A contribution from the County Councils of and to the EU Commission’s Green Paper on “Territorial Cohesion”

Introduction The County Councils of Nordland and Troms welcome the initiative taken by the European Commission to formulate a new policy on Territorial Cohesion with a holistic approach, respecting the principle of subsidiarity, multilevel governance and sustainable development.

Northern fits the description in point 2.4 in the Green Paper as “regions with specific geographical features”. This specific area can be characterised by the following challenges:

· Long distances to main markets · Insular and coastal regions · climate

Criteria for success in regions with specific features could be1:

Natural resources + knowledge + financial capital + infrastructure + institutional capacity for action = success

The future growth industries in the region are in the marine sector, the energy sector, in private and public services and in tourism and culture. Future prosperity is dependent on increased focus on education, research and development. Important competences to develop are within the natural sciences and technology, related to the exploitation of the natural resources and development of necessary infrastructure. In addition, expertise on marine ecosystems, mapping of resources, monitoring, environmental and climate governance and planning are central elements for future growth. There is also a dimension of the indigenous people’s rights and quality of life concerning their future in northern regions, as well as an international dimension connected to cross-border cooperation.

The EU states that people should not be disadvantaged according to where they live. Indeed this should be the basis of the new Territorial Cohesion Policy. A place-based policy for growth can accommodate this Northern region to contribute to sustainable development in Europe.

1. Definition Territorial cohesion brings new issues to the fore and puts a new emphasis on existing ones. – What is the most appropriate definition of territorial cohesion?

Since the concept of Territorial Cohesion addresses territorial development it must cover all regions, but special attention should be given to areas facing particular challenges like sparsely populated areas harbouring diverse potentials. Territorial Cohesion should be a comprehensive concept influencing all policy areas, which are of significance to sustainable regional development, growth and quality of life. Different types of regions need different types of policy-support to utilize the regions potential and territorial excellence.

1 From the report ”Vekstkraft i Nord”, Anupa and collaborators, Tromsø 2005

2. The scale and scope of territorial action Territorial cohesion highlights the need for an integrated approach to addressing problems on an appropriate geographical scale which may require local, regional and even national authorities to cooperate.

– Is there a role for the EU in promoting territorial cohesion? How could such a role be defined against the background of the principle of subsidiarity?

To improve a region’s capacity to make the best use of its natural assets and communities, it must be more competitive. In a global and interrelated world economy, improved competitiveness relies on building links with other regions. There is a strong need to strengthen cross-border cooperation to improve regional development policy. The EU, states and regions must have a political will to develop territorial cohesion and in that sense in promoting and monitoring the process with a clear vision.

The Green Paper addresses challenges of connectivity and concentration and this can only be effectively dealt with through strong cooperation at multiple levels. As an example, climate change and environmental challenges require international cooperation as pollution stop at no border. In addition, sector policies and the regional policy should complement each other still further, ensuring that they are consistent with each other, whether they are regulatory in nature or concerned with funding. Regional policy must no longer be used to rectify territorial disparities caused by sector policies.

The Norwegian Parliament has decided that regulations must be developed to secure that regional policy consequences are considered when sector policies are altered. This is a challenge in regional governance. As an example Inter coastal zone management (ICZM) assumes joint planning between the fisheries, agriculture, tourism and culture sector. To ensure international cooperation combined with a place-based growth policy, EUs role in promoting territorial cohesion must be in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity giving room to flexibility, due to different needs and different stages of development in European regions.

– Do areas with specific geographical features require special policy measures? If so, which measures?

North Norway is facing serious challenges regardless of a high GDP. Other indicators like the geographical challenges must therefore be taken into account. Only this way, the potential can be fully utilized for the common good.

For sparsely populated areas, the future is increasingly interlinked with urbanisation caused by the growing demand for services, infrastructure, education, cultural activities and innovation. With regard to innovation, it is important to ensure that the concept of triple helixis applied in rural and sparsely populated areas, and to develop links between business experience, consultants and financial capital mainly from universities and R&D institutions. These are the most important indicators for a regional development policy. Such differences often disappear when pan-European comparisons are made on NUTS 2 level.

