A WLGA delegation, made up of local government officers and councillors from across Wales, has arrived in Brussels to represent Welsh councils during the annual European Week of Regions and Cities (known as ‘Open Days’), hosted by the Committee of the Regions (the EU institution representing local and regional government).
‘Open Days’ is a key week for local government in Europe, bringing together 6,000 participants each year for over 100 workshops and debates, exhibitions and networking opportunities. This year, as the current EU funding programmes draw to a close and the launch of the new round (2014-2020) draws nearer, is an opportunity to continue crucial discussions on how local government will ensure communities across Wales derive the maximum benefit out of future EU funding.
Cllr Bob Bright (Newport), WLGA European Affairs Spokesperson, Committee of the Regions member and leader of the delegation said:
“The annual Open Days week is a crucial time to visit Brussels and represent Welsh councils amongst representatives from local government across Europe. It is a week where local, regional and national decision-makers come together to discuss future planning and opportunities for collaboration, making it a valuable European networking platform.”
“This year the focus will be very much on the future EU funding programmes and new and innovative ideas for delivering European funds which produce more benefits for Welsh communities and businesses. With local government challenged to deliver more with less domestic resources, accessing EU funds will take on added importance and it is crucial that our local authorities are prepared to hit the ground running post-2013. Building on our very useful discussions at our conference last week, Open Days is an opportunity for the delegation to share ideas and best practice with our counterparts from local government across Europe as well as being a valuable opportunity to influence and lobby key national and EU decision-makers.”
As part of the Open Days week, the WLGA will be hosting a workshop in partnership with local government colleagues from Scotland and three other Member States, entitled ‘The territorial approach in new Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes: How elements of the Territorial Agenda 2020 are brought in by regional and local partners’.
The WLGA also hosted a ‘local’ event, “From poverty to prosperity: achieving change through future EU funding ” in Llandudno on 4 October, which brought together those responsible for delivering EU funding programmes across Wales to discuss the future funding programmes and how EU funding should be used to help tackle poverty and social exclusion.
