OPEN DAYS 2013 – LOCAL EVENTS PROCEEDINGS

1

OPEN DAYS 2013 – LOCAL EVENTS

PROCEEDINGS

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AUSTRIA/ Carinthia Region - East Styria - Lower Austria – Salzburg – Styria – Tyrol – Vienna

/BELGIUM/ Brussels-Capital Region – Deloitte - EGEC, on behalf of the ReGeoCities Project -

Flanders - German-speaking Community of Belgium - International Union for Conservation of

Nature - Liège – Province of Limburg - Walloon Brabant - West Flanders /BOSNIA AND

HERZEGOVINA/ Canton of Herzegovina Neretva - Canton of Sarajevo - Canton of West

Herzegovina - Republika Srpska /BULGARIA/ City of Sofia – Gabrovo – Lovech - Sofia

Municipality – Varna /CROATIA/ Central and Eastern Pannonian Croatia - City of Pula-Pola -

Dubrovnik Neretva Region – HUMP-CROSBU, Croatian Small Business Union, Dubrovnik -

Istria - Karlovac Region - Krapina-Zagorje County - Rijeka - Split-Dalmatia - Virovitica-

Podravina – Zagreb /CZECH REPUBLIC/ Olomouc Region – Prague - Vysocina Region

/DENMARK/ Aarhus University - Central Denmark - City of Vejle - North Denmark - Southern

Denmark Region /ESTONIA/ City of Tallinn /FINLAND/ City of Helsinki - Ostrobothnia Region

- South Karelia - Tampere Region - Uusimaa Regional Council - West Finland /FRANCE/

Brittany - Centre Region - Club Europe Sud Rhône-Alpes - Deux-Sèvres – Etablissement Public

de Loire - Eure - Ile-de-France – Isere - Nord-Pas de Calais Region - Pays de la Loire Region -

Region of Alsace - Rhône-Alpes Region - Seine-Saint-Denis - Upper Normandy - Urban

Community of Dunkirk – Picardie /GEORGIA/ Tbilisi City Hall /GERMANY/ Baden-

Württemberg – Berlin - Berlin-Brandenburg Capital Region – Braunschweig - Free and

Hanseatic City of Hamburg – Hesse – Lippe - Lower Saxony - Mecklenburg-Vorpommern -

North Rhine-Westphalia - Region Hanover - Rhineland-Palatinate – Saarland – Saxony -

Saxony-Anhalt - Saxon Energy Agency SAENA - Schleswig-Holstein - studionavarra.co.uk

/GREECE/ Attica Region - Crete - Prefecture of Thessaly - Region of Sterea Ellada /HUNGARY/

Budapest - Észak-Alföld - South Transdanubia /ITALY/ Abruzzo Region - Autonomous Region

of the Aosta Valley - Basilicata Region - Emilia-Romagna Region – Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region

– Lazio - Lombardy Region - Marche Region - Molise Region – Piedmont - Province of Treviso

- Province of Turin - Puglia Region – Sardinia - Region of Sicily - South Tyrol – t33 SRL - TIA

Formazione Internazionale -Trentino – Tuscany – Umbria - Veneto Region & Regione Veneto

/LATVIA/ Riga City - Vidzeme Planning Region /LITHUANIA/ Nemunas Euroregion -

studionavarra.co.uk /LUXEMBOURG/ Luxembourg /MALTA/ Maltese Managing Authority

/NORWAY/ Akershus County – Hedmark - Mid-Norway - Northern Norway Region - Oslo

Region - South Norway - Stavanger Region - West Norway /POLAND/ City of Lodz - City of

Starogard - Kujawsko-Pomorskie - Legnica-Glogowski - Lodzkie Region - Lower Silesia -

Lubelskie Region - Lubuskie Region – Mazovia – Opolskie – Podlaskie - Pomorskie Region -

Silesia Region - Swietokrzyskie Voivodship - Warmia and Mazury - Warsaw - West Pomerania

– Wielkopolska /PORTUGAL/ Azores - Centro Region of Portugal - City of Amadora –

Congress of European Emerging Regions - Eurocidade Tui-Valença (Galicia) – Guimarães -

North of Portugal /ROMANIA/ Bacau Municipality /SERBIA/ Centre for the Development of

Jablanica and Pcinja Districts - Central Serbian Municipalities – South-East Serbia - The

European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina /SLOVAKIA/ Bratislava Region

/SLOVENIA/ City of Ljubljana - Podravska Region - Republic of Slovenia /SPAIN/ Andalusia –

Aragon - Asociación Italiani a Siviglia - Basque Country - Castile and León – Catalonia - City of

Seville - Colegio de Geógrafos de la Comunidad Valenciana - Diputació de Barcelona –

Extremadura - Galicia – Madrid Region – Navarre - Principality of Asturias - Region of Murcia

– Pontevedra – Saragossa - TicSalut Foundation - Valencian Region /SWEDEN/ City of

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Gothenburg - City of Malmö - City of Stockholm - East Sweden – Europe Direct Hässleholm -

Norrbotten - North Central Sweden - Regio Skåne - Region Värmland - Region Västra

Götaland - Västerbotten Region /SWITZERLAND/ Basel-Landschaft - Basel-Stadt /THE

NETHERLANDS/ Arnhem Nijmegen City Region - City of Maastricht – Eindhoven - Province of

Friesland - G-4 EU Office (Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht) - Province of

Gelderland – Leeuwarden - Northern Netherlands Provinces - Province of Overijssel -

Province of Flevoland - Province of Limburg - Province of North Brabant - Province of North-

Holland - Provincial Staten of Gelderland / Arnhem - Randstad Region /TURKEY/ Bakirkoy

Municipality - Bornova Municipality - Bağcılar Municipality - Silivri Municipality /UK/ Bristol -

East of England – London – Merseyside - Northern Ireland - Southern England - Wales – Kent

- North-Eastern Scotland.

*******

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INDEX INDEX ......................................................................................................................................... 5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................... 6

AUSTRIA ...................................................................................................................................... 7

BELGIUM .................................................................................................................................. 13

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA .................................................................................................... 29

BULGARIA ................................................................................................................................ 33

CROATIA .................................................................................................................................. 37

CZECH REPUBLIC ...................................................................................................................... 49

DENMARK ................................................................................................................................ 53

ESTONIA ................................................................................................................................... 61

FINLAND................................................................................................................................... 65

FRANCE .................................................................................................................................... 75

GEORGIA .................................................................................................................................. 97

GERMANY .............................................................................................................................. 101

GREECE .................................................................................................................................. 125

HUNGARY .............................................................................................................................. 129

ITALY ...................................................................................................................................... 137

LATVIA ................................................................................................................................... 165

LITHUANIA ............................................................................................................................. 169

LUXEMBOURG ....................................................................................................................... 173

MALTA ................................................................................................................................... 175

NORWAY ................................................................................................................................ 179

POLAND ................................................................................................................................. 189

PORTUGAL ............................................................................................................................. 209

ROMANIA ............................................................................................................................... 227

SERBIA.................................................................................................................................... 231

SLOVAKIA ............................................................................................................................... 245

SLOVENIA ............................................................................................................................... 249

SPAIN ..................................................................................................................................... 251

SWEDEN ................................................................................................................................. 283

SWITZERLAND ........................................................................................................................ 295

THE NETHERLANDS ................................................................................................................ 297

TURKEY .................................................................................................................................. 311

UNITED KINGDOM ................................................................................................................. 321

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Over September, October and November 2013, almost 90.000 participants from European,

national and regional public authorities, representatives from financial and business sectors,

NGOs, media, students and the civil society attended the "Europe in my region / Europe in

my city" events. Since 2006, these "local events" have been part of the European Week of

Regions and Cities - OPEN DAYS, which the Committee of the Regions and the European

Commission (DG REGIO) organise every year in Brussels. For the regions and cities

participating in the OPEN DAYS, the organisation of at least one local event is compulsory.

Other partners, such as representations of the European Parliament or of the European

Commission, Europe Direct Centres, etc., join the project, and this led to an additional 28

local events in 2013. On top of these, some 170 events were organised for the second year

under the heading of the European Cooperation Day (ECD) on and around 21 September

2013 (www.ecday.eu). The summary of ECD events can be found on the OPEN DAYS website

in the local events section.

Out of 227 local events (not including the European Cooperation Day events), 154 reported

back and are documented in these proceedings. Those events took place in 26 EU Member

States and in two candidate countries: Serbia (6) and Turkey (4); in one potential candidate

country: Bosnia and Herzegovina (4); and in three non-EU countries: Georgia (1), Norway (9)

and Switzerland (2). Most events were planned in Italy (20), Poland (18), Spain (16) and

Germany (16).

The majority of events were held in November, followed by October and September. A total

of 11 CoR members and 15 members of the European Parliament, including President Martin

Schulz, were actively involved. In addition, 47 national or regional ministers and 44 mayors

(or vice-mayors) were listed as speakers, representing a significant increase in the

engagement of local and regional politicians compared to previous years.

Finally, it appears that the trend observed since 2010 of involving more speakers from other

countries in local events is increasing: foreign speakers were involved in no less than 50% of

all events, including those of the EU institutions. This "Europeanisation" of local events also

indicates a higher degree of professionalism and financial engagement by the local

organisers. All in all, the reports and other feedback indicate that the organisers made an

effort to increase the quality of the events through professional moderators – as a new

trend it can be observed that more and more organisers called upon a journalist to

moderate their events – and enhanced media reach-out.

Comments, questions and suggestions are welcome to localevents-

[email protected]. The full report can be found at www.opendays.europa.eu.

www.ecday.eu

http://www.opendays.europa.eu/

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REPORTS BY COUNTRY

AUSTRIA

I. Regional Partnerships – Official Partners of the OPEN DAYS 2013

Carinthia Region Klagenfurt

East Styria Weiz

Lower Austria Retz

Salzburg Salzburg

Styria Graz

Tyrol Innsbruck

Vienna Vienna

The regional partners from Austria organised seven local events.

Furthermore, there were five more events organised in the framework of

the European Cooperation Day.

Carinthia had planned to organise in Klagenfurt in November an event to

emphasise the importance of cross-border cooperation and to provide the

local community with a detailed understanding of the importance and the

chances of future cross-border cooperation. Salzburg’s local event was a

workshop on 24 October on the support of a cross-municipal as well as a

cross-border/transnational coordination of spatial planning. Tyrol

organised an OPEN DAY for the land of Tyrol on 26 October in Innsbruck

to inform citizens about the EU and how the policy-making of the EU

affects, influences and enriches the lives of Tyroleans.

The reports of East Styria, Lower Austria, Styria and Vienna are

enclosed.

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“Advisory Board Meeting – Synergies and Cooperation”

Synergies and cooperation

Type: Regional working group meeting

Organisers: EU Regional Management East Styria

Chair: Christian Luttenberger, Energieregion Oststeiermark / RMO

Speakers: Christian Luttenberger, Moderation

Karl Hierzer, Moderation

Michael Fischer, Moderation

Outline:

The meeting was held under the topic “Synergies and Cooperation”.

The focus is on the development of energy activities in general in the region of East Styria, and therefore the

needs and the potentials have to be analysed, measures have to be developed together and

implementations will be planned together.

With all participating stakeholders, the main topics were worked out and named. For the region of East

Styria the following main topics are the most important ones and should be worked out in more detail in

future meetings:

-� PV and solar-thermal technologies

-� Energy-optimised building and refurbishment

-� Biomass and new agriculture

-� Mobility and water

-� Smart solutions for cooperation

This meeting was used to start cooperation among the participants and to use the synergies between

different topics. Finally, there should be one mission statement / one model for the region of East Styria

which includes the ideas for leading projects that can be implemented in the region of East Styria between

now and 2020.

Conclusions:

East Styria will set up a realistic and realisable mission statement / model for the region, to work out

projects in different areas of renewable energies and to work together through using the growing synergies.

Quote:

“East Styria works out leading projects which are realisable.”

East Styria (Challenges of energy data collection)

Weiz

14 November 2013

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“Cross-border cooperation between cities and regions"

Challenges and solutions

Type: Workshop

Organisers: Weinviertel Management

Chair: Markus Weindl, Moderator

Speakers: Martin Kavalek, Lower Austria

Simon Ortner, Lower Austria

Outline:

The upcoming programming period of 2014-2020 requires, due to the new precondition of ‘Thematic

Concentration’ set up by the European Commission, an even more elaborative process by the responsible

authorities for arriving at a comprehensive and target-oriented outline of the next cross-border programme.

In order to facilitate and support this decision process, the project ‘Partnership Austria-Czech Republic in the

Central European Region – PRO 2013+’ was initiated by the Vysocina, South Moravia, Lower Austria and

Vienna regions.

The aim of the workshop on 25 October in Retz was to discuss the proposed topics for cooperation between

the regions in Austria and the Czech Republic, and to come up with some good ideas for projects in the

upcoming programming period.

Experts, political, economic and associative representatives, and regular citizens took part.

Quote:

“Cross-border cooperation is essential for regions in Europe.”

Conclusions:

For the upcoming programming period, the main topics for cooperation between the Weinviertel region and

the neighbouring Czech regions will be the following: natural and cultural heritage, cooperation between

cities and micro-regions, smart mobility and qualification.

More information:

www.euregio-weinviertel.eu

Lower Austria (Acting together for greater urban-rural cohesion)

Retz

25 October 2013

http://www.euregio-weinviertel.eu/

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Café Europa: “climate change – a social challenge”


Type: Panel discussion and Internet streaming

Organisers: Steiermärkische Landesregierung, Department for European and External Affairs

Chair: Dipl. Ing. Christian Sakulin, Landesenergieverein, Moderator

Speakers: Dipl. Ing. Christian Sakulin, Landesenergieverein

Univ. Prof. Dr Michael Narodoslawsky, Technical University Graz

Dipl. Ing. Dr Adolf Gross, Land Vorarlberg

Outline:

The interactive Café Europa event presents high-level representatives from the world of politics, economics

and culture on a regular basis. After an introductory note by the speaker(s), a discussion and Q+A session

follow with the studio audience and via chat on the Internet. The whole event is available to the public.

On the occasion of this year´s OPEN DAYS event, Café Europa showcased the challenges of adapting to the

need of reducing carbon emissions between now and 2050 and the impact of this on mobility, living

standards, personal consumption and nutritional needs, as well as the role of regions in this process.

The project ESAIA (European Sustainable Energy Innovation Alliance), which was presented, should

contribute to this discussion on a European level.

Conclusions:

Reducing emissions significantly (80%) would be possible by 2020 by investing 1.5% of EU GDP – while

creating new jobs at the same time.

Quote:

“There is no climate protection without social justice.”

More information:

http://www.europa.steiermark.at/cms/beitrag/11921238/6360410/

Styria (Air quality initiative of regions)

Graz

11 October 2013

http://www.europa.steiermark.at/cms/beitrag/11921238/6360410/

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"City Talk: WienWin – innovative solutions for a smart city”

in the framework of the Vienna Science Festival


Type: Workshops and presentations

Organisers: ZIT - The Technology Agency of the City of Vienna, Vienna

Wiener Stadtwerke

Chair: Lukas Lengauer, ZIT - The Technology Agency of the City of Vienna

Speakers: Claus Hofer, ZIT - The Technology Agency of the City of Vienna

Ilse Stockinger, Wiener Stadtwerke

Representatives of Viennese companies

Description:

Vienna’s local event focused on innovative solutions for a smart city and was embedded in the “Vienna

Science Festival” with the overarching theme “Smart City Vienna”. The EU project “WienWin” organised a so-

called “city talk” bringing together municipal administration and public enterprises on the one hand, and

innovative Viennese companies on the other. Companies presented innovative solutions for a “smart city”,

and afterwards a systematic exchange of information took place. The event showcased some examples of

innovative regional solutions that are tackling key challenges in European cities, sharing best practice and

improving local service delivery. This half-day event brought the Brussels OPEN DAYS back to Vienna.

The Vienna Science Festival is the informative and entertaining core of numerous initiatives aiming to convey

information about research and innovation to the general public. The focus of this year’s Science Festival (14-

16 September) was an exhibition of new and innovative solutions and scientific projects concerning the topic

“Smart City”.

Attendees included representatives of the municipal administration, public enterprises, funds and agencies,

partners from EU-funded projects and programmes and the scientific community.

Conclusions:

About 100 participants were informed about innovative approaches to smart solutions for cities. Twelve

projects by Vienna enterprises in the field of energy and energy efficiency, mobility, buildings, and

communication and participation were presented at the City Talk, embedded in the Vienna Science Festival.

Vienna (Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN))

Vienna

16 September 2013

12

Quote:

“Vienna's economy has developed very successful approaches for modern cities in many areas that are

sustainable and easily transferable to other cities.”

More information:

http://www.zit.co.at/en/consulting/wienwin.html

http://zit.co.at/index.php?id=591

http://www.wien.gv.at/stadtentwicklung/projekte/smartcity/

http://zit.co.at/fileadmin/user_upload/ZIT/Dienstleistungen/STG/Einladung_STG_Smart_City_Technologies.

pdf

http://www.zit.co.at/en/consulting/wienwin.html

http://zit.co.at/index.php?id=591

http://www.wien.gv.at/stadtentwicklung/projekte/smartcity/

http://zit.co.at/fileadmin/user_upload/ZIT/Dienstleistungen/STG/Einladung_STG_Smart_City_Technologies.pdf

http://zit.co.at/fileadmin/user_upload/ZIT/Dienstleistungen/STG/Einladung_STG_Smart_City_Technologies.pdf

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BELGIUM


Brussels-Capital Region Brussels

Flanders Leuven

German-speaking Community of Belgium Eupen

Liège – 2 events Liège

Province of Limburg Liège

Walloon Brabant Louvain-La-Neuve

West Flanders Bruges

II. Independent partner – other organisation/association organising a local event

Deloitte Brussels

EGEC, on behalf of the ReGeoCities Project Brussels

International Union for Conservation of Nature Brussels

The Belgian regional partners had planned eight local events. On top of

these, three independent partners organised events and two European

Cooperation Day events were run under the local events banner.

Flanders had planned a B2B Matchmaking day on smart electronic

systems to take place in October in Leuven. Walloon Brabant organised

interviews with students on training and starting a business within Europe

– Meetings around European programmes for employment. West

Flanders had planned an event in Bruges on "Greening economy –

opportunities at a local level", on supporting the green economy through

blue innovation.

The independent partner EGEC organised a workshop in Brussels during

the OPEN DAYS week on how to make your city smarter with local RES:

Implementing Geothermal in Cities.

The reports of Brussels-Capital Region, the German-speaking

Community of Belgium, Liège, Province of Limburg, West Flanders,

Deloitte and the International Union for Conservation of Nature are

enclosed.

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“The Brussels-Capital Region and European Territorial Cooperation:

results of the current programming period and opportunities

for the future”

Managing change 2014-2020

Type: Presentation and workshops

Organisers: Brussels Regional Public Service - External Relations Department in cooperation with the

Coordination and Management Unit ERDF 2007-2013

Chair: Manoëlle Wasseige, Head of the Brussels-Capital Region Delegation to the European Union

Speakers: David Neuprez, “EU 2020 Going Local” Project Coordinator - Municipality of Schaerbeek

Valérie Dussart, Regional Representative for ETC programmes – Brussels Regional Public

Service

Stéphanie Mantell, “Sustainable food for urban communities” Project Coordinator - Brussels

Environment

Quentin Richard, Regional contact point for ETC Programme, Brussels Regional Public Service

Outline:

The Brussels-Capital Region’s local event focussed on European Territorial Cooperation (ETC), particularly on

the results of the present programming period and on the opportunities of the future programmes.

This half-day event brought together beneficiaries of the INTERREG IVB, INTERREG IVC and URBACT

programmes with three objectives:

- Showcasing successful projects and their results on the ground

- Promoting the exchange of experiences and good practices between project partners active in the Brussels-

Capital Region

- Presenting the state of play of the current preparation of the future programmes

After an introduction from the regional representative for ETC programmes outlining the positive outcome

of territorial cooperation in Brussels territory, the first part of the morning session was dedicated to the

presentation of projects in order to highlight the specific added value of ETC on the ground.

Two workshops were organised during the second part, the first focussing on lessons learnt from ETC project

management and challenges of participation in ETC programmes, and the second on ETC project

development.

After a common sharing of the conclusions of the workshops, the event closed with a presentation by the

chair on the issues at stake in the framework of the preparation of future programmes and the new

regulatory framework of cohesion policy.

Brussels-Capital Region (Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN))

Brussels

24 September 2013

15

Conclusions:

Despite a positive outcome of the participation by Brussels in European Territorial Cooperation programmes

and the shared interest in these, many stakeholders still hesitate to engage in ETC projects. Participants of

workshops consequently identified obstacles to such participation and drew up a regional action plan to

foster involvement in ETC partnerships:

- At the end of the session, the Brussels ETC network was created in order to encourage the exchange of

experiences and practices.

- A system of “tutoring” between experienced practitioners and newcomers was considered.

- Special assistance from regional services was envisaged for potential beneficiaries with higher risks (small

associations and SMEs).

Participants welcomed with great enthusiasm this session, which was the first opportunity to gather

associative, institutional, economic and academic stakeholders together around ETC.

Quote:

“Nothing is ever easy in ETC, but imagine how your local difficulties would be even more complex without it!”

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“Employer branding in health care

─ a solution to the lack of qualified personnel?"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: Framework: INTERREG IVA project “Future proof for cure and care” of the Euregio Maas-Rhine

Foundation

Partners of this event: Provinciale Ontwikkelingsmaatschapij Limburg, Zorg aan Zet,

Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft, Zweckverband Region Aachen, Stadt

Aachen, Katholieke Hogeschool Limburg, Landelijke Thuiszorg, ASD Verviers, Familienhilfe –

ein Dienst der Frauenliga, Espace Qualité Formation Liège

Chair: Johan de Keyser, Consultant, Essento bvba

Speakers: Harald Mollers, Minister for Health, German-speaking Community of Belgium

Peter Op de Beeck, Senior Communications Advisor, RCA Group

Lon Holtzer, Care Ambassador, Cabinet of the Flemish Minister for Public Health

Gerhard Palm, Second General Manager, Resident Care Home Hückelhoven

Kristian Vandenhoudt, Vice-president HR Compressor Technique Service Division, Atlas Copco

Bob Cox, Stratege für digitale Kommunikation, RCA Group

Charlotte Dobbelstein, Training Coordinator, Sevagram, Heerlen

Bart Kusters, Teacher, Arcus College, Heerlen

André Lovinfosse, Honorary Director, Department of Nursing Sciences at the Centre

Hospitalier Régional, Liège

Ingrid Vanweert, HR Manager, Wit-Gele Kruis, Genk

Luc Mélotte, HR Manager, Intercommunale de Soins Spécialisés de Liège

Outline:

The seminar dealt with the question of whether employer branding can be an asset in the recruitment and

retention of qualified personnel in the care sector.

In some regions the lack of qualified personnel in the care sector is already a crucial issue. Due to

demographic changes, care institutions will need more and more qualified and well-trained care

professionals, whereas the number of young people in our societies is in decline. At the same time, the

requirements and demands of the “care customer” are becoming more sophisticated. These challenges

mean that each care institution has to do its utmost to be and to remain an appealing employer – both for

newcomers and for senior professionals.

But how does employer branding work in the care sector? How can I implement this in my organisation, even

if it is a small one with a small budget and staff?

German-speaking Community of Belgium (Greater Region and the Upper Rhine)

Eupen

10 October 2013

17

The speakers were high-level experts from the field of marketing, HR management and, most importantly,

practitioners from the care sector, who shared their experience of employer branding during workshop

sessions in the afternoon.

The morning sessions and one of the workshops in the afternoon will be translated into German, French and

Dutch.

Conclusions:

Employer branding is a new but crucial issue to care institutions. The awareness is there, and now the care

sector has to set a path towards institutional readiness on all management levels (from the top down). The

seminar was an important stimulus in this process.

Quote:

A participant at the end of the day: “I learned that we have to include the doctors, not only the nurses… and

that employer branding is like a friendship – you have to take it into account and care for it all the time.”

More information:

www.futureproofforcureandcare.eu

http://www.futureproofforcureandcare.eu/

18

“CEPLI Consortium’s Partners”


Type: Official meeting, reception and dinner

Organisers: Province of Liège and “Europe Direct Province de Liège”

Chair: Georges Pire, Deputy of the Province of Liège – Vice-president in charge of Health – Quality of

Life – Environment – Laboratories Works and External Relations

Speakers: Georges Pire, Deputy of the Province of Liège – Vice-president in charge of Health – Quality of


Outline:

Having been part of the first consortium with NUTS 3 collectivities, which was active in the organisation of

the OPEN DAYS 2007, and having participated in the OPEN DAYS 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the

Province of Liège was proud to be part of the adventure again in 2013, and it once again organised a meeting

and official dinner on its territory between France (Gironde and Deux Sèvres), Bulgaria (Gabrovo), Poland

(Letnica), Germany (Kreis Lippe), Walloon Brabant and the Province of Liège.

In fact, the Province of Liège is conscious of the necessity and the importance of placing itself on the

European scene and of taking part in the building of Europe.

This meeting in Liège constituted an opportunity for the representatives of the CEPLI Consortium’s Partners

to meet the different partners of the consortium, and discuss different issues concerning their level of

power. The CEPLI network (European Confederation of Local Intermediate Authorities) was officially created

in July 2008. This official meeting at the Provincial Palace of Liège during the OD 2013 (8 October) was an

opportunity to hear a summary of what has been achieved up to now by CEPLI.

This is one of the goals of Europe: being sure that European territories cooperate with one another. Thus, it

is important for the Province of Liège to offer this opportunity to the CEPLI Consortium’s Partners.

Conclusions:

This local event was a success and gave all of the partners the opportunity to get to know each other better

and to speak about what they do at a local level for citizens and the territory.

More information:

http://www.provincedeliege.be/europedirect/

Liège (CEPLI for Europe 2020)

Liège

8 October 2013

19

"Citizens’ Dialogue in Liège"


Type: Citizens’ dialogue organised by the European Commission with the collaboration of the

Province of Liège

Organisers: Province of Liège and “Europe Direct Province de Liège”

Chair: Georges Pire, Deputy of the Province of Liège – Vice-president in charge of Health – Quality of


Speakers: José Manuel BARROSO, President of the European Commission

Didier REYNDERS, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

Jean-Claude MARCOURT, Vice-minister-president and Minister of the Economy and Foreign

Affairs in the Walloon Government and Vice-minister-president and Minister of Higher

Education in the Government of the French Community

Outline:

The current economic crisis offers a unique opportunity to think about what the European Union stands for.

What kind of Europe do we live in and where do we want the European project to take us? How do we shape

Europe’s future?

These were the key questions of the Citizens’ Dialogue organised in Liege by “Europe Direct Province de

Liège” and the European Commission on 17 October.

The event was very successful, with more than 500 participants from the economic, political, social and

cultural sectors, and also teachers, students and citizens.

More information:

http://www.provincedeliege.be/europedirect/

Liège (CEPLI for Europe 2020)

Liège

17 October 2013

20

"Kempen zonder Grenzen (Kempen without frontiers)"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Province of North Brabant (NL), Province of Antwerp (BE) and Province of Limburg (BE)

Chair: Wim van de Donk, King’s Commissioner, Province of North Brabant (NL)

Speakers: Vermue-Vermue, Mayor of Cranendonck (NL)

René Bastiaanse, Moderator

Oetzge Atzema, University of Utrecht (NL), Department of Economic Geography

Marc Corthout, Director of Open Manufacturing Campus Turnhout (BE)

Marc Hufkens, Race Productions NV – Ridley Bikes (BE), initiator of ‘Bike Valley’

Mark Schippers, Director, Schippers Bladel (NL)

Hans de Kort, Director, Imants (NL)

Johan Lavrijsen, Project Leader Belgium, Stichting BiELAt (NL/BE)

Harry Denis, Group Manager real estate Nyrstar (NL/BE)

Ludwig Caluwé, Regional Minister, Province of Antwerp (BE)

Wim van de Donk, King’s Commissioner, Province of North Brabant (NL)

Outline:

‘De Kempen’ is a region with a common cultural and economic history that spans the territories of the

Province of North Brabant (NL), the Province of Antwerp (BE) and the Province of Limburg (BE). Typified as

having a true entrepreneurial spirit, it is claimed that opportunities for cross-border business development

are abundant. The conference ‘Kempen zonder Grenzen’ (Kempen without frontiers) emphasised exactly

that. Through the presentation of successful cross-border entrepreneurs (not only active on a global scale,

but also in their more direct environment) the audience (mostly entrepreneurs) was stimulated to try to

establish a similar success. Through cross-border cooperation in the immediate environment, not only

business but also the social development of the region as a whole is supported. The conference provided a

specific section where enterprises could present themselves through a ‘pitch’, after which interested parties

could discuss ideas and cooperation possibilities in a smaller setting.

Intermediary organisations that support innovation and internationalisation trajectories in enterprises have

called upon the regional governments to support this objective in the upcoming European programming

period (for instance through the approval of future cross-border (‘INTERREG A’) projects). The conference is

not a stand-alone event; the ambition is, at the very minimum, to continue to organise cross-border B2B

matchmaking events.

Representatives of businesses, government and intermediary organisations attended the event.

Province of Limburg (Advanced cooperation in the North Sea-Channel area)

Budel (NL)

21 October 2013

21

Conclusions:

The high turnout of representatives of enterprises indicated the interest in enhanced cross-border economic

cooperation with immediate neighbours. While indicating the barriers these entrepreneurs face, the

successful collaboration activities that have been established exemplify the added value that can be

achieved, not only in an economic sense, but also from a societal perspective (economic added value is

being distributed in immediate surroundings, and job creation is not necessarily linked to large(r) centres of

economic activity). Here, innovation has often been the foundation of economic success. The conference is

interpreted as a lead-up to more activities (perhaps in a future ‘INTERREG A’ programme) that support

cross-border innovative cooperation in ‘De Kempen’.

Quote:

“To achieve successful cross-border economic cooperation, mutual trust is needed. When a common cultural

heritage is present, this trust is more easily achieved.”

More information:

http://www.brabant.nl/dossiers/dossiers-op-thema/ruimtelijke-ordening/gebiedsontwikkeling/de-levende-

beerze/conferentie-kempen-zonder-grenzen.aspx

http://www.brabant.nl/dossiers/dossiers-op-thema/ruimtelijke-ordening/gebiedsontwikkeling/de-levende-beerze/conferentie-kempen-zonder-grenzen.aspx

http://www.brabant.nl/dossiers/dossiers-op-thema/ruimtelijke-ordening/gebiedsontwikkeling/de-levende-beerze/conferentie-kempen-zonder-grenzen.aspx

22

"Greening economy – opportunities at a local level”

Supporting the green economy through blue innovation


Type: Information event and debate

Organisers: Environment and Nature Advisory Council, Province of West Flanders

Chair: Guido Decorte, Vice-governor of West Flanders

Speakers: Matthias Lievens, KU Leuven, Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies

Martine Fournier, Member of the Flanders Parliament

Guido Decorte, Vice-governor of West Flanders representing Mr Yves Leterme, OECD OESO

Bart Van Camp, Autonoom Gemeentebedrijf Energiebesparing Oostende (EOS)

Koen Van Overberghe, MIROM/Voorzitter Warmtenetwerk Vlaanderen

Dirk Van der Stede, VLAKWA

Benno Geertsma, Natuurpunt

Victor Dries, Moderator, OVAM

Outline:

The province of West Flanders is characterised by a predominant presence of SMEs representing almost 80%

of total local enterprises. Knowledge-based services (quaternary sector) employ the highest percentage of

paid workers. There are good conditions in this region near the North Sea coast for combining innovative

research and high-profile green technologies in order to support the existing local SMEs’ networks and to

help them to create jobs. The new industrial policy focuses on the transformation of three clusters: materials

and plastics; agri-food; and blue energy through the “Factories of the Future” (FoF) framework. Better skills

for better water-resource management can bring significant value to the region, as there is a high level of

water use in the food-processing and textile industries, resulting in a shrinking availability of high-quality

water.

The local event evaluated how the province can tackle European Union challenges and showed how it can

benefit from partnerships with other EU regions. Four examples of regional projects and initiatives, sharing

best practice and improving local service delivery were the issues discussed.

Statements on the topics were presented, the audience voted, the thematic speaker explained the approach

and the results, and the audience voted again. A surprising evolution in terms of the results achieved was

noted. This was the basis for continuing.

West Flanders (Alliance for a water-efficient Europe)

Bruges

16 October 2013

23

Conclusions:

The audience was convinced to undertake initiatives, and the Province of West Flanders will form four

working groups on the themes of the best practices that were presented.

Quote:

“Yes, we can help at a local level to create green jobs.”

More information:

http://www.west-

vlaanderen.be/kwaliteit/Leefomgeving/gemeentelijke_ondersteuning/Pages/documentatie.aspx

http://www.lne.be/themas/natuur-en-milieueducatie/algemeen/nme-zine

http://www.west-vlaanderen.be/kwaliteit/Leefomgeving/gemeentelijke_ondersteuning/Pages/documentatie.aspx

http://www.west-vlaanderen.be/kwaliteit/Leefomgeving/gemeentelijke_ondersteuning/Pages/documentatie.aspx

http://www.lne.be/themas/natuur-en-milieueducatie/algemeen/nme-zine

24

"European Structural and Investment Funds: Challenges

& preparations for the next programming period?"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Deloitte Belgium

Chair: Richard Doherty, EMEA Public Sector Lead Partner, Deloitte

Speakers: Eva Nussmueller, DG REGIO

Jean-Luc Revereault, EIB

Krzysztof Senger, Deloitte

Doina Patrubani, Voicu – Deloitte

Michal Zavodny, Deloitte

Outline:

This Deloitte event, held on 10 October 2013 in Brussels, provided a useful platform for participants to

acquire valuable insights from experts and officials from the European Commission and European

Investment Bank as well as other ESI Funds practitioners. Over 40 people attended the event, with

representatives from Managing Authorities, Intermediate Bodies and other bodies from Belgium, Bulgaria,

Italy, Portugal, Romania and The Netherlands.

The conference covered topics including:

• Preparations and challenges for the 2014-2020 programming period

• Experiences gained with Financial Instruments in the current period

• Preparing to use Financial Instruments for the next financial perspective

• How to optimise best use of Technical Assistance

• Reduction of the administrative burden.

Participants included ESI Funds practitioners from Managing Authorities and Intermediate Bodies, experts,

and political, economic and associative representatives.

Conclusions:

Brussels-Capital Region is often considered to be the Capital of Europe in an institutional sense. It is the

place where many European institutions are located. However, it is also important to highlight the fact that

it is a real capital, where people from all over Europe actually live together. European citizens have become

Deloitte

Brussels

10 October 2013

25

an important and constitutive part of Brussels and add some extra spice to society. If Brussels wants to gain

a broader acceptance as the Capital of Europe, this element has to be put forward more often.

Quote:

“Brussels is a real European melting pot.”

More information:

Deloitte EU Services

http://www.regonline.com/europeanfundsconference

http://www.deloitte.com/view/en_BE/be/industries/publicsector/european-institutions/index.htm

http://www.regonline.com/europeanfundsconference

26

"Cities and Biodiversity"


Type: Conference - European launch of landmark assessment of urbanisation, biodiversity and

ecosystem services

Organisers: IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature, European Union Representative Office,

Brussels

Chair: Luc Bas, Director of IUCN, European Union Representative Office

Speakers: Dr Thomas Elmqvist, Professor of Natural Resource Management at Stockholm University and

lead author of the Cities and Biodiversity Outlook, Stockholm Resilience Centre

Ms Charlina Vitcheva, Director of Inclusive Growth, Urban and Territorial Development and

Northern Europe, European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional Policy

Mr Ronan Dantec, Councillor of Nantes, European Green Capital 2013

Mr Johan van Zoest, Ecologist, Department of Urban Planning, City of Amsterdam

Mr Wolfgang Teubner, Director of Local Governments for Sustainability – ICLEI European

Secretariat

With video messages from: Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik on Urban

Nature and Member of the European Parliament

Outline:

The scientific foundation of the world’s first global assessment on the relationship between urbanisation and

biodiversity loss, entitled Cities and Biodiversity Outlook (CBO), argues that cities should facilitate a rich

biodiversity and take stewardship of crucial ecosystem services rather than being the cause of large

ecological footprints. The book was produced by Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) together with the

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in partnership with UN-Habitat and ICLEI - Local

Governments for Sustainability, and involved more than 200 scientists worldwide.

It states that over 60% of the land projected to become urban by 2030 has yet to be built on, and that if

current trends continue, 70% of the global population will be urban by 2050. It argues that these

developments present a major opportunity to greatly improve global sustainability by promoting low-

carbon, resource-efficient urban development that can reduce adverse effects on biodiversity and improve

quality of life.

The Cities and Biodiversity Outlook highlights the potential role of urban ecological infrastructure in

enhancing urban resilience. The incorporation of native biodiversity into new and existing parks and

landscape designs is an important element of an integrated holistic approach in order to create sustainable

Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

Brussels

12 October 2013

27

urban infrastructure. For instance, green corridors along highways, railways, bikeways or riparian zones and

park infrastructure fulfil multiple functions in addition to enhancing biodiversity.

Conclusions:

The landmark assessment of biodiversity, ecosystem services and urbanisation was launched in Europe

during the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels at an event organized by IUCN and SRC.

Decision makers and planners from Amsterdam, Brussels and Nantes, as the European Green Capital of

2013, shared their experiences on the integration of ecosystem services into urban planning and

management to improve social and economic development in highly urbanised parts of Europe. Services

provided by urban green spaces can have economic effects, such as reducing public health costs and adding

value, for example to real estate prices.

Quote:

Charlina Vitcheva, Director of Inclusive Growth, Urban and Territorial Development and Northern Europe at

the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, urged for stronger

involvement of local authorities in Europe’s sustainable development to ensure the uptake of nature-based

solutions in structural funding programmes. She emphasised that: “It is important for the European

Commission to provoke change to bridge sustainable development with the urban dimension and integrate

green infrastructure and ecosystem services horizontally into the EU 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable

and inclusive growth.”

More information:

Short film ‘an urbanizing planet’ narrated by Edward Norton: http://www.cbobook.org/?r=1&width=1152

Web story about the event with links to presentations by speakers and video messages:

http://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/europe/?13867/European-launch-of-landmark-

assessment-of-urbanization-biodiversity-and-ecosystem-services

Cities and Biodiversity Outlook website: http://www.cbobook.org/?r=1&width=1152

http://www.cbobook.org/?r=1&width=1152

http://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/europe/?13867/European-launch-of-landmark-assessment-of-urbanization-biodiversity-and-ecosystem-services

http://www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/europe/?13867/European-launch-of-landmark-assessment-of-urbanization-biodiversity-and-ecosystem-services

http://www.cbobook.org/?r=1&width=1152

29

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA


Canton of Herzegovina Neretva Mostar

Canton of Sarajevo Sarajevo

Canton of West Herzegovina Široki Brijeg

Republic of Srpska Banja Luka

The regional partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina had planned four local

events. The Canton of Sarajevo did not provide any information. The

Republic of Srpska organised a round table in November in Banja Luka on

how the region is increasing its engagement with the regions from the

Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region.

The reports of the Canton of Herzegovina Neretva and of West

Herzegovina are enclosed.

30

"Decentralised cooperation for regional development"


Type: Round table

Organisers: Herzegovina Neretva Canton

Chair: Dalibor Drlje, Adviser in the Herzegovina Neretva Canton

Speakers: Denis Lasić, President of the Herzegovina Neretva Canton

Ivan Jurilj, Director of the development agency REDAH

Outline:

Decentralised cooperation at a local level aims at sharing experiences between representatives of the

government, elected officials in the area of jurisdiction of the tasks you need to perform, local government

officials and citizens. The problem is that the same citizens should have access to resources and services in

various areas (transport, security, energy, public lighting, waste management, etc.). All of this was the

subject of this round table. One of the special issues, and one of the biggest responsibilities of mayors, was

the fight against unemployment and favouring the creation of jobs in local communities. The round table

was attended by the heads of almost all of the municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but representatives

also came from companies involved in manufacturing, which benefits the local community.

Conclusions:

The round table was a great opportunity for the exchange of experiences, and there was a lot of interest

from enterprises that create jobs as well as interest from the local community.

More information:

http://www.vlada-hnz-k.ba

Canton of Herzegovina Neretva (Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region)

Mostar

28 November 2013

31

"EU funds: opportunities and challenges"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: West Herzegovina Canton / regional development agency HERAG

Chair: Vesna Hrsto, Adviser in the West Herzegovina Canton

Speakers: Zdenko Ćosić, President of the West Herzegovina Canton

Ivan Jelčić, Director of HERAG

Outline:

This seminar is an interactive journey through the lifespan of European projects, from EU funding to tender

writing, project implementation and evaluation. Participants gained a comprehensive knowledge of the

essential techniques for successful, cost-effective management of EU projects. This is a particularly pertinent

course for those wishing to understand the EU funding process in these uncertain economic times.

Conclusions:

The management of European projects is a complex process which requires experienced and trained

experts. One of the main tasks of EU project managers is to support project coordinators and partners in the

development and application of international projects. Based on general know-how in project management,

EU project managers acquire the necessary skills to manage projects that are co-funded by the EU. The

seminar offers knowledge and best practice in all relevant topics for the management of EU projects.

More information:

www.vladazzh.com/

Canton of West Herzegovina (Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region)

Široki Brijeg

29 November 2013

http://www.vladazzh.com/

33

BULGARIA


City of Sofia Sofia

Gabrovo Gabrovo

Lovech Sofia

Sofia Municipality Sofia

Varna Varna

Bulgaria's regional partners had planned five local events, and two more

events were organised in the framework of the European Cooperation

Day.

The focus of Gabrovo's local event was on how to expand the

partnerships between regions from Bulgaria and other EU counties.

Lovech's local event, which took place in Sofia in November, was focused

on the effect of European funding five years after Bulgaria’s accession to

the EU. The Municipality of Sofia organised a workshop on 21 November:

“Europe in my region: innovative policies and solutions for Active Ageing”,

which focused on current solutions to common regional and urban

challenges in terms of demographic change and the ageing of the

population. Finally, Varna had planned to organise a workshop in

September to discuss the challenges and exchange experiences

concerning urban-rural development with an emphasis on cultural and

creative economic policies.

The City of Sofia's report is enclosed.

34

"Sofia: from a city in Europe to a European city through

cultural irrigation and citizen participation"


Type: Open-space demonstrations and presentations

Organisers: Sofia Municipality, Sofia Development Association, Initiative Committee of Sofia’s Candidacy

for European Capital of Culture 2019

Chair: Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia

Speakers: Todor Chobanov, Deputy Mayor of Sofia

Malina Edreva, Chairperson of Sofia Municipal Council Committee on Culture and Education

Sofia Petrova, pupil, eight years old

Sofia Nikolova, music academy student

Raimondo Orsetti, Chairman of Urbino's Candidacy for European Capital of Culture 2019, Italy

Outline:

Sofia’s local event focused on how the region is increasing its engagement with the European Union through

art, culture and tourism, particularly in the framework of the European Commission’s European Capital of

Culture (ECoC) initiative. As an ECoC candidate city, Sofia has developed its concept based on the objective

of highlighting the richness and diversity of European cultures and the features they share, as well as

promoting greater mutual understanding between European citizens.

This one-day event coincided with the day of the city – 17 September – which is also the name-day of

women called Sofia. We organised a number of initiatives in different parts of the city – concerts, children’s

artistic workshops, quizzes, a visiting exhibition of work by Rafael – as a testing ground for dialogue between

cultures and a celebration of the day of Sofia. The major event was “Share a Book”, in which hundreds of

citizens brought books in different languages to found a mobile library which will pop up in underprivileged

parts of Sofia.

Conclusions:

The event’s programme pooled the resources of a number of Sofia and European partners to contribute to

this strategic project for the future of the Sofia metropolitan area and European cultural cohesion. It

provided a great opportunity to illustrate what the European Capital of Culture initiative means and how it

brings tangible results and chances for interaction to citizens.

City of Sofia (Grow with ideas! Business, culture, tourism!)

Sofia

17 September 2013

35

Quotes:

“Without the participation of its citizens, Europe’s motto “Unity in Diversity” would be mere rhetoric.” –

Todor Chobanov

“The most important international effect of the European Capital of Culture initiative is that it brings people

together and fosters the mobility of art. I am delighted to see how many Sofia citizens lined up to see the

painting by Rafael that we brought from Urbino. This is a sign that the demand for exchange is greater than

the European offering.” - Raimondo Orsetti

More information:

http://www.cross.bg/sofiya-knigi-stolitza-1376539.html#axzz2iLzyBb6H

http://kmeta.bg/news/list/tag/20491/

http://m.trud.bg/Article.aspx?Id=2304164

http://www.sofia2019.bg/bg/node/4299

http://sofia-da.eu/bg/news-archive/295-2013-09-09-14-50-55

http://sofia-da.eu/bg/news-archive/298-2013-09-19-08-13-46

Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia

37

CROATIA


Central and Eastern Pannonian Croatia Osijek

City of Pula-Pola Pula-Pola

Dubrovnik Neretva Region Dubrovnik

Istria Bale-Valle

Karlovac Region Ogulin

Krapina-Zagorje County Marija Bistrica

Split-Dalmatia Island of Vis

Virovitica-Podravina

Zagreb Zagreb


Rijeka Rijeka

Croatia's regional partners had planned nine local events. One event was

organised by Rijeka, an independent partner, and three more events were

organised in the framework of the European Cooperation Day.

Central and Eastern Pannonian Croatia organised a conference in Osijek to

present the current state of play and future possibilities for the clusters

and their impact on the Croatian economy. The City of Pula-Pola's local

event emphasised the preservation of drinking water in the karst

landscape and how other EU regions can benefit from it. Virovitica-

Podravina did not provide any information. Zagreb organised a

conference in October on "Cohesion and structural funds after Croatia’s

accession to the EU".

The reports of Dubrovnik Neretva Region, Istria, Karlovac Region,

Krapina-Zagorje County, Split-Dalmatia and Rijeka are enclosed.

38

"International Investment Forum Dubrovnik 2013"


Type: Forum

Organisers: Dubrovnik Neretva Region, Regional development agency DUNEA, City of Dubrovnik

Chair: Siniša Kovačić and Mislav Togonal, Journalists at Croatian RadioTelevision (HRT), Moderator

Speakers: Nikola Dobroslavić, Prefect, Dubrovnik-Neretva County

Andro Vlahušić, Mayor, City of Dubrovnik

Dražen Pos, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts

Ivo Josipović, President of the Republic of Croatia (video message)

Outline:

The International Investment Forum is the highest-level forum organised by Dubrovnik-Neretva County,

aimed at presenting and promoting investment opportunities in the City of Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva

County and the broader South-East Europe area.

Dubrovnik-Neretva County is Croatia's southernmost county, situated at a very significant transport hub for

South-East Europe. This region is primarily oriented towards tourism and hospitality, though there is also

prominent agricultural potential in the Neretva River Valley. In addition to the Port of Ploče as an important

international cargo port, there is also an international airport, one of the Mediterranean's leading ports in

Dubrovnik, a developed mariculture sector, and an active production of high-quality wines on the Pelješac

Peninsula.

With the organisation of the International Investment Forum Dubrovnik 2013, Dubrovnik-Neretva County

took over the role of stimulating economic development in its territory. At the initiative of the County,

numerous representatives of international and Croatian companies and of the Government of the Republic

of Croatia, and representatives of local and regional authorities from all Croatian regions gathered together.

Discussions were held on the potential for developing agriculture and mariculture, tourism, and a number of

development projects in the areas of energy and infrastructure, giving special consideration to the natural

potentials that abound in the county.

Conclusions:

With Croatia's accession to the European Union, the role of Dubrovnik-Neretva County has become even

more significant, primarily due to the county's exceptional geostrategic position, and the fact that this

stimulates development opportunities in the European economy as a whole.

The three primary objectives of this year's Forum were:

Dubrovnik Neretva Region (Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region)

Dubrovnik

8 November 2013

39

- to present and promote the possibility of investing in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and its potential for

possible local and international investors,

- to present local and national structural economic reforms, aimed at increasing investment and the

competitive advantage of Dubrovnik-Neretva County in this part of Europe, and

- to present representatives of the government and competent authorities of Dubrovnik-Neretva County

and local self-government units as potential partners in the investment cycle, as people who can help to

resolve both existing and any possible future administrative or other issues.

Quote:

“Dubrovnik Neretva Region – smart investments.”

More information:

www.investindubrovnik.com

http://www.investindubrovnik.com/

40

"Regional strategic planning"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Region of Istria – Department for International Cooperation and European Affairs

Chair: Oriano Otočan, Head of the Department for International Cooperation and European Affairs –

Region of Istria

Speakers: Manuela Fischanger, Department for European Territorial Cooperation – Autonomous Region

of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Slobodan Marković, Director of Republika Srpska Development Agency for SMEs – Bosnia and

Herzegovina

Francesco Cocco, Secretary General of the Adriatic-Ionian Euroregion

Valter Flego, President of the Region of Istria

Paolo Rotondi, Project Manager – Marche Region

Sandra Sodini, Head of the Department for Development Projects - Informest

Andrea Vugrinović, Director of Superna d.o.o. – Croatia

Outline:

On 1 July 2013, the Republic of Croatia became the 28th

Member State of the European Union. As a result,

cross-border activities and regional strategic planning, which from now on will be implemented in a different

context, represent a key priority for the Region of Istria.

The workshop focused its attention on the regional level, starting from the EU strategy for the Adriatic-

Ionian Euroregion that represents a key element for all the regions acting in this territory.

During the second part of the workshop, the tools for regional strategic planning were presented and

analysed in order to foster and enhance a stronger cohesion between European regions, especially among

those that compose the above-mentioned Euroregion, with a particular focus on Structural and Cohesion

Funds.

The event was concluded with examples of good practices in strategic planning from partner regions.

Conclusions:

Regional cooperation and collaboration between entities have, since the end of the 1980s, been considered

some of the most important EU policies.

In the new 2014-2020 programming period, for the Region of Istria as well as for Croatia, it will be essential

to exploit all of the opportunities and the financial possibilities that will be available.

Istria (Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region)

Bale - Valle

9 December 2013

41

Therefore, a big advantage in this intention is represented by the multilateral cooperation that has already

been established with many European regions, while an important element will be the capacity to put that

knowledge into practice.

Quote:

“Regional cooperation is a path towards European cohesion.”

More information:

www.istra-europa.eu

www.istra-istria.hr

http://www.istra-europa.eu/

http://www.istra-istria.hr/

42

"Synergies and cooperation in nature protection"


Type: Presentation, workshop

Organisers: Karlovac County, Department for European Affairs, International and Regional Cooperation

Public Institution for Managing Protected Areas of Karlovac County - Natura Viva

Chair: Ivan Vučić, Prefect of Karlovac County

Darka Spudić, Director of Natura Viva

Speakers: Jure Turković, Mayor of the town of Ogulin

Andrej Plenković, MEP

Martina Petrak, Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Values of Karlovac

County, Croatia

Valentin Gadža, public institution “Zeleni prsten”

Boris Grabrijan, “Kolpa” landscape park, Republic of Slovenia

Amarildo Mulić, public company national park “Una”, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Outline:

This year’s OPEN DAYS were organised in the town of Ogulin, which corresponded perfectly to the chosen

topic of the conference, related to preserving natural values and natural heritage. Ogulin lies at the foot of

the cradle of Croatian alpinism, the mountain of Klek, surrounded by rich and well-preserved nature. The

decisive factor for choosing that location was also the fact that it is close to a number of localities suitable for

a field trip.

The first part of the conference was dedicated to presenting the functioning of public institutions dealing

with the protection of nature, and their experience in conducting projects, as well as revealing the

opportunities that exist in the management of protected natural values. Interesting and specific projects,

implemented in cooperation with our neighbours from Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, were

presented. The purpose of the presentations was to show how greatly the implementation of those projects

depends on the mutual cooperation of all stakeholders - NGOs, professional institutions, administration,

local government and relevant ministries. Along with the conference, a workshop entitled “Respect and

protect your nature” was organised for children and young people. After the theoretical part of the

conference, the guests participated in field trips to the Tounjčica caves and the old two-storey bridge in

Tounj.

Experts, regional and local administration, economic and associative representatives, journalists and regular

citizens took part in the event.

Ogulin

25 October 2013

Karlovac Region (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

43

Conclusions:

The significance of organising OPEN DAYS events at a local level each year is to get closer to the spirit of the

European Union and its citizens, and to choose every year a different location in the county in order to

spread the spirit of the OPEN DAYS. The subject of our conference was chosen very carefully this year, and it

is particularly important to talk about the protection of nature at the present time. We need to raise

awareness of the importance of preserving natural resources and heritage, and the key in all of this must be

cooperation at all levels, from individuals, through associations and public institutions, to local

governments.

Quote:

“Cooperation at all levels, in order to preserve nature.”

More information:

http://www.kazup.hr/component/content/article/41-najave-i-novosti/1541-konferencija-qdani-otvorenih-

vrata-2013q.html

http://www.karlovacki-tjednik.hr/?p=4774

http://www.slunj.hr/vijesti/news_item.asp?NewsID=1332

http://www.radio-ogulin.hr/vijesti/dani-otvorenih-vrata-2013.html

44

"Tourism – the power of economic development"


Type: Panel and “Zagorje Chef” culinary challenge

Organisers: Krapina-Zagorje County

Croatian Chamber of Commerce – Regional Office Krapina

Zagorje Development Agency

Chair: Damira Gregoret, Moderator (journalist, RTL Television)

Speakers: Davor Ižaković, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Croatia

Željko Kolar, County Prefect of Krapina-Zagorje County

Leila Krešić – Jurić, Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Director of Tourism Department

Jako Andabak, entrepreneur and hotelier, Sunce Koncern

Helena Matuša, Zagorje Development Agency, Assistant Director

Outline:

Krapina-Zagorje County focused its panel on tourism as an industry that can power economic development

in a sustainable manner with a special emphasis on Croatian EU membership. The panel showed some

examples and expectations as well as initiatives that are connected with several EU challenges in achieving

Europe 2020 goals. The new European context for Croatia and fresh thinking in further development of

tourism as one of the most important industries, along with addressing regional, European and global

challenges, particularly poverty alleviation and economic, social and environmental sustainability, were

discussed. The panel brought together both decision makers and tourist industry representatives, who

discussed how to achieve these goals regarding a more competitive economy which is smart, sustainable and

inclusive. The main conclusion was that all stakeholders should ensure three development assumptions,

three key conceptual issues: key attractions, infrastructure and products. As an illustration of how even local

and regional gastronomy can encourage wide community and business sectors, along with the creative

industry and especially culture in tourism development, the culinary challenge was held, bringing together

chefs to prepare authors’ dishes.

Decision makers at a local, regional and national level, the tourism industry and tourist boards took part.

Conclusions:

Three key conceptual issues must be met in the further development of tourism: attractions, infrastructure

and products. New investment, increased accommodation space and rich tourism products are necessary. It

was underlined that it is much more difficult to attract tourists to the continental part of Croatia, and that

special attention should be paid when designing tourism products.

Krapina-Zagorje County (Grow with ideas! Business, culture, tourism!)

Marija Bistrica

29 October 2013

45

The creation of such products, in addition to well-known spa and wellness centres, should include cultural

tourism, events, gastronomy and medical tourism. All of these components must be included in continental

tourism in order to achieve a larger number of tourist arrivals and overnight stays.

Quote:

“Zagorje is a recognisable region carrying out tourism development in synergy with all stakeholders.”

More information:

http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=enz&tx_ttnews[cat]=696&cHash=98af475bda

(Turistička klasa, HTV, 31.10.2013)

http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=enz&tx_ttnews[cat]=377&cHash=e289e8e05b

(Dnevnik 3 HTV, 02.11.2013)

http://mreza.tv/turizmom-do-razvoja/

(Vijesti, MREŽA TV, 31.10.2013)

http://www.mint.hr/default.aspx?id=10543

http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=enz&tx_ttnews%5bcat%5d=696&cHash=98af475bda

http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=enz&tx_ttnews%5bcat%5d=377&cHash=e289e8e05b

http://mreza.tv/turizmom-do-razvoja/

http://www.mint.hr/default.aspx?id=10543

46

"Training for trainers"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Public institution for the coordination and development of Split-Dalmatia County

Chair: Srećko Radnić, Director of public institution Rera S.D. for the coordination and development of

Split-Dalmatia County

Speakers: Kristijan Mavrek, Kaja Consulting d.o.o.

Ana Marušić Lisac, Biotehnicon poduzetnički centar d.o.o.

Aiša Milović, Sanex Split d.o.o.

Outline:

The public institution RERA S.D. for the coordination and development of Split-Dalmatia County organised a

workshop: "Training for trainers". The second module of "Training for trainers" was held on 17-20

September 2013 on the island of Vis on four assigned topics:

1. Quality and certification;

2. Financial aspects for the agriculture and food sector in Croatia;

3. Development of business networks/clusters and cooperatives in the agriculture and food sector;

4. IPARD programme.

It was attended by experts, associative representatives, employees of public institution Rera S.D. and local

and regional government representatives.

Conclusions:

Croatian accession to the EU is a great challenge for the national agriculture and food industry, which will

have to be prepared to operate in conditions of tight competition, and therefore farmers and producers are

advised to be organised in cooperatives and clusters. Because of this we need highly qualified staff and the

improvement of agri-food education. Therefore, that was the aim of this workshop.

Quote:

“Use agriculture to regenerate the planet.”

Split-Dalmatia (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Island of Vis

17-20 September 2013

47

"Structural Funds for SMEs"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: City of Rijeka

Chair: Natasa Mandic, City of Rijeka, Department of Entrepreneurship

Speakers: Dijana Bezjak, Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts, Croatia

Vlasta Zastavnikovič, Project Manager, eZavod Ltd Ptuj, Slovenia

Davor Hero, Project Manager LogINCloud, LOGIN Ltd Rijeka, Croatia

Outline:

Rijeka is a demographic and economic regional centre, and the most advanced Croatian local authority in

terms of the implementation of ICT and transparency. The workshop was focused on the development of

new projects and their financing through European Structural Funds.

With reference to the calls for proposals for Structural funds by the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts,

discussion was directed at the conditions under which entrepreneurs in Croatia will use financing from

European Structural Funds.

The audience, which included people who had little or no previous experience of European work and

funding, was interested in all details concerning entrepreneurial projects.

This one-day event offered a look at successful projects from Croatia and Slovenia and raised awareness

about the possibilities for new investments in production and tourism that can enhance economic growth in

Croatia.

Conclusions:

European Structural Funds offer opportunities for strengthening entrepreneurial economic activities that

lead to overall economic development. Projects should be prepared through partnerships and should use all

available entrepreneurship resources.

Quote:

"You have a chance!"

More information:

http://www.rijeka.hr/URijeciOdrzanDrugi

Rijeka

Rijeka

13 November 2013

http://www.rijeka.hr/URijeciOdrzanDrugi

49

CZECH REPUBLIC


Olomouc Region – 2 events Hranice na Moravě & Olomouc

Prague Prague

Vysocina Region Vír

The regional partners from the Czech Republic organised four local

events. Furthermore, there were five more events organised in the

framework of the European Cooperation Day.

Vysocina Region organised a workshop in September in Vír to show the

result of operational programmes’ funding from the 2007-13 period

(projects which fulfilled the objectives of programmes and strategies) and

all kinds of suitable funds from local, national, EU and community

programmes.

The reports of Olomouc Region and Prague are enclosed.

50

"Territorial dimension of employment policies and employment pacts"


Type: Panel discussion

Organisers: National Network of Local Action Groups (LAG) in the Czech Republic – Olomouc Regional

Association

Chair: Karel Hošek, Secretary of the National Network of Local Action Groups (LAG) in the Czech

Republic – Olomouc Regional Association

Speakers: Václav Čermák, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

Karel Hošek, Secretary of the National Network of Local Action Groups (LAG) in the Czech

Republic – Olomouc Regional Association

Marta Krejčiříková, Manager of LAG Rozkvět Jižních Čech

Anna Pucher, Regionalmanagement Oberösterreich

Jan Beneš, Manager of the Moravian-Silesian Employment Pact

Jiří Vaňásek, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs

Outline:

On 2 October 2013 an interesting meeting of representatives of many actors in the field of employment and

rural development took place in Hranice (CZ). Among the active participants was Václav Čermák from the

Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, who presented the current constructions of the “Operational

Programme Employment” (the most important Czech operational programme related to employment). Dr

Jan Beneš from the Employment Pact of the Moravian-Silesian Region introduced the current activities in the

field of employment and his vision of the Action Plan for Employment.

Following the presentation, discussions were focused on the “Development of local partnerships and the

labour market” project. The meeting, which was full of discussion, was closed by a short presentation on the

“Local Employment Partnership” project.

Quote:

“A shortage of quality public and commercial services should cause employment to increase in rural areas in

Olomouc Region.”

Olomouc Region (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

Hranice na Moravě

2 October 2013

51

"New EU programmes in 2014-2020"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: OK4EU – Representation of the Olomouc Region to the EU

Chair: Michael Fischer, Deputy President of the Olomouc Region, member of the Regional Assembly

Speakers: Tomáš Skuček, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic

Eva Hillerová, Technology Centre ASCR

Stanislava Rotterová, Regional Consultant for the Youth in Action programme

Petr Chaluš, National Agency for European Educational Programmes

Kateřina Hamplová, Government of the Czech Republic

Outline:

The seminar on EU funds will present their future setting in the 2014-2020 programming period. Community

programmes are instruments of the European Union which are intended to deepen cooperation and solve

common problems in EU countries. These programmes are always multiannual and are financed from the EU

budget. They represent another way of raising funds for activities in different areas. At the seminar the

following programmes will be presented: COSME, Horizon 2020, Youth in Action, Europe for Citizens and

Erasmus+.

The seminar will allow participants to come into contact with experts in the area of EU funding. Participants

can contact the experts who can advise them on specific examples of how to proceed in the preparation and

implementation of international projects.

Conclusions:

The seminar introduced the new design of EU programmes in the 2014-2020 period. Speakers provided up-

to-date information about the future shape of Horizon 2020, COSME, Erasmus+ and Europe for Citizens. The

participants had the opportunity to discuss with experts and to exchange their ideas. The achievements and

successful projects of the Youth in Action programme were also presented in order to inspire new ideas. The

seminar allowed participants to come into contact with experts in the area of EU funding. The seminar also

enabled the organisers to work with the target group and to find out their needs.

Quote: “New opportunities for the future.” More information:

http://ok4eu.cz/index.php/en/

Olomouc Region (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

Olomouc

7 November 2013

52

"A Festival of Leisure-time Activities – Ladronkafest 2013"


Type: Leisure activities

Organisers: Municipality of Prague 6

MVP agency, s.r.o.

Outline:

Ladronkafest 2013 (12th

anniversary) was the biggest leisure-time festival in central Europe once again. This

event is organised for children, young people and the general public. The event is mainly about the active

participation of visitors in the programme of activities. The public has a unique opportunity to try different

types of leisure activities, and they can choose the most suitable one for them for spending their time better.

The main goal of Ladronkafest is to present different possibilities for spending free time in the most fun way.

There were 83 promotional stands over an area of 80 000 m2 at which the public could admire displays by

cultural and sports clubs and art and music workshops.

Ladronkafest also offered a very interesting musical programme of Czech popular artists on the main stage in

the middle of Ladronka, which is a well-known park in Prague 6. This park has been revitalised by the

European Regional Development Fund via Operational Programme Prague – Competitiveness. On the main

stage there was also a light show, a fire show and a break-dancing performance.

Thanks to Ladronkafest, the most interesting championships for young people took place there, for example

the Czech Kubb Championship, the Czech Poweriser Championship and the Pole Battle League competition.

Finally, event visitors were able to enjoy the adrenalin shows at the BMX and MTB tracks, on the U-ramp and

in the funbox.

Conclusions:

Ladronkafest 2013 was bigger than in previous years. The event offered more shows than last year. This

interactive fair welcomed more than 15 000 visitors. One of its functions is protection against pathological

effects in the behaviour of young people (criminality, vandalism, drugs).

More information:

https://www.facebook.com/Ladronkafest

http://ladronkafest.cz/

Prague (Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN))

Prague

14 September 2013

https://www.facebook.com/Ladronkafest

http://ladronkafest.cz/

53

DENMARK


Central Denmark Hedensted

City of Vejle Kolding

North Denmark Aalborg

Southern Denmark Region Odense


Aarhus University Copenhagen

Denmark's regional partners organised four local events. Furthermore,

there were two events organised in the framework of the European

Cooperation Day and one event organised by an independent partner.

The City of Vejle had planned a workshop in Kolding on new forms of

innovation partnerships between companies, research institutions and

public authorities in clusters.

Aarhus University organised in Copenhagen the 1st

International

Conference on Volunteering for Youth Employment, Mobilisation, Social

Inclusion and Quality of Life.

The reports of Central Denmark, North Denmark and Southern Denmark

Region are enclosed.

54

"HOP-IN Project"


Type: Careers / school event

Organisers: Dansk Produktions Univers / Hedensted Erhverv, Skoleafdelingen Hedensted Municipality, VIA

University, Learnmark Horsens, Ungdommens Uddannelsesvejledning Horsens-Hedensted,

local enterprises

Chair: Lars Mikkelsen, Vice-principal, Hedensted Municipality

Speakers: Kirsten Terkilsen, Mayor, Hedensted Municipality

Local business leaders

Outline:

Hedensted - in cooperation with the School Department and Hedensted Business – wishes to encourage

more youngsters to pursue an entrepreneurial career.

This is part of Hedensted Municipality's strategy to provide youngsters with an understanding of the

relationship between school-based learning and the reality of jobs in the community. Hedensted is making

great efforts both to retain and to create new manufacturing companies in the area; hence the municipality

has chosen to focus on entrepreneurship.

The planned project began in August, but the event itself took place from Monday to Thursday of week 46

(11-14 November).

During this week the students visited local businesses, which informed them about their activities, gave a

guided tour of the company and told them about the employees’ educational backgrounds. The aim was to

translate theory into reality and adjust the students' expectations to the jobs for which they will actually be

able to apply. The students were subsequently divided into groups and worked together to create a company

and a product that could be ready for production.

The week ended with a big fair where the students showcased their products. For this event the invitees,

besides students, were parents, teachers, business leaders and local politicians, as well as national politicians

from the Danish Parliament. The fair culminated with awards for the best product in each category.

Conclusions:

Altogether 609 pupils, 30 teachers, 24 companies, eight teaching students, Hedensted Erhverv/Dansk

Produktions Univers and around 25 students and teachers from different youth education programmes

came together in a model for cooperation in HOP-IN (Hands On Production – Innovation New ideas). The

project has been very positively evaluated and we have achieved our goal: for pupils and students to

become aware of “the real world” in the production companies – and several pupils also indicated that they

Central Denmark (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Hedensted

11-14 November 2013

55

would reconsider their plans for the future. The week ended with a “fair”, where over 1000 visitors viewed

the students’ stands.

It has been decided that HOP-IN will become an annual event in the Municipality of Hedensted – in 2014 it

will be held in week 44, and once again it will involve all of the 7th

grades from Hedensted.

Quote:

“You get a chance to try out the way it would almost be in ‘real’ life.”

More information:

Web page: http://www.danskproduktionsunivers.dk/

Photos: www.ittildig.dk/hopinframogens.zip

Film: http://youtu.be/FaX9W84E0o4

Item from the local television news: http://www.tvsyd.dk/arkiv/2013/11/13?video_id=61281&autoplay=1

http://www.danskproduktionsunivers.dk/

http://www.ittildig.dk/hopinframogens.zip

http://youtu.be/FaX9W84E0o4

http://www.tvsyd.dk/arkiv/2013/11/13?video_id=61281&autoplay=1

56

"InnovationX - Funding"


Type: Matchmaking event for companies

Organisers: BrainsBusiness, ConnectDenmark, CREBS, EnergyVision.dk, Enterprise Europe Network, NOVI,

SmartCity.dk, Vækst Hus Nordjylland, AAU Matchmaking & UCN.

Chair: Thomas Thomsen

Speakers: Morten H. Larsen

Nicolaj H. Nielsen

Thor Angelo

Per Ovesen

Jane Tymm-Andersen

Frank Zimmermann

Søren Bjerregaard Pedersen

Hanne Bregendahl Pihl

Outline:

There is a gap between companies that are a good investment opportunity and investors who have the

capital to ensure business success.

It is time to close the gap, and there are paradoxically plenty of good companies and powerful investors.

They just have difficulty meeting at present.

The “Innovation X – Funding” Conference provided information about investment opportunities and how

companies can increase the chances of securing private investors and public funds.

The Conference aimed to create more speed in the investment process, so that both companies and

investors get a better outcome.

Conclusions:

There is a need for more speed in the investment process, so that both companies and investors get a better

outcome.

More information:

http://www.innovationx.dk/Innovationsdage/vis-innovationsdag/funding---riv-finansieringsmuren-

ned.cid85562

North Denmark (Advanced cooperation in the North Sea-Channel area)

Aalborg

26 September 2013

http://www.innovationx.dk/Innovationsdage/vis-innovationsdag/funding---riv-finansieringsmuren-ned.cid85562

http://www.innovationx.dk/Innovationsdage/vis-innovationsdag/funding---riv-finansieringsmuren-ned.cid85562

57

"Health and Welfare innovation in the Region of Southern Denmark"


Type: Study tour

Organisers: Region of Southern Denmark and South Denmark European Office

Chair: Christina E. Wanscher, Deputy European Coordinator of Renewing Health, Region of Southern

Denmark

Henriette Hansen, EU Consultant and Project Manager, South Denmark European Office

Speakers: Diana Arsovic Nielsen, Director, Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark

Anne Bach Stisen, Head of Secretariat, Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark

Søren Lundegaard, Innovation Consultant, Health Innovation Centre of Southern Denmark

Kristian Kidholm, Associate Professor and HTA Consultant, Odense University Hospital

Claus Duedal Petersen, Chief Innovation Officer, Centre for Innovative Medical Technology

Stine Justi, Head of Health Innovation Lab

Jacob Iversen, CareLab

Stinne Skydt, Welfare Tech

Henriette Hansen, SDEO

Outline:

As a region, South Denmark has through a strategic development focus and substantial investments,

obtained a central place in Denmark and Europe with regards to innovation in health, social care and welfare

innovation.

The aim was to inform the relevant stakeholders in the Region of Southern Denmark about the strategic

approach to health and welfare innovation that the region has, which has led to a substantial participation in

European development projects, such as RENEWING HEALTH and important networks such as the European

Innovation Partnership for Active and Healthy Ageing.

By organising the event and bringing the stakeholders together on a regular basis, we want to reinforce an

already “sprouting regional forum” with relevant stakeholders within the focus area. Bringing the

stakeholders together gives us the opportunity to use and exchange knowledge and experiences from

European projects in order to create new common ideas, which are broadly founded in the region, and also

to create a better co-ordinated and more strategic focus on innovation and development with regards to this

topic, involving a broad range of stakeholders in the region.

Southern Denmark Region (Renewing health)

Odense

11 October

58

Conclusions:

By involving and informing the relevant stakeholders in the region, we make sure that results from European

projects and networking are disseminated, sustained and up scaled in settings close to the patients and

citizens in our region.

Quote:

“The Region of Southern Denmark brings together health and social care actors to facilitate innovation and

new thinking.”

More information:

www.renewinghealth.eu

A deliverable has been written for the Renewing Health project encompassing all the events with regards to

OPEN DAYS 2013.

http://www.renewinghealth.eu/

59

"1st International Conference on Volunteering for Youth Employment,

Mobilisation, Social Inclusion and Quality of Life"


Type: Networking & Marked for Exchange of Experience combined for Workshops

Organisers: Department of Education, Aarhus University, Denmark and VERSO project, funded by

INTERREG IVC.

Chair: Niels Rosendal Jensen, Associate Professor, Aarhus University, Denmark

Speakers: Fabian Kessl, Universität Duisburg-Essen – Videolecture

Arantxa Ribot Horas, University Autonome of Barcelona

Daniel Schugurensky, Professor, Arizona University

Jan-Urban Sandal, Jan-Urban Sandal Institute, Oslo, Norway

Outline:

In Copenhagen, Friday 25 October, 2014 – Aarhus University opened to the public four specialised workshops

to allow researchers, professionals, volunteers and students to discuss the concept of volunteering,

employment and mobilisation and social inclusion as well as the role of volunteering in social innovation and

social entrepreneurship. The workshops were part of the Open Days Event, embedded into a two day

International Conferences with presentations of current research from Europe and USA. The objective of the

workshops were to discuss examples of good practices on volunteers helping young unemployed through

mentoring or coaching alongside with theories and perspectives of economic outcomes such as employment,

education / training for employment.

Conclusions:

The current unemployment rates throughout Europe, call for new unconventional solutions. Researchers

from across Europe now believe that volunteers can make a valuable contribution in the battle against

unemployment, and they express the need for a clear political plan for solving youth unemployment.

European politicians are invited to take a closer look, at the many voluntary initiatives, that across Europe

demonstrate new ways to combat unemployment and helping people in risks of social exclusion. The VERSO

development project – Volunteers for European Employment is funded by INTERREG IVC.

Quote:

“Volunteers helping to solve Europe’s unemployment problems”.

Aarhus University

Copenhagen

25 October 2013

60

More information:

http://verso.au.dk/events/first-international-conference-on-volunteering/video/

http://www.versonet.eu

http://verso.au.dk/events/first-international-conference-on-volunteering/video/

http://www.versonet.eu/

61

ESTONIA


City of Tallinn Tallinn

In Estonia, one regional partner had planned a local event. Furthermore,

there were three events organised in the framework of the European

Cooperation Day.

The report of the City of Tallinn is enclosed.

62

“Capital of free public transport”


Type: Summer school

Organisers: Tallinn European Office, Tallinn Development and Training Centre

Chair: Allan Alaküla, Head of Tallinn EU Office

Speakers: Edgar Savisaar, Mayor of Tallinn

Siim Kallas, EC Transport Commissioner

Antonie di Ciaccio, Aubagne and Etoille Urban Community (FR)

Shi Tao, Vice-general Manager of Chengdu Bus Group (CN)

Marc Verachtert, Hasselt (BE)

Prof. Georg Sootla, Tallinn University

Waldemar Socha, Mayor of Zory (PL)

Robert Perkowski, Mayor of Zabki (PL)

Oded Cats, Swedish Institute of Technology (SE)

Outline:

Tallinn introduced free public transport (FPT) for the residents of the city from 1 January 2013.

The summer school represented a forum for all interested parties to share their experience and to learn

from that of Tallinn.

In his opening speech, Mayor Edgar Savisaar highlighted the process of reaching the political decisions and

practical implementations of FPT in Tallinn.

“How can we justify the subsidy rate reaching 60-70 per cent and sometimes even higher, paid from the

public budget for a public service, which due to its cost is still not available for many people? If we consider

public transport worthy of such a subsidy, we must ensure that all people wishing to use it can do so,” said

Mr Savisaar.

On the example of Tallinn, it could be said that, above all, public transport gives new opportunities to people

with average and low incomes. “The employment rate in the city has improved, as free transport extends the

area of job search in the city. This is at least equally important for employers as well – finding the potential

required labour is cheaper and they need less investment in parking spots for private vehicles. Already more

than 11 000 people have registered themselves as inhabitants of Tallinn according to the referendum on free

public transport, and the number of inhabitants is continuously increasing. That, in turn, means that the city

receives the individual’s income tax as an extra income, which is our main financing source for the free

public transport. According to our calculation, about 1 million euros of additional income tax will be received

by the city treasury per 1000 inhabitants, which means that we are nicely in balance in a fiscal sense with

free public transport.”

City of Tallinn (Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN))

Tallinn

22 August 2013

63

Free public transport also enables people with lower income to consume goods and services across the

entire territory of the city, as they do not need to worry about transportation costs. The increase in the use

of public transport in the evenings and at weekends, however, refers to the changed behaviour of people

with an average or a larger-than-average income – instead of a private car they often prefer public transport

for visiting entertainment establishments and family events.

The mayor finished his opening speech by expressing his belief that although Tallinn is just a moderate-sized

attraction centre on the world stage, it is pleased with the international attention and interest paid to it.

European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas shared his vision about increasing the efficiency of urban

mobility and his cautiously optimistic expectations concerning free public transport.

Conclusions:

The participants of the summer school expressed their great interest in the continued sharing of the

developments of FPT in Tallinn and in other cities.

The participants confirmed the need to initiate the European network of free public transport cities.

The possibility of initiating an EU-funded research project on free public transport will be discussed at the

next FPT meeting in Brussels in September 2013.

The event was well covered by the local and international press and created follow-up international interest.

Quote:

“Actually, it would be more appropriate to ask why the majority of cities in the world still do not provide free

public transport.” Edgar Savisaar, Mayor of Tallinn

More information:

http://www.tallinn.ee/tasutauhistransport/g8311s6042

http://www.tallinn.ee/freepublictransport

Tallinn - Edgar Savisaar and Siim Kallas at Tallinn University, 22 August 2013

http://www.tallinn.ee/tasutauhistransport/g8311s6042

http://www.tallinn.ee/freepublictransport

65

FINLAND


City of Helsinki – no local event organised Helsinki

Ostrobothnia Region City of Umeå and Holmsund Harbour

South Karelia Lappeenranta

Tampere Region Tampere

West Finland City of Umeå and Holmsund Harbour


Uusimaa Regional Council Helsinki

In Finland, regional partners had planned to organise five local events.

Furthermore, there was one event organised by an independent partner

and three events organised in the framework of the European

Cooperation Day.

The City of Helsinki did not organise any local event.

The reports of Ostrobothnia Region, South Karelia, Tampere Region,

West Finland and Uusimaa Regional Council are enclosed.

66

"Inauguration of bridge and public presentation of ferry"


Type: Inauguration of bridge and public presentation of ferry

Organisers: Västerbotten, Kvarken Council, cities of Umeå and Vaasa, West Finland EU Office

Chair: Lennart Holmlund, Kommunalråd, Västerbotten

Speakers: Fredrik Barthel, Vectura

Margaretha Gustavsson, SCA Umeå

Mathias Lindström, Kvarken Council

Riitta Björkenheim, Vasek

Rikard Engström, Tarfikverket

Erlend Bullvåg, Handelshögskolan Bodö

Outline:

The Bothnian Corridor is a new core network railway corridor in the new TEN-T policy programme. The cities

of Umeå and Vaasa have started a project to build /reconstruct an alignment called the Kvarken Multimodal

Link. The project contains transport arrangements in both cities for improving transport possibilities.

Logistics centres, new bridges and better general access to the harbours represent one part. The other part

is finding a new concept for a modern ferry to be constructed. The events mentioned constituted the

inauguration of a land bridge to the harbour of Umeå, and the other part was the presentation of the

temporary ferry, the Wasa Express, which will work while the project plans a new ferry. The project is

supported by DG Move and its programme Motorways of the Sea.

Conclusions:

This was the first step in presenting the Kvarkenlink Multimodal alignment project to a broad audience, and

there are several more events to come for increasing knowledge and information on how the new TEN-T

policy contributes to strengthening transport corridors.

More information:

www.umea.se/umeahamn

Ostrobothnia Region (Baltic Sea Group) Joint event with West Finland and Västerbotten (SE)

City of Umeå and Holmsund

Harbour

13 & 23 November 2013

http://www.umea.se/umeahamn

67

"E-service in social and health care"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: South Karelia Social and Health-care District

Chair: Katja Rääpysjärvi, Project Manager, South Karelia Social and Health-care District

Riitta Lehtonen, Project Manager, South Karelia Social and Health-care District

Speakers: Leif Lyttkens, MD PhD, Medical Senior Advisor, County Council of Uppsala

Tuula Karhula, Director of Health Services, Eksote

Tomi Voutilainen, Professor, Information and Information Technology Law, D.Sc. (oa.),

University of Eastern Finland

Katja Klemola, Suvi Tolonen Eksote

Riitta Lehtonen, Project Manager, Eksote

Benny Eklund, County Council of Uppsala

Osmo Saarelma, Editor-in-chief, Specialist in General Practice

Jani Kariniemi, Medi-IT

Toni Suihko, Chief Information Officer, Eksote

Katja Rääpysjärvi, Project Manager, Eksote

Outline:

South Karelia Social and Health-care District is the first organisation in Finland to offer combined social and

health care. There, many facilities have been or are being transferred to an electronic format. The e-service

core is Hyvis.fi – e-service portal.

The conference focused on e-services in health and social care. The speakers presented results and examples

from the projects. There were also examples of some other regional projects and initiatives that were

tackling key European challenges, sharing best practices and improving local service delivery. The seminar on

e-service in social and health care brought employees, experts and decision makers together to discuss the

future of e-service. In the seminar there was a lot of discussion of the benefits of telemonitoring and e-

services.

Conclusions:

E-service is considered an important way for professionals in the health-care sector to increase the patient’s

role in their chronic disease management. It is not obvious what the patient’s responsibility and obligations

are. Users should be involved at the planning stage so that the service will be suitable for customers. Also,

employees have to be committed to using e-services in order to provide services to patients.

South Karelia (Renewing Health)

Lappeenranta


68

More information:

http://www.eksote.fi/fi/eksote/tutkimus_kehittaminen/sivut/sahk%C3%B6isen_asioinnin_seminaari_2013.a

spx (In Finnish)

http://www.eksote.fi/fi/eksote/tutkimus_kehittaminen/sivut/sahk%C3%B6isen_asioinnin_seminaari_2013.aspx

http://www.eksote.fi/fi/eksote/tutkimus_kehittaminen/sivut/sahk%C3%B6isen_asioinnin_seminaari_2013.aspx

69

"Seven years of action"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: Council of Tampere Region and Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and

the Environment

Chair: Katja Kannonlahti, Head of Communications, University of Tampere, Moderator

Speakers: Leena Vestala, Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment

Jukka T. Raivio, Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment

Perttu Heino, Susanna Markkola, Pirkanmaan Festivaalit Pirfest ry (The Tampere Region

Festivals)

Pekka Ruuska, Strata Project

Henrik Pekkala, Ramboll Finland Oy

Petri Rinne, European LEADER, Association for Rural Development

Vilja Pylsy, F. E. Sillanpää 125 Years project

Jukka Matikainen, New Factory Innovation Platform

Maija Laukkanen, City of Tampere

Jukka Alasentie, Council of Tampere Region

Jukka Järvinen, City of Tampere

Erkki Honkaniemi, Pirkanmaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the

Environment

Juha S. Niemelä, Central Finland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the

Environment

Peer Haataja, Tampere Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Suvi Holm, Ekokumppanit Oy

Irene-Suhonen, Southern Pirkanmaa Region

Esa Halme, Council of Tampere Region

Outline:

There are hundreds of projects that have been realised in the Tampere Region with funding from the ERDF,

ESF and the Agricultural Fund in 2007-2013. A few examples of the projects and their results were presented

in the seminar. In the morning the programme concentrated on the 2007-2013 programming period with the

objective of discussing different strategies that different organisations have employed for realising projects

and how projects have been used for developing the organisation and promoting its objectives in the long

run. Some good practices were presented and the development and maintenance of cooperation networks

was discussed. The presentations of the projects were memorable and included, for example, a short film

being shown, music, and a piece of theatre being performed. During the morning a communications project

Tampere Region (Smart clusters for a new industrial revolution)

Tampere

12 December 2013

70

by the organisers, presenting the variety of the EU-funded projects and their results in the region, was

showcased.

During the afternoon the 2014-2020 programming period was in the focus. After expert speeches on EARF,

ESF and the Agricultural Fund, there was a question-and-answer session in which participants had the

chance to ask the experts questions on the new programmes and what will be possible in this framework.

In the seminar hall there was an exhibition area for projects to present their activities and results. Some 20

projects participated.

The popular feedback from the event was exceptionally positive. On a scale of 1 to 5, the average mark given

to the event by participants in the feedback questionnaire was 4.21. The organisers were also very happy

with the outcome of the event.

An important part of the event is to look at what will remain of the projects and what could be developed

further. In this context, we will also take a look at the new EU 2014-2020 funding period. How will it differ

from its predecessors? What are the objectives during the next funding period?

The event will be aimed particularly at those involved in the projects, but local politicians, local authorities

and active developers will also be invited to the event, as the objective is to evaluate achievements and

experiences and finally to take a look at the future.

Conclusions:

There are many positive results and good practices arising from the development projects realised in the

2007-2013 programming period in the Tampere Region, and the region is looking forward to the new

possibilities that the new period will bring.

71



Type: Inauguration of bridge and public presentation of ferry.









Outline:









Conclusions:




More information:

www.umea.se/umeahamn.

West Finland (Baltic Sea Group) Joint event with Ostrobothnia and Västerbotten (SE)


Harbour

13 & 23 November 2013


72

"Talents available: tapping the talent pool for global growth"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Expat project and the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland

Chair: Anita Lehikoinen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Culture, Moderator

Speakers: Jyrki Katainen, Prime Minister

Tuula Antola, Director of Economic and Business Development, City of Espoo

Malin Bendz, SVP HR, Stora Enso

Päivi Castrén, EVP HR, Wärtsilä

Christine Chang, Project Manager, Expat project, Uusimaa Regional Council, Finland

Inger Christopherson, City of Uppsala, Expat project

Juha Eskelinen, Deputy Regional Mayor, Director of Regional Development, Helsinki-Uusimaa

Region

Ulla-Maija Forsberg, First Vice-rector, University of Helsinki

Jaana Hernelahti, Director, Employment and Enterprise Services, Southwest Finland

Employment and Economic Development Office

Reijo Karppinen, CEO, Dynaset

Jing Lin, Application Manager, Vaisala

Anita Lehikoinen, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Culture

Jocy Ma, Advisor, CSSA-Espoo RY

Outi Mäkelä, Member of Parliament and President of the Board of Helsinki-Uusimaa Region

Ville Santalahti, Regional Council of South-West Finland

Roman Schatz, host and author

Olli Sorainen, Senior Government Counsellor, Ministry of Employment and the Economy

Carl-Johan Åkerblom, Turku Science Park Ltd, Finland

Kaido Väljaots, Institute of Baltic Studies, Estonia

Outline:

At the event, the Prime Minister, Mr Jyrki Katainen, opened the conference by addressing the importance of

Sino-Finnish cooperation to the Finnish economy and the contribution of the Chinese community in Finland

to its development. Company HR staff and leaders from Wärtsillä, Stora Enso and Dynaset shared their

experience in employing Chinese talent and how they have expanded in China through Chinese employers’

local know-how. Successful expats gave tips on how they had found their positions in Finland.

Uusimaa Regional Council

Helsinki

5 September 2013

73

In the afternoon, the Expat project, which looks into the perspective of the needs of international individuals

in settling in Finland and nearby countries, showcased active expat organisations in Helsinki Region including

InterNations, IESAF and Expat meet-up, and it proposed concrete action in talent-retention services – HERIEC

project, to give an example. Finally, the Expat project proposed actions for the regions and the EU on how to

cultivate their human capital. During the event, the participants’ lively discussion on the topic showed local

commitment to the issue and the will to further develop the region as an international and welcoming place

for its international community.

Conclusions:

Europe needs to work together to unite its experiences and resources in the area of global talent attraction

and retention in order for it to compete and succeed in the world economy. Efficient talent retention

requires the involvement of expats in service and policy development. The two-way integration process

enables the local community to develop its cultural intelligence and hence develop its system to best tap

into the talents available in the region.

Quote:

“When facing tough global competition, we are too small to survive alone.” Jyrki Katainen

More information:

Opening speech by the Finnish Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen:

http://tuulan.kuvat.fi/#/kuvat/UL_expat/katainen_2796.jpg

Panel discussion from Finnish local authorities:

http://tuulan.kuvat.fi/#/kuvat/UL_expat/paneeli_3103.jpg

Interactive voting session - audience profile:

http://tuulan.kuvat.fi/#/kuvat/UL_expat/aanestys_2922.jpg

Gallery:

http://tuulan.kuvat.fi/#/kuvat/UL_expat/

Finland's Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen

http://tuulan.kuvat.fi/#/kuvat/UL_expat/katainen_2796.jpg

http://tuulan.kuvat.fi/#/kuvat/UL_expat/paneeli_3103.jpg

http://tuulan.kuvat.fi/#/kuvat/UL_expat/aanestys_2922.jpg

http://tuulan.kuvat.fi/#/kuvat/UL_expat/

75

FRANCE


Brittany Saint-Brieuc

Centre Region Orléans

Deux-Sèvres

Eure

Ile-de-France Paris

Isère Grenoble

Nord-Pas de Calais Region Lille

Pays de la Loire Region Nantes

Region of Alsace Strasbourg

Rhône-Alpes Region Lyon

Seine-Saint-Denis - EVENT CANCELLED

Upper Normandy Rouen

Urban Community of Dunkirk Cassel-Bailleul

Picardie Creil


Club Europe Sud Rhône-Alpes Valence

Etablissement public Loire Orléans

In France, fourteen regional partners had planned local events. On top of

these, two independent partners had planned an event and six events

took place in the framework of the European Cooperation Day.

Brittany intended to publish two articles in the regional daily newspaper

“le Télégramme” and Brittany Regional Council’s monthly newspaper

“Bretagne Ensemble”. Deux-Sèvres did not provide any information and

neither did Eure. Isère had planned a workshop to launch the regional

project “Autonom@Dom: a package of human and technical services and

aids for health and autonomy at home” in November in Grenoble.

Picardie organised the Research & Innovation Regional Week 2013 in Creil

at the end of November.

The reports of Centre Region, Ile-de-France, Nord-Pas de Calais, Pays de

la Loire, Region of Alsace, Rhône-Alpes, Upper Normandy, Urban

Community of Dunkirk, Club Europe Sud Rhône-Alpes and Etablissement

public Loire are enclosed.

76

"European mornings: how can Europe help the Centre Region

to become a knowledge society?"


Type: Information session and debate

Organisers: Regional Council Centre

Chair: Karine Gloanec Maurin, Deputy President of the Regional Council Centre in charge of

European affairs

Speakers: Gonda DE BRUIN, Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), Chambre de Commerce et de l'Industrie

de la région Centre

Mickaël VAILLANT, DATAR (the Inter-ministerial Delegation for Regional Planning and Regional

Attractiveness)

Frédéric PINNA, ARITT (the Centre regional agency for innovation and transfer of technology)

Bastien PINCANON, CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research)

Outline:

This session aimed to present the knowledge society dimension of the strategy “Europe 2020”, and the

different EU programmes which may be of help in achieving the European goals regionally.

The region’s smart specialisation strategy was introduced, as well as the potential specialisation sectors.

The concentration on the innovation sector and priority among the future European cohesion policy

programmes was explained.

The EU “Horizon 2020” and “COSME” programmes, which may co-finance SMEs or researchers’ innovative

projects, were detailed.

Participants included members of the “Europe O Centre” network, i.e. representatives from the region’s

universities, firms, voluntary and community sector, local authorities, local government, education and

training sector.

Conclusions:

There will be increased complementarity between the different European tools (cohesion policy, sectorial

programmes such as Horizon 2020 and COSME) that support innovation.

Quote:

“The Centre Region is a pioneer as far as smart specialisation strategies are concerned.”

Centre Region (Innovative knowledge-based regions)

Orléans

17 September 2013

77

More information:

http://www.regioncentre.fr/accueil/ma-region-et-moi/une-chance-pour-tous/europe.html

78

"Employment strategies in Europe and France: what role

for the regions?"



Organisers: Regional Council of Île-de-France

Chair: Marie Herbet, journalist for Contexte.com, Moderator

Speakers: Egidio Canciani, Head of Unit France, Benelux, DG Employment, European Commission

Mélanie Cataldo, social entrepreneur, Director of Planète Sésame 92

Claire Descreux, Deputy Service Chief, General Delegation for Employment and Employment

Training, Ministry of Labour

Jean-Paul Planchou, Vice-president of the Regional Council of Île-de-France in charge of

Economic Development, New Information and Communications Technology, Tourism,

Innovation and Social and Solidarity Economy

Outline:

Europe is currently experiencing record unemployment rates. These have reached 11.1% in France and

12.2% in the Eurozone this year. In such a context, the European Union tries to implement new measures to

enhance employment, especially among young people. An “Employment Package” was adopted by the

European Commission in April 2012. In France too, the government has set employment as one of its top

priorities, as shown during the social conference that was held in June 2013. Participants of this event

underlined the importance of local authorities in implementing employment strategies. Moreover, as of

2014, French regions will serve as new management authorities for the European Social Fund (ESF), precisely

aimed at enhancing economic cohesion and employment within EU countries. In this respect, regions will

play a key role in the implementation of employment strategies alongside national government.

Conclusions:

Better cooperation between national government and local authorities is crucial for enhancing the efficiency

of employment strategies. Regions can become key actors for supporting both their government and the EU

in their efforts toward higher employment. Cooperation should also prevail in the design of the ESF

operational programme for the new 2014-2020 planning period, so that clear and coherent competences

are assigned to each authority level. Finally, employment strategies should take into account the increasing

role played by social and solidarity economy, for instance by adopting new measures in favour of

beneficiaries and project leaders or by simplifying administrative procedures, especially relating to access to

European funds.

Ile-de-France (Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN))

Paris

7 November 2013

79

Quote:

“The issue of employment is part of a comprehensive framework that interests every public institution and

deals with major social and societal challenges.” - Jean-Paul Planchou

80

"Let us speak about Europe for an active citizenship”

Launch of the contest: “Demain j’Europe!”


Type: Exhibition

Organisers: Nord-Pas de Calais Regional Council

Chair: Daniel Percheron, President of the Regional Council

Outline:

The exhibition started on Monday 23 September in the centre of the hall.

There were 11 panels which describe: the European construction, Treaties of Rome, common values on

Europe, main European institutions, the European Parliament: the institution elected at the universal

suffrage, European elections, from six to 27 and 28: European enlargement, European citizenship, and

everyday European life.

Nearby, there were two kakemonos presenting the second edition of “Demain j’Europe” (a competition open

to high-school students in the Nord-Pas de Calais Region).

2013: the year of European citizenship, and 2014: the year of European elections. This year, high-school

students are invited to think about Europe and to invent the Europe of tomorrow. They will have to propose

ideas for concrete actions on the theme of European citizenship. What cooperation projects could be

implemented for moving a step forward in the Europe of the citizens?

For the first time this year, every participating establishment will have to realise its action in partnership with

another European establishment in order to create direct links between European young people.

Conclusions:

Around 1000 people were thought to have seen the exhibition.

More information:

http://www.nordpasdecalais.fr/jcms/c_92493//concours-demain-j-europe?cid=c_5139

Nord-Pas de Calais Region (Grow with ideas! Business, culture, tourism!)

Lille

23 Sep. – 4 Oct. 2013

http://www.nordpasdecalais.fr/jcms/c_92493/concours-demain-j-europe?cid=c_5139

81

"From FP7 to HORIZON 2020: what should the involvement of regional

stakeholders be in European projects for research & innovation?"


Type: A conference to close the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7) and to launch HORIZON 2020

Organisers: UNAM (L’Université Nantes Angers Le Mans), Research and higher education cluster in

consultation with the State and the Pays de la Loire Region

Chair: Bruno Parmentier, engineer from the “École des Mines”, economist

Speakers: Olivier Le Dour, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation

Louis-Victor Bril, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation

Martine Roussel, Coordinator of French NCP / French Ministry of Higher Education and

Research

Philippe Roussignol, National Contact Point - European Research Council / National Centre for

Scientific Research

Christian Dubarry, National Contact Point for SMEs / BPI France

Albrecht Sonntag, researcher, coordinator of the FREE project (FP7 SSH) / ESSCA

Outline:

The FP7 has enabled many project holders in the Pays de la Loire (France) to develop their activities at a

European level and to build up new partnerships.

Next year the FP7 will be replaced by HORIZON 2020. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to review the 2007-

2013 period in Pays de la Loire and to present the future 2014-2020 programme to the stakeholders.

This event was organised by the research and higher education cluster called “L’Université Nantes Angers Le

Mans” (a consortium of universities, engineering schools, business schools and university hospitals from the

Pays de la Loire Region which have joined forces to provide a full range of research programmes and

activities), in consultation with the French State and the Pays de la Loire Region. It mobilised both

researchers and academics from the region, the private sector and local authorities. The conference aimed

to provide a discussion between these actors and to evaluate FP7 participation in several research areas

(impact of European projects on local actors and territories, successes and failures, interviews of

researchers). The event also pointed out the potential of regional actors to fit into the priorities of HORIZON

2020 (how to support the participation of regional research teams in the new programme; which individual

and collective actions will increase submissions of projects; what support structures will help the

development of projects).

Participants included European policy officers, politicians (regional and national representatives), researchers

and heads of laboratories (38%), directors and legal representatives of higher education and research

Pays de la Loire Region (Blue biotechnology regions of Europe)

Nantes

17 October 2013

82

schools and establishments in the Pays de la Loire Region (30%), European project administrative officers

and support team members (25%) and SMEs (7%).

Conclusions:

This seminar was the assessment, through all the researchers' testimonies, of the great mobilisation of the

“Pays de la Loire” regional scientific community and the recognition of its excellence in Europe. The strength

of these testimonies is an encouragement to all of the community to pursue their efforts and to find in this

new Horizon 2020 programme the opportunity to make their contribution to the European Research Area.

Quote:

“Mobilising research laboratories and also regional companies will be the main objective in the coming

months, in order to encourage the dynamism of the research and the innovation of the “Pays de la Loire”

Region in Europe, which implies a strong participation in the Horizon 2020 programme.”

More information:

Programme of the seminar (updated version, including the OPEN DAYS logo):

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/Programme_Seminaire_Europe_17-

10-2013-final.pdf

Link to the file used for the “seminar pockets” (including the OPEN DAYS logo):

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/POCHETTE%20SEMINAIRE%20EUROP

E.pdf

Videos broadcast during the seminar: http://www.europe.lunam.fr/videos-et-articles

Magazine “Chercheurs européens” n° 07, special edition, including ten interviews with researchers and their

FP7 projects:

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/documents/Chercheurs_europeens_

n07.pdf

Louis-Victor Bril, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/Programme_Seminaire_Europe_17-10-2013-final.pdf

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/Programme_Seminaire_Europe_17-10-2013-final.pdf

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/POCHETTE%20SEMINAIRE%20EUROPE.pdf

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/POCHETTE%20SEMINAIRE%20EUROPE.pdf

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/videos-et-articles

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/documents/Chercheurs_europeens_n07.pdf

http://www.europe.lunam.fr/sites/www.europe.lunam.fr/files/Europe/documents/Chercheurs_europeens_n07.pdf

83

"Capacity-building for cross-border territories: perspectives

from 20 years of training experience"


Type: Conference and ceremony. Celebration of the 20th

anniversary of the Euro-Institut as the only regional institute with a special focus on training for cross-border cooperation in Europe

Organisers: Euro-Institute, Alsace Region

Chair: Afternoon session (conference): Dr Joachim Beck, Director

Evening session (ceremony): Josef Frey, MdL, President of the Euro-Institut

Speakers: Josha Frey, MdL (Member of State Assembly), President of the Euro-Institut

Jean-Marie Belliard, President of the “Cross-border and Decentralised Cooperation”

Committee, Conseil Régional d’Alsace, Vice-president of the AEBR, Association of European

Border Regions

Martin Guillermo Ramirez, Secretary General, AEBR, Association of European Border Regions

Jean Peyrony, Director General, MOT - Mission Opérationnelle Transfrontalière

Marek Olszewski, Strategy & Development Manager, Association of Development and

Regional Cooperation "Olza”, TEIN – Transfrontier Euro-Institut Network

Michel Casteigts, Inspector General for Administration, Associated Professor at the University

of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, Honorary President of the Euro-Institut

Prof. Paul Witt, Rector of the University of Applied Sciences Kehl

Prof. Dr Sylvain Schirmann, Director of the IEP Strasbourg (Institute for Political Sciences)

Karl-Heinz Lambertz, Minister-President of the German-speaking Community of Belgium, Chair

of the Governance Committee of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council

of Europe, President of the AEBR

Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid, MEP

Monique Jung, Vice-president of the Conseil Régional d’Alsace, Vice-president of the Euro-

Institut

Bärbel Schäfer, Governor of the Regional District of Freiburg

Louis Becker, Conseiller Général du Bas-Rhin

Frank Scherer, District Governor of Ortenaukreis, President of the Eurodistrict (EGTC)

Strasbourg/Ortenau

Outline:

A key bottleneck preventing the deepening of cross-border cooperation in Europe is still the lack of

knowledge and understanding of the political and administrative systems of neighbouring countries.

Successful cross-border cooperation needs qualified actors. Twenty years ago, based on the initiative of

regional actors from the Region of the Upper Rhine and with the assistance of the INTERREG Programme, the

Region of Alsace (Greater Region and the Upper Rhine)

Strasbourg

21 October 2013

84

Euro-Institut was founded. This bi-national institution contributes to the improvement of cross-border

cooperation through continuing education and training and provides practical advice and coaching to

practitioners in the cross-border field. In this way, the institute has over the years become a facilitator for

successful cross-border cooperation in the Upper Rhine Region and in Europe with regard to public policies,

and contributes actively to the resolution of problems resulting from different legal and administrative

systems.

The event allowed participants to take stock of the achievements of cross-border cooperation in Europe, to

exchange good practice experiences and to reflect on the remaining needs in terms of training and

facilitation in the field of cross-border cooperation.

Conclusions:

The issue of cross-border capacity-building was directly linked to the idea of bringing the OPEN DAY to a

regional level too: while political and technical representatives had already presented their experiences with

other European partner regions in Brussels, the regional event allowed institutional partners to exchange on

bottom-up dynamics for the further construction of cross-border territories. The presence of actors and

representatives from European, local and regional institutions underlined this multi-level approach.

The event mobilised elected local politicians, officers and practitioners from local authorities, social

partners, universities, non-governmental organisations and project partners from the Region of the Upper

Rhine and across Europe.

Quote:

“Cross-border cooperation facilitated by the Euro-Institut is a model for European territorial cohesion.”

More information:

www.euroinstitut.org

http://www.euroinstitut.org/wFranzoesisch/aktuelles/meldungen/99-9-9-48-5-

Anniversaire.php?navanchor=

http://www.euroinstitut.org/wDeutsch/aktuelles/meldungen/99-9-5-5-5-0-Festakt.php?navanchor=

http://www.kizoa.de/slideshow-maker/d6464720k6069322o1/photos-20-ans

http://www.euroinstitut.org/

http://www.euroinstitut.org/wFranzoesisch/aktuelles/meldungen/99-9-9-48-5-Anniversaire.php?navanchor

http://www.euroinstitut.org/wFranzoesisch/aktuelles/meldungen/99-9-9-48-5-Anniversaire.php?navanchor

http://www.euroinstitut.org/wDeutsch/aktuelles/meldungen/99-9-5-5-5-0-Festakt.php?navanchor

http://www.kizoa.de/slideshow-maker/d6464720k6069322o1/photos-20-ans

85

"Digital tools for democracy"



Organisers: Rhône-Alpes Region

Chair: Veronique Kleck, Civic Media, Moderator

Speakers: Bernard Soulage, Rhône-Alpes, elected Vice-president in charge of Europe and international

relations

Sonia Masini, President of the Province of Reggio Emilia, member of the Committee of the

Regions

Sylvie Guillaume, MEP

Martin Wittenberg, launched one of the first European citizens’ initiatives

André Friedenberg, Rhône-Alpes, elected adviser in charge of information and communication

technologies

Cristian Combier, Director of the M@ison de Grigny (Public Digital Space)

Antoine Durigand, Zoomacom (Public Digital Space)

Léla Bencharif, Rhône-Alpes, elected vice-President in charge of participative democracy,

associations and popular education

Outline:

This event was divided into two parts. First, the participants discussed how digital technologies can reinforce

democracy and citizens’ participation through the example of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI). Then,

they debated how the region can best help to develop digital tools for democracy.

