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

Fabrica produtos alimentares típicos da sua terra ou segundo uma determinada tradição? Vejamos de que forma a União Europeia protege a sua arte.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos fabricantes de produtos regionais e tradicionais

Se é um amante de comida e aprecia especialidades europeias, já deve ter deparado com produtos que ostentam logótipos como «denominação de origem protegida», como, por exemplo, a «Pêra Rocha» e o «Queijo Serra da Estrela». Estes rótulos significam que a União protege os nomes dos produtos e as suas qualidades únicas.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos consumidores de produtos regionais e tradicionais

Enquanto funcionário público da administração local ou regional, desempenha um papel crucial para a União e as suas políticas. Vejamos como a UE o apoia.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos funcionários públicos da administração local e regional

Vive numa região periférica ou mal servida? Então, poderá estar interessado na forma como a UE liga regiões como a sua à rede de transporte aéreo.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos passageiros dos transportes aéreos de e para regiões periféricas e mal servidas

Vive perto de uma fronteira interna da UE? Em caso afirmativo, saiba que faz parte de um grupo de 150 milhões de pessoas. A União adota medidas destinadas a facilitar a travessia de fronteiras. Vejamos três exemplos.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelas pessoas que vivem em regiões fronteiriças

Apesar de serem locais atrativos para viver, as regiões montanhosas enfrentam desafios em termos de acesso a equipamentos e a serviços. Mora numa dessas regiões? Eis três coisas que a Europa faz por si.

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos habitantes das regiões montanhosas

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

Nem todos os europeus vivem no continente ou perto do mesmo. Pode viver num território ultramarino francês, na Madeira ou nos Açores, ou até nas ilhas Canárias, se tiver sorte. No entanto, por muito belas que possam ser estas regiões ultraperiféricas, todas elas têm de fazer face a desafios específicos. Eis três exemplos de como a UE proporciona apoio:

Saiba o que a Europa faz pelos cidadãos que vivem nas regiões ultraperiféricas da UE

V EU so najpogostejše poplave, vročinski vali in suše, več milijonov ljudi pa živi na potresnih območjih ali blizu aktivnih vulkanov. Dobro je vedeti, da vam bo Unija v primeru naravne nesreče priskočila na pomoč.

Kako Evropa pomaga prebivalcem regij, ki so jih prizadele naravne nesreče?

Powodzie, fale upałów i susze to klęski żywiołowe, które najczęściej nawiedzają Europę. Miliony ludzi żyje również na obszarach zagrożonych trzęsieniami ziemi lub w pobliżu aktywnych wulkanów. Warto zatem wiedzieć, że w momencie katastrofy naturalnej obywatele mogą liczyć na pomoc Unii.

Co Europa robi dla mieszkańców regionów dotkniętych klęskami żywiołowymi

Dabas katastrofas, kuras Eiropu skar visbiežāk, ir plūdi, karstuma viļņi un ilgstošs sausums, bet miljoniem cilvēku dzīvo arī zemestrīču apdraudētās teritorijās vai aktīvu vulkānu tuvumā. Tāpēc ir labi apzināties, ka Eiropas Savienība ir gatava palīdzēt katastrofas gadījumā.

Šoreiz pastāstīsim, ko Eiropa dara dabas katastrofu skarto reģionu iedzīvotāju labā

Le inondazioni, le ondate di calore e la siccità sono le calamità più frequenti, ma altri milioni di persone vivono in zone a rischio sismico o vicino a un vulcano attivo. Quindi è bene sapere che in caso di catastrofe, l'UE è pronta a prestare aiuto.

Cosa fa l'Europa per i residenti di regioni colpite da calamità

Inundaciones, olas de calor y sequías son las catástrofes naturales más comunes en la UE, pero millones de personas viven además en zonas con riesgo de terremotos o cerca de un volcán activo. En estas circunstancias, está bien saber que cuando la catástrofe estalla, la UE prestará ayuda.

Esto es lo que Europa hace por los habitantes de las regiones golpeadas por catástrofes

<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

MEPs and the Commission discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages.

With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.” MEPs will also discuss the essential role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA in the region. In his statement of 1 November 2024, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell emphasised UNRWA's life-saving work in Gaza.

MEPs adopted a number of resolutions in the last 12 months, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

Continued escalation in the Middle East: the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages

Raffaele Fitto was a Member of the European Parliament (1999-2000, 2014-2022) and became Co-Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) of the European Parliament in 2019. He was the Italian Minister for European Affairs, Southern Italy, Cohesion Policy and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) from 2022 to present, and he is now Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President-designate, Cohesion and Reforms

REGI - Exchange of views on the EC proposal for the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) post 2027

Committee on Regional Development Extraordinary meeting Committee on Regional Development

REGI

Committee on Budgetary Control Joint meeting with BUDG and invitation to REGI

BUDG

CONT

Committee on Regional Development Ordinary meeting

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Ordinary meeting Hearing on Women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions

FEMM

Committee on Regional Development Extraordinary meeting

Committee on Regional Development HEARING REGI -EMPL

EMPL

Delegation for Relations with Iran Ordinary Meeting Exchange of views on destructive activities of the Iranian Islamic Regime in Europe

REGI - Presentation of the priorities of the Danish Presidency of the Council

REGI - ECA Special report 16/2025 on EU funding to tackle forest fires - More preventive measures, but insufficient evidence of results and their long-term sustainability.

