1. Assembly of European Regions, 6 rue Oberlin, F-67000 Strasbourg, Tel. +33.3.88.22.07.07, www.aer.eu AER Youth Regional Network Committee on Sustainable Development Spring plenary session 1 8 -2 0 April 20 11 Orleans (Centre, France) Michał Matlak

2. What is Cohesion Policy? European Policy aiming at ensuring economic, social and territorial cohesion across the EU. It’s beneficial to most territories across Europe, taking into account different parameters that support the development of a region.

3. AER White Paper on Cohesion Policy Adopted by General Assembly in Istanbul on 12 November 2010

4. Proposals of the AER 1.Full adoption of the place-based approach. 2.An integrated policy, encompassing the EU’s economic, social and territorial objectives. 3.A Council of Ministers for Cohesion policy 1.Full adoption of the place-based approach. 2.An integrated policy, encompassing the EU’s economic, social and territorial objectives. 3.A Council of Ministers for Cohesion policy

5. Proposals of the AER 4. Involving regions in the very early phase of designing future programmes. 5. A policy for all Europeans. According to AER, Cohesion policy should not concentrate on the poorest regions only. New indicators (apart from GDP) should be defined in order to allow for a more refined definition of elligible regions. 4. Involving regions in the very early phase of designing future programmes. 5. A policy for all Europeans. According to AER, Cohesion policy should not concentrate on the poorest regions only. New indicators (apart from GDP) should be defined in order to allow for a more refined definition of elligible regions.

6. Proposals of the AER Cohesion policy is about much more than just increasing the GDP per head. It’s also about social and territorial balance. There is a need of complementing GDP with further indicators.

7. Is Cohesion policy important for youth?

8. Proposals of the Committee Promote the cohesion policy among youth. Propose special scholarship for the students that are going to stay in their region (co-financed by the business) Promote the cohesion policy among youth. Propose special scholarship for the students that are going to stay in their region (co-financed by the business)

9. Proposals of the Committee Promote the point of view of youth on the European level – organizing of the contest of films promoting cohesion policy

10. Our possible activities A high-level debate in the European Parliament on Cohesion policy and Youth.

11. Thanks for your attention!