Press Release: Forum examines how regions can face up to restructuring

Some 400 regional and local leaders, social partners and national representatives have come together in Brussels on 4-5 December 2006 to discuss how Europe's regions can make best use of EU funding to adapt to economic change. The third Restructuring Forum – jointly organised by the European Commission and Committee of the Regions – is looking at how dynamic regions can anticipate and embrace change, in particular the crucial role played by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It comes as the European Commission finalises preparations for the 2007-2013 period of structural funding.