Latest news from EU institutions and bodies

Europe is facing a housing crisis, exacerbated by demographic and urbanisation trends, and local authorities struggle to provide affordable housing amidst low renovation rates. Regions and cities demand a EU Housing Agenda, urging better policy coordination and financial support for social housing initiatives, alongside a focus on sustainable architecture in an opinion, led by Andres Jaadla, (EE/Renew), member of Rakvere City Council, which was adopted during the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 17 April.​

​With the upcoming European elections in June, this year will mark the end of one legislative cycle and the beginning of a new one. While countering the various threats to elections, ranging from cyber-attacks to disinformation, it is crucial to ensure a high voter turnout to strengthen the EU's democratic legitimacy. This is the main message of an opinion on defending democracy, adopted during the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) on 18 April. ​

With one in four children at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the EU, local and regional leaders adopted their recommendations to guarantee free education, childcare, school canteens, and healthcare to vulnerable children across the UE, at the European Committee of the Regions plenary session on 18 April. They called for local and regional authorities to be given direct access to EU funding to deliver these objectives on the ground.

Members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) advocated an increase in the targets set for 2030 for the participation of vocational education and training (VET) learners and apprentices in international learning mobility programmes. In a set of recommendations adopted at the plenary session on 18 April, they stressed that the collaboration of local and regional authorities is key to improving skills and talent mobility and empowering the Union for the green and digital transitions.

Cities and regions call for a reformed Cohesion Policy that keeps supporting all territories, boosts investment and tackles the discontent among citizens.

​EU regions and cities point out that their greater involvement and active participation is necessary to find new ways for livestock, people and large carnivores to coexist sustainably and safely while enhancing biodiversity. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) considers that the protection status of certain species should be periodically reassessed and that EU funding should fully cover measures to prevent damage or compensate damages.

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) stresses that reducing plastic pellet losses is a key priority for the European Union's zero-pollution agenda, as microplastic pollution has a significant impact on the environment, climate and economy, especially for coastal communities and the fishing, agriculture and tourism sectors. The opinion drafted by Roberto Ciambetti (IT/ECR), President of the Veneto Regional Council, was adopted unanimously at the plenary session on 18 April.

European Commission Press release Brussels, 18 Apr 2024 The Commission has today proposed to the Council to open negotiations with the United Kingdom on an agreement to facilitate youth mobility.

European Commission Questions and answers Brussels, 18 Apr 2024 What is the Commission proposing? The Commission has adopted a Recommendation to the Council to open negotiations with the UK, with a view to conclude an agreem...