Regio Waves is back! With our new host Fiorella Lavorgna, dive into the many ways in which Cohesion Policy adapts to ever-changing circumstances and new crises. In our first episode, we'll delve into the power of the EU in tackling global threats, starting from the war in Ukraine and looking beyond to the security of the continent. How does the war affect the EU budget and the path to a greener future? European Commission experts Kadri Uustal and Antonia Battaglia lend their voices to unravel these complex issues. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since February 2022, over seven million refugees left the Ukrainian territory, with a large amount finding shelter in Poland. How do Polish cities manage to integrate those citizens? Does the initial solidarity of the local population lasts? Being the Mayor of Łódź since 2010, Hanna Zdanowska, this episode’s guest, explains the dynamics, the current state of affairs and talks about the benefits of having more people living in the city. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When crisis arise, young people are the ones to struggle. Those who are new to the labour market are the most vulnerable and at risk of unemployment. They seize the opportunities and keep moving forward, but it is not always an easy path. How is the European Union protecting the Next Generation? Are young people’s voices heard sufficiently at the highest political level? What does it mean to be a young person in Europe today? Zdenka Trachtova deconstructs these issues with Tine Radinja, mayor of Slovenian town Škofja Loka and member of the European Committee of the Regions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cohesion policy is about leaving no one behind, but what happens when citizens feel left-behind? What is the development trap and how is it correlated with Eurosceptic views and voting patterns? Is the EU failing to help “the places that do not matter” or is it failing to make itself understood? In this episode, Zdenka Trachtova discusses brain drain, regional disparities, populism and just transition with Lewis Dijkstra, Head of the Economic Analysis Sector at European Commission’s DG Regio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Citizens and policy-makers need to take a hard look at mobility in the face of Europe’s ongoing efforts to become carbon-neutral. This rings true for most EU cities, where cars have enjoyed decades of unchallenged primacy. What will future cities look like? Will they be greener, more inclusive? Car-less? Can we even afford to dream of future cities, in the middle of the present energy crisis? Zdenka Trachtova discusses with Linda Gaasch, Councilwoman for Luxembourg City for the Greens and Member of the Committee of the Regions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cohesion Policy can feel technical and complicated: how to explain its purpose to a classroom of teenagers? Solidarity is the answer, and Cohesion policy is there to do that. But is it only about the money? What are its implications? How does solidarity look at local and European level or in the face of unprecedented crisis? Zdenka Trachtova interviews Marc Lemaitre, Director General of the Regional department of the European Commission and Francesco Molica Director for Cohesion and EU Budget at Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions to understand the many ways in which Cohesion Policy adapts to European people’s needs.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.