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Facade of building ABC in project U-Square. Picture: Lydia Cortabitarte. The U-Square project, co-financed by the European Fund for Regional Development, will host facilities ranging from social housing to research centers and a food market. In 1992, after 200 years of service, the Belgium Gendarmerie was demilitarized, set to become a civilian police force. This historical change resulted in the abandonment of the Royal School of the Gendarmerie: four hectares of barracks, stables and other...

Ragna Fidjestøl, Director of EEA and Norway Grants : “Civil societies encourage a healthy public debate, addressing democratic values and inequalities. Therefore, vibrant civil societies are crucial for healthy democracies.” Picture: Hanna Öllös. The workshop "Every Voice Matters: Experiences in Citizen Engagement at Local Level," part of the 2024 European Week of Regions and Cities, highlighted initiatives supporting democracy and civil participation across Europe. It focused on EU-funded...

From left: Laure Verstraete (moderator and board member of the European Youth Forum); Thibalt Bonte (Acting Director of the Youth Service in Ghent); Tanya Hristova (Chair of the Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research, and Culture); Bilal Ata Aktas (consultant and member of DYPALL). Picture: Camilla Gnaccarini. In the context of the European Week of the Regions, the emphasis on addressing the needs of younger generations is particularly relevant. The session “European Youth...

Rijeka, Croatia. Picture: Creative Commons. Every city in the European Union is an individual and special place facing its own problems and challenges. Wanting to explore novel approaches to sustainable development, inclusivity and beauty, certain cities have gained the opportunity to be a part of the EU-funded Re-Valeu project. Through collaboration of urban design and planning, this project is focusing on helping the cities of Rijeka (Croatia), Pisek (Czechia) and Bruges (Belgium) overcome...

“The path to the future starts with regions”, Vasco Cordeiro, President of the European Committee of the Regions, claimed during the press conference preceding the official opening of the 22nd EURegions Week, taking place on 7-10 October 2024. According to Eurostat however, 60% of working age European citizens (20-64 years old) live in urban areas, attracted by a larger amount of job opportunities, services and infrastructure. Does this mean that rural areas will inevitably fall behind? The...

Challenges faced by Bulgarian and Polish NGOs, and Norway’s Active Citizen Fund Supporting Civic Participation On October 10th, the European Commission's Albert Borschette Conference Centre in Brussels hosted the workshop Every Voice Matters: Experiences in Citizen Engagement at Local Level . The event highlighted successful initiatives funded by the EU Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme and the EEA and Norway Grants' Active Citizens Fund. These funds play key roles in...

The number of wildfires in the Mediterranean has been steadily increasing since the 1970s. The past few years have experienced a record amount of fires. According to the European Forest Fire Information System’s annual report, in 2022, of the over 900, 000 hectares burnt in the EU, 640 000 were burnt in the Mediterranean - almost the size of Azerbaijan. Thanks to the European Union, systems like the Civil Protection Mechanism or the European Forest Fire Information System are at the disposal of...

Putting the younger generation at the heart of Europe, valuing their voices, including them in European cohesion policies and giving them the opportunity to make a real change in society. These are some of the goals set by Eurochild , a transnational program that aims to create a bridge between politics and youth. The purpose is to involve new generations in democratic decision-making processes and to recognize their contributions at a municipal level. The topic of youth democratic participation...

On October 9, 2024, the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels hosted the session “Every voice matters: experiences in citizen engagement at local level” during this year's edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities. Representatives of the European Union along with local NGO leaders Magdalena Krasowska from Poland, Iliyana Nikolova from Bulgaria, and Ragna Fidjestol from Norway discussed how they promote citizen engagement and democratic participation at local level, and how their...

With over 7000 onsite participants, over 500 speakers from all over Europe and beyond, 156 sessions, an exhibition with 30 stands and 9 regional tastings, and over 180 journalists, it was once again an excellent celebration and showcase for cohesion policy! Your active involvement, the interesting discussions, the inspiring good practices and the networking opportunities contributed to making this event truly special. If you missed any #EURegionsWeek high-level sessions last week, you can watch...