News

11.08.2006
Finns focus on health
In addition to promoting Health in All Policies, the Finnish Presidency is expected to hammer out political agreements on Health programme 2007-2013, medical devices and advanced therapies.read more

08.08.2006
Integrative approach is success factor for cities
The world’s most successful cities are integrating approaches to social, economic, and environmental issues, as well as addressing governmental concerns. This is stated in a special report on global competition by the Urban Land Institute.read more

01.08.2006
New Structural Funds regulations now available in all EU languages
Regulations concerning the new cohesion policy for the 2007-2013 period have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union in all the official languages of the Community.read more

31.07.2006
Register now for the OPEN DAYS 2006
The preparations for the “2006 OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and Cities”, taking place in Brussels between 9 and 12 October, have reached their final stage. Registration requests for the 111 workshops and seminars can now be sent.read more

27.07.2006
World Urban Forum Archive now available online
UN Habitat has opened a web portal which gives access to all documentation of the World Urban Forum III (WUF3). WUF 3 took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from 19-23 June 2006. The portal includes the conference agenda, attendance list, ...read more

26.07.2006
EC: Low-value contracts must be awarded fairly and transparently
The European Commission has published guidance on how public authorities should award contracts of low monetary value fairly. These contracts are not covered by the EU Directives on public procurement. Nevertheless, the Commission thinks they should ...read more

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