COMPETITIVE REGIONS Shaping Best Practice II

Seminar in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland 13 -16th of October 2004 At the Lappia Conference Centre

COMPETITIVE REGIONS

Shaping Best Practice II

Seminar in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland on 13 – 15th of October 2004 At the Lappia Conference Centre

PREFACE

This book contains summary descriptions of projects being nominated for the seminar “Competitive Regions – Shaping Best Practices II” which is taking place in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland, on 13-15 October 2004. The seminar is organised by the Regional Council of Lapland in collaboration with the Finnish Ministry of Interior and the European Commission.

The seminar will build on the success of the first best practice seminar which was held in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK, in October 2003. It aims at promoting exchange of experience and dissemination of best practice between authorities involved in the implementation of Objective 1 and Objective 2 Structural Fund programmes in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and the UK. Implementing authorities from all other Member States have also been invited to attend the seminar.

The strategic goal of the Lisbon and Gothenburg European Councils will make up the framework of the seminar: The EU should become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion.

The seminar programme includes project presentations, expert presentations, project excursions, and discussions on the following three sub-themes:

- Competitiveness - Sustainable development (economic, social and ecological) - Co-operation and competitiveness

More information about the event is available at the following websites:

- http://www.lapinliitto.fi/bestpractice - http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/index_en.htm

TABLE OF CONTENT

(The projects marked “ ► “ will be presented during the seminar)

COMPETITIVENESS

North Jutland, Denmark ► North Jutland Export Programme 11

Lower Saxony, Germany Design and development of a skiroller 12

Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Probiodrug AG, Halle 13

Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Q-Cells AG, Thalheim 14

Saxony-Anhalt, Germany ► icubic AG, Magdeburg 15

Central Finland TEHO-project 16

North Karelia, Finland The Finnish Stone Centre Programme 17

Rauma, Western Finland Joint Treatment: Treatment of Sewage Generated by the Forestry Industry and Municipalities 18

Softum, Western Finland Softum business centre networking and development project 19

Turku, Finland Varsta, Business environment at the department of life sciences at Turku Polytechnic 20

Southern and Eastern Region, Ireland E-Commerce and Communication 21

Sweden Increase competitiveness of SMEs 22

County of Jämtland, Sweden An interactive institute for research 23

North Sweden ► The North Sweden Soil Remediation Centre (MCN) 24

Region of South Forest Counties, Sweden ► ETOUR – the European Tourism Research Institute 25

Västra, Sweden K-Kau - The Swedish house of form 26

London, United Kingdom ► Ethnic Minority Business Support Network 27

North East England, United Kingdom The Knowledge House – Access to research and innovation 28

East of Scotland, United Kingdom Development of Niche Markets in East of Scotland 29

South of Scotland, United Kingdom Ettrick Riverside Business Factory 30

Western Scotland, United Kingdom Profit from product development 31

Wales, United Kingdom Opportunity Wales – Information about eCommerce for businesses 32

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Bavaria, Germany ► Action Plan for Nuremberg’s South side 35

Berlin, Germany Social City - Integrative management for economic, social and ecological development in multi-problem neighbourhoods in Berlin 36

Bremen, Germany The Bremen Seed Programme for academic start-ups 37

Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany Centre for Fuel Cell Technology 38

Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Multimar Wattforum - Information Centre of the National Park Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea 39

Finland Sustainable future for the Hämeenlinna region 40

East Finland Honouring the built heritage in North Karelia 41

Kuopio, Finland Success factors for the horse industry 42

Lapland, Finland Nature paths and recreational constructions 43

Northern Central Finland ► Development of a Bioenergy Network 44

North Ostrobothnia, Finland Environmental management in Kierikki stone age village 45

Turku, Finland Linkki - Community-based project development in East Turku 46

City of Vantaa, Finland Living cityspace 47

Dalsland, Sweden Next Generation - Young entrepreneurs for the region 48

Göta Kanal, Sweden Enterpirse development for the region 49

Luleå, Sweden Establishment of research in environmental and quality management 50

Norra Norrland, Sweden Lapland Fishing 51

Norrbotten, Sweden Developing a centre of film production in northern Europe 52

Cornwall, United Kingdom Combined Universities in Cornwall 53

Netherleigh, United Kingdom Signal Business Growth Initiative 54

North East England, United Kingdom Sandhills Green Recycling Centre 55

Scotland, United Kingdom The 7stanes – a mountain bike and infrastructure project 56

