On 18-19 March, the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities took place in Mons, gathering hundreds of local and regional elected representatives and top European and global decision-makers. The event coincided this year with the 30th anniversary of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and was organised by the CoR together with the Walloon Region and the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

With 23 years dedicated to fostering regional and local dimensions in the European R&I policy and programmes under ERRIN’s belt, it was a pleasure to join the summit and celebrate CoR’s anniversary as our long-standing partner in dialogue. In line with ERRIN's work around the future R&I and cohesion policies and as a partner of the #CohesionAlliance, ERRIN was closely following the discussions on the renewed cohesion policy, its role for just transition and the potential of regional and local solutions for tackling global challenges.

Among the main points raised was the importance of the place-based approach, engaging all ecosystem stakeholders, as well as supporting less developed and stagnating regions, underlining the role of cohesion policy as not a transfer but a development policy, as a glue that keeps Europe together. Looking forward, the need to focus on people was reiterated, both when it comes to addressing the challenges they face with the ongoing transitions, and convincing them about the rationale of the actions. Simplification, partnership principle and multi-level governance were some of the other issues addressed.

In addition, ERRIN was actively engaged in the debates around fostering digital innovation ecosystems at the regional level, linking to ERRIN’s involvement in the Living-in.EU initiative and Go.Li-EU project. As such, with a dedicated stand, Mons was an opportunity to present and promote a multi-level governance approach in fostering digital transformation.

Moreover, during a dedicated session, several speakers highlighted the importance of bridging the digital divide between territories in Europe but also within specific territories. Many more topics were addressed, including cooperation on cybersecurity and developing digital skills in Europe, priorities addressed by one of ERRIN's ICT Working Group meetings in 2023.

Taking a glance at cooperation between ERRIN and CoR, just over the last year, ERRIN contributed to stakeholder consultations to two CoR opinions on the future of cohesion policy post-2027 and on the path towards integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition, further speaking on the topic at the public CoR SEDEC commission conference in Ancona on 23 February. Alongside CoR, ERRIN has also been advocating for initiatives like the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) where over 45 ERRIN members took part in the first pilot, Regional Innovation Valleys which raised particularly wide member interest, or ERA Hubs within the ERA Forum – a concept currently tested and piloted by two European projects led by ERRIN members. CoR members have also been invited as speakers to various ERRIN events, with informal dialogue continuing in parallel.