EU countries with six priorities for regional development by 2030

Reducing regional imbalances, circular economy, digital and physical connectivity are among the leading themes of the new Territorial Agenda

EU countries have agreed on six key priorities for the sustainable development of Europe's regions over the next ten years.  These are set out in the founding strategic document for regional policy in the EU - the Territorial Agenda 2030.  The document was finalised during an online meeting of Directors-General responsible for territorial cohesion in the Member States, organised by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU.  Bulgaria was represented by the Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Denitsa Nikolova.

The Territorial Agenda 2030 has 6 main priorities:  balanced territorial development, functional regions with fewer inequalities, integration and cooperation across administrative-territorial and national borders, a healthy environment, a circular economy and sustainable digital and physical connectivity. They aim to achieve two main objectives - a Fair Europe and a Green Europe.  The Territorial Agenda 2030 will be implemented through targeted actions and pilot initiatives that should strengthen multi-level governance, policy implementation based on specific local needs, coordinated implementation and impact of sectoral policies, cooperation between territories and territorial cohesion.

The strategy document underlines the importance of strategic spatial planning, provides orientation for its implementation and calls for strengthening the territorial dimension of sectoral policies at all levels of government.  The aim is to promote an inclusive and sustainable future for all localities and to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Europe.

Deputy Minister Nikolova presented Bulgaria's position, pointing out the need for a closer linking of the territorial and urban dimension in the EU's Territorial Agenda 2030, as well as for maintaining the priority for a balanced polycentric development of the territory, with an emphasis on the integrated approach and the interlinkages of regional and urban policy with other sectoral policies.  "We welcome the idea of creating a strong communication plan for the Territorial Agenda 2030, because there is a need to improve visualisation and communication with the general public and stakeholders.  This is an approach that should also be promoted in the preparation and implementation of new EU funded programmes for the next period 2021-2027.  For us it is extremely important to establish a close link and synergy between the communication plans of the new 2021-2027 programmes at national level and the communication plan of the Territorial Agenda 2030," said Deputy Minister Nikolova.

Later, Deputy Minister Nikolova also participated in a virtual meeting of Directors-General responsible for urban development, also organised by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU.  The work on the new Leipzig Charter was finalised there.  It is entitled "The transformative power of cities for the common good" and is a strategic framework for integrated and sustainable urban development beyond 2020.

Deputy Minister Nikolova expressed support for the new Leipzig Charter, stressing that for Bulgaria the vision of multi-level governance and cooperation between different stakeholders are very key principles that will shape the future of territorial and urban development.  "Our country is already working hard in this direction, making efforts to implement the approach at all levels.  The model of multi-level governance and partnership is strongly anchored in the preparation of programmes for the next programming period 2021-2027," the Deputy Regional Minister said.

During the meeting Bulgaria supported the creation of a Secretariat to be responsible for urban issues as part of the European Urban Initiative, as well as the action plans of the two latest partnerships - Culture and Heritage and Security of Public Spaces, which were approved for inclusion in the EU Urban Agenda during the Bulgarian Presidency.

The Territorial Agenda EU 2030  and the new Leipzig Charter are to be endorsed at a ministerial meeting in December this year.