The Open Days, the event which each year brings together representatives and experts from all regions of Europe to discuss issues that affect them most directly, will be held in Brussels between 4 and 7 October. Once more, a series of seminars, workshops and debates will be held this year under the theme "Europe 2020: Competition, cooperation and cohesion for all regions."

Conceived and developed by the EU Committee of the Regions and the European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional Policy, the Open Days will be held for the eighth time in Brussels between 4 and 7 October 2010.  The programme of the Open Days 2010 offers around 100 seminars, workshops or debates plus exhibitions and networking opportunities organised in partnership with regions and cities from all over Europe. The events also include contributions by companies, banks and international associations and academic organisations.

On the eve of an intensive debate about the reform of Cohesion Policy post-2013, the Open Days will concentrate on 'competitiveness, co-operation and cohesion' and present best practice from regional development programmes across Europe:

• Seminars on 'competitiveness' will focus on innovation, regional development and green economic growth, and on results achieved by regions supported by the 'regional competitiveness and employment objective'
• Workshops on 'co-operation' will include debates about territorial and cross-border co-operation, the European Grouping on Territorial Cooperation (EGTC), and 'macro regions' will highlight latest developments and enhance exchange among practitioners
• The theme 'cohesion' will focus on discussions elaborating on 'territorial' and 'social' cohesion and on the question of how to better integrate different policies at the local level.

The Meeting Place and the Open Days University will provide for thematic exhibitions, networking opportunities and exchange among researchers, and economic and financial actors. Besides, under the headline 'Europe in my region (city)', another 260 local events will be organised all over Europe by the event partners between September and November 2010. Local institutions and organisations, such as regions, municipalities, Structural Funds managing authorities, regional development agencies, chambers of commerce, universities and other are invited to participate and to suggest European events planned during that period to the Open Days organisers.

Although on-line registration for the Open Days is already closed, last minute registration will still be possible at the Open days tent located on the esplanade of Directorate-General for Regional Policy.