Exclusive
Brexit cities want free EU wifi before leaving
A majority of the 15 municipalities from the United Kingdom granted a €15,000 EU subsidy to set up free wireless internet voted to leave the EU.
Magazine
A deep dive into the EU regional funds
While the regional funds account for a full third of the EU budget, they are somewhat under-reported. EUobserver's latest edition of the Regions & Cities magazine looks at the EU's cohesion policy.
Magazine
The EU Agencies Race
In this edition of EUobserver's Regions & Cities magazine, we take a closer look at some of the EU agencies, exploring how their location matters and the benefits for cities and regions to host them.
Latest News
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Interview
Commissioner Cretu: the EU budget is 'very emotional'
Despite Brexit and new priorities, it is important to keep EU funds for all regions - rich and poor - argues the regions commissioner. But more controls, including a link to rule of law issues, are part of the discussion.
Analysis
Differing opinions on how to measure economic results of 'cohesion'
From a purely economic point of view, it can be difficult to measure the effectiveness of cohesion policy. But - politically - it underpins a deal made during the 2004 accession of eastern member states.
Magazine
Fraudsters lured by EU structural funds
It's the job of the European Anti-Fraud Office to investigate any corruption and embezzlement of EU-funded projects. But why are structural funds in particular so attractive to criminals?
Poland will burn coal beyond 2050, says local politician
Closing coal mines in the Silesia region will be particularly difficult, says Witold Stepien, a senior local politician from the neighbouring region Lodz.
Romania 'using EU data protection law to silence journalists'
An award-winning journalism outlet in Romania is being threatened with fines by the country's data protection authorities - for having disclosed connections, on Facebook, of powerful politicians and a firm embroiled in scandal.
Magazine
A tourist's guide to EU-funded Amsterdam
When it comes to projects paid for by EU regional funds, most people think of roads in Romania or bridges in Bulgaria. But richer regions also receive money. EUobserver takes you on a tour of selected projects in Amsterdam.
Magazine
'Integration' - the missing factor in new EU migration fund
An estimated 80 percent of Syrian refugees in the EU are unemployed - despite this, the integration of asylum seekers and migration remains outside the European Commission's policy objectives in its latest budget proposals for regional development and cohesion policy.
Magazine
Tug of war between 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' cohesion money
The European Commission has promised greater flexibility for local authorities when it comes to delivering on-the-ground results - but it has also tied cohesion policy to the European Semester, a tool used to coordinate macroeconomic policies.
Exclusive
EU official proposed covering up wifi portal flaw
Director of Electronic Communications Networks and Services Anthony Whelan says in an internal document that he wanted to eliminate "possible criticisms" and "marginalise questions".
Infographic
Mediterranean towns ready for EU-sponsored free wifi
The European Union's fund for free wireless internet connection hotspots is most popular in Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Malta, Slovenia and Romania. Check if your municipality pre-registered.
Interview
EU regions chief fires warning shot over funding cuts
Committee of the Regions president Karl-Heinz Lambertz tells EUobserver why he is not happy with proposed cuts to the EU's cohesion policy. France has already spoken up against Common Agriculture Policy, but who will speak for the regions?
No free EU wifi for UK cities without Brexit deal
UK municipalities that want to be sure that their free wifi systems are paid for by the EU will have to make sure everything is up and running before Brexit date.
German court upholds diesel car ban in cities
The ruling is bad news for the future of diesel engines in passenger cars. The EU has, however, taken a backseat on coordinating the EU's 200+ low-emission zones.
Italy restakes claim to EU agency ahead of election
The Italian government and the city of Milan want the Court of Justice to annul the decision the move the medicines agency to Amsterdam, while Italian MEPs suggest that the EMA should go to Milan instead.
Stakeholders' Highlights
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- Global interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch
New HQ of EU medicines agency opens eight months after Brexit
Staff of the European Medicines Agency will be temporarily housed in another building for almost a year, which its director said was 'not ideal'.
Interview
Catalan crisis will 'go on for months'
The president of the EU's Committee of the Regions, Karl-Heinz Lambertz, said that both the separatists and Spanish authorities made mistakes.
MEPs annoyed at no-say in medicine agency relocation
The decision to move the European Medicines Agency to Amsterdam still needs to be approved by the European Parliament, which was hardly involved in the process.
Feature
Catalonia shows that 'Europe of Regions' is dead
"A Europe of regions created by the state is like electrical cars created by oil companies," Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont told EUobserver.
Magazine
EU agencies: The road to 'douze points'
The European Medicines Agency and, to a lesser extent, the European Banking Authority, was the most sought-after EU agencies in 2017, as no less than 21 member states competed to host them after Brexit.
Amsterdam wins EU medicines agency on coin toss
The staff of the London-based EMA will move to the Dutch city of Amsterdam after Brexit, following a coin toss. Chance also decided the new home of the European Banking Authority: Paris.
Magazine
Decision day for EU agencies relocation race
EU ministers will decide on the future location of two London-based EU agencies on Monday. In this edition of EUobserver's Regions & Cities magazine, we take a closer look at some of the EU agencies.
Evidence of agencies relocation vote 'will be destroyed'
The ballot papers that will be used by EU ministers to vote for the new location of two London-based EU agencies will then be destroyed, raising questions of accountability.
Fears for LGBTI staff at Brexit relocation agencies
Four countries that want to host the London-based EU agencies do not offer registered partnership for same-sex couples.
Opinion
Fighting for young people's social future
Young people in the gig economy in big cities need 'one-stop shops', as pioneered in Rotterdam, to help them access all their rights - but that requires funding.
Leaders lobby on EU agencies in summit margins
The official agenda point on where to relocate the EU medicines and banking agencies after Brexit was over in "one minute", but lobbying took place in the corridors.
Spain still wants to host EU agency in Catalan capital
Spanish and Catalan politicians came to Brussels to show their unity in their bid to move the European Medicines Agency from London to Barcelona.
Analysis
Is bank agency HQ the Brexit 'booby prize'?
Two EU agencies need a new home after Brexit - but member states have spent demonstrably less effort on their public bids to host the EBA.
Analysis
'Think of the patients!' cry EU agency contenders
Because of Brexit, the EMA has to leave London. Some health ministers lobbying to host it have made an emotional appeal, warning that patient safety could be at risk.
Diplomats slam Commission over agencies relocation
Some member states were disappointed with the neutral nature of the commission's "assessment" of bids to host the EU agencies currently based in London.
Slovakia fights EMA staff rejection of Bratislava
According to a survey of European Medicines Agency employees, more than two-thirds of them would not want to move to Bratislava.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- 20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations
- Join CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
- Seven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
- World Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
- Nordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
- Think-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics
