Open Days 2006

The European Week of Regions and Cities - OPEN DAYS is the biggest annual event on EU regional policy. In 2006, it will involve more than 130 regions and cities from all over Europe, public and private sector organisations and financial institutions. Between 9 and 12 October 2006, about 3,000 regional development experts will have the choice between some 80 sessions, seminars and workshops held in Brussels. In parallel, the “European Week of Regions and Cities” will be brought home through decentralised events, which are open to the wider public. The focus in 2006 is on “investment” in the wider sense of public and private investments in European regions and cities aiming to pursue the growth and jobs agenda. The event is based on the principle of openness and partnership between EU, national, regional and local players and organisations. The OPEN DAYS organisers - the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission’s Regional Policy DG – have established a partnership involving more than 130 regions and cities all over Europe, the European Parliament’s Committee for Regional Development, European financial institutions, European business organisations, social partner and civil society organisations and others. Workshops and seminars: Around the events’ headline “Investing in Europe’s Regions and Cities: Public and Private Partners for Growth and Jobs” the OPEN DAYS 2006 programme will be split into five sub-themes to allow for participants’ pathways and orientation: A. Investing in competitive enterprises and high quality jobs B. Fostering regional innovation C. Investing in sustainable use of resources and environmental technologies D. Support public-private partnerships for larger infrastructure projects E. Cutting red tape: Managing the Structural Funds between 2007 and 2013 The final programme will be presented in May 2006. Registration will only be possible electronically. Speakers: OPEN DAYS 2006 speakers will come from political and administrative levels of European, national, regional and local institutions and organisations involved in regional development, Structural Funds’ management and public-private investment. Some 300 speakers will be selected by the event partners. For its part of the conference programme in Brussels, the European Commission’s Regional Policy Directorate-General selects speakers through a call for papers, which is open between 16 February and 6 March 2006. The elements of OPEN DAYS 2006: As in previous years, the 4th European Week of Regions and Cities will comprise of: - core events involving key players from EU, national, regional and local level - a programme with up to 80 seminars and workshops - media activities such as journalist seminars and meetings - a series of social events, including exhibitions and an official reception for all speakers and participants New elements to be implemented in 2006 will be the following : - “Europe is around the corner”: rolling-out the OPEN DAYS to all regions and cities interested by decentralised presentations, debates and exhibitions our the new Structural Funds programmes - Investors Cafe: a market place for regions, financial institutions and investors to meet Context: This year’s OPEN DAYS 2006 will take place against the background of a newly designed EU cohesion policy and increased levels of public and private investment supported by the Structural Funds and instruments, in particular in the new Member States but all other regions of the EU as well. The main objective of the event is to bring together public and private stakeholders, to get them involved in the policy’s vision and to inform about practical funding possibilities through cohesion and other financial instruments. At the same time, the event contributes to capacity-building of public administrations and private bodies, and sound and efficient management of the EU Structural Funds. More details: http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/conferences/od2006/index.cfm?nmenu=1 Contact: Conference secretariat Tel: 32 2 737 95 65 Fax: 32 2 737 95 67