European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira congratulated Greece for leading the way in the tabling and approval of Recovery Fund programmes and being country that is setting the pace for all of Europe, at an online press conference on Wednesday during the Olympia Forum II on using the potential of cities and regions.
In order for the word cohesion to have any meaning, Ferreira pointed out, no region or citizen should be left behind.
"The participation of all and especially of the young," was essential in the huge effort for the recovery of European and national economies, she said.
Concluding, Ferreira repeated that the major challenge was ensuring participation in the modernisation of the economy, from smart specialisation to the green local growth, noting that this effort demands greater participation than ever.
"All the stakeholders must be engaged, and primarily the young," she said.
ABOUT THE OLYMPIA FORUM
Regional policy has been a vital part of EU strategy for closer economic integration, inclusive growth and social cohesion. At the same time, decentralisation has evolved into a strong trend in managing not only regional and local issues but also national ones.
The successful operation of EU level regional development – or cohesion – policy has a strategic importance from the point of view of the whole integration process.
Strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion and decreasing disparities between EU member states and regions are not only one of the main priorities of the integration, but at the same time these are justified expectations of the people living in the member states of the union.
The cohesion policy transfers should be spent on those factors which have the biggest contribution to the improvement of development prospects and competitiveness in the given regions.
OBJECTIVES
1. To showcase selected capacity building initiatives undertaken by Member States and the European Commission in the upcoming programming period.
2. To discuss how good governance should be promoted through and within the European Structural and Investment Funds
3. To exchange experience and ideas on this topic with other international organizations, business, academia and civil society representatives
4. To support EU policies which take better account of local needs
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