March 2011 Europe 2020 BRIEF

Inside this Brief ...

6th Territorial Dialogue for Smart, Sustainable & Inclusive Growth Pages 1 - 8
Coming up on the Europe 2020 agenda Page 4
CoR Statement to the Spring European Council Page 8
President Bresso meeting EU Member States’ Permanent Representatives Pages 8 - 9
Information on Territorial Pacts: Brochure, Webpage Page 9
Surveys: ongoing and closed Page 10
Studies Page 11
How to become a member of the Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform Page 11

6th Territorial Dialogue: Territorial Pacts and the forthcoming Europe 2020 Agenda
22 February 2011

In 2011, the 6th Territorial Dialogue focused on the Committee of the Regions' proposal of Territorial Pacts at the
country level, as a tool for the national, regional and local authorities to design and implement the National Re-
form Programmes in partnership, working together in an integrated and coordinated manner, also through con-
tractual agreements.
Since 2006, the Territorial Dialogue provides every
year regional and local authorities with an opportu-
nity to engage in a dialogue on the implementation
of the Strategy with top representatives of
the European Council, the Presidency, the Commis-
sion and the European Parliament. This year over
120 representatives of regions and cities partici-
pated in the event.

Mercedes Bresso
President of the Committee of the Regions

Mercedes Bresso welcomed par- tion on the Budget Review run very much along the
ticipants to the 6th Territorial Dia- same lines. The 2011 Spring European Council should
logue, the first under the new encourage Member States to draft and implement their
Europe 2020 Strategy. She ex- National Reform Programmes for Europe 2020 (to be
pressed concern that the eco- submitted in April 2011)
nomic crisis might result in a slow through Territorial Pacts “Democratic debate is needed
and jobless economic recovery involving various tiers of
at all levels of governance be-
undermining social cohesion. In government (see also in
cause that is the only way to
order to avoid such an outcome and to achieve the this Europe 2020 Brief a
secure broad mobilisation of
aims of the Europe 2020 Strategy, Member States CoR Bureau Declaration
the political, economic and
should learn from the failure of the Lisbon strategy, to the 2011 Spring Euro-
territorial players. We at the
which was due to the fact that local authorities were pean Council). We must
not involved in its implementation. Europe 2020 must
Committee of the Regions are
make the best possible
provide joint frameworks for policy implementation.
convinced that Territorial Pacts
use of resources, be-
The EU must take the competences of the various are a tool that can facilitate this
cause the "EU might
players into account and define the levels at which slow down, but other
awareness and commitment.”
each action should be dealt with within a framework of global actors will not
multi-level governance. The partnership contracts pro- wait".
posed by the European Commission in its Communica-
Europe 2020 BRIEF Page 2

6th Territorial Dialogue: Territorial Pacts and the forthcoming Europe 2020 Agenda

Hubert Szlaszewski
Director, Directorate for Better Regulation and Administrative Policies, Secretariat General, European Commission

Mr Szlaszewski welcomed the strong involvement of Communication, should

the CoR in the implementation of the Europe 2020
Strategy. Interdependencies between different levels
of governance in the EU create the
need to coordinate efforts and se-
cure mutual commitment. The
Commission shares the opinion
that the implementation of the
new strategy will be successful
only if local and regional authori-
ties are involved. To this end, Ter-
ritorial Pacts could help to improve
economic governance in the EU.
The new multi-annual financial framework will be very
much oriented towards financing the Europe 2020
goals. Whenever possible, Partnership Contracts, as
proposed by the Commission in the EU Budget Review
be based on previously- “Whenever possible, Partner-
adopted Territorial Pacts ship Contracts should build on
setting mutual commit- the Territorial Pacts developed
ments for national, re-
in the context of Europe 2020,
gional and local levels.
in order to reflect the needs and
Cohesion policy should
commitments of partners at
be the main tool for im-
national and regional levels,
plementing Europe 2020
based on the Common Strategic
and this is where the
Framework providing strategic
principles of multi-level
orientations for all EU funds
governance come into
play. In this regard, re-
concerned.”
gional and local authori-
ties as well as the private sector should play a key role
in achieving established goals.

