OPEN DAYS 2013 Proceedings Published in December 2013 Edited by the Committee of the Regions and the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commission © European Union, 2013
Organisers Table of contents and partners
Organisers and partners 3
Opening session 13
Workshops Managing change 2014-2020 19 Synergies and cooperation 43 Challenges and solutions 69
Master class 135
Exhibition 100EUrban solutions 139
Local events 143
Football tournement 146
Evaluation 147
Media strategy and coverage analysis 153
OPEN DAYS 2014 157 Organisers and partners Editorial
OPEN DAYS is one of those things that begin as a nice idea and grow to become an institution. 11 years since it was first organised, OPEN DAYS has become so much more than a series of events. This is the fourth OPEN DAYS I have attended in my capacity as Commissioner for Regional Policy. What surprises me year after year is how much information and new highlights I discover during this one week. Every year I take pleasure from the enthusiasm of the people implementing Regional Policy on the ground. And I also admire their commitment to making the most out of Regional Policy to supporting the economic and social cohesion of their regions.
This year’s OPEN DAYS came at a point when the negotiations for the legislative package for the new period were still on-going, as well as the finalisation of the partnership agreements and operational programmes. Its main theme “Europe’s regions and cities taking off for 2020” reminded us that we are on the brink of the new, reformed cohesion policy era. I know that regions have lately been working very closely and intensively with Commission services to prepare the ground for that. This is the only way to ensure that they can start implementing the new programmes as soon as possible.
And I am very glad to see that the OPEN DAYS 2013 programme provided the occasion to help regions, cities and national administrations in these preparations, and that the occasion was used to its full potential. Indeed, nearly all workshops were overbooked and at least as many people as were in the rooms watched the many of the sessions via webstreaming.
I am also pleased that ten Directorates-General of the European Commission were involved in the organisation of the workshops and debates. It is a signal for our partners in the regional and national administrations that we need to work in partnership and across sectors in order to achieve more and better results.
One of the most important assets of OPEN DAYS is the capacity to attract new audiences: 75% of all participants of the 2013 edition were newcomers (in comparison to 2012). This is certainly due to the variety of speakers and stakeholders the event brings together, and new elements which are introduced into the programme. In particular, I was delighted to inaugurate the outdoor part of the 100 EUrban solutions exhibition, showcasing how EU regional funds improve the life of people in towns and cities, and to welcome the Master Class programme for 77 young researchers in regional and urban development, raising their awareness about EU cohesion policy and creating links to the academic sector which need to be further exploited in the future. Let me use this opportunity to thank you for your commitment in participating in OPEN DAYS and to praise the excellent collaboration with the Committee of the Regions and all partners involved. I am very much looking forward to meeting you at OPEN DAYS 2014!
Johannes Hahn European Commissioner for Regional and Urban Policy
4 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Editorial
Another successful edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities took place during 7 -10 October in Brussels. Some 6,000 participants from all levels of government and stakeholders connected and looked forward to ‘take-off’ with new resources, incentives and programmes, while building on well-established contacts, networks and experience from the past programming period.
At the critical moment of beginning a new chapter, this 11th edition of the OPEN DAYS responded more than ever to a real need for information and exchange of know-how about the new rules of implementing future EU cohesion policy programmes. The regional policy budget 2014-2020 is the Union’s main investment tool to stir growth and jobs.
In quantitative terms, sub-national public authorities in the EU are responsible for one-third of public expenditure, about EUR 2,100 billion per year, and two-thirds of public investments, some EUR 200 billion. EUR 325 billion comes from EU funds through the cohesion policy programmes currently being planned. The OPEN DAYS set out to contribute towards the qualitative dimension of the equation, bringing officials at EU, national, regional and local level together to make sure that public money is well spent. It offered an inter-institutional platform for political communication to regional and local stakeholders.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank in particular the partner regions and cities for their commitment and active involvement on so many strands: setting up partnerships, organising and/or hosting workshops, debates and networking sessions, as well as for their contribution to the inspiring ‘100 EUrban solutions’ exhibition. Introducing new initiatives in the programme can only work with enthusiastic partners buying in. The core of knowledge gained through the OPEN DAYS 2013 is gathered in these proceedings, where you can find the descriptions, relevant information and useful contacts to support your work until the next edition.
Looking ahead to the 12th European Week of Regions and Cities in 2014, the initial experiences of implementing national, regional and territorial cooperation programmes may be at the forefront of the event. Policy and financial instruments are there, but in order to use them in a smart and effective way, partnerships are needed, together with networking to exchange good practice and know-how about new and innovative approaches. All of this happens at the local and regional level with those primarily responsible to deliver and where a wealth of expertise meets strong political commitment. ‘Going local’ is the most successful approach in the search for sustainable solutions to the manifold challenges faced by Europe today – and that’s what OPEN DAYS is all about.
Let me thank all the participants for their valuable contribution and look forward to welcoming you at OPEN DAYS 2014!
Ramón Luis Valcárcel Siso President of the Committee of the Regions
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 5 Partner regions and cities
Abruzzo Region Akershus County Alsace Region City of Amadora Andalusia Aosta Valley Autonomous Region
Bakirkoy Municipality Province of Barcelona Canton of Basel-Landschaft Canton of Basel-Stadt Basilicata Region Basque Country
Brittany Brussels Capital Region City of Budapest Carinthia Region Castile and León Catalonia
Deux-Sèvres Dubrovnik-Neretva Region Urban Community of Dunkirk East of England East Styria East Sweden
G-4 EU Office (Amsterdam, The Hague, Province of Flevoland Province of Friesland Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region Rotterdam, Utrecht) Gabrovo Galicia
Hedmark Helsinki Canton of Herzegovina-Neretva Hesse Ile-de-France Isère
Lazio Region City of Leeuwarden Legnica-Glogowski Liège Province of Limburg (BE) Province of Limburg (NL)
Lovech Lower Austria Lower Saxony Lower Silesia Lubelskie Region Lubuskie Region
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Merseyside Mid-Norway Molise Region Murcia Region Navarre
6 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Partner regions and cities
Aosta Valley Autonomous Region Aragon Arnhem Nijmegen City Region Principality of Asturias Azores Bacau Municipality Baden-Württemberg
Basque Country City of Berlin Berlin-Brandenburg Capital Region Bornova Municipality Bratislava Region Braunschweig Bristol
Catalonia Central and Eastern Pannonian Croatia Central Denmark Central Region of Portugal Central Serbian Municipalities Centre Region Crete
East Sweden Eindhoven Emilia-Romagna Region Észak-Alföld Eure Extremadura Flanders
German-speaking Community Galicia Gelderland of Belgium City of Gothenburg City of Guimarães Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Hanover Region
Isère Bagcilar Municipality / Istanbul Istria Region Karlovac County Kent Krapina-Zagorje County Kujawsko-Pomorskie
Province of Limburg (NL) Lippe City of Ljubljana City of Lodz Lodzkie Region Lombardy Region London
Lubuskie Region Luxembourg City of Maastricht Madrid Region Malmö Marche Region Mazovia
Navarre Nemunas Euroregion Nord-Pas-de-Calais Region Norrbotten North Central Sweden North Denmark North Eastern Scotland
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 7 Partner regions and cities
North Region of Portugal North Rhine-Westphalia Province of North-Brabant Northern Ireland Northern Netherlands Provinces Northern Norway
Pays de la Loire Region Picardie Piedmont Region Podlaskie Podravska Pomorskie
Rhône-Alpes Region City of Riga Saarland Salzburg City of Saragossa Canton of Sarajevo
Sicily Region Silesia Region Silivri Municipality Skåne Region Republic of Slovenia City of Sofia
Southern Denmark Region Southern England Split-Dalmatia Republika Srpska City of Starogard Gdański Stavanger Region
Trentino (Alpeuregio) Province of Treviso Province of Turin Tuscany Tyrol (Alpeuregio) Umbria
Vejle Veneto Region Vidzeme Planning Region Vienna Virovitica-Podravina Vysočina Region
Canton of West Herzegovina West Norway Westpomerania Wielkopolska Region City of Zagreb
8 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Partner regions and cities
Northern Norway Province of North-Holland Olomouc Region Opolskie Oslo Region Ostrobothnia Region Overijssel
Pomorskie Pontevedra Prague Puglia Region City of Pula-Pola Randstad Region Rhineland-Palatinate
Canton of Sarajevo Sardinia Autonomous Region Saxony Saxony-Anhalt Schleswig-Holstein Seine-Saint-Denis City of Sevilla
City of Sofia Sofia Municipality Region of South East Serbia South Karelia South Norway South Transdanubia South Tyrol (Alpeuregio)
Stavanger Region Sterea Ellada Region Stockholm Styria Swietokrzyskie Voivodship City of Tallinn Tampere Region
Umbria Upper Normandy Valencia Region Värmland Region City of Varna Västerbotten Region Västra Götaland Region
Vysočina Region Wales Walloon Brabant Warmia and Mazury City of Warsaw West Finland West Flanders Province
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 9 Regional partnerships
10 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Regional partnerships
Acting together for greater urban-rural cohesion Demographic challenges – The regional solutions Baden-Württemberg (DE), Bratislava Region (SK), Canton of Basel-Landschaft Aragon (ES), Sardinia Autonomous Region (IT), East Sweden (SE), Galicia (CH), City of Varna (BG), Istanbul (TR), Lower Austria (AT), Lower Silesia (PL), (ES), Karlovac County (HR), Olomouc Region (CZ), Opolskie (PL), Saxony (DE) Rhône-Alpes Region (FR), Salzburg (AT), Sicily Region (IT), Vysočina Region (CZ) ETC* and multi-level networks Active ageing Canton of Basel-Stadt (CH), Gelderland (NL), Hedmark (NO), Navarre (ES), City of Warsaw (PL), Helsinki (FI), Isère (FR), Kent (UK), Sofia Municipality Nemunas Euroregion (LT), North Rhine-Westphalia (DE), Overijssel (NL), (BG), Stockholm (SE) North Central Sweden (SE)
Adriatic-Ionian macroregion Europe of traditions - Linking through water Abruzzo Region (IT), Basilicata Region (IT), Canton of Herzegovina-Neretva City of Guimarães (PT), City of Pula-Pola (HR), North Region of Portugal (PT), (BA), Canton of West Herzegovina (BA), Carinthia Region (AT), Central Serbian Pontevedra (ES), Sterea Ellada Region (EL), Veneto Region (IT) Municipalities (RS), Crete (EL), Dubrovnik-Neretva Region (HR), Emilia- Romagna Region (IT), Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region (IT), Istria European challenges - Local solutions Region (HR), Marche Region (IT), Molise Region (IT), South East Serbia Region Arnhem Nijmegen City Region (NL), City of Lodz (PL), City of Maastricht (NL), (RS), Republic of Slovenia (SI), Republika Srpska (BA), Canton of Sarajevo (BA) Lodzkie Region (PL), Lubuskie Region (PL), Schleswig-Holstein (DE), Vejle (DK)
Advanced cooperation in the North Sea - Channel Area European regions and cities empowering electromobility Lower Saxony (DE), North Denmark (DK), Northern Netherlands Provinces (NL), Akershus County (NO), Braunschweig (DE), Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg Province of Limburg (BE), Province of Limburg (NL), Province of North-Brabant (DE), North Eastern Scotland (UK), Skåne Region (SE), South Tyrol (Alpeuregio) (NL), Province of North-Holland (NL), Värmland Region (SE), South Norway (IT), Trentino (Alpeuregio) (IT), Tyrol (Alpeuregio) (AT) (NO), Southern England (UK), Stavanger Region (NO), Upper Normandy (FR) Greater Region and the Upper Rhine AgriFood innovators Alsace Region (FR), German-speaking Community of Belgium (BE), Aosta Valley Autonomous Region (IT), Bornova Municipality (TR), Northern Luxembourg (LU), Rhineland-Palatinate (DE), Saarland (DE) Ireland (UK), Podlaskie (PL), Province of Flevoland (NL), Swietokrzyskie Voivodship (PL), Tuscany (IT), Umbria (IT), Wielkopolska Region (PL) Grow with ideas! Business, culture, tourism! City of Sofia (BG), Krapina-Zagorje County (HR), Lubelskie Region (PL), Air quality initiative of regions Nord-Pas-de-Calais Region (FR), Pomorskie (PL), Silivri Municipality (TR), Catalonia (ES), City of Ljubljana (SI), Hesse (DE), Lombardy Region (IT), Madrid Urban Community of Dunkirk (FR) Region (ES), Piedmont Region (IT), Randstad Region (NL), Styria (AT) Innovation strategies for smart growth Alliance for a water efficient Europe Bristol (UK), City of Gothenburg (SE), Hanover Region (DE), Malmö (SE), City of Leeuwarden (NL), City of Saragossa (ES), Lazio Region (IT), Province of Province of Barcelona (ES), Province of Turin (IT) Friesland (NL), Puglia Region (IT), West Flanders Province (BE) Innovative knowledge-based regions Baltic Sea group Andalusia (ES), Centre Region (FR), Észak-Alföld (HU), Mazovia (PL), Murcia Kujawsko-Pomorskie (PL), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (DE), Ostrobothnia Region (ES), Saxony-Anhalt (DE), Valencia Region (ES) Region (FI), Västerbotten Region (SE), West Finland (FI), Westpomerania (PL) Local urban development European network Blue biotechnology regions of Europe Bacau Municipality (RO), City of Amadora (PT), City of Sevilla (ES), City of Azores (PT), Brittany (FR), Pays de la Loire Region (FR), Principality of Asturias Starogard (PL), Seine-Saint-Denis (FR) (ES), Västra Götaland Region (SE), Wales (UK) Renewing health Capital cities and regions network (CCRN) City of Berlin (DE), Norrbotten (SE), Northern Norway (NO), South Karelia (FI), Berlin-Brandenburg Capital Region (DE), Brussels Capital Region (BE), City Southern Denmark Region (DK) of Budapest (HU), City of Tallinn (EE), City of Zagreb (HR), G-4 EU Office (Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht) (NL), Ile-de-France (FR), London Smart clusters for a new industrial revolution (UK), Oslo Region (NO), Prague (CZ), City of Riga (LV), Vienna (AT) Basque Country (ES), Eindhoven (NL), Extremadura (ES), Flanders (BE), Picardie (FR), Tampere Region (FI), Vidzeme Planning Region (LV) CEPLI for Europe 2020 Deux-Sèvres (FR), Eure (FR), Gabrovo (BG), Liège (BE), Lippe (DE), Lovech (BG), Smart partnerships for jobs and growth Virovitica-Podravina (HR), Walloon Brabant (BE) Bakirkoy Municipality (TR), Castile and León (ES), Central Denmark (DK), Central Region of Portugal (PT), East of England (UK), Merseyside (UK), Challenges of energy data collection Mid-Norway (NO), Silesia Region (PL), Split-Dalmatia (HR), Warmia and Mazury East Styria (AT), Legnica-Glogowski (PL), Podravska (SI), Province of Treviso (PL), West Norway (NO) (IT), Central and Eastern Pannonian Croatia (HR), South Transdanubia (HU) * European territorial cooperation
OPEN DAYS 2013 - European11th European Week Week of Regions of Regions and andCities Cities - Proceedings - Proceedings 11 Opening session
Europe’s regions and cities taking off for 2020 Opening session
Europe’s regions and cities taking off for 2020 Opening Session
Organised by the European Commission’s Regional and Urban Policy Directorate-General and the Committee of the Regions, the opening session of the OPEN DAYS 2013 was held on 7 October in the European Parliament. Keynote speeches emphasised that the cohesion policy budget 2014-2020 would be the Union’s main investment tool to stir growth, jobs and the delivery of the Europe 2020 strategy, and acknowledged the role of regions and cities in building a better future.
Introduction
Composed of some 900 participants, among whom more than and the Europe 2020 strategy. The OPEN DAYS was therefore 250 were elected politicians, the audience was welcomed by devoted to “Europe’s regions and cities taking off for 2020”. Rámon Luis Valcárcel Siso, President of the Committee of the He briefly outlined the event’s programme and introduced Regions and Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for the new features of the ‘OPEN DAYS: the Master Class for PhD Regional and Urban Policy. José Manuel Barroso, President students and early career researchers in the field of regional of the European Commission, delivered the keynote speech, and urban policy’, and the ‘100 EUrban solutions’ exhibition of followed by a video message from Martin Schulz, President of good practices in urban policy. the European Parliament and a policy debate on the role of the European Structural and Investment Funds in the achievements Johannes Hahn welcomed the participants on behalf of the of the Europe 2020 strategy, within the context of the 2014- European Commission, referring to the ‘OPEN DAYS: European 2020 Multiannual Financial Framework. week of regions and cities’ as a “wealth of information and new ideas”. He also evoked the continuing success of the event Rámon Luis Valcárcel Siso opened the 11th edition of the with the slogan “once an idea, now an institution”, which was OPEN DAYS by calling it “the most outstanding event for all bringing back a large part of the some 6,000 participants year politicians and experts involved in EU cohesion policy”. This was after year. Mr Hahn recalled the EU policy agenda witnessed by also due to the fact that this year the OPEN DAYS took place the OPEN DAYS in past years in which he participated: in 2010 at an important moment: when the 2007-13 programming the first ideas of a reformed EU cohesion policy were discussed; period was coming to an end, and while the preparation of 2011 saw the first draft of the reformed cohesion policy; 2012 Partnership Agreements between the European Commission saw negotiations start on the Multiannual Financial Framework and each Member State were at an advanced stage. Both (MFF) and now the conclusion of the negotiations was just a the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions few steps away. He stressed the need to conclude the deal on had congratulated the European Commission for having the MFF, in view of implementing the Partnership Agreements strengthened the link between financing cohesion policy and new Operational Programmes.
14 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Opening Session
Keynote speeches
José Manuel Barroso acknowledged many reasons to important reforms to become more competitive. At the be hopeful for the future of the European project. Leaders European level, the banking union was a priority for reform: the could not build the European project without inspiring the economic governance and the social aspects of the Economic population to believe in the future of Europe, and from the and Monetary Union needed to be strengthened, fighting outset there has been a connection between integration unemployment and implementing the Youth Guarantee. and regions. His participation in the OPEN DAYS, now for the All energy needed to be put into implementing the Europe 2020 ninth time, was an expression of his commitment to regions targets, and Mr Barroso paid tribute to regional and local and cities. Europe existed on several levels, and the elected authorities for sometimes even being more ambitious than the local and regional authorities, such as the Members of the national agenda. A strategy could only succeed if ownership Committee of the Regions (CoR), were all European leaders and was taken at all levels. He therefore looked forward to the part of a network where everyone had responsibilities. Europe results of the consultation at regional and local level conducted should be governed in partnership, with a common goal for all by the CoR, in light of the strategy’s mid-term review, which its leaders. would feed into the Commission’s evaluation.
Mr Barroso stressed that the next Multiannual Financial Elaborating on creativity, Mr Barroso was convinced that Framework had to make a contribution to growth, increasing by using the opportunities of novel financing instruments, investments and Europe’s competitiveness. available resources could even be Investment meant budget. In some multiplied through the mobilisation of regions, the European Union budget was funds from other sources. There was no “With EUR 325 billion, cohesion the only way to get public investment, sustainable path to growth and prosperity because of lacking sources at the national policy is an essential lever for outside innovation. One needed to adapt, level. Nevertheless, regional policy should investment and growth”. especially after a severe crisis; business not be a policy for the poorest regions. All José Manuel Barroso as usual was not a recipe for success. should be able to feel the advantage of Europe needed to have the courage to an EU policy. For those reasons, regional adapt its instruments and be prepared for policy was not just a technical but an eminently political policy, the needs of the future. This is why innovation and research an essential lever for investment and growth. were at the heart of the Europe 2020 strategy and Horizon 2020 was a top priority. Horizon 2020 would simplify rules of After having experienced the most difficult crisis, confidence was funding and would also focus on major societal challenges and slowly returning and recent figures were showing that recovery on industrial competitiveness. This is why the new cohesion was in sight. The once predicted end of the euro area had been policy was centred on those priorities. It would also be good avoided, yet there was still a high rate of unemployment. One to reflect on how regional policy could boost innovation and should not underestimate the challenges but not overestimate competitiveness. The funding of regional policy should be more them either, as this would affect confidence and investments. closely linked to research and innovation, energy efficiency and Despite the difficulties, every step taken at EU level in response other priorities. Citizens would not be convinced by rhetoric to the crisis was for greater integration. but by the delivery of more and better results, and that was the “We draw lessons from this crisis to have more Europe where it is spirit of the new cohesion policy. needed,” said Mr Barroso, putting emphasis not only on rules and supervision but also on solidarity, since one could not rely Mr Barroso then drew attention to the fact that the European just on responsibility. future was urban and welcomed the OPEN DAYS’ focus on urban issues. Today, almost 75% of Europeans lived in urban While efforts were bearing fruits, the future should be faced areas, and by 2020 this would reach 80%. Regions and cities through perseverance (because there were no magic should be true partners for sustainable development in the solutions and growth will take time), determination and urban environment. He evoked the success of the Covenant creativity. The most vulnerable Member States had made of Mayors and invited reflections on what else could be done
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 15 Opening Session
at regional and local level, and better than at state level, in the reduced budgets and an increasing number of problems. spirit of the principle of subsidiarity. Some citizens had started losing faith in the EU, while some national governments tried to shed part of their responsibilities To conclude, Mr Barroso emphasised the need for the regions, for the difficult economic situation to Europe, but the European as European leaders, to stand for Europe Parliament was doing its utmost to support and to spread a message of confidence. “You can count on the support regions and cities in facing the challenges It was important to resist polarisation of a globalised world. He elaborated on the of European Parliament in your and stigmatisation and to maintain a support provided in the field of regional positive message for Europe. When endeavour to make European policy. The European Parliament had fought working together, regions and cities cities and regions fit for the for the most ambitious MFF, to ensure could contribute to convergence and challenges of our globalised age“. resources for the implementation of the solidarity, to building a better future. He Martin Schulz Europe 2020 strategy and for more flexibility was looking forward to celebrating the in the use of the EU budget. Moreover, it has 20th anniversary of the CoR in April next year, emphasising the contributed to flexibility and simplification in the use of regional importance of the territorial dimension of cohesion, and to a funds. Mr Schulz concluded by stressing the importance of further strengthened inter-institutional cooperation. key policies, such as youth employment, research policies, the ‘Erasmus for all’ programmes, and called for increased support In his video message, Martin Schulz expressed support for for the SMEs for the ongoing negotiation on the 2014 annual the local and regional decision-makers who were coping with budget.
16 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Opening Session
Debate
Rámon Luis Valcárcel Siso expressed the concern of regional years, providing a certainty of funds and how they will be used. and local bodies over the uncertainties generated by the This would trigger private investments over the next years in prolonged negotiations on the future cohesion policy, while Europe’s regions and Member States, and this was why it was in they were asked to apply the new format as of 1 January our particular interest to seal the deal as soon as possible. 2014. He also underscored the positive aspects, namely all the objectives, which have been retained and strengthened Michael Schneider, Secretary of State in Saxony-Anhalt and with the new objectives linked to the Europe 2020 strategy, Member of the CoR (EPP/DE), hoped that the Commissioner the improvements in the efficiency of the Structural Funds, was right to be optimistic about the rapid conclusions of the and the strengthening of territorial and negotiations, but reminded his audience urban dimensions through legislation. “Cohesion policy is not a policy that, even so, the procedure had been When it came to issues that were still already significantly delayed. Mr Schneider of the past, but a policy to invest on the negotiating table, he expressed welcomed the cooperation between the doubts for the performance reserve, in the future and an essential CoR and DG REGIO, leading, for example, which would, in the long term, deter tool for rolling out the to a new category of transition regions people from taking risks to innovate, but Europe 2020 strategy”. as beneficiaries of EU funding. All could he welcomed the setting up of a flexibility Rámon Luis Valcárcel Siso benefit from developing new tools to meet reserve to support the experimental new challenges, and it would be necessary activities of the most innovative regions. Secondly, it was very to examine at the beginning of 2014 how the new rules important to understand what macroeconomic conditionality apply. If needed, an ad hoc group could be set up to analyse means. Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes the regulatory changes in detail. To conclude, Mr Schneider could be modified on the basis of macroeconomic stressed the need to avoid any bureaucratic complexity that recommendations from the European Commission, but would hamper programmes and overburden beneficiaries. despite the importance of macroeconomic stability, the regions could not be held responsible for non-compliance Karl-Heinz Lambertz, President of the German-speaking with macroeconomic conditionality by the Member States. Community in Belgium and Member of the CoR (PES/BE) pointed Furthermore, Mr Valcárcel reminded his audience that the to three aspects that could endanger the capacity to invest. Committee of the Regions supported First were the negative consequences of the principle of ex-ante conditionality, to “With the reformed policy, macroeconomic conditionality, if applied. ensure that the fundamental prerequisites Second, he mentioned the austerity policy were in place for effective investments but we aim for productive linked to the European Semester, which within the framework of competences. investments to get more could limit the extent to which local Finally, the distribution method of and better results for authorities could borrow money. The third national amounts and the capping rate all regions“. point was of a more technical nature that for cohesion policy were areas where the Johannes Hahn depended on the ruling of the European CoR has to be consulted, according to the Court as to whether public investment Treaty, and regretted that no consultation had been initiated in infrastructure would be considered as state aid or not, and so far. He concluded by saying that cohesion policy was not which would cause delay for some projects. a policy of the past, but a policy to invest in the future and an essential tool for rolling out the Europe 2020 strategy. Bas Verkerk, Mayor of the City of Delft and Member of the CoR (ALDE/NL), expressed his support for financial engineering Johannes Hahn pointed out that macroeconomic instruments as a means of innovation. The European conditionality was still a pending issue, but agreements on Commission had already developed four joint initiatives the co-financing rates, advance payments and performance on financial engineering in cooperation with the European reserve were about to be reached. The EU should be proud to Investment Bank and he also hoped that the existing successful be in the unique position of having a financial frame over seven programmes would be prolonged. He also welcomed the new
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 17 Opening Session
Workshops
SME Initiative as a cornerstone for the new investment plan for were ready on 1 January 2007, even if the negotiations were Europe and asked about the progress in the negotiations for concluded some months before. When it came to developing introducing this initiative into the regulations. The European content, the preparation of the Partnership Agreements was Commission should explain clearly what changes had been well underway. introduced, so as to ensure that those instruments were • The European Commission also made a number of proposals used as widely and effectively as possible, and how cohesion concerning the simplification and reduction of bureaucracy. policy principles, notably geographic concentration, could be He gave some illustrative examples, mentioning the idea ensured. of lump sums, which still needed to be brought in line with national budgetary rules, and the suggestion from a Member Uno Silberg, Member of Kose Rural Municipality Council and State to issue a national guarantee about money being spent of the CoR (EA/EE), spoke about the sustainability of rural areas, in the appropriate way, which could reduce the amount of which for some time now have been facing specific challenges. auditing at European level. However, it was difficult to strike the He referred to an own-initiative opinion on the subject that was right balance between simplification and checks. As regards to be submitted two days later to the CoR Plenary, which aimed bureaucracy, there was a standing invitation to come forward at analysing all EU action policies impacting rural areas in order with concrete proposals. to assist their sustainable development. He also mentioned • On macroeconomic conditionality, Mr Hahn stated that the a recent declaration for action of the European Alliance on concerns of the Committee of the Regions would be taken into behalf of competitive and sustainable rural communities, to account in the ongoing negotiations. Clearer specification and Managing change 2014-2020 be submitted to the attention of all EU institutions. Mr Silberg methodology would be looked at. expressed his support for a balanced development of rural • Infrastructure projects did indeed need to be examined, areas, which should equal the contribution to sustainable which produced a temporary jam, but a standardised checklist urban development. had been developed together with DG COMP, which makes the evaluation of the state-aid impact more rapid. There were Gordon Keymer, Member of Tandridge District Council and discussions on group exemptions. of the CoR (ECR/ UK), drew attention to the cost of excessive • In Mr Hahn’s view, there was a sensitive balance between rural bureaucracy as an impediment to growth. Not enough new and urban areas. With the Common Strategic Framework in jobs were being created and the economic indicators did not place, it was up to Member States to decide what fund would forecast growth in the short term. It was crucial to strengthen apply to what measure and to ensure that there were no grey areas. the economy and it was vital that EU policies recognised the • The European Commission was in favour of the SME Initiative importance of free trade and competition, and of reducing and discussions now evolved more around procedures, with excessive regulation. This way a virtuous path would be created three options on the negotiation table. towards full employment across the EU. The 2014-2020 cohesion policy, with the support of local and regional authorities, gave a Commissioner Hahn closed by stating his interest in extending chance to light the burners of the EU economy, and ignite the the scope of financial instruments and raising the earmarked drive for growth and lower unemployment. amount, from EUR 8-10 billion, out of the nearly EUR 350 billion, to EUR 30-40 billion, out of a probably reduced budget. Commissioner Johannes Hahn replied to the issues raised by He believed that the quality of projects would increase when the Presidents of the CoR Political Groups: moving from grants to loans and the budget decrease would • Referring to the delays, he recalled that not all programmes thus be compensated by creative financial instruments.
18 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops
Managing change 2014-2020 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Investing in the future: Meeting climate and energy challenges with innovative financial instruments
08A01 Outline 08 October 2013 Within the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), climate friendly investments will continue to be 09:00-10:30 on the agenda. Integrating climate change and energy efficiency in investment decisions could generate considerable financial savings to government and society, stimulate economic activity and job creation, and Organiser: deliver substantial health benefits. Current and past practices of the European Investment Bank, the European Alliance of Liberals Commission, fund managers and fund recipients provide good examples and evidence of integrating climate and Democrats, Committee change and energy efficiency in investment decisions. of the Regions (ALDE, CoR) The seminar addressed the role of financial engineering instruments (FEIs) in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Chair: Bas Verkerk, President, ALDE- Debate CoR, The Netherlands Bogna Filipiuk-Olteanu. In order to make cohesion policy more efficient and sustainable, the European Commission developed four joint initiatives in cooperation with the European Investment Bank and other Speakers: financial institutions in the framework of the 2007-13 programming period. Two of them refer to the promotion Bogna Filipiuk-Olteanu, of JEREMIE and JESSICA. The use of financial instruments (FI) is being expanded, thereby making it more accessible Policy Officer, Financial to climate-friendly projects. The cohesion policy programme for 2014-2020 is supporting the shift towards a low Instruments and International carbon economy in all sectors and encouraging a more extensive use of Fls. Financial Institutions, Regional and Urban Policy DG, Frank Lee. The EIB has been involved in JESSICA since 2007. It launched it in some countries through feasibility European Commission studies. JESSICA was primary focused on classical regeneration projects but regulation changed in 2009, allowing Frank Lee, Head of Holding the use of more financial instruments in energy efficiency and renewable energies. The initiative also includes Funds and Advisory, technical assistance. Northern Europe, JESSICA and Investment Funds, He then presented a case study in Lithuania. The focus of JESSICA funding was on renovating an apartment European Investment Bank, block. The total investment was around EUR 400,000, made up of a mix of grants and loan mechanisms. United Kingdom In total, 65% of energy was saved. Alex Conway, European Programmes Director, Alex Conway explained how JESSICA worked in London to reduce carbon emissions. Two-thirds of carbon European Programmes emission is commercial and domestic. Could green funds be an incentive for more green behaviour? Management Unit, Greater London Authority, Green funds were sub-divided into three different programmes: the Urban Development Fund (green housing), United Kingdom the Energy Efficiency Fund (renovation of public and private buildings) and the Environment Fund (waste).
More information: Mr Conway then focused on the recycling system of plastic bottles. With this system, public resources and public www.london.gov.uk/ investment could create new jobs and test new technologies. www.eib.org/ ec.europa.eu/dgs/regional_ Questions policy/index_en.htm Could the financial mix of grants and loans tested in Lithuania be applicable to other areas for renewable energies? How does the mechanism work vis-à-vis tenants? How do banks get involved, or not, in technical assistance?
The European Commission set 11 thematic areas, which include low carbon and renewable energies.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) says that the financial mix is applicable to other areas.
Each tenant has to share the loan to renovate the block. Decisions among tenants are taken according to a majority system (50 +1 votes). There are some protection mechanisms for tenants with low incomes.
“The main issue in The EIB said that, usually, banks are not interested in it and this was the case in Lithuania, where a local agency the reduction of channelled technical assistance. carbon emissions is Conclusions to help people to think There are many untapped opportunities to save energy and encourage the use of renewable energy sources in Europe, but market conditions do not always help. Therefore, there is no question that financial instruments differently.” for climate action will play a big part in the next MFF, being an innovative way of delivering results and creating Alex Conway stronger incentives for successful projects.
20 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Managing assessment of ex-ante conditionalities in the framework of the European Structural and Cohesion Funds 2014-2020. First experiences.
Outline 08A02 Ex-ante conditionalities are a new element in the EU’s cohesion policy. The workshop aimed at taking stock of 08 October 2013 experience with an assessment of ex-ante conditionalities from both the European Commission’s and Member 09:00-10:45 States’ perspectives. Organiser: The chairman first presented the speakers and briefed the participants about the rationale of ex-ante DGA1.01, Regional and Urban conditionalities. This was followed by presentations from the European Commission and the Member States’ Policy DG, European Commission administration regarding the experience with managing the assessment of ex-ante conditionalities. Questions/ comments from the panel and the floor were taken following each presentation. Chair: Peter Berkowitz, Head of Unit, Debate DGA1.01, Regional and Urban Ilse De Mecheleer presented the main principles of ex-ante conditionalities (types, applicability, fulfilment, Policy DG, European Commission assessment process according to the draft regulations), as well as the draft guidance prepared by the European Commission. She outlined preliminary conclusions based on the analysis of the self-assessment by Member Speakers: States, as well as the lessons learned: using informal dialogue with the European Commission to reach a Ilse De Mecheleer, Policy common understanding on applicability, fulfilment and action plans. Officer, E.1, Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG, Sabina De Luca explained that Italy has always supported the introduction of ex-ante conditionalities, seeing European Commission it as a powerful leverage to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of investment and as an instrument to Sabina De Luca, Head, involve relevant actors, and not only those managing funds. According to the Italian experience, regulatory ex- Department for Development ante conditionalities are speeding up the transposition of relevant EU directives, and the planning-type ex-ante and Economic Cohesion, Ministry conditionalities are supporting public administration in the adoption of coherent and focused interventions. for Economic Development, Italy Krzysztof Kasprzyk, Counsellor, Krzysztof Kasprzyk presented the Polish experience and expressed a strong support for: 1. any mechanism Permanent Representation of which increases the effectiveness of cohesion policy, 2. any preventive mechanisms; and 3. the clarity of rules. Poland to the European Union The ex-ante conditionalities are very similar to the conditions imposed by the European Commission during the negotiations of the 2007-13 operational programmes. It was also made clear that the guidance should not More information: introduce additional rules beyond the regulation. Draft guidance on ex-ante conditionalities: Conclusions ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ The chairman concluded that: 1. ex-ante conditionalities are a new element of the regulations, it is a learning- what/future/experts_ by-doing exercise; 2. the guidance is there to ensure consistency and transparency; and 3. there is a need documents_en.cfm#3 for compliance with the criteria for fulfilment of ex-ante conditionalities on the one hand and for qualitative judgement on the content of the strategies on the other.
“The assessment of ex-ante conditionalities is not about a formal compliance. It is a process to allow managing authorities to anticipate problems which could come up in the course of the implementation of their programmes.” Peter Berkowitz
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 21 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Involvement of SMEs in European Territorial Cooperation: How to deal with state aid and intellectual property rights in the context of ETC projects?
08A03 Outline 08 October 2013 European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes are expected to actively contribute to delivering the 09:00-10:45 objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. As small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a key role in promoting growth and driving innovation, their involvement in future ETC programmes requires consideration. With Organiser: this in mind, the aim of the workshop was to reflect on the achievements of ETC programmes with regard Regional and Urban Policy DG, to the involvement of SMEs in the current financial perspective and to provide insights on how to include European Commission, SMEs as beneficiaries of ETC funds in 2014-2020. Based on experiences from 2007-13, state aid and intellectual INTERACT programme property rights have been identified as the most challenging issues. Practical examples from the current period in dealing with these and other challenges have been presented and complemented with a discussion on Chair: workable solutions applicable post 2013. Colin Wolfe, Head of Competence Centre Debate on Macro-regions and European Karolina Bachmann reported on the achievements of ETC programmes involving SMEs and highlighted Territorial Cooperation – the biggest challenges that programmes face in the current financial period. She elaborated on a number of Transnational and Interregional means to mobilise the involvement of SMEs in the future, including an adjustment to programme procedures. Cooperation, Regional and Urban Above all, she stressed that the inclusion of SMEs should not be seen by ETC programmes as an aim in itself but Policy DG, European Commission a way to deliver the programme strategies for 2014-2020.
Speakers: Yvonne Simon discussed the main problems of ETC programmes in dealing with state aid and presented Karolina Bachmann, potential solutions to address the challenges, under both the current and future regulatory framework. She Developer and Trainer, stressed that, above all, there is a need to raise awareness of state aid rules, and to clarify responsibilities and INTERACT programme, ways of achieving state aid compliance. As regards the legal framework, she explained that the European Denmark Commission has taken steps to review the state aid regulations in order to facilitate the application of state aid Yvonne Simon, rules to ETC programmes. Legal Officer, Regional and Urban Policy DG, Luca Ferrarese elaborated on the experiences of the Central Europe Programme as regards involvement of European Commission SMEs as beneficiaries of the programme funds. He presented options under which state aid is granted and Luca Ferrarese, explained the process followed in the current period to assess the state aid compliance. He also reflected on the Head of Secretariat, proposals in the draft General Block Exemption Regulation and their applicability to ETC in 2014-2020. Central Europe Programme, Austria Hans Flipsen presented practical examples from the beneficiary point of view. He highlighted a number of Hans Flipsen, benefits that SMEs gain from being involved in ETC projects but said that the characteristics of SMEs (e.g. Senior Advisor, limited resources) must be taken into account when setting the ETC rules and procedures. He also pointed out Evers + Manders that SMEs usually do not have the capacity to deal with state aid and thus the compliance check should be Subsidieadviseurs, performed at a different level. The Netherlands Conclusions More information: The chair person concluded that – given the role of SMEs and their contribution to the EU economy – relevant INTERACT publication, steps must be taken in order to support SMEs, including within the framework of the European Territorial Involvement of SMEs in ETC Cooperation. There is general interest in allowing SMEs to carry out activities in ETC projects and receive support programmes: Achievements from ETC funds in 2014-2020. The INTERACT publication on the involvement of SMEs in ETC programmes gives & Future Perspectives, some practical guidance to facilitate this process. The current modification of state aid regulations should help www.interact-eu.net in simplifying the application of state aid rules in ETC programmes. As far as intellectual property rights are State aid modernisation: concerned, it is recommended to obtain an expert’s advice. ec.europa.eu/competition/ index_en.html CENTRAL EUROPE programme: “To facilitate participation of SMEs in the future, www.central2013.eu adjustments are necessary, so that the rules of the game are possible for them to play.” Karolina Bachmann
22 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
From ‘Regions of knowledge’ to the European Structural and Investment Funds: Research-intensive clusters as key drivers for regional innovation
Outline 08A04 Research and innovation is a key driver for growth and jobs at the regional level, in the context of the Europe 08 October 2013 2020 strategy. As stated in the flagship initiative on the Innovation Union, regions have to make a better 09:00-10:45 and more intelligent use of the Structural Funds and set up smart specialisation strategies to help position themselves better in the context of the global value chains. Organiser: Research and Innovation DG, The aim of the workshop was to present the legacy of the Seventh Framework Policy action of ‘Regions of European Commission knowledge’ and propose a transition path to a new cohesion policy, with particular emphasis on European Territorial Cooperation, through key findings and concrete examples. The action has so far promoted 66 Chair: transnational-trans-regional projects with a total budget of EUR 126 million. Regions of knowledge fostered Claus Schultze, Policy Officer, regional development through innovative partnerships between public and private research centres, Regional and Urban Policy DG, enterprises and authorities, following the well-known triple helix concept (introduced by Profs. H. Etzkowitz European Commission and L. Leydesdorff). Speakers: Debate Richard Tuffs, Director, ERRIN, From the point of view of the European Commission (Research and Innovation and Regional and Urban Policy the European Regions Research DGs), the workshop examined the regions (ERRIN) and the practitioners (Regions of Knowledge coordinator), and Innovation Network and the transferability of key programme objectives to future cohesion policy. The overall participation of 208 Anna-Lisa Boni, Director, participants showed the high interest dedicated to the topic. Regional Representation Office, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Conclusions France The moderator concluded that this workshop was timely due to the fact that the future programming period Nicolas Singer, Senior Project is about to begin. Moreover, research-driven clusters are strong players in regional innovation networks and Officer, Joint Technical Secretariat, they will continue to develop at European level, mainly through the European Structural and Investment Funds INTERREG IVC, Lille, (European Territorial Cooperation and European Regional Development Fund) where appropriate references France have been placed in the proposed regulations. Dimitri Corpakis, Head of Unit, Regional dimension of Innovation, Research “Regions of knowledge provide an inspirational and Innovation DG, European Commission framework of strategic importance for the future of the European Territorial Cooperation, More information: ec.europa.eu/research/regions/ in the context of smart specialisation. index_en.cfm?pg=home&lg=en In terms of bridging with Horizon 2020, ec.europa.eu/research/regions/ index_en.cfm?pg=home&lg=en the new foreseen actions on spreading excellence ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ and widening participation (part III-a) keep some index_en.cfm links with Regions of knowledge since teaming, www.interreg4c.eu/ twinning and the European Research Area chairs are all related with the smart specialisation process.” Dimitri Corpakis
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 23 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Smart cities: Innovative approaches and partnerships through cohesion and other EU policies
08A05 Outline 08 October 2013 In order to move towards a ‘smart city’ environment, cities are building strategic partnerships not only with 11:15-13:00 business, but also with academia and social actors. These multi-actor partnerships are delivering mutual benefit results because of the innovative and often groundbreaking characteristics of the projects implemented. Organisers: Large cities and mid-sized cities, in particular, realise the opportunities in developing these innovative strategies 1. Province of Barcelona, on a territorial dimension in terms of efficiency, competitiveness and quality of life. In this sense, supra-local Spain – Lead Partner authorities are best placed to support mid- and small-sized cities in the development of ‘smart territories’ that 2. Region of Hanover, could contribute to the delivery of the 2014-2020 priorities. The debate placed a special focus on how cohesion Germany – Deputy Leader policy after 2014 could contribute better to local innovative and smart city strategies in order to generate more 3. Province of Turin, Italy opportunities for companies and citizens, thus fostering growth and cohesion. 4. City of Malmö, Sweden 5. City of Gothenburg, Sweden Debate 6. City of Bristol, United Kingdom Jordi Puigneró i Ferrer said that the implementation of smart city strategies requires a strong commitment from local authorities and city actors – private sector, academia and civic organisations – to collaborate with Chairs: each other. Multilevel governance and close collaboration between local, regional and central governments are Carsten Lietz, critical to make sure that local needs are included in the national strategy for the Structural Funds programming Member of Cabinet period 2014-2020. Therefore, Structural Funds could have a positive impact on the implementation of smart of Vice-President of the European city strategies. Commission, Viviane Reding, (Germany) Dr Lorraine Hudson: It is the innovative integration of different technologies to those challenges/opportunities that make cities and communities ‘smart’. This requires the commitment and close collaboration of city Speakers: stakeholders. The involvement of people and communities is even more important; it’s about how people Jordi Puigneró i Ferrer, work with the technology and it’s important to involve them in the development of experiences, products and Deputy Mayor for Governance, services that help the city to achieve its aims. Security, Mobility and Technology in Sant Cugat del Vallès, Anneli Hulthén said that cities need to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to the European smart cities Province of Barcelona, initiative and we need visionary local political leadership. At the same time it is clear that we would not be Spain able to drive anywhere without industry and academia. The triple-helix concept is very important in this Dr Lorraine Hudson, context. She believes in strong partnerships between European, national and local authorities that are in close Future City Coordinator, cooperation with both industry and academia across the EU. Bristol City Council, United Kingdom Prof. Dr Axel Priebs said that Hannover Region is deeply concerned about the cuts in the Multiannual Financial Anneli Hulthén, Framework 2014-2020. Less money for more Member States is the wrong signal and the wrong solution. City Mayor of the city of Gothenburg, regions like Hanover Region can tackle the problems ahead better, like climate change, and can implement Sweden smart-city solutions better than single cities or communities on their own. Prof. Dr Axel Priebs, Director General for Environment, Ilmar Reepalu: Many cities are seeking ways to optimise and integrate their systems to maximise resource Planning and Construction, efficiency and decrease environmental impact. An integrated systems approach and the application of ICTs are Vice-President of the Hannover central. Malmö has worked on an integrated system approach where waste to energy has been a major part of Region, Germany decreasing their dependence on coal and oil for district heating, and now biogas from food waste is replacing Ilmar Reepalu, fossil fuels for vehicles. Councillor of the city of Malmö, Member of the Committee Dr Roberto Ronco explained that the roadmap from smart cities to a smart region is very challenging and of the Regions, has to be defined with a multilevel governance approach, so that European and national strategies can be Sweden implemented at local level. This is possible if we are able to connect local grids, in order to improve the quality Dr Roberto Ronco, and quantity of services provided to citizens, and to enhance regional networks, so letting stakeholders build Member of the executive board up partnerships and trigger new investments. of the Province of Turin in charge of environment policies, Italy
24 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Smart cities: Innovative approaches and partnerships through cohesion and other EU policies
Conclusions More information: The moderator, Mr Lietz, finalised the debate with a tour-de-table, where each speaker concluded with the innovation-strategies.eu/ most relevant messages: Mr Ronco highlighted the steps from a smart city to a smart region; Mr Reepalu www.diba.cat/en/web/ri/ underlined the importance of empowering citizens; Dr Priebs mentioned the need to get people on board and work in partnerships; Mrs Hultén said it is necessary to focus efforts on a set of priorities; Mrs Hudson stressed llistabutlletins/-/butlletidigital/ the need for a strong leadership from cities; finally, Mr Puigneró concluded by mentioning the importance of detallIndex/IFLASH2/143/29998 being able to measure achievements, in order to improve the action of smart cities. www.hannover.de/ Service/Presse-Medien/ Region-Hannover/Region- “In order to become a smart city, we first need pr%C3%A4sentiert-Masterplan to know where we want to go, have a clear vision, www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ leadership and a strong project to get citizens europa/newsletter/News2013/ on board.” settembre13 Anneli Hulthén www.torinoscienza.it/articoli/ cities_on_power_26026 www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ ambiente/energia/progetti/CoP/ eventi_CoP www.provincia.torino.gov.it/ stampa/cronache/2013/dwd/ num30.pdf
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 25 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Smart local and regional strategies to promote social and sustainable growth
08A06 Outline 08 October 2013 From 2014-2020, European regions must find intelligent solutions to the societal challenges that confront them 11:00-13:00 and develop a smart specialisation strategy (S3) in order to reach their innovation potential so as to initiate inclusive and sustainable growth. This is not merely a pure, technical solution – smart specialisation is wider. It refers to an Organiser: overarching innovation strategy in which the economic aspects are equally weighted alongside the social and political Lower Saxony dimensions of the process. This requires an accurate analysis of the current situation, the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, the provision of necessary resources and effective policy coordination. These processes and associated Chair: issues were discussed during the workshop by regional political representatives and technical/policy experts. Richard Tuffs, Director, European The questions raised included: How to define a region’s potential? How to effectively focus a strategy in a compelling Regions Research and Innovation manner? How to organise regional synergies and the role of triple-helix effects? Network (ERRIN) Debate Speakers: Ann Camilla Schulze-Krogh explained that South Norway is mostly coastal, mountainous and very international. Ann Camilla Schulze-Krogh, S3 in her area has gone from theory to practice in a short space of time; regional innovation strategy is their S3. International Coordinator, Regional opportunities in renewable energies (RE) could result in the area becoming a ‘green battery’ for Europe; it is Aust-Agder County, Norway able to store RE in its mountain reservoirs and there is a regional desire to shift from an over-reliance on fossil fuels. Yvonne van Mastrigt, South Norway has targeted the triple-helix effect with research, development and innovation (RD&I) funds, Chairwoman, Executive Board focusing on SMEs, lifelong learning and improving infrastructure. of Northern Netherlands Cooperation (SNN), Yvonne van Mastrigt said that the North Netherlands is the EU in miniature, with context being key, as is Member, Provincial Executive the urban and rural contrast. Agriculture remains important; the area is the largest seed potato producer and of the Province Groningen, innovator globally. All the Phillips coffee-pad machines are produced locally from recycled plastics. The aim is to The Netherlands be a living lab region for innovation involving companies. North Netherlands is an EU reference region for active Prof. Piet Pauwels, and healthy ageing with Lower Saxony. Dean, Faculty Business Economics, Hasselt University, Regional economic strategy has been greatly affected by the decision made by Ford in October 2012 to close Province of Limburg, Belgium its Mondeo production plant in Genk: there were 13,000 direct employees plus the supply chain, once the Erik van Merriënboer, Director, largest single-model car plant in the world. Prof. Piet Pauwels reported that within a year unemployment had Strategy and Policy, Province increased from 1% to crisis levels. The EUR 200 million re-launch plan includes ‘community formation’ to diversify of North-Brabant, the economy, focusing on infrastructure and nine key sectors, including SMEs. For example, Ridley racing bicycles The Netherlands launching clothing. Dagfinn Wåge, Head of Innovation, Lyse Energy, Erik van Merriënboer: S3 is a main focus of Brainport Eindhoven alongside smart mobility/ logistics; active and Stavanger Region, Norway healthy ageing, e.g. Phillips’ life sciences; renewable energies, especially solar technology; and energy-efficient Prof. John Goddard, Professor agriculture. A good geographic location between Rotterdam and Antwerp ports allows the focus to be on Emeritus, Regional Development logistics and maintenance. The region also cooperates with its neighbours. The area is no longer ‘just Phillips’, an Studies, University of Newcastle, over reliance which diminished after the 1994 rationalisation. United Kingdom, representing Värmland, Sweden Dagfinn Wåge explained that Stavanger has more than 100 years experience in renewable energies, mainly Comments to the debate hydro-power, so most heating is electric. A decade-old fibre-optic network going direct to people’s home is one by Claus Schultze, Regional of the largest globally, offering huge opportunities for service delivery. As this is the most ageing region of Norway, and Urban Policy DG, e-health and active and healthy ageing are key. The aim is to install smart meters by 2018 as part of ensuring European Commission the region’s infrastructure for the future. The triple-helix effect is strong and was strengthened further using S3.
Prof. John Goddard reported that the region is now a world-leading example of the triple-helix effect. The challenges include an historic reliance on heavy industry, e.g. ship-building and steel; an ageing population; and emigration to nearby, booming, Norway. The positive regional response has included clusters, e.g. paper; hi-tech steel/ engineering; information and communication technologies; a national bio-tech centre. The region has funded ten professorships at the university, which is a practical method of increasing triple helix and synergies. Quadruple helix that includes society/social inclusion is also needed. There is a need to unite thought and action.
26 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Smart local and regional strategies to promote social and sustainable growth
Claus Schultze summed up the debate by saying that S3 is spreading outside the EU, not just to the European Economic Area but also to South America and South Korea. There is often too much research and too little innovation; there is a need for RD&I. S3 forces an end to silos but it can be too broad. There is also a need to address infrastructure issues and bottlenecks, but do not overlook the public sector. Cooperation at all levels is key. EUSIF have a greater strategic focus now than previously. S3 and territorial cooperation focus the mind, but policy cooperation vital, and it is important to diversify so as to avoid locking-in to one factory/company/sector. S3 is greater than cluster strategies as it involves cooperation.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 27 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Europe 2020 implemented in your region/city: Debate with think tanks
08A07 Outline 08 October 2013 The workshop was centred on the regional implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy, specifically regarding 11:15-13:00 the results of the 4th CoR Monitoring Report, which show that one of the main weaknesses of the Europe 2020 strategy is the lack of a genuine understanding of regional disparities across Europe and the lack of a Organiser: genuine territorial dimension. This workshop is part of a series of monitoring and assessment activities on Committee of the Regions (CoR), Europe 2020 in view of the mid-term review of the strategy next year. Rethinking the Europe 2020 strategy on Directorate for Horizontal Policies the basis of a partnership with Europe’s regions and cities, in order to give a territorial dimension to the new and Networks, Europe 2020 economic governance, is also a contribution to ensure that the EU strengthens its democratic legitimacy and Monitoring Platform accountability in its path towards sustainable recovery.
Chair: Debate Michel Delebarre, Mayor of Andrej Stuchlik argued that regional targeting will handle the difference in regional performance better, will Dunkirk, France, Member of CoR create ownership and improve benchmarking. However, setting too many targets at sub-national level has (PES/FR), Political Coordinator the risks of losing focus and clarity of the strategy. The social dimension has worsened during the crisis and of the Europe 2020 Monitoring this could be addressed by including social indicators and scoreboards, at regional level, to complement the Platform European semester.
