• This is Europe's most important annual event on regional policy, where the implementation of the European Union's cohesion policy is discussed.
• Since 2003, the importance of local and regional aspects has been emphasized to ensure adequate governance at the European level.

The “European Week of Regions and Cities” , an event organized by the European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission 's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy , took place from 7 to 10 October in Brussels , Belgium, with the aim of empowering rural communities to meet their objectives and providing them with recommendations for the future. To this end, some 10,000 participants and more than 1,000 speakers participated in promoting the use of European Union ( EU ) funds in their regions and cities.

The event's broad scope allowed it to focus its activities on regional policy, but also extend from the smallest communities to even city governance. Ultimately, it's about strengthening the level of "multi-governance." This year's guiding theme was "Empowering the Regions," with the shared ideas and knowledge developing themes around cohesion policy , the EU's main investment policy for economic growth, job creation, business competitiveness, sustainable development, and environmental protection.

The event brought together thousands of local and regional governments and agencies, community institutions, young political representatives, academics, NGO representatives, and private sector stakeholders. However, the bulk of participants came from regional and local governments.

Objectives and events

Cities and regions are among the most important actors in shaping almost all EU policies. For four days, participants showcased their capacity to generate jobs and growth through cohesion policy, as well as their importance in local and regional governance .

The main objectives of the event have been:

• Discuss the common challenges facing European regions and cities and seek possible solutions through the participation of a variety of stakeholders.
• To provide a platform for capacity building, learning, and the exchange of experiences and good practices for those wishing to implement cohesion policies and manage their financial instruments.
• Facilitate cooperation and networking between regions and cities.
• To foster debate around cohesion policy in a broader context, including the latest research and the views of third countries and international organizations.

To assess its impact, participants provide their opinions to the organizers, who generally assess the information they receive from EU institutions, as well as the collaborative work with other countries. Furthermore, it is one of the events of its kind with the greatest media coverage, with up to 300 journalists accredited in person.

The main highlights of the event were:

• October 8
  • Strengthening the Rural Pact: Promoting local action for the future of rural areas
  • Fostering rural regeneration through local talent: Skills for the smart communities workforce
  • Leading community empowerment: the critical role of Local Action Groups (LAGs)
  • Strengthening skills through regional initiatives: developing local talent for the future
  • Bridging the digital divide by supporting digital infrastructure for smart and sustainable regions
  • Sustainable transport in the EU: addressing global problems at the local level
  • Building smart and resilient communities: adapting sparsely populated areas to a digital and green future
  • Service delivery in challenging territorial circumstances: How to adapt and innovate locally?
• October 9
  • Taking the next step in shaping Europe's rural future (with the Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas)
  • Regional innovation valleys for the circular economy: rural regions as key players in the transition
  • Empowering rural areas through innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Charting the Course: Navigating Competitiveness and Convergence for Europe's Regions
• October 10
  • Unlocking the potential: LEADER and EU financial initiatives – bridging gaps and empowering communities
  • Creating an inclusive digital transformation: Unlocking the potential of smart rural ecosystems
  • Landscapes of change: the territorial dimension of demographic change and cohesion policy

The Committee has a dedicated newsletter on the "European Week of Regions and Cities," a contact email address ( EURegionsWeek@cor.europa.eu ), and a YouTube channel where it uploads, among other things, content related to the event.