EU-RUHR Dialogues

Dialogue with the EU Institutions

It is established practice to speak with one voice when representing the interests of the Ruhrgebiet towards the EU Institutions. Therefore, the Mayors, the Heads of the County Authorities and the Regional Director of the RVR regularly travel to Brussels. These delegations engage in political discussions and intensive dialogue. With these so called EU-Ruhr Dialogues, the Ruhrgebiet aims to showcase its potential as a role model for sustainable structural change and to address joint concerns. In this way, decisions in Brussels can better take into account local policy preferences.

Good to know

The Regionalverband Ruhr (RVR) acts as a joint platform for its cities and counties. It prepares common position papers and organises the EU-Ruhr Dialogues.

7th EU-RUHR DIALOGUE

green and industrial transformation

Industrial policy

EURD25
© RVR / Sascha Kreklau

Industrial Policy

The 7th EU-Ruhr Dialogue was devoted to industrial policy, EU funding and a permanent representation of the Ruhrgebiet in Brussels. A major concern was to safeguard industrial competitiveness. The municipal council discussed in particular approaches to decarbonisation, affordable energy prices, the expansion of energy infrastructure and the market ramp-up of green hydrogen. 

 

EU funding

EURD25
© RVR / Sascha Kreklau

EU-Funding

The discussion with the EU Commission also covered the preparation of the EU funding period past 2027. The municipal council favoured tailor-made funding approaches that strengthen regions in a targeted manner and increase competitiveness. Specific priorities of the Ruhrgebiet are, for example, the revitalization of brownfields, the just transition and investments in social cohesion. 

Brownfields

EURD25
© RVR / Sascha Kreklau

Brownfields

The RVR organised a public event as part of the 7th EU-Ruhr Dialogue. Together with the Polish partner region GZM, the EU Commission and the Georg Agricola Technical University, the RVR discussed requirements and funding needs for the revitalization of brownfields. Due to the good reception, the RVR will continue to exchange on the topic with other interested regions in Europe. 

Looking Back

One Format

Each EU-Ruhr Dialogue focuses on a specific topic or is linked to a specific occasion. A general objective is to showcase how the Ruhrgebiet can actively contribute to achieving European goals, which conditions are central to continue doing this, and how synergies between European and regional/local strategies can be strengthened.

Many Topics

Past EU-Ruhr Dialogues focused on the following topics:

  • 2013: European policies and politics
  • 2014: economic development, labour market, and social affairs
  • 2016: green infrastructure
  • 2017: EU Cohesion Policy
  • 2020: EU Cohesion Policy 2021–2027
  • 2022: green and industrial transformation

 

EU-RUHR Dialogue 2016, photo: RVR / Dirk Friedrich
© RVR / Dirk Friedrich

Andrea Höber

Andrea Höber

Head of Department
Department for European Affairs

hoeber@rvr.ruhr
+49 (0) 201 2069 6362
Kronprinzenstr. 6 45128 Essen

Victoria Krebber

Victoria Krebber

Department for European Affairs

krebber@rvr.ruhr
+49 (0) 201 2069 248
Kronprinzenstr. 6 45128 Essen