Assembly of European Regions (AER)

What Assembly of European Regions (AER) does

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is a non-profit membership association founded in 1985 and headquartered in Strasbourg, France, with additional offices in Brussels (Belgium), Alba Iulia (Romania), and Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine). It is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe, aggregating 300+ regional and territorial authorities across 30 countries spanning from Norway to Turkey and from Georgia to Portugal. Its core purpose is to provide political advocacy for regions in EU policy formation, facilitate interregional cooperation, coordinate EU-funded projects (Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Interreg, DG REGIO), and deliver capacity-building programmes for regional politicians and civil servants.

AER operates a portfolio of programmes and services including the AER Summer Academy (annual training programme), Eurodyssey (a regional youth mobility scheme offering paid traineeships across European regions), the Youth Regional Network (YRN), the Intercultural Regions Network, the Digital Health Network, and the SCIROCCO Exchange maturity model for integrated care adoption. Its underlying technology stack is a web-based platform (aer.eu) with digital communication tools, webinar infrastructure, and EU project management systems supporting knowledge transfer and peer-learning events. Underlying technology is operational rather than proprietary - AER's value resides in network coordination, convening power, and institutional relationships rather than in technology per se.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: recurring membership fees paid by member regions, EU project coordination grants, and fees from events and training services (Summer Academy, Eurodyssey, study visits, exchange programmes). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; membership inquiries are routed through the Secretariat. Go-to-market is community-led: AER acquires and retains members through direct advocacy representation, knowledge sharing via working groups and committee plenaries, EU project coordination, and capacity-building services. Governance is exercised through a General Assembly, Political Bureau, and Executive Board, with a Secretariat led by Secretary General Vania Freitas and four Vice President portfolios covering thematic policy areas. The current President is Lukas Mandl (since June 2025), who is also a sitting Member of the European Parliament.

Name

Assembly of European Regions (AER)

Legal name

Assembly of European Regions

Website

https://aer.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is a non-profit membership association founded in 1985 that aggregates 300+ regional authorities across 30 European countries, providing EU policy advocacy, interregional cooperation, EU project coordination, and capacity-building programmes for regional governments and civil servants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

STRASBOURG

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Regions pay membership dues to be part of the AER network, enabling them to access advocacy services, knowledge sharing, project partnerships, and networking opportunities
2. EU Project Coordination: AER coordinates and participates in EU-funded projects (Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Interreg, DG REGIO projects) which provide operational funding for activities
3. Event and Training Services: Revenue from organizing Summer Academy, training seminars, study visits, and professional exchange programs for regional stakeholders

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

AER is a membership-based network organization that brings together European regional authorities to advocate for their interests at the EU level, facilitate interregional knowledge sharing, coordinate EU-funded projects, and deliver capacity-building programmes such as the Eurodyssey youth mobility scheme and the Summer Academy. It provides member regions with access to advocacy representation, mutual learning, project partnerships, training, and visibility services across more than 30 European countries.

Product overview

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) operates as a membership network organization rather than a technology product company. It offers a portfolio of programmes and services including the AER Summer Academy, Eurodyssey youth traineeship programme, Intercultural Regions Network, AER Youth Regional Network (YRN), Mutual Learning Working Groups, advocacy services, networking facilitation, training and exchange programmes, EU project development support, events organisation, and visibility promotion services. These services are designed to connect European regions, facilitate knowledge sharing, support regional development policy, and advocate for regional interests at European level.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Eurodyssey: Paid traineeships in European regions - AER's youth mobility programme
• AER Summer Academy
• AER Youth Regional Network (YRN)
• Intercultural Regions Network
• Digital Health Network
• Most Youth Friendly European Region
• Regional Innovation Award

Products and services

• AER Summer Academy Annual multi-day training programme for regional stakeholders, held in a member region (e.g. Coma-ruga, Catalonia in September 2026), offering workshops and networking on European cooperation themes.
• Eurodyssey Programme Youth mobility programme offering paid traineeships in European regions, enabling young people to gain professional work experience across borders via the Eurodyssey Steering Committee network.
• Intercultural Regions Network Network supporting member regions in designing and implementing diversity and inclusion strategies, modelled after the Council of Europe Intercultural Cities Programme.
• AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) Network engaging young people in regional policy discussions across Europe and fostering youth participation in AER activities through programmes such as Summer Academy and youth-focused events.
• Mutual Learning Programme Working groups and knowledge transfer events enabling peer-to-peer exchange of practices among regional authorities across thematic policy areas.
• AER Advocacy Services Policy advocacy and lobbying before European and national decision-makers, including reports, position papers, expert political analysis, and strategic advising for member regions.
• Training and Exchange Programmes Organisation of peer evaluations, training academies, study visits, and field visits for civil servants and regional stakeholders.
• Project Development Support Support to regions with monitoring funding calls, finding project partners, setting up EU-funded projects, and promoting regional potential to businesses.

