The event was organized in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities, happening every year in Brussels involving approximately 6.000 participants from local, regional, national and European level for more than 100 workshops, exhibitions and networking opportunities making it the most relevant of its kind.
During the event, each partner region had the opportunity to present a concrete project that has been implemented in its territory with the ultimate scope of making citizens and local institutions more aware of the European Union institutions and policies. This meeting has also represented an appropriate occasion to share best practices on how to strengthen competencies and skills of our local administrations in the management of EU structural funds dedicated to urban and regional development.
From Regione Lombardia, currently the rotating president of the Association and host of the event, participated the Minister for Environment and Climate, Raffaele Cattaneo, and Vice-Secretary General, Pier Attilio Superti, who illustrated the priorities and the strategic vision for the 4 Motors for Europe reminding how the Regione Lombardia’s presidency program has been designed for the citizens and our territories.
Keynote speaker of the event, Raffaella de Marte, Head of Unit DG Communication of the European Parliament, gave the audience the EU institutions’ perspective in trying to engage citizens via a strong and efficient communication strategy. In her insightful intervention she stressed the willingness of the European institutions to work closely with the regional level in order to reach the people and spread communication in a capillary manner throughout the territories.
The event was moderated by Pierluigi Brombo, Head of Unit Relations with organized civil society and forward studies at the European Economic and Social Committee who, in his conclusions, underlined the importance and the usefulness of the Four Motors for Europe cooperation in creating efficient approaches to directly involve citizens in European policies.
