The European Union's outermost regions (ORs) qualify for special treatment owing to structural difficulties – such as remoteness, difficult topography and economic dependence on a few products – that can severely hamper their development. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has hit their economies particularly hard. While these regions are quite different from one another, they have levels of unemployment and GDP significantly worse than EU and national averages. Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides for specific measures to support the ORs, including the tailored application of EU law and access to EU programmes.

EPRS policy podcast - Outermost regions of the EU

Culture plays a fundamental role in human life. It is also an essential source of identity, at local, regional, national and European levels, while making a significant contribution to the EU economy. EU cultural policy relates to cultural heritage, but also to the cultural and creative sector. The EU supports culture through a variety of initiatives, including the European Capitals of Culture scheme. A number of EU programmes also offer funding for cultural projects, for instance the Creative Europe programme, Horizon Europe and New European Bauhaus. As one of the sectors of the economy worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU included culture in its coronavirus response investment initiatives and the REACT-EU programme aimed at dealing with the consequences of the pandemic. The European Parliament has called for increased support for culture as part of the post-pandemic recovery efforts.

EPRS policy podcast - Culture and regional development

The EU has contributed to creating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established in 2015, as part of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and takes action to implement them through its internal and external policies, as outlined in the 'Towards a Sustainable Europe by 2030' reflection paper, the European Green Deal, the European Commission's political priorities and its work programme. The Sustainable Development Goals also have a regional dimension, sometimes called 'localisation'. Achieving around 65 % of the targets is estimated to require local and regional authority participation. Numerous regions and cities, including in the EU, have expressed support for the SDGs and many have integrated them in their policy frameworks.

EPRS podcast - Policy: Sustainable Development Goals in EU regions

Produceert u voedingsmiddelen die kenmerkend zijn voor uw regio of volgens een bepaalde traditie worden gemaakt? Dan beschermt de Europese Unie uw expertise en wel als volgt.

Dit doet Europa voor producenten van regionale en traditionele producten

Ben jij een fijnproever en houd je van traditionele en regionale specialiteiten? Dan heb je misschien al eens producten met bepaalde logo's gezien zoals "beschermde oorsprongsbenaming". Voorbeelden hiervan zijn Noord-Hollandse Goudse en Edammer kaas. Deze logo's geven aan dat de Unie de namen en unieke kwaliteiten van de producten beschermt.

Dit doet Europa voor mensen die regionale en traditionele producten kopen

Als ambtenaar bij een lokale of regionale overheid speel je een belangrijke rol voor de EU en haar beleid. De EU probeert je op verschillende manieren te helpen.

Dit doet Europa voor ambtenaren bij lokale en regionale overheden

Woont u in een perifere of minder goed bediende regio? Dan wilt u misschien wel weten hoe de EU ervoor zorgt dat regio's zoals de uwe ook per vliegtuig te bereiken zijn.

Dit doet Europa voor luchtreizigers van en naar perifere en minder goed bediende regio's

Het is er prachtig leven, maar in berggebieden is de toegang tot voorzieningen en diensten soms beperkt. Woon jij in zo'n berggebied? Hierbij drie voorbeelden van wat Europa voor jou doet.

Dit doet Europa voor mensen in berggebieden

Woont u dicht bij een binnengrens van de EU? Zo zijn er nog 150 miljoen. De Unie werkt aan maatregelen zodat u probleemloos de grens kunt oversteken. Hierbij drie voorbeelden.

Dit doet Europa voor mensen die in grensgebieden wonen

Flooding, heatwaves and droughts are the most common natural disasters in the EU, but millions of people also live in areas at risk of earthquakes or near active volcanos. So it’s good to know that when disaster strikes, the EU is there to help.

This is what Europe does for residents in disaster stricken regions

Niet alle Europeanen wonen op het vasteland of zelfs maar in de buurt. Misschien ben jij wel een van de geluksvogels die in de Franse overzeese gebieden, op Madeira, de Azoren of de Canarische Eilanden woont? Hoe mooi het leven op deze plekken ook mag lijken, toch valt niet te onderschatten hoe moeilijk het er soms kan zijn. De EU biedt een helpende hand bij een aantal specifieke problemen.