Western Scotland, United Kingdom Lifelong learning for families in St Stephen's Enterprise Centre 57

CO-OPERATION+COMPETITIVENESS

Ireland ► Managing the Evolution of the Programmes in Advanced Technologies 61

Oulu Region, Finland ► Centre of Expertise Programme implementing the Multipolis Network Project 62

Ylivieska Sub-region, Finland Development Programme of Contract Manufacturing 63

Northern Sweden Developing the tourism industry in Boden 64

Region of South Forest Counties, Sweden National Winter Sport Centre 65

Northern Ireland, United Kingdom ► Creggan Enterprises Ltd – Jobs in an old factory 66

South of Scotland, United Kingdom Crichton Regeneration Project 67

COMPETITIVENESS

North Jutland, Denmark ► North Jutland Export Programme

The project and an annual increase in export turnover of some EUR 56.9 (DKK 421 million) – i.e. considerably

higher than the Steering Committee’s goal. The North Jutland Export Programme was established in the year 2000, when the County of

North Jutland set up a working group whose task it was to develop an export programme. The working Perspectives group consisted of representatives from the Danish Trade Council, Nordjysk Eksportklub, Aalborg The programme has been very successful, and as a University, trade promotion officers, Erhvervscenter result, the County of North Jutland has decided to Nordjylland and the County of North Jutland – i.e. launch a new Export Programme for another 100 those bodies that had the greatest knowledge with enterprises. regard to export. The programme runs until the end of 2004, and to date 145 enterprises have had an application processed, of which 123 have received a Self-assessment grant. Enterprises can use the grant to purchase external expenses such as consultant hours and the “The non-traditional aspect is reflected by the fact consultant’s travelling and accommodation that the programme has been drawn up as an expenses. The consultant can, for example, prepare extensive collaboration between both central market analyses, draw up an export strategy, and government authorities (Danish Trade Council, provide advice on organisational development, etc., Aalborg University, the National Agency for depending on what the enterprise in question Enterprise and Housing) and regional authorities. actually needs. The County of Jutland’s trade (...) The Export Programme demonstrates the high promotion office (EC-Nord) looks after the practical level of flexibility in the way in which ERDF funds aspects of the programme, including drawing up a can be used – at project level, regional level, and comprehensive analysis of the strengths and not least from central government.” weaknesses of the enterprises concerned. The application can be completed within about 2 weeks, which is a significant reduction of the review time in relation to other EU applications.

The context

The programme became a reality because the University had prepared a comprehensive analysis that concluded that there was unexploited export potential in North Jutland corresponding to between EUR 0.54 billion and EUR 0.67 billion (DKK 4-5 billion) per year.

Outcome Total costs : EUR 2.876 million (DKK 21 million)

The Steering Committee’s goal for the programme EU funding : EUR 0.98 million (DKK 7.2 million) was that within a year of completion of the project each participating enterprise should have increased Contact : its export turnover by EUR 0.135 million (DKK 1 Gitte Madsen million) and have taken on one new employee. Niels Bohrs Vej 30 Aalborg University, which was responsible for the DK-9220 Aalborg Øst continuous evaluation of the programme, has Phone. +45 96 35 11 27 compiled the enterprises’ own expectations with Fax: +45 98 15 40 29 regard to the effect of the project one year after e-mail: [email protected] completion. The result is that 123 enterprises expect a total increase in employment of 354 employees

COMPETITIVENESS+SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Lower Saxony, Germany Design and development of a skiroller

The project Perspectives

Ski-rollers is a modern training equipment for cross- This project has the potential to strengthen the country skiing athlets during summertime. This competitiveness of the institute in the area of equipment should ideally give the athlet the feeling composite applications. Thus it will improve the and the feedback by using it like the ski in attractiveness of the institute to be a partner in wintertime. Today's skirollers made from aluminium national and international research projects. The are not flexible enough to simulate the deformation successful transfer of the technology will enable the behaviour of the cross-country skis on snow. In this industrial partner to meet the requirements for the project a skiroller system is under development future in different end use areas. At least the which adapts the loading/deformation behaviour by application and further development of using composites in a special way. This project manufacturing simulation will strengthen the position shows in a perfect way from the idea via the design of the Technical University of Clausthal in this and calculation steps till the real prototype region dramatically. production regarding sustainability of the process by using closed processing loops. Self-assessment

“It is shown that the application of composites can The context fulfil different requirements in a multifunctional structure, processed in one step. This development In the Harz area a training centre is located for has to be seen as a nucleus for the transfer and the biathlon and cross-country skiing which needs very implementation in industry for new and exiting good equipment with high performance for the applications in the future.” national and international competition. The Technical University of Clausthal is dealing very intensively with new materials – in this case with modern composites for advanced applications. The transfer of the knowledge gained at the university must be translated directly in the region into SME's who are able to transfer this technology into new fields of application.

