Renew Europe CoR

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Renew Europe CoR

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The Renew Europe Group in the European Committee of the Regions.

We represent liberal & democrat city mayors, regional presidents and ministers, and local and regional councillors in the process of developing EU policies & laws. Renew Europe in the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the political group that represents liberal & democrat city mayors, regional presidents and ministers, and local and regional councillors in the process of developing EU policies and laws. The CoR is a political assembly that exists to improve and safeguard a key part of European democracy: the proper involvement in the EU policy process of all the forms of subnational government that can be found in Europe’s Member States.

27/10/2026

Building Kosovo’s European future starts at the local level.

Last week, our Group President Gillian Coughlan chaired the 4th meeting of the European Committee of the Regions’ Working Group on Kosovo, held in South Mitrovica, hosted by Mayor Faton Peci. The meeting brought together European and Kosovar counterparts to discuss EU integration, local governance and how municipalities can help build lasting peace and reconciliation.

During her visit, Gillian also visited the EU Delegation office in Kosovo and held a meeting with Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama and Deputy Mayor Besianë Musmurati 🇽🇰🤝🇪🇺

Drawing on Ireland’s experience, Gillian has spent the past two years working closely with Kosovar local authorities to strengthen their preparedness for EU accession, with a particular focus on conflict resolution and reconciliation.

Her message in Mitrovica was clear: respecting the past must not stand in the way of building the future. Through dialogue, inclusive public services and cooperation between communities, local leaders can help build trust and turn European integration into tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives.

24/10/2026

That’s a wrap on this year’s PDE / EDP - European Democrats Congress 🎉

Under the motto “It’s Time For Europe”, democrats came together in Athens, Greece - the birthplace of democracy, to stand united and protect our European values.

Representing our political group, Mayor of Louviers, François-Xavier Priollaud, stressed that regions & cities must continue being key players in the implementation of EU legislation.

Mayors, regional governors and local councillors are the driving force of a local democracy. This was evident in our Democrat Mayors’ Summit discussions.

As extremist parties and authoritarian rulers rise to power, it is our civic duty to protect the European Union we’ve worked so hard to build over the years. We must remember that only a democratic Europe can uphold the rule of law, protect our human rights and quality of life.

Together, united & strong 🧡🇪🇺

22/10/2026

🇪🇺 Bringing the EU closer to the people who make it happen!

Last week, during the European Week of Regions and Cities at the European Committee of the Regions, local councillors from across the European Union came together in Brussels to exchange ideas, share experiences and strengthen their connection with Europe.

🤝 At the heart of this effort is François-Xavier Priollaud, the European Committee of the Regions’ Special Representative for the EU Councillors Network, which brings local and regional elected representatives closer to European decision-making.

Why does it matter? 🤔
Because Europe works best when it goes both ways. Local councillors need a direct link to the EU to understand the policies and opportunities that affect their communities. And EU institutions need local leaders to bring citizens’ concerns, experiences and ideas back to Brussels. Together, they can turn European decisions into tangible benefits for people where they live.

📣 Are you a local or regional elected representative in the EU?
Join the EU Local Councillors Network to connect with peers across Europe, access EU resources and help bring Europe closer to your community!

👉 Apply via the official website:
https://eu-local-councillors.europa.eu/

20/10/2026

🇪🇺 What does Europe’s future look like in practice? Last week’s plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions showed how decisions made at EU level can make a difference in our everyday lives.

Liberal & democrat leaders authored 5️⃣ reports adopted during the session, tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our communities:

🫀 Healthier lives for everyone — Carmine Pacente’s Safe Hearts Plan Opinion calls for stronger prevention of cardiovascular diseases, which cause millions of health problems across Europe. Better prevention and action on the social and environmental factors that affect our health can save lives.

🤝 A Europe free from racism — Pär Löfstrand’s Opinion on the EU Anti-Racism Strategy calls for political commitments to become real action, starting in our cities, so everyone can enjoy equal opportunities and live free from discrimination, wherever they come from.

🏭 More competitive European industries — W***y Borsus’s Opinion on the Industrial Accelerator Act stresses that Europe must strengthen its industries, support businesses and create quality jobs — while ensuring that smaller towns and regions are not left behind.

🏡 Better places to live — Tsvetelina Simeonova-Zarkin’s Opinion on the New European Bauhaus spotlights neighbourhoods that combine affordable housing, beautiful design, sustainability and spaces where people can connect. The green transition should make our homes and communities better places to live.

🌊 Connecting Europe’s Atlantic regions — Ander Caballero Barturen’s Opinion calls for a stronger strategy bringing Atlantic regions together, improving connections between land and sea, transport and energy, and helping communities cooperate across borders.

Europe works best when its policies reflect the needs of the people who live in its towns, cities and regions. These reports ensure that EU legislation does exactly that.

15/10/2026

Our new Group President, Gillian Coughlan, represented Renew Europe CoR at the Renew Europe Leaders’ Summit in Brussels, joining our European political family around a shared vision for Europe’s future 🇪🇺

A Europe that is stronger, more resilient and more competitive. A Europe that protects its citizens, lowers the cost of living and has the courage to modernise and enlarge.

Regions and cities have an essential role in that future, and Gillian made sure subnational politicians are recognised for their work to make it happen.

We are radically pro-European! 🩵

14/10/2026

European Capitals of Culture take center stage at 🎭

At the European Committee of the Regions plenary session, Gunars Ansins, Mayor of Liepāja, Latvia joined European Commissioner for Culture, Glenn Micallef, to discuss his city becoming the European Capital of Culture 2027: Liepaja 2027 🇱🇻

We know what the “American Dream” is, but do we know what the European Dream is? With these opening remarks, Ansins presented the city's programme based on values of solidarity, diversity and respectful coexistence.