Speakers: Philippe Herzog highlighted the need to revise the Europe 2020 strategy to improve cohesion and active Andrej Stuchlik, solidarity, and argued that regions have a major role in assuring a solidarity approach to promoting growth. Project Manager, A territorial approach would deal better with the regional differences regarding resources and ease the funding Bertelsmann Foundation, for local and regional investments. The relationships between different tiers of government need to change Belgium towards better coordination and cooperation at EU, national and regional levels. Philippe Herzog, President, Confrontations Europe, Marco Giuli argued for a rethinking of the Europe 2020 strategy so as to stop focusing on horizontal aspects France and take into account sectorial policies. One reason is that the market alone will not allocate resources to Marco Giuli, long-term growth sectors (information and communication technologies, healthcare, green industry). Research Fellow, Madariaga - Also, fiscal consolidation policy leaves no room for public demand or investment and leads to a service sector College of Europe Foundation, that is neither knowledge-led nor innovation-intensive. Belgium Jorge Nunez Ferrer, Jorge Nunez Ferrer pointed out that many regions lack maturity and do not have the capacity to assess their Associate Research Fellow, own potential or to promote their own objectives. Projects fail due to the inability to ensure financial support. Centre for European Policy Another reason is bad planning at all levels. Regions have to prepare plans in complicated areas and within very Studies (CEPS), small time frames. More powerful regions have better planning, also because their planning does not have to Belgium rely on Structural Funds. Marcel Haag, Head of Unit, European Marcel Haag explained that the Europe 2020 strategy has been successfully used as a yardstick for the Commission, Secretariat- policies that were developed at the European level to react to the crisis. It is also used as a benchmark for General, Unit Europe 2020, the current implementation of Structural Funds projects but also for planning the new programming period. Competitiveness and Innovation, Regarding multilevel governance, connectivity and communication on both bottom-up and top-down Belgium approaches are strongly needed. Thomas Wobben, Director Horizontal Policies Thomas Wobben stressed that considering regions and giving them a role from the beginning in the target- and Networks, Committee setting process is decisive for their involvement in the Europe 2020 strategy. Another key component in the of the Regions, strategy’s success is the proper partnership between companies and the private sector. Belgium More information: “You cannot imagine a forward-looking Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform: approach in the EU without involving local portal.cor.europa.eu/ and regional actors.” europe2020/Knowledge/Pages/ Michel Delebarre welcome.aspx 4th CoR Monitoring Report: portal.cor.europa.eu/ europe2020/pub/Pages/ welcome.aspx
28 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
FIN-EN sharing methodologies on FINancial ENgineering for enterprises
Outline 08A08 Financial instruments are one of the main topics under discussion in preparation of the upcoming 2014-2020 08 October 2013 programming period. 11:15-13:00 The European INTERREG IVC project entitled ‘FIN-EN sharing methodologies on financial engineering for enterprises’, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, gives a concrete contribution to the Organiser: discussion, representing the voice of six regions and seven countries from 13 Member States. European Association Starting from the 2007-13 experience, the project aims at setting up a wide and stable network to promote of Public Banks AISBL discussion on implementing financial instruments, identifying common problems and finding concrete solutions. Chair: The panel debate consisted of high-level representatives of the FIN-EN partners, Regional Policy DG and Detlef Fechtner, politicians from various Member States in order to share their first results and recommendations with not only European Correspondent, regional, national and European authorities, but also with private, public and other institutions interested in the Börsenzeitung future of financial engineering. Speakers: Debate Keynote Speakers: The panel discussion took inspiration from the FIN-EN inputs. The speakers moved suggestions – mainly to Henning Schoppmann, the Regional Policy DG – to improve the use and impact of financial instruments, starting from their own Secretary General, experiences. European Association Some of the main messages that emerged from the debate are: of Public Banks AISBL Paolo Zaggia, · Public authorities should be able to attract private resources to tackle gaps in the market: it means that the Head of European Department, implementation options of financial instruments should be such that they lead private actors to take risks they Finlombarda, Italy would usually refuse; Federica Rosi, · It is fundamental to be an expert in regulations, so as to be able to exploit all the possibilities offered by the Responsible for EU Projects, legislative framework; Finlombarda, Italy · Clarity and transparency in the legislative framework are essential to avoid problems related to the interpretation of rules. Panel: · Flexibility is one of the main success factors. It is not true that ‘one size fits all’; there should be the possibility Hanna Dudka, Regional Policy to ‘mix’ and adapt all the elements and knowledge available so as to design effective instruments. DG, European Commission Carol Sweetenham, Conclusions Deputy Director, European The moderator mentioned that “during the workshop, it was generally agreed that public-private cooperation Regional Development Fund, is a ‘win-win’ solution to deal successfully with market failures. The active participation of panellists and Department for Communities public shows the need for a continuous exchange of experiences and best practices in the field of financial and Local Government, engineering.” United Kingdom Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Member of the National “The FIN-EN project offers a golden opportunity for Assembly for Wales in the Committee of the Regions, regional partners to join in the debate on the future United Kingdom of financial instruments which is now in full swing. Franck Alcaraz, Director of the Economic I am convinced FIN-EN will enhance Development and Auvergne an improved impact of EU investments. Attractiveness Department, Regional Council of Auvergne, We now count on the active support of regions France and cities to come forward with concrete Francisco A. Jiménez-Luque, Director of Finance and Business translations of FIN-EN’s goals for growth Development, Agencia and jobs into smart investment and projects de Innovación y Desarrollo in order for Europe’s regions and cities to take off de Andalucía, IDEA, Spain for 2020.” More information: Henning Schoppmann www.fin-en.eu
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 29 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Designing good programmes 2014+
08A09 Outline 8 October 2013 In the context of the strengthened results orientation envisaged for the next programming period, 11:15-13:00 representatives from two managing authorities were invited to present their experience in designing the new programmes. Organiser: Regional and Urban Policy DG, The programmes 2014+ will articulate the change they want to achieve, taking into account European, European Commission national and regional needs and their contribution to the Europe 2020 objectives. The priority axes of each programme will be aligned with the thematic objectives of cohesion policy. Specific objectives will capture the Chair: changes sought, reflected in result indicators that can measure the change. The performance framework, on Veronica Gaffey, the other hand, will show if the programmes are implemented as planned. Challenges and the learning process Head of Unit, Evaluation in designing programmes under the new regulations were discussed. and European Semester, Regional and Urban Policy DG, Debate European Commission Veronica Gaffey introduced the other two speakers, Dr Georg Ris and Preben Gregersen. Among the issues mentioned by Ms Gaffey were the ongoing negotiations for the new Regulation 2014+, the result Speakers: orientation approach, the pilot exercise on results that was carried out in 23 regions, the importance of the Dr Georg Ris, new intervention logic for designing good programmes, the obligation to use common indicators in the next Head of Unit, Baden- period, the performance framework and reserve, and concerns based on the draft programmes assessed by the Württemberg Managing European Commission so far. Authority, Germany Preben Gregersen, Dr Georg Ris presented the rationale for the design of the new Operational Programme (OP) Baden- Regional Policy Director, Württemberg with its two priority axes: research, technological development and innovation, and carbon Danish Managing Authority, emission reduction. He explained the correlation between the OP and the Europe 2020 targets, the intervention Denmark logic of the OP, with its specific objectives, results capturing the change sought and output indicators. Setting up baselines was a problematic issue and some research institutes helped them with this. Capturing the effects More information: of small OPs is challenging so the design of good intervention logic involves some effort. ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ impact/evaluation/index_en.cfm Preben Gregersen noted the main challenges that Denmark faces in the new programming period. He presented the four priority axes funded by the European Research and Development Fund (i.e. research, SMEs competitiveness, SMEs energy and resource efficiency, and sustainable green urban development) and the four funded by the European Social Fund. The intervention logic was explained and how current experience had helped. A good statistical data system is needed in order to be able to track the effect of the policy in the future. The most important advice he could give was to engage in informal dialogue with the European Commission services so as to make the negotiation of the programme more effective and efficient.
Conclusions Questions were raised concerning the need for specific objectives in programmes in poorer regions, but all speakers concluded that good strategies and specific objectives are even more necessary in poorer than in richer regions. The chair concluded the meeting, reminding participants that once the operational programmes are agreed, an evaluation plan needs to be drawn for each programme. Managing authorities will need to reflect when they should evaluate their different priorities, as required by the new regulation, what data they should gather and what methods they should use.
“The new result orientation approach was also the demand of tax payers, who wanted to know where their money was going and what it was achieving.” Preben Gregersen
30 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Putting deprived areas back on track through CLLD
Outline 08A10 The workshop demonstrated how the new European Union urban instruments for the period 2014-2020 can 08 October 2013 be used to help bring deprived areas back on track. The focus was on public participation and the integrated 11:15-13:00 approach in examples, primarily from Germany, Denmark and Hungary. The examples were taken from good practices with instruments similar to the ones to be used in the community. Organiser: Regional and Urban Policy DG, Peter Ramsden initially outlined the Community-led Local Development (CLLD) Programme and used European Commission the ‘social city’ of Berlin as an example of how civil society can help improve conditions in deprived areas. He started asking the question as to why the CLLD programme should be used in deprived areas. He stated that Chair: locally developed approaches can help to integrate and innovate. He then went through the three elements: Asger Munk, Policy Analyst, the area, the partnership, and the strategy and action plans. Regional and Urban Policy DG, European Commission One interesting feature of the German example is the high number of interventions: EUR 233.5 million has been invested since 1999. Ramsden outlined the process in the funding and how new players like migrant mothers Speakers: have been brought in and he finished by listing the challenges of neighbourhood management in Berlin. Peter Ramsden, One of these was the tension between innovative newcomers and those locals fearing gentrification. Managing Director, Freiss lmd, London, Rune Baeklund addressed the background factors underlining the Danish welfare state. He also addressed United Kingdom the integrated approach, the organisation of the partnerships, the residents’ involvement in practice and at the Rune Baeklund, coming challenges. Head of Social Housing Programmes, Municipality Ivan Tosics addressed the dilemmas of integrated development in post-socialist countries. His starting point of Hoeje-Taastrup, was the legacy of the socialist past and he used two cases to illustrate interventions in Hungary. One was the Denmark Magdolna inner city regeneration and the other the Csepel Ady high-rise residential buildings. He critically Ivan Tosics, examined the projects concerning integration and residents’ involvement. Director, Metropolitan Research Institute, Budapest, Debate Hungary Peter Ramsden outlined in his answer to a question about the improvements in the draft programme on CLLD that more money can be used for ‘animation’, which is very important when dealing with public participation. In answer to a question on the relations between elected representatives and public participation, he stated that in general this relationship had worked well. He answered a further question on the role of the managing authority saying that it should, among other things, be supportive and creative, which a Berlin intermediate body actually had been.
According to Ivan Tosics, an integrated approach with public participation was needed in the post-socialist countries. However, it was not easy to bring about. Intermediary management organisations are needed and public participation was not popular with the local decision-makers. Another problem was the structure of ownership where the strong element of privatisation made public participation difficult. He also pointed to the critical role of the EU to achieve an integrated approach in post-socialist countries. At the moment they are too dependent on the EU.
Conclusions The chair moderator concluded that the methods of the CLLD programme were important to regenerate a deprived area. “We have seen successful examples of both the integrated approach and public participation. So it is possible. However, it is not always easy and conditions vary in different countries. It is interesting that the ‘hero’ in some of the examples from Hungary is the intermediary body. Today has also demonstrated that you should have the right balance between area-based interventions and sector policies”. “We did not only look at solving problems in Hoeje-Taastrup. We also approached the issues by looking at the resources in the area. What could they be used for? This actually often gave very innovative solutions, for example, both fighting flooding and creating culture and leisure activities at the same time.” Rune Baeklund
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 31 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
The territorial approach in new PAs and OPs: How elements of the Territorial Agenda 2020 are brought in by regional and local partners
08A13 Outline 08 October 2013 A reinforced territorial approach and stronger involvement of local and regional authorities are two new key 14:30-17:00 elements in the next programming period. This workshop showed how local and regional authorities have pushed for the Territorial Agenda (TA) 2020 to be incorporated in the new Partnership Agreements (PAs) and Organiser: Operational Programmes (OPs). What was possible? What were the limitations due to national arrangements Regional and Urban Policy DG, and circumstances? At the same time this workshop focused on the merits of the Territorial Agenda 2020. European Commission This was discussed in a lively panel discussion with high-ranked officials and practitioners from local and regional authorities, the European Commission and national experts. Chair: Charlina Vitcheva, Debate Director, Regional and Urban Simon Ortner highlighted the strong model of multilevel governance in Lower Austria. Cross-border Policy DG, European Commission cooperation, technopoles as cooperation platforms between research institutions, industries and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the reduction of rural-urban gaps are important priorities for the region. The Speakers: TA aspects are integrated in the OPs and PAs and the citizens are involved in the PA shaping via an online Angelika Kallakmaa – Kapsta, voting system. The Lower Austrian regional governance model is successful in bringing together strategies Tallinn City Government, Estonia from different levels. Simon Ortner, Office of the State Government Neville Davies discussed the developments on future OPs in Wales. Whilst local government involvement of Lower Austria in the Welsh chapter of the OP has been minimal, local regional authorities (LRAs) in Wales are embracing Serafin Pazos-Vidal, Convention the new challenge of sub-regional delivery of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI), and are of Scottish Local Authorities, fully supportive of new territorial development instruments, such as the Community-led Local Development United Kingdom (CLLD) programme. He said that Welsh LRAs are committed to the territorial dimension, and that well-defined Gediminas Cesonis, strategies based on local needs with buy-ins from all key stakeholders are essential. Ministry of Interior of Lithuania Neville Davies, Carmarthenshire Piotr Zuber underlined that a territorial approach is an important rationale for the reformed cohesion policy. County Council, United Kingdom Poland is very much in favour of this. But this territorial approach requires strong promotion, investment in Piotr Zuber, intellectual capacity both at programming and implementation stages, enhancing monitoring and cross- Ministry for Regional sector evaluation capacity, more political backing and visibility, and a strong leadership and capacity to play Development, Poland with sectorally and territorially organised lobbies.
Angelika Kallakmaa explained that Estonian municipalities had clear demands for the cohesion funds: one-third was allocated based on joint agreements between the municipalities, in compliance with local development and spatial plans, and was focused on solutions for savings, energy-efficiency and sustainability. The municipalities were involved in the discussion process in many seminars organised by the Ministry of Finance, although there is a shortage of feedback.
Gediminas Cesonis highlighted that Lithuania is facing the challenge of emigration, which has caused a significant decrease in population. The only city which is not facing depopulation is Vilnius. This situation requires a variety of strong approaches in each area. Lithuania has already had a positive experience with this in the current programming period. Local authorities and regional development councils, which are key partners in the field of national regional policy, were involved in the preparation process of PA and OP from very beginning. “In Lower Austria, Serafin Pazos-Vidal explained that the Scottish PA has a strong sub-regional focus. The key elements are the we have a long Community Planning Partnerships, composed of national agencies, the voluntary sector, fire, transport and tradition of regional local business, the Business Gateways that support local businesses and Youth Employment Scotland. Each of governance that these initiatives will be focused on the areas where these challenges are most pressing. is crucial for bringing Conclusions together strategies The moderator concluded that the principles of the Territorial Agenda 2020 have, to a large extent, been translated into the regulations. They are clearly being embraced by many local and regional authorities. from different levels.” Hopefully this will be reflected in the programming documents and make for a cohesion policy that builds on Simon Ortner local and regional potential to achieve the Europe 2020 objectives.
32 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Major projects 2014-2020
Outline 09A01 European regions and cities will be promoters or beneficiaries of major projects to be financed from the European 09 October 2013 Structural and Investment Funds in the 2014-2020 period. There are important changes concerning such projects 09:00-10:45 that require smooth and timely adaptation by the Member States. Successful implementation lies primarily in the programming and planning stages, thus early and appropriate preparations cannot be underestimated. Organiser: The workshop covered those aspects, the risks involved and provided insight into a real project. Regional and Urban Policy DG, European Commission Debate Witold Willak described the role of the Regional and Urban Policy DG in major projects-related work. He Chair: explained the main changes: compulsory list of major projects in programmes, major projects defined based Mikel Landabaso, Head of Unit, on new criteria (total eligible costs, higher thresholds for some type of projects), stronger emphasis on results Regional and Urban Policy DG, and project feasibility, conditional decisions, simplified rules for financial and economic analysis, while also European Commission demonstrating that projects are worth financing from the EU. Speakers: Brendan Smyth focused on one of the changes related to the submission of projects for approval to the Camelia Mihaela Kovács, European Commission, namely the option of using independent experts for reviewing major projects. It Projects Officer, Regional described the role that the Joint Technical Assistance Facility (JASPERS) – a common platform made up of and Urban Policy DG, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and European Commission Development and KfW – could play as an independent expert and the possibility for the Member States to also Georges Stavros Kremlis, use other entities when certain criteria are met. Head of Unit, Acting Director, Environment DG, Luminiţa Napau presented in detail the life cycle of a major project in the water and wastewater sector, European Commission financed from EU funds, in which she was directly involved from the beginning until its completion. She also Luminița Napau, gave a short overview of other investments made by the company AQUATIM, where she works. She highlighted Change Manager, AQUATIM, the importance of clear and stable rules and of having a professional, competent and motivated team, and Romania cooperation between the stakeholders. Brendan Smyth, Socioeconomic analyst, Regional and Urban Georges Kremlis presented the link between the strategic environmental assessments and programmes, Policy DG, European Commission between environmental impact assessment procedures and individual projects (whether major or not), the Witold Willak, Head of Section, lessons learned from major projects evaluations in relation to compliance with environmental requirements, Regional and Urban Policy DG, and the newest developments for the 2014-2020 period in this respect, the ex-ante conditionalities. He stressed European Commission the importance of early preparations for compliance, with special attention to be given to the Natura 2000 subject. More information: ec.europa.eu/dgs/environment Camelia M. Kovács highlighted some suggestions for good practices that could be utilised by potential www.aquatim.ro project promoters during the life cycle of their projects, whether major or not, such as the importance of ec.europa.eu/dgs/regional_ knowing as early as possible what lies ahead, knowing who the stakeholders are and cooperating with them, policy making appropriate quality checks through the project’s life, being preventive, having good risk management ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ plans, being ready to introduce and implement corrective measures, and carefully managing all resources. thefunds/instruments/jaspers_ en.cfm Conclusions The chair concluded with the following main messages: • the request for major projects to adequately reflect and respect the Europe 2020 strategy; • the choice for Member States over two procedures for submission of major projects to the European Commission • the possibility of using independent experts to review major projects before their submission to the European Commission and JASPERS’s aptness for exercising such a role; • the importance of the preparatory work of compliance with environmental requirements.
“The quality of progress depends also on the quality of project promoters. Be well aware in detail of what lies ahead of you before the project starts.” Camelia Mihaela Kovács
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 33 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Strengthening an EU urban policy to the next programming period: How to manage change in a sharp economic downturn
09A03 Outline 09 October 2013 This year workshops have been organised that involve three cities/regions - Athens, Katowice, and Manchester 11:15-13:00 - on strengthening EU urban policy with a view to the next programming period: how to manage change in a sharp economic downturn. Organiser: European Economic and Social Debate Committee, Economic and Dimitris Oikonomou pointed out that following the financial crisis, Athens had had to tackle many issues. Monetary Union and Economic Many concerned the distribution of responsibilities among administrative organisations and services in Athens, and Social Cohesion (ECO) as there was considerable fragmentation in the allocation of responsibilities, and a lack of coordination between section the metropolitan area and the administration. The reform needed was the creation of a form of governance responsible for the whole metropolitan area. He emphasised that the Regional State Aid Map that would be Chair: drawn up for the following year should provide for new arrangements for Athens. Joost van Iersel, President of the Section for Economic Yannis Evmolpidis focused on the fact that good contacts had been established with both the EU and and Monetary Union and the local authorities in Greece that allowed them to create their own intermediate managing authority. Economic and Social Cohesion The aim of setting up this authority was to ensure that European Structural Funds were allocated in the most of the EESC effective way. He also underlined that they were ready to receive as much funding as possible in the following programming period and that they were preparing their own integrated plan. Speakers: Yannis Evmolpidis, Tadeusz Donocik pointed out that while there was no law regulating the workings of the metropolitan Special Advisor to the Mayor area, an association of 14 urban municipalities had been set up and now shared a joint transport system and in Urban Planning other facilities. After 23 years of hard work, they were spearheading the economic upturn. He underlined that and Redevelopment, European funds played an important role in the city’s transformation, with the public transport system and the Municipality of Athens, considerable investment in Katowice’s business district. The city was still working hard to attract investors and Greece hoped to receive further Structural Funds to drive the economy. Dimitris Oikonomou, Professor of Spatial Planning, Neil Swannick said that main priority had been to develop infrastructure and Manchester had managed University of Thessaly, to build a comprehensive transport system, improve waste facilities and develop a major airport. In 2011, a Greece Combined Authority was set up, formalising the voluntary cooperation between the authorities and creating Tadeusz Donocik, a legal entity that had powers in the areas of economic development, regeneration and transport. Despite the President of the Chamber of economic downturn, the top priority was to ensure the conditions needed for growth, reform of public services Commerce and Industry in and financial self-sustainability. Manchester maintained a close relationship with the EU, in order to create jobs, Katowice, strengthen sciences and reduce unemployment. Poland Neil Swannick, Councillor, Conclusions Manchester City Council, Mr van Iersel thanked all the participants for their interesting contributions to the issue of urban policy. United Kingdom He also pointed out that the presentations, together with a brief summary of the conclusions, would be submitted to the European Commission, with a view to discussing how a mechanism that provided More information: improvements for the three regions could be constructed. www.cityofathens.gr/ www.rig.katowice.pl/ www.urbact.eu www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal. ”Invest in Katowice, it pays off.” en.eco-section Tadeusz Donocik
34 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Territorial Impact Assessment: A tool for territorial cohesion and better law-making
Outline 09A04 The purpose of the thematic subsidiarity workshops is to orientate the subsidiarity debate towards practical 09 October 2013 issues in policymaking within specific sectors. This year’s focus has been on territorial impact assessments as 11:15-13:00 a tool for territorial cohesion and better law-making. The impact that EU proposals can have on territories needs to be assessed in the pre-legislative phase in order to ensure their correct implementation and to avoid Organiser: undesired effects. In July 2013, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an own-initiative opinion where Subsidiarity Network (Unit E2), the rapporteur Michael Schneider pointed out the importance of carrying out territorial impact assessments Committee of the Regions (IA) and set the basis for future CoR action in this field. The association with Regional and Urban Policy DG or the use of the tools provided by the ESPON programme are cornerstones for this. The European Parliament and Chair: its recently created Directorate for Impact Assessments is also called on to play an important role in this respect. Michael Schneider, (DE/EPP) Coordinator of the Subsidiarity Debate Network, Committee of the The workshop was opened by Michael Schneider, Subsidiarity Coordinator and CoR rapporteur for the own- Regions initiative opinion ‘Assessment of territorial impacts, adopted by the CoR Plenary in July 2013. Mr Schneider presented the speakers and informed the audience about the format of the workshop. He stressed the potential Speakers: of the territorial impact assessment and underlined its links with the subsidiarity principle and multilevel Lord Graham Tope, (UK/ALDE) governance. CoR rapporteur on Regulatory Fitness Lord Tope believes better regulation does not mean no regulation, but a regulation that is more fit for purpose: Lewis Dijkstra, Deputy Head of “We need to ensure that EU laws are appropriate and proportionate.” Nevertheless, he pointed out that there Unit, Regional and Urban Policy is still no impact assessment on how EU laws impact on local and regional authorities. “We need detailed and DG, European Commission quantitative analysis to ensure best solutions are found. Local regional authorities need to be part of the IA Elke Ballon, Head of ex-ante process, not only at the end of the process, but right from the start,” and remembered that local and regional Impact Assessment Unit, interests should be represented in the IA Board. European Parliament Alexia Maniaki, ex-ante Impact Lewis Dijkstra explained that the TIA guidelines “respond to the request of the Member States, improve Assessment Unit, European effectiveness and efficiency of policies, and fit with the more general impact assessment guidelines of the Parliament European Commission”. There are three methodologies: the qualitative, the statistical and the quantitative. Peter Mehlbye, Director, They are working with different models with the Joint Research Council (JRC). He also underlined the importance Coordination Unit, European of stakeholder consultations and the existing cooperation with the Committee of the Regions in this field. Spatial Planning Observation Network (ESPON) Questions and answers Representative of LSE: Impact assessment is not something new and there are different methodologies which are complicated and difficult to explain. What kind of typology of assessment is the EC trying to promote, the more technical or the more user-friendly ones?
Dijkstra: ESPON has produced many products, and the most recent are more user-friendly. To give you some concrete examples: TEN-T, core network. Some issues cannot be treated only in a technical manner; the challenge is to be able to explain the results and data to a wider audience. A good IA tries to strike that balance. He congratulated the Impact Assessment Board for the job they do. Finally Dijkstra underlined the importance of having the right information and presenting it in the right way.
Independent Economist: LRA typologies. How far are DG REGIO, the CoR and the Parliament interested in reviving the Eurostat information at local and regional level – online information from LRAs?
Dijkstra: Eurostat is investing much more on local and regional data. Bottom-up provision of data is problematic because of different ways of collecting and presenting data, and because this operation needs to be adequately monitored and checked since there are no harmonised definitions at local level. That is why data is provided by national authorities.
Representative Polish region: What is the link between impact assessment and ex-post evaluation? Dijkstra: He sees no link between them, as the key for territorial impact assessment is to produce options, whereas in the ex-ante evaluation there are no choices, no options. Moreover, the ex-post evaluation seeks to focus on the impact.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 35 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Territorial Impact Assessment: A tool for territorial cohesion and better law-making
Elke Ballon informed on some dossier where the EP identified that the territorial dimension should have been taken more into account by the European Commission: manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products; the fourth railway package; and the deep-sea stocks proposals. Ballon also underlined the need to further include the local and regional dimension in the impact assessments prepared by the European Commission. She also announced the future steps and challenges for her Directorate: the creation of a new ex-post impact assessment unit; the revision of the European Parliament’s handbook on Impact Assessments and the new Parliament in 2014.
Alexia Maniaki made reference to the different types of impact assessment activities carried out by her unit: initial appraisals of European Commission IAs; detailed appraisals of IAs; substitute or complementary IAs; and IAs on the amendments proposed by the European Parliament. She also mentioned the importance of assessing and monitoring that impact assessment respond to minimum quality criteria.
Peter Mehlbye commented the evolution of the ESPON programme and the efforts made to improve the usefulness of the tools developed so far. He described two projects: the Territorial Impact Assessment (EATIA) tools, for targeted analysis, already demanded even by some Member States to use it at national level, and the Assessment of Regional Sensitivity (ARTS), more top-down and with nine steps to do a quick check. ESPON gives the basis and shows the possibilities for the future of territorial impact assessment.
Interventions from the audience Xabier Unanue, Director for Legislative Development and Rules control (Basque Government), thanked the European Commission and the European Parliament for the efforts made so far. He also highlighted the effort to systematically evaluate not only new acts, but also the consequences of already adopted policies.
He suggested some ideas to reinforce this process: 1. national and regional authorities should adopt similar processes of evaluation when they adopt their own regulatory acts. 2. National and regional authorities should use the tools and resources already developed by the European authorities. 3. Regional authorities should be taken into account in this process because they implement European, national and regional decisions, which should be evaluated in a coordinated way.
Conclusions Michael Schneider concluded by underlining the links of the territorial impact assessment with the subsidiarity principle and the multilevel governance. In this sense, he highlighted the potential of the territorial impact assessment and the role that the Committee of the Regions could play in it, in collaboration with the European Commission by testing the methodologies of the ESPON programme and with the European Parliament.
“Impact assessments and territorial impact assessments are essential to ensure multilevel governance and a key factor for territorial cohesion”. Lord Graham Tope
36 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Integrated Territorial Investment as a tool to implement territorial strategies: Real-world examples
Outline 09A05 The aim of this workshop was to show the added value of Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) used in different 09 October 2013 situations. Although it is a new instrument, some Member States, regions and cities are already choosing it and 14:30-17:00 might have found solutions to some outstanding questions. The panellists represented very different kinds of ITI approaches: deprived neighbourhood (Rotterdam), functional urban area (Warsaw and Flanders), reconverted Organiser: region (Flanders), cross-border area (Ister-Granum European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation – EGTC), Regional and Urban Policy DG, ITI competition (Baden-Württemberg) and theoretical background (Mr Barca). European Commission
Debate Chair: Ruud Van Raak: Peter Berkowiz, Head of Unit, The four biggest Dutch cities have severe problems with unemployment and non-matching skills of the Regional and Urban Policy DG, labour force that are far less evident in the rest of the country. The combination of the European Regional European Commission Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF) seems a very natural solution. As these cities already have extensive experience in managing funds and following an integrated approach to policymaking, no Speakers: serious obstacles are yet encountered. Ruud Van Raak, Head of the Management Michal Olszewski: Authority, City of Rotterdam, The Polish government has embraced ITI as a tool to foster metropolitan development and incite local The Netherlands authorities to cooperate. Without a joint plan they will not receive funds. The ITI s will mostly finance soft Michal Olszewski, measures that will complement hardware investments. Although the timing is strict and some implementation Deputy Mayor of Warsaw, aspects are still unclear, this has already brought about a new dynamic in local cooperation. Poland Magdalene Häberle, Magdalene Häberle reports that Baden-Württemberg has established an ITI competition, which will reward Head of Division, Ministry of the best proposals for a smart specialisation strategy. This competition has the advantage of stimulating Finance and Economics from integrated thinking in all areas involved in the competition. Baden-Württemberg found that the new ITI tool Baden-Württemberg, raised expectations too high concerning the possible scope of action among potential beneficiaries and this Germany had to be put in perspective with regard to the ERDF Operational Programme of the region by the managing Wiet Vandaele, Project Manager, authority. Department of Spatial Planning, Flemish Government, Belgium Wiet Vandaele: Flanders planned to have one ITI for Limburg where both ERDF and ESF could contribute to Gyula Ocskay, the economic reconversion of the region after a plant closure that will add an additional 10,000 unemployed. Secretary General CESCI, Another, ERDF only, ITI would address the most congested and sprawled area of the region with many interlinked Hungary environmental issues. However, convincing ministries that a new approach could yield better results is not easy. Fabrizio Barca, General Director, Ministry of Gyula Ocskay: On the Hungarian-Slovak border there is a very clear case of unemployment but good transport Economy and Finance, Italy facilities on the one side and flourishing industrial activity but bad transport connections on the other side. These could be complementary in an integrated cross-border strategy. However, the set-up of an ITI in such a context might be too complicated and another more informal cooperation could be preferred. “I am happy to see so many maps here, Fabrizio Barca was very pleased to see such a variety of examples of integrated place-based approaches. He stressed that ITI could also have added value in rural areas. It was striking to him that the perception of because challenges potential difficulties was so different from one example to another. He underlined that, although the focus of and potential (like policies to the needs of territories was essential, it is necessary to avoid treating territorial approach as a niche and this should be combined with the other new elements in cohesion policy, namely a clear focus on results. for example a factory closure) are located Conclusions somewhere and need The moderator concluded with “seeing how certain regions plan to implement the ITI tool in practice was very enlightening. The Regional and Urban Policy DG will continue to try and answer questions that regard the place-based solutions.” implementation of this tool.” Fabrizio Barca
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 37 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Covenant of Mayors: EU funds catalysing a shift towards sustainable energy investments in cities
09A06 Outline 09 October 2013 In times of sharp budget cuts, most European cities are struggling to finance energy projects. Local ‘climate 14:30-17:00 funds’, energy cooperatives and public-private partnerships seem to be part of the solution to overcome financial restrictions, as demonstrated through a large number of examples presented by the speakers. The Organiser: event brought together a panel of representatives of European institutions and city officials to discuss how Covenant of Mayors Office creative financial schemes can be combined with funding opportunities within the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020. European Commission officials urged Covenant of Mayors’ cities and the Chair: regions to strengthen collaboration with the private sector and increase the leverage effect of European funds. Ádám Szolyák, EU Officer, The examples presented showed how local authorities are progressively moving from a grant culture to a Energy DG, European mixed approach that combines European funding and private investments. Commission Debate Speakers: Luis Valcárcel Siso gave a passionate speech about the need to match ambitions with actions, praising the R.L. Valcárcel Siso, actions of Covenant signatory cities at a time when many politicians ‘wear’ green credentials but do not deliver President, Committee on their promises. He recognised the Covenant of Mayors as “a vehicle whereby local authorities prove that of the Regions European policies are being implemented to serve the citizens”. Magdalena Andreea Strachinescu Olteanu, Catarina Freitas explained Almada’s hybrid approach to finance its local sustainable energy projects. Energy DG, While European funds have been used for purchasing equipment, financing feasibility studies or demonstration European Commission projects, new funding streams have been created at the local level, for example, the Almada Less Carbon Fund. Maud Skäringer, This was launched in 2009 to convert the CO2 emissions savings of the previous year; these are then re-invested Regional and Urban Policy DG, in energy-saving activities in different fields. European Commission Ugo Cappellacci, Herman Reynders explained that two investment cooperatives are in place in Limburg Province, which aims at President, Sardegna Region, Italy becoming carbon neutral by 2020.The Limburg Climate Fund invests in climate-friendly local projects ensuring Catarina Freitas, an annual dividend that is 1% higher than the yield on a savings account to all Limburgers who participate Head, Sustainable Environmental in the fund. Limburg Windt, a public company where the 44 municipalities of the province are shareholders, Management and Planning has invested in 90 wind turbines that provide all households with clean energy. Department, City of Almada, Portugal Conclusions Zbigniew Michniowski, A good conclusion of the debate was outlined on energypost.eu by author Clare Taylor who attended the President, Polish Network Energy event and reported that “crowdfunding of renewable energy projects is growing fast in Europe. If this grassroots Cities, Vice-Mayor of Bielsko-Biala, movement gets organised in time to access the big money available in the next round of cohesion funding, it Poland could have far reaching effects on the European energy sector.” Herman Reynders, Governor, Province of Limburg, Belgium “European funds will never be sufficient to cover all More information: Europe’s challenges. This is why private investments, Event’s page: goo.gl/5gcW45 with a payback time of 10 to 15 years, Press release: should be leveraged upon.” goo.gl/YrfkPC Adam Szolyak Pictures: goo.gl/NENhiw
38 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
The secrets of EU funds management – or administrative capacity as a key ingredient for an effective and efficient implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds.
Outline 09A07 The objective of the workshop was to demonstrate that administrative capacity matters when it comes to 09 October 2013 investing significant financial resources in our regions via the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). 09:00-10:45 Public administration is the backbone of this investment scheme. There is no standard formula for a perfect public administration, and in each country or region the institutional set-up must be in line with the way in Organiser: which public administration is organised. Human resources must be managed in a strategic manner if the ESIF Competence Centre for implementation system is to operate effectively. To illustrate this, the speakers presented two specific cases Administrative Capacity-Building, where strategic thinking played a major part in developing an effective delivery mechanism Regional and Urban Policy DG, European Commission Debate Commissioner Hahn recalled the importance of the ESIF in the overall public investment envelope in Europe Chair: (sometimes as high as 50%). He highlighted the importance of reforming the ESIF implementation mechanisms Pascal Boijmans, Head of to improve their effectiveness, particularly via the performance framework and ex-ante conditionalities. Unit, Competence Centre for Not enough attention has been paid so far to administrative capacity.This will change in the new programming period. Administrative Capacity-Building, The Commission will step up its efforts to support Member State regions in improving their capacity and a new Regional and Urban Policy DG, unit in Regional and Urban Policy DG has been established to lead that work. European Commission
Prof. John Bachtler gave an overview of the links between administrative capacity and ESIF performance. Speakers: Indicators are difficult to establish but studies have highlighted that poor performance was generally linked Johannes Hahn, European to poor capacity. Most common issues include poor strategic investment choices, inadequate coordination, Commissioner for Regional corruption and lack of accountability, poor financial control, political influence and institutional instability. and Urban Policy When this combines with poor administrative capacity among beneficiaries, results are often lower than Prof. John Bachtler, Director, expected. Therefore it is vitally important to dedicate enough attention and resources to building capacity and European Policy Research Centre, to promote a ‘learning culture’. Strathclyde University, United Kingdom Michal Zietara outlined how Poland responded to the massive challenge of having to manage effectively with Michal Zietara, Director, close to EUR 70 billion. The government decided to invest in a far-reaching action plan for the development Department for Programme of human resources. This has included the establishment of dedicated structures for ESIF management, high Support and Technical emphasis on training and development, and the use of Technical Assistance funds to provide competitive Assistance, Ministry of Regional salaries and investments in performing tools. Development, Poland Prof. Francesco Nunes Correia, Prof. Francesco Nunes illustrated how important it is to have the right institutional set-up to deliver effective President, Department of Civil investments. He used the example of the extensive and successful reform of the water sector in Portugal to Engineering, Architecture show this. Portugal’s investments in water were hampered by the high fragmentation of the sector. It took and Georesources, Technical vision, leadership and time to overhaul the sector and come to an institutional set-up that was fit to meet the University Lisbon, Portugal challenges of European standards and the related investments. More information: Conclusions ec.europa.eu/regional_ The moderator concluded that both the empirical data and the experience on the ground showed the policy/sources/docgener/ importance of administrative capacity. He highlighted that when it comes to public administration, three work/2012_02_governance.pdf essential elements have to be right and tackled simultaneously: the right institutions with the right mandate have to be in place, the right people have to be recruited and retained and they have to be given proper tools. He confirmed that the Commission would pay more attention to this in the future and would seek to accompany Member States and regions in their quest for better administrative capacity in the future.
“It is my strong belief that many of the issues we face when debating the value of cohesion policy – which by the way find their way in the media much more easily than success stories – can be addressed by paying due attention to administrative capacity, both at the level of the fund managers and at the level of the beneficiaries.” Johannes Hahn
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 39 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
URBACT innovation brokers delivering Europe 2020: How cities generate change to meet complex urban challenges
10A01 Outline 10 October 2013 Building on lessons from URBACT II, this workshop shared practical examples of how cities can generate change 09:00-10:45 in the way they design, implement and monitor innovative urban solutions. Speakers presented ways in which cities can become ‘innovation brokers’, generating new ideas, accessing specialist knowledge, strengthening Organiser: the evidence base and developing new partnerships and co-production processes. URBACT II Debate Chair: Sally Kneeshaw began the workshop by explaining the focus on urban innovations to showcase city actions Sally Kneeshaw, URBACT II that deliver better, new and more efficient services. Thematic Pole Manager, United Kingdom Stephanie Mantell explained that the URBACT network ‘Sustainable food for urban communities’ aims to raise awareness and find innovative practices about enjoying, delivering and growing food at local level.
Speakers: Crosscutting themes addressed by the participating cities include CO2 and resource efficiency, social inclusion Corinne Hermant-de Callataÿ, (jobs and economics), and governance (synergies, local ecosystems). Senior Policy Officer, Regional and Urban Policy DG, Among good practices she mentioned Gothenburg (Sweden), where greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of European Commission public meals in schools are measured and organic food is specified in public procurement procedures. By Angels Chacón, Deputy Mayor reinventing the meals together with the children they have managed to produce healthy meals at a unit cost for Economic Promotion, of just EUR 1. Municipality of Igualada, Spain, URBACT 4D Cities Lead Partner András Ekés, an expert involved in the URBACT ‘mobility mindsets’ capitalisation work stream, argued that András Ekés, Metropolitan urban mobility challenges should focus on the human dimension and not only on infrastructure. He stressed Research Institute, Budapest, that cities need to have political courage to reinvent the softest modes. Mobility is part of urban life and must Hungary, URBACT Mobility be made attractive, for instance by creating transport hubs with animated activities and a feel-good factor. Even Work stream if there are no common solutions for all cities there are common mosaics. A first step can be to adapt smart Stephanie Mantell, Brussels solutions from elsewhere, not necessarily initiate new ones. Environment, Lead Partner, URBACT Sustainable Food, Angels Chacón explained that cities need to find their role in a new health environment driven by knowledge Belgium (including professional training), companies, health systems and citizens (in a Quadruple Helix innovation ecosystem). It is important for cities to have knowledge infrastructure. In Igualada there are plans to (re)use More information: an empty hospital to create the first simulated hospital in Europe that will provide training and simulation URBACT capitalisation techniques to professionals and students from different universities across the world. Patients need to be in the work streams: centre of all these processes. By the end of the 4DCities network city partners will have learnt new projects and urbact.eu/en/urbact- tools they can use in their local contexts. capitalisation/ URBACT 4DCities network: Corinne Hermant-de Callataÿ explained that Regional and Urban Policy DG has just published a report urbact.eu/fr/projects/innovation- Quality of life in European cities, a perception survey of 79 European cities about health, ageing population, creativity/4d-cities/homepage/ education and training, youth and employment and other long-term challenges. The report has a humanist URBACT Sustainable Food for focus and shows that the European model of cities has social and cultural values, not only economic ones. Urban Communities network: URBACT’s contribution in these challenges is developing networks, peer learning, capacity building for urban urbact.eu/fr/projects/ practitioners and local representatives, local support groups and integrated local action plans. sustainable-food-in-urban- communities/homepage/ Conclusions The speakers concluded that cities have a new role to play in order to tackle modern challenges. Urban innovation brokers need to be open to change, to think and act differently with a long-term perspective towards the future. They also need to establish better governance and collaboration with citizens and the private sector. Successful cities are open to the outside world. They network with other cities across Europe, see what is going on, collect practices and adapt them to the local context.
“It is never too late to be innovative or adapt good examples working elsewhere.” András Ekés
40 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
New European Framework for Public Procurement: New directives for public and utilities procurement, the new Directive on Concessions and New Initiatives in the Area of e-Procurement
Outline 10A02 Ms Szychowska made a presentation on the new procurement directives which are scheduled to be adopted 10 October 2013 in early 2014. Ms Rózycka-Dydymska gave a critical review of the changes introduced by the new public 09:00-10:45 procurement directives and the new concessions directive. The two presentations were followed by a debate with the audience. This was followed by a presentation given by Mr Kiljanski on the potential of e-procurement Organiser: to simplify and reduce waste, and to deliver better procurement outcomes. Mr Mathà then gave a presentation Internal Market and Services DG on the practical experience of developing an e-procurement project/initiative in South Tyrol. European Commission
Debate Chair: Questions from the audience concerned the use of social criteria and the relationship between Innovation Paulo Silva, Policy Team Leader, Partnerships and pre-commercial procurement. Ms Szychowska explained that contracting authorities may Internal Market and Services DG, now consider the production process of the specific works, services or supplies purchased, such as the inclusion European Commission of vulnerable and disadvantaged people, in their award decisions. Mr Kiljanski stressed that if e-procurement was rolled out across all regions of Europe it could deliver up to EUR 100 billion of savings per annum. Speakers: Joanna Szychowska, Conclusions Head of Unit C2, Internal Market The moderator concluded that while the new procurement directives will still take two years to be implemented and Services DG, European by Member States, it is expected that the new rules, in particular those on simplification of procedures, may Commission contribute in the future to the reduction of the number of public procurement irregularities related to EU Joanna Rózycka-Dydymska, co-funded projects. Head of Department at the Polish Intermediate Certifying Authority, Poland “For contracting authorities, the reform should Kamil Kiljanski, (Acting) Head ensure more effective procedures, guaranteeing of Unit C4, Internal Market and Services DG, purchases at the best price, tailored to the needs European Commission of contracting authorities as well as integrating Thomas Mathà, President of the Government Agency for Public other policies, in particular environmental Contracts of South Tyrol, Italy and social policies, and at the same time reducing the administrative burden in the light of decreased More information: www.ec.europa.eu/internal_ public spending due to tight budgets.” market/publicprocurement Joanna Szychowska
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 41 Workshops Managing change 2014-2020
Workshops
Towards good governance – enhancing institutional capacity and an efficient public administration with support from European Structural Instruments 2014-2020
10A03 Outline 10 October 2013 Good governance is the foundation for achieving economic and social development goals in Europe. Due to 09:00-10:45 its strategic importance, ‘enhancing institutional capacity and ensuring an efficient public administration’ has become a thematic objective for the new funding period of the European Structural Instruments. The workshop Organiser: reflects on challenges and opportunities for building better governance and public administration from several Employment, Social Affairs perspectives. Expert speakers from Employment and Enterprise DGs, the Polish European Social Fund (ESF) and Inclusion DG, European Managing Authority and EIPA shared and discussed practical insights for achieving reform outcomes. Commission Debate Chair: Zoltan Kasatsay emphasised the strategic importance of achieving good governance and quality of public Florian Hauser, Policy Officer, administration in EU Member States. The EU is committed to supporting investment in efforts to modernise Unit E.1, ESF Legislation & Policy, the public administration. Building open, transparent, responsive, efficient and effective governance needs a Employment, Social Affairs strong political commitment at every level of government – national, regional and local. and Inclusion DG, European Commission Ruth Paserman highlighted that the capacity of public administration is key to deliver on the Europe 2020 strategy’s reform agenda. Modernising public administration is a reform priority of the Annual Growth Survey. Speakers: Efficient and well-structured public administration is essential to promote a dynamic business environment and Piotr Krasuski, Deputy Director, provide good quality public services. While the importance of reforms is increasingly recognised by Member Managing Authority ESF, Poland States, additional efforts are still required. In 2013, country-specific recommendations have been issued to Synergies and cooperation Ruth Paserman, Head of Unit almost half of the Member States on the effectiveness of their public administration. B.2, Europe 2020 strategy and National Competitiveness Mina Shoylekova explained how ESF support was meant to ensure continuity of the pre-accession Policies, Enterprise DG, administrative reforms. The momentum was lost due to weak internal motivation, political instability and the European Commission economic crisis. Modernisation was replaced but not optimisation. The lessons learned are that reform depends Mina Shoylekova, European on a change of culture, not formal rules; managers are a key target group. The new programming approach Social Fund Policy Officer intends to bring back the strategic perspective and insists on stronger political ownership. These reforms are a Bulgaria, Unit F.5, Employment, learning process both for the Member States and the European Commission. Social Affairs and Inclusion DG, European Commission Piotr Krasuski offered the assessment that the current funding period often had an actor-orientated, rather Nick Thijs, Lecturer, European than a problem-orientated approach (for example a focus on non-governmental organisations, civil service Institute for Public Administration and local government). In future, a thematic approach would be better, for example, with a focus on improving (EIPA), The Netherlands the legislation process, the quality of regulations and legal business environment, improving the quality and accessibility of public services, and strategic and financial management at all levels of governance. “A nation with freedom Nick Thijs argued that public administrations should adopt a good governance objective, by aiming at “doing the right things right”. Achieving effectiveness includes having the long-term, broader impact perspective in of expression mind. Performance does not stop at the borders of an organisation; it needs close cooperation with relevant and assembly, stakeholders. Organisational development is more than writing down working processes. The changing role and involvement of stakeholders demands a shift in the behaviour of stakeholders and of the public administration. where the government Political commitment should be focused on a long-term, wide consensus. is accountable to its Conclusions citizens, fosters The moderator concluded that the path towards good governance requires profound reflection. It requires a an environment in shift of focus away from political or organisation-centred concerns and towards a long-term vision centred on which innovation a genuine consideration of the needs of citizens and business. Building trust should be a priority. Consensus building and a strategic approach are the essential pre-conditions for successful reform. The active engagement can occur.” of all stakeholders is needed. The European Commission is a partner in the process, providing funding and Zoltan Kasatsay guidance, as well as facilitating the exchange of know-how and experience.
42 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops
Synergies and cooperation Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Shaping open innovation for smart cities
08B01 Outline 08 October 2013 Throughout Europe, cities are facing similar challenges related to falling revenues and increasing demand 09:00-10:45 for services. The main challenges for regional and local development include the relatively slow uptake of information and communications technology (ICT) innovations in the public sector and the high fragmentation Organiser: of relevant markets. A growing number of European cities and regions are acknowledging the power of CitySDK open innovation in becoming more efficient, transparent and participatory. Innovative services and apps are changing the way citizens interact with their city. Two-way dialogue between citizens and the city not only Chair: brings a new kind of efficiency and speed for the city, but creates a rewarding way for the citizens to participate. Marja Mattila, EU Coordinator, The workshop gave the participants an overview of the open innovation landscape, showed key examples of Forum Virium Helsinki, Finland successful implementations and worked towards concrete steps and ideas that can be implemented within the their own city context. Speakers: Katalin Gallyas, Debate Open Innovation Advisory, The workshop started with three short plenary presentations after which participants broke out into smaller City of Amsterdam, groups (five to ten people). Within these groups they worked together, mapping the ways they could The Netherlands implement key innovations in their city based on the formats provided and with the help of expert facilitators. Esteve Almirall, Lecturer, ESADE Business School, Marja Mattila: CitySDK have compiled a toolkit for the development of digital services for the cities. The toolkit Spain includes open and uniform digital service interfaces, enabling a more efficient utilisation of the expertise and Ivonne Jansen-Dings, know-how of developer communities in the city service development. CitySDK offers great benefits for cities as Project Manager, Waag Society, well as for developers. It allows for an easy and rapid development of transferable and interoperable Smart City The Netherlands services and applications, offering countless opportunities for innovative companies and developers to create applications to improve the citizens’ quality of life. More information: www.citysdk.eu Katalin Gallyas: Cities are entering an era where they are challenged from many sides. This requires cities to www.codeforeurope.net reorganise themselves, pushing through many budget cuts; in parallel, the citizens are requesting 24-hour www.appsforeurope.eu digital services. Open Innovation helps cities to escape this vulnerable situation and generate new ideas. The most important effect of Open Innovation is the establishment of a productive innovation ecosystem between city, citizens and companies that will predominantly foster a quicker innovation in cities.
Esteve Almirall: The public sector and cities in particular are moving towards a focus on managing ecosystems. Although after some initial compelling successes, fields like Open Data have been unable to live up to their promises. There is a number of ecosystem failures that prevent the field from thriving, but once these had been identified, some remedies have been proposed that are able to potentially change the landscape of Open Data “The most important ecosystems in particular and innovation ecosystems in the public sector in general. effect of open Ivonne Jansen-Dings: Apps4Europe is a support network that provides tools to open data event organisers innovation is the to make them transform ideas for data-based apps into viable businesses. We want to unleash the financial establishment of potential and social value of open data and create better apps and digital services for citizens across Europe by connecting a so-called ‘business lounge’ to local competitions and open data events. The business lounge aims a productive innovation to increase the number of projects moving from prototype phase into a business start-up. ecosystem between city, Conclusions citizens and companies After the introductory presentations elaborating what is open innovation in smart cities and what kind of tools that will predominantly are already in use in different European cities, the audience was divided into nine small working groups to foster a quicker discuss in more detail how they can implement open innovation in their own cities, and who are the relevant actors to involve in the process. After a 30-minute intensive workshop, the groups presented their findings innovation in cities.” and the issues that were raised. The variety of issues ranged from policy aspects to citizen engagement to Katalin Gallyas companies finding business opportunities from open data.
44 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
1. Bridging the gap: Universities and other research institutions as guarantors of a knowledge and innovation-based economy 2. Bridging the gap: Knowledge transfer as a key to smart growth
Outline workshop 1 08B03 The objective of the workshop was to identify ways to fill the gap between research and innovation, to connect 08 October 2013 researchers and entrepreneurs, to match the regional research capacities and needs of regional economies, and 09:00-10:45 and 11:15-13:00 to convert ideas from research into value for enterprises. In this respect, the speakers presented the activities of their organisations and the solutions they provide as regards the horizontal issues of human capital, clustering Organiser: and collaborations, industrial/economic policies, and support services to researchers and enterprises, as well as Innovative knowledge-based in some specific economic sectors that are in line with the regional smart specialisation strategies. regions: Saxony-Anhalt (Lead partner), Murcia Region (Deputy Debate workshop 1 partner), Andalusia, Centre Dr Jan Marco Müller explained that researchers and entrepreneurs are two worlds that do not understand each Region, Észak-Alföld, Mazovia, other. The challenge for policymakers is to build trust between these two worlds and make them work together by Valencia Region setting up spaces (technology parks, clusters) and support instruments that stimulate innovation – Horizon 2020, COSME, EIB, EIT, etc. Regions and the Regional Innovation Scoreboard provide best examples. Universities have a Workshop 1: role to play in connecting researchers and entrepreneurs and stimulating innovation. At last, as a Massachusetts Chair: Institute of Technology (MIT) study has shown, the place where sharing ideas and innovation happens is the Katja Reppel, Deputy Head coffee machine! The challenge for innovation organisations is to be a good coffee machine. of Unit, Competence Centre Smart and Sustainable Growth, Nicola Fazzalari. Le Studium® builds a human capital of research in Région Centre by internationalising research Regional and Urban Policy DG, activities of regional laboratories. The aim is to create a dynamic and outward-looking regional scientific community. European Commission During the last 15 years, the fellowship programme allowed 120 incoming ‘mobilities’ of senior researchers, half coming from EU countries, for an average stay of 16 months. Le Studium® also organises scientific programmes Speakers: that bring together one regional laboratory and four foreign laboratories, and Thursday meetings, conferences and Keynote speaker: lectures around the integrated researchers that stimulate sharing ideas and cross-fertilisation. Dr Jan Marco Müller, Assistant to Chief Scientific Adviser to Pascual Pérez-Paredes. The Campus Mare Nostrum (CMN) is one of the Excellence Initiatives in Spain as a result the President of the European of the Bologna Process for the reform of universities. CMN is a joint effort of international organisations, research Commission, centres, technology parks, companies and administration, which seeks to transform the Region of Murcia into a José Manuel Barroso, pole of international, high-quality education, science, business and culture in the Mediterranean area. The CMN European Commission aims at being the coffee machine that makes people work together in three integrated areas: agrifood-based bioeconomy, quality of life and health-related technologies, the Mediterranean Sea and marine technology. Nicola Fazzalari, Scientific Director, Le STUDIUM®, Julio Mayol. The medical imaging market will be worth USD 49 billion by 2020, but the sector faces obstacles: Loire Valley institute for advanced lack of multidisciplinarity and cooperation, low level of industrial research and development capacities in SMEs, studies, France difficulties to translate academic knowledge to industry, weaknesses in professionals’ training for applications, Pascual Pérez-Paredes, and return on investment (ROI) is not clear. The Madrid-MIT developed a fellowship programme called IDEA3 General Coordinator, that sets up cross-disciplinary teams and finances projects through three phases from need to market. Campus of International Excellence Mare Nostrum, Carmen Marcos Méndez. The Industrial Policy Strategy (IPS) 2020 is the industrial policy of the Valencia Region. Region of Murcia, Spain It is based on six pillars: human capital, innovation in enterprises, diversification/modernisation/new sectors, Julio Mayol, Scientific Director business growth, internationalisation and smart specialisation. OPIDI-CV is one instrument to implement IPS 2020 of AMI-4Europe, SERMAS, and aims at raising national and EU funds for innovative Valencia stakeholders and specifically SMEs. Within IPS Comunidad de Madrid, Spain 2020, OPIDI-CV developed a fundraising strategy aiming to benefit from the 20% Horizon 2020 funds dedicated to Carmen Marcos Méndez, SMEs and raise EUR 150 million, which provides support services to enterprises for EU programmes. International Programmes Department, IVACE, Spain Conclusions workshop 1 The speakers concluded with the following key words and formulas: attractiveness of talents for which processes are global and solutions are local; Horizon 2020 and smart specialisation strategies are important to make people work together; translating ideas into commercial opportunities needs to start from the needs, innovation is not developing a solution and finding a need afterwards to use it, but identifying a need, finding a solution, and developing a plan and a project; look outward. “At last, the place where sharing ideas and innovation happen is the coffee machine. The challenge for innovation organisations is to be a good coffee machine.” Dr Jan Marco Müller
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 45 Workshops Synergies and cooperation
1. Bridging the gap: Universities and other research institutions as guarantors of a knowledge and innovation-based economy 2. Bridging the gap: Knowledge transfer as a key to smart growth
08B03 Outline workshop 2 08 October 2013 The objective of the workshop was to identify how regions could be better prepared to transfer knowledge; 09:00-10:45 and 11:15-13:00 in particular by the identification of specific channels or particular players. In the example of Mazovia, it was illustrated how cluster activities could be reinforced by using financial instruments. The importance of Organiser: knowledge institutions, like universities, and the changes needed in their activities and incentives to maximise Innovative knowledge-based the knowledge transfer was pointed out. regions: Saxony-Anhalt (Lead The research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3) are a new instrument with advanced partner), Murcia Region (Deputy prioritisation process methods, which play an important role in the knowledge transfer process. Governance is partner), Andalusia, Centre an important aspect on these RIS3 strategies, as was illustrated by Andalusia and Saxony-Anhalt with a three- Region, Észak-Alföld, Mazovia, level approach. Businessmen were placed in the core of the strategy developed in the Region of Murcia. Valencia Region Debate workshop 2 Workshop 2: Susanne Lüders explained the Saxony-Anhalt regional roadmap for increasing the investment in research Chair: and innovation. The roadmap should build bridges to solve the gaps and foster knowledge transfer. The main Dimitri Corpakis, output is the strengthening of research and innovation performance. The roadmap is done in three levels: i) Head of Unit, Regional Region and administration, putting in place plans and building up infrastructure; ii) Universities and SMEs, Dimension of Innovation, establishing instruments to transform knowledge in innovation; and iii) The single person, via individuals, Research and Innovation DG, helping to create business out of ideas. European Commission Antonio Romero outlined that non-technology-based innovation is a key element on the strategy of the Speakers: Region of Murcia. Universities as knowledge providers have been involved since the beginning of the planning Susanne Lüders, Policy Analyst, process. The knowledge transfer process is promoted with the identification of key competences and the Ministry of Science and Economy creation of cooperative spaces, as brokerage events. The absorption capacity of the SMEs should be stimulated Saxony-Anhalt, Germany with instruments, like innovation vouchers. Antonio Romero, Coordinator of Innovation, Murcia Regional Piotr Popik explained that the region of Mazovia has the highest intellectual potential in Poland with 43% Development Agency of the national investment in research and development. To support companies it has 42 clusters and cluster (INFO / Murcia), Spain initiatives with a special concentration in Warsaw. The region has established a JESSICA fund of financial Piotr Popik, Member of the instruments to support cluster development. It supports cluster projects to tighten cooperation between Board, Mazovia Development companies and knowledge institutions so as to ensure the competitive advantage of the companies. Agency plc, Poland Eva María Vázquez, Eva María Vázquez spoke about Andalusia and said that it is an example of the transforming power of the General Director, Research, structural funds because it has grown from a less developed region to a transitional one. It is a big region with Technology and Enterprise 8.3 million inhabitants, and has many different private and public entities in its regional innovation system. and General Director, Andalusian Governance is a key success factor in the establishment of its research and innovation strategy for smart Knowledge Agency, Andalusian specialisation. Ministry of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment, Spain Conclusions workshop 2 The moderator concluded by stressing the importance of having good indicators to define success. More information This helps the evaluation of the instruments put in place to bridge the gaps between knowledge and innovation. www.ec.europa.eu/research/ He concluded by explaining the compatibility between different funds, paying special attention to Horizon regions/index_en.cfm 2020 and FEDER and pointing out that FEDER increases the regional innovation capabilities for becoming a www.sachsen-anhalt.de successful participant in Horizon 2020. www.institutofomentomurcia.es www.jeremie.com.pl www.juntadeandalucia.es “In Europe we have been very good at producing www.yammer.com/ knowledge and less successful at transforming it regionetwork/groups/ od2013innovation/uploaded_ into innovations. Knowledge transfer is a process files where regions have an important role to play.” Dimitri Corpakis
46 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Green transport solutions across borders
Outline 08B04 The current challenges of EU regional policy and European cross-border cooperation, including promoting 08 October 2013 synergies between various funding sources, were introduced, followed by an overview of the current situation 11:15-13:00 of renewable energy usage in vehicles in the EU and a presentation of the Clean Power for Transport package. Biogas fuels vehicle usage among municipalities and the infrastructure development for electrical charging Organiser: stations is being promoted in the cross-border area of Norway and Sweden. Here there is also the Green D2 European cross-border Highway Swedish-Norwegian cross-border project which by 2020 will provide a fossil-free transport corridor cooperation, Regional and Urban across mid-Scandinavia. Policy DG, European Commission
Debate Moderator: Tricas Aizpun spoke of the challenges of scarce infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles and isolated markets José Palma Andres, Director, in Member States. The Clean Power for Transport Package (communication, a directive proposal and the Staff Regional and Urban Policy DG, Working Document) aims to facilitate the development of a single European market for alternative fuels in transport. European Commission An improved infrastructure with common standards is a crucial goal. Speakers: Jakob Lagercrantz shared his experience of promoting clean vehicle usage among municipalities in Sweden Antonio Tricas Aizpun, Policy and Norway. County administrations are key players; so are private companies, which need to be involved to Officer, Mobility and Transport be ready to take over once politicians have been convinced. Cross-border meetings are essential and much DG, European Commission time needs to be dedicated to cooperation. Countries draw on each other’s experience and the resulting Jakob Lagercrantz, Project cooperation creates critical mass. New technologies have to be communicated to the public and infrastructure Manager, Infragreen, Sweden has to be put in place for consumers to dare to try something new. Annelie Luthman, Chairman, Education Committee of the City Annelie Luthman emphasised the need to work across borders and internationally in order to promote clean of Sundsvall, Sweden vehicle usage and proper infrastructure. It is difficult to raise interest among decision-makers through local Andre Dias, Project Technical initiatives. She also pointed out that different territorial entities need different solutions. Sparsely populated Manager, CEIIA, Portugal areas are dependent on cars so they have a potential interest in developing fossil-free transport. More information: Andre Dias explained how some of the results of the Portuguese-Spanish cross-border project MOBI2GRID www.ec.europa.eu/regional_ were taken to a European level and elaborated further upon by the CIP MOBIEurope project, which integrates policy/cooperate/cooperation/ stakeholders at transnational level. At a cross-border level, important challenges include high costs, involving index_en.cfm a sufficient number of municipalities and implementing car-sharing. A crucial point is that projects sometimes www.ec.europa.eu/cip/ need reassessment on the way or need to be ready to accelerate. Different EU funds are needed to reshape www.ec.europa.eu/transport/ and refocus projects. As the timeframe for EU projects sometimes limits the possibility to reach good results, themes/urban/cpt/ more flexibility would be helpful. www.ceiia.com www.greenhighway.nu/en Conclusions www.infragreen.nu José Palma Andres concluded that cooperation at different levels is crucial for the development of green transport solutions across borders in Europe. Many projects are going on and various EU funding programmes need to be combined to optimise development.
