Past editions

30th anniversary of European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg)

Coronavirus outbreak: Cohesion Policy is the first and quickest financial tool used by the EU to help cities and regions . The EU launches two packages of measures (the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative - CRII, and the CRII+), which allow to re-allocate existing funds towards sectors badly hit by the pandemic, such as the public health.

Subsequently, the REACT-EU package (Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe) extends the crisis response and provides a bridge to the long-term recovery plan, through a € 47 billion top-up to funding still available under 2014-2020 programmes.

EU leaders agree on the long-term budget for 2021-2027 and the recovery plan. The Just Transition Fund is created to support the most vulnerable carbon intensive regions in their transition towards a climate-neutral economy.

The European elections take place in May with a high turnout. The EURegionsWeek focuses on the future of the EU and the role of the regions and cities, a Europe closer to citizens and a greener Europe.

Cohesion Policy 30th anniversary: commemoration of EU Member States’s agreement on 24 June 1988 on a regulation putting existing EU funds into the context of 'economic and social cohesion’.

The European Commission proposes the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF) 2021-27, the EU's long-term budget, formally marking the start of the MFF negotiations.

Future priorities of the European Union for 2021-2027: understanding and managing the territorial impacts of globalisation and digital transformation, regional dimension of climate change and energy transition, while taking into account youth involvement, integration of migrants and social exclusion.

Building resilient regions and cities: economic and social effects of globalisation increased negative risks of (further) delocalisation of lower added-value industries, the loss of low-skilled jobs, new sources of employment that are often service-based, precarious and lower-paid.

Regions and cities as change agents: adaptations to EU regional and urban policy for the next 5-10 years on one hand, and encourage, more globally, reflection on the EU from the perspective of cities and regions

Sharing knowledge to deliver results: implementing programmes supported by the European Structural and Investments funds.

The 7th Cohesion Report is published by the European Commission. The document alerts that, following the double recession of 2008 and 2011, regional disparities are narrowing again and . several regions with a GDP per head close to the EU average seem stuck in a “middle-income trap”.

The European Commission issues a strategy for and with the EU’s outermost regions’ to better address their specific needs.

The European Committee of the Regions, together with the leading European associations of cities and regions, launches the #CohesionAlliance for a strong Cohesion Policy after 2020.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

The Pact of Amsterdam establishes the Urban Agenda for the EU. It focuses on the three pillars of EU policy making and implementation: Better Regulation, Better Funding and Better Knowledge.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

Three major themes: 1) Modernising Europe: The regions in the Energy Union and the Single Digital Market; 2) Regions open for business: SME development, innovation and job creation; 3) Places and spaces: Urban and rural development, urban-rural integration.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

Beginning of the 2014-2020 programming period, which allocates over € 350 billion to Cohesion Policy, i.e. 32.5% of the overall EU budget.

Stronger focus on simplification, growth and jobs. Key investments areas are research and innovation – A Smart Europe, environmental structure and climate change – A Sustainable Europe. Greater emphasis on social inclusion and tackling youth unemployment.

For the first time in the history of Cohesion Policy, a specific regulation covers European Territorial Cooperation actions, with a budget of circa 10 billion euro.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

Croatia joins the European Union.

First-ever Master Class held within the framework of the Open Days University.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

"Europe's regions and cities making a difference" – 219 regions, 24 partnerships.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

October 2011 is a crucial moment, with the European Commission tabling the Financial Framework proposal for 2014-2020 just a week before the Open Days, which allows a direct political debate to take place between EU Commissioners, CoR members and MEPs.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

The 2010 of the EURegionsWeek saw 245 regions and cities gathering together to discuss about the EU 2020 agenda. It focused on the new role assigned to local and regional authorities under the Lisbon Treaty and the debate on the EU budget post-2013. The blueprint for the post-2013 Structural Funds confirmed that cohesion was an issue for all Europe's regions and cities. OPEN DAYS 2010 took place on the eve of the presentation of the 5th Cohesion Report, which included the Commission's first orientations on cohesion policy post-2013. The views expressed during the OPEN DAYS provided input for shaping the future cohesion policy, complementing the public consultation launched on 11 November 2010.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

The Lisbon Treaty enters into force, introducing territorial cohesion as a new objective of the Union, alongside economic and social cohesion. The Treaty gives also enhanced political and institutional recognition to the Committee of the Regions.

The Open Days introduces a thematic strand of territorial cooperation and working together across borders, as the European Commission adopted the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region,

Debate on the EU 2020 Agenda: starting on how Europe's regions and cities responded to the global economic crisis, the Open Days launches a discussion on how 2014-2020 cohesion policy programmes could be best used to kick-start local and regional economies.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

First edition of the RegioStars Awards.

The European Commission publishes a Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion to launch a wide consultation.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

Bulgaria and Romania join the European Union

Cohesion Policy 2007-2013: resources focus on poorest Member States and regions, enabling them to both catch up with the rest of Europe and flourish in the Internal Market.

European Groupings on Territorial Cooperation (EGTCs) are set up to facilitate and promote cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

The Open Days programme is followed by a programme of ’decentralised’ events to be organised by regions/cities in their home countries from 12 – 15 October 2006.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

The Open Days help EU regions to make the most of the 2000-2006 funding, with an emphasis now on delivery and results.

The European Commission issues a progress report showcasing the long-term results of Cohesion Policy investments.

First edition of the Open Days that is co-organised by the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission (DG REGIO), with 62 Brussels-based regional offices and the European Parliament hosting the closing session.

Ten new countries join the EU (EU population + 20%, GDP + 5%). € 213 billion were already available for the 15 existing countries in 2000-2006 Cohesion Policy, € 22 billion were added to support the new member countries in 2004-2006.