ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training

Simultaneous working and learning Who is this training designed for? for successful INTERREG proposals Th e target audience for the training includes project applicants from public authorities (local/regional/ Th e ECORYS INTERREG Project Development national government), as well as stakeholders training programme is intended for project with an interest in participating in INTERREG applicants wishing to develop a successful programmes (Chambers of Commerce, Economic INTERREG project proposal. Th is 2.5 day training Institutes, PPP for economic development or for course has been specifi cally developed for project planning, Foundations, Technology Institutes, applicants who want to increase their chances Universities, etc) and private consultants who wish of success in submitting and implementing to prepare a successful Territorial Cooperation INTERREG projects. project. Th e training will be most useful for participants who are working on a project proposal. Th e training course will enable you to strengthen However, the training is relevant for those with the development of your own project proposal. It proposals still at idea stage through to those already will allow you to work on your proposal and learn in the phase of fi ne tuning. at the same time. You will receive tips and hints on how to present your proposal successfully, how Why an INTERREG Project Development to formulate it in ‘INTERREG’ terminology and training course and why now? to identify what obstacles you may encounter. Th e new programming period is starting and cross- border, transnational and interregional cooperation Th e course focuses on a number of fundamental will continue under the heading ‘territorial issues that arise when preparing a project proposal cooperation’ - alias “INTERREG IV”. In addition to for an INTERREG programme: fi elds such as transport, environment and culture, • Project content development where territorial cooperation projects have a • Team-building and partnership building proven record, the programmes will increasingly • Financial resources focus on complex themes such as innovation, • Communication and presentation cluster development, and sustainable urban and • INTERREG rules and INTERREG language rural development. Over the years we have seen that many proposals can be improved considerably and their chances of being approved increased. Furthermore, we know that project applicants frequently have many questions and doubts about the best way to set up a successful project application. ECORYS not only has extensive experience of dealing with the rules of INTERREG programmes, but also has considerable expertise in the core INTERREG themes of

ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training innovation, regional development, transport, water Why is ECORYS well-placed to provide management, energy and sustainable development. this training? ECORYS can provide insights into both European 1. Across Europe, we have been intensively and local developments and needs throughout the involved in project appraisals, project proposals, EU. project implementation and contributed to the development, implementation and evaluation of Practicalities INTERREG programmes. 1. Language: English, a good working knowledge 2. As a European research-based consultancy in the of English is required. areas of economic, social and environmental 2. Size of groups: maximum 25 participants. sciences, we have in-depth knowledge of both 3. Form of training: Mixture of interactive work INTERREG practicalities and content (innovation, sessions, exercises and presentations. accessibility, sustainable development, sustainable 4. Trainers: ECORYS trainers with an extensive communities). We can also provide support in experience in INTERREG programmes, projects developing the content of the proposals. and proposals: Javier Fernandez, Marie-Jose 3. From Estonia to Portugal and from Greece to Zondag and Jan Maarten de Vet. Th ere will be a the UK, we have done research and evaluated jury providing feedback on your proposal. numerous Structural Funds – especially 5. Location and accommodation: Brussels, the INTERREG - programmes which gives us a heart of Europe. When needed, ECORYS unique insight into the challenges that these can support you in fi nding accommodation programmes now face. (see application form) 4. We have been training people in Structural 6. Follow-up: Aft er the training you can present Funds for over eight years and have trained your proposal to the trainers for a feedback on hundreds of people across Europe. how to improve the proposal. 5. We believe in European cooperation, are 7. Price: Euro 1,250. Th is is excluding VAT, committed to bringing interested INTERREG travel and accommodation but including project applicants from all over Europe together 2 lunches and 1 dinner. You can apply to and are committed to contributing to the success various EU programmes (TA from SF funds, of these programmes. Accession funds), government funding schemes and pppprivate funds for fi nancial support or reimbursement.

INTERREG Project Development Training Programme

Day 1.

