European week of regions and cities, Brussels, 10-13 October 2005 : a political vision for 2007-2013.
Date: 2006-11-30
Institutions: Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: EU regional policy, European cultural event, job creation, regional and local authorities, regional development

European Week of 
Regions and Cities

A political vision for 2007-2013

European Week of Regions and Cities

OPENOPEN
DAYSDAYS

Brussels

10 – 13 October 2005

organised jointly by

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DG Regional Policy

with the cooperation of the 
European Parliament’s Regional
Development Committee

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

Communication, Press,
Information and Events Unit

rue Belliard 101
BE-1040 Brussels

Tél: + 32 (0)2/282 21 55
Fax: + 32 (0)2/282 20 85

E-mail: opendays@cor.eu.int
www.cor.eu.int

OPENOPEN
DAYSDAYS

09 –12

2006

Investing in Europe’s 
Regions and Cities

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DG Regional Policy

“Europe cannot be built in Brussels. It is built
in the cities and regions throughout Europe.
They are the pillars of our community. They
guarantee the protection of historical, political,
social and cultural diversity.”

Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy

“Enlargement, cohesion and competitiveness:
these are the reasons why the Committee of the
Regions has given the European Commission’s
proposals for a reformed and strengthened
cohesion policy its full support.” 

Peter Straub, 
President of the Committee of the Regions

2

Introduction

If numbers are any indication of success, then the OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and Cities, held
in Brussels on 10-13 October 2005, can certainly be said to have measured up. Statistics may not always tell
the whole story, but in the words of one of the 2,500 participants, “big is beautiful when you want to get
your message across”.

This year’s OPEN DAYS, organised by the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Commission
Directorate General for Regional Policy, with the support of the Regional Development Committee of the
European Parliament, brought together 106 key partners, representing regions and cities from 26 countries.  

Together, they hosted 66 workshops and three flagship debates linked by one common theme – “working
together for regional growth and jobs”. The programme featured no less than 380 speakers at 30 venues,
including contributions from Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner, CoR President Peter Straub, UK
Deputy  Prime  Minister  John  Prescott,  European  Parliament  President  Josep  Borrell,  European  Investment
Bank  President  Philippe  Maystadt,  Commission  Vice-President  Margot  Wallström,  European  Parliament
Regional Development Committee chairman Gerardo Galeote Quecedo and UK Minister for Industry and
the Regions Alun Michael.

The third annual OPEN DAYS brought together presidents and mayors of regions and cities, members of the
European  Parliament,  officials  from  European,  national  and  regional  administrations,  experts  from
development agencies, university academics and private sector lobbyists. It was also a major media event,
attracting  nearly  250  regional  journalists,  including  55  editors-in-chief  from  the  Circom  association  of
European regional public television stations.

The 2,500 participants – twice as many as in 2004 –  came from 30 countries and made a total of 8,000 seat
reservations. “House-full” signs were up at almost every workshop; indeed, such was the demand, a further

600 participants took part in
the Opening Session at the
European Commission’s
Charlemagne building

3

The official banner of 
the 2005 OPEN DAYS 
European Week of Regions
and Cities 
over the entrance to 
the Charlemagne building

4

2,000 seats could have been filled had there been more space. The official OPEN DAYS reception held at the
Musée du Cinquantenaire, the largest single event ever organised by regions and cities in Brussels, was a
tribute to European regional identity and its rich diversity.

The success of the 2005 OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and Cities, however, was not just about the
numbers. The acid test was in achieving its objectives. This year’s event had three clear aims:

■ To send a united message to Member States about the urgency of securing an agreement on the EU

budget (financial perspectives) for 2007-2013 

■ To highlight the role of regions and cities as key players of the growth and jobs agenda in a modern

European economy

■ To help the regions and cities prepare for the next generation of Structural Funds’ programmes, based on
a newly designed cohesion policy focused on convergence, competitiveness and enhanced cooperation

The record number of participants involved, together with strong media interest, guaranteed that the main
political message about the financial perspectives would be heard not only in Brussels, but throughout the 25
Member States and applicant countries. 

The flagship debates were dominated by discussions about the EU budget and the decisive role to be played
by regions and cities in making the Lisbon objectives of higher growth and more and better jobs a reality.
The 66 workshops focused on preparations for the new Structural Funds’ programming period through its
new “Convergence”, “Regional Competitiveness and Employment” and “European Territorial Cooperation”
objectives,  set  out  in  the  Commission’s  strategic  guidelines  for  cohesion  policy.  The  results  of  a  public
consultation on these guidelines, including more than 200 contributions from Member States, regions and
cities, social partners, business and NGOs, were presented during the OPEN DAYS by Commissioner Hübner.

