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European Week of Regions and Cities

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Regions, cities: go green and digital

Helsinki, Finland. Picture: Creative Commons. Saturday is usually associated with rest for most of us. It is a day when one can sleep in a little longer, scroll through social media for a while without leaving bed, meet friends, and dedicate more time to oneself . However, Saturday, October 5th, was a very productive day for the young participants of Youth4Regions. Simply put, this is a program for young journalists aimed at offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the EU and learning about...

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From refurbishment to gentrification: a vicious cycle?

Building awaiting to be refurbished covered by Graffiti Art. Picture: Marianne Graff. Upon entering the former National Gendarmerie Barracks, the vibrations of the metro can be felt through the halls of various buildings. Well connected, in the heart of Ixelles, the Usquare.brussels project aims to create a sustainable urban environment, fostering inclusivity – noticeable within the first minutes of being in the building, once you spot their unisex bathrooms. Acquired by the Brussels-Capital...

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A guide on how to improve a region’s attractiveness to talents

Accelerating EU Regional Reskilling through talent promotion. Picture: Adelina Lambreva. The EU is a mosaic of 242 regions that all face at some point issues like an aging population, the brain drain of young people, and a disbalance between the offered jobs and the skills of the working force. This observation has led to the session Accelerating EU Regional Reskilling through talent promotion. In the audience, there were three dozen people working throughout the EU on a regional level who were...

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U-Square: from military academy to dynamic, innovative, and sustainable district

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...

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Grassroots engagement: a backbone of democracy in Europe

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...

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Youth in Democracy: EU Projects for Young Participation

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...

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Journey to Change: setbacks and solutions to European sustainable development

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...

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Rural regeneration through skills development

“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...

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Empowering Civil Societies Across Europe

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...

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The Mediterranean is on fire - and drones are here to help

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...

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