News

25.07.2006
CEMR welcomes EC’s minimis proposal on state aid
The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) welcomes the European Commission's proposal to double the threshold from which state aid must be notified to the European Commission. At local and regional level, aid is frequently provided fo...read more

20.07.2006
French small towns feel left out in drafting operational programmes
The French Association of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions and the Small Towns Association have adopted a common declaration. In the declaration, participants underline their dissatisfaction with the low level of involvement of smal...read more

19.07.2006
EC publishes Cohesion policy guidelines for cities
The European Commission has published a Communication “Cohesion policy and cities”. The communication sets out the framework for sustainable urban development in European Regional Policy for the period 2007-2013. National authorities are invited to u...read more

19.07.2006
URBAN-Housing Intergroup urges EU ministers to include cities
Jean-Marie Beaupy, chair of the European Parliament's URBAN-Housing Intergroup, has written all EU ministers in charge of regional and urban policy. The parliamentary group urges the ministers to allocate and manage structural funds for inner city pr...read more

18.07.2006
Call for proposals - 4 million euros for intelligent local energy management
The Intelligent Energy Executive Agency has launched a call for proposals for the "Intelligent Energy — Europe" 2006 work programme. The indicative total amount available for this call is 48.1 million euros. Of this amount, about 4 million euros will...read more

17.07.2006
Finnish towns and regions want decentralised approach to Lisbon Agenda
The Association of Finnish local and regional authorities has published a booklet outlining it’s view on EU policy. The publication presents the objectives and practices of the Association’s EU policy and examines some European issues from the perspe...read more

13.07.2006
EC gives clarity on cohesion policy 2007-2013
The European Commission has adopted its definitive proposal for the EU Strategic Guidelines for Cohesion Policy over 2007-2013 on 13 July. These guidelines set the framework for the operational programmes. The European Council is expected to adopt th...read more

12.07.2006
Europe risks brain drain
Europe needs to adopt a new approach to innovation. Innovation must be made a priority in European policy. More investment in education, research and business knowledge is necessary. If not, Europe risks brain drain to Asia and the USA. This is the o...read more

06.07.2006
Survey shows increase in available public e-services
The number of European local authorities offering online services, such as registering a car or applying for a building permission has risen sharply over the last two years. This is the finding of a survey for the European Commission. The number of o...read more

06.07.2006
EUKN calls for case studies on urban regeneration
The German Federal Office for Building and Regional Planning (BBR) has asked the European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN) to prepare a report on Integrated Urban Development Policy as a Success Factor for Sustainable Cities. The focus of the study wil...read more

05.07.2006
SCORUS calls for papers
SCORUS, the international network for regional and urban statistics, is organising its annual conference in Wroclaw, Poland on 30 August – 1 September 2006. Theme of the conference is “Globalization Impact on Regional and Urban Statistics”. SCORUS in...read more

04.07.2006
Finland takes up EU Presidency
On 1 July 2006, Finland has taken up the EU Presidency from Austria. Representatives of the European Commission met the Finnish government in Helsinki to officially kick start the 2006 Finnish EU Presidency. On Monday 3 July, the 25 Members of the Co...read more

29.06.2006
Green Paper on drug abuse and civil society
The European Commission has launched a consultation on the role of civil society in EU drugs policy. On the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, on 26 June 2006, the EC published a Green paper on the role of civil society in ...read more

29.06.2006
European Council supports sustainable urban development
On 27 June 2006 the member states confirmed their commitment to a strategy of sustainable urban development. Principal objective of the strategy is to improve quality of life for citizens by creating a healthier urban environment. The Council acknowl...read more

29.06.2006
"Youth in Action” programme adopted
The "Youth in Action" programme, which was adopted unanimously by the Council on 27 June in Luxembourg. The aim of the "Youth in Action" programme is to develop cooperation in the field of youth policies in the European Union.read more

27.06.2006
Stockholm traffic reduced by 25 percent due to congestion charge
A six-month trial of congestion fees in the Swedish capital has reduced traffic coming in and out of central Stockholm by 20-25 percent on an average weekday, according to an initial study released Wednesday.read more

27.06.2006
Toolkit for Youth Participation in Urban Policies
The Young Citizens’ Project released a Toolkit for Youth Participation in Urban Policies. The city of Bristol, lead partner of this project, has offered other European cities an opportunity to address the issue of youth and participation by creating ...read more

26.06.2006
Commission reviews transport policy
The European Commission has published a mid-term review of its 2001 Transport White Paper. In its mid-term review “Keep Europe moving: a transport policy for sustainable mobility” the Commission seeks to balance transport and environmental needs. In ...read more

23.06.2006
The role of cities in developing education and culture to tackle the challenges of globalisation
Education and culture lie at the heart of the renewed Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth. This was the main message from Commissioner Ján Figel, addressing an assembly of representatives from European and national associations for local and regional...read more

22.06.2006
E-illiteracy – one third of EU citizens lacks basic digital skills
In 2005, 37 percent of EU citizens aged between 16 and 74 lacked basic computer skills. This percentage was slightly higher for women than for men (39 percent against 34 percent). Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, publishe...read more