The goal of the ECI is to promote direct democracy, to give people a better understanding of the EU and to

create connections between citizens. The Internet is an indispensable tool for ECI as it is much easier to

reach citizens all over the EU and to collect the required number of signatures online. However, one of the

main problems today is the lack of awareness: 70% of European citizens do not know about the ECI.

During the second part of the event, it was underlined that citizens do not benefit from equal access to

digital technologies. Rhône-Alpes has created the “Pass Numérique”, which allows the most vulnerable

groups to receive training on citizen use of the Internet in a Public Digital Space (PDS). These are an

important part of the region’s digital policy, as they work to involve these vulnerable groups in projects

relying on digital technologies.

Rhône-Alpes Region (Acting together for greater urban-rural cohesion)

Lyon

14 November 2013

86

Conclusions:

Talking about digital technologies does not necessarily mean talking about infrastructures: it is also

important to discuss social and citizen use. We now need to study how the European Citizens’ Initiative will

impact public actions in the future. Cultural changes are needed, not only technological ones.

At the regional level there will be an ongoing strategy to develop new tools to reinforce citizen participation.

However, while digital citizenship does open new rights and possibilities, it should not replace other forms

of citizenship and citizen involvement.

Quote:

“Participative democracy cannot be imposed; it should be experienced and practised.” - L. Bencharif

More information:

http://www.rhonealpes.fr

http://www.rhonealpes.fr/

87

"Looking to the future of maritime cooperation in the Channel Region"


Type: CAMIS project (Channel Arc Manche Integrated Strategy) final conference

Organisers: Upper Normandy Region as the Lead Partner of the CAMIS project (Channel Arc Manche

Integrated Strategy)

Chair: Dominique Gambier, Deputy President of the Haute-Normandie Regional Council

Stuart Hughes, cabinet member, Devon County Council

Speakers: Matthieu Ballu, European Commission, DG MARE

Annie Anne, Deputy President of the Basse-Normandie Regional Council

Véronique Beregovoy, Deputy President of the Haute-Normandie Regional Council

Jean-Marie Coupu, Director of the Interregional Government Office for the Eastern Channel

and the North Sea

Mel Nicholls, Marine Management Organisation

Stan Woznicki, Head of Counter-pollution and Salvage, Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Jean-Christophe Burvingt, Deputy to the Head of the Unit “State Action at Sea”, Préfecture

maritime de la Manche et de la mer du Nord

Bruno Thénail, CAMIS Project Coordinator, Haute-Normandie Regional Council

Aidan Winder, Coastal Officer, Devon County Council

Rebecca Jefferson, Research Fellow, Plymouth University

Chris Drake, Kent County Council Coastal Officer

Dawn Robins, University of Chichester

Emma McKinley, University of Chichester

Claire Bouvier, CRITT Transport & Logistique

Iain Sheperd, Chairman of Marine South East

David Cooper, University of Chichester

Sophie Bahe, Chief Executive of Vigipol

André Widehem, Chairman of the French Association of North-Western Marinas

Nathalie Dumay, Association of the Channel Local Ports (APLM), Manager

Joël Le Jeune, President of Vigipol

Frédérique Turbout, Research Engineer, University of Caen-Basse-Normandie

Pauline Blumerel, CAMIS Project Manager, Haute-Normandie Regional Council

Hélène Morin, Bretagne Développement Innovation

Gillian Glegg, Plymouth University

Pascal Buléon, CNRS Research Director and Director of the Institute of Research in Human

Sciences, University of Caen-Basse-Normandie

Carolyn Reid, European Project Manager, Norfolk County Council

Upper Normandy (Advanced cooperation in the North Sea-Channel area)

Rouen

21 November 2013

88

Outline:

Over a period of four years (October 2009 - December 2013), the CAMIS project has developed a range of

actions to promote the implementation of an Integrated Maritime Policy in the Channel Region whilst

fostering Franco-British cooperation between marine and coastal stakeholders.

Co-funded by the European INTERREG IVA France (Channel) – England programme, CAMIS brought together

19 French and British partner organisations, while involving hundreds of stakeholders in the Channel area in

its work.

Organised around four thematic sessions, the conference aimed to:

• Present the main outputs and results of the project, including the Integrated Maritime Strategy for

the Channel Region and its Action Plan, other governance tools such as the Cross-Channel Forum and

the Cross-Channel Resource Centre and all the work done on marine clusters, ports’ economic

development and maritime safety;

• Identify directions for maintaining the impetus of Franco-British collaboration beyond CAMIS.

Conclusions:

The Conference highlighted the following points:

• The Integrated Maritime Strategy and its Action Plan should provide a valuable input to the

preparation of the France (Channel) – England INTERREG V programme for 2014-2020 and to the

implementation of the future EU Directive establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning and

integrated coastal management;

• The Cross-Channel Declaration on Shipping Incidents and Maritime Pollution, as well as the work

done on marine clusters, marinas and ports’ economic development should result in the

development of joint actions;

• The Resource Centre and the Cross-Channel Forum are tools and platforms for dialogue which should

be maintained beyond CAMIS because they do address a real need on the part of stakeholders and

contribute to the development of a common identity;

• Throughout 2014, the CAMIS results will be highlighted and consolidated through two “capitalisation

projects” funded by the INTERREG IVA France (Channel) - England programme, one focusing on the

governance of marine ecosystems and the other on marine renewable energies in the Channel area;

• The Channel area’s stakeholders are showing a real sense of belonging to a common space and a

general willingness to get the Channel area recognised as a fully-fledged maritime basin having its

own specific characteristics;

• CAMIS has established exchanges among local stakeholders and authorities, but now the French and

British governments should engage in further dialogue, combine their respective approaches and

carry out initiatives that do not fall within the remit of local authorities.

Quote:

“The CAMIS chapter of the Great Book of Franco-British Maritime Cooperation is ending but we can already

see the framework of the next chapter. We just need to find its title and its content.” (Dominique Gambier,

Deputy President of the Haute-Normandie Regional Council).

89

“The cooperation initiatives which have been undertaken since 2009 through CAMIS showcase the interest in

addressing maritime issues from a cross-border perspective. […] When drawing up the French strategy for

the Channel coastline, we will largely base our work on CAMIS outputs.” (Jean-Marie Coupu, Director of the

Interregional Government Office for the Eastern Channel and the North Sea).

More information:

Videos:

Morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG8rPN2CSuc

Afternoon – 1st

part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08diV7kqtQY

Afternoon – 2nd

part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o93JIKKCGXQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG8rPN2CSuc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08diV7kqtQY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o93JIKKCGXQ

90

“Let’s meet our neighbours”


Type: Presentations – workshops – conference

Organisers: The event "Let’s meet our neighbours” is organised within the framework of the INTERREG IVA

(France-Wallonie-Vlaandereen) project "300 years of frontiers" in partnership with the

European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation West-Vlaanderen / Flandre-Dunkerque - Côte

d'Opale.

Chair: EGTC West-Vlaanderen / Flandre–Dunkirk–Côte d'Opale

Speakers: Jef Hoornaert, history, culture and landscape guide

Alain Belpalme, bell-ringer of Bailleul city

Alfred Lesecq, bell-ringer of Hondschoote, Cappele la Grande and Dunkerque cities

Jacques Martel, bell-ringer of Bergues and Bourbourg cities

Els Debevere, bell-ringer of Nieuwpoort city

Michel Gilloen, Mayor of Bailleul

Eric Vanneufville, President of Dutch Language House

Outline:

Three hundred years ago, the Treaty of Utrecht established most of the current borders within Europe. This

year marked the 20th

anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty, which led to the opening of internal borders in

Europe. Today, many cross-border initiatives are being launched across Europe, such as those between the

north of France and West Flanders. The inhabitants of the cross-border region, however, are poorly

informed.

"LET’S MEET OUR NEIGHBOURS" gives the opportunity to explore some of these cooperation initiatives, and

to become familiar with everyday life on both sides of the border. During 2013, four meetings involving

Flemish and French neighbours were organised (alternating between French and Belgian areas, Belgian

Westhoek). Nature, culture, heritage, health, the economy, sustainable development, mobility... many

themes and topics were discussed.

Conclusions:

The fourth and final edition of “Let’s meet our neighbours” started in Cassel, with a walk in and around the

city to discover its rich history. The belfry has been classified as World Heritage by UNESCO since 2001; its

chime of bells has also been classified for more than ten years now. Bell-ringers shared their passion with

participants: bells, instrument and music. The day continued with a visit to the House of Dutch in Bailleul,

Urban Community of Dunkirk (Grow with ideas! Business, culture, tourism!)

Cassel – Bailleul

16 November 2013

91

established in 1999 to promote the Dutch language and the culture of The Netherlands. Schools, companies

and inhabitants can go there to receive specific training adapted to their wishes and goals.

More information:

http://www.300ansdefrontiere.eu

http://www.300ansdefrontiere.eu/

92

“Europe in my region: from 2014, new instruments to finance the

development of your projects”


Type: Conferences and round tables

Organisers: Club Europe Sud Rhône-Alpes:

Michèle Rivasi, MEP (Justine Arnaud – attachée parlementaire)

Drôme Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Fanny Boutarin – responsible for Europe)

Chair: Michèle Rivasi, MEP

Joël Roques, President of the Drôme Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Speakers: 28th

: round table

Marie Herbet, journalist for Euractiv

Michèle Rivasi, Member of the European Parliament

Jean-Paul Mauduy, President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Rhône-

Alpes

Michel Beyet, Director of the Brussels Office for the Regional CCI of Rhône-Alpes

Alain Reguillon, President of EuropDirect in Lyon, Rhône-Alpes

29th

: 09:30 – 12:30 Conference

Michèle Rivasi, Member of the European Parliament

Michel Gregoire, Vice-president of Rhône-Alpes Regional Authority in charge of Agriculture

Aurélie Bougel, Director of EU funding programmes in the Rhône-Alpes Regional Authority

Laurent Badiou, Director of the State Agency for Employment and Inclusion, in charge of EU

Social Funds in Rhône-Alpes

29th

: 14:00 – 16:00 Workshop on Social Innovation

Denis Colongo, Director of the Regional Chamber for Social and Inclusive Economy

Cyril Kretzschmar, Member of Rhône-Alpes Regional Council, in charge of New Jobs and Social

and Inclusive Economy

Graham Wittinghton, President of the Cooperative 26-07

29th

: 14:00 – 16:00 Workshop on Financial Instruments for SMEs

Henry Marty Gauquié, Director of the Office of the European Investment Bank in France

Christian Dubarry, Bpifrance and NCP for SMEs in H2020

Salvatrice Bufalino, Head of the European Enterprise Network in Rhône-Alpes, Rhône-Alpes

Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Club Europe Sud Rhône-Alpes

Valence

28-29 November 2013

93

Outline:

This third edition of OPEN DAYS – local event – “L’Europe en Sud Rhône-Alpes” was a success.

The event was launched on Thursday evening from 18:00 to 20:00 by initiating a dialogue between

representatives of EU institutions (MEPs, representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in

Brussels, Europe Direct) and the civil society (social and economic actors in the territory), presenting

decision-making and consultation mechanisms and highlighting the bottom-up and top-down approaches.

The aim of this session was to stress elements of territorial identity – innovations of SMEs, social inclusion

and territorial cohesion – in line with the strategy of Europe 2020, and to promote the partnership between

Europe and the area (South Rhône-Alpes).

In the Friday morning session the scope was regional funds (Regional Development, Social Fund, Rural and

Agriculture). The session was led by the regional managing authority: Rhône-Alpes Region. Experiences and

outputs from the 2007-2013 programme were highlighted and the 2014-2020 programme was presented.

New objectives, priorities, a dedicated budget and rules were introduced by the Vice-president of Rhône-

Alpes Region and explained by the Head of the Europe Unit.

Friday afternoon was dedicated to thematic workshops:

Workshop A: Social Innovation. In the 2014-2020 programme, social Innovation is a transversal priority.

Projects submitted to EU funding programmes should demonstrate how this priority is taken into account.

Therefore, the objective was to outline the various definitions of social innovation, and to provide indicators

and concrete examples.

Workshop B: EU Financial Tools for SMEs. The European Investment Bank, the National Contact Point for

SMEs in H2020 and the European Enterprise Network of Rhône-Alpes presented financial tools for

innovation, R&D, and collaborative and industrialisation projects, ranging from access to finance, risk

sharing, H2020, mentoring and tutoring, and COSME.

The entire local event programme was focused on Europe 2020 and new 2014-2020 funding programmes.

Testimonials and best practices from SMEs, social organisations and territorial authorities were shared and

promoted through a publication ‘Le Guide de l’Europe en Sud Rhône-Alpes’ given to all participants and

through three videos: one SME, one territorial authority and one social organisation.

Conclusions:

The Club Europe Sud Rhône-Alpes is now well known for its capacity to bring EU actors and territorial actors

together, providing support to SMEs, social organisations and territorial authorities in understanding

opportunities provided by Europe for social, economic and innovation development.

CLESRA aims to make Europe more visible on a territorial level and to orientate territorial actors towards EU

managing authorities and representatives, sharing expertise and best practices: “if you want to go far, go

together”.

This was the third edition of this OPEN DAYS local event. Participants are now establishing this annual event,

two days for Europe, in a more remote part of Rhône-Alpes. Yet South Rhône-Alpes is intelligent, inclusive

and sustainable!

Quote:

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

94

More information:

Five press articles:

www.clesra.eu for reports, videos and photos

www.drome-ecobiz.biz in the ‘Communauté Europe Sud Rhône-Alpes’

95

"7th Annual Meeting of the Loire Scientific Community

and River Managers"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Etablissement public Loire (EP Loire), Orléans

Chair: Serge Grouard, Député-Maire d'Orléans

Pierre-Etienne Bisch, Préfet coordonnateur de bassin

Serge Lepeltier, Président du Comité de bassin Loire Bretagne

Karl Falkenberg, Directeur Général Environnement, Commission européenne

Martin Schulz, Président du Parlement européen

Karine Gloanec-Maurin, President of the Prospective Commission of the Etablissement public

Loire

Speakers: Nicolas Beriot, Secrétaire général de l'ONERC

Alain Pave, Membre du Conseil scientifique du plan Loire

Hélène Toussaint, Alterre Bourgogne

Florentina Moatar, Université de Tours

Françoise Goulard, Agence de l'eau Adour-Garonne

Richard Laganier, Université Paris Diderot - Conseil scientifique du plan Loire

Halvard Hervieu, Commissariat général au Développement durable - Mission Prospective

Sabine Greulich, Université de Tours

Nathalie Dorfliger, BRGM

Jean Guinard, CEREMA

Jean-Paul Bravard, Président du Conseil scientifique du plan Loire

Mathilde Gralepois, projet MADIS

Thierry Portal, author of "Crises et facteur humain"

Kamal Serrhini, Université de Tours

Outline:

As part of the Multiregional Operational Programme for the Loire (2007-2013), co-financed by ERDF, an

“integrated” interregional action plan is being deployed.

The purpose of this meeting is to share results, experiences and best practices in order to help develop,

share and promote knowledge, and also to make the Loire a European benchmark for river basin

management.

Two workshops:

- Risk prevention in the context of adapting to climate change

Etablissement public Loire (EP Loire)

Orléans

18 September 2013

96

- Organisation of public policy in the Loire River Basin in the context of adapting to behavioural changes

Three meetings with 18 river managers / research scientists to present projects supported by the

Multiregional Programme for the Loire 2007-2013, co-financed by ERDF.

Conclusions:

The purpose of this 7th

annual meeting was to share results, experiences and best practices in order to help

develop, share and promote knowledge, and also to make the Loire a European benchmark for river basin

management.

More information:

http://www.plan-loire.fr/RDV2013

http://www.plan-loire.fr/RDV2013

97

GEORGIA


Tbilisi City Hall (report below) Tbilisi

98

"Formation of Public Space"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Economic Affairs Office of Tbilisi City Hall in cooperation with GIZ

Chair: Martijn Kanters, Partner, Comenius Hospitality Management and Advisory Board Member

INTA (International Urban Development Association)

Speakers: Ivana Bursikova, Director, Agora Central Europe, Prague

Janusz Szewczuk, President of SRGG, Szczecin

Marek Stepa, Deputy Mayor of Gdynia

Outline:

This place-making concept about synergy between citizens, non-governmental organisations and local

authorities aimed at establishing joint efforts to shape the future of cities with a participatory approach.

Based on benefits offered to different age groups of citizens in the neighbourhood, directly contributing to

the improvement of quality of life in places, community members share responsibility for the care and

maintenance of each contribution through peaceful community interaction. This participatory place-making

concept can not only bring about physically improved infrastructure, but can also inspire stakeholders for

wider thinking to make places attractive, vibrant and economically viable. These are the main reasons why

this international practice caught the city of Tbilisi’s interest in replicating the approach for common success.

On Wednesday 13 November, presentations by invited speakers were given on the public participatory

process in city development issues. The organisation of the communication process between local

authorities and citizens was highlighted with the moderation of NGOs, with the example of Prague. The

institutionalisation of the public participatory process in the spatial planning process was presented by the

Deputy Mayor of Gdynia. A local example of the case of Rustavi was also given by the SRGG from Poland.

On Thursday 14 November a specific workshop was organised on deciding how to develop suburban districts

based on needs with a wide group participatory approach. As a result, the group drew up a specific project

for suburban district development based on SWOT analysis.

Conclusions:

Tbilisi City Hall is aimed at strengthening public participatory processes for improved place development. It

has already practised projects using this approach; however, the institutionalisation of the interaction

Tbilisi City Hall (in partnership with GIZ)

Tbilisi

13-14 November 2013

99

between local authority and the civil society/community is lacking. The models presented gave helpful

examples of how to organise cooperation between the two players.

Quote:

“Residents have the best knowledge about happenings in neighbourhoods.”

More information:

http://economicforum.ge/

http://economicforum.ge/

101

GERMANY


Baden-Württemberg Freiburg

Berlin Berlin

Berlin-Brandenburg Capital Region Potsdam

Braunschweig Hanover

Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Hamburg

Hesse Darmstadt

Lippe

Lower Saxony Hanover

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Wietow

North Rhine-Westphalia Düsseldorf

Region Hanover Hanover

Rhineland-Palatinate Trier

Saarland Saarbrücken

Saxony Dresden

Saxony-Anhalt Magdeburg

Schleswig-Holstein Kiel


studionavarra.co.uk Koblenz

Saxon Energy Agency SAENA Dresdden

102

Germany's regional partners had planned sixteen local events.

Furthermore, two independent partners had planned an event and eight

events took place in the framework of the European Cooperation Day.

Berlin-Brandenburg Capital Region had planned on 7 November in

Potsdam a workshop focusing on how the region is increasing its

engagement with the European Union and how it can benefit from

learning from other EU regions. The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg

had planned an International Fuel Cell Bus Workshop in October. Hesse

had planned to organise a conference in October to present the results of

the study "Impact assessment of transport-related measures in Darmstadt

by model calculation" and to discuss these with experts, representatives

of administration and citizens. Lippe did not provide any information.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern asked the Solar Center Mecklenburg-

Vorpommern to organise the international conference on renewable

energies regions in Europe in October in Wietow.

The reports of Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Braunschweig, Lower

Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Region Hanover, Rhineland-Palatinate,

Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein,

studionavarra.co.uk and the Saxon Energy Agency SAENA are enclosed.

103

"Dialog Science, the Science Days of the Upper Rhine Region"



Organisers: Science Pillar of the Tri-national Metropolitan Region of the Upper Rhine / University of

Freiburg

Chair: Joachim Beck, Director of the Euro-Institute, Kehl

Speakers: Klaus Thoma, Director of the Fraunhofer Ernst Mach Institute, Freiburg

Eicke Weber, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute of Solar Systems, Freiburg

Ralf Schulz, Vice-chancellor of the University of Koblenz-Landau

Urs Wüthrich-Pelloli, President of the Kanton Basel-Land

Jean-Marie Belliard, Vice-president of the Alsace Region

Klemens Ficht, Vice-president of Regierungspräsidium Freiburg

Paul Burger, Professor, Head of Sustainability Research Department, University of Basel

Stefan Jergentz, Researcher, Renewable Energies Planning Tools, University of Landau

Frank Schultmann, Professor, Head of Upper Rhine Environment Research Institute, Karlsruher

Institute of Technology (KIT)

Outline:

Baden Württemberg’s local event focused on how the high scientific and economic potentials of

sustainability and especially the renewable energies sector within the cross-border area of the Upper Rhine

can be used and valued in the upcoming European challenges. The opening speech by Professor Burger and

the following panel discussion outlined the strong potentials that exist, in particular in the interdisciplinary

networking of researchers who work on sustainability topics. The region has a very high density of research

facilities in this field; however, these need to be better connected. This challenge corresponds to the newly

adopted strategy of the Tri-national Metropolitan Region in aiming to create an interdisciplinary and cross-

border centre for sustainability research, which was presented by Professor Thoma. The two speeches by

Professor Schultmann and Mr Jergentz showed two examples of cross-border research projects in the field

of renewable energies and their consequences for spatial planning.

Conclusions:

The Tri-National Metropolitan Region of the Upper Rhine would be an ideal experimental laboratory for

sustainable growth as a social experiment. This is due to its reliable governance structures, its powerful

economy and its strong scientific activities. The very active civil society, which is organised in many – also

cross-border – associations, especially around sustainability topics, would also be very helpful in this social

experiment. The next step would be to identify the different key actors in a more detailed spatial analysis

and to organise a first network meeting in 2014.

Baden-Württemberg (Acting together for greater urban-rural cohesion)

Freiburg

14 October 2013

104

Quote:

“The Tri-national Upper Rhine Area is an ideal spatial laboratory for sustainable growth.” (Professor Burger,

University of Basel).

More information:

www.rmtmo.eu www.dialog-science.eu

http://www.rmtmo.eu/

http://www.dialog-science.eu/

105

"Technology-based care management in nursing"


Type: Conference and affiliated press conference

Organisers: Mediplus Gesundheitszentrum GmbH and TU Berlin

Chair: Marius Greuèl, German Open Business School Berlin

Speakers: Jens-Peter Claußen, Mediplus Medical Centre GmbH

Boris Lapas, Vitaphone GmbH

Outline:

The home-care market in Berlin and in other regions is growing. The company Vitaphone GmbH, with its

experience of the last 15 years, can demonstrate this. Germany stands on the threshold of standard care via

telemedicine. The impressive evidence of 150 indication-wide projects for telemonitoring in the past 15

years demonstrates that in Berlin the path for the rollout is clear. However, for telemedicine there are still

no medical guidelines for diabetes or COPD in Germany. Therefore, funding is still to be determined while

the extent to which this is a performance to be compensated by the health insurance companies is checked

against the guidelines set out by the joint federal committee (G-BA). Therefore, the project Renewing Health

is also important for Germany, because depending on the location (hospital, doctor's office, care centre,

etc.), guidelines secure any future funding. The evaluation of the adaptation of the guidelines in the pilot in

Berlin was successful. This course, the individual customisation option, the variability and the integration of

the supply management process have been proved to be sustainable. These cases were demonstrated to a

wider public. The Technology Foundation of Berlin (TSB) supports such projects as a partner of the Berlin

pilot. Thus, participants in the conference learned about regional examples.

Conclusions:

The discussion of the various telemonitoring projects gave the following impressions. Most important is the

implementation of telemonitoring as a practical care approach in care quality improvement (primary health

care). In this context the intention is to develop a minimised cost model for a simplified nationwide rollout.

Furthermore, the relief and support of ambulatory nursing care is important, distancing it from purely

administrative work. The focus, at the least, is avoiding hospital admissions, optimising the management of

discharge from the hospital to outpatient care with the help of an effective network of providers, and

minimising supply risks in practice.

Quote: “Berlin is the capital of telemedicine in Germany.”

More information:

www.pflegewerk.com

Berlin (Renewing Health)

Berlin

16 October 2013

http://www.pflegewerk.com/

106

"Forum for Energy Storage and Systems, Niedersachsen"


Type: Conference with presentations, panel discussion and exhibition, students’ contest and seminar

for teachers

Organisers: State Initiative for Energy Storage and Systems in Niedersachsen

SOLVAY GmbH

Chair: Heinrich Klingenberg, hySOLUTIONS GmbH

Uwe Köhler, Johnson Controls Advanced Power Solutions GmbH

Carsten Agert, NEXT ENERGY

Speakers: Renate Klingenberg, ChemCoast e.V., Hanover

Manfred Wohlers, IVG Caverns, Friedeburg

Sabine Donadei, KBB Underground Technologies GmbH, Hanover

Outline:

Niedersachsen is a pillar of the automotive industry in Germany and – with the economic area of Wolfsburg,

Hanover and Brunswick – it is one of the biggest metropolitan areas for car manufacturing in Europe.

Including car component suppliers, more than 30% of all industrial jobs in Niedersachsen are directly

dependent on the automotive industry. Furthermore, Niedersachsen is the biggest producer of wind energy

among all German states. The state of Niedersachsen is therefore focusing on e-mobility in conjunction with

hydrogen as a future technology.

The State Initiative hosts the annual Forum of Energy Storage and Systems in Niedersachsen, a conference

event with presentations, panel discussions, an exhibition, a students’ contest and a seminar for teachers.

Experts in the field of energy storage and systems presented current developments in energy storage

technologies at this year’s conference. During the session “Hydrogen as energy storage – economy and

markets” several experts highlighted the opportunities and challenges of a future hydrogen economy.

The students’ contest focused on electric mobility. The students had to build an electrically powered toy car

and a solar-powered charging station to charge the toy car’s battery. The student groups showed that

creativity, commitment and interest in the field of renewable sources can be rewarded.

Braunschweig (European regions and cities empowering electromobility)

Hanover

6 November 2013

107

Conclusions:

Energy efficiency, resource conservation, increased competitiveness and storage technology are the main

focus areas of the energy policy sustainability strategy, and are therefore keywords for an energy

turnaround. Thus, the development of innovative storage technologies and storage systems is the inevitable

consequence and the political mission of research institutions and companies.

Quote:

“With its energy research institutions and local companies, the wind-energy state of Niedersachsen provides

great competences in fuel-cell and battery technologies.”

More information:

http://www.energiespeicher-nds.de/mainmenu/news/news-

single/jahr/2013/monat/11/artikel//energiespeic-

2.html?tx_ttnews[day]=11&cHash=8a48650c1a25c3dda98c9167edc500d3

1st prize in the students’ contest Secretary of State Almut Kottwitz

http://www.energiespeicher-nds.de/mainmenu/news/news-single/jahr/2013/monat/11/artikel/energiespeic-2.html?tx_ttnews%5bday%5d=11&cHash=8a48650c1a25c3dda98c9167edc500d3



108

"The new 2014-2020 funding period in Lower Saxony – new challenges

with less money"



Organisers: State Chancellery of Lower Saxony and Region of Hanover

Chair: Andreas Listing, Director of European Affairs, Hanover Region

Speakers: Joachim Schwind, Deputy Managing Director of Lower Saxony Association of Counties

Christian Geiger, Deputy Managing Director of Lower Saxony Association of Cities

Eberhard Franz, Director General Regional Development and EU Funding, State Chancellery of

Lower Saxony Government

Dirk Fornahl, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre of Regional and Innovation

Economics, University of Bremen

Alexander Skubowius, Spokesman of the Coordination Group of Lower Saxony Business

Developers

Outline:

With the Europe 2020 strategy of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the European Union is pursuing a

way to boost growth and job creation in the EU. Lower Saxony has to face a considerable cut in its ERDF and

ESF budgets in the next 2014-2020 funding period. This leads the Lower Saxony Government, as the

authority responsible for programming, to a paradigm shift in its regional policy. The panel discussed how to

face the challenge of achieving more with fewer resources.

Conclusions:

The focus of the new EU funding period on Europe 2020 goals has also implemented a paradigm shift on a

regional and local level. In order to put the money into the right projects, every region has to set up an

analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. With a smart specialisation strategy, even on a regional and local

level less money could be much more effective.

Quote:

“Sometimes less can be more.”

Lower Saxony (Advanced cooperation in the North Sea-Channel area) Joint event with the Region of Hanover

Hanover

25 November 2013

109

More information:

www.europaregion-hannover.de

http://www.europaregion-hannover.de/

110

"The INTERREG IVC mini-programme “Brain Flow” and the NRW

initiative to counter the lack of highly skilled workers"


Type: Information event with discussion round

Organisers: Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry of the State of NRW, Unit IV A 4 “European

Territorial Cooperation”

Chair: Günther Horzetzky, State Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry of the

State NRW

Michael Henze, Head of Department ‘Structural Policy, SMEs and Skilled Trades’, Ministry of

Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry of the State NRW

Speakers: Ilka Meisel, INTERREG IVC Coordinator, Euregio Rhijn-Waal/Rhein-Waal, seconded to the

Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry of the State of NRW

Silke Weber, Ministry for Employment, Inclusion and Social Affairs of the State of NRW

Silke Stahl-Rolff, Cluster Secretariat of the State of NRW

Outline:

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy and Industry of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia is the Lead

Partner for the INTERREG IVC Mini-Programme “Brain Flow”, which addresses - together with its seven

partner regions - the lack of highly skilled workers in border regions and the specific answers border regions

have to find to counter this socio-economic challenge. As the Lead Partner of “Brain Flow”, the Ministry

applied for the OPEN DAYS Workshop “ETC and multi-level networks” (Code 09B11), to analyse the specific

effects and benefits that network creation in INTERREG has to bridge in terms of time, topics and territories.

In the framework of the OPEN DAYS local event, the first findings of “Brain Flow” were presented in light of

their importance and meaning for North Rhine-Westphalia. To this effect, Mrs Ilka Meisel first gave an

overview of the Mini-Programme and its activities since 2010. She then proceeded to present the first

findings and interim results with a particular focus on sub-project findings and the policy recommendations

that can be derived for North Rhine-Westphalia. Mrs Silke Weber then followed by presenting the existing

regional initiative to counter the lack of highly skilled workers launched by the Ministry of Employment,

Inclusion and Social Affairs of the State NRW, and particular focus was given to the synergies between both

structures and the learning effects from creating linkages between them. Mrs Silke Stahl-Rolf then expanded

on one of the “Brain-Flow” sub-projects, analysing the potential that cluster policies have to attract and bind

highly skilled workers.

North Rhine-Westphalia (ETC and multi-level networks)

Düsseldorf

29 August 2013

111

The three contributions were followed by a guided discussion round during which the presented contents,

the interim results and first policy recommendations, as well as the existing synergy effects and following

steps for the remaining implementation of “Brain Flow”, were analysed.

Conclusions:

The information event concluded that while national and regional programmes are in place to observe,

analyse and counter the lack of highly skilled workers in North Rhine-Westphalia, the European level of

exchange of experience within INTERTEG IVC was enormously beneficial, as many new lessons were learned

and many best practices were identified in the “Brain Flow” partner regions. Adapting these best practices

to the specific regional givens in North Rhine-Westphalia was furthermore named as the main upcoming

challenge in the remaining months of project implementation, as well as beyond the project lifetime.

Additionally, a continuously close link to the existing initiative for highly skilled workers was identified as

crucial to avoid overlaps and to make the best use of synergies.

More information:

www.brain-flow.eu

http://fachkraefteinitiative-nrw.de/

http://fachkraefteinitiative-nrw.de/fachkraefteinitiative-nrw/umsetzungsstand-nrw/vorabdruck-broschure-

fachkraftesicherung-2012-11.pdf (German brochure)

112

"The new 2014-2020 funding period in Lower Saxony – new challenges

with less money"



Organisers: State Chancellery of Lower Saxony and Region of Hanover

Chair: Andreas Listing, Director of European Affairs, Hanover Region

Speakers: Joachim Schwind, Deputy Managing Director of Lower Saxony Association of Counties

Christian Geiger, Deputy Managing Director of Lower Saxony Association of Cities

Eberhard Franz, Director General Regional Development and EU Funding, State Chancellery of

Lower Saxony Government

Dirk Fornahl, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre of Regional and Innovation

Economics, University of Bremen

Alexander Skubowius, Spokesman of the Coordination Group of Lower Saxony Business

Developers

Outline:

With the Europe 2020 strategy of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, the European Union is pursuing a

way to boost growth and job creation in the EU. Lower Saxony has to face a considerable cut in its ERDF and

ESF budgets in the next 2014-2020 funding period. This leads the Lower Saxony Government, as the

authority responsible for programming, to a paradigm shift in its regional policy. The panel discussed how to

face the challenge of achieving more with fewer resources.

Conclusions:

The focus of the new EU funding period on Europe 2020 goals has also implemented a paradigm shift on a

regional and local level. In order to put the money into the right projects, every region has to set up an

analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. With a smart specialisation strategy, even on a regional and local

level less money could be much more effective.

Quote:

“Sometimes less can be more.”

Region Hanover (Innovation strategies for smart growth) Joint event with Lower Saxony

Hanover

25 November 2013

113

More information:

www.europaregion-hannover.de

http://www.europaregion-hannover.de/

114

"A GreenTech Network for the Greater Region"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Ministry of Economic Affairs, Climate Protection, Energy and Regional Planning of the German

state Rhineland-Palatinate

Chair: Anja Folz, Head of Department ‘Networks’ of the Agency for Energy of Rhineland-Palatinate,

Moderator

Speakers: Bahloul, Gérard – Région Lorraine

Bettendorf, Axel – Handwerkskammer Trier

Collos, Pascale - Région Lorraine

Deprez, Pascal - Région Lorraine

Gensel, Timo – Landesamt für Umwelt, Wasserwirtschaft und Gewerbeaufsicht Rheinland-Pfalz

Gross, Marc – Chambre des Métiers de Luxembourg, IRH GR

Guth, Andreas – Ministerium f. Wirtschaft, Klimaschutz, Energie und Landesplanung

Rheinland-Pfalz

Folz, Anja – Energieagentur Rheinland-Pfalz

Huppertz, Véronique - Agence Wallone à l’Exportation et aux Investissements étrangers

Klesen, Marcel – Ecoinnovation Cluster

Knaus, Michael, Dr – Institut für angewandtes Stoffstrommanagement, Hochschule Trier

Kratz, Sabine – Staatskanzlei Rheinland-Pfalz

Kuhn, Norbert, Prof. Dr – Hochschule Trier

Lang, Simon, Dr – Ministerium f. Wirtschaft, Klimaschutz, Energie und Landesplanung

Rheinland-Pfalz

Michel, Bernd – Charta HSK Großregion

Ott, Christian – Arbeitskammer des Saarlandes

Paoli, Jean-Paul – DIRECCTE Lorraine

Pilsner, Werner – Innovations-Management GmbH Rheinland-Pfalz

Sardin, Michel, Prof. Dr – Institut Carnot Energie et Environnement en Lorraine

Sohn, Michael – Landtag Rheinland-Pfalz

Tock, Christian, Dr – Ministère de l’Economie de Luxembourg

Tourneur, Dominique -Agence Wallone à l’Exportation et aux Investissements étrangers

Türk, Oliver, Prof. Dr – Fachhochschule Bingen

Rhineland-Palatinate (Greater Region and the Upper Rhine)

Trier

22 November 2013

115

Outline:

On Friday 22 November, a specific workshop was organised about how to manage to establish closer

cooperation in the field of environmental (“green”) technologies (GreenTech) within the Greater Region.

“What do we have to do in order to truly become an outstanding region for Green Technologies?” and “How

can we best use the potential within the different parts of the Greater Region?” The discussions

encompassed issues such as topics and governance models for a future Greater Region GreenTech Network.

Hence, the aim was to define the scope of such a network within the Greater Region and to look for

pragmatic solutions to establishing it. The chosen format of a Future Workshop allowed a departure from

well-trodden paths by using a unique method.

The Future Workshop concept was originally developed in the context of the Apollo Programme of the

Kennedy Administration in the USA in the 1960s. Later, in the 1970s, the concept was refined for citizen

groups with limited resources which wanted to have a say in the decision-making process. It is a technique

meant to shed light on a common problematic situation, to generate visions about the future, and to discuss

how these visions can be realised.

Conclusions:

The workshop helped to clarify the scope for a future GreenTech Network within the Greater Region. The

participants in the workshop founded a cross-border network and agreed to work closely together in the

future and to meet regularly. Regional network coordinators have been appointed. The next network

meeting will take place in February 2014 in Luxembourg. The GreenTech network aims to exchange best

practices, establish a database of all GreenTech companies in the Greater Region, match providers and users

of green technologies, jointly organise events and conferences about issues of common interest and

develop and realise joint R&D projects.

Quote:

“Today we founded the GreenTech Network of the Greater Region.”

116

"Cross-border cooperation in the Greater Region: an inventory"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Chair for French Public Law (Saarland University) and Françcois Gény Institute (Lorraine

University).

Chair: Philippe Cossalter, Professor for French Public Law at Saarland University, Co-director of

Centre Juridique Franco-Allemand

Speakers: Nathalie Griesbeck, Vice-president of the General Council of the Moselle, European Deputy

Patricia Oster-Stierle, Vice-president of the Franco-German University, Professor at Saarland

University

Roland Theis, Member of the Landtag of Saarland, Member of the Interregional Parliamentary

Council

Véronique David Balestriero, Lecturer in Private Law at the University of Lorraine (Nancy)

Jérôme Germain, Lecturer in Public Law at the University of Lorraine (Metz)

Annette Guckelberger, Professor of Public Law at Saarland University

Paul Klotgen, Lecturer in Private Law at the University of Lorraine (Nancy)

Francine Mansuy, Lecturer in Private Law at the University of Lorraine (Nancy)

Eleftheria Neframi, Professor at the University of Luxembourg

Liane Nau, Lecturer in Private Law at the University of Lorraine (Nancy)

Hugues Rabault, Professor of Public Law at the University of Lorraine (Metz)

Olivier Renaudie, Professor of Public Law at the University of Lorraine (Nancy)

Florent Roemer, Lecturer in Private Law at the University of Lorraine (Metz)

Jochen Sohnle, Lecturer in Private Law at the University of Lorraine (Metz)

Pierre Tifine, Professor in Public Law at the University of Lorraine (Metz)

Laurent Damiani, Kerstin Geginat, Jörg Gerkrath, Lisa Huth, Paul Klötgen, Martin

Niedermeyer, Jacques Renard, Roland Roth, Valérie Scheffzek, Gilbert Schuh, Thierry

Thomas

Outline:

GOAL OF THE CONFERENCE

1. AN INVENTORY

First of all, this conference is an opportunity to make an inventory of all the different ways in which cross-

border cooperation is experienced in the Greater Region. This includes public management domains such as

police, justice, public services but also industrial and economic activity, as well as associative involvement.

This first aspect of the conference will soon be documented with a compilation of texts and articles

concerning cross-border cooperation that will be published.

Saarland (Greater Region and the Upper Rhine)

Saarbrücken

11 October 2013

117

2. RESEARCH FOR THE FUTURE

Secondly, the conference has a prospective aim: it will be the groundwork for a more developed study

concerning specific interests that will be identified through the inventory. This concerns topics such as cross-

border health care, water and waste management, cross-border labour law, etc.

3. A CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION PROJECT IN ITSELF

Thirdly, the conference is a cross-border cooperation project in itself, as it involves the Universities of

Saarland and Lorraine, as well as building bridges to the University of Luxembourg. These connections have

been forged through the conference and will be maintained through the work of publishing the results of the

first conference and researching topics for following events.

Conclusions:

It appears that although cross-border cooperation is a politically well-developed subject, there is actually no

coherent legal approach to the topic.

More precisely, there is no comprehensive analysis of the different aspects of cross-border cooperation and

cross-border law. However, legal experts need a comprehensive approach in order to comprehend the

subject.

This conference is the first step towards the elaboration of a “handbook of cross-border law”. The purpose

of such a book is apparent: all legal experts and the political decision makers for whom they work shall have

at their disposal a tool which gives them comprehensive information in the field of cross-border

cooperation.

Quote:

“Cross-border cooperation needs a comprehensive legal approach.”

More information:

http://regio.cjfa.eu/

http://www.republicain-lorrain.fr/actualite/2013/10/08/quelle-cooperation-en-grande-region

http://www.sr-

online.de/sronline/nachrichten/politik_wirtschaft/grenzueberschreitende_zusammenarbeit_saar_lor_lux_co

ssalter100.html

http://www.sr-online.de/sronline/nachrichten/politik_wirtschaft/grenzueberschreitende_zusammenarbeit_saar_lor_lux_cossalter100.html



118

"Demographic challenges – regional solutions”


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Academy of Public Administration of the Free State of Saxony

Chair: Hans-Dieter Kretschmann, Statistical Office of the Free State of Saxony, Head of the

Department for Demographics, Social Affairs and Public Finances

Speakers: Heike Zettwitz, Desk Officer, State Chancellery

Prof. Wolf-Uwe Sponer, Head of Division, Saxon State Ministry of the Interior

Christian Rößler, Desk Officer, Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology

Wolfgang Zettwitz, Personal Secretary to the Mayor of the City of Bautzen

Michael Köppl, Head of Division, Saxon State Ministry of the Interior

Uwe Anke, Mayor of the City of Nossen

Outline:

The workshop focused on demographic change in Saxony, Germany and Europe. Presentations highlighted

the decline and ageing of the population and its impact on public infrastructure and services, on the skilled

labour force, on housing and on mobility in rural areas. Political initiatives and projects on a state level and

on a local level were presented and discussed.

Conclusions:

The workshop contributed to raising awareness about demographic change and its implications within the

state administration. Given the increasing challenge of demographic change for future generations, the

dialogue should be continued.

Quote:

“In Saxony, we consider demographic change and its consequences in the long term. We want to ensure that

policy will be configured for the next decades.”

More information:

www.demografie.sachsen.de

Saxony (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

Dresden

28 November 2013

119

"Taking off for the new 2014-2020 programming period for

EU funding programmes"


Type: Forum with presentations and discussion rounds

Organisers: EU Service-Agency Saxony-Anhalt (Department of the Development Bank of Saxony-Anhalt)

Chair: Claudia Zott, Director of the EU Service-Agency

Speakers: Henning Schwarz, Executive Director of the Development Bank of Saxony-Anhalt

Staatsminister Rainer Robra, Director of the State Chancellery of Saxony-Anhalt

Claudia Zott, Director of the EU Service-Agency

Matthias Petschke, Director of the Representation of the European Commission in Germany

Tania Schröter, European Commission, DG Justice

Numerous representatives of National Contact Points and regional authorities

Outline:

The local event in Saxony-Anhalt, “Taking off for the new 2014-2020 programming period for EU funding

programmes”, took place in Magdeburg and included, in its structure, a podium, eight different forums and a

fair. Together with the ministries relating to interregional cooperation and local stakeholders operating with

the EU and its funding programmes, the EU Service-Agency Saxony-Anhalt informed attendees about the

future of selected EU Action Programmes (EU-Aktionsprogramme). Several forums, each concentrating on a

certain topic, provided detailed information about the different programmes in the new funding period.

The main focus of the day lay on the “Market of Possibilities”. Here, visitors had the chance to find

information at booths about the 2014-2020 programming period. There were also forums guided by experts

and consultants who answered individual questions.

There was also a complementary booth at the fair informing attendees about the future of structural funds.

Conclusions:

Visitor feedback was very positive. The great response to this event indicates the immense interest in

European topics and European funding programmes. Although the funding details for the programmes are

not published yet, the general aims and trends for the new programming period are clear. That is why

participants were given the advice to start the planning process for new projects even now. Long-term

planning will help to create successful project proposals – especially when creating big project consortia,

comprising a multitude of partners from different states and different fields (such as, for instance, actors

from universities, companies and municipalities).

Saxony-Anhalt (Innovative knowledge-based regions)

Magdeburg

19 September 2013

120

Quote:

“Start to plan your projects and to form partnerships even now!”

More information:

www.eu-serviceagentur.de

121

"11th Kiel Market Place – Oil in the Sea"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Cluster of excellence “Future Ocean” and “Maritime Cluster Northern Germany”

Chair: Annette Preikschat, Cluster of Excellence “Future Ocean”

Speakers: Prof. Dr Lorenz Schwark, Kiel University

Martin Buttchereit, RWE Dea AG

Prof. Dr Tina Treude, GEOMAR Kiel

Outline:

Oil is the basis for the production of various plastics. At the same time, oil spoils the oceans. Following the

introduction on oil recovery from the sea, the safety concept of the offshore oil platform “Mittelplate” was

presented. “Mittelplate” is located in the national park “Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea” and represents an

example of best practice for environmentally sustainable oil production worldwide. In the second part, the

up-to-date technical status of bilge water purification on modern ships was discussed. Some microorganisms

have specialised in degrading particular components of oil. The completeness of this degradation and how

fast the microorganisms can react in oil disasters were presented.

Conclusions:

The joint event of the research excellence cluster “Future Ocean” and the “Maritime Cluster Northern

Germany” has been developed towards a platform of knowledge transfer and networking between science,

the economy, policy and NGOs over the years.

More information:

http://fileserver.futureocean.org/wissenstransfer/marktplatz-nr11.pdf

Schleswig-Holstein (European challenges - local solutions)

Kiel

21 November 2013

http://fileserver.futureocean.org/wissenstransfer/marktplatz-nr11.pdf

122

"E-Government, Sustainable Urban Governance and Climate Change"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: studionavarra.co.uk – London (UK)

University of Koblenz-Landau (Germany)

University of Delft (The Netherlands)

University of Washington (USA)

Chair: Diego Navarra, Founder and Director of studionavarra.co.uk

Maria Wimmer, Professor, University of Koblenz-Landau

Speakers: Maria Wimmer, Professor, University of Koblenz-Landau

Diego Navarra, Founder and Director of StudioNavarra

Falk Wurriehausen, University of Mainz

Thorsten Roser, London School of Economics

Laura Georg, StudioNavarra

Chryssy Potsiou, NTUA, Greece

Charlotte Koch, 4GreenArchitecture, Germany

Ton de Vries, Bentley Systems, USA/The Netherlands

Outline:

How can e-government be used by municipal governments and cadastral organisations to contribute to

sustainable urban governance? Based on speakers’ presentations and participants’ dialogue, the workshop

will address recent innovations in urban sustainability (such as registering the heat efficiency of houses,

heat-loss mapping, etc.) and identify priorities for Europe 2020 policy and practices to assure an integrated

and sustainable approach to tackling global, national and local environmental issues.

Conclusions:

As a global network of European innovation organisations, in partnership with the Nairobi Work Programme

of the UNFCCC, and with ongoing work on climate change consulting, StudioNavarra pledges a series of

dissemination conferences and workshops to address the key question of how e-government can be used by

national and municipal governments, cadastral organisations, private and non-governmental organisations

and citizens to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and to contribute to sustainable urban

governance.

More information:

http://www.studionavarra.co.uk/uploads/1/3/8/4/13847857/studionavarra_e-gov_workshop_2013.pdf

studionavarra.co.uk

Koblenz

20 September 2013

http://www.studionavarra.co.uk/uploads/1/3/8/4/13847857/studionavarra_e-gov_workshop_2013.pdf

123

"Supporting data collection and balancing approaches

for energy concepts"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Saxony, Saxon Energy Agency SAENA

Chair: Antje Fritzsche, Saxon Energy Agency SAENA

Speakers: Silvia Salzbrenner, EZM

Antje Fritzsche, SAENA

Hans Hertle, IFEU Heidelberg

Outline:

The workshop is part of the MANERGY project (CENTRAL EUROPE programme), which aims to reduce GHG

emissions and embed the exploitation of renewable energy sources into regional planning processes, mostly

by setting up regional and local energy concepts. For setting targets, it is vital to calculate current emissions.

The most significant obstacles hindering this task are a lack of energy data and expertise. The workshop

therefore highlights the importance of supporting quality data collection, ensuring that concepts will be

realisable.

The workshop was held at the 6th

Annual Conference for Saxon Municipalities. In the morning there were

five parallel sessions. The highlight of the conference was the awards ceremony of Saxon municipalities with

the European Energy Award - eea®.

Conclusions:

Many municipalities have conducted energy concepts. All have experienced trouble with data collection and

have realised the necessary time effort. They emphasised the following points for further support:

• Harmonised balancing methodology

• Better data availability via central (regional) databases

• Raising awareness among data suppliers (chimney sweeps, energy providers, network

operators, statistical offices, etc.)

More information:

http://www.saena.de/themen/european-energy-award.html

Press release: http://www.saena.de/aktuelles/european-energy-award-fuer-10-saechsische-staedte-und-

gemeinden.html

Saxon Energy Agency SAENA

Dresden

4 November 2013

http://www.saena.de/themen/european-energy-award.html

http://www.saena.de/aktuelles/european-energy-award-fuer-10-saechsische-staedte-und-gemeinden.html

http://www.saena.de/aktuelles/european-energy-award-fuer-10-saechsische-staedte-und-gemeinden.html

125

GREECE


Crete

Region of Sterea Ellada Kamena Vourla


Attica Region Athens

Prefecture of Thessaly Larissa

The regional partners from Greece had planned two events. Furthermore,

there were two events organised by independent partners and six events

in the framework of the European Cooperation Day.

Crete did not provide any information. The Region of Sterea Ellada

planned a workshop in October in Kamena Vourla on how the exploitation

of thermal springs can contribute to sustainable regional development.

The prefecture of Thessaly had planned to organise a press conference

and press release on the Renewing Health project.

The report of Attica Region is enclosed.

