Together for recovery: European Week of Regions and Cities

Written by Christiaan Van Lierop.

Not many events on the EU policy calendar attract over 10 000 participants – but then again few events can truly rival the European Week of Regions and Cities in terms of numbers, impact and reach. After all, this annual four-day fixture has grown to become the world’s largest gathering of local and regional stakeholders, with the event a byword for regional expertise. This year’s edition, which will be held from 11 to 14 October 2021, is certainly no exception.

Taking place as an online only event for the second year running, the 2021 European Week of Regions and Cities will focus on four themes, organised under the headline banner of ‘Together for Recovery’: green transition, cohesion, digital transition, and citizens’ engagement. With the negotiations on the post-2020 multiannual financial framework (MFF) and cohesion policy framework completed and an ambitious recovery plan in place to support EU growth, this year’s event offers a key platform for EU regions and cities to share their experiences and consider how the post-2020 MFF and recovery package can make a real difference on the ground. Providing fertile ground for in-depth discussion and debate, the EPRS is delighted to be part of the conversation once again.

As in previous years, the EPRS has published a topical digest linked to the event. Drafted exclusively to tie in with the 2021 European Week of Regions and Cities, this publication includes a selection of briefings and studies published by the European Parliament on many of the major issues under discussion, such as the recovery plan for Europe, sustainable and smart mobility or smart villages to name a few. But our involvement in this year’s EU regions week doesn’t just stop there.

For the sixth year running, EPRS will be organising a workshop on research as part of the EU RegionsWeek College. Entitled ‘Research for policy impact: the European Parliament‘, the workshop will examine how EPRS supports the work of the Members of the European Parliament during the policy-making process and discuss how to forge closer ties between academic researchers and policy-makers in the EU institutions. Once again, our workshop will be open to all, not just to early-career researchers and students, providing us with an exciting platform to talk about the work of the EPRS. What’s more, we have gone one better this year, and will be organising not one but two workshops.

Organised jointly with our partners the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and United Cities and Local Governments, our workshop on pathways towards resilience: the future of EU urban areas, including mid-sized cities will examine the challenges and global trends affecting urban areas, and discuss how to increase their resilience, bringing together urban experts and political practitioners. With the event showcasing an EPRS publication prepared specially for this event on Cities in a globalised world, we will once again be on hand to engage with participants and share our expertise, staying true to our EPRS motto of ‘Empowering through knowledge’.

Take a look at our Topical Digest on the European Week of Regions and Cities.