news REGION MAGAZINE OF THE INSTITUTE OF THE REGIONS OF EUROPE • 37 / JUNE 2015 10 Years Special Edition advocating European Regions since 2005 10th anniversary of the IRE A look back on activities and achievements FOCUS history, concept & approach Prof. Franz Schausberger Chairman of the Institute of the Regions of Europe 10th Anniversary of the Institute of the Regions of Europe Stages of a fast and substantial As historian I know that ten years is not a very long time, as head of the Institute of the Regi- ons of Europe I have learned how much can happen in ten years, how much work is involved in the numerous activities and that it is not self-evident that such an institute successfully development survived ten years. The establishment of the Institute in 2005 was seen with scepticism by some. Others provided their support in various ways to accomplish this project successfully. The Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) was founded in 2004 by Prof. Dr. Franz Schausberger, Many have contributed to the achievements of the IRE and this is why today we are not only former President of the Land Salzburg in Austria. The main aim was to create a platform for mu- welcomed with full sympathy but also became a respected platform for regions, cities, com- nicipalities, regions and enterprises from all over Europe in order to point out the increasing im- munities, companies, the EU as well as national institutions, universities and many more. portance of regions and municipalities for European politics and for economic development. With My two fellow Board members Stefan Eder and Helmut Falschlehner have accompanied me its activities and initiatives, the IRE supports decentralization and regionalization and provides with optimism and active commitment from the very beginning. We receive indispensable visionary and moral backing from the prominent members of our Board of Patrons. The expertise for strengthening respective processes. The IRE, with its headquarter in Salzburg, offers small team, under the professional guidance of our Secretary-General Joachim Fritz, has consulting for regions, municipalities, enterprises and institutes. always provided an excellent organizational performance with passion and tireless devoti- on. Extremely valuable was the advice of the IRE Board of Trustees and the Advisory Board. Our members, friends, sponsors and partners are forming the primery basis of our institute. The Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE) was officially opened Without their support we could not exist. ten years ago, on 4 May 2005, at a ceremony in the Federal Chan- cellery in Vienna at the presence of former Chancellor Wolfgang I want to express wholeheartedly my sincere gratitude to all of them. Schüssel. In the past decade, it managed to become a universal- ly acknowledged platform for regions and cities in Europe. Nu- The anniversary is an opportunity to give a retrospective view on the IRE in the Newsregion merous conferences, seminars, inquiries, many publications, scien- magazine and an opportunity for new ideas, visions and activities for the next decade. tific projects and a popular internship program are part of the IREs A united Europe with strong regions and municipalities is worth every effort! activity today. With its impartial and non-profit character, the IRE wishes to cut in- formational deficits and foster economic potential of the European regions. Cross-border cooperation is a fundamental instrument for supporting social cohesion and a sustainable economic develop- ment. Currently, more than 130 member regions, municipalities, cities as well as enterprises from 20 European countries comprise COVER: European funds and their successful allocation was the our network. We work on behalf of our members and we look for- major topic at the IRE Europe Day in Piteti on 24th October 2012. A You can find us on Facebook ward to expanding our network while advocating the regional and gorgeous folklore program wasperformed at the meeting of around https://www.facebook.com/institut.ire local interests with the European spirit. 70 mayors and public servants with experts and other politicians at the Constantin-Brancoveanu-University in Pite ti. Picture: At the opening event in the Federal Chancellery in Baden-Württemberg and President of the Committee of the Vienna: Rudolf Schicker, Member of the City Council of Vi- Regions, Wolfgang Schüssel, Federal Chancellor of Austria, IMPRESSUM Media owner and publisher: Institute of the Regions of Europe, A-5020 Salzburg, Nonntaler Hauptstraße 58, Tel.: +43/662/843288-0, Fax: +43/662/843288- enna, Riccardo Illy, President of the region Friuli Venezia Stefan Eder, Deputy Chairman of the Board of IRE, Kurt Bie- 5050, www.institut-ire.eu, [email protected] • Editor and layout: printmedia, 5020 Salzburg • Photos: ire, Neumayr, Wikipedia, Schausberger, Svetlovskiy / dreamstime.com • Print: druck.at, A2544 Leobersdorf Giulia, Evžen Tošenovsky, President of the region Moravia denkopf, former Primeminister of Saxony with his wife and Insofar as this publication features only personal designations in their gender-specific forms, they relate – insofar as this can be considered with regard to the content – to men and women on equal terms. Silesia, Peter Straub, President of the Regional Parliament of Franz Schausberger. 