What course is Europe setting for the future of its structural policy and regional funding? How can competitiveness, innovation and cohesion in the regions be further strengthened? These and other key questions were the focus of an intensive exchange between the regionen.NRW network and representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament in Brussels on 2 July.

Among those taking part in the discussions was Dr Stefan Berger, Member of the European Parliament and spokesperson for the CDU NRW in the European Parliament. With regard to the decisions that need to be taken in the EU, he explained: “In view of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and a changing transatlantic partnership, the EU is facing enormous challenges. This also has implications for the future EU budget and structural policy. This makes it all the more important to take the perspectives of the regions into account – they know best how geopolitical upheavals and political decisions have a concrete impact on local life and economic development and what is needed in each case to promote equal living conditions and innovation.”

The exchange took place as part of a visit programme in Brussels, which also included talks with the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). The aim was to incorporate the perspectives of the regions in North Rhine-Westphalia into the discussions on future EU funding policy at an early stage. Another focus was on strengthening the role of regional development organisations as intermediaries between the European and local levels.

The day concluded with the NRW Summer Party hosted by the NRW State Representation in Brussels, where around 1,500 guests from politics, business, science and the media exchanged ideas.