Europe’s four Macro-Regional Strategies came together in Brussels with a shared message: cooperation across regions becomes stronger when young people have a meaningful role in shaping it.
During the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026, held in Brussels from 12 to 14 October, the four EU Macro-Regional Strategies joined forces at a common exhibition stand. Under this year’s motto, “Strong regions, strong Europe”, the event provided a space for exchanging ideas, building partnerships and showcasing cooperation across European regions.
At the joint stand, each Macro-Regional Strategy was represented by a young person involved in its youth structures, bringing the perspectives of a new generation directly into conversations with visitors:
- Francesco Moroni represented EUSAIR, highlighting the value of being able to speak and be heard in a multicultural environment and of seeing how local realities connect with the wider region.
- Märten Koll represented EUSBSR through the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum, stressing the importance of giving young people a genuine place in decision-making.
- Ana Marija Radošević represented EUSDR as a member of the Danube Youth Council, emphasising the fresh perspectives and new ideas young people can bring.
- Morgane Volckringer represented EUSALP, highlighting young people’s ability to question established approaches and bring new perspectives to regional challenges.
Their joint presence in Brussels demonstrated that young people are not only beneficiaries of macro-regional cooperation, but active partners who can contribute to shaping it.
By bringing together four strategies and four young voices at one common stand, the initiative also helped make EU Macro-Regional Strategies more visible and tangible, showing how cooperation can connect regions, generations and people across Europe.