Odile Renaud-Basso
Deputy Head of Cabinet of the President of the European Council

Mrs Renaud-Basso said that between different levels of government and social
Europe 2020 differs from the Lis- partners is essential to meet social objectives. Public
bon Strategy in that it is focused expenditure should focus on
on a limited number of guidelines Europe 2020 goals while pre- “The new global frame-
and quantitative goals. It should serving fiscal sustainability. work for economic gov-
become the guiding principle for Ex-ante discussions on draft ernance, currently under
all actions at European and na- budgets are more productive discussion, should allow
tional levels. Regional authorities than their ex-post evaluation. for better coordination
were not sufficiently involved in the implementation of This is what the European between policy develop-
the Lisbon Strategy. On the contrary, they should be semester is all about. ments at EU, national,
partners in the new strategy, because coordination regional and local levels.”

Lambert Van Nistelrooij

EPP-coordinator in the Regional Development Committee, Member of the European Parliament

Mr Van Nistelrooij expressed a
strong conviction that Europe
needs a new kind of governance to
enhance joint responsibility and
ownership of policies. It was a mis-
take to base the Lisbon Strategy
on "statistics" without proper coor-
dination and its most striking
shortcoming was the lack of ownership at regional
level. The weak point of Europe 2020 is once more its
system of governance which does not ensure effective
policy delivery.
The European Parliament is willing to use its co-decision
powers to make multi-level governance work and thus
enhance the position of the regions. While the content
of the Pacts might be tailored to particular territorial
needs and conditions, the Pacts should not be of a
purely voluntary nature. The entire mechanism of Terri-
torial Pacts, being a link
between what is decided
“The European Parliament will and what is implemented
step in immediately after the in practice, should be
presentation of the new regula- the same and applicable
tions for all funds to introduce to everyone.
some legal pointers regarding
how multi-level governance
principles should be applied.”
Europe 2020 BRIEF Page 3

6th Territorial Dialogue: Territorial Pacts and the forthcoming Europe 2020 Agenda

Michael Schneider
State Secretary, Delegate of the State of Saxony-Anhalt for the German Federation, CoR member,
rapporteur on the "Contribution of Cohesion Policy to the Europe 2020 Objectives"

Mr Schneider said that the fact that the notion of Terri-
torial Pacts has already been established and widely
used and also that the 6th Territorial Dialogue has it-
self been devoted to this issue, proves the success of
the concept. Territorial Pacts are the right answer to
the shortcomings of the Lisbon Strategy, which failed
to mobilise the potential of the regions: targets cannot
be achieved by being imposed bureaucratically from
above.
Mr Schneider quoted the Council's conclusions on the
Fifth Report on economic, social and territorial cohe-
sion, whereby the Council recalled "that cohesion pol-
icy through its unique multi-level governance structure
is in a position to provide positive incentives and assis-
tance to ensure the ownership of Europe 2020 objec-
tives at local and regional levels". In Germany, the
federal government has submitted its National Reform
Programme to the Länder in order to work out a com-
mon German position. He was very hopeful that the
proposals of the Länder would be included in the final
version of the Programme.

Didier Marie
President of the Seine-Maritime General Council, alternate CoR member

Mr Marie commenced his speech by saying that the
economic situation in his departement is very difficult:
the unemployment rate is at 18% and 42 000 people
are on the minimum wage. Within the national frame-
work established in France in 2008, the rescue scheme
of the Territorial Pact for Inclusion (PTI, Pacte Territo-
rial d’Insertion) coordinates actions undertaken to pro-
mote the social and professional integration of benefi-
ciaries of the Active solidarity income (RSA, Revenu de
Solidarité Active). It encourages partnerships in the
region, also with private partners and helps to identify
strategic priorities and implementation conditions at
local level. This can be seen as a French way of imple-
menting the Territorial Pacts proposed by the CoR.
Each PTI is thereby preceded by an inclusion plan at
departement level ("Plan Départemental d'Insertion")
including all levels of government and private enter-
prises as of the planning phase. Multi-level governance
is important when undertaking concrete territorial ac-
tions in line with EU guidelines.

