​On the 8th February the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament have organised a conference on the importance of devolved and multi-level governance in the European Union.  Experts and politicians across political parties underlined that  proper implementation of multi-level governance is hugely beneficial to the socio-economic and governance of regions.  Besides EFA MEPs, speakers include Alain Lamassoure former French Minister and MEP as well as European Alliance members Nanette Maupertuis, President of the Corsican Assembly and EA Group Vice President Kieran McCarthy from Cork city council.

Nanette Maupertuis, while presenting the case of the island of Corsica and the benefit of devolution of powers to regions, stressed that decentralization, subsidiarity and cooperation are key conditions for an effective multilevel governance system.

Kieran McCarthy, recalled the work of Committee of the Regions, as EU body that bring Europe closer to its citizens, and his commitment to ensure the voice of local communities and citizens is listened to and followed up with tangible outcomes.