ARL Congress 2026: European Regional Policy in Times of Transition
Cologne, Germany | 1 – 2 October 2026
European regions are undergoing multiple, overlapping transformations. While the green and digital transitions offer new opportunities, they also risk reinforcing existing spatial and social inequalities. Disparities within and between regions – urban and rural, central and peripheral, growing and shrinking – persist or are even deepening. The problem of ‘left-behind places’ has, for good reason, gained increasing attention in recent years. At the same time, geopolitical instability, demographic change, and environmental risks are adding new layers of territorial vulnerability and contestation.
Regional policy is thus at a crossroads. The upcoming EU budget negotiations, the uncertain future of Cohesion Policy post‑2027, and the mounting pressure to redirect funds toward green innovation, competitiveness, and defence raise fundamental questions about how territorial cohesion and spatial justice can be achieved in the years ahead.
Over the course of nine sessions, we aim to explore this field and examine specific challenges from various perspectives, including questions such as: What is the current state of the sustainability transition? What is the current state of the debate on ‘left-behind’ regions? What can we learn about EU regional policy when we look at it from a cross-border perspective? And what is the current state of the EU’s cohesion policy?
ARL conferences benefit greatly from our interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary network, which comprises over 600 experts from academia and practice across Europe. Sign up today and discuss and network with academics, practitioners and stakeholders from politics, public administration and civil society about the future of European regional development in times of change, uncertainty, and opportunities.
Alongside invited panellists, we are pleased to welcome Andrés Rodríguez-Pose (London School of Economics) and Rachel Lancry Beaumont (European Committee of the Regions, Head of Department for the COTER Commission) as keynote speakers.
Further Information
Registration for the conference is open until 18 August 2026. The participation fee is 125 euros, or 62.50 euros for concessions.
Contact
Dr. Britta Bockhorn
Head of International Affairs
Phone: +49 511 34842-25
