Super-charging regional development

Venue: Press Club Brussels Europe, Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels

The EU wants to become climate neutral by 2050. The focus of this ecological transition is on the energy transition, which must be implemented in all parts of Europe. However, the transition challenges differ across regions: urban areas need to meet their high energy demands, while rural regions have important resources. The study Energising EU Cohesion outlines challenges for prospering regions and new opportunities for rural regions. However, the energy transition will only be successful if it is inclusive and to the benefit for all regions and people in Europe.

In an expert panel with specialists and decision-makers from the fields of energy and regional development, the following key questions will be discussed:

• Which regions are particularly affected by the transition to renewable energies?
• Where can cohesion policy act to advance the energy transition?
• What tools are required for the different regions to successfully implement the energy transition?

The aim of the event, jointly organised by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union, is to bring the debate on the energy transition closer to that on the future of cohesion policy in the advent of the upcoming negotiations of the next multi-annual financial framework.

Programme

17:30 Registration and welcome coffee & drinks

18:00 Welcome by the Bertelsmann Stiftung and the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union

18:05 Input by Thomas Schwab based on Bertelsmann Stiftung’s study Energising EU Cohesion

18:15 Panel discussion with:

• Eero Ailio, Adviser for Energy Transition and Local Governance, Directorate-General for Energy European Commission
• Benedetta Scuderi MEP, Greens/EFA
• Claire Roumet, Strategic partnerships, EU Policy & Overall Coordination, Energy Cities
• Thomas Schwab, Senior Expert European Economics, Bertelsmann Stiftung

19:00 Q&A with the audience

19:30 Reception with light dinner

Moderation: Jörg Mühlenhoff, Head of Programme - European Energy Transition, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union

Please register here.

For any questions, please contact Anika Bruck.