Policy learning in action at #EURegionsWeek
Interreg Europe is more than projects. The Policy Learning Platform seeks to boost EU-wide policy learning by opening up the benefits and the knowledge of the programme to all policy makers across Europe. Moreover, the platform is a space for continuous learning where the policymaking community in Europe can tap into the know-how of experts and peers.
The Policy Learning Platform was very visible at the European Week of Regions and Cities this year. In this snippet of #EURegionsWeek highlights, we will have a look at what kind of policy learning opportunities were presented to the participants and visitors by our team of experts.
A personalised matchmaking service for policy makers
The Policy Learning Platform offers shortcuts to smart solutions for European cities and regions via free, on-demand expert services and a community of peers. By reaching out to managing authorities that didn't benefit yet from interregional learning, we've put together specific policy matchmaking sessions. And what better place to organise such targeted and personalised sessions on concrete policy challenges than the #EURegionsWeek?
From 'digital governance' or 'internalisation of SMEs' to 'turning innovative mobility pilots into region-wide investment projects', the face-to-face exchanges on the spot have ignited the spark to continue and deepen the launched exchanges between regions and organisations.
Local and regional policymakers shared experiences on various policy topics to get a taste of what kind of benefits can be drawn from an expert-facilitated peer review.
What did participants think of these policy matchmaking sessions?
The many faces of #policylearning
The Policy Learning Platform facilitates peer-learning, sharing of good practices and knowledge, networking and partnering, and provides a helpdesk for policy advice. All these services were introduced during the #EURegionsWeek. In the Agora exhibition, the platform experts were on stand-by throughout the week to answer questions and discuss ways in which regional policymakers and public authorities can make use of them depending on their needs.
There were also plenty of opportunities to get a taste of the platform services in action. The visitors could explore the good practice database, learn more about projects and their activities in mini-presentations.
To wrap up the week, the experts ran a participatory session 'Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform: get involved, exchange, benefit' with presentations about the platform services, testimonials and comments from regional actors who have already benefited from the platform, as well as lively discussions where the participants shared their own good practices with others. The session proceedings are available on the #EURegionsWeek website.
The many faces of #policylearning were present also literally, as the full team of experts took part in the European Week of Regions and Cities, ready to support regional practitioners and policymakers around Europe to identify new solutions and peers to help address their policy challenges.
See this article about 'reflections from the European Week of Regions and Cities' for more highlights and stay tuned for a video summarising the #policylearning activities during the week!
Dive deeper in the world of #policylearning and see how the Policy Learning Platform can help you!
This article is Part III in a series of #EURegionsWeek highlights. See also Part I and Part II outlining programme and project activities during the European Week of Regions and Cities.