Speaker from SBHSS at EU Cohesion Forum 2024
It is with great pleasure that SBHSS can announce that Rachel De Basso has been invited as the only Swedish speaker at the 9th Cohesion Forum, taking place in Brussels between the 11th and 12th of April this year. Ms De Basso will give a speech along distinguished European leaders and Commissioners.
Europe is undergoing a historical transition as a result of the geopolitical challenges we are facing today. War and conflict both within and at our borders has intensified the debate on how EU funds should be distributed in the future, where new and important needs lead to new priorities for the next EU budget. As a result, it is expected that the Cohesion Policy in its current form is particularly exposed to alterations and modifications, where budget cuts in this specific area are likely to take place.
This will have immediate effects for regional development and cohesion projects all over Europe, which is something that concerns regions in Sweden. It is important to note that the structural funds constitute approximately 50% of the current development capital for Swedish regions. We recognise that it is of vast importance that we participate in the debate and point out what our regions need in order to develop further and to coordinate international cooperation, even in the future. The SBHSS regions have been very active in initiating a Swedish dialogue, aiming to produce a common Swedish position for participation in the process of developing a future Cohesion Policy. This further underlines the importance of De Basso’s presence at this year’s Cohesion Forum in Brussels.
De Basso currently serves as President of the Regional Executive Board at the Region of Jönköping County, Sweden. In addition to her regional responsibilities, De Basso is very engaged in EU affairs, promoting her region’s interests in order to address local challenges in an effective way. Her efforts stress the importance of EU collaboration in fostering regional development and addressing socioeconomic inequalities. Swedish regions are working hard to put forward and create policy frameworks that will secure a multilevel governance and place-based investments. In her speech, Ms De Basso will present the region’s positions and standpoints in these matters.
SBHSS are very proud to have a representative from one of our own regions as the only invited Swedish speaker at Cohesion Forum 2024. We will in addition have many representatives on site and we look forward to many interesting discussions on how we, together with actors from other regions, can shape the future Cohesion Policy. Read more about the programme by clicking the link below.