“Different EU funds are needed to reshape and refocus projects to reach higher results.” Andre Dias
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 47 Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Blue biotechnology at the service of regional growth
08B05 Outline 08 October 2013 In the context of preparing for the upcoming European Commission strategy on blue biotechnologies, 14:30-17:00 researchers, experts, politicians from the regions forming the consortium (Asturias, Azores, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, Vastra-Götaland and Wales), Commission representatives, the CPMR General Secretariat and participants Organiser: in the workshop addressed and discussed initiatives currently taking place in this field, together with issues Brittany Region, France concerning the support to be provided by the European Union. The conclusions drawn will inspire further cooperation between the regions and EU institutions. Chair: Damien Périssé, General Debate Secretariat, Conference of Felipe Lombo Brugos explained the heavy costs linked to the production of microalgae at industrial level and how Peripheral Maritime Regions of Cantabrian actors are working to create small ecosystems for multi microalgae species. Such microalgae ecosystems Europe (CPMR) could then be specifically selected to adapt to Northern European weather conditions. This is not currently possible as the costs for creating light and heat in those areas are too expensive and therefore not profitable. Speakers: Dr Jessica Adams, Susanne Lindegarth presented the strong blue bioresearch from West Sweden. There is a need for perspective, Aberystwyth University, particularly on long-term financing and support for research and innovation platforms, so as to stimulate cooperation United Kingdom between the academic front and the industries. Support should also be granted to prototype development. Susanne Lindegarth, She asked if there be more EU funding sources than the existing ones. University of Gothenburg, Sweden Jessica Adams explained that primary sectors and producers need to be eligible for assistance. The European Felipe Lombo Brugos, Commission should not only address marine resources, since blue biotechnologies also encompass fresh Oviedo University, Spain waters. A dedicated European technology platform for blue biotechnologies may be interesting. Structural Florence Hallouin, funding to prototypes is also important. Responsible Blue Cluster, Atlanpole, France Florence Hallouin presented the Blue Cluster. Blue biotechnology can serve development, such as producing Filipe M. Porteiro, sustainable biodiesel or hydrogen from microalgae, thus protecting the environment, producing natural high- Regional Government quality molecules. There is a need to promote research, develop infrastructure to support the development of the Azores, Portugal stage and facilitate inter-clustering in Europe. Pierre Karleskind, Filipe M. Porteiro explained how blue biotechnology is encouraging for the future. There is a need to develop Vice-President of the Region expert blue technology centres, promoting start-ups upstream. The European Union must take legal action to Brittany, in charge of Europe, enforce agreement with Nagoya on biodiversity. sea and coastline, France Pierre Karleskind explained how blue biotechnology in Brittany has brought 50 companies to life, with 14,000 jobs Juan Ronco Zapatero, and 2,000 researchers. Horizon 2020, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Maritime Policy in the Atlantic, Fund (ESF) will provide a strong contribution to industrialisation but there is a need to help SMEs to access funding. Arctic, outermost regions, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries DG, Petra Sarapatkova and Juan Ronco Zapatero positioned the work of the European Commission on blue European Commission biotechnologies in the context of the blue growth approach. Support is needed in order to reach critical mass, Petra Sarapatkova, to favour synergies with other sectors and between researchers and the industry, and to facilitate access to Maritime Policy in the Atlantic, funding. All participants are invited to answer the public consultation, which will be launched very shortly, for Arctic, outermost regions, a future communication on blue biotechnology. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries DG, European Commission Garbine Guiu Etxeberria explained that there will be calls for microalgae refining (proteins and microfuel). Garbine Guiu Etxeberria, The level of funding (EUR 150 million) contribution will vary between 4% and 8%. In order to get a full overview Research Programme Officer, of biotechnology, the Structural Funds should finance the mapping of what is happening in Europe with the Biotechnology, Research and help of regional and national agencies. The Seventh Framework Programme has already started a transition Innovation DG towards more direct support to innovation.
More information: Conclusions www.crpm.org/index. The exchanges here came up with the following points: php?act=6,1,2,361 • the dynamism of the sector and its diversity; • the will of the European Commission to develop a focused strategy; • the need for better mapping of the sector in Europe; • the need for perspective and long-term financing, for instance through support for development prototypes and pilot plants, and support to industrialisation and access to finance; • the need for structuring the sector (e.g. collaborative projects or technology platforms – perhaps a dedicated biotechnology platform) and for synergy between public/private investments.
48 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Climate change adaptation: New EU strategy, new EU funding period. Are regions ready to respond?
Outline 08B06 Adaptation to climate change requires attention at all levels of governance. This workshop examined how 08 October 2013 regions across the EU address adaptation through research, planning and implementation and how EU funds 14:30-17:00 can support the process. Presentations from the European Commission covered the EU adaptation strategy and how cohesion policy funding can target adaptation in 2014-2020. Organiser: The French approach to adaptation planning at national, regional and local levels of government was presented. Climate Action DG, The emphasis was on coherence and coordination across the planning levels, and collecting input from a European Commission complex web of partners and stakeholders. The challenge of integrating climate change data into planning was addressed by the OrientGate project, a transnational partnership based in South East Europe. Participants Chair: represented a mix of regional authorities and other public interests across the EU. The discussion focused on the Humberto Delgado Rosa, varying roles of regions adapting across the EU, funding opportunities and data gaps. Director, Climate Action DG, European Commission Debate Claus Kondrup argued that climate adaptation complements mitigation and requires integrated actions across Speakers: all levels of government. An EU strategy is required to address cross-border dimensions and adaptation in EU Claus Kondrup, Acting Head policies, as well as for reasons of capacity and solidarity. The EU adaptation strategy focuses on three priorities: of Unit, C3 - Adaptation, promoting action by Member States; supporting better decision-making; and helping vulnerable sectors. Climate Action DG. European The strategy outlines eight actions, which include strategic planning for adaptation in all Member States. Commission Mathieu Fichter, Team Leader Mathieu Fichter stated that climate change, as part of the sustainable growth objective of the Europe 2020 ‘Sustainable Growth’, Regional strategy, is now a clear priority for cohesion policy 2014-2020. It will be important that Member States and and Urban Policy DG, European regions take advantage of the opportunity to fund climate change adaptation, both through the direct funding Commission objective on adaptation, but also by integrating adaptation concerns across all funding objectives. Further Céline Phillips, Head of Climate awareness of stakeholders on using funds for adaptation is still required. Change Adaptation Section, The French Agency for Environment Céline Phillips noted that France is already seeing impacts of climate change. She outlined the adaptation and Energy (ADEME), Climate strategy, laws and plans that France has adopted since 2006. These include 230 concrete measures and 20 Service, France themes, with priority on knowledge development and ‘no-regret’ measures. Ms Phillips presented the governance Giulia Galluccio, Project structures through which French regional authorities are implementing adaptation measures. She concluded by Coordinator, Euro-Mediterranean describing the organisation and mission of ADEME and its resources, which are available to local authorities. Center on Climate Change, Italy Jennifer McGuinn, Principal The OrientGate project aims to build a lasting partnership between producers of climate data and regional Policy Advisor, Milieu Ltd, Belgium planning decision-makers. It is co-funded by the EU’s South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme. Giulia Galluccio presented the main project activities, which include mapping, harmonising and downscaling More information: climate data in the region, and pilot studies in key vulnerable sectors. She noted that the adaptation process is EU Strategy on Adaptation to hindered by a lack of coordination of data services across institutions. Climate Change: ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ Jennifer McGuinn presented findings from an ongoing study on climate change adaptation at the regional level. adaptation/index_en.htm She noted that regions may both enable climate change action through strategic planning and/or also directly European Climate Adaptation implement adaptation initiatives. Another key function is the coordination of planning and action across local Platform (Climate-ADAPT): authorities. The study and a good practice publication will be released by Climate Action DG towards the end of 2013. climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu DG Regional and Urban Policy: Conclusions ec.europa.eu/dgs/regional_ Climate change is ultimately place-based and geographical in nature, meaning that differentiated responses are policy/index_en.htm required from regions and local authorities. Regions are making progress on adaptation across the EU, but much The French Environment and remains to be done and EU funds can have considerable impact. Whilst gaps in knowledge and data are a challenge, Energy Agency (ADEME): resources to address this do exist, such as the web platform Climate-ADAPT. Uncertainty should therefore not be www2.ademe.fr/ a justification for inaction. Bridging this knowledge gap at all governance levels is one of the key actions in the EU The OrientGate project: Adaptation Strategy. Finally, adaptation also brings opportunities – such as technology development. www.orientgateproject.org
“Uncertainty is no reason for inaction. Action should focus now on the most urgent issues, including no-regret options such as water-saving measures and long-term investment decisions. Regional authorities are at the forefront of tackling change. Geography matters, but also regional adaptive capacity.” Claus Kondrup
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 49 Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Overcoming the deep divide: International experience in promoting integration and socioeconomic development within cities and across borders
08B07 Outline 08 October 2013 The debate allowed the discussion of policy approaches to promoting socio-economic development in 14:30-17:00 difficult and quite different political situations in urban areas and cross-border regions. The debate addressed ways to deal with the human and physical consequences of deeply-divided cities and how best to promote Organiser: new opportunities by building intercommunity confidence and trust. Regional and Urban Policy DG, The debate also provided a discussion on the main challenges faced by border regions outside the EU to European Commission develop effective cross-border cooperation and relevance of international and European experiences to overcome potential obstacles. Chair: Ronald Hall, Principal Advisor, Debate Regional and Urban Policy DG, Sergey Vakhrukov presented the main elements of the ongoing European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument European Commission (ENPI) cross-border cooperation programmes, as well as the joint efforts developed with the European Commission to coordinate provisions for the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy and the Russian Strategy of social Speakers: and economic development of the North-West Federal District. This will synchronise efforts for a tighter Sergey Vakhrukov, Deputy cooperation on future projects. Further discussions will take place in the all-Russian forum ‘Strategic planning Minister, Regional Development in the Regions and Cities of Russia’, taking place this year in St Petersburg. of the Russian Federation Sergio Castro, Secretary, Sergio Castro reported on recent institutional developments on cross-border cooperation policy in Brazil, Regional Development in particular the Development Programme of the Border Strip (PDFF), which is very active in supporting clusters Secretariat, Ministry of National and social organisation projects and other federal initiatives and programmes. He explained that a Permanent Integration, Brazil Commission for Integration and Development of the Border Strip (involving 20 federal institutions) has been José Antonio Garcia Torres, created to coordinate and promote the convergence of sectoral public policies along the border. Director, National Directorate for Border Development, José Antonio Garcia Torres and Javier Lossio Olavarría jointly presented the wide-ranging efforts of Peru Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peru to develop effective cross-border cooperation in the so-called cross-border integration zones with Bolivia, Javier Lossio Olavarría, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador, which were established to promote integration and to achieve sustainable Senior Expert on border development through coordinated efforts. Priority support is provided to regional and local governments integration, National Directorate through studies, diagnoses and projects on physical infrastructure, productive development and social inclusion. for Border Development, They also mentioned the letter of intent recently signed by the Ministry of External Relations of Peru and Regional Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peru and Urban Policy DG, establishing a dialogue on regional policy and border integration. The dialogue addresses Paul McErlean, Managing exchange of information and good practices, inter alia, on policies aimed at promoting economic, social and Director MCE Public Relations, territorial cohesion as well as innovation and technological development; on cross-border, transnational and Belfast, United Kingdom interregional cooperation; on setting up and implementing regional policies and development and border Luz Patricia Correa Madrigal, integration policies, including capacity building. Director, Victims Reparation Unit, City Council of Medellin, Paul McErlean stressed the important contribution made by the PEACE programme to reinforce progress Columbia towards a peaceful and stable society, and promoting reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. The initiatives seek to tackle the problems of communities separated within society and address More information: the underlying problems of sectarianism, racism and prejudice by encouraging the development of physical Regional and Urban Policy DG – environments that are not ‘marked out’ with symbols that define it as a territory of one side of a community but international cooperation as open and welcoming to all. ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ cooperate/international/index_ Luz Patricia Correa Madrigal shared the victims’ reparation and reintegration programmes implemented in en.cfm Medellin. Their most noticeable characteristic is that they are community-based approaches to reintegration. By that it is meant that the programme is designed not only to give participants the economic and social skills to reintegrate into society but also to foster reconciliation with and acceptance between combatants and victims. She underlined that trust is undoubtedly the most difficult issue to rebuild when implementing those programmes, which involve a huge number of people displaced in Columbia by underlying conflicts.
Conclusions The chair person concluded by underlying the important contribution that cross-border cooperation in Europe has made to the European project at large, and mentioned that, in the same way, it can be a very important contribution to regional integration in Latin America and with EU neighbours like Russia. In addition, he acknowledged, on the basis of the experiences presented from Northern Ireland and Medellin, the fact that divided communities are very active and motivated, and they deserve specific support to not only tackle difficulties but also exploit their potential.
50 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Added value of macro-regional cooperation
Outline 08B09 The added value of macro-regional cooperation, as presented in the evaluation report on macro-regional 08 October 2013 strategies1, and conclusions drawn by the key implementing stakeholders were shared during the workshop. 14:30-17:00
In general, it was confirmed that there is evidence gained on added value in implementing macro-regional Organiser: strategies. The strategies highlight the value of cooperation and networking, stress the asset of coordination of INTERACT programme, Regional resources and policies, and give more visibility to strategic actions of macro-regional benefit. The workshop also and Urban Policy DG, European highlighted the open issues to be addressed, which would make the implementation of the macro-regional Commission strategies more effective. The following were mentioned: there is a need to increase ownership of macro- regional strategies, stronger leadership is expected and effort should be made to involve more multilevel Chair: governance actors into macro-regional processes. The workshop showcased synergies, operational practices Riitta Ahdan, Coordinator of and experiences gathered in the implementation of the two existing strategies, considering also the upcoming INTERACT Point Turku, Finland macro-regional initiatives, like the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region. Speakers: Debate Pauliina Haijanen, Member The panel debate was opened by highlighting the key conclusions of the evaluation report on the added value of the Committee of the Regions, of macro-regional strategies2. It was mentioned that a macro-regional approach and cooperation is required to Member of the Commission respond to the challenges faced by the regions in different parts of Europe. These challenges cannot be dealt for Territorial Cohesion Policy, with by single efforts. It was also stressed that by combining forces to face the macro-regional challenges the President of the Interregional impact is much greater. Group ‘Baltic Sea Regions’ in the Committee of the Regions The two existing macro-regional strategies are bringing the following values into the regional policy: new Ulla Koski, VASAB Chairwoman, methods of working, realising the value of cooperation and the importance of networking. Macro-regional Ministry of the Environment, Finland strategies by their nature require a closer coordination of policies within a country and especially across Paola Giorgi, Minister for EU countries of the entire macro-region. It is expected that macro-regional cooperation increases the effectiveness Policies of Marche Region, Italy of funding and makes project results more visible. It clearly requires strong and continuous political commitment on behalf of Gian Mario Spacca, to, and leadership of, macro-regional actions. President of Marche Region, Italy, Member of the Committee Ownership of a macro-regional strategy and active involvement of all multi-level governance actors from of the Regions, President of the the entire macro-region are other requirements to be successful in implementing macro-regional strategies. Interregional Group ‘Adriatic- The leading role of the European Commission was highlighted by the panellists. It was added that strong Ionian’ in the Committee of the leadership should also exist in priority area coordinators of macro-regional strategies with strong support from Regions the Member States and countries participating in the strategy and the European Commission. Colin Wolfe, Head of Competence Centre on Macro- The question on how to better bridge the gap between a citizen and a macro-regional strategy was open regions and European Territorial throughout the session. There are efforts made by the strategy’s stakeholders, but to see the results will take time. Cooperation-Transnational and Interregional Cooperation, All the panellists in their interventions stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination when Regional and Urban Policy DG, implementing macro-regional strategies. Referring to the debate, cooperation has been enhanced since macro- European Commission regional strategies were implemented; as one of the panellists said, the cooperation is ‘Europeanising’. It was added Roland Arbter, the Federal that cooperation is becoming more visible and recognised within the Baltic Sea and Danube macro-regions. Chancellery of Austria, National Contact Point for the EU Strategy Coordination was referred to in different contexts. Throughout the discussion ‘coordination’ was meant as better for the Danube Region, Austria coordination of efforts, more effective coordination of resources and closer coordination of policies. It was Anders Bergström, Norden stressed that the coordination needs to happen within the country as well as between the countries of the Association, Priority Area existing macro-region. It was also said that the exercise of embedding macro-regional strategies into policies Coordinator for the Priority should not be limited to just cohesion policy. Area ‘Developing innovative education and youth’, Horizontal Action Leader for the Horizontal Action ‘Strengthening multi-level governance including involving civil society, business and
1 - Report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions concerning academia’ of the EU Strategy for the added value of macro-regional strategies, 27.6.2013, COM(2013) 468 final. the Baltic Sea Region, Sweden 2 - Ibid.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 51 Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Added value of macro-regional cooperation
More information: When discussing macro-regional cooperation and coordination in the framework of spatial planning, it was www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu mentioned that the Baltic Sea region has a good experience of establishing close links between territorial and www.danube-region.eu maritime spatial planning activities. It was stressed that macro-regional strategies are good frameworks for coherent territorial development.
During the discussion, the funding of macro-regional strategies was tackled. It was stressed that all possibilities “Regional level should be used to embed macro-regional strategies into the funding programmes for 2014-2020. The EU Structural and Investment Funds should not be seen as the only financial source in implementing macro- European Union regional initiatives, though. Synergies and complementarities between all kinds of funding sources should be framework should identified at regional, national and macro-regional levels to avoid duplication. be considered When discussing the links between macro-regional strategies and funding programmes, the question was in the context raised as to whether the implementation of macro-regional strategies is not seen too much in terms of a of macro-regional programme implementation cycle? The panellists agreed that macro-regional strategies should be promoted as a framework that is then supported by different funding programmes. strategies.” Roland Arbter During the discussion it was mentioned several times that macro-regions will need to consider focusing their efforts on a limited number of priorities (challenges). Delivering and communicating good results of macro-regional cooperation is needed.
The panellists highlighted a need for communicating on macro-regional achievements and successes.
Conclusions The workshop was concluded by highlighting that macro-regional strategies are long-term processes that do require time. The strategies are seen as being an integration policy and regional development policy at the same time. They are fundamental frameworks that put efforts into engaging all multilevel governance actors in the implementation processes. Macro-regional strategies require both continuous and strong leadership with cooperation being the key to success.
Communication on the benefits delivered by the macro-regional cooperation is seen as a tool to increase the commitment of stakeholders and to greater involvement with more multilevel governance actors.
52 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Marie Curie: Co-funding of regional and national programmes for the training and mobility of researchers by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Outline 08B10 The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCAs) will be the EU’s flagship programme for supporting training and 08 October 2013 mobility of researchers under Horizon 2020, the future Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 14:30-17:00 2014-2020. The regional authorities that are funding or managing doctoral or fellowship programmes for researchers can receive additional funding under the MSCA COFUND. The workshop presented best Organiser: practice examples of COFUND programmes, demonstrating their potential to support regional policies by Education and Culture DG, internationalising the human resources in European regions. European Commission
Debate Chair: The policy context of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) and of the COFUND scheme was introduced Martin Lange, Policy Officer, by Martin Lange. More than 100 regional, national and international programmes have already been co- Education and Culture DG, financed by the EU, thus significantly contributing to the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy and its European Commission Innovation Union flagship initiative, as well as to the completion of the European Research Area. Speakers: Sara Alfonso reported on the Spanish M+VISION programme, which is a global programme on medical Sara Alfonso Romero, imaging innovation, aiming at strengthening Madrid’s position as a global centre of biomedical research. Fundación MADRI+D para el The co-funding by the EU contributed to the internationalisation of the programme, supported the attraction conocimiento, Spain and reintegration of talent in Madrid, increased career opportunities for fellows, and helped to bridge the gap Milos Sifalda, South Moravian between academic and market-orientated research. Centre for International Mobility, Czech Republic Milos Sifalda presented the experience of the Czech region of South Moravia on how to improve regional Kadri Mäger, Estonian Research research and development Council, Estonia (R&D). In South Moravia this goal was realised by a combination of the right vision (smart specialisation John H. Smith, European strategy), good conditions (several universities), targeted R&D investments in research infrastructure and the University Association enhancement of human resources in research. The latter could be achieved as a result of SoMoPro, a regional mobility scheme co-financed by the Marie Curie Actions. More information: ec.europa.eu/mariecurieactions Kadri Mäger presented ERMOS, the Estonian Research Mobility Scheme, which aims at facilitating transnational ec.europa.eu/research/ mobility, supporting the career of young researchers, and establishing and enhancing research links between mariecurieactions/about-mca/ research communities in Estonia and other countries. Ms Mäger summarised Estonia’s experience with two actions/cofund/index_en.htm similar, but separately managed programmes financed by the Structural Funds and COFUND. ec.europa.eu/research/ horizon2020 John Smith shared the European University Association’s survey results on current funding of doctoral ec.europa.eu/research/ programmes and focused on the role of universities in regional smart specialisation strategies. He explained participants/portal/page/ that smart specialisation was a new opportunity for university-regional collaboration and pointed out that othercalls/cofund dialogue, trust and alignment of university portfolio and regional strategies would be possible success factors.
Conclusions: This workshop highlighted several opportunities and challenges for regional authorities and universities in “The Marie Curie using the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND scheme during the upcoming years. The presentations clearly COFUND has been demonstrated the added value of fellowship programmes in specific regional contexts, while the further debate very much focused on the future extension of COFUND to the doctoral programmes run by universities of added value for and their link to smart specialisation strategies. attracting research talent to the Madrid region.” Sara Alfonso Romero
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 53 Workshops Workshops Synergies and cooperation Titre
The role of European regions to boost competitiveness and growth
09B01 Outline 09 October 2013 Calls to strengthen Europe’s industry are numerous across the European political landscape. Policymakers 09:00-10:45 and practitioners alike have recognised that a European economic recovery will not be possible without a strong and growing industrial base and related high value-added services. Whilst strengthening industrial Organiser: competitiveness calls for united actions at the European level, the integral role of European regions in the BUSINESSEUROPE process of re-industrialisation must not be underestimated. But while the regions’ contributions to further facilitating industrial competitiveness and growth is needed, there is also much to gain in terms of regional Chair: economic growth and job creation. Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent, The Irish Debate Examiner, Belgium Keynote speaker Markus J. Beyrer highlighted the urgent need for a joint European industrial policy and pointed out important steps towards this goal. He emphasised that many pressing issues concerning energy, Speakers: access to finance, internal and external trade, and improving relevant skills, amongst others, urgently require Markus Beyrer, Director General, joint actions at the European level. But, for a successful implementation, any strategy to boost re-industrialisation BUSINESSEUROPE, Belgium needs to be translated to the regional level in a coherent manner across Europe. Daniel Calleja-Crespo, Director General, Enterprise and Industry Daniel Calleja-Crespo referred to four pillars (innovation, access to finance, internationalisation and skills) DG, European Commission that a successful process of industrialisation needs to build on. He further explained that the EU is aware of Christian Helmenstein, Chief the important role of European regions, dedicating one-third of the 2014-2020 EU budget to Europe’s regions Economist, Federation of Austrian and cities. Enterprise DG works closely with Regional and Urban Policy DG to ensure a re-focus on regional Industries, Austria competitiveness, such as fostering a favourable business environment, poles of excellence and adequate Ivica Mudrinic, Chief Executive infrastructure. Officer, Hrvatski Telekom, President, Croatian Employer’s Christian Helmenstein declared the era of uniform policies over and underlined that enough room for Association - HUP, Croatia national policies and diversity existed. In his opinion, the key to strengthening industrial competitiveness is enhancing firm-level productivity. He further explained the ‘innovation pyramid’, a concept for maximising regional competitiveness, consisting of a broad base of various firms, clusters engaged in smart specialisation and technopoles as centres of excellence.
Ivica Mudrinic gave insights from the telecom sector, explaining that the social paradigm is changing due to communication. He emphasised that industrial policy is not an end in itself and thus needs to fit the new business realities by enhancing and developing industrial leadership, values and vision. Moreover, funding is an essential leveraging factor, while knowledge and innovation serve as major economic drivers.
Conclusions The moderator summed up the debate by concluding that regions are an important factor for increasing industrial competitiveness. The great number of regional representatives amongst the workshop participants shows that regions are increasingly looking to the EU for guidance to enhance industrial competitiveness. But while important impulses come from the EU level, regions are equally in a position to take growth enhancing measures. A special emphasis must be laid on innovation and regional knowledge networks, as well as on minimising administrative burdens to setting up and shutting down businesses.
“Monetary policies have been exhausted; the scope for fiscal policy has been exceeded. The era of uniform policies is over. It is no longer efficient to cling to prudent fiscal policies. The time has come for a new grand design: reform or retreat.” Christian Helmenstein
54OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - ProceedingsOPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings54 Workshops Workshops Titre Synergies and cooperation
Territorial Cooperation and Single Market: How to create tangible added value for citizens in cross-border territories and interregional networks
Outline 09B02 The European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) aims to bring about the territorial integration of cross-border regions 09 October 2013 and macro-regions. ETC projects therefore make a major contribution to the Single Market and the Europe 2020 09:00-10:45 strategy, while showing that Europe produces tangible results at the service of its citizens. The representatives of the Union of Baltic Cities, the Eurodistrict REGIO PAMINA and the Iberian Network of Cross-border Cities illustrated Organiser: three examples of territorial cooperation contributing to the single market, in terms of realisation, difficulties to be Conference of European tackled and expectations towards the ‘upper’ authorities. An intervention from the Commission put the exchanges Cross-border and Interregional into a European perspective: cross-border territories must be laboratories of the Single Market. The workshop, City Networks (CECICN) gathering more than 230 participants, was complementary to the workshop of the EGTC platform of the CoR, ‘The EGTCs: cross-border players in the Single Market’. Both workshops were followed by a common networking event. Chair: Bernard Soulage, Member of Debate the Committee of the Regions, Bernard Soulage opened the workshop by presenting territorial cooperation of the Rhône Alpes Region in Vice-President of the Region the French-Swiss-Italian border territory. Cross-border cooperation is very present in the Grand Geneva area, Rhône-Alpes, France where the Single Market is particularly visible, the cross-border territory of the Mont-Blanc Interreg projects etc. A wider angle is covered by the Alpine Space and its planned macro-regional strategy. Moderator: Jean Peyrony, Executive Director Jean Peyrony, moderator of the workshop, presented the CECICN network with its eight-member networks, of the European Conference of the objective of which is to place European territorial cooperation at the heart of European policies in the 2014- Cross-border and Interregional 2020 programming period. City Networks (CECICN), and Director General of the Mission Marcus Andersson discussed the mobility of talented persons between the Baltic cities to meet the needs Opérationnelle Transfrontalière of the employment market and promote the development of the territory to the benefit of mobile persons. (MOT), France Nevertheless, a number of obstacles to such mobility remain to be eliminated. People have to be accompanied in their mobility process. As best practice he presented two projects on grouped ‘welcoming’ services and on Speakers: student networking. Marcus Andersson, Head of International Projects, Tendensor, According to Xoán Vazquez Mao, the second generation of cooperation must be the generation of the Partner of Union of Baltic Cities internal market. He highlighted the issues and needs on the Spanish-Portuguese border, particularly in terms Xoán Vázquez Mao, Secretary of transport, telecommunications, postal services, training, the health sector, etc. As best practice, he presented General of the CECICN, and a common toll system for motorways on both sides of the border and a common card for citizens to use Secretary General of the Iberian cross-border services. Network of Cross-border Bodies (RIET), Portugal/Spain Patrice Harster presented the issues of the cross-border employment market on the French-German border. Patrice Harster, Director General The Eurodistrict REGIO PAMINA proposes to coordinate the existing tools (European Regional Development of the Eurodistrict REGIO PAMINA, Fund cross-border programme, European Social Fund regional programmes, EURES-T, Eurodistrict, etc.) in France/Germany order to avoid spreading resources too thinly. It is crucial to anticipate evolutions and to be complementary. Olivier Girard, Responsible for Mobility remains an important topic of cross-border cooperation. the Implementation of Internal Market in the Cabinet of Michel Olivier Girard, member of the cabinet of Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier, stressed Barnier, European Commissioner the need, in the run-up to the European elections, to promote another vision of the single market that was too for Internal Market and Services, often criticised: although some problems remain, there is progress in the work reaching out to citizens and SMEs. European Commission The first concrete progress has been made, for example in train interconnections or in the recognition of diplomas. Existing rules needs to be applied in the territories. More information: www.cecicn.eu Conclusions http://www.espaces- Bernard Soulage concluded the discussions by stating that territorial cooperation is a major political issue, an transfrontaliers.org/ essential brick in the construction of a European political and democratic space. The aim is to remove all remaining www.ubc.net barriers, including those that prevent close contacts between the inhabitants in the cross-border territories. www.rietiberica.eu Cross-border cooperation is one of the most symbolic policies of the EU with tangible results for the citizens. www.eurodistrict-regio-pamina.eu “The cross-border territories and their pilot projects in terms of cooperation must be laboratories of the internal market.” Olivier Girard
55OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - ProceedingsOPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings55 Workshops Synergies and cooperation
The EIB’s nature and activities
09B03 Outline 09 October 2013 As the EU’s long-term financing institution to spur regional development, the European Investment Bank 09:00-10:45 (EIB) has an important role in supporting cohesion, EU growth and employment in EU regions and beyond. It promotes a broad range of innovative instruments such as Organiser: • combining grants with loans; European Investment Bank • involving public and private stakeholders; (Brussels office) • further developing co-financing with EU funds; • deploying financial instruments; Chair: • new growth and employment initiatives; Pé Verhoeven, Adviser, • further highlighting the local and urban agenda. European Investment Bank The EIB capital increase of EUR 10 billion will provide leverage for: Speakers: • additional borrowing and associated lending opportunities; Eugenia Kazamaki Ottersten, • focus on the EU for the creative and sustainable deployment of additional funds; Head of Regional and Urban • promoting growth, sustainable development and employment generation. Development Division The EIB will maintain high lending levels in the coming years to address growth and employment, focusing on Brian Field, Urban Planning innovation and skills, access to finance, resource efficiency and strategic infrastructure. and Development Adviser Frank Lee, Head of Holding Debate Funds and Advisory, Northern During the discussion there was a focus on Framework Loans (FL) – a flexible instrument to finance multi- Europe JESSICA and Investment scheme operations and Structural Programme Loans (SPL). These are important instruments which not only Funds allow for financing on the national, multiregional, regional, municipal and sectoral level, but also cater to Alice Stollmeyer, European smaller scale investments through a programme approach. FLs further support the Territorial Agenda and Public Affairs, Energy Policy provide lending to municipalities and cities in support of planning-led programmes and projects. In view of Advice the forthcoming programming period, close cooperation with the Commission has been initiated to further develop and streamline EIB blending in this context, specifically with regard to the urban agenda. The extensive More information: cooperation with the Commission and the CoR over time has allowed the EIB group to deepen its role in EU www.eib.org policy cooperation and EU cohesion policy implementation, in particular via JASPERS (TA) and a wide range of Technical Assistance initiatives, and with financial instruments like JESSICA and JEREMIE.
The experience gained thus far allows the EIB to enhance further cooperation on joint instruments, for blending and advisory services with the European Commission and other stakeholders, and a wide range of advisory services in the form of technical and financial advice, including developing platforms for knowledge sharing and cooperation. Finally, there was a great deal of attention for the investments for Sustainable Cities where grant funding, traditional borrowing, structured finance, financial engineering and technical assistance can result in targeted investment in more sustainable urban regeneration and renewal.
Conclusions Many issues were dealt with, including the JESSICA and ELENA programmes; more information on all this can be found on the EIB website. Overall, the audience was very satisfied with the outcome and many business opportunities were explored at the networking session after the event.
56 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
ICT innovation vouchers: Supporting ICT excellence in SMEs
Outline 09B04 The workshop was designed to provide the attendees (116) with the experiences gained from regions with 09 October 2013 existing or newly created innovation voucher schemes. It also provided information on the ‘Blueprint for ICT 09.00-10.45 innovation vouchers’ released by the European Commission. Organiser: Debate Communications Networks, Antonio Romero Navarro presented the pilot information and communications technology (ICT) innovation Content and Technology DG, voucher scheme that had just been launched (October 2013). It is designed to be responsive, cost-effective, European Commission highly flexible and tailored to the unique needs of the Region of Murcia. Chair: Dieter Goossens presented the highly automated voucher methodology that the Flanders region has been Colum Joyce, Connemara running for a number of years called the ‘SME e-wallet’. Emphasis was placed on the changes that have been Programme, Republic of Ireland made over time to suit the changing socioeconomic circumstances and needs of the region and its businesses. Speakers: Corinna Voss provided the audience with an overview of the integrated life-cycle approach to vouchers and Antonio Romero Navarro, the development of business skills in Baden-Württemberg. Detailed facts and figures as to the impact of the Region of Murcia, Spain vouchers on businesses and the local economy were provided (for example 70% of voucher applicants have no Dieter Goossens, prior experience in research and development, 50% of applicants have a project or market offer completed in Flanders, Belgium one year, 30% of applicants have used vouchers before). Corinna Voss, Baden-Württemberg, Germany Helen Koepman provided an overview of the ‘Blueprint for ICT innovation vouchers’ released by the Helen Koepman, Communications Networks, Content and Technology DG. Special emphasis was placed on the ability of the Communications Networks, scheme to provide regional flexibility in the implementation of the voucher scheme by each region. Content and Technology DG, European Commission Conclusions: The chair person concluded that there is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution for the ICT innovation vouchers More information: scheme. The speakers provided current, practical, real-world guidance on the way they tailor-made voucher ICT innovation vouchers: schemes to the specific needs of their region. The regional aspect of the ICT innovation vouchers scheme was ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/ highlighted in connection with the Smart Specialisation Strategy. Murcia, a pioneer region on ICT innovation ict-innovation-vouchers-scheme vouchers, stressed that the vouchers are a very useful tool to achieve the goals set by the Smart Specialisation Strategy. Other subjects addressed were the selection of ICT providers, the funding mechanisms, performance indicators, requests for advice in management and process design.
“SVIM, in cooperation with Marche Regional Authority, is in the process of launching several calls – at regional level – regarding innovation vouchers within EU-funded projects in the framework of three programmes, Interreg IVC, MED and South East Europe. Our participation in the workshop ‘ICT innovation voucher’ has been a very useful opportunity to share our regional initiatives with the European Commission. In this way we received important information and inputs to transfer into the call for vouchers to be launched in our region, taking into account – as the most interesting – the opportunity to have exchanges in this preparatory phase with the Commission.” Agnese Pantaloni Sviluppo
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 57 Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion: From strategy to action
09B05 Outline 09 October 2013 Adriatic-Ionian regions and cities are willing to contribute to the shaping of the forthcoming EU strategy for the 09:00-13:00 Adriatic and Ionian region and to its implementation on the basis of four pillars: driving innovative maritime and marine growth, connecting the region, preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment, Organiser: and increasing regional attractiveness. There are also two cross-cutting issues: research, innovation and small Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion/ and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development, and capacity building. The debate provided an opportunity Regione Marche to showcase some of the most significant macro-regional experiences in this area as well as strategic projects, and to discuss further developments. Chair: José Palma Andrès, Director, Debate ‘Territorial Cooperation, Macro- Manolis Alexakis explained that collaboration is the priority in their policies. In the EU it’s the key for efficiency regions and North-West Europe’, and thematic growth. The regions are called to develop pragmatic bottom-up policies. Regional and Urban Policies DG, However, we can do better by expanding our strong points in innovation (through the Regional Innovation European Commission Council of Crete in collaboration with research institutes in our territory), strengthening entrepreneurship and its networking, and investing in tourism, agriculture and human resources. Speakers: Opening Nikola Dobroslavić reported that since the end of the 1970s in the Adriatic-Ionian area, various organisations and Paola Giorgi, Regional Minister for initiatives have been started. One of them is the Adriatic Euroregion, which today is called the Adriatic Ionian Euroregion. EU Policies, Marche Region, Italy In the beginning it only involved local authorities on the Adriatic Sea. Now it includes some Greek regions and Dusko Lopandic, Ambassador, more regions on the Ionian Sea are expected to get involved. Serbian Mission to the European Union Franco Iacop announced that Friuli Venezia Giulia will coordinate the second pillar of the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy Lauro Panella, Cabinet of concerning connectivity at national level and underlined that, due to the geopolitical location of his region and of European Commission Vice- the role played in central and south-European projects, the administration will support the interaction between the President, Antonio Tajani Adriatic-Ionian and Danube strategies as well as the measures accompanying the establishment of the Alpine one. Ernesto Penas Lado, Director, Policy Development and Peter Kaiser explained that regions like Carinthia, which is unfortunately not part of the macro region, could Coordination, Maritime Affairs play a crucial role within the Adriatic-Ionian macro regional strategy, especially in future transport systems. and Fisheries DG, European Carinthia would be pleased to share best practices from its vast cross-border cooperation experience. Commission Nikša Tkalec, Third Secretary, Cohesion policy attaché, Permanent Representation of Croatia to the European Union
Session I The Public consultation on the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region’s (EUSAIR) four pillars: policies inputs Manolis Alexakis, Counsellor, Region of Crete, Greece Paolo Di Laura Frattura, President Molise Region, Italy Nikola Dobroslavic, President, Dubrovnik-Neretva Region, Croatia Paola Giorgi, Regional Minister, EU Policies, Marche Region, Italy Franco Iacop, President, Regional Assembly, Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region, Italy Peter Kaiser, President, Region of Carinthia, Austria Gregor Krajc, Western Balkans Coordinator, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Slovenia
58 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Adriatic-Ionian Macroregion: From strategy to action
Denis Lasic, President, Gregor Krajc explained that the Adriatic Ionian Strategy will allow for a more ambitious and proactive approach by Herzegovina-Neretva Kanton, the EU in the Western Balkans in order to keep those countries anchored to Europe, thus consolidating democracy Bosnia and Herzegovina and fostering the reconciliation process in the region. Session II Patrizia Minardi said that Basilicata Region has proposed a local agreement between stakeholders in the economy Regional insights and experiences from the field: of the Ionian coast. The agreement is called the Jonic Maritime Covenant and aims at building a network for blue projects and proposals economy and coastal and maritime tourism on the Ionian coast of Basilicata and beyond. Enrico Cocchi, Regional Director, Antonio Sorgi talked about green energy and shared environmental governance in the Adriatic Sea by introducing Emilia Romagna Region, Italy the projects POWERED and SPEEDY, which have been approved in the framework of the Adriatic IPA TBC programme. Dino Elezovic, Representative, Kanton Sarajevo Brussels’ Office (Abruzzo is also managing authority of the overall programme.) Those projects aim to join methods and forces in Vesna Hrsto, Coordinator, EU order for countries, districts and regions to deal with energy challenges and environmental assessments within integration in West Herzegovina the Adriatic-Ionian basin. Kanton, Bosnia and Herzegovina Slobodan Markovic, Director, Conclusions Republika Srpska Development Agency for SMEs, Bosnia and José Palma Andrès outlined that between September and December 2013, the four working groups have been Herzegovina conducting a broad stakeholders’ consultation in the region. The results will be presented in a large conference to Patrizia Minardi, Managing be held in Athens on 6-7 February 2014. It is essential that the strategy is embedded in the 2014-2020 planning Authority, European Regional and programming of EU structural and investment funds and of IPA funds. As for new transnational cooperation Development Fund Operation programmes, the Adriatic Ionian macro-regional strategy will be supported by the Adriatic-Ionian programme, Programme 2007/13, Basilicata Region, Italy which will cover the same strategic territory as that for the Baltic and Danube regions. Oriano Otocan, Head, Department for International Cooperation and European “Together we’re achieving something that reminds Integration, Region of Istria, Croatia Ivan Petkovic, Sector Manager, us of the Nobel Prize for Literature: Ivo Andrić and Infrastructure & Sustainable The Bridge on the Drina. In fact, what we’re building Development, Regional Development Agency South, through our common efforts and the strategy we’re South Serbia working at is a bridge that will connect territories, Nenad Popovic, Executive Director, Regional Agency for people, economies and cultures.” Economic Development of Paola Giorgi Sumadija and Pomoravlje, Serbia Antonio Sorgi, Director General, Presidency and European Affairs, Energy and Environmental Assessment, Abruzzo Region, Italy
More information: www.aii-ps.org www.ai-macroregion.eu www.bruxelles.regione-marche.eu
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The European groupings of Territorial Cooperation: Cross-border players in the Single Market
09B07 Outline 09 October 2013 The European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) is made up of entities with their own legal personality, 11:15-13:00 operating simultaneously in two or more Member States. They hire personnel from different nationalities, sometimes in offices that are located in two or more countries. Beyond regional policy, they do public Organiser: procurement, implement and manage infrastructures, and provide services at cross-border level. EGTC Platform of the Committee of the Regions Debate Herwig Van Staa briefed the participants about the revised EGTC Regulation, which reinforces the role of the Chair: convention that determines the applicable Law to public procurement and services provided by the groupings, Herwig Van Staa (AT/EPP), overcoming contradictions between national legislations. “The EGTC open new horizons [in the Single Market] President of the Parliament but [they] find difficulties: sometimes, even giving a mobile phone to the employees becomes tricky!”, said Mr of the Land Tyrol and political Van Staa, and added “the EGTC can tell what is going well and what can be improved”. coordinator of the EGTC Platform Emmanuel Vallens linked the Single Market Act and the EGTC. The EGTC can decline locally the issues of the Committee of the Regions related to the Single Market, like the mobility of citizens (cross-border employment agencies), coordination of development policies, consumer protection and above all the public procurement. The new directive will allow Speakers: the EGTC members to delegate their procurement to the EGTC. Emmanuel Vallens, José Antonio Ruiz de Casas recalled that the convention of the EGTC can be an instrument to harmonise Policy Coordinator on Single the legal framework in which the EGTC operate. In future, the EGTC will be more important in terms of public Market Policy, The Internal Market procurement. The EGTC can create and transfer know-how. He also underlined that State Aid rules foresee and Services DG, European exceptions in cross-border cooperation. Commission Martín Guillermo stated that the EGTC find asymmetries and barriers. Recalling the CoR opinion on cross- José Antonio Ruiz de Casas, border labour mobility, he highlighted the need for statistics, enhancing the European Employment Services Policy Officer, Competence (EURES), commuting, and differences in language, salaries and social security. The EGTC can implement cross- centre for macro-regions and border tenders, employment, Services of General Interest and financial markets, make the projects sustainable territorial cooperation, Regional and overcome gaps. and Urban Policy DG, European Margarida Rodrigues presented the plan ‘ZASNET 2020’, which intends to implement the Europe 2020 Commission strategy, including the Single Market aspects. She informed about operational problems like opening a bank Martín Guillermo Ramírez, account for the EGTC in each of the countries involved, and the difficulties met by Spanish companies about Secretary General, Association the Portuguese requirements in public procurement. of European Border Regions José Luis Pascual gave two examples of barriers that can become political problems: 151 working contracts Margarida Rodrigues, Director, have only paid to the Spanish social security, and 98 public contracts of procurement pay taxes only in Spain. EGTC ‘ZASNET’, Portugal and This happens because all the legal acts must take place under the law of the country where the EGTC Spain ‘Duero-Douro’ has its headquarters, just because its value-added tax (VAT) number is Spanish. Zoltán Bara, Director, EGTC ‘Pons Zoltán Bára highlighted that the borders mean physical, administrative and financial barriers. He added the case Danubii’, Hungary and Slovakia of the VAT gap, and also the differences of criteria in cross-border cooperation programmes. The EGTC ‘Pons Danubii’ José Luis Pascual Criado, will work on cross-border cooperation actions, an Integrated Territorial Investment and cross-border services. Director, EGTC ‘Duero-Douro’, János Girán focused on the objectives of the EGTC ‘Pannon’ in enhancing the development of the area: Spain and Portugal “If we provide the conditions for the optimal background that are necessary for Single Market operation by János Girán, Director, EGTC using the local advantages, the investors would rather select the hubs of Pannon EGTC”. ‘Pannon’, Hungary and Slovenia Floor debate More information: Xoan Vázquez explained that the Euroregion Eixo Atlántico, that he represents, cannot become an EGTC www.cor.europa.eu/egtc because national rules impede the evolution. @egtcplatform Juan José Lirón, director of the EGTC Galicia-Norte de Portugal, insisted on the need for fiscal harmonisation (VAT gaps), and pointed out the problem of the lack of harmonisation between cross-border cooperation (CBC) programmes. The same CBC projects have three audits with diverging criteria.
Conclusions The representative of Internal Market and Services DG insisted on the clarity of the rules of the Single Market, inviting the EGTC to inform the Commission about the difficulties that they meet, including infringements. The chair concluded that the EGTC must be considered as an entity with full legal personality to all effects, particularly in the CBC programmes, and should be fully entrusted by their member authorities. Secondly, the EGTC Platform would like to be partners of the European Commission in overcoming the barriers to the Single Market.
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Regional financing in times of austerity – creating synergies for growth
Outline 09B08 This workshop looked at the state of local and regional finances in Europe in a crisis context. Participants 09 October 2013 discussed the potential of complementary or alternative funding mechanisms for local and regional authorities, 11:15-13:00 and examined ways of strengthening synergies between government budgets and public and private investments. Organiser: Committee of the Regions Debate (Unit E1) Isabelle Chatry presented the OECD’s work on subnational finances. She showed how budget austerity has affected subnational public expenditure, public investment, public debt and tax revenues in subnational Chair: entities. She also stressed several ways in which the economic and financial crisis has affected local and regional Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Member, authorities. In some countries, the institutional and territorial balance has been upset: transfer of powers between Committee of the Regions, levels of government that reflect the strengthening of federalism and/or decentralisation trends (e.g. France, Rapporteur on Synergies United Kingdom) or recentralisation trends (Hungary). between private investment and public funding at local Bernard Soulage explained that there is an important impact of the crisis on the finances of French regions. and regional levels, Member of Local and regional authorities (LRAs) are less indebted than the central government but have also suffered the the National Assembly for Wales consequences of the recession. Although they represent 60% of public investment, these LRAs have in some cases shouldered a disproportionate share of the cuts in public spending and investment. This has prevented Speakers: them from becoming engines for growth again. In this regard, he also stressed that the EU, with no debt, Isabelle Chatry, Senior Policy and LRAs, with little debt, are in a good position to kick-start the weak economy but paradoxically their funding Analyst, Regional Development is being reduced. Policy Division, Organisation for Economic Cooperation Rui Nuno Baleiras described the situation in Portugal in terms of the effect of austerity on local and regional and Development (OECD) budgets and on public investment. He emphasised that the regions are contributing to the reduction of the Bernard Soulage, Member, national public debt. Overall, subnational administrations are decreasing their public debt and are generating Committee of the Regions (CoR), a fiscal surplus. Public investment has suffered a great deal and has been the major fiscal adjustment variable. Vice-President of the Rhône- He also shared his view that economic sustainability is essential for any investment; investment projects have to Alpes regional council, Professor make sure they generate enough revenue for the investors so that money goes to the right projects. of Economics, Grenoble Institute of Political Studies Claire Dheret explained her views on the impact of the crisis on local and regional financing. She agreed Eugenia Kazamaki-Ottersten, that in principle any region with fiscal autonomy or highly predictable public revenue is better placed to Head of Division, Regional successfully implement recovery measures than others. She called for attention to be paid to the different and Urban Development, financing mechanisms existing at national level in each Member State, as they partly determine the room for European Investment Bank manoeuvre that LRAs have in terms of public spending. For its part, the EU must also facilitate the uptake of Claire Dhéret, Policy Analyst, Structural Funds, in particular by focusing on further reducing administrative burden. Europe’s Political Economy Programme, European Eugenia Kazamaki-Ottersten described how the EIB contributes to the LRA’s investments through its Policy Centre targeted programme and financial instruments. She stressed that the EIB is very active in the regions and is Rui Nuno Baleiras, Executive helping them to co-finance Structural Funds investments via its Structural Programme Loans, which is a very Member, Senior Board, flexible instrument for financing multi-scheme operations. She also pointed out that education, human capital, Portuguese Public Finance youth employment are all sectors that need particular financial assistance from the EIB at the regional level in Council order to restart economic growth in Europe. Thomas Wobben, Director, Horizontal Policies and Networks, Thomas Wobben pointed out that the CoR started cooperating more closely with the European Investment Committee of the Regions Bank (EIB) and the OECD this year. The main themes of this cooperation are the situation of subnational finances and the challenge of how to effectively finance the LRAs’ investments. A political dialogue on these matters has More information: also been established and is expected to continue in the future. www.cor.eu www.eib.org Conclusions www.oecd.org LRAs will be able to invest, raise money in the markets and achieve healthy growth again, but only if their public finances are sound and they make better use of the available resources (EU funds and instruments, EIB programmes, national grants, revenue-generating projects, fiscal capacity, etc.). However, this will only be possible if the fiscal adjustment dos not affect the core of their financing and their administrative capacity.
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Effective health investments with ESIF
09B09 Outline 09 October 2013 Health investments can benefit from European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) 2014-2020 support, for 11:15-13:00 instance, by contributing to territorial development, reducing health inequalities for poor regions and people, as well as transforming and reorganising health systems, to train their health workforce or to implement e-health Organiser: solutions. It was stressed that in order to increase efficient and cost-effective use of the ESIF in health, Member Health and Consumers DG, States and regions have to comply with the ex-ante conditionality on health entailing, among others, a strategic European Commission policy, including a mapping out of necessary infrastructure investments, budget and monitoring framework for health. A toolbox was presented that had been developed by a group of 12 Member States and the European Chair: Commission to help national and regional health authorities develop a systematised approach to the planning Andrzej Rys, Director, Health and management of ESIF investments in health. Two of the Members States presented their experience with systems and products, Health health investments through ESIF. The group worked as part of the ‘Reflection process on modern, responsive and Consumers DG, European and sustainable health systems’, which is held by the Council of the European Union Commission Debate Speakers: Charlina Vitcheva presented the future objectives and challenges of the ESIF investments in health. ESIF are Charlina Vitcheva, Director, meant to contribute to the Europe 2020 objectives and focus on 11 thematic objectives. Precondition is an Inclusive Growth, Urban overall strategic policy framework containing coordinated measures to improve access to quality healthcare and Territorial Development and systems for monitoring and review. This should provide framework for future investments, which should and Northern Europe, Regional be mapped out taking into account the demographic and territorial challenges. and Urban Policy DG, European Commission Barrie Dowdeswell presented the toolbox developed within the reflection process on health systems, which Barrie Dowdeswell, Director will help build capacities for planning, design and management of health investments under ESIF. Its aim is of Research, European Centre for to contribute to ensuring effective investments, as well as to strengthen Member States’ response to ex-ante Health Assets and Architecture, conditionalities, and establish a generic base for subsequent or parallel development of national planning, United Kingdom implementation and evaluation processes. Szilvia Palinkas, Expert, National Institute for Quality Szilvia Palinkas presented the Hungarian experience of project management in health. A strategic approach and Organisational Development to ESIF investment – such as advocated in the toolbox – improves outcomes and results in the longer term, and in Healthcare and Medicines, the management and implementation structure of a project has a big impact on how efficiently the funding is Hungary used. On the management level, the lessons learned were the need to enhance institutional capacity and that Edmund Skorvaga, Head project management should not be influenced by politics. of Department, Ministry of Health, Slovakia Edmund Skorvaga presented the Slovak experience of managing structural funds. He pointed at the identified shortcomings – the need for a strategic framework and the need for measurable indicators as lessons learned from the 2007-13 ESIF period. The Slovak priorities for the ESIF 2014-2020 funding are the network of primary healthcare centres and activities for outpatient care such as standardised clinical and prevention guidelines and programmes to increase the number of GPs.