Dit doet Europa voor EU-burgers in ultraperifere gebieden

Az Unióban az áradások, a hőhullámok és az aszályok a leggyakoribb természeti katasztrófák, de sok millió ember él földrengés kockázatának kitett területeken vagy aktív tűzhányók közelében. Ezért jó tudni, hogy katasztrófa esetén az Unió segítséget nyújt.

Ezt teszi Európa a katasztrófa sújtotta régiók lakóiért

Wil je een nieuw bedrijf starten, of heb je misschien al een eigen bedrijf? Overweeg je geld te lenen van een financiële instelling? Je kunt EU-subsidies aanvragen. Als eigenaar van een bedrijf of als financieel bemiddelaar heb je twee voordelen:

Dit doet Europa voor lokale en regionale aanbieders van bankdiensten

<p>The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.</p>

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Catanzaro (Italy) - Attendance to a simulation of the Emergency System 112 with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Catanzaro (Italy) - Visit to the Control Room of Operation Zero Tolerance with Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria

REGI committee meeting

AFET - Hearing on the EU sanctions regime - implementation, expansion, efficiency and deterring impact including the presentation of a study on the 'Implementation and monitoring of EU sanctions regimes'

EP Plenary session - Strengthening the right to participate: legitimacy and resilience of electoral processes in illiberal political systems and authoritarian regimes

Exhibition of War-damaged Ukrainian ambulance from the Kharkiv region”, at Station Europe.

REGI Interparliamentary Committee Meeting - The Future of Cohesion Policy post 2027: Opportunities, Challenges and Next Steps

AGRI public hearing with the Committee of the Regions: Territorial implementation of the CAP

REGI - Exchange of views with Marko Pavić, Chairperson of the Croatian Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development and EU Funds

AFET - Exchange of views on the terrorist attack against Israel, the response and the consequences in the region

REGI -  Presentation of the Spanish Presidency of the Council programme

REGI Committee

REGI - Votes on Amending the proposed mechanism to resolve legal and administrative obstacles in a cross-border context

REGI Committee - Presentation of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) with Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

REGI Committee - Presentation of the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework.(MFF) 2021-2027 with Stéphanie Riso, Director-General, DG Budget

REGI mission to Marseille, France

REGI - Exchange of views with Laura Kövesi, European Chief Prosecutor, on frauds linked to ESI funds and on the cooperation with EU institutions

Committee on Regional Development

REGI

Hervatting van de zitting

Opening van de vergadering

Verklaringen van de Voorzitter

Goedkeuring van de notulen van de vorige vergaderingen

Samenstelling Parlement

Samenstelling commissies en delegaties

Voorstel voor een besluit van de Unie: zie notulen

Onderhandelingen voorafgaand aan de eerste lezing van het Parlement (artikel 71 van het Reglement)(opvolging)

Onderhandelingen voorafgaand aan de eerste lezing van het Parlement (artikel 71 van het Reglement)

Ondertekening van volgens de gewone wetgevingsprocedure vastgestelde handelingen (artikel 79 van het Reglement)

Regeling van de werkzaamheden

Hervatting van de vergadering

“Kinderen eerst”: versterking van de kindergarantie, twee jaar na de goedkeuring ervan - Ongelijkheid verminderen en sociale integratie bevorderen in tijden van crisis voor kinderen en de gezinnen waarin zij leven

VN-klimaatconferentie 2023 in Dubai, Verenigde Arabische Emiraten (COP28) (debat)

Kader van maatregelen ter versterking van het Europese ecosysteem voor de productie van nettonultechnologieproducten (verordening voor een nettonulindustrie) (debat)

Gemeenschappelijke regels ter bevordering van de reparatie van goederen

Vaststelling van een certificeringskader van de Unie voor koolstofverwijderingen

De tenuitvoerlegging van de verordening tot vaststelling van maatregelen voor het herstel van het bestand van Europese aal (korte presentatie)

