International Newsletter 01/17 Contents

1. OUR PARTNER REGIONS...... 3

2. COOPERATION THROUGH EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS...... 7

3. PROJECTS...... 9

4. YOUTH AND INTERNATIONALISATION...... 13

5. WEST NORWAY OFFICE IN BRUSSELS...... 22

6. OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES...... 23

Hordaland County Council is responsible for county policies within the following fields: Higher secondary education, cultural affairs, public transport, dental health, economic development and regional planning, including the development of the road system.

Hordaland County Council is involved in many international projects and activities. Our region has signed cooperation agreements with several partner regions abroad. The «Hordaland class» programme gives an opportunity for Upper secondary school students in Hordaland, to study in several of these partner regions for one school year. We also cooperate with other countries through membership in European organisations. Hordaland has been an active member of the North Sea Commission. We are also a member of the West Norway Office, one of six Norwegian regional offices in Brussels. EU-programmes such as Interreg and Erasmus+ are among the most important tools for internationalisation in Hordaland.

Hordaland County Council publishes an International Newsletter twice a year, giving a short introduction to the county’s international activities over the previous six months. The overview is not extensive, but nevertheless we hope it gives an idea of the breadth of international activities that take place within our region.

All photos are produced by Hordaland County Council, unless otherwise stated. For more information: www.hordaland.no/internasjonalt Editor: [email protected]

Front page: VET Staff mobility in South Tyrol, view of the apple fields around Terlano Photographer: Heidi Bjønnes Larsen, Hordaland County Council

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1. OUR PARTNER REGIONS

ORKNEY ISLANDS, SCOTLAND The management team from the Department of Culture and Sport visited the St. Magnus International festival in Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands in June.

Hordaland County Council and Orkney County Council has had a friendship agreement since 1983. This has led to a broad cooperation when it comes to cultural events and projects.

In 2017, it is 900 years since St. Magnus’s martyrdom. Magnus Erlendsson was one of the Norse earls of Orkney who became its patron saint. Therefore, the focus on Norway was emphasised more than usual. His Royal Highness crown prince Haakon Magnus opened the festival and many other artists and ensembles from Norway were part of the program. Skara Brae is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site from the Neolithic period. Due to its small population and challenging geography, the Orkney Islands Council has developed interesting solutions within areas such as sport, promotion of art and culture and preservation of cultural heritage. KAUNAS, LITHUANIA

The Orkney Islands is an interesting place in regards to cultur- Final conference on “Good models for public al heritage. Several of the Neolithic heritage sites are on the administration and services” UNESCO World Heritage list. The Orkney Islands has developed a relatively large scale of cultural tourism, partly based on these historic sites.

Hordaland and the Orkney Islands will continue their cooperation. Next year the Orkney Islands Council is planning a visit to Hordaland. Participants from Fjell municipality, Hardanger Council Contact: [email protected] (Hardangerrådet) and Hordaland County Council (HCC) attended the fi nal conference of the project “Good models for public administration and services” from the 20th to the 21st of April 2017 in Kaunas. The Lithuanian Regional Research Institute led the conference. The focus was on presenting good practices from municipalities in Norway, and to enhance project cooperation between the regions.

The fi rst day of the conference was devoted to present good practice from Norway to a wide range of Lithuanian politicians and professionals, at local and national level. Fjell municipality gave two presentations on digitalisation of services.

When visiting Hordaland in 2016 the Lithuanian partners were impressed by the level of municipal cooperation. Trude Rinaldo from the Hardanger Council gave an example of this in her presentation “How to make cooperation between municipalities a tool for regional development”.

Finally, Marit Einen from the International Section in Horda- land County Council (HCC) had a presentation about how HCC

The delegation visited UNESCO World Heritage Site Maes Howe, a Neolithic is using international cooperation as a tool for regional devel- chambered cairn and passage grave, probably built around 2800 BC. The grass opment. E-health and tourism development was the focus of mound hides passages and chambers built of carefully crafted slabs of sandstone Sogn og Fjordane County Council and the Western Norway that in scale and accomplishment has few equals in prehistoric Europe. Research Institute.

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On the second day of the conference the participants dis- cussed models for cooperation by using different EU pro- CARDIFF, WALES grammes, like the EEA-Grants, Erasmus+ and Nordplus. They also exchanged current needs and relevant areas for Food and Drink festival in Cardiff cooperation, and had discussions in smaller groups on specific subjects. The most interesting topics for project cooperation A delegation from Hordaland County Council and the Univer- were tourism, culture, entrepreneurship, youth participation in sity of Bergen went to the Food and Drink festival in Cardiff in local development and youth and sports. the middle of July. During the festival the 25-year anniversary of the restoration of the Norwegian church as a cultural centre For many of the participants this was the first time they in Cardiff Bay, was marked. The festival was attended by attended an international project. In this respect, it was an 80 000 people and the Norwegian Church Art Centre provid- experience just to be in an international forum and to discuss ed the locality for the seminars and concerts celebrating the shared challenges in local and regional development. official links.

The Norwegian delegation also visited a successful EEA-Grant project. The Vilkija Gymnasiusn Children’s Day Centre is a centre for children and youth with a library, IT-room, equipment for creative activities and possibilities for homework assistance.

The municipalities on both sides are staying in contact and hoping for project cooperation in the years to come. A spinoff of this project is also a cooperation within health between Kvam and Jonava municipality. In June 2017, a delegation from Jonava visited Kvam municipality to learn about good models for public health and healthcare services. Some of the institutions they visited was the Centre for Youth, the Family Centre and the community voluntary service “Grannehjelpa”. The Norwegian Church Art Centre

Contact: [email protected] Students and teachers from Sandsli catering school in Horda- land contributed at a stall outside the church where they served a variety of seafood, seaweed and algae to the public. The universities in both Bergen and Cardiff are spearheading research in new food products from the sea. The popular findings from the EU funded research program Food from the Ocean (FFO) were presented. Terje Inderhaug, a member of the Norwegian committee, which raised NOK 1 million for the rebuilding of the church in 1992, attended the festival and anniversary.

The Cardiff event was partly funded through the Erasmus + program, the FFO program by SAM-Scientific Advisory Mechanism, as a collaboration between the Norwegian-Welsh friendship- association, Cardiff County Council, the Norwegian Embassy, Hordaland County Council and the AE-Academia Europaea hubs at the Universities of Bergen and Cardiff.

Contact: [email protected]

A visit to the Vilkija Gymnasiusn Children’s Day Centre. From the left: Butjera Steponaitiene (Librarian at the Centre), Rimantas Dapkus (Project leader, Lithuanian Regional Research Institute), Trude. L. Rinaldo (The Hardanger Council) and Andreas Nordeide (Fjell municipality).

Hordaland County Council and Sandsli Catering School had a stall outside the church.

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The Cardiff students 2016-17

After the serious part of the evening, there was time for a buf- HORDALAND CLASSES fet. An enthusiastic group of students was saying good-bye to each other and enjoyed being among their families, friends and Farewell Event in Cardiff host families in the café section of the church.

It is a great honour for me to visit Cardiff, and it is a pleasure Contact: [email protected] to be attending the end of year celebrations for our students here. I am very pleased that we, in cooperation with the City of Cardiff Council, are able to offer students from Hordaland a full school year in Wales, and I am proud that so many of our students take advantage of this opportunity – and see it through. Hordaland class This is how the Director of Education and Training, Svein Heggheim, greeted the Norwegian students at their Farewell Hordaland class is an exchange programme open to all Party on the 9th of June this year. In his speech, the Director students from Hordaland who have completed the first also paid particular attention to the long-lasting and success- year of upper secondary school (Vg1) in General studies ful partnership with the City of Cardiff Council and the five or Electronics. After the school year abroad the students host schools, Whitchurch High School, Barry Comprehensive return to Hordaland and are either accepted into a third School, St. Teilo’s Church in Wales School, Fitzalan High and final school year (Vg3) or into work practice (Elec- School and Cardiff and Vale College. The cooperation has last- tronics). The exchange programme guarantees the same ed for 20 years and on this particular Friday, students, parents, rights as other educational programmes, for example, host families and teachers were gathered in the charming the right to a student living allowance and travel grant Norwegian Church Arts Centre in Cardiff Bay to celebrate the from The Norwegian State Educational Loan Fund (Stat- anniversary. ens Lånekasse for Utdanning).

Lord Mayor Cllr Bob Derbyshire spoke warmly to the 19 How Many? students who have taken their second year of upper secondary 77 “Hordaland class” students have done their second school in Cardiff and thanked them for choosing to live and school year abroad during the school year 2016-17. study in Wales for a year. He wished them the best of luck with future projects and their return to Norway. Cooperative countries Four secondary schools in Hordaland coordinate the “Hordaland class” programme and are responsible for the follow-up of the students while abroad. The second year students attend schools in: • Cardiff, Wales UK (19 students) • Erfurt, Germany (18 students – 8 students within General studies and 10 students within Electronics) • Normandy, France (14 students) • Missouri, USA (27 students)

Why? Lord Mayor Cllr Bob Derbyshire The aim of the “Hordaland class” programme is to give students in Hordaland the opportunity to live and go The students themselves had planned and organised the to school abroad. Increased knowledge of languages, entertainment for the evening. Three of the students held intercultural competence and new friendships and net- a speech together, they performed beautiful songs and work will equip the students with highly valuable skills the guests were shown a slideshow with pictures from the regarding the global and multicultural society. students’ year in Cardiff. They were all beautifully dressed this Friday evening, with almost all of the girls wearing their Contact: [email protected] “bunad”, the national costume.

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Visit from Erfurt as inclusion and integration of refugees in schools both in Thüringen and in Hordaland and Bergen. Askøy Upper Second- A delegation from Thûringen in Germany, headed by the mayor ary School and Andreas Gordon Schule work together with of Erfurt, visited Bergen in May this year in order to celebrate a Danish school in an Erasmus + strategic partnership (KA2) the 10th Anniversary of the study placements for Norwegian called “A pedagogical and cultural approach to the inclusion of Electro students in Erfurt. Hordaland County Council has sent foreign cultures”. students for a school year abroad to Andreas Gordon Schule in Erfurt since 2007. The students from Hordaland have the Contact: [email protected] possibility to choose between three specializations at the Ger- man school: Electrical Power, Computer and Electronics and Automatisation. During these 10 years, all the students from Hordaland have passed their exams in Germany.

The cooperation between the two regions has been good and solid all these years. This is largely due to the fact that the coordinating school, Askøy Upper Secondary School, and their counterparts in Erfurt have established strong and long lasting bonds which has been important in maintaining the continuity of the partnership. Mayor of Erfurt Andreas Bausewein between Acting County Mayor Pål Kårbø and When visiting Bergen the Mayor of Erfurt, Andreas Bausewein Director for Education and Training Svein Heggheim during the official dinner at the restaurant Bryggeloftet og Stuene to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the and his delegation also took the opportunity to meet both the cooperation between Hordaland County Council and the city of Erfurt. Acting County Mayor of Hordaland and the Mayor of Bergen. Main topics were international cooperation in general as well

The German delegation and representatives from Hordaland County Council with the Mayor of Bergen Marte Mjøs Persen.

French students at Langhaugen and Nordahl seum and experienced the famous tourist round-trip “Norway in a Nutshell” which allows you to explore the Norwegian fjord Grieg Upper Secondary Schools landscape by train, ferry and bus. For the third year running Hordaland County Council wel- Contact: [email protected] comed French students from Normandy to attend upper secondary school in Hordaland. Since 2011 students from Hordaland have had the opportunity to study for a year at four different schools in Normandy and in 2015 the partnership agreement opened up for students from Normandy to come to Hordaland as well. The two previous years, the French exchange students have stayed at Voss and attended Voss gymnas. In February this year, five students arrived in Bergen and they spent nine weeks in ordinary classes at Langhaugen and Nordahl Grieg Upper Secondary Schools.

The five students had followed a Norwegian language course in Normandy before arriving in Hordaland and they received extra lessons in Norwegian during their stay in Bergen.

During the winter holidays, the five students spent a week at Voss were they attended ski classes, visited the Mølster mu- Students from Normandy visited the Mølster museum during their stay in Hordaland

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2. COOPERATION THROUGH EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS

NORTH SEA COMMISSION (NSC) The North Sea Commission Annual Business Meeting was held in conjunction with the North Sea Conference in Göttingen, Lower Saxony at the end of June. The meeting was well attended and there were lively discussions and interesting presentations.

Acting Deputy County Mayor, Roald Kvamme represented Hordaland at the meeting. Hordaland has played an active role in each of the working groups by attending meetings throughout the year. Relevant topics for Hordaland under discussion include Maritime Spatial Planning, maritime skills and clean transport. Hordaland has taken responsibility, along with the region of Møre og Romsdal, to lead on the Transport Group’s work on clean shipping. Here there are clear cross-overs with the work of the Energy and Climate Change Group on several issues and a future co-meeting is planned between the groups. Kvamme will also follow the new group “Smart Regions”. This group plans to work on issues such as circular economy, smart specialisation and digital economy.

An important recurring theme throughout the meeting was the role of Brexit in a future North Sea Region. UK is an important trade partner for all countries around the North Sea and a partner in ongoing work on energy, transport and climate change. As we all know, solutions need to be found on future collaboration, not least in the fi sheries sector, which Kerstin Brunnström, President of the North Sea Commission and Geert will prove contentious. Bourgeios, Minister-President of Flanders

Contact: [email protected]

lished Brexit task force and ongoing long-term CPMR policy CONFERENCE OF PERIPHERAL work on Future of Europe will be followed through our political collaboration at the Council for Western Norway. Focus is on AND MARITIME REGIONS the issues which are of particular relevance for the EEA agreement. For example, CPMR have recently issued recommenda- (CPMR) tions to EU Commission on the future of Interreg programmes as part of the work on cohesion policy. Head of Section for Climate and Natural Resources, Sølve Sondbø, attended the fi rst CPMR task force meeting on cli- Contact: [email protected] mate change. North Sea Commission members were well represented at the meeting, giving a strong base for future North Sea cooperation on the issues of adaptation and mitigation. The task force will map regional initiatives which contribute to delivering climate targets under the Paris agreement.

