The IREO is active in networking at European level through some of the various associations of interest that exist in Brussels – entirely subject to requests for involvement from their Irish local and regional sector members.

These organisations bring together communities of like-minded regions, cities etc. as exchange, learning and dissemination platforms on given themes and as a useful inside-track to work on exercising collective influence on EU policy and to collaborate together, including as a solid basis for project development.

The information below provides details of European Territorial Networks (multi-faceted umbrella bodies).

Five thematic areas, which affect the daily lives of citizens and the local and regional authorities that represent them:

Governance, Democracy, citizenship

  • Governance and citizenship
  • Young local and regional elected representatives
  • Town twinning
  • Equality of women and men in local life

Local and regional public services management

  • Digitalisation
  • Local and regional governments as employers
  • Local and regional governments as service providers

Environment, climate and energy

  • Mobility
  • Climate and energy transition
  • Waste management and circular economy

Economic, social and territorial cohesion

  • Cohesion policy
  • Diversity and integration

International engagement and cooperation

Irish involvement: LGMA

For further information visit: www.ccre.org/

Lobby/think-tank campaigning for a more balanced development of the European territory. It focuses mainly on social, economic and territorial cohesion; maritime policies and blue growth; and accessibility. European governance, energy and climate change, and EU external relations also represent important areas of activity for the association.

Its structure includes six Geographical Commissions, corresponding to Europe’s maritime basins, including for the Atlantic Arc.

Irish involvement: Northern & Western Regional Assembly and Donegal County Council.

For further information visit: www.cpmr.org/

The largest independent network of regions in wider Europe, enabling policy development, exchange and inter-regional cooperation across 3 committees:

  • Economy and Regional Development
  • Social Policy and Public Health
  • Culture, Education and Youth

Irish involvement: Donegal County Council

For further information visit: www.aer.eu

The network of major* European cities, seeking to reinforce the important role that meeting the challenges of local governments should play in shaping EU policy and legislation. It operates according to eight thematic fora each of which focus on a number of challenges:

  • Culture
  • Economy
  • Environment
  • Knowledge Society
  • Mobility
  • Social Affairs
  • Urban governance
  • Cooperation

Irish involvement: Dublin City Council

For further information visit: www.eurocities.eu/

*Associate partner is open to smaller cities below 250,000 population.

The Europe-wide network for medium-sized cities and towns (populations between 50,000 and 250,000) to ensure that their socio-economic significance is properly reflected in the development of European legislation. Its policy agenda focuses on:

  • Promoting lifelong learning and the development of education and skills
  • Growing the knowledge economy and creating better local jobs
  • Providing effective, efficient and sustainable transport systems
  • Ensuring that growth is socially inclusive
  • Improving the quality of the physical environment

For further information: www.eurotowns.org/

For further information on networks with a more focussed thematic basis click here.