3. Better cooperation Increased cooperation across regional and national borders raises questions of governance. – What role should the Commission play in encouraging and supporting territorial cooperation?

We highly appreciate the working method the Commission has shown in the policy work of the new Maritime Policy and the Baltic Sea Strategy. Cross-sector involvement from the different DGs, including actual regional influences has been important for all stakeholders. We encourage the Commission to use this as a model for future cooperation. North Norway European Office calls on the Commission to produce a White Paper on Territorial Cohesion.

Regions in North Norway participate in a total of seven Interreg programmes, A, B and C programmes inclusive. Interreg as a tool is seen as the most valuable financing instrument for cross-border cooperation in general. The Commission should therefore continue its support, and even strengthen the financing framework of the Interreg programmes for the next period. Nordland and Troms call on the Commission to simplify the bureaucratic processes of participating in territorial cooperation programmes and to make access easier for private- public-partnerships.

The northernmost regions have formed a basis for collaboration across borders through the Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) network. The NSPA defines a huge territory comprising the northernmost regions in the EU and North Norway. By building links among the regions of the north, the whole territory will become more competitive in the global market.

The EU has an important role to play in promoting territorial cohesion through initiating programmes and regulations that will encourage regions across borders to cooperate. The Interreg programmes have for a long time initiated cross-border cooperation. The EGTC regulation is a new important legal instrument, which has the potential to simplify project cooperation among regions and actors from different states. The regulation is very much a governance issue, which needs to be addressed by national governments.

The regions in are located very close to . We do have a comprehensive cooperation with Russian regions, together with regions in and , especially through the Barents Cooperation. (See attachment for an example of best practice.) To increase trade, cooperation and transport in this, the greater – we need a more predictable framework for cooperation with Russian regions. Improved administrative procedures, easier border crossing policies and stronger involvement of Russian partners are important issues. Therefore, EU Neighbourhood programmes and policies should be strengthened.

4. Better coordination Improving territorial cohesion implies better coordination between sectoral and territorial policies and improved coherence between territorial interventions. Key challenges for territorial governance in our region are to create horizontal and vertical cooperation/coordination between the following:

• Regional and national governments, especially to strengthen the regional level’s role in designing and implementing specific regional policies • To improve the coordination between sector and territorial policies to further develop the triple-helix partnership model for regional development

5. New territorial partnerships The pursuit of territorial cohesion may also imply wider participation in the design and implementation of policies.

The triple-helix, or perhaps we can call it the quadruple helix model including NGOs and R & D, private industry and public sector, should be strengthened as part of the process to create good governance systems, especially the involvement of private enterprises is important. This quadruple helix model for cooperation should be emphasized as a good instrument for place-based growth policy, rooted in collaborative, multi-level governance.

NorthNorway European Office is a part of the before mentioned NSPA network. After being encouraged by DG Regio, the network commissioned a foresight study of this greater Northern region, containing both EU members and EEA members. This foresight study will hold important information, which is of great importance to the regions concerned and to policy planners as DG Regio. A study like this will give good indicators of how territorial cohesion best can be implemented and monitored in this particular area.

6. Improving understanding of territorial cohesion – What quantitative/qualitative indicators should be developed at EU level to monitor characteristics and trends in territorial cohesion?

Nordland and Troms believe that the European periphery is an undervalued element in the process of developing Europe into an even stronger economy. A strong Territorial Cohesion Policy is necessary for the future development of European regions.

Indicators describing the challenges facing remote areas like North Norway should be applied. Among these, an insufficient infrastructure is the biggest hurdle when it comes to being globally competitive and for the north the impact of long distances and cold climate as well. But indicators of quality of life, like living in a clean environment, access to services, culture and education should also be included as regional assets.

Odd Eriksen President of the County Government in Nordland

Paul Dahlø President of the County Government in Troms

Attachment The Success of the Barents Cooperation