The European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek), the largest Brussels-based event dedicated to EU cohesion policy, providing a crucial platform for discussing shared challenges and opportunities across Europe's regions and cities. Bringing together politicians, decision-makers, experts, and practitioners from various sectors—including business, banking, civil society, academia, EU institutions, and the media—the event aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and innovative solutions to shape the future of Europe.
The event is a hub for capacity-building, learning, and sharing best practices for those implementing EU cohesion policy and managing its financial instruments. By fostering cooperation and networking, it also helps regions and cities strengthen their ability to meet Europe’s ambitious goals in sustainability, digital transformation, and resilience.
Key Sessions for 2024
Several sessions stand out for their relevance to critical projects and initiatives aimed at addressing climate, energy, and urban challenges. Notably, these sessions are highly significant for the e-SAFE project, which focuses on innovative solutions for deep energy and seismic building renovations.
The Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission: From Planning to Implementation
During this session, Patrick Child, the Mission Manager, will lead an interactive discussion with three mayors whose cities have earned the prestigious EU Mission Label. These mayors will share insights and lessons learned from implementing their “Climate City Contracts” and outline the next steps in their journey to climate neutrality. A ceremony awarding EU Mission Labels will also take place during or following the session.
Harnessing Renewable Energy Communities for a Greener, More Resilient Europe
An interactive discussion will focus on sharing successful practices and innovative policy solutions from across EU regions, enabling participants to connect with peers and empower local energy initiatives. The session aims to explore how community-driven renewable energy projects can accelerate the transition to a sustainable, clean energy future, while fostering local ownership and resilience.
Sustainable Buildings and Cities: Integrated Urban Farms
Another session of particular interest will explore “Sustainable Buildings and Cities” with a focus on the potential of integrated urban farms. With buildings accounting for 75% of energy consumption in Europe, the “Interreg North-West Europe GROOF project” has pioneered the integration of greenhouses on buildings to reuse heat and reduce CO2 emissions.
Regions and Cities Go Green and Digital
The session titled “Regions and Cities Go Green and Digital” will delve into the progress of Europe’s regions in achieving the “twin transition”—towards both digitalization and sustainability. Through interactive data visualizations from the “2024 Eurostat Regional Yearbook”, the session will reveal how different regions and urban-rural areas are performing in the digital transformation. Participants will also gain insights into how regions are progressing toward the “European Green Deal” goals, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation. The data will underscore the disparities across regions and the varying impacts of climate change throughout Europe.
A Platform for Cooperation and Innovation
The European Week of Regions and Cities has grown into a neutral platform for discussing pressing issues affecting Europe's regions and cities, offering stakeholders a space to explore innovative ideas, partnerships, and policies. With diverse participation, from local leaders to civil society organizations and business professionals, the event is expected to spark meaningful dialogue on how to overcome common challenges in the areas of sustainability, urban development, and digital transformation.
The event will not only contribute to the debate on EU cohesion policy but also feed into broader discussions on global sustainability trends, with perspectives from international organizations and third countries.
As #EURegionsWeek 2024 approaches, it is poised to inspire and equip participants with the knowledge and tools they need to implement forward-thinking solutions and strengthen regional and urban resilience across Europe.