Hordaland follows the political processes at CPMR closely, including the maritime agenda, transport policy, and energy and climate change issues. CPMR work systematically on the future of cohesion policy post 2020 and have recently issued a response to the EU Commission’s White Paper on the Future of Europe. The link between the NSC work in the newly estab-

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UNESCO CREATIVE CITIES NETWORK In 2015, Bergen became part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was created in 2004 to promote cooperation with and among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. Bergen is a city of gastronomy. This year Parma invited cities from the UNESCO Stockfish - the star of show cooking network to participate at the Gola Gola festival. Seven of the All the participating UNESCO cities took part in the show creative cities of gastronomy participated at the festival. cooking. Pablo Gustavo Zotelo from Colonialen represented Bergen. All through the show, a translator explained the dish Gola Gola! Food & People Festival in Parma in Italian and interviewed the chef. Pablo Gustavo Zotelo The goal of Gola Gola is to promote food culture, to link peo- presented stockfish cream with grilled summer cabbage, ple, businesses, skills and different forms of entertainment. fermented cheese (Gammalost), oat chips and aged lamb The Festival illustrates the role of Parma as the Italian Food (Pinnekjøtt). The dish was praised, the chef compared to a Valley Capital. The festival is an annual event, which combines rock star and the chefs organisation in Parma are interested art, music and culture with the best of Italian cuisine in the in more cooperation with Bergen. It is fair to say that the show heart of its Food Valley. There are more than 100 000 visitors cooking was a great success. The show cooking also had good at the festival. coverage in national press.

The festival itself was also a great inspiration for the further Italian students as ambassadors for Bergen cooperation in the UNESCO creative cities of gastronomy All the participating UNESCO cities had their own stall in the group. UNESCO pavilion. Two Italian students and volunteers at the festival were responsible for the Bergen UNESCO stand. They Contact: [email protected] had studied all about Bergen, the western region and the food culture and traditions. The students were prepared to answer all kinds of questions from an interested and curious audience.

Italian students informing about the gastronomy in Bergen (photo Ruth Rørvik) Show cooking with Pablo Gustavo Zotelo

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The Cider House was launched as the 12th ÉCONOMUSÉE in Norway on a beautiful spring day. From the left; Johannes Sjøtun (Balestrand Municipality), Mette Nora Sætre (Leader of the Economic Development Section in Hordaland County Council) Jon Georg Dale (The Minister of Agriculture and Food), Eli-Grete Høyvvik (Co-owner, The Cider House), Åge Eitungjerde (Co-owner, The Cider House) and Karen Marie Hjelmesæter (Sogn og Fjordane County Council).

3. PROJECTS

ÉCONOMUSÉE OPENING OF THE CIDER HOUSE The Cider House was launched as the 12th ÉCONOMUSÉE in and be great ambassadors for the apple and cider traditions Norway on a beautiful spring day. of Norway. Your Économusée will strengthen the Économusée Sixty guests, including representatives from Balestrand network both on the West coast of Norway and internationally municipality and the local society, government offi cials, other in the eight regions working together with the implementation Économusée companies and students from an Erasmus proj- of the Interreg project Craft Reach. I wish you the best of luck ect, attended the opening in the garden. with a fantastic Économusée for the future!

The couple Eli-Grethe Høyvik and Åge Eitungjerde, their Contact: [email protected] children Gard and Heidrun and daughter-in-law Tuba Ardic run the Cider House. Their story goes all the way back to 1922 when Åge’s grandfather planted the apple orchard. Today they produce different sorts of fi ne cider, from sparkling to fruit brandies, among them the trademark Balholm. Balholm was created as a pioneer product, the fi rst completely natural fruit juice in the Norwegian market. Although the Cider House was completed in 2005, they are constantly developing. Gard and Économusée his wife Tuba from Turkey have established a restaurant and they have remarkable success with the food, other activities An Économusée showcases traditional trades and and international cooperation through Erasmus-projects. know-how by promoting the establishment of Économusée. Head of the Economic Development Section in Hordaland County Council, Mette Nora Sætre, held a greeting speech at An Économusée company must fulfi ll the following the launch of the Cider House as the 12th Économusée: criteria: • Use of a traditional craft technique (know-how or It was Hordaland County Council that fi rst initiated the Écono- savoir-faire) in its production musée development in Northern Europe in 2008. Hordaland • Production of traditional and/or contemporary County Council is very happy for the cooperation we have products with cultural value established with the Royal Society for Development in Nor- • Open doors to the public in order to promote its way, which has taken over the lead partner responsibility for knowhow and its craftsmen the 3rd period of the EU NPA Interreg project. A better place • Has a site designed for the animation than Balestrand for a living apple farm Économusée would and interpretation of its production be diffi cult to fi nd in Norway. I do think that all of you working here at the Cider House will make the local community proud www.economusee.eu/

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NEW STRATEGIC VET – STAFF MOBILITY PARTNERSHIPS

Vocational Education and Training (VET) Three of the total number of six Norwegian Erasmus + VET Staff Mobility Strategic Partnerships (KA2) 2017, were awarded Hordaland County Council this year. One of our schools, Fusa Upper International cooperation is an integrated part of imple- Secondary School, got funding under the Erasmus +School menting and completing the objectives in Hordaland County Strategic Partnerships (KA2) 2017, Norway. We are very Council’s strategic plan for internationalisation as well as pleased with this result and more news will certainly come for sustainable regional development. VET staff mobility, as they get started. In this publication, the partnerships are cross-sectorial cooperation, offers regional partner groups introduced shortly. possibilities for short time placements (3-5 days) to develop common competences and exchange experiences with Euro- Hordaland County Council: Youths in action for a creative and pean partner organisations. sustainable gastronomy. A typical project has partners from upper secondary schools, The need for recruitment represent job opportunities. The local authority, business and civil sector. The projects are also project aims to address these opportunities and to both en- often a starting point, or creates a platform, for increased sure recruitment to important business and at the same time local and regional cross-sectorial cooperation as well as Euro- address the problem of youth unemployment. The project will pean cooperation. also identify the skills needed to increase performance in the area of gastronomy and tourism and hence enhance youth During the spring of 2017, all six cross-sectorial groups with employability. a total of 34 mobilities, visited partner organisations in Italy, UK and Denmark. The topics have been highly relevant, both Hordaland County Council: Development of sustainable representing opportunities and challenges within their respec- urban centres with active involvement of vocational education tive economic fields. We can mention marine and maritime and training (Urban Centres) development, seaweed as a resource, enhanced recruitment and better quality in education and training within gastronomy, The objective is to create governance models for active in- career guidance and learning, robotics for small-scale textile volvement and participation of Upper Secondary VET schools/ production of wool and market-orientated fruit production. providers and the local businesses in the planning processes and development of urban centres. Furthermore, to develop They have reported on successful, useful and inspiration- new VET programmes that are directly linking schoolwork to al placements that have created a common wish for more local challenges and possibilities. exchange of competences and enhanced cooperation between both the local partners and with the European organisations. Odda Upper Secondary School: Improvement of the career Some of the projects are already planning further European choice process in technical and scientifically based VET cooperation within Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership. (COCO+) In the 2017 call of proposals, Hordaland County Council was The objective is to develop a methodology for recruitment of awarded approximately 80 mobilities for Erasmus+ VET Staff students in primary and secondary school, to be aware and fa- (2017-2019) cross-sectorial cooperation. New this year, is that miliar with the professions and needed education in the region the different regional councils (Regionråd) for economic and they represent. local development in Hordaland will coordinate most of these cross-sectorial projects. The main intellectual output will be a Guidance book including the methodology, which will be completed by the collection of Contact: [email protected] partner´s material, knowledge, experience and best practice during the activities in the project. Building Career Development Skills Fusa Upper Secondary School: Passport to the European Labour Market The Centre for Vocational Guidance in Hordaland was given the opportunity to exchange new educational methods with Europe needs more skilled, qualified, interested, enthusiastic VIA University College through a mobility stay in Aarhus, young people with a sense of entrepreneurship, young people Denmark. The mobility visit was made possible through an who will be able to succeed in the labour market. The project Erasmus + mobility grant, awarded through Hordaland County aims to improve and develop young students´ competences, Council. A group of seven participants, coordinated by the skills and knowledge to help them, in a practical way. The Centre for Vocational Guidance in Hordaland, went to Den- goal is to better equip them as future employees and perhaps mark from the 21st to the 24th of May 2017. The group had future entrepreneurs. participants from Laksevåg Upper Secondary School,