Conclusions Andrzej Rys underlined the importance of increasing the effectiveness of health investments under ESIF. There is a need to invest smarter and to amplify the outcomes to maintain equitable and universal quality healthcare services. The Commission’s policy paper Investing in health recognises that the health expenditure is a contributor for growth and social cohesion and as such it is contributing to the Europe 2020 strategy. The ESIF can play a key role in that context. A tender action under the health programme will also further support Member States and build capacities within national health authorities from October 2013. “Health is a value in itself, but also a crucial component of economic success and social cohesion. Faced with the present realties of increase in chronic disease, the changes in demography coupled with the financial crises and the need to keep pace with innovative solutions the public authorities need a smarter approach to investing in health.” Andrzej Rys
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Water as a crucial resource: Synergies and cooperation
Outline 09B10 The workshop aimed at discussing how to cooperate and ensure synergies between different EU, national and 09 October 2013 regional policies and sources of funding on the specific focus of water, an economic resource. The workshop 14:30-17:00 set out to deal with three main policies: • water as a biological resource; Organiser: • water as a transport infrastructure; Veneto Region as lead partner • water as an opportunity for community development. of the conglomerate ‘Europe How is it possible to ensure synergies among different levels of governance on the specific topic of water? of traditions – Linking through What is the experience of the regions/cities taking part in this regional partnership? water’
Debate Chair: The workshop was opened by Francisco De Calheiros, who briefly introduced himself and the Consortium Francisco De Calheiros, MinhoIn that he represents. He then welcomed the speakers and the members of the Conglomerate ‘Europe Executive Coordinator, of traditions - linking through water’, stressing the common denominator that links all the cities and regions of Consortium MinhoIN, Portugal the partnership: water as a fundamental resource. Mr De Calheiros then presented the outline of the workshop and gave the floor to the speakers. Speakers: Roberto Ciambetti, Regional The first speaker was Roberto Ciambetti, who gave an overview on the main European historic routes during Minister, Budget, Local the Middle Ages, highlighting the role of Venice in commercial development. He then presented the blue Authorities and EFRD Funds growth strategy of the European Commission, together with the Connecting Europe Facility instrument, of the Veneto Region, Italy stressing the opportunities for maritime transport, one of the most important pillars for Veneto Region. Mr Klearchos Pergantas, President, Ciambetti also presented three EU-funded projects in the field of maritime transport that have been developed Sterea Ellada Region, Greece in the region in the last few years. Carlos Neves, President, CCDRN, North Portugal Region, Portugal President Klearchos Pergantas first introduced the profile of the Sterea Ellada Region before presenting Cesar Machado, Councillor the current situation of water resources and highlighting the large number of thermal springs. The planned for Sports, Municipality actions for the management and protection of the water resources have been presented to the public, but he of Guimarães, Portugal particularly stressed the importance of valorising the thermal springs. Marta Iglesias Bueno, Councillor, Province Carlos Neves then introduced the smart specialisation strategy for the North of Portugal Region that aims to of Pontevedra, Spain increase the energy efficiency of sea-related economic activities as well as increasing the share of renewables; Dino Babic, Official supporting innovative shipbuilding; promoting coastal tourism; creating sea highways in the area of sea Representative, Istria Region transport; and increasing the management of the ocean, especially in terms of security and control. in Brussels, Croatia
Cesar Machado drew the audience’s attention to the role of Guimaraes as the European City for Sport in 2013. More information: He presented several opportunities that the city offers, in particular those related to water sports, and presented www.regione.veneto.it/web/ a video that had been released to highlight all that the city offers. guest/sede-di-bruxelles www.stereaellada.gr Marta Iglesias Bueno presented the Province of Pontevedra and stressed how tourism is one of the driving www.ccdr-n.pt/pt/ccdr-n forces of the region, rooted in the several water resources available in the area. Apart from the natural parks www.cm-guimaraes.pt and rivers, Pontevedra relies on several nautical activities. For these reasons, the Province of Pontevedra aims at www.depo.es coordinating its strategy with initiatives at national and European level. www.istra-istria.hr www.pula.hr Dino Babic talked about the city of Pula, one of the most important cities of the Istria Region. Istria, but Pula in particular, is surrounded by the sea and consequently is largely dependent on water resources. Tourism is undoubtedly one of the pillars of the city and the region’s economy, but the city faces many of the challenges that other similar areas face, such as high urbanisation in the coastal areas.
Conclusions The moderator drew general conclusions from the speakers’ interventions and underlined common problems among the different local authorities participating. He encouraged the participants to work together and exchange best practices to face common problems. All the speakers agreed on the added value of acting together as they face similar issues on water management, water transport and tourism in the coastal areas.
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The importance of networks in ETC, with a particular focus on interregional cooperation – bridging time, territories and topics
09B11 Outline 09 October 2013 With the new programming period ahead, ensuring continuity is crucial to achieving the Europe 2020 14:30-17:00 long-term goals and the sustainable implementation of project findings. Continuity can be guaranteed by well-functioning networks of national, regional and local organisations. The focus here was therefore on the Organiser: importance of multilevel networks to bridge time, territories and topics by creating cooperation and synergies. Ministry of Economic Affairs, To this end, the partnership presented the INTERREG IVC Mini-Programme ‘Brain Flow’ and the networks that it Energy and Industry of the State creates through its strategic approach at regional level and its operational approach on sub-project level, which of North Rhine- Westphalia, gathers over 30 organisations involved in its implementation. Germany After a short outline of the mini-programme’s main contents and structures, a presentation was made on ‘Brain Moderator: Flow’. The network analysis was done by an external researcher, Christina Minniberger, via questionnaires Tim Schlüter, Germany which were sent to all the ‘Brain Flow’ partner regions. Mrs Minniberger’s findings highlight the specific network situation in ‘Brain Flow’, the intensity and importance of contacts between partners, the amount of new Speakers: connections gained as well as the amount of connections re-vitalised through the mini-programme. In total, 92 Dr Michael Henze, Head of connections were observed of which 46 were newly established in the realm of ‘Brain Flow’. On average, every Department, Structural Policy, partner region developed six new contacts thanks to the network. While the intensity of cooperation is higher SMEs and skilled trades, Ministry the closer the partners are to each other geographically, this link between geographic closeness and intensity of Economic Affairs, Energy and is not perpetuated in the importance of the exchange of experience. Industry of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany This aspect was also highlighted by Paul Nemes when presenting his region ‘Värmland’ as a case study Ilka Meisel, INTERREG IVC progressing from a small player in the realm of the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR) to a big Coordinator, EUREGIO Rhein- player in the realm of ‘Brain Flow’ through the networks it has developed over the years. Mr Nemes underlined Waal/Rijn-Waal seconded to the that better networks lead to better cooperation which in turn lead to better outputs and regional policies that Ministry of Economic Affairs, had an immense effect on his region. Energy and Industry of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, In interactive sessions, the participants were asked to follow the workshop process every step of the way by Germany discussing in small groups the benefits of a network analysis, its possible hindrances and obstacles, the ways Paul Nemes, Head of of improving their own networks and the contributions taken from the workshop for future implementation. International Secretariat, The moderator gathered the small discussion groups’ opinions and fed them back to the speakers, creating Värmland County Administrative a highly interactive learning session. Board, Sweden Christina Minniberger, Conclusions Researcher, Leibniz Institute The moderator concluded that all participants were highly interested in the topic of networks in ETC and for Regional Development and more specifically INTERREG IVC, and that the idea of scientifically analysing the network effects the European Structural Planning, Germany Territorial Cooperation (ETC) projects have was quite innovative and inspiring for most of the participants. He (Owing to the last minute also pointed out that the analysis could be broadened to encompass a set of qualitative indicators to deepen unavailability of Mrs Minniberger the learning effect of network usage and network improvement. due to sickness, the presentation was delivered by Dr Frans Coenen, Head of Department, Twente Centre for Studies in “One thing is absolutely clear: applying a single- Technology and Sustainable minded ‘me on top’ strategy neither leads Development at the University of Twente.) to the adjustment of interregional differences in Europe nor strictly adheres to obsolete national More information: www.brain-flow.eu/news- customs and habits.” events/PastEvents/ Dr Michael Henze
64 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
The maritime and fluvial borders: sharing regional experiences
Outline 09B12 This workshop aimed to share different European cross-border experiences around rivers and seas, through the 09 October 2013 exchange of good practices. Participants heard about the construction of infrastructures and the strengthening 14:30-17:00 of the tourism sector in the Guadiana River; the activities of cross-border sustainable environmental education developed by the Bavarian forest Euroregion; how the Euroregion Meuse-Rhine has achieved a governance Organiser: system for water management and climate change; and the actions implemented for strengthening the Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucía Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve between Spain and Morocco. Euroregion, Spain-Portugal
Debate Chair: David Jorge Mascarenhas talked about the regions of Algarve and Andalusia, later joined by the region of Martín Guillermo Ramírez, Alentejo, which have over 20 years of experience in cross-border cooperation. The first Cooperation Protocol AEBR Secretary-General, was signed in 1995 and then updated in 2010, creating the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucia. The Germany cooperation has contributed greatly towards developing this border area and their institutions. Lower Guadiana has been at the core of the cooperation in these territories. Speakers: Alfred Evers reported on the Task Force Water Governance, which has been the lead partner of different David Jorge Mascarenhas dos water-management projects. It can be considered as a vehicle to bridge the present and the future when new Santos, President, Euroregion programmes for cross-border water management activities will be available in 2014. The aim of this task force Alentejo Algarve Andalucía, is to continue the existing partnerships and to enhance new ones, to organise meetings, to offer a breeding Portugal ground for new project ideas and to initiate proposals matching the new programmes. Alfred Evers, Coordinator, Since 2004 the Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR) has successfully applied for INTERREG funds in the field of cross- Task Force Water Governance in border cooperation, water management and water governance. Kaspar Sammer reported that the Task Force border regions – Euregio Water Governance in border regions is an initiative of the Euregio Meuse Rhine. Its main goal is to strengthen Meuse-Rhine, The Netherlands knowledge and cross-border cooperation among public authorities, non-governmental organisations and Kaspar Sammer, EUREGIO private companies, which are active in the water sector. Bayerischer Wald, Böhmerwald, Fernando Molina Vázquez explained about the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve shared Unterer Inn Manage, Germany by Spain and Morocco, which was established and officially designated in 2006. Supported by Unesco and the Fernando Molina Vázquez, EU, these cross-border reserves are considered as essential elements for cooperation among territories, for the Manager, Department for the preservation of natural and cultural resources from both shores of the Straits of Gibraltar, and for a sustainable Coordination of the Network economic development of territories from the south of Europe and north Morocco. of Protected Natural Areas of Celia Rosell Martí outlined the Guadiana development, which represents the main objective of the Andalbagua Andalusia, Andalusian Regional project. Together with the integrated economic development, the dredging and navigability of this river is the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing immediate EuroAAA (Eurorregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucia) objective for the period 2014-2020. and Environment, Spain José Simao explained that the Port of Sines is an open deep-water sea port in Sines, Portugal. The port and its Celia Rosell Martí, Head industrial and logistics zones are in an area greater than 2,000 ha. Within the scope of the Portuguese logistical of Department, Institutional system, the port is integrated within the national urban platform of Porceirão, as well as the Elvas/Caia platform. Relations and Interregional The integrated port has liquid bulk, petrochemical, multipurpose and liquefied natural gas terminals. Cooperation, Regional The Roer and Overmaas Regional Water Authority is responsible for flood prevention and for clean and sufficient Government of Andalusia, Spain water. Frank Heijens explained that they are responsible for the water in the streams, lakes, pools, springs and José Simao, IT Planning Director, near-surface groundwater of the Maas and Roer region in the south of the Province of Limburg (Eijsden and Port of Sines, Portugal Maastricht to Roermond). Its responsibilities include preventing floods and protecting the embankments of the Frank Heijens, Hydrologist, Maas, controlling the musk rats, providing a sufficient supply of water and the management of groundwater. Waterschap Roer en overmaas, The Mosa Pura is a research project dealing with floating litter in the River Maas. Gijsbert Tweehuysen The Netherlands explained that the research forms the exploratory phase of the overarching Mosa Pura project, which aims Gijsbert Tweehuysen, Project at cleaning the River Maas by 2020. Mosa Pura is Latin for ‘clean Maas’. The aim of the research is to perform a Manager, Mosa Pura project, prospective study into the presence of litter in the River Maas, to characterise this litter and link it to events in The Netherlands the river basin (rainstorms, melting snow, etc.). Andreas Sperling, Manager, Joint sustainable environmental education in the Danube Valley, Germany INTERREG project Bavarian- Through this common cross-border project, Andreas Sperling said that a sustainable education in terms of Austria 2007-13 ‘Joint sustainable natural resources in the Danube valley and its current changes will be developed. This knowledge transfer leads environmental education in the to further acceptance of the natural resources and strengthens the common regional identity. Danube Valley’, Germany
Conclusions More information: The moderator concluded that the cross-border cooperation is not only a successful experience in the www.euroaaa.eu European cohesion policy but a good example for other non-EU countries. Cross-border river experiences can be exchanged in projects in the next programming period and continue to demonstrate that terrain features, like rivers or the sea, can represent the potential drivers of cross-border cooperation between territories.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 65 Workshops Synergies and cooperation
EU financial Instruments (COSME, Horizon 2020, CEF) and European Structural and Investment Funds
09B13 Outline 09 October 2013 The workshop aimed at presenting and discussing future financial instruments implemented under EU 14:30-17:00 programmes such as Horizon 2020, COSME or the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and how these instruments can be used by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in the next programming period as delivery Organiser: platforms for investments made with resources provided by ESIF programmes to achieve the objectives. Regional and Urban Policy DG, Emphasis was set on their complementarity at the European and regional levels and on their added-value in European Commission the context of the Europe 2020 strategy and the Common Strategic Framework for cohesion policy. Practical questions on how to contribute ESI Funds to EU-level instruments were discussed, such as market Chair: failure identification, financial intermediaries’ role, co-financing rates for EU-level instruments, evaluation of the Antonio Goncalves, Head benefits for the final recipients and payments from managing authorities to the EU-level instruments. of Unit (B3), Regional and Urban Policy DG, European Commission Conclusions The moderator concluded that this debate had increased the amount of information and understanding on Speakers: how the financial instruments will work during the next programming period. In particular, it stressed the link Vladimir Bilek, Programme and complementarity between the European Structural and Investment Funds and EU-level funds. He made it Manager, L2, Economic clear how important it was for stakeholders and regions to be involved from today in the construction of the and Financial Affairs, future programming. The ESI Funds are an opportunity to get out of the crisis, recreate growth, and support European Commission inclusive and sustainable development. But to succeed we need contributions from all the best projects, the Jean-David Malo, Head of Unit, most efficient ones, with the greatest results in terms of jobs and sustainability for the lowest cost. C3, Horizon 2020 instrument, If we want to envisage the contribution of regional programmes to an EU-level instrument, it is the right Research and Innovation DG, moment because of the following: European Commission • Partnership Agreements and Operational Programmes are under preparation; George Lemonidis, Deputy • Ex-ante assessment for ESI Fund programmes are starting; Head of Unit, D3: COSME • EU-level instrument term-sheets and characteristics are under preparation; instrument, Enterprise • Designation of entrusted entities for EU-level instruments will be done soon. and Industry DG, European Commission Emmanuelle Guiheneuf, Policy Officer, E1: Programme “Important advantages are that operational for employment and social programme contributions to an EU-level innovation (EaSI), Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG, instrument will provide managing authorities European Commission with a risk-free delivery vehicle, no set-up costs and Martin Ubelhoer, Policy Officer, B5: Connecting Europe delays, and which can be co-financed by up Facility (CEF), Communications to 100% by the ERDF.” Networks, Content Antonio Goncalves and Technology DG, European Commission
More information: Cohesion Policy 2014-2020: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ what/future/index_en.cfm#12 Financial instruments: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ sources/docgener/panorama/ pdf/mag43/mag43_en.pdf Horizon 2020: ec.europa.eu/research/ horizon2020/index_en.cfm COSME : access2eufinance.ec.europa.eu/ CEF: ec.europa.eu/energy/mff/facility/ connecting_europe_en.htm
66 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Synergies and cooperation
The post-2015 global development agenda: The role of local and regional authorities
Outline 10B01 With the deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaching, discussions are 10 October 2013 underway for drawing up a future global development agenda post-2015 with a better coherence between 11:15-13:00 poverty eradication and sustainable development. In its resolution on the future approach to ending poverty and giving the world a sustainable future, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) underlined the need to Organiser: implement a global partnership for development, which involves all stakeholders. As recognised by the July Committee of the Regions – 2013 Council conclusions, local authorities at different levels play an important role in the provision of basic Decentralised Cooperation services, supporting inclusive growth and increased social cohesion. Consequently, they have a major impact for Development on the outcome of the future framework. This workshop focused on the participation of local and regional authorities (LRAs) in the post-2015 process. Chair: Mercedes Bresso, First Debate Vice-President of the Committee Mercedes Bresso emphasised the strong commitment of the CoR to actively take part in shaping the post- of the Regions, Councillor 2015 agenda and underlined the role of LRAs in service provision and beyond, relating to a green economy of the Piedmont Region, Italy with decent jobs, human rights, democracy and fighting corruption. She illustrated the key impact of LRAs for the success or failure of the future global development agenda in the light of goals and targets suggested Speakers: by the UN High Level Panel of Eminent Persons and highlighted the need for them to dispose of adequate Moraig Henderson, Deputy capacities, competences and resources in order to be able to fully play their role in view of the new framework Director, United Nations post-2015. Development Programme Brussels Office Moraig Henderson gave an outline on the proposals of the UN High Level Panel Report for a post-2015 Giovanni Mastrogiacomo, development framework. She underlined the importance of local authorities bridging between governments, Policy Coordinator for the communities and citizens, and highlighted the multiplier effect of cross-cutting issues such as water. Post-2015 Agenda, EuropeAid She emphasised the need to ensure ownership by all and the shared responsibility in implementation of Development and Cooperation development policy between different levels of governance from local to global entities. DG, European Commission Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, Deputy Starting out from the shortcomings of the MDGs in terms of a top-down approach and sectoral focus, Giovanni Executive Director, United Mastrogiacomo focused on the new territorial approach to development, which involves increased participation Nations Human Settlements of citizens in the decision-making, strengthened democratic ownership and public sector accountability. Programme (UN-Habitat) He detailed the essential role of local authorities for development activities as regards, among others, equity, Christophe Rouillon, Member resilience and situations of fragility or conflict, and underlined the EU’s determination to move into a more of the Committee of the Regions, strategic engagement with local authorities in partner countries. Mayor of Coulaines, France
With half the world population urbanised and linked challenges increasing, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira focused More information: on the crucial role of a sustainable pattern of urbanisation for the success of the post-2015 framework and cor.europa.eu/portal confirmed the UN High Level Panel’s statement that ‘cities are where the battle for sustainable development will be won or lost’. Ms Kirabo further highlighted the role of UN Habitat to facilitate the voice of local government authorities and referred to the achievements made in Afghanistan thanks to its contribution.
Referring to the newly adopted CoR opinion on ‘Empowering local authorities in partner countries’, Christophe “In a country without Rouillon reiterated the call to closely involve LRAs in formulating the post-2015 development agenda. The example of France – with 5,000 LRAs actively engaged in partnerships with 10,000 LRAs abroad and local democracy, over 12,000 projects of decentralised cooperation in 147 countries in 2013 – showcased the considerable we should doubt if there experience of LRAs in strengthening capacities through the exchange of experience. Mr Rouillon pointed to is democracy the CoR’s quality forums such as ARLEM and CORLEAP, as well as the portal of decentralised cooperation which facilitated such cooperation. at national level.” Mercedes Bresso Conclusions Giving an outlook to 2015, Mercedes Bresso reiterated the CoR’s support for a ‘European Year for Development’. At the end of the workshop, a memorandum of understanding between the CoR and UN-Habitat was signed.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 67 Workshops Synergies and cooperation
Workshops
EGTC: Approaching smart solutions?
10B02 Outline 10 October 2013 Can the existing experiences in Europe confirm that the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) 11:15-13:00 is not just a new level in multilevel governance, but also a genuinely useful operative tool for dealing with cross-border problems? With the purpose of tackling this topic, four EGTCs presented some examples Organiser: of networking across borders, differentiating between regional and urban perspectives, and discussing the Veneto Region trans-regional point of view of the matter. Martìn Guillermo moderated a workshop in which the speakers first focused on the exchange of experiences, Chair: explaining the history of the EGTCs and their achievements. Afterwards they discussed, together with the Martìn Guillermo, Secretary audience, the main areas in which this cooperation tool presents critical aspects and how they could be tackled. General, Association of the European Border Regions (AEBR), Debate Spain Stefano Beltrame introduced the discussion retracing the history of the European cross-border cooperation and the reasons why three territories – the regions of Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Carinthia – started to Speakers: work together and how this collaboration ended up in the creation of the EGTC ‘EUREGIO without borders’ Stefano Beltrame, Director, on 27 November 2012. Given the consolidated joint effort in the North Adriatic, in the Alpine area and in Veneto Region Brussels Office, Central Europe since 2007, the EGTC will soon be opened to Slovenia, to the Region of Istria and the Region of Italy Primorsko-Goranska. Stef Vande Meulebroucke, General Director, EGTC Stef Vande Meulebroucke described the territorial composition of the EGTC Eurometropolis Lille-Kortrijk- Eurometropolis (Lille-Kortrijk- Tournai, situated in the heart of Europe between France and Belgium, which was characterised by the principles Tournai), Belgium of unanimity, double parity and bilingualism. Its main objectives consist of erasing the border obstacles, still Challenges and solutions Juan José Lirón Lago, Director, present in the citizens’ daily lives, and creating and implementing a common metropolitan strategy. The EGTC’s EGTC Galicia - Norte Portugal concrete actions involve several domains, such as culture, tourism, mobility, health, special planning and (GNP-AECT), Spain sustainable development, economy, employment and education. Sandra Sodini, Director, EGTC-GO (Gorizia, Nova Gorica, Juan José Lirón Lago introduced the EGTC Galicia - Norte Portugal, retracing the steps of collaboration between Šempeter-Vrtojba), Italy the two regions from 1991 until today. Its main goals are adding value to the Euro-regional entrepreneurial base Debora Serrachiani, President, by promoting competition through knowledge and innovation, developing the access to the basic transport Autonomous Region of Friuli systems and increasing Euro-regional social and institutional cohesion. The EGTC GNP is particularly active in Venezia Giulia, Italy the institutional cooperation at local level, in tourism, in the labour market and in business cooperation. Herwig Seiser, Klubobmann, Region of Carinthia, Austria Sandra Sodini described the troubled history of the territory of the EGTC formed by the three neighbouring cities of Gorizia (Italy), Nova Gorica and Šempeter-Vrtojba (Slovenia). The strategic plan of this EGTC aims at More information: building a sense of citizenship by tackling different issues, such as transport, energy, culture, urban planning, www.regione.veneto.it/web/ health and youth policies. The main topics on which this EGTC is working are the common heritage represented programmi-comunitari/ by the River Isonzo/Soča, the realisation of a unique maternity hospital and the improvement of an urban euroregione mobility that still presents some past features. www.eurometropolis.eu www.gnpaect.eu Debora Serracchiani gave a valuable contribution to the discussion expressing her point of view on the www.euro-go.eu EGTC as a fundamental tool of cooperation and on how it could be improved, especially considering the great involvement of the European institutions in the definition of its characteristics and its domains. “The challenge we seized with the EGTC is Herwig Seiser expressed his great interest in the cooperation among the Region of Carinthia and the two Italian regions of the EGTC ‘EUREGIO without borders’, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. This tool has strengthened to give form, tools and the link created during the past years of collaboration in the realisation of many projects. modern means to an Conclusions ancient vocation, to The moderator concluded by summarising some critical aspects that emerged from the discussion between a story that has been the speakers and the audience: the central issue was that the EGTCs should be consulted more by the European institutions when it comes to the definition of this tool and its functionalities. Moreover, the EGTC is not very common for centuries well known in the territories that are involved in it, together with the concrete advantages that it can produce and which can now for the population. It emerged that the different languages and geographical configurations of the regions involved, as much as the dissimilar classification of the regional territories and the different jurisdictional continue without barriers, systems, are among the main technical problems that the EGTCs have to face. without borders.” Stefano Beltrame
68 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops
Challenges and solutions Workshops Challenges and solutions
Innovation Policies in European Regions
08UNIV01 Outline 08 October 2013 The workshop has evaluated the potential of European regions for smart innovation. Innovation policies will 09.00-10.45 need to address social and political challenges if aiming at improving social welfare by knowledge-based smart innovation. Sustainable economic growth and social cohesion are thus mutually enforcing objectives. Organiser: The workshop starts from the premise that the creation of new ideas and practices depends on a regional Otto-von-Guericke University environment that is conducive to innovation. The political and socioeconomic context is decisive for innovation Magdeburg, Germany to flourish and for actors at the regional level to find answers that ‘fit’ regional needs.
Chair: Conclusions Prof. Dr Wolfgang Renzsch, The chair person concluded that innovation cannot any longer be considered as a linear process but as a Otto-von-Guericke University, systemic approach. The activities of actors in politics, economy, civil society and academia are interrelated Magdeburg, Germany and influence each other. The political, economic and social frameworks of the actors have to be taken into account as enabling and limiting circumstances for the creation and development of innovative potentials. Speakers: Innovation flourishes (or withers away) in specific spatial environments. Innovation therefore is territorial, not Prof. Ireneusz Paweł only nationally, but is also regionally determined. Karolewski, University of Wroclaw, Poland Dr Mario Kölling, Foundation Manuel Giménez Abad, Spain “We are as confused as before but on a much Prof. Jonathan Bradbury, higher level now.” Swansea University, Wolfgang Renzsch United Kingdom Prof. Dr Thomas Marmefelt, University of Södertörn, Sweden
70 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
The state of decentralisation in Europe
Outline 08UNIV02 Decentralisation is a global trend. Since the 1980s, there has been a strong tendency to decentralise, with 08 October 2013 most countries adopting some form of decentralisation. The main driver for this has been the process of 11:15-13:00 democratisation in large parts of the world (including post-Communist Europe), bringing with it demands by local communities to control their own resources in accordance with local needs and priorities. Organiser: The economic and financial crisis has proved to be a catalyst for change. In some Member States, it has served as E1 unit – Forward Planning, a justification to centralise powers and (financial) resources. In other countries, it has provided the opportunity Studies and Academic Networks, to decentralise and to rethink the division of competences among the different levels of governance. Committee of the Regions
Debate Chair: Vladimir Kissiov stressed the fact that before elections all politicians tend to be in favour of decentralisation and Béatrice Taulègne, Deputy- delegation of powers. Then, once in power, they tend to keep resources and levers of authority to themselves. Director, Horizontal Policies and He also pointed out to the variety of local government traditions that we have in Europe, which determine Networks, Committee of the different starting points and eventual outcomes of decentralisation reforms. He emphasised the possibilities of Regions strengthening cooperation with regional associations and the Council of Europe as regards decentralisation in Europe, and said that the CoR was planning to create an Observatory of the Divisions of Powers within the EU in the near future. Speakers: Vladimir Kissiov, CoR Rui Nuno Baleiras introduced the newly created Portuguese Public Finance Council. He insisted that one Member, Vice-President, CIVEX of the major goals of this governmental initiative was to provide transparent information, in order to make Commission, Committee of the better fiscal decisions. Another objective was to provide evidence-based input regarding the implementation Regions of financial/economic decisions. He shared his opinion that, at least at the central level, there was a certain Dr Rui Nuno Baleiras, degree of prejudice against decentralising more powers and resources towards the 308 municipalities, as this Executive Member, Portuguese act was perceived as harmful for fiscal discipline. Public Finance Council, Lisbon, Portugal Daniel Popescu’s main point was that gradually “local democracy has to become an EU value”. The process Daniel Popescu, Head, of decentralisation had, in fact, never stopped across the continent; it was only slowed down by the current Centre of Expertise for Local crisis. Nevertheless, he hinted at the fact that many of the so-called ‘decentralisation reforms’ carried out within Government Reform, the 47 Council of Europe Member States posed risks, as national governments were devolving responsibilities Council of Europe and (certain) powers without really supplying local and regional authorities with the necessary administrative Piotr Żuber, Advisor to the and fiscal resources. Thus, the problem of delegitimising the current process was relatively high. Polish Minister of Regional Development, Ministry of Piotr Żuber agreed with the previous speakers but insisted that, from a government point of view, Regional Development, Poland decentralisation was seen as a problem. This was due to two factors: many countries saw decentralisation Dr Arjan H. Schakel, as a long-term political problem, and decentralisation reforms failed to produce tangible results in many EU Assistant Professor, Department Member States and elsewhere. of Political Science, University of A relative oblivion happening at the supranational level was also the result of the current intense debate among Maastricht, The Netherlands Member States and EU institutions regarding the future balance of ‘competences’ and ‘powers’. In this context, the role of institutions such as the Committee of the Regions and the Council of Europe could be more More information: pronounced and, ultimately, effective. www.cor.europa.eu/ divisionpowers Arjan H. Schakel took the opportunity to present original research regarding the Regional Authority Index and some historical comparison of voters’ participation in European and local elections across the EU-28 Member “Local democracy has States. Many of the results were counterintuitive and in favour of more consistent decentralisation efforts within the EU. Dr Schakel concluded that well-calibrated decentralisation reforms, which were also supported by gradually become the European institutions, could lead to a successful closing of the ‘democratic deficit’ gap in the EU. an EU value. The process Conclusions of decentralisation had The moderator concluded by presenting a recent CoR study on the ‘Division of Powers’ and the institution’s in fact never stopped future projects related to the creation of an Observatory of the Divisions of Powers within the EU. She also emphasised the importance of building lasting cooperation with regional associations, academia, Member across the continent; States and the Council of Europe on these issues. it was only slowed down by the current economic crisis.” Daniel Popescu
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 71 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Regional crisis diplomacy or a crisis of regional diplomacy? How has the crisis affected regional EU relations in order to get the best out of the EU?
08UNIV04 Outline 08 October 2013 The European financial crisis has severe implications for the European economy and for the regions of Europe. 14:30-17:00 Regional policy-makers have increasingly devoted considerable time, effort and even diplomatic activity towards addressing any consequences. This workshop considered whether the financial crisis – in the context Organiser: of the EU’s evolving policy agenda – has spurred regional actors to adopt new specific forms of regional Political Science, Karlstad activities in order to meet pressures emanating from the financial crisis and beyond. And if so, whether any University, Sweden increased regional awareness and action, seeking to diplomatically develop relations with the EU, constitutes new forms of regional crisis diplomacy. The workshop also considered how such innovative approaches may Moderator: enable regional actors to ‘get the best out of the EU’, and concluded that regional actors should focus on Dr Helen Drake, Professor of diplomatic solutions meeting the twin challenges of growth and innovation, alongside crisis and resilience, in French and European Studies, relation to the financial crisis. Loughborough University, Chair, University Association for Debate Contemporary European Studies The discussion revolved around how European regional elites deal with the economic crisis, and to what extent (UACES), United Kingdom their activities represent a form of regional crisis diplomacy. While the role of the EU was recognised, regions have different constitutional and political contexts, affecting their ability to ‘get the best out of the EU’. The Speakers: importance of smarter balances between top-down demands and bottom-up activities are an important Dr Romain Pasquier, element. For regional actors, they may choose whether to engage in deeper forms of regional diplomacy, Senior Researcher, University involving broader policy fields. of Rennes, France, Research Director, National Center for Romain Pasquier introduced the concept of regional diplomacy as part of the process of Europeanisation. Scientific Research (CNRS), To develop more proactive strategies towards the EU, regional actors may utilise different tools, such as France, Member, Research Centre information dissemination, networking and exerting political influence. The crisis may impact upon their for Political Action in Europe effectiveness, as well as affecting the beliefs of regional elites towards European integration; it may also increase (CRAPE), France differences between European regions as a consequence of how regional leaders choose to act on the crisis. Dr Lee Miles, Professor of Political Science, Karlstad Lee Miles identified three choices for regional actors when addressing two interlinked pervasive challenges University, Sweden, of the crisis. The first challenge focuses on enhancing innovation and growth, while the second concerns crisis Co-Director, Centre for the Study management and strengthening the capacity for resilience. Regional actors may choose to, on the one hand, of International Governance seek increased access to EU resources; while, on the other, the crisis may prompt decreased regional activity as (CSIG), Loughborough University, regional resources become more constrained. Regional actors may also need to be smarter and adopt more United Kingdom balanced forms of regional crisis diplomacy. Dr Marius Guderjan, Senior Research Assistant, Marius Guderjan identified three important elements that determine the level of regional engagement in Manchester Metropolitan the EU after the crisis: people, power and polity, which refers to individual, political and institutional resources. University, United Kingdom In North Rhine-Westphalia, where there are stable regional institutions, decentralised power and dedicated Marta Marin Sanches, Director actors, ‘business as usual’ can be expected. In the North West of England, which is experiencing a situation of of Basque Country Regional institutional instability and political transition, a more problematic relationship towards the EU is likely in the future. Office in Brussels, Belgium As a practitioner from the Basque country, Marta Marin Sanches discussed various policy solutions and More information: regional activities that strengthen regional resilience to economic crises. In the Basque country, there has been www.kau.se/en/political-science/ a movement towards a new economic culture based on industrial diversification, internationalisation, quality regact and technological innovation, supported by increasingly strategic, comprehensive and programmatic activities at the EU level by Basque actors. The Basque country has, in particular, used its own tax system to facilitate the implementation of a more proactive strategy.
Conclusions Helen Drake concluded that “we have today considered new ways of thinking about how regions and regional actors respond to, and have responded to, the financial crises, and have made important steps in outlining new ways for regional actors to think about ‘getting the best out of the EU’. A key element in the workshop has been the need for a stronger focus on ‘diplomatic strategy’ and strategic thinking among European regional elites. Above all, let us hope that regional policy-makers will place added value on the importance of regional diplomacy as part of their strategies towards the European Union.”
72 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
The emerging role of mid-sized cities in European and OECD development
Outline 08UNIV05 Mid-sized cities are emerging as playing a new role in many parts of the world. Across the OECD, there is much 08 October 2013 evidence that mid-sized cities and intermediate regions are accounting for an increasingly greater share of 14:30-17:00 economic growth. These effects are particularly marked in Western Europe but there appears to be evidence of these trends in many parts of the OECD. As such, it is essential to consider exactly what we mean by mid- Organiser: sized cities in the context of their national economies. In addition, many such cities are also increasingly seen Regional and Urban Policy DG/ as being test beds for new innovations related to the environment, energy, transportation and housing. These Regional Studies Association innovations also have related institutional and governance implications, all of which will be examined in this special session. Chair: Prof. Michael Parkinson, Debate Director, European Institute Lewis Dijkstra pointed out in his presentation that mid-sized cities play an important role as regional centres for Urban Affairs, Liverpool and present an alternative to large city investment. The specialisation of such cities does, however, increase John Moores University, United the vulnerability to sectoral shock or downturn. As a solution, mid-sized cities need to organise the sharing of Kingdom higher urban functions and ensure that they remain attractive, alternative locations for business or research. Speakers: Monica Brezzi explained that in the intra-metropolitan context, potential policy issues concern the efficiency Prof. Dr Frank Van Oort, of land use, environmental concerns, and transport and public services. On a regional level potential policy Professor of Urban Economics, issues are networks of cities and the variety of consumption possibilities. It was pointed out that history and Utrecht University, politics also need to be taken into account when looking at urban development. The Netherlands Monica Brezzi, Head, Prof. Dr Frank Van Oort pointed out that measurement issues exist, which result in conflicting empirical Regional Analysis and Statistics outcomes. His research found that smaller cities neighbouring large cities can benefit by borrowing functions Unit, Office of Economic from the large city and thus these smaller cities do not need to develop all the functions themselves. In Cooperation and Development conclusion, economic growth of mid-sized urban regions is about networks and diversification. (OECD) Directorate for Public Governance and Territorial Development, France Lewis Dijkstra, Deputy Head, Analysis Unit, Regional and Urban Policy DG, European Commission
More information: www.regionalstudies.org
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 73 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Challenges of energy data collection in setting up Sustainable Energy Action Plans
08C01 Outline 07 October 2013 The workshop was part of the MANERGY project (‘Central Europe’ programme), which aims to reduce 09:00-10:45 greenhouse gas (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 Organiser: if target measures are realistic and well-defined; moreover, in setting targets, it is vital to calculate current South Transdanubian Regional emissions. The most significant obstacles hindering this task are the lack of energy data and expertise. The Development Agency workshop therefore highlighted the importance of supporting quality data collection, ensuring that SEAPs will be realisable. Chair: Kristina Dely, Head of Covenant Debate of Mayors Office, Belgium William Gillett gave a complex overview on the financial and organisational background of Sustainable Energy Action Plan preparation and related data collection tasks. He pointed out that 33 Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) Speakers: projects and 80 IEE energy agencies help local and regional authorities to prepare SEAPs. Regarding the next William Gillett, Head of Unit, few years, IEE III will continue the IEE II activities within Horizon 2020, which will also be supported by the Renewable Energy, Executive Covenant of Mayors (CoM) and ManagEnergy initiatives. Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, European Balázs Borkovits introduced the MANERGY project, financed by the ‘Central Europe’ programme. MANERGY Commission analysed the energy consumption and regional energy sources of local municipalities in six regions, elaborated Balázs Borkovits, Coordinator, regional energy concepts and broke down these concepts to the local level. On this basis, MANERGY prepared MANERGY project, Senior Project local energy action plans (mostly SEAPs) for 18 target areas, and also organised the adhesion of 18 Hungarian Manager, South Transdanubian and three Italian municipalities to the CoM. As a possible solution for quality data collection he mentioned the Regional Development Agency, integration of energy agencies into smart metering systems. Hungary Marcello Antinucci, Energy Marcello Antinucci presented how Italian energy agencies obtain data on energy consumption within the Policy Expert, Ecuba Srl, former whole municipal territory, by source and end use. Data can be collected by bottom-up (from local databases) director, Energy Agency Modena, or top-down (breaking down national and regional data) methods. It is useful to commit a person to report Italy periodically. He also introduced how data management of municipal properties should be organised, and how Ivan Žagar, Mayor of Slovenska the GHG emissions for each action can be calculated and monitored. Bistrica municipality, Slovenia Leonardo Colucci, TECLA Europa, Ivan Žagar introduced the national and regional level energy agencies and related legislations of Slovenia. Italy While presenting the experiences of the local energy concept for Slovenska Bistrica, he mentioned that difficulties Ulrich Leopold, Senior have arisen in obtaining data due to disinterest or expensive databases. He found it problematical that the law Researcher in Geocomputation, in Slovenia determines what to include in energy concepts but it does not define who can produce them. Public Research Centre Henri For this reason, implementing the monitored concepts does not work efficiently. Tudor, Luxembourg Leonardo Colucci presented possible financial models for SEAP implementation, mainly focusing on Energy More information: Performance Contracting (EPC). He introduced four models for EPC the ‘first in, first out’, ‘shared savings’ and www.manergyproject.eu/ ‘guaranteed savings’ solutions; and analysed the advantages and risks of EPCs. He also gave an overview on the node/353 European Energy Efficiency Fund, which is an innovative public-private partnership aimed at mitigating climate changes through ‘market-based’ financing in the EU.
Ulrich Leopold presented a GIS-based modelling software, which supports the experts in the elaboration of SEAPs from a technical point of view. The iGUESS software is an output of an INTERREG IVB project, which involves urban stakeholders, starting with frontrunners, and adds energy as a geospatial layer to urban planning. The open-source platform can be used by any city.
Conclusions Kristina Dely concluded by saying that preparing SEAPs ensure that local municipalities will efficiently contribute to the achievement of the energy targets of the Europe 2020 strategy. Collecting reliable, detailed data and defining ambitious but realistic actions is crucial in SEAPs where the activities can be supported by the energy agencies, including the introduced financial and technical tools. These activities will be highly supported by the Covenant of Mayors in the next programming period as well.
74 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Clusters as drivers for smart specialisation
Outline 08C02 The event was designed as an expert debate moderated by the Director of the Danish Cluster Academy, which 08 October 2013 has just concluded a wide study on cluster ecosystems beyond the triple helix. Its starting point was the 09:00-10:45 presentation of various local clusters and main solutions applied to European common challenges, followed by a discussion based on the abovementioned report. The aim of the debate was to inspire parties involved Organiser: in the innovation chain with innovative business solutions. Moreover, it provided the participants with an City of Lodz improved understanding of added value of cooperation, such as the triple helix example. On site, there was also a possibility for cluster experts to take part in a brokerage session with the speakers. Chair: Glenda Napier, Head of Analysis Debate of REG X, the Danish Cluser Jos Schneiders explained that the triple helix cooperation in the Maastricht Region is based on High Tech Academy, Denmark Systems and Chemistry and Materials with many crossovers to other sectors. Taking care of technology means taking care of people – good infrastructure is a good quality of life. They also focus around urban centers Speakers: with competitive advantages: mainly Eindhoven and Maastricht, but also with Aachen, Venlo, Luik, Leuven, Jos Schneiders, Helmond and Tilburg. Fifty percent of innovations come from crossovers. Chairman, Limburg Economic Development (LED), Piotr Szczepaniak reported on the information and communications technology (ICT) cluster in Lodz, which The Netherlands has 2,000 IT companies with 8,000 employees. Finding the right partners is always challenging but as the Jeroen Smits, cluster needed an independent leader, they chose the Lodz University of Technology. The aim of the cluster is to Programme Manager, develop the ICT labour market and diffuse innovation. Members benefit from cooperation networks, education Municipality of Duiven, and training opportunities. The cluster has its own task force on education. The Netherlands Gorm Casper, Marcin Bakowski explained that the Lubuskie Data Archiving Cluster aims for preparation of the long-term Energy Consultant, Chamber of data archiving service. Partners are mainly businesses and universities, but they also work with technology parks. Commerce & Industry, Flensburg, In the IT sector, knowledge and people are everything, which is why cluster members want to have a strong Germany network. The first step for the cluster was to establish one product that was available to all the participants; Prof. Piotr Szczepaniak, they then developed the cooperation further by supporting partners with new solutions. This way clusters Vice-Rector, University members consider cooperation as an opportunity, not a threat. Development, Technical University of Lodz, Jeroen Smits outlined this programme, which was initiated in the municipality of Duiven in Arnhem Nijmegen Poland City Region. The objectives are to stimulate a greener society, create employment, anticipate change and to create Marcin Bąkowski, a good business climate. Innofase has the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) station with zero emission in Europe. Representative, Lubuskie Data But the biggest problem now is the fact that production is at 100% but in the summer the demand falls to 10%. Archiving Cluster, Poland Preben Birr-Pedersen reported on the Lean Energy Cluster, a traditional business-driven triple helix cluster Preben Birr-Pedersen, with a focus on cleantech, but also promoting intelligent and integrated energy systems. The cluster is working Director, Lean Energy Cluster, to improve its services so that they can create better conditions for companies that receive administrative Denmark support if needed (due to existing EU requirements). Universities in the network prepare new masters degrees or new curricula in order to match the needs of the companies. More information: www.innofase.nlwww. Gorm Casper said that the greatest achievement of this regional cluster was to become a forerunner in leanenergy.dkwww.ictcluster. Germany in the field of renewable energy. It received a great deal of exposure. The branding of the FURGY plwww.nca.org.plwww. region itself has the matchmaking power and is a platform for knowledge transfer. The next objective for this ledbrainport2020.nlwww.ihk- INTERREG programme is to be financially independent by 2015 and to go global. The cluster is looking for schleswig-holstein.de partners from Maryland, Philadelphia and elsewhere in North America. www.regx.dk/en
Conclusions According to Porter’s theory, clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies and institutions in a particular field. However it does not guarantee success. That can only be achieved by improvement of business productivity, innovation and stimulation of the formation of new businesses (in order for the cluster to renew itself). The right circumstances (framework conditions) are another element of success. A cluster ecosystem needs to consist of a few established firms (flagship companies), supported by a number of knowledge institutions that provide them with the relevant research and innovation and service providers. Some kind of risk capital – both private and public – is also essential. However , even this does not make for a good cluster. You need also dealmakers, social entrepreneurs and ‘cross cluster collaboration and innovation’.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 75 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Bridging the rural/urban divide: Solutions
08C03 Outline 08 October 2013 Stimulating employment in rural areas goes hand-in-hand with improving these regions’ connectivity, in 09:00-10:45 particular with e-government services. The workshop offered an exclusive preview of the results of the INTERREG IVC thematic capitalisation study on rural development, which is tackling the experience and knowledge of Organiser: regions working on innovative approaches in different rural settings. The best solutions in Europe in the field INTERREG IVC JTS of rural development and e-government were presented, based on the good practices and policies shared among over 160 regional partners. Chair: Ian Hill, Independent Consultant, Debate United Kingdom Mariejose Zondag stated that among the 204 INTERREG IVC projects, there are nine that focus on rural development. All the issues these address are related to the diversification of rural areas through tourism. Speakers: An overview of the projects in relation to key drivers and barriers for rural development was presented and Eistein Guldseth, Advisor, several examples of good practices were analysed, among them Ecolodge (combining farming, tourism, a Sør Trøndelag County Authority, wood hermitage and design), Smart Work Centre Portes du Morvan (keeping smart workers in rural areas) and Norway high-standard accommodation in rural areas on Gozo (new residences are linked to new and existing services Paola Ravenna, EU Affairs in the region). Manager, City of Venice, Italy Zoltán Pámer, Head of Unit, Paola Ravenna said that the main issues tackled by the I-SPEED project were the lack of awareness among South Transdanubian Regional policymakers about the information-society potential to improve public services and to foster growth Development Agency, Hungary and competitiveness within the European tourism economy. The key elements were the development of Mariejose Zondag, Senior broadband connectivity and introducing tools to improve marketing and distribution of tourism enterprises. Consultant, Ecorys Nederlands Two e-government good practices were presented: Leaping Stiles (Powys, United Kingdom) with 35 walking BV, The Netherlands routes to provide visitors and local people with a high-quality walking experience using web and social media, and Free Italia wifi (Venice-Rome, Italy) where 35 federated networks offer free wifi to 340,000 users. More information: www.interreg4c.eu Eistein Guldseth shared his experience within the e-CREATE project that identified shortcomings in public policies that promote tourism along cultural and historical routes. The project bundles regional resources to increase the competitiveness of enterprises in rural areas. A particular focus was put on the uptake of new technologies among entrepreneurs in rural areas and along tourism routes. A good practice, Kulmin, was presented, which is a complete framework for digital dissemination/interpretation of cultural heritage with a web application for smart phones at the heart of the system.
Zoltán Pámer raised the question of how to increase the attractiveness of rural regions as regards eco-friendly tourist investors. Several good practices were identified by the ICER project and presented. Among them the Nattitude approach, a regional policy that supports the development of eco-friendly tourist accommodation in the Auvergne, the Ecolodge accommodation network as an example of eco-certified tourism accommodation in Hungary, and the Eco-Gozo strategy, a sustainable development plan for the fragile island of Gozo in Malta.
Conclusions Rural development presents many challenges, but also opportunities for regional policymakers. Smart specialisation is very important for rural communities. New technologies and their adaptation may unlock potential and initiate economic development. Also networks and cooperation play an important role in areas with such a dispersed population. The INTERREG IVC capitalisation exercise highlighted a range of solutions in this regard that can provide a source of inspiration for rural areas around Europe.
“Our goal is to exploit our previous investments in high-speed broadband, mobile infrastructure and the development of digital cultural heritage sites, and merge them into a modern and profitable tool for the regional and local tourist industry” Eistein Guldseth
76 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Creative tourism development: Creating jobs across Europe’s regions
Outline 08C04 Building on the cultural and environmental diversity and richness of Europe’s regions, the workshop intended to 08 October 2013 explore and point out the growth and job-creating aspects of creative tourism across our continent.The premise is that 09:00-10:45 each region in Europe has something authentic to present while actively involving visitors in its own development. Therefore, at the same time, creative tourism fosters the promotion of local and regional identities, contributes Organiser: to further European integration and offers great opportunity to develop local, small and medium-sized European Alliance Group, business activities and create jobs. The workshop gathered representatives of the European Commission, Committee of the Regions academic institutions, local initiatives and the marketing sector who each offered their sectoral contribution to the debate and discussed main challenges creative tourism entrepreneurs in Europe face. Chair: Dr Uno Silberg, President of Debate the European Alliance Group, Eric Philippart presented what the European Commission is doing to stimulate the cooperation between Committee of the Regions, tourism policy and creative industries at the local level, particularly stressing the support for capacity building Estonia and diversification within tourism. He also announced the new programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (COSME), which will deliver business support services and provide small and medium- Speakers: sized enterprises with better access to finance. Eric Philippart, Deputy Head of Unit E/2 ‘Tourism and John Theodore gave several examples of how the university sector supports the process at the local level Cultural Instruments’, Enterprise through public and private partnerships, wider participation strategies in the community and the use of and Industry DG, European Structural Funds. He particularly emphasised the need to spread successful models around Europe and diffuse Commission successful practices across the borders, but also pointed out the problem with matching process in the use of John Theodore, Director of the Structural Funds. International Tourism Centre, Manchester Metropolitan Carol Gleeson presented the admirable achievements of the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark, which created University, United Kingdom a rapidly growing network of local businesses, and supports a range of all-year-round activities based on local Carol Gleeson, Project Manager, traditions and assets. Through numerous examples, Ms Gleeson stressed the importance of creating a good Burren Initiative, County Clare, story to attract people and make them wish to explore and stay longer in a certain place. Ireland Assoc. Prof. Peter Dorčák, Prof. Peter Dorčák gave a dynamic presentation on the importance of the change of thinking and innovation Slovak Marketing Association, to improve records and stimulate businesses. In addition, he offered participants concrete advice on how to Slovakia create image for their product, how to successfully communicate their ideas and offer unexpected quality services to visitors. More information: Photos from the workshop: Conclusions bit.ly/1aLWug8 The chair person/moderator concluded that notwithstanding the crisis, the tourism industry has excellent European Alliance group website: economic and job-creating perspectives and that the diversity of Europe is a huge asset in this regard, which www.ea.cor.europa.eu should be taken more into consideration at the local level. While each community has to identify its own assets and come up with good and creative ideas, what is very encouraging is that the support from the policy and decision-making centres is not questionable.
