The conference intends to underline the links between the EU political Agenda for Jobs and Growth and Regional Policy, stressing the fundamental role that regions can play in contributing to the achievements of concrete results and improvements for the future of Europe.
Competitiveness and cohesion are two EU strategic objectives that must go hand in hand. Regional experiences and excellences represent significant examples of how these two objectives can be part of a single 2008-2010 Agenda. This will be achieved in consistency with the 2007-2013 programme for Structural Funds that provides Regions with new tools to achieve the Lisbon goals within the framework of European integration. The Lisbon Strategy is coming into its last cycle and the European Regions are ready to be part of the debate, bringing their own dimension for the post-2010 Agenda. The conference wishes to give Regions the opportunity to promote their ideas on a stronger European Union, able to face future challenges with a multilevel governance approach.
Lisbon Regions Network is a Brussels-based network established in 2004, between fifteen ambitious high performing European regions coming from thirteen different EU Member States, with the aim of introducing and strengthening the regional dimension of the Lisbon Strategy. Participating regions are: Brussels Capital Region, Helsinki Region, Regione Emilia-Romagna, Land Hessen, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Regio Randstad, Valencian Region, Region Stockholm, Riga City and Region, Slovenia, Sofia City and Region, West Midlands, Wielkopolska Region, Bratislava Region and Aquitaine Region.
The objective of the Lisbon Regions is twofold. Firstly, the Lisbon Regions wish to develop together the key role that regional and local authorities have to play in achieving the Lisbon Strategy. The Lisbon Regions have identified common priorities and key sectors on which to focus their collaboration, benchmarking and cooperation. Secondly, Lisbon Regions Network aim is to underline the regional and local dimension of the Strategy and contribute to its future development at European, national, regional and local level, stimulating growth and jobs in its regions.
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