CITY REPRESENTATION AT EU LEVEL AND PURPOSE

Representation of City by liaising with

• EU institutions: European Commission, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, European Economic and Social Committee, and other institutions operating in Brussels,
• National diplomatic posts: Permanent Representation to the EU, National Embassy in the Kingdom of Belgium
• Cities associations and networks representing cities (e.g. EUROCITIES, Cities for Cohesion etc.)

Promotion of City  by

• participating in mass and cyclical pro-European promotion events: “Open Doors” in May, and “Open Days” in October,
• participating in industrial fairs,
• holding own thematic promotion events (exhibitions presenting City's industrial, cultural, and tourist resources; thematic seminars, business presentations),
• organising thematic study trips to City and Brussels,
• organising economic missions to Brussels for City’s - based entities, and to City for Belgian entities.

 Monitoring

• the EU legislation, in particular that relating to the EU’s urban policies and executive regulations, instruments, and initiatives supporting City’s development,
• competitions and bids announced by the European Commission in the Official Journal of the European Union,
• the works of the European institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, Committee of the Regions, etc.),
• general political and administrative situation in Brussels by researching such periodicals as: The European Voice, The European Agenda, etc.

Lobbying:

• for projects submitted by City’s Executive Office, or City-based institutions, to be financed out of the EU funds,
• for urban policies to be included in the mainstream EU policies (mainstreaming),
• through specialised associations and networks (ACTE, POLIS, ERRIN, Cities for Cohesion, etc.) for support of the City’s policies.

Stimulate:

• students through traineeships held by City ,
• entrepreneurs by organising information and trade exchanges in different sectors,
• professionals (culture, fashion, film, research) by creating experience exchange opportunities, or study trips,
• incoming and outgoing tourists in order to familiarise them with the unique characteristics of City.

Keeping the local players informed:

• of any competitions, grants, projects, white and blue papers of the European Commission, by directly transmitting information with respect to the foregoing to the institutions with interest
• within the existing contact networks, seek European partners for City--based institutions with a view to jointly participating in the EU programmes and projects,
• transmit information on the City’s current operations, including events or meetings in which the City is a participant, and on important decisions regarding the EU policies, through the website and by sending out press releases, newsletters, etc.,
• keep the European communities informed of the City’s primary economic, tourist, and cultural strengths, and events which might have an impact on the City’s position in Europe.

 Resources

• United Cities and Local Governments: Members in 100 countries and represents both associations and cities.
• Metropolis : Represents 77 member cities across the world and operates as an international forum for exploring issues and concerns common to major cities.
• Eurocities : Network of major European cities. Founded in 1986, the network brings together the local governments of more than 120 large cities in over 30 European countries. Eurocities provides a platform for its member cities to share knowledge and ideas, to exchange experiences, to analyse common problems and develop innovative solutions, through a wide range of forums, working groups, projects, activities and events. Eurocities gives cities a voice in Europe, by engaging in dialogue with the European institutions on all aspects of EU legislation, policies and programmes that have an impact on cities and their citizens. The network is active across a wide range of policy areas including: economic development and cohesion policy, provision of public services, environment, transport and mobility, employment and social affairs, culture, education, information and knowledge society, governance and international cooperation.
• Energie-Cités : With over 110 members in 21 countries and representing close to 300 towns and cities, Energie-Cités is the association of European local authorities for promotion of local sustainable energy policies. Because 75% of all energy consumption in Europe occurs in urban areas, local authorities more than ever have a pivotal role to play.
• Network of Metropolitan Regions and Areas : The Network of Metropolitan Regions and Areas was founded in 1996 during the Conference of Metropolitan Regions of Glasgow, city that chairs the network. It is a professional network with more than 40 members devoted to the formulation and implementation of strategies, policies, programs and projects related to plan and develop metropolitan areas.
• European Federation of Conference Towns: It has members in approximately 30 European countries. EFCT has two member categories: cities and regions members of the Federation (full membership); and organizations and firms of the congress sector (partner membership). Headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium.
• Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR): The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is the oldest and broadest European association of local and regional government. Brings together the national associations of local and regional authorities from 41 European countries and represents, through them, all levels of territories – local, intermediate and regional.