Getting the message across
during the exhibition in the
Charlemagne building

5

Financial perspectives: 
“no time to lose” 

Some 800 delegates took part 
in the Plenary Session of 
the Committee of the Regions 
in the Charlemagne building

The failure of EU leaders to agree a new multi-annual budget at the European Summit in June 2005 caused
consternation in regions and cities throughout the Union, but especially in new Member States where the
prospect of a strong cohesion policy was a key factor in gaining public support for accession. If a deal on the
financial perspectives is not reached by the end of this year, the launch of the new generation of Structural
Funds’  programmes  for  2007-2013  could  be  delayed  –  with  grave  implications  for  cohesion  and  the  re-
launched Lisbon Strategy. The presence of John Prescott, the UK Deputy Prime Minister, and Alun Michael,
Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, at two of the debates ensured that the “no time to lose”
message would, at the very least, be received loud and clear by the EU Presidency.  

The CoR and European Parliament both support the Commission budgetary proposal for cohesion policy;
the institutions all agree that it represents a realistic assessment of what is needed and affordable at the
European level to help meet the Lisbon and Gothenburg objectives. 

6

“What  we  need  now  is  an  agreement  on  the  next  financial  perspective.  Without  it  there  is  no  point  in
talking  about  solidarity,  cohesion  and  competitiveness,  about  bringing  growth  and  jobs  to  regional  and
local levels. We are in a moment where we can either continue postponing decisions and prolong the period
of uncertainty and confusion or we can prove to our citizens, to our regions and cities that the Union is
working for them. We must act now.”

Danuta Hübner, Regional Policy Commissioner, at the Opening Session of the OPEN DAYS European
Week of Regions and Cities, 10 October 2005

“Territorial  cohesion  is  and  will  remain  one  of  the  major  symbols  of  European  integration  ...  this  objective
should neither fall victim to deep budget cuts nor be used as a pawn in the budget negotiations.”  

Peter Straub, President of the Committee of the Regions, at the Opening Session

Alun Michael, UK Minister of State for Industry
and the Regions,Graham Meadows, Director
General, European Commission Regional Policy
Directorate General, Danuta Hübner, Regional
Policy Commissioner, Peter Straub, President of
the Committee of the Regions, and Gerardo
Galeote Quecedo, chairman of the European
Parliament Regional Development Committee,
at the Opening Session

7

”It  is  essential  that  the  heads  of  state  or
government  reach  an  agreement  on  the
financial  perspective  in  December  during
the UK Presidency. It should be based on the
European  Commission  proposal,  but  also
agreeable to the European Parliament. 
The Parliament’s proposal for the EU’s future
financing  is  realistic  and  is  detailed  in  the
report  drafted  by  Reimer  Böge.  However,
not just any agreement would be acceptable
to the European Parliament – the agreement
must be based on the principles of solidarity
and  a  step-by-step  approach,  both  for  old
and new Member States.”

Gerardo Galeote Quecedo, chairman
of the European Parliament Regional
Development Committee, at the Closing
Session, 13 October

“We cannot accept any further cuts to the
budget. We have now reached a minimum
below which we cannot go.” 

Michael Schneider, Vice-President of the
European People’s Party group in the CoR
and representative of Saxony-Anhalt to
the federal government, at the CoR
Plenary Session

“We have to do everything we can to get
a budget by the end of the year, otherwise
we  will  have  considerable  difficulties  in
meeting  the  needs  of  our  citizens.  Late
negotiations might have a negative effect
on  the  procedures  for  meeting  the
objectives we have laid down. I expect the
UK  Presidency  to  do  everything  it  can  to
ensure we get an agreement on finance.”

Pavel Bém, Mayor of Prague, Czech
Republic, Vice-President of the CoR, at the
Plenary Session, 12 October

8

“Cutting cohesion policy doesn’t enhance
trust in the EU.” 

Constanze Krehl, Member of the
European Parliament, rapporteur on the
opinion on policy challenges and
budgetary means of the enlarged Union
2007-2013, at the Closing Session

“A  balance  must  be  found  between
cohesion and competitiveness.” 

“It  is  not  possible  to  ask  the  European
Union  to  focus  more  on  areas  where  it
provides  added  value,  but  at  the  same
time  to  cut  its  budget.  As  you  say  in
English, it is not possible to have your cake
and  eat  it.  How  can  we  compete  with
China,  India,  America  if  we  cannot  even
be  clear  about  our  financial  perspective
for the rest of this decade?”

Kent Johannson, President of the
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for
Europe group in the CoR and executive
member of the regional council of Västra
Götalands, Sweden, responding to UK
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott at
the CoR Plenary Session

Alain Rousset, President of Aquitaine,
France, at the CoR Plenary Session

9

“We  understand  and  share  concerns
about the delay in reaching agreement on
the  budget  …  but  it  has  to  be  the  right
deal  –  one  that  equips  the  EU  to  deal
effectively with the challenges of the 21st
century,  one  that  takes  account  of  the
wider  debate  on  the  direction  of  the
Union,  and  one  that  meets  the  needs  of
the new Member States to ensure that EU
enlargement continues to be a success.” 

