cohesion policy
Cohesion policy is vital to economic growth and social cohesion across Europe. For many cities, structural funds provide essential support for major investment programmes which directly impact on the quality of life of citizens and the liveability and attractiveness of cities.
Today, cities account for 75% of the EU’s population, 80% of energy use and 85% of Europe’s GDP. Yet currently, only 10% of EU regional funding is directly dedicated to urban issues. We are working to strengthen the investments in cities via the structural funds in the next programming period from 2014 - 2020.
The Commission’s proposals for the draft structural funds regulations, published on 5 October 2011, recognise the need for investing in cities. The proposals include many innovations with the potential to deliver integrated development on the ground and drive smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for the benefit of all – not only for those living in cities.
We welcomed the Commission’s proposals as a strong starting point and we have been working to maintain the strong urban dimension in the further negotiations on the future cohesion policy to ensure an adequate level of investment in our cities across the EU.
We believe that the European model of well-managed urban concentration is the most sustainable form of development and our European cities are assets in terms of global competition. Only metropolitan Europe can compete with the power of emerging megacities of Asia and Latin America. Without investing seriously in our major cities, we will not be able to maintain our global competitiveness. A strong urban agenda is not only important for cities but for the economic future of Europe as a whole.
- knowledge society
publication
publication date:
22-12-2015
policy publication
- cooperation
OPEN DAYS 2015
The Committee of the Regions organises the 13th European Week of Regions and Cities on 12-15 October, including an 'urban day' on 14 October.
event
start date: 12-10-2015 end date: 15-10-2015
- cooperation
- economy
OPEN Urban DAY
There will be an 'urban day' at this year's Committee of the Region's OPEN DAYS.
event
start date: 14-10-2015 end date: 14-10-2015
EUROCITIES statement on asylum in cities
European cities located in arrival, transit and destination countries are experiencing the social, humanitarian and financial challenges of the current asylum crisis. On 13 May, we published our political statement on asylum. Our statement was developed by our working group migration and integration with input from all social affairs forum working groups. We stress the important role European cities play in receiving and integrating asylum seekers, refugees and other beneficiaries of...
publication
publication date:
12-05-2015
policy publication
URBACT: more than €74 million to improve urban policies in Europe
The URBACT III programme will support exchange and learning to help cities fully realise their role in addressing major European challenges.
news
publication date: 19-03-2015
- cooperation
- economy
- environment
- mobility
Working with urban-friendly MEPs
Our politicians met MEPs from the European Parliament’s Urban Intergroup, and presented our position on an EU urban agenda at the REGI committee.
news
publication date: 26-02-2015
- cooperation
- culture
- economy
- environment
- knowledge society
- mobility
EUROCITIES strategic framework 2014-2020: towards an EU urban agenda for cities
Europe’s future lies in its cities. Well-performing cities and metropolitan areas are crucial not just for the local, regional and national level, but for Europe as a whole. Their performance is critical to Europe’s global competitiveness, and to a new start for the EU.
publication
publication date:
23-01-2015
- cooperation
- economy
- mobility
Conference: Cities for Accessibility - together towards barrier-free Europe
CITIES FOR ACCESSIBILITY, JOBS and INCLUSION Breaking down barriers together Conference, Lisbon, 18-19 June 2015
event
start date: 18-06-2015 end date: 19-06-2015
- economy
EUROCITIES Economic Development Forum
General information on the activities of the Economic Development Forum
publication
publication date:
07-11-2014
brochure/report
- cooperation
- culture
- economy
- environment
- knowledge society
- mobility
EUROCITIES position on the Europe 2020 mid-term review
Involving cities better in the design, implementation and evaluation of the Europe 2020 strategy will improve its capacity to deliver change on the ground. Our cities are key to achieving the main Europe 2020 targets on employment, R&D, climate change, education and fighting poverty and social exclusion, since 85% of GDP is generated in cities, about three quarters of the EU population lives in cities, and about three quarters of CO2 is emitted in cities.
publication
publication date:
17-10-2014
policy publication