No way back to “business as usual” | Your PES Group newsletter

Travel is resuming, coronavirus measures are being lifted and people are slowly returning to “business as usual” in most EU countries. While most of us are finding joy in returning to normal and fast-paced activities, major world crises are reminding us that the answer can only be found in new solutions. 

Our planet is running out of oxygen as we are going back to pre-COVID air pollution levels. But all hope is not lost and despite the gloomy results from the recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the planet has still a chance to reboot and reshape the world after COVID-19.

The war in Ukraine is also showing us how crucial it is for the European Union to strengthen itself to live up to its historic mission and the expectations of its citizens. 

Scroll down to learn more about how progressive local and regional leaders are putting concrete solutions forward for a resilient economy in line with climate-neutrality goals 👇👇👇

🇪🇺 A European Economic governance tailored to our territories and regions’ realities

While EU citizens are suffering terribly from the pandemic’s consequences, the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine gives a new push to the revision of the EU Economic Governance. In this context, our member Elio Di Rupo, Minister-President of the Wallonia region, has asked to adapt the European economic governance to our territories and regions’ realities. ➡️ Read our article on how we can change the EU’s outdated economic and budgetary rules review

🏭 It’s time for clean, secure and affordable energy

Progressive cities and regions are strongly committed to achieving climate neutrality. Our member Peter Kurz, Lord Mayor of Mannheim in Germany, is calling on the EU to make the Emissions Trading System and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism work for all. ➡️ Learn more about this call on climate responsibility through a cap-and-trade approach

🏥 The health crisis is an issue of solidarity for the EU

We interviewed our member Christophe Clergeau, member of the Pays de la Loire Regional Council, on the new European health authority called HERA. ➡️ Read his interview where we asked him about the issues related to the creation of this new authority and the role of local and regional authorities in its governance.

🌍 A #JustEUGreenDeal 

From raising awareness to reducing air pollution, progressive local and regional elected politicians are on the frontline to implement the EU Green Deal on the ground with a comprehensive social dimension, leaving no one behind. ➡️ Listen to the experience of our members in their city and region!

🔵🟡 More than 60 days of war in Ukraine

Cities and regions stand with Ukraine and are on the frontline to welcome Ukrainian refugees. 📺 Listen to our President Christophe Rouillon during the visit with the European Committee of the Regions to the Ukrainian-Polish border.

During the Committee of the Regions plenary this week, we called for giving support to regions and cities in their efforts of welcoming refugees. An easier and timely access to EU funds will be indispensable.

❤️ #ProgressiveLocalStories 

Simplifying rules is as important as creating new ones. Take a look at this inspiring initiative by our member Pascal Smet, Secretary of State of the Brussels Region for Urbanism and international relations, who is making it less constraining to obtain a permit to build a bicycle path or provide temporary shelter to the homeless.

What’s coming next? 

🇪🇺 Celebrate Europe Day with us!

The Open Days at the European institutions are back! Join us to celebrate Europe Day at the Committee of the Regions and the European Parliament. Stay tuned for more info and see you on 7 May in Brussels ➡️ More info

📽️ Promote the movie “All of Us”

The UN marked 16 May as International Day of Living Together in Peace. This year the European Committee of the Regions has decided to give its patronage to the film “All of Us” by Pierre Pirard to mark this important day. We invite you all to host a screening of the movie in your communities or simply share it via social media to celebrate this important occasion. ➡️ More info here

👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 Are you a student in journalism or a young journalist? 

All you need is a pen, a paper and passion to apply for the Youth4Regions, a programme designed for aspiring journalists all around Europe. ➡️ Apply here

💙💛 Helping #UkrainianRefugees: Are you hiring? 

Ukrainian women need jobs in the EU in order to escape Putin’s horrible war. We support the Ukrainian Women’s Lobby's efforts to help them. You can find all the contacts here below: 

🙏 For the header photo, we thank Jan Kopřiva from Unsplash.