Cities and Regions for Integration initiative provides a political platform for European mayors and regional leaders to showcase positive examples of integration of migrants and refugees, share relevant information and promote diversity as an added value to building inclusive cities and ensuring social cohesion.

The network, officially launched on 10 April 2019 at the plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions, provides a political platform for local and regional politicians. Its aim is to develop and promote proposals for EU policies and financial measures for the integration of migrants and to create a positive message by presenting the benefits resulting from integration in cities, smaller towns and villages in the EU. The aim of the Cities and Regions for Integration initiative is to enable local and regional politicians to actively participate in the political forum in developing and promoting proposals for EU policies and funds for migrant integration and to present positive examples of the integration of migrants and refugees, exchange relevant information and promoting diversity as an added value in building inclusive cities and ensuring social cohesion.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Mission

• to support the integration of migrants and refugees
• to give a stronger voice to small municipalities, mid-size cities and regions and encourage cooperation between smaller localities, cities and regions
• to contribute to presenting stronger narrative of solidarity and countering disinformation in this field

Key a​ctivities

• organisation of political roundtables and high-level conferences
• development and promotion of proposals for EU integration policies
• collection of good experience and practices; collected good practices will be also displayed on the European website on integration run by the European Commission
• facilitation of exchange of good practices
• provision and dissemination of information on integration (funding opportunities, events, good practice, etc.) .

Wielkopolska Region joined this network in December 2019.

Website: https://cor.europa.eu/pl/our-work/Pages/cities-and-regions-for-integration.aspx

 

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The Coalition of European Agricultural Regions AGRIREGIONS represents the voice of European regions mobilized to defend a fair and sustainable future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the role of regions in its implementation.

This informal network consists of 19 regions from seven EU Member States: Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Romania and Poland.

The coalition has formed a common position on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2020, which emphasizes the key importance of regions in shaping this policy. The regions included in the Coalition took action to ensure that its position was reflected in the EU decision-making process.

Wielkopolska Region joined the Coalition in 2018.

Contact person: Information Office of the Wielkopolska Region in Brussels
Phone + 48 61 278 53 79/ +32 2 734 09 41
email: brussels.office@wielkopolska.eu

 

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The European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is a well-known Brussels-based platform that gathers around 120 regional organisations from more than 20 European countries. Established in 2001, ERRIN supports members to enhance their regional and local research and innovation capacities and further develop their R&I ecosystems. The network maintains a long-standing relationship with the EU institutions and other organisations to strengthen the regional and local dimension in EU Research and Innovation policy and programmes.

ERRIN offers a platform for knowledge exchange and facilitates regional collaboration, supporting its members through the project development process and providing project opportunities. ERRIN members collaborate through 13 Working Groups and two Task Forces, covering both thematic areas and overarching policy issues based on members’ priorities and on current funding opportunities. Working Group meetings are at the heart of ERRIN’s activities, as this is where our members meet regularly to exchange information, present regional examples, build new partnerships, develop joint projects, network and much more.

Website: www.errin.eu

Contact person: Information Office of the Wielkopolska Region in Brussels
e-mail: errin@wielkopolska.eu

 

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Hydrogen Europe is the European association representing the interest of the hydrogen industry and its stakeholders and promoting hydrogen as an enabler of a zero-emission society.

This organization with over 500 members, including over 38 European regions, has as its mission:

• enable the adoption of clean hydrogen as an abundant and affordable energy carrier and feedstock which efficiently fuels Europe’s net-zero economy;
• bring together diverse players, large enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises, national hydrogen associations, non-governmental organisations, regional public authorities and other relevant organisations which support the delivery of clean hydrogen and fuel cells technologies;
• promote national, European and international policies and initiatives that strengthen market penetration of European hydrogen technologies domestically and globally;
• promote and coordinate research, development and innovation of reliable clean hydrogen technologies;
• be the trusted and united voice of the European hydrogen sector through the joint efforts of its Members at European level;
• be the driving force for the future direction of the hydrogen sector, creating sustainable jobs and growth.

Wielkopolska Region became the member of Hydrogen Europe on January 1^st, 2024 r.

Website: https://hydrogeneurope.eu/

 

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The Oder Partnership (Die Oder-Partnerschaft) is an informal, international initiative gathering Western regions of the Republic of Poland: Wielkopolska, Lubuskie, Lower Silesia, West Pomerania and Western federal states of Germany: Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony. The largest cities from the aforementioned regions were also invited to cooperate, including Poznań, Wrocław, Szczecin, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Zielona Góra.

Cooperation within the framework of the Oder Partnership is a forum for a dialogue of representatives of Polish and German regions. Its tasks include the determination and use of the intellectual, economic, cultural and tourist potential in the aforementioned area.

Website: www.oder-partnerschaft.eu
Contact details: International Cooperation Bureau,
tel. +48 61 626 66 50, e-mail: inter@umww.pl

 

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Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) In 2017, during COP23 meeting the British and Canadian governments initiated Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) that aimed at advancing the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy. Since then, it’s grown rapidly from 27 initial members to over 182. Through working with its members and partners, the PPCA aims to accelerate the transition away from coal power by helping set ambitious phase-out dates, sharing best practice, and unlocking international finance.

Wielkopolska Region became the member of the coalition in 2023. 

Website: https://poweringpastcoal.org/

 

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The Subsidiarity Monitoring Network is an important tool for deepening democratic accountability and increasing the participation of local and regional authorities in the EU legislative process.

The task of the Subsidiarity Monitoring Network is to facilitate the exchange of information between local and regional authorities in the European Union and between the EU institutions regarding European Commission documents and legislative proposals that have a direct impact on the activities of local and regional authorities.

Wielkopolska Region joined the network in 2007.

Website: http://portal.cor.europa.eu/subsidiarity/pages/welcome.aspx

 

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PURPLE (peri-urban regions platform Europe) was set up in 2004. It brings together regions from across the EU including: Dublin, Flanders, Frankfurt Rhein-Main, Île de France, Mazovia, MHAL (Province of Limburg), Catalonia, Nord Pas de Calais, Randstad, Rhône-Alpes, Surrey, South Moravia, West Midlands and since 9th October 2012 r – Wielkopolska Region.
PURPLE members represent peri-urban territories, where urban and rural features co-exist.
They are working together to maximise the advantages resulting from their location in proximity to large cities while minimising adverse impacts on the character, landscape and environment that make them distinct and special. Peri-urban regions in Europe are facing over-pressure. The balance between sustainable open space, sustainable agriculture and urban spatial and economic dynamics needs to be re-established. There are opportunities as well as challenges for those living and working in peri-urban regions, which should be reflected in tailor-made policies and strategies.
PURPLE is striving for greater recognition of Europe's peri-urban regions in European policy and regulation, to ensure long term sustainability for these important, complex, multi-functional territories.
General objectives of PURPLE:

• Influence European regional, urban and rural policy making
• Develop a distinctive role as the primary interlocutor with Brussels-based institutions, and with politicians and stakeholders across the EU on issues of special relevance to Europe’s peri-urban regions
• Act as a platform for peri-urban regions to share knowledge and good practice, allowing connections and productive cross-fertilisation between existing projects, as well as promoting new trans-European initiatives in the field.

Source: PURPLE website
Website: www.purple-eu.org
Contact details:
Wielkopolska Spatial Planning Office,
al. Niepodległości 18, 61-713 Poznań,
tel. 61 852-28-83
fax. 61 852-32-46
email: sekretariat@wbpp.poznan.pl