The 21st edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities took place from 9 to 12 October 2023 in Brussels.
At this annual event, cities and regions showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.
The event organisers are the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the European Committee of the Regions.
The European Research Council brings pioneering science to the programme by organising three sessions on 10 and 11 October as part of this year’s edition. ERC-funded scientists take part, as does ERC President Maria Leptin.
Workshop “Thriving regions through science: how innovative research centres can retain talent and drive growth”
10 Oct 2023, 16:30 CET
SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre, Room 213-215
Summary:
Synergies between various kinds of EU funds can strengthen the regional research landscape, foster innovation, and attract and retain top scientists in countries which are performing less well under the EU Framework Programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe.
In this workshop organised by the ERC, politicians, scientists, and experts will discuss how research can contribute to regional growth and social cohesion.
Examples of research centres in Czechia and Portugal will show how building bridges across different EU funding programmes can benefit regional development.
Moderator
- Professor Maria Leptin, ERC President
Speakers
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João Claro, Vice-Chairman and CEO of INESC TEC, Portugal
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Maria da Graça Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament
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David Uhlíř, Chief Strategy Officer at South Moravian Innovation Centre, Czechia
Learn more at the event’s website
EU Regions Talks
10 Oct 2023, 15:30 - 15:45 CET | Imagine climate change adaptation in urban areas
SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre, Agora 2
The impacts of climate change, such as extreme temperatures and rising sea levels, are happening across the world, including in Europe's regions and cities. Local communities and governments are taking action to increase their resilience to these changes. However, there is a lack of evaluation of such efforts.
ERC Grantee Dr Marta Olazabal is advancing pioneering science for the evaluation of urban adaptation to climate change and its impact on policymaking. In this talk, she will speak about her ERC-funded project “IMAGINE climate change adaptation” and how it can contribute to a broader understanding of how well cities are adapting to climate change.
Learn more at the event’s website
11 Oct 2023, 09:30 - 09:45 CET | URBISPHERE: New dynamics and risks between cities and climate
SQUARE Brussels Meeting Centre, Agora 2
Climate change and urbanisation are transforming life globally. The ERC-funded project "Urbisphere" examines coupling processes between climate and cities. The team is exploring how urbanisation, human behaviour and technology changes in cities will impact climate change and how climate change will influence urban populations and their adaptive capacity.
Professor Jörn Birkmann will talk us through his latest findings and share new insights into associated risks now and in the future.
Other information
