The European Week of Regions and Cities is the biggest annual event organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and the European Committee of the Regions. Cities and regions display their capacity to implement cohesion policy and multilevel governance. With 6,500 participants over two days of the event, various partners presented the Interreg Euro-MED in a stand format.
The ISE Mission stand at the European Week of Regions and Cities. Image: ISE Mission
Within the framework of this edition’s theme “the right to stay: unlocking the potential of every territory”, it was an excellent opportunity to showcase how sustainable solutions and governance actions help communities thrive, by choice, not by chance.
In a playful dynamic, participants were able to understand in a deductive way what the programme does through the four missions. We presented the challenges and solutions of the 87 projects. Participants were invited to choose a challenge from the board (see the picture below) and select the corresponding solution from the deck-cart.
Board at the ISE Mission stand at the European Week of Regions and Cities. Image: ISE Mission
During these intense 48 hours event, a wide range of different stakeholders from civil society to politician, from different region in Europe and beyond, approached us to exchange and foster collaboration. It was also a valuable moment to (re)connect with other interreg family members.
At the same time as hosting the stand, Euro-MED representatives actively participated in EU sessions and policy debates with policy makers and politicians. Notably, a Euro-MED partners from Barcelona Municipality took part of the panel discussion on Regulatory Sandboxes. Other partners assisted to the policy debate on EU funds for city with Kata Tüttő, the President of the European Committee of the Regions. Euro-ME representatives participated as well, in the discussion on the New Pact for the Mediterranean with the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica.
New Pact for the Mediterrannean session. Image: ISE Mission
Overall, the participation of Euro-MED interreg to the European Week of Region and Cities in the European Capital was an enriching experience, enhancing visibility and collaboration with 4-pl helix stakeholders.
As a follow up to this two days collaborative event, we organised a Close to You webinar on the 27th November 2025. The webinar spotlighted governance actions and gave voice to projects, youth and regional actors providing practical experiences and local approaches. The two events highlights the importance of exchange of knowledge, local/regional approaches and cooperation to ensure communities can stay and prosper by choice, not by chance.
