Goodbye Lisbon Regions Network – Welcome EU2020 Regions Network

With the launch of “Europe 2020” – the new Lisbon Strategy to set the economic and social agenda of the EU for the next ten years – this was perfect timing for the Lisbon Regions Network to meet in Amsterdam to discuss its future programme. Cllr Ken Taylor, leader of Coventry City Council and chair of the West Midlands Leaders Board, represented the West Midlands.

Introduced by the Mayor of Amsterdam, Mr Job Cohen, the conference focused on the future of the network and agreed the change of name to “EU2020 Regions Network” to reflect the new EU strategy.

The new Europe 2020 strategy has three priorities – Smart growth; Inclusive growth; and Greener growth – and the event was a timely opportunity to present and discuss the European Commission’s plans and the 1500 consultation responses including those from the Lisbon Regions Network and the West Midlands.

The debate then continued with expert speakers from the European Commission, the Lisbon Council and the Hessen region from Germany, followed by a panel discussion with other invited speakers from industry, academia and the Committee of the Regions, focusing on key issues relating to the regional dimension of the Europe 2020 Strategy and how regions need to be key players both in the policy dialogue at European level as well as implementing the policies on the ground.

“These priorities are very much linked to the West Midlands region’s priorities”, remarked Cllr Taylor. “This meeting was an excellent opportunity to get first hand thinking on the Europe 2020 strategy and work with the other regions in the network in order to learn how they will incorporate the Europe 2020 policies in their regional strategies and regional architectures.”

The network’s new name and logo is unveiled at the conference

Launched in March 2004, the Lisbon Regions Network was established as a network of 15 ambitious European regions, with a shared interest in the delivery of the Lisbon Strategy at regional and local level and the aim of contributing to its future development at European, national, regional and local level, in order to stimulate jobs and growth.