“There is an impressive cultural and environmental richness all across our continent while we also witness economic difficulties, unemployment, depopulation problems, climate change worries and many other challenges. Sustainable and creative tourism could give an impetus to local, small and medium-sized economic activities and revive economically certain regions in Europe, and also promote local traditions and identities, enable Europeans to find out more about each other, stimulate creativity and benefit the environment.” Uno Silberg
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 77 Workshops Challenges and solutions
RegioStars 2014 Awards – Presentation of finalists’ projects
08C05 Category 1: Smart growth: SME innovation 08 October 2013 09:00-10:45 Outline Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the EU economy. The competitiveness Organisers: and growth of SMEs is therefore crucial for the recovery and relaunch of the EU economy, and for Units 02 and G1, Regional and Urban Policy generating more and better jobs in Europe. Projects proposed in this category include schemes or DG, European Commission measures that could inspire other public authorities to design a policy mix that fosters SME innovation in the context of the forthcoming research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation. Chair: Luc Van den Brande, President of the Following a welcome from the moderator and introductory remarks from the jury member, RegioStars 2014 Jury, Vice-President, presentations were made on the RegioStars 2014 Category 1finalists’ projects. Committee of the Regions, Belgium Debate Speakers: JIC Innovation Park is a set of services and infrastructure in South Moravia, housing almost Prof. Christine Oughton, Jury Member 60 innovative companies and start-ups ranging from online services and civil engineering to Category 1 Smart growth, Professor, bioinformatics and robotics. The Innovation Park provides tailor-made consulting services and Management Economics and Head of organises workshops, conferences, and educational and networking activities. It also provides access Department, Financial and Management Studies, to public relation services, office space and specialised service providers. JIC Innovation Park is the SOAS, University of London, United Kingdom biggest and most complex organisation of its kind in the Czech Republic, and would not have been Marcela Prihodova, Ministry of Industry possible without support from the Structural Funds. and Trade, Czech Republic Miloš Sochor, South Moravian Innovation The Road towards entrepreneurial Poland project has been designed with a view to developing Centre, Brno, Czech Republic modern and pro-innovative services for young entrepreneurs, and to supporting the implementation Katarzyna Kaczkowska, Ministry of innovative organisational, technological and information technology solutions. The project focuses of Regional Development, Poland on the modernisation and development of the resources of the business environment in Poland in the Dariusz Zuk, Academic Business area of providing pro-innovative start-up services. New and innovative businesses have been started Incubators (ABI), Warsaw, Poland and developing dynamically. Alexandre Almeida, Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional Art on chairs is an ingenious and innovative approach to the problem of linking creative industries Norte (CCDR-N), Porto, Portugal to traditional industries, aiming at supporting SMEs to evolve in the value chain and acquiring further Susana Marques, Câmara Municipal control of it through the incorporation of creative knowledge. Art on chairs focuses on linking the de Paredes, Portugal furniture industry with designers and creating a large-scale demonstration effect that could boost Anders Risberg, Swedish agency for economic cooperation and the development of creative capacities in manufacturing SMEs. and regional growth, Örebro, Sweden Peter Hult, Linköping University, Sweden NovaMedTech’s model is a sustainable way of bringing innovation to the biomedical engineering Alex Conway, Greater London Authority, market that will lead to an increased quality of healthcare. The project enables partners in industry, United Kingdom academia and healthcare services to cooperate in an innovative and entrepreneurial environment. Christina Murphy, The British Library, Thanks to the project, new products and services have reached the market, new innovations are in London, United Kingdom use in the healthcare area and knowledge growth has been promoted. Five start-up companies and Josefine Majewski, Swedish agency for 34 prototypes have reached commercialisation in less than three years, thus illustrating the effects of economic and regional growth, Malmö, Sweden NovaMedTech. Claes Fahlander, University of Lund, Sweden Innovating for growth is a premium relationship-managed growth project designed to help More information: ambitious and committed SMEs grow and create high-value knowledge-based employment across JIC Innovation Park: all parts of London. Based in central London, the project holds the largest collection of published www.jic.cz/innovation-park-en business and intellectual property information in the United Kingdom, supporting innovators and The road towards entrepreneurial Poland: entrepreneurs from inspiration through to successfully launching and developing new businesses. www.przedsiebiorca.pl/ Art on chairs: CATE is a project initiated by researchers from universities in the Öresund-Kattegat-Skagerrak (ÖKS) www.cm-paredes.pt/ region, in collaboration with regional councils and business organisations and the European Spallation NovaMedTech: Source (ESS). The project aims to strengthen the skills of local companies in the field of accelerator www.novamedtech.se/ technology so that they can benefit from two large research facilities to be built in the region, which Innovating for growth: will primarily be used for studies in materials science, life sciences and medicine. Companies involved www.bl.uk/bipc/growth/innovating.html in CATE will also be able to take advantage of other large-scale research facilities. CATE - Cluster for Accelerator Technology: www.cateproject.org/
78 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Category 2: Sustainable growth: 08C05 Green growth and jobs through bio-economy 08 October 2013 11:00-12:15 Outline In the framework of the Europe 2020 strategy, the development of a bio-economy is highlighted as Organiser: an important element to reach smart and sustainable growth in Europe. Cohesion policy provides Units 02 and G1, Regional and Urban Policy numerous opportunities for local and regional authorities, communities and stakeholders to DG, European Commission implement projects in the bio-economy sector, thereby creating jobs and growth through sustainable investments in innovations, approaches and technologies based on biological materials and bio-waste. Chair: Following a welcome from the moderator and introductory remarks from the jury member, Luc Van den Brande, President, RegioStars presentations were made on the RegioStars 2014 Category 2 finalists’ projects. 2014 Jury, Vice-President, Committee of the Regions, Special Adviser to Regional Debate Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn for Maiambiente is a local public company, dedicated to waste collection and street cleaning in the multilevel governance issues in cohesion municipality of Maia. The objective of Ecoponto em casa was to provide an innovative door-to-door policy and the Europe 2020 strategy, waste collection service, based on an easy-to-use disposal system with dedicated wheeled bins for Belgium paper, packaging, glass and other waste for each house, equipped with radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for identification, communication, monitoring and reporting. The project Speakers: contributes towards reinforcing the recycling industry, and reduces natural resources consumption Niels Götke, Jury Member Category 2 and pollutant emissions. Sustainable growth, Head of Division, Danish Agency for Science, Technology The goal of the BEACON project is to develop plant/crop bio-refinery technologies. Using the concept and Innovation, Copenhagen, Denmark of bio-refining to work with Welsh end-user companies, it produces a wide range of products from Carlos Mendes, Maiambiente, plant material tailored to their future product requirements. It seeks to give Welsh manufacturing Representative, Project Management companies support by developing these renewable products, providing environmental and economic of ‘Ecoponto em casa’ project, Portugal sustainability for their businesses through the application of these developing technologies, and the Geraint Green, Welsh European Funding potential to generate highly skilled jobs throughout Wales, together with economic growth. Office, Representative, Managing Authority of BEACON project, United Kingdom ORGANEXT includes project partners from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, and investigates Iain Donnison, Aberystwyth University, and valorises the intelligent and sustainable solutions that organic nano-materials can offer for many Representative, Project Management different domains, e.g. cleantech applications, renewable energy solutions and (nano)electronics. of BEACON project, United Kingdom ORGANEXT uses a coordinated cluster approach to combine the strengths of the various research Isabelle Jeanfils, Stichting Euregio institutes in the Euregio Meuse-Rhine into one virtual Euregional Nanomaterials Analysis Lab, which Meuse-Rhine, Representative, Managing supports the business community to reach successful economic valorisation in the sector. Authority of ORGANEXT project, Belgium Dirk Vanderzande, Hasselt University, ARBOR fosters and accelerates sustainable development and use of biomass to facilitate the sustainable Representative, Project Management achievement of the 2020 energy objectives, and to make the EU a world-class centre for biomass of ORGANEXT project, Belgium utilisation. The partners’ triple helix organisations are from North West Europe, together with observers Thomas Spriet, Conseil Régional from France and Switzerland. ARBOR’s innovative transnational approach provides smart solutions to Nord-Pas de Calais, Representative, Managing help address individual countries’ supply and demand issues for biomass. Innovative pilot projects have Authority of ARBOR project, France contributed to the implementation of biomass energy transformation solutions. Sacha Oberweiss, Staffordshire University, Representative, Project Management of ARBOR project, United Kingdom
More information: Ecoponto em casa: www.maiambiente.pt/ BEACON: www.beaconwales.org/ ORGANEXT: www.organext.org/ ARBOR: www.arbornwe.eu/
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 79 Workshops Challenges and solutions
08C05 Category 3: Inclusive growth: 08 October 2013 Creating jobs for the young generation 13:45-15:00 Outline Organiser: Youth unemployment has increased dramatically as a result of the economic crisis. Units 02 and G1, Regional and Urban Policy DG, European Projects presented in this category were supported by the cohesion policy funds Commission (both the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund), providing help to fight youth employment and create jobs for the young generation. Chair: Luc Van den Brande, President, RegioStars 2014 Jury, Following a welcome from the moderator and introductory remarks from the jury Vice-President, Committee of the Regions, Belgium member, presentations were made on the RegioStars 2014 Category 3 finalists’ projects.
Speakers: Debate Gábor Kátai, Jury Member Category 3 Inclusive Einstiegszeit is an important service provided by the state of Brandenburg for growth, Higher Education Development Advisor, Youth unemployed youngsters, who have completed vocational or higher education, to work expert and trainer, Senior Manager, Szimpla Kert, enter a profession, and includes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The SMEs Budapest, Hungary who employ young adults receive assistance in developing skilled workers. Due to the Volker Offermann, Ministry for Labour, Social Affairs, sparse population in some areas, unconventional solutions are necessary with regards Women and Family, Potsdam, Germany to the design of the workplace and working hours to carry out the job placement. Peter Woelffling, IHK Projektgesellschaft mbH, Frankfurt, The project is implemented in the entire federal state of Brandenburg with an Germany emphasis on rural areas. Jürgen Bach, IHK Projektgesellschaft mbH, Frankfurt Marie-Laure Meyer, Regional Council of Limousin, France SAS pour l’orientation active des jeunes (Springboard for the active guidance of Perrine Recours-Nguyen, Regional Council of Limousin young job-seekers) aims to help young people up to the age of 25 who have been Armelle Martin, Regional Council of Limousin, France looking for a job for over a year to have three months of professional experience. Anna Ascani, Agenzia Umbria Ricerche, Perugia, Italy This initiative enhances their confidence, expands their professional opportunities Alejandra Monge, Agenzia Umbria Ricerche, Perugia, Italy and increases their skills. So far, 70% of the young people who completed the work Carolyn Webster, Department of Work and Pensions/Job experience have found employment after a few months. Centre Plus Devon Cornwall and Somerset, United Kingdom ‘Ideas! New enterprises!’ provides ‘mobility grants’ for the inhabitants of Umbria Matthew Thomson, Cornwall Food Foundation, with a business idea of undertaking an international traineeship hosted by enterprises, United Kingdom research institutes, science parks and business incubators located in Europe. Mark Yeoman, Cornwall Food Foundation, Tutoring and accompanying services are offered to the beneficiaries during the whole United Kingdom process. The project also offers ‘financial incentives to support business creation’ to Thomas Spriet, Conseil Régional Nord-Pas de Calais, former beneficiaries of the mobility grant who have developed a business plan to France finance start-up costs. Karin Maatje, Province of Flevoland, The Netherlands Fifteen Cornwall and its apprenticeship programme is a public-private-social Michelle Middendorf, Province of Flevoland, T partnership inspiring people through food to transform the lives and career opportunities he Netherlands for disadvantaged young people. Linking an international brand-led restaurant business (Jamie Oliver) with a local commercial enterprise, the charity works to develop a work- More information: integrated social enterprise in one of the EU’s least developed regions. The restaurant Einstiegszeit: offers vocational training for disadvantaged unemployed young people facing a www.ihk-projekt.de/html/455-EINSTIEGSZEIT_fuer_ range of complex challenges, including substance misuse, disability, and a lack of Jugendliche_in_Brandenburg/ education and training. SAS: www.belim.fr/Mon-avenir-professionnel/Sas-jeunes- Mini Europe focused on promoting entrepreneurship and providing infrastructure Orientation-active-vers-l-emploi for innovation to SMEs, particularly increasing the involvement of under-represented Ideas! New Enterprises!: groups in entrepreneurship. The objective was to improve the political instruments www.aur-umbria.it/PROGETTI_HOME.HTM and strategies to sustain the development of SMEs and put these supporting Fifteen Cornwall: schemes into concrete practice. Mini Europe pursued this goal through interregional www.fifteencornwall.co.uk/cornwallfoodfoundation.php? networking, bringing together experts, stakeholders and practitioners from eight uri=cornwallfoundationofpromise.php European countries. Mini-Europe: interreg-minieurope.com/
80 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Category 4: CityStar: 08C05 Investment projects in sustainable urban public transport 08 October 2013 15:15- 16:30 Outline Urban transport is an important priority across Europe. It is a key element in Organiser: determining the attractiveness of cities to citizens and businesses. Cities in all Member Units 02 and G1, Regional and Urban Policy DG, European States face the challenge of developing integrated strategies to address many linked Commission issues, such as urban congestion, pollution, accessibility, road safety and transport infrastructures that do not meet the needs of all groups. Selected projects comprise Chair: important investments in tram systems, metros, and involve investments for instance Luc Van den Brande, President, RegioStars 2014 Jury, in intermodal hubs. Vice-President of the Committee of the Regions, Belgium
Following a welcome from the moderator and introductory remarks from the jury Speakers: member, presentations were made on the RegioStars 2014 Category 4 finalists’ projects. Siegfried Rupprecht, Jury Member Category 4 CityStar, Executive Director, Rupprecht Consult GmbH, Cologne, Debate Germany Ecological transport aims to enhance the power supply system of the trolleybus Jan Szymański, Office of the Marshal of Pomorskie traction network. It also purchased 28 new trolleybuses to increase the number of Voivodeship, Poland modern, eco-friendly and accessible vehicles. The direct objectives of the project are Marta Woronowicz, Przedsiebiorstwo komunikacji to increase the competitiveness of environmentally friendly public transport and to trolejbusowej sp. z.o.o., Poland improve the quality of service. These improvements have rebuilt the image of public Anna Rudowska, Ministry of Regional Development, Poland transport in Gdynia, causing an increase in the number of passengers, and creating Ewa Michalek, City of Kielce, Poland, Representative, direct benefits for the residents and the local economy. Project Management of ‘Transport in Kielce’ project Kerry Charles, Welsh European Funding Office, The development of the public transportation system in Kielce Metropolitan Area is United Kingdom the largest project in the city of Kielce. It will increase the region’s competitiveness, Chris Vinestock, City & County of Swansea, and improve road infrastructure and the quality of public transport in the city. United Kingdom Expansion and modernisation of the transport infrastructure will contribute to Thomas Spriet, Conseil Régional Nord-Pas de Calais, France increasing the professional and spatial mobility of citizens, extending their possibilities Patricia Remacle, STIB, Brussels, Belgium, Representative, on the job market. Transport in Kielce will be completed at the end of 2013. Project Management of ‘Ticket to Kyoto’ project François-Olivier Devaux, STIB, Brussels, Belgium, The new Swansea City bus station was formally opened to the public on 6 December 2010. Representative, Project Management of ‘Ticket to Kyoto’ project The new bus station is clean, safe, light and airy with modern facilities, including direct and Katherine Hudson, Transport for Greater Manchester, convenient access to the Quadrant Shopping Centre to which the bus station is joined. United Kingdom There are 20 bus bays along with an additional three coach bays. The new bus station has led to an increase in the number of bus passengers and improved customer More information: experience, as citizens feel safer while using the bus station during evening hours. Ecological transport: The renovation of the bus station has also improved public transport interchange. www.pktgdynia.pl/ Transport in Kielce: Five highly qualified and motivated public transport companies joined forces in www.projektkomunikacyjny.kielce.eu/
Ticket to Kyoto (T2K), which implements the principle of low CO2 emissions as a new Swansea City bus station: standard for European urban public transport operators. It offers smart transferable www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=24818 solutions to increase public transport without increasing CO2 emissions, and reduce Ticket to Kyoto: fossil fuel dependency. Through genuine transnational cooperation, T2K successfully www.tickettokyoto.eu/ delivers best practices, innovative investments, long-term strategies for CO2 and energy reduction, effective solutions, and smart communication to the public on its benefits.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 81 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Making the connections: Youth employment and industrial transformation
08C06 Outline 08 October 2013 Regions from across Europe recognise that if the challenges of high youth unemployment and de- 09:00-13:00 industrialisation are not confronted, they will face short to medium-term high unemployment, increased social costs and long-term negative socioeconomic impacts. More developed, transitional and less developed Organiser: regions had the opportunity to share transferable models for the boosting of youth employment and the East of England implementation of the EU’s New Industrial Policy in two interactive debates. Both debates explored how policies at the centre of local and regional growth strategies will use EU funding and financial instruments for Chair: 2014-2020 to achieve jobs and growth. John Gourd, Chairman, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Debate 1: Youth employment Partnership, United Kingdom Cevat Durak presented Karşıyaka. Famed as ‘the city for the retired’ until 10 years ago, it has now evolved into a lively city that never sleeps after deploying successful projects over the last decade. The district’s young Speakers: population has drastically increased over the last few years and acknowledging this, Karşıyaka Municipality has Debate 1 made significant progress in providing services for the youth, such as the ‘entrepreneurship training programme’ Cevat Durak, Mayor of Karşıyaka in collaboration with KOSGEB and vocational education centres. Municipality, Turkey Helena Wołodźko, Project Helena Wołodźko spoke about how the problem of youth unemployment in Warmia Mazury region is Officer, European Social Fund being addressed through a range of projects using the European Social Fund. Some of the projects presented Department at Marshal Office included the ‘Modern school’ and ‘Internships in our school’ projects. The focus has been on students from the of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Basic Vocational School and Technical Secondary School in Iława obtaining professional certificates. Voivodeship, Poland José Carlos Rodríguez, Director, José Carlos Rodríguez spoke about youth employment in Castilla y León and the measures taken by the Public Employment Service of Public Employment Service (PES) of the region to tackle this pressing problem. The PES of Castilla y León is Castilla y León, Spain adapting its services to the new social context, offering more e-services and trying to make full use of the Elin Marie Altø, Project EURES network. Additionally, the PES focuses very much on providing personal attention and counselling, with Manager, Sør-Trøndelag County individual career planning for all its young users. Council, Norway Dr Paul Redmond, Liverpool Elin Marie Altø presented the ‘workplace mobilisation project’, which is seeking to address the challenge of University, United Kingdom filling about 1,500 vacancies in the public sector over the next 12 years and promoting growth in the private sector in large parts of the region. The project presents the solution of a toolbox of measures to address this challenge, with special emphasis on retaining youth in the area who are attracted to larger urban centres in Norway.
Dr Paul Redmond provided a brief overview of some of the key issues facing today’s university students. The majority of this year’s new undergraduates will be in employment until the mid-2060s, so what might the future hold for this new generation? How can educators, employers and policymakers work together at local, national and European level to ensure that today’s students – Generation Y – develop the skills, knowledge and insight to thrive in an uncertain future?
82 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Making the connections: Youth employment and industrial transformation
Debate 2: Industrial transformation Speakers: Johannes Skaar spoke about industrial transformation in the local sense of the word. He described how he Debate 2 proceeds when working on an industrial transformation/change of activity in a local community and showed Johannes Skaar, Special Advisor, examples from the West Norway region. He also gave some general advice for what to take into consideration Innovation Norway, Norway in this type of work, and underlined that good communication and local networking are essential in order to Pedro Saraiva, President, CCDRC be successful with a transformation project. (Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Pedro Saraiva presented RIS3 priorities for Centro Region of Portugal, among which stands ‘sustainable Centro), Portugal industrial solutions’. Centro is a region that has never de-industrialised, has a relative resilience of employment Barbara Bujnowska- Sęda, (best rates in the country) and an interesting performance on innovation (it is among the 100 most innovative Coordinator, Regional Innovation regions in Europe, according to Regional Innovation Strategy – RIS). The combination of these ingredients has Strategy Team, Marshal’s Office of proved to be the best answer to the crisis, and will be pursued in the near future. Silesian Voivodeship, Poland Johannes Grane Larsen, Head, Johannes Grane Larsen spoke about the challenge of making a living in 2025 from manufacturing. Hedensted Erhverv, Denmark Their solution is based on the Manufacture 2025 concept from Aalborg University with five future scenarios for Danish manufacturing companies. He talked about the seven stages of support or ‘planets’ that will go to create the Danish Production Universe.
Barbara Bujnowska-Sęda addressed the challenge of updating the Development Strategy of Silesia Region and integrating the smart specialisation approach. She spoke about a range of measures as part of the solution, including a focus on investing in the human capital of the region, and enabling small and medium-sized enterprises as a source of innovation into global chains.
Conclusions The chair person concluded by highlighting the key role that skills and education must play in supporting and anchoring future industrial development in Europe’s regions. Only by addressing the skills need will Europe be able to tackle the problem of youth unemployment.
“Without the right EU policy framework in place, it will not be possible for Europe to be a strong global player in manufacturing and for us to provide high-quality jobs for our young people in the future.” John Gourd
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 83 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Innovative policies and solutions for active ageing
08C07 Debate 08 October 2013 Roos Galjaard, an expert on demographic change, opened the workshop by outlining the common goals and 09:00-13:00 challenges that the three projecs – CASA (Regions for Smart Living), INNOVAge and DAA (Design-led innovations for Active Ageing) – are addressing, namely: Organiser: • working together on complex issues that arise from demographic ageing and the many challenges that the future INTERREG IVC projects: poses on European senior care; INNOVAge, CASA, DAA • looking at growth in terms of creating new opportunities and smart specialisations; • being of particular value as regards the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. Chair: Roos Galjaard, Advisor, Bureau Focusing on Flanders, the following key initiatives were outlined by Jo Vandeurzen: the Flanders’ Care initiative, aimed PAU at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the care economy; Care Testing Ground (Zorgproeftuin) initiative; demonstration projects on tele-monitoring; Living Lab care. Speakers: The following actions undertaken by the European Commission were outlined by Lieve Fransen: working on Tomasz Pactwa, Director, a common methodology with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (what Projects and Social Affairs is behind the concept of long-term care); re-focusing on all the social policies of the EU beyond employment Department, The City of Warsaw, (a specific package on long-term care); contributions from Europe – 2014 calls focused on social protection reform. Poland How do you finance long-term care and healthcare? Maria Kleine, Project Manager, City of Stockholm, Sweden The demographic challenge that the Marche Region faces was described by Paola Giorgi.The region’s endeavour to Juha Jolkkonen, Head of make this challenge an opportunity was explained further, putting in focus the active ageing project of the Marche Division, City of Helsinki, Finland Region’s government for community development and cohesion. Besides community health, it involves the economy, Jo Vandeurzen, Minister for technology and research with universities, companies, professions, and institutions. Welfare, Health and Family, Flemish Government, Belgium Thierry Auboyer presented the Autonom@Dom project – Good ageing at home through prevention – Gisèle Perez, 1ère Vice- which is crucial for Isere. This is a demonstrator that would help to test this unique system, providing care 24/7. présidente, Conseil général de Over 1 million people would be connected through this system. l’Isère (General Council of Isere), France Anne Tidmarsh explained that Kent has a very long history in advance assistive technology. She outlined the lessons Robert Stewart, Director, NHS learned by Kent through the CASA project, and also emphasised the importance of further cooperation between Eastern and Coastal Kent, United partners. Dr Robert Stewart stressed the fact that integration of health and social care has not come together as a Kingdom system, so Kent tries to set a system that would allow people to exist in the most independent way possible. Experts in Anne Tidmarsh, Director, Older Kent aim to create a new care model, moving from a very medically dominated care model to a more self-supportive People and Physical Disability, one by trying to move services out of the hospital and into the community. The integration pioneer in Kent tries to bring Kent County Council, United together all the stakeholders, to use the shared learning system and share this experience with the European partners. Kingdom The main objective is to make the system inclusive (health and social care, academia, industry) and to have other hubs Paola Giorgi, Regional Minister change to this culture of moving to a multi-professional care. The objective is to put the citizen at the centre and make for EU Policies, Infrastructures, him/her more in control of his/her own care. Ports & Airports, Coast and Soil Protection, Marche Region (Italy) Juha Jolkkonen presented the new tools used in care management in Helsinki. Experts in Helsinki have been using (Ms Giorgi had replaced Gian tools to evaluate the needs of an elderly person, but were also taking a few steps back to hear what he/she feels would Mario Spacca , President of the be needed. Furthermore, the city of Helsinki has adopted methods of coping with memory disorders through group Marche Region) dynamics, peer support and education. Dr Lieve Fransen, Director, Europe 2020: Social Policies, Maria Kleine presented the achievements of the city of Stockholm in enabling social activities. Recognising the European Commission importance of a social network for the wellbeing of elderly people, experts have started a pilot study in Stockholm and established focus groups that have tried to gather feedback from the elderly people with regard to their social needs. The More information: results of the study were aggregated in an activity guide. www.innovage-project.eu/ www.casa-europe.eu/ Tomasz Pactwa described the programme that is currently being established for seniors in Warsaw. In two years, more http://daaproject.eu/ than 2,000 consultations were made and a number of workshops held. Within the framework of DAA, Polish experts would like to improve the awareness among senior citizens on the services that they can receive. Also, much is done in the region to counteract digital exclusion.
Conclusions The moderator concluded by providing the audience with information on the sources that could be consulted to learn more about the CASA, INNOVAge and DAA projects, as well as the report devoted to demographic change that encompasses not only the three abovementioned projects, but other INTERREG projects that share the same thematic focus.
84 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
European regions and cities empowering electromobility
Outline 08C08 More than 100 participants from all across Europe discovered local and regional initiatives for clean transport 08 October 2013 solutions at this workshop. The city and regions of Brunswick, South Tyrol, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, 09:00-13:00 North Eastern Scotland/Aberdeen City Council, Akershus County, Region Skane, Tyrol and Trentino shared their experience, aiming at better, cleaner air and healthier lifestyles. Organiser: The large number of cities and regions presenting their clean transport initiatives, together with the large and Braunschweig well-informed audience, underlines the commitment of local and regional representatives for better transport, and their willingness to share experiences and collaborate at European level. Chair: The event was kindly hosted by the Scotland House and the lunch was organised by Lower Saxony. Lothar Nolte, Policy Officer, Environment, Energy and Climate Debate Protection, Lower Saxony Brussels Dr Isabell Schwenkert and Dr Juliane Bielinski stated that Lower Saxony, bastion of the automotive industry, office, Germany is investing EUR 15 million in electromobility and energy storage projects. Lower Saxony is also investing in hydrogen storage, while some 30 showcase programmes are currently running on renewable solutions. With three Speakers: other regions, the e-mobility projects amount to EUR 180 million of funding for the period 2012-15. Dr Isabell Schwenkert, State Solveig Schytz reported that 12,000 e-cars were registered in March 2013 in Norway, a number which grew to Initiative for Energy Storage 14,000 in June. In June 2013, 6% of new cars sold were e-cars, of which 80% are owned by citizens! The region is in and Systems, Lower Saxony dialogue with taxi-drivers to encourage them to switch to e-cars. Hydrogen vehicles are part of the clean transport (Braunschweig), Germany strategy of Akershus: five fuel-cell (FC) buses operate in Oslo (CHIC project) and a fleet of 20 FC cars is being tested. Dr Juliane Bielinski, Office Kathrin Gisdon reported that Hamburg has been a pioneer in hydrogen development since 2003: four FC buses Showcase Electric Mobility Lower are in operation and three additional FC buses will arrive next year (CHIC project). Three refuelling stations are Saxony (Braunschweig), Germany already operating and a further two will be operational in the next months. A hydrogen corridor aimed at linking Solveig Schytz, Chair, Hamburg, Berlin and Scandinavia is currently being developed. HySOLUTIONS is organising an International Fuel Committee for Planning, Cell Bus workshop in Hamburg on 16-17 October in collaboration with HyER. Economic Development and Environment, Akershus County
Jan Falconer said that Scotland’s CO2 emissions reduction target is 42% by 2020. Taking into account that 40% of Council, Norway CO2 emissions comes from transport, Aberdeen is committed to cleaner transport solutions. Aberdeen launched Jan Falconer, Manager, Projects a hydrogen strategy on 22 May 2013 through the project HyTREC, which is developing a framework strategy for Partnerships and Funding, a hydrogen transport economy, and the project HyTransit and High VLO-City, with the operation of ten fuel cell Aberdeen City Council, United buses arriving in 2014, the largest fleet in Europe. Kingdom Kathrin Gisdon, Communication Andrea Tomasi presented the research and innovative project on the development and testing of two FC Manager, hySOLUTIONS, minibuses. The project started in November 2011 and two FC minibuses where delivered in March 2013. The buses Hamburg, Germany are able to drive in difficult conditions (cold temperatures) and their energy consumption is very low compared to Andrea Tomasi, Innovation that of diesel minibuses: 750 Wh/km compared to the diesel consumption of 1700 Wh/km. Manager, Habitech, Trentino, Italy Walter Huber, President, Walter Huber outlined the Green Corridor, which features a new railroad (operational in 2025/2) and two Institute for Innovative hydrogen highways (Munich to Modena), including the infrastructure. The first refuelling station in Innsbruck Technologies, South Tyrol, Austria will be operating in 2014. As part of the CHIC project, five FC buses have been delivered to Bolzano. Mr Huber Marieke Reijalt, Coordinator, explained that the 80 bus drivers of the city are very enthusiastic and all want to use the FC buses. HyER Brussels’ Office, Belgium Pontus Lindberg, Deputy Marieke Reijalt introduced the European Electro-mobility Observatory (EEO). Launched in December 2012, the Director, Skane Region, Sweden aim of the EEO is to collect information on infrastructure development and data on electric vehicle deployment across Europe. The first survey was launched in April. The EEO is linked with the Green e-motion project. The global More information: aim is to promote and speed up the implementation of FC and electromobility. www.hyer.eu/news/ hyer-highlights/successful- Pontus Lindberg reported that the Skane region has a bus fleet of more than 1,000 buses, with a focus on biogas, electromobility-workshop- biodiesel and electricity. The car fleet is made of biogas, electric and two FC cars. One hydrogen refuelling station is during-the-open-days operating in the neighbouring country of Denmark, while the opening of a refuelling station is also planned for Sweden. Skane is part of the HIT project, which aims at developing a hydrogen corridor from Gothenburg to Rotterdam.
Conclusions Transport is an individual solution that should be easy and affordable for all. Only under those conditions will citizens choose clean transport options. Citizens’ mentality needs to change: in Hamburg, for example, the FC bus fleet has not led to higher prices but the public still believe it is the case. There is room for improvement! A quick survey of the audience, in order to know how many participants drive clean vehicles, showed that only five participants drive fully electric cars, three participants drive FC cars, and none of them drive hybrid vehicles.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 85 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Debate on the future demographic landscape How to neutralise the negative effects of demographic crises in Europe?
08C09 Outline 08 October 2013 The overall challenges for the regions are the migration of citizens and a decrease in population; there are also 14:30-17:00 diminishing birth rates in some regions and a small number of kindergartens in others. Moreover there are not enough part-time jobs and there is a high level of unemployment. All of the regions have the same goal: Organiser: regions need to be a place where people want to work and live. Opolskie Region Several examples have shown how to tackle these challenges. For instance, regions act to support people in reconciliation between life and work, improving the standard and quality of education, promoting Chair: entrepreneurship at an early age, inspiring employers and employees to create equal opportunities, and Jacek Walendowski improving access to care and educational services for children under school age. Regional solutions were from the Technopolis Group also presented in the context of innovations and new technologies that could reduce the negative effects of demographic changes and provide opportunities to create new economic development. Speakers: Key-note speaker: Debate Andor Urmos, Regional The presentation of Prof. Krystian Heffner was focused on the significant population decrease that must and Urban Policy DG, European be faced by the regional authorities of Opolskie. The answer for this problem is seen in the development of Commission the Special Demographic Zone, which is undoubtedly an innovative solution at the European scale. Within Prof. Krystian Heffner, Head, the zone there are four activity packages that include projects dedicated to job creation, education vs labour Silesian Scientific Institute, market, care and educational services for children, as well as senior care and active-ageing projects. Opolskie Region,, Poland Rut Kolinska, Head, Mother Rut Kolinska faces issues considering the lack of support for young families. There are not enough kindergartens Centre in Prague, Czech Republic in the region as well as a lack of part-time jobs, which are crucial for young mothers. Considering that Central Paola Pau, Head, General Affairs Bohemia is a very young region with an average age of 40 years, it is clear that society needs to be more family- Department, Region of Sardinia, friendly. The solutions provided for that specific issue were focused on inspiring employers to create equal Italy opportunities and set up family-work life harmonising policies for their employees. Ondřej Večeř, Strategic Development, Department Paola Pau started her presentation with the information that Sardinia is the region that has the lowest birthrate of the Regional Development, in Italy – 8 per 1,000 (2006). The main reasons for this are social politics and economic factors. She presented Czech Republic some plans and programmes that they have already launched – special social vouchers and medical services, Ivan Vučić, Prefect of Karlovac expansion of new buildings for early childhood education and care, and a special plan that supports people County, Croatia reconciling life and work. Oliver Brunet, Responsible for Aragon innovation strategy, Ondřej Večeř pointed out that Olomuc Region has the third lowest economic performance in the Czech Regional Authority of Aragon, Republic and an increasing number of people migrating away to other cities. The region has tried to bring in Spain. several initiatives, such as the integration of public transport and support for the clusters. Moreover, regional Ramon Lete, Secretary General, decision-makers focus on education by providing a stable network of secondary schools and apprenticeships. Sports of Galician Government, The region also focuses on subsidies for rural development and other initiatives, such as round tables, in its Spain most affected areas. Anders Carlsson, Project Manager, New Tools for Health, Karlovac County representative Eva Sobotik-Pavan focused on low birth rates in Croatia and the decrease in East Sweden Region, Sweden population. In order to tackle these problems, the region has undertaken several initiatives such as a county Georg Freytag, Director, scholarship system, which is a survey focusing on what kind of education will provide stable jobs in the future. European Affairs, Saxony State Moreover, Karlovac Country promotes entrepreneurship at an early age, training students how to be more Ministry of Justice and for business-orientated. European Affairs, Germany Andor Urmos made a key-note speech where he talked about the highly important role the Structural Funds can play for health investments, future objectives and challenges. Mr Urmos underlined that regions must invest in health infrastructure because of the increasing number of elderly and their ability to stay home longer. Mr Urmos also underlined the importance of new healthcare for the elderly and the need for regions to invest in community care instead of hospitals.
Oliver Brunet represented Aragon Region, which has one of the lowest population densities in Europe. To face the challenges of ageing people and the brain-drain of young people, the region has to start working on different projects like e-Resater, which is a project for active citizens and local development, a health and telemedicine project and Life zero residual. To make the region an attractive place to both work and live, Aragon has set up cultural parks and is working with tourism.
86 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Debate on the future demographic landscape How to neutralise the negative effects of demographic crises in Europe?
José Ramon Lete explained Galicia’s plan for the promotion of physical activity. Their mission is to build a future where the practice of healthy physical activity, with equal opportunities for the entire population, contributes to maintaining their health and personal autonomy, enjoying more well-being and a better quality of life, and preventing and reducing the presence of chronic diseases associated with physical inactivity. Galicia has the second largest ageing population in Spain and is developing sports programmes for seniors, sports health and mobility.
Anders Carlsson presented the situation in East Sweden where the healthcare costs will increase by 20% and social care costs will increase by 50% because of the ageing population. The main focus is on smart-health innovations, social inclusion and independence for the elderly. The region is also working with a reality check test-bed and the Living Lab National Test Bed of Technology for the elderly, which will illustrate how Europe’s future will look in 2060. Anders Carlsson explained that the test bed will be used to test mobile IT solutions for promoting independent living for the elderly in their own homes, especially for the over Eighties. “To prevent further depopulation Georg Freytag explained that the Saxony region is also facing challenges with ageing population and people moving away. Their solution is to invest in high-quality technology combined with a number of projects like and to implement mobile services, terminals for citizens and audio-visual access to public authorities. a systematic Conclusions reconstruction of The moderator concluded, and all the experts agreed, that it is crucial to understand that there are many the human potential, activities to be carried out in order to face the demographic challenges. At European level more policies need to be established. For instance, there has to be a more flexible working time as well as a need to focus on better the region needs to education. At national level, regions need to focus on what they can improve to make citizens stay in the region. create sustainable jobs The moderator underlined the need to enhance interregional cooperation in order to give innovative answers and work for improving to their various demographic challenges with a long-term schedule and a more strategic perspective. It was also mentioned that research work is focused on new indicators, which should not be limited to the gross the quality of life.” domestic product (GDP). Our wellbeing and health must not be just counted in monetary terms. Prof. Krystian Heffner
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 87 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Citizens’ well-being by mobile care, the silent health revolution through efficient personal health services
08C10 Outline 08 October 2013 An ageing population is one of the biggest challenges in Europe. High numbers of people with chronic conditions, 11:15-13:00 like diabetes and chronic heart and lung diseases, imply an increase in healthcare utilisation, hospitalisation and health expenditure. At the same time, a silent health revolution is enabled by personal health services that Organiser: provide new opportunities to cope with those challenges. The Region of Southern Denmark The regions hosting this workshop have joined forces to establish evidence and decision support for EU health policies regarding the widespread deployment of personal health services. They have implemented 21 large-scale trials, all Chair: with a patient-centred approach and using one common, rigorous assessment model. Outcomes and lessons learnt Claus Duedal Pedersen, from care providers to some 7,000 patients will trigger a fruitful debate with all European stakeholders. Head of Unit, Odense University Hospital, Denmark Debate Dr Panagiotis Stafylas presented the RENEWINg HeALTH project, which is the largest ever, being conducted in Speakers: nine EU regions. The common methodology MAST and the recruitment of 7,000 patients enables the evaluation Dr Panagiotis Stafylas, RH of how, by placing the patient in a central role in the management of its disease through telemonitoring (TM) Medical Coordinator, HIM SA, services, the project produces evidence and decision support for EU and regional policies with regard to the Belgium deployment of innovative TM services, so as to improve care and user satisfaction and reduce cost. Dr Tuula Karhula, EKSOTE, South Karelia, Finland Dr Tuula Karhula presented the preliminary results of the pilot scheme on remote monitoring and health Dr Anne Sorknæs, OUH, Region coaching for heart and diabetic patients. The pilot ran for one year with nurses telemonitoring and coaching South Denmark, Denmark patients to take their health measurements at home and sending the results via mobile services. The feedback Dr Claudio Saccavini, Arsenal.it, was very positive, both from the patients, who highlighted the improvement in their quality of life, and from Veneto Region, Italy the nurses, who enjoyed the flexibility of addressing their patients’ problems.
More information: Dr Anne Sorknæs outlined the Danish pilot that investigates the effects of real-time telemedicine video- www.renewinghealth.eu/ consultation between hospital-based nurses and discharged patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The project looked in particular at readmission rates, mortality, users’ perception and experience. The clinical trial showed a reduction in readmission from patients with daily teleconsultation. Furthermore, patients felt more empowered experimenting with a digital proximity leading to quality care.
Dr Claudio Saccavini oulined the preliminary results of the Veneto pilot of telehealth and telecare services towards patients with chronic heart failure. After nine months of telemonitering patients at home, the project shows significant reductions in mortality, hospitalisation, and emergency and specialist visits. The patients also welcomed the service, feeling actively involved and satisfied with the better accessibility, while caregivers appreciated the time saved and the improved safety. It also led to better patient-physician relationship and patient compliance.
Conclusions Claus Duedal Pedersen, the moderator, concluded that, with 7,100 patients, it can be considered that a sufficient critical mass has been included with statistical evidence to demonstrate that healthcare services and coaching at a distance works., It is therefore expected that other regional health authorities will take advantage of this experience and apply one of the innovative Renewing Health service models in their regions.
“It is very good to see that a lot of the results that you are getting from the Renewing Health project are really validating things that we have seen in other large-scale projects, such as the one that ran with 6,000 patients in the UK. This one also showed reduction in hospitalisation and length of stays, with telehealth services appreciated by the patients. However, we need to keep in mind that patients need to be reassured that telemedicine will not take away other services they might need.” John Crawford (audience)
88 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Smart Work 2.0 in rural Europe
Outline 08C11 The workshop was designed to engage the participants in discovering how the shift in work culture favours more 08 October 2013 distance working, and how the opportunities offered by the 2.0 economy could help to re-vitalise rural Europe 11:15-13:00 by improving the information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, digital entrepreneurship and literacy, and by increasing the number of qualified job opportunities through the development of non- Organiser: metropolitan Smart Work Centres. North Denmark Region
Debate Chair: Ole B. Sørensen opened the debate by giving a short background to MICROPOL and the current work in North Clive Peckham, Denmark Region. He considered Smart Work Centres (SWCs) to be an important focus for rural development European Project Manager, actions in non-metropolitan Europe and feels that the re-migration of highly skilled professionals with well- Niévre Numèrique, France established contacts in core markets could have a significant positive impact on local economies. Speakers: Clive Peckham introduced the audience to a ‘classic’ rural Smart Work Centre and the social, economic and Ole B. Sørensen, Councillor, political environment around the set-up, operation and expansion. He also highlighted the impact of the SWC North Denmark Region, President on rural entrepreneurship, citizens’ education and ICT awareness, social life, etc. North Sea Commission, Denmark Andrew Martin, Manager, Andrew Martin presented a valid SWC variant. Most regions have business incubators but this can be an Berwick Workspace, United excellent way of showing how existing or planned economic infrastructure can be adapted to include Smart Kingdom Work Centre elements. Anne-Mari Leppinen, ICT Project Manager, Economic Anne-Mari Leppinen referred to how the very-high-speed (VHS) broadband infrastructure benefitted the local Development Agency of economy and society in her region. It had a positive impact on education, health and public administration. Suupohja Region, Finland She also outlined the partnership and funding of VHS broadband in Finland. Guido Acchioni, Policy Officer, Communications Networks, Guido Acchioni introduced the audience to the European policy context in the next programming period Content and Technology DG, and made references to the previous period. He also presented the Digital Agenda and thereby the European Broadband Unit, Italy Commission’s position on potential contributions of non-metropolitan Smart Work Centers to the Europe 2020 strategy. More information: www.micropol-interreg.eu Conclusions The moderator concluded that there is a vital need for broadband across Europe in order to lower the distance between the metropolitan areas and the rural areas.
“I think that the session was very appropriate for all those who want to know a bit more about SWCs. The workshop succeeded in getting the message across.” Wian Stienstra, Netherlands (audience)
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 89 Workshops Challenges and solutions
A European alliance of multi-sector stakeholders to boost the energy transition of cities and regions
08C12 Outline 08 October 2013 Local authorities are frontline players in the energy transition. Amidst difficult international climate change 11:15-13:00 negotiations and doubts about the post-2020 EU energy and climate ambitions, cities and towns are joining the Covenant of Mayors. Organiser: However, public policies and private companies’ industrial and business strategies remain segmented and so Energy Cities most energy policies ignore the territorial issue. But the whole range of stakeholders involved in energy issues at local level has a role to play in helping to improve the EU legislative, financial and political framework for Chair: accelerating changes. Stéphane Dupas, IMAGINE Energy Cities has therefore launched a specimen communication on Empowering the role of local and regional Coordinator, Energy Cities authorities in the EU climate and energy policies and a public consultation to gather opinions and suggestions on the document. Speakers: Gérard Magnin, Executive Gérard Magnin explained that while the EU currently struggles to define its 2030 framework for climate
Director, Energy Cities and energy policies, local authorities are acting through the Covenant of Mayors to cut CO2 emissions and to Frédéric Hug, President, drive the energy transition of European territories. Energy Cities has launched a specimen communication that Euroheat & Power outlines how local authorities empower the EU to deliver its objectives and proposes a framework to optimise Stefan Scheuer, Secretary their actions. General, Coalition for Energy Savings Frédéric Hug explained that a significant part of the energy needed is heat. Top-down central energy planning Inete Ielite, Member, City of usually neglects heat and it has thus been omitted from the EU 2050 Energy Roadmap. This is regrettable as Riga’s Energy Board, Latvia heat sources are largely available across Europe, and district heating and cooling systems can uphold the EU Corinne Hermant-de Callataÿ, security of supply, affordability and competitiveness objectives. A decentralised energy governance model will Regional and Urban Policy DG, unlock the potential of local heat. Therefore EH&P very much supports the Energy Cities initiative. European Commission Stefan Scheuer stated that a new type of governance, both multi-level and multi-stakeholder, is necessary to More information: achieve the EU energy objectives. This is exemplified by energy savings that do not receive enough attention in Energy Cities Specimen the debate on the EU 2030 framework for climate and energy policies. To make use of the untapped potential Communication on Empowering of energy savings, the EU needs to involve local authorities that can induce behavioural change in local local and regional authorities to stakeholders, and therefore the coalition’s support to the Energy Cities’ initiative. deliver the EU climate and energy objectives: Inete Ielite said that mayors are closest to citizens and provide concrete solutions to citizens’ concerns http://www.energy-cities.eu/ amidst the economic crisis. They are best placed to implement the energy transition and must be supported. Public consultation on the There is a growing need to engage various stakeholders in the process of energy decentralisation, especially Specimen Communication: youngsters. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have to be supported and provided with more www.surveymonkey.com/s/ information so as to empower local development and job creation. EmpoweringLocalAuthorities Corinne Hermant-de Callataÿ concluded that local authorities have important competences at their disposal, which allow them to navigate energy decision-making at the local level. She underlined the necessity to create a platform of stakeholders where actors could, on the one hand, engage with and discuss specific topics and on the other hand, share best practices and promote the replication of successful programmes on a larger scale. The European Commission will empower local authorities to deliver the goals of inclusive, green and smart growth set in the Europe 2020 strategy using cohesion policy and targeted initiatives over the next programming period, 2014-2020.
“Macro-decisions alone will not be sufficient to drive the energy transition. They need to be complemented by concrete, hands-on solutions, which are being developed at the micro-level: cities and towns hold a considerable but untapped potential for the deployment of both renewable energy and energy savings, and are crucial contributors to bridging the gap between the EU 2020 climate and energy objectives and the 2050 goals.” Gérard Magnin
90 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
ESPON Workshop: How to make regions and cities more resilient to economic crises
Outline 08C13 ESPON, the European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion, has produced territorial 08 October 2013 evidence on economic crisis impacts and resilience, poverty and social exclusion, as well as innovative results 11:15-13:00 to explain the role of accessibility and the efficiency of public institutions in designing and implementing successful development strategies and policies. Organiser: This workshop debated the crucial question of what regions and cities can learn from other successful experiences Unit B1, Regional and Urban to strengthen their position and improve their performance to withstand future crises, and thus reduce the risk of Policy DG, European Commission European citizens being affected by poverty. It was based on a mixture of presentations and case studies. in cooperation with ESPON
Debate Chair: Philippe Monfort introduced the topic of the workshop and underlined that fast and successful recovery Philippe Monfort, Policy from the economic and financial crisis is at the core of all recent policy initiatives, which set the framework for Analyst, Specialist in regional territorial development and EU cohesion policy. development and regional Peter Mehlbye introduced the ESPON 2013 programme, which plays the role within Structural Funds of analysis, Regional and Urban providing territorial evidence for comparable policy development, covering all European regions. Following Policy DG, European Commission the crisis of 2008, ESPON decided to carry through research that was related to regional resilience, poverty and Peter Mehlbye, Director, ESPON social exclusion. In addition, several themes that could support regional recovery have been addressed; for this Coordination Unit, Luxembourg workshop the issues of accessibility and institutional governance had been selected. Adrian Healy and Andrew Copus showed that both the impact resulting from the crisis and on poverty and Speakers: exclusion are asymmetrical and diverse with: Adrian Healy, Researcher and 1. countries and regions that are not or hardly touched by the crisis at all; Lead Partner, ESPON ECR2 - 2. others that are hit harder but seem to recover rather progressively; Economic Crisis: Resilience of 3. regions that still suffer a great deal from the crisis. Regions, Cardiff University, United Adrian Healey shared recommendations with cities and regions about the role of several factors, such as governance Kingdom (in reacting and preparing for crisis), behaviour in influencing resilience (of businesses, households and public bodies), Andrew Copus, Economic the significance of expectations and attitudes, and interconnectivity, as well as the temporal dimension. Geographer and Partner, ESPON Andrew Copus outlined some implications for an appropriate response to the crisis such as: TIPSE – Territorial Dimension of 1. the need for a clearer understanding of the different territorial dimensions of social exclusion; Poverty and Social Exclusion in 2. the appropriateness of national/horizontal policies to address complex patterns of regional/local Europe, James Hutton Institute differentiation in inequality; Aberdeen, United Kingdom 3. the coherence of policy areas to address poverty and social exclusion; Klaus Spiekermann, Partner 4. the increasing importance of informal/voluntary local communities. and Lead Partner, ESPON TRACC Klaus Spiekermann presented the clear relationship between accessibility and economic performance, – TRansport ACCessibility at but underlined that there are many exemptions (e.g. underperforming regions in Eastern Europe and regional/local scale and patterns overperforming ones in Northern Europe). He argued that the economic crisis has more strongly affected in Europe, Urban and Regional regions with lower accessibility; in particular, most of strongly affected regions do have poorer accessibility to Research, Spiekermann & global markets. On the other hand, evidence shows a large number of regions with low accessibility that was Wegener, Germany not seriously hit by the crisis. He stressed that accessibility and its improvement might be part of the recovery, Carolina Pacchi, Researcher and but only in integrated packages that take account of regional assets and barriers to development. Lead Partner, ESPON SMART-IST, Carolina Pacchi illustrated some policy recommendations for building institutional capacity through Smart Institutions for Territorial appropriate strategies and designing successful development policies. When it comes to managing EU policy, Development, DASTU Politecnico while experience explains procedural success (e.g. Italian regions), it is the starting level of institutional capacity di Milano, Italy that explains results (e.g. the French regions). In the case of capacity for using EU policy for regional priorities, the experience with designing and implementing development projects is key. She answered the crucial More information: question of what regions and cities can learn from other successful experiences to strengthen their position www.espon.eu and improve their performance by mentioning some key elements of success: staffing, training, networking ECR2, Economic Crisis: Resilience and institutional innovations. of Regions: www.espon.eu/main/Menu_ Conclusions Projects/Menu_AppliedResearch/ The moderator concluded that cities and regions can learn from other successful experiences to strengthen TIPSE their position and improve their performance, thus reducing the risk for European citizens being affected by crisis impacts, poverty and social exclusion. The workshop also revealed some of the policy themes, such as access and governance, which are both important and can be helping regions to recover economically and develop further.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 91 Workshops Challenges and solutions
How to boost European aquaculture
08C14 Outline 08 October 2013 Aquaculture is one of the core pillars of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Reform. A better framework for 14:30-17:00 aquaculture will increase the production and supply of seafood in the EU, reduce the dependence on imported fish, and boost economic growth in coastal and rural areas. By 2014, Member States will have drafted strategic Organisers: plans to remove administrative barriers and uphold environmental, economic and social standards for the Committee of the Regions aquaculture industry. These plans are a requirement for European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) funding. (CoR), Commission for Natural The workshop provided a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities European aquaculture is facing. Resources (NAT), European A diverse range of stakeholders participated in the meeting. The first half of the workshop focused on vision, Bureau for Conservation and policies and governance for the future of European aquaculture. During the second half, representatives from Development (EBCD) farmed-fish sectors in different European regions presented the challenges in their respective areas.
Chair: Debate Marialuisa Coppola, Member, René Souchon, in his opening statement, set the stage by underlining that European aquaculture is stagnating. Committee of the Regions (CoR), He thus welcomed this timely meeting for aquaculture policy developments at EU level and underlined that Councillor, Veneto Region, Italy EU aquaculture needs to be supported to become a competitive, valued branch of the economy and a source of local employment, know-how and pride. He therefore called for simpler licencing processes and sustained Speakers: efforts to promote European fish farming. René Souchon, Chair, NAT Committee, Committee of the Ernesto Penas Lado noted that European aquaculture is a political priority in the CFP. However, he stated that Regions although having funding is important, it is not enough. There is a need to reduce red tape, and to increase Ernesto Penas Lado, Director, competitiveness, access to space, and consumer awareness of the quality of EU produce. He presented recently Policy development and adopted EU strategic guidelines, which provide a framework for action and encourage Members States to coordination, Maritime Affairs reduce the administrative burden. and Fisheries DG, European Commission Courtney Hough expressed his satisfaction with the upcoming CFP, including the creation of an Aquaculture Courtney Hough, General Advisory Council. He stressed that any path for growth should include simplified administration, coordinated Secretary, Federation of European spatial planning, enhanced competitiveness, and focus on a level playing field. Moreover, he shared the FEAP’s Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) sectoral priorities, which include consolidating the role and importance of aquaculture in society, achieving Ann Dom, Assistant Director, growth, and assuring a sustainable aquaculture sector and a strong relationship between aquaculture and the Seas at Risk consumer. Members of European Parliament (via video message) Recognising the importance of sustainable aquaculture for fish protein supply, Ann Dom acknowledged that Javier Ojeda, General Secretary, EU fish-farming is relatively well regulated. However, she touched upon various remaining challenges, including Business Association of Marine the lack of standards regarding the sourcing of feed, the use of medicines and chemicals, disease management Aquaculture Producers of Spain and the ranching of endangered species. The gaps in data and knowledge call for a precautionary approach and (APROMAR), Spain she emphasised the need for indicator-based assessments to monitor the sector’s environmental performance. Jamie Smith, Technical Executive, Scottish Salmon After these presentations, three Members of the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee appeared in a video Producers’ Organisation, message. MEP Struan Stevenson expressed concern that although 50% of the fish we eat worldwide comes United Kingdom from fish farms, only 7% is farmed in the EU. He is therefore convinced that we should push for an expansion of EU Richie Flynn, Aquaculture aquaculture. MEP Guido Milana pointed to the gap between EU farmed fish consumption and production, and Executive, Irish Shellfish the opportunity that this provides. He specifically referred to the potential of organic aquaculture, where small Association, Ireland quantities of fish are harvested in large spaces. MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher also pointed to the opportunity László Váradi, President of of substituting EU produce for imported seafood, and to the importance of aquaculture as wild fish resources the Hungarian Aquaculture approach maximum sustainable yield. Moreover, aquaculture is needed to feed a growing global population Association, Hungary – for a balanced diet and for coastal communities. The stagnant EU growth is partly due to bureaucratic problems and red tape, emanating mainly from the national level. We need a one-stop-shop.
In the second panel, Javier Ojeda underlined that producers need to interact more, and stressed the industry’s need for more market intelligence and common fish-health actions. He emphasised that public authorities need to offer a level playing field. As the main hurdles for EU aquaculture remain regional and local, he asked what the regions are going to do for local aquaculture. He suggested simplifying licencing procedures, fish labelling, spatial planning and synergies with tourism.
92 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
How to boost European aquaculture
More information: Jamie Smith stated that there is no stagnation in Scotland, as the main bottlenecks have been dealt with, Video message from MEPs: but stated that uncertainty, spatial planning and the regulatory regime are barriers to growth that need to www.youtube.com/ be overcome. He also underlined the need for financial support to large companies and not just small and watch?v=sEU8yQAh_3E medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Highlighting the importance of shellfish aquaculture for jobs in peripheral regions, and its beneficial influence on the marine environment, Richie Flynn also called for a reduction in hampering bureaucracy.
László Váradi elaborated on the beneficial role that freshwater aquaculture plays for employment and rural livelihoods in fisheries-dependent inland areas. He expressed regret for the lack of a level playing field as well as the difficult access to land and water, and the undervaluation of the cultural values and ecological services preserved by fishpond aquaculture. Moreover, Mr Váradi stressed the need for an EU aquaculture strategy, for consumer communication, and for reduced regulatory and bureaucratic burdens.
The workshop was followed by a roundtable discussion that brought together the diverse range of participants. The debate was moderated by Marialuisa Coppola, whose opinion on Strategic Guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture was adopted unanimously by the NAT Commission on 1 October. Some of the main points discussed during the debate included the call for a level playing field regarding imports from third countries, the interaction between universities and aquaculture operations, the need for more ambitious strategies, and a link between aquaculture and environmental legislation (the Marine Strategy Framework “European aquaculture Directive). needs to be nurtured to Conclusions become a competitive, In her closing statement, Ms Coppola reflected on European aquaculture’s positive contribution to the natural and cultural heritage within the EU. Aware that more than 90% of aquaculture businesses are SMEs whose valued branch of overall profitability and potential for sustainable development depend on transparency, efficient administrative economy and a source procedures and predictability, Coppola pledged her support for a level playing field and streamlined procedures in EU aquaculture. She concluded that EU aquaculture depends on the cooperation of all the of local employment, relevant stakeholders. After calling on these stakeholders to continue working together to strengthen the know-how and pride.” policy framework, she pledged the support of European regions and cities in this endeavour. René Souchon
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 93 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Youth GREEN jobs
08C15 Outline 08 October 2013 Best practice, tangible solutions and concrete ideas for the creation of green jobs in youth-dominated industries 14:30-17:00 were central to this interactive workshop. Panelists representing the UNEP, the CoR and the private sector spoke about how green job initiatives had been successfully implemented in their geographical regions or areas of Organiser: work. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Debate Mercedes Bresso opened the workshop and expressed her appreciation for its organisation as a concrete Chair: achievement in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions. Carmen Paun, European Youth Press Steven Stone stressed the vital need for a green job transition throughout the world. He highlighted a range of projects that have been implemented in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, which have created Speakers: jobs with a strong environmental and social component, thereby contributing to sustainable development. Steven Stone, Head, UNEP Economics In the EU, succesful green job initiatives are also underway. Annamarie Jaeger presented the work of the and Trade Branch Regional Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development Training in her region of France, which since Annabelle Jaeger, Member, 2009 has offered both youth and adults the opportunity to acquire essential skills in green fields such as solar Committee of the Regions (CoR), energy and eco-construction. Provence, France María Victoria Palau Tárrega, Similarly, the Valencia region of Spain has recently launched various vocational training initiatives in renewable Member, Committee energies. María Victoria Palau Tárrega also drew attention to the work of the Regions4GreenGrowth of the Regions, Valencia Region, project, which sees EU regions with high sustainable energy ambitions cooperate on green jobs and other Spain environmental projects. Cathy Cronin, Environmental Engineer, Intel, Ireland From the industry side, Cathy Cronin focused on the potential uses of data and technology that enable better environmental monitoring and reduced energy consumption, thus demonstrating the important role that More information: companies can play in the creation of green jobs. www.unep.org/www.unep.org/ PDF/UNEPGreenJobs_report08. Conclusions pdfwww.irfedd.fr/www. The chair person concluded that there was clearly a strong and growing interest in green jobs, both in the EU regions4greengrowth.eu/ and the rest of the world, and rightly so since a transitional green job is necessary to achieve sustainable development. Nevertheless, as also evidenced by the interventions made by the audience, there appears to be a current lack of jobs to meet demand, including jobs that can be classified as ‘green’. Policymakers, including those in the EU, have an important role to play in stimulating this market.