Contact: [email protected]

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Lindås municipality, Holen School in Bergen municipality, Nor- developed together. The methodology has been written about dhordland Næringslag and Finnmark County Council. before in connection with their presentation at the IAEVG congress last November (International Newsletter 02-16, page The group visited VIA University College, which developed the 22). Danish multidisciplinary project “Udsyn” about awareness and prevention of early school leaving, as well as other educational The mobility visit was a joint visit together with Nord- og Sør institutions who participated in it. Trøndelag County Council and Trondheim municipality, and their Erasmus + mobility. The group gained valuable insight into how the project was implemented in Denmark, and what knowledge and experience The visit will be followed up by an application for a larger the different educational institutions had gained from their partnership project with several partners in Norway, Denmark focus on students who are graduating, or who are in danger of and hopefully Sweden and Finland. Furthermore, The Centre failing to graduate. for Vocational Guidance has now started to implement the teaching methodology in Norway, specifi cally tied to the sub- As part of the program in Denmark, The Centre for Vocation- ject "education choice". al Guidance and Holen Upper Secondary School in Bergen presented and shared the new educational methods they have Contact: [email protected]

Visiting Ungdommen Uddannelsesvejledning senter i Silkeborg (UU senteret) from the left: Kjell Helge Kleppestø, Randi Boelskifte Skovhus, Steinar Bonesmo, Trond Lygre, Bo Klindt Poulsen, Kjersti Kvaløy, Susanne Lupton, Reinhardt Jåstad Røyset, Dina Merete Kallestad Dyrhovden, Cecilie Øvstedal, Randi Nordgaard Hermstad, Vivian Kårbø, Lisbeth Pedersen, Tore Muren og Randi Kristin Svara.

ERASMUS+ and Hordaland County Council

What? Why? How? Erasmus+ is the EU programme for Erasmus+ will provide opportuni- Hordaland County Council applies for fi nan- education, training, youth and sport. tiesfor over 4 million cial support every year in order to provide for: The Erasmus+ programme aims Europeans to study, train, gain – Training placements for students and to boost skills and employability, work experience and volunteer apprentices within Vocational Education as well as modernising Education, abroad. It refl ects the and Training (Erasmus+ VET Learners’ Training, and Youth work. Erasmus+ priorities of the Europe 2020 Mobility) website: http://ec.europa. strategy: http://ec.europa.eu/ – Staff in charge of Vocational Education and eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/ europe2020/index_en.htm Training (Erasmus+ VET Staff Mobility) index_en.htm – Youth and youth workers (Erasmus+: Youth in Action)

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Textile in a new era As a result of the mobilities Johnsen and some of the participants have established a new wool cooperation in Osterøy In April 2017, a project group with participants from Hordaland municipality working on the possibilities and premises for visited partner organisations in The Shetland Islands. The weaving (Ullsamvirket), which eventually will be open to other objective was to create a common network for coherent edu- interested parties as well. They will consider the possibility of cation and business opportunities within the wool and textile using CNC and robotics machinery in small-scale production field. Project manager Gunn-Helen Johnsen had gathered in of textiles (wool) as a new business opportunity in Osterøy. total seven representatives from NGO’s, businesses and Upper Secondary School to join the project. A pilot mobility to the In June this year, Shetland Handspun held a hand-spinning Shetland Islands in 2015 to learn more about wool and textile course in Osterøy museum. Martha Kløve Hjul contributed production, business opportunities and wool and textile educa- with a weaving course and Monica Davanger showed how tion, had laid a good foundation for the project. Both projects you use plants to colour yarn. The partners in both regions were funded through Erasmus+ VET Mobility in Hordaland are also planning a future cooperation through an Erasmus+ County Council. strategic partnership with University of Highland and Islands as an interested partner. The group visited many different businesses and organisations while on the beautiful Shetland Islands. Like Shetland Textile Contact: [email protected] Museum, Shetland Handspun, Jamieson & Smith and Jamie- son’s of Shetland.

Discussions revealed different problem areas that were even more apparent now than in 2015. There is a lack of comprehensive competence in the wool and textile industry. The field has become more fragmented and reveals a great need for cooperation and networking to avoid losing the expertise that exists in this area in both Norway and Shetland. Through cuts in the textile education, some subjects are now lacking. Garry Jamieson, co-owner of Jamieson’s of Shetland says, “There is no use for a five-year education in textiles if it does not offer programming for knitting machines”. Weaving with coloured wool. Photographer: Kristin Ledsaak

The participants at the Shetland Textile Museum.

Fruitful study trip to South Tyrol In March 2017, a delegation consisting of Magnar Velure (chair of the board at Hardanger fjordfrukt and fruit grower) Sjur Ove - Learning from the best Svartveit (project manager and fruit grower), Samson Hamre (inspector at Voss upper secondary school and fruit grower) In Europe, South Tyrol reigns on the apple throne. No other and Heidi Bjønnes Larsen (special advisor from Hordaland region is close when it comes to producing quality apples. County Council) travelled to South Tyrol. The mobility visit Consumers all over the world appreciate apples labelled was made possible through an Erasmus + staff mobility grant, with South Tyrol’s characteristic brand. awarded through Hordaland County Council.

In Hordaland, the Hardanger region is famous for apples and The land of Spaghetti and Knödel apple products. Despite the fame, Hardanger is constantly South Tyrol is located in the north of Italy and have 512000 working to improve. Representatives from the fruit industry in inhabitants. The main languages are German and Italian. In Hardanger have initiated a project to investigate the possibil- addition there is a third language Ladin, which is spoken by ities for a united Hardanger fruit brand – “Merkevare Hardan- gerfrukt”.

