This ELIF Webinar, follows on from the high-level launch on 6 May 2026 by the Europan Commission of a public consultation on the “Right to Stay”.
The Commission intends to put forward a strategy on this topic, focusing on regions and territories. The aim is to identify the key challenges communities face, and the support they need to grow and succeed. The strategy will:
- showcase EU policies, programmes and initiatives that help ensure the right to stay
- highlight examples of regional and local solutions
- provide suggestions on how to make EU regions and territories more attractive and competitive.
The webinar on “Right to Stay: Understanding the drivers of territorial cohesion” will take place online on 4 June 2026, 10:00 – 11:30 CEST.
The “Right to Stay” refers to the possibility for every European to remain in the place they call home, ensuring that mobility is a genuine choice rather than a necessity. This concept has gained increasing attention in the European debate after it was included in the EU Political Guidelines following the publication of the Letta Report, particularly in the context of demographic change, territorial inequalities, and the future of cohesion policy and it its subject to an ongoing public consultation.
The European Union is committed to support the conditions communities need to grow and prosper, including dynamic local economies, quality jobs, public services, education and skills, health, transport and digital connectivity.
Bringing together EU policymakers, regional actors, and project practitioners, this discussion aims to bridge the gap between a growing political ambition and the realities on the ground.
The European Local Innovation Forum (ELIF) is a space provided by AEIDL to precisely discuss these issues.
This ELIF webinar will address key points on the Right to Stay as an emerging topic in the European debate on territorial cohesion and demographic change. Building on the recent launch of the Right to Stay Strategy consultation, the session will explore the conditions needed to ensure that staying in one’s territory remains a real and sustainable choice for future generations.
Objectives:
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Demonstrate how the experiences in rural and territorial development can help translate the “Right to Stay” from a broad political vision into concrete, place-based actions, strengthening territorial cohesion across diverse regions.
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Provide the opportunity to consider why the “Right to Stay” has entered the EU policy agenda, how it relates to demographic change and cohesion, and what implications it may have for future EU policies and funding frameworks.
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Highlight how local and regional authorities are addressing population decline, service provision challenges, and mobility pressures. The session will reflect ongoing efforts, persistent obstacles, and the type of support required going forward.
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Invite project partners to present short, practical examples illustrating how their work contributes to enabling people to remain in their territories, providing tangible evidence of what works and what remains difficult.
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Foster dialogue between speakers and participants by creating space for the exchange of experiences, challenges, and practical solutions related to the “Right to Stay”.
You can register here: Meeting Registration – Zoom
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