NICOLAS on UnsplashFollow AER!

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A moving study visit to Odesa

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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 in high numbers of internally displaced persons and created a difficult situation in the field of social support and quality of life. Because of this, providing access to quality mental health care has become a challenge in Odesa Region.

The Odesa team led by Mr Vadym Shkarivskiyi, Deputy Chairman of the Odesa Regional Council, and supported by Liudmyla Maliuta, Acting director of the Cross border cooperation agency “Euroregion Lower Danube” introduced different aspects of the work on mental health, starting with a presentation on their Mental Health Center.

Repairing the present, preparing the future

Several actions, either at the Mental Health Center, or at the Center for psychological support for veterans and their families are preparing families and inhabitants in general to actively support the reintegration of veterans by exercising empathy, managing expectations, adapting communication modes.

In particular, the training “People with war experience. Dignity of interaction” aims to:

  • Discuss the importance and complexities of interacting with war veterans and those who have been through military conflicts.
  • Teach empathy and compassion techniques to improve communication with veterans.
  • Review and analyse important aspects of psychosocial support of veterans in everyday life.
  • build positive relations with veterans and promote their successful reintegration into society.

Participants had the opportunity to ask further questions to Anna Velichko, Regional Coordinator of the All-Ukrainian mental health program “How are you?” and Yuliya Yermakova, Psychotherapist of Odesa Regional Mental Health Center

A focus on children

Based on the request of members of the working group, the Odesa team focused the online study visit on the measures for children, be it in mental rehabilitation or in education. It has to be said however, that the region is also implementing specific measures to support women and prevent gender-based violence, as explained by Oksana Uglik, Head of the Department of Preschool, Correctional Education and Social Work of the Department of Education and Science.

In the conditions of war, constant air raids, and shelling, the main priority of educational institutions of Odesa is the support and safety of all participants in the educational process. This video and this other one show how children are being schooled in shelters. They are being taught safety measures, as well as self-comforting techniques to use in case of panic attacks.

One of the most popular exercises is the “Butterfly Hug”. We suggest you also perform this exercise! This is a modified version of hugs that helps restore inner peace. Humans need hugs to feel happy and therefore healthy.

Cross your arms on your chest so that your right hand rests on your left shoulder, and your left hand rests on your right. Begin slow alternating taps. Track what associations arise when performing this technique. The exercise distracts and allows you to concentrate on its performance. It cleanses thoughts of negativity, helps restore peace in the soul.

The hug technique can be used during panic attacks, to overcome stress, anxiety and fear. Odesa region has mobile teams providing psychological support for children and youth.

And then the alarm went

Before the end of the presentations, the Odesa team had to leave the meeting to go into a shelter because of an airstrike. While the exchanges continued, participants shared how they were deeply moved by the stories and content shared as well as by the sudden irruption of the war in this shared virtual space.

How to help?

The Odesa region shared the following needs:

In terms of mental & physical rehabilitation, the region is looking to

  • Share experience and new knowledge with European specialists;
  • Training for trainers who could share their knowledge;
  • Training of family doctors, psychologists, social workers, educators in methods of quick psychological support;
  • Establishment of cross-border exchange of knowledge on mental health issues;
  • Help in the development of new techniques for overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder;
  • Building a system of training, certification, monitoring the quality of training of psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychologists;
  • Creation of a register of specialists and methods, systematisation of data, development of a model of retraining and retraining of personnel, and system for their involvement.

As for education and sciences, the region needs:

  • Exchange of experience with European methods and specialists;
  • Conducting training for teachers and psychologists with further implementation of knowledge and skills in the field of education;
  • Acquisition and arrangement of special mobile inclusive resource centers
  • Arrangement of classrooms for the organization of the educational process in shelters.

Regions willing to start a collaboration with Odesa on any of the above elements can contact AER Coordinator for Policy & Knowledge Transfer Johanna Pacevicius.

The AER Ukraine Focus Group

To mediate peer-to-peer collaboration for the support and reconstruction of Ukraine, AER regions have created the Ukraine Focus Group. By sharing expertise, opening-up investment opportunities, and working together to influence decision-making, AER member regions can support Ukrainian regions in the context of the war and afterwards.

Regions interested in getting involved in the Ukraine Focus Group should contact AER Membership Coordinator Justin Sammon.

Next steps for the AER Working group on Mental Health

The AER Working Group is currently preparing a workshop on prevention for mental health together with the Youth Regional Network, which will take place on 13 August on the occasion of the AER Summer Academy.

All presentations of the Study Visit are on the event webpage

The AER Working Group on Mental Health, is chaired by Daniel Schützer (Värmland, SE). To join the AER Working Group, exchange with peers and contribute to shaping future activities please fill in this form.

Pictures: Kelly Sikkema and Erik Karits on Unsplash

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

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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.

A Memorable Event

The much-anticipated event began with a warm welcome from the AER Secretariat, the YRN President, Jim Simonsen Jenssen, and the YRN Vice-President and host, Norbert Nagy. Participants were presented with a general overview of the host region, Sălaj County, and were given an insight into the many activities to come. The welcome reception was the perfect opportunity for existing members to reunite, and for prospective ones to introduce themselves and get to know the others ahead of the event.