126

“Climate Change: Environmental and Health Impacts – Knowledge

Integration and Implementation of Adaptation Policy in Local Government”

and training workshops under the title “Addressing Climate Change – Think Globally,

Act Locally! Integration and Implementation of Adaptation Policy in Local Government”


Type: Conference, presentation & training workshops, round table, study visit, voluntary work

Organisers: Region of Attica, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens (Masters Course on Capacity

Building for Decision Making), NGO Hellenic Ornithological Society, Hellenic Centre for Marine

Research (HCMR)

Chair: Dr Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati, Associate Professor of Pathology at the Medical School of

the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Scientific Coordinator of the

Masters Course “Environment and Health: Capacity Building for Decision Making”

Dr Evangelia Protopapa, Professor in the Department of Aesthetics & Cosmetology, Head of

the School of Health-care Professions at the Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Athens

Dionisis Ksenos, PhD in Chemical Engineering, Adviser to the Intermediate Managing Authority

of the Attica Region

Yannis Kalogeras, MSc in Electrical Engineering, Adviser

Speakers: Anna Papadimitriou-Tsatsou, Deputy Head of Region of Attica

Dr Polyxeni Nicolopoulou-Stamati, Associate Professor of Pathology at the Medical School of

the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Scientific Coordinator of the

Masters Course “Environment and Health: Capacity Building for Decision Making”

George Kazantzopoulos, President of the “Institute Team for the World” non-governmental

organisation (NGO), Member of the IOC Sport and Environment Commission

Dr Ioannis Ifantopoulos, Professor of Social Policy, Law School, National and Kapodistrian

University of Athens, Member of the Climate Change Impacts Study Committee of the Bank of

Greece

Dr Michael Petrakis, Research Director, former Director of the Institute of Environmental

Research and Sustainable Development (IERSD), National Observatory of Athens (NOA)

Dr Dionisis Ksenos, PhD in Chemical Engineering, Adviser to the Intermediate Managing

Authority of the Attica Region

Yannis Kalogeras, MSc in Electrical Engineering, Adviser

Konstantinos Diakos, Attica Regional Councillor, Leader of the “Attiki Oikologiki Apantisi”

(Ecological Response of Attica) Party

Maro Evangelidou, Urban and Regional Planner, former Secretary General of the Hellenic

Ministry of Environment, Energy & Climate Change

Attica Region

Athens

21 & 22 November 2013

127

George Kremlis, Head of the “Cohesion Policy and Environmental Impact Assessments” Unit in

the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission

Theodoros Skylakakis, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the New Democracy,

Alliance for Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Member of the European Parliament

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (greeting)

Monika Ekstrom, Head of the Sector on Political Reporting and Policy Analysis, European

Commission Representation in Greece

Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, President of the Special Permanent Committee on

Environmental Protection of the Hellenic Parliament (greeting)

Corinna Frey, Public Relations Officer, European Centre for the Development of Vocational

Training (CEDEFOP)

Argyro Paraskevopolou, Head of the Environment Directorate in Region of Attica

Dr Luc Hens, Professor and Director of the Human Ecology Department at the Free University

of Brussels (VUB), Senior Scientist and Director of the VITO Research

Dr Theophilos Rosenberg, Associate Professor of Surgery at the Medical School of the National

and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Scientific Director of the “International

Medicine - Health Crisis Management” Postgraduate Programme

Dr Alexandros Papayannis, Professor of Environmental Physics, Head of Laser Remote Sensing

Unit (LRSU), Department of Physics, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences,

National Technical University of Athens (NTUA)

Dr Ioannis Matiatos, Hydrogeologist & Isotope Hydrologist, Research Associate, Medical

School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

Dr Eleni Fytoka, Representative of the Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre (EKBY)

Representative of the Hellenic Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change

Dr Μanolis Velonakis, Professor of Biopathology and Microbiology at the National School of

Public Health

Outline:

The Region of Attica chose to promote this year's priority theme of OPEN DAYS 2013, “Challenges and

solutions”, by organising a two-day local event including:

One conference presentation on the subject of “Climate Change: Environmental and Health Impacts -

Knowledge Integration and Implementation of Adaptation Policy in Local Government” and;

Four training workshops (Vocational Education and Training - VET). Their subject was “Addressing Climate

Change - Think Globally, Act Locally!”, and they were attended by employees of local government and other

sectors.

Both the conference and the training workshops took place at the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy

of Athens (BRFAA).

The thematic priorities presented focusing on three main areas of a) climate change, b) the environment & c)

health, were:

Air Pollution and Climate Change – Impacts on the Environment & Health

Extreme Weather Events – Impacts on the Environment & Health

128

Wetland Protection Policy – Effects of Climate Change on Wetlands and Health

Education (VET). Climate Change – Environment & Health: The need for Vocational Education and Training

(VET)

This initiative set a goal of informing participants and raising awareness about climate change mitigation and

adaptation matters, discussing the implementation of management policies, and exchanging best practices.

Through the speakers’ presentations the magnitude and effects of climate change on both the environment

and health at global and local levels were highlighted, options available for addressing climate change at

local and state levels were evaluated, and programmes and actions for mitigating climate change were

presented.

The staff training workshops aimed towards management policies and individual choices that can help

reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce significant benefits for the environment and health through

the development of critical thinking skills, a better understanding of how climate change affects the

environment & health, becoming aware of the basic principles and ideas concerning global warming and

climate change, integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation considerations, providing information

about the risks that vulnerable social groups are facing due to the impacts of climate change, providing

information about possible ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint, and raising awareness on the use of

public transport.

In the context of the training workshops and in the thematic priority of Wetland Protection Policy – Effects of

Climate Change on Wetlands and Health, a study visit took place to Vravronas Wetland with the participation

of staff working in local government. The aim of the study visit was environmental education and public

awareness

Moreover, voluntary work was carried out through conservation actions in Artemis Wetland in cooperation

with the municipality of Spata-Artemis.

Raising awareness, promoting education, fostering commitment and sharing best practice constituted the

backbone of this two-day initiative, which sought through multiple simultaneous events to engage the

general public and promote participation, as well as to bring together regional and local authorities, regional

civil society actors, students and academics to discuss major challenges and explore available opportunities.

Conclusions:

Greek local and regional authorities can play a key role in climate change adaptation and mitigation through

innovative initiatives, vocational education training and implementation of strategic plans to manage the

risks. Additionally, they can play a crucial role in the field of climate change and its environmental impact on

health. Creating synergies and long-lasting cooperation bonds with other key players, such as the academic

community and local NGOs, has been identified as a top priority.

More information:

www.patt.gov.gr- citizens support- environment

www.blod.gr

www.skai.gr

129

HUNGARY


Budapest Budapest

Észak-Alföld Debrecen

South Transdanubia Kárász

Seven events were organised in the framework of the European

Cooperation Day.

The reports of the regional partners from Hungary are provided below.

130

"SMART CIBER project"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: Municipality of Budapest

Chair: Zsolt Balassy, Head, Info Communication and Facility Management Department, Budapest

Municipality Public Premises Supervision Authority

Speakers: Zsolt Balassy, Head, Info Communication and Facility Management Department, Budapest

Municipality Public Premises Supervision Authority

Tünde Bonnyai, PhD student, National University of Public Service

Gizella Mátyási, Representative of Budapest in Brussels

Outline:

The SMART CIBER project (System of Maps Assessing Risk of Terrorism against Critical Infrastructures in Big

Events Rallies), financed by the European Union CIPS programme, aims at improving the assessment of the

risk of terrorism against critical infrastructures at EU level (public transport, electricity, water, gas, etc.) in

metropolitan areas, with a special focus on big events. The project has a strong focus on information

management regarding critical infrastructures. The model that is to be set up will allow a comprehensive and

systematised collection of data relevant to assessing the risk of terrorism at local/sub-national and national

level from the main stakeholders, such as local authorities, enforcement agencies and critical infrastructures

owners, thanks to an integrated and geo-located mapping system based on a shared set of indicators.

The aim of the seminar was to present to the local stakeholders the outputs of the project: “Set of indicators

of terrorism risk and synthetic risk-assessment index” and “Analysis of EU and global systems and

methodologies”. Mr Balassy presented the technical aspects and the potential of the project’s main output,

the Integrated Risk Map, which will allow viewing of geographical and statistical data, analysis of local data

and a display of alerts.

The representative of the Brussels Office presented to local stakeholders the tender opportunities of

Budapest, as one of the more developed regions, during the 2014-2020 financial framework.

Conclusions:

The city of Budapest can benefit from the experiences of participating in several soft projects during the

2007-2013 financial framework, in order to become a potential project partner in these kinds of projects in

the new programming period.

Budapest (Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN))

Budapest

10 December 2013

131

Quote:

“The Integrated Risk Map Viewer can become a veritable repository of statistical information that can be

queried and analysed.”

More information:

www.smartciber.eu

http://www.smartciber.eu/

132

"The future of health-care cooperation in Europe"


Type: Conference

Organisers: City of Debrecen, University of Debrecen, Innova Eszak-Alfold Regional Innovation Agency Ltd

Chair: Béla Fülesdi, President of the University of Debrecen Medical and Health Science Centre

Speakers: Béla Fülesdi, President of the University of Debrecen Medical and Health Science Centre

Roel Kamerling, HealthTIES Managing Director

László Papp, Vice-mayor of Debrecen

Lucas Janssen, DG Research and Innovation

Bass Hassan, WP4 leader and Professor of Medical Oncology at Lincoln College, University of

Oxford

Pancras Hogendoorn, MD of the Leiden University Medical Centre and Scientific Director of

the HealthTIES project

László Nagy, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical and Health Science

Centre, University of Debrecen

John Anson, Executive Vice President of R&D, Oxford Gene Technology

Michael Dillhyon, US serial entrepreneur and investor at ETH Zürich

Sándor Erdei, DBH Group

Ernst Hafen, WP3 leader, Professor at ETH Zürich, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology

Outline:

HealthTIES Consortium has been created to promote innovation in health-care technology and is backed by

the European Union.

HealthTIES has an innovative way of working, as from the identification of four major disease areas

(cardiovascular, cancer, neurodegenerative and immunology and infectious diseases) and three technology

platforms (molecular technology, imaging and drug design), the work is focused on the different interactions

between them.

One of the main concerns is to speed up the transfer from science to market or, in other words, from idea to

product, and in this sense we foster connections between the triple helix: academia, industry and

government.

Conclusions:

In the course of the conference the speakers described the local stakeholders and the health-care

technology and depicted the significant connections between them, geared towards the needs of European

citizens.

Észak-Alföld (Innovative knowledge-based regions)

Debrecen

22 September 2013

133

Our goal must be the stimulation of innovation by enhancing the regional cycles of each partner through the

exchange of best practices, strengthening of the knowledge base, developing and implementing joint

research and technological development, education, investment and innovation agenda.

Regional level: triple helix actors, vice-mayor, rector, political decision makers, local municipalities, and local

stakeholders.

Quote:

“Scientific strength is opportunity for the region.”

More information:

http://www.healthties.eu/%C3%ABszak-alf%C3%B6ld

http://www.healthties.eu/%C3%ABszak-alf%C3%B6ld

134

"The challenges of compiling local energy strategies"


Type: Presentations & workshop

Organisers: South Transdanubian Regional Development Agency (STRDA)

Chair: Annamária Tóth, Coaching Team - Moderator

Speakers: Balázs Borkovits, STRDA

Lilla Csakaky, Energiaklub

Orsolya Fülöp, Energiaklub

Outline:

South Transdanubia’s local event focused on the region’s engagement with the energy targets of the

European Union’s EU 2020 policy, and introduced how local municipalities could benefit from learning from

the experiences of other EU regions and municipalities. By presenting the regional energy concept’s findings,

the event introduced the benefits of some EU-funded projects that are supporting local municipalities in

defining their way towards making energy savings, and in the optimal case towards energy self-sufficiency.

The one-day event brought the Brussels OPEN DAYS back to the region, building on the themes debated in

our Brussels event on 8 October. Speakers informed participants about the findings of the Brussels event

regarding the financing possibilities of the next period in the field of energy management, data collection

methods and related software, and energy performance contracting solutions. Awareness was raised on

South Transdanubia’s participation within the relevant programmes of the European Union (European

Territorial Cooperation projects, Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, Covenant of Mayors, etc.) and

the speakers gave advice to municipalities on how to get support from these mechanisms.

The event was aimed at elected local politicians, mayors of local communities, LEADER groups, regional

development agencies, regional innovation agencies and energy experts.

Conclusions:

Smaller municipalities have to cooperate and learn from each other in order to exploit the EU’s supporting

mechanisms efficiently for achieving the EU 2020 energy targets. Reaching an adequate volume of

investments in order to apply for sources such as the ELENA programme is as important as using the

synergies of each other’s developments. Mayors need continuous support in this process, which can be

provided mostly by energy agencies. The event introduced the most effective cooperation forms, financing

possibilities and the necessity of Sustainable Energy Action Plans, which consider all of the aspects above.

South Transdanubia (Challenges of energy data collection)

Kárász

15 October 2013

135

The content of the event was designed to engage the audience, including people with little or no previous

experience of European work and funding.

Quote:

“Even small municipalities have recognised that strategic thinking is essential for the preparation of energy

investments; therefore their developments have to be harmonised in joint Sustainable Energy Action Plans.”

More information:

www.manergyproject.eu

http://www.manergyproject.eu/

137

ITALY


Abruzzo Region Pescara

Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley Aosta

Basilicata Region – EVENT CANCELLED Matera

Emilia-Romagna Region Bologna

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region Trieste

Lazio Latina

Lombardy Region Bergamo

Marche Region Urbino

Molise Region Campobasso

Piedmont Torino

Province of Treviso Treviso

Province of Turin Torino

Puglia Region Bari

Sardinia – EVENT CANCELLED Cagliari

Region of Sicily Palermo

South Tyrol Bolzano/Bozen

Trentino Rovereto

Tuscany Firenze

Umbria Todi

Veneto Region Venice


Regione Veneto Treviso

t33 SRL Macerata

TIA Formazione Internazionale Rome

138

In Italy, twenty regional partners had planned local events. On top of

these, three independent partners had planned an event and ten events

took place in the framework of the European Cooperation Day.

Abruzzo Region had planned to light up the cities and the villages of

Abruzzo's covenant of mayors in Pescara and surrounding villages. Lazio

had planned a workshop to be organised during the II Water Table of

SWMED project on sustainable water management. Lombardy Region had

planned numerous activities in Bergamo in September for schools,

including the literary contest "Che Aria Tira?", educational workshops,

and the exhibition "A look at the air", dedicated to good practices that can

be implemented to help improve air quality. Marche Region had planned

a three-day School for Advanced Studies on the European Union to take

place in Urbino at the end of September. Molise Region had planned a

workshop on the EU Adriatic and Ionian Strategy to take place in

Campobasso on 21 October. Puglia Region had planned a workshop to

take place at the end of October in Bari to raise awareness on the need

for all water stakeholders to be committed to working in partnership in

order to address the key challenges of the sector. The Region of Sicily had

planned an exhibition and conference on nature protection with a focus

on safeguarding typical Sicilian animal species to take place in Palermo at

the end of October. South Tyrol had planned a fair on Sustainable

Transport Opportunities to take place in Bolzano around 21 September.

Trentino had planned a seminar to present the results of a research

project for the development of sustainable mobility in a safe environment

using hydrogen fuel cell minibuses, to take place in Rovereto on 24

September 2013.

The reports of the Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley, Emilia-

Romagna Region, Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region, Piedmont, Province of

Treviso, Province of Turin, Tuscany, Umbria, Veneto Region, Regione

Veneto, T33 SRL and TIA Formazione Internazionale are enclosed.

139

"Career Day"


Type: Presentations & workshops

Organisers: University of the Aosta Valley, Europe Direct Aosta Valley

Chair: Franco Vietti, Director General of the University of the Aosta Valley

Speakers: Augusto Rollandin, President of the Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley

Fabrizio Casella, Dean of the University of the Aosta Valley

Enrico Mattei, Coordinator of the Department for Structural Policies and European Affairs

Giuseppe Cafforio, Psychologist and Director of the Psychology Unit at the Local Health

Authority: The psychologist in the National Health-care Service: features of the job and related

learning paths

Ornella Cheillon, Assistant School Director at the ‘San Francesco’ Institute: The teacher as a

professional of education in preschool and primary school

Giancarlo Civiero, President of AVIS Valle d’Aosta, Secretary General of the Community

Foundation of the Aosta Valley: Working at a time of crisis: the importance of a

multidisciplinary approach

Stefano Distilli, President and CEO of ‘Servizi previdenziali Valle d’Aosta S.p.A.’ (Social security

services for the Aosta Valley): Economics and business management: one choice for a variety

of career paths

Gianluca Tripodi, Vice-president of the Foundation ‘Montagna Sicura’: Languages and jobs: a

key that opens many doors

Marco Riccardi, Director of the unit for regional development and mountain areas policy –

Presidency of the Region: The European Union and the structural funds: opportunities and

management

Monica Pirovano, President of Confindustria Valle d'Aosta;

Stefano Sergi, Chief of Staff at La Stampa Valle d'Aosta.

Description:

The Europe Direct Centre and the University of the Aosta Valley hosted, on 20 September 2013, in the

premises of the University, Strada Cappuccini 2A, Aosta, the “Career Day” workshop. The event, aimed at

high school and university students, as well as young graduates and regular citizens, consisted of a series of

round tables and debates with professionals that allowed the participants to acquire useful information and

tools to be used later in the job market.

Moreover, through Europe Direct, the event was an occasion for the promotion of European institutions,

policies and themes. The event, integrated into the framework of the Orientation and Tutoring project of the

Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley (Agri-food innovators)

Aosta

20 September 2013

140

University, co-financed by the European Social Fund, represented an appropriate window for the European

Week of Regions and Cities at a local level, and perfectly integrated its spirit and theme.

The “Career Day” also gave the University the chance to launch its own Alumni Association that will reunite

its graduates, offering them access to a range of university services.

The day ended with a performance by Italian singer Simone Cristicchi at the Cinema Théâtre de la Ville.

Conclusions:

The cooperation between the Europe Direct Centre and the University of the Aosta Valley is a step forward

in the organisation of initiatives aimed at the promotion of the European Union, its institutions and its

opportunities.

The event raised awareness among young students and graduates about their future studying and

professional careers, allowing them to assess their predispositions and their skills through a constructive

debate with the academic and professional world. Moreover, it disseminated very useful information on

current job opportunities, keeping everyone up to date.

Quote:

“The challenges that the European Union is faced with during this time of crisis have to be seen as

opportunities for growth and progress.”

More information:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fletjp20afj10ys/DBU-cw1mMx

http://www.regione.vda.it/europa/europe_direct/iniziative/giornata_delle_professioni_2013_i.aspx

www.univda.it

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fletjp20afj10ys/DBU-cw1mMx

http://www.regione.vda.it/europa/europe_direct/iniziative/giornata_delle_professioni_2013_i.aspx

http://www.univda.it/

141

"EUSAIR – how to say it. Building macro-regional awareness

in Adriatic-Ionian territories"


Type: University Forum with panels and open debate

Organisers: Emilia-Romagna Region, General Directorate of Territorial Programming and International and

European Affairs

Chair: Valerio Romitelli, UNIBO

Stefano Bianchini, UNIBO and IECOB

Francesco Privitera, UNIBO and IECOB

Patrizio Bianchi, former Dean of the UNIFE and current Regional Minister for Education,

Innovation and Research in Emilia-Romagna

Speakers: Simonetta Saliera, Emilia-Romagna Region Vice-president

Elena Tagliani, Emilia-Romagna Region

Valerio Romitelli, University of Bologna

Milan Podunavac, University of Belgrade, Serbia

Enika Abazi, European University of Tirana

Charalambos Tsardanidis, University of the Aegean

Paolo Rago, University Marin Barleti, Tirana

Mirco Degli Esposti, Università di Bologna, GREP

Samuele Paganoni, Università di Bologna, GREP

Stefano Bianchini, Università di Bologna e IECOB di Forlì

Danijela Jacimović, University of Podgorica, Crna Gora

Miloš Šolaja, University of Banja Luka, BiH

Djordje Tomić, University of Banja Luka, BiH

Emilio Cocco, Università di Teramo

Luljeta Minxhozi, University of Tirana

Giovanni Bertin, Università Cà Foscari, Venezia

Dorian Jano, University Marin Barleti, Tirana

Francesco Privitera, Director of the IECOB and UNIBO

Petar Filipić, University of Split, HR

Maja Fredotović, University of Split, HR

Inoslav Bešker, Università di Dubrovnik, HR

Egidio Ivetić, Università di Padova

Vedran Obucina, Università di Rijeka, HR

Caterina Ghobert, Tomislav Jurisić, Eleonora Erittu, Giovanni Bottari, Adriano Remiddi, Masters

students of MIREES

Patrizio Bianchi

Emilia-Romagna Region (Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region)

Bologna

5-6 December 2013

142

Luigi Fusco Girard, Università di Napoli Federico II

Mitja Žagar, University of Ljubljana and Primorska/Littoral

Albert Doja, Université de Lille 1, France

Elisabetta Zendri, Università di Venezia Cà Foscari

Marija Mitrović, Università di Trieste

Outline:

In December 2012, the European Union instructed the European Commission to prepare an Action Plan for

the so-called European Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). Consultations are currently

taking place about this topic.

The strategy covers eight countries (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, and Serbia), four of which are EU Member States. So far, EUSAIR consists of four thematic

pillars and two cross-cutting pillars. In 2014 the EUSAIR Action Plan will be launched by the EU. The plan aims

to coordinate multi-level integrated programming for harmonious territorial development under the

supervision of the European Commission.

Emilia-Romagna Region and the University of Bologna (Dipartimento DISCi and IECOB - Forlì) have set up a

regional lab on macro-regional issues, as part of the AdriGov project, funded under the IPA Adriatic CBC

Programme 2007-2013. The main objective of the regional lab is to raise the quality, effectiveness and

efficiency of public administration, ensuring active participation in the multi-level planning of EUSAIR.

In the framework of the AdriGov project, Emilia-Romagna Region and the regional lab on macro-regional

issues are organising the forum “EUSAIR - how to say it - Building macro-regional awareness in the Adriatic-

Ionian territories” which will be held in Bologna on 5 and 6 December.

The forum aims to involve the academic world of the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-regional area in the EUSAIR

consultation process. The scope is to understand what the universities think about the structure and the

contents of the draft EUSAIR Action Plan. This initiative is intended to give an adequate territorial dimension

to the EUSAIR policy-making process and to the implementation of the principles of subsidiary and

democratic participation.

The main participants will be academic institutions, the public administrations of the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-

regional area, members of the Adriatic-Ionian Euroregion (26 local and territorial entities that represent

seven of the eight EUSAIR countries) and project partners of AdriGov (13 partners from six EUSAIR

countries).

A common position will be found, through the speeches, papers and peer-to-peer debate, and the results of

the two-day forum will be formally forwarded to the EU authorities in charge of the EUSAIR (DG REGIO and

DG MARE).

143

Conclusions:

With this forum we want to support the definition of the EUSAIR strategic framework, making the right

proposals for qualifying the EUSAIR approach, by giving it an adequate territorial dimension.

Universities and researchers are the key to improving the strategic process.

More information:

www.adriaticionianeuroregion.eu

http://www.regione.emilia-romagna.it/notizie/attualita/a-bologna-il-forum-delle-universita-adriatico-

ioniche

http://www.adriaticionianeuroregion.eu/

http://www.regione.emilia-romagna.it/notizie/attualita/a-bologna-il-forum-delle-universita-adriatico-ioniche

http://www.regione.emilia-romagna.it/notizie/attualita/a-bologna-il-forum-delle-universita-adriatico-ioniche

144

"Research and technological transfer as badminton for macro-regional

development: the activities of the Joint Research Center"


Type: Video-conference

Organisers: Liaison Office of Friuli-Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region (FVG)

Chair: Luisa Poclen, Head of the Brussels Office of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Speakers: Ketty Segatti, Head of Unit, Central Directorate for Education, Advanced Training and Research

of FVG Region

Franco Codega, President, 6th

Committee of the FVG Regional Assembly - Education, Youth

Policies and Research

Pier Francesco Moretti, Research Policy Officer, National Research Council of Italy, Brussels

Office

Ulla Engelmann, Head of Unit, Inter-institutional and Stakeholders Relations, Joint Research

Centre

Nicola Mamfren, Vice-director, Central Directorate for Economic and EU Policy-programming

of FVG Region

Ginevra Tonini, Coordination Network of Research Centres of FVG Region

Franco Iacop, President of the Regional Assembly of FVG Region

Outline:

Through the local event we illustrated the academic and scientific system of Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region with

the aim of exploring the possibility of collaborating with the Joint Research Center (JRC), giving a

contribution for a new vision in the Danube area. In particular, Ms Ulla Engelmann illustrated the recent

initiatives launched by the JRC "Scientific Support to the Danube Strategy" in order to help decision makers

and other stakeholders to identify the policy needs and large-scale projects needed for the implementation

of the strategy and to contribute to the reinforcement of ties and cooperation among the scientific

community of the Danube Region.

In this context, Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region could have an important role to play since it is located in a very

strategic geographical position with a capital city, Trieste, which is considered a centre of international

excellence in science. Besides, it is a “bridge region”, between two important macro-areas: the Adriatic-

Ionian Macro-region and the Danubian Macro-region.

Conclusions:

The event offered the opportunity to take stock of the contribution that research institutions can provide in

the field of macro-regional strategies as well as introducing the scientific excellence of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region (Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region)

Trieste

27 November 2013

145

Region, gathered within the Coordination Network of Research Centres - while simultaneously stressing the

importance of maximising spill-overs of research activities in the economic system.

More information:

www.regione.fvg.it

http://www.regione.fvg.it/

146

"Structural Funds 2014-2020. The programming period in Piedmont:

your point of view"


Type: Workshop / round table

Organisers: Regione Piemonte

Chair: Davide Donati, Regione Piemonte, Head of European Affairs Office

Speakers: Roberto Cota, Regione Piemonte, President

Giuseppe Benedetto, General Director, Dir. Industry

Stefano Aimone, IRES Piemonte

Claudio Sacchetto, Ministry for Agriculture, RP

Claudia Porchietto, Ministry for Work and Professional Training, RP

Paola Casagrande, General Director, Dir. Education, Professional Training and Work, RP

Gaudenzio De Paoli, General Director, Dir. Agriculture, RP

Outline:

The new programming period is coming and new rules have to be followed. The success of a regional

programme is based on the work between the public administration and stakeholders. Orientation of funds

should be explained to the stakeholders who have to help the public administration to build a programme

that is suitable for the regional characteristics, based on social, economic and environmental data collected.

For this reason, following the guidelines presented by the EC during the event in 2012, the regional public

administration will speak to all of the stakeholders concerned, based on the ex-ante analysis elaborated by

IRES (the Social and Economic Research Institute), to collect the latest advice on the new programming

period, during a meeting that should become annual.

Conclusions:

Learning from previous experience is the easiest and most effective way of facing future challenges. In a

territory deeply affected by the crisis, that means working together as a real system. Projecting cohesion in

an integrated way in order to support – functionally more than economically – SMEs and big enterprises

involving local SMEs, taking care of the environment from an agricultural and industrial perspective using

both ERDF and EARSF funds (for renewable energy sources or tourism, for example), focusing help on

strategic projects capable of restarting the economy, consulting local partners on an ongoing basis, lowering

bureaucratic barriers in order to speed up procedures… these are some of the requests of the regional

stakeholders, who would like to have a coherent action plan and rules, in order to know where local policies

are directed, and, as a consequence, in which action they can invest.

Piedmont (Air quality initiative of regions)

Torino

16 October 2013

147

Quote:

“Innovation is not only about technologies!”

More information:

http://www.regione.piemonte.it/europa/prog14_20/eventi.htm

http://www.regione.piemonte.it/europa/prog14_20/eventi.htm

148

"The challenges of energy data collection in setting up Sustainable Energy

Action Plans"


Type: Panel discussion & workshop

Organisers: Province of Treviso

Chair: Giulia Righetti, NAXTA, Moderator

Speakers: Alberto Villanova, Councillor for Environment, Human Resources and Information Systems,

Province of Treviso

Massimo Marzano Bernardi, Chief of the Energy Department, Veneto Region

Keynote speaker: Antonio Zonta, Chief of Building and Estates Department, Province of

Treviso.

Marcello Antinucci, Energy Policy Expert, Ecuba Srl, former Director of Energy Agency Modena

(Italy)

Paolo Pierobon, Chief of Environment, Municipality of Treviso (TV)

Lodovico Mazzero, Municipality of Montebelluna (TV)

Michele Sansoni, ARPA.EMR (Environmental Agency of the Emilia-Romagna Region) Technical

Direction for Energy and Environmental Assessments Complex

Diego Antiga, Territorial Government and Management of Public Works, Municipality of

Conegliano (TV)

Michele Zuin, Department of Environment and Agenda 21, Municipality of Padova

Francesca Vianello, Europe Direct, Municipality of Venice (VE)

Workshop on SEAP, financing of actions and EPC:

Marcello Antinucci, Venetoprogetti/Ecuba

Antonio Zonta, Province of Treviso (TV)

Outline:

The workshop is part of the MANERGY project (CENTRAL EUROPE programme), which aims to reduce GHG

emissions and embed the exploitation of renewable energy sources into regional planning processes, mostly

by setting up Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs). These tools are only useful if target measures are

realistic and well defined; moreover, in setting targets, it is vital to calculate current emissions. The most

significant obstacles hindering this task are a lack of energy data and expertise. The workshop therefore

highlights the importance of supporting quality data collection, ensuring that SEAPs will be realisable, and

the tools available and best practices.

Mr Zonta introduced the MANERGY project, and a possible solution for quality data collection through the

integration of energy agencies into smart metering systems was mentioned, as well as the EPC.

Province of Treviso (Challenges of energy data collection)

Treviso

22 November 2013

149

Mr Marcello ANTINUCCI gave a presentation on how Italian energy agencies obtain data on energy

consumption by bottom-up methods (from local databases) or top-down methods (breaking down national

and regional data), and on financial opportunities.

Mr Paolo PIEROBON and Mr Lodovico MAZZERO presented the emissions situation, and why this territorial

area is one of the most polluted areas in Europe due to geographical circumstances. They highlighted some

dos and don'ts and the challenges in creating the SEAP, as well as successes.

Mr Michele SANSONI explained how to construct an inventory of emissions, the tool for calculating

emissions in the data collection system (IPSI/LAKS), and how to collect the information needed for compiling

the inventory of emissions.

Mr Diego ANTIGA shared the experience of being a municipality receiving support from the Province of

Treviso, the measures and analyses made and the objectives to be achieved.

Mr Michele ZUIN shared the CapaCity platform, explaining the benefits of the platform and the online

training for technicians and administrators of SEAPs, and the opportunities for growth and conversion to the

city of the future. Presentation of the project Padova FIT supported by IEE.

Ms Francesca VIANELLO presented the Europe Direct network.

Conclusions:

Preparing SEAPs ensures that local municipalities will efficiently contribute to the achievement of the energy

targets of the EU 2020 strategy. Collecting reliable, detailed data and defining ambitious but realistic actions

are crucial in SEAPs. These activities can be supported by energy agencies, and by the introduced financial

and technical tools. These activities will be strongly supported by the Covenant of Mayors in the next

programming period.

Quotes:

“Collaboration across municipal borders and with provincial and regional authorities is of the utmost

importance, as is a profound knowledge of the public patrimony, with regards to how much it “costs to run”,

“the state it is in” and its “energy consumption”. Thus, achieving Global Service Management that ensures

investment in “Technical innovation” (RES and EE) as well as in “Social innovation” (changing users’

behaviour) will be done by private bodies, in light of the frozen public budgets.” (Mr Zonta).

More information:

www.manergyproject.eu/events

http://ecologia.provincia.treviso.it/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/539410190300/M/506410190300/T/Patto-dei-

Sindaci

http://www.provincia.treviso.it/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/547010040300/M/632910010321/T/LOCAL-

OPEN-DAY-del-22-NOVEMBRE-2013-a-TREVISO-progetto-MANERGY-presente-ISCRIZIONI-APERTE-FINO-AL-

15-NOVEMBRE

http://ecologia.provincia.treviso.it/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/539410190300/M/506410190300/T/Patto-dei-Sindaci

http://ecologia.provincia.treviso.it/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/539410190300/M/506410190300/T/Patto-dei-Sindaci

http://www.provincia.treviso.it/Engine/RAServePG.php/P/547010040300/M/632910010321/T/LOCAL-OPEN-DAY-del-22-NOVEMBRE-2013-a-TREVISO-progetto-MANERGY-presente-ISCRIZIONI-APERTE-FINO-AL-15-NOVEMBRE



150

"Presentation of the solar portal website of the Province of Torino"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Province of Torino

Chair: Silvio De Nigris, Air quality and Energy Resources Department, Moderator

Speakers: Roberto Ronco, Member of the Provincial Executive Board

Giovanni Vicentini, External consultant

Guglielmina Mutani, Polytechnic of Torino - Energy Department

Francesco Fiermonte, Polytechnic of Torino - Architecture, Design & Territorial Policies

Department

Adelaide Ramassotto, CSI Piemonte

Outline:

Within the Cities on Power project, co-financed by the Central Europe programme, one of the most powerful

instruments expected to be realised was the it-tool. This cloud application aims to promote the use of

renewable energy sources in urban areas, directly involving the end user and bringing them on a guided tour

inside their building’s energy demand and supply. The workshop organised by the Province of Torino on

Wednesday 13 November looked at spreading out the adaptation of the it-tool on a local level, for the

metropolitan area of the province. The audience was very mixed, from representatives of territorial

associations (environmental, professionals), to SMEs and local authorities, mainly municipalities.

The it-tool, created by an Austrian partner (RSA), was adapted mainly through the solar map included in the

application. The end user, by entering some information about their own energy demand (electric and

thermal), can simulate the effects deriving from the installation of photovoltaic or solar thermal panels on

their roof. The solar map contains pre-calculated values for the solar radiation captured and guarantees

realistic feedback from the system. The results have also been used to establish objectives on a municipal

level for RES production (for the solar source).

Conclusions:

The diffusion of RES on a European level is focusing on buildings, mainly because this sector is one of the

most important in terms of contribution to climate change. Citizens need to be involved in the planning

process, first of all through the regulatory framework, and secondly through direct communication

(recommendations or advice) that is understandable and effective. The it-tool aims to be easy to use by the

end user and wants to capture their attention through an attractive interface. This instrument needs to be

included in a bigger project concerning the use of ICT in the energy field.

Province of Turin (Innovation strategies for smart growth)

Torino

13 November 2013

151

Quote:

“Click on the solar map and get your feedback!”

More information:

http://www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ambiente/energia/progetti/CoP/eventi_CoP

(Link to presentations from the workshop)

http://www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ambiente/energia/progetti/CoP/index

(Link to the Cities on Power project - results on a local level)

http://www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ambiente/energia/progetti/CoP/strumento_informatico

(Link to the solar portal website)

http://www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ambiente/energia/progetti/CoP/eventi_CoP

http://www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ambiente/energia/progetti/CoP/index

http://www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ambiente/energia/progetti/CoP/strumento_informatico

152

"EXPO RURALE Toscana 2013"


Type: Exhibition / fair

Organisers: Tuscany Region – Ministry for Agriculture

Chair: Carlo Chiostri, Tuscany Region

Speakers: Roberto Giuseppe Benedetti, Commissione Agricoltura e sviluppo rurale del Consiglio

Regionale della Toscana

Gianni Salvadori - Assessore Agricoltura e Foreste della Regione Toscana

Gianfranco Nocentini, Referente Misura 124 della Regione Toscana

Leonardo Romagnoli, Direttore Gal START

Claudio Marignani, Vicepresidente della Commissione Agricoltura e sviluppo rurale del

Consiglio Regionale della Toscana

Simona Cristiano, Anna Vagnozzi - INEA: Relazione introduttiva a cura di INEA: il quadro

nazionale dell’attuazione misura 124

Luigi Trotta - Regione Puglia

Patrizia Alberti - Regione Emilia Romagna

Giuseppe Merli - Regione Umbria

Outlines:

During the seminar we presented the results of six projects activated in Tuscany: partners, objectives,

methods and results to be applied in the territory after the first internal application.

We had speeches by the Tuscany Manager of the “GAL Start“, the Vice-president of Agriculture in the

Tuscany Board, and the Representative of the National Institute of Agricultural Economy, talking about their

experiences in “LEADER” at a regional and national level.

Other Italian regions presented their experiences: Puglia, Emilia-Romagna and Umbria.

A debate was held with representatives from farmers’ organisations.

The conference aimed at disseminating the experience with Measure 124 of the RDP 2007-2013 in Tuscany

and in comparison with other Italian experiences. Measure 124 "Cooperation for the development of new

products, processes and technologies in the agriculture and food sector and in forestry” implements a

project in which the participation of business and scientific partners is required for testing and developing

innovative actions in the agro-forestry sector.

Tuscany (Agri-food innovators)

Firenze

13 September 2013

153

Conclusions:

The Seminar gave participants the chance to discuss the different approaches in the regions, considering

different social, climate and cultural/political differences.

It showed some models for better involving end users and for verifying the needs of the territory, according

to the overall requirements of, and the importance of links with, rural development strategies.

More information:

http://www.exporurale.it/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/innovazione-in-agricoltura.pdf

http://www.exporurale.it/

http://www.exporurale.it/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/innovazione-in-agricoltura.pdf

http://www.exporurale.it/

154

"Cooperation for Innovation in the Agricultural Sector"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Umbria Region – Department for Agriculture, Culture and Tourism

Chair: Andrea Sisti, 3A – PTA

Ciro Becchetti – Umbria Region

Speakers: Carlo Rossini, Mayor of Todi

Fernanda Cecchini, Regional Minister for Agriculture, Umbria Region

Fausto Luchetti - Consorzio carni Bovine Italiane (CCBI)

Marco Caprai - Cantina Arnaldo Caprai

Chiara Lungarotti - Cantine Lungarotti

Filippo Antonelli - Cantina Antonelli San Marco

Pompeo Farchioni - Mastri Birrai Umbri & Cantina Terre de la Custodia

Carlo Gradassi - C.U.FR.OL

Mario Cucchia - Molini Spigadoro

Giorgio Spinetti - Top Melon

Luciano Chianella - Gruppo cooperative di Trevi

Giancarlo Luigetti - AgriArt srl - Centro di ricerca il Pischiello

Albano Agabiti - Oro Verde

Franco Moriconi - Rector, University of Perugia

Lucio Caporizzi - Director, Umbria Region

Andrea Crisanti – President of the Polo di Innovazione di Genomica, Genetica e Biologia

Massimo Lannetta - Responsabile U.T. Sviluppo Sostenibile ed Innovazione del Sist. Agro-

Industriale - ENEA

Carlo Chiostri – Tuscany Region, Coordinamento ERIAFF

Daniele Rossi – President of the Cluster Agrifood Nazionale

Giuseppe Blasi - Director of the European Politics Department, MIPAAF

Catiuscia Marini, President of Umbria Region

Outline:

The focus was Umbria Region, in collaboration with one of its operational tools, the 3A-Agribusiness

Technology Park of Umbria, for a discussion on issues regarding innovation in agriculture and agri-food. In

the first session the best experiences of the 2007-2013 programming period were presented on

"Cooperation for the development of new products, processes and technologies in agriculture, food and

forestry", thanks to the contribution and analysis of the results achieved in various areas of intervention of

Measure 124. In the second session the main elements of the new Common Agricultural Policy were

Umbria (Agri-food innovators)

Todi

22 November 2013

155

discussed, along with the new tools for intervention, in the implementation of innovative interventions

financed through a greater participation of the private sector, in collaboration with research centres,

universities and public authorities. The overall aim of these new tools, for example in the case of the

European Partnerships for Innovation, is to increase agricultural productivity through a more sustainable

management of resources based on the actual needs of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs, based on a

bottom-up approach.

Conclusions:

The seminars were open to the public to encourage, through knowledge of the new opportunities from CAP,

the kind of reflection among actors that often leads to the realisation of new projects. They were considered

to be a useful information tool.

156

"Europe united by the sea: from Magellan’s routes to the

European corridors"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Veneto Region, Brussels Office

Chair: Roberto Ciambetti, Regional Minister on Budget, Local Authorities and EFRD Funds, Veneto Region

Speakers: Roberto Ciambetti, Regional Minister on Budget, Local Authorities and EFRD Funds, Veneto

Region

Stefano Beltrame, Diplomatic Counsellor of the President of the Veneto Region, Director of

the Brussels Office, Moderator

Francisco De Calheiros, Executive Coordinator of the MINHO IN Consortium

Antonio Franzina, Head of the Cabinet of the Regional Minister Roberto Ciambetti

Piero Magnabosco, Member of the Pigafetta 500 Association

Antonio Volpe, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Cà Foscari University

Antonio Revedin, Director of Strategic Planning and Development, Venice Port Authority

Mauro Furlanetto, Vice-president of the Association of Ship Agents and Ship Brokers of the

Veneto Region

Outline:

In 2019 the world will celebrate the 500th

anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the globe accomplished

in 1519 by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, accompanied by the nobleman from Vicenza

Antonio Pigafetta. Much changed in the maritime sector due to this great expedition. The purpose of the

conference held on Monday 16 December was to retrace, both from a historical and a technological point of

view, the main steps that contributed to the creation of different networks of transports, canals and

infrastructures and to understand their connection with the development of infrastructural corridors in

Europe.

After the description of Veneto Region’s participation in the OPENDAYS 2013 within the partnership “Europe

of Traditions”, its achievements and future development possibilities, the discussion started with the

description of the historical journey, its protagonists and its discoveries, trying to touch all aspects of the

maritime sector: the political relations between EU Member States and neighbouring countries, the role of

ports and shipping companies, and the economic causes and consequences of maritime trade for Europe,

Italy and the Veneto Region.

During the conference a video explaining the journey of the ship “Adriatica”, which is retracing the route of

the first journey around the world, was broadcast.

Veneto Region (Europe of traditions - linking through water)

Venice

16 December 2013

157

Conclusions:

The journey of Magellan around the globe definitely changed the maritime trade sector and boosted the

initiative, first of the European States and now also of the Eastern countries, to try to find new routes to

reach markets. It also emerged that, concerning the North Adriatic ports, it is vital to create a unique

gateway that is able to welcome the gigantic ships that plough the seas nowadays.

Quote:

“History is knocking at the doors of the ports of the North-East of Italy. They must be able to work as a team

and it seems to me that NAPA, the association that unites the ports of the Northern Adriatic Sea, has started

a fruitful effort. The challenge with Northern Europe has begun.” Roberto Ciambetti, Regional Minister on

Budget, Local Authorities and EFRD Funds, Veneto Region

More information:

http://www.regione.veneto.it/web/guest/news-primo-piano/dettaglio-news?_spp_detailId=2627441

http://pigafetta500.org/wp500/

http://www.europetraditions.com/

http://www.europetraditions.com/

158

"Joining forces for finding new solutions to European challenges:

the Renewing Health project"


Type: Presentation and debate

Organisers: Regione Veneto - Venezia

Chair: Claudio Dario, Chairman of Consorzio Arsenàl.IT, Veneto Research Center for eHealth

Innovation

Claudio Saccavini, Technical Director of Consorzio Arsenàl.IT, Italy

Speakers: Luca Coletto, Regional Minister for Health of Regione Veneto, Italy

Claudio Dario, Chairman of Consorzio Arsenàl.IT, Veneto Research Center for eHealth

Innovation

Adriano Rasi Caldogno, General Director Local Health Authority 2 – Feltre, Italy

Gianluca Quaglio, STOA Unit, European Parliament

Claudio Saccavini, Technical Director of Consorzio Arsenàl.IT, Italy

Rosa Rosini, NSIS, Ministry of Health, Italy

Toni Dedeu, Senior International Officer, Ministry of Health of Catalonia, Spain

Marco D’Angelantonio, CEO Health Information Management, Belgium

Roberto Toffanin, Local Health Authority 4, Alto Vicentino, Italy

Andrea Vianello, Hospital Trust of Padova, Italy

Massimo Fusello, Local Health Authority 2, Feltre, Italy

Zoran Olivari, Local Health Authority 9, Treviso, Italy

Pietro Delise, Local Health Authority 7, Pieve di Soligo, Italy

Nicolò Seminara, General Practitioner, Local Health Authority 9, Treviso, Italy

Francesco Bortolan, Regional Secretariat for Health, Regione Veneto, Italy

Outline:

The first panel was opened by a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTeVm_pDoF0) showing the

stories taken from among the 3332 patients and their caregivers who experienced the telemonitoring service

during the trials of the RENEWING HEALTH project. The Regional Minister for Health Luca Coletto highlighted

the challenge of the ageing of the population and the rise of chronic conditions and diseases, as well as the

importance of projects such as RENEWING HEALTH for the Veneto Regional Health-care System. Claudio

Dario, President of the Veneto Research Center for eHealth Innovation, focused on the actions that have

been developed in recent years to tackle the issue, joining forces with other regions of Europe. Adriano Rasi

Caldogno, Director of the Local Health Authority 2 of Feltre, presented two new projects in the field of

chronic disease management developed with many European partners.

Regione Veneto

Treviso

7 November 2013

159

The second panel focused on the importance and the impact of chronic conditions on health policy at a

national and European level. Rosa Rosini explained the ministry’s strategy on the National Health

Information System and the management of information relating to chronic patients. Toni Dedeu highlighted

the importance of European networks on health innovation and the role of regions in these, especially in the

EIP – AHA network. Gianluca Quaglio described how the theme of ageing will be developed in the upcoming

European strategy and programmes related to Europe 2020.

The third panel focused mainly on experiences of the RENEWING HEALTH project. Marco d’Angelantonio,

described the value of the project in the wider context of European projects focused on eHealth and chronic

diseases. Claudio Saccavini explained how initiatives like RENEWING HEALTH can be related to the

development of a regional EHR. Roberto Toffanin, Massimo Fusello, Andrea Vianello, Zoran Olivari, Pietro

Delise and Nicolò Seminara presented the trial clusters on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,

cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

Francesco Bortolan drew the conclusions.

Conclusions:

The ageing of the population and the rise of chronic conditions and diseases are new challenges for Europe.

Cooperative projects such as RENEWING HEALTH can offer innovative solutions to tackle these challenges. In

this context, regions can play an important role in the field of health innovation, contributing to the

implementation of the European strategy related to Europe 2020.

More information:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTeVm_pDoF0

http://www.renewinghealth.eu

160

"The ex-ante evaluation of the next generation of EU

programmes (2014-2020) building process"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: T33 Ltd, University of Macerata

Chair: Alessandro Valenza, Untenured Professor at the University of Macerata, Moderator

Speakers: Francesco Adornato, Director of the Department 'Political Science, Communication Science,

International Relations' of the University of Macerata

Roberto Palloni, t33 Expert

Pietro Celotti, Untenured Professor of the University of Macerata

François Levarlet, t33 Partner and Expert

Nicola Brignani, t33 Expert

Andrea Gramillano, t33 Expert

Outline:

The workshop allowed a comparison between the ongoing experiences in the ex-ante evaluation during the

EU next generation programmes building process. Case studies, from both the European Territorial

Cooperation side (Alpine Space, Two Seas, among others) and the regional side (Province of Bozen, among

others), were presented, with a focus on the ERDF.

All participants contributed to the discussion, by referring to the progress of the evaluation by their

respective Managing Authorities (Tuscany Region - Ms Angelita Luciani; Umbria Region - Ms Valeria Covarelli;

Ms Loredana Gazerro and Ms Sonia Carriero - Molise Region) or mentioning the methodological approaches

of their respective consulting companies (CLES - Mr Giovanni Galli and Mr Marcello Bernacchini; Fondazione

Brodolini - Mr Giacomo Damioli).

The specific issues discussed by the experts are listed below (presentations can be downloaded from

http://www.t33.it/en/node/393):

a. Ex-ante as a Gatekeeper of Programme Accountability - Alessandro Valenza;

b. Needs Identification: New Tools and Challenges – Roberto Palloni;

c. Drafting & Evaluation – Pietro Celotti;

d. Strategic Environmental Assessment in the 2014-2020 Programming Period – François Levarlet;

e. Focus on the Results - Nicola Brignani;

f. Result Indicators and Evaluation – Andrea Gramillano.

t33 SRL

Macerata

5 November 2013

161

Conclusions:

It was agreed that Managing Authorities should adopt tools that are useful for drafting and interpreting

SWOT analysis in order to clearly identify needs and development strategies. Furthermore, it was agreed

that it is necessary to enhance methodological approaches, allowing consistent programme objectives and

measurable results to be defined.

It is the intention of t33 to publish a paper, as suggested by the Head of the Department of Political Science

of the University of Macerata, Prof. Francesco Adornato.

The results of the workshop were presented by Pietro Celotti in Barcelona on 28 November, at the EIPA

(European Institute of Public Administration) annual seminar on European Territorial Cooperation.

More information:

The twitter account @t33Srl was systematically used before, during and after the event, mainly using the

hashtag #EUOpenDays. Twenty-three tweets were published in the period of 28 October - 23 November.

In addition, two news articles were published on the company’s multilingual website (www.t33.it).

The first, published on 28 August, aimed at announcing the event to any experts interested in the technical

issue of ex ante evaluation (http://www.t33.it/en/node/374).

The second, published on 11 November, reported the results of the event, allowing users to download the

presentations (http://www.t33.it/en/node/393).

http://www.t33.it/en/node/393

162

"ROME – DIGITAL CULTURE: instructions for use and an introduction

to the digital agenda"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: TIA Formazione Internazionale (www.tiassociazione.org) in collaboration with EURODESK

ITALY

Chair: Ines Caloisi, TIA Formazione Internazionale

Ramon Magi, President EURODESK Italy

Speakers: F. Sacco, Presidency of the Council of Ministers – Digital Agenda for Europe 2020

T. De Smedt, Committee of the Regions

A. Giordani, European Commission – Italy

F. Tufarelli, Advisor, Ministry for European Affairs

Patrizia Toia, MEP

Diego Culli, Google.com

Vincenza Ferrara, * DigiLab – La Sapienza University

Andrea Pugliese, The Hub and TIA

Giampiero Gramaglia, EurActiv.it

Claudio Bedino, Italian Crowdfunding Network – ICN

Michele Gerace, OSECO

V. Smaldore, Open Polis

Nicola Ucciero, DEREV

Outline:

The aim of the project is focused on new technologies and how society is influenced by (new) methods of

communication and information. The conference is open to all people aged between 18 and 25 years old, in

order to give them a wider vision of digital media and digital instruments. We are trying to investigate a new

aspect of this topic that will surpass the common model. We are investigating the potential, characteristics

and risks and how they can be used in a virtuous way that is useful for our professional and personal life.

Overall, the project aims to develop and enhance the critical and analytical skills of participants in forming

their own assessments of digital technologies and their impact on society and culture. It will also deepen the

opportunities that digital instruments can develop in professional life in economic terms.

TIA Formazione Internazionale

Rome

8 November 2013

163

Conclusions:

This was an interesting event in which young people took part, and they found it useful for their own

professional future. We received letters of appreciation and intend to organise an update in 2014. The event

was supported by several important institutions, including the Chamber of Deputies, the Senate of the

Republic, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Province of Rome and Regione Lazio. It was also

attended by the President of the Republic.

More information:

www.tiassociazione.org

www.giovanidigitali.eu

http://www.tiassociazione.org/

http://www.giovanidigitali.eu/

165

LATVIA


Riga City Riga

Vidzeme Planning Region Valmiera

The regional partners from Latvia had planned two events.

Six other events were planned in the framework of the European

Cooperation Day.

Riga City had planned a seminar to take place in October to promote the

city's economic growth within the framework of the concept of “Smart

Cities”, ensuring recognition of Riga as an economically dynamic, green

and attractive city for investments, and increasing its engagement with

the European Union through cooperation and the exchange of best

practices with Europe’s capital cities and regions.

The report of Vidzeme Planning Region is enclosed.

166

"Connected regional smart clusters – building blocks for

industrial development"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Vidzeme Planning Region

Chair: Kristaps Ročāns, Project Manager at Vidzeme Planning Region (responsible for “Vidzeme high

added value and healthy food cluster” coordination)

Speakers: Lilita Sparāne, Executive Director of Latvian IT Cluster

Andris Spūlis, Coordinator of Latvian Supply Chain Cluster

Andris Klepers, Coordinator of Gauja National Park Tourism Cluster/ Lecturer at Vidzeme

University of Applied Sciences

Irīna Kulitāne, Chairperson of the Board of Konso Ltd.

Jānis Garančs, Managing Director of Aloja Starkelsen Ltd.