Markku Markkula
Member of Espoo City Council, CoR member, rapporteur on the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative
"A digital agenda for Europe"

Mr Markkula started his speech with the statement
that: "Europe's primary goal today must be to get back
on track. The track, however, is not the same as it
used to be". This implies nothing other than the need
of radical transformation of the EU towards a green,
knowledge-based society.
To achieve this goal, Europe needs multi-level govern-
ance approaches, contractual commitments and pio-
neering regions. Improved regional competitiveness –
namely, the knowledge-based competitiveness of in-
habitants as well as companies and public sector pre-
sent in the region – is a key goal. Territorial Pacts
should be "natural components within the National Re-
form Programme", a concrete mechanism within the
Member States' internal policy structure, aimed at en-
suring the commitment of public authorities at all lev-
els.
To this end, each region should elaborate its own, tai-
lor-made Territorial Pact, which would allow it to find
its niche and its areas for strategic collaboration within
the EU and the globalised world. Espoo is undertaking
pioneering activities, such as successful cooperation
between citizen, public authorities and private actors,
and managing to deliver better services in a period of
shrinking budgets.
Europe 2020 BRIEF Page 4

6th Territorial Dialogue: Territorial Pacts and the forthcoming Europe 2020 Agenda

Vasco Errani
President of Emilia-Romagna, Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform member
Mr Errani said that Europe 2020 is "fundamental for torial policies, based on multi-level negotiations includ-
relaunching Europe". This is not without its difficulties, ing different levels of government as well as private
especially when it comes to combining territorial policy sector stakeholders. Its effectiveness rested primarily
and cohesion policy. Territorial Pacts could play an im- on the political will of regional leaders to act and im-
portant role in bringing these policies together, where plement negotiated solutions based on the smart coor-
the Lisbon Strategy failed. Several crucial measures dination of different policies.
have allowed Emilia-Romagna to achieve significant
He argued that cohesion policy should support not only
results. One of them has been an effective strategic
economically weak regions but also strong regions, as
investments scheme cutting across sectoral and terri-
they are the spearheads of innovation.

Marc Schaefer
Member of the Vianden municipal council, CoR member and rapporteur on the Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative
"Youth on the Move"
Mr Schaefer said that Luxembourg's greatest challenges taken, the introduction of late graduation has led to a
within the educational sector concern the need to deal 13% reduction in the drop-out rate. The scheme was
with multilingualism (French, German and English) and offered to pupils not having obtained any degree after
a high school drop-out rate. Among the measures the normal period of schooling.

Coming up on the agenda of Europe 2020 and the Committee of the Regions

 On 24 and 25 March 2011, the Spring European Council will assess progress made in imple-
menting the Strategy at EU and national levels. This year, it will issue guidance on the Europe
2020 National Reform Programmes (NRPs), due for submission by mid April. The NRPs will
set out the member countries' national headline targets and the measures they plan to imple-
ment the strategy's flagship initiatives and tackle bottlenecks to structural reforms at national
level.

 In June 2011, the European Commission will draft country-specific recommendations to EU

Member States, for adoption by the European Council.

 These two milestones take place within the new economic governance mechanism provided by
the European semester, in which macroeconomic and fiscal policies will be reviewed under the
Stability and Growth Pact.

 The forthcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union has asked the
Committee of the Regions to adopt an outlook opinion on “The role of local and regional au-
thorities in achieving the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy”. The opinion will be
adopted in the second half of 2011 and its rapporteur is Mr Markku Markkula (FI/EPP).

 The Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform's (MP) annual workshop will take place before sum-
mer 2011, with the following objectives: presenting the platform's role and rolling programme
and encouraging members' participation in its work; launching the nomination of thematic ex-
perts by MP members to help monitor how the flagship initiatives are being implemented on the
ground; and promoting membership of the Platform.

 Following submission of the NRPs, the Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform will launch surveys to
ascertain whether Europe 2020 is being drafted and implemented in partnership between all tiers
of government and to assess progress on the CoR's Territorial Pact proposal. The results from the
surveys will feed into the Second CoR Monitoring Report on Europe 2020, to be published in
December 2011.
Europe 2020 BRIEF Page 5

6th Territorial Dialogue: EU cities and regions recovering from the Economic Crisis

Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso

CoR first vice-president

Mr Valcárcel Siso opened the af-
ternoon session by drawing atten-
tion to the fact that Europe 2020
was not only a long-term growth
Strategy but also a framework for
the recovery of the EU economy.
He said it was disappointing that
local and regional authorities
seemed to have limited knowledge of the European
Economic Recovery Plan and that its impact was seen
as rather limited so far. Yet the Structural Funds made
a significant contribution to national and regional anti-
crisis measures.
Two elements were crucial: timely involvement of the
regions and cities in domestic recovery plans and co-
operation between local and regional authorities and
the private sector. He said
that a new survey was
being launched: "Anti-
“The imbalances between
crisis policies in regions
and within European re-
and cities two years on: gions are exacerbated by the
Public authorities working varying impact of the crisis
in partnership" (see a later and in many territories a
section in this brief for jobless recovery does not
more details). bring relief to EU citizens.”

