EWRC 2018: Why attending the largest gathering of Europe’s towns and regions is a must

October is one of the most important months for towns, cities and regions. Not only because of the UN World Habitat Day (2 October) and the World Cities Day (31 October), but also because the main gathering for Europe’s local and regional governments takes place annually during that month: the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWCR). This is also the week chosen by PLATFORMA to celebrate its 10th year anniversary!

From 8 to 11 October, over 6,000 local and regional leaders and experts will showcase their capacity to implement EU cohesion policy, exchange ideas with their peers around the continent and prove the added value of a local and regional dimension in European governance.

This year’s edition will put the spotlight on how to build a strong and inclusive cohesion policy beyond 2020, and the future of Europe from a local and regional perspective.

As it happens every year, CEMR and PLATFORMA will contribute to the discussions with several debates. This is our proposal for 2018:

• 10th year anniversary of PLATFORMA (Wednesday 10 October 2018)*

During the event, you will discover how Europe’s cities and regions and worldwide, work together to implement and promote sustainable development.  You will have the possibility to see what PLATFORMA’s partners have accomplished during the past 10 years. In addition, we will discuss together the main challenges facing decentralised cooperation in the next decade. Click here to register. For further information, please contact Olivier Baumard.

• Integrated Territorial approach and collaborative governance to tackle emerging challenges (Tuesday 9 October, 11 am to 1 pm)

Governing in partnership with the multiple stakeholders that make up our societies (academia, private sector, etc.) not only allows our towns and regions to tackle potential challenges, like urban poverty or employment. It can also empower them to anticipate needs and future challenges within their territories. During this event, the region of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain), will showcase several successes achieved thanks to its “collaborative governance” model, in areas such as work-life balance, mobility or ageing population.

• Delivering Sustainable Development Goals at regional and local level (Tuesday 9 October 2018, 2.30 to 4 pm)

The UN Global Goals call for universal positive change from an economic, social, gender and environmental perspective. For that change to come into effect, the action of towns and regions is crucial. Alongside other relevant cities and associations of towns and regions, we will debate the added value of local governments’ mobilisation to achieve the SDGs and how they translate them on the ground.

• Side event: Towards Green, Inclusive and Attractive Cities! (Wednesday 10 October, 9.30 to 11 am)*

How can cities reach sustainable urban development? How can the (free) RFSC web tool help cities to localise the UN Global Goals? We will answer all these questions during a side event organised by the Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC). To register, please contact our colleague Pedro Bizarro.

• Europe’s social future: a local and regional debate (Thursday 11 October, 9.30 to 11 am)

Just last year, the EU developed 20 principles to advance the social rights of Europeans: the Social Pillar. How does the Social Pillar affect local governments? What is their role? Join our debate to discuss the local implications of Europe’s social future.

Registration for the European Week of Regions and Cities is now open. If you are not able to attend any of these events, follow the debates on social media with #EURegionsWeek.