Description:

Vidzeme Planning Region’s local event focused on how the region can increase its industrial development

and become more integrated within EU value chains with the help of connected smart clusters. The event

focused on sharing best practices of cluster development and showcased examples of successful clusters

operating in Latvia, which are also connected within broader EU cluster networks. The event brought the

Brussels OPEN DAYS to the region, building on the themes and cluster development examples debated in the

09.10.2013 Brussels OPEN DAYS workshop: “Smart Clusters for a new Industrial Revolution”. The workshop

raised awareness of the development of connected clusters as the building blocks for industrial development

for regional, national and EU economy. The event was aimed at politicians, development practitioners from

regional and local authorities, the region’s university and scientific institutions, SMEs, business incubators

and clusters. The content of the workshop was designed to engage the audience, including people who had

little or no previous experience of cluster development and networking on a European level, such as

university students, in order to raise their awareness of the opportunities available for industrial

development through the development of smart connected clusters. Latvian cluster cases were reviewed

and cross-industry collaboration ideas between clusters were discussed.

Conclusions:

Cluster development in Latvia is a crucial necessity for the implementation of smart specialisation strategies.

Cluster cross-industry collaboration can enhance the competiveness of the clusters and region. Vidzeme

Region’s tourism and food industries’ clusters can develop cross-industry products and services. Also,

collaboration among Latvian IT and Logistics clusters is promising. Development of green logistics solutions

Vidzeme Planning Region (Smart clusters for a new industrial revolution)

Valmiera

23 October 2013

167

can be beneficial to the tourism and food industries in the region. Deeper integration of ICT services,

provided by the Latvian IT cluster, in the tourism, food and logistics industries, can greatly enhance the

overall efficiency of cluster operations.

Quote:

“Specialisation, cooperation and knowledge-sharing.”

More information:

Information about the workshop was published on the following websites:

Vidzeme Planning Region website: http://www.vidzeme.lv/lv/jaunumi/3/126992/

Valmiera business and innovation incubator website: http://www.vbii.lv/zinas/seminars-regionu-klasteru-

sadarbiba-industrialajai-izaugsmei

Alūksne municipality homepage: http://www.aluksne.lv/info_data/info13/okt15_03.pdf

ESfinanses.lv homepage: http://www.esfinanses.lv/lv/a/lapa/jaunumi/15744_vidzemes-planosanas-regions-

aicina-piedalities-saruna-par-klasteru-attistibas-ietekmi-uz-regiona-ekonomisko-izaugsmi

Latvian Association of Local and Regional Government website:

http://lps.lv/?task=view&article_id=3503

Smiltene municipality homepage: http://www.smiltene.lv/aktualitates/open/2408

A press release recapping the event will be published on the Vidzeme Planning Region homepage:

www.vidzeme.lv

http://www.vidzeme.lv/lv/jaunumi/3/126992/

http://www.vbii.lv/zinas/seminars-regionu-klasteru-sadarbiba-industrialajai-izaugsmei

http://www.vbii.lv/zinas/seminars-regionu-klasteru-sadarbiba-industrialajai-izaugsmei

http://www.aluksne.lv/info_data/info13/okt15_03.pdf

http://www.esfinanses.lv/lv/a/lapa/jaunumi/15744_vidzemes-planosanas-regions-aicina-piedalities-saruna-par-klasteru-attistibas-ietekmi-uz-regiona-ekonomisko-izaugsmi

http://www.esfinanses.lv/lv/a/lapa/jaunumi/15744_vidzemes-planosanas-regions-aicina-piedalities-saruna-par-klasteru-attistibas-ietekmi-uz-regiona-ekonomisko-izaugsmi

http://lps.lv/?task=view&article_id=3503

http://www.smiltene.lv/aktualitates/open/2408

http://www.vidzeme.lv/

169

LITHUANIA


Nemunas Euroregion Marijampolė


studionavarra.co.uk Vilnius

Lithuania had one regional partner, one independent partner and two

events organised in the framework of the European Cooperation Day.

The reports of Nemunas Euroregion and studionavarra.co.uk are

enclosed.

170

"Marijampolė – perspectives on employment, business and investment"



Organisers: Marijampolė Municipality

Chair: Aurimas Perednis, journalist, TV announcer and radio broadcaster

Speakers: Vidmantas Brazys, Mayor of Marijampolė

Rūta Skyrienė, Director of the “Investor's Forum” association

Žilvinas Šilėnas, Director of the Lithuanian Free Market Institute

Odeta Bložienė, Head of Personal Finances at Swedbank

Andrius Valickas, representative of the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania

Simonas Petrulis, Project Manager of the Marijampolė Free Economic Zone

Outline:

Marijampolė has a good starting position – the successful development of local business institutions, new

social and cultural projects, and a good position in the region as a centre of important logistics routes. What

local citizens want for the future of the region is to see how it is possible to increase the attractiveness of the

border region using EU funds.

During the panel discussions participants shared their opinions about the attractiveness of the region, used

SWOT analysis, and mentioned that the possibilities for finding a job or starting a business have not changed

in the last five years, as in other regions of Lithuania. The main problems include the complicated

development of small businesses, unemployment and the difficult creation of new job places.

A big problem discussed was a lack of highly qualified workers. Investment in social infrastructure was given

as a possibility for attracting young people to stay in their own region. In recent years Marijampolė has used

EU funds to renew public spaces, rebuild its old town and create a more comfortable environment for

citizens. Participants included: experts; political, economic and press representatives; and regular citizens.

Conclusions:

A well-ordered attractive town with improved social infrastructure and landscaped public spaces will be a

good reason for citizens not to leave and to stay and work there. It is important to attract more investment,

create new jobs and create conditions for encouraging young people to stay in their own town and to earn a

satisfactory salary. The convenient geographical position of the region must be used to attract investment.

Quote:

“Marijampolė – a rapidly developing and attractive area.”

Nemunas Euroregion (ETC and multi-level networks)

Marijampolė

28 October 2013

171

"Geo-ICT, Green Logistics and Green Cities"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: studionavarra.co.uk, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Kaunas University of Technology,

UNFCCC

Chair: Diego Navarra, StudioNavarra

Ieva Meidure & Jolita Sinkiene, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University & Kaunas University of

Technology

Speakers: Assoc. Prof. Dr Jolita Sinkiene, Kaunas University of Technology

Prof. Dr Vida Davidaviciene, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

Assoc. Prof. Dr Jurgita Raudeliuniene, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

Assoc. Prof. Dr Ieva Meidute-Kavaliauskiene, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University

Dr Diego Navarra, StudioNavarra

Outline:

The aim of the workshop is to present the main issues and to discuss with participants possible areas of

interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration on how Geo-ICT can be used in urban planning and

governance to sustain broad urban sustainability initiatives and the greening of urban areas, including e-

government initiatives for knowledge management, the digitisation of public administration, and existing

smart cities projects with an eye on international best practice.

Conclusions:

Future interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration should consider how Geo-ICT (i.e. the

combination of geographical information and information and communication technology) can be used in

support of green logistics towards green cities as envisaged by EU 2020.

Quote:

“The use of modern technologies that are not yet known to the public can directly affect improvements in

urban sustainability as well as raising the level of innovation in government, enterprises and the economy.”

More information:

http://www.studionavarra.co.uk/uploads/1/3/8/4/13847857/studionavarra_vilnius_workshop_november_

2013.pdf

studionavarra.co.uk

Vilnius

22 November 2013

http://www.studionavarra.co.uk/uploads/1/3/8/4/13847857/studionavarra_vilnius_workshop_november_2013.pdf

http://www.studionavarra.co.uk/uploads/1/3/8/4/13847857/studionavarra_vilnius_workshop_november_2013.pdf

173

LUXEMBOURG


Luxembourg

Luxembourg had one regional partner but no information was provided

on the event.

175

MALTA


Maltese Managing Authority Valletta

Malta had one independent partner organising a local event and around

ten events were organised in the framework of the European Cooperation

Day.

The report of the Maltese Managing Authority is enclosed.

176

"Cohesion policy & financial engineering instruments - assessing

opportunities for the 2014–2020 programming period"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Planning and Priorities Coordination Division, Parliamentary Secretariat for the EU Presidency

2017 and EU Funds

Chair: Jonathan Vassallo, Director General, Planning and Priorities Coordination Division, Malta

Speakers: Paul Zahra, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the

Electoral Manifesto, Malta

Ian Borg, Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, Malta

Maria Leander, Secretary General, European Investment Fund

Bruno Robino, Head of Region – Southern Countries, Regional Business Development,

European Investment Fund

Albert Frendo, Chief Officer of Credit, Bank of Valletta plc, Malta

Marek Szczepański, Managing Director of EU Funds, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego

Thomas de Bethune, Policy Officer, Financial Instruments and International Financial

Institutions Relations, DG REGIO

Adam Abdulwahab, Evaluation Officer – Senior Expert for Matrix Interaction, Evaluation and

European Semester, DG REGIO

Ivars Rubenis, Programme Manager, Mortgage and Land Bank of Latvia

Jonathan Vassallo, Director General, Planning and Priorities Coordination Division, Malta

Description:

A group of representatives from local authorities, including the public sector, the private sector, participants

from the banking sector and social partners, got together to discuss a number of themes linked to the

experience of using financial engineering instruments in the 2007-2013 period and next steps. Most of the

discussion focused on the use of financial engineering instruments for the 2014-2020 programming period

and comparisons between the use of financial instruments versus grants.

There were two presentations about Malta’s and Poland’s different experiences with financial instruments

during the 2007-2013 period using structural funds, as well as Latvia’s experience in combining grants and

financial instruments using agricultural funds. The work carried out and challenges encountered by the

European Investment Fund were highlighted in another presentation. One session was dedicated to venture

capital and considerations to be taken into account when deciding whether to use structural funds for

instruments that are the same or similar.

Maltese Managing Authority

Valletta

19 September 2013

177

Following the presentations, a number of questions were put forward to the speakers. A number of

questions were asked on the use of particular instruments. It is the intention of the Maltese authorities to

leave the options open; an ex-ante assessment will be undertaken to assess the market failures within which

financial instruments are to be undertaken in the next programming period. This assessment will take into

account the financing gaps as well as whether there is the critical mass to implement a number of

instruments. Other points raised included the incentives that would need to complement financial

instruments in order to incentivise small businesses in a small country like Malta.

During this conference, the Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU funds, Dr Ian Borg,

announced the top-up of the Malta Jeremie Fund following the successful implementation of the first

allocation of €10 million in 2010. The additional top-up is expected to leverage a further €10 million in

private investment for the benefit of some 100 enterprises.

Conclusions:

This conference - besides providing an overview of Malta’s and other countries’ experiences with financial

engineering - also presented food for thought in terms of the future programming period. Participants were

encouraged to discuss how financial engineering can be used in the future programming period, and the

considerations that need to be taken into account when implementing certain instruments such as venture

capital using structural funds.

The use of financial engineering instruments has increased in recent years, although this will not replace

grants. It is the combination of the two that should be explored in order to create an environment within

which SMEs can invest and grow.

Quote:

“In the next programming period, the Commission will continue pushing for more extensive use of financial

instruments.”

More information:

PPCD website:

Background information on the conference, the conference agenda and all presentations delivered at the

conference are available online at: http://ppcd.gov.mt/news_and_events

Department of Information (DOI) website:

The DOI press release issued in relation to the event can be found here.

Facebook:

The album of event photos is available on this Facebook page.

178

From left: Mr Jonathan Vassallo, Director General, Planning and Priorities Coordination Division,

Malta; Ms Maria Leander, Secretary General, European Investment Fund; and the Hon. Dr Ian Borg,

Parliamentary Secretary for the EU Presidency 2017 and EU Funds, Malta

179

NORWAY


Akershus County (joint event with North Central Sweden) Oslo

Hedmark Karlstad

Mid-Norway Stjørdal

Northern Norway Region Tromsø

Oslo Region – EVENT CANCELLED

South Norway Agder

Stavanger Region Stavanger

West Norway Bergen

The regional partners from Norway had planned eight events.

South Norway had planned a debate on the new EU funding period (2014-

2020) in Agder and how to achieve results through cooperation.

Stavanger Region had planned a seminar to take place on 8 November to

highlight the challenges and opportunities large-scale infrastructure

projects add to regional development, thereby fostering a smarter

Stavanger Region.

The reports of Akershus County, Hedmark, Mid-Norway, Northern

Norway and West Norway are enclosed.

180

“Regional Power for Clean Transport”


Type: Conference

Organisers: Akershus County Council in cooperation with HyER

Chair: Bjørn Simonsen, Moderator

Speakers: County Mayor Anette Solli

Andreas Ziolek, HyER Chair

Kemal Önel, Policy Officer, Clean Transport & Sustainable Urban Mobility Unit, DG MOVE,

European Commission

Brian Meaney, Committee of the Regions, European Union

Konrad Pütz, Senior Engineer, Transnova, Norway

Filip Ehrle Elveling, Project Leader for the Energy & Transport Programme, Nordic Energy

Research Rosario Beretta, Manager for Mercedes-Benz, Daimler AG

Solveig Schytz, Akershus County Council, Chair of the Committee for Planning, Economic

Development and Environment

Thomas Kattenstein, Director, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Network NRW

Frithjof Reul, Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment, Berlin, E-

Mobility

Rob Legdeur, Programme Manager, Amsterdam Electric

Lene Winger Conradi, Mayor, Asker municipality

Ole Henrik Hannisdahl, CEO, Green Car

Benjamin Myklebust, Transport Adviser, ZERO Emission Resource Organisation

Marina Maneas Bakkum, Communications Manager for Nissan Nordic Europe, Dept Norway

Anita Orlund, CEO, Lillestøm Business Area

Frank Meijer, European Fleet Sales & Remarketing Manager at Hyundai Motor Europe

Mikael Sloth, Business Development Manager, H2 Logic

Bjørn Simonsen, Secretary of the Norwegian Hydrogen Council

Ulf Hafseld, Managing Director, HYOP AS

Frank Sagvik, Manager, Akershus Energi

Øystein Ulleberg, Principal Scientist, Institute for Energy Technology IFE

Oddmar Blekkerud, Mayor, Nes municipality

Øystein Ihler, Strategy and Development Director, City of Oslo, Waste-to-Energy Agency

Wojtech Sargalski, Business Development Manager Biowaste, Cambi AS

Tormod Briseid, Head of Department, Bioforsk

Marieke Reijalt, HyER Brussels Office Coordinator

Ola Elvestuen, Chair, the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment, Norwegian

Parliament

Akershus County (European regions and cities empowering electromobility)

Oslo

30-31 October 2013

181

Bernt Reitan Jenssen, CEO, Ruter - public transport in Oslo and Akershus

Dr Stephan Herbst, Senior Manager, Toyota Motor Europe

Jon Sjølander, Director of Strategy, Avinor

Emmanuel Rothan-Cederberg, Global Account Manager, Air Liquide

Olof Källgren, Head of Clean Energy, Merchan LNG, Linde Group

Stefan Petters, President and Owner, guo - Business Development

Outline:

The conference is arranged by Akershus County Council and HyER, the European Association for Hydrogen

and fuel cells and Electromobility in European Regions, and will be the first of what will become an annual

set of conferences arranged in regions around Europe. The series of conferences will be based on the role of

the region when implementing the EU package “Clean Power for Transport: A European alternative fuels

strategy”.

Akershus and HyER will highlight the interaction of politics, research and industry - and regional perspectives

to accelerate clean power for transport. There will be particular emphasis on biofuels,

electromobility/batteries and hydrogen as energy carriers.

Quote:

“Regional Power for Clean Transport.”

Conclusions:

The EU Clean Power for Transport package aims to reduce CO2 emissions from the transport sector by 60%

by 2020. To obtain this, both public transport companies and private car owners have to switch over to

zero-emission fuels. The industry agrees that for the next line of hydrogen vehicles and EVs to sell

successfully, politicians need to create the necessary infrastructure and come up with incentives for

potential buyers. HyER argues that the industry, creators of infrastructure, national authorities and private

owners across Europe have to cooperate, and an international standard for the zero-emission technologies

is needed.

More information:

http://cleantransport.no/

http://cleantransport.no/

182

"Värmland and Hedmark in European Territorial Cooperation:

Networks and Interregional Cooperation"


Type: Presentations

Organisers: Värmland County Administrative Board and Hedmark County Council

Chair: Paul Nemes, Manager, International Secretariat, Värmland County Administrative Board

(Moderator)

Speakers: Robert Andrén, County Director, Värmland County Administrative Board

Paul Nemes, Manager, International Secretariat, Värmland County Administrative Board

Eva Lundin, Senior Adviser, International Unit, Hedmark County Council

Peter Moorman, Project Manager, European Territorial Cooperation, Province of Overijssel

Éamonn McCallion, Research Advisor, Grants and Innovation Office, Karlstad University

Ida Kullgren, Project Officer, International Secretariat, Värmland County Administrative Board

Lennart Blomquist, Senior Adviser, Karlstad University

Karin Karlsson, Head of Unit, Karlstad Municipality

Outline:

The local event was an opportunity not only to communicate on a regional level the content of the OPEN

DAYS workshop in Brussels, but also to look at the themes that were the focus of this: the importance of

networks in interregional cooperation, the importance of active regional participation in interregional

cooperation and the INTERREG IVC mini-programme Brain Flow.

The actual OPEN DAYS workshop and its aims were communicated during the local event. The local event

also presented to participants interregional networking from Värmland’s, Hedmark’s and Overijssel’s

perspectives. The participants were also introduced to interregional cooperation through INTERREG IVC. The

INTERREG IVC mini-programme Brain Flow was used as a concrete example of the importance of networks as

a prerequisite to interregional cooperation. The local event provided an opportunity on a regional level to

increase understanding and knowledge of interregional cooperation.

Conclusions:

During the local event, the speakers communicated the OPEN DAYS concept and underlined the importance

of the OPEN DAYS workshop’s main topic: networks in interregional cooperation. More people in the region

now understand the significance of networks as a prerequisite to cooperation, and more people in the

region are familiar with the concept of interregional cooperation.

Hedmark (ETC and multi-level networks) Joint event with North Central Sweden

Karlstad

16 December 2013

183

Quote: “Cooperation is spelled with two letters only: ‘WE’.” More information:

http://www.lansstyrelsen.se/varmland/Sv/kalender/2013/Pages/open-days---local-event.aspx


184

"Norwegian companies at the forefront of innovation and research"


Type: Conference

Organisers: The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO)

Innovation Norway

Mid-Norway European Office

Trondheim Municipality

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Chair: Jon Uthus, Senior Advisor, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO)

Speakers: Hege Moe Eriksen, Foreign Correspondent Europe, NRK

Niels Engelschiøn, Deputy, the Norwegian Mission to the EU

Tore Myhre, Head of Department – European Politics and Internationalisation, NHO

Tobias Bade Strøm, Special Advisor, Norwegian Research Council

Lisbeth Vassaas, Senior Advisor, Innovation Norway/Enterprise Europe Network

Lars Andre Dahle, Regional Representative Trøndelag, Norwegian Research Council

Johan Pettersen, General Manager, MISA environmental systems analysis

Arve Solheim, General Manager, CerPoTech AS

Gunnar Okstad, Commentator, Adresseavisen

Outline:

The Mid-Norway Region hosts a number of innovative SMEs with potential for growth and market expansion.

This year’s local event targeted the EU’s new programme for research and innovation, Horizon 2020. The

seminar discussed the role of SMEs in the new programme. It looked at the link between R&D and

enterprises, SMEs in particular, and how this needs to be further strengthened. We think this is an area with

great potential in our region.

On Tuesday 5 November, we organised a seminar targeting SMEs, regional and national researchers,

politicians in the Trøndelag area and the general public. The event was divided into three sections: “Horizon

2020 – European targets for economic prosperity through innovation and growth”, “SMEs and possibilities in

Horizon 2020 – part I” (focus on overall EU guidelines and objectives in the new programme), and “SMEs and

possibilities in Horizon 2020 – part II” (SME participation in FP7 projects - examples).

Conclusions:

It is important to showcase that the Mid-Norway region has a huge potential for innovative business growth

through EU project participation. Strengthening such participation will add to the Europe 2020 interlinked

Mid-Norway (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Stjørdal

5 November 2013

185

targets of creating more jobs by incorporating R&D and sustainable thinking into new businesses. At the

same time, participation in the EU market on a level playing field with Member States is a precondition for

the development and expansion of innovative SMEs in our region.

Quote:

“SMEs are sought-after partners in EU research and innovation projects.”

186

"National budget and economic previews for the municipalities

in the region of Northern Norway"


Type: Conference

Organisers: The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS) is the only employers’

association and interest organisation for municipalities, counties and local public enterprises in

Norway.

Chair: Marianne Bremnes, Director of the Board of KS Troms and Mayor of Harstad, Moderator

Speakers: Siri Bjoervig, Section Manager, NST

Kenneth Ruud, Deputy Rector, Research UIT at the Arctic University of Norway

Secretary of State, Ministry of Municipalities and Regions

Trond Hjelmervik-Hansen, Advisor, KS

Geir Runar Johannessen, Regional Director, KS

Anne Grete Skjellanger, Manager, National Campaign for Patient Security

Outline:

Tromsø is the capital of Northern Norway. Northern Norway is a region with a population scattered over

great distances. Telemedicine and e-health are important tools for facilitating living in the north.

The autumn conference is an important meeting place for municipalities and administrators in Northern

Norway. The conference addresses the following themes: the state budget and municipal economy, the

member survey KS, the integrated care reform and cooperation between the university hospital and the

municipalities in the north.

Conclusions:

The themes were successfully addressed during the autumn conference. Representatives from the

municipalities showed interest in our Renewing Health project.

Quote:

“Welfare technology is needed both in large cities and in less populated areas.”

Northern Norway Region (Renewing Health)

Tromsø

17-18 October 2013

187

"West Norway in Europe: projects and financing opportunities

after 2014"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Hordaland County Council

Chair: Kathrin Jakobsen, Head of International Section, Department for Regional Development,

Hordaland County Council, Norway.

Speakers: Tom-Christer Nilsen, County Mayor of Hordaland

Arve Skjerpen, Specialist Director, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Kate Clarke, National Contact Point, North Sea Region Programme

Kirsten Willumsen, Head of Institution-based Services, Bodø municipality

Bjørn Frode Moen, International Adviser, Notodden municipality

Merete Mikkelsen, Director, West Norway Office

Bård Sandal, Director of Regional Development, Hordaland County Council

Outline:

Europe is Norway’s largest trading partner, and economic developments in Europe do have an influence on

the Norwegian economy. We are also facing many of the same challenges as our neighbouring countries in

Europe. Despite the fact that Norway is not part of the European Union, the European Economic Agreement

makes us highly interconnected with the EU Member States. Through participation in many of the EU

programmes we can receive EU funding and participate in international projects concerning regional

development issues.

Through project cooperation we have the opportunity to learn from each other, to explore and to evolve

products and services together. We can build strategic networks and get local communities involved.

Enterprises and industry, volunteer organisations and research and education institutions can work together

with public actors in European networks, creating knowledge-sharing clusters.

The conference focused on the priorities of the INTERREG and EU programmes and the possibilities for

Norwegian participation, with the aim of encouraging actors in the West Norway Region to seize

opportunities within these programmes in the new programming period.

Conclusions:

The new generation of programmes for interregional cooperation (INTERREG) as well as the EU programmes

within the various sectors all provide great opportunities for international cooperation for the West Norway

Region. A poll conducted among participants prior to the local event showed that interest in participating in

a European project is high, but a lack of time and resources is a challenge. It is important to remember that

West Norway (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Bergen

19 November 2013

188

the international project should be part of the municipality or the region. This would also make it easier to

allocate the necessary time and resources to carrying out a project.

Quote:

“International projects can be used to solve many or most local challenges”.

More information:

http://www.brb.no/page/10/article/516/vestlandet-i-europa-europa-i-vestlandet

http://www.brb.no/page/10/article/516/vestlandet-i-europa-europa-i-vestlandet

189

POLAND


City of Lodz Lodz

City of Starogard Starogard Gdański

Kujawsko-Pomorskie Bydgoszcz & Solec-Kujawski

Legnica-Glogowski Legnica

Lodzkie Region Lodz

Lower Silesia Wroclaw

Lubelskie Region Lublin

Lubuskie Region Zielona Góra

Mazovia Warsaw & Modlin

Opolskie Opole

Podlaskie Bialystok

Pomorskie Region Gdańsk

Silesia Region Gliwice

Swietokrzyskie Voivodship Kielce

Warmia and Mazury Olsztyn

Warsaw Warsaw

West Pomerania Szczecin

Wielkopolska Poznań

190

In Poland, eighteen regional partners had planned local events. On top of

these, nine events took place in the framework of the European

Cooperation Day.

Kujawsko-Pomorskie had planned field workshops relating to the current

condition and future of designed water-ways MDW E40 and E70 in

Poland. Legnica-Glogowski had planned regional working group meetings

to take place in Legnica on 15 November on the challenges of energy data

collection. Lower Silesia had planned a seminar to take place in Wrocklaw

on 26 September on the new regional challenges of European Territorial

Cooperation in the new financial perspective 2014-2020. Lubelskie Region

had foreseen a conference in November in Lublin on how to get European

funds for the creation of business partnerships to stimulate and support

sub-specialisation of significant economic development potential, in order

to respond to the question: can cluster and LEDS initiatives be a response

to the economic challenges of the future? Podlaskie wanted to publish a

press release on Podlaskie's participation in OPEN DAYS 2013 and on

regional strategy. West Pomerania had planned a conference at the end

of September in Szczecin on the scope of the European Institute for

Innovation and Technology activities in the trans-regional Baltic

dimension. Wielkopolska had planned a conference in Poznan on 17

October on the Rural Development Programme of Wielkopolska euro-

province.

The reports of the Cities of Lodz and Starogard, Lodzkie Region, Lubuskie

Region, Mazovia, Opolskie, Pomorskie Region, Silesia Region,

Swietokrzyskie Voivodship, Warmia and Mazury, and Warsaw are

enclosed.

191

“Cities facing the new 2014-2020 financing perspective”


Type: Seminar

Organisers: City of Lodz

Chair: Magdalena Michalak – Journalist, regional TV (public channel)

Speakers: Andrzej Brzozowy, Ministry of Regional Development, Department of Spatial Policy, Head of

the Unit of Urban Development

Monika Kłos, Representative of Lublin City Council, Deputy Director of the non-investment

projects in the Department of Culture, Sports and External Relations

Marek Janiak, Representative of Lodz City Council, Architect of the City of Lodz

Michal Zietara, Assistant Director, Ministry of Regional Development, Department Aid

Programmes and Technical Assistance

Marek Szczepanski, Managing Director of BGK (Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego)

Outline:

The City of Lodz’s local event focused on the urban dimension of cohesion policy in the new multiannual

financing framework, particularly emphasising new financing instruments which will be available to cities in

the 2014–2020 perspective. During the conference, the experts invited talked about new trends in the

demographic context of the urban perspective before 2020.

The urban dimension was also discussed in the context of regeneration projects, adapted to the changing

demographic structure of space in Polish cities, and of innovative solutions based on the exchange of

experiences and good practices. Participants also had the opportunity to find out more about Norwegian and

EEA funds, the support that is still available for Poland to use by the end of 2014.

Representatives from research centres, universities, local authorities – neighbouring municipalities, the

urban centres with similar characteristics in terms of demographic and spatial structure, implementing

projects for the development of urban centres with EU funding and with particular emphasis on

regeneration projects.

Conclusions:

From the urban dimension perspective, the new financing framework is crucial for strategic planning in

cities. Cities are facing changes due to a changing demographic structure. Cities should focus on

participating in multilateral projects and networking. In the regeneration context facing the new financing

perspective it is essential to focus on the social perspective.

City of Lodz (European challenges - local solutions)

Lodz

28 June 2013

192

Collaboration between cities is a perfect opportunity for exchanging good practices and learning from

others’ experiences. In the context of urban policy it is very important to focus on the integrated approach,

integrated territorial approach and multilateral management.

Quote:

“An integrated approach will be the City of Lodz’s approach ahead of the new financing perspective.”

More information:

http://uml.lodz.pl/samorzad/regionalne_biuro_wojewodztwa_lodzkiego_w_brukseli_sekcja_miasta_lodzi/ak

tualnosci/?news=23542&rok=2013-06

http://uml.lodz.pl/samorzad/regionalne_biuro_wojewodztwa_lodzkiego_w_brukseli_sekcja_miasta_lodzi/aktualnosci/?news=23542&rok=2013-06

http://uml.lodz.pl/samorzad/regionalne_biuro_wojewodztwa_lodzkiego_w_brukseli_sekcja_miasta_lodzi/aktualnosci/?news=23542&rok=2013-06

193

“Mobility Week”


Type: Many different types of events in parallel with Mobility Week, 16-22 September, including

tournaments, meetings, surveys, open-air events and exhibitions

Organisers: Municipality of Starogard, Starogard Sport and Recreation Centre, Starogard Centre of Culture,

City Public Library, Public Transport Company, KUŹNIA BRACKA Theatre, Medieval Fortified

Settlement OWIDZ, Starogard Art Gallery “A”, POLPHARMA Pharmaceutical Works, local

businesses

Chair: Edmund Stachowicz, Mayor of Starogard

Outline:

Saturday 21 September:

1) Your City – Your Move (“Leave your car at home and get downtown free” action by Public Transportation);

2) First Aid School together with complex health service, diet, sport and recreation consultations (stand on

Old Market Square);

3) Kindergarten playground (Old Market Square);

4) Bicycle tour from Starogard to Owidz (ca. 5 km) and a family picnic there.

Conclusions:

Starogard’s OPEN DAY is combined with European Mobility Week which helps to support interaction and

deliver more powerful communication. On this occasion European matters are being easily promoted

through all sorts of events which attract the broadest possible audience.

More information:

www.starogard.pl

http://www.starogard.pl/pl/dokumenty/etzt_2013

City of Starogard (Local urban development European network)

Starogard Gdański

16 – 22 September, with main event on

21 September 2013

http://www.starogard.pl/

http://www.starogard.pl/pl/dokumenty/etzt_2013

194

"5th European Funds Forum of the Lodzkie Region"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie Region: Department of Regional Policy, Department of Human

Capital Operational Programme and Entrepreneur Service Centre

Chair: Przemysław Zaremba, BDKM, Moderator

Speakers: Witold Stępień, Marshal of the Lodzkie Region

Artur Stelmach, Director of the Department of Regional Policy, Marshal’s Office of the Lodzkie

Region

Ewa Paturalska-Nowak, Director of the Spatial Planning Office of the Lodzkie Region

Michał Piwowarczyk, Director of the Ministry of Regional Development

Dorota Miziołek, Director, Corporate Finance, KPMG Advisory

Piotr Kalita, Manager of the Polish PPP project “Mineral water swimming pool complex in

Solec Zdrój”

Outline:

The Lodzkie Region is located in central Poland. Its shape resembles a circle, whose central point is its capital

city – Lodz. The region borders onto six other regions. Within the region the geometrical north-south and

east-west axes of Poland intersect. This is why it is a good area for transit, which is one of its valuable assets.

The Lodzkie Region is characterised by its cultural diversity. For many years it has been inhabited by four

nations: Poles, Jews, Germans and Russians. It is without a doubt that both the diverse folk culture and the

working-class culture that developed in the 19th

and 20th

centuries in the textile industry centre had an

impact on regional identity. Today, regional integration and development are the priorities undertaken by

the autonomous government of the region.

On Thursday 24 October a specific conference was organised which focused on the experiences of the

Lodzkie Region with regard to the implementation of structural funds in the years 2007-2013, and gave a

brief overview of the plans for the next programming period. Additionally, participants in the forum had the

opportunity to hear from experts and practitioners on the PPP theme.

Conclusions:

The local event showcased some examples of regional projects and initiatives that tackle key European

challenges, as well as being a forum for sharing best practices and improving local service delivery. It also

brought the Brussels OPEN DAYS back to the Lodzkie Region.

Lodzkie Region (European challenges - local solutions)

Lodz

24 October 2013

195

More information:

http://www.rpo.lodzkie.pl/wps/wcm/connect/rpo/rpo/strona_glowna/informacja_i_promocja/forum_fundu

szy_eu

http://www.rpo.lodzkie.pl/wps/wcm/connect/rpo/rpo/strona_glowna/informacja_i_promocja/forum_funduszy_eu

http://www.rpo.lodzkie.pl/wps/wcm/connect/rpo/rpo/strona_glowna/informacja_i_promocja/forum_funduszy_eu

196

"The funding possibilities from European Territorial Cooperation

in Lubuskie Region (Poland-Saxony ETC Programme)”


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Regional Contact Point in Lubuskie Region (Poland-Saxony European Territorial Cooperation

Programme), Regional Contact Point in Zielona Góra

Speakers: Meetings managed by the consultants from the Regional Contact Point of the Poland-Saxony

ETC Programme:

Arleta Glądała - Anna Kosińska – Malinowska; Iwona Głośniak

and from the Joint Technical Secretariat: Justyna Kurasiak

Outline:

The event took place on 14 October 2013 in Zielona Góra. Being a border region, Lubuskie benefits greatly

from European Territorial Cooperation funds in working together with its neighbours. That is the reason why

the region also encourages its public institutions, NGOs, SMEs and any other potential beneficiaries,

together with German partners, to look for solutions to their common challenges that will strengthen the

economic and social cohesion of both regions.

The information day and its meetings were focused on the possibilities of EU funding for cross-border

cooperation projects, evaluation and admission criteria, but also on discussing the main challenges that the

beneficiaries have to face while realising projects. Potential beneficiaries also had the chance to discuss their

project plans and ideas with the consultants from the Regional Contact Point during individual meetings.

Conclusions:

The Poland-Saxony European Territorial Cooperation Programme is a useful tool that allows both regions to

benefit from their neighbouring location. The programme covers finance projects responding to common

challenges, supporting the development of infrastructure and the environment, and helping to connect

business, science and people from both sides of the border. During the period of 2007-2013, in the

framework of the Poland-Saxony ETC Programme, a total of 130 projects were financed. Thanks to the

experience and knowledge gathered during the previous programming period, beneficiaries can witness the

real impact of European cross-border cooperation and better prepare for the new financial perspective.

More information:

www.lubuskie.pl

Lubuskie Region (European challenges - local solutions)

Zielona Góra

14 October 2013

http://www.lubuskie.pl/

197

«Cities – development through innovation»


Type: Conference

Organisers: Mazovia Development Agency Plc and Warsaw School of Economics

Chair: Agnieszka Zdanowicz, Communication Manager - Mazovia Development Agency Plc

Marek Bryx, Vice Dean of Management, Warsaw School of Economics

Speakers: Agata Ciołkosz-Styk, Institute of Geodesy and Cartography

Linda Durrzapf, CEIT Alanova

Adela Marcoci, CEIT Alanova

Maciej Huculak, Institute of Urban Development

Kinga Czenczek, Warsaw School of Economics

Krzysztof Huhra, Edinburgh World Heritage Trust

Rafał Nadolny, Mazovia Heritage Trust

Leszek Narkowicz, Plock City Council

Piotr Ratajczyk, Konkret Group Plc

Piotr Popik, Mazovia Development Agency Plc

Marzenna Cichosz, Katarzyna Nowicka, Aneta Pluta-Zaremba, Warsaw School of Economics

Krzysztof Buczkowski, CIFAL Plock

Outline:

The conference "Cities - development through innovation", under the honorary patronage of the Marshal of

the Mazowieckie Voivodeship Adam Struzik, was organised by Mazovia Development Agency Plc together

with the Warsaw School of Economics.

The meeting was divided into three thematic sessions concerning the use of innovation in the management

of the city and the processes occurring in it.

The speakers presented their projects in the areas of satellite applications, revitalisation, heritage and

transport. This event was an opportunity to see the innovative mobile services presented by guests from the

Central Institute of Technology in Vienna, as well as cultural heritage management by Edinburgh World

Heritage. The meeting promoted good practice in the management of the city as well as new activities for

the development of urban policy.

The second part of the meeting was devoted to a study visit to the biggest military monument from the

times of Napoleon - Modlin Fortress. During the guided tour, guests saw the fortress and became acquainted

with the problems of managing a monument of this scale.

Mazovia (Innovative knowledge-based regions)

Warsaw

28 November 2013

Modlin

29 November 2013

198

“Public spaces of the Opolskie Region - economic and social aspects”


Type: Conference

Organisers: Marshal Office of Opolskie Region

Chair: Jacek Tabor, Head of the Division for Spatial Planning, Moderator

Speakers: Tomasz Kostuś, Vice-marshal of Opolskie Region

Tomasz Ossowicz, Technical University of Wrocław

Jan Oleniecki, Architecture Intern at Atelier Architektury

Maciej Mazurek, Architect- expert in architectural conservation

Outline:

In 2012 Opolskie Region launched its Special Demographic Zone. By the year 2035, Opolskie Voivodship’s

population is expected to decrease by a whopping 12 per cent - as much as if the entire city of Opole

(population 120 000), the voivodship’s capital, were empty. The special incentives that the region is planning

to implement include longer maternity leave, grater employment guarantees for mothers, and special tax

breaks for families with a large number of children. Regional authorities are also aware that they need to

invest in spatial planning and improvements in the quality of life of community members.

This conference on attractive public spaces of the Opolskie Voivodeship was focused on the socio-economic

situation of the Opolskie Region in the context of spatial planning. Discussion included opportunities and

treats that appear in Polish public spaces. During the debate experts underlined the fact that the region

needs planning as a basis for the distribution of growth and separation of function (e.g. living, working, etc.).

Representatives of local authorities reminded attendees of the necessity of new developments, new

construction, and the development of infrastructure as an incentive for investment. The debate treated

mainly technical and thorny issues; however, the overall objective is about improving quality of life and

making people stay and live in the region.

Conclusions:

Demographic change in Poland considerably determines planning needs. Politicians and all of the

stakeholders of public spaces try to face the new demographic situation and see new demand and

expectations. Society’s ageing process, a change of lifestyle and the rising expectations of young inhabitants

must be taken into consideration when working on new spatial development plans. Opolskie Region, within

the Special Demographic Zone in the region’s territory, is going to pay special attention to spatial

development, which is an important factor in growth-oriented policy.

Opolskie (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

Opole

20 November 2013

199

Quote:

“Holistic concepts are crucial for spatial development when facing demographic challenges.”

More information:

www.opolskie.pl

200

"Pomorskie Energy Days 2013"


Type: Energy Fair

Organisers: “Pomorskie in the European Union” Association

Chair: Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodship

Speakers: Andrzej Stankiewicz, solicitor, Kancelaria Radców Prawnych Stankiewicz Własów i partnerzy

Katarzyna Grecka, Vice-president of the Baltic Energy Conservation Agency

Tadeusz Żurek, Office of the Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodship

Jarosław Kumięga, Office of the Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodship

Piotr Kaliszczuk, ADM Consulting Group

Justyna Pawłowska, Gdańsk University of Technology

Marek Michalak, LM Consulting

Małgorzata Maria Klawiter-Piwowarska, Office of the Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodship

Investors, representatives of academia and local and regional authorities

Outline:

The Pomorskie Energy Days 2013 in Gdańsk was the biggest energy fair in Northern Poland, aimed at

increasing energy efficiency in everyday life. The event, consisting of a series of workshops, lectures and

debates, was held from 24 to 25 October 2013. The main goal was to promote innovative and sustainable

solutions for energy production and everyday consumption.

Together with the 9th

Industrial Technology, Science and Innovation Fair TECHNICON-INNOVATION 2013,

which took place at the same time, the Pomorskie Energy Days 2013 constituted a major event promoting

scientific institutions and companies in the energy and construction sectors from Pomorskie Region and

beyond. Thanks to the combination of these events, a comprehensive presentation of the energy industry

was given. The event was free of charge and open to the general public.

Conclusions:

Sustainable energy is one of the main aspects that Europe should consider in looking forward to the future.

Renewable energy provides possibilities that people should be aware of. Pomorskie Dni Energii (Pomorskie

Energy Days) was an event that gave inhabitants of the region the opportunity to look more closely at the

matter and encouraged them to make better conscious energy choices in everyday life.

Quote:

“Wise energy choices lead to sustainable growth.”

Pomorskie Region (Grow with ideas! Business, culture, tourism!)

Gdańsk

24-25 October 2013

201

More information:

http://www.pomorskie-eu.pl/pl/pomorskie-dni-energii-2013,ps,81.html

http://www.pomorskie-eu.pl/pl/galeria,pomorskie-dni-energii-2013,zdjecia,75.html

https://www.facebook.com/pomorskiednienergii

http://www.tvp.pl/gdansk/aktualnosci/spoleczne/pomorskie-dni-energii/12803633

http://amberexpo.pl/title,Jezyk,pid,1448,lang,1.html

http://amberexpo.pl/title,Jezyk,pid,1448,lang,1.html

202

"Observatory cooperation model in the technological development

of the region"



Organisers: European Social Fund Department, Marshal Office of Silesian Voivodeship

Regional Office of Silesia in Brussels

Environment Observatory – Central Mining Institute

ICT Observatory – Science & Technology Park TECHNOPARK GLIWICE

Energy Observatory – Science & Technology Park EURO-CENTRUM

Medical Observatory – Upper Silesia agency for promotion of entrepreneurship; Foundation of

Cardiac Surgery Development; Institute of Medical Technology and Equipment

Chair: Barbara Szafir, Deputy Director of European Social Fund Department, Marshal Office of Silesia

Voivodeship

Speakers: Main session: Barbara Szafir, Deputy Director of European Social Fund Department, Marshal

Office

Four sessions hosted by three specific observatories:

Magdalena Chawuła – Kosuri, Director of the Regional Office of Silesia in Brussels

Jan Bondaruk, Environment Observatory – Central Mining Institute

Jacek Kotra; Rafał Żelazny, ICT Observatory – Science & Technology Park TECHNOPARK

GLIWICE

Patryk Białas, Energetic Observatory – Science & Technology Park EURO-CENTRUM,

Izabela Czeremcha, Medical Observatory – Upper Silesia agency for promotion of

entrepreneurship

Outline:

A factor perceived as conclusive concerning the current state and level of competitiveness of the region and

the business sector is the ability to create innovation and the uptake of innovative technological solutions

resulting from research and development institutes, universities and scientific research. Knowledge

management and intellectual capital become a necessity. Improving these skills can and should be

implemented with the participation of R&D.

The Regional Specialised Observatories Network responds to the needs of the region in terms of creating a

modern mechanism for monitoring the effects of innovative development in the region in various

technological areas identified under the Technology Development Programme of Silesia Voivodeship. In

terms of the wider network of observatories, it will be an important element in the verification and

evaluation of the implementation of development policy within the limits of regional specialisation. The

Silesia Region (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Gliwice

22 November 2013

203

activities of the observatory network are focused on collecting and processing expertise in the areas of

technology, monitoring technological trends and the economic evaluation of the endogenous technological

capacity of Silesia Region. Observatories, despite their potential for commercial activities, play an important

role of a public nature. This involves the consolidation of strategic data and reporting, the provision of

various services to regional authorities, analyses that serve to indicate the possibility of development and

identifying so-called "weak signals" that can contribute to the reorientation of policy support in a given area.

The assumption is that the network of observatories can become in the future a mechanism for periodic

(annual or more frequent) assessment and verification of the results of development objectives in the field

of regional innovation.

The observatory network extension of new specialised observatories will help to create a comprehensive

source of data and information technology areas in the region, and to develop the Regional Network of

Information Exchange for Silesia Region. This network will provide support in order to strengthen the

economic potential of the region and for the formation of a competitive advantage based on cooperation.

Further development of these networks will help to initiate key projects for the Province of Silesia, and will

also be a source of valuable knowledge for similar initiatives on a national level.

Conclusions:

The Observatory Network has once again proved its added value to the development of the economic

potential of regions. As the case study of Silesia Region shows, the Regional Innovation System, built among

other things on the Regional Innovation Strategy and the Technology Development Programme for 2010-

2020, is definitely improving economic conditions, supporting inclusive growth, creating competitive

advantages for regional actors and approaching the goals established in the Europe 2020 Strategy.

Quote:

“The interdisciplinary cooperation of observatories provides added value to the inclusive, sustainable and

smart development of regions.”

More information:

http://ris.slaskie.pl/pl/aktualnosc/0/1385464700/0/0

http://ris.slaskie.pl/pl/aktualnosc/0/1385464700/0/0

204

"How to cooperate to produce more, healthier and better food?"


Type: Experts' debate

Organisers: The Marshal’s Office of the Swietokrzyskie Voivodship (Regional Authority), Sandomierz

Exporters' Association, Sandomierz District Office, Swietokrzyskie Region Office in Brussels

Chair: Kazimierz Kotowski, Member of the Regional Board in the Marshal’s Office of the

Swietokrzyskie Voivodship (Regional Authority)

Speakers: Grzegorz Orawiec, Director of the Regional Policy Department in the Marshal’s Office of the

Swietokrzyskie Voivodship (Regional Authority)

Wojciech Dzieciuch, Vice-president of the Sandomierz District Office

Wojciech Borzęcki, Businessman

Outline:

Swietokrzyskie`s local event focused on the practical situation of the healthy food producers in the region. Its

aim was to discover which tools should be used to gain more efficiency in producing and selling products.

How can regional policy affect the process of growing, the level of quality, the level of production and the

level of employment in regional economy branches? Experts focused on the subject of clustering processes

among regional producers, which is a good direction for cooperation. Finally, the main goal of the debate

was: what should be changed in marketing policy to raise export levels?

The event showcased some examples of regional projects and good practices in the region. This project

opened the discussion on that topic, and built a favourable climate and raised awareness about the

importance of this issue, as discussed in Brussels during the OPEN DAYS in the days following the local event.

It also encouraged experts from the region to take part in future OPEN DAYS events, as their points of view

represented an important voice in the Brussels debate.

Conclusions:

The event was aimed at elected local politicians, officers and practitioners from local authorities, the

regional development agency, social partners, universities, non-governmental organisations and project

partners from across the region.

Swietokrzyskie Voivodship (Agri-food innovators)

Kielce

12 November 2013

205

More information:

http://multimedia.wrota-swietokrzyskie.pl/-/jak-wspolpracowac-aby-produkowac-wiecej-zdrowiej-i-lepiej-

http://pio.wrota-swietokrzyskie.pl/web/guest/pio/zawartosc/-/asset_publisher/6cAE/content/jak-

wspolpracowac-by-produkowac-wiecej-zdrowiej-i-lepiej?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fpio.wrota-

swietokrzyskie.pl%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Fpio%3Fp_p_id%3D101_INSTANCE_F9Uh%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p

_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-

2%26p_p_col_pos%3D1%26p_p_col_count%3D3

http://www.sejmik.kielce.pl/dla-mediow/aktualnosci/item/37576-debata-europa-w-naszym-regionie

http://multimedia.wrota-swietokrzyskie.pl/-/jak-wspolpracowac-aby-produkowac-wiecej-zdrowiej-i-lepiej-

http://pio.wrota-swietokrzyskie.pl/web/guest/pio/zawartosc/-/asset_publisher/6cAE/content/jak-wspolpracowac-by-produkowac-wiecej-zdrowiej-i-lepiej?redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fpio.wrota-swietokrzyskie.pl%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Fpio%3Fp_p_id%3D101_INSTANCE_F9Uh%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-2%26p_p_col_pos%3D1%26p_p_col_count%3D3





http://www.sejmik.kielce.pl/dla-mediow/aktualnosci/item/37576-debata-europa-w-naszym-regionie

206

"The European Union is changing Warmia and Mazury Region"


Type: Competition and exhibition

Organisers: Europe Direct Olsztyn / Warmia & Mazury Agricultural Chamber, Autonomous Government of

the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, Regional Office of the Warminsko-Mazurskie

Voivodeship in Brussels

Speakers: Anna Wasilewska, Member of the Board of the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship

Jolanta Mackiewicz, Coordinator of Europe Direct Olsztyn

Outline:

Olsztyn is the capital of the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship and is the largest city of the region, inhabited

by some 176 000 people. Due to its official function, the city houses all the most important institutions of the

area and draws investors from all over the country. Olsztyn is also a renowned cultural and academic centre,

boasting a large philharmonic orchestra and a university in addition to its numerous cinemas, theatres and

cafes. The city is heavily influenced by both Polish and German cultures, which manifest themselves in the

cuisine and customs of its inhabitants.

Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship is the fourth largest region in Poland and one of the poorest, but thanks

to European funds, Warmia and Mazury Region is still developing, creating new workplaces, roads,

renovated school buildings, rural community centres, playgrounds, tourist facilities, computer rooms, forest

trails, water supplies and help for entrepreneurs.

In the middle of September organisers announced the drawing competition for young people “The European

Union is changing Warmia and Mazury Region”. The competition was open to students (aged 13-16) of

secondary schools in Warmia and Mazury Region. We wanted to encourage them to take an active interest

in issues of the European Union and European Funds. Students had to design and make a poster in

accordance with the theme of the competition.

The competition was combined with the exhibition "The European Union is changing Warmia and Mazury",

open to the general public, to raise awareness among citizens about how the region is changing following

accession to the EU. Organisers received 52 posters and the special competition committee selected the

winners:

1. Wiktoria Koniarz, Gymnasium No. 11, Olsztyn; and 2. Sylwia Głozak, School Complex in Zalewo, Dagmara

Weder Grygielewicz, Gymnasium No. 3, Olsztyn.

On Monday 21 October 2013 the exhibition opened and all 52 posters were presented to the general public.

The citizens of Olsztyn and the inhabitants of Warmia and Mazury Region were able to see the posters

prepared by young people until Friday 8 November 2013, in an exhibition located in the centre of Olsztyn

(the Provincial Public Library in Olsztyn, Stare Miasto 33).

Warmia and Mazury (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Olsztyn

21 Oct. – 8 Nov. 2013

207

Conclusions:

Young people are able to see how European funds are changing the local area and how they have a huge

impact on their daily life. Thanks to the young artists, the general public (politicians, teachers, women,

senior citizens, rural populations, etc.), were able to observe how the EU is changing Warmia and Mazury

Region.

Quote:

“Warmia and Mazury is a region which is still developing thanks to EU funds.”

More information:

http://www.warmia.mazury.pl/rozwoj-regionu/unia-europejska-zmienia-warmie-i-mazury-%E2%80%93-dzis-

rozstrzygniecie-konkursu

http://www.europedirect-olsztyn.pl/main.php?fid=397&pg=8&type=full&id_lang=0&liid=21402

http://www.olsztyn24.com/news/21589-pokazali-jak-unia-europejska-zmienia-warmie-i-mazury.html

http://www.warmia.mazury.pl/rozwoj-regionu/unia-europejska-zmienia-warmie-i-mazury-%E2%80%93-dzis-rozstrzygniecie-konkursu

http://www.warmia.mazury.pl/rozwoj-regionu/unia-europejska-zmienia-warmie-i-mazury-%E2%80%93-dzis-rozstrzygniecie-konkursu

http://www.europedirect-olsztyn.pl/main.php?fid=397&pg=8&type=full&id_lang=0&liid=21402

http://www.olsztyn24.com/news/21589-pokazali-jak-unia-europejska-zmienia-warmie-i-mazury.html

208

"Warsaw Senior Citizens Week"


Type: Workshops, meetings, conferences

Organisers: City of Warsaw and the association Cities on the Internet (Stworzyszenie Miasta w Internecie)

Speakers: Speakers of E-senior: web security and everyday security conference:

Tomasz Pactwa, Director of Community Support Services and Projects Department, City of

Warsaw

Joanna Dolińska-Dobek, Vice-director of Community Support Services and Projects

Department, City of Warsaw

Anna Tyrała, Project Coordinator, Cities on the Internet association

Artur Krawczyk, Secretary of the association Cities on the Internet

Marcin Karczewski, Spokesman of the Consumer Ombudsman Bureau, City of Warsaw

Paweł Pławecki, Spokesman of the Capital Police Command Office

Artur Kustosz, volunteer activist, Cities on the Internet association

Outline:

Responding to the demographic challenge of an ageing society, the city of Warsaw is preparing the

interdisciplinary strategic programme “Warsaw – senior-friendly city”. Thanks to its assumptions, Warsaw

will join European cities which implement best practices concerning social activities for older people. One of

the main challenges indicated in the programme is to counteract the digital exclusion of senior citizens.

