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European Week of Regions and Cities

The EURegionsWeek close to you

Bringing Europe to Your Community! 

The EURegionsWeek close to you programme is a series of events that are connected to the European Week of Regions and Cities by theme. Close to you sessions start on the same date as the #EURegionsWeek programme in Brussels, 12 October, but continue until 20 December 2026. These sessions will bring the #EURegionsWeek close to communities all over Europe and beyond, while strengthening engagement, cooperation and dialogue throughout the programme period.

This enhanced edition introduces new formats, stronger thematic alignment, increased visibility, and expanded participation, including partners from EU candidate and potential candidate countries.

Why apply?

Visibility - your event will be publicised on the #EURegionsWeek website, social media and communication channels.

Branding - gain access to a unified visual identity toolkit and official templates.

Engagement - Connect with the #EURegionsWeek community and align your event with a major European initiative.

Startegic relevance – position your event within a strengthened and structured EURegionsWeek programme.

Support - Benefit from the outreach of Europe Direct Information Centres (EDICs) and European Parliament Liaison Offices (EPIOs). 

Timeline

  1. End of March
    Applications open
  2. 17 July
    Applications deadline
  3. Early September
    Feedback to selected partners and programme published online
  4. End of January 2027
    Final reporting deadline

Who can apply? 

#EURegionsWeek eligible applicants must be from/or have an established residence in: 

  • an EU Member State  
  • a country contributing to/participating in an EU programme 

How to apply?

  • Create a new application for the EURegionsWeek close to you (see the Event Guide for details)
  • Submit your application by 17 July

Motto

Motto: Strong regions, strong Europe

Building strong regions lies at the heart of cohesion policy: the European Union supports regions so that Europeans can thrive where they live, businesses and new ideas can flourish, and communities can benefit from quality services. 

Yet regions across the Union face very different realities: from common geopolitical pressures to specific territorial challenges, from demographic change to economic developments, from skills shortages to the need to strengthen essential services.

As challenges differ, so too must solutions: they should be place-based and tailored to local and regional needs. This year’s European Week of Regions and Cities will be an important opportunity to exchange ideas, grow partnerships and share experience on how cohesion policy can help every region succeed. Because when our regions are strong, Europe is strong.

Event format 

  • onsite, hybrid or fully digital format

  • panels must be gender balanced and reflect the diversity of the local community

  • engaging and participatory 

Suggested formats:

"Local dialogue" format:  

  • a participatory event where speakers and participants interact each other in a lively and open debate (small group exchanges, discussions, questions and answers sessions) 

  • all members of the wider community engaged in the debate, especially those whose voices are traditionally under-represented in democratic processes 

  • at least half of the event dedicated to exchanges with the audience 

  • panel of speakers (we recommend no more than 4) must be gender balanced, and reflect the diversity of the local community 

  • Local organisers can create events, which will truly help people at local and regional levels to contribute to shape a strong Europe! 

“Info sessions” followed by Q&A) 

  • presenting and discussing the new Multi Annual Financial Framework, EU cohesion policy and recovery plans

  • short and dynamic scenario where few speakers (we recommend up to 3 speakers) have a short presentation, followed by an open questions debate with participants.

“Cross‑border dialogues”

  • Joint events co-designed and co-organised by partners from at least two EU Member States, ideally border regions or interregional groupings such as Euroregions or EGTCs

  • Foster dialogue among citizens and stakeholders from neighbouring countries

  • Address shared challenges

  • Demonstrate the practical added value of EU territorial cooperation

  • Strengthen cross‑border understanding, cohesion, and visibility

We recommend to involve Members of the European Committee of the Regions, Members of the European Parliament, participants of the Young Elected Politicians and/or  and EU Local Councillors networks in your debate. Please contact us if you need support in involving any of these profiles.

By participating in the #EURegionsWeek, organisers commit to respecting the principles of gender balance, greening and data protection of participants in the event.  

Responsibilities of organisers

Overall organisation – applicants are entirely responsible for the content, planning and execution of the event. The #EURegionsWeek organisers are not responsible for any organisational, logistical or content-related aspects of these events.

Promotion – get features on the #EURegionsWeek website. Nevertheless, we recommend that organisers promote their event to the local community. By using the hashtag #EURegionsWeek, a large audience will also be attracted to any social media posts. 

Feedback – partners agree to give feedback on the scope and content of their event to the #EURegionsWeek organisers via the official report form on the EURegionsWeek platform within one week of the date of their event.

Ready to bring the EURegionsWeek to your community? Apply now and participate in shaping a strong Europe! 

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