Alun Michael, UK Minister of State for
Industry and the Regions, at the
Opening Session

“More  than  2,000  participants  from 
over  30  countries  are  here  …  clearly
demonstrating  both  the  great  interest  in
and success of this event. Our institutions
have  embarked  on  an  unprecedented
degree of collaboration.”

Gerardo Galeote Quecedo, chairman
of the European Parliament Regional
Development Committee, at the
Opening Session 

10

“I  think  we  can  all  agree  that  the  main  focus  …  must  be  on  helping  less  wealthy  European  partners  to
improve their economies. And that money must be spent effectively, without undue bureaucracy standing
in the way of national and regional governments delivering jobs and growth for all their people. I know
that early agreement on the EU budget is the key to taking this work forward: that’s why the UK Presidency
will do its best to reach a deal in December.”

“We have put the abatement on the table. We say that is not best way to use European money. We’d sooner
put it into education, investment and training.” 

John Prescott, UK Deputy Prime Minister, at the CoR Plenary Session

Is John Prescott, UK Deputy Prime Minister,
getting an ear-bashing? 
President Straub maintains a diplomatic silence

11

“Without the active work carried out by the
regions  and  cities  throughout  Europe,  we
will  never  reach  the  targets  set  in  Lisbon.
But in order to make it a success, these key
players  need  support  from  the  EU  in  the
form of a well-financed cohesion budget.”

Istvan Serto-Radics, Mayor of Uszaka,
Hungary, and member of the Alliance of
Liberals and Democrats for Europe group,
at the CoR Plenary Session

local  and 

“Any delays to the start of the programming
period as a result of protracted negotiations
lead  to  financial  disruption  and
will 
instability  across 
regional
authorities. The competitiveness for growth
and  employment  pillar  of  the  financial
perspective  cannot  be  the  adjustment
variable  for  negotiations  on  payment
appropriations … my colleagues and I reject
any  notion  that  structural  and  cohesion
funding is renationalised in any manner.” 

Jerzy Zająkała, Mayor of Łubianka,
Poland, speaking for the Union for a
Europe of the Nations-European Alliance
group at the Closing Session

12

“I can really only support the wish expressed
that  we  get  an  agreement  as  soon  as
possible on the financial perspectives.”

Philippe Maystadt, President of the
European Investment Bank, at the
Closing Session 

“I  would  have  concern  at  the  pressure
being  applied  on  the  budget  resources
provided  for  the  ‘Competitiveness  and
Employment’  strand.  There  is  a  real
European  added-value  to  this  strand  and
it  must  be  maintained  and  be  given
sufficient  resources  to  ensure  that  it  is  a
credible measure.”

Seamus Murray, 1st Vice-President of
the Union for a Europe of the Nations-
European Alliance (UEN-EA) group in the
CoR and member of Meath County
Council, Ireland, at the Opening Session

Danuta Hübner,
Regional Policy
Commissioner,
addressing the
Closing Session
in the European
Parliament

“We  are  worried  about  the  uncertainties
regarding  the  adoption  of  the  financial
perspectives.  Working  on  a  year-by-year
basis would lead to limited availability of
funds. We encourage the UK Presidency to
make  serious  efforts  to  ensure  that
pertinent decisions are made.”

Bozena Ronowicz, Mayor of Zielona
Góra in Poland, speaking for the Union
for a Europe of the Nations-European
Alliance group, at the CoR Plenary Session

13

Regions and cities: 
key players of the growth
and jobs agenda in a
modern European economy

The re-launch of the Lisbon Strategy has renewed focus on regions and cities as the engine of growth and
jobs in a modernised European economy. Many participants argued that the strategy had initially largely
failed  to  achieve  its  objectives  because  it  had  not  sufficiently  tapped  into  the  expertise  and  experience
available at the local and regional level. The OPEN DAYS workshops underlined that a top-down, one-size-
fits-all approach was doomed from the start: while there is no single magic formula for unlocking the full
innovative potential of Europe’s regions and cities, the presentations illustrated that they can learn a great
deal from each other through the sharing of ideas, best practice and by combining forces. 

“EU regional policy is not
a  charity  for  the  poor  …
regional  policy  funding  is
helping the endogenous
growth  potential  of
regions. It is supporting
investments  in  human
capital and physical infra-
structure  (transport  and
energy),  telecommuni-
cations  and  information
technology infrastructure,
and  research  and  inno-
vation activities.”

