New challenges for cooperation at the European Week of Regions and Cities

Regions and cities are involved in developing and directly implementing most EU policies and directives. They, therefore, represent an essential axis for achieving the objectives set by European strategies. As proof of this, in the EU, the so-called sub-national territorial units are responsible for one-third of public expenditure – equivalent to EUR 2.1 billion per year – and two-thirds of public investment – another EUR 200 billion – the implementation of which is often subject to the legal provisions laid down in Brussels. This results in the development and implementation of a large number of projects and initiatives which, in turn, generate a wealth of experience and knowledge.

In this context, the European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek), the 20th edition of which starts on 10 October and will take place in a hybrid format (face-to-face in Brussels and online), is an important opportunity to foster the exchange of best practices and to create or strengthen new networks and contacts between regions and cities for future projects.

Zabala Innovation at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2022

In the framework of this event, Zabala Innovation will be represented by its Head of Consulting Services, Unai Zabala, and its Management Board Advisor, Guillermo Dorronsoro. The Nesoi project – which aims to support energy optimisation plans and solutions in EU islands and of which Zabala Innovation is a partner – will receive an award for good practices towards green and sustainable transition, on Tuesday 11 October at 11.30 am. In addition, the results of Nesoi will be presented on 14 October, in a face-to-face and online workshop, starting at 9.30 am.

Organised by the European Commission through the European Committee of the Regions together with the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, the European Week of the Regions will see the participation of more than 10,000 people – including around 1,000 speakers – who will animate an extensive programme of conferences, exhibitions and social events related to regional and local development. Under the theme New challenges for Europe’s cohesion, events, workshops and talks will focus on green transition, territorial cohesion, digital transition, and youth empowerment.

In its 20 years, this event has become the main showcase for European regions and a unique platform for communication and networking between regions and cities. During the four days of the event, hundreds of political representatives, civil servants, experts, and academics from all over Europe also gather to present and discuss major developments, projects, and initiatives to improve cohesion policy, foster innovation and display best practices.

Challenges, objectives and needs of the territories

So far, the European Week of Regions and Cities has done a lot of work to promote the use of EU funds by these entities, to improve the daily lives of citizens. All this reminds us that it is important to have a strategic vision of the innovations that should be implemented in cities and regions and that it is necessary to consider a roadmap that provides a clear framework for priority projects and themes.

Each territory has its challenges, objectives and needs, but these must be tackled within a framework of territorial cooperation that will enable it to make progress in the shared implementation of innovative solutions. From the Regions knowledge area and from Zabala Innovation’s Consultancy Services unit, we have experts who work continuously side by side with a large number of public administrations and can support the development and management of regional cooperation projects.