On 14 October 2026, SGI Europe, in cooperation with CER and CEMR, hosted a policy debate during the European Week of Regions and Cities. The discussion followed the question of how the Freedom to Stay can be made practical through services of general interest and policy action across Europe’s territories.

“We will invest in our regions, so everyone has the Right to Stay” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at State of the Union speech. Rail transport is a key driver of connectivity, linking people to jobs, education...

SGI Europe joined the Committee of the Regions at the Fortezza Pisana in Marciana, Elba, for a high-level dialogue on the first-ever EU Strategy for Islands.

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is urging EU decision makers to ensure that the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) becomes a delivery tool for Europe’s emerging Right to Stay Strategy.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to exchange with SGI Europe’s French members on the main policy files currently followed by the General Secretariat, as well as on the state of play of the French section.

Ahead of Europe’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy, expected in May, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is calling for strong and sustained investment in essential services like rail.

“European SMEs are deeply rooted in their communities, providing products and services, local jobs, training opportunities, and a sense of belonging. That is why SMEunited is joining the Coalition for the Freedom to Stay”, stated President Davide Galli during the European Week of Regions and Cities.

On Wednesday 23 September 2026, “The right to stay: Opportunity, services and quality of life across Europe’s territories” was at the centre of the European Committee of the Regions’ External Bureau meeting in Mullingar, Ireland

A new cross-party initiative in the European Parliament marks another important step in bringing Freedom to Stay into the heart of European policymaking. Eighteen Members of the European Parliament have jointly submitted a written question to the European Commission asking how the principle of Freedom to Stay.

The management contract is part of the development of the amendment to the Postal Law approved in July 2025, which recognizes Correos as an ideal instrument of the General State Administration to provide Services of General Economic Interest to all citizens.

CER and its railway members are strongly committed to providing the essential mobility services that make the freedom to stay possible. Rail provides daily transport for commuters, connects businesses, and drives sustainable tourism.

On the day of the Tripartite Social Summit, the SGIs Network published a Joint Declaration calling for the Freedom to Stay to become a reality, highlighting the need for a renewed balance between competitiveness, cohesion and resilience across Europe.

On 29 September 2026, Valeria Ronzitti, General Secretary of SGI Europe, participated in the Implementation Dialogue convened by Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto on the forthcoming Right to Stay Strategy.

President Ursula von der Leyen’s 2026 State of the Union address marked a further step in the political recognition of the Freedom to Stay as a broader European objective.

On Tuesday 23 June 2026, SGI Europe organised its annual SGI Day at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, bringing together representatives from the EU institutions, social partners and key stakeholders to discuss how SGIs can support the operationalisation of the Freedom to Stay across Europe

On Thursday 28 May 2026, SGI Europe President Ingbert Liebing and Secretary General Valeria Ronzitti met with António Costa, President of the European Council, to discuss the priorities at the top of the EU agenda, and Freedom to Stay.

On 6 May 2026, Raffaele Fitto, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, launched the work for the future Right to Stay Strategy.

On 23 February 2026, at the high-level Intergroup on Social Economy & Services of General Interest, the SGI Network, representing providers of Services of General Interest, led by SGI Europe, launched the Coalition for the Freedom to Stay.