José Manuel Barroso,
President of the
European Commission,
writing in the
Parliament Magazine
‘Going local’ issue

14

“The  Lisbon  Strategy  …  has  shown
clearly  that  governments,  nations
themselves,  cannot  go  it  alone.  They
need  the  sub-national  level,  they  need
the regions and the cities to put political
intentions into practice.”

“Building  a  knowledge-based  society  is  probably  the
best  –  and  maybe  the  only  –  way  to  preserve  the
European social model, without having to make trade-
offs  between  economic  growth,  social  cohesion  and
environmental protection.”

Peter Straub, President of the CoR,
from interview in Parliament Magazine
‘Going local’ issue

Hermann Winkler, Minister of European Affairs,
Saxony, Germany, during a presentation on high-tech
networks, 11 October 

“The participation of the local and regional
authorities is an essential condition for the
success  of  the  Lisbon  Strategy  ...  and  if
Europe  is  going  to  advance  we  need  the
fuel of the Structural Funds.”

Michel Delebarre, President of the
Socialist Group in the CoR, former Minister
of State and Mayor of Dunkerque, France,
at the CoR Plenary Session

“Regions and cities contribute significantly
to  a  more  competitive  and  dynamic
knowledge-based  European  economy.  The
OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and
Cities of 2005 confirms this fact and sends a
clear  message  to  the  other  EU  institutions
and  national  governments:  the  strength
and  potential  of  regions,  cities  and
municipalities must be better exploited.”

Isidoro Gottardo, President of the
European People’s Party Group in the
CoR and member of the regional council
of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, at 
the CoR Plenary Session

15

The Official Info Point in the
Committee of the Regions

“Growth and employment are central day-to-
day concerns for all of us. I am sure that those
attending the Open Days from 10-13 October
will  benefit  greatly  from  exchanging
practical experience. It is essential that there
be  very  close  cooperation  between  elected
representatives  at  local,  regional,  national
and European level.”

Josep Borrell, President of the European
Parliament,
message to the OPEN DAYS

16

and 

living 

standards 

“Our  aim  is  to  become  the  knowledge-
based  technology  centre  of  Europe,  with
rising 
high
employment  …  we  propose,  inter  alia,  to
reduce  the  amount  of  formality  and
bureaucracy involved in the legal decision-
making process insofar as it affects business.
… in the context of European regional and
structural  policy,  we  must  channel  these
resources  into  areas  with  the  highest
leverage  effect  and  make  sure  they  are
used to the full.”

Martin Jahn, Deputy Prime Minister for
Economic Affairs, Czech Republic,
message to the OPEN DAYS 

“The  linkage  between  research  and  enterprises  is
crucial  for  competitiveness  in  Europe  and  in  the
regions. International and interregional thinking and
acting  becomes  more  and  more  important  in  a
globalised  market  economy.  Therefore,  Thuringia  is
working closely with its European partners.” 

Gerold Wucherpfenning, Minister for European
Affairs, Thuringia, Germany, during workshop on
interregional cooperation in the fields of information
technology, opto-electronics and renewable energies

“Going to the USA must no longer be a one-
way road for young scientists from Europe.”

Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Member of the
European Parliament, arguing that Europe
must keep its brightest and best to
encourage research and development (high-
tech networks presentation, 11 October)

17

Presentation map, in the Charlemagne
building, showcasing the 106 OPEN
DAYS partner regions and cities 

“There  are  some  fears  whether  the
European Commission and Ministers have
really  drawn  conclusions  from  the  initial
failure of the Lisbon Strategy and whether
this will lead to solutions.”

“JASPERS  (Joint  Assistance  to  Support  Projects  in  the
European Regions) will help Member States to design
and prepare large projects supported by EU Structural
Funds  and  the  Cohesion  Fund…  JEREMIE  (Joint
European Resources for Micro-to-Medium Enterprises)
will offer the authorities the chance to work with the
European  Investment  Fund  in  order  to  improve
capacity  in  the  field  of  financial  engineering.  The
initiative  will  contribute  to  encouraging  business
development including highly innovative activities, for
the  benefit  of  the  regions  concerned  and  of  the
Union’s economy as a whole.”

Danuta Hübner, Regional Policy Commissioner,
launching two new financial initiatives for cohesion
policy following her meeting with ministers responsible
for regional policy, 11 October

Olek Krzysztof, Institute of Business,
Poland, at the Opening Session

“The  urban  dimension  of  the  cohesion
policy  must  be  considered  a  priority.
Regions  where  the  urban,  the  suburban,
and  the  rural  areas  are 
in  a  well-
developed  symbiotic  relationship  will  be
in a better position to help Europe achieve
its goals for growth and jobs.”