Warsaw Senior Citizens Week was focused on introducing senior citizens to new technologies. Seniors

participated in several free local events held on each day of the week – workshops, consultations and

presentations:

2 December – Kick-off conference: E-senior: web security and everyday security with the participation of the

Spokesman of the Consumer Ombudsman Bureau and the Spokesman of the Capital Police Command Office

3 December – Intergenerational Reading: books, audiobooks, e-books

4 December – E-point for seniors: individual consultations and presentations on new technologies

5 December – Workshop on the use of tablets, smartphones and digital cameras

6 December – Intergenerational Games: PlayStation, board and Internet games

7 December – various activities for seniors: cooking workshop, digital photography and blogs consultations,

virtual travelling.

8 December – various activities for seniors: individual consultations, virtual travelling and over 90 associated

events in Warsaw prepared by non-governmental organisations, universities of the third age, other

institutions and commercial partners interested in seniors’ activeness.

Warsaw (Active ageing)

Warsaw

2-8 December 2013

209

Conclusions:

As older people are the group with the highest digital exclusion rate, the city of Warsaw seeks to implement

various projects aiming at introducing seniors to new technologies. Warsaw Senior Citizens Week provided

seniors with an opportunity to take part in workshops, presentations and individual consultations on IT skills

and the use of electronic devices – free of charge.

The high interest shown by participants in the course of Senior Citizens Week indicated a strong need for a

long-term e-counselling system for seniors. Based on that experience, the city of Warsaw plans to continue

actions of such a kind, seeking to extend the group of beneficiaries from 262 to approximately 1000 and to

locate consultation points in every city district.

More information:

www.warszawa.ngo.pl/wiadomosc/939737.html

http://politykaspoleczna.um.warszawa.pl/aktualnosci/warszawski-tydzie-seniora-2-8-grudnia-2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/178256469048041/

https://www.um.warszawa.pl/aktualnosci/trwa-warszawki-tydzie-seniora

http://www.warszawa.ngo.pl/wiadomosc/939737.html

http://politykaspoleczna.um.warszawa.pl/aktualnosci/warszawski-tydzie-seniora-2-8-grudnia-2013

https://www.facebook.com/events/178256469048041/

https://www.um.warszawa.pl/aktualnosci/trwa-warszawki-tydzie-seniora

211

PORTUGAL


Azores Horta

Centro Region of Portugal Marinha Grande

City of Amadora – 2 events Amadora

Eurocidade Tui-Valença (Galicia) Trilho da Carvoeira

Xunta da Galicia / Eurocity of Chaves-Verín Chaves

North of Portugal (joint event with Guimarães) Viana do Castelo


Congress of European Emerging Regions Beja

Eight local events were planned to be organised by the regional partners.

Furthermore, one independent partner organised an event and one event

was organised in the framework of the European Cooperation Day.

All reports are enclosed.

212

"Sharing knowledge on the Azores Maritime Area: forum

in support of decision making"


Type: Forum

Organisers: Regional Government of the Azores

Chair: Rodrigo Oliveira, Under-secretary of the Presidency for External Relations, Regional

Government of the Azores

Filipe Porteiro, Regional Director for Sea Affairs, Regional Government of the Azores

Hélder Marques da Silva, Director of Fisheries and Oceanography Department, Azores

University

João Gregório, Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Culture, Regional Government of

the Azores

Paulo Borges, Azores University, Department of Agricultural Science

Speakers: Marco Aurélio Santos, (Regional Government of the Azores)

Pedro Afonso, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/IMAR)

Helena Calado, (Azores University, Department of Biology)

Marta Chantal Ribeiro, (Oporto University, Faculty of Law)

Joana Micael, (Azores University, Department of Biology)

Ana Costa, (Azores University, Department of Biology)

Octavio Llinás, (PLOCAN, Canary Islands)

Ana Colaço, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/IMAR)

Maria do Carmo Barreto, (Azores University, Department of Biology)

Helena Vasconcelos, (Azores University, Technological Sciences and Development

Department)

Sílvia Lino, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/IMAR)

Cristy Pattengil-Semmens, (REEF – USA)

Mário R. Pinho, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries)

Henrique Ramos, (Private Company, SeaExpert)

Miguel Machete, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/IMAR)

Mirko de Girolamo, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/IMAR)

Rogério Ferraz, (Regional Government of Azores, Regional Fisheries Inspection)

Vanda Carmo, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/IMAR)

Joana B. Ramos, (Azores University, Department of Agricultural Science)

Francesca Gallo, (Azores University, Department of Agricultural Science)

Eva Giacomello, (Azores Sea Observatory)

José Bettencourt, (Centre for Overseas History (CHAM)/Faculty of Social and Human Sciences

of the New University of Lisbon and Azores University)

Carla Dâmaso, (Azores Sea Observatory)

Azores (Blue biotechnology regions of Europe)

Horta


213

Márcia Dutra, (Azores Sea Observatory)

Paulo Borges, (Azores University, Department of Agricultural Science)

Marc Fernandez, (Azores University, Department of Biology & Nova Atlantis Foundation)

Karin Hartman, (Azores University, Department of Biology & Nova Atlantis Foundation)

João Barcelos, (Azores University, Department of Agricultural Science)

Frederico Cardigos, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/IMAR)

Jorge Fontes, (Azores University, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries/IMAR)

Manuela Parente, (Azores University, Department of Biology)

Outline:

During two days, about 80 national and international experts, representing several sectors of sea activities,

presented their work and ideas in this scientific forum. Open and informal debates were held on multiple

issues related to the Azores Sea. The importance of listening to scientists and other stakeholders of the

Azores Sea was demonstrated in order to provide the best information available about these topics to the

decision-making level. This information will be useful in terms of future political decisions by the Regional

Government of the Azores.

Conclusions:

This encounter between regional administrations and a diversity of stakeholders contributed to creating

open and inclusive communication, which can be used as a starting point for the definition of strategies and

policies towards blue growth, within a European context (Integrated Maritime Policy, EU Strategy for the

Atlantic Region).

As an added value, this event provided a venue for the creation and strengthening of networks among the

sectors related to maritime activities. Finally, the debates provided an opportunity for the full inclusion of

the general public, with exchanges of ideas and knowledge.

The Regional Government of the Azores envisages organising another edition of this event in 2014.

More information:

http://www.azores.gov.pt/Gra/srrn-mar/conteudos/livres/Conhecer+o+Mar+dos+Acores.htm

http://www.azores.gov.pt/Gra/srrn-mar/conteudos/livres/Conhecer+o+Mar+dos+Acores.htm

214

"The role of technology transfer organisations in the

reindustrialisation process”


Type: Workshop

Organisers: CCDRC - Regional Coordination and Development Commission of Centro Portugal, in

partnership with Centimfe – Technological Center for the Mouldmaking, Special Tooling and

Plastics Industries

Chair: Paulo Cunha, Innovation Public Agency, Moderator of the 1

st panel

Paulo Bártolo, Director of the Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development (CDRsp),

Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Moderator of the round table

Speakers: Augusto Mateus, Consultant from Augusto Mateus & Associados

Thomas Bergs, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Germany

Pedro Saraiva, TagusValley

Alcântara Gonçalves, RECET – National Network of Technological Centres

Hugo Coelho, PCI Aveiro

Joaquim Menezes, Centimfe – Technological Center for the Mouldmaking, Special Tooling and

Plastics Industries

Victor Ferreira, Sustainable Habitat Cluster

Pedro Saraiva, Coordination and Development Commission of Centro Portugal

Outline:

The workshop aimed at discussing the role of technological infrastructures in the reindustrialisation process

and, more broadly, in economic, social and territorial development processes.

Prof. Augusto Mateus was the keynote speaker and provided his vision on this theme, namely the way the

Portuguese economy should internationalise and the role of Centro Region, a region that never de-

industrialised, in this process.

The first panel benefited from the participation of a representative from the Fraunhofer IPT, which allowed a

discussion on the different models for supporting technology transfer with Portuguese representatives from

technological centres and science parks.

In the round table that followed the break – during which attendees took the opportunity to visit the

exhibition of products and services provided by these infrastructures – the discussion was around three main

issues: (i) how should these infrastructures be organised and financed; (ii) how should they align themselves

with regional, national and European priorities; and (iii) how to promote articulation with companies, which

is crucial for the process of valorisation of the knowledge produced/transfer of technology?

The lively discussion between representatives of entrepreneurs, science and technology parks, clusters and

public administration was fully participated in by the public, which clearly shows the central role that these

infrastructures play in the knowledge economy.

Centro Region of Portugal (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Marinha Grande

14 November 2013

215

Conclusions:

The central role of technology transfer infrastructures has been widely recognised for a long time. However,

the present context, namely the commitment to the development of the regional economy based on

knowledge and responsible, structural and resilient competitiveness, puts additional emphasis on this role.

Science and technology parks, incubators, technology centres, technology transfer units and clusters will

face a big challenge in meeting the 2020 regional collective ambition of improving both employment and

wealth production. Innovation and entrepreneurship are key elements to reaching these goals.

Quote:

“Centro is a region that never de-industrialised and has a key role in the development and the

internationalisation of the Portuguese economy.”

216

"We are Amadora"


Type: Photo exhibition

Organisers: Municipality of Amadora

Outline:

2013 is the European Year of Citizens, constituting "an opportunity to sensitise the general public about the

rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship of the Union". The Municipality of Amadora joined this

initiative by holding two events, giving visibility to and valuing the cultural diversity present in the city, as

well as strengthening intercultural and interreligious relations.

The photo exhibition was integrated into the programme of the 34th

Anniversary of the City of Amadora,

aiming to be a display about people who live in, work in and pass through Amadora; organised by Camilla

Watson, it involved several local organisations and people on an individual basis.

Conclusions:

Photo exhibition - giving visibility to and highlighting the cultural diversity present in Amadora and

strengthening intercultural relations.

More information:

www.cm-amadora.pt

www.acidi.gov.pt

Video: http://www.tvamadora.com/Video.aspx?videoid=2174

City of Amadora (Local urban development European network)

Amadora

5 Sep. – 4 Oct. 2013

http://www.cm-amadora.pt/

http://www.acidi.gov.pt/

http://www.tvamadora.com/Video.aspx?videoid=2174

218

"Interreligious dialogue - a contribution to citizenship

in times of globalisation?”


Type: Forum

Organisers: Municipality of Amadora and the High Commissioner for Immigration and Intercultural

Dialogue (HCIID)

Chair: Cristina Farinha, City Councillor

Rosário Farmhouse, High Commissioner for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue

Inês Saraiva Azevedo, Coordinator of the European Year of Citizens 2013

Speakers: Helena Vilaça, Sociologist, Researcher at the Institute of Sociology of the Universidade do

Porto

Abdool Vakil, President of the Islamic Community of Lisbon

Frei Francisco Sales Diniz, Director of the Obra Católica Portuguesa de Migrações (Catholic

Church)

José Oulman Carp, President of the Comunidade Israelita de Lisboa (Jewish Community of

Lisbon)

Pr. Jorge Humberto, President of the Aliança Evangélica Portuguesa (Portuguese Evangelical

Alliance)

Sarojben Parshotam, Comunidade Hindu de Portugal (Hindu Community of Portugal)

Pe. Arsénio Sokolov, Igreja Ortodoxa Russa (Russian Orthodox Church)

Zohora Pirbhai, Ismaili, Comunidade Muçulmana Ismaili de Portugal (Muslim Community in

Portugal)

Ana Zorro, National Secretary of the Comunidade Baha'i de Portugal (Community Baha'i of

Portugal)

Arcipreste Fernando Santos, Igreja Lusitana – Comunhão Anglicana (Lusitanian Church -

Anglican Communion)

Paulo Borges, President of the União Budista Portuguesa (Portuguese Buddhist Union)

Manuel Vilas Boas, Journalist

Fernando Soares Loja, President of the Comissão da Liberdade Religiosa (Religious Freedom

Commission)

Ana Isabel Xavier/Ana Bela Lopes/Gabriela Silva, Training Team of the High Commissioner for

Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue

City of Amadora (Local urban development European network)

Amadora

21 November 2013

219

Outline:

2013 is the European Year of Citizens, constituting "an opportunity to sensitise the general public about the

rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship of the Union”. Amadora is associated with this initiative

by holding two events (a photo exhibition and a forum), giving visibility to and valuing the cultural mosaic

present in Amadora, as well as strengthening intercultural and interreligious relations.

The forum addressed the role of religions in a globalised world, where migration and diversity raise

important challenges to the exercise of citizenship. The morning was dedicated to a seminar and debate with

representatives of the major faiths in Portugal; in the afternoon there were three working groups on this

subject. This event was associated with the project “Intercultural Mediation in Public Services”, developed in

partnership with HCIID.

Conclusions:

Forum – reflection and debate promoting active citizenship, fundamental in the present times when it is

imperative for ensuring social cohesion and preventing conflicts.

Featured – the multiculturalism that characterises Amadora as an “added value”; the intercultural and

interreligious dialogue inevitably cross over; the important role of religion in contributing to building

citizenship.

Data was presented from a study on religious identities in Portugal, where there is an increasingly diverse

religious landscape.

In the parallel workshops participants had the chance to explore these dimensions.

More information:

www.cm-amadora.pt

www.acidi.gov.pt

Video: http://www.tvamadora.com/Video.aspx?videoid=2320

http://www.tvamadora.com/Video.aspx?videoid=2320

220

"Hiking tour in Eurocity Tui-Valença (PT/SP)"


Type: Hiking

Organisers: Fundación Deporte Galego & Eurocidade Tui-Valença

Outline:

Galicia’s local event will focus on the implementation of Galicia’s plan to fight obesity and to promote active

aging. It is a strategic plan which requires a holistic, comprehensive and sustainable approach. Its mission is

to build a future where the practice of healthy physical activity, with equal opportunities for the entire

population, contributes to people maintaining their health and personal autonomy, enjoying better well-

being and a better quality of life, and preventing and reducing the presence of chronic non-communicable

diseases associated with physical inactivity.

It is furthermore a cross-border initiative between Galicia and North Portugal in Tui-Valença Eurocity.

Participating in the OPEN DAYS local events will show the region’s engagement with the European Union.

The event will showcase a very good example of how we combat demographic challenges in Galicia and

North Portugal.

More information:

http://www.infominho.com/index.php/id/69/objeto/15769

https://www.facebook.com/VERDEAZUL.AVENTURAS

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caminhadas-Saud%C3%A1veis-e-Andainas-Saudables/490178017705157

http://www.vigolowcost.com/2013/04/22/nova-actividade-do-circuito-de-andainas-saudables-da-

eurocidade-tui-valenca-o-28-de-abril/

http://www.munideporte.com/seccion/Actualidad/15037/La-Eurociudad-Tui-Valen%C3%A7a-organiza-17-

andainas-saudables-para-2013.html

Eurocidade Tui-Valença (Galicia) (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions) - Joint event with Galicia

Trilho da Carvoeira

12 October 2013

221

"Cross-border tourism initiatives and thermal innovation:

the case of the Eurocity of Chaves-Verín"

“Verín-Chaves-Vidago Thermal and Water Route”


Type: Forum and farm press trip

Organisers: Eurocity of Chaves-Verín

Chair: Juan Jiménez Morán, Mayor of Verín

João Martins Batista, Mayor of Chaves

Speakers: Pablo Rivera, Coordinator, Eurocity of Chaves-Verín

Ana Figueiredo, Tourism Technician at Tourism of Porto and North Portugal

Filipa Leite, Technician at Chaves SPA

Pedro Monteiro, Tourism Technician at Municipality of Chaves

Rui Lopes, Archaeologist at Municipality of Chaves

David Lorenzo, CEO of Tourism Parador in Verín

Chon Lorenzo, Tourism Technician at Municipality of Verín

Patxi Varela, Aquophonic Concert

Outline:

One of the main concentration areas of thermal and hydro-mineral springs in Europe is located in the cross-

border conurbation of Chaves-Verín, which makes this valuable territory a potential high-quality tourism

destination. The eurocity has a demo effect, which promotes the spread of a new culture of European

territorial cooperation and integration, promoting territorial, economic and social development through the

joint promotion of its endogenous resources under one brand, the Eurocity of water. The case of Eurocity

Chaves-Verín as a Cross-border Tourism Initiative and Thermal Innovation was presented at the International

Meeting on Water and Thermalism framed in TERMATALIA, the thermal tourism fair.

In order to achieve this standing, a farm press trip was organised within the programme of Termatalia to

promote this cross-border product among potential tour operators and specialised press from different

countries. The tour had different parts, in which more than 30 participants were able to gain good

knowledge of the tourist areas and facilities. The tour started in Vidago Palace Hotel, Chaves SPA, before

concluding the Portugal part with a typical lunch. It then moved on to Spain, starting with the Parador of

Tourism in Verín, a tasting menu dinner, including water tasting, and finally an “aquophonic” concert.

Xunta da Galicia / Eurocity of Chaves-Verín (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions) - Joint event with Galicia

Chaves - Vidago (Portugal)


222

Conclusions:

The overall conclusion of the trip was that the territory has adequate resources for the implementation of a

Thermal and Water Route tourism product that crosses the frontier. In recent years, an increasing number

of investments have allowed Chaves to develop its potential as a spa tourist destination, and Verín has been

mainly devoted to the industrial operation of miner-medicinal waters. It is time for the cross-border cities to

work together, exploring common synergies and becoming a superior-quality tourist destination, with a full

range of services and facilities in addition to an unequalled friendly, healthy and sustainable environment.

More information:

http://www.termatalia.com/lat6.php

http://www.verin.es/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2273%3A2013-09-26-10-25-

37&catid=41%3Aeurocidade&Itemid=1

http://www.chaves.pt/Default.aspx?ID=33&Action=1&NewsId=2239&PID=79

http://diarioatual.com/?p=118089

http://www.freguesiadevidago.com/noticias_termatalia.htm

http://en.eurocidadechavesverin.eu/spa/eurocity-of-water


http://www.verin.es/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2273%3A2013-09-26-10-25-37&catid=41%3Aeurocidade&Itemid=1






223

“Water tourism potential”


Type: Conference

Organisers: Consortium MINHO IN/City of Viana do Castelo

Chair: Francisco Calheiros, Executive Coordinator of Consortium MINHO IN

Speakers: José Maria Costa, Mayor of the City of Viana do Castelo

Francisco Calheiros, Executive Coordinator of Consortium MINHO IN

Nuno Almeida, Head of the Regional Strategic Cooperation Unit in the Norte Region

Xosé Lago Garcia, Vice-director General for External Relations and Cross-border Cooperation,

Government of Galicia

Antonio Franzina, Head of the Cabinet of the Regional Minister Roberto Ciambetti

Vitor Lemos, Vice-mayor of the City of Viana do Castelo

Tomas Ares, Administrator, Tesal Group

Roberto Pirzio Biroli, Architect

Ilona Cieslicka, Vertical Dream (Outdoor Activities and Training)

Carlos Neves, Vice-president of the North of Portugal Regional Coordination and Development

Commission

Nava Castro Domínguez, Director of Tourism in Galicia

Outline:

Minho IN’s local event will take place in Viana do Castelo, located in Northern Portugal. This is the perfect

place to discuss issues relating to the sea in low-density areas, in the euroregion and in the EU. This is also a

good moment to talk about territorial cooperation as an instrument for promoting the growth of local

economies, the contribution of the sea, and the next Structural Funds programme.

The conference was comprised of two thematic panels:

- Territorial Cooperation Sea, Rivers and Harbors | Balance and Perspectives

- Water and Tourism Products | Case Studies

Conclusions:

This was a good moment to talk about territorial cooperation as an instrument for promoting the growth of

local economies, the contribution of the sea, and the next Structural Funds programme.

More information:

www.minhoin.com

North of Portugal (Europe of traditions - linking through water) – Joint event with Guimarães

Viana do Castelo

30 October 2013

224

"CoEER - Congress of European Emerging Regions"


Type: “Beja Conferences” - plenary sessions, thematic sessions, investment fair, visits,

entrepreneurial lounge, round table

Organisers: CoEER organisation was carried out by the Municipality of Beja and IrRADIARE, Science for

Evolution

Chair: Jorge Pulido Valente, Mayor of Beja

António Costa Dieb, President of the Regional Development Commission (regional managing

authority)

Marcos António Nogueira, IrRADIARE, Science for Evolution

Speakers: António Costa Dieb, President of Alentejo Regional Authority (Portugal)

João Filipe de Jesus, Head of the Regional Department of Economic Affairs – Ministry of the

Economy (Portugal)

Pascal Goergen, Secretary General Assembly of European Regions (video) (Belgium)

Maria da Graça Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament (video) (Belgium)

Jorge Pulido Valente, Mayor of Beja (Portugal)

Giuseppe Falco, Farmer and former President of the European Council of Young Farmers (Italy)

Piotr Pawelec, Instytut Dobrych Ekorozwiązań “Alternatywa” Sp. z o.o. (Poland)

Pablo Morales, Cámara de Comercio de Sevilla (Spain)

Miguel Góis, Beja City Councillor (Portugal)

Elsa Nunes, IrRADIARE, Science for evolution® (Portugal)

Kathryn Havering, WSX Enterprise (United Kingdom)

Jorge Maia, Macfarlan Smith Limited (United Kingdom)

Marcos António Nogueira, IrRADIARE, Science for evolution® (Portugal)

Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA - Association of the Local Democracy Agencies (video) (Belgium)

Joana Mundó, Ecoserveis (Spain)

Simone D’Antonio, CITTALIA (Italy)

Itziar Vidorreta, Gaia (Spain)

Nuno Banza, Ministry of the Environment (Portugal)

António Jorge, ISG Lisbon Management School (Portugal)

Rui Garrido, RuralTeam (Portugal)

Mário Rodrigues, GreenLevel (Portugal)

Rui Pedro Henriques, IrRADIARE Science for Evolution (Portugal)

Pedro Beja Neves, ANA Aeroportos de Portugal (Portugal)

João Margalha, Beja City Councillor (Portugal)

José Santos, Turismo do Alentejo (Portugal)

Congress of European Emerging Regions

Beja


225

Outline:

Municipalities and regions compete for innovation, resources, creativeness, investment, knowledge,

professionals, technology, skills and recognition. Attractiveness, projection, opportunities and sustainability

are key factors for enabling regions to emerge economically and socially. The congress is aimed at

distinguishing the best examples of integrated policies that have driven regions and municipalities to emerge

in a context of global competition.

Investment is a critical factor for helping emergent regions to succeed. Integrated strategies aimed at

building up investment opportunities are a distinctive mark of successful emerging regions. Discussing such

strategies is also an objective of the congress.

This year the congress visits a European Emerging Region. Beja, the venue, leads a region where growth is

higher than the European average, where investment flows in at a recognisable rate and where jobs attract

professionals from other sectors and regions. A well-balanced strategy, through which sectors, investment

mechanisms and funding sources are harmonised, succeeds in generating a notable case study among the

European Emerging Regions.

Conclusions:

Sustainable energy is a strategic plan with a double meaning. On the one hand, it represents viable,

innovative and sustainable development. Secondly, strategies for promoting innovation and sustainability

are vectors that drive economic activity, inducing development and creating jobs and growth drivers.

Integrated strategies aimed at building up investment opportunities are a distinctive mark of successful

emerging regions.

Quote:

“Investment is a critical factor for helping emergent regions to succeed.”

More information:

Web presence:

http://coeer.org/index.php

http://bejaglobal.net

http://www.eukn.org/Meetings/September_2013/Congress_of_European_Emerging_regions_Beja_Portugal

_11_13_September_2013

http://www.uia.org/other-news/2929

http://www.bejadigital.biz/pt/conteudos/eventos/CoEER_-

_Congresso_das_Regioes_Emergentes_Europeias.htm

Media partners:

Europe: EUobserver

Local: Jornal de Negócios

226

Additionally, it may be interesting to see some figures in terms of numbers of people:

Registered under CoEER.org - 99

Participants in Beja Conferences - 63

Number of regions represented in CoEER.org - 50

Number of regions represented in Beja Conferences - 27

Visits to the site CoEER.org (up to 19/9/2013) - 3604

Number of people reached through the CoEER Facebook page when carrying out the Beja Conference - 6794

Number of CoEER group-related connections on LinkedIn – 3938

Video talk by Maria da Graça Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament

227

ROMANIA


Bacau Municipality Bacau

One local event was organised by the regional partner. Furthermore, eight


Day.

The report of Bacau Municipality is enclosed.

228

“Urban–rural partnership, a paradigm for sustainable, smart

and inclusive growth”


Type: Conference and workshop

Organisers: City Hall of Bacau, Local Development Agency Bacau, Bacau Business and Exhibition Centre,

Intercommunity Development Association Metropolitan Area Bacau, Europe Direct

Information Centre

Chair: Liviu – Costel Scarlat, Director of the Local Development Agency Bacau, Moderator

Speakers: Liviu – Costel Scarlat, Director of the Local Development Agency Bacau

Vasile Tescaru, Vice-mayor of Bacau Municipality

Mihai Bandraburu, Head of the Prefect's Office

Gabriela Mazilu, Director of Payment and Intervention for Agriculture Agency

Anda Petria, Director of Intercommunity Development Association Metropolitan Area Bacau

Ilie Bârzu, Local Councillor, Local Council of Bacau

Corneliu Pricope, General Director of Bacau Business and Exhibition Centre

Gheorghe Epuran, Professor Doctor at Transilvania University of Brasov and President of the

Romanian Society of Marketing and Communication

Outline:

The municipality of Bacau, in partnership with the Local Development Agency Bacau, Bacau Business and

Exhibition Centre, the Intercommunity Development Association Metropolitan Area Bacau and the Europe

Direct Information Center, organised the fourth edition of OPEN DAYS in Bacau, called ”Urban–rural

partnership, a paradigm for sustainable, smart and inclusive growth”, from the perspective of the European

Commission, in the presence of representatives of local authorities, town halls of Metropolitan Area Bacau,

the business environment, and a large audience.

A special guest of the event was Prof. Dr Gheorghe Epuran from Transilvania University of Brasov and

President of the Romanian Society of Marketing and Communication, who spoke about his interventions in

the Committee of the Regions, in the context of urban-rural partnership development, possibilities of

initiation and promotion of urban-rural partnership and concrete solutions for ensuring their functionality.

The advantages of urban-rural partnership, from the perspective of the Committee of the Regions, consist of

harnessing positive experiences in underdeveloped areas, the proper use of resources by giving up

competition between urban and rural areas, credible communication at a regional and European level, the

creation of a framework for strategic action, and attracting key partners from the private sector in urban–

rural partnerships.

Bacau Municipality (Local urban development European network)

Bacau

28 November 2013

229

Conclusions:

This event took place within the framework of the European OPEN DAYS events, dedicated to regions and

cities. It provided capacity for development and emphasised the importance of the involvement of local

authorities for the proper development of the European Community.

At the end of 2013, regions and cities will finalise their preparations for the 2014-2020 cohesion policy, rural

development and fisheries programmes. OPEN DAYS offer a chance for EU institutions, management

authorities and final beneficiaries to exchange information on new approaches, even before the new

operational programmes are implemented in 2014.

Quote:

“Bacau is a true and well-based development area!”

More information:

www.primariabacau.ro

www.adlbacau.ro

www.caebacau.ro

www.ziaruldebacau.ro

231

SERBIA


Central Serbian Municipalities Kragujevac

South-East Serbia Nis


Centre for the Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts Leskovac

The European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina -3 events Odžaci

Stara Pazova

Apatin

Two local events were planned to be organised by the regional partners.

Furthermore, two independent partners organised four events and two


Day.

South-East Serbia had planned a conference in December in Nis on

Europe in my region: responding to our global challenges.

The reports of the Centre for the Development of Jablanica and Pcinja

Districts and of the European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of

Vojvodina are enclosed.

232

"Meet, remember, preserve» - preservation of non-material cultural

heritage of Serbia and Sumadija and Pomoravlje region"


Type: Round table

Organisers: Regional Economic Development Agency for Šumadija and Pomoravlje – REDASP, and the City

of Kragujevac

Chair: Jasminka Luković Jagličić, Director of REDASP, Host and Moderator

Speakers: Slavica Đorđević, Assistant to the Mayor of the City Kragujevac for Cultural Heritage

Preservation and Spatial Planning

Vesna Marjanović, Chief of the Department for National Culture Studies, the Ethnographic

Museum in Belgrade (on behalf of the Director, Mr Miroslav Tasić)

Saša Srećković, Representative of the Centre for the Non-material Cultural Heritage of Serbia,

Curator of the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade

Snežana Šaponjić Ašanin, Regional Coordinator for Non-material Cultural Heritage for Central

Serbia

Nataša Nikolić, Senior Curator and Ethnologist at the Ethnographic Museum in Kragujevac

Jasna Milanović, PR of Zastava arms factory (Zastava oružje), Kragujevac

Miodrag Aleksić, Ethnologist at the Ethnographic Museum (Zavičajni muzej), Jagodina

Outline:

The round table entitled “Meet, remember, preserve” was organised by the Regional Economic

Development Agency for Sumadija and Pomoravlje (REDASP), supported by the City of Kragujevac, as part of

the OPEN DAYS 2013 event, as a local event in Kragujevac. The meeting was opened by Mrs Jasminka Lukovic

Jaglicic, Director of REDASP, who expressed REDASP’s opinion and stance regarding the significance of

preserving non-material cultural heritage, especially in the territory of Sumadija and Pomoravlje Region, i.e.

13 municipalities that are covered by REDASP activities. Special emphasis was placed on correlation with the

economic aspect of sustainability, which is the strong point in which REDASP recognises its role.

The introductory speech was given by Ms Slavica Djordjevic, Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Kragujevac.

According to her, the important task of each local community is to recognise, identify and present its local

non-material cultural heritage. There is a need for communal acting and a tight bond between the material

and non-material cultural heritage of a community. Of great importance is the role of ethnologists, who

must provide expert support to the local community to recognise and present its identity represented by its

culture. The UNESCO Convention was adopted in 2003, and it was high time for the key actors to gather

together and present their proposals; this was made possible by this meeting.

Central Serbian Municipalities (Adriatic Ionian Macroregion)

Kragujevac

6 December 2013

233

Ms Vesna Marjanovic spoke on behalf of the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade, in her capacity as the Chief

of the Department for National Culture Studies. She presented the relevance of the acts and documents

adopted by UNESCO, including the Convention on Non-material Cultural Heritage and its ratification by the

Republic of Serbia in 2010. Among the research that is being conducted by the Ethnographic Museum in

Belgrade, two topics stand out: 1) the non-material cultural heritage of the Serbs; and 2) the non-material

cultural heritage of the region, with the purpose of creating connections between the nations of the region.

The project “Tradition, modernisation and postmodernism in the culture of the people in Sumadija District”

was also presented. It was important to point out the need for liaison and collaboration between local

structures with the aim of identifying the cultural identity of the communities in a given territory.

Dr Marjanovic also presented two proposals that have been endorsed on the list of the Centre for the Non-

material Cultural Heritage of Serbia, nominated for the UNESCO protected non-material heritage list. These

are the “Patron Saint Day” (krsna slava) and the St George’s Day celebration (Djurdjevdan). UNESCO will be

deciding on nominations in March 2014.

The Centre for the Non-material Cultural Heritage of Serbia was founded after ratification of the UNESCO

Convention on Preservation of Non-material Cultural Heritage, in 2010, as part of the Ethnographic Museum

in Belgrade, with the goal of preserving the traditional and cultural aspects of Serbia. The main tasks of the

centre are research, inventory, modelling, preservation and presentation of non-material cultural heritage in

the territory of the Republic of Serbia, and at the same time, helping local communities to recognise,

develop, practise and transfer that heritage to future generations. The most important activity of the centre

is keeping the records of the National Register of Non-material Cultural Heritage, and archiving the

documentation in hard copy, electronic, video and audio formats.

Mr Sasa Sreckovic, the representative of the Centre for the Non-material Cultural Heritage of Serbia,

presented the list of the adopted elements (27) of non-material cultural heritage of Serbia. Mr Sreckovic

gave a detailed description of procedures and criteria for the identification and inventory of elements of

non-material heritage. The definition of non-material cultural heritage was given as a group of practices,

expressions and skills performed by individuals, groups of people or communities who perceive and

experience them as their culture. The two most important segments were emphasised as: 1) continuity of

transfer, and 2) cultural identity. Five fields of identification of heritage have been defined as follows: 1)

spoken culture (national literature and language), 2) performing arts, 3) rituals (manifestations and

celebrations), 4) knowledge about nature and space, and 5) traditional crafts.

Mr Sreckovic emphasised the fact that creating an inventory of non-material cultural heritage is a never-

ending process, because live heritage changes continuously. Besides, there are two main criteria that are

applied in the process of the preservation of heritage: 1) it lives, and 2) the local community cherishes it.

Also emphasised was the role of community members, who not only provide experts with relevant

information, but who themselves act as researchers of their own non-material cultural heritage.

Ms Snezana Šaponjic Asanin, the Regional Coordinator for Non-material Cultural Heritage for Central Serbia,

pointed out that this round table was the first meeting that an actor from outside of the cultural sector had

organised, and invited the main cultural actors, which stressed the importance of this meeting and the role

of the Regional Economic Development Agency for Sumadija and Pomoravlje.

234

Serbia has already established a network of regional coordinators, while the Coordinator for Central Serbia

covers 28 towns and municipalities. So far, the elements of non-material cultural heritage for Central Serbia

that have been identified are: 1) local cuisine (speciality of “Pazarske mantije”), and 2) the filigree craft and

stone modelling craft of Bele Vode. New proposals include: 1) traditional (homemade) production of milk

cream, 2) distillation of ‘rakija’ brandy, 3) Dragacevo tube festival, 4) copper-smith's craft and 5) Zajecar rock

guitar festival.

Natasa Nikolic, Senior Curator and Ethnologist at the Ethnographic Museum in Kragujevac, presented the

museum’s activities on the identification of non-material cultural heritage in Sumadija District, in the city of

Kragujevac and the municipalities of Rača, Batočina, Knić and Lapovo (the territory covered by the museum).

The list includes the making of ‘rakija’ in the suburbs of Kragujevac and brickmaking in the village of Kotraza.

Some proposals that might enter the list are the old crafts of making ropes, pig-skin shoes, hay forks (the

village of Gornje Komarice), mills operating in the villages of Ždraljica, Badnjevac and Stragari, the

manufacture of charcoal, making stone gates and fences, brick gates, fences made of willow branches,

wedding gates, holly tree notes, and guest room decoration. Other proposals that might be considered for

inclusion in the list are: the making of traditional costumes, singing troupes, traditional food including pies,

corn bread, corn and bread porridge, cooked cabbage served at weddings, and hot ‘rakija’ brandy.

Jasna Milanovic, PR of Zastava arms factory, presented the activities of the engraving studio/workshop and

the skill of manual engraving that has outlived automatic engraving in only a couple of disciplines, with the

highest artistic quality in weapons, jewellery and musical instruments. The handmade engravings of the

craftsmen of this studio are part of the non-material cultural heritage of the local community of the

industrial city of Kragujevac.

Miodrag Aleksic, Ethnologist at the Ethnographic Museum in Jagodina, emphasised the importance of the

preservation of the cultural identity of our people through the care and preservation of the elements of non-

material cultural heritage of individual local communities, with a special look at European integration. In the

process of getting closer to European Union integration, a nation must first of all preserve its culture,

tradition and identity, while in the process of branching out the “tree top” of interactions with other nations,

the most important thing is to strengthen the “roots of the tree”.

According to Mr Aleksic, the most important elements of Serbian non-material cultural heritage are the

Cyrillic alphabet, traditional music (e.g. the works of Bora Dugic) and Serbian names (legacy of Stefan

Nemanja). Other examples include: respect for water, especially healing water springs (in people known as

the “speech of waters”), and the traditional music orchestra in the village of Nadrlje in the Levac area, the

members of which make their own instruments (long wind instruments, such as the “lejke”) and play the

music on these. Also mentioned was the custom relating to children, called “bibije”. Also considered was the

need to preserve the culture and language of the Roma population.

Mr Aleksic emphasised the key role of professionals, especially ethnologists and anthropologists, as the

initiators and main bearers of the activities of identifying, recording, presenting and promoting non-material

cultural heritage, with the support of local communities and decision makers on a local and national level.

235

DISCUSSION

Ms Tanja Mladjan, the representative of Sumadija press, gave an example of a family that has been

cherishing the traditional craft of pottery for three generations. The youngest generation learned the craft

from their ancestors and are practising it through artistic expression. The question was asked: what is the

procedure for preserving the potter's craft?

Many local and family traditions in Serbia are neither visible to nor recognised by the relevant institutions. It

should be an important role of a local community to provide better visibility. Due to high taxes and other

expenses, individuals do not register their craft businesses, which is the problem of all craftsmen in Serbia. In

this context, local communities, municipal authorities and the state should play an important role in solving

this problem. According to the Convention, the state must prove that it has put an effort into preserving a

threatened element of non-material cultural heritage, prior to asking for support from UNESCO to help

preserve it.

In the course of the discussion, Mrs Jasminka Lukovic Jaglicic, Director of REDASP, asked questions that

referred to quantity and continuity as criteria for the registration of elements of non-material cultural

heritage. Is the size of a community that practises a certain custom a criterion for the recognition of non-

material cultural heritage? Is continuity crucial, i.e. are there criteria regarding the time frame and the

number of generations that cherish the custom?

In answer to these questions, the key criterion is sustainability. Besides, in accordance with the definition of

non-material cultural heritage, it is sufficient that individuals cherish and practise it, and that the local

community recognises its culture and identity in it and supports the initiative. Concerning the time frame,

there are no strict preconditions, except that the custom or expression must have been practised for long

enough to be recognised by the community as tradition, identity or inheritance; as such, several years can be

enough, especially if it is already recognised by two generations.

In further discussion, Ms Natasa Bogosavljevic, representative of the association of artists and poets “Jankovi

dani”, presented the activities of the association and the local community regarding the preservation of

cultural heritage. The traditional customs emphasised were: the meaning and significance of the godfather

institution among Serbs, under the slogan “The stronger the family, the stronger Serbia”, wickerwork in the

village of Belusic (from souvenirs to furniture), the cult of St Petka, tombs, traditional costumes, national

cuisine and sweets, pig-skin shoes, etc. An element that was emphasised was the role of naive art in the

village of Oparic, in which the oldest school of naive art on the territory of former Yugoslavia still operates,

including a children's art workshop that has been active for ten years, preserving the cultural heritage of this

area.

At the end of the discussion, the floor was given to Professor Dr Ivan Kolaric, Dean of the Faculty of Philology

and Arts in Kragujevac. Mr Kolaric presented his philosophical view of the historical role of Serbs in the world

– the power and influence of the cultural identity of Serbian people and world-renowned Serbs, in spite of

contradictory complexes that have emerged in different periods of history.

The role of Kragujevac University and FILUM is important for the preservation of culture and non-material

cultural heritage, such is the willingness of individuals and the institution to join in and support relevant

initiatives. The competences and enthusiasm of certain individuals and groups have been recognised;

236

however, there is a lack of a strategic approach at all levels with the goal of preserving non-material cultural

heritage. At this event, the professor called for joint work by professionals, enthusiasts and people in charge

at all levels, with the goal of preserving national culture and identity and fighting against the modern threats

of commercialisation and virtualisation. “New is not always better than old. Values must be preserved,” said

Mr Kolaric. He said that the most important symbols of heritage to be preserved are: family, language, music

and applied arts. As an example of multiple significance, the professor pointed out the “Knezev arsenal”

complex within the factory area, which is heritage in itself, as well as an important resource through which

the cultural heritage of the city of Kragujevac, the region and Serbia can be kept and presented to future

generations.

Conclusions:

In the process of European integration, it is very important to put intensive efforts into the preservation of

culture and national identity through the protection of non-material cultural heritage (language, the Cyrillic

alphabet, names, traditional music, verbal literature and customs).

Future activities concerning the identification and protection of non-material cultural heritage must include

experts, local communities, organisations and associations that deal with the preservation of tradition, and

individuals as the key actors.

Since sustainability is one of the most important characteristics, i.e. a precondition for the identified element

of non-material cultural heritage getting support from UNESCO, it is necessary to provide the following:

- Joint action by cultural and economic actors, with the active participation of art faculties.

- Defined policies and measures (direct financial support and tax release) at local and national levels

(especially for preserving traditional crafts and using non-material heritage for developing the tourism

provision of local communities).

It is necessary to connect the theory, science and profession on the one hand with the practice and field

work on the other, with the purpose of providing the most effective preservation, sustainability and

promotion of non-material cultural heritage.

In the identification and application phases, the heritage element must be precisely named using the term

“the potential non-material heritage”.

Non-material cultural heritage and the UNESCO Convention on Non-material Cultural Heritage must be one

of the priorities of future project cooperation in the territory of the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region in the new

2014-2020 programming period.

The topic of non-material cultural heritage could be one of the topics of future workshops within the OPEN

DAYS events.

237

"Waste-water treatment in Southern Morava Region:

present challenges, future horizons"


Type: Round table

Organisers: Centre for the Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts, Leskovac, Serbia

Chair: Biljana Stankovic, Director of the Centre for the Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts

Speakers: Zoran Antic, Mayor of the City of Vranje

Nikola Krunic, Institute for Architecture and Urbanism of Serbia

Ljiljana Randjelovic, PUC Vodovod Leskovac

Tatjana Panic Zivkovic, Centre for the Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts

Outline:

Water pollution is a problem faced in several parts of the country, such as in the Southern Morava River

Basin where, due to the low flow rates of the rivers, the discharged loads have a significant impact on water

quality. When industry was active, the river was characterised as Class III, IV or even unclassified in many

cases (i.e. worse than class IV), and the percentage of samples with values higher than the set limits

(Maximum Allowable Concentrations) was between 30% and 60%. The situation has been improved in the

last few years due to the decline of industrial production, but the Southern Morava is still classed as a

Heavily Modified Water Body (HMWB) under the Water Framework Directive. This poor quality of the

Southern Morava raises particular concerns, as water from this river is used for drinking in the majority of

the 25 municipalities within this region.

Round table participants examined the present and projected situation and discussed a comprehensive

master plan for the development of the waste-water infrastructure in the Southern Morava region. Spatial

planning solutions and best practices from the region were presented.

Conclusions:

All municipalities in the region should adopt a centralised system in order to solve the problem in

accordance with the Master Plan for the development of the waste-water infrastructure in the Southern

Morava Region. Smaller municipalities that do not have the capacity to solve the problem of waste water by

themselves should aggregate their projects and begin joint initiatives for solving this problem. This primarily

refers to the water-ways of the rivers Vlasina, Vrla, Jablanica and Pusta Reka, tributaries of the Southern

Morava River in Pcinja and Jablanica Districts. The Centre for the Development of Jablanica and Pcinja

Districts should initiate and lead this process.

Centre for the Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts

Leskovac

25 November 2013

238

More information:

www.centarzarazvoj.org

http://www.vranje.rs/vest.php?id=4781&oblast=vesti

http://www.centarzarazvoj.org/

http://www.vranje.rs/vest.php?id=4781&oblast=vesti

239

"Towards 2014-2020”


Type: Conference / FEP tour (field visit)

Organisers: European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and Municipality of Odžaci

Chair: Izabela Šerić, President of Odžaci Municipality

Mina Radmilović, European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

Speakers: Izabela Šerić, President of Odžaci Municipality;

Andrija Aleksić, Head of Department for European Funds of the European Affairs Fund of

Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

Outline:

In order to promote the process of Europeanisation and European standards in the country, with a focus on

EU funds, European regional development programmes and the development of project proposals for

applying for EU funds, the conference and FEP tours, organised by the European Affairs Fund-AP Vojvodina,

in cooperation with the municipalities of Odžaci, Apatin and Stara Pazova, were held as part of the OPEN

DAYS 2013 local event.

The discussion encompassed issues such as the upcoming EU programming period 2014–2020, the European

integration process, regional and development policies of the European Union and different options for

funding and supporting the development of local authorities. The aim was to increase cooperation between

municipalities and local communities, on the one hand, and the Fund, the Provincial Secretariat for

Interregional Cooperation and Local Self-Government and accredited regional development agencies, on the

other hand, in order to define priorities and create development strategies similar to European ones, and

thus enhance the absorption capacities of the province.

Conclusions:

Having gained candidate status, Serbia’s accession to the EU is undergoing changes in terms of the form and

rules of implementation. When the EU grants Serbia a decentralised management of funds, the

opportunities for funding local authorities and private entities will significantly increase. According to data,

more than 270 projects from Vojvodina, out of ca. 900 proposals submitted, have been granted EU funding.

The fact that participation in EU calls for proposals has been so extensive shows that we see our future in

the EU and that we can apply for new EU funds and development. In the light of future opportunities, it is

important to enhance the absorption capacities of Vojvodina and allow for balanced regional development.

The European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

Odžaci

1 October 2013

240

More information:

www.vojvodinahouse.eu

http://www.vojvodina.gov.rs

http://www.vojvodinahouse.eu/

http://www.vojvodina.gov.rs/

241

"Prospects of financing through EU funds”


Type: FEP tour (field visit)

Organisers: European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and Municipality of Stara Pazova

Chair: Goran Savić, Deputy to the President of Stara Pazova Municipality


Speakers: Goran Savić, Deputy to the President of Stara Pazova Municipality


Outline:













Conclusions:









Stara Pazova

19 November 2013

242

More information:





243

"Prospects of financing through EU funds”


Type: FEP tour (field visit)

Organisers: European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and Municipality of Apatin

Chair: Snežana Milešević, Head of the Office for Local Economic Development, Municipality of Apatin

Jano Puškar, European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

Speakers: Snežana Milešević, Head of the Office for Local Economic Development

Ljiljana Bursać, Apatin Municipality

Jano Puškar, Department for European Funds of the European Affairs Fund of Autonomous

Province of Vojvodina

Outline:













Conclusions:









Apatin

26 November 2013

244

More information:





245

SLOVAKIA


Bratislava Region Bratislava

One local event was planned by a regional partner. In addition, one event

was organised in the framework of the European Cooperation Day.

The report of Bratislava Region is enclosed.

246

"Strategic documents of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region in

support of science, research, innovation and preparation for

the new 2014–2020 programming period"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: Bratislava Self-Governing Region, Department of Strategy, Regional Development and Project

Management

Chair: Martin Hakel, Head of Strategy and Regional Development, Department of Strategy, Regional

Development and Project Management, Moderator

Speakers: Pavol Frešo, President of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region

Barbora Lukáčová, Director of the Department of Strategy, Regional Development and Project

Management of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region

Darina Oborilová, Office of Government of the Slovak Republic, Central Coordination Unit

Emil Picha, General Director of the Unit of Management of Regional Development

Programmes at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic

Lea Karakolevová, Department of Strategy, Regional Development and Project Management of

the Bratislava Self-Governing Region

Martin Majerech, Department of Rural Development and LEADER in the Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic

Kvetoslava Jablonická, Project Manager for the Local Action Group Podhoran

Zlatica Daubnerová, Department of Operational Programme Fishery at the Ministry of

Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic

Outline:

The Bratislava Self-Governing Region wants to achieve the sustainable, inclusive and intelligent growth of its

society. Based on the Plan for Economic and Social Development and further strategic documents, the

Bratislava Self-Governing Region assessed the need for investments in the infrastructure of education, the

infrastructure of social services, transport infrastructure and environmental infrastructure in order to

balance the rate of social progress with economic growth.

The main objective of the seminar was to inform the representatives of municipalities of the region about

the state of play in preparation for the new programming period, both on a regional and national level. Thus,

a seminar was held on 7 November 2013 in the Bratislava Self-Governing Region, during which relevant

details of the Partnership Agreement, the integrated regional operational programme and the priorities of

the Bratislava Self-Governing Region in the new programming period were presented.

Bratislava Region (Acting together for greater urban-rural cohesion)

Bratislava

7 November 2013

247

Furthermore, national operational programmes, namely the programme for rural development and the

fisheries programme, and their implications for municipalities were discussed. Another important topic was

the regional integrated territorial strategy and the creation of local action groups in the Bratislava Self-

Governing Region, and the future of cross-border cooperation with Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Conclusions:

The Bratislava Self-Governing Region has actively contributed to the preparation of the new programming

period since 2010 in order to achieve a fair distribution of financial support for the municipalities of the

region in the new programming period. A multi-level dialogue on a national, regional and local level is a

precondition of creating optimal conditions for a successful implementation of projects in the new

programming period. Thanks to such activities as this seminar, we share knowledge with the local

governments, boost dialogue on a local level and get important feedback on our activities and priorities that

we can incorporate into our strategy and further actions.

Quote:

“Responsible preparation of the new 2014–2020 programming period in partnership with municipalities.”

Pavol Frešo, President of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region.

More information:

Press release:

http://www.region-bsk.sk/clanok/aktualne-spravy-eurofondy-v-programovom-obdobi-2014-20-

p%C3%B4jdu-aj-na-skoly-socialnu-oblast-a-zdravotnictvo.aspx

Presentations:

http://www.region-bsk.sk/strukturalne-fondy.aspx

249

SLOVENIA


City of Ljubljana Ljubljana

Podravska Region Velenje

Republic of Slovenia

Three local events were planned to be organised by the regional partners.

Furthermore, one event was organised in the framework of the European

Cooperation Day.

The City of Ljubljana had planned a workshop in September on how to

further improve the quality of ambient air in Ljubljana and in the Ljubljana

urban region. Podravska Region's event in September in Velenje was to

focus on the local and regional energy plans in terms of data collection

issues. The Republic of Slovenia has not provided any information.

No reports enclosed.

251

SPAIN


Andalusia Seville

Aragon Molinos

Basque Country Donostia / San Sebastian

Castile and León Zamora, Valladolid, Salamanca

Catalonia Barcelona

City of Seville Seville

Diputació de Barcelona Barcelona

Extremadura Badajoz

Galicia – 3 events Pontevedra, Ourense, Verín

Madrid Region – EVENT CANCELLED

Navarre Endarlaza-Behobia-Bertiz

Principality of Asturias Oviedo

Region of Murcia Murcia

Pontevedra O Grove-Pontevedra

Saragossa Saragossa

Valencian Region Valencia


Colegio de Geógrafos de la Comunidad Valenciana Valencia

TicSalut Foundation – EVENT CANCELLED Barcelona

Asociación Italiani a Siviglia Seville

252

Seventeen local events were planned by the regional partners.

Furthermore, three independent partners had planned a local event and

three events were organised in the framework of the European

Cooperation Day.

The Basque Country had planned a seminar in October in Donostia – San

Sebastian on improving the competitiveness of Basque industry, raising

the value and sophistication of its offer. The City of Seville had planned a

seminar in October to encourage people to set up their own business. As

far as the independent partners are concerned, the Colegio de Geógrafos

de la Comunidad Valenciana had planned a seminar to take place in

Valencia on 21 November on the need to improve employability through

a continual process of lifelong learning. The TicSalut Foundation had

planned a conference on innovative services for COPD patients in

Catalonia.

The reports of Andalusia, Aragon, Castile and León, Catalonia, Diputacio

de Barcelona, Extremadura, Galicia, Navarre, the Principality of Asturias,

the Region of Murcia, Pontevedra, Saragossa, Valencian Region and

Asociación Italiani a Siviglia are enclosed.

