SEDEC Study visit in Budapest

On 3 December, 13 SEDEC members participated in the study visit "Demography and LRAs navigating challenges and opportunities". The event took place in Budapest and was hosted by the CoR member and rapporteur on demography János Ádám Karácsony.

The study visit came as a follow-up of the CoR on "Demographic change: a toolbox for action" that was adopted in October 2024 opinion, as a reaction to the European Commission's Communication of the same name . The panel included members of local and regional authorities, important stakeholders, like the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and other institutes that focus on monitoring and studying demographic trends in the EU. The panellists also engaged in the exchange of best practices, not only for preventing the negative effects of demographic change, but also for allowing smart and sustainable shrinking for regions and cities where there is no other alternative.

The CoR that participated in the study visit were:

·         Elia Delmiglio, Mayor of Casalpusterlengo.

·         Jan Trei, Member of a Local Assembly: Viimsi Rural Municipality Council

·         Marian Adam Buras, Mayor of the town and municipality of Morawica.

·         Clare Colleran Molloy, Councillor, Clare County Council

·         Nuška Gajšek, Mayor of the City Municipality of Ptuj

·         Mihkel Juhkami, Member of a Local Assembly: Rakvere City Council

·         Declan McDonnell, Member of a Local Executive: Galway City Council

·         Riccardo Rio, Mayor of Braga

·         Patrik Schwarcz-Kiefer, Member of a Regional Assembly: Baranya County Council

·         Tsvetelina Simeonova Zarkin, Municipal Councillor in Sofia Municipal Council

·         Anna Magyar, Member of the County Council of Csongrád-Csanád

·         Mätta Ivarsson, Member of county council, Skåne Region