News

02.10.2006
CoR to create a Lisbon Monitoring Platform
The Committee of the Regions CoR has put together a research team set up a system to monitor the realisation of the Lisbon Strategy, the plan to make the EU the most competitive economy by 2010. The aim is to inform cities and regions on the implicat...read more

02.10.2006
EP offer suggestions to improve urban environment
The European Parliament (EP) adopted an own-initiative report adopted on 26 September. The report called for complementary measures to improve the urban environment in towns heavily impacted by pollution. One of the suggestions offered is to give pri...read more

29.09.2006
EP approve cohesion policy guidelines
On 27 September, the European Parliament has approved the Community Strategic Guidelines on Cohesion 2007-2013. The guidelines contain the principles and priorities of cohesion policy and suggest ways in which European regions and cities can take ful...read more

27.09.2006
World Economic Forum Report shows: “Lisbon” starts paying off
The World Economic Forum (WEF) released its annual Global Competitiveness Report on 26 September 2006. With six EU Member States in the top-ten rankings, the EU gives notice that its policies are starting to pay off. The top ten EU Member States are ...read more

26.09.2006
European Mobility Week 2006 proved successful
This year, over 1300 cities and towns were involved in the European Mobility Week (EMW). The central theme for EMW 2006 was ‘Climate Change’. The success of the initiative is amply demonstrated by the number of cities and towns involved. This year, 1...read more

26.09.2006
EcoProcura stresses local power in driving sustainability
At the EcoProcura conference in Barcelona, all European local governments were called upon to make sustainable procurement the rule and not the exception. European local governments hold considerable potential in stimulating environmental, economic a...read more

25.09.2006
Stockholm’s residents approve of congestion charging
On 17 September 2006, Stockholm residents voted in favour of the controversial congestion charging system tested in the city centre over a period of seven months. Of the residents, 53% voted in favour of the system. Before the start of the test, 70% ...read more

25.09.2006
International New Town Institute established
The Dutch City of Almere has initiated an international institute on so called “new towns”. The International New Town Institute is a scientific research institute focusing on new towns all over the world. The Institute will study the theory and prac...read more

25.09.2006
Rural communities join forces to counter urban regions
A new association representing the interests of European rural communities will be created. The idea is that Europe’s rural areas need to work together to better compete with cities, urban areas and other territorial communities for EU funding. The d...read more

15.09.2006
CEMR presents its charter for equality of women and men
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) has presented its charter for equality of women and men to the European Parliament, on 12 September 2006 in Brussels.read more

13.09.2006
EESC prize for organised civil society
The first prize, worth 10,000 euros was awarded to the European Physical Society. A second prize was awarded jointly to the European Civic Forum and a Hungarian body, the Future of Europe Association , who each received 5,000 euros.read more

11.09.2006
EC Communication stresses social benefits of educational equality
The European Commission adopted a Communication on improving the European educational system on 8 September. Central point in the communication is that educational systems should not only be efficient, but equitable as well. If not, they will fail to...read more

11.09.2006
EC publishes decisions on regions and Structural Funds
On 6 September the European Commission has published decisions on identifying regions eligible for Structural Funds and the allocation of funds for the 2007-2013 period. Total Structural funds for this period add up to 308 billion euros.read more

11.09.2006
Network of European Cities for Local Integration Policy kicks off
The network of European Cities for Local Integration Policy (CLIP) has been launched in Dublin on 11 September 2006. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the City of Stuttgart and the European Foundation for the Im...read more

07.09.2006
EU wants city network to fight drugs and addiction
Representatives of EU countries, applicant countries, Norway, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus held a two-day conference in Turku on 6-7 September 2006. Different forms of cooperation to cut the harm caused by drugs are being presented. Finland has organi...read more

06.09.2006
EUKN launches research desk!
The EUKN research desk is here to help you find an answer to all your questions on urban issues. The EUKN research desk is supported by a team of European urban experts. When handling the submitted questions, the Secretariat functions as the intermed...read more

05.09.2006
HOUS-ES network is looking for new partner
The thematic URBACT network Hous-Es is looking for one or more partners to join their activities. The main objective of Hous-Es Network is to trigger necessary changes in local, national and European policy on housing, spatial planning, architectural...read more

04.09.2006
DG Justice calls for proposals on integrating immigrants
INTI is a European Union funding programme promoting the integration of non-EU citizens in the EU member states. It also aims to promote dialogue with civil society, develop integration models, seek out and evaluate best practices in the integration ...read more

31.08.2006
Local authorities to help fight human trafficking
The president of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), and mayor of Vienna, Michael Häupl, calls on Europe's local and regional governments to support the Council of Europe's Declaration on the fight against trafficking in human ...read more

30.08.2006
Call for research on migrant women in the EU labour market
The European Commission calls for a study on "The role of migrant women in the labour market: current situation and future prospects". The study should describe the current status of migrant women in the labour market, examine how to improve the part...read more