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approximately 30 000 people. Its inhabitants, due to the coex- istence of German and Italian culture and language, jokingly refer to South Tyrol as the region of Spaghetti and Knödel. There are around 6000 fruit growers in the region and about 50 percent of these are part time growers and work in industry or tourism in addition to the farm.

Market focus The aim of the study trip was to learn more about branding, market focus and consumer preferences. During the days in South Tyrol, the group visited Laimburg research centre for agriculture and forestry, IDM South Tyrol, Beireitungsring, VIP and Mivor. Professor Walter Guerra at Laimburg, researches the breeding of new varieties. His perspective is on not only View of the apple fi elds around Terlano current consumers but also the consumers of tomorrow. He also stressed the importance of market knowledge for the fruit growers. Lack of knowledge of the market can alienate the growers from the market.

South Tyrol has a carefully developed system for quality con- trol. The different qualities are adapted to the different markets. South Tyrol is the dominating actor in the apple business in Western Europe. However, in other regions such as Russia the production of apples are increasing. The future for South Tyrol is not to increase productivity. The future is in sustain- ing or increasing the price. In order to do so it is important to fi nd new varieties which cannot grow other places. Ecological production gives smaller crops but higher prices. In the 2016 season, the winners were ecological and club varieties.

“Merkevare Hardangerfrukt” aims to secure the future of the fruit industry in Hardanger by increasing the production of quality fruit, ensure growing on all suitable acreage and inspire youth to enter the fruit industry. The study trip to South Tyrol contributed to reach these goals.

Contact: [email protected] Sorting of apples at Mivor

4. YOUTH AND INTERNATIONALISATION The most popular type of activity by far is participation in the SCHOOL PROJECTS Erasmus+ VET Mobility programme for learners. Following that comes student trips/study trips, mainly for students International activities at upper secondary in the general study programmes. Other activities and schools in Hordaland – A survey programmes include a year abroad (“Hordaland classes”), EEA-grants, Nordplus, various aid projects and international days at school. The EU programmes have always been popular Every other year the Department of Education and Training among the VET institutions, but in recent years we have seen conducts a survey among the upper secondary schools in a steady increase in the use of the Erasmus+ programme and the county. The survey aims to get an overview of the level more schools seem to utilise the opportunities it provides in of international cooperation in the schools. This includes the the form of funding and the variety of possibilities offered. types of international activities the schools participate in, the This has also resulted in more schools participating in teacher motivation behind and effects of such activities as well as any mobilities, receiving participants from abroad and strategic challenges encountered. partnerships. The increased participation in the Erasmus+ programme is encouraged as it represents long-term relations The 2016 survey shows that 97, 5 percent of the schools in and stable cooperating partners as well as providing funding Hordaland have participated in one or several international for these types of activities which would otherwise not be activities. The level of international activity has been high, with possible. an average of 90% of the schools participating, throughout the ten years the survey has been conducted. The survey also Our schools report cooperation in 31 countries in Europe, and shows that there is some sort of international activity in every 12 countries in the rest of the world. The top four countries educational programme that we offer. for cooperation are Germany, Spain, France and the United

13 International Newsletter 1|17

Kingdom. The schools also have a number of projects with “speed-dating” in German, some of the pupils also held organisations in our partner regions, with 15 different projects presentations about local businesses and resources, such as in Normandy, Cardiff and Thüringen. the Statoil facility and fi sh breeding.

When it comes to the motivation for participating in interna- Clara Debus, an Erasmus student from Germany, thought the tional activities, the schools rate international experience, in- visit was a success. “It was incredibly impressive to start the tercultural competences and improving language skills as the day with a group of fi rst year students who talked in German key motivational factors. Among the challenges encountered, almost all the time. For us it was very interesting to get to “time and money” are the top two factors mentioned. know how schools in Norway can be like and we also got to practice some Norwegian that the students loved to teach us When answering questions about the results and impacts par- in turn. All in all, the visit was highly successful, we felt really ticipation in international activities has, the schools emphasise welcome and if an opportunity like this should present itself the effect on the individual participant but also the effect and again in the future, I will defi nitely join again“. impact it has on the school as an organisation. Participation in international activities gives both students and teachers Some of the pupils also accompanied the students to the increased language and communication skills, it provides small island of Fedje after school to see the beautiful view of increased understanding of cultures and promotes tolerance the Norwegian coastline. The day was fi nished off with bowl- and an opportunity to expand their professional knowledge. ing and pizza. Furthermore, the schools report that participating in international activities contributes to more involvement and cooper- For most of the pupils it was the fi rst time they spoke German ation at the school, encourages interdisciplinary cooperation with Germans. Although a little scary at fi rst, it helped that and that it has a positive effect on the learning environment. the students also spoke a little Norwegian. This fi rst visit has been followed by several more study-visits, Contact: [email protected] including students from Austria, Italy, Spain and more German students throughout spring and up until the summer vacation. Visit from Erasmus students Overall, the school has received 19 students, some of them even twice.

The pupils want to invite Erasmus students again. Some of the aspects that they mentioned was that they enjoyed using the Austrheim Upper Secondary School received fi ve German language, they learned about other cultures, and that they had students from the University of Bergen for a study visit on the opportunity to learn some Italian in a mini-course. March 15, 2017. The pupils guided the students around the school and they were part of some lessons so they could get Contact: [email protected] an insight into Norwegian teaching methods. In addition to

Pupils and students enjoyed visiting Fedje.

Jobshadowing at Odda Upper Secondary The study-visit was made possible through funds from the School Erasmus + programme. Geir Rønningen and the administration at Odda Upper Sec- ondary School welcomed them. The teachers, from Szeged Centre for Vocational Education and Training as well as At the end of May, fi ve teachers from Hungary visited Odda Móravárosi Special and General Secondary School, were par- Upper Secondary School for fi ve days with the purpose of ticularly interested in applied teaching methods and how we shadowing teachers in their daily work and get to know the work to prevent early school leaving. We also focused on how Norwegian educational system. we facilitate learning for pupils with different challenges.

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While they were there, the school also carried out other activities such as a day about traffic and road safety and they enjoyed a visit from Hardanger Music Festival.

Geir Rønningen, Department Manager at Odda Upper Sec- ondary School, thinks it is important to foster international contacts and networks to be aware of positive international trends and learn from each other.

Contact: [email protected]

The blacksmith at work - Photographer: Andras Weiner

The teachers from Hungary are shown the school smithy by Department The Police, the Ambulance Service and the Fire Department demonstrate Manager Geir Rønningen and teacher/blacksmith Michal Wunderlich. From different situations that can arise on the road. Among other things, the pupils got the left: Tibor Berki, Rita Szabó, Geir T. Rønningen and Michal Wunderlich. to try how it feels like to sit in a car that tips over. Photographer: Andras Weiner. Photographer: Andras Weiner.

tourism and technical and industrial production. The 5 appren- VET – LEARNERS AND tices who participated have had various work placements in three different European countries lasting from 5 weeks and TEACHERS MOBILITY up to three months. They represent disciplines such as chefs, receptionists and healthcare workers.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) All the participants have learned more about their trade, and Learners Mobility have become familiar with new or different working methods and equipment. They have also had to adjust to sometimes completely different working environments, as well as a new culture and language. Many of them have limited or no prior knowledge of the language in the host country, but during their International cooperation is an integrated part of education placement they have become more confident in their ability to and training and part of Hordaland County Council’s strategic communicate in a different language. Common feedback from plans for internationalisation. International competences offer the participants is that this has been an amazing opportunity VET learners the opportunity to develop their ability to for them and that they recommend it to others. participate actively in an increasing multicultural society and global world. In the 2017 call of proposals, Hordaland County Council has been awarded with approximately 120 mobilities for VET Thanks to funding by the Erasmus+ programme, Hordaland learners and teachers. County Council has had the opportunity to send 110 VET students and apprentices on various mobility projects all over Contact: [email protected] Europe this spring. The programme also provides opportunities to give VET teachers international experience and competence, and this spring we have had 13 teachers on various mobility projects.