László Andor
European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Mr Andor pointed out that the eration between public authorities at different levels
impact of the economic crisis dif- and said that Territorial Pacts were a valuable instru-
fered among Member States and ment for helping regional and local authorities to play
their regions, and that the crisis a key role in delivering on Europe 2020 targets. EU
also proved that European econo- cohesion policy must also be
mies were highly inter-dependent. “To achieve our goals of used fully and efficiently as
It is time to create the conditions smart, sustainable and a tool to implement the new
required for sustainable recovery, inclusive growth we need Strategy. He finished by
by pursuing the Europe 2020 goals. To meet these a successful partnership saying that while the neces-
objectives, it is essential to ensure that people have between European, na- sary fiscal consolidation
the right skills. Jobs in the future are likely to require makes it more difficult to
tional, regional and local
higher levels of knowledge and skills. mobilize the necessary pub-
institutions and a frame-
lic resources, it was essen-
work to ensure public
The Europe 2020 flagship initiatives "Agenda for New tial to look for new ways
resources are invested at
Skills and Jobs" and "Youth on the Move", together how to leverage private
various level of govern-
with the European Social Fund, are the main EU tools funds in support of public
ment in a more consistent
to assist Member States in developing a skilled work- policy objectives.
way.”
force. Mr Andor underlined the urgent need for coop-

Joost P. van Iersel

President of the Steering Committee Europe 2020 of the European Economic and Social Committee
Mr van Iersel argued that metro- contain the following key components: a strong indus-
politan areas, as centres of eco- trial base, better and simplified regional and local
nomic dynamics, are of para- regulations, schooling and
mount importance for Europe's training at all levels, effec- “All cities have their own
economic recovery, and also be- tive employment policies traditions and identities,
cause of their capability to suc- and regional social dia- their strengths and weak-
cessfully mobilise civil society. logues, improved research nesses: the EU is very well-
He said that metropolitan areas were natural socio- capacities and science placed to play an active role
economic spaces with a “critical mass” of at least half parks, economic clusters, in developing future-
a million inhabitants. He pointed to "urban renais- virtual and physical infra- oriented cities.”
sance" as a new trend and called for metropolitan ar- structure. The commitment
eas to become spearheads of innovation. In order to of national governments, direct commitment from the
achieve this goal, metropolitan areas should develop Commission, financial support at the EU level, as well
their own holistic Europe 2020 Agenda which should as the interest of private investors, would all be crucial
in making these Agendas a success.
Europe 2020 BRIEF Page 6

6th Territorial Dialogue: EU cities and regions recovering from the Economic Crisis

Nicola Beer
State Secretary for European Affairs, Ministry of Hesse for Justice, Integration & European Affairs, CoR member

Nicola Beer described how Hesse, one of Germany's
Länder and one of the strongest in economic terms,
had counteracted the effects of the crisis. Federal
funds to finance short-term work, together with the
Land's special investment programme of 1.7 billion
EUR, has helped to keep the unemployment rate low.
The region adjusted its investment programmes to the
objectives of Europe 2020 guidelines, including green
renovation of school buildings and other public facili-
ties and bringing them to higher energy performance
levels.
As of 2010, over 5300 programmes have been carried
out in the region, mainly aimed at stimulating the
economy through financing SMEs and investing in in-
frastructure. It is time to pull back the state influence
and to reduce the budget deficit, which increased as a
result of the crisis.

