The European Week of Regions and Cities 2026 brought European leaders, policymakers and local representatives together in Brussels to discuss the future of Europe’s regions. The conversation continues with Close to You events, three of which organized by members of the PIONEER Alliance.
A stronger Europe starts with its regions
The week opened at the European Parliament with contributions from António Costa, President of the European Council, Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, and Kata Tüttő, President of the European Committee of the Regions. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, also addressed participants through a video message.
In her State of the Regions and Cities address, Kata Tüttő highlighted the importance of local and regional authorities in Europe’s future:
“Regions and cities are the engine of our capacity to compete and prepare for the future.”
Her words point to a broader question: how can cities and regions be better equipped to respond to the challenges ahead?
As an alliance focused on the future of cities, PIONEER recognises that addressing urban challenges requires cooperation between universities, local authorities and communities. By bringing research, education and innovation into dialogue with local needs, the Alliance contributes to the development of more inclusive, sustainable and resilient cities.
Three days of discussions and new perspectives
Throughout the week, participants explored a wide range of urban challenges, from territorial inequalities and demographic change to research and innovation, climate resilience and sustainable development.
Alongside political discussions, the programme featured workshops, networking opportunities and initiatives showcasing the impact of EU-funded projects, including the REGIOSTARS Awards.
The exchanges highlighted how important it is to connect European policies with the different realities of local communities, while strengthening cooperation between institutions, researchers and regional stakeholders.
The conversation continues with and within PIONEER
While the main programme in Brussels has concluded, the discussions continue through EURegionsWeek Close to You, bringing European topics closer to local communities.
The PIONEER European University Alliance is contributing with three online events organised by its member universities and partners, exploring inclusive mobility, climate resilience and citizen participation.
Join the upcoming PIONEER events:
- 20 October 2026 – Moving beyond infrastructure: Co-designing inclusive mobility for sustainable regions
- 1 December 2026 – Connecting scales for climate resilience: Governing adaptation for strong regions
- 16 December 2026 – Where Europe Meets the Local: Participation and Socio-Ecological Urban Transformation
