Regional leaders and EU policymakers share frontline experiences and discuss the role of regions in crisis response in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
Europe’s regions are increasingly at the frontline of multiple and overlapping crises, including climate-related disasters, geopolitical instability, health crisis, and migratory shocks. These crises have highly asymmetric territorial impacts, often exacerbating existing disparities between regions. Cohesion Policy has proven to be a key instrument in supporting regional resilience, notably through flexibility measures and emergency responses.
However, recent experiences have also revealed limitations in responsiveness, coordination, and territorial targeting, particularly in the interaction with other EU instruments and national frameworks. In the context of discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, there is a growing need to reflect on how Cohesion Policy can better equip regions to anticipate, absorb, and adapt to crises, while ensuring that no territory is left behind.
Following opening remarks by Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and scene-setting by moderator Professor John Bachtler, regional leaders from Lazio, the Canary Islands, Emilia-Romagna, Oulu, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and Valencia will present firsthand accounts of successful regional responses to health, migration, security, environmental, and wildfire crises. A panel discussion and open exchange with the audience will conclude the event.
The European Committee of the Regions is hosting the event but is not responsible for its content.
Venue
European Committee of the Regions (CoR)
Conference room JDE 51, 5th floor of JDE-Bâtiment Jacques Delors
Rue Belliard 101, B-1040, Brussels