Organised annually since 2003, the 8th European Week of Regions and Cities - OPEN DAYS will involve 247 regions and cities from 34 countries in October 2010 – more event partners than ever before. In line with the EU's new 'Europe 2020' strategy and discussions on the future of cohesion policy after 2013, this year's focus will lie on competitiveness, competition and cohesion.

The OPEN DAYS 2010 are organised jointly by DG REGIO and the Committee of Regions. They will feature more than 100 conferences and seminars in Brussels as well as 260 local events. Over 6,000 participants are expected to attend, including local, regional and national representatives as well as EU officials, academia and media. Last year, Open Days focused on climate change, cohesion, competitiveness and innovation. This one will be the eighth edition of the biggest event for regions and cities in Europe.

The final programme and online registration will be available as of 5 July.

Moreover, Open Days has been awarded the 'Best Event 2009' in the category of "Associations and Institutional Meetings" at the annual awards ceremony on 15 March organised during Brussels Meetings Week, a Europe-wide conference of specialists of the meeting industry. 

Being shortlisted with two other events that were held in Brussels last year, the prize was given to the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission's DG REGIO for its innovation and the national and international prestige that it has given the city of Brussels.  The selection was based on a secret vote by industry experts over a two-week period.