253

"Research and innovation engines of smart specialisation in Andalusia"


Type: Meeting

Organisers: General Secretary of Universities, Research and Technologies

Chair: Francisco Trigueros, General Secretary of Research and Universities, Moderator

Speakers: Eva M. Vazquez, General Director of Research, Technology and Enterprise

Daniel G. Bootello, Director of Technology Network

Carmen Sillero, Head of RIS3 Department IDEA

Daniel Escacena, Head of the AAC international project

Outline:

The purpose of the meeting will be the enhancement of research and innovation in Andalusia through new

European tools such as the smart specialisation strategy. At present the Andalusian strategy for innovation

(RIS3) is being developed through a distinctly bottom-up participatory process, so communication and

participation are nowadays the key to the current and future development of smart growth in Andalusia. The

procedure for drawing up the new Andalusian Plan of Research, Development and Innovation in Andalusia is

also currently getting under way.

Conclusions:

Identifying strengths and key areas for R&D and the review and improvement of regional policies towards

an economy based on knowledge for economic transformation. Strengthening public-private channels for

the transfer of technology and knowledge in the area. Strengthening collaboration between researchers and

businesses, thus increasing the opportunities for "entrepreneurial discovery". Encouraging the participation

of the private sector in the CTE link system for research and technological capacity with public support.

Regional economic growth and job creation.

Quote:

“Research and innovation engines of smart specialisation in Andalusia.”

Andalusia (Innovative knowledge-based regions)

Seville

26 November 2013

254

"Proposals for tackling depopulation: keep citizens informed

through participation"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Europe Direct CAIRE (European Centre of Rural Information in Aragon) / Aragon Regional

Office in Brussels

Chair: Blanca Solans García, General Director for External Action in the Government of Aragon

(Moderator during the institutional debate)

Speakers: Verónica Lope and Ines Ayala, MEP

Francisco Javier Gamón, General Director for Spatial Planning in the Government of Aragon

Political representatives of Teruel Province, Maestrazgo and Molinos

Representatives of associations involved in local experiences

Outline:

The seminar focused on analysing possible actions against depopulation in the new programming period of

European funds (2014-2020). This is a common problem for many areas in Europe and especially in

Maestrazgo (Aragon), which is among those with the lowest density of population.

The main objective of the event was learning how to get citizens involved in the process, in order to take into

account their perspective when designing the most appropriate solutions and actions.

Prior to this event a series of workshops were held in different villages in Maestrazgo. During these, the

views of participants were collected. In this context, on the day of the event, the lessons learned were

conveyed to politicians and experts.

Citizens’ participation will be integrated into the challenge of identifying actions against depopulation.

Conclusions:

Participants in the project have asked the institutions for more active measures to prevent the loss of

population (less bureaucracy for undertaking activities, commitment to future strategic sectors, investment

in telecommunications infrastructure, etc.).

Solutions should be aimed at the promotion of employment and the development of innovative strategies in

relevant fields: agriculture, natural resources and tourism.

Aragon (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

Molinos

27 September 2013

255

With regard to agriculture, there should be an impact on agro-food products, and youth participation in

these activities should be encouraged.

Environmental conservation has also been identified as a relevant solution, through the creation of

companies or cooperatives.

The aim is also to introduce tourism as a complement to a development strategy, but a lack of attractive

activities has been detected. Therefore, support for private tourism management companies that

complement public efforts should be given priority.

Quote:

“Depopulation should be addressed with a common effort, taking into account the experiences of citizens on

the ground.”

More information:

The organisation will publish a magazine with the results of all of the activities (the event and the prior

workshops).

256

“Do you know Portugal?”


Type: Presentation, workshops and dissemination of a publication

Organisers: Regional Ministry for the Presidency of the Government (Directorate-General for Institutional

Relations and Foreign Affairs) - Castile and León Government (ES)

Regional Ministry for Education (Directorate-General for Educational Innovation and Teacher

Training) - Castile and León Government (ES)

Chair: Directorate-General for Institutional Relations and Foreign Affairs in the Castile and León

Government (ES)

Speakers: María de Diego, General Director for Institutional Relations and Foreign Affairs, Castile and

León Government

Outline:

“Do you know Portugal?” is an initiative targeting schoolchildren in years five and six of primary school,

aimed at bringing Portuguese geography, language and culture closer to children from our region.

Thanks to the audio-visual and paper materials specifically designed for the initiative, children are able to

deepen their knowledge about Portugal. The activity is led by several instructors under the supervision of a

special tutor appointed by the school. The materials include an eight-page richly illustrated publication, “Do

you know Portugal?”, which explains in a simple and clear way the history, language, most relevant events

and most interesting legends of Portugal. Moreover, children have to answer several questions on the

Portuguese language (particularly false friends) with the help of a basic Portuguese-Spanish dictionary.

At the end of the 60-minute session, children are encouraged to keep learning about our neighbouring

country by downloading the interactive game “Do you know Portugal?” on the CENCYL+ website (Castile and

León – Centro Region of Portugal Working Community, www.cencyl.eu).

Conclusions:

Around 700 pupils from 13 primary schools from Castile and León had the opportunity to deepen their

knowledge about Portugal, highlighting our common past with the Portuguese people and our current good

relations. Thanks to this multimedia initiative, schoolchildren had the chance to learn a little bit more about

the history, language, most relevant events and most interesting legends of Portugal.

The initiative was possible thanks to the CENCYL+ project (Castile and León – Centro Region of Portugal

Working Community). The project was selected in the second call for proposals by the Operational

Programme for Cross-border Cooperation between Spain and Portugal 2007-2013 (POCTEP).

Castile and León (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Zamora, 7-11 October 2013

Valladolid, 14-18 October 2013

Salamanca, 21-25 October 2013

257

More information:

Link to publication

http://www.cencyl.eu/verArticulo.asp?id=145&lang=ES&seccion=Publicaciones y Exposiciones

Link to audio-visual material

http://www.cencyl.eu/verArticulo.asp?id=145&lang=ES&seccion=Publicaciones y Exposiciones

258

"Local air-quality plans: measures and experiences"


Type: Workshop

Organisers: “Generalitat de Catalunya” (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), “Province of Barcelona”

and “Xarxa de Ciutats i Pobles cap a la sostenibilitat per un Aire més net de la Diputació de

Barcelona” (Network of Cities and Towns towards Sustainability for Cleaner Air in the Province

of Barcelona)

Chair: Assumpta Farran, Air Quality General Director, Autonomous Government of Catalonia

Mercè Rius, Environmental Deputy Assistant, Province of Barcelona

Speakers: David Casabona & Maria Llorens, Province of Barcelona

Maria Llorens, Province of Barcelona

Josep Montes, Badalona Municipality

Ricard Alsina, Barcelona Municipality

Fulvio Amato, CSIC

Miquel Estrada, CENIT/UPC University

Maria Rosa Soler, Barcelona University

Oriol Teixidó, Barcelona Regional

Santiago Gassó, UPC University

Outline:

The Barcelona area involves 40 municipalities with important air-quality problems. To solve them,

cooperation among various authorities including municipalities is necessary because they cannot be faced

independently. In this sense, a municipal “Agreement for Cleaner Air” was approved in March 2013 and

several municipalities have joined it.

The main objectives of the workshop are to increase awareness and to provide general guidelines for

elaborating either compulsory or voluntary local air-quality plans.

In the course of the workshop, several aspects of air-quality planning, such as the efficiency of different

measures, were discussed. The Barcelona and Badalona local plans were also presented, and the relationship

between the environmental and mobility areas was highlighted as a key question.

To complete the workshop various operative air-quality models were presented. Using these in conjunction

with data from monitoring stations can help to elaborate a diagnosis of the current situation and to analyse

future scenarios associated with the implementation of measures of regional and local plans, as well as

predicting pollution episodes.

Catalonia (Air quality initiative of regions)

Barcelona

31 October 2013

259

Conclusions:

To achieve the objective of improving air quality it is necessary not only to have a good connection between

the main different areas involved (transport and the environment), but also to generate both technical and

policy committees to deal with this situation by focusing all relevant aspects (economic, social, etc.), and to

make a reliable proposal of measures that fit the reality of the moment.

Quote:

“Improving air quality means improving citizens’ health.”

More information:

www.airemes.net

http://www.diba.cat/web/cjs/inici/-/cjs/2097

http://www.diba.cat/web/xarxasost/matejorn#plansairemesnet

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm0fbiX1LTHV3Ax33kWfFRgJBW9eC9H_l

http://www.airemes.net/

http://www.diba.cat/web/cjs/inici/-/cjs/2097

http://www.diba.cat/web/xarxasost/matejorn#plansairemesnet

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLm0fbiX1LTHV3Ax33kWfFRgJBW9eC9H_l

260

"EU Structural Funds 2014-2020 and opportunities for Catalan

Local Authorities"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Government of the Province of Barcelona; Europe Direct Barcelona

Chair: Salvador Esteve i Figueras, President, Government of the Province of Barcelona

Francesc de Paula Gambús i Millet, Director General of Foreign Affairs, Government of

Catalonia

Joan Carles Garcia Cañizares, Councillor for Presidency and Deputy Councillor for Culture,

Government of the Province of Barcelona

Speakers: Nicholas Martyn, Deputy Director General for Policy, Performance and Compliance,

Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission

Jan Olbrycht, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur on ERDF

José María Piñero Campos, Director General for EU Funds, Spanish Ministry of Finance and

Public Administration

Albert Carné Hernàndez, Director General for Economic Development and Policy, Government

of Catalonia

Pau Perdices Pla, 3rd

Vice-president, Government of the Province of Lleida

Adri Hartkoorn, Secretary of the Managing Authority for the Operational Programme Kansen

voor West (The Netherlands)

Zoltan Kazatsay, Deputy Director General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs

and Inclusion, European Commission

María Irigoyen Pérez, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for the opinion of the

Regional Development Committee on ESF

Joan Aregio i Navarro, Director of the Employment Service, Government of Catalonia

Àlex Grau, Director for Active Employment Policy and Resources, Government of the Province

of Tarragona

Michelle Gautier, European Programme Manager, Dundee City Council

Marc Lobet, Programme Manager, European Cross-border Cooperation unit, Directorate-

General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission

José Luis Pardo Cuerdo, Deputy Director for EU General Affairs, Spanish Ministry of Foreign

Affairs

Miquel Calm i Puig, 3rd

Vice-president, Government of the Province of Girona

Michel Lamblin, Director of INTERREG IVC Programme

Tarja Richard, Joint Technical Secretariat Coordinator, MED Programme

Jordi Castells, Director of International Relations, Government of the Province of Barcelona

Moderation: Pere Puig Anglada, Head of the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to

the EU; Francesc Xavier Forcadell Esteller, General Coordinator, Government of the Province

Diputació de Barcelona (Innovation strategies for smart growth)

Barcelona

30 October 2013

261

of Barcelona; Ramon Viladomat Ballara, Press and Communications Cabinet, Government of

the Province of Barcelona.

Outline:

The seminar was devoted to discussing the future of the European Union cohesion policy and the

opportunities it presents for Catalan local governments, in particular for the implementation of the ERDF,

the ESF and the European Territorial Cooperation.

The seminar sessions focused on the main elements of the regulatory framework and resources that would

be allocated to Spain and Catalonia in the new programming period; the priority setting and financing of the

Spanish and Catalan Managing Authorities; and the stronger focus on sustainable urban development of the

new cohesion policy and the financing possibilities for smart city strategies. Participants had also the

opportunity to learn from the experiences of Dutch and Scottish local platforms in terms of the

implementation of ERDF and ESF funds.

Catalan Local Authorities contributed with their expectations in view of the upcoming period in order to

meet local priorities in terms of energy efficiency, SME support and smart city initiatives. They expressed the

importance of the new policy also tackling the challenges of medium- and small-sized cities and asked for a

major simplification of procedures. Finally, they demanded an important role for local governments in the

defining, delivery and evaluation of the new cohesion policy programmes.

Catalan regional and local authorities, experts, economic and associative representatives and regular citizens

took part in the conference.

Conclusions:

On the eve of the entry into force of the new EU programming period, Catalan municipalities had the chance

to learn and discuss with crucial actors from the European scene the possibilities that the ERDF, the ESF and

the European Territorial Cooperation will offer to cities and urban development. Catalan local authorities

agreed to take full advantage of the 2014–2020 cohesion policy framework to make sure that the needs of

their citizens and territory are properly taken into account and addressed.

Quote:

“The municipalities and the territory of Catalonia are getting ready for the implementation of new European

programmes 2014–2020.”

More information:

Website of the Government of the Province of Barcelona: www.diba.cat/ri

http://www.diba.cat/ri

262

"Specialisation and cooperation on energy efficiency

and renewable energies in the EUROACE Euroregion"


Type: International symposium

Organisers: Regional Government of Extremadura

Chair: Enrique Barrasa, General Director of Investments and External Action, Regional Government

of Extremadura (Spain)

Speakers: Juan J. Cardesa, General Director of Agro-industrial Incentives and Energy – Regional Ministry

of Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment and Energy – Regional Government of

Extremadura

Luisa Revilla, Centre for Technological and Industrial Development (CDTI)

Víctor Píriz Maya, Vice-director FUNDECYT-PCTEX. RIS3 Extremadura / ONE Strategy

Pedro Guilherme, Regional Development Service, CCDR Alentejo (Portugal)

Fernando López Rodríguez, Director of the Extremadura Energy Agency

António Baio Dias, Director of Measurement and Tests at the Glass and Ceramic Technological

Centre (Portugal)

Vicente Sánchez, President of the Extremadura Energy Cluster

Outline:

This Extremadura local event focused on opportunities in the Spanish and Portuguese border regions for

specialisation on energy efficiency and renewable energies. The event presented case studies of projects in

Alentejo, Centro and Extremadura Regions, tackling future funding opportunities with Structural Funds and

Horizon 2020 programmes.

The event counted on social media communication in order to engage a large number of stakeholders in the

energy field on a European level, especially for attracting research and innovation opportunities to the

region.

Conclusions:

The event achieved its proposed objectives. On the one hand, attendees had the opportunity to see at first

hand the developments in financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Secondly,

representatives of the Administration and different energy entities established common projects in this field

in the EUROACE Euroregion. The main conclusion of the seminar is that energy projects are an important

opportunity for the Euroregion from both an ecological and an economic point of view.

Extremadura (Smart clusters for a new industrial revolution)

Badajoz

25 September 2013

263

More information:

http://www.euro-ace.eu/es/noticia/jornada-sobre-especializacion-y-cooperacion-en-eficiencia-energetica-y-

energias-renovables-e

http://digitalextremadura.com/not/42814/jornadas_sobre_especializacion_y_cooperacion_en_eficiencia_e

nergetica_y_energias_renovables/

http://www.gobex.es/salaprensa/view/press/press/detalle.php?id=10362

http://www.mercados21.es/blog/2013/09/26/el-presidente-del-cluster-vicente-sanchez-participa-en-local-

open-days-2013-para-hablar-sobre-proyectos-de-cooperacion-energetica-en-la-euroace/

http://www.euro-ace.eu/es/noticia/jornada-sobre-especializacion-y-cooperacion-en-eficiencia-energetica-y-energias-renovables-e

http://www.euro-ace.eu/es/noticia/jornada-sobre-especializacion-y-cooperacion-en-eficiencia-energetica-y-energias-renovables-e

http://digitalextremadura.com/not/42814/jornadas_sobre_especializacion_y_cooperacion_en_eficiencia_energetica_y_energias_renovables/

http://digitalextremadura.com/not/42814/jornadas_sobre_especializacion_y_cooperacion_en_eficiencia_energetica_y_energias_renovables/

http://www.gobex.es/salaprensa/view/press/press/detalle.php?id=10362

http://www.mercados21.es/blog/2013/09/26/el-presidente-del-cluster-vicente-sanchez-participa-en-local-open-days-2013-para-hablar-sobre-proyectos-de-cooperacion-energetica-en-la-euroace/

http://www.mercados21.es/blog/2013/09/26/el-presidente-del-cluster-vicente-sanchez-participa-en-local-open-days-2013-para-hablar-sobre-proyectos-de-cooperacion-energetica-en-la-euroace/

264

"Hiking down Río Xabriñas"


Type: Hiking

Organisers: Fundación Deporte Galego & Eurocidade Tui-Valença

Outline:

Galicia’s local event will focus on the implementation of Galicia’s plan to fight obesity and to promote active

aging. It is a strategic plan which requires a holistic, comprehensive and sustainable approach. Its mission is

to build a future where the practice of healthy physical activity, with equal opportunities for the entire

population, contributes to people maintaining their health and personal autonomy, enjoying better well-

being and a better quality of life, and preventing and reducing the presence of chronic non-communicable

diseases associated with physical inactivity.

It is furthermore a cross-border initiative between Galicia and North Portugal in Tui-Valença Eurocity.

Participating in the OPEN DAYS local events will show the region’s engagement with the European Union.

The event will showcase a very good example of how we combat demographic challenges in Galicia and

North Portugal.

More information:

http://www.infominho.com/index.php/id/69/objeto/15769

https://www.facebook.com/VERDEAZUL.AVENTURAS

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caminhadas-Saud%C3%A1veis-e-Andainas-Saudables/490178017705157

http://www.vigolowcost.com/2013/04/22/nova-actividade-do-circuito-de-andainas-saudables-da-

eurocidade-tui-valenca-o-28-de-abril/

http://www.munideporte.com/seccion/Actualidad/15037/La-Eurociudad-Tui-Valen%C3%A7a-organiza-17-

andainas-saudables-para-2013.html

Galicia (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions) Joint event with the North of Portugal

Pontevedra

29 September 2013

265

"Cross-border tourism initiatives and thermal innovation:

the case of the Eurocity of Chaves-Verín"


Type: Forum

Organisers: Eurocidade Chaves Verín

Chair: Juan Manuel Jiménez, Mayor of Verín

João Batista, Mayor of Chaves

Speakers: Pablo Rivera, Coordinator, Eurocity of Chaves-Verín

Ana Figueiredo, Tourism Technician at Tourism of Porto and North Portugal

Filipa Leite, Technician at Chaves SPA

Pedro Monteiro, Tourism Technician at Municipality of Chaves

Rui Lopes, Archaeologist at Municipality of Chaves

David Lorenzo, CEO of Tourism Parador in Verín

Chon Lorenzo, Tourism Technician at Municipality of Verín

Patxi Varela, Aquophonic Concert

Outline:

One of the main concentration areas of thermal and hydro-mineral springs in Europe is located in the cross-

border conurbation of Chaves-Verín, which makes this valuable territory a potential high-quality tourism

destination. The eurocity has a demo effect, which promotes the spread of a new culture of European

territorial cooperation and integration, promoting territorial, economic and social development through the

joint promotion of its endogenous resources under one brand, the Eurocity of water. The case of Eurocity

Chaves-Verín as a Cross-border Tourism Initiative and Thermal Innovation was presented at the International

Meeting on Water and Thermalism framed in TERMATALIA, the thermal tourism fair.

In order to achieve this standing, a farm press trip was organised within the programme of Termatalia to

promote this cross-border product among potential tour operators and specialised press from different

countries. The tour had different parts, in which more than 30 participants were able to gain good

knowledge of the tourist areas and facilities. The tour started in Vidago Palace Hotel, Chaves SPA, before

concluding the Portugal part with a typical lunch. It then moved on to Spain, starting with the Parador of

Tourism in Verín, a tasting menu dinner, including water tasting, and finally an “aquophonic” concert.

Galicia (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

Ourense


266

Conclusions:

The overall conclusion of the trip was that the territory has adequate resources for the implementation of a

Thermal and Water Route tourism product that crosses the frontier. In recent years, an increasing number

of investments have allowed Chaves to develop its potential as a spa tourist destination, and Verín has been

mainly devoted to the industrial operation of miner-medicinal waters. It is time for the cross-border cities to

work together, exploring common synergies and becoming a superior-quality tourist destination, with a full

range of services and facilities in addition to an unequalled friendly, healthy and sustainable environment.

More information:


http://www.verin.es/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2273%3A2013-09-26-10-25-

37&catid=41%3Aeurocidade&Itemid=1












267

"The 2nd Cross-border Forum on Emergencies and Road Safety:

Goals and Challenges 2020”


Type: Forum

Organisers: Eurocity of Chaves-Verín and Ourense’s General Department of Traffic

Chair: Juan Jiménez Morán, Mayor of Verín

João Martins Batista, Mayor of Chaves

Speakers: David Llorente, Regional Director of the General Department of Traffic of Ourense

Norberto Aser Gonzalez, Lieutenant in the Civil Guard Traffic of Ourense

Outline:

This was an educational initiative framed within the “2nd

Cross-border Forum on Emergencies and Road

Safety: Goals and Challengers 2020”, which aims to be used as a good-practice laboratory for other cross-

border regions throughout the European Community, as well as joining efforts, exchanging experiences and

giving soundness to existing cross-border cooperation.

During the 5th

Education and Road Safety Week several activities were organised, such as the “2nd

Cross-

border Forum on Emergencies and Road Safety”, with a kart circuit and a display of technical equipment in

Feces de Abaixo. The display was put on by the forces of law and order and by rescue and sanitary teams. At

the forum, talks were given by professionals so that people would consider the relevant issue of road safety.

Conclusions:

There is a real need for raising awareness about the necessity of ending the accident rate on our roads.

Because of this, the Eurocity of Chaves-Verín has been encouraging combined controls by the forces of law

and order from Portugal and Spain. However, the most important step is to create a real sensibility among

citizens of the ideal attitudes required by drivers and pedestrians for reducing the accident rate in this cross-

border conurbation, populated by more than 55 000 people.

Galicia (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

Verín

7-10 October 2013

268

More information:

http://es.eurocidadechavesverin.eu/actividad/2013/v-semana-de-la-educacion-y-seguridad-viaria-de-la-

eurociudad-chaves---verin

http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/ourense/2013/10/08/trescientos-escolares-participan-manana-

semana-educacion-seguridade-vial-eurocidade/00031381233127929296934.htm

http://www.rietiberica.eu/riet/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=471%3Av-semana-de-la-

educacion-y-seguridad-viaria-de-la-eurociudad-chaves-verin&catid=98%3Aasociacionesredibericda&lang=en

http://es.eurocidadechavesverin.eu/actividad/2013/v-semana-de-la-educacion-y-seguridad-viaria-de-la-eurociudad-chaves---verin

http://es.eurocidadechavesverin.eu/actividad/2013/v-semana-de-la-educacion-y-seguridad-viaria-de-la-eurociudad-chaves---verin

http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/ourense/2013/10/08/trescientos-escolares-participan-manana-semana-educacion-seguridade-vial-eurocidade/00031381233127929296934.htm

http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/ourense/2013/10/08/trescientos-escolares-participan-manana-semana-educacion-seguridade-vial-eurocidade/00031381233127929296934.htm

http://www.rietiberica.eu/riet/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=471%3Av-semana-de-la-educacion-y-seguridad-viaria-de-la-eurociudad-chaves-verin&catid=98%3Aasociacionesredibericda&lang=en

http://www.rietiberica.eu/riet/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=471%3Av-semana-de-la-educacion-y-seguridad-viaria-de-la-eurociudad-chaves-verin&catid=98%3Aasociacionesredibericda&lang=en

269

"Cooperation Day in Navarre:

cooperation networks in border regions"


Type: Cycling tour between Navarre (Spain) and the Pyrénées Atlantiques (France), enhancing the

cooperation between the two regions as a symbol of border and interregional cooperation.

Organisers: Government of Navarre – Comunidad de Trabajo de los Pirineos (CTP)

Outline:

The idea was to offer border inhabitants a bike ride along the Bidasoa River to celebrate cooperation

between border regions. The event took place on Sunday 29 September 2013 and consisted of a route

between Béhobia (Spanish-French border) and Endarlaza (Navarre, Spain). The seven-kilometre ride along

the Bidasoa allowed participants to learn about a project co-financed by ERDF funds (Circuldouce) enhancing

territorial cooperation between European regions.

In Endarlaza, to give participants time to rest and recover their strength before the return journey, an

entertainment event for children and adults was organised, with sampling of regional products from both

sides of the border, games for children based on border themes, cooperation and languages, an information

stand about European cooperation and the Brain Flow project, music, and much more. As all of the partners

in the conglomerate belong to the Brain Flow project, information about this mini-programme was offered

to participants.

For the more daring participants, there was a 42 km non-competitive race organised between Béhobia

(French border) and Bertiz (Navarre).

Conclusions:

This event brought European cooperation and funds closer to the citizens. The participants enjoyed a green

line financed by European funds and received information about Europe and cooperation between regions.

More information:

http://blogpin.navarra.es/index.php/celebrando-la-cooperacion-territorial-compartiendo-fronteras-

creciendo-juntos

Navarre (ETC and multi-level networks)

Endarlaza-Behobia-Bertiz

29 September 2013

http://blogpin.navarra.es/index.php/celebrando-la-cooperacion-territorial-compartiendo-fronteras-creciendo-juntos

http://blogpin.navarra.es/index.php/celebrando-la-cooperacion-territorial-compartiendo-fronteras-creciendo-juntos

270

"The science that comes from the sea"


Type: Poster competition for students in secondary schools

Organisers: University of Oviedo, Principality of Asturias

Chair: General Director of Universities and Research of the Principality of Asturias and the Director of

the Knowledge Transfer Office Area of the University of Oviedo

Speakers: Eva García Vázquez, Full Professor of Biology at the University of Oviedo

Outline:

The Principality of Asturias is a region integrated into the Maritime Strategy for the Atlantic Ocean Area.

Together with the regions that make up the Macro-region of the Atlantic, Asturias shares the development

of the sea as a source of energy and a driver of development for the maritime industries. Based on these

objectives, the Principality of Asturias, with the support of the University of Oviedo, has been integrated into

the Blue Biotechnology Regions Consortium.

As a local event, and with the aim of implicating all of the actors including society, a poster competition took

place during November and December for secondary school students entitled “The science that comes from

the sea”. The competition ended with a prize-giving ceremony that included a talk on invasive maritime

species entitled “Small and dangerous. How to fight the new marine monsters”, presented by Eva García

Vázquez, a Full Professor of the University of Asturias.

Conclusions:

The Principality of Asturias is a maritime region. Nevertheless, research conducted in relation to the sea is

not fully disseminated into the civil society. With this competition, this subject was brought closer to

secondary school students, who could become researchers in the near future.

More information:

Competition rules:

http://www.educastur.es/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5266&Itemid=273

Prize-giving ceremony:

http://cei.uniovi.es/biomedicina/novedades/-/asset_publisher/7lTU/content/entrega-de-los-premios-del-

concurso-la-ciencia-que-viene-del-mar?p_r_p_564233524_tag=fecha_y2013,fecha_m12#detalle

Principality of Asturias (Blue biotechnology regions of Europe)

Oviedo

11 & 16 November 2013

http://www.educastur.es/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5266&Itemid=273

http://cei.uniovi.es/biomedicina/novedades/-/asset_publisher/7lTU/content/entrega-de-los-premios-del-concurso-la-ciencia-que-viene-del-mar?p_r_p_564233524_tag=fecha_y2013,fecha_m12#detalle

http://cei.uniovi.es/biomedicina/novedades/-/asset_publisher/7lTU/content/entrega-de-los-premios-del-concurso-la-ciencia-que-viene-del-mar?p_r_p_564233524_tag=fecha_y2013,fecha_m12#detalle

271

Press article (Europa Press):

http://www.gentedigital.es/oviedo/noticia/1282288/el-principado-participa-en-la-estrategia-europea-

crecimiento-azul-para-potenciar-actividades-vinculadas-con-el-mar/

Winning poster

http://www.gentedigital.es/oviedo/noticia/1282288/el-principado-participa-en-la-estrategia-europea-crecimiento-azul-para-potenciar-actividades-vinculadas-con-el-mar/

http://www.gentedigital.es/oviedo/noticia/1282288/el-principado-participa-en-la-estrategia-europea-crecimiento-azul-para-potenciar-actividades-vinculadas-con-el-mar/

272

“Get enterprises ready for 2014-2020”


Type: Workshop

Organisers: Instituto de Fomento Región de Murcia

European Commission (DG Enterprise and DG REGIO)

Spanish Ministry of Industry and Competitiveness

Chair: Daniel Calleja, SME Envoy, Director General DG Enterprise (video-conference)

Juan Hernández, Director of the Instituto de Fomento

Speakers: Maria Simó, Sub-director of Competitiveness, Spanish Ministry of Industry MINETRU

Andrés Carrillo, General Director of EU Funds, Murcia Region

Luis Guerra, CDTI; MINECO

Margerida Alburquerque, COSME Relator, DG Enterprise

Bernardo Román, PWC

Outline:

SMEs are the backbone of the European economy, key actors for European economic growth and for job

creation. The new EU 2014-2020 programmes will offer new instruments to European SMEs, easing their

access to credit, improving their access to markets inside and outside Europe, creating a favourable

environment for them and filling gaps in funding for early-stage, high-risk research and innovation by SMEs.

The organisers are to stimulate our SMEs to participate across the whole Horizon 2020 programme through

a new dedicated SME instrument designed specifically for highly innovative smaller companies. COSME aims

at strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the Union’s enterprises, encouraging an

entrepreneurial culture and promoting the creation and growth of SMEs.

Political addresses as well as technical contributions are to be offered to attendants of this meeting. A global

panorama for further activities in the coming months includes sharing resources and joining forces for a

series of intermediate business organisations aligned with INFO Murcia.

Conclusions:

This seminar officially launched the PREPARADOS PARA 2014-2020 campaign, the aim of which is to enable

regional companies and intermediate business organisations to become more familiar with the new

programming scenario emerging from the EU, notably EU programmes and instruments for SMEs.

Raising awareness in the business community about the potential opportunities arising from EU-funded

programmes will enable our regional companies to take advantage of such a challenging scenario. For public

administrations, there is a need to design support services for SMEs and intermediate bodies willing to

participate in this context in the new programming period.

Region of Murcia (Innovative knowledge-based regions)

Murcia

11 December 2013

273

PREPARADOS is aligned with that scope and is intended to be a permanent platform for cooperation

between related administrations, intermediate organisations and SMEs, explaining opportunities in the

frame of HORIZON 2020, COSME, ESIF financial Instruments, and so on.

The session was broadcast through the Infot-tv streaming portal.

Quote:

“Get enterprises ready for 2014-2020.”

More information:

http://www.carm.es/web/pagina?IDCONTENIDO=73035&IDTIPO=10&RASTRO=c$m122,70

http://www.institutofomentomurcia.es/web/portal/bienvenido?p_p_id=62_INSTANCE_iR9n&p_p_lifecycle=

0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-

2&p_p_col_count=1&_62_INSTANCE_iR9n_struts_action=%2Fjournal_articles%2Fview&_62_INSTANCE_iR9

n_groupId=10131&_62_INSTANCE_iR9n_articleId=1216486&_62_INSTANCE_iR9n_version=1.1

http://www.institutofomentomurcia.es/web/portal/info-tv

https://www.yammer.com/info.carm.es/#/Threads/index?type=following

http://www.laverdad.es/murcia/20131211/local/region/murcia-comunidad-desvela-empresas-

201312111754.html

http://www.carm.es/web/pagina?IDCONTENIDO=73035&IDTIPO=10&RASTRO=c$m122,70

http://www.institutofomentomurcia.es/web/portal/bienvenido?p_p_id=62_INSTANCE_iR9n&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=maximized&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-2&p_p_col_count=1&_62_INSTANCE_iR9n_struts_action=%2Fjournal_articles%2Fview&_62_INSTANCE_iR9n_groupId=10131&_62_INSTANCE_iR9n_articleId=1216486&_62_INSTANCE_iR9n_version=1.1




http://www.institutofomentomurcia.es/web/portal/info-tv

https://www.yammer.com/info.carm.es/#/Threads/index?type=following

http://www.laverdad.es/murcia/20131211/local/region/murcia-comunidad-desvela-empresas-201312111754.html

http://www.laverdad.es/murcia/20131211/local/region/murcia-comunidad-desvela-empresas-201312111754.html

274

"Seafood Festival in O Grove: 50th edition"


Type: Festival

Organisers: Concello de O Grove-Diputación de Pontevedra

Outline:

The seafood festival is a local event, held every October since 1963. It was declared an event of Tourist

Interest in Galicia in the 1980s, and in 2013 it won the National Tourist Interest Statement ahead of

celebrating its 50th

edition. This gastronomic and cultural event highlights the pillars of the local economy,

tourism and fishing, and is the main promotional banner for the Concello of O Grove and the “Rias Baixas” as

a gastronomic destination.

This year, in its 50th

year, there were stands selling seafood (fish and shellfish), in order to highlight the good

quality of the products extracted from the sea.

Fresh seafood tasting is the main attraction of this event. In addition, the local government strives to offer

other activities to celebrate marine resources and to inform the population and visitors of their importance.

Other activities included: the traditional boat race, show cooking, popular songs, the 16th

Forum on Marine

Resources and Aquaculture Galician Rias, gastronomic events and competition dishes, as well as other

sporting and cultural activities.

Conclusions:

This event is of great importance to our area and combines the traditional economy with tourism. The

results were excellent, with gastronomy and the sea attracting thousands of visitors. In fact, the celebration

welcomed more than 200 000 visitors. The number of servings of food sold reached 92 465 portions.

More information:

http://www.turismogrove.es/es/fiestas/fiesta_del_marisco

Pontevedra (Europe of traditions - linking through water)

O Grove-Pontevedra

3-13 October 2013

http://www.turismogrove.es/es/fiestas/fiesta_del_marisco

275

"Europe in my city: businesses, researchers and public authorities

collaborating in the Action Groups of the European Innovation

Partnership on Water"


Type: Presentations & workshops

Organisers: Zaragoza City Council, ZINNAE Urban Cluster for the efficient use of water and Red Aragon

7PM Network

Chair: Presentation session: Isaac Navarro, President of ZINNAE

Workshop: Mº Luisa Fernández Soler, Cluster Manager ZINNAE

Speakers: Presentation session:

María López Palacín, First Vice-president of the Cámara de Comercio of Zaragoza

Jerónimo Blasco, City Councillor of Culture, Education and Environment at the Zaragoza City

Council

Robert Schröder, Policy Officer, European Commission, DG Environment – video-conference

Carolina Rodriguez, Spanish Delegate of the FP7 Environment Programme Committee. Spanish

Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), Centre for the Development of Industrial

Technology (CDTI)

Olivier Brunet, Policy Officer in an exchange programme with another public servant from the

Government of Aragon, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation

Isaac Navarro, President of ZINNAE

Workshop:

Guido Schmidt, EIP Water Secretariat

Jorge Molina, University of Zaragoza, FINNOWATER

Richard Elelman, The Network for Water in European Regions and Cities (NETWERC H2O), City

Blueprint

Ignacio Martín, Fundación Circe, Ecosystem Services for Europe

Natalia Vera, Collaborator Instituto Aragonés del Agua, WaterCore

Outline:

The presentation session began with an introduction by the Council on Zaragoza’s commitment to promoting

efficient water-management practices (municipal by-law on water efficiency, infrastructure improvement

plan, water EXPO, water-related projects, etc.), which have led to achieving a domestic consumption ratio of

around 100 litres per capita per day.

The representatives from the European Commission and the Spanish Government introduced the EIP on

Water and the instruments that have been developed for identifying barriers to innovation and solutions for

addressing such barriers, as well as the involvement of a Member State in the EIP on Water.

Saragossa (Alliance for a water-efficient Europe)

Saragossa

1 October 2013

276

Olivier Brunet highlighted the added value of a regional innovation strategy involving the city and the

importance of the concept of "smart cities" in the context of initiatives and programmes proposed by the EU

on water.

Isaac Navarro presented ZINNAE’s interest in EIP Water Action Groups.

Guido Schmidt introduced the EIP Water Online Marketplace as a place for networking, where it is possible

to find supply and demand of water solutions.

The workshop aimed to identify the barriers to innovation (funding, knowledge transfer, etc.), with particular

emphasis on SMEs, and analysed the expectations of researchers, companies and civil servant from public

authorities concerning their role in the EIP Action Groups and the results thereof. There were four

testimonies on the process of drawing up Action Group proposals from Jorge Molina, Richard Elelman,

Natalia Vera and Ignacio Martin, who are all members of different Action Groups.

The results of the workshop were presented during the OPEN DAYS Brussels event so that they could be

shared with other participants of the EIP Water Action Groups as well as other European regions and cities.

Conclusions:

At the end of this event we held an evaluation in which the participants gave us their opinion. They

highlighted the importance and usefulness of the EIP Water Marketplace. The debate between the four

members of the action groups was very interesting to representatives of SMEs, showing them how they can

participate in them and the benefits of this. The results of the workshop were presented during the OPEN

DAYS Brussels event so that they could be shared with other participants of the EIP Water Action Groups as

well as other European regions and cities.

Quote:

"The clusters are tools enabling SMEs to participate in European initiatives and helping them to overcome

barriers to innovation."

More information:

http://www.zinnae.org/es/ejes-de-actuacion/openday011013

http://www.zinnae.org/es/ejes-de-actuacion/openday011013

277

"Business Meetings at Environment and Energy Fairs"


Type: Brokerage event, conferences and exhibition of European project results

Organisers: REDIT – Network of Technological Centres of Valencian Region

CÁMARA VALENCIA – Chamber of Commerce of Valencia

FERIA VALENCIA – Trade Fair of Valencia

REDIT and CÁMARA VALENCIA belong to the Enterprise Europe Network (SEIMED consortium),

so several members of the network co-organised the event, promoting it in their regions:

Spain: CESEAND consortium, UNIVERSIDAD DE ALICANTE, CÁMARA DE COMERCIO, INDUSTRIA

Y NAVEGACIÓN DE BILBAO

Germany: TECHNOLOGIETRANSFER UND INNOVATIONSFÖRDERUNG MAGDEBURG GmbH,

HESSEN TRADE & INVEST GmbH

Bulgaria: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY DOBRICH

USA: THE EUROPEAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

Portugal: CÂMARA DE COMÉRCIO E INDÚSTRIA DO CENTRO

United Kingdom: UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH

Romania: SC IPA SA CIFATT CRAIOVA

Russia: RUSSIAN UNION OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRES

Serbia: UNIVERSITY OF NIS

InnDEA – a foundation of Valencia City Council co-organised the exhibition of European project

results involving universities and companies.

Chair: Brokerage event: N/A

Conferences: Ignacio Miranda

Exhibition of European project results: Ignacio Miranda and David Orrico

Speakers: Conferences:

Carolina Rodríguez, Centre for Industrial and Technological Development (CDTI)

Francisco Zorrila, Grupo Aguas de Valencia

Enrique Cabrera, Polytechnic University of Valencia

Adolfo Torres, National Ministry for Agriculture and the Environment (MAGRAMA)

Joaquín Rodríguez, National Ministry for Agriculture and the Environment (MAGRAMA)

José Monzonís, Ministry for Regional Economy and Industry

Juan Viesca, Ministry for Regional European Funding and Projects

Borja Izquierdo, Centre for Industrial and Technological Development (CDTI)

Valencian Region (Innovative knowledge-based regions)

Valencia

13-15 November 2013

278

Exhibition of European project results:

José Tomás, Centre for Industrial and Technological Development (CDTI)

Mayte Gil, Energy Technology Centre (ITE)

Raúl Soriano, Energy Technology Centre (ITE)

Juan Pablo González, Energy Technology Centre (ITE)

Agustín Merlos, Toy Technology Centre (AIJU)

Encarna Alemañ, Toy Technology Centre (AIJU)

Rosa López, Textile Technology Centre (AITEX)

Ana Hurtado, Metalmechanics Technology Centre (AIMME)

Francisco Bosch, Metalmechanics Technology Centre (AIMME)

Manuel Porcar, University of Valencia

José Ribes, University of Valencia

Jesús V. Delegido, University of Valencia

Andrés Pascual, Agro-food Technology Centre (AINIA)

Rosa González, Plastics Technology Centre (AIMPLAS)

José Cabeza, SERVYECO

Gabriel Soler, Instituto de Ecología Litoral

Eva Verdejo, Plastics Technology Centre (AIMPLAS)

Ana Espert, Plastics Technology Centre (AIMPLAS)

Outline:

The 4th

edition of Business Meetings at Environment and Energy Fairs was held in Valencia from 13 to 15

November 2013, in the framework of the Environment and Energy Fairs-RSC, that compile the topics covered

by Egética-Expoenergética (energy), Efiaqua (water), Green Up (landscaping), Novabuild (eco-building), and

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

A total of 85 national professionals and eight from other European countries attended this event that

offered them the chance to find new commercial and/or technological partners, to discover new trends and

innovations and to generate different kinds of collaboration agreements.

The Business Meetings have become a platform for companies and organisations where they can find new

transnational commercial/technological partners, start cooperation agreements and share innovative

technologies by means of the b2b meetings arranged according to the individual interests of each company.

In this way exhibitors and visitors participating in the event have been able to manage their time at the fairs

more efficiently.

Besides the Business Meetings corresponding to the “brokerage event”, REDIT also hosted a meeting of the

Materials Sector Group of the Enterprise Europe Network, and organised presentations involving CDTI

speakers about European funding from 2014 to 2020 relating to the areas of water management, energy and

the environment. The strategy and position of Valencian Region in Europe regarding the aforementioned

areas were also explained.

Furthermore, REDIT coordinated a conference together with the local agency InnDEA, in which several

technology centres, universities and companies presented the results that they have obtained from

European projects and that are ready to be transferred to the market.

279

Conclusions:

The participants, the fair exhibitors and Feria Valencia were very satisfied with all of the successful initiatives

organised. They plan to count on these kinds of activities again for the next edition, because of the

dynamism they confer and the opportunities for collaboration and business that they present to all

attendees.

Quote:

“Even though the events still somehow had a regional focus the BE was really well organised.”

More information:

The event was managed via the online platform http://www.b2match.eu/environment-energies2013. The

platform received 3170 visits before the event, supported the registration of 93 participants along with their

profiles, offers and requests included in the online catalogue, and allowed the organisation of 80 agendas.

The programmes for the conferences and exhibition were promoted on our website (www.redit.es) and

constantly disseminated to all our databases.

280

"Italian culture and workshop about European institutions

and the right to vote of European migrants in Spain"


Type: Fair

Organisers: Asociación Italiani a Siviglia, Seville City Hall, Consulate of Italy and the AFIES Fondation,

Seville, (Palacio de los Marqueses de la Algaba), Spain

Speakers: Marycruz Arcos, Professor at the University of Seville, International Public Law and

International Relations

Outline:

Every year the Italian Association in Seville organises an event which brings together entrepreneurs, artists

and Italian citizens in general living in Seville, with the main aim of showing the movements of the Italian

population in this province, in particular in relation to their trends, desires, etc.

Taking into account that the Italian population is the third-largest group of EU migrants living in Seville, after

Romanian and English citizens, and the importance of raising awareness and promoting their participation in

relation to local and EU elections, in the framework of the project Operation Vote we will take this

opportunity to engage the Italian community in Seville.

Our event, in the framework of the Italian Fair, aims to explain to the Italian population living in Seville about

EU institutions and their real functions, the importance of EU institutions and their decisions in the daily lives

of Europeans citizens, and to reflect on the low participation of European citizens in EU elections. We will

also provide information and raise awareness among Italian migrants living in Seville about their rights to

vote in the next EU elections.

This event will take place on Saturday and it will be a great opportunity to bring together a large number of

Italian migrants and people interested in this topic.

Conclusions:

Italian migrants are one of the most important groups of EU movers in Spain, after Romanians and English.

In the last local elections there were 40 663 Italians registered to vote and this year there are 33 289 on a

national level, which means less than last year. In addition, their knowledge about their rights to vote is

poor, relating in particular to their rights to vote in their country/place of residence. In this respect it is

important to carry out these kinds of activities in order to be closer to EU citizens and to inform them in

their own language about EU institutions and their impact and importance in their lives, as well as the

requirements in relation to their rights to vote.

Asociación Italiani a Siviglia

Seville

19 October 2013

281

Quote:

“Be closer to EU migrants living in a country where they are not nationals.”

More information:

Cafebabel.com; Media-fixer.com; Facebook (Operation Vote and Cafebabel); Sevilla.patiesos.es; Edublog di

Italiano

http://www.italianiasiviglia.com/casa

http://www.italianiasiviglia.com/casa

283

SWEDEN


City of Gothenburg Gothenburg

City of Malmö – EVENT CANCELLED Malmö

City of Stockholm – EVENT CANCELLED Stockholm

East Sweden Linköping

Norrbotten Luleå

North Central Sweden (joint event with Hedmark, NO) Karlstad

Regio Skåne Landskrona

Region Värmland Karlstad

Region Västra Götaland Göteborg

Västerbotten Region City of Umeå and Holmsund Harbour


Europe Direct Hässleholm Hässleholm

Ten local events were planned to be organised by the regional partners.

Furthermore, one event was organised by an independent partner and

four events took place in the framework of the European Cooperation

Day.

Regio Skåne had planned a presentation on the status of fuel cell

technology connected to electromobility and future transportation.

Europe Direct Hässleholm had planned a workshop on how to improve

people's quality of life throughout Europe, and in particular the north-

eastern part of Skåne.

The reports of the City of Gothenburg, East Sweden, Norrbotten, North

Central Sweden, Region Värmland, Region Västra Götaland and

Västerbotten Region are enclosed.

284

"Youth and EU 2020"


Type: EU breakfast – public debate

Organisers: City of Gothenburg International Relations Office

Chair: Sebastian Marx, CEO of Gothenburg European Office

Speakers: Sebastian Marx, CEO of Gothenburg European Office

Emma Ödman, Programme Coordinator, Kulturhuset Frilagret

Meliha Hadzinumanbegovic, Trainee at the International Department, City of Gothenburg

Ulrika Landergren, Member of the Committee of Regions, City of Gothenburg

Robert Hammarstrand, Vice-mayor of the City of Gothenburg

Outline:

On 6 December the City of Gothenburg organised the 2013 local event in the form of a dialogue EU breakfast

meeting. The theme for the breakfast was the EU Agenda in the area of young people without complete high

school grades. The debate evolved around three themes:

1. How can EU-funded projects in the city give added value to the regular work conducted by the city,

especially projects with a focus on drop-outs?

2. How important is it that young people from the City of Gothenburg are given possibilities to meet and

discuss with young people from other European cities through EU-funded activities?

3. How will local politicians contribute to disseminating good results and innovative solutions that come out

of local EU project work on a wider regional, national and European level?

Conclusions:

EU projects play a vital role in tackling pressing issues on a local level, as the projects demonstrated showed

impressively. Several successful projects relating to drop-outs were presented and discussed and there is a

strong will to continue to use EU projects to elevate activities in this field. It is, however, crucial that the

projects are well defined and executed and then widely disseminated locally, regionally, nationally and on a

European level.

City of Gothenburg (Innovation strategies for smart growth)

Gothenburg

6 December 2013

285

Quotes:

"We need to find solid results that will not disappear when a project ends." - Ulrika Landergren

“When starting a project, you have a responsibility to finish it and to pass on the experience. If successful, the

project should be integrated into the ordinary activities of the local authority.” - Robert Hammarstrand

More information:

www.goteborg.se

http://www.goteborg.se/

286

"A day of the future – visions and reflections"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: Hälsans nya verktyg / New Tools for Health

Chair: Anders Carlsson

Speakers: Elisabeth Nilsson, Governor of East Sweden County

Sara Riggare, KI

Michael Hoffmann, NIPE

Jane Lindell Lundgren, Svt

Ola Jansson, STARK Corporate Communication

Outline:

How will we feel when we grow older? What can we expect and how can older people be more engaged in

caring for themselves for longer? True and interesting presentations from researchers from KI and NIPE will

set the platform for discussions. Ola Stark will get the ball rolling by explaining the gaming world and how it

can be used to help people to change and break habits.

Conclusions:

Older people need to be more engaged in their own daily care. Thanks to new technology, this can happen.

Smart solutions that are easy to apply and use are needed, now more than ever. Together we can create

solutions and systems that are for people, and not only by people.

More information:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdKT-RcsvRM&feature=player_embedded

http://www.halsansnyaverktyg.se/nyheter-press/nyheter/663-tack-for-en-lycka

East Sweden (Demographic challenges – the regional solutions)

Linköping

4 November 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdKT-RcsvRM&feature=player_embedded

http://www.halsansnyaverktyg.se/nyheter-press/nyheter/663-tack-for-en-lycka

287

"eHealth-care Centre - applications for improved health"


Type: Conference

Organisers: County Council of Norrbotten (NLL), in cooperation with Luleå University of Technology (LTU)

Chair: Mats Brännström, County Director NLL

Speakers: Agneta Granström, County Council Commissioner NLL

Lilian Setic, Project Manager NLL

Inger Lindberg, Lecturer; Siv Söderberg, Professor; Birgitta Linberg, Lecturer, at the Institution

of Health Science at Luleå University of Technology

Lennart Isaksson, Project Manager EIC

Carl-Johan Westborg, GP at Björknäs Health-care Centre NLL

Helena Abrahamsson, biomedical analyst at Grytnäs Health-care centre NLL

Margareta Malteryd or Arne Thorén, patients in the RH project

Outline:

In today’s society people perform many tasks over the Internet that were previously managed through

personal meetings. Some examples are banking, ticket reservations, requests for building permits, etc. The

list is almost endless. The same development is taking place in health care, where citizens can make

appointments and renew prescriptions safely and securely over the Internet. This can be done 24 hours/day

365 days/year without queues. In addition to this type of basic service, health-care applications are evolving

for improved health. For example, applications for people with chronic diagnoses like diabetes and

cardiovascular disease. During a half-day conference on 4 October 2013, Norrbotten County Council

together with Luleå University of Technology presented the potential of eHealth, where the Swedish Patient

Portal Mina Vårdkontakter (MVK) was presented along with an ongoing EU project for prescribed health care

named Renewing Health. The Swedish part of the Renewing Health project includes patients with

cardiovascular diagnoses, hypertension and type-2 diabetes.

Conclusions:

Patients appreciate increased empowerment. Besides the possibilities that the national patient portal offers,

patients with chronic diagnoses are positive about reporting their own diagnosis measurements and

physical exercise. However, patients request regular feedback from caregivers. The caregivers are also

positive about improved patient engagement, but they feel that these activities are for the patient’s own

sake and that they do not need to be actively involved. It is enough to consider the information collected by

the patient at traditional appointments. Senior management requests significant evidence that the method

improves health services and/or the economy. When available, required re-imbursement changes can be

initiated for large-scale implementation of the new method.

Norrbotten (Renewing Health)

Luleå

4 September 2013

288

More information:

Follow the link for a six-minute video about the Renewing Health project in Norrbotten, Sweden:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfta6mS8C_o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfta6mS8C_o

289

"Värmland and Hedmark in European Territorial Cooperation:

networks and interregional cooperation"


Type: Presentations

Organisers: Värmland County Administrative Board and Hedmark County Council

Chair: Paul Nemes, Manager, International Secretariat, Värmland County Administrative Board

(Moderator)

Speakers: Robert Andrén, County Director, Värmland County Administrative Board

Paul Nemes, Manager, International Secretariat, Värmland County Administrative Board

Eva Lundin, Senior Adviser, International Unit, Hedmark County Council

Peter Moorman, Project Manager, European Territorial Cooperation, Province of Overijssel

Éamonn McCallion, Research Advisor, Grants and Innovation Office, Karlstad University

Ida Kullgren, Project Officer, International Secretariat, Värmland County Administrative Board

Lennart Blomquist, Senior Adviser, Karlstad University

Karin Karlsson, Head of Unit, Karlstad Municipality

Outline:

The local event was an opportunity not only to communicate on a regional level the content of the OPEN

DAYS workshop in Brussels, but also to focus on the themes that were the focus of this: the importance of

networks in interregional cooperation, the importance of active regional participation in interregional

cooperation and the INTERREG IVC mini-programme Brain Flow.

