What Is Encore
ENCORE – Environmental Conference of the European Regions
Encore is a platform for the regional ministers and political leaders in the European Union, established in 1993 and taking place every two years.
The Environmental Conference of the Regions of Europe is dedicated to political co-operation between the regional Environment Ministers of the European Union. ENCORE aims through this co-operation to contribute to the effective implementation of EU environmental policy, to improve environmental governance and to sustainable development in the regions of Europe.
Regions in different member states have different legal duties and responsibilities. However, all regions have a significant role in implementing at least some aspects of European (and national) environmental policy and law. Many regions spend a great deal of money on this activity and employ significant numbers of staff. Indeed, the principle of subsidiarity means that regions are often best placed to deal with issues involved in managing the environment, yet their direct participation within the decision making process at the European level has been limited. Given this context, the reasons for holding an environmental conference for the regions are:
- to provide politicians with a forum for discussing environmental issues of regional significance
- to enable regions to establish a common position and exert their collective influence on the formulation of environmental policy within the European Union
ACTIVITIES - carried out under ENCORE:
Conferences :
The driving force of ENCORE is the biennial Conference for the regional environment Ministers. Each Conference has one or more specific themes. During each Conference, a progress Report is presented on the activities carried out since the last Conference.
The conference arrangements and other activities are handled by the Regions in close cooperation with the ENCORE Steering Group.
Seminars, workshops, (virtual) working groups, partnerships with other networks, research and (virtual) exchanges of best practice :
To carry out activities in the period between the conferences, the leaders of the different themes in the work programme will organise workshops, seminars, (virtual) working groups, partnerships with other networks and (virtual) exchanges of best practice to which politicians and administrative staff from European regions and other relevant stakeholders will be invited. Regions may also commission research projects under the ENCORE umbrella.
Meetings of politicians
In the period between ENCORE Conferences, regional ministers meet to discuss current political events. These meetings are organised by the Co-chairs of ENCORE.
Yearly meeting with the EU Environment Commissioner
Representatives of ENCORE meet each year with the European Commissioner for Environment to discuss current political issues as well as the preparation of the next Conference.
Exchange of best practice
Exchange of best practice on Adaptation to Climate Change Effects
MUGI 21 - Computer Application for Monitoring and Evaluation of LOCAL ACTION PLANS
Regional Greenhouse Gases Inventory
Thematic Research Projects
Regional Competences in the Member States