Crossing borders, closing gaps

1. 13 Oct 2026, 14:00 - 14:30 (CEST)

   Registration and welcome coffee
2. 14:30 - 14:40 (CEST)

   Welcome
3. 14:40 - 15:45 (CEST)

   Women driving regions forward: Achievement, innovation and social progress - Policy debate

   Women’s participation and achievement are key drivers of inclusive, innovative and resilient regional development. This session explores the links between gender equality, social progress and innovation, drawing on new evidence from three complementary JRC tools: the Female Achievement Index (FemAI), the EU Regional Social Progress Index (EU-SPI), and the Regional Innovation Output Indicator (RIOI), and the She Figures reports, a European Commission's flagship publication monitoring gender equality in research and innovation. Representatives from EU institutions, academia and think tanks will discuss regional performance and the policy implications for enabling women and regions to thrive.

   Moderators: Petra Krylova and Milene Tessarin, Quantitative policy analysts on indicator frameworks, Science for modelling, monitoring and evaluation unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

   Michael Green, Chief Executive Officer, Social Progress Imperative

   Oriane Gilloz, Policy officer, Gender equality in R&I, Directorate-General Research and Innovation, European Commission

   Panagiotis Ravanos, Quantitative policy analyst, Science for modelling, monitoring and evaluation unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

   Dr. Ieva Zemīte, PhD Professor Associate, Latvian Academy of Culture

4. 15:45 - 16:00 (CEST)

   Audience Q&A
5. 16:00 - 17:15 (CEST)

   Housing markets in EU cross-border regions: turning borders into opportunities - Panel discussion

   Housing markets are increasingly important for the attractiveness, affordability and resilience of regions, while national borders can create both challenges and opportunities for neighbouring communities. This session will present new JRC evidence on housing markets in EU cross-border regions, providing a first EU-wide analysis of differences in rental and sale prices and affordability at municipal level. Building on the latest research and case studies, the discussion will explore how place-based evidence can support tailored policies, joint planning and territorial cooperation, helping border regions turn housing challenges into opportunities for stronger and more attractive territories.

   Moderator: Julia Le Blanc, Deputy Head of Territorial Development Unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

   Nathalie Verschelde, Head of Interreg, cross-border cooperation, internal borders unit, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission

   Matteo Berzi, Cross-border policy officer, Territorial development unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission

   Matthias Kindel, Deputy Managing Director, Housing Monitor Euregio Meuse-Rhine

   Marlies D'hertoge, Housing policy officer, North Sea Port District

6. 17:15 - 17:30 (CEST)

   Audience Q&A
7. 17:30 - 17:35 (CEST)

   Closing
8. Show 2 more items
9. 17:35 - 18:15 (CEST)

   Networking reception

Practical information