EP Plenary session - European Citizens' Initiative 'Cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of the regional cultures'

REGI - Public hearing on the European citizens’ initiative “Cohesion policy for the equality of the regions and sustainability of the regional cultures.

FEMM - Hearing: Women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions

JURI - Policy Department Workshop on the 28th Regime: a new legal framework for innovative companies

HOUS - Meeting on Affordable Housing Regional and Local authorities perspectives

REGI Committee meeting - Presentation of the ECA Special report 13/2024: Absorption of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility and of the ECA Special Report 26/2023: Recovery and Resilience Facility’s performance monitoring framework, by Ivana Maletić

REGI - Implementation of the European Urban Initiative in 2022-2024, presentation by the European Commission

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Kata TÜTTŐ, President of the European Committee of the Regions

REGI - Presentation of the legislative proposal on Mid-term review of cohesion policy by Commissioner Fitto

REGI - Public hearing: Depopulation Challenges in European Regions

REGI - Consideration of draft report: The role of cohesion policy investment in resolving the current housing crisis

REGI - Public hearing: Towards a European Plan for Housing: Perspectives on urban and rural areas

REGI - Voting session : A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world

TRAN - Presentation of a study on Transport and tourism in outermost regions: assessing mobility poverty and the effects of new climate policies

EP Plenary session - Supporting the EU’s most vulnerable regions against devastating effects of climate change, such as the recent cyclone hitting La Reunion

The European Parliament debates the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission. MEPs bring up Russian efforts to damage infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and the need to detect and counter these acts of sabotage. Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and by Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine: Opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reform

The European Parliament debates the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission. MEPs bring up Russian efforts to damage infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and the need to detect and counter these acts of sabotage. Closing statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and by Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine: Closing statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reform

The European Parliament debates the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission. MEPs bring up Russian efforts to damage infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and the need to detect and counter these acts of sabotage.

Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine: MEPs debate

Exchange of views on Polish priorities in the area of the EU security and defence (SEDE) with Paweł Zalewski, Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence. Presentation of the Council Presidency’s programme (FEMM) with Katarzyna Kotula, Minister for Equality. Presentation of the Council Presidency’s programme (IMCO) with Mr Krzysztof Paszyk, Minister of Economic Development and Technology, Mr Dariusz Standerski, Secretary of State (Ministry of Digitalisation) and Ms Małgorzata Krok, Undersecretary of State (Ministry of Finance). Presentation of the Council Presidency’s programme by Mr Adam Szłapka, Minister for European Affairs. Poland's 2025 EU Presidency prioritizes security, Ukraine support, EU enlargement, and economic resilience.

Presentation of the EU Council's priorities by Polish Ministers: extracts from the EP Committee meetings (SEDE, FEMM, IMCO, AFCO)

This news item shows the extracts from the Conference of the Presidents of the Outermost Regions in the EU with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Antonio COSTA, European Council President and Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice President of the European Commission. The event, which has gathered all nine outermost regions, has focused on the importance of the reconstruction of Mayotte, after the devastation of the Cyclone Chido, in December 2024. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Conference of the Presidents of the Outermost Regions in the EU with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Antonio COSTA, European Council President: extracts

On 13 and 14 June 2025, thousands of young people will take over the European Parliament in Strasbourg for EYE2025 (European Youth Event), to engage, get empowered and connect with thousands of young people, experts, activists, content creators and decision-makers. The EYE is a unique opportunity for 16- to 30-year-olds to inspire and get inspired, to debate directly with Members of the European Parliament and other European decision-makers, and to exchange views on Europe.

EYE2025 – Registration process for groups sponsored by the European Parliament

EYE2025 – Registration process for individual participants

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Closing statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: Closing statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VP of the European Commission

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Third part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 3)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Second part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 2)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. First part of MEPs debate.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: MEPs Debate (part 1)

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: extracts from the debate

MEPs assess the latest developments in Syria, its geopolitical implications, and the humanitarian situation in the region in debate with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. Opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Toppling of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region: Opening statement by Kaja KALLAS, HR of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VP of the European Commission

MEPs and the the Commission will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip”. Closing statements by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: Closing statements by Elisa FERREIRA, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms

MEPs and the the Commission will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.”

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: MEPs debate (part 2)

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: MEPs debate (part 1)

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: Opening statements

MEPs and the the Commission discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. MEPs also discuss the essential role of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA in the region.

Continued escalation in the Middle East, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: extracts from the debate

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