Coming from more than 49 countries, the participants attend an average of 3 seminars. 77.5% of them will travel to Brussels specifically for the event. 13 out of the 108 seminars are already fully booked.
Out of the 600 OPEN DAYS speakers, 140 elected politicians, are expected to take the floor during the 10th European Week of Regions and Cities, i.e.: 22 Members of the European Parliament (EP), five European Commissioners, 43 Members of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) and about 70 other regional and local politicians. EU officials from 12 Directorates-General of the European Commission and an equal number of European and international networks and associations will be involved, as well as professors from about 20 universities lecturing at the 'OPEN DAYS University'.
The competition launched during the summer serves to showcase how EU regional funding is being used and celebrates projects that are making a real difference to local communities. Four winners in three categories are to be chosen by a public vote and a jury, and the prizes will be awarded, in the presence of media, by Commissioner Hahn on Tuesday 9 October. Don't miss your chance to enter - until 7 September - and to vote on-line for your favourite photo.
On 16 August, the Commission has announced 27 finalists from the 149 nominations for the 2013 RegioStars Awards. The 27 projects competing in five categories highlight the excellent and innovative work being done on the ground and represent a good geographical spread across the Union. All finalists are invited for a hearing in course of OPEN DAYS to Brussels: don´t miss the unique opportunity to participate!
In recent years, a growing number of cities and regions have been developing internationalisation strategies to improve their economic and social situation and foster territorial cohesion. Organised on Wednesday 10 October, the round table 'Local and regional internationalisation initiatives for smart growth' (code: 10A07) will allow local and regional authorities, as well as local stakeholders to exchange their experiences on implementing these strategies.
Two local events are in the spotlight this week: The Barents Green Growth Forum (4-5 September) on territorial cooperation organised in Luleå by North Sweden; and the European Summer University of Research and Innovation for Lifelong Learning (5-7 September), organised in Metz by the Lorraine Region (France). Its objective is to foster the role of participating regions in the implementation of future European lifelong education and training policies, in particular through in the practical management of dedicated European programmes and financing for 2014-2020.