Redevoeringen van één minuut over kwesties van politiek belang

Agenda van de volgende vergadering

Goedkeuring van de notulen van deze vergadering

Sluiting van de vergadering

Plenary session

Committee on Regional Development - Interparliamentary committee meeting

Goedkeuring van de notulen van de vorige vergadering

Samenstelling van de politieke organen van het Parlement

Rectificaties (artikel 241 van het Reglement)

Mededeling van de Voorzitter - Sacharovprijs

Oprichting van de faciliteit voor Oekraïne (debat)

Oprichting van het platform voor strategische technologieën voor Europa (“STEP”) (debat)

Visserijcontroles (debat)

De gevolgen van Chinese visserijactiviteiten voor de visserijsector van de EU en de te volgen koers (korte presentatie)

Spreektijd van één minuut over kwesties van politiek belang

Staat van de Unie (debat)

Plechtige vergadering - Toespraak door Svetlana Tichanovskaja

Onderhandelingen voorafgaand aan de eerste lezing van het Parlement (artikel 71 van het Reglement) (volgende stappen)

Stemmingen

Herziening van de beschermingsstatus van de wolf en andere grote carnivoren in de EU (actualiteitendebat)

Presentatie door de Raad van zijn standpunt over het ontwerp van algemene begroting – begrotingsjaar 2024 (debat)

Kader om een veilige en duurzame voorziening van kritieke grondstoffen te waarborgen (debat)

De opening van onderhandelingen over een overeenkomst met de Verenigde Staten van Amerika betreffende de versterking van de internationale toeleveringsketens van kritieke mineralen (debat)

Wijziging van het voorgestelde mechanisme om juridische en administratieve belemmeringen in een grensoverschrijdende context uit de weg te ruimen (debat)

Steunpakket voor kmo's (debat)

Guatemala: de situatie na de verkiezingen, de rechtsstaat en onafhankelijkheid van de rechterlijke macht (debat)

De zaak van dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, gevangene in Azerbeidzjan (debat)

De mensenrechtensituatie in Bangladesh, met name de zaak van Odhikar (debat)

De regulering van prostitutie in de EU: grensoverschrijdende implicaties en de gevolgen voor gendergelijkheid en vrouwenrechten (debat)

De toekomst van de Europese boekensector (debat)

Stemverklaringen

Onderzoek geloofsbrieven

Verzoek tot opheffing van de immuniteit

Rectificatie (artikel 241 van het Reglement)

Voorstellen voor Uniehandelingen

Mededeling

Richtlijn industriële emissies - Portaal voor industriële emissies - De uitrol van infrastructuur voor alternatieve brandstoffen - Duurzame brandstoffen voor de zeevaart (initiatief FuelEU Zeevaart) - Energie-efficiëntie (herschikking) (gezamenlijk debat - Fit for 55 en industriële emissies)

Bescherming van journalisten en mensenrechtenverdedigers tegen kennelijk ongegronde of onrechtmatige gerechtelijke procedures (debat)

Europees burgerinitiatief Voor cosmetica zonder dierenleed - maak Europa dierproefvrij (debat)

Beheers-, instandhoudings- en controlemaatregelen in het gebied dat onder de Visserijovereenkomst voor de Zuid-Indische Oceaan (Siofa) valt (debat)

Bescherming van werknemers tegen extreme hitte of andere extreme weerverschijnselen als gevolg van de klimaatcrisis (debat)

Tenuitvoerlegging van de overbruggingsclausules in de EU-Verdragen (korte presentatie)

Bankenunie - jaarverslag 2022 (korte presentatie)

Bevorderen en aanpassen van beroepsopleiding als instrument voor het succes van werknemers en als bouwsteen voor de EU-economie in de nieuwe industrie 4.0 (korte presentatie)