Arpad Molnar, member of Somogy
County Assembly, Hungary, and member
of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats
for Europe group in the CoR, at the
Opening Session

18

“Economic  analysis  should  pay  more  attention  on
the  regional  dimension  of  competitiveness  and
development. Talents, innovation and competitiveness
flourish at local level. It is therefore fundamental to
assess  and  monitor  regional  performances.  This  is
the  path  to  achieve  a  balanced,  fair  and  steady
economic growth.”

Lorenza Badiello, Head of the Emilia-Romagna
(Italy) office in Brussels

“The  Lisbon  Strategy  is  Europe’s  only  hope  to  achieve
growth and jobs across the Union and to deal with the
rising challenge of China and India. It plays directly
to  regional  challenges  of  a  global  competitive
environment  with  jobs  and  growth  as  main  drivers
for  sustained  economic  growth.  However,  without
continuous support and engagement from the Member
States, the Lisbon Strategy is not set to achieve its goals
following the re-launch.”

“The  secret  of  a  successful  region  is  the
effective  use  of  knowledge  and  the
constant  renewing  of  technological
innovation. It is highly important that new
research results are realised in competitive
goods and services.”

Paul Lovejoy, South East England Development
Agency, during the workshop on “Regional
competitiveness and employment – the Lisbon
Strategy as a framework for a successful region”

Mátyás Firtl, Vice-President of the
general assembly of Györ-Moson-Sopron
County, Hungary, during the workshop
on Innovation in the West-
Transdanubian Region

“Just  as  the  principle  of  subsidiarity  has
local
the  goal  of  ensuring  that 
communities still make as many decisions
as  possible  themselves,  so  too  should  we
bear in mind that a vibrant thriving local
economy forms the basic building block of
a successful world economy.”

Keith Brown, President of the Union for
Europe of the Nations-European Alliance
group in the CoR and member of
Clackmannanshire Council, Scotland, at
the CoR Plenary Session

19

Danuta Hübner, Regional Policy Commissioner, and Peter
Straub, CoR President, addressing a briefing for regional
media at the Commission´s Berlaymont headquarters

“The  Forum  for  Economic  and  Industrial
Competitiveness  of  Castilla  y  León  was
created with a view to making the best of
the opportunities and challenges that arise
with  the  enlargement  of  the  EU  and  to
adapt itself to the requirements of an open
and globalised economy. Its mission was to
help  design  a  set  of  strategies  that  could
ensure  the  definitive  diversification  and
modernisation of the entrepreneurial fabric
of our Community and, in doing so, it was
to  take  a  special  interest  in  those  sectors
and  activities  in  which  clear  competitive
advantages could be detected.”

Victor Valverde Gómez, Director General
for Economy and European Affairs of the
Regional Government of Castilla 
y León, Spain

20

“We love legislation.”

“Statistics  state  that  90%  of  all  start-ups
set up inside a business incubator are still
active  three  years  later.    850  European
business  incubators  assist  in  creating
29,000  new  sustainable  jobs  every  year
and the enterprises in which these jobs are
created are much more viable than those
set up outside incubators.”

Neil Kemsley, Merseyside Special
Investment Fund, Liverpool, during the
workshop on “Regional Cooperation of
Enterprises and Universities: Financial
Instruments for SMEs”

Jackie Seddon of Envirolink Northwest,
UK, at the workshop on “Innovative
Environmental Policies and Solutions in the
regions”, arguing in favour of laws that
encourage companies to reduce waste

“The real key to regional competitiveness
is the way regional players are capable of
organising  and  cooperating  among
themselves  in  a  given  territory.  As  an
American friend says, it is about the three
Ts: Technology, Talent and Tolerance.”

“Competitive  centres  in  future  will  need  to  be
carbon-light.”

Mikel Landabaso, deputy head of unit
at the European Commission’s Regional
Policy Directorate General

Roger Read, Secretary-General of METREX, the
Network of European Metropolitan Regions and
Areas, Glasgow, UK

“In  the  Development  Agency  of  the
Region  of  Murcia  (INFO),  we  work  to
provide  integral  SME  support  through
different  resources,  like  the  European
Regional Programme of Innovative Actions
(RPIA). We are convinced that SME growth
creates  the  basis  for  achieving  economic
development  along  with 
increasing
employment. We take this approach to
facilitate 
sustainable  growth  and
substantial job-making. This is definitely
the best social service one can offer.”

Francisco Sardina, General Director,
Regional Development Agency of 
Murcia, Spain

21

22

More than 2,200 guests
attended the official
OPEN DAYS reception
in the Musée du
Cinquantenaire, the
largest single event
ever organised by regions
and cities in Brussels

23

24

Workshops and seminars:
Convergence, 
regional competitiveness, 
territorial cooperation, 
managing the Structural
Funds and instruments

When it came to choosing the topics to be addressed during the OPEN DAYS workshops, the starting point was
how best to explore the details involved in preparing for the next generation of Structural Funds programmes
in 2007-2013. The aim of these sessions was two-fold: to offer practical advice to regions and cities in their
preparations  –  and  also  to  create  a  forum  for  regions  and  cities  to  help  each  other  through  the  sharing  of
experiences, ideas and best practice. 