9.15 Introduction to the training course Expectations from participants

9.45 Background to Territorial Cooperation Programmes Cross border, transnational and interregional cooperation in Europe

11.30 Break

11.45 Do’s and don’ts when preparing Territorial Cooperation Projects • What are the common issues and problems when preparing transnational projects? When and how do I start with my project? • The crucial aspect of forming a partnership

12.30 Lunch

14.00 Presentation of INTERREG ideas by participants 5 minute presentation by participants, followed by questions and answers; identifi cation and grouping of issues and establishing sub-groups for proposal preparation

15.15 Developing project logic: informing yourself and problem analysis • Which programme is the right one for me? • How do I use programme documents?- Where shall I start? • Priorities, specifi c objectives of the Programme? – Relevance of my project idea • How to structure the context, the challenges and the problems? • How to delineate the issues that your project will tackle?

16.30 Break

16.45 Developing project logic: coached session You will now work on your own project idea and directly apply the project logic; working in groups allows you to share and exchange ideas with other participants for your own proposal.

18.00 End

19.30 Joint dinner

21.30 End of dinner

ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training Day 2.

9.15 Developing project content: objectives, activities and results • mbitious but also realistic? • ow to break these down into activities and results?

10.15 Developing project content: coached working session You will now work on your own project idea and directly apply the project logic under the guidance of project trainers. Are the aims of your project well defi ned? What are the results to be expected? And what are the activities that need to be taken forward? And last but not least how to measure this all and when?

11.00 Break

11.15 Formulation of indicators How to quantify the outcomes of my project? How to link them to indicators?

12.30 Lunch

14.00 Setting up the fi nancial framework of my project How to set up a good and clear budget

15.00 Break

15.15 Cultures & approval - dealing with risks Ris k management; a case study, a role play and tips & hints

16.15 Break

16.30 Developing your project: coached working session You can work on your project proposal. Active coaching by trainers

18.00 Belgian Drink

Day 3.

9.15 Q&A session with the members of the jury What are the key lessons to learn from the practitioners who have been receiving and handling transnational projects for years already?

9.30 Presentation of project proposals to the jury Now is the moment to defend your project in just 5 minutes! You will present your project to a jury and receive feedback on how to improve your approach

10.30 Break

10.45 Continuation of Presentation of project proposals to the jury

12.00 Awards & closure Handing out of certifi cates and awards

ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training Introduction to your trainers

Jan Maarten de Vet, Director of ECORYS Brussels, brings over 15 years of experience to the team. He has extensive experience of involvement with INTERREG. He has recently directed the Ex Ante Evaluation and Strategic Environmental Assessment for the North West Europe (NWE) INTERREG IVB Operational Programme and contributed to the NWE Mid-term event in 2004. Furthermore, he has been involved in INTERREG projects and Structural Funds and INTERREG evaluations in both North West and Central Europe. He is an expert in regional competitiveness, innovation and regional and urban development. He has led many complex European projects and has a good grasp of the policy context and situation in many Member States. He has worked extensively in Germany, Belgium, France, UK, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Poland. Jan Maarten recently led the draft ing of the State of European Cities report, an analysis of European Investment Bank lending for sustainable urban development in the EU, and a European progress review on sustainable development. He has been training on Structural Funds for more than 5 years.

Marie-Jose Zondag, Senior Consultant at ECORYS Netherlands, Regional Strategy and Entrepreneurship Division, is an urban and regional planner. She has been working in cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation (INTERREG), Structural Funds, European spatial development and the coordination of projects for more than 10 years. Marie-Jose has developed and implemented INTERREG projects, assessed INTERREG IIIC project proposals (West & North Zone and IIC projects), developed and evaluated INTERREG and Structural Funds programmes (North West Europe, North Sea Region, Bulgarian Operational Programmes, IIIA programmes HU-SK-UA and HU-RO-SB). She has written and contributed to INTERREG manuals, provided training on Structural Funds, adapted INTERREG Indicator systems and developed policy papers for governments (CZ), impact of EC policies (NL) and conducted research into territorial cooperation. She is an experienced trainer and moderator (North West Europe). Furthermore she has undertaken research for several INTERREG projects (eg. TOWER, TouriSME, CNA, Recreative waterways in Europe for CANAL LINK, CROSS CUT, VNE). She works throughout Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, France, Germany, Belgium, Th e Netherlands, United Kingdom, Austria). She has worked at European Commission DG Regio and TU Wien before.

ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training Javier Fernández, Senior Research Manager at ECOTEC, University Degree in Law and LLM (Master of European Community Business Law). He has more than ten years working experience in the fi eld of EU aff airs, particularly in regional development policies, programmes and initiatives. He has been involved in many assignments in the area of territorial cooperation. His extensive experience with cross- border, transnational and interregional cooperation includes project development, programme management, the production of implementation handbooks, defi ning and setting up systems of indicators for territorial cooperation programmes and, fi nally, undertaking a number of programmes evaluation studies for diff erent Managing Authorities across Europe. Prior to joining ECOTEC, Javier worked as Managing Director of the Asturias regional offi ce in Brussels for three years, where he was responsible for a team providing EU strategic and practical advice to the diff erent departments of the Asturias regional executive.

Logistics

Cristina Nuñezz works at ECORYS Brussels. She is the logistical manager of this training course.

ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training ECORYS Sound analysis, inspiring ideas

European group of multidisciplinary research and consulting companies

ECORYS is a European group of consultancy and research organisations founded by the Netherlands Economic Institute (NL), ECOTEC Research and Consulting(UK) and Kolpron Consultants (NL). ECORYS is a leading organisation in applied regional economics, working for clients in the public and private sectors in more than 100 countries. Clients include major industrial companies, the European Institutions, national, regional and local governments and organisations involved in development co-operation. Today, some 550 highly qualifi ed ECORYS staff members serve private and public clients.

ECORYS’ distinctiveness lies in its ability to translate the results of rigorous analysis and the latest research into creative, practical solutions. We have a strong basis in economic research and consultancy. We are able to off er an unrivalled combination of experiences, competencies and international research to both public and private sector clients in each fi eld of activity.

International coverage Th e ECORYS group has operating companies throughout Europe. Moreover, the group has an international experience that spans more than half a century and comprises work in more than hundred countries. ECORYS has offi ces in Amsterdam, Birmingham, Budapest, Brussels, Cardiff , Leeds, London, Madrid, Manchester, Moscow, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Prague, Rotterdam, Sofi a, Warsaw and Zagreb, with representation in Kiev, Manila and Washington.

ECORYS is active in the following business areas:

• Regional and urban development; • Transport, logistics and infrastructure; • Social policy, labour and learning; • Innovation, science and technology policy; • Finance; • Real estate; • Macro and sector policies; • Competition and regulation; • Energy and environment; • Information and communication technologies;

The offi ces of ECORYS

INTERREG Project Development Training ECORYS and INTERREG

ECORYS has in depth experience with EU Structural Funds and INTERREG programmes and projects. Our company deals with all aspects of the project cycle (programming, identifi cation, formulation, fi nancing, implementation and evaluation), which varies from technical assistance and training to research and policy development. We combine this experience with sound and up to date knowledge of current economic and political developments. ECORYS provides four main services for INTERREG programmes and projects in multidisciplinary and multinational teams: Training and Facilitation, Evaluation and Assessment, Technical Assistance and Content based Research and Advice.

