EMEO assists regional stakeholders by working to create and maximise opportunities arising from EU Membership in terms of EU funding and legislation.  EMEO engages with its stakeholders to bring about increased influence on future European policy developments and to raise the profile of the East Midlands in Europe, through involvement in policy debates in Brussels. EMEO’s policy priorities for 2008/09 are:

• Sustainability: Environment, Energy and Climate Change;
• Regional Policy;
• Research & Innovation;
• International links (focus on China and India);
• Employment & Social Affairs; and
  
• Enterprise;

EMEO also carries a watching brief approach to Rural Development, Health Policy and the Lifelong Learning Programme (Comenius, Leonardo, Erasmus and Grundtvig initiatives).