With more than 500 events planned, Liepāja is ready to share its stories and build international connections.

Because for us, culture is more than a programme of events. It brings communities together, shapes our identity and reminds us what we share as Europeans. We're proud to see our liberal & democrat leaders take the lead 🇪🇺.

So what does Europe represent today, and what kind of future do we want to create?

📍 Find out in Liepāja in 2027!

14/10/2026

At this week’s European Committee of the Regions plenary session in Brussels, Belgium 🇪🇺 Ivan Gulam brought the Croatian experience to the debate on wildfires and drought with Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction.

🇭🇷 This summer, a devastating fire in Omiš burned 1,000 hectares and tragically claimed 4 lives. Weeks later, another wildfire destroyed around 5,000 hectares on the island of Brač.

Ivan Gulam highlighted a critical gap: Europe invests heavily in fighting fires, while small municipalities often lack the resources to prevent them ❗

He called for European funding to clear dangerous vegetation, create firebreaks and protect settlements, alongside stronger cooperation between the EU, the UN and local authorities.

Because the best way to fight a wildfire is to prevent it before it starts.

13/10/2026

Meet our new President, Gillian Coughlan! 🎉

Congratulations to Gillian Coughlan, newly elected President of the Renew Europe Group in the European Committee of the Regions!

🇮🇪💪 A Cork County Councillor since 2009 and the county’s first female Mayor, Gillian has been bringing the Irish perspective to European debates since 2020 — from digital education and EU enlargement to relations with the UK.

Now, she will lead our political family of local and regional leaders from across Europe, bringing the voices, experiences and ambitions of our local communities closer to the heart of EU decision-making 🇪🇺

Comhghairdeas, Gillian! 👏

12/10/2026

Strong regions, stronger Europe 🇪🇺

At the opening session of the EU Week of Regions and Cities, Gillian Coughlan represented Renew Europe CoR, bringing the voice of our local and regional leaders to the debate on Europe’s future.

Alongside European Committee of the Regions President, Kata Tüttő, European Council President, António Costa and European Commissioner for Cohesion, Raffaele Fitto, Gillian gave a key message:

💬 “A Europe that invests in its regions, trusts its local democracy and measures its success not only by economic growth, but by whether people can build a better future is the Union that our citizens want to call home.”

Because isn’t just about what happens in Brussels. It’s about whether families can afford a home, whether young people see a future in their communities, and whether every region has the chance to thrive.

And with discussions on the EU’s next long-term budget underway, these questions could not be more timely. The choices made today — including how much Europe invests in cohesion policy — will shape the future of our local communities and the opportunities available to the people who call them home.

05/10/2026

[English below ⬇️]

Cet été, la a connu le pire incendie de son histoire. Dans les Hautes Fagnes, quelque 3 400 hectares ont été touchés par les flammes, dont 2 200 hectares dans l’une de nos zones naturelles les plus précieuses. Forêts, landes et tourbières ont été ravagées — des paysages qui mettront des années, voire des décennies, à se régénérer.

Lors de la réunion de la commission NAT (ressources naturelles) du Comité européen des régions à Tolède, Espagne 🇪🇸 W***y Borsus a souhaité attirer l’attention sur cette catastrophe, qui doit servir d’avertissement face aux risques croissants d’incendies de forêt en .

Nos territoires ruraux changent. Alors que certaines de nos campagnes se dépeuplent et que l’entretien des terres devient de plus en plus difficile, il faut redoubler d’efforts pour maintenir nos paysages vivants, entretenus et résilients. Entretenir les forêts et les espaces ouverts, préserver les accès, assurer une bonne gestion des terres et investir dans la prévention ne fait pas toujours la une. Pourtant, lorsque le feu se déclare, nous mesurons immédiatement leur importance.

🔥 Cet été, pompiers, agriculteurs, services de secours et bénévoles se sont mobilisés sans relâche pour maîtriser les flammes. Leur engagement a montré toute la force de nos communautés rurales. Mais nous ne pouvons pas attendre la catastrophe pour agir. Nous devons investir dans la prévention avant que la première étincelle ne se transforme en incendie.

Protéger nos campagnes, c’est protéger bien plus que la nature. C’est protéger nos communautés, notre patrimoine et les lieux auxquels nous sommes profondément attachés.

Depuis Tolède, le message de W***y Borsus était clair : l’Europe doit aider ses territoires ruraux à rester vivants, entretenus et résilients. Car prévenir les incendies sera toujours préférable à regarder nos paysages partir en fumée.

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[English]

This summer, experienced the worst wildfire in its history. In the Hautes Fagnes, around 3,400 hectares were affected by the fire, including 2,200 hectares of one of Wallonia’s most precious natural areas. The flames burned through forests, heathlands and peatlands — landscapes that will take years, and in some places decades, to recover.

At the European Committee of the Regions’ NAT (natural resources) Commission meeting in Toledo, Spain 🇪🇸 President of the Walloon Parliament, W***y Borsus, raised this issue because what happened in Wallonia should be a warning for all of .

Our rural areas are changing. As villages lose population and land becomes increasingly difficult to manage, keeping our countryside healthy and resilient requires more — not less — effort. Land management, maintaining access routes, caring for forests and open spaces, and investing in prevention may not always make headlines. But when disaster strikes, we see just how essential they are.

🔥 This summer, firefighters, farmers, emergency services and volunteers worked tirelessly to contain the flames. Their efforts showed the strength of our rural communities. But we cannot rely on extraordinary mobilisation after a disaster. We need to invest in prevention before the first spark.

Protecting our countryside means protecting much more than nature. It means protecting our communities, our heritage and the places people call home.

From Toledo, W***y Borsus' message was simple: Europe must help its rural areas stay alive, managed and resilient — because prevention is always better than watching our landscapes burn.

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