The Committee of the Regions invites interested regional representatives, experts and other stakeholders from existing and emerging “macro-regions” to discuss issues related to strategy development and implementation and other themes of common interest. The forum takes place at the headquarters of the Committee of the Regions in Brussels (101 rue Belliard) on Tuesday, 13 April 2010.

 
The Forum is organised in the framework of the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (adopted in 2009) and the strategy on the Danube Region (currently in preparation), while stakeholders from the North Sea-English Channel Region are at the beginning of discussions to move towards a more integrated approach.
 
During the forum, there will be discussed questions like the following:
 
 
·          What lessons can be drawn from existing and emerging 'macro-regional strategies'?
·          What is the role of local and regional authorities in the development and implementation of 'macro-regional strategies'?
·          To which extent can macro-regions be comprehensive in their approach, covering several policy areas?
·          Should macro-regions become a means to deliver significant EU funding?
·          What can macro-regions deliver in terms of economic and environmental benefits?
 
Three work streams will address specific issues related to the Baltic Sea Regions, the Danube Region and the North Sea English Channel Region.