Quantifiable outcome

• Regions benefit from EU project co-financing and partnership opportunities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LisbonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019Host of CUBES project kick-off (Oct 2019). Project creating bridge between cultural heritage, administrative bodies, and digitalization.
• European College of ClunycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2019Partnership for training seminars on interregional cooperation, networks, and territorial innovation. AER exchange programme integrated with College's post-masters degree program.
• JEF Europe – Young European FederalistcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2019Lead partner in 'Road to the Future' Erasmus+ project (Oct 2018 - Feb 2020) designed around 2019 European Parliament Elections. AER represents local and regional authorities, connecting young people and decision-makers via YRN involvement.
• DG REGIOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2019Funding body for 'Together for Cohesion: let's rEUnite!' project (Apr 2019 - Apr 2020) raising awareness on cohesion policy funds. AER coordinates the project collecting experiences with regions.
• Scottish GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Lead partner of SCIROCCO Exchange project under EU Health Programme (Jan 2019 - Aug 2021). AER leads Working Package on knowledge transfer helping regions prepare for integrated care adoption and scaling.
• Council of EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Intercultural Regions Network, launched November 2019. AER and Council of Europe collaborate on diversity and inclusion strategies, with joint activities including meetings, public presentations, and training on intercultural messaging.
• International Organisation for MigrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Includ-EU project improving transnational knowledge sharing for enhanced social cohesion in Europe. AER organizes 5 workshops and 5 webinars on integration priorities.
• European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in AMiD project for inclusion of migrants with disabilities. AER was partner with Valencia, Timis and Värmland on Advisory Board, providing experience sharing opportunities.
• MC Group (DE)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInternational communication agency partnered with AER for 'Together for Cohesion' project, supporting citizen engagement and communication about Cohesion Policy.
• ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on Horizon 2020 Project Development Week brokerage event on green economy and innovation.
• European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAER involved in EIP-SCC for strategic intelligence, state-of-the-art information, partnership building and influence. Engaged in New Mobility Services initiative.
• European ParliamentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAER delegation led by President Magnus Berntsson met MEPs including REGI Committee Chair to discuss future of Cohesion Policy and EU Budget 2021-2027.
• Interreg Europe Policy Learning PlatformcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAER was partner providing online learning, events, and personalized policy advice through peer review service for regional policy makers.
• Eurodyssey NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEurope's only regional youth mobility scheme under AER, coordinated with Eurodyssey Steering Committee, offering paid traineeships across European regions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD): European association of disability service providers. AER is an existing partner on the AMiD project (inclusion of migrants with disabilities); comparable network structure serving EU policy goals with EU project coordination revenue model.
• Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform: EU-funded policy learning platform for regional authorities. AER is an existing partner providing peer review services, indicating operational overlap with AER's mutual learning work, though Interreg is a project-based initiative rather than a permanent independent network.

Direct peers

• European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN): Network of European regions focused on research and innovation. AER is an existing ERRIN partner (per company data), demonstrating direct comparability in structure and overlapping constituencies, though ERRIN specializes in research and innovation policy domains.
• Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR): Pan-European association representing local and regional government across 40+ countries. Closely comparable membership-based advocacy network structure, serving similar constituents with overlapping policy priorities in EU project coordination and territorial governance.
• European Association of Development Agencies (EURADA): European association of regional and local development agencies. Similar membership-based model focused on regional economic development, EU project facilitation, and policy advocacy for sub-national development actors.
• Committee of the Regions (CoR): EU advisory body representing regional and local authorities with formal EU institutional status. Directly comparable to AER's advocacy mandate for European regions - serves overlapping constituents with comparable EU policy goals, but CoR holds formal treaty-based status while AER operates as an independent association.
• Eurocities: Network of 200+ major European cities across 38 countries. Comparable membership-based model and EU project coordination focus, with similar Brussels-based EU advocacy infrastructure, though specializing in urban rather than regional authorities.
• Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR): Network of 160+ European peripheral maritime regions across 25 countries. Similar membership-based advocacy model focused on EU policy advocacy for member regions and project coordination, with comparable Brussels representation.

Broad incumbents

• United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG): Global network of cities and local/regional governments with broader international scope than AER. Comparable advocacy mission and membership-based model, but operates globally with focus on UN-level engagement alongside EU work.

Emerging players

• European Regional and Local Health Authorities (EUREGHA): Network of European regional and local health authorities. Directly overlaps with AER's Digital Health Network and SCIROCCO Exchange work on integrated care - both operate as regional health authority networks engaging EU institutions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/EuropeanRegions
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzJ5Wmbf8oLsE2ebz15fA_w
• Facebookfacebook.com/europeanregions
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/assembly-of-european-regions-aer-
• Instagraminstagram.com/europeanregions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Assembly of European Regions (AER)