“A business-as-usual approach is no longer feasible as planetary boundaries constrain economic growth as traditionally conceived.” Steven Stone
94 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
More jobs, better cities and regions: How can cities and regions best create and support more and better jobs? Lessons from interregional co-operation
Outline 08C16 This workshop unpicked some of the challenges cities and regions face on jobs and growth and provided 08 October 2013 evidence, a framework for action and recommendations from projects. Speakers agreed that a new multi-faceted 14:30-17:00 approach is vital – one that considers people, skills and the economy, that spans the economic, employment and entrepreneurship agendas, and that requires a new form of collaborative leadership and governance. Organiser: ESPON, INTERACT, INTERREG IVC, Debate URBACT II Eddy Adams introduced jobs and growth as one of the hot topics in Europe. Chair: Alison Partridge presented a framework for action on jobs that had been developed within the URBACT ‘more Eddy Adams, URBACT II and jobs’ capitalisation workstream. This asserts that cities need to address three broad sets of issues: jobs and the INTERREG IVC Thematic expert, economy, people and the labour market, and the connections between them in order to achieve economic United Kingdom recovery, growth and resilience, in particular: • jobs and economy: demand (within and outside the city/region), competitiveness (business-friendly), Speakers: economic structure (specialised, diversified economy, or both); Alison Partridge, URBACT II • people and the labour market: quality jobs, mobility in the labour market from one sector to another, skills to and INTERREG IVC Thematic prepare and adapt the workforce; Expert, United Kingdom • connections: good governance, intelligence and capacity. Efrén Feliu, Lead partner, Alison Partridge concluded that this framework offers a different way of thinking and an orientation that will GREECO ESPON project, Spain be valuable to most, if not all, cities. Bob Pels, Lead Partner and Partner, INTERREG IVC Smart Emmanuel Moulin stressed that cities play a vital role in Europe and that jobs should be created in an Europe project, The Netherlands integrated way. Jobs and employment will still be addressed by URBACT III during 2014-2020. Norbert Grasselli, Partner, INTERREG IVC Smart Europe Efrén Feliu presented some of the evidence collected in the framework of the ESPON GREECO project with regard project, Hungary to the regional potential of green economy in Europe. Some of the green sectors that have larger potentials across Manuela Görs, Lead Partner,
Europe are the building sector, with large CO2 emission-saving potentials by 2050, and the clean energy sector, INTERREG IVA GenerationBALT in particular, wind, photovoltaics (PV) and biomass. Some evidence for onshore wind-energy potentials and project (South Baltic wind-energy resources at NUTS2 level was also introduced to the audience. Navara and eight other regions scrutinised Programme), Germany in the GREECO project illustrated evidence and recommendations about a greener economy in the regions.
Peter Mehlbye said that we should use (EU comparative) evidence to make policies intelligent and to develop local strategies in an integrated way. During 2014-2020, ESPON will provide more assistance and capacity to policymakers in interpreting evidence.
Bob Pels presented INTERREG IVC Smart Europe project’s peer review methodology as leverage for innovation and job creation in regions and cities. One coordinator and a peer review team, composed of officers and external experts, study the situation as described by the host region. Then they visit the host region and meet politicians, discuss together and prepare an on-the-spot report with recommendations to the leading politicians. Bob Pels and Norbert Grasselli also shared recommendations for cities and regions about building innovation strategies on existing strengths, organising dialogue between enterprises and the education sector, using evidence and statistics for current and future needs, and coordinating different strategies.
Michel Lamblin explained that 14 projects on creative industries and eight projects on entrepreneurship have been analysed by experts within the ‘Thematic Programme Capitalisation’ initiative. The outcomes of the analysis – in the form of a brief publication and a full length report – are available so that regions around Europe dealing with similar issues can find good innovative practices and targeted policy recommendations. He also announced that the successor programme to INTERREG IVC will be called INTERREG EUROPE for the programming period 2014-2020.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 95 Workshops Challenges and solutions
More jobs, better cities and regions: How can cities and regions best create and support more and better jobs? Lessons from interregional co-operation
More information: Manuela Görs, through the GenerationBALT project focused on the maritime labour market and the URBACT capitalisation challenges arising with the change from traditional industry to a knowledge-based economy. She argued that workstream on more jobs: it is necessary to adjust academic education according to the needs of the labour market after finding out that urbact.eu/en/urbact- most academic programmes did not correspond to maritime demands. She stressed the need for universities, capitalisation/ESPON GREECO: cities and regions to work together to map the future maritime labour market, and match supply and demand. www.espon.eu/main/Menu_ Projects/ Mateo Malvani stated that GenerationBalt is a good example of territorial cooperation that can be found on INTERREG IVC Smart Europe: INTERACT’s KEEP database, together with other transnational, cross-border cooperations on several themes. smart-europe.eu/tag/interreg Thematic programme Conclusions capitalisation: The speakers concluded that cities and regions can support and create jobs. These need to show people new www.interreg4c.eu/capitalisation opportunities and perspectives in different sectors; help them develop entrepreneurial skills; open up and GenerationBALT: reinforce employment agencies; and do more on better (not any kind of) jobs. Cities and regions should use www.generationbalt.eu/ evidence, learn from others, and think and act differently with new approaches and new skills. INTERACT KEEP database: www.territorialcooperation.eu “Show young people other opportunities, widen perspectives, then they can create jobs through entrepreneurship.” Manuela Görs
96 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Good practice in Green Public Procurement
Outline 08C17 With their spending power of close to 20% of EU gross domestic product (GDP), the public authorities have, 08 October 2013 through Green Public Procurement (GPP), a great potential to improve resource efficiency and to move the 14:30-17:00 market towards more eco-friendly products and services. After a presentation of the general framework of GPP in the EU, this workshop highlighted the experience of Organiser: different public authorities that have successfully ‘greened’ their purchases while keeping costs down or even Directorate-General for the making considerable savings for the public purse. Environment, European Commission Debate Robert Kaukewitsch highlighted the policy framework for GPP, the supporting tools provided by the European Chair: Commission (including EU criteria, legal guidance and the GPP helpdesk) and gave some information on the Carina Vopel, Head of Unit, use of GPP in the Member States. He underlined the potential of public procurement to achieve the policy Resource Efficiency & Economic goals of public authorities, for example, the improvement of air pollution through the procurement of cleaner Analysis, Directorate-General public transport. for the Environment, European Commission Eva-Maria Persy presented the award-winning Eco-buy Vienna programme, which has as targets an increased production and trade of green products, the generation of long-term savings, and the mainstreaming of GPP. Speakers: An important element of Eco-Buy, next to the development of green criteria by approximately 15 expert Robert Kaukewitsch, groups, is an active external and internal communication policy. GPP Policy Officer, Environment DG, European Commission Thomas Mosor illustrated the approach from Vienna with the example of building procurement and indoor air Eva-Maria Persy, emissions. Poor indoor air quality can result in additional costs of several billion euro due to respiratory illnesses, Head, Sustainable Development sick leave, reduced comfort and losses in productivity. The implementation of ecological criteria in this field is Unit, City of Vienna, Austria mandatory for public procurers in Vienna, and compliance of the offered products with ecological criteria is Thomas Mosor, regularly tested. Head of Programme, Eco-buy Vienna, City of Vienna, Austria Helena Hecimovic focused her speech on energy efficiency in buildings where Koprivnica has conducted Helena Hecimovic, several lighthouse projects (renovation and new buildings). She underlined the need for training for the Member, City Council, implementation of complex building projects and the evaluation of their results, with participation of various City of Koprivnica, Croatia departments involved in the implementation of such projects. Once a city has set its climate protection, Anne-Marie Pieters, energy efficiency and resource saving targets, GPP is definitely one of the main tools for reaching these targets, Strategic Procurement Expert, providing numerous measurable and long-lasting benefits for the citizens. City of Ghent, Belgium
Anne-Marie Pieters presented Ghent’s strategic approach to sustainable procurement, which is based on More information: the principle that public authorities should lead by example, use their purchasing power as leverage for European Commission GPP sustainability and ensure the cost-efficient use of public money while raising the maturity standard of the website: procurement organisation. She showed several examples with a clear business case for GPP, with the use of ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp calculating not only the purchase price but the total costs of ownership of a device. Ms Pieters highlighted that, Eco-buy Vienna: www.wien.gv.at/ before each procurement, a through needs assessment must be done. english/environment/klip/pdf/ ecobuy.pdf Conclusions In the concluding discussions, all the speakers underlined that a strong mandate from the political level was a prerequisite for a successful implementation of GPP policies.
“Sustainable procurement cannot be limited to integrating green criteria in a call but must be considered in the integral process of the procurement activity, from the detection of the real procurement need to the behaviour of the final consumer.” Anne-Marie Pieters
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 97 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Spatial justice in future European regional development
09UNIV01 Outline 09 October 2013 A consistent feature of spatial development across Europe over time, as elsewhere in the world, has been 09:00-10:45 the unevenness in the speed and scale of development. Policymakers have therefore sought to address these uneven outcomes through various policies and measures to stimulate convergence in regional performance, Organiser: with varied levels and consistency of success. Regional and Urban Policy DG, This workshop picked up on these more general trends and explored fundamental questions that arise from Regional Studies Association the prevailing application of regional development theories and practices based on endogenous growth, the immediate but also structurally significant conditions of an ‘austerity’ Europe, and the advocacy of integrated Chair: approaches to regions that recognise the environmental imperative. These find expression in discourses about Prof. Gordon Dabinett, regional differences, regional assets and capacities, and inequalities represented in spatial concentrations and Department of Town & Regional perpetuations of exclusion, particularly within urban areas and particular communities. Planning, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom Debate Prof. Konstantinos Chatzimichalis argued that the foundations of the crisis are embedded in uneven Speakers: geographical/regional development within the EU and globally. He pointed out that the reaction from Prof. Konstantinos researchers in the field after the crisis has been very limited. To move forward after the crisis, he called for a Chatzimichalis, Professor major democratic restructuring of EU institutions and of the euro area, to re-politicise policies and to restore Emeritus, Department of socio-spatial justice. Geography, Harokopio University, Greece Emeritus Prof. Cliff Hague pointed out that there is some evidence that the “new rural development paradigm” Emeritus Prof. Cliff Hague, has been practised with some success in selected small Scottish towns. However, public investment has played Chairman, Built Environment a critical role, both in project support and in the Social Service of General Interest (SSGI) provision. The crisis Forum Scotland, Edinburgh, and the austerity policies are now creating private and public disinvestment in these small towns, and threaten United Kingdom to undermine the capacity of the new rural development paradigm to deliver growth. Prof. Maros Finka, Department of Spatial Planning, Prof. Maros Finka argued that the concept of territorial governance based on multilevel polycentricity has Institute of Management of STU, the potential to efficiently and sustainably manage the spatial development in the new reality of soft and Slovak University of Technology, fuzzy spaces. This is due to the fact that this concept reflects the new spacio-structural, functional and spacio- Slovakia temporal reality: it is open and based on efficient use of knowledge and skills of the stakeholders across sectors Prof. Karel Maier, Faculty and minimises defined relations of superiority. of Architecture, Czech Technical University in Prague, By using the example of the Czech Republic, Prof. Karel Maier pointed out that the state is still the dominant Czech Republic actor in spatial development. However, key issues in spatial development arise due to the mismatch of the formal and practical response to challenges, such as social segregation, age disparities, economic disparities, quality More information: of urban space and accessibility of facilities. www.regionalstudies.org
“The euro area is a production of a new uneven space that contributes to inequalities and injustices.” Prof. Konstantinos Chatzimichalis
98 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Building growth in the European regions: Stimulating the entrepreneurial potential of individuals and firms in a range of diverse settings
Outline 09UNIV02 Firm performance and stimulating enterprise lie at the core of Europe’s economic recovery; recent policy 09 October 2013 developments reflect this. However, within that general consensus there is a need to develop the appropriate 14:30-17:00 mechanisms to create jobs and stimulate wealth creation in the private sector. This session provided an opportunity to hear and discuss new evidence that unites the entrepreneur, business and context, and will Organiser: lead to an opportunity that develops more precise enterprise policy interventions. Regional and Urban Policy DG, Regional Studies Association Debate In this joint presentation, Prof. Autio Erkko and Prof. Jonathan Levie pointed out that those existing national Chair: and regional systems of entrepreneurship result in measurement issues and thus policy implications. At a Prof. Mark Hart, Economics and country level, entrepreneurial performance is driven by a complex dynamic between attitudes, aspirations and Strategy Group, Aston Business activities. These system components interact to co-produce system performance and activity that is embedded School, United Kingdom in a country’s institutional context, which regulates individual-level actions and outcomes. Speakers: Prof. Niels Bosma linked the regional and national context to individual growth orientated entrepreneurial Prof. Autio Erkko, behaviour. He pointed out that at the regional level, growth-orientated early-stage entrepreneurship flourishes, Chair in Technology Transfer particularly in wealthy and dense regions, with start-up examples being important for the pre-start-up phase. and Entrepreneurship, Business At national level, employment protection hinders growth-orientated entrepreneurship. He concluded that School, Imperial College, entrepreneurship is conducted by individuals in a certain context and that there are push-and-pull mechanisms United Kingdom at different levels, simultaneously. Prof. Jonathan Levie, Director of Knowledge Prof Michael Fritsch demonstrated the effect different cultures of entrepreneurship have on regions and their Exchange, Hunter Centre for resilience to change. He found that a pronounced culture of entrepreneurship will lead to high start-up rates and Entrepreneurship, University of high employment growth, and thus the region will perform better. The policy implications of his research are that Strathclyde, United Kingdom entrepreneurial culture is a deeply embedded regional resource that can endure, despite disruptive changes, Prof. Niels Bosma, and which has a positive effect on regional development. Assistant Professor, School of Economics, Utrecht University, Conclusions The Netherlands The chair person concluded that what is missing “is an understanding of the processes that drive the business Prof. Michael Fritsch, demography, which is required if we are to develop a robust set of policy interventions. Our evidence suggests Chair, Business Dynamics, that both start-ups and established businesses have rapid growth potential. It depends on the timescale.” Innovation, and Economic Change, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
“In a nutshell: a regional culture of entrepreneurship More information: has a significantly positive effect on development.” www.regionalstudies. Prof. Michael Fritsch orgenterpriseresearch.ac.uk
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 99 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Leadership and regions: Unlocking the development potential of communities.
09UNIV03 Outline 09 October 2013 Regions across Europe and around the globe are challenged to reshape their economies in the face of 14:30-17:00 economic, social and environmental change. Global markets can shift rapidly, while natural resources may become depleted and/or previous production systems found to be unsustainable. Organiser: This workshop examined the leadership of places, and how this can be developed and mobilised to generate Regional and Urban Policy DG, new, more sustainable futures for regions and localities. The workshop considered ways in which institutions, Regional Studies Association public sector agencies and community organisations can, together with individuals, demonstrate leadership and transform local economies. It also examined the ways in which this potential is best integrated with the Chair: formal machinery of government, and how it can be nurtured within the most vulnerable communities and Prof. Andrew Beer, Director, regions. Centre Housing Urban & Regional Plan, The University of Adelaide, Debate Australia Prof. Andrew Beer found that only 10-20% of cities and regions have effective leadership. These deficits reflect both a failure to understand the leadership of cities and regions, and in some instances, an unwillingness to see Speakers: leadership emerge. A greater understanding can – and will – empower cities and regions to shape their future. Dr Lummina Horlings, Assistant Policy efforts, both nationally and supra nationally, that place priority on city and regional leadership will also Professor, Rural Sociology Group, have significant impacts. Wageningen University and Research Center (WUR), Dr Lummina Horlings addressed the relevance of leadership in the context of the knowledge economy. The Netherlands Showcasing Eindhoven as the ‘smartest region on the world’, Lummina demonstrated the change that this Prof. Henrik Halkier, Professor region went through and how the role of knowledge leadership played in this development. It was seen as in Tourism and Regional crucial to link networks of power, organisational quality and embeddedness in institutions. Eindhoven’s success Studies, Department of Culture is also a result of a focus on programmes, informal networks and open innovation. and Global Studies, Aalborg University, Denmark Prof. Henrik Halkier’s presentation focused on path plasticity and facilitating leadership by using a coastal Dr Terry Clower, Associate tourism example as a case study. Key leadership challenges are the identification of central systemic institutions, Professor of Economics, Associate the relationship between tiers of governance, coalition building and organisational capacity, as well as local Director, Center for Economic identities and inter-local rivalries. These challenges can be solved by a comprehensive analytical approach that Development and Research, is interdisciplinary, process-orientated, quantative and qualitative. University of North Texas, United States of America Presenting on a current research project that aims at identifying economic development leaders, Dr Terry Clower’s research mapped social networks using mathematics and visualisation to represent the structure More information: of the relationship. The results have then been analysed in regards to network connectivity, network heath, www.regionalstudies.org outcomes and impacts. He concluded by outlining the strength and weaknesses of the method applied.
Conclusions: The chair summarised the session’s debates and praised Regional and Urban Policy DG for their engagement in academic and policy discussions, and for their knowledge-exchange activities with the Regional Studies Association in broadening the debate and participation.
“The leadership of cities and regions is more complex than in linear organisations such as corporations or governments. It’s a property of groups and not just individuals, based on mutual trust and collaboration.” Prof. Andrew Beer
100 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Higher education institutions and Smart Specialisation
Outline 09C01 The speakers underpinned the key role of higher education institutions (HEI) in Smart Specialisation: HEIs are 09 October 2013 key drivers of regional growth because of their role in knowledge creation and the development of human 09:00-10:45 capital. Moreover, they also connect diverse stakeholders through different cooperation and innovation activities within regions. There are many EU funding opportunities for university-business partnerships, both Organiser: within and between European regions. Unit C.2, Higher education and innovation; entrepreneurship; Debate EIT, Education and Culture Markku Markkula gave a broad overview on the challenges of Smart Specialisation in a given regional setting DG, European Commission in and in the context of the European strategic approach in promoting activities for economic development cooperation with Joint Research through targeted support for research, higher education and innovation. Centre DG and the European University Association (EUA) Anders Olsson presented how the regional innovation system in Värmland has emerged and how Karlstad University is involved. Taking into account the specific natural and eco-historical landscape, a set of long-term Chair: initiatives has been launched in order to foster the economic development of the Värmland region. Prof. John Goddard, Emeritus Professor, Centre of Urban and The recently established Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC), such as the Climate-KIC, are intended Regional Development Studies to have a regional impact via the Regional Innovation and Implementation Communities (RIC). Christoph (CURDS), Newcastle University, Auch explained, based on the example of the Hessen region, how to integrate the four sectors of research, United Kingdom education, business, and government and public bodies. Speakers: Prof. Dr Peter Haring Bolivar clarified that heterogeneous cooperation is difficult because the cooperating Markku Markkula, actors belong to different institutions with various institutional values and career perspectives, among others. Aalto University, Finland and Heterogeneous cooperation is advantageous as they add new perspectives to an innovation system. He Committee of the Regions suggested some striking indicators of successful networking in the triple helix of academia, state and industry. Anders Olsson, Region Värmland, Innovation is most effective if intense cooperation networks are based on mutual trust and on complementary Sweden expertise. Christoph Auch, Provadis School of International Management Conclusions and Technology and Climate-KIC, From the different perspectives, each speaker demonstrated the HEI’s crucial role in co-creating the regional Germany innovation system. In this regard, the concepts of ‘connected region’ and ‘civic university’ were introduced. Prof. Dr Peter Haring-Bolivar, Research and teaching have to be translated into innovation, which is a people-based process. This means European University Association that graduates are required to have the right skill-set for current and future needs of society and economy. In and University of Siegen, this regard, sustainable partnerships between HEI and companies mobilise the adequate regional knowledge Germany capital. Across the DGs, the European Commission is aware of their importance and funds several action schemes. Within the Erasmus+ programme, the European Commission proposes to establish Knowledge More information: Alliances. It was announced that a conference is being prepared for spring 2014 to continue the discussion Smart Specialisation Platform: between the EUA and Directorates General of Regional and Urban Policy, Education and Culture, Research and s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu Innovation, and Joint Research Centre, among others. EC DG Education and Culture’s website on university-business dialogue: ec.europa.eu/education/higher- education/business_en.htm European Institute of Innovation and Technology: eit.europa.eu/ John Goddard, Paul Vallance: The University and the City, Routledge, 2013. Connecting Universities to Regional Growth: a practical guide, European Commission, 2011 [ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ sources/docgener/presenta/ universities2011/universities2011_ en.pdf]
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 101 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Regions for agricultural productivity and sustainability
09C03 Outline 09 October 2013 This workshop discussed the following points: 09:00-13:00 • What are the challenges in the agriculture sector? Why do we need innovation? • How do you bring innovation about in agriculture? Organiser: • European Innovation Partnership and its implementing mechanisms; AgriFood innovators • How can regions interact? • Community research and innovation activities in support of land-use management and sustainable use Chair: of natural resources for agricultural productivity. Marianou Eleni, Secretary General, Conference of Peripheral Debate Maritime Regions Dr Ciro Becchetti’s speech focused on the evaluation of a measure of the Rural Development Plan of Umbria Region, concerning the implementation of innovative projects by groups of agri-food farms with universities and research centres. The objectives of this measure are to enhance businesses’ competitive ability through modernisation and development of innovative, high-quality and high-value-added products, and to promote cooperation among businesses of primary production, processing and/or marketing and research institutions. The speaker analysed some working hypothesis for the new programming period 2014-2020, aimed at developing a parallel strategy for research.
Prof. Boguslaw Plawgo outlined one of the best enterprises of the Mlekovita region, which invests in research and development activities and plans to produce functional foods, while also building a biogas plant for waste from milk production. This is in line with implementing the objectives of Europe 2020. Prof. Plawgo explained how dairies have changed the rural areas where there are many farmer-entrepreneurs.
Prof. Stefano Mancuso’s speech was orientated around an innovative regional project about enhancing the value of (local) food through the training of chefs, which involve nutritional aspects, use of local food with specific health properties, etc.
Dr Joanna Witczak focused on the sustainable development of rural areas; the environmental aspects of food economy, and the directions and mechanisms of agricultural integration with its economic environment.
Once every ten years, the Dutch horticultural sector organises the World Expo Floriade. The expo last year, in Venlo, had over 2 million visitors. In 2022 the world expo will be held in Almere, in the province of Flevoland. The province of Flevoland tries to make triple helix coalitions during the ten years of the world expo planning period so as to create innovations in horticulture that will be worthwhile to expose to the world in 2022. Hillebrand Koning explained how the Floriade world expo can give focus to the regional economic programme.
Grzegorz Orawiec discussed produce farming in the context of building an effective net for the cooperation of small, individual producers, by using effective clustering processes and marketing tools for healthy food producers in less wealthy European regions. These methods will consequently have a positive effect on a common European market and also on Eastern markets outside the EU.
Claudio Bredy spoke La Biopanetteria, a project that brings together innovation and tradition in an effort to produce an organic product through a sustainable process. First conceived in 1994, the project has come a long way, effectively becoming an established reality in the Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley, from which it has received aid and support. Today La Biopanetteria consists of a unique transformation chain that goes from high-mountain cereal plantations to the consumer’s table, and produces ‘special’ and organic breads by using traditional methods and innovative machinery. It successfully rehabilitated mountain areas that were previously marginal and unused, while providing consumers with a fresh, healthy and sustainable product.
102 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Regions for agricultural productivity and sustainability
Speakers: Prof. Dr Kamil Okyay Sindir spoke about the activities and projects of Bornova Municipality with regard to Iman Boot, Deputy Head of Unit agricultural production and marketing. The mayor talked about the project, which produces muscatel grapes at the 1, Environment, genetic resources Municipality’s plantation area. He summarised the seed exchange campaign, which brings seed producers together, and European Innovation enabling the exchange of their seeds and forming a register system to promote communication between them. Partnership, Agriculture and Rural In terms of marketing activities, Prof. Sindir presented the Municipality’s initiative in establishing and supervising Development DG, European the peasants’ producer marketplace where consumers can buy products directly from the producers. He also talked Commission about the ongoing innovative cooperation with the related departments of the universities, public institutions, Massimo Burioni, Research cooperatives and chambers, so as to enhance sustainable agriculture in Bornova Region. Programme Officer, Sustainable use of natural resources in Agriculture contributes an estimated 28% of all Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. crop production systems, Dr Catherine Watson reported that the two most potent agricultural GHGs are nitrous oxide and methane environmental impact of with global warming potentials 298 and 25 times higher than CO2, respectively, over a 100-year time span. agricultural activities, climate However, there is huge uncertainty associated with nitrous oxide emissions from soils, fertilisers and manures, change, Research and Innovation and methane emissions from enteric fermentation in ruminant livestock. AFBI is playing a major role in a GBP DG, European Commission 12.6 million research programme across the United Kingdom, which aims to reduce the uncertainty in the Dr Ciro Becchetti, Regional national agricultural GHG inventory. Coordinator for Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (Umbria Conclusions Region), Italy The moderator concluded that the aim of the debate had been to: Dr Joanna Witczak, University of • examine the links between agriculture, research and innovation in order to enhance the competitiveness of Poznan, Poland the agriculture sector by contributing to job creation, growth and support to SMEs in rural areas; Prof. Dr Kamil Okyay Sindir, • explore different regional strategies and show how the local authorities help the European agricultural sector Mayor of Bornova Municipality, to become more productive and efficient, thus promoting the sustainable development of agriculture; Turkey • explore regional best practices to demonstrate the important role of innovation to improve the competitiveness Grzegorz Orawiec, Director, of European agri-food enterprises; Department of Regional Policy • expose regional contributions to the world challenges of not only how to produce more, but also how to of the Świętokrzyskie Marshal’s produce better; Office, Poland • expose regional contribution in building the bridge between the research world and farming practice in order Prof. Stefano Mancusco, to promote a sustainable development of agriculture. Director, International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology, University of Florence, Italy Prof. Boguslaw Plawgo, University of Bialystok / BFKK “We need to develop these sectors, which provide Foundation (Podlaskie Region), a stable basis for growth, and particular industries Poland Dr Alessandro Rota that are already rooted in our region and have Hillebrand Koning, Senior a chance to attract foreign capital. We should focus Advisor, Economic Horticulture Programme ‘Floriade’, Province of on the development of green industries, i.e. those Flevoland, The Netherlands that do not interfere with the environment. Claudio Bredy, Head of Unit, Department of Agriculture The region also needs to encourage entrepreneurs and Natural Resources of the to enter other markets.” Autonomous Region of the Aosta Boguslaw Plawgo Valley, Italy Dr Catherine Watson, Head, Agri-Environment Branch at Agri- Food and Bio-sciences Institute (AFBI), United Kingdom
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 103 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Business? Culture? Tourism? – take your pick! Brainstorm ideas to boost more growth and jobs
09C04 Outline 09 October 2013 The purpose of the debate was to discuss ideas about stimulating growth and jobs by linking business 9:30-13:00 development, culture and tourism. The debate aimed at raising awareness of different possibilities and encouraging the participants to share ideas for increasing growth and providing new jobs in the EU regions and cities. Organiser: Topics tackled during the discussion included the European Capitals of Culture, creative industries, sustainable Pomorskie Region tourism and plans for strategic revitalisation.
Chair: Debate Jacek Bendykowski, Councillor Özcan Işiklar told the audience about the region Silivri in Turkey that focuses on the restoration of cultural of the Pomorskie Region, Poland infrastructure, rural culture and religious tourism. He discussed the issue of demography and emigration among the Turkish people, and presented possible solutions to those problems. Speakers: Maciej Szymanowicz, Policy Joanna Cichocka-Gula presented the development of culture in Sopot through the investments funded Officer, Education and Culture from the European Union. Thanks to the new infrastructure, the city is organising prestigious events at an DG, European Commission international level, such as the World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2014. Ozcan Isiklar, Mayor, Silivri Municipality, Turkey Todor Chobanov advertised the city of Sofia as the candidate for the European Capital of Culture 2019. Joanna Cichocka-Gula, Deputy He discussed the draft of the Atique Culture and Communication Complex ‘Serdica’, which will revitalise the Mayor, Sopot, Pomorskie Region, central part of the city, and the construction of the Complex Centre for Contemporary Art. Poland Todor Chobanov, Deputy Gracienne Damman presented Dunkirk as a city of modernity and development. Dunkirk, which is the Mayor, City of Sofia, Bulgaria Regional Capital of Culture, deals with the cooperation and development of cultural institutions through the Cristina Nuñez, Coordinator, implementation of different projects supported by EU funds. NECSTouR Gracienne Damman, Vice- Cristina Nuñez gave an interesting presentation about the NECSTour, which supports the collaboration President of Dunkirk Greater among the representatives of tourism, tourism associations, universities and research institutions in order to Council, Urban Community of ensure a strong and effective cooperation in the field of sustainable tourism and other related sectors. Dunkirk, France Ivana Kolar, General Manager, Ivana Kolar discussed the Krapina-Zagorje region, which invests in the development of tourism through new Krapina-Zagorje County, Croatia infrastructure, sports facilities and spas. Investments provide the opportunity for developing small enterprises Dorota Skwarek, Deputy operating in the hotel industry and catering services. Director, Lubelskie Region, Poland Dorota Skwarek spoke about the cultural development of Lublin, the wide variety of cultural events held in Morgane Vandernotte, Region the city and the effective cooperation with the private sector. Her presentation also included a display of the Nord-Pas de Calais, France project implemented in Janów Lubelski, which focuses on supporting local traditions and promoting a healthy lifestyle. More information: www.pomorskie-eu.pl/en/ In her presentation, Morgane Vandernotte discussed the Nord-Pas de Calais region. She talked about the www.pomorskie-eu.pl/en/ great number of the museums located in the area and highlighted its cultural potential. She also discussed wiadomosci,culture-business- ways of improving the region’s current situation, including by strengthening its cultural attractiveness. and-tourism-in-the-name-of- more-growth-and-new-jobs,127. Conclusions html All of the regions share one idea: to prepare the best possible offer, for the cultural, tourism and recreational sectors. This concept resulted in developing the regions and infrastructure. Had it not been for the fruitful cooperation, such aims could not have been achieved.
104 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Saving the sea the Baltic way - turning tougher transport regulations into competitive advantages
Outline 09C05 In his introduction, Dr Barnert stated that the Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas worldwide, and that the 09 October 2013 EU strategy for the Baltic Sea Region will help to stop the pollution. Furthermore, current International Maritime 11:15-13:00
Organsation (IMO) and EU legislations aim to limit sulphur, NOx and CO2 emissions. The major challenge is to reach a fair balance between ‘ecological emission control’ and the ‘economic evolution of maritime transport Organiser: and tourism’, particularly because transport will increase dramatically in the next 15 years. Some different Mecklenburg-Vorpommern innovative solutions for the Baltic area were presented to balance these interests. Office
Debate Chairs: Dr Volker Bertram introduced the Zero-emission ferry, which could be used predominantly as a container Dr Merten Barnert,
‘feeder vessel’, without any CO2-emissions. Hydrogen, produced by the offshore wind farms, is used as an Mecklenburg-Vorpommern energy source and transformed into electricity from chemical fuel cells, which makes it a clean alternative fuel. Office, Germany These plants are also able to store hydrogen for short periods so that they can be used as a refuelling station at Kjell Nybacka, West Finland sea. The first ships could utilise this technology in 2018. European Office
Dr Ulla Tapaninen spoke about the project, Rail Baltica.The project is aiming to link Finland, the Baltic States and Poland. Speakers: It envisages a continuous rail link from Tallinn to Warsaw, going via Riga and Kaunas. In her estimation, there is a Dr Volker Bertram, Future Ship need for a multimodal solution that connects the most efficient transport carriers, railways and maritime vessels, GmbH Hamburg, Germany which also meet the ecological and economical requirements on an efficient transport link in the Baltic area. Dr Ulla Tapaninen, City of Helsinki, Germany Prof. Zygmunt Babinski raised awareness of the problem that there is almost a complete absence of maritime Prof. Zygmunt Babinski, transport on Polish rivers and presented the Vistula River as an under-used transport route with high potential. University Kazimierza Wielkiego Poland is quite rich in seas and rivers and, in Prof. Babinski’s view, it is a working initiative for the coming years w Bydgoszczy, Poland to increase the maritime transport in Poland. Dr Erik Bergkvist, President of the Executive Committee of the Dr Erik Bergkvist talked about the Kvarken multimodal link, a project to connect the Kvarken area between Västerbotton Region, Sweden Umeå (Sweden) and Vaasa (Finland), which is also called the Bothnian Corridor. Ships have to be classified as icebreakers on that route, but also need to be lighter in weight for a greater fuel economy. He showed different More information: solutions that are realistic for that link, which would be used predominantly for commodities. www.futureship.de/en/fs_index. php Conclusions www.rail-baltica.com/pub/ The discussion was about short-term measures that could alleviate the increasing pressure for ship owners to www.northsweden.eu/english/ adapt for the coming years. One solution might be liquified natural gas (LNG) as an alternative fuel; or scrubbers news/kvarken-link-in-almedalen. (onboard as an emission control system), but scrubbers are merely a transitional technology. On the other aspx hand, LNG could be a cheaper and cleaner fuel for the majority of the Baltic Sea connections. It is therefore necessary to build an infrastructure to utilise these fuels, and to develop common standards for couplings and safety features to use these technologies as efficiently as possible.
“We’re thinking that emission limits for shipping transport and further growth of the maritime transport in the Baltic area can go hand-in-hand and are compatible with each other.” Dr Merten Barnert
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 105 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Smart capital cities and regions: Strategies for 2014-2020
09C06 Outline 09 October 2013 The regions and cities throughout Europe are taking different approaches as to how they address urban 11:15-13:00 transformation. As engines of innovation and development, capital cities and regions play a crucial role in the growth agenda. They have to find even smarter ways to organise themselves to cope with the challenges of our Organiser: modern society and become sustainable cities that offer a good quality of life to citizens. Capital Cities and Regions Network During the debate, different visions and strategies in the smart city areas were presented while experts gave a deeper insight as to how to implement these strategies and how to involve citizens. It resulted in an interesting Chair: dialogue between the speakers on how to create smart synergies within cities and regions. Within a European Richard Tuffs, Director, European context, capital cities and regions have to be open and strive for partnerships with other European cities Regions Research and Innovation and regions in order to reach an important critical mass. Network (ERRIN) Debate Speakers: Population growth in the city of Oslo poses some important challenges but also some possibilities. Based on Stian Berger Røsland, these challenges the vision for Oslo 2030 is: smart – safe and green. Stian Berger Røsland said that Oslo Mayor of Oslo, Norway needs to be smart in attracting talent and to be attractive to businesses, investors, tourists and its inhabitants. Pierre Kanuty, Regional This smart vision has been integrated within its new long-term strategic Municipal Master Plan towards 2030. Counsellor, Île-de-France, President, Île-de-France Europe Île-de-France developed the S3 strategy (Smart Specialisation Strategy) in cooperation with the regional Inete Ielite, Member, Board of stakeholders. This regional innovation strategy programme defined three thematic priorities with a competitive Riga Energy Agency, Latvia advantage (health and well-being; mobility and transport, and environment and energy efficiency), Dr-Ing. Dirk Heinrichs, which correspond to the specific needs and challenges of Pierre Kanuty’s region. These are linked to three of Research Associate, German the themes of the future operational programme: complex systems engineering and software, eco-construction Aerospace Center (DLR) and high environmental performance districts, and clean and intelligent vehicles. Institute of Transport Research, Germany Inete Ielite drew some important lessons from her experience with the Step-up partnership. This initiative brings Henriette Van Eijl, Mobility together excellence on energy planning from four European cities together with their industrial and research partners. and Transport DG, European She underlined the importance of developing an integrated approach, creating learning networks and Commission identifying lighthouse projects in order to develop a successful smart cities initiative. She also emphasised the Conclusion: Peter Steijn, importance of a full political commitment. Director, City Development (G4) Dr Dirk Heinrichs focused on how to involve citizens better in the innovation processes so as to ensure the technology uptake. Rather than seeking ways to adjust behaviour, he suggested fostering the public understanding of technology. Without users’ acceptance new technologies will fail and the envisaged economic development in the region will not happen. A clear understanding of how new technologies can best support our needs is of central importance.
Henriette Van Eijl underlined the importance of good strategies and referred to the efforts of the European Commission in supporting the design of innovation strategies and integrated solutions. She referred to the “Capital cities smart specialisation platform and the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities that brings together cities, industry and citizens to improve urban life. and regions are also in favour of a streamlined Conclusions Peter Steijn concluded that “capital cities and regions are the obvious places to explore, experiment and European strategy evaluate new ideas and creative solutions so that they can become sustainable and offer good quality of that offers some leeway life to citizens. European programmes developed within a streamlined European strategy have the potential to create an important leverage effect on local and regional innovation and research, and can contribute to to adapt it to local the transformation of urban areas into smart centres of innovation and technology. Capital cities and regions and regional situations.” themselves need smart strategies and a clear vision on research and innovation while they cooperate with Peter Steijn other European cities and regions.”
106 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Smart Clusters for a new industrial revolution
Outline 09C07 In October 2012, the European Commission launched the communication ‘A stronger European industry for 09 October 2013 growth and economic recovery’. It proposes a partnership between the European Union (EU), its Member 11:15-13:00 States and industry to give Europe a competitive lead in the new industrial revolution. The Basque Country (ES), Eindhoven (NL), Extremadura (ES), Flanders (BE), Picardie (FR), Tampere Region (FI) and Vidzeme Planning Organiser: Region (LV) believe that new partnerships embedded in a Smart Specialisation Strategy are key to fostering Liaison Agency Flanders - Europe industrial revolution. During the workshop, the speakers shared their experience in creating and running (VLEVA) innovative public-private communities, such as the factories of the future, innovation hubs and clusters (groups of organisations working in a defined economic sector and in a geographically limited environment). These Chair: pilot projects can serve as leverage for a stronger European industry, contributing to industrial policy in the EU Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive, and helping to identify how regions can contribute to the development of industrial policy. European Policy Centre, Belgium
Debate Speakers: Petri Räsänen introduced the Tampere region, which has over 150 years of history and cumulated Petri Räsänen, Director, manufacturing competence in the metal industry. The region’s investment in research and development is 7% Innovation and Foresight, Council of gross domestic product (GDP), i.e. EUR 2,000 a year per person. Tampere has been implementing systematic of Tampere Region, Finland cluster policy for almost 20 years, but during the last five years has found new approaches for cluster policies Javier Gonzalez, Cluster and created a new tool – open platforms – for stable and attractive environments that are able to facilitate Programme Manager, value creation and the innovation process. Technology and Strategy Directorate, Department Javier Gonzalez reported that the Basque country cluster policy started at the end of 1980s, during a deep of Economic Development crisis, and concentrated only on ‘priority’ clusters. In the following years, different cluster associations were and Competitiveness, created. Considering that although clusters are ‘natural’ entities, it is nevertheless necessary to put together a the Basque Ministry for practical action plan to increase the growth and competitiveness of clusters within a region, namely by setting Economic Development and up cluster associations. Today there are 11 priority clusters spanning half of Basque industry. Competitiveness, Spain Bjorn Van de Vondel, Project Bjorn Van de Vondel spoke about DSP Valley, a European cluster of excellence in smart systems and Manager, DSP Valley, Belgium embedded a technology solution, that is working in a cross-border area of Belgium and the Netherlands. It has Edzer Huitema, Commercial about 100 members made up of companies and research institutions active in the whole value chain of micro-/ Director, Solliance, nano-electronics and embedded systems. The cluster has four operational cornerstones: cooperation (dense The Netherlands networking in order to form partnerships), internationalisation (important to make a network of networks), technology valorisation (via applications) and smart specialisation (nanotechnologies for health). More information: en.vleva.eu/SmartClusters Edzer Huitema presented the alliance Solliance, which brings all the thin film photovoltaic research and development together in the Netherlands, Belgium and part of Germany. It makes synergy among more than 250 researchers to strengthen the region’s position as a world player in thin film photovoltaics. The alliance admits there is a crucial need to collaborate among industry, research organisations and government, as Asia has taken the role of manufacturer and most groups are too small to remain significant in the coming decades.
Conclusions The moderator concluded that, in the context of global competition, the European Union has to be very forward- looking and recognise not only that we are facing very strong competition, but also that emerging economies are catching up rapidly and investing massively into technology and smart clusters. This is a significant challenge for the next programming period. The moderator pointed out that there is tendency to equate innovation and technology. However we have to be careful, as a great deal of innovation and productivity gains have not come from technologic advance, but new business models, an integration of services and new ways of doing things.
“Collaboration is not really an option, it’s a necessity, but it has to be supported and carried out by the ‘players in the field’, so that there will be companies, research institutes and policymakers in order to create the framework, where this collaboration can be as successful as possible.” Edzer Huitema
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 107 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Achieving EU2020 energy targets: What works
09C08 Outline 09 October 2013 This workshop focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Recognised EU experts presented the best 11:15-13:00 tried and tested practices and policies in the two fields to over 150 regional representatives in order to help them reach the ambitious EU energy targets. The participants got an exclusive preview of the results of INTERREG IVC Organiser: thematic capitalisation in the two topics, and two in-depth analyses of 19 projects with over 190 partners. INTERREG IVC The workshop was followed by a networking session.
Chair: Debate Ian Hill, Independent Consultant, Katharina Krell presented the INTERREG IVC thematic capitalisation on renewable energy (RES). The projects United Kingdom collected 212 good practices in the field of RES, which were categorised according to their stage of development (commitment and planning, emerging market, mature markets, saturated market) and thoroughly analysed by Speakers: the experts. She found it surprising that many good practices related to the application of known technologies. Rafael Ayuste, Lead Partner, For successful implementation of the already identified good practises, the collected knowledge needs to be INTERREG IVC project BIO- properly managed and promoted, and the capitalisation initiative should then continue. EN-AREA, Head of Renewable Energies Department, Regional Rafael Ayuste briefly introduced BIO-EN-AREA project’s main facts and its partnership. He discussed several Energy Agency of Castilla y León lessons learnt, for example: (EREN), Spain • the need to adjust a plan to a particular environment in order for it to be implemented; Katharina Mörl, Project • the use of an entrepreneurial (industrial, forestry, etc.) culture as a key value in development; Coordinator, INTERREG IVC • the importance of biomass commerce; project EnercitEE, Saxon • the scarcity of models in bioenergy planning as an opportunity for development. State Office for Environment, He said that the capitalisation initiative extended and improved the project’s work, for example by facilitating Agriculture and Geology, an exchange of knowledge among the RES projects. Germany Christiaan Norde, Project Koen Rademaekers listed the key barriers that limit the uptake of energy efficiency: e.g. financial, institutional Coordinator, INTERREG IVC and administrative, or a lack of information and awareness. He mentioned also the lack of binding targets project IMEA, Platform31, The for energy efficiency. He presented several lessons about energy efficiency relevant for policymakers, local Netherlands authorities and citizens, for example, about community involvement as an effective way of bringing change. He Katharina Krell, INTERREG IVC added that technology was usually not the problem (supply); instead, the real issue was the demand (applying thematic capitalisation expert for it in practice). Renewable Energy, Managing Director, Greenovate!Europe, Christiaan Norde introduced the IMEA project to the participants, namely its key objective to change the Belgium energy efficiency strategies of local and regional authorities. As an example, he described a good practice from Assen in the Netherlands, ‘Tailor-made energy advice trajectory’, which motivates home-owners to invest in More information: energy efficiency. So far, the project has identified 17 good practices, developed five detailed change cases, www.interreg4c.eu. and established connections with local/regional stakeholders.
Katharina Mörl talked about practical energy efficiency tools and guidelines developed by EnercitEE project, “Without strong e.g. its Good Practice Guide for assessing energy efficiency potential of partner regions. Five regional/local policies were improved. She stressed several success factors: regional and local • political will; implementation • the need to have policy developed and decided by an authority that can also implement it; • awareness rising and education; of renewables • money/ funding (and energy efficiency) Conclusions policies, Europe will Ian Hill asked the speakers to conclude with the most important messages to be passed to the audience. not be able to reach Christiaan underlined the challenge to acquire the trust of people. Koen mentioned the variety of models its ambitious targets that could lead to financial motivation, and defining a clear vision. Katharina Mörl focused on the horizontal cooperation among different departments in an organisation, an interest others’ in good practices, and sound for 2020 and beyond.” and scientific information for stakeholders. Katharina Krell emphasised the role of the exchange of experience, Katharina Krell and Rafael recommended hard work and flexibility for new ideas.
108 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
European Entrepreneurial Regions (EER) promoting smart financing for SMEs
Outline 09C09 Each region that has been awarded the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) label has a different inspirational 09 October 2013 strategy for implementing the revised Small Business Act for Europe (SBA) as well as visionary entrepreneurship policies. 11:15-13:00 These are founded on the optimal use of available funding. Discussing the different approaches and specific local contexts helps reinforce the dissemination of good practices for the regions and stakeholders involved. Organiser: In the Open Days workshop, selected EER regions demonstrated the progress made in the implementation of Unit E2, Subsidiarity Network/ their EER action plan-related measures with regard to the easing of access to finance for small and medium-sized Europe 2020 Monitoring enterprises (SMEs) and (young) entrepreneurs, which remains one of the major concerns in most regions across Platform/Covenant of Mayors/ the EU. The speakers discussed with the audience the current state of play, as well as the possible next steps in the EGTC, Directorate E, Horizontal further promotion of this subject at regional and local levels. The workshop was followed by a networking event with Policies and Networks, representatives from seven EER awarded regions. Committee of the Regions
Debate Chair: Patrice Liauzu presented European Investment Bank products that are targeted specifically at SMEs. He stressed Simone Beissel (LU/ALDE), that offering support to SMEs is one of the top priorities for the EIB. Consequently, loans directed at SMEs, which EER jury member, Member, are channelled through commercial banks and other intermediaries, constitute one of the core EIB products. Joint Committee of the Regions, Chair programmes of the European Commission and the EIB – such as JEREMIE, which improves access to finance for SMEs of the Commission for Economic through structural funds intervention – offer the possibility to be fine-tuned to specific local needs. and Social Policy (ECOS), Deputy Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, Claudiu Ciprian Cristea underlined the fact that access to finance is currently one of the most pressing problems faced Luxembourg by SMEs in the euro area. He gave an overview of existing EU financial instruments that have allowed the provision of loans to over 240,000 SMEs to date. The future financial instruments COSME and Horizon 2020 will target SME growth, Speakers: as well as research, development and innovation. Alternative sources of funding will have to be more strongly Patrice Liauzu, Adviser, developed to create a further diversified financing system that is less dependent on banks. European Investment Bank, Belgium Juan Hernandez demonstrated how the Murcia business angels network. MurciaBan has been enabling the creation Claudiu Ciprian Cristea, Head and consolidation of innovative firms through financial resources coming from private investors. Today, MurciaBan of Unit, SME Access to Finance, involves 37 investors and 62 projects, with a strong emphasis on information communications technologies (ICT) Enterprise and Industry DG, but also including other sectors, such as biotechnology and e-commerce. MurciaBan helps overcoming two major European Commission challenges for new business plans: access to funding and management support. It thus creates the right conditions Juan Hernandez, Director of the for mutually beneficial relationships between investors and entrepreneurs. Murcia Regional Development Agency, Region of Murcia (EER Reiner Kneifel-Haverkamp presented a number of financial instruments currently used by the Land of Brandenburg 2011), Spain which make local use of EU Structural Funds and focus on providing support to SMEs, as well as on funding research Reiner Kneifel-Haverkamp, and development. The financial tools used consist of a mixture of grants, loans, equities and guarantees and include Head of Unit, EU-Economic and a growth fund for young and mature entrepreneurs, as well as a mezzanine loan fund. In the future, the Land of Financial Policies, Ministry of Brandenburg will continue to use these instruments and include a macro-finance instrument. Economy and European Affairs, Land of Brandenburg (EER 2011), Karsten Uno Petersen outlined the main features of Southern Denmark’s smart specialisation strategy, which focuses on Germany health and social innovation, sustainable energy and the experience economy. In all three areas, Southern Denmark has Karsten Uno Petersen (DK/ strong cluster organisations. The region set up Welfare Tech Invest, a fund aiming to accelerate the growth of companies PES), Member, Committee of by providing them with capital and wide-ranging support. The region also established a pool for the commercialisation the Regions, Member, Southern of public-private innovation that supports innovation-based cooperation between SMEs and public parties. Denmark Regional Council, Southern Denmark (EER 2013), Dieter Hornbacher gave an overview of the economic characteristics and assets of Styria, which has its core Denmark competences in mobility, eco-technology and health technology. Styria was the first province in Austria to set up a public Dieter Hornbacher, Chief venture capital fund for start-ups. Tyromotion GmbH, a company producing rehabilitation technology, was highlighted Executive Officer, Styrian as a best practice example for the use of venture capital. Moreover, Styria provides silent partnership capital for established Investment Financing Company SMEs. This was illustrated by another example, Logicdata GmbH, a producer of control units for ergonomic furniture. (StBFG), Land of Styria (EER 2013), Austria. Conclusions Simone Beissel concluded that the workshop had succeeded in both establishing the current state of play in the field More information: of facilitating SME access to finance and identifying potential future challenges and problems for the promotion of EER:web: smart financing. Most importantly, speakers from the EER-awarded regions had seized this opportunity to share a cor.europa.eu/eer range of field-tested best practices that can serve as models and give new ideas to workshop participants who may face similar challenges in their home regions.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 109 Workshops Challenges and solutions
PPPs: Forging partnerships to face environmental challenges 2014-2020
09C10 Outline 09 October Eulalio Avila Cano introduced the joint study, ‘Strengthening partnerships between public and private sec- 11:15-13:00 tors’, which sets out through 10 to 12 case studies a series of experiences of the public-private partnership (PPP) in its various forms. Whilst there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, a number of key elements are essential if local Organiser: authorities and their communities are to progress successfully in these partnerships. Good communication UDITE (EU federation of Chief with local citizens, managing expectations, researching the financing options, and increasing capacity in local Executives in Local Government) government will initiate and prepare these schemes. and Veolia Environment European Services Dominique Deprez explained why the Communaute Urbain de Dunkirque (CUD) opted for a PPP for this ambitious urban regeneration project on the northern side of Dunkirk. A competitive dialogue has facilitated Chair: the work of the candidates to successfully integrate the needs of the urban community, and it optimised the John Walsh, Policy Analyst, Unit project’s design and helped to maximise the revenue generation that the urban community could expect from B2, Evaluation and European the project. Innovation, competition and good modelling has paved the way to a secure economic regenera- Semester, Regional and Urban tion initiative that will have a major impact on the lives of citizens and employees in the wider area. Policy, European Commission Valentin Merino Estrada outlined the R2Cities project and its aim to develop and demonstrate replicable Speakers: strategies for designing, constructing and managing large-scale district renovation projects and achieving Eulalio Avila Cano, President, nearly zero-energy cities. Valladolid is already working towards the smart city concept. The initiative of the city European Federation of Chief councils of Valladolid and Palencia involves public and private institutions, research and academic organisa- Executives in Local Government tions, and multiple stakeholders. He underlined the important contribution that PPPs were making, not only in (UDITE), Secretary-General, terms of finance but also in terms of know-how, innovation and expertise. Municipality Majadahonda, Spain Dominique Deprez, Using the example of the Saint-Denis wastewater treatment plant on La Reunion, Fanny Arnaud explained Manager, ARENA project, the benefits of the scheme, both to the local authorities in terms of the rapid compliance with the EU urban Urban Community of Dunkirk/ wastewater directive, and also to the end-users in terms of mitigating the increase of water charges due to Communauté Urbain de public and EU funding. The PPP approached used by the local authorities and Veolia Environnement is a 20-year Dunkerque, France concession contract costing € 75 million, the result of an EU compliant procedure. The scheme has delivered Valentin Merino Estrada, benefits in terms of technical expertise and innovation that that was not available locally. Chief Executive, Municipality of Valladolid, Spain Following a short introduction on the EIB European Public Private Partnership Excellence Centre (EPEC), Stuart Fanny Arnaud, Policy Advisor, Broom gave an overview of the challenges that face PPPs today, some of the public sector policy issues facing Public Affairs Department, Veolia PPP uptake and, looking to the future, welcomed the political agreement on the new Procurement Directive Environnement, France and the new procedures, lifecycle costing and the role of subcontractors that the new streamlined rules should Stuart Broom, Advisor, help to improve for the procurement of complex and large projects European PPP Expertise Centre, European Investment Bank (EIB), Conclusions United Kingdom Following a discussion with the participants, the moderator concluded by emphasising the many different forms of PPP available, each with their ‘pros and cons’ as evidenced by the presenters. Public authorities needed More information: to combine a range of legal, economic, environmental and financial skills when choosing and delivering the UDITE: right PPP model. Cooperation with national PPP offices and EPEC was essential, and improved transparency www.udite.eu on the performance of PPPs. The new legislation for cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020 makes it clear Communaute Urbain de that PPP projects are eligible for EU support. Indeed the focus of PPPs on lifecycle financing fits very well with Dunkirque: the objectives of raising the leverage of public funding, long-term sustainability and clearer result orientation. YouTube/X7abI6MVAaA R2Cities: r2cities.eu/ “Where relevant, a successful PPP critically depends on our local authorities having the skills and capacity to manage the expectations of their local communities, research the financing options effectively, and have clear communication strategies to keep everyone onboard.” Eulalio Avila Cano
110 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
PPPs in the next financial perspective
Outline 09C11 While the Council’s proposed amendment to the common strategic framework funds (CSF) regulations, the 09 October 2013 Common Provisions Regulation, is expected to have a positive impact on the utilisation of EU funds in PPPs in 11:15-13:00 the next multiannual financial framework (MFF), a number of challenges remain in relation to the blending/ combining of EU funds with PPPs. The aim of the workshop was to discuss the expected impact the final Organiser: legislative package will have on facilitating the use of PPPs in the implementation of infrastructure projects European PPP Expertise Centre and their finance ability, and on the finalisation of practical guidance to support the aims and objectives of the (EPEC), European Investment new regulations. Bank
Debate Chair: Dr Chris Blades introduced the subject and outlined the EPEC’s objectives and activities on combining EU Dr Chris Blades, Head of EPEC, funds and PPPs. By identifying blended projects and possible pilot projects, mapping challenges and through European Investment Bank, an active engagement in the elaboration of Operational Programmes, EPEC strives for a greater integration of Luxembourg EU funds with PPP and for increasing the number of blended projects. Speakers: François Gaudet provided an overview of the current perspective challenges in combining EU funds and François Gaudet, Principal PPP, and highlighted the changes contemplated in the draft regulations for the next financial perspective, Advisor at EPEC, European addressing some of these issues. Investment Bank, Luxembourg Brendan Smyth, Policy Officer, Brendan Smyth explained the European Commission’s principles in assessing blended PPPs and focused on Regional Policy DG, European major project rules and regulations in the next financial period. The European Commission considers PPP a Commission delivery mechanism, a type of procurement, thus all rules and procedures for major projects should be applied Rainier d’Haussonville, Director while implementing blended PPPs. Regarding the operational programmes (OP) to be presented by the Member for European Affairs, Company States, a more strategic and result-orientated approach must be applied in the next programming period. Representative to the EU As well, greater emphasis will be laid on ex-ante conditionalities and on the thematic concentration of the OPs. institutions, Veolia Environment He highlighted the JASPERS (Joint Assistance to Support Projects in European Regions) technical assistance Europe Service, Belgium facility. The mandate of JASERPS also covers PPP projects, and great efforts are being made to identify eventual pilot PPP projects to be implemented under this scheme. More information: www.eib.org/epec Rainier d’Haussonville presented a case study on the St Denis wastewater treatment plant PPP on the island of La Réunion (France). Forty-five percent of the EUR 75 million project has been co-financed with public funds, including the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Based on the lessons learnt during the project implementation process, he took the opportunity to highlight potential areas for simplification and clarification.
