The EPP Group in the European Committee of the Regions (EPP-CoR) believes that villages, cities and regions have an important role to play if the ambitious targets of the EU Green Deal are to be reached and to ensure economic recovery. As the closest level of governance to citizens and as bodies implementing concrete projects on the ground, villages, cities and regions are the protagonists of the green transition for a more sustainable and resilient Europe.
The European Week of Cities and Regions is an opportunity to discuss the role of villages, cities and regions and the implementation of policies that will boost recovery, in particular the Green Deal. EPP-led local and regional authorities have been implementing key projects on the ground in various fields including clean transport, waste and water management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean air, protected areas, sustainable agriculture, green infrastructure as well as climate action and thus have a lot to contribute to this debate.
In this regard, the EPP-CoR Group is organising an event on Wednesday, 14 October 2020 from 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. - A Green Europe: sustainable and resilient cities and regions as catalysts for recovery. The aim is to discuss the Green Deal and the role of cities and regions to ensure a sustainable economic recovery. Due to the current COVID-19 security measures and sanitary situation the event will be held fully digital via Interactio. Those interested to follow and participate in the event can register here.
The event will be moderated by Jelena Drenjanin, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Huddinge and Vice President of the EPP-CoR Group and addressed by Olgierd Geblewicz, President of EPP-CoR Group, President of West Pomeranian Region and President of the Union of the Regions of the Republic of Poland and by Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. EPP-CoR members will be participating in the panel debate "A Green Europe starts at a local and regional level". These include Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, President of Andalucía and Rapporteur of the European Climate Law, Ádám Karácsony, member of the Local Government of Tahitótfalu and rapporteur on the Future of EU Clean Air policy, Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw and rapporteur on the European Climate Pact as well as Markku Markkula, Chair of the Espoo City Board and President of the Helsinki Region (Chair of the Board) and Ricardo Rio, Mayor Braga.
During the event the EPP-CoR Group will be launching a publication with projects from EPP-led villages, cities and regions which aim to help Europe reach the Green Deal targets.
We are looking forward to welcoming you during the event!