Local and regional authorities discuss role of local and regional authorities in driving recovery forward
A collaborative approach in implementing recovery plans and consistency in drafting, governance and implementation of European funds and programmes to support SMEs were the main points raised by EPP-CoR local and regional leaders during a high-level forum on regional recovery and resilience organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). EPP-led villages, towns, cities and regions also expressed their commitment to deliver key projects with citizens and SMEs to spearhead Europe's twin digital and green transition.
Opening the event was Andrej Šircelj, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Slovenia who stressed that recovery funds should reach local and regional authorities (LRAs) as they are key to get recovery done efficiently. He also emphasised the need of collaboration in the recovery process "Cooperation between the national level, municipalities and regions is key to guarantee a successful outcome."
From Planning to Implementation: Cities and Regions' Key Role in EU Recovery"
In the first panel, Olgierd Geblewicz, President EPP-CoR Group, President of West Pomerania Region spoke on the need of the economic recovery to be based on the green and digital transition in close cooperation with the people. He called for a collaborative approach in setting priorities, designing National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs) and their implementation to ensure true partnership.
Michael Murphy, Mayor of Clonmel and Chair of ECON chaired the panel discussions. He said "The challenges we face are not 'one size fits all', they differ in kind and in intensity across European regions, cities, towns and rural areas. We need tailored solutions, implemented together with the local level. A top-down approach to the recovery would mean that investments and reforms might simply not match the reality of opportunities and challenges on the ground."
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of the City of Łódź and Member of the CoR 'Green Deal Going Local' working group remarked that Europe's regions and cities play a key role in the implementation of the Green transition. "75% of EU citizens live in cities that are the main producers of greenhouse gas emissions. But they are also the hubs and sources of action and innovation both in the areas of mitigation and adaptation to climate change."
Jesús Gamallo Aller, Director-General for External Relations and Relations with the EU spoke about the great efforts made in drawing up a comprehensive strategy for the transformation of the region of Galicia. More than 300 projects including those in the field of energy and mobility have been identified. He stressed that LRAs should not be 'spending authorities'. "We should have the capacity of deciding where and how invest these resources."
Uwe Conradt, Mayor of Saarbrücken said “Resilient cities need vibrant centres. The diversity of their characteristics shows what contribution they can make to recovery in the EU. Hence LRAs have to be more closely involved in EU recovery activities.”
Sari Rautio, Chair of City Board of Hämeenlinna outlined the need to involve LRAs in all stages of the recovery. "We have a strong common understanding that the fair transition is possible if regions and cities are involved in all stages – including in the follow-up."
Franck Proust, President of Nîmes Métropole said that cities are close to people and could thus use recovery funds to invest closer to our citizens. However, he expressed regret that governments were not taking cities enough into account in the recovery plan.
Csaba Borboly, President of Harghita County Council supported this argument saying that while LRAs are the main actors in the implementation of most of the EU and national strategies, their opinions and proposals are not always taken in consideration.
Adrian Teban, Mayor of Cugir City said that partnerships and cooperation experienced in implementing cohesion policy should be taken into account also in the implementation of the RFF. "We have a good example that can be replicated especially since recovery is crucial."
Ensuring synergies between cohesion policy and the RFF through strengthening the partnership with local and regional authorities
Eddy van Hijum, Member of the Council of the Province of Overijssel and CoR Rapporteur on the SME Strategy said that SMEs are the engine of the green and digital transition and that local and regional governments can be an important partner when it comes to recovery and in spearheading the green and digital transition of SME’s. He called for consistency in drafting, governance and implementation of European funds and programs.
Dimitrios Karnavos, Mayor of Kallithea called for the partnership principle to be fully implemented under the new funding instruments, including the Just Transition Mechanism, the RRF and other new instruments financed under NextGenerationEU.
Adrian Teban, Mayor of Cugir City said that partnerships and cooperation experienced in implementing cohesion policy should be taken into account also in the implementation of the RFF. "We have a good example that can be replicated especially since recovery is crucial."
Both President Geblewicz and Mayor Teban asked the Director of Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, Marc Lemaître, specific questions related to where the RRF and Cohesion Policy meet in terms of synergies and implementation, including about the overlap between the Cohesion Policy and RRF in some areas, including the green and digital transitions.
Anna Magyar, Member of Csongrád Megye Council made similar and emphasised for a policy design and implementation of recovery that reaches all regions and citizens.