The European Week of Regions and Cities took place on 8-11 October 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. Interreg Europe was once again an active contributor to #EURegionsWeek and organised different events during the week.
Here is an overview of Interreg Europe events during #EURegionsWeek 2018. For more information, visit the #EURegionsWeek 2018 website.
EURegions Talks: Stories about the impact and added value of interregional cooperation
Session code: 9TK120
Date and time: 9 October 2018, 14:30-15:00 (Room 213)
Europe is full of solutions. Sharing them benefits us all. Interregional cooperation is the engine that makes this happen. At this very moment, over 2 000 project partners in more than 200 regions across Europe are exchanging experiences and learning from each other. In this session, we had a look at how cooperation sparks innovative solutions that are transformed into tangible actions and lasting results, thereby contributing to territorial development. In 30 minutes, our guest speakers introduced two short stories on the impact, results and added value of interregional cooperation.
Read more about the session here.
Workshop: Towards building a user-centric digital public sector
Session code: 10WS132
Date and time: 10 October 2018, 14:30-16:00 (Room 311)
The workshop by ESPON EGTC, Interact, Urbact and Interreg Europe focused on how national, regional and local authorities are modernising and re-engineering governance and the provision of public services through adopting digital technologies, legislation and policies, upskilling staff, engaging the private sector and citizens, as well as utilising data and social media.
The workshop contributed to creating a platform to showcase and discuss these changes, by bringing together key insights from pan-European partnerships with the specific focus on transformations in the public sector and its service provision, moving towards a user-centric digital government. Experiences from the ERUDITE project were shared during the session to highlight the contributions of interregional cooperation in this context.
See also the event page.
Participatory session: Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform: get involved, exchange, benefit
Session code: 11PS122
Date and time: 11 October 2018, 11:30-13:00 (Hall 100)
Are you a policymaker or public authority involved in the management of structural funds? Looking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your operational programme?
The Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform offers shortcuts to smart solutions for European cities and regions via on-demand expert services and a community of peers. This session was an opportunity to test it in action to see how it works in practice. In an interactive simulation, participants learned how the expert support service and interregional peer reviews support cities and regions. Get involved and let’s improve the management of public policies in research and innovation, SME competitiveness, low-carbon economy, and environment- and resource-efficiency together!
See also the event page.
Exhibition: The Policy Learning Platform's policy matchmaking forum
> See the full stand programme
The Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform is an innovative tool to boost policy learning and capitalisation on regional development practices across Europe. The Platform’s on-demand expert services and a community of peers offer shortcuts to smart solutions for European cities and regions, whether they look for ways to support young entrepreneurs, seek advice on how to design their sustainable mobility strategy, or strive for enhanced citizen involvement in the protection of their cultural heritage, among others.
In the exhibition area, the #EURegionsWeek visitors had a possibility to explore and experience the wide range of free support services offered by the Policy Learning Platform. They could join in on discussions, meet and consult thematic experts and browse the Policy Learning Platform's online services, all in one convenient place.
Several thematic matchmaking sessions were also organised to bring local and regional policymakers together to connect, share and learn from their peers and experts.
The exhibition was open throughout the #EURegionsWeek on 8-11 October.
Meet our projects during #EURegionsWeek
In addition to the sessions listed above, the #EURegionsWeek was a great chance to learn more about Interreg Europe projects and their activities. Various projects organised or contributed to many interesting sessions during the European Week of Regions and Cities:
- Internationalisation of SMEs - Interreg Europe projects highlight their impact
organised jointly by EIS, Compete In, UpGradeSME and ClusterS3 (October 9, 11:30-13:00) - Culture and heritage for responsible, innovative and sustainable tourism activities
organised by CHRISTA (October 9, 14:30-16:30) - Catalysts for innovation - lessons from interregional collaboration
organised by Urban M, Design 4 Innovation and ecoRIS3 (October 9, 16:30-18:30) - Cultural Routes as investment for growth and jobs, in the frame of Cult-RInG Interreg Europe project
organised by Cult-RInG (October 9, 16:30-18:30) - Sustainability and cultural heritage: is this the only way forward?
organised by SHARE (October 9, 17:30-18:00) - Circular economy for sustainable development
organised by HIGHER (October 10, 11:30-13:00) - Interreg Talks: 6 projects, 1 slam
organised by Interact, featuring RaiSE, more information here (October 10, 14:30-16:00)
- Achieving Industrial Modernisation through Regional Cooperation Partnerships on the S3P-Industry
follow up session to Bottom-up partnerships for industrial modernisation organised by ReConfirm and DG GROW, featuring HoCare (October 10, 14:30-16:30) - Cohesion Policy meets Social Enterprises
organised by RaiSE and SOCIAL SEEDS (October 11, 09:30-13:00) - An Innovation Loop to enhance Open and Social Research and Innovation projects
organised by OSIRIS (October 11, 11:30-13:00)
Thank you for joining us and sharing your experiences during the European Week of Regions and Cities!
