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Our economic development forum provides a platform for policy development in relation to innovation and economic development policies, at local, national and EU level

The European agenda is driven by the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This overarching strategy plays an important role in the design of the EU budget 2014-2020.

Our forum focuses in particular on influencing the following policies and funding programmes:

• EU budget 2014-2020

• cohesion policy

• services of general interest (SGEI) policies

• public procurement policy

• entrepreneurship and SME policies

• innovation policy

• Horizon 2020 funding programme for research and innovation

Our forum also provides a platform for cities to exchange on economic development policies in relation to urban development strategies, local economic policies, entrepreneurship and SME policies, employment strategies, public services and urban regeneration.

Members also debate on the spatial dimension of these policies and focus on integrated urban development, as well as the importance of the metropolitan area level.

2013 priorities: 

• EU funding to support cities’ integrated development:

Lobbying on EU budget 2014-2020, cohesion policy, competitiveness and innovation programmes, Horizon 2020, other relevant programmes and policies, and on financial instruments.

• economic recovery, long-term economic development, and employment:

Demonstrating that cities are the engines of growth in Europe, for instance through their support to entrepreneurship, employment and lifelong learning schemes. Exploring ways to foster innovation in cities and thereby boost the local economy.

• integrated development of functional urban areas:

Promoting integrated approaches in urban planning and urban regeneration schemes. Advocating the place-based approach in different EU policies. Outlining the importance of metropolitan areas in today’s urbanised societies.