Snapshots from #EURegionsWeek 2023

On 10 October, we organised an information session about the expansion of the Interreg Europe programme to new countries. During the session 'Reaching out to new regions - Solidarity and cohesion through interregional cooperation', we shared insights into why interregional cooperation matters and how cooperation contributes to the EU enlargement.

We also discussed how Interreg Europe is expanding to seven new countries and welcoming Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine into the programme area, bringing the total number of countries covered by Interreg Europe to 36.

The speakers included: 

• Anne Wetzel, Director of the European department, Hauts-de-France region (managing authority of Interreg Europe)
• Gilles Kittel, Accession Negotiation team leader, DG Regio D1 (IPA/EUSAIR/EU)
• Erwin Siweris, Interreg Europe Programme Director

Download the presentations below.

On 10 October, we also joined forces with ESPON, Urbact and Interact to host a joint workshop on How can regions and cities drive a just energy transition with and for their citizens? Through a expert presentations, we explored the role and contribution of regions and cities to cope, adapt, and contribute to the energy transition. From a project perspective, POWERTY shared their solutions in the session. 

A summary of the session will be available soon on the #EURegionsWeek session page.

Tuesday was a busy day for us. In the afternoon of 10 October, we put the spotlight on our peer review service in an EU Regions' Talk 'Peer-powered policy solutions: how peer reviews can increase your skills and inspire better policies'.

Elena Ferrario, the Thematic Manager of our Policy Learning Platform explained how peer reviews can help regions and cities to draw inspiration to address their policy challenges. 

In addition to the talk itself, there was a lot of interest towards peer reviews during the European Week of Regions and Cities. If you missed the talk, catch up with a session summary download the presentation below, and check out our peer review publication to see how other regions have already benefited from the service. 

And if you are interested in hearing more about the peer reviews or discussing whether the service could be useful for you too, don't hesitate to reach out to our experts. You can also submit an application and ask for a peer review today - the call is permanently open.

On 11 October, our project Green Screen took the floor in a session dedicated to presenting the RegioStars finalists of this year. Green Screen is one of the five shortlisted finalists in the category for Greener Europe. 

If you missed the pitch during the European Week of Regions and Cities, see a summary of what Green Screen has achieved and how it has contributed to making the film industry greener.

You can also vote for your favourite project in a public vote until 14 November. It only takes a couple of clicks, so go ahead and cast your vote for RegioStars winner now!

On 11 October, one of our Platform's thematic experts, Marc Pattinson, shared insights in an expert panel on Interoperability: an enabler for breaking cross-border barriers. The session introduced the key features of the Interoperable Europe Act and its impact on local and regional policymakers. 

A summary of the session will be available soon on the #EURegionsWeek session page.

All week long, we were present in the exhibition to discuss with participants, answer questions and share information. We were happy to see a lot of familiar faces and meet many others interested in interregional cooperation at our exhibition stand in the Agora Village. 

Our tips to keep up with us and to get involved in interregional cooperation: 

• Subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you get our latest updates.
• Join our community and connect with policymakers and practitioners from all across Europe and beyond.
• Save the date for the next call for project proposals and 'Europe, let's cooperate! interregional cooperation forum' on 20-21 March 2024.
• Take a look at our approved projects and see what they are up to.
• See what project ideas are open for new partners (or post yours to share it with others).
• Get to know our Policy Learning Platform and see how you can benefit from its services or participate in its activities.