Latest stories - Regions and local development

EU Cohesion Policy is helping to weather the crisis and produce growth, says Commission 2013 Strategic Report

18/04/2013  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition / Regions and local development

With 4 more years to go until the programmes finish in 2015, investments under the European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund and European Social Fund have already led to progress and improvement for many citizens.  |VIDEO|

• Annual implementation reports for 27 Member States
• Legislative proposals from Commission on cohesion policy reform
• More information on European cohesion policy

Commission launches new strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas    

03/12/2012  -  Agriculture, fisheries and food / Regions and local development

The strategy rests on 4 pillars: a stronger blue economy, a healthier marine environment, a safer maritime space, and responsible fishing activities.

• DOCUMENT. Communication “A Maritime Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas”
• More information on EU strategy concerning Adriatic and Ionian Seas

Innovation performance of 190 European regions compared

06/11/2012  -  Regions and local development

The Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2012 provides a comparative assessment of how European regions perform with regard to innovation. The report covers 190 regions across the European Union, Croatia, Norway and Switzerland.

• DOCUMENT. Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2012
• DOCUMENT. Methodology report
• Regional innovation monitor
• More information on regional innovation

European Cooperation Day: sharing borders, growing closer    

18/09/2012  -  Regions and local development

European Territorial Cooperation is an increasingly important theme in EU Regional Policy. Regions and cities from different EU Member States are encouraged to work together and learn from each other through joint programmes, projects and networks.

• Statement by Commissioner Johannes Hahn
• European cooperation day website
• More information on European Territorial Co-operation

Commission launches innovation partnership for Smart Cities and Communities

10/07/2012  -  Energy and natural resources / Regions and local development / Transport and travel

By launching a Smart Cities and Communities European Innovation Partnership (SCC) the European Commission aims to boost the development of smart technologies in cities – by pooling research resources from energy, transport and ICT and concentrating them on a small number of demonstration projects which will be implemented in partnership with cities.  |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

• DOCUMENT. Smart Cities and Communities – European Innovation Partnership
• Questions and answers
• Statement by Commissioner Neelie Kroes
• Statement by Commissar Siim Kallas
• More information on the Smart cities and Communities partnership

Project bond pilot testing: Parliament approves EU guarantees

05/07/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition / Regions and local development

An EU allocation of €230 million in guarantees to back the private issuance of "project bonds" for transport, energy and information technology infrastructure projects was approved by Parliament. The decision allows pilot testing of this innovative plan to attract private investment in transport, energy and information technology network projects.

• Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative: Frequently asked questions
• President Barroso and Vice-President Rehn welcome the European Parliament's final vote on Project Bonds

Knowledge, responsibility, engagement: the EU outlines its policy for the Arctic    

03/07/2012  -  Regions and local development

The strategy adopted contains a set of tangible actions that contribute to research and sustainable development in the region and promote environmentally friendly technologies that could be used for sustainable shipping and mining. It also underlines the EU's activities in the Arctic since 2008.

• EU’s Arctic Policy: Questions and Answers
• Sea basin strategy: Arctic Ocean
• More on the EU’s Arctic policy

MEPs back risk-sharing with private sector to restart stalled cohesion projects

19/04/2012  -  Regions and local development

Stalled regional development projects in crisis-hit countries could be kick-started by sharing their investment risks between private and public investors, under plans voted by the MEPs.

• Commission welcomes Parliament’s endorsement of risk-sharing instruments
• DOCUMENT. The Commission proposal
• The different steps of the legislative procedure

Baltic Sea Strategy steps up co operation    

23/03/2012  -  Regions and local development

The aim of the Strategy is to increase the impact of EU funds to reach common goals, such as the improvement of water quality in the entire region. The Communication sets three new focuses for co operation: "Save the Sea", "Connect the Region" and "Increase Prosperity".

• More information on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region

EU cohesion payments up 8% in 2011

27/01/2012  -  Regions and local development

The EU gave nearly €33bn to member countries in 2011 in regional funding. It contributed to investments in key sectors – technology, research, education – for generating growth and jobs.