Rob van Gijzel

Mayor of Eindhoven, Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform member

Mr van Gijzel reported that Eindhoven experienced a
serious economic crisis already in the 90s. At that
time, public, private and knowledge sectors put their
heads together and set up a stimulation fund.
Drawing upon lessons learnt from that period and the
measures introduced by the local authority, Eindhoven
managed to withstand the recent crisis without a ma-
jor economic decrease. In particular, the city – coop-
erating with the national government, the private sec-
tor and academia – introduced a number of job market
measures, known as part-time unemployment facility
and measures to prevent highly educated knowledge
workers from losing their jobs and leaving the region.
As the crisis is not over yet, more investment in edu-
cation and research is needed to withstand competi-
tion with Asian economies. Eindhoven addresses these
challenges in its programme "Brainport 2020: Top
Economy, Smart Society" which aim is to make by
2020 Southeast Netherlands the Top 3 of Europe's top
technology regions.

Constance Hanniffy
Member of the Offaly County Council and Midland Regional Authority, member of the Border Midland and West
Assembly, CoR member, Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform member
Mrs Hannify said that the economic crisis posed an authorities who have to deal with the aftermath of the
unprecedented challenge for Ireland in all spheres of crisis. In this regard, a 4 year recovery plan has been
life: Ireland's real GDP has fallen by 11% in 3 years, launched by the authorities, focused on restoring
the unemployment rate has risen from 4 to 11%, net- credit availability, reforming the labour market, invest-
emigration has reappeared again after years of net- ing in innovation, reducing the regulatory burden for
immigration, and the property market has undergone businesses, and creating a pro-enterprise environ-
a deep recession with over 3000 unfinished properties ment. Mrs Hanniffy saw the crisis as a turning point
scattered across Ireland. It is mainly local and regional for the Irish economy and Ireland as a whole.

All materials
(agenda, presentations, speeches)
from the 6th Territorial Dialogue
are available at
www.cor.europa.eu/europe2020
Europe 2020 BRIEF Page 7

6th Territorial Dialogue: EU cities and regions recovering from the Economic Crisis

Uno Silberg
Member of Kose Rural Municipality Council, CoR member and Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform member
Mr Silberg gave a rather gloomy description of the "Estonia 2020" as a possible solution to the current
socio-economic situation in his country. He said that in problems. The programme is being developed, in close
2009 average income had decreased for the first time cooperation with Estonian local and regional authori-
during the last decade in Estonia and that the number ties. He called on the national government to provide
of younger people aged 16 to 24 living in poverty had the local and regional authorities with sufficient finan-
increased to 20%. However, he said that the situation cial means to combat the crisis. EU funds should con-
slightly improved in 2010 and Estonia GDP grew by tinue to be accessible in a more simple and flexible
3.1% compared to the previous year. way. Mr Silberg concluded his speech by saying that
local and regional authorities should not pay the price
Mr Silberg identified the National Reform Programme for the crisis.

Krzysztof Kasprzyk
Counsellor for Regional and Cohesion Policy, Permanent Representation of the Republic of Poland to the European
Union and Representative of the forthcoming Polish Presidency
Mr Kasprzyk welcomed the fact that the Committee of proach. To this end, regional programming and Terri-
the Regions was so involved in the new Strategy, torial Pacts, as proposed by the Committee of the Re-
through its Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform. He pre- gions, could be relevant tools.
sented Poland as an example of the effective manage-
ment of structural funds and efficient spending aligned Poland has recently introduced the concept of territo-
with EU guidelines. In this area, the Polish Presidency rial contracts to set regional development goals and
of the EU has three priorities: increasing the political priorities into a framework agreed between the na-
importance of cohesion policy, taking an integrated tional and regional levels. This approach is currently
approach to development by combining the goals of being tested by a few Polish regions and the aim is for
Europe 2020 with cohesion policy, and successfully it to be fully implemented by 2013. Mr Kasprzyk's
negotiating the EU's new multi-annual financial frame- final point was that cohesion policy should help each
work. There is a need for all sectoral policies to have a region to find the best way to build on its own
regional focus, based on a genuine bottom-up ap- strengths.

