"It is impossible to tackle climate change without addressing biodiversity loss. The two go hand in hand, reinforcing one another. Moreover, biodiversity protection and urban greening can help cities adapt as climate change leads to more extreme weather phenomena."

Marieke Schouten, Alderman of the municipality ofNieuwegeinand member of the Greens in the Committee of the Regions (CoR)

# EURegionsWeek: Biodiversity for climate protection and a green recovery

"We can drive the transformation towards more sustainable societies only if we translate the global challenges into concrete local solutions, also through strong EU support in terms of financing and governance strategies. This is about empowering our communities and making sure sustainability works for everyone."

Kata Tütt?, Vice-mayor of Budapest and Party of European Socialists Group Vice-President

# EURegionsWeek: From global to local: cities and regions implementing the Sustainable Development Goals

"Participatory methods are amongst the most important tools in the Trnava Self-Governing Region in addressing citizens' needs. We were the first region in Slovakia to introduce full-scale participative budgeting. Now, we aim to support our citizens to play an active and ever-influential part in decisions on our common future."

Jozef Viskupi?, Chairman of the Trnava Self-Governing Region, Slovakia

# EURegionsWeek: Citizens building the future of Europe

"The modernisation of transport is a prerequisite for greater European interconnection. For this reason, we collaborate with the Adriatic regions. The development of the Adriatic Corridor is not just an Italian issue, it is part of the European ambition to promote the development of the Mediterranean countries and it is the subject of a memorandum of understanding signed by Abruzzo, Marche, Molise and Apulia."

Marco Marsilio,Vi ce-President of the European Conservatives and Reformist (ECR) Committee of the Regions Group and President of the Abruzzo region Italy

#EURegionsWeek: Connecting European regions: Transport policy fit for XXI century

"The citizens' dialogues of the Europa-Forum Wachau Salons?) are a brilliant example of a regional model for citizen engagement. Since 2018, Lower Austria has actively involved its citizens in European issues and has shown the potential of regions to set accents in the European context ."

Martin Eichtinger, Minister for Housing, Labour and International Relations in the Government of Lower Austria

#EURegionsWeek: Citizens building the future of Europe

"Inspired by evolving EU urban policies, investments in sustainable transport, affordable housing and easier access to services are at the core of Cork's new city development plan - the largest urban regeneration strategy in Ireland. Cork is set to become an economically vibrant ?15-minute city, creating new jobs while offering a high quality of life to its citizens."

Kieran McCarthy, Cork City councillor, President of the European Alliance Group in the Committee of the Regions

# EURegionsWeek: Best pract ices of revit alising town cent res across EU regions

"The economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic does not have the same impacts on all European territories. Economically speaking, some regions are more affected than others. Peripheral island region economies have been weakened considerably. This is why our interregional partnership calls for the European Commission to establish island-specific measures to foster recovery."

Christian Solinas, President of the AutonomousRegion of Sardinia, European Committee of the RegionsMember

#EURegionsWeek: Peripheral island regions' challenges in post -Covid recovery