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Marshal Piotr Całbecki during the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions, photo by Mieszko Matusiak/UMWKP
Marszałek Piotr Całbecki podczas sesji plenarnej Komitetu Regionów, fot. Mieszko Matusiak/UMWKP

European Week of Regions and Cities and the plenary session of the Committee of the Regions in Brussels

The European Week of Regions and Cities (EURegions Week) is currently taking place in Brussels (October 13–15) — the most important annual event dedicated to the European Union’s regional policy. This year’s theme, “Shaping Tomorrow, Together,” highlights the importance of cooperation between regions in building the future of the European continent. At the same time, a three-day plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is being held. Both events are attended by Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

The 2025 European Week of Regions and Cities focuses on three main thematic pillars:

  • Cohesion policy as a tool supporting sustainable development, innovation, and regional competitiveness
  • Local development, counteracting depopulation, and ensuring access to infrastructure and public services
  • The role of cities in climate, digital, and social transformation

This year’s forum brings together 6,000 participants, including representatives of local and regional governments, EU institutions, academia, and civil society. The program features 200 thematic sessions, workshops, and debates, as well as an exhibition area showcasing European projects and initiatives.

Marshal Piotr Całbecki’s participation

Marshal Piotr Całbecki, a member of the European Committee of the Regions and Chair of the CoR’s Commission for Natural Resources (NAT), took part in the committee’s plenary session that opened EURegions Week. He is also a speaker in two thematic panels:

  • “Freedom to Stay: How to Tackle the Demographic Challenge from a Regional Perspective” — focused on local development and counteracting regional depopulation (today, October 14)
  • “Where It Matters: Investing in Regions to Shape the Future of Health in Europe” — dedicated to the practical aspects of implementing cohesion policy in the regions (tomorrow, October 15)

Topics of the CoR plenary session

Among the key issues discussed during the plenary session are:

  • European defense
  • Women’s rights from a local perspective
  • The European Energy Union
  • The European Pillar of Social Rights
  • The EU’s strategy for combating poverty

Meetings and regional cooperation

While in Brussels, Marshal Piotr Całbecki also met with a group of local government representatives from the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region, members of the Europa Kujaw i Pomorza Association.
A presentation during this meeting was delivered by Magdalena Karbowska, who spoke about the regional government’s youth policy.

Regional Office in Brussels
Press Office of the Marshal’s Office

October 14, 2025