In the following days, participants had the chance to attend workshops organised by the YRN Thematic Committees on Youth Participation & Governance, Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment, and Mental Health & Wellbeing. The workshops allowed young people to participate in and contribute to important discussions on topics they are passionate about, allowing them to share opinions, experience, best practices and challenges, and to come up with ideas for future activities.

Workshop organised by the TC on Youth Participation & Governance, facilitated by Chair Sigrun Myrvang

The conclusions of each workshop (from mental health resources and strategies to encourage youth participation, to possible campaigns advocating for gender equality) aim to shape the future work of each Thematic Committee.

Workshop organised by the TC on Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment, facilitated by Chair Maylinda Bajrami

The workshops even allowed for online participation, ensuring that active committee members unable to travel still had the opportunity to give their input and contribute to the conversation.

Workshop organised by the TC on Mental Health & Wellbeing, facilitated by Chair Cinta Serras

Furthermore, the hosts at Sălaj County Council allowed everyone to explore the region with two insightful study visits – one in Zalău, the County residence, and the other at Fort Silvan, a picturesque vineyard in the Sălaj countryside. During these visits, participants had the chance to immerse themselves in the local culture, sample regional delicacies, and learn about the rich history, culture and traditions of the area. 

Thus, the YRN General Assembly not only facilitated important discussions but also created lasting memories and friendships among participants.

YRN General Assembly & Elections

Every year, the YRN General Assembly allows to take stock of the past year’s activities and achievements, notably by adopting the YRN Activity Report, as well as YRN official statements and policy recommendations. It is also an important electoral moment for the network: the election of the YRN Presidium. The Presidium is composed of the President, two Vice-Presidents, and four Chairs of the Thematic Committees, and is elected by YRN members at the General Assembly.

The elections were preceded by a moment dedicated to the presentation and adoption of the YRN Activity Report 2022-2024, the YRN Policy Recommendations for a more Democratic, Inclusive, Green, and Digital Europe and the YRN Statement on Youth Participation and Governance. This content, demonstrating the achievements of the YRN over the past year, fully marked the anniversary of its successful revival.

The outgoing Presidium bid farewell, expressing gratitude for the wonderful year of hard work of the YRN and its members. Then, online and in-person participants were able to meet the candidates for the Presidium and ask them relevant questions before voting.

The members have chosen! – Here are the names of the newly-elected Presidium:

  • President: Norbert Nagy, Sălaj
  • First Vice-President: Sigrun Myrvang, Innlandet
  • Second Vice-President: Kassandra Petsa, Nordland
  • Chair of the Thematic Committee on Youth Participation & Governance: Mathilde Colarte, Wallonia
  • Chair of the Thematic Committee on Mental Health & Wellbeing: Jack McLaughlin, Donegal
  • Chair of the Thematic Committee on Green & Sustainable Europe: Marsel Haka, Tirana
  • Chair of the Thematic Committee on Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment: Elona Matoshi, Kosovo

MEET Debate

The YRN General Assembly 2024 also featured a MEET Intergenerational Regional Debate on “citizens’ participation in the upcoming EU elections and the role of the EU in the green transition”, part of the MEET (Mobilise Europe = Engage Together) Project funded by the European Union. The debate took place on Thursday, the 15th of March, and gathered at least 70 participants from all over Europe. The purpose of the Debate was to create a space for young people from different backgrounds to connect and to engage in meaningful conversations about the future of Europe in view of the upcoming European Elections.

The start of the discussions was marked by keynote speeches from YRN President Jim Simonsen Jenssen, YRN Vice-President and host Norbert Nagy, Sălaj County President & Vice-President Dinu Iancu Sălăjanu and Szilágyi Róbert István, and Marina Medarić, Subprefect of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Council, Co-Chair of the AER Election Committee.

Next, students from Colegiul National Silvania in Zalau, a European Parliament Ambassador School, delivered a presentation on the forthcoming EU elections. They educated participants about their voting rights, election procedures, and the functioning of the European Union.

The debate featured three main activities surrounding the EU elections and the green transition:

  • A general quiz to help participants ease into the topics and familiarise themselves with the concept of the debate: participants were given two coloured cards to be used during the multiple-choice quiz. Depending on their answer, they had to lift up the colour corresponding to their choice.
  • A panel discussion: The panel comprised representatives from three distinct European regions, offering a diverse range of perspectives:
  1. Norbert Nagy, YRN Vice-President from Sălaj County
  2. Eivind Holst, Mayor of Nordland County Council
  3. Ionela Flavia Braica, Jebel European Youth Village 2024, Timiș County

The discussion mainly focused on the implementation of the green transition in Europe, taking into account the needs and requests of the younger generations regarding the most pressing environmental issues. This topic is of particularly great importance for the YRN given the existence of the newly-created Thematic Committee on Green & Sustainable Europe. Thus, participants were eager to contribute to the conversation, sharing their opinions and suggestions on what could be done in order to ensure a more sustainable future for Europe. 

  • Discussion groups: to ensure that all participants at the debate had the opportunity to speak and share their opinions, attendees were divided into 3 smaller discussion groups and asked to delve further into the topics of the debate. Attendees were very enthusiastic and reached insightful conclusions regarding Europe and its future.
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