The COVID - 19 shown that we have a crisis has responsibility at European level to build a sustainable and social recovery. Local and regional authorities are the backbone of achieving the sustainable development goals for the well - being of all, creating concrete bottom - up solutions to the challenges of our time.

Christophe Rouillon, Mayor of Coulaines, France and President of the Group of the Party of European Socialists (PES) in the European Committee of the Regions

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

Both the recovery agenda and the Conference on the Future of Europe provide momentum for reiterating our proposals to make subsidiarity more operational , through a more circular approach to legislation , regulatory processes and EU spending programmes . Combined with the Better Regulation and Fit for Future initiatives, it can become a multigovernance tool for evaluating public policies and effectively enable greater citizen involvement.

Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the Parliament of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, member of the European Committee of the Regions, chair of the Subsidiarity Steering Group

# EuRegionsWeek: Mult i-level governance and active subsidiarit y for sust ainable recovery and resilience

There are difficult concepts associated with digital transformation ( digital twin, interoperability, etc. ) but, from a practical point of view, it is not difficult for a small or medium - sized city to start its digital transformation - it can be done on a small scale and with limited skills and resources. Scaling up may be more complicated, but that's no reason not to start and the learning - by - doing process will provide answers, step by step. The important thing is to build on a solid foundation using collective knowledge.

Alexandre Chaffotte, City of Saint-Quentin

# EuRegionsWeek: Smaller and Medium-sized Cit ies - Challenges and solut ions to scaling up the digital transformation

Biodiversity loss is a key driver of new infectious diseases and poses a variety of other growing risks to society, food production, businesses and the global economy. Therefore, addressing biodiversity protection, loss and restoration is crucial for a sustainable and green recovery

Uro? Bre?an, Mayor of Tolmin and member of the Greens in the European Committee of the Regions

# EuRegionsWeek: Biodiversit y for climate prot ect ion and a green recovery

The public sector can be a major contributor/catalyst in the development of the platform economy. Cities play a major role in this, and there needs to be both willingness to cooperate but also sharing of procurement plans between cities to support the use of shared platforms in multiple cities. Especially small and medium-sized cities are in a situation to have a better impact in IT [ information technology ] investments, and this improved impact can be enabled by using shared platforms.

Mika Kataikko, City of Jyväskylä

# EuRegionsWeek: Smaller and Medium-sized Cit ies - Challenges and solut ions to scaling up the digital transformation

The digital transformation at local level will only work if all municipalities are in a position to join. Hence the need to do it together through the Living-in.eu movement. It's mandatory that there exists a coordinating organisation that provides building blocks for solving specific problems that all local administrations can reuse. An example of such an organisation is the Catalan AOC Consortium.

Eddy Hartog, European Commission, Directorate-General for Communications, Networks, Content and Technology

Paco Berta, City of Girona

# EuRegionsWeek: Smaller and Medium-sized Cit ies - Challenges and solut ions to scaling up the digital transformation

Regions and local communities are promoters of strategic territorial and cross-border investments. They must play a crucial role in the implementation of the recovery and resilience plans and thus contribute to innovation cohesion in Europe. Regions will be also key in translating research and innovation investments into tangible results for our citizens.

Corina Cre?u, Member of the European Parliament

# EuRegionsWeek: Science and innovat ion for recovery