6th Territorial Dialogue: Speakers' discussion with the CoR and Platform members

During the 'dialogue time' sessions, local and regional
politicians from the audience, along with leaders of
associations representing EU cities and regions, gave
their views on what the Europe 2020 Strategy should
focus on and how to achieve the desired results.
They stressed that Europe 2020 would be successful if
local and regional authorities (LRAs) got involved and
cohesion policy came into play. They supported the
view that cooperation between different levels of gov-
ernment was needed to achieve better, tangible re-
sults at local level, welcoming the CoR proposal on
Territorial Pacts for Europe 2020. Some participants
(e.g. from Hungary) presented their home country's
experience in developing National Reform Pro-
grammes. In France, the project contracts concluded
between the State and the various regions (contrats
de projets état-région) are part of the legal frame-
work: they are in fact pacts under which the state and
the region commit themselves to ensuring multi-
annual funding for territorial development projects
covering several possible sectors (transport, the envi-
ronment, energy, third-level education, territorial
planning, agriculture and fisheries, industry, employ-
ment, culture, health, sport, tourism).
The need to go beyond the GDP indicator was also
raised, in order to cover the different goals of the
Europe 2020 Strategy and to better respond to the
diversity of territories at local level. The participants
shared the view that pacts in the sector of employ-
ment and social inclusion could be a useful tool for
achieving smart specialisation and equipping workers
with the requisite skills. Europe 2020 would succeed if
its targets were set not only at European and national
levels, but also at regional and local levels, and if the
potential for cross-border cooperation (e.g. in the con-
text of the single market) was taken into account. Ref-
erence was made to the need for the recovery plans to
include environmental and social aspects, to achieve
sustainable development based on clean energy and
environmental-friendly infrastructure. It was noted
Europe 2020 BRIEF
6th Territorial Dialogue: Speakers' discussion with the CoR and Platform members
that sophisticated research centres of excellence did
not always translate ideas into innovation; hence there
should be more focus on SMEs and their innovation
capacities also in terms of private funding. The point
was also made that cities and regions needed to per-
form better as spearheads for innovation – which
should be understood as more than just research.
There was a unanimous view that the Strategy would
deliver only if it built on each region's existing assets.
The closer to the regional and local levels, the more
policy choices would reflect underlying needs and be
CoR Statement to the 2011 Spring European Council - 4 March 2011
On the eve of the European Council meeting (24/25
March) and following the 6th Territorial Dialogue (22
February), the Committee of the Regions Bureau has
issued a Declaration to the European Council on a bet-
ter implementation of Europe 2020. It insists on
"including a requirement for multi-level partnership
between central, regional and local governments in
order to ensure an increased ownership over the
Europe 2020 Strategy". In this context it asks that
"National Reform Programmes are designed and imple-
mented in partnership with all tiers of government, and
President Bresso meets the EU Member States' permanent representatives to the
European Union to discuss Europe 2020 - 8 March 2011
In a packed meeting room with Member States' per-
manent representatives to the EU and the heads of
the National Delegations at the Committee of the Re-
gions, CoR President Mercedes Bresso explained that
the meeting has been convened in preparation for the
forthcoming Spring European Council, which will pro-
vide Member States with the final set of political
guidelines before they are due to submit their Europe
2020 National Reform Programmes by mid April 2011.
The time available before the April deadline should be
used to ensure that Europe 2020 is put on the right
track, avoiding the mistakes that have affected the
Lisbon Strategy in the past decade. Such mistakes
might still occur. In fact, until now, local and regional
authorities seem to have been barely involved at all in
preparations for the National Reform Programmes.
To address this problem, the Committee has proposed
Page 8
effective. Coordination of efforts brings results if poli-
cymakers focus on fewer actions, and territorial pacts
could serve this purpose.
Besides the panellists, the following participants took
the floor: István Sértő-Radics, CoR member, Mayor of
Uszka (Hungary); Rolf Harlinghausen, CoR member
from Hamburg (Germany); Rudolf C. Louwers from
INTERREG IV for North-Western Europe; Javier
Velasco Mancebo, CoR alternate member from As-
turias (Spain).
make clear reference to the establishment of Territorial
Pacts for Europe 2020 to be subscribed in each mem-
ber country in accordance with the national legal
framework".
When it comes to monitoring activities, the Declaration
recalls that the CoR will "keep monitoring the impact
on the territories of the crisis and of EU and national
recovery policies" and it will publish next December the
second Monitoring Report on Europe 2020 tracking the
Strategy's implementation on the ground.
that Territorial Pacts for Europe 2020 be established in
all countries between the different tiers of govern-
ment. Not only would Territorial Pacts allow Europe
2020 the flexibility to cope with each country's starting
points and experiences, they would also provide an
opportunity to test in advance some new proposals
that are being put forward by the European Commis-
sion in view of the next multi-annual financial frame-
work. Two of these proposals are supported by the
Committee of the Regions: a common strategic frame-
work to coordinate and focus the use of the structural
funds as well as other EU policy instruments, and in-
vestment and development partnership contracts be-
tween Member States and the Commission. This is
why the Committee views the next Spring European
Council as a key opportunity to press ahead with
Europe 2020. After Ms Bresso's address, Peter
Györkös, permanent representative of Hungary to the
Europe 2020 BRIEF Page 9