2 newsregion 37 / june15 newsregion 37 / june15 3 FOCUS FOCUS history, concept & approach history, concept & approach The principles we work by To regions, District, city, region, To enterprises country, Europe, the world: One can feel w European and w Science and practice municipalities we offer regional at home everywhere. In order to meet different expectations and cities we But the region forms w A plus factor for your Our activities focus on the regional level in and interests we combine scientific and the centre. This is corporate identity Europe. We work in close contact with de- practical work. We pursue an interdisci- where we feel our Membership to the IRE corresponds Developing regional cision makers from politics and economics plinary approach and combine expertise offer roots and feel who we are. And because with an added value to the corporate policy within the EU is as well as with the civil society from all Eu- from politics, economics and law. regions very often are across borders, w Expertise through expert identity of a company. It is not only an key in order to achie- ropean countries. As supporters of the Eu- it prevents the narrow sight and pro- conferences instrument for the long-term positio- ve growth, foster ropean integration process, we adhere to w Sustainability and motes a broad view. ning of the business, but also a chance innovation and im- the European principles of tolerance, inter- success oriented Within the frame of increasing political de- plement forward-loo- national understanding and subsidiarity. to support the activities of a non-profit More than 130 regions, municipalities, centralization, regions, municipalities and Wolfgang Schüssel king EU policies such private foundation. cities, towns, institutions and companies cities are facing more challenges when it Former Chancellor of Austria and as the EUs digital agenda and energy w Credibility and comes to offering efficient services and have become members of the IRE network. “Member of the IRE Board of Patrons w Location and union. Regions and cities are important professionalism They all pursue the interest to turn their securing the quality of life of their citizens. actors when it comes to implement the- Hence, we are committed to offer neces- production site Seriousness is our first priority. We com- ideas into action and to strengthen the analysis se policies as they drive development municate with diplomats, political repre- importance of regional and local levels in sary expertise to political decision makers. and innovation. IRE contributes signi- By presenting best-practice examples and An enlarged Europe offers high poten- sentatives and the institutions of the Eu- the political decision-making process. The The Institute of the ficantly to unlocking the potential of analysing new trends and technologies, tial to enterprises: new markets, new ropean Union every IRE supports them by Regions of Europe regions and cities and to involving their we create a new impetus for our members. partners and new locations. However, it day. We are obliged providing a diverse (IRE) has done a re- citizens in shared European objectives. The best way to do so is to bring decision is not always easy to calculate chances “ to work professional- network of impor- ally good job in re- maker and entrepreneurs together at ex- and risks. The IRE offers a competent ly in order to reach tant decision makers cent years and has Sebastian Kurz pert conferences, which the IRE organises advisory service as well as answers to our goals and to fulfil and by offering our indeed become an Austria‘s Minister for Europe, on all regional and international politi- your questions on political and econo- the expectations and expertise in the areas important forum for Integration and Foreign Affairs cal topics, e.g. interregional cooperation, mic conditions. We create studies on requirements of our of regionalization and European regions, municipalities and EU funds, energy supply, tourism, health different topics upon request. members. decentralization. companies. It has managed to promote management, transport and traffic. Our regionalization, decentralization and objective is to inform our members at con- w Information platform cross-border cooperation. I congratu- ferences and provide a platform for suc- late the Institute on its anniversary. We can help to find an appropriate cessful networking. access to decision makers at local, re- gional, national and European level. w Networking Benita Ferrero-Waldner AIRPORT NEWS: “Former EU-Commissioner for Personal contacts to the new markets A strong, interregional and international External Relations and European of Central and Eastern Europe as well Paid advertisement network is crucial for regional and local Neighbourhood Policy as Western Balkans are essential for es- development.