Study VisitPL

European Week of Regions and Cities – “Open Days” in Brussels

7-10^th of October 2013

Are you a person responsible for regional policy, an expert of regional development
or a practitioner? Would you like to gain knowledge about effective use of EU funds from the up-coming budget? We would like to offer you the chance to take part in the biggest debate focused on future Cohesion Policy of the EU!

European Week of Regions and Cities – “Open Days” is the most important event organized, every year in Brussels, by the Committee of the Regions and the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission in association with regions’ and cities’ liaison offices in Brussels. The debate held this year will be dedicated to cohesion policy and regional development.

Up-coming “Open Days” has been scheduled for 7-10^th of October with official theme: “Taking off for 2020”. The theme refers to a pivotal phase of negotiations dedicated to new financial perspective of EU budget for 2014-2020. The event will be a unique opportunity for information exchange and open conversation focused on the new architecture of European support for development and extension of cohesion policy that in consistent with citizens’ needs. The objective will be discussed with main European policymakers.

The European Week of Region and Cities will consists of over 100 workshops and seminars organized by the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions and European regions and cities representatives. All of the events held during “Open Days” will be divided into 3 thematic areas:

1. Managing change 2014-2020: Workshops will present and discuss innovative approaches to the implementation of the 2014-2020 thematic priorities. Practitioners, Academics, EU institutions and regional experts will share their experience on the new elements in the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes (e.g. integrated territorial investment, the joint action plans, governance issues, features of the new performance framework, financial instruments, simplified cost options., etc.).
2. Synergies and cooperation: Identifying how to cooperate, coordinate and ensure synergies between different EU and national and regional policies and sources of funding will be the discussed here. This includes synergies between cohesion policy objectives. Approaches to cooperation such as the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation and macro-regional strategies could also be presented, as well as examples of sound cooperation between national, regional and city administrations and expert institutions.
3. Challenges and solutions: Every European region and city is facing challenges that it finds hard to deal with on its own. But solutions to improve people's quality of life exist throughout Europe and elsewhere. They can be shared and perhaps adapted to different regional and urban contexts. Workshops will aim at presenting practical solutions to common regional and urban challenges, e.g.: SMEs' access to credit and to the global markets, youth unemployment, demographic challenges, waste, water and natural risks management, congestion, pollution or high energy consumption.

Who should participate?

“Open Days” is an event dedicated to numerous groups of people, who want to use their work experience to gain more skills, practice and knowledge in topics related to cohesion policy and regional development. In particular addressed to:

• Functionaries of local and regional government institutions
• Representatives of local government and all levels functionary
• Academic representatives and all functionaries of scientific and educational institutions
• Entrepreneurs and Chambers of Commerce
• Representatives of banking sector
• NGO’s

The benefits of taking part in “Open Days”:

• Participants will have a unique opportunity to gain knowledge about new rules related to acquiring EU funds and get the latest information about European financial perspective 2014-2020.
• It will be a great chance to see and adapt good practices for project management and dissemination in different European regions.
• “Open Days” give the possibility to exchange knowledge and experience with participants and experts from all over Europe.
• Participants will also have the opportunity to build a network with representatives of EU institutions and regional offices.

The study visit includes:

• 3-days program
• Transport from/to the airport
• Accommodation (3 nights; apartments situated in the city center)
• Insurance (including duration of visit)
• Information package
• Translation services during selected parts of program
• Possibility to organize special expert meetings

Flights from/to Brussels are not included in the price. Participants must purchase their own flights arriving in and leaving from Brussels for the flights numbers indicated by the organizer.