Agenda voor de volgende vergadering

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, attends a simulation of the Emergency System 112 and gives a statement to the press with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Matteo PIANTEDOSI, Italian Minister for the Interior and Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria, during her official visit to Catanzaro (Italy). This news item shows extracts from the attendance of the European President to the Emergency System 112 and from the meeting with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Catanzaro (Italy): visit to a simulation of the Emergency System 112; and meeting with Antonio TAJANI, Italian Deputy Prime Minister, and Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, pays a visit to Catanzaro (Italy). The footage shows her visit to the Control Room of "Operation Zero Tolerance" at Calabria Region headquarters, a project that has been launched to fight against environmental crimes. Metsola also has a roundtable meeting and a press statement with Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Catanzaro (Italy): extracts from the visit to the Control Room of "Operation Zero Tolerance", and extracts from the statement to the press with Roberto OCCHIUTO, President of the Region of Calabria

An ambulance from Kharkiv region, damaged by bullets and shrapnel, has gone on display in front of the Station Europe of the European Parliament in Brussels. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the opening of the exhibition with Iryna YEFREMOVA, Deputy Head of the Mission and other members of the Ukrainian civil society. This footage shows the extracts of the opening of the exhibition.

Exhibition of "War-damaged Ukrainian ambulance from the Kharkiv region”, at Station Europe: extracts from the opening with Roberta METSOLA, EP President

This infoclip shows The Malta Life Sciences Park (MLSP). It offers 13 5002 square meters of space, including state-of-the-art laboratories, offices, seminar and meeting rooms and a range of shared facilities, all adjacent to some of the country’s leading hospitals and universities. Here, nearly 30 companies of all sizes have access to experienced and professional business and financial advice, as well as assistance for taking their products and services to the global market. Over 25 pharma and medical device companies use the centre to successfully build their product portfolios. Total investment for the project “BioMalta – Setting up a Life Sciences Centre” is EUR 18 000 000 with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 15 300 000 through the “Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period.

Infoclip: Malta Life Sciences Park - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Msida (Malta)

This Infoclip show the St. Thomas Tower in Malta. The project consists of the restoration of two historical coastal forts situated along the South Eastern coast of Malta which will be restored to their former glory for the enjoyment of cultural enthusiasts. The scope of the project, which also consists of the conversion of St. Thomas Tower into a Piracy Museum which will exhibit the piracy era in the Mediterranean, is to restore and conserve these cultural assets with the scope of enhancing the cultural tourism portfolio which Malta has to offer to visiting tourists.

Infoclip: St. Thomas Tower - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Wied il-Ghajn (Malta)

This infoclip shows the Malta’s Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre. It offers advanced diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Opened in 2013, it has tripled the number of beds available for cancer patients on the island. The Centre is part of the new acute general hospital in Msida, close to the island's capital Valletta. It aims to treat 60 % of all Malta's cancer patients and is in keeping with Malta's National Cancer Plan that aims to reduce waiting times for patients and provide better therapeutic practice. Total investment for the project “Mater Dei Hospital Oncology Centre” is EUR 48 802 700, of which the EU’s European Regional Development Fund is contributing EUR 41 482 300 from the Operational Programme “Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life” for the 2007 to 2013 programming period.

Infoclip: Sir Antony Mamo Oncology centre - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Msida (Malta)

After the terrorist attack against Israel by Hamas on 8th October, MEPs discuss and condemn this act of terrorism and hatred during an extraordinary AFET committee meeting. Extracts of the arrival and the exchange of views on the terrorist attack against Israel and the consequences in the region. David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), gives a statement after the meeting, reaffirming the EU support to Israel.