Conclusions Dr Blades recalled the possible benefits of blending PPPs with EU funds and summarised the main features of the draft regulation for the next programming period. She concluded by drawing attention to the main remarks made by the presenters regarding the necessary clarifications and activities to be delivered before the start of the MFF 2014-2020. She also called for a stronger support at all levels to simplify and strengthen the implementation of blended projects.
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Supporting SME internationalisation at regional level
09C13 Outline 09 October 2013 Nearly 190 participants, mostly representatives and project managers of regional institutions and associations, 11:15-13:00 attentively followed this workshop, which illustrated through four best practice examples that small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) internationalisation is a solid source of economic growth for companies and, Organiser: consequently, for the regions. Enterprise and Industry DG, European Commission Barbara Andreani presented the Enterprise Europe Brussels network, which is the local gateway for Brussels companies to do business abroad, to access European funding, and to become more innovative and competitive Chair: in new markets. Its services encompass a customised approach for business-to-business (B2B) events, access to Christian Weinberger, Senior finance, advice on EU law, standards, intellectual property and patents. Mr Weinberger pointed out that not all Advisor Entrepreneurship & SME EEN offices offered the same scope of services and informed the audience that a new call for this initiative was Policy, Enterprise and Industry foreseen for 2014 for which new members will be expected. DG, European Commission Alex Zylberberg is a young entrepreneur who was speaking enthusiastically about his personal experience Speakers: with the Erasmus for Entrepreneurs programme. Having graduated in engineering and after a difficult start-up Barbara Andreani, Partner attempt on his own, he went with the support of this programme to Finland to meet a company that produces EEN for the Brussels Capital a ventilation system for industrial kitchens; he ended up becoming a partner. He was very grateful to all the Region, Brussels Enterprise people who had contributed to the programme and recommended it to all who might be interested. Agency,Belgium Alex Zylberberg, a visiting Maria del Mar Sancho outlined the training programme of the region Castilla y León (Excal), which was entrepreneur, United Kingdom initiated in 1997. Its main objective is to train young people to obtain a subsequent employment in companies. Ssgi In the last 16 years, a total of 243 advisors have been part of the Excal International Network, working in a total Maria del Mar Sancho, of 27 countries; 1 200 companies per year have benefited from the activities of these advisors. This programme Agencia de Innovación, offers a Masters in Foreign Trade Promotion, which, since 2005, 269 students have completed; 124 companies Financiación e have employed foreign trade promoters trained by Excal. Incidentally, this programme is neither (co-)financed Internacionalización Empresarial, nor supported by the EU. Spain Gareth Jones, Head, Business Gareth Jones has contacts with companies who tell him that their main problems lie in the financial costs Development, Opportunity of business travel and the ‘lost’ time out of the office. SMEs especially underestimate the time and resources Peterborough, United Kingdom they need for preparation because they still focus on the domestic market. When thinking of branching out, it is necessary to make an international assessment. Does the company have a ‘real’ competitive advantage, More information: does it actively search opportunities, and does it have market intelligence, skills and knowledge? Furthermore www.excal.es he suggested asking companies, in terms of ambition, if they had a clear and credible plan to achieve growth www.brusselsnetwork.be based on sound assumptions, if they had a track record of growth, or if they had growth aspirations at all. And www.jeven.fi last but not least, do the companies have the appropriate resources to do business abroad? www.opportunitypeterborough. co.ukec.europa.eu/enterprise/ policies/sme/index_en.htm
112 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Across and within borders – regional solutions for spatial challenges in urban-rural areas
Outline 09C14 “Urban-rural interdependence should be recognised through integrated governance and planning based on 09 October 2013 broad partnership.” (Territorial Agenda 2020) 14:30-17:00 A stimulating introduction from Charlina Vitcheva highlighted the relevance of this workshop in the current development of EU policy and new programmes. Organiser: The 11 participating regions presented a wide range of examples, concerning governance, service provision, Regional Partnership ‘Acting management of territorial assets and environmental sustainability at regional and sub-regional levels. Rapid together for greater urban-rural urban expansion and its impact on quality of life, environmental sustainability, agriculture and open space cohesion’ / Lead partner: Lower was a common theme. These contributions led to various interesting statements from the audience and lively Austria discussions. The event was rounded off by a networking reception, which provided even more opportunities for exchange Chair: between the participants and the experts from the various regions. Hilary Lowson, Secretary General, Purple network (peri- Debate urban regions platform Europe) Charlina Vitcheva pointed out that urban-rural linkages, in peri-urban areas but also between market towns and their rural surroundings, are being recognised at the European level as being important for territorial Speakers: cohesion. The RURBAN preparatory action in particular focuses on this issue. The new programming period Charlina Vitcheva, Director, proposes territorial instruments that can use the full potential of these links but their implementation is up to Urban and Territorial Member States and regions. Development and Northern Europe, Regional and Urban Maciej Borsa presented the Lower Silesia Regional Strategy 2020, a new type of strategic regional document Policy DG, European Commission that highlights the territorial dimension of development. It recognises the specificity of mixed urban-rural areas Maciej Borsa, Director, Institute and the challenges of functional sub-regions; consequently it offers a number of instruments for their better for Territorial Development, governance. It focuses on maintaining the development equilibrium of the entire region, prioritising multilevel Lower Silesia governance in functional urban-rural areas. Hajnalka Triteos Meidlik, Regional Management, Lower Lower Austria is situated in the Centrope Region with a mixture of urban spaces and rural areas. The dynamic Austria development of the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava, influences the spatial development in Lower Austria. Martin Kolb, Franco-German- Hajnalka Triteos Meidlik stated that there is a strong need for coordinated spatial planing between Austria Swiss Conference of the Upper and Slovakia, and they are actually working on establishing BAUM, a cross-border management structure for Rhine, Switzerland managing the development in this region. They work on accessibility models, have an Austrian-Slovakian Petr Pruza, Head of the Spatial bus connection and a cross-border bridge, and have achieved the first results for a common safeguard to the Planning Departement, Vysočina ecological connectivity in this region. Region, Czech Republic Eva Haslauer, Research Studios Martin Kolb outlined the cross-border working group (Germany, France and Switzerlnd) ‘Regional Planning’ Austria, Studio iSPACE, Researcher of the Upper Rhine Conference, which during the past 18 months has been establishing a declaration of and PhD student, Salzburg, intention for spatial planning cooperation with its neighbours. The aim, content and future implementation Austria were discussed and agreed upon within the framework of different workshops. The adjusted report is going to Bärbel Schäfer, President, be presented and signed by the three group leaders in the context of the ORK-Plenum on 29 November 2013, District Government Freiburg in which is afterwards going to be tested in a multiannual pilot phase. Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany Michel Grégoire, Vice-President Petr Pruza explained that the Vysočina Region provides subsidies from its budget for land planning to in charge, Agriculture & Rural municipalities within the region. After a subsidy is approved, simple conditions are set. Since 2003, 617 development, Rhône-Alpes, subsidies (EUR 2.5 million) have been provided, while observing the following principle: the lower the cost of a France local plan, the larger the subsidy’s share of the cost will be. Conditions for awarding are that documentation has Lokman Çağırıcı, Mayor of the to be prepared within one year after the subsidy has been awarded and it has to be prepared digitally in a GIS. Bagcilar Municipality, Turkey The current status is that local plans for 84% of the region’s municipalities have been issued. Martin Bezek, Head of Strategy & Regional Department, Eva Haslauer explained the specific position of the city of Salzburg as a trans-border hub in the transnational Bratislava self-governing region, region of Austria and Germany. She presented the INTERREG project EULE, serving as a good-practice example Slovakia for supporting transnational regional planning and spatial analysis. Both serve as a baseline to identify trans- Pietro Lo Monaco, General border spatial potentials, indicators and scenarios for decision-making, supporting an innovative regional Director, Regional Departement- development in the transnational area of Salzburg (Austria) and Bavaria (Germany). Regional Forest Agency, Region of Sicily, Italy
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 113 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Across and within borders – regional solutions for spatial challenges in urban-rural areas
Stanislava Genkova, Expert Bärbel Schäfer shared that a border area at the junction of Alsace and Baden-Württemberg has been in Cultural Programmes and transformed into a ‘green lung’. Town planners designed a cross-border axis on both banks of the Rhine that Projects from the Municipality of started with a common flower show in 2004. A modern footbridge now gracefully spans the river. Today Varna, Bulgaria new homes are built on the French side of the garden, close to the center of Kehl, and the extension of the Wladyslaw Piskorz, Head Strasbourg tramway and a French-German kindergarden are underway. This project seems to be a truly local of Unit of the Competence example of urban co-operation, achieving sustainable urban development. Centre, Inclusive Growth, Urban and Territorial Development, Michel Grégoire addressed the Rhône-Alpes Region, which has lost 10% of its agricultural land in the last European Commission. ten years due to urban sprawl. The key challenges are therefore to ensure a proper land management and the future of rural areas. Some regional measures have been introduced to encourage start-ups in agriculture, to More information: rehabilitate obsolete urban areas and to promote short food chains in periurban areas. Social links need to be DG REGIO: restored in these territories affected by a growing political extremism. http://ec.europa.eu/regional policy/what/cohesion/urban_ Lokman Çağırıcı explained that urban transformation projects provide re-construction for existing settlement rural/index_en.cfm. areas in accordance with physical structure, environment and transportation systems. After the earthquake in Bratislava: Van in 2011, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan founded the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning. http://www.bratislavaregion. Now, the Urban Transformation Law is considered as an opportunity for the city. Citizens were told that urban eu/en transformation, together with social areas and buildings resistant to earthquakes, is an opportunity for a safer life. Franco-German-Swiss Conference of the Upper Rhine: Martin Bezek outlined a main challenge to the Bratislava Region in terms of suburbanisation, that of a massive and http://www.oberrheinkonferenz. uncontrolled growth of areas on the fringes of the capital city. There is a need to develop a strategy that combines the org/de/raumordnung.html transformation of public areas into new functional use, assures the access of new residents to culture and preserves Rhône-Alpes: the traditional rural character of the municipalities, as well as increasing the quality of life for all residents. http://www.rhonealpes.fr/1-.htm Regional council deliberation on Pietro Lo Monaco said that the Sicilian Region presented a demonstration of how it is possible to protect land use : and to preserve the environment, restoring the ecosystem in areas where the endemic flora and fauna have http://bit.ly/1heShXq been gradually deteriorating. The project, ‘The reintroduction of the donkey breed of Pantelleria’ has been Figures on land use in Rhône- undertaken to regulate the conservation of animal biodiversity and to enhance the environmental protection Alpes region (Sept 2013): through the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. It represents an example of benefits for nature and for the http://bit.ly/1a4rndr local economy in urban-rural areas. PURPLE: http://www.purple-eu.org/ Stanislava Genkova pointed out that culture and innovative/creative industries can contribute to regional urban- home/ rural cohesion. The European Capital of Culture programme event stimulates us to think strategically in the direction of Salzburg: bringing Varna and its region closer to each other through the mechanisms of creative and art-generating industries http://www.eule-interreg.eu/ and common cultural policy, building a better transport and logistics scheme, new organisational models and a Baden-Wuerttemberg: network of urban-rural cooperation, including tourism as a major economic sector for the region. http://www.rp-freiburg.de/ servlet/PB/show/1371218/rpf- Wladyslaw Piskorz reported that, after a long negotiation process, they are close to adopting the legislative sgze-flyer-open-days-englisch. package for future cohesion policy. He was glad that the proposals have retained a strong territorial dimension, pdf and that urban-rural linkages have been emphasised. Urban-rural partnerships are important components of Lower Austria: well-integrated territories and can be a major tool for cooperation across administrative borders, minimising the http://www. negative effects of urban sprawl. It is of key importance that the possibilities the regulation offers for urban-rural regionalmanagement-noe.at linkages will be taken up by the Member States and regions that are now writing their operational programmes. Sicily Region: www.regione.sicilia.it Conclusions Regional experiences are a valuable resource to enable EU institutions and policymakers to understand territorial challenges. We need to make this experience more visible for sharing and transfer. Spatial planning can be a strategic tool to overcome obstacles to balanced development. This requires a holistic approach, taking into account all of the territorial assets. The impacts of rapid urban growth do not necessarily respect territorial borders, and cross-border cooperation often needs to operate across an agreed functional area. Decisions for managing complex territorial challenges require a strong evidence base. Data is fundamental to understanding and assessing the challenges faced in order to implement appropriate solutions.
114 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Air policy review: An investment for life. Regional approaches for sustainable development
Outline 09C15 The AIR group represents 13 European regions, characterised by a high rate of urbanisation and industrialisation, 09 October 2013 which represent an important share of European gross domestic product (GDP). The purpose of this group is 14:30-17:00 to exchange best practices on air quality and to contribute to the process of revising air quality legislation. Despite the enhancement achieved by the group, the local air situation has not satisfied the air quality directives’ Organiser: criteria yet. Lack of financial or legislative means as well as orographic conformations affected the AIR group in AIR (Air quality initiative of reaching the European Commission’s goals. The forthcoming thematic strategy represents an opportunity to regions) convey all these issues and to find points of convergence between the regions and the European Commission on the problematic issue of air quality. Moderator: Astrid Weij, Head of Office, Debate EU Randstad Region, The Dr Peter Viaene presented the APPRAISAL project, which focused on the assessment of regional and local air Netherlands quality policies. He showed four different scenarios for 2025 with regard to the air quality in Europe. Depending on which policies would be implemented, the results may turn out differently. APPRAISAL methodology Speakers: represents a useful tool in order to choose suitable measures for each territory and to compare the cost- Dr Peter Viaene, APPRAISAL effectiveness of measures for implementation. Dr Viaene concluded that in future we need to shift attention to project, Researcher at VITO, the ‘more relevant local environmental standards’ rather than the Europeans ones. Belgium Gian Luca Gurrieri, HoU Gian Luca Gurrieri underlined how the policies implemented by the Lombardy Region are inspired by the Organizational Unit Air quality, APPRAISAL parameters, although the relevant expenses (e.g. EUR 130 million of incentives for non-polluting cars industrial emissions and noise, and diesel particulate filters) have not been enough yet. For a highly populated and industrialised region such as Regione Lombardia, Italy Lombardy, much more investment is needed to reach the European targets, which are currently unsustainable. Andrej Piltaver, Department for Environmental Protection, City of Andrej Piltaver expressed his satisfaction about the results obtained by the city of Ljubljana during the last Ljubljana, Slovenia decade, thanks to an important reduction of particulate matter of 10 microns in diameter or smaller (PM-10) Ingrid Winter, State and the implementation of eco-policies. The issue of air quality is a growing concern for citizenship; this is why Government of Steiermark, the local administration is more committed to dealing with it. Directorate 15 _ Energy, Housing, Technical Controls/ Departement Ingrid Winter highlighted how important the share of models is in order to implement the best practices. for Air Pollution Control, Austria Steiermark Region approves studies similar to the APPRAISAL ones and fosters links between its universities Josep Enric Llebot i Rabagliati, and research centres. Steiermark Region has improved its air quality considerably during the last few years due State Secretary, Sustainability, to regional geographic conformation and a lack of legislative power, although during the winter season some Government of Catalonia, Spain exceedance events can still occur. Marco Gasparinetti, Policy Officer, Environment DG, Josep Enric Llebot i Rabagliati underlined the limits of the regional role in environmental matters, which European Commission are often handled by the central state. Lack of standards and data, inability to implement incentives/taxes on the sale and manufacture of vehicles affect the efforts of local authorities to reach EU standards. Good results More information: have been obtained by the regulations for public and private transport, and now a big issue for a sea port like en.vleva.eu/air Barcelona should be faced: sheep emissions. Mr Llebot also underlined the importance of a regulation for motorcycles with incentives for the cleanest ones. “By implementing all the possible and best Marco Gasparinetti pointed out that the European Commission is not modifying the directive on air quality (DIR CE/2008/50) but is almost ready to present a thematic strategy composed of two main associated measures: technical solutions, the Medium Combustion Plants Directive’ and the update of the National Emissions Ceilings (NEC) Directive. the problem of air He understands the reasons submitted by the regions, but the European Commission should monitor the effort of the different actors and act more strictly. Although the European Commission has committed errors in the past quality will not be (e.g. incentives for diesel vehicles), the regions must supervise and implement more measures on air quality. solved in every area Conclusions of Europe. The solution The moderator concluded the event by emphasising the constructive approach of the debate. “Air quality is is a mix between a major challenge for the European Union: and it is at local level that the majority of these challenges will be technical and social faced. Regions should have financial and regulatory power to deal with this subject. We must implement the regulation and close the gap between the three institutional levels: European Union, Member States and regions. measures.” Although more efforts should be put in place, we can look to the future in a positive way.” Peter Viaene
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 115 Workshops Challenges and solutions
The European Innovation Partnership on water and the road to Horizon 2020
09C16 Outline 09 October 2013 The workshop showed concrete examples of EU regions, provinces and cities involved in the activities of the 14:30-17.00 Partnership. Environment DG also provided information about the state of the art of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) and its future development. Research and Innovation DG commented on the future funding Organiser: for the water sector under Horizon 2020. Puglia Region Debate Chair: Pieter De Jong’s presentation highlighted the developments of WaterCampus Leeuwarden and Wetsus, a Robert Schroeder, centre of excellence for sustainable water technology. Mr De Jong shared Information about the official OPEN Head of Unit, Environment DG, DAYS side event, which took place on Monday, 30 September and attracted over 700 people. Furthermore, his European Commission presentation indicated the current state of play of the EIP on the water action group FINNOWATER.
Speakers: Umberto Fratino’s presentation focused on the EIP on water and its role in enhancing the co-operation process Panagiotis Balabanis, Research already developed, which facilitates matchmaking between water innovators across the entire value chain, and Innovation DG, European with a particular focus on linking demand with supply by means of new technologies and innovative Commission approaches to the water governance. The presentation highlighted the regional and local authorities’ role in Dirk Van der Stede, Managing driving this process. Director, Vlakwa, Belgium Pieter De Jong, EU Liaison The objective of Marisa Fernández’s presentation was to translate the opinions and expectations of small Officer, Wetsus, The Netherlands and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from ZINNAE about the EIP on water action groups and the online Umberto Fratino, Professor marketplace. She also explained the participation of ZINNAE and its companies in the action groups. and Expert in the water sector, Politechnic University of Bari, Italy Dirk Van der Stede explained that the West Flemish strategic priorities were blue energy, agro-food and new Marisa Fernández, Manager, materials. The province, which has a longstanding tradition of co-operating with European partners, wants ZINNAE Water Cluster, Spain to strengthen partnerships with regard to these clusters. Combining international knowledge, expertise and Alessandro Scopettuolo, resources in, among other things, Horizon 2020 is the only reasonable way to live up to European standards. The Expert in the water sector, Flanders Knowledge Center Water has an important transversal role in this for water efficiency. Lazio Region, Italy Alessandro Scopettuolo presented the activities of SWMED project, a sustainable action aiming at reducing the water consumption by saving the domestic and urban water use and reusing the greywater and wastewater. Its goal is to satisfy the water needs of the population involved and improve the quality of water bodies by using integrated innovative smart systems for sustainable water management.
116 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Citizen and business mobility across regions and cities
Outline 09C17 The workshop took place in the context of the European Year of Citizens, the implementation of the Single Market Act II 09 October 2013 and the delivering of the Europe 2020 strategy. Its aim was to focus on the benefits that citizens can obtain from the single 14:30-17:00 market and in particular from the use of various EU programmes for investments in growth and jobs. Free movement across borders is at the very basis of the single market and one of the foundations of the European Union. However, Organiser: practical and legal barriers to the mobility of citizens, business activities and investment funding persist. Citizen and European People’s Party (EPP) business mobility is one of the strands of the Single Market Act II, which is essential in order to deliver its promise. Issues Group in the Committee of the such as administrative burdens encountered by businesses on cross-border mobility, access to finance for entrepreneurs Regions (CoR) in trouble as well as the role of the EURES portal in boosting citizens’ mobility were addressed during the discussion. Moderator: Debate Markku Markkula, Chair EPP- Michael Schneider stressed that “the Single Market is one of the EU’s main achievements”. He noted that “not only has CoR Task Force on Europe 2020, it fuelled economic growth, generating an extra 2.8 million jobs but perhaps more importantly it has become a part of Advisor to the Aalto President Europeans’ everyday lives”. He highlighted that its potential has still to be fully realised and that this can only be done by at Aalto University, Member, focusing on “innovation, shared knowledge and better co-operation”. Committee of the Regions, Finland Doede Ackers highlighted that the EU is taking active steps to remove barriers to mobility in Europe. He introduced the EURES network, which is designed to link job vacancies and jobseekers across Member States, with the aim of creating Speakers: a truly accessible and interconnected European labour market. He called for more proactive engagement by Member Michael Schneider, Member States, improving the interoperability of public employment services and private employment agencies between Committee of the Regions, Member States, so that a Single Market is achieved. President EPP Group, Germany Doede Ackers, Deputy Teresa González Ventín emphasised that borders should not be seen as the limit to an area’s potential but rather an Head, Unit C3 - Social Affairs opportunity to aid one’s development. The historic interconnectivity between Galicia and Regiao Norte made sense to and Inclusion DG, European create a EURES structure so that their citizens “could enjoy the best working life, even if they are living and working in Commission different countries”. Demonstrating the need for a system like EURES she remarked that “questions are the first step in Teresa González Ventín, cross-border mobility” and without a clear process of answering some of those, a real impediment will persist in realising Coordinator. EURES cross-border a single European market. partnership Galicia/Regiao Norte, Spain Zbigniew Palenica presented the success story of Solaris Bus and Coach and illustrated that true business mobility has Zbigniew Palenica, Member of many facets, but all need different solutions. He stressed that providing a “hardware solution for integrated mobility” is the Board, Solaris Bus and Coach, just as important as the provision of administrative and social information to citizens who are making decisions about Poland cross-border opportunities. He called for a better framework among Member States in developing the technology that Hank Kune, Think Tank New Club is needed to make business mobility within the Single Market a reality. He highlighted that there needs to be a strong of Paris, The Netherlands collaborative dimension in the future programming of structural funds and Horizon 2020 if we are to grasp the Single Market’s potential. More information: www.epp.cor.europa.eu Hank Kune demonstrated the work of the New Club of Paris by returning to the theme of mental barriers hindering www.ec.europa.eu/eures/ cross-border mobilisation. He felt collaboration between local and regional actors needs to be supported by encouraging www.eures-norteportugal- a “sense of opportunity” when it comes to moving beyond your frontier. He used the creation of Future Centres and Living galicia.org/ Labs schools that are working towards bridging the gap between ideas and their reality. He believes that this process is www.solarisbus.com/ forming new perspectives, prototypes and the understanding of concepts, which are necessary to attain the business www.new-club-of-paris.org/ mobility that the Single Market needs. news/ www.aalto.fi/en/ Conclusions The participants concluded by calling for a fifth freedom: the movement of ideas. This is something every citizen of Europe would benefit from. Other conclusions included the following: • The EU should continue to encourage EURES in order to create a more accessible European labour market. This can be achieved by better cooperation between member states by linking public and private employment agencies; • Use established cross-border partnerships as examples to encourage other potential regional areas to collaborate; • A collaborative framework is needed in targeting structural funds towards creating better means of access for enterprise and citizens to realise cross border mobility. “Together, we can do more than solve local challenges with our own knowledge; we can share knowledge throughout Europe and make the labour market work for all citizens and businesses. In this way we can work towards a 5th freedom: the freedom of ideas to cross borders.” Markku Markkula
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 117 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Corporate social responsibility: Cities and regions unlocking the CSR potential
09C18 Outline 09 October 2013 In the aftermath of the economic and financial crisis, companies all over Europe are asked to show renewed 14:30-17:00 commitment to responsible business practices in order to restore citizens’ trust and to facilitate the transition to a sustainable economic system. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can play a key role in this process, Organiser: by promoting sustainable innovation in products, processes and management systems. Many public Political Group of the Party of authorities in Europe have recognised the potential of CSR and have placed it on their political agendas, aiming European Socialists (PES) in the at creating more cohesive regions. The workshop discussed challenges and good government policy practices Committee of the Regions in promoting CSR at regional and local levels, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Chair: Debate Mark Rogerson, Director, Mia De Vits opened the seminar, stressing that a strategic approach to CSR, which integrates social, Grapevine Communications, environmental, ethical and human rights concerns into business operations and core strategies, is of key United Kingdom relevance, both for companies and citizens. She underlined that CSR is an innovative tool in combatting the social consequences of the current crisis, and is part of creating conditions for sustainable and inclusive growth Speakers: in the long term. Mia De Vits, PES Group coordinator for economic and Gerd Placke presented the ‘Partners in responsibility’ model, a long-term approach that brings together social policies, Vice-President of public policymakers, business people and civic organisations with a view to developing suggestions for jointly the Flemish Parliament, solving regional issues, such as shortages in skilled labour, social cohesion, education and support for families. Belgium Its overall goal is to bring business and the societal perspective together, and by bundling community Dr Gerd Placke, Senior investment create win-win situations for all the actors involved. Project Manager, Bertelsmann Foundation, Germany Giving an overview on the implementation of the 2011 European Commission’s Communication on a renewed Susan Bird, Policy Coordinator, EU strategy 2011-14 for corporate social responsibility, Susan Bird highlighted that many public policy Corporate social responsibility, measures to support CSR are best carried out at regional and local levels. Local and regional authorities are Employment, Social Affairs and encouraged to make smart use of EU Structural Funds to support the development of CSR and to partner with Inclusion DG, SMEs. European Commission Claude Gewerc, President, Claude Gewerc emphasised that, in order to integrate CSR effectively in a regional development strategy, it Picardy Region, France, Member, is vital to stimulate the dialogue between enterprises and social partners. To this end, the Picardy region had Committee of the Regions organised a Regional Social Conference, which produced concrete proposals in areas such as innovation and Sir Albert Bore, Leader, research, training, and life quality of employees. He also reported on his region’s ‘Support and development Birmingham City Council, United contract’, with which financial support is provided for company projects that are beneficial for the enterprise, Kingdom, Member, the employees and the territory, while combating delocalisation. Committee of the Regions Claudia Fiaschi, Vice-President, Sir Albert Bore presented the Birmingham Business Charter for Social Responsibility, which has recently Confcooperative, Italian been launched in his city. Among others, charter signatories make the commitment to create employment Cooperative Confederation, Italy and training opportunities for local people, especially in target areas, not to go below the minimum wage, to and President of its Tuscany take account of the social, economic and environmental impacts of buying locally when commissioning and branch contracting, and to play an active role in the local community and community support organisations. Róbert Braun, Chairman, New Economics Forum, Claudia Fiaschi underlined that the crisis had put at stake the pact between citizens, state and enterprises. Budapest, Hungary She noted that social enterprises and co-operatives can make a valuable contribution towards restoring trust and social solidarity. She also stressed the importance of introducing fiscal measures, which may promote More information: social responsibility and at the same time contribute to a redistribution of welfare resources. pes.cor.europa.eu Róbert Braun provided an outlook on the future of CSR, which should shift its focus towards stakeholder democracy, and further enable people and empower smaller enterprises at the local and regional levels.
Conclusions Mark Rogerson concluded the workshop by stating that local and regional authorities are well placed to encourage the implementation of CSR strategies for SMEs on the ground, by strengthening dialogue and engagement between the business and local communities, putting forward innovative public policies, supporting CSR initiatives with the help of EU funding and, last but not least, leading by example.
118 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Citizen participation and community-led local development
Outline 09C19 Community-led local development (CLLD) represents the distillation of many years of initiatives and experimentation 09 October 2013 in local development - the ‘bottom-up’ approach – as has been successfully consolidated and applied in rural and 14:30-17:00 coastal areas. This workshop presented practical experiences in tackling issues and finding solutions in urban areas through a CLLD approach. It focused on citizen engagement in addressing the serious challenges facing cities in the Organiser: prolonged economic crisis and on how CLLD can make a positive contribution to the macro-level objectives of the Local Development Network Europe 2020 strategy. The workshop was followed by a networking session which gave the opportunity for discussion (LDnet) on the new LDnet initiatives regarding local development in both rural and urban contexts. Chair: Debate Haris Martinos, Joint Secretary, Eileen Humphreys focused on dealing with the problems of deprived groups at the highest risk of exclusion, LDnet drawing on experiences in Limerick. Her contribution showed the scope for CLLD operating within a coherent neighbourhood-based integrated planning framework. Concrete examples of action involving citizen/ Speakers: community initiatives were presented: the Learning Hub, a local response to educational disadvantage; the Eileen Humphreys, Southill Development Co-operative, which supports economic, social and community development including University of Limerick, Ireland social enterprise; and the Creative Limerick – Connecting to the grid, an initiative responding to interests/ideas Enzo Lavolta, Councillor, of the creative community in the city. City of Turin, Italy Rosalba La Grotteria, Rosalba La Grotteria stressed that Turin is undergoing major transformations. Its economic structure has changed, CODEX sc, Italy large infrastructure projects have altered the face of it and new economic strategies are gaining momentum. These Fernando Barreiro, changes have also led to strong social transformations, involving citizens in an innovative process of local development. Territories & Organizations, Spain Andy Churchill, Enzo Lavolta presented the Turin Smart City strategy and the creation of the Turin Smart City foundation for a Network for Europe, Liverpool, sustainable development, an integrated and flexible organisation that brings together all the key local actors. United Kingdom The strategy is implemented through the project SMILE, which has involved 350 local stakeholders in its four interconnected domains: mobility, inclusion, life and health, and energy. Of these, inclusion is intended to More information ensure the ability of the smart city to involve its citizens, without excluding people on the grounds of language, www.ldnet.eu culture, age, disability, etc.
Fernando Barreiro presented the experience of Iniciativa Urbana in Malaga, the overall objective of which was to recover the historic centre of the town, improving the quality of life of residents and neighbours through different methodologies and tools that allow a real comprehensive urban regeneration. In the social and citizenship areas, it has established new methods and created social networks that strengthen processes involving local actors, including: ‘Assemblies’ of the Iniciativa Urbana; Citizenship School; Time Bank, a non- monetary exchange for time, work, skills and services among residents of the area; and a programme of volunteer carers for dependent people.
In Liverpool, the Structural Funds provided extensive support in the 1994-99 and 2000-06 periods, with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) working together in the 38 worst-off communities. Local residents, local businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as local and central government, worked together in partnership. However, as Andy Churchill explained, the programmes of the 2007-13 period became more centralised and risk averse but still there have been new and noteworthy initiatives, e.g. a local impact fund (for the social economy). In preparing for 2014-2020, “Community-led a partnership approach is making a comeback, headed by the new business-led Local Enterprise Partnership. local development Conclusions needs creativity to The discussion included interventions by Jean-Pierre Pellegrin (LDnet) on the impact of the crisis to local succeed and this is territories, Urszula Budzich-Tabor (FARNET) on rural/urban comparisons and Jean-Pierre Vercruysse (Maritime Affairs and Fisheries DG) on the European Commission’s guidance on CLLD. often frustrated by The workshop concluded that CLLD has been successfully applied in rural/coastal as well as in urban contexts, the bureaucracy although in the latter case this has not always been formalised from an EU point of view, and has been of the mainstream instrumental in creating local jobs and achieving social inclusion. However, for CLLD to succeed there should be certain conditions in place: flexible programme management allowing creativity and innovation, and strong programmes.” links to complementary policies at national and sectoral levels. Haris Martinos
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 119 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Investing in energy-efficient renovations for Europe’s regions
09C20 Outline 09 October 2013 Finance still remains the main obstacle to unlocking the vast economic, environmental and societal benefits 14:30-17:00 in Europe’s buildings, particularly at the local/ regional level. This debate brought to the surface best practice cases in order to demonstrate the economic viability of energy-efficient renovation projects, and their positive Organiser: impact on the local economy. The financing models chosen reflected three different opportunities for financing: Renovate Europe public funding, public-private funding and private funding.
Chair: Debate Peter Schilken, Energy Cities Public funding: Opportunities in the next EU Structural Funds: “The Structural Funds for the upcoming budgetary period 2014-2020 offer huge possibilities for investments in energy-efficient renovations. Regional and local Speakers: authorities must seize the investment opportunities for buildings in the European Regional Development Fund Mathieu Fichter, Regional (ERDF), cohesion fund and the European Social Fund (ESF).” Mathieu Fichter and Urban Policy DG, European Commission Public funding: Investing EU funds into a revolving renovation loan: KredEx Model:“Since 2001, Estonia has invested Mirja Adler, KredEx, Estonia the EU Structural Funds (ERDF and ESF) as seed money into a revolving fund ‘KredEx’, stimulating investment José Lopez, SEM Energies in the energy-efficient renovation of buildings. The KredEx Fund has supported the renovation of more than Positi’IF, France 500 buildings that contain more than 20 000 dwellings and over 47 000 inhabitants.” Mirja Adler Zarpana Massud-Baqa, EEEF, Germany Public-private funding: A regional partnership for deep renovation of multi-occupancy apartment buildings: Chiel Boonstra, Trecodome, EnergiesPosit’if: “Energies Posit’IF is a public-private partnership model focused on the deep renovation of The Netherlands multi-occupancy apartment buildings in the Ile de France region. Energies Posit’IF provides co-financing of up to 35% for the works.” José Lopez More information: www.renovate-europe.eu/ Public-private funding: Private projects funded by the European Energy Efficiency Fund: “The European Energy renovate-europe-day-2013/ Efficiency Fund (EEEF) aims to develop the market for energy-efficiency in buildings. EEEF beneficiaries programme-reday2013 are municipal, local and regional authorities or public and private entities acting on behalf of those authorities, such as utilities, public transportation providers, social housing associations and energy service companies.” Zarpana Massud Baqa
Private funding: Deep energy renovations via rent agreements: “De Kroenen, in Roosendaal (NL) is a residential development owned by a Social Housing Provider where an innovative renovation scheme was implemented. An average saving of 65% was achieved for the group of houses as a whole. In addition, the indoor climate in the houses improved and thus the well-being of the tenants increased.” Chiel Boonstra
Conclusions Contributing funds to energy-efficient renovations is still widely perceived as a cost/expenditure and not as an investment that will generate considerable benefits for local authorities and their citizens. Local authorities must be made aware of this real economic opportunity; extensive building renovation schemes can create local jobs and growth, stimulate urban regeneration, lead to improved health and welfare for citizens, trigger private investment and contribute to high public revenues. As the strain on public finances increases, it is important to develop mechanisms whereby public funds are used for revenue-generating activities with high returns, and are invested in partnerships to stimulate private investment and thereby create a sustainable investment.
120 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Workshops Challenges and solutions
Waste management systems – investing in line with the waste hierarchy
Outline 09C21 Moving to a zero waste society is a major local challenge. Regions and cities need to make the most effective 09 October 2013 investment choices in terms of prevention, collection and treatment of municipal waste in order to implement 14:30-17:00 the waste hierarchy and, as a minimum, reach the European targets. During this workshop, regions and cities showcased their solutions for advanced waste collection and treatment, in link with necessary funding sources, Organiser: as well as in connection with economic instruments, such as pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) and Extended Producer Committee of the Regions (CoR), Responsibility (EPR) schemes. ENVE Commission and European This workshop formed the second meeting of the CoR/European Commission’s Technical Platform for Commission, Environment DG Cooperation on the Environment, which seeks to contribute to a better implementation of EU environment law. Co-Chairs: Debate Michel Lebrun, Member, Ugo Cappellacci underlined that optimising waste management requires a stimulating European Union Committee of the Regions and framework with ambitious targets. Less advanced regions and cities need EU assistance and exchange on best rapporteur on ‘The review of EU practices to make the most effective investment choices. key waste targets’, Belgium Linda Gillham, Member, Neil Swannick presented the experiences from Manchester on promoting separate collection and aiming at Committee of the Regions and 60% recycling by 2025. Manchester received funding from the EIB, and developed its collection system back- rapporteur on ‘Plastic Waste’, to-front, beginning with the end markets. Consultation and communication were crucial. The LIFE+ UP and United Kingdom Forward project will pilot new approaches in these areas for low-performing communities. Speakers: Günther Langer introduced Munich’s approach, which couples separate collections of bio waste with high- Julio Garcia Burgues, Head quality treatment. He outlined the advantages of bio-waste recovery via dry fermentation, including for of Unit, Waste Management example low process energy consumption and high gas recovery rates and quality, as well as treatment in & Recycling, Environment DG, composting and soil processing plants. European Commission Ugo Cappellacci, Chair, CoR Jan-Mikolaj Dzieciolowski gave an insight into how the future EU Cohesion and Structural Funds will support ENVE Commission, President, investments higher up in the waste hierarchy. He referred to the relevant ex-ante conditionalities (under Region of Sardinia, Italy negotiation) and priorities for future funding such as selective collection, recycling and reuse centres. He also Patrick L. Dorvil, Senior Sector presented the Pre-Waste and Regions4Recycling projects as examples co-funded by the EU. Economist, European Investment Bank (EIB) Erwin Mohr shared the experiences from the Austrian region of Vorarlberg in introducing pay-as-you-throw Jan-Mikolaj Dzieciolowski, schemes and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. These helped to apply the ‘polluter pays’ principle, Competence Centre Smart with decreased costs for local authorities and citizens for waste collection, and increased separate collection and Sustainable Growth, Regional rates by households. However, they have so far failed to decouple economic growth from waste production. and Urban Policy DG, European Commission Jean-Pierre Hannequart elaborated on the need to further develop EPR schemes in the EU for the benefit Jean-Pierre Hannequart, of local and regional authorities. This concerns, for example, the integration of the waste hierarchy into EPR President, ACR+, Association schemes, more transparency of the schemes, and a clarification of (financial) responsibilities for the producers of Cities and Regions for and the local authorities. The EU should set common rules for EPR schemes. Recycling and Sustainable Resource Management, Belgium Patrick L. Dorvil presented the challenges and drivers in the current work undertaken by the EIB to better Günther Langer, Member, channel its future funding into smaller projects that support local solutions higher up in the waste hierarchy, CEMR Focus Group on Waste, thereby meeting the EU’s ex-ante conditionalities and waste policy priorities. Head, Executive Office of Abfallwirschaftsbetrieb München, Conclusions Germany Julio Garcia Burgues outlined the European Commission’s plans for the review of waste policy in 2014. Erwin Mohr, Member, He concluded that better implementation of EU waste legislation means that the EU has to consider improved Committee of the Regions, reporting with harmonised calculation methods; the increased use of economic instruments, with a level Member of the Local Council playing field for EPR schemes and financial self-sufficiency, similar to the Water Framework Directive; EU of Wolfurt, Austria funding to help cities and regions to invest in smaller scale projects higher up in the waste hierarchy; and Neil Swannick, Member, integrating a mechanism in EU waste legislation that allows for the European Commission to keep better track Committee of the Regions, of possible failures in meeting relevant waste targets. Manchester Chair of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority, United Kingdom
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 121 Workshops Challenges and solutions
How to best use Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). Good practices and possible combination of EPC with subsidy instruments
09C22 Outline 09 October 2013 The implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012/27/EU) requires considerable investment to 09:00-10:45 be launched at an early stage and most of these investments are expected to come from the private sector. In this context, the Energy Efficiency Directive strongly supports the development of a well-functioning energy Organiser: services market in Europe. Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation In the proposal for the new cohesion policy for the period 2014-2020, significant minimum allocations have (EACI) been proposed for Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy Sources (RES) investments. Cohesion policy funds for EE/RES are intended to act as a trigger to leverage private funding, in particular by encouraging Chair: the use of financial instruments in Member States. The emphasis on loans and other risk-bearing instruments Vincent Berrutto, Head of Unit, as a complement to grants should improve project quality and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Energy Efficiency, EACI public resource allocation. In that respect, there is a need to widely promote the use of Energy Performance Contracting. Speakers: Timothée Noël, Project Officer, Debate EACI Sabine Piller introduced the Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) concept and explained its main Maud Skäringer, Policy Analyst, advantages for potential customers, for example guaranteed savings, investments possibly made by an external Regional and Urban Policy DG, party, transfer of financial and technological risks to energy service companies (ESCOs). Berlin Energy Agency European Commission has substantial experience with public sector EPC. In the frame of the Berlin Energy Saving Partnership, about Sabine Piller, Project 1,400 buildings have substantially increased their energy performance using EPC, including kindergartens and Coordinator, Berlin Energy the German National Opera. Agency, Germany Vicky Kingston, Programme Vicky Kingston presented RE:FIT, London’s buildings’ retrofitting scheme that helps public sector organisations Manager, Greater London reduce their energy bills using EPC. This scheme streamlines the procurement process for EPC by using pre- Authority, United Kingdom negotiated contracts that can be used with a group of pre-qualified ESCOs. RE:FIT is supported by a programme José Lopez, Director, SEM delivery unit funded by the Greater London Authority and a grant from the ‘Intelligent Energy Europe’ Energies POSIT’IF, France programme (ELENA). So far, more than 200 public buildings have been refurbished using this scheme. Vladimir Sochor, Senior Consultant, SEVEn, Czech José Lopez presented Energies POSITI’IF, the public-private energy service company for low energy Republic refurbishment in the Île-de-France Region, which is supported by the ‘Intelligent Energy Europe’ programme (MLEI). This public ESCO aims at refurbishing condominiums to low energy levels by stimulating the investment More information: decision-making process at condominium level and by supporting technically and financially ambitious thermal www.ec.europa.eu/energy/ retrofitting. Energies POSIT’IF is currently negotiating three contracts involving more than 450 apartments. intelligent/in-action/energy- performance-contracting/ Vladimir Sochor presented the first conclusions of the CombinES project that aims at combining subsidies index_en.htm (e.g. the European Regional Development Fund) and EPC to finance energy efficiency projects. The proposed www.combines-ce.eu approach aims at using subsidies to finance measures on the buildings’ envelope (e.g. insulation) and www.refit.org.uk/ guaranteed energy savings to pay back technological measures in the framework of an EPC contract. www.berliner-e-agentur.de/en www.energiespositif.fr Conclusions Vincent Berrutto from EACI concluded by saying that EPC is an efficient and proven means to implement energy efficiency measures, especially for the refurbishment of public buildings. The various experiences presented in this workshop highlighted the key success factors relating to EPC and that there is a need for the EU to further support the growth of a functioning commercial market for delivering energy efficiency services through EPC. To that regard, he informed that EACI recently launched a database of EPC resources from the ‘Intelligent Energy Europe’ programme and other initiatives that gather more than 250 useful EPC-related documents.
“Without EPC, we would never have retrofitted so many public buildings in Berlin.” Sabine Piller
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Cities in former centrally planned economies
Debate 09C23 Dr Iván Tosics gave a presentation of the UN Habitat’s State of the European Cities in Transition 2013 report. 09 October 2013 While noting tremendous progress in the quality of life in EU Member States that joined in 2004, inequality is 14:30-17:00 growing along with average prosperity: ‘Administrative decentralisation with little central welfare policies, dominating owner-occupied housing, low Organiser: efficiency of the public-sector, little coordination and planning, and the absence of monitoring and evaluation Competence Centre Inclusive systems has contributed to the increasing distance between the rich and the poor.’ Growth, Urban and Territorial He emphasised that European institutions have to be more proactive and pay more attention to their peripheral Development, Regional and Urban areas. Policy DG, European Commission
Two cases with actions combining social work, integration and physical renewal were then presented. Michal Chair: Guc described actions directed towards the improvement of the situation of the most disadvantaged part of the Paulius Kulikauskas, Inter- population. Social change was achieved through redesigning state services and social integration supported Regional Advisor, ‘United Nations by upgrading public meeting places. Infrastructure shortcomings in the poorest areas were also addressed. Human Settlements’ programme Long-term perspectives integrated with funds from different sources are needed in order to univocally address (UN Habitat) different shortcomings. Speakers: Dr Iván Tosics presented György Alföldi’s report on the urban regeneration in the Magdolna quarter in Dr Iván Tosics, Director, Budapest, one of the poorest areas of the city. Careful preparatory work by the interdisciplinary management Metropolitan Research Institute, company led to the successful involvement of residents in improving public spaces in a few public rental Budapest, Hungary buildings. However, the short two-year time-limits given in the Hungarian regulation for social regeneration Lewis Dijkstra, Deputy Head of projects led to limited participation. Conclusion: socially sensitive urban regeneration projects need not only Unit, Regional and Urban Policy integrated efforts but also enough time assured by national operational programmes. DG, European Commission Michal Guc, Vice-Mayor, City of Lewis Dijkstra’s presentation referred to the harmonised definition of metropolitan areas, which has been Gdynia, Poland developed by the European Commission with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Data shows that metropolisation (a shift of population into metropolitan regions) was higher in Central and More information: Eastern Europe from 1961 to 2011 but this share did not catch up with that of Western Europe. He then outlined The State of European Cities in a new method that allows for the comparison of access to public transport across different cities. This tool can Transition 2013: Taking stock after also measure the efficiency of public transport systems. 20 years of reform: www.unhabitat.org/ Corinne Hermant-de Callataÿ (European Commission) made reference to the findings of the new 2013 pmss/listItemDetails. Perception Survey on Quality of Life in Cities published by the European Commission. aspx?publicationID=3493 Cities of Tomorrow report and issue Conclusions papers: The chairperson concluded that, as pointed out in the State of European Cities in Transition report and as ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ confirmed by the cases presented, inequality remains a growing problem. Both of the cases presented in conferences/citiesoftomorrow/ the workshop, while having many positives, such as their ability to combine different sources of funding index_en.cfm into coherent programmes, illustrate that the issue of inequality will require significant finance and effort to Interactive map of urban projects: address. While EU funding has been made available to deprived neighbourhoods, it has been difficult for the ec.europa.eu/regional_ local agencies to comply with the funding rules and to meet the often too short deadlines. European and policy/activity/urban/ national regulations have to address these problems while continuing to push towards the integrated urban goodpracticemap_en.cfm regeneration of deprived areas. Perception Survey on Quality of Life in 83 European Cities: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ “Most of the people in this room may not know, activity/urban/audit/index_en.cfm and the others may not remember, that in 1970 Harmonised definition of cities: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ a butcher’s shop looked like this – completely empty sources/docgener/focus/2012_01_ of meat to sell.” city.pdf Dr Iván Tosics
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 123 Workshops Challenges and solutions
Youth employment – regional experiences of delivering Youth Guarantee schemes
09C24 Outline 09 October 2013 European regions and cities play a crucial role in the effective implementation of Youth Guarantee (YG) 14:30-17:00 schemes following the Council Recommendation of April 2013. They face widely varied challenges, with huge differences between regions experiencing the highest and lowest youth unemployment rates. Organiser: Building upon existing and recent YG approaches in some regions, the workshop enabled an exchange EMPL C.2 Sectoral Employment between those who have just taken the first steps towards a YG scheme and the more experienced. It provided Challenges, Youth Employment a platform to discuss partnerships of various stakeholders, and key challenges and success factors identified by and Entrepreneurship, regions delivering YG schemes. Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG, European Debate Commission Matti Mäkelä presented the YG scheme in the Turku Region (study or a job placement three months after graduation). He stressed that this scheme proved successful in terms of a decrease in the number of dropouts, Chair: while the positive cost-benefit analysis facilitated access to funding in order to keep the programme running. Max Uebe, Head of Unit EMPL C.2, Employment, Social Affairs Marachiara Esposito introduced the Giovanisì Project, initiated in Tuscany in 2011 to address different and Inclusion DG, European dimensions of exclusion amongst young women and men, aged between 18 and 40, with a budget of EUR Commission 300 million (housing, volunteer civilian service, employment, entrepreneurship, and education and training). Giovanisì has been a model for the involvement of young people through bilateral initiatives and measures to Speakers: access the labour market. Matti Mäkelä, City of Turku/ Education Division, Head of the Anissa Benchekroun mentioned that the YG requires a new approach for her organisation, the Brussels public Project Management Office, employment service Actiris. She also highlighted two main challenges: to reach out to non-registered young Finland people and to address the issue of the ‘non-published’ job offers. She raised the question as to whether an open Marachiara Esposito, Giovanisì, and transparent labour market existed. Region of Tuscany, Italy Anissa Benchekroun, Actiris, Tony Slonecki introduced the Capital South (Education Business Partnership) pilot project, which aims at Belgium strengthening young people’s understanding of the world of work, notably through business simulations and Tony Slonecki, Capital South curriculum vitae (CV) counseling. This pilot is also developing short-term internships for teachers and employers. (Education Business Partnership), Education Support Agency, Patrick Sapy presented an initiative called MicroStart, which is funded by both private and public funds and intended United Kingdom to provide young people with skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur. He emphasised that entrepreneurship Patrick Sapy, MicroStart has constantly suffered from a lack of promotion and is only just starting to receive more attention. Yet projects such Brussels, General Manager, as Dreamstart did turn out to be successful since 80% of the businesses it supported are still going. France/Belgium Ulrike Storost, Policy Representing the European Commission, Ulrike Storost and Resa Koleva exposed some of the guidelines for Coordinator, Youth Employment, the YG Implementation Plans and underlined the crucial role regions have to play in delivering YG schemes, Employment, Social Affairs without a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model. It was also important to clearly differentiate between the Youth Guarantee and Inclusion DG, European and the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI). While the former is a policy scheme, the latter is a financial instrument Commission that will notably support the implementation of the YG scheme. Resa Koleva, Policy Officer, ESF Policy and Legislation, A lively debate with the audience followed, with questions ranging from concrete examples to the sustainability Employment, Social Affairs of the approach as such. and Inclusion DG, European Commission Conclusions Max Uebe recalled that Youth Guarantee schemes should not only include short-term relief measures but More information: in particular tackle long-term structural reforms to make labour market transitions easier for young people. www.turku.fi The YG is an innovative approach to address the issue of youth unemployment and inactivity, and builds on www.giovanisi.itwww. the practices of Member States. The speakers agreed on the fact that the EU level can help with exchanges of actiris.bewww.capitalsouth. experience among countries and regions, and initial EU funding to get the schemes going. orgwww.microstart.beYouth Guarantee, Employment, “The Youth Guarantee is a shift in policy. It is no longer the individual young Social Affairs and Inclusion DG: ec.europa.eu/social/main. person who needs to adapt to society, but it is our collective responsibility to jsp?catId=1079&langId=en address the needs of the youth.” Anissa Benchekroun
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Eighth EU-China high-level seminar on regional policy: EU-China interregional cooperation to promote innovation and competitiveness
Outline 09D01 In the framework of the EU-China regional policy dialogue, several projects and exchanges have been organised on 09 October 2013 innovation following the signature in 2009 of an addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding on regional policy 09:00-13:00 cooperation to focus cooperation inter alia on regional innovation strategies and promotion of regional clusters. Regional innovation systems are widely recognised as having an important role to play in economic and Organiser: innovation policy as they highlight the crucial importance of spatial proximity and favourable institutional Regional and Urban Policy DG, structures at the regional level for innovation activities. The event allowed representatives from EU and Chinese European Commission regions to exchange experiences and good practices on how to improve the capacity of regional economies to change and innovate, and provided insight on tools and experience available on both sides. Chair: Ronald Hall, Principal Advisor, The subsequent discussion showed that there is huge potential to develop networking and mutual learning Regional and Urban Policy DG, initiatives between the EU and China, so as to allow their respective regions to improve their innovation European Commission capacity or in giving their industrial clusters an innovative impulse. Speakers: Debate Walter Deffaa, Director-General, Walter Deffaa referred to the ‘Chinese-European Training on Regional and Urban Policy’ (CETRegio) Regional and Urban Policy DG, programme that, since 2010, has facilitated exchange between more than 200 Chinese and European experts European Commission in both regions. Mr Deffa focused on innovation and competitiveness as the key factors to tackle the economic Fan Hengshan, Director- crisis in Europe. Both factors are at the core of the Europe 2020 strategy, aiming at achieving a smart, inclusive General, Department of Regional and sustainable growth. The regional level is where innovative solutions will be delivered, based on a triple- Economy, National Development helix cooperation approach between public institutions, research and business. and Reform Commission (NDRC), Peoples’ Republic of. China Fan Hengshan referred to the training and research programmes implemented within the dialogue, which Michel Lamblin, Programme have involved the vast majority of EU Member States and all Chinese provinces. Mr Fan stated that the activities Director, INTERREG IV C Joint have had an important impact in the elaboration and implementation of the 11th and 12th five-year plans. Technical Secretariat China’s regional development policy has contributed to developing the western and central area as well as Zhou Yiren, Director, revitalising old industrial areas. Mr Fan stated that China is currently at a transition stage upgrading industrial Department of Regional development and the Chinese government is trying to support efficiency by strengthening innovation. Economy, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Michel Lamblin introduced the ‘INTERREG IVC’ programme that contributes to improving the effectiveness Peoples’ Republic of China of regional development policies and instruments. In the current period (2007-13) 204 projects were funded: Lv Yongzhong, Director, 90% of the EU’s regions were included, with a focus on innovation (55%) and environmental protection (45%). Planning Department of Beijing Since 2003, INTERREG has compiled a large database of best practices in Europe that can be used for the Development and Reform exchange with China. He also proposed to make INTERREG’s system of indicators, tools and databases available Commission to Chinese policy-makers in order to contribute to a sustainable development in China. Mark Schneider, Manager of the European Service, West Midlands, Zhou Yiren focused on the special functional areas with regard to industry clusters and innovation development. United Kingdom The idea is to determine the direction of development, improve development policies, control development Li Hongwei, Governor, intensity, regulate development order and gradually shape a landscape of land space development with Luogang District of Guangzhou; harmony among population, economy and resource/environment. According to him, these new special Vice-Chairman, Guangzhou functional areas are comparable to the EU’s smart specialisation strategies, since they aim at taking the natural Development District specific conditions as a key driver for development. Administration Committee, Peoples’ Republic of China Lv Yongzhong stated that since 2012, Beijing has been developing with the slogan ‘Innovation-driven city’, with Iñigo Bilbao, Head of the a focus on research and development. Beijing is a centre of research and development (R&D) with more than Strategic Planning Department, 300 research centres (30% of the country’s total). Beijing has made huge progress on regional innovation, with City Council of Vitoria- Gasteiz, a new site that encompasses 48 research centres and science parks, and is responsible for one seventh of the Spain total innovation output in China. There are more than 150 clusters in Beijing, many of which are implementing more than 1,000 R&D-based projects.
