Third Joint EU Cohesion Policy Conference 2020 - POSTPONED
Maximising the Opportunities for Cohesion Policy in Challenging Times
Date and time
Summary
This conference has been postponed to 2021 and we will add updates in due course.
The presentation of the proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2021 to 2027 and the subsequent package for proposals for the regulations of the Funds by the European Commission in May 2018 kicked off the legislative process for the new Cohesion Policy after 2020. The Commission proposals seek to strike a delicate balance between continuity and the need for reform. They have been designed to increase the focus of Cohesion Policy on a ‘smarter’ and ‘greener’ Europe and create favourable conditions for investment, but with simplified delivery mechanisms and closer links to structural reforms.
The European Union is committed to becoming the first climate-neutral bloc in the world by 2050. A Just Transition Fund will be established within the framework of cohesion policy, to ensure that the transition towards a climate-neutral economy happens in a fair way, leaving no people, no region behind.
Against this background, the Third Joint EU Cohesion Policy Conference – organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy and RSA Europe together with the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union – aims to take stock of the challenges and opportunities for Cohesion Policy. The timing of the Conference will allow critical assessment of research evidence and policy thinking on how cities and regions could best determine their strategic funding priorities for the next programming period, in order to address development needs and opportunities effectively with the support of the Funds and in synergy with other EU instruments.
The Conference will bring together a limited number of participants from academia, the European Institutions and Member State authorities to debate where Cohesion Policy is going, the evidence for its performance to date, and how its contribution to sustainable growth and jobs can be maximised.
Submission of papers
Please submit proposals for papers in the form of a 500-word abstract through the online portal by 2nd March 2020. Given the purpose and audience of the conference, the abstracts should be accessible to a wider audience and draw out policy implications or lessons insofar as possible. The organisers particularly welcome submission from Croatian researchers and policy practitioners.
We also accept proposals for Special Sessions. Please email them directly to Lesa Reynolds (conference organiser on behalf of RSA Europe) at lesa.reynolds@regionalstudies.org by the 2nd March 2020.
Proposers will be notified of the selected papers by 23rd March 2020 and registration will open on the same day. As spaces are limited please do not book travel or accommodation until you have been notified that you have been selected to present. Only one author may present at the conference.
Conference organisation
It should be noted that the organisation of the conference is being jointly managed and funded by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, RSA Europe and the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. There is no charge to attend this conference, however, the number of participants is limited, and travel and accommodation must be covered by participants.
