In October 2020, the European Union's communication with its citizens covered three important areas: Empowering citizens, Cohesion and Cooperation, Green Europe. Over three weeks, during intensive lectures, dialogues, and discussions, where any EU citizen had the opportunity to participate and express his or her thoughts to help the EU make a qualitative decision that would satisfy the majority of citizens in Europe.
From 12 to 16 October, a key role has been played by European regional cooperation and cohesion policy, which helps the European Union to develop from local challenges and to become more united, equal, and developed. Thanks to European Union funds, very many regions have had the opportunity to modernize and digitize their schools, hospitals, re-build roads and buildings, support public awareness and educational events that promote democratic and development processes throughout the European Union.
Although cohesion policy is not being implemented for the first year, people are not sufficiently informed about these opportunities provided by the European Union. Aware of this, in any region, a citizen would have the opportunity to use his knowledge power and advise his local authority where funding is needed to improve the situation in the region.
In one of the sessions of the European week of regions and cities, it was the following issue that was raised: Effectively communicating on Cohesion policy in different countries and contexts. The presentation was led by Etienne Millien from Sud Ouest (French media), in which he spoke about a one-year project in cooperation with Spanish Basque Country to find out how well people are informed and aware in these regions of the European cohesion funds, that the European Union itself has yet to do, and how important it is for citizens to know, about the opportunities they can realize through the European Union cohesion fund support.
A Video Report by Evija Blumberga, laureate of Youth4Regions – the programme for aspiring journalists
