Firmly convinced that there can be no lasting democracy without economic progress, the Chamber of the Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe organized the first “Economic Forum of the Regions of Europe” in January 1996, with the support of the Canton of Geneva and the Helvetic Confederation. It was attended by the representatives of the European Union, the Council of Europe, the United Nations and representatives of many organizations and States.

The participants adopted a “Geneva Declaration”, asking for the creation of a permanent body which would make available to regional stakeholders a network for the promotion of exchanges and economic, environmental and social partnerships. This is how FEDRE was born.