The VET students have had work placements lasting from 2 to 4 weeks, and they represent a wide range of disciplines, such as healthcare, electronics, restaurant and food processing,

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Another fellow apprentice from Asia shows the prep work of 22 different herbs for the halibut course at Geranium. Photographer: Simon Nilsen.

Apprentice at Geist and Geranium - I had a good time, and both Geist and Geranium are great restaurants. I learned a lot. The techniques were similar to Simon Nilsen has been interested in cooking since he made his what I have already learned, but the different compositions first dinner dish as a twelve year old. This spring he spent 3 were interesting to see. The best thing about my stay was months as an apprentice chef in the restaurants Geist and Ge- broadening my culinary network and making new friends. ranium in Copenhagen. The apprenticeship was made possible through the Erasmus+ VET Mobility Programme. Simon would absolutely recommend others to do the same, but only if you have the stamina to work long hours and can Christer Økland, the Head Chef at Restaurant 1877 where Si- handle the occasional knockback. mon works in Bergen, told him about the possibilities through Erasmus+. The plan now is to finish his trade certificate. He would also like to spend some more time at the restaurant Maaemo - Then we learned more about it when the Training Office in where he also has had an internship earlier. The ultimate the field of hotel and restaurant business, came to give us goal is to open his own restaurant one day. Simon has already some more information about the programme. started a pop-up restaurant, NOMNK, in collaboration with Restaurant 1877, where the focus is on traditional Norwegian Simon had many reasons for wishing to do parts of his appren- food prepared in a modern way. ticeship in Copenhagen. Written by: [email protected] - I wanted to improve my culinary skills and get more experi- Contact: [email protected] ence and knowledge about Nordic cuisine. Also, as a chef it is important to develop a network. Pupils from Bergen Maritime in Cartagena He chose the restaurant Geist since he wanted to learn more about simply presented great food, and how an efficient Bergen Maritime Upper Secondary School has for several kitchen, which serves hundreds of meals every day, function. years worked with the school CIFP Hesperides in Cartagena, Geranium appealed to Simon as it was the first restaurant in Spain on the exchange of pupils. The school offers education Denmark to receive three Michelin stars. in electrical and electronics, information and communication technology, refrigeration technology, maritime subjects and - The Head Chef at Geranium, Rasmus Kofoed, is brilliant. He skin care and hairdressing. The cooperation has been achieved has won bronze, silver and gold in Bocuse d’Or. I stood ner- through the Erasmus + program. vously next to him as we waited to find out that Geranium now is number 19 on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. In recent years, we have sent pupils who are studying VG2 Maritime subjects to Cartagena. Cartagena is one of Spain's As suspected, working in a top restaurant is no picnic. Some most important port towns, for merchants, cruise tourism and days Simon worked from eight in the morning until around the Navy. This year, two pupils at Maritime Studies received midnight. One of the courses at Geranium had 22 different the opportunity to travel on Erasmus + grants, and to carry herbs, so he spent quite some time picking and cleaning herbs. out work practice for two weeks in February 2017. The last week he was there, he was allowed to be part of the service staff, which cooks in the middle of the actual restau- This year Bergen Maritime had five applicants for three rant. scholarships, and eventually ended up with two candidates who wanted to travel. Andrine Justad (sailor) and Tim Hilleren He cannot immediately think of something negative when Lokøen (engineer) had their work practice aboard Clara asked about what was the worst and best about his time as an Campoamor, a multipurpose vessel used for various types of apprentice chef in Copenhagen. rescue work. The ship is owned by Salvamento Maritimo and the Spanish authorities, and is based in the port of Cartagena.

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The pupils were well received by the crew and received a lot In addition to valuable work experience, Tim and Andrine are of praise for their good work efforts. The crew was pleasantly left with a number of impressions that they will never forget. surprised by the initiative and work pace Tim and Andrine The long lunches with good food, diving, the social unity, and showed throughout their stay. not least the people they have gotten to know. Both agree that it was two challenging weeks, especially in terms of language The students was for the first days followed up by the local challenges, but they do not regret for a second that they took maritime teacher Rudy Suarez and their international contact this opportunity. The school thinks Tim and Andrine have been at Bergen Maritime, Marie Høyvik. Furthermore, maritime good ambassadors for Bergen Maritime and Hordaland County teacher Raquel Carillo and the two students who have applied Council. for an Erasmus + scholarship to visit Bergen next school year followed up Tim and Andrine. Contact: [email protected]

Andrine Justad and Tim Hilleren Lokøen’s experiences in Cartagena. Photographers: Staff at Salvamento Maritimo.

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STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS The sound project «The city rings» - Students make suggestions to the City Council on how to reduce noise levels in Bergen. Let’s Meet Together Students from Laksevåg Upper Secondary School gave representatives from the City Council of Environmental Affairs and Urban Development a charter on how noise levels in the city The project, Let’s Meet Together, is divided into six meetings can be reduced. The charter was created by students from in six different countries in Europe, were each meeting signals six different European countries (Norway, Finland, Belgium, the start of a new work topic for the next meeting. The project France, Italy and Turkey), and given to the city councils in the lasts for 36-months and will be completed in June 2018. This home cities of each participating country. Laksevåg Upper makes it possible for the participants to work thoroughly on Secondary School was in charge of the project, supported by each topic. The participants, who are high school students the European Union with 17 000 euros. The project has been from six different countries in Europe, come from Lithuania, going on for two years, and it officially ended on May 12 with Poland, Hungary, Turkey, Spain and Norway. The participants the students formally handing over of their report of recom- meet virtually or face to face for the planning of the topic and mendations to the Bergen City Council. activities for each cycle. The representative for the City Council, Anna Elisa Tryti, re- The first topic focused on the region of the participating ceiving the charter, was very positive towards the initiative. students, whilst the other topics are cuisine, music, traditional dancing, sport activities and lastly history, through the - We want to get the traffic and noise away from the city cen- exploration of historical sites. These simple topics allows the ter and make the city more peaceful. 20 years ago, there was participants to analyse, discuss, teach and learn about their a lot more noise at Torget and Bryggen than today, but we will own culture and the culture of the other participants. The do more. We will take this with us in the future planning of the students have learned a lot about the rich and vibrant cultural city, says Anna Elisa Tryti. diversity that exists in Europe. The charter produced by the students had eight recommen- In October, there will be a meeting in Turkey, and the last dations: meeting will be held in Spain next spring. 1. Get more people to use public transportation through cheaper tickets, easier access and more frequent The students have a very active role in the project and they departures take part in the decision-making process at all levels of the 2. Reduce the speed limits on the roads project implementation. The students prepare the smaller 3. Reduce the sound waves coming from buildings in the projects, slideshows, plays and dance performances, films, city center by using more sound friendly materials to build albums, glossaries, lessons, videoconferences and write buildings planning e-mails. In the process, they gain valuable experi- 4. Isolate private and public houses with thicker glass ences in using English and working with people from different 5. Set the conditions right for more bicycling and walking in countries. the city 6. Build more parks and allow for more vegetation in the city International coordinator at Amalie Skram Upper Secondary 7. Build noise absorbers in public spaces and buildings School, Maria José Sánchez Olsen, tells us about the feed- 8. Teach people living in the city about the negative conse back from the pupils: “After these meetings the pupils always quences loud noise has on people’s well-being. comment that they have learned more about their own culture at the same time as they got to know another culture”. The Contact: [email protected] project also have a strong influence on the teachers who gain new knowledge about the different topics and valuable insight into other cultures.