President Bresso meets the EU Member States' permanent representatives to the

European Union to discuss Europe 2020 - 8 March 2011

EU, gave his opening speech highlighting the chal-
lenges which the ongoing rotating Presidency of the
Council is facing in the first European Semester, espe-
cially in the fields of reforming economic governance
and financial regulations.
In the lively debate that followed, the permanent rep-
resentatives of Poland, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and
Romania took the floor, as well as a representative of
the permanent representation of Italy. Statements
were also made by the heads of the CoR National
Delegations from Poland, Germany, Lithuania, the
Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain, Austria, Italy, the
Netherlands, Romania, the United Kingdom, France
and Finland.
The debate showed a wide consensus on the need to
make the most of Europe 2020 and on the relevance
of the proposal to establish Territorial Pacts. Several
examples were given of past and present experiences
based on approaches which are very much in line with
the concept of the Territorial Pact.

Territorial Pacts

Getting to know the Territorial Pacts for

Europe 2020 - Brochure

On the occasion of the Sixth Territorial Dialogue on 22

February 2011, the CoR published a brochure - Terri-
torial Pacts: Making the Most of Europe 2020
through Partnership - FAQs on the proposal for
Territorial Pacts to achieve the objectives of the
Europe 2020 Strategy.

The brochure – available in all languages at

www.cor.europa.eu/europe2020 – provides an over-
view of the concept of Territorial Pacts for Europe
2020, defined as “an agreement between a country’s
tiers of government (local, regional, national)”, com-
mitted to coordinate and synchronise their policy
agendas in order to focus their actions and financial
resources on the Europe 2020 Strategy goals and tar-
gets. Well aware that there is no one-size-fits-all rec-
ipe, Territorial Pacts should give the territorial dimen-
sion of the Europe 2020 strategy, reflecting the local
conditions, needs and starting points.

Territorial Pacts for Europe 2020:

Monitoring and learning from experience
Webpage

With the aim of collecting and disseminating Territorial

Pacts for Europe 2020, the CoR, through its Monitoring
Platform Europe 2020, has created a special webpage
devoted to this topic.

The webpage contains ongoing cases of Europe 2020-

related Territorial Pacts and a section with useful
documents.

To share knowledge about the Territorial Pacts, local

and regional authorities are requested to fill in the
form available on the webpage and send it to the e-
mail address europe2020@cor.europa.eu