The 66 seminars and workshops were grouped around four themes. The 15 “convergence” seminars analysed
development  needs  and  preparations  with  a  focus  on  transport  infrastructure,  research  and  technological
development, environmental issues and sustainable development. A total of 23 workshops were dedicated to
“regional competitiveness and employment”, focusing on four priorities: knowledge-based development and
innovation  at  the  regional  level;  sustainable  regional  development;  accessibility  and  transport  infrastructure;
development  for  urban  and  rural  areas.  There  were  13  seminars  on  “European  Territorial  Cooperation”,
highlighting cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, as well as neighbourhood programmes
with  non-EU  countries.  Finally,  15  workshops  looked  at  the  cross-cutting  theme  of  “managing  the  Structural
Funds and instruments”, with the emphasis on programme management and project selection, monitoring and
evaluation, and financial management, control and audit.

Workshop in 
Valencian Office

25

“It  would  be  hard  to  enumerate  the
different initiatives and projects that have
been  beneficiary  of  our  membership  to
the  European  Union.  There  are  so  many,
around  10,000  of  them,  that  probably
there is not one area in life of citizens of
Murcia  that  have  not  been  directly
favoured by European funds.”

Inmaculada García, Regional Minister
of Finance and Economy, Region of
Murcia, Spain

“The best approach is a combination of a bottom-
up  planning  and  evaluation  process,  based  on
social  cost-benefit  analysis,  and  of  a  top  down
programming  exercise,  based  on  appropriate
statistical and policy analysis.” 

“Structural  Funds  have  created  a  new
dynamic  in  Sweden,  by  allowing  a
partnership  between  the  national
government  and  the  regions  that  didn’t
exist before Sweden’s accession to the EU.”

Professor Massimo Florio, University of Milan, during
the workshop on “Planning and Evaluation of
Infrastructure under the 2007-2013 EU Structural Funds”

Jens Nilsson, Mayor of Östersund,
Sweden, and co-rapporteur for the CoR’s
opinion on the general regulation for
Structural Funds

“The  maintenance  of  the  current  EU
support  to  Andalucia  in  the  next  period
2007-2013  will  make  possible 
the
continuity  of  our  advance  in  the  real
convergence  with  the  most  prosperous
regions of Europe. This support will allow
us  to  exceed  the  barrier  of  75%  of  the
GDP per capita of the EU average. This will
be  the  best  indicator  to  show  that  good
use has been made of European funds.”

Antonio Ávila Cano, General Secretary
of Economy, Region of Andalucia, Spain

Peter Wenster,
Swedish
Association of
Local Authorities,
chairing one of the
seminars of the
conglomerate
Green Innovation
in Action

26

27

“Prepare an overall strategy, with clear
priorities,  and  then  worry  about  the
funding  sources.  Involve  the  private
sector. Invest in the process, both creating
the baseline and the support structures.” 

“The  challenges  of  the  Lisbon  and  Gothenburg
agendas,  key-reference  points  of  the  draft  ERDF
Regulation,  and  the  increasing  awareness  of  the
importance  of  creating  a  more  competitive  Europe,
make interregional cooperation a relevant pillar in the
development of future regional policies.”

Neil Robertson, Cornwall Enterprise, 
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, 
during the workshop on “Efficient
programme management for
Convergence regions”

Michel Lamblin, INTERREG IIIC West, Lille, during
the workshop on “Challenges for inter-regional
co-operation”

“Structural Funds’ implementation is primarily about
improving economic development, not the efficiency
of  administration.  The  key  points  are:  absorption  is
fundamental  to  successful  implementation;  it  is  a
constantly  changing  challenge  –  regulatory
environment,  evolution  of  programme,  market
conditions, types of beneficiary, etc; and there is no
such thing as a perfect system.”

The RUP Plus
workshop

Professor John Bachtler, European Policies
Research Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow,
UK, during the workshop “Addressing Absorption
Capacity in the New Member States”

“The  key  to  developing  good  quality
projects  is  to  identify  gaps/priorities  in
strategies, help sponsors and partners devise
deliverable  solutions  to  address  ‘problems’
(eligibility, state aids, match funding), have
a strategy for sharing best practice and have
expert  advisors  on  horizontal  themes.
Key  lessons  include  ensuring  projects
understand  the  importance  of  effective
project management and delivery – not just
development – and to be prepared to take
action against under performance.”