Exchange of views on the terrorist attack against Israel, the response and the consequences in the region: arrivals and statement by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of AFET

MEPs debate on the Fit for 55 package. The new law on new energy saving targets requires an 11.7% reduction in primary and final energy consumption by 2030 (relative to 2020 projections). Every year until 2030, 1.5% of energy savings must be made, starting at 1.3% until 2025 and increasing to 1.9% by the end of 2030. Opening statements by Alexandr VONDRA - ENVI Committee; Bas EICKHOUT - ENVI Committee; Michael BLOSS - ITRE Committee; Tom BERENDSEN - TRAN Committee; Niklas NIENASS - REGI Committee; Alice KUHNKE - FEMM Committee; Sara SKYTTEDAL - ITRE Committee. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint debate - Fit for 55: Opening statements by the Alexandr VONDRA - ENVI; Bas EICKHOUT- ENVI; Michael BLOSS - ITRE; Tom BERENDSEN - TRAN; Niklas NIENASS - REGI; Alice KUHNKE - FEMM; Sara SKYTTEDAL - ITRE

EP Budgetary Control committee (CONT) visit Budapest in order to look into the ongoing issues with the protection of EU budget. The Members of the Fact-finding mission meet with Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and János BÓKA, State Secretary for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Justice.

Fact-finding mission of the Budgetary Control Committee (CONT) to Budapest (Hungary): Meeting with Tibor Navracsics, Minister for Regional Development and János BÓKA, State Secretary for European Union Affairs of the Ministry of Justice

This infoclip illustrates the extension of tramway T2 connecting the Florence's city centre (Piazza dell'Unità) with Peretola Airport of Florence. The project consists of a line of 5 km and 483 metres, a total coverage of 12 stops. It has been realised also thanks to the contribution of the Cohesion Policy, born from the synergies between local authorities, the state and the European Union, in which the EU invested € 26 million through the European Regional Development Fund.

Infoclip: Extension of tramway - European Regional Development Fund - Florence (Italy)

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. The funding for the period 2014-2020 allowed investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens. The specific investment allocated to the Milan's Municipality is of 4 million euros creates a cycling axis that crosses the city from the centre northward, from City Hall 1 to City Hall 8, attractive and safe. This infoclip shows the Eurovelo 5 cycling itinerary in the area of Milan (Italy). In particular, the footage illustrates the construction works of the bicycle line next at Naviglio Pavese, Duomo Sempione, Molino Dorino, and Percorso Nord.

Infoclip: Construction of Eurovelo 5 cycling itinerary - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Milan (Italy)

This infoclip illustrates the extension of tramway line no. 41 in Bucharest (Romania), thanks to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Twelve new, 36 m long, modern trams were purchased, leading to lowering the travel times for commuters, raising the average speed of local public transport during rush hours and transferring a part of private car transport to the public transport sector. The total amount awarded to Romania through ERDF was 363.97 million euros, out of which 25.3 million were used for the acquisition of the trams.

Infoclip: Extension of tramway - European Regional Development Fund - Bucharest (Romania)

Ahead of each new rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (every 6 months), the ministers of the holding country present their priorities in a series of meetings with parliamentary committees related to their political area. On January 2023, the committees of FEMM (Women’s Rights and Gender Equality), REGI (Regional Development) and DEVE (Development) welcomed the Sweden's ministers, including Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Gender Equality and Deputy Minister for Employment, Peter Kullgren, Minister for Rural Affairs, Johan Forssel, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.

Presentation of the EU Council's priorities by Swedish Ministers: extracts from the EP Committee meetings (FEMM - REGI - DEVE)

This infoclip illustrates the Yellow Ribbon movement accross Kherson region. Likewise, the infoclip shows how the people are facing the Russian invasion through electric generators, charging their phones, feeding themselves and taking water from the water tanks. Each year, the European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to honour exceptional individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. The brave People of Ukraine, represented by their President Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, elected leaders, and civil society were nominated as winners for the Sacharov Prize 2022 jointly by EPP, S&D and Renew Europe.

Infoclip: The brave People of Ukraine, 2022 Sakharov Prize laureate - Yellow Ribbon movement in the Kherson region

Closing statement of what the MEPs discussed about the role that Belarus has played in supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES.

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: closing statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES

MEPs discuss the role Belarus has played in supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: MEPs debate (part 1)

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs discuss the role Belarus has played in supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. Opening statement by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES.

Lukashenko regime's active role in the war against Ukraine: opening statements by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, on behalf of HRVP Josep BORRELL FONTELLES