The European Week of Regions and Cities 2023 took place from 9 to 12 October 2023 in Brussels. This annual event is dedicated to regional policy and serves as a platform for discussing and showcasing the development of EU cohesion policy. The 2023 edition focused on six main topics: regions in post-industrial transition, retaining talent for regional growth, small and mid-sized urban centers driving growth, breaking barriers to cross-border cooperation, local energy shift for security and sustainability, and promoting social innovation.
The event featured over 200 sessions, including high-level policy sessions, workshops, participatory labs, and exhibitions. It brought together thousands of participants, including policymakers, researchers, and practitioners, to meet, network, discuss, and share ideas. The event also included side activities and networking opportunities.
Key sessions included discussions on innovation, lifelong learning, citizen science, climate-neutral cities, social innovation, circular economy, and water restoration. The event was organized by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and the Committee of the Regions, with participation from various EU-funded projects and organizations. Registration was open from 1 August to 30 September 2023.