The Council of European Municipalities and Regions

LOCAL INSIGHT
Local and regional governments'
view of European affairs

What will happen to cohesion policy at the next EU budget review in 2020? Now that the discussions have been launched, we discussed with the mayor of Sala (SALAR, Sweden), and CEMR spokesperson on cohesion policy, Carola Gunnarsson, about her expectations for the future cohesion policy.

Generally speaking, what type of projects are financed by the cohesion policy in Sweden? 

In Sweden, we have developed projects to improve the competitiveness of SMEs in areas such as agriculture or the fisheries sector. 

 

In 2014, the city of Liège undertook energy efficiency renovations in public buildings. Through this initiative, the city created 322 direct jobs and 780 indirect jobs in Wallonia.

In an interview conducted by CITYnvest, the Mayor of Liège, Willy Demeyer explained this project, its success and its impact on the environment and the economy. 

What do we mean when we talk about energy efficiency renovation? This includes replacing the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, renovating lighting systems or even insulating buildings. In total, says the mayor of Liège, "12 schools, 3 sport centres, an emblematic military site converted into offices and various workshops for municipal services" benefited from this project, which lasted two years and a half.

You know it. We believe a strong cohesion policy needs to be  at the heart of the future of Europe. Cohesion policy needs a stronger “place-based approach”: an approach that leaves no town or region behind.  We should not view cohesion policy from a closed, sectoral point of view, but approach territorial development as a whole, and address every aspect upon which it touches.

But don’t just take our word for it: on 9 October, the European Commission published the 7^th Cohesion Report, which proves our point in many ways. Our adviser on the issue, Marlène Siméon, walks you through it.
 

Picture this: a society with a diversity of citizens, in which all are included and all are equal. Its citizens have a higher quality of life and they are in the best environment to unleash their full potential.

This society is already a reality in many towns, cities and regions. We want to make this a reality everywhere in Europe. Come to the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) conference from 11 to 13 June 2018. Exchange with mayors, regional leaders and all those who are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Among the topics at hand, we will discuss human rights, public management and services, employment, intersectional discrimination, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the European Charter for Equality of Women and Men in Local Life.