Peter Holmes, Government Office for
East Midlands, UK

“Ensuring  that  the  programme  includes
high-quality  projects,  all  helping  to
ensure  that  financial  and  performance
targets  are  met  in  the  context  of  a  clear
strategic direction that is supported by a
partnership that is committed to meeting
programme objectives.”

Peter Smith, Government Office North
East, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, during the
workshop “Lessons learnt from
programme management”

28

“Preserving  the  textile  and  cultural
heritage in the city of Łódź is one of the
main purposes of its authorities.”

Jacek Zielinski, Director of Partnership
and Funds Department in the City of
Łódź, Poland, during his presentation on
the revitalisation of the White Factory of
L. Geyer in Łódź

CoR member Anders Gustav,
Mayor of Solna, Sweden,
taking part in the workhop
on "New spaces for
cooperation within the
framework of the future
European Regional Policy"

"The  Commission  is  working  to  raise  the
importance of the urban issues. There are
still  a  lot  of  opportunities  and  the
negotiations  are  open  on  this.  The  cities
have to do even better than they do now.” 

Rudolf Niessler, of the Commission’s
Regional Policy DG, speaking at the
seminar on "Sustainable development
and competitiveness in the European
Union’s urban areas"

29

A successful partnership:
communication, impact 
and next steps

The 2005 European Week of Regions and Cities has not only been the biggest ever event focused on EU
regional policy, it has been a powerful platform for political debate and capacity-building. The event
has been the catalyst for numerous new activities, projects and networking between the regions and
cities involved, individual participants and the EU institutions. 

The  inclusive  concept  of  the  event,  based  on  a  wide  partnership,  openness  and  transparency,  is 
the key of its success. Its scope may well be increased in future with more partners, from the business and

Margot Wallström,
Vice-President of the
European Commission,
addressing Circom regional
TV editors at the Committee
of the Regions 

30

banking  sector  for  instance,  and  it  is  likely  to  form  the  basis  for  parallel  conferences,  debates  and
seminars, not only in Brussels but in the regions and cities themselves.

The event was also a communication success, generating coverage on regional television, in the regional print
media and on both national and regional news websites. The importance of the regional media as a channel
for communication was underlined by Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström during OPEN DAYS in a
presentation  to  editors-in-chief  from  the  Circom  association  of  European  regional  public  television  stations,
who were partners for the event. 

“We  need  to  ‘go  local’  and  work  with  the  regional  media  …  if  we  are  to  bridge  the  local  and  regional
knowledge gap about Europe.”

Margot Wallström, Commission Vice-President, addressing editors-in-chief from the Circom association of
European regional public television stations at the Committee of the Regions, 11 October

“The  OPEN  DAYS  are  the  most  successful
event in the past three years in fostering
European integration.”

Karl-Heinz Klär, vice-president of the
Party of European Socialists group in the
CoR and Secretary of State for European
and Federal Affairs of Rheinland-Pfalz, at
the CoR Plenary Session

31

Scenes from
workshops during
the European 
Week of Regions
and Cities

“You should not ask yourself what you can
gain from EU, but what you can contribute
to the Union.”

Christer Nilsson, Board Member, 
Mid-Sweden Office, during the workshop
on “Innovative Environmental Policies and
Solutions in the regions” 

32

“For the first time (at OPEN DAYS) we had
such a strong presence of regional media
… they are the ones who open our door
to European citizens.”

Danuta Hübner, Regional Policy
Commissioner, at the Closing Session

“We applaud the Committee of the Regions and the
European Commission for organising the OPEN DAYS
European  Week  of  Regions  and  Cities  because  this
initiative  is  all  about  harnessing  the  potential  of  our
regions,  cities  and  towns  to  deliver  more  and  better
jobs,  as  well  as  stronger  and  sustainable  growth,
throughout our communities.” 

John Prescott, UK Deputy Prime Minister, message
to the OPEN DAYS 

“In  these  four  days  of  Open  Days  …
together, in partnership we have started
the  ball  rolling,  we  have  lit  the  fire.
Cohesion policy is more alive than ever, but
we now need to feed these little flames.”

