Upcoming events

ECR Study Days 2025

ECR Study Days 2025

Study Days

16 Jul 2025 16h00San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy

General information

Our 2025 ECR CoR Group Study Days will be held in San Benedetto del Tronto, in the Marche Region in Italy. The main topics of the conference are as follows: 

  1. Cohesion policy: Bridging the Gaps and Connecting Regions
  2. The Right to Remain: Revitalising Agriculture and Fisheries Industries

Topics

1. Cohesion policy: Bridging the Gaps and Connecting Regions

Cohesion policy plays a vital role in enhancing connectivity and improving infrastructure across the European Union, helping to bridge regional disparities and enhance the development of regions. Reliable and modern transport infrastructure is a key enabler of economic, social and territorial cohesion, while contributing to Europe's competitiveness and resilience. This panel will explore how cohesion policy strengthens the transport infrastructure in different types of territories across Europe. The discussion will also examine how targeted infrastructure and mobility projects are helping regions overcome geographic and economic challenges, while creating a more resilient Europe.

2. The Right to Remain: Revitalising Agriculture and Fisheries Industries

Agriculture and fisheries industries form the core of many rural and coastal regions across Europe, yet these sectors face major challenges, from market instability to labour shortages and generational decline. Young people often leave these regions in search of better opportunities in urban centres, exacerbating the labour shortages in these sectors and the demographic challenges of regions hosting these sectors. This panel will explore how to make these sectors more competitive, innovative and attractive to ensure generational renewal. The establishment of young people in rural areas with access to services and leisure and employment opportunities is key to preserving these strategic sectors across the EU and thereby contributing to our food sovereignty. At the heart of the discussion is the right to remain: how can EU policies build on opportunities to enable these people to enjoy their right to remain to build meaningful lives and careers in their home regions? 

15.45-16.00 

Registration

16.00-16.30

Opening Speeches by:

  • Francesco Acquaroli, President of the Marche Region
  • Marco Marsilio, President of the ECR CoR Group and President of the Abruzzo Region
  • Nicola Procaccini MEP, Co-Chair of ECR EP Group and President of New Direction (tbc)
  • Antonella Sberna MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament (video-message)
  • Antonio Spazzafumo, Mayor of San Benedetto del Tronto (tbc)

16.30-17.30

Panel Discussion I: Cohesion policy: Bridging the Gaps and Connecting Regions

Keynote Speakers: 

Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, European Commission (online) 

Tommaso Foti, Minister for European Affairs, the NRRP and Cohesion Policy of Italy (video-message)

Moderator: Gloria Caioni, Editor in Chief, VeraTV

  • Lucia Albano, Undersecretary of State for Economy and Finance
  • Pierluigi Biondi, Mayor of L'Aquila
  • Guido Castelli, Senator and Commissioner for post-earthquake reconstruction
  • Marco Fioravanti, Mayor of Ascoli Piceno and President of ANCI National Council
  • Denis Nesci MEP, ECR Group Coordinator, Committee on Regional Development
  • Władysław Ortyl, ECR CoR First Vice-President and President of the Podkarpackie Region 
  • Jarosław Stawiarski, Marshal of the Lubelskie Region, Poland

17.30-17.45

Family Photo and coffee break

17.45-18.45

Panel Discussion II - The Right to Remain: Revitalising Agriculture and Fisheries Industries

Moderator: Francesco Giubilei, Italian columnist and writer

  • Roberto Ciambetti, President of the Veneto Regional Council, First Vice-President of the NAT Commission
  • Carlo Ciccioli MEP, Committee on Transport and Tourism
  • Carlo Fidanza MEP, Vice-President of the ECR Party and ECR Group Coordinator, Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Adam Karácsony, ECR SEDEC Coordinator and CoR Rapporteur on Demographic toolbox
  • Elena Leonardi, Senator and Secretary of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health, Public and Private Employment, Social Security
  • Marlena Malag MEP, Former Minister of Family and Social policy, Poland
  • Veronika Vrecionová MEP, Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

18:45-19:00

Closing remarks

  • Francesco Acquaroli, President of the Marche Region

Map