INTERREG Services in more detail

1. Training & facilitation 3. Evaluation & assessment ECORYS supports all EU and neighbouring countries ECORYS has extensive evaluation experience of in their institution and capacity building for successful INTERREG & Structural Funds Programmes (ex ante, development and implementation of Structural Funds ongoing & ex post). This has provided the company and INTERREG. The company has trained hundreds of with detailed knowledge of the eff ectiveness & individuals, mostly civil servants, in how to apply and effi ciency of the programmes and projects. For prepare for Structural Funds, both at programme and example: project level. Furthermore, ECORYS regularly moderates • Cross-border: ES-PT, HU-SK-UA, HU-RO-SB, several (large) INTERREG events (North West Europe, Gibr-Marocco, FR-UK, B-FR; North Sea, INTERACT). • Transnational: North Sea Region, North West Europe, Atlantic Area, South West, Medoc; 2. Technical Assistance • Interregional: project proposals North & West Zone. ECORYS provides TA services for INTERREG programmes and project leaders. Some examples: 4. Content based research & advice • INTERREG Manuals: Implementation & management ECORYS is a content based research organisation, for Atlantic Area, Procedures & Implementation with in-depth knowledge of policies, trends & & project book for Bulgarian partners, Human developments at European, national, regional & local Resources Management. level. Research & advice is provided especially in urban • INTERREG Project involvement (development, & regional development, competitiveness & innovation, evaluation): ESTICC, Central Network Area, transport & accessibility, sustainable development & Eurocorridor, TouriSME, TOWER. water management. Examples of research studies for • Programme support: adapt indicators North INTERREG projects and related: Recreational Waterways Sea, Moderate North West Europe IIIB Mid Term in Europe; Research after Innovation & knowledge Event, Moderate North West Europe IVB launch clustering; Logistic networks and Water management; event, Moderate HRM seminars, Project pipeline Spatial freight research; Keynote speech on INTERREG development, Application form development. and innovation; Impact of INTERREG; Urban Audit; ESPON studies; Regional Internationalisation strategies & action plans.

ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training Some information on INTERREG

When can INTERREG be of interest for you? Content of the cross-border (IVA) & INTERREG can be of interest for you when you transnational (IVB) programmes would like to cooperate across borders, either cross- Projects are in general possible in one of the border (directly across the border), transnational following fi elds: (in geographical unit) or interregional (throughout 1. Faci litation of innovation & entrepreneurship. Europe). On the front page of this brochure you Th e objective is to facilitate innovation, can see the Cross-border Cooperation areas. entrepreneurship, knowledge economy and enhance economic integration & relations. €7.75 billion for 69 programmes 2. Protection & improvement of the environment. In the 2007-2013 period, 69 INTERREG Th e objective is to override constraints imposed programmes are foreseen, with a combined by national barriers, foresee environmental budget of €7.75 billion. Th e overall aim is to threats & opportunities and develop common foster balanced territorial development and transnational action for the protection of nature territorial integration within the cooperation & humans. areas. Most programmes have as an objective to 3. Improvement of the accessibility. Th e objective develop transnational partnerships on matters is to promote coordinated preparation of strategic importance in order to improve for accessibility networks (both physical the territorial, economic and social integration infrastructure & information society) and multi- process and to contribute to cohesion, stability and modality. competitiveness. Projects are co-funded in general 4. Deve lopment of sustainable urban development. at a level of 75% and, in some cases, even 85%. Th e objective is to contribute to balanced, polycentric & urban-rural patterns through Some requirements networks & strategies. Th e most important feature of transnational and interregional projects is their international Content of the interregional (IVC) character. Partners from at least two to three programme countries should be involved. INTERREG IVC aims to improve the eff ectiveness Eligible project partners are public authorities, of regional development policies and contribute other public bodies and any legal body governed to economic modernisation. Th rough ‘Regional by public or private law not having an industrial Initiatives’ and ‘Fast Track networks’ partners can or commercial character. Th e programme is not exchange and transfer their experiences and jointly designed to directly fi nance private economic develop approaches and instruments. Th ere are no actors. During the training we will discuss in detail longer fi xed types of operation and cooperation the requirements. can still vary in intensity (from light networking to mini-programmes). Eligible topics for projects are ‘Innovation & the Knowledge Economy’ and ‘Environment & Risk Management’.

For more information on this training programme, please contact us at:

Rue Joseph II 9-13 F +32 2 732 71 11 B-1000 Brussels E [email protected] T +32 2 743 89 49 W www.ecorysacademy.com

ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training