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Regional revitalization – driven by green policies and technological advancements – is a key priority across Europe, and it is clear that this transformation is most urgent in rural, post- industrial, and suburban areas adjacent to major cities.
The role of large companies that operate in these areas cannot be overstated. Their contributions, spanning job creation, upskilling of local workforces, and community investments, play an important role in transforming these areas. Moreover, private sector initiatives can serve as a model for a pan-EU strategy that would breathe new life into these areas.
“Regional Revitalization: The Transformative Power of Investment in Rural and Post-IndustrialAreas Across Europe” will highlight the experiences of these companies and serve as a platform to discuss effective models that EU leaders can look to when navigating regional revitalization. The event will feature insights from experts through roundtable discussions on a variety of topics, such as the current status of post-industrial regions in Europe, the EU's perspective on job creation and economic impact that results from re-industrialization, and shared experiences of revitalizing rural and post-industrial regions.
Panels will include representatives and experts from various sectors, including distinguished figures from various European institutions. Professionals from key industries such as automotive, food, and logistics will also share their perspectives and experiences on how private sector companies can play a crucial role in boosting local economies across European regions.

The European Commission identifies buildings in the EU as the primary energy consumer, accounting for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. In December 2021, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, as part of the so-called ‘Fit for 55’ package.
In March, MEPs adopted the proposed revision of the Directive. It aims to progressively decrease greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sectortowards climate neutrality by 2050.
Specifically, all new buildings should be zero-emission as of 2030, while Member States must enact measures for energy consumption reduction and renovate a portion of poorly performing non-residential buildings. Additionally, there is a focus on decarbonising heating systems.
Improving building energy efficiency not only reduces bills and energy poverty but also enhances Europe's energy independence, stimulates the economy, and generates green jobs, particularly in construction.
Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Some questions to be discussed include:
- Is the Directive sufficiently aligned with the EU's climate ambitions?- Are the measures feasible for Member States to implement?- What existing initiatives address energy efficiency and the renovation of buildings?- Are measures needed to support the construction industry in fulfilling the Directive's objectives?
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 893858.
This website reflects only the author’s view and the Research Executive Agency or European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

2024 marks the year of another significant change in the EU’s political composition. Every five years, EU leaders collectively determine the EU's political priorities, a process occurring in conjunction with the European Parliament elections and preceding the appointment of each European Commission. Kicked off by the European elections in early June, the shifts in political groups and coalitions within the EU will shape its policy agenda and future legislation.
In light of the recent farmer’s protests all over Europe, but most notably in Brussels, the future of the agricultural sector is under the microscope like no other sector at the moment. Special attention will be paid to any new developments, plans, and legislation, putting a lot of pressure on the new leaders of the EU.

Decarbonising the heating and cooling sector is central to achieving the energy transition. This is recognised in the European Green Deal and the ‘Fit for 55’ package, as without increasing the share of renewables in this sector, our energy and climate targets cannot be achieved cost-effectively.
Within the heating sector, district heating is proving particularly difficult to decarbonise, as district heating systems operate mostly on fossil fuels. However, some stakeholders argue that power-to-heat technologies could be a good solution, as they use renewable energy for heating.
By converting electricity into heat, power-to-heat technologies have the potential to help raise the share of renewable energy in the district heating sector. Power-to-heat could be particularly important in large heating systems which, due to their high heat demand, and with a lack of local renewables, are the most difficult to decarbonise.
Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the potential of power-to-heat technologies in decarbonising district heating. Questions to be discussed include:· How can power-to-heat help in reaching the objectives of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives?· What role can power-to-heat play in energy stabilisation? And what implications can this have on energy grids?· What are the next steps to support the necessary rollout of power-to-heat technologies in district heating?

Forests play a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. They act as carbon sinks and preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. Yet, climate change is increasingly causing extreme weather conditions, and damages such as wildfires, windstorms and floods are harming forests all over Europe.
To address these challenges, the European Commission introduced the Forest Monitoring Law in November 2023, a regulation on a monitoring framework for resilient European forests. This proposal is part of the EU forest strategy for 2030, which seeks to strengthen the protection, restoration and resilience of forests in the EU.
More resilient and diverse forests are essential to cope better with environmental disturbances and to adapt to climate change. This strategy also calls for adequate monitoring of EU forests to help forest owners and managers adjust management practices to forest disturbances.
While stakeholders generally support this proposal, some find it vague and call for stronger initiatives to achieve forest resilience. They also highlight the need for other key indicators to track forest evolution, and for a more unified monitoring framework across EU member states.
Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss how to make EU forests more resilient against climate change and disturbances. Questions to be addressed include:
- In the framework of the Forest Monitoring Law proposal, how can we guarantee effective strategic planning and progress monitoring at the EU level?- What support mechanisms are available to assist forest owners and managers in implementing resilience-building measures? How can their forests remain economically viable?- To what extent can the EU harmonise forest resilience management in its member states?
Life Terra is co-financed by the European Commission through the LIFE Programme (LIFE19 CCM/NL/001200).
The content of this publication represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The Agency does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.

"Les rencontres européennes de la Fepem" se présentent comme un rendez-vous au cœur des préoccupations européennes. Organisé par la Fepem, cette rencontre d'une demi-journée, prévue pour le 22 avril dans les locaux du Think Tank EuropaNova et sous le patronage de la Commission Européenne, réunira une soixantaine de participants, dont des candidats tête de liste ou leurs représentants aux élections européennes, des acteurs majeurs du secteur de l'emploi à domicile, ainsi que des représentants des institutions européennes.
Cet événement a pour ambition de mettre en lumière les enjeux cruciaux liés à l'emploi à domicile, en particulier dans le contexte de la prochaine législature européenne. Face au vieillissement démographique, aux défis du care et aux métiers en tension, il s'agit de sensibiliser les décideurs politiques et les acteurs du secteur aux défis et opportunités de ce domaine souvent méconnu mais essentiel pour l'avenir de nos sociétés.
À travers un format interactif, les participants auront l'opportunité d'échanger leurs visions, leurs propositions et leurs engagements autour de thématiques telles que l'emploi, l'égalité de genre, l'immigration, la professionnalisation, la protection sociale et les soins à domicile. Chaque candidat ou représentant aura l'occasion de présenter ses projets pour le secteur, tandis que les intervenants des institutions européennes apporteront un éclairage sur le rôle de l'Europe dans ces domaines.
Le débat sera modéré par un expert de chez Euractiv, garantissant neutralité et dynamisme. Ce forum s'inscrit pleinement dans la dynamique de la campagne européenne, visant à sensibiliser les citoyens et à encourager une participation active aux élections.