Sir Albert Bore, CoR First Vice-President,
at the Closing Session 

33

Thank you 
to our partners

The OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and Cities could not succeed without the indispensable support of the offices of
the regions and cities, which hosted the majority of the workshops. They are the key actors at the heart of the event. This
year, 106 offices of regions and cities were involved (up from 70 in 2004 and 10 in the inaugural OPEN DAYS in 2003). They
were divided into 16 conglomerates, almost all of which included representatives from a new Member State:

5 Seas 1 Future

Stockholm Region (SE), Diputació de Barcelona (ES)), Bretagne - Pays de la Loire -
Poitou-Charentes (FR), Riga City and Region (LV), Veneto (IT), Wales (UK) 

Baltic Sea Group

West Sweden (SE), Copenhagen (DK), Hamburg (DE), Helsinki (FI), Mecklenburg-
Vorpommern (DE), Oslo Region (NO), Schleswig-Holstein (DE), Tallinn (EE), West
Pomerania (PL)

Capital Cities/Regions

London (UK), Berlin (DE), Brandenburg (DE), Brussels-Capital Region (BE), Ile de
France (FR), Madrid (ES), Prague (CZ)

From Convergence to Competitiveness

Murcia (ES), Andalucia (ES), Balearic Islands (ES), Cantabria (ES), Castilla y León (ES), 
La Rioja (ES), Lodz Region (PL), Lubelskie Region (PL) 

Green Innovation in Action

Mid Sweden (SE), Fyn (DK), Mid-Norway (NO), Northwest of England & Lancashire (UK),
Pomorskie (PL), Western Greece (GR)

Knowledge Regions

East  Midlands  (UK),  East  Netherlands  (NL),  Romanian  County  Councils  (RO),
Swietokrzyskie (PL), Teleorman (RO), West Finland (FI)

METREX and Lisbon Regions

Stuttgart Region (DE), Bratislava Region (SK), Budapest (HU), Emilia-Romagna (IT),
Regio Randstad (NL), West Midlands (UK)

34

Natural Effect Regions for Competitiveness and Innovation

Valencian  Region  (ES),  Irish  Regions  (IE),  South  Aegean  Region  (GR),  Presov 
Region (SK), Sterea Ellada (GR), Yorkshire & Humber (UK)

Networking for Lisbon

Saxony (DE), Thuringia (DE), Carinthia (AT), Kaunas Region (LT), Lower Silesia (PL),
Saxon  Local  Authorities  (DE),  South  Finland  (FI),  Vilnius  Region  (LT),  West
Norway (NO)

Partners on Innovation

Niedersachsen  (DE),  Haute-Normandie  (FR),  Kaunas  City  (LT),  Noord-Nederland  -
Drenthe, Fryslân, Groningen (NL), Wielkopolska (PL) 

Pirineoak-Pirineus-Pirineos-Pyrénées

Basque Country (ES), Andorra (AD), Aquitaine (FR), Aragon (ES), Catalonia (ES),
Kujawsko-Pomorskie (PL), Midi-Pyrénées (ES), Navarra (ES) 

Regions for Change

Provence-Alpes - Côte d’Azur (FR), Liguria (IT), Trenčín Region (SK), Unioncamere
Piemonte (IT), Valle d'Aosta (IT), Zlín Region (CZ) 

Regions for New Development Horizons

CzechInvest (CZ), Alsace (FR), Asturias (ES), Olomouc Region (CZ), Pilsen Region (CZ),
Silesia (PL), Ústí Region (CZ)

Regions of Rond Point Schuman

Central  Italy  Regions  -  Lazio,  Marche,  Toscana,  Umbria  (IT),  Scotland  (UK),
Malopolska (PL)

RUP Plus

Canary Islands (ES), Azores (PT), Guadeloupe (FR), French Guiana (FR), Madeira (PT),
Martinique (FR), Reunion (FR)

The Gate of the East

Friuli Venezia Giulia (IT), Piemonte (IT), Styria (AT), Slovenian Development Regions (SI),
Istarska (HR), Gyór-Moson-Sopron County (HU)

35

Pictures: Juha Roininen, Erik Luntang, Horst Wagner (EUP & Images)

OPEN DAYS European Week of Regions and Cities

Published November 2005

Produced by the Communication, Press, Information and Events Unit
Committee of the Regions
Rue Belliard 101
1040 Brussels
Tel: +32 /2 282 21 55 - Fax. +32 /2 282 20 85

European Commission Regional Policy Directorate General http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/

Committee of the Regions http://www.cor.eu.int

OPENOPEN
DAYSDAYS

09 –12

2006

Investing in Europe’s 
Regions and Cities

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DG Regional Policy

European Week of 
Regions and Cities

A political vision for 2007-2013

European Week of Regions and Cities

OPENOPEN
DAYSDAYS

Brussels

10 – 13 October 2005

organised jointly by

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DG Regional Policy

with the cooperation of the 
European Parliament’s Regional
Development Committee

EUROPEAN UNION

Committee of the Regions

Communication, Press,
Information and Events Unit

rue Belliard 101
BE-1040 Brussels

Tél: + 32 (0)2/282 21 55
Fax: + 32 (0)2/282 20 85

E-mail: opendays@cor.eu.int
www.cor.eu.int

Catalogue N°: QG-02-23-002-EN-N
ISBN: 978-92-895-1285-5
doi:10.2863/154205