The Report from the METREX Autumn 2023 Conference in Braga
In 2023, the METREX Autumn conference was held in Braga, Portugal, over 22-25 October. It was hosted by the Intermunicipal Community of Cávado, and supported by a number of national partners including the Operational Programme NORTE 2030, Regional Directorate Cultura Norte, and the D. Diogo de Sousa Museum of Archaeology. Internationally, it was supported by the EU Rural Pact.
The biannual event offered an international platform for learning and discussing Cohesion Policy and Urban-Rural Partnerships, and how metropolitan regions and areas are best-in-place to deliver the collaborations necessary for mutual benefits. Representing over 100 million inhabitants, the metropolitan regions and their networked space of flows are essential partners to support the EU institutions in implementing main, common policies by bringing urban and rural areas together. It is this approach that inspired the conference.
The report summarises the key message from the speakers and observers, bringing together the elements that in our view can continue nurturing a collective reflection around the role Metropolitan Partnerships as enablers of a greener, just, and more competitive Europe.
After a brief introduction, the document lingers over the conclusive remarks before delving into the two days specific discussions and contributions.
Thanks go to José Manuel Ferreira, Iván Tosics and Uwe Ferber for their precious and insightful help in putting together the contents of the final draft.
For more information on the conference or METREX, please contact Viviana Rubbo.
Photo of Bom Jesus Staircases by Angela Compagnone on Unsplash