The actual OPEN DAYS workshop and its aims were communicated during the local event. The local event

also presented to participants interregional networking from Värmland’s, Hedmark’s and Overijssel’s

perspectives. Participants were also introduced to interregional cooperation through INTERREG IVC. The

INTERREG IVC mini-programme Brain Flow was used as a concrete example of the importance of networks as

a prerequisite to interregional cooperation. The local event provided an opportunity on a regional level to

increase understanding and knowledge of interregional cooperation.

Conclusions:

During the local event, the speakers communicated the OPEN DAYS concept and underlined the importance

of the OPEN DAYS workshop’s main topic: networks in interregional cooperation. More people in the region

now understand the significance of networks as a prerequisite to cooperation, and more people in the

region are familiar with the concept of interregional cooperation.

North Central Sweden (ETC and multi-level networks) Joint event with Hedmark

Karlstad

16 December 2013

290

Quote: “Cooperation is spelled with two letters only: ‘WE’.” More information:



291

“The EU’s transnational funds and programmes – an untapped

resource for Värmland?”


Type: Conference

Organisers: Region Värmland

Chair: Rebecca Cunevski, Manager of International Relations, Region Värmland

Speakers: Peter Jadesjö, West Sweden

Linnéa Flodqvist, Arvika kommun

Jenny Sander, Länsstyrelsen i Värmland

Outline:

On 20 September, around 70 participants gathered in Karlstad to discuss how EU funds and programmes can

contribute to local and regional development in Värmland. The purpose of the day was to look ahead to the

next programming period and to emphasise the use of transnational funds in developing Värmland towards

2020. Important topics were: how can we work strategically with EU projects and how do we build successful

transnational projects? Good examples from successful project implementation from the current

programming period were also presented. Arvika Municipality presented their project “Connected Vitality”,

funded by the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme. Aside from the project itself, Arvika also talked

about the added value of participating in a transnational project. The second project example, “LIFE Vänern”,

was presented by the County Administrative Board. The project is funded by the LIFE+ programme and has

recently started. The County Administrative Board contributed with valuable insights into the application

process and the expectations concerning the project.

Conclusions:

Traditionally, structural funds are well established in Värmland and the regional stakeholders generally have

a good knowledge of the structural funds and how to participate. At the same time, knowledge of the EU’s

transnational funds and programmes is not very widespread and there are relatively few stakeholders that

have participated in a transnational project. The regional priorities are well aligned with the transnational

funds and programmes, and one important conclusion of the day was the importance of improving

knowledge in order to better use transnational funds in Värmland in the 2014-2020 period.

More information:

http://www.regionvarmland.se/projekt/nyheter/presentationer-fran-kan-dra-nytta-av-eus-sektorsprogram

Region Värmland (Advanced cooperation in the North Sea-Channel area)

Karlstad

20 September 2013

http://www.regionvarmland.se/projekt/nyheter/presentationer-fran-kan-dra-nytta-av-eus-sektorsprogram

292

"Discover Circular Economy"


Type: Lecture and debate

Organisers: Europa Direkt Göteborgsregionen and the library in Majorna, Gothenburg

Chair: N/A

Speakers: Carina Sundqvist, MA, Circular Business Developer, Inspirationsbyrån

Outline:

Some of the goals for Europe 2020 are sustainable growth and topics concerning the environment. In the

region of Göteborg and Västra Götaland these are essential. There are car pools, clothing libraries, fair-trade

coffee shops and campaigns for the city as well as the community in general to recycle more, use the bike

instead of the car, think twice before printing an email, and so on.

Carina Sundquist cited Henry Ford: “If you wait for the customers to tell you what to do – then you are too

late”. Her point is that a producer, an entrepreneur, etc., must be a step ahead of the customer and create

better goods that can survive recycling or be degradable. For instance, there is a company in Holland where

you can lease jeans for €5 a month; oatshoes.com is another example, of a shoe with degradable shoe hole,

designed by Stella McCartney. The audience asked a good deal of questions and gave good examples

themselves, as well as learning more. After the lecture, a group of people became new stakeholders.

Five steps to a circular economy:

Let us plan for a society and an economy that works by the laws of nature, where nutrients flow in a never-

ending loop. Below are suggestions based on the ideas of Gunter Pauli. It is a quick plan on #what2do, and

how to take positive steps towards a #circulareconomy.

1. Eliminate from the economy what should never have been.

2. Eliminate the concept of waste!

3. Recreate the cycle between the city and the land, making sure that nutrients flow both ways.

4. Find a dynamic balance between biological and mineral-based products.

5. Continue on from just analysing problems to identifying solutions!

Read more: The Guardian Sustainable Business

More information:

www.innovationsbyran.se

www.cirkularvisionar.se

Region Västra Götaland (Blue biotechnology regions of Europe)

Göteborg

29 October 2013

293



Type: Inauguration of bridge and public presentation of ferry









Outline:









Conclusions:




More information:

www.umea.se/umeahamn.

Västerbotten Region (Baltic Sea Group)


Harbour

13 & 23 November 2013


295

SWITZERLAND


Basel-Landschaft Basel

Basel-Stadt Basel-Weil am Rhein-Rheinfelden-Huningue

Two local events were planned to be organised by the regional partners.

Basel-Landschaft had planned an exhibition and social programme from

17 to 19 October in Basel on urban and regional planning across borders.

The report of Basel-Stadt is enclosed.

296

"slowUp Basel-Dreiland"


Type: Car-free day

Organisers: The slowUp Basel-Dreiland Association

Chair: Manuel Friesecke, Director of Regio Basiliensis and President of the Association slowUp Basel-

Dreiland.

Outline:

On a Sunday in September, in the three countries surrounding the city of Basel, 60 km of roads will be

blocked off to motorised vehicles. The route passes through 14 municipalities located in Switzerland, France,

and Germany, with over 13 fairgrounds. The wonderful atmosphere created by the car-free environment can

be enjoyed by people of all ages, whether they are the sporty type or just a leisurely stroller. The circuit

contains three loops of 20 km each and crosses the border seven times. This important event attracts up to

65 000 people, who participate on their bicycles or inline skates. The route is mostly flat, and the speed and

travel distance is entirely up to the participating individual. Participation in the event is free and open to the

public.

Conclusions:

This event is not for high-performance athletes, but for anyone, regardless of age, size or strength. The

wonderful atmosphere created by the car-free environment can be enjoyed by people of all ages, whether

they are the sporty type or a leisurely stroller. It is for the population at large, people who enjoy walking,

biking and socialising in the outdoors, attracting about 30 000 participants.

More information:

http://www.basel-dreiland.ch/

Basel-Stadt (ETC and multi-level networks)

Basel-Weil am Rhein-

Rheinfelden-Huningue

15 September 2013

http://www.basel-dreiland.ch/

297

THE NETHERLANDS


Arnhem Nijmegen City Region Duiven

City of Maastricht Maastricht

Eindhoven

Province of Friesland Leeuwarden

G-4 EU Office (Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht) Utrecht

Province of Gelderland (joint event with Overijssel) Arnhem

Leeuwarden Zwolle

Northern Netherlands Provinces Groningen

Province of Overijssel Arnhem

Province of Flevoland Emmeloord

Province of Limburg (joint event with North Brabant) Eindhoven / ‘s Hertogenbosch

Province of North Brabant (joint event with Limburg) Eindhoven / ‘s Hertogenbosch

Province of North Holland Diemen

Randstad Region Lelystad


Provincial Staten of Gelderland / Arnhem Arnhem

Fourteen local events were planned to be organised by the regional

partners. One independent partner wanted to organise a local event and

two events took place in the framework of the European Cooperation

Day.

The City of Maastricht had planned an event on 6 November on how the

city and the region are engaged with the European Union and the

European 2020 goals and how they can benefit from the new European

programmes 2014-2020. Eindhoven did not provide any information on its

event. The G-4 EU Office had planned a conference in September in

Utrecht to celebrate the 300 years of the Treaty of Utrecht. The Province

of North Holland had planned an event in Diemen in September on

cultural entrepreneurship. The independent partner had planned a

networking event in October in Arnhem on how to reduce the ecological

footprint of our food consumption pattern.

The reports of Arnhem Nijmegen City Region, Province of Friesland

Province of Gelderland, Leeuwarden, Northern Netherlands Provinces,

Province of Overijssel, Province of Flevoland, Province of Limburg and

Province of North Brabant are enclosed.

298

"Innovation meets Inspiration"


Type: Panel discussion and networking drink

Organisers: Municipality of Duiven together with Stichting KiEMT

Chair: J.J.A.M. van Groningen, Deputy Mayor of the municipality of Duiven, Moderator

Speakers: Chris van de Ven, Director of Hope XXL

Jack Crielaard, Social Innovator and Research Leader of the Social Innovation Foundation

Outline:

As an integral part of Duiven’s OPEN DAYS presentation at the workshop “Clusters as drivers for smart

specialisation” (Lodzkie house on 8 October), a local event was organised at the water purification site of the

Rijn & Ijssel Water Board, which is located in the InnoFase industrial estate. The event’s theme was: ‘How

innovation meets inspiration’.

During this event, entrepreneurs, local aldermen, civil servants and scientist from all fields met together.

Against the background of an older overarching theme in Duiven, ‘Crisis, or new reality?!’ they discussed

whether or not rather “old methods of working” still fit the new reality of today. Our societies are at a

turning point in history, and the question is whether we are still able to really innovate like we used to.

Topics that were discussed revolved around this question. For instance, should we move to more cross-

sectorial collaboration networks in order to make real renewal that matters possible?

The discussion was led and started off by two presentations by Chris van der Ven and Jack Crielaard. Chris

van der Ven told us an inspiring story about his project HOPE XXL and inspired every single attendant to

think big. Afterwards Jack Crielaard took the floor, and he explained how organisations tend to work and

how they could work. He gave examples of building an organisation in which bottom-up innovation can truly

be fostered.

Conclusions:

In order to be innovative, people first of all need to be inspired! If that aspect is taken care of, the next step

for organisations is to give their employees enough space (literally, but mostly metaphorically) for them to

be able to do something with this innovation.

Quote:

“Sometimes innovating feels a bit like stage-diving: you take a leap of faith and hope you will experience the

awesome feeling of triumph when everything works out.”

Arnhem Nijmegen City Region (European challenges - local solutions)

Duiven

7 November 2013

299

"Wetsus 10th Anniversary Congress"


Type: Congress

Organisers: Wetsus, centre of excellence for sustainable water technology

Chair: Ed Nijpels, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Wetsus

Speakers: Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure & the Environment

Cees Buisman, Executive Board, Wetsus

Kurt Vandenberghe, Director of the Environment, DG Research & Innovation (EC)

Carlos Cosín, CEO of Abengoa Water

Guido Landheer, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Director of "Top sector innovation policy"

Richard Tuffs, Director of ERRIN

Antonia Morales Perez, Innovation Manager at CEFIC

Luc Keustermans, Technical Director of Vlaams Drinkwaterbedrijf De Watergroep

(And others)

Outline:

Around 700 water technology experts assembled for the Wetsus 10th

anniversary congress. The congress

started with a special surprise ceremony. For his extraordinary achievements in science, Professor Cees

Buisman was decorated as a Knight in the Order of The Netherlands Lion. At the annual Wetsus Congress,

the royal decoration was conferred upon him by the Dutch Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen.

During the congress, various speakers highlighted their view on the Value of Knowledge, the theme of this

year’s water technology congress. Director Kurt Vandenberghe and Minister Schultz van Haegen opened the

congress. Carlos Cosin (CEO Abengoa), Richard Tuffs (ERRIN), Antonia Morales Perez (CEFIC) and many

others also gave their views on this topic.

During the coffee and lunch breaks, visitors attended the water technology demonstration park, with many

innovative SMEs showing their newest products and solutions. For people starting out and those interested

in a career move, there was a wall covered with job offers from various companies participating in Wetsus.

Conclusions:

Water technology is clearly gaining momentum and speed. More and more European partners are able to

find each other and cooperate within Wetsus research programmes. Research results are being validated in

new products and services, which find their way to the European and global market.

Province of Friesland (Alliance for a water-efficient Europe)

Leeuwarden

30 Sep. – 1 Oct. 2013

300

Quote:

“Buisman has played an important pioneering role in innovation and has delivered an important contribution

to many technologies which are currently used worldwide for sustainable water treatment and energy

production.” (Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen about professor Cees Buisman)

More information:

http://www.wetsus.nl/home/calendar/wetsus-congress-2013/5

http://www.wetsus.nl/home/wetsus-news/cees/1

http://www.wetsus.nl/home/wetsus-news/press-release-(in-dutch)/1

http://www.wetsus.nl/home/wetsus-news/pictures-wetsus-congress/1

Cees Buisman, Executive Board of Wetsus

http://www.wetsus.nl/home/calendar/wetsus-congress-2013/5

http://www.wetsus.nl/home/wetsus-news/cees/1

http://www.wetsus.nl/home/wetsus-news/press-release-(in-dutch)/1

http://www.wetsus.nl/home/wetsus-news/pictures-wetsus-congress/1

301

"Sustainable cooperation between the Dutch and German

energy brand of trade: E=NLD2”


Type: Conference

Organisers: Province of Gelderland / Province of Overijssel - Municipality of Arnhem - EnergieAgentur

NRW - Ministry of I&M (NL) - Ministry of EZ (NL) - Ministry KULNV (NRW) - Ministry WME

(NRW) - German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce (DHNK) - Euregio Rijn-Waal –

CleanTechAlliances - INTERREG IVA (‘2 connect Business’)

Chair: Johan Doesburg, Moderator

Speakers: Margreet van Gastel, Alderman, Arnhem

Annemieke Traag, Regional Minister, Province of Gelderland

Heinz Baues, Ministry of Climate, Environment, Agriculture, Nature and Consumer Protection

(NRW)

Ruud Cino, Ministry of Infrastructure & Environment (NL)

Frank-Michael Baumann, EnergieAgentur NRW

Harry Webers, GreenTechAlliances

Various Entrepreneurs

Outline:

The aim of the meeting was to enable entrepreneurs in a broad field of energy to meet, learn from each

other and eventually work together. After short presentations, workshops were organised on aspects such

as ‘smart grids’, ‘solar’, ‘wind’, ‘geothermal energy’, ‘biomass’, ‘hydrogen’ and ‘e-mobility’. Entrepreneurs

and experts observed that energy production in the future will be much more decentralised. More and more

small producers will be part of the network.

To facilitate cooperation between entrepreneurs on both sides of the border a plea was made to start a

cross-border energy agency.

In the future, more meetings like these about the different aspects of cross-border cooperation will be

organised.

Conclusions:

To facilitate cross-border cooperation between entrepreneurs in Germany and The Netherlands, a cross-

border energy agency will be established.

Potentially there are a lot of possibilities for entrepreneurs to cooperate on both sides of the border.

Province of Gelderland & Overijssel (ETC and multi-level networks)

Arnhem

26 September 2013

302

Quote:

“I want a cross-border Northrhine-Westphalien-Dutch Energy Agency.”

More information:

http://www.2connectbusiness.nl/base/page/index.php

(In Dutch and German)

http://www.energieagentur.nrw.de/

http://www.kiemt.nl/

http://www.2connectbusiness.nl/base/page/index.php

http://www.energieagentur.nrw.de/

http://www.kiemt.nl/

303

"Jet-Net Career Day Noordoost"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Jet-Net organised the event, together with 300 young engineers from Jet-Net companies.

WaterCampus was one of the organisations contributing to this event.

Chair: Windesheim University of Applied Sciences

Speakers: N/A

Outline:

The Jet-Net Career Days are organised to improve the image of the technical sector among young people.

Students from HAVO4 and VWO5 in The Netherlands are introduced to technologies and employees of

companies associated with Jet-Net. Over 300 young engineers assisted the participants during this discovery

process in a world of technology around the stands of Jet-Net companies. The purpose is to help students to

define their study choice and to try to convince them to choose STEM-related topics. The 2013 Jet-Net

Career Day in Zwolle attracted around 1000 students.

In 2013 the career days were held at Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in the city of Zwolle on 26

and 27 November. WaterCampus Leeuwarden had a stand to introduce the topic of water technology. They

could assemble and test membrane filters and purify water through membranes with energy generated by

adapted bicycles. Attendees were also introduced to many interesting technological breakthroughs and to

the Waterbridge phenomenon.

Interviews and research show that the career day makes a positive contribution to students’ impression of

technology and working within this sector. They experience a fun day and their impression of and knowledge

about technology is stimulated positively. The company employees are also enthusiastic. Contact with

students makes them more aware of their own work and discipline.

Conclusions:

The 2013 Jet-Net Career Day in Zwolle attracted around 1000 students. The WaterCampus stand and

activities were rated 8.3 (out of a maximum of 10).

It was very good event that showed students how interesting water technology can be, and we hope this

day will convince many of them to choose to study water technology and to work in this field.

Leeuwarden (Alliance for a water-efficient Europe)

Zwolle

26-27 November 2013

304

More information:

http://www.jet-net.nl/?pid=38&page=Career%20Day

http://www.windesheim.nl/over-windesheim/agenda/2013/november/jetnet-career-day-noord/

http://www.cew-leeuwarden.nl/evenementen/careerday-jet-net/4

http://www.jet-net.nl/?pid=38&page=Career%20Day

http://www.windesheim.nl/over-windesheim/agenda/2013/november/jetnet-career-day-noord/

http://www.cew-leeuwarden.nl/evenementen/careerday-jet-net/4

305

"Europe at a closer look"


Type: Seminar

Organisers: Northern Netherlands Provinces of Fryslân, Groningen and Drenthe, in cooperation with

“Kenniscentrum Europa Decentraal”

Chair: Fenna Beekmans, Director of Kenniscentrum Europa Decentraal

Speakers: Max van den Berg, King's Commissioner in Groningen

John Jorritsma, King's Commissioner in Fryslân

Lambert van Nistelrooij, Member of the European Parliament

Klaas van Egmond, Professor of Geosciences, Utrecht University

Karen van den Brand, Legal Expert at Kenniscentrum Europa Decentraal

Lianne Vis – Boer, Legal Expert at Kenniscentrum Europa Decentraal

Outline:

Mr Max van den Berg opened the seminar with a warm welcome to all the participants. Mr John Jorritsma

gave an update on the Northern Netherlands Provinces’ Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS). Mr Lambert van

Nistelrooij went into more detail, reflecting on the negotiations for the new EU budget and the background

of the new EU funds. Prof. Van Egmond gave a keynote speech on the history of Europe, reflecting on the

most important challenges we will face in the near future.

In the afternoon three workshops were held. In one workshop the participants went into more detail on the

most relevant EU funds for the Northern Netherlands.

The other two workshops were led by legal experts from the national knowledge centre Kenniscentrum

Europa Decentraal. The audience was updated on and discussed new regulations concerning procurement,

state aid and competition.

Conclusions:

Alongside all competitive regions, Northern Netherlands should make use of EU opportunities, which should

continue to be offered in the next EU budgetary period. There are more opportunities than people think;

however, we have to think of a clear focus and make choices in order to be as competitive as possible.

More information:

www.europadecentraal.nl

Northern Netherlands Provinces (Advanced cooperation in the North Sea-Channel area)

Groningen

3 December 2013

http://www.europadecentraal.nl/

306

"PotatoEurope 2013"


Type: Exhibition, dynamic demonstrations and meeting point for potato experts

Organisers: Province of Flevoland, Brussels

General organisation and exhibition by DLG Benelux, Woerden

Outline:

The event was a showcase for technical innovations and demonstrations of harvesting and storage methods,

as well as being an essential trading hub that no professional can afford to miss. Organised around the

theme "The Next Level", PotatoEurope welcomed 15 000 visitors from around the world.

• On a site covering more than 25 ha,

• More than 250 exhibitors,

• For the whole potato sector (producers, agricultural supplies, consultancy, services, buyers, packers,

traders, etc.),

• Dynamic demonstrations (sites showing planting, harvesting, handling, etc.),

• Technical areas: agronomy, innovation, economy and outlets, displays of varieties,

• The meeting point for all of the sector’s operators,

• Focus on new equipment.

Conclusions:

This was a very successful event with over 15 000 visitors getting updates on the latest potato technologies

and modern equipment. More than 250 exhibitors from Europe and China took part, and a lot of attention

was generated on social media.

Quote:

“PotatoEurope takes innovation to the next level. In Emmeloord we show how to use drones, 3D printing and

sensor-based technologies for better potatoes. What seems very modern now will be old-fashioned in a few

years.” Prof. A. J. Haverkort, Crop Ecologist, Wagening UR.

More information:

http://www.potatoeurope.com/potatoeurope2013.html

Province of Flevoland (Agri-food innovators)

Emmeloord


http://www.potatoeurope.com/potatoeurope2013.html

307

"Annual Conference Operational Programmes"


Type: Annual conference + visits

Organisers: Province of Noord-Brabant (NL), Operational Programme South-Netherlands, European

Commission, Department of Economic Affairs

Chair: Prof. Dr W.B.H.J. van de Donk, Chair Supervisory Committee OP South-Netherlands 2007-

2013

Speakers: Theo Bovens, King’s Commissioner, Province of Limburg, Chair Supervisory Committee OP

South-Netherlands 2014-2020

Bert Pauli, Regional Minister, Province of Noord-Brabant

Alida Oppers, Director, Ministry of Economic Affairs

Clemens Bolhaar, Director, Investment Agency ‘s-Hertogenbosch

Eric Dufeil, European Commission, DG REGIO

Norbert van den Hove, Ministry of Economic Affairs

Henk Raven, Ministry of Economic Affairs

Ruud van Raak, Management Authority, ‘Kansen voor West’

Johanneke Henstra, Ministry of Economic Affairs

Outline:

The Province of Noord-Brabant, in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the European

Commission, organised the annual meeting in the region to discuss the ongoing and upcoming issues in

European programmes. Representatives of all Dutch regions were invited. The participants also visited

European projects in Limburg, Zeeland and Noord-Brabant.

In this region, European projects in which societal issues are central are well represented. Whether it is

about renewable energy, smart mobility, aging or nutrition & health, the region and its partners and

stakeholders work closely together to meet the challenges. Projects can count on the interest and

appreciation of citizens, entrepreneurs and authorities. A plenary meeting was held on 15 November. The

day before, participants visited the World Class Aviation Academy in Hoogerheide, Nedinsco in Venlo and

the Gruijterfabriek in Den Bosch, a centre for creative entrepreneurs.

Province of Limburg (Advanced cooperation in the North Sea-Channel area) - Joint event with North Brabant

Eindhoven / ‘s Hertogenbosch

14-15 November 2013

308

Conclusions:

The successful activities and projects that have been established exemplify the added value that can be

achieved by delivering good programmes. This is the case not only in an economic sense, also from a

societal perspective (economic added value is distributed in immediate surroundings, job creation is not

necessarily linked to large(r) centres of economic activity). Here, innovation has often been the foundation

of economic success. In the new programming period, innovation and sustainability are paramount, and

with these themes South Netherlands already has a long history of experience.

Quote:

“The new programming period is crucial for Europe and its regions; a sharp focus on the programmes is

important for achieving Europe 2020 goals.”

309

"Air quality"


Type: Conference and debate

Organisers: Province of Flevoland in cooperation with the Province of Utrecht

Chair: Cor Lamers, Mayor of Schiedam, Rapporteur of the Committee of the Regions on Air Quality

Speakers: Mr Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-president of the

ENVI Committee

Mr Gijsberts, CoR Member in NAT Commission

Mr Lodders, Province of Flevoland

Alexandra van Huffelen, Vice-mayor of Rotterdam

H. Zelle, BMT Argoss

B. Hoekstra, Economic Board of Utrecht

Irene van Hoof, President of European Working Group, Provincial Council Flevoland

F. Woudenberg, GGD Amsterdam

Outline:

After brief introductions by the hosts and panel members, the audience was actively involved in a lively

debate on air quality. The debate focused on the upcoming review of the EU Air Quality Strategy and the

NEC Directive. The main concern is how to secure the health of citizens in our region, given the limited

impact regions can have on the level of particulate matter in the air. Should regions focus on better

indicators for bad air with a high health impact, such as coal? Or should we push the EU to be more

ambitious in targeting the main polluters? What can we do ourselves to improve air?

Conclusions:

Each government, whether it be the European Union, region, municipality or Member State, and each

company, should do its share – however small its contribution – to improve air quality.

Quote:

“Everybody wants better air quality, but nobody is willing to sell his car…” Fred Woudenberg of GGD

Amsterdam

Randstad Region (Air quality initiative of regions)

Lelystad

31 October 2013

310

More information:

www.randstadregion.eu

Cor Lamers, Mayor of Schiedam, Rapporteur of the Committee of the Regions on Air Quality

http://www.randstadregion.eu/

311

TURKEY


Bakirkoy Municipality replaced by Karşıyaka Municipality İzmir

Bornova Municipality İzmir

Bağcılar Municipality Istanbul

Silivri Municipality Silivri

Four local events were planned to be organised by the regional partners.

All reports are enclosed.

312

"Youth unemployment"



Organisers: Karşıyaka Municipality

Chair: Cevat Durak, Mayor of Karşıyaka

Onur Eryüce, Secretary General of the Association of Social Democratic Municipalities

(SODEM), Moderator

Speakers: Aziz Kocaoğlu, Mayor of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality

Prof. Dr Mustafa Akaydın, Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality

Selami Öztürk, Mayor of Kadıköy, President of SODEM

Outline:

The local event of Karşıyaka Municipality was held after the OPEN DAYS 2013 event in the form of a panel

discussion on the same day with a gathering of 60 SODEM member mayors in Karşıyaka, and it therefore

served as a platform for wide-ranging discussion. The panel discussion primarily presented the reasons for

youth unemployment, the ways to cope with it and the local authorities’ role in initiating facilities for

improving youth employment. Speakers on the panel showcased activities for developing and sustaining

social democratic models for boosting youth employment. The topic was discussed around both the short-

term and long-term social costs of unemployment to the economy, to society and to the individuals

concerned, such as increased risk of poverty and the requirement for sustaining social justice.

Furthermore, as all speaker mayors’ municipalities had participated in the OPEN DAYS 2013, the local event

also addressed the OPEN DAYS specifically and served to raise awareness of the requisite for EU-level

cooperation for local administrations. Cevat Durak, Mayor of Karşıyaka, briefly presented the aim,

organisation and content of the OPEN DAYS and referred to the conclusions of the workshops attended.

Conclusions:

Along with many countries in the EU and around the world, Turkey faces major social and economic

problems as a result of youth unemployment, resulting in social, psychological and economic problems, not

just for young people and their families, but for society as a whole. Local authorities in Turkey shall play a

key role in designing and implementing measures to promote youth employment, providing young people

with opportunities and support, and exchanging good practice. Local administrations have the necessary

measures and actions for addressing youth employment challenges and opportunities. Municipalities in

Turkey shall work in solidarity and cooperation to draw lessons from each other’s experiences, in order to

provide valuable support for coping with youth unemployment and sustaining social justice.

Karşıyaka Municipality (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

İzmir

22 October 2013

313

Quote:

“Social democracy is the remedy for coping with youth unemployment.”

More information:

Press links:

National newspaper – Hürriyet: http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/24967034.asp

National newspaper- Akşam: http://www.aksam.com.tr/siyaset/kocaoglu-gezi-ruhuyla-direnmekten-baska-

care-kalmadi/haber-254908

National newspaper – Radikal:

http://www.radikal.com.tr/politika/aziz_kocaoglu_gezi_ruhuyla_direnmekten_baska_care_kalmadi-1156928

Local newspaper – Yeni Asır:

http://www.yeniasir.com.tr/YerelPolitika/2013/10/24/arinc-manisada-fetih-gecesine-katilacacak

National news agency: http://www.dha.com.tr/issizlige-care-sosyal-demokrasi_542582.html

Online newspaper: http://www.haberler.com/yerel-secim-oncesi-buyuk-bulusma-5185429-haberi/

Karşıyaka Municipality web page:

http://www.karsiyaka.bel.tr/haberler-368-2013.html

314

"Food safety"



Organisers: Bornova Municipality

Chair: Kamil Okyay Sindir, Mayor of Bornova

Speakers: Hatice Ulu, Food Engineer, Izmir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture

Nilgün Karaca, Food Control Expert, Izmir Provincial Directorate of Agriculture

Outline:

The local event of Bornova Municipality was held after the OPEN DAYS 2013 event in the form of a training

conference in Izmir. The conference primarily presented the food safety measures for providing a

modernised, simplified and more risked-based approach to the protection of health, and more efficient

control tools for ensuring the effective application of the rules guiding the operation of the food chain. The

event was organised by Bornova Municipality in cooperation with the Izmir Provincial Directorate of the

Food, Agriculture and Livestock Ministry. "Good-quality and safe food legislation", "awareness on the

consumption of fresh food" and "food preservation" and the practical details were shared with participants.

Practical advice was given to the audience, particularly concerning the quality of food, healthy eating, food

preservation and food poisoning. Mayor of Bornova, Prof. Dr Kamil Okyay Sındır, being an agricultural

engineer, delivered a presentation on the control and production mechanisms for healthy nutrition of the

public.

The local event also addressed the OPEN DAYS 2013 workshop entitled ‘Regions for Agricultural Productivity

and Sustainability’ and served to raise awareness of the requisite for EU-level cooperation for local

administrations.

Conclusions:

The local event was in line with the conclusions of the Agri-food Innovators OPEN DAYS 2013 workshop

entitled ‘Regions for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability’. Mayor Sındır emphasised the role of local

administrations in controlling food safety. The expert speakers delivered a brief training on the following

issues: "good-quality and safe food legislation", "awareness on the consumption of fresh food", "food

preservation", “healthy eating” and “food poisoning”. The audience was mainly composed of women from

the region and attendance at the event was high in terms of quality and quantity.

Quote:

“Food safety for public health.”

Bornova Municipality (Agri-food innovators)

Izmir

6 December 2013

315

More information:

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/bornovabelediye

Local newspaper: http://izmirhaber.info/ilcesi/bornova-1438.html

Online newspaper: http://www.haberler.com/bornova-dan-guvenli-gida-onerileri-5395271-haberi/

Bornova Municipality web page:

http://bornova.bel.tr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1226%3Agda-muehendislerinden-

bornovadaki-eitimde-oenemli-uyarlar&catid=39%3Aduyurular&Itemid=243&lang=tr

https://www.facebook.com/bornovabelediye

http://izmirhaber.info/ilcesi/bornova-1438.html

http://www.haberler.com/bornova-dan-guvenli-gida-onerileri-5395271-haberi/

http://bornova.bel.tr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1226%3Agda-muehendislerinden-bornovadaki-eitimde-oenemli-uyarlar&catid=39%3Aduyurular&Itemid=243&lang=tr

http://bornova.bel.tr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1226%3Agda-muehendislerinden-bornovadaki-eitimde-oenemli-uyarlar&catid=39%3Aduyurular&Itemid=243&lang=tr

316

"Acting together for greater urban-rural cohesion"


Type: Panel and exhibition

Organisers: Bağcılar Municipality

Chair: Recep BOZLAĞAN - Marmara University, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science

Ali ÇAĞATAY - HT Bloomberg Television, Coordinator-News Reporter

İbrahim BAZ - İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Head of the Centre for Metropolitan

Planning and Urban Design

Speakers: Ministry of the Environment and Urban Planning,

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

Lars MEIER, Berlin Technical University, Department of Sociology

Hamza KÜTÜKÇÜ, Şahinbey Municipality

Mike GİBSON, South Bank University

Ayşe GÖKŞİN, Plankoop

Aylin DURMAZ, Plankoop

Ali AYDIN, Bağcılar Municipality

Vicente GUALLART, Urban Habitat of Barcelona City Council, Chief Architect

Outline:

In general, urban transformation encompasses the social, economic and physical environment. It is a tool for

changing disordered and unhealthy structures in the physical environment. It is a solution for building up

liveable and sustainable spatial areas.

Bağcılar Municipality’s local event focused on explaining how people who live in urban transformation areas

will be informed by the municipality during this process and how they will be involved in it. There was also

an exhibition on the urban transformation process in Bağcılar.

This one-day event brought together academics, municipal decision makers and the public. People who have

a say in urban management clarified the impact and role of urban transformation in urban management.

The event was aimed at central and local politicians, officers and practitioners from local authorities,

universities, the local community, and project partners from across Europe.

Bağcılar Municipality (Acting together for greater urban-rural cohesion)

Istanbul

1 October 2013

317

Conclusions:

People want to live in houses with high energy efficiency, no waste problems and no emissions for the

environment, with additional elements such as security, comfort and transportation.

It can be seen that Urban Transformation is a big opportunity for such things. Of course, thousands of

buildings will be demolished and new buildings will be erected in their place. In short, it is not easy to

demolish and reconstruct a huge city. Bagcilar Municipality's most important advantage is that its citizens

have similar visions.

More information:

www.bagcilar.bel.tr

http://www.bagcilar.bel.tr/

318

"ICT services for the growth of Silivri"


Type: Exhibition and public-awareness-raising event

Organisers: Silivri Municipality

Chair: Özcan Işıklar, Mayor of Silivri

Speakers: Özcan Işıklar, Mayor of Silivri

Outline:

In line with the presentation by Silivri Mayor Mr Özcan Işıklar, during the OPEN DAYS 2013 workshop, the

local event Exhibition focused on the ways of sustaining the growth of the city with information and

communication technologies (ICT). It is planned that Silivri, which is going to develop as a high-level centre,

will constitute the kernel of an information economy-based zone supported by a university, a technological

development zone, an exhibition hall, culture and convention centres, and tourism areas. In this line, and

putting the techno-zone area target of Silivri at the front, the event presented the technological solutions of

the Silivri Urban Transformation Project, as well as the purpose of evolving to a “smart city”, along with the

ICT solutions designed for the economic welfare of the city. The event also summarised the presentation at

OPEN DAYS 2013 and showed the projects for delivering faster, better, citizen-centred eMunicipality and

mobile citizen services to make municipal administration more efficient. The “360-degree virtual city tour”

was also presented as a tool for increasing the tourism potential of the city through ICT. Silivri Municipality

delivered the latest solutions for modernising and networking public administration, such as digital solutions,

social media technologies and new tools for the public ICT sector, namely the eBYS, Html5 city information

system, Lync Server and Hyper-v Private Cloud.

Target groups of participants:

The exhibition event in Silivri Municipality stated that Silivri should move towards an economy that is smart,

sustainable and inclusive, which is in consistent with the conclusions of the OPEN DAYS 2013 workshop. The

idea of the event is to create a platform for presenting and discussing how the growth goal can be met by

working with three linked sectors: business development, culture and tourism. The focal point was

development through ICT. Discussions centred on establishing and sustaining a smart city, creative

industries, and plans for strategic revitalisation. Silivri Municipality has shared current products and

solutions specifically for municipal government.

Quote:

“ICT-led economic development for urban growth.”

Silivri Municipality (Grow with ideas! Business, culture, tourism!)

Silivri

24 October 2013

319

More information:

Media attendance at the event was high. Mayor Özcan Işıklar gave a number of TV interviews. Silivri

Municipality advertised and disseminated the event with outdoor announcements, leaflets and website

links.

Silivri Municipality website:

http://www.silivri.bel.tr/index.php/haber/silivri-belediyesi-cebit-2013te

Online news:

http://www.haberdar.com.tr/yerel-gundem/silivri-belediyesi-cebit-2013te-h23740.html

Local newspaper:

http://www.haberdar.com.tr/yerel-gundem/silivri-belediyesi-cebit-2013te-h23740.html

321

UNITED KINGDOM


Bristol Bristol

East of England Cambridge

London London

Merseyside

Northern Ireland Belfast

Southern England Poole

Wales – 2 events Cardiff

Kent Canterbury

North-Eastern Scotland Aberdeen

Eleven local events were planned to be organised by the regional

partners.

Merseyside did not provide any information. Kent had planned a

workshop at the end of November in Canterbury on implementing

telehealth in Kent, and North-Eastern Scotland is planning a conference in

February 2014 in Aberdeen on "Sustainable Transport and the EU in my

region".

The reports of Bristol, East of England, London, Northern Ireland,

Southern England and Wales are enclosed.

322

"Europe in my city: Bristol – a future city demonstrator"


Type: Conference

Organisers: Bristol City Council and Knowle West Media Centre

Chair: Kevin O’Malley, Future City Team Manager, Bristol City Council

Speakers: George Ferguson, Mayor of Bristol

Lorraine Hudson, Smart City Team Manager, Bristol City Council (Future City Demonstrator and

Open Data Platform)

Léan Doody, Lead for Arup Smart Cities (Smart City Business Models)

James Lancaster, Head of Alliance Development for the University of Bristol (Gigabit Bristol

Testbed)

Dick Penny, Director of Watershed (Playable City)

Ian Craddock, University of Bristol (SPHERE)

Carolyn Hassan, Director of Knowle West Media Centre (Bristol as a Living Lab & Workshop

introduction)

Outline:

Bristol’s local event focused on how the city is addressing its challenges and identifying new opportunities

through its Future City Demonstrator and Smart City Programme.

Smart City Bristol is a collaborative programme between the public sector, businesses and the community.

The aim is to use smart technologies to help meet Bristol’s ambitious target to reduce CO2 emissions by 40%

by 2020 from a 2005 baseline, and to address other social and economic objectives. The UK Technology

Strategy Board has invested £3 m in our Future City Demonstrator that will create environmentally and

socially sustainable jobs and growth.

Bristol is developing the city as a Living Laboratory, particularly in relation to trialling and testing innovative

solutions moving into areas including mobility on demand, personalisation in formal and informal health-

and social-care systems, city governance and future workplaces. Bristol has a strong public, private and

people-partnership approach to smart city work, with support from the city’s universities, businesses, public

sector, community partners and citizens.

This half-day event brought the Brussels OPEN DAYS back to the city and built on the themes debated in our

Brussels event, providing an opportunity to reflect on Bristol's profile within Europe and to learn from other

European Smart City exemplars.

Bristol (Innovation strategies for smart growth)

Bristol

12 November 2013

323

Conclusions:

The event shared what is happening on the Bristol Future City Demonstrator and related programmes,

reflecting on Bristol’s profile within Europe and learning from best practice in other European cities. We

covered a lot of ground, had some excellent speakers, and managed to come up with some hugely creative

ideas on how to build up our citizen cohort of ‘prosumers’, where the main challenges in the city lie

(transport was very high on the list) and where the strengths are in the city (community pride was flagged a

lot). We also had some terrific ideas for potential city apps.

Quote:

“Bristol is a test-bed for innovative environmental ideas, where we will develop pioneering practices which

will not only benefit Bristol, but which will hopefully become models for cities in the UK and around the

world.”

More information:

Presentations from the event: http://www.connectingbristol.org/2013/11/13/download-the-presentations-

from-europe-in-my-city-bristol-%e2%80%93-a-future-city-demonstrator-12-nov/

Event twitter feed #eimcb

http://www.connectingbristol.org/2013/11/13/download-the-presentations-from-europe-in-my-city-bristol-%e2%80%93-a-future-city-demonstrator-12-nov/

http://www.connectingbristol.org/2013/11/13/download-the-presentations-from-europe-in-my-city-bristol-%e2%80%93-a-future-city-demonstrator-12-nov/

324

"What next for European Funding 2014-2020?"


Type: Workshop & advice session

Organisers: East of England Local Government Association

East of England European Partnership

Chair: Andrew Thomson, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges in the Eastern Region

Speakers: Simon Chambers, British Council

Catherine Holt, Beta Technology

Sam Lucas, UK Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)

Jonathan Millins, East of England European Partnership

Sarah Murray, East of England European Partnership

Kevin Robinson, Ecorys

Sandra Turner, UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)

Mary-Helen Young, Visiting Arts UK

Outline:

The East of England LGA and the East of England European Partnership organised a local event in the form of

a workshop with a focus on the new funding environment in Europe for 2014-2020. Eight speakers

presented a range of new funding programmes of relevance to East of England partners. Presentations

included Erasmus+, territorial cooperation, transport and mobility, Horizon 2020, LIFE 2014-2020 and a

range of social and public health funding streams.

Following the workshop, there was an opportunity for one-to-one advice sessions for participants to explore

project ideas and to prepare for the first round of calls in 2014.

Conclusions:

With domestic budgets and local services under pressure, it is essential that East of England partners

explore all options for external funding, including the European Union. Participants were pleased to hear

that EU funds would continue to be available in 2014-2020 and we hope to see a range of exciting and

innovate projects being submitted in the coming period.

Quote:

“The East of England must take full advantage of the EU and maximise its many benefits.”

East of England (Smart partnerships for jobs and growth)

Cambridge

23 October 2013

325

More information:

http://www.eelga.gov.uk/events/what-next-for-european-funding/

Andrew Thomson, Chief Executive, Association of Colleges in the Eastern Region

326

"Structural Funds in London: 2014-2020"


Type: Presentation and workshop

Organisers: Greater London Authority and TUC (Trades Union Congress)

Chair: Megan Dobney, Regional Secretary of the Southern & Eastern Region TUC, and member of

London 2007-13 ERDF and ESF Committees

Speakers: Alex Conway, European Programmes Management Unit (EPMU), Greater London Authority

Tom Mellish, TUC representative on EC ESF Committee

Outline:

The UK government has given Local Enterprise Panels (LEPs) responsibility for the delivery of a large part of

the European Structural Funds for 2014-2020. The London LEP is keen to work with a wide range of partners

to develop and deliver its investment strategies and as part of this work it held this consultation event for

social, economic and environmental partners.

Alex Conway, EPMU Director, presented the 2014-20 governance arrangements and priorities for

investment, as outlined in the draft ESIF.

Tom Mellish, TUC representative on the EC ESF Committee, talked to the audience about the importance of

delivering in partnership in order to maximise impact and deliver local growth.

The presentations were followed by a Q&A session and interactive discussions between participants,

speakers and EPMU facilitators.

Conclusions:

The audience generally welcomed the proposed investment priorities: Skills and Employment, SME

Competitiveness, Science and Technology, and Infrastructure.

Feedback from the facilitated discussions was collected by the EPMU and sent to participants. One of the

key conclusions was to develop the conversation established during this session into an ongoing and

meaningful dialogue relating to ESIFs and also with the LEP in general.

London (Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN))

London

14 October 2013

327

More information:

http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/championing-london/london-and-european-

structural-funds/erdf-blog/2013/10/2014-20-esif-consultation

http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/championing-london/london-and-european-structural-funds/erdf-blog/2013/10/2014-20-esif-consultation

http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/business-economy/championing-london/london-and-european-structural-funds/erdf-blog/2013/10/2014-20-esif-consultation

328

"Opportunity Europe and Beyond"


Type: Exhibition and fair open to schools and colleges around Northern Ireland and the general

public. The event featured 38 workshops and 30 exhibition/information stands.

Organisers: European Commission Office in Northern Ireland in partnership with Belfast City Council, and

supported by the Northern Ireland Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research

(NICILT) and Volunteer Now.

Chair: Colette FitzGerald, Head of the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland

Speakers: Onatti Theatre

Millicent Scott - EP London

Vicki Titterington – Linking Generations NI

Dr Joanne Brown – Victoria College

John Evans – European Commission London

Alex Pickering – Goethe Institut

Nisha Tandon – Arts Ekta

Ana Silva – Portuguese workshop

Dr Juliana Licinic – Croatian workshop

Colette McMahon – BDA

Donna Fullerton – Equality Commission

Colin Graham – RSPB

Kimberley Morrison and Alan McBride – WAVE "European Citizen" workshops

Eileen Chan Hu – Chinese Welfare Association

Claire Shaw – Cinemagic

Vanessa Franchetti – French dance event

Hannah Farthing – Mandarin Chinese workshop

Anne Wojciechowicz – Polish workshop

Gordon McCoy, Ultach Trust – workshops

Outline:

A two-day event offering opportunities to try curriculum-based and new languages, diversity, theatre

workshops, French dance, languages – A Kaleidoscope of Careers, Indian and Chinese Culture, film

production and festivals, intergenerational and equality issues, European Citizenship – What is a European?,

democracy and volunteering.

Northern Ireland (Agri-food innovators)

Belfast

22-23 October 2013

329

Conclusions:

This was the tenth anniversary of the Opportunity Europe and Beyond event, and it was more successful

than ever. Numbers attending were the highest in four years, and a wide range of young people took part in

a range of workshops exploring languages, diversity, film, radio/TV production, European business, the

European Year of Citizens, French dance, theatre and the importance of volunteering to young European

citizens. This is a very successful event and is a highlight in the schools’ calendar in Northern Ireland. It was

also our key event in the European Year of Citizens 2013.

More information:

http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/about_us/office_in_northern_ireland/2013/13_28_en.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/about_us/office_in_northern_ireland/2013/13_31_en.htm

http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEducation/nicilt/filestore/Filetoupload,413498,en.pdf

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/council/citymatters/CityMatters-

19445.aspxhttp://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/council/citymatters/CityMatters-19445.aspx

(See the September-November issue of City Matters magazine, page 25.)

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/council/citymatters/CityMatters-19445.aspxhttp:/www.belfastcity.gov.uk/council/citymatters/CityMatters-19445.aspx

http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/council/citymatters/CityMatters-19445.aspxhttp:/www.belfastcity.gov.uk/council/citymatters/CityMatters-19445.aspx

330

"Southern England Local Partners European Congress 2013"


Type: Congress

Organisers: Southern England Local Partners

Chair: Cllr Keith Mans, Chair, Southern England Local Partners

Speakers: Sue Baxter, Deputy Director, Local Growth (EU Funding and Industrial Policy), Department for

Business, Innovation and Science, UK Government, London

Cllr Roy Perry, Leader, Hampshire County Council

Cllr Paula Baker, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council & Member, Committee of the Regions

Mike Mannin, Jean Monnet Chair in European Studies, Centre for European and International

Studies Research, University of Portsmouth;

Outline:

SELP’s seventh European Congress – hosted by Dorset LEP – debated the forthcoming European Structural

and Investment Funds Programme for 2014-2020. It was SELP’s local event as part of the EU’s Committee of

the Regions annual OPEN DAYS conferences. Specific points made by SELP stakeholders in the debate

included:

- Importance of local decision making on project proposals;

- Focus on outputs from projects with tangible benefits;

- Good support for project development is necessary, as well as good access to expertise around State Aid.

There also needs to be adequate support for beneficiaries throughout the project lifecycle, whether from

local or centralised teams;

- Targeted and prioritised actions that have a genuine local impact. These actions should reflect the concerns

and objectives of all key local players;

- Local Authorities can help in many practical ways and must be fully included;

- Concerns about LEPs’ natural arena being business, as opposed to either the social or environmental

agenda; half of the proposed EU growth programme is made up of the European Social Fund;

- Dispel the myth that Local Authorities do not continue to spend money on exactly the sorts of growth-

focused & socially inclusive activities that the EU growth fund can be used to support.

Conclusions:

- Importance of local decision making on project proposals;

- Focus on outputs from projects with tangible benefits;

- Good support for project development is necessary throughout the project lifecycle, from local or

centralised teams;

- Targeted & prioritised actions with a genuine local impact, reflecting local concerns and objectives;

Southern England (Advanced cooperation in the North Sea-Channel area)

Poole

4 October 2013

331

- Local Authorities can help in many practical ways & must be fully included;

- Whilst LEPs’ natural focus is business, half of the proposed EU growth programme is the ESF;

- Dispel the myth that Local Authorities do not continue to spend money on exactly the sorts of growth-

focused & socially inclusive activities that the EU growth fund can be used to support.

Quote:

“The SELP European Congress calls for real local engagement in EU funding delivery.”

More information:

www.selp.org.uk

Left to right: Cllr Perry, Leader of Hampshire County Council; Cllr Baker, Basingstoke & Deane

Borough Council & Member, Committee of the Regions; Cllr Mans, Chairman of SELP & Deputy Leader

of Hampshire County Council; John Fitzgibbon, Head of SELP Brussels Office

http://www.selp.org.uk/

332

"Mock Council of the European Union 2013"


Type: School EU debate

Organisers: Joint organisers - European & External Affairs Division, Welsh Government and the European

Commission Office in Wales

Chair: Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Assembly Member (AM), National Assembly for Wales

Speakers: Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Assembly Member (AM), National Assembly for Wales

The Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, First Minister of Wales

David Hughes, Head of Office, European Commission Office in Wales

Outline:

Students from across Wales gained an insight into the corridors of power when the Welsh Government, in

partnership with the European Commission Office in Wales, staged a Mock Council of the European Union.

The event, now in its sixth year, took place in the National Assembly for Wales’ youth debating chamber,

Siambr Hywel, in Cardiff Bay.

Organised by the Welsh Government’s European and External Affairs Division, the event saw 16- to 18-year-

olds from twenty-eight schools and colleges from across Wales debate on and vote on two topical issues

affecting the EU. Each of the participating schools represented one of the twenty-eight Member States of the

EU and the European Commission, with a team of two students per school taking on the role of government

ministers. The UK was represented by two students from a Latvian school, as Wales has a long-standing

bilateral relationship with this region.

Conclusions:

Under the Welsh Government’s EU Strategy, ‘Wales and the European Union’, we promote a

communications programme aimed at raising awareness of EU issues. The Mock Council event is one of the

activities that we arrange as part of that programme.

Quote:

“This event is extremely valuable to my students, thank you!” – Phil Higginson, Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi

Wales (Blue biotechnology regions of Europe)

Cardiff

13 September 2013

334

"Research excellence in blue biotechnology in Welsh universities"


Type: Article in the Western Mail newspaper

Organisers: Welsh Higher Education Brussels (WHEB) and Higher Education Wales

Authors: Berwyn Davies and Gwen Edwards

Outline:

WHEB joined forces with the Welsh Government EU Office and other regional representatives to organise a

seminar for the annual OPEN DAYS week in Brussels. These OPEN DAYS, which are intended to promote

regional collaboration, are co-organised by the European Commission and the EU’s Committee of the

Regions.

The focus of a recent seminar was ‘Blue (Marine) Biotechnology’ - specifically how research and innovation in

this area can support economic development in Europe’s coastal regions. Dr Jessica Adams of Aberystwyth

University presented the research being undertaken on marine biomass at the university’s Institute of

Biological, Environmental and Rural Studies (IBERS), highlighting the joint work that is being done alongside

Bangor and Swansea Universities. Other regions participating in the consortium included Brittany and Pays

de la Loire (France), Asturias (Spain), Azores (Portugal) and Vastra Gotland (Sweden).

Under the spotlight at this event was also BEACON – a collaborative project between Bangor, Aberystwyth

and Swansea Universities, which works with local businesses to convert crops into products such as

pharmaceuticals, fuels and cosmetics. BEACON, funded by the EU Regional Development Fund, has been

shortlisted for the European Commission’s RegioStars Awards, which recognise good practice in regional

development and highlight original and innovative EU-funded projects.

Conclusions:

Blue biotechnology has the potential to provide innovative and sustainable solutions to many challenges

around food supply, energy, climate change and environmental degradation. Sustainable development is

the central organising principle for our work across Wales, and this is reinforced in the Welsh Government’s

Sustainable Development Scheme, One Wales: One Planet.

Universities across Wales have developed an international reputation for their expertise in marine and

coastal research. Several projects are underway investigating how Wales can make the most of its marine

and coastal resources. See overleaf for an overview of current projects.

Wales (Blue biotechnology regions of Europe)

Cardiff

31 October 2013

335

The Structural Funds (€2 billion 2007-2013) have been and continue to be an important source of funding

for innovation in Wales. Wales is divided into two NUTS II regions, with West Wales and the Valleys

qualifying for Convergence Funding and East Wales benefiting from Regional Competitiveness and

Employment. Funding will continue from 2014.

More information:

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/

************

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/

OPEN DAYS 2013 – LOCAL EVENTS PROCEEDINGS

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