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Eighth EU-China high-level seminar on regional policy: EU-China interregional cooperation to promote innovation and competitiveness
More information: Mark Schneider focused his presentation on the key areas of investment of the European Structural & Investment Regional and Urban Policy Funds in the West Midlands. Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) DG – EU-China regional policy and supporting the shift towards a low carbon economy in all sectors is a key area of investment. In May dialogue 2013, an inward mission from China to West Midlands via the CETREGIO programme focused on urban-rural ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ dynamics, visiting Shropshire and Staffordshire. In the first half of 2014, the West Midlands are targeting a pilot cooperate/international/china_ business-to-business mission on high value manufacturing to China. en.cfm Li Hongwei presented the Guangzhou Development District, one of the first group of state-level economic and technological development districts set up in China. It has the unique ‘four-in-one’ administration system, consisting of the national Economic and Technological Development District, High-tech Industrial Development District, Free Trade Zone and Export Processing Zone. There are over 6,000 companies from more than 60 countries and regions investing in the District. In 2012, the R&D investment volume accounted for 3.85% of gross “European and Chinese domestic product. He also explained the Innovation Alliance of New High-tech Industry, focusing on establishing an industry-university-research cooperation system. innovative firms and clusters have an Iñigo Bilbao explained Vitoria’s strategy against climate change, based on a modal split and lower energy consumption. The goal is to become carbon neutral by 2050. With regard to traffic, Mr Bilbao stated that the excellent opportunity use of private cars has decreased dramatically, and cycling and walking have increased. In 2006, the traffic to work together, share of private cars was 75%, but since then people have moved towards public transportation. Mr Bilbao also referred to the cooperation with China since his city’s involvement in the CETREGIO programme. Vitoria-Gasteiz to generate more is preparing twinning activities with cities in Fujian province as well as with Tianjin city. networks, to reach Conclusions out to international Fan Hengshan expressed his gratitude to the European Commission for a productive workshop. He referred to networks and to plug the contents discussed about innovation and its value in overcoming the financial crisis. in more efficiently to Ronald Hall referred to the future focus of the dialogue on urban areas, since Regional and Urban Policy DG global markets.” is concentrating on new priorities. The DG will not be able to involve all themes and areas, but will involve Walter Deffaa business representatives in the activities scheduled for 2014.
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Going local in integrating Roma
Outline 10C01 The adoption of the EU framework for national Roma integration in 2011 marks an unprecedented commitment 10 October 2013 by EU Member States to address the problem of the deep, social and economic exclusion experienced by Roma 09:00-10:45 people living in Europe. Member States have been required to produce a comprehensive strategy for Roma inclusion. The EU framework recognises that key to the overall success of the strategies is the close involvement of local Organiser: authorities in every stage of the process, by stating that the national strategies should be prepared, implemented LUDEN (Local Urban and monitored in close co-operation and continuous dialogue with regional and local authorities. The workshop Development European Network) was focused on this vital role that local authorities can have in influencing national and EU policies on Roma. It was structured in two panels: an overview of progress in relation to National Roma Integration Strategies Chair: from the European Commission and reflections from local stakeholders on how to enrich the EU framework. Dr Haroon Saad, Director, LUDEN, Belgium Debate Axelle Cheney began the debate by reminding those present that the EU framework sets goals in four areas: Speakers: education, employment, health and housing. Drawing on the assessment made by the European Commission Axelle Cheney, Non- on the national strategies’ implementation, she pointed out that while some progress has been made by discrimination policies and Member States in the past year, it remains very limited. There is room for improvement in involving civil society Roma coordination, Justice DG, (including Roma) organisations and in allocating adequate resources to finance the strategies. She also stressed European Commission that racism towards and discrimination against Roma continues, despite official commitments. Dina Moreira, Head of Unit, Special Projects Department, Dina Moreira shared with the audience a successful good practice: Municipal Mediators Project – Let’s build bridges. Amadora City Council, Portugal Co-funded by the European Social Fund in 2009, it aims at facilitating Roma communities’ access to services and local equipment, as well as to promote equal opportunities and intercultural dialogue by introducing Roma More information: mediators in municipalities. Although the programme is coordinated nationally by the High Commissioner for www.ludenet.org Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue, who is in charge of training the mediators, it is defined locally by the municipalities and their local partners through the design and implementation of a local intervention plan.
Dr Haroon Saad pointed out that, despite a not encouraging context at local level (made up of hostility towards Roma people, lack of political will and lack of connection with national plans), there are some successful initiatives undertaken through EU funding. He mentioned examples from the project ‘I am Roma: challenging negative mindsets’: local campaigning to challenge negative stereotypes, the use of animation as a tool for working with Roma and a campaign to promote Roma identity. He also showed the possibility offered by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), by showcasing the project ‘Bouvray village in the city of Orly’, where Roma people are involved directly in the process of providing housing solutions.
Conclusions The debate underlined interesting points. First, the importance of the involvement of local authorities in the national plans for Roma integration, as municipalities have the knowledge on local Roma communities’ effective needs, and have all the resources and partnership networks available to respond properly and quickly to all kind of situations. The good practice examples of actions undertaken at local level showed that the only way to integrate Roma people is by joining forces and taking into account the complexity and interrelated nature of the issues facing the Roma people. It emerged that allocating sufficient funds and using them effectively is essential to addressing the problems faced by Roma today.
“None of the aims indicated in the national strategy, however, is fully assured. In the decree published yesterday in the Official Gazette it is explicit that the assumption of commitments to the implementation of measures depends on the existence of available funds by the competent public authorities.” Dina Moreira
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Trans-border regions – Bundling of innovation potentials – Boosting the cooperation between science, research and economy
10C02 Debate 10 October 2013 Both Vice-Chancellors, Hans-Jochen Schiewer and Volker Linneweber, gave a short presentation on the 11:15-13:00 trans-border cooperation structures between the universities for the last 20 years in the Greater Region and the Upper Rhine. Organiser: Representation of the State of The PhD student, Claudia Heß, gave a practical insight and shared her experiences in trans-border cooperation Rhineland-Palatinate to the EU in universities. Jürgen Gerber, Christophe Sagnier and Martine Berns-Coquillat gave an overview on the regional interaction between higher educational structures, and economic and political stakeholders. Chair: The focus was put on how trans-border cooperation in the sector of higher education could be improved in Sarah Mauerer, Administrator, quite different political systems. State Chancellery in Rhineland- Palatinate, in charge of trans-border cooperation, Germany
Speakers: Dr Jürgen Gerber, Member, Enterprise Europe Network – The link between research, innovation and economy, trans-border dimensions, Germany Prof. Dr Hans-Jochen Schiewer, Vice-Chancellor, University of Freiburg, President, EUCOR, President of the pillar research of the Trinational Metropolregion Upper Rhine: Scientific trans- border cooperation in the Upper Rhine Region, Germany Christophe Sagnier, Head of Unit ‘Innovation’ Alsace Region, France Prof. Dr Volker Linneweber, Vice- Chancellor. Saarland University, President, Confederation of the University of the Greater Region and of the University Charter Saar-Lor-Lux-Rhineland-Palatinate- Wallonia: Scientific trans-border cooperation in the Greater Region, Germany Martine Berns-Coquillat, President, Working Group: Higher education and research in the Greater Region, France Claudia Heß, PhD student in the Greater Region, Graduate of a tri-national masters programme between Saarbrücken, Metz and Luxembourg, Coordinator of a trans-border study course: Trans-border university studies and PhD programmes – an insight in practical implementation, Germany
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Cities sharing smart, sustainable energy solutions
Outline 10C03 The workshop aimed at facilitating the exchange of experiences and solutions between European cities, 10 October 2013 by disseminating the peer-to-peer learning and networking methodology tested in the CASCADE Intelligent 11:15-13:00 Energy Europe project, led by EUROCITIES. Paul Bevan introduced the EUROCITIES network, and described how EUROCITIES promotes the development of smart cities and the peer-to-peer learning between large Organiser: European cities. EUROCITIES Sandy Taylor and Joan Chicón presented to the audience two of the four CASCADE peer-to-peer learning and networking methods: peer review and mentoring. They described their experience from using these Chair: methods and how sharing experience and knowledge with other European cities working on similar issues and Paul Bevan, Secretary General, facing similar challenges helped them further improve their sustainable energy-efficiency housing policy and EUROCITIES, Belgium sustainable urban mobility plan respectively. Speakers: Debate Sandy Taylor, Head of Climate Paul Bevan outlined the Europe 2020 energy goals and the necessity to develop more inclusive and sustainable Change and Environment, cities in order to achieve these goals, especially through the use of innovative energy solutions for buildings Birmingham City Council, United and transport. He underlined the importance of developing a shared agenda between cities, and the added Kingdom value given by the possibility of exchanging experiences with colleagues who encounter the same challenges Joan Chicón, Head of in developing or applying sustainable energy policies in their cities. Department of International Relations, Terrassa City Council, Sandy Taylor described how the CASCADE peer review methodology could help cities to learn from each other Spain and improve their energy policies. Birmingham hosted a peer review visit and was involved as a reviewer in a second one. Both experiences were challenging in terms of time, but very beneficial. The peer review teams, More information: composed of several European cities, brought new perspectives and solutions for the diverse technical, political www.cascadecities.eu or financial issues, which helped Birmingham to further develop its energy strategy. The peer review also facilitated the discussions inside the city and the engagement of local stakeholders in energy planning.
Joan Chicón described how the CASCADE mentoring methodology could help cities to improve their sustainable mobility plans. Mentors from Nantes Metropole and Koucky & Partners (CASCADE mobility expert) helped the city to review its sustainable urban mobility plan. The outcomes of the mentoring process were further discussed in the city’s mobility forum, which gave local stakeholders the opportunity to express their concerns and suggest solutions. As a result of the CASCADE mentoring visit, the city will investigate the possibility of applying new improved “We felt that our city transport solutions: ‘all doors boarding scheme’ in public buses and a more extensive traffic restriction zone in had an ambitious the city centre. climate policy, Conclusions but participating The chair concluded that the peer-to-peer methodology is a valuable instrument to facilitate the exchange of experience between city politicians and technical experts, who face the same challenges in implementing in CASCADE peer-to- sustainable policies for renewables, energy-efficiency and transport. peer learning activities Projects like CASCADE create a time and space for city experts to get new valuable ideas and recommendations made us realise to further improve cities’ sustainable energy policies. Seventy-five cities are directly benefiting from taking part in the CASCADE project, but all cities can learn from we could go further.” the CASCADE results and the good practices for energy sustainability that have been shared during the project. Sandy Taylor
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Boosting innovation in EU regions: What works
10C04 Outline 10 October 2013 The workshop focused on three innovation-related topics: innovation systems; innovation capacity of small 11:15-13:00 and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and eco-innovation. It familiarised the audience with the results of thematic capitalisation of the INTERREG IVC programme on innovation topics and showcased good practice Organiser: examples identified by its projects. Recognised EU experts and policy practitioners talked about the innovation INTERREG IVC challenges in Europe, provided key policy recommendations and shared successful solutions that could also help other regions to boost their innovation capacity, develop the innovation potential of their SMEs or find Chair: innovative ways of decreasing the environmental impact. Ian Hill, Independent Consultant, United Kingdom Debate Peter Heydebreck highlighted that innovation is key to developing a competitive edge in Europe. To be the Speakers: first, we should not learn from others but learn with others. Successful innovation systems display dynamic and Peter Heydebreck, Innovation flexible structures and processes that facilitate diffusion of knowledge, they are networked systems creating Expert, INNO AG, Germany synergies, they possess a substantial amount of resources, they have well-developed links with external systems Carl Abott, INNOPOLIS project, to access complementary know-how, they have a regional demand-orientation, and tend to be focused on Professor of Construction priorities related to the regional context, but also to clusters and internationalisation support. Innovation, University of Salford, The key challenges of the innovation capacity of SMEs are related to accessing finance, shortages of skills, United Kingdom insufficient marketing, lack of research capabilities and weaknesses in networking. In order to overcome these Bernard Stree, PERIA project, barriers, it is necessary to enhance effective benchmarking of existing policies, adopt an ‘evaluation culture’ for International Affairs Manager, innovation support, create watch mechanisms to identify successful approaches at a global scale and ensure CARINNA, France access to support for the implementation of good practices. Luis Ballester, INNOHUBS project, Project Manager, Nacka Carl Abott introduced the INNOPOLIS project, which aimed at identifying good practices in the field of Kommun, Spain knowledge exchange between universities and enterprises. The project focused on university city-regions, which are well placed to drive innovation. During the presentation three good practice examples were shown: More information: a co-operation between a textile company and a technical university from Lodz (PL); a government-funded www.interreg4c.eu initiative Knowledge-based Partnerships (UK) and the Innovative City Programme from Helsinki (FI).
Bernard Stree shared his experience with the PERIA project, which focused on regional innovation policies and more concretely on regional Innovation Agencies. Three support schemes to businesses that were transferred among the partners were presented: a Young Innovative Enterprise contract to support start-ups; a scheme to support the participation of SMEs at foreign trade fairs; and a scheme to help micro-enterprises to start the innovation process by building up the first technology partnership with competence centres.
Luis Ballester presented a co-operation of cities living at the edge of European capitals within the INNOHUBS project. This aimed to promote local entrepreneurship and innovative SMEs with the ultimate goal of creating Innovation Hubs. Two successful pilot experiences were showcased: the Nacka-Getafe case on applying the KREO methodology at both municipal and SME level in order to support and boost innovative businesses; “Don’t do it alone! and the Loures-Ballerup case on co-operation between universities and companies, in order to provide Engage in interaction innovative solutions to businesses. with others. Asel Doranova, an eco-innovation expert, pointed out that eco-innovation adds an additional layer to the There’s nothing you innovation efforts of companies and can provide significant economic, environmental and social benefits. can buy and copy. Conclusions Engage in relationships INTERREG IVC can be seen as an enabler for mutual learning and, as has been demonstrated by the speakers, the programme can be used as an integral part of the overall innovation policies of the regions. Regional that go beyond the life policies on innovation as part of the S3 (Smart Specialisation Strategy) should benefit from the possibility of a project.” of interregional exchange in order to propose better solutions and increase the innovation performance of Peter Heydebreck European regions.
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The RFSC Conference 2013: Towards a European model of a sustainable city
Outline 09D02 The RFSC Conference 2013 was the first major conference focusing on the Reference Framework for Sustainable 09 October 2013 Cities (RFSC) since the tool’s launch in January 2013. The tool has been created in order to help urban authorities 09:30-16:00 develop and improve integrated strategies and projects for urban areas. The conference was opened by Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional and Urban Policy, Organiser: who stressed the increasing importance of integrated urban development and the potential usefulness of the Regional and Urban Policy DG, RFSC in this regard. This thought was echoed (via video-link) by Cécile Duflot, Minister for Territorial Equality European Commission and Housing, and Jean-Marc Michel, Director General of the same ministry. Prof. Harald Herrmann, Director of the German Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development, then added Chairs: some detail on the German experience of the tool and his personal vision of how it could evolve in the future. Wolfgang Teubner and Peter Defranceschi, International Panel Discussion (A.M.) Council for Local Environmental Following a presentation of the tool, with specific examples from Bytom in Poland and Regensburg in Germany, Initiatives (ICLEI) a panel discussion was held with high-level representatives from the local, national and European level. The discussion was moderated by Angelika Poth-Mögele. Speakers: Johannes Hahn, European Mark Frequin welcomed the RFSC tool but stated that it needed to demonstrate more clearly how it could Commissioner for Regional help cities solve political problems such as bad governance or youth unemployment. He also stated that some and Urban Policy of the difficulties in using the current version of the tool needed to be resolved. Cécile Duflot, Minister for Territorial Equality and Housing, Jitka Bouskova agreed and asked that more thought be given as to how it could link to other tools and France initiatives that concerned the same topic. Jean-Marc Michel, Director General, Ministry for Territorial Normunds Popens agreed with the remarks and stated that the further development of the tool was something Equality and Housing, France the Commission would pursue in 2014. He also stressed that the RFSC was just an instrument – it could not Prof. Harald Herrmann, solve all urban problems but it could improve the debate within cities as to how those challenges could be met. Director of BBSR, Germany This point was also made by Yann Juin, who expressed how beneficial they had found the tool so far. Stephen Duffy, European Commission, DG Regional Panel Discussion (P.M.) and Urban Policy A more interactive discussion was held in the afternoon, which featured mini-presentations and interaction with the audience in regard to: the RFSC’s contribution to national policies; its use in relation to cooperation; its More information: benefits for stakeholders; and the expected evolution of the tool in the coming years. www.rfsc.eu In this session, participants were provided with greater detail and examples on how the RFSC has been used to date. Questions from the audience focused on some of the aspects of the tool that users would like to see expanded further, e.g. the role of culture in integrated urban development; the insertion of an option that would allow a city to compare itself to others; the greater involvement of the citizen and greater clarity on the RFSC’s role within the European urban context. Stephen Duffy outlined the Commission’s proposals as to how these issues could be dealt with – i.e. the further technical development of the tool to refine and improve the current content – and the placing of the RFSC under the future URBACT programme in order to strengthen its role in the European context and also to provide the tool with greater stability.
Conclusions The chair person concluded that it had been clear from the day’s events that the RFSC has significant potential and that it could have an important role going forward. However, this success depended on a growing community of users and willingness on the part of cities and other stakeholders to become engaged in the further development of the tool.
“The RFSC can be of great help to cities in designing integrated urban strategies and I would urge cities to use it in this way.” Johannes Hahn
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Putting urban development into an international context: EU-Japan programme exchange on sustainable urban development
10D01 Outline 10 October 2013 Japan and the EU share many common challenges in the field of sustainable urban development and in a 09:00-13:00 wider involvement of local actors in urban development strategies. Since 2012, EU and Japanese cities have initiated a decentralised process of exchange of experience and best practice on urban development themes Organiser: of common interest: urban regeneration and urban transport (between the cities of Leipzig and Kumamoto), Regional and Urban Policy DG, low-carbon cities (Stockholm and Kitakyushu) and support to cultural and creative industries as drivers for European Commission urban development (Turin and Kanazawa). The Regional and Urban Policy DG and the City Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport Chair: and Tourism of Japan have established a dialogue on urban development and urban policy to exchange Ronald Hall, Principal Advisor, information and good practices, inter alia, on regional development and renovation. Both sides discussed Regional and Urban Policy DG, environmentally sensitive urban development and the challenge of global warming: concepts and practices for European Commission the development of low-carbon cities, such as alternative energy sources, transport modal shifts and incentives
to reduce CO2 emissions. Speakers: Tetsu Kabashima, Deputy Debate Director General, City Bureau, Tetsu Kabashima addressed the urban development challenges from a demographic perspective in Japan. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, He mentioned that metropolitan areas of high-population density are clustered in limited parts on the southern shore. Transport and Tourism of Japan He outlined a number of measures for land and housing development in metropolitan areas in anticipation of Olivier Baudelet, Competence depopulation and an ageing society, such as reorganising urban areas into a well-balanced density, streamlining Centre for Inclusive Growth, accumulated infrastructures, providing elderly and young people with facilities that will be scarce in the future Urban and Territorial and promoting city-dweller participation-type framing. Development, Regional and Urban Policy DG, European Olivier Baudelet presented the EU perspective on how to tackle the challenges linked to demographic Commission changes in cities and the use of vacant land; as well as how the European Commission manages to support Dr Heiderose Heßke, Mayors’ the implementation of an integrated approach in urban development, given the fact that the competence on Office, Office for International these issues lies at national and city level. He made reference to the Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities Affairs, City of Leipzig, Germany as a toolkit for the integrated approach, the Urban Innovative Actions and the use of the European Regional Takamasa Tazou, Executive Development Fund (ERDF) for integrated urban development in the next programming period 2014-2020. Technical Engineer, Urban Development and Construction Dr Heiderose Heßke reported on the excellent results achieved through the cooperation with the city of Bureau, City of Kumamoto, Japan Kumamoto during the last year on urban regeneration and urban transport. She outlined that, for Leipzig, Elisabet Bremberg, Senior the practical experience of Kumamoto in using traditional handcrafts and the Japanese lifestyle as a citizen- Economist, Executive Office, City orientated strategy is very interesting. She also mentioned that in the field of urban regeneration, especially the of Stockholm, Sweden intention to include the historical references better into the city strategy and to develop them into a strength Hiroshi Imanaga, Director of the city, is a common strategy both for Kumamoto and Leipzig – even if dimensions and traditions differ. General, Construction Bureau, City of Kitakyushu, Takamasa Tazou presented the main features of Kumamoto and the future image of Kumamoto city’s urban structure. Giovanni Maria Ferraris, He outlined the four main initiatives for urban planning to be implemented by the city from 2009 to 2018: President of the City Council of childcare support and local community activation; environmental preservation; activation of central urban areas Turin, Italy and improvement of public transportation (to create a city that makes you feel like walking around in; to develop Hirohide Nojima, General an urban area where you can easily go out by means of public transport); brand policy and promoting interactions. Manager, Historic and cultural Division, City of Kanazawa, Japan Elisabet Bremberg mentioned that both Stockholm and Kitakyushu have high ambitions on how to become greener and more sustainable. She mentioned that the project on smart grids in Kitakyushu is one example that Stockholm is keen to follow as Stockholm is also starting to integrate smart grids in the development of the new city district, Stockholm Royal Seaport. The city bike concept with electric bikes for rent in Kitakyushu also made a great impression on Stockholm, which has high ambitions for increasing the use of bicycles.
Hiroshi Imanaga presented the ‘City planning master plan for promoting urban development by using traditional compact city characteristics and potential’ including interesting initiatives on public transportation development, redevelopment of urban districts against sprawl, integrated local energy systems (with a 30%
reduction of CO2 emissions) and a ‘zero carbon community’ in the centre of Jono district. He emphasised the importance of international environmental cooperation for green growth like the exchange carried out with Stockholm.
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Putting urban development into an international context: EU-Japan programme exchange on sustainable urban development
Giovanni Maria Ferraris outlined the differences on the legislative tools available in Italy and Japan in the field More information: of cultural heritage renovation and preservation. Despite these differences, he underlined the good results and Regional and Urban Policy DG – keen interest to continue working with Kanazawa on topics like the planning of open urban spaces and long- EU-Japan urban policy dialogue term matrices settlement. He also mentioned some good practices that identified the bottom-up approach ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/ for programme development, integrated data management, and preventive methods and approaches for the cooperate/international/other_ protection of historic and cultural heritage. en.cfm#3
Hirohide Nojima presented the ‘measures and policies for city planning of utilising Kanazawa’s historical and cultural heritage’. Kanazawa has a rich heritage that includes historical assets, traditional ceremonies and performances and industrial arts. The main principle of legislative and policy measures is to reach the right balance between preservation and development, as applied in projects like the district surrounding the rail station and the old samurai house district. He underlined the similar challenges faced by Kanazawa and Turin in this respect and the interest of the exchanges carried out during the previous year.
Conclusions Ronald Hall concluded the workshop by underlining the high potential for further cooperation between European and Japanese cities. He reminded that both Regional and Urban Policy DG and the City Bureau of Japan intend that these exchanges and contact meetings will initiate a decentralised process of exchange of experience and best practice over the coming years between the cities concerned, covering integrated urban development that focuses on the regeneration of central urban areas including suitable transport systems, environmentally conscious urban development, and the utilisation of historic and cultural heritage for urban development.
“The role of cities is of great importance for promoting a more efficient and sustainable development through a balance between urban, social, economic and environmental development. EU and Japan have many successful experiences to share on innovative policies and programmes to promote sustainable and integrated urban development.” Ronald Hall
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 133 Master Class Master Class Master Class
“Dialogue with the young generation brings fresh, ‘outside-the-box’ ideas and is beneficial to any policy-making. This is equally true for students and young researchers in the field of regional and urban development, who are the future policy experts and will influence the way our regions and cities will develop.” Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Regional Policy
Speakers and lecturers during Attracting young researchers: the Master Class the OPEN DAYS Master Class John Bachtler, Professor, European Policies Research For the first time ever, a Master Class was organised during the OPEN DAYS by the European Commission’s Regional Centre, Strathclyde University, and Urban Policy DG in partnership with the Regional Studies Association (RSA) and the Committee of the Regions. Glasgow, United Kingdom Bringing together 77 PhD students and early-career researchers selected from all the EU Member States, as well as Gorja Bartsch, European China, Nigeria, Ukraine, Australia, Turkey and Japan , the Master Class complemented the OPEN DAYS University, Commission, Eurostat which had been a well-established part of the event since 2009. The Master Class sessions aimed at: Niels Bosma, Professor, Utrecht University, School of Economics, • presenting the latest developments in research on European regional and urban development and EU The Netherlands cohesion policy; Teodóra Brandmüller, • enabling postgraduates and early career researchers to exchange views with EU politicians, officials and European Commission, Eurostat senior academics in the field of European regional and urban development and policy; Gordon Dabinett, Professor for • helping to create networking links among early career academics from different countries and with the wider Regional Studies, University of EU policy and academic communities; and Sheffield, United Kingdom • raising awareness and understanding of the research potential in the field of EU cohesion policy. Maros Finka, Professor, Slovak University of Technology, Institute The four modules of the Master Class consisted of the opening session, the only module open to the general for Management, Department of public, which outlined the economic context, governance challenges and the outlook for EU cohesion policy. Spatial Planning, Bratislava It discussed the key trends affecting European cities and regions, the nature of policy reforms, and future challenges Veronica Gaffey, European and options. It was followed by three lecture format sessions, an Early Career Poster Competition and a final Commission, Regional and Urban “World Café” session, which were all restricted to Master Class participants. Following the award session, participants Policy DG had the possibility of an exchange with European Commissioner for Regional and Urban Policy Johannes Hahn. Manuela Geleng, European Finally, participants also had the opportunity to attend other seminars and exhibitions during the OPEN DAYS. Commission, Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG The winner of the poster competition was Martijn J. Smit, researcher at the Free University of Amsterdam, who is also assistant professor at Utrecht University. His presentation concerned the meta-analysis of literature on
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agglomeration and cluster policies. He concluded that the benefits of policy-driven clusters could be doubted Cliff Hague, Emeritus Professor, and that a “healthy sectoral and regional spread of public investments seemed wisest”. Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Planning and Spatial The aim of the World Café was to promote discussion on the contribution of EU cohesion policy to medium and Development, United Kingdom long-term challenges facing Europe´s regions and cities. This session was organised as a round-group discussion Ronald Hall, European where each of the ten groups had to focus on one specific topic including: Commission, Regional and Urban Policy DG • achievements of the cohesion policy in different countries and regions and how the policy’s performance Jonathan Levie, could be best measured or assessed; Professor, Hunter Centre of • the role of the administrative capacity in the delivery of funds on the ground, and the importance of the Entrepreneurship, Strathclyde institutional pre-conditions for implementing the policy; University, Glasgow, United • lessons learned about management, implementation and control of the funds; Kingdom • public perception of the funds, as well as ways to increase awareness; Eduarda Marques da Costa, • territorial cooperation beyond borders and its added value for the territorial cohesion of Europe; Associate Professor, Lisbon • the question of how cohesion policy could support growth and recovery from the economic crisis in Europe University, Institute of Geography and the specific role of cities in this respect; and Spatial Planning, Portugal • the role of smart specialisation strategies and targeted support for research and innovation for improving Frank van Oort, Professor, the impact of cohesion policy; Utrecht University, Department • concepts in regional and urban development, taking into consideration place-based and sectorial approaches; for Economic Geography, The • the potential of the green economy for regional development in Europe; and Netherlands • social inclusion through cohesion policy investments. Eric von Breska, European Commission, Regional and Urban A total of 49 participants responded to an evaluation of the Master Class, in which 96% said that the experience Policy DG had been “very important” (61.7%) or “important” (34.0%) to them. Asked about the quality of the different modules, between 74% and 89% of respondents found them either “excellent” or “good”, with the lecture sessions coming first and the opening session second. In their remarks, many participants highlighted the usefulness of the ‘world café’ exercise, suggested that more time be allocated to networking and proposed more interactivity during sessions.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 137 100 EUrban solutions exhibition 100 EUrban solutions exhibition 100 EUrban solutions exhibition
More than two-thirds of the European population are city dwellers. Europe is one of the most urbanised continents, and cities contribute to our social and economic development and well-being. They are the powerhouses of Europe – where the most important solutions to common challenges can be found. Spread over several venues in the Brussels EU quarter, the ‘100 EUrban solutions’ exhibition components illustrated case studies and transferable good practices in the field of sustainable development, capitalising on the achievements of the 2007-13 programming period.
Living in Europe’s cities – outdoor exhibition On 8 October on Place Jean Rey (Etterbeek), Commissioner Johannes Hahn inaugurated the colourful exhibition organised by the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, which remained open to the public until 31 October 2013. The exhibition showcased dozens of projects, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), each responding in a different way to the challenges found in Europe’s towns today. The content from the exhibition is available on a dedicated website: http://ec.europa.eu/ regional_policy/100EUrbansolutions/index.cfm
100 EUrban solutions from regions and cities – at the Committee of the Regions Partners and stakeholders from 22 countries, mostly local authorities from cities and municipalities, but also associations such as EUROCITIES and Energy Cities, showcased illustrative projects in the field of public-private partnerships, networking across borders and public participation. A selection of photos provided by the PURPLE network showed the specific mix of urban and rural features of peri-urban spaces, which provide vital resources and enhance city dwellers’ quality of life.
140 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 100 EUrban solutions exhibition
How cooperation helps cities and regions meet policy challenges – joint exhibition by pan-European networking programmes
The Committee of the Regions also hosted the joint exhibition of INTERREG IV C, URBACT, ESPON and INTERACT, who joined forces to demonstrate the breadth and depth of local and regional policy cooperation. Each programme presented online tools and information of interest to policymakers, local and regional authorities, and journalists looking for stories on European cooperation projects.
Thematic exhibitions hosted by partners
Brussels-based representative offices of regions, cities and associations joined the exhibition route with their own thematic exhibitions. The exhibition was inaugurated during the evening of 8 October in various locations.
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 141 Local Events Local Events Local Events
For the 2013 edition of OPEN DAYS, some 350 local events have been planned to take place in 34 countries in the European Union and beyond throughout September, October and November. Once again, the events organised this year in the framework of the second edition of the European Cooperation Day, which took place on 21 September, were branded as OPEN DAYS local events. Thousands of participants from European, national and regional public authorities, financial and business representatives, NGOs, media, students and the general public attended seminars, workshops, debates. that were focused on the three OPEN DAYS themes: Managing change 2014- 2020; Synergies and cooperation; Challenges and solutions. Seven out of the 350 events are displayed on this double page. More details on other local events can be found on the OPEN DAYS website.
Southern England Local Partners’ (SELP) Annual European Congress Poole, 4 October 2013, United Kingdom Delegates at the seventh Southern England Local Partners’ (SELP) European Congress – hosted by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership in Poole – called for real local engagement in EU funding delivery. All key local stakeholders need to be involved in tangible projects that must meet their concerns and objectives. Projects should boost inclusive and sustainable local growth, but require continued support from national and local levels. Left to right: Cllr Perry, Leader of Hampshire County Council; Cllr Baker, Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council & Member of the Committee of the Regions; Cllr Mans, Chairman of SELP & Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council; John Fitzgibbon, Head of SELP Brussels Office.
European Cooperation Day – Activities for primary school kids: Safety Day (PRISMA) Interreg IV Italy-Austria, Malborghetto, 20 September 2013, Italy With experiments, laboratories and performances located in different areas of Malborghetto’s (IT) city centre, firefighters, police, rescue services and other associations of civil protection informed on natural hazards in a creative and fun way. Several primary school classes were invited, as well as all parents and the public.
1 Perspectives, challenges and tools at stake for the development of territorial projects? 5 Club Europe Sud Rhône-Alpes, Valence, 28-29 November 6 2013, France Organised at the initiative of Michèle Rivasi, MEP and Joël Roques, President of the Drôme Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and with Bernard Soulange, Member of the CoR and Vice-President of Rhône-Alpes Region, and Henri 2 Malosse, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Brussels 3 present, the two-day conference debate in Valence gave the floor to the territory’s representatives and the socioeconomic players in Brussels. It underlined the stakes of a local development linked with European construction and policy, and will gather European policy-makers and lobbyists, together with local decision-makers and socio-economic players.
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Talents Available: Tapping the talent pool for global growth Uusimaa Regional Council, Helsinki, 5 September 2013, Finland Europe needs to work together, and 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 will enable the local community to develop its cultural intelligence and thus its system to best tap into the available talents available in the region. The event was connected with the ‘OPEN DAYS Workshop: Managing global talent retention through cross-border cooperation’. “When facing the tough approach of global competition, we are too small to survive alone,” Jyrki Katainen, Prime Minister of Finland
Citizens’ Dialogue organised by the European Commission with the collaboration of the Province of Liège 17 October 2013, Liège, Belgium Georges Pire, Deputy of the Province of Liège, Didier Reynders, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs for Belgium, and Jean-Claude Marcourt, Vice-President of the Walloon Region and Regional Minister for Economy and Higher Education, welcomed José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, for a discussion with young citizens. Mr Barroso inaugurated the ‘Youth on the Move’ tent on the Place de la Cathédrale before addressing the citizens at the Théâtre de Liège. The debate on Europe was open to all. 4 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?
The Ladronkafest 2013 Municipality of Prague, 14 September 2013, Czech Republic The Ladronkafest is the biggest interactive festival of leisure activities in Europe (music, theatre, sports, adrenaline exhibitions, fine art workshops, competitions, dance, etc.) The festival´s objective is to support a healthy lifestyle for children and youth and to offer them quality options for their leisure time. ”This year there have been 83 sport and creative activities on more than 80,000 m2. The participants could enjoy championships, concerts of student bands and adrenalin shows at U-ramp. The rich programme of Ladronkafest was appreciated by more than 15,000 participants”, said Lucie Radostová, executive event producer of Ladronkafest.
7 The Cohesion and Structural Funds after Croatia’s EU membership City of Zagreb, 28 October 2013, Croatia At the initiative of the Mayor’s Office in Zagreb, Miro Laco, Director of the Mayor’s Office, agreed to chair the conference. After Croatia’s accession to the EU, the funding reality is also changing for the cities and regions. To inform stakeholders on the changes, and to give them an overview of both the Financial Framework 2014-2020 and the launch of the new programming period in the first semester of 2014, the City of Zagreb is organising a one-day conference. Another objective is an awareness-raising on project orientation. The conference will consist of presentations on the needs and possibilities from the City of Zagreb, good practice examples from the City of Warsaw, and an overview from the European Commission on urban development in view of Agenda 2020.
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Evaluation
On Sunday 13 October, the Committee of the Regions, in partnership with the European Commission’s DG REGIO, held ‘OPEN DAYS: The Football Tournament’.
For the second year running, the seven-a-side football competition was arranged to coincide with the ‘OPEN DAYS: European Week of Regions and Cities’, offering partners and staff an opportunity to meet, take part, socialise and play football. This year, eight teams composed of 80 men and women, met in Kraainem, on the outskirts of Brussels, and took to the field to compete for the OPEN DAYS cup. The annual informal one-day competition is open to all staff, partners, regions and conglomerates involved or who participate in the OPEN DAYS. Teams can comprise of both men and women who form squads of up to ten players. Next year’s competition will be held either the weekend before or after OPEN DAYS 2014 with registration opening in July. For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected]
146 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Evaluation Evaluation
Following the OPEN DAYS 2013, more than 6,000 Assessment by participants people involved as participants, event partners, speakers/chairpersons and journalists were Surveys were filled in by participants from about 40 countries, with the invited to complete online tailored questionnaires highest share from Italian participants (13%), followed by Germany, to express their views and assessments of the Belgium, Poland and the United Kingdom, scoring between 8% and 6%. event by 11 November 2013. While the geographical distribution was less balanced than last year due to the decreased number of respondents, nevertheless the sample was A total of 660 responded. The highest response rate was from partners representative as regards the age category, organisational affiliation and (48.5%, as compared to 6.6% in 2012 and 20% in 2011), which reflected a newcomers to the event. The results for organisational affiliation are very good relationship and an improved interaction throughout the preparation similar to the registration statistics and show that participants came from of the event. However, response rates from the other categories were lower multiple levels of government from across Europe, as well as from business, when compared to previous years (in brackets) with 8.6% or responses academia and civil society (see graph below). from participants (16.8%), 16.3% from speakers/chairpersons (18.8%) and 12.4% from journalists (20.1%). The most important findings were: The OPEN DAYS continues to be relevant for a diverse range of age groups, attracting 17.7% of responses from participants aged less than 30, 35% • The high quality of the event continued to be appreciated by all target from the 30-40 age group and 26.4% aged between 40 and 50. From a groups and was significantly improved as regards the organisational geographic perspective, 81.8% of respondents travelled to Brussels for the issues perceived by event partners. For all target groups, the quality of event, about the same as last year (81%). The OPEN DAYS also continues workshops was assessed again as either ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ by an average to attract newcomers, continuing the trend of audience turnover with of 95% of participants. 45.5% (43%) of respondents visiting OPEN DAYS for the first time. In terms of • As in previous years, the participants’ expectations were most successfully intensity of participation in workshops and debates, 19.8% (24%) visited met in terms of learning about good practice and getting information 1-2 such activities, 36.6% (34.3%) visited 3-4 activities, 32.5% (31%) went from the European institutions about hot topics in EU cohesion policy. to 5-6 events, and 11.1% (10%) participated in 7 or more workshops and There was a trend of following more workshops, especially those organised debates. Unfortunately though, more intensive workshop participation also by the European Commission. Their focus on ‘managing change’ made means fewer networking opportunities. Some other findings (comparative them attractive to the audience when it came to informing about the new figures for 2012 in brackets) are: elements in the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes. This result was matched by a slightly decreased expectation as regards networking. • When asked about their expectations, 93.4% (95.6%) ranked ‘learning • Concerning the organisation of the event, most of the feedback about good practice’ highest in terms of importance, followed by 91.1% confirmed overall satisfaction with about 95% (90%) saying it was either (91.7%) expecting to ‘get information from the European institutions about ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. hot topics in EU cohesion policy’ and 84.8% (91%) seeking to network. • While the number of users of social media did not increase in comparison Expectations were met for a range of 75.5-86.8% for those topics. to last year, the visibility of the OPEN DAYS in social media experienced • With regard to the quality of workshops and debates, 94.7% (93.5%) quite a significant result. There where 3,200 mentions of #euopendays rated it as either ‘good’ 67% (73.4%) or ‘excellent’ 27.7% (20.1%). The quality on social media between 7 and 10 October, reaching more than 18,000 of presentations was judged ‘good’ by 68.6% (70.4%) and ‘excellent’ by followers and achieving 12th place in the ‘Top 20 of Belgium’s Trends’ for 22.3% (18.8%). The choice and skills of chairpersons received the best Tuesday, 8 October 2013. The top link shared via #euopendays was the rankings: 31.1% (32.7%) found them ‘excellent’ and 63.2% (62.8%) ‘good’. link to the web-streaming programme. Live web streams of 41 sessions ‘Communication with the audience’ was less well perceived: 25% (27%) (out of 101) were followed by an average of 120 parallel users per session, of participants found it ‘poor’ or ‘bad’. thus doubling the audience for the respective workshops through online means. On Flickr, 756,000 views were registered by the end of October for the OPEN DAYS albums – www.flickr.com/photos/opendays
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Assessment of workshops and debates • 92% (89%) of respondents stated that they would participate again in next year’s OPEN DAYS. 100% • Among the themes suggested for OPEN DAYS 2014: Results of the 90% last period 2007-13; delivery of Europe 2020; new programmes and new 80% opportunities for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth; exchange 70% between the European Regional Development Fund/ETC programmes and sectoral programmes like H2020, Creative Europe and Erasmus; 60% green economy; new jobs for a new Europe; smart cities; smart strategies; 50% entrepreneurship; cross-programme, cross-border, trans-national and 40% international cooperation; macro-regional strategies; maritime policy; 30% innovation; financing of infrastructure projects; financial instruments; visibility of cohesion policy; social dimension of cohesion policy; 20% e-cohesion; regeneration of cities; urban planning; community-led 10% local development; mobility and the Trans-European Transport Network. 0% Overall Communications The evaluation survey was also used to inquire about the perception quality Presentations Moderators with audience of cohesion policy, based on the participation with OPEN DAYS. The perception that scored the highest was that cohesion policy generates Bad Poor Good Excellent effective cross-border cooperation (88.6%), followed by the fact that it delivers key infrastructure for poor regions (87.5%) and concrete results for • The opening session on 7 October was attended by 25% (19.4%) of improving the life of EU citizens (85.2%). Seventy-seven per cent agreed the respondents. About 90% (90.7%) judged its overall quality ‘good’ that cohesion policy contributes to economic recovery and is a main driver or ‘excellent’. for creating new jobs. • 33.6% (9.1%) of participants answering the survey participated in the OPEN DAYS University. Among those, 95.1% (94.7%) judged the seminars organised under this brand as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. • 95.7% appreciated the workshops organised by the European Commission, ranking them as either ‘excellent’ (32.7%) or ‘good’ (63%). • The Meeting Place networking activities were appreciated as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ by 91% (92.8%) of those who had experienced it. • 50.5% of the survey respondents visited the ‘100 EUrban solutions exhibition’, with 85.1% ranking it ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ (as compared to 78% for the exhibitions organised in 2012). • On organisational aspects, the overall assessment was either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ for 95.5 % (91%) of respondents. • 28.6% (41%) of the respondents participated in at least one OPEN DAYS local event. • The website and OD Flash Info stood out as the most important communication tools for 95.7% (96%) of respondents and 85.9% (90%), respectively. One-third expressed themselves in favour of the smartphone application (same as in 2012), while only about 10% (15%) found Twitter (13.6%), Flickr (10%) and Yammer (6%) useful.
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Master class students were invited to fill in a separate survey and their representatives or to present one’s own experience in managing European response rate was 63.6%. Their main expectations on networking and cohesion policy programmes/projects. Expectations were met in the learning about EU cohesion policy were met to the extent of 69.4% and range of 45-95% with 71.4% (85.7%) declaring that their expectations 79.6%, respectively. The world café was the most appreciated with a regarding networking had been ‘very much met’. satisfaction rate of 44.2% ranking it ‘excellent’ and 32% ‘good’. • The quality of presentations in the workshops and the debates with the floor were rated as ‘excellent’ by 52.5% (28.6%). OPEN DAYS 2013 online survey: • As regards communication tools, the website and OD Info Flash were Organisational affiliation of participants much appreciated, while 30-40% used other tools, such as the mobile application, Twitter and Yammer. 51,82% Regional or local • Most partners were satisfied with the media coverage by their regional administration press and appreciated the fact that regional media representatives were 7,73% National invited by the organisers. administration • Respondents acknowledged an improved support and guidance received 4,55% EU institution 5,68% Enterprises/Banks from the organisers. 4,55% Civil Society • The local event partners’ survey runs until December and its findings will Organisation be revealed in the local events’ proceedings, which will be published by 12,27% Academic/research the end of January 2014. institute 7,73% Consultant 5,67% Other Speakers and chairpersons There were about 600 speakers and chairpersons involved in the 101 workshops and debates during the OPEN DAYS, of which 16.3% (18.8% Event partners in 2012) completed the online questionnaire. Coming from 25 countries, In 2013, 200 regions and cities (219 in 2012) participated as event partners, their organisational affiliation was as follows: organised into 25 regional partnerships. These were established by April • 53% (42%) from national, regional or local administrations; and were led by lead-partner regions or cities, who were involved in a • 7% (12%) officials of EU institutions; couple of preparatory meetings ahead of the event. The response rate • 20% (14%) from universities and research institutes. from event partners was 48.5%, the highest response rate so far (6.6% in 2012 and 20% in 2011), reflecting a good relationship and improved The rest was formed by enterprises, civil society organisations, consultants interaction throughout the preparation of the event. The survey for local and other categories. Speakers and chairpersons were asked to assess the event partners is continuing until mid-December 2013. Event partners quality of the workshops and organisational aspects, and were invited were asked about their expectations and assessment of the event, as well to give recommendations and ideas. The main findings were as follows: as about organisational aspects. They were also invited to submit their recommendations and ideas. The main findings were as follows: • Chairpersons were appreciated by 94.8% (93%) of the speakers as being • Partners’ expectations prior to the event: partners felt that it was most good communicators. important to have an opportunity to network with other regional • Networking sessions after the workshops/debates were considered a very representatives: 73.8% said ‘very important’ and 21.4% said ‘important’. useful exercise, compensating for the lack of time during the workshops The next target was to disseminate information about their region/ for interaction with the audience. city/organisation: 57.1% said ‘very important’. Also highly rated was the • About 95% of speakers appreciated the overall organisation of the event. opportunity to find out from European institutions about hot cohesion Those who were dissatisfied mentioned in particular that they missed a policy topics, out-rating the learning from good practice, which scored briefing on site, before their session. For the future, 76.5% (91%) would the highest last year. There was less of a demand to meet business like to participate in the OPEN DAYS again.
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Media representatives • for 58.3% (71%) it was the first time they had participated in the OPEN The 193 (268 in 2012) journalists participating in the OPEN DAYS media DAYS; 62.5% (76%) had already heard about the event previously; programme were invited to complete a special online questionnaire, • 83.3% (86%) found the media programme ‘interesting’ and ‘very interesting’ which 12.4% (20.1% in 2012 and 14.3% in 2011) answered. Journalists, in almost equal numbers, with a clear preference for the informative representing the written press (41.7%), television (41.7%), radio (8.3%) and sessions; ‘How do EU funds deliver in your country’ was rated as ‘very online media (33.3%) from 14 countries, shared their expectations, as well interesting’ by 66.7%, followed by ‘Finding and understanding regional as their appreciation of the media programme quality and organisational data’ and EU regional policy and challenges ahead’; aspects. Journalists represented local (29.2%), regional (66.7%), national • 95.8% attended OPEN DAYS workshops and 41.7% also attended local (41.7%) and European (8.3%) media organisations. events in their country; The main findings were as follows: • During their stay, 79% (60%) had been in contact with their regional • The most important areas of interest were to learn more about EU offices in Brussels; institutions and policies, and to get input for articles/productions on • 95.8% (95% in 2012) would recommend participation in the event to ‘EU and regional affairs’; networking with colleagues was less important a colleague; for some 29%; 78% (65%) declared that their expectations had been • Around 37.5% wrote an article on the event in national or regional ‘very much met’; newspapers, 33.3% issued a report on TV, around 8% reported on the • In their overall assessment of the OPEN DAYS, 50% (51%) of journalists OPEN DAYS on the radio and 20.8% published an article online. found the event ‘very good’ and 45.8% (45%) ‘good’;
OPEN DAYS 2003-2013 in figures
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Regional 10 67 106 135 212 216 213 245 206 219 200 partners + cities Regional - 11 16 14 24 22 24 28 23 24 25 partnerships Workshops 16 64 66 135 150 145 122 127 110 108 101
Venues 10 12 24 37 44 35 26 32 26 28 27
Participants 1,200 2 000 2 500 4 000 5 500 7 400 6 045 5 901 5 683 5 807 5 679
Journalists - - 70 122 240 275 331 342 230 268 193
Local events - - - 50 95 220 233 263 253 > 350 > 350
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The media programme was designed to provide • 8 446 800 online readers, the approximately 200 attending journalists • 2 060 000 radio listeners, with opportunities to further understand the • 5 688 000 readers, objectives of EU policies, notably in the field of • 4 772 000 TV viewers2. regional and urban sustainable development. It was also aimed at enabling journalists to obtain Distribution of coverage by media type region-specific information through relevant 52% Online tools, events and interview opportunities. 27% Newspaper 11% TV On 7 October, journalists were offered a welcoming introductory seminar 5% News Agency on «EU regional policy and challenges ahead», a roundtable with the 3% Magazine Commissioner, Mr Hahn, and the CoR president, Mr Valcárcel, and 2% Radio informative meetings with experts about access to and use of regional data and tools. TV debates were conducted and broadcast by national and regional TV channels (TVP, FRANCE 3, RAI), including with the Commissioner, Mr Lewandowski, the CoR president, Mr Valcárcel, the first vice-president of the CoR, Ms Bresso, and other members of the Committee of the Regions.
Furthermore, the media programme gathered journalists around «country The majority of the coverage collected to date appeared in Spain (19% desks» on 8 October, during which they could meet European Commission as compared to 18.5%), Italy (18% as compared to 7.7%), Croatia (9% as experts on current and future EU-funding opportunities for their region or compared to 2.8%), Greece (7% as compared to 3.7%) and the UK (7% country. Another seminar held by colleagues from Eurostat, the European compared to 1.8%). The increased coverage in Croatia (a new Member State) Commission’s statistical office, allowed for deeper insights into available and Greece (the forthcoming presidency of the Council of the EU) shows data at regional level, including the Regional yearbook 2013, which had that the OPEN DAYS is a valuable and reliable source of information on EU just been published on paper at the beginning of October. Eurostat’s policy. The Greek coverage is mostly focused on the Structural Funds with briefing was completed by presentations on the way DG REGIO and the an economic angle, while the British coverage comes from leading regional Committee of the Regions provide information to journalists from regional and national publications such as ITV Wales, the Guardian and the Yorkshire media. Finally, many journalists made use of their stay to get in touch with Post and also accounts for a good part of the specialised press coverage. the Brussels office of their region or the permanent representation of their Member State. “European media” lost its place in the top five that it held last year in terms of amount of coverage, most probably due to the parallel European Parliament QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS plenary session in Strasbourg. This appears also to be the reason for which fewer Brussels-based journalists, who represent mainly the national media, The OPEN DAYS 2013 generated 300 (325 in 2012) pieces of coverage in 25 participated in the event, and ultimately led to a relatively higher presence (30) countries and pan-European publications. While all segments of the of regional media. media were represented, more than 50% (36%) of the articles appeared The coverage peaked during the week of the OPEN DAYS (7-11 October) online, including online versions of regional and national newspapers and again at the beginning of November, with the event being covered such as LeCourrierPicard.fr (FR), La Vanguardia.com (ES) and Yorkshirepost. in monthly publications. com (UK). The printed press secured a share of 30% (32%), followed by TV (11% as compared to 14%). Overall, the OPEN DAYS are referenced in 210 (282) pieces of coverage, the Committee of the Regions is mentioned in 191 (170) articles and DG REGIO/ This year, the potential audience reached approximately 21 million1 people, the European Commission is mentioned in 143 (144) articles. broken down as follows:
1 - Figures in this report are for all information gathered up to 25 November. Further coverage is expected to appear. 2 - This figure does not include the audience figures of TVP and RAI panel debates.
154 OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings Media strategy and coverage analysis
Distribution of coverage by reach provided and reported reliably on the key messages. A few articles are critical of how the EU funds are delivered and call for more questioning 42% National from the policy-makers. Some articles report on economic difficulties in the 53% Regional 5% European regions and the loss of EU funding (Television de Asturias and theguardian. com) but focus at the same time on the alternative solutions to be found.
Overall feedback from the journalists was very positive on the information provided, on-site support and the organisation of the event. The media programme was very much appreciated, notably the opportunities to meet and interview high-profile officials.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Some 3 200 mentions of #euopendays were recorded on Twitter between QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS 7-10 October, which marked a new peak in social media use during OPEN DAYS. Several hundred new followers (now over 18 000) were added during Compared to 2012, the number of citizens reached through TV was higher, the period to DG REGIO’s Twitter account. even with TV having a smaller share of the media coverage. This may indicate that the audio-visual reports achieved high visibility as they were Good use was made of the opportunity provided by #euopendays to use mainly broadcast on regional programmes of national TV stations, for several other hashtags over the period. This brought attention to the whole example: TVP, RTVE, RAI TGR, ITV and France 3. However, the number of event and the individual workshops, and benefited all topics. It widened online readers was much lower than the previous year, due to the presence the impact of the OPEN DAYS by ensuring that the event was referenced of journalists from websites with a more targeted reach. in online questions about other issues, such as urban development and support for SMEs, to name but the most frequent ones. The majority of the media clippings deal with EU regional policy in the context of the journalists’ regions of origin. A predominance of regional Posts from the DG REGIO Twitter account during the OPEN DAYS achieved and local issues was noted, with many pieces of coverage reporting on the a potential reach (number of people potentially reading the tweet) of over impact of the allocation of regional funds for specific regions. Journalists 3 million people. travelling to Brussels often met with representatives from their region and tailored their report to the local audience. A number of articles also Mentions of the OPEN DAYS were concentrated to a large extent in Brussels, reported on local success stories that were showcased through RegioStars and the OPEN DAYS were one of the top “trending topics” in Belgium during or the exhibition “100 EUrban solutions”. the event. Additional efforts should be made in future to engage regions organising local events to be more active on social media and to share The presence of high-level national and European officials generated via Twitter. a lot of coverage in the respective countries, like Italy, Spain and Portugal. Many articles included interviews: the availability of high-level officials is thus essential for increasing the visibility of the event. #100eurbansolutions #citynext #sustainable #airq2013 Over 95% of the articles are neutral (243) to positive (55). The newsworthiness #eu #egtc #smes #csr #corplenary of the allocation of European Structural and Investment Funds for #morejobs #europe #euopendays the 2014-2020 period ensured high interest from the regional press. The #euregions #regional media coverage of the OPEN DAYS 2013 was thus mostly informative and #storify #rfsc2013 #smartcities factual. Generally speaking, journalists made good use of the media material #regions #storytelling #urbactcity
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 155 OPEN DAYS 2014 OPEN DAYS 2014
OPEN DAYS 2014
Looking forward to OPEN DAYS 2014
The policy cycle of cohesion policy suggests that due to the launch of the 320+ national, regional and territorial cooperation programmes in 2014, first experiences with their implementation may be at the forefront of debates during the 12th European Week of Regions and Cities. Moreover, the event will be held a few months after closing the public consultation on the European Commission’s ‘Sixth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion’ and the related “Sixth Cohesion Forum” to be held early May.
The OPEN DAYS could foster exchange about those thematic priorities that are compulsory for each region between 2014-2020, i.e. innovation and research, the digital agenda, support for small and medium sized businesses, the low-carbon economy (supported by the ERDF) and training/social inclusion (supported by the ESF). There would also be the opportunity to look into new instruments such as Integrated Territorial Investments, Community-led Local Development, financial instruments, the new European Territorial Cooperation programmes and the Adriatic-Ionian macro-regional strategy to be adopted during the Italian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Elements such as the OPEN DAYS University, international cooperation on regional policy and the ‘Europe in my Region’ photo competition would be maintained.
Together with all event partners, the organisers will look into enhancing the event’s quality and put an even stronger emphasis on creating adequate networking opportunities in 2014, an element obviously much appreciated by participants. Finally, OPEN DAYS remain open for new ideas from regions and cities, associations and institutions involved in regional and local development in Europe and beyond!
Further details of the 12th OPEN DAYS will be made public on www.opendays.europa.eu
We look forward to welcome you between 6 and 9 October 2014!
OPEN DAYS 2013 - 11th European Week of Regions and Cities - Proceedings 159
These proceedings are a compendium of reports of most of the 101 workshops held in Brussels during the OPEN DAYS 2013 – 11th European Week of Regions and Cities (7 - 10 October 2013). Jointly organised by the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission’s Regional and Urban Policy DG, the event brought together 200 regions and cities from all over Europe, and some 6.000 participants and 600 speakers.
Presentations, speeches and videos can be found on the OPEN DAYS website: www.opendays.europa.eu
The OPEN DAYS is an inter-institutional platform for political communication, a means of capacity-building for regional and local stakeholders, and facilitates communication on EU affairs at local level. The Brussels-based four-day event is a unique annual opportunity for regions and cities to showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement EU cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance, including effective management of funding. The exchange between practitioners and decision-makers is mixed with input from academia and the participation of third countries, which are interested to hear and learn from European regions’ experiences in regional policy, as well as presenting their own ones.
European Commission DG Regional and Urban Policy Rue Belliard 101 BE-1049 Brussels 1040 Brussels www.ec.europa.eu/inforegio www.cor.europa.eu