Contact: [email protected]

Erasmus + meeting «Let’s Meet Together» about Sports 8th to the 14th of May. The project group consists of representatives from partner schools in Hungary, Spain, Lithuania, Turkey and Amalie Skram Upper Secondary School. Here they are at the climbing park, Høyt & Lavt, in Bergen. International Newsletter 1|17

ERASMUS+ YOUTH IN ACTION

The Spring of EVS

There has been much activity within Hordaland County Coun- cils work with European Voluntary Service (EVS) in 2017. This spring was the first time Hordaland County Council was part Erasmus+: Youth in Action of a Group-EVS. We cooperated with the Bloom Foundation in the Netherlands to send seven young volunteers together with What? two companions from Bergen Red Cross. Volunteers participate in EVS through a Sending Organ- isation in the country where they live and a Receiving They spent two weeks at the project “Sail into your future”, organisation that receives and hosts them during their which is located on a small island named Robinson Crusoe, period of service. The volunteer receives free accommo- surrounded by a lake in the middle of the Netherlands. Their dation, food, insurance and pocket money, and most of task was to get the island ready for the summer season. Their the travel costs. work included painting, carpentry, cleaning and cooking. Who? Young people 17-30 years Hordaland County Council would like to continue working with Short-term Group-EVS. How long? 1-12 months This spring 11 other young volunteers have participated in a short-term EVS with a duration between 1-2 months. As a Why? sending organisation, Hordaland County Council is responsible EVS boosts employability in Europe. As a volunteer, for finding volunteer-placements and follow up the volunteers. you can work in a wide range of fields, such as culture, youth, sports, children, arts, animal welfare and environ- The volunteers have been in Latvia, Slovenia, France, Portugal ment. At the end of the EVS period, the young volunteer and the Netherlands. In this edition, we will learn more about will receive a certificate called Youthpass. the volunteer Bsrat Fremicael Zerehawariat, who spent her time in France. Contact: [email protected]

Contact: [email protected]

ERASMUS+ & PREVENTION OF EARLY SCHOOL LEAVING

“Fighting rising levels of unemployment – particularly among young people – has become one of the most urgent tasks for European governments. Too many young people leave school prematurely running a high risk of being unemployed and socially marginalised.”

From: Erasmus+ programme guide - part A

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European Voluntary Service in France We did everything from housework to building different things. We built chairs and tables for The Loft while I was there. The The day after Easter, Bsrat Fremicael Zerehawariat travelled Loft is a hangout place for movie-nights and socialising. We to Paris and further on to the small village of Saâcy-sur- also had a kitchen garden where we planted tomatoes and Marne, on the outskirts of Paris. She spent two months as a herbs. volunteer in the organisation Vir’volt which is part of Solidar- ités Jeunesses. Not far from us, there was a sort of orphanage. Some of the children lived there and some were only there part-time. We Bsrat is an open minded and social spent quite a bit of time there. Sometimes we played football, 23-year-old girl. According to her and hide and seek. We also learnt the game “le chat” (the cat) project administrator, she became which is similar to “the shark” here in Norway. The kids had so well integrated into the project much energy and joy! It was fun to spend time with them. One and the group of volunteers. After evening they invited all the volunteers to a big dinner-party just a week, it felt like she had with the kids and the employees. We also built doors for their always been there. chicken coop together with the kids. They would just speak a lot of French to us even though we did not understand everything, but we learned.

EVS volunteer Bsrat Fremicael Zerehawariat. As volunteers, we really felt like we were a resource in the local community. We gave people opportunities. One of the How did you get to know about European Voluntary Service things we were involved in was a big workshop festival where (EVS)? people could learn to do different practical things. We had two days free every week. One weekend I went into Paris to look at My adviser in the Outreach-Services in Bergen told me that street-art. I found that very interesting. Hordaland County Council is an EVS sending organisation, and that through EVS it is possible to be a volunteer in another Where were the other volunteers from? European country. All over! Germany, Russia, Peru, Lithuania, Estonia and a really Why did you wish to become a volunteer? cool guy from India. Everyone was so sad when he had to go home, because he was such a funny person, always joking I needed to go away and do something else. I love the French around. language. Also, I am not unfamiliar with volunteering. I have been a volunteer before in Bergen. I volunteered as an assis- tant, teaching Norwegian to people who were new in Norway, mostly women. I wanted a new and exciting adventure.

View from the house - Photographer: Bsrat Fremicael Zerehawariat

What was the biggest cultural shock or surprise?

Flower field - Photographer: Bsrat Fremicael Zerehawariat That it was so international. No one cared about the colour of your skin or your ethnical background. I felt at home and very Why did you choose France and the project Vir’volt? welcome. For me it was a positive shock. The people were so open-minded. It was different from Norway, where people are Because I already knew some French from high school. I love mostly with other people from the same country and back- Belgium, and France was the closest project available when I ground. wanted to travel abroad. Now I love France too! Have you learned any French? Could you tell me a bit about your life as a volunteer in France? How was a typical week? Oui! Or yes, I have a better understanding for it. French is also easier to read than to speak.

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What do you think was the best and the worst about your as much about yourself, you lose the motivation that could stay? have driven you to do something more or something entirely different. Being at Vir’volt I felt empowered to do what I really The weather. It was so sunny! Also, I like the French tradition wanted to do. of eating a lot of bread and cheese with a glass of wine. We also had a one-hour lunchbreak, with hot lunch, every day. The Have your plans for the future changed after volunteering? people were so helpful and amazing. The only thing that was Do you know what you want to do next? negative was that my stay was too short. I wish I were there for a longer time. I want to work in France. In August, I will go back to Vir’volt and be a volunteer in the French Civil Service program for nine Would you recommend others to become a volunteer, and if months. Hordaland County Council will be my sending organi- so, why? sation in this project as well. I fell in love with France. Belgium and France now share first place of my favourite countries. Yes! It is a great opportunity to meet other people. In addition, it is a good way to find out who you are as a person. If Contact: [email protected] you always do the same, you get stuck and you do not learn

The ship “Hardangerjakta Mathilde”. Photographer: Harald Thorseth.