www.cor.europa.eu/europe2020
Europe 2020 BRIEF
Ongoing Surveys
Anti-Crisis Policies in Regions & Cities
Two Years On: public authorities working in
partnership
The aim of this survey is to review the socio-economic
situation in the EU's regions and cities during the crisis
and to provide a further assessment by local and re-
gional authorities of the anti-crisis measures adopted
with the assistance of the European Union. This sur-
vey is a follow-up to the first survey on this topic:
"The European Economic Recovery Plan in Regions
and Cities: One Year On" conducted at the end of
2009 (results available on the Europe 2020 Monitoring
Platform website).
The results of this survey will be used as a basis for
contributions to the debate on the need for anti-crisis
measures, better spending of EU, national, regional
and local financial resources, and on the effectiveness
of Europe 2020 as an exit strategy. Last but not least
they will give a snapshot of the current situation in
regions and cities on the eve of the discussion on the
Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.
Running until 4
April 2011, the
survey is open to
local and regional
authorities from
the EU member
states.
To participate in the survey, please visit:
http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/Surveys/
Pages/AntiCrisisPoliciesinRegionsCities.aspx
Recently closed surveys
The Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform recently final-
ised its two surveys: "European Platform against
Poverty and Social Exclusion" and "The role of
regional and local authorities in promoting a
sustainable water policy".
Both of them attracted more than 40 contributions
each. The results of the surveys were presented to the
Rapporteurs in view of their ongoing work on the re-
spective opinions. Christine Chapman's opinion on the
social Flagship Initiative will be adopted in March 2011
Page 10
Consultation on the upcoming
Second European Agenda on Integration
The CoR has been asked by the European Commission
(DG HOME) to contribute to a consultation on the up-
coming Second European Agenda on Integration,
expected to be published later in 2011. Running until
31 March 2011, the consultation is open to local and
regional authorities from the EU member states.
This Second European Agenda for Integration confirm
the Member States' commitment to further develop
the core idea of integrating third country nationals
legally residing in the European Union as a driving
force for development and social cohesion.
The Committee of the
Regions believes that
successfully implement-
ing all integration initia-
tives depends on an
effective partnership
between all the stake-
holders concerned in a
genuine multi-level-
governance approach. It has therefore been asked by
the European Commission to coordinate input from
public authorities at the local and regional level in the
consultation on the Second European Agenda for Inte-
gration.
To take a part in this consultation, please visit:
http://portal.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/news/Pages/
SecondEuropeanAgendaonIntegration.aspx
while Nichi Vendola's outlook opinion, requested by
the Hungarian Presidency, is scheduled to be adopted
in June 2011.
We thank very much all contributors - your ideas, sug-
gestions and good practices will feed into the 2nd CoR
Monitoring Report on Europe 2020 (to be published in
December 2011).
Europe 2020 BRIEF Page 11

Studies
 After Lisbon, the role of regional and local authorities in a new strategy for sustainable growth
and better jobs - Local sustainable energy strategies: opportunities and challenges

This study investigates how regional and local authorities contribute to the objectives of the Europe 2020 Strat-
egy, using efforts to promote sustainable energy and climate mitigation as examples. It analyses experiences
and best practices of local and regional authorities in transforming their energy systems, thereby contributing
significantly to the implementation of the EU 20/20/20 targets. It also proposes a set of recommendations for
future improvements to the framework in which municipalities operate.

 After Lisbon, the role of regional and local authorities in a new strategy for sustainable growth
and better jobs - 60 interviews with politicians from the Lisbon Monitoring Platform

The specific objective of this study was to provide the Committee of the Regions (CoR) with a document summa-
rizing a series of interviews with 60 local and regional stakeholders from across the EU27 on their experiences in
adopting the Lisbon Strategy; possible inconsistencies with their priorities; the local and regional policy tools best
suited to pursue the Strategy; the benefits of adopting a multi-level governance approach, as well as their expec-
tations regarding the CoR’s post-Lisbon activities.

To access these studies, please visit "Library" on : www.cor.europa.eu/europe2020

Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform

Become a Member of Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform
What is the Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform?
The Europe 2020 MP is a CoR-managed network of around 150 local and regional authorities from all EU Member
States networking on growth and jobs and contributing to the EU debate on Europe 2020.

Who can become a member of the EUROPE2020MP?

Any EU local and regional authority can be a member of the Europe 2020 MP. ber
ea Mem
B ecom
What does the EU2020MP offer its members?
The EUROPE2020MP:
 carries out surveys and consultations of EU local and regional authorities on priority Europe 2020 policy is-
sues, whose outcomes feed into CoR Opinions;
 since 2006, organises the annual Territorial Dialogue, where political representatives of its member authori-
ties discuss the outcomes of the Platform's monitoring activity with representatives of the European Com-
mission and the Council Presidency;
 organises workshops to discuss policy issues related to Europe 2020 implementation and monitoring;
 throughout Website and electronic newsletters, provides systematic updates and basic documents on
Europe 2020 design and implementation and on the Platform's activity and planned events, etc.

What does Europe 2020 MP request of its members?

Whenever possible, members of the EUROPE2020MP are requested to:
 participate in surveys and consultations,
 participate in the Territorial Dialogue and other meetings and events,
participate in other possible thematic activities (e.g., virtual working groups, targeted surveys/consul-

tations), exchange experiences and good practices and help with CoR consultative work,
 inform the Europe 2020 MP team in good time about any change regarding the administration's political
representative and contact person.

To become a Member of the Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform please fill in the application form available here:
www.cor.europa.eu/europe2020/Knowledge/Pages/BecomeaMember.aspx