Voluntary Service at Hardanger Maritime Karina from Germany is the tenth volunteer since 2010 to be part of the crew of the old sailing ship. The volunteers usually Museum come before the sailing season begins, so that they can be part of the rigging and preparation of the ship. From Easter to In cooperation with Hordaland County Council, Hardanger October, the ship is at sea. Karina and other EVS-volunteers Maritime museum implemented an arrangement in 2010 so receive a basic stipend for travel expenses, food, accommoda- that they could receive European volunteers through the tion and pocket money. European Voluntary Service (EVS), which falls under the broader category Erasmus+. The EU-funding does not cover all the expenses of the volunteer, but is a substantial contribution. It makes it possible for The volunteers spend their time at “Hardangerjakta Mathilde”, the museum to offer an interesting internship. At the same an old trading ship that was built in 1884, which today serves time the volunteer can contribute to the museum as personnel as a museum and summer camp for young people interested and share their perspective from another cultural background. in maritime culture. The ship is owned by the museum. Contact: [email protected]

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5. THE WEST NORWAY OFFICE IN BRUSSELS

The West Norway Office (WNO) has continued its efforts to strengthen the ties between its members and European actors in Brussels in the spring of 2017. By providing its members with information services, promoting and facilitating regional cooperation between European stakeholders and increasing the knowledge on Norway-EU relations, WNO continues to function as a liaison between West Norway and regional actors in the EU.

In February, Hordaland County Council was invited to participate with a speaker at the East of England European Partner- ship’s workshop «How will Brexit impact regional policy in the UK and the EU post 2020? ». Senior adviser Kate Clarke from the Department for Regional Development presented experiences from Hordaland within international cooperation as a region in a non-EU country presenting how the county delivers regional development in general.

Hordaland County Council has emphasised the international dimension in their work on the future skills need in the region. This has led to an active collaboration between the county and the WNO, and the joint organisation of a conference in Bergen focusing on the skills need and the future work force.

WNO also welcomed representatives from the management of the Department for Regional Development in Brussels in June. During two days, they attended meetings with relevant European and Norwegian actors in Brussels, as well as having fruitful discussions with WNO on future international activities. Representatives from Hordaland in front of the European Parliament. From the WNO is now preparing for the European Week of Regions and left: Richard Taule (Bergen Municipality), from Hordaland County Council: Kathrin Jakobsen (Head of Research, Internationalisation and Analysis), Kate Clarke Cities in Brussels in October. Together with European partner (International Senior Advisor), Bård Sandal (Director of Regional Development). offices, WNO is a part of the consortium «Smart partnerships for resilient local communities». Our workshop will focus on energy the implementation of transport and telecommunica- tions solutions to reinforce the resilience of smart communities, as well as exploring the latest innovations in open and big data in government services.

Contact: [email protected] West Norway office

The West Norway Office (WNO) works to liaise between its members in West Norway and European actors in Brussels. The main tasks of the office are: • to provide its members with information services, • to promote the region and its members as cooperation partners for European projects, and • to increase the knowledge on EU-Norway relations in the region. Members: in addition to Hordaland County Council, nine municipalities in Hordaland as well as the energy company BKK are members of the WNO. Second from the left: Merete Mikkelsen (Director West Norway Office in Brussels) with visitors from Hordaland. From the left: Yngve Foss (The Research Council Internet: http://www.west-norway.no/ of Norway), Bård Sandal (Director of Regional Development HCC), Kathrin Jakobsen (Head of Research, Internationalisation and Analysis), Richard Taule west-norwayoffice-in-brussels/sels/ (Bergen Municipality), Ragnhild Solvi Berg (SIU), Kate Clarke (International Senior Advisor), Mathias Aguirre Havgar (Innovation Norway).

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6. OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES

CONFERENCE IN HOUSTON STUDY TRIP TO SINGAPORE The 1st of May Acting County & VIETNAM Mayor Pål Kårbø and the Director for Regional Development in Horda- At the end of March Inunet arranged a study trip for 17 par- land County Council Bård Sandal, ticipants to Singapore and Vietnam. Inunet was established in travelled to Houston, Texas. They 2008 and is funded by Hordaland County Council, Innovation were part of a delegation from Norway consisting of about Norway and the members of Inunet. 200 people, representing both the public and the business sector. The purpose of the visit was to participate at the The objective is to increase cooperation between the different Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). innovative environments in Hordaland County through sharing of each other’s practices and competences. The purpose of the The OTC is a conference and exhibition focused on the devel- trip to Singapore and Vietnam was to get insight into a market opment of offshore energy resources, primarily oil and natural we most likely will have to relate to in the future. gas. It started in 1969 and is held annually during the first week of May in Houston, Texas, USA. Hilde Indresøvde, leader of the innovation team at Bergento and project manager in Inunet, tells us about their hectic days getting through the comprehensive program.

- We visited many different entrepreneurs, investors, educational institutions and participated in many roundtable discussions. One evening we had dinner with the Norwegian ambassador in Singapore.

Indresøvde thinks it is interesting how Singapore focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship on a holistic level and in a very systematic manner.

- Inunet connected with many actors who can help companies from our region in the markets in Southeast Asia. Several follow-up points were agreed upon and three organisations have Visiting Statoil headquarters for North and Central America. From the left: Pål already been on a visit to Bergen. Kårbø (Acting County Mayor, Hordaland), Marte Mjøs Persen (Mayor, Bergen Municipality) and Torgrim Reitan (Executive Vice President, Development & Production USA).

Bård Sandal, Director for Regional Development, shares why he thinks it is important to be part of the OTC.

- The oil and gas industry in the western region and Hordaland County has since 2015 had a downturn. This industry plays a vital part when it comes to employment and economic activity in the region. This downturn has caused major challenges for the companies, and there is a need for restructuring in the The delegation at the National Research Foundation in Singapore. Photographer: industry. Per Arve Frøyen (Innovation Norway).

Meetings with political leadership in Rogaland County Council Part of the group continued their journey to Vietnam, which and mayors from the municipality of Bergen and other munici- became a contrast to their visit so far. palities of Western Norway, who participated in the delegation, were also part of the program. - In Vietnam, the field of innovation is more undeveloped, but that is rather interesting, as the potential is so much bigger. Bård Sandal believes the most important reason for attending The very young and highly competent population impressed us the OTC is to get a better understanding of challenges and immensely, comments Indresøvde. possibilities facing the oil and gas industry. The visit strengthened their already working-theory that coop- - Developing a common, long-term policy that provides a good eration and a strategic approach is the key to further develop- framework and better conditions for the industry is essential. ment of the innovative field. The study-trip has led to concrete regional cooperation on both the regional and international Written by: [email protected] level. Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

23 Agnes Mowinckels gt 5 Hordaland County Council is responsible for developing Hordaland society. Postboks 7900 We provide upper secondary education, dental health services and public N-5020 BERGEN transport for our citizens. We develop the road system and facilitate growth, NORWAY economic development and cultural activities. The Council is the county’s Tel: +47 55 23 90 00 political decision-making body. As part of national and global society we are www.hordaland.no responsible for taking care of the past, the present and the future in Hordaland.