Outcome

With the development of the design and production of a high loaded composite structure it is planned to improve the competitiveness of the local industry in advanced applications. The modelling and simulation of the structure and the manufacturing process can improve the "time to market" dramatically. The training and education of employees will improve the knowledge of people in this region and will reduce unemployment as well as Total costs : 674,177 EUR the risk that working places will be transferred to foreign countries. The idea of the application of EU funding : 311,841 EUR composites can be transferred to different end use areas like automotive/transportation industry. Contact:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Ziegmann

Agricolastraße 6

D-38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

Phone: +49 5323-722090

Fax: +49 5323-722324

e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS+SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Probiodrug AG, Halle

The project Self-assessment

Probiodrug was founded in 1997 as limited liability “PBD has an excellent board of scientific directors, company (GmbH) and transformed in 1999 into a well-qualified and motivated staff, good R&D public limited company (AG). Probiodrug is a pipeline, so they have been able to build up a biopharmaceutical R&D company focussing drug dominating IP Position and some product discovery and development based on target candidates for creating permanent company value.” evaluation. Main focus is on Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DP IV) with preclinical and clinical programs for treating diabetes, anxiety, multiple scleroses and autoimmune disorders.

The context

There is high demand to identify new effective drugs for treating diabetes. Probiodrug discovered a unique and promising approach and possesses staff and know-how to realise it. High yield return expected through strong patent position in order to final continuous R&D activities.

Outcome and a lead product developed to clinical phase IIb, which allows the company to get settled as a significant mover in global and growing market of anti-diabetic products.

Perspectives

Probiodrug will finish studies and realise a licence deal with DP IV lead candidate, plans to give non- exclusive licences and is advancing further compounds into preclinic and clinic phases, so PBD will be established as drug discovery and development company in Saxony-Anhalt.

Total costs: EUR 2.711 million

EU funding: EUR 0.533 million

Contact : Probiodrug AG Dr. Konrad Glund Weinbergweg 22 D-06120 Halle/Saale Phone +49 345 5559900 Fax: +49 345 5559901 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS+SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Q-Cells AG, Thalheim

The project Self-assessment

Q-Cells AG (public limited company), Bitterfeld, was “Q-Cells has succeeded in devising complex, highly founded 1999 to become a substantial and technological processes in industrial solar cell independent producer of poly- and monocrystalline production in a very short timeframe, with a very solar cells. Q-Cells is dedicated to develop and high production yield and extremely powerful cells produce high performance solar cells and is today (more than 16 % efficiency). Unlike many of its technology pace setter in this respective industry. competitors operating as integrated suppliers on the Total investment in this first round was about market, Q-Cells concentrates exclusively on the EUR 15 Mio. The initial market entry was through production of high-performance cells. This strong the first 12 MWp facility for the production of high- focus enables the company to respond more flexibly performance polycrystalline solar cells. to the needs of its module manufacturer customers.”

The context

The market for renewable energy was (and is today) small, rapidly growing and will become a major market for the future. Q-Cells was set up as an independent producer focused on these markets.

From the very beginning it was Q-Cells strategy to become the biggest independent producer of mmc by developing an advanced technology basis.

Outcome

Over the last three years, Q-Cells has impressed with its sustainable and successful expansion and ranks as one of the fastest-growing companies in Europe. Since its inception in 1999, Q-Cells has quickly established a leading position on the burgeoning global solar energy market thanks to its leading edge manufacturing technologies. Within a period of only three years, Q-Cells has established itself among the world’s top ten cell manufacturers. Q-Cells started with four people has today 220 employees, at the end of 2004 the number will be about 300.

Perspectives Total costs: EUR 7.311 million The company plans to remain on its steady expansion course. In February 2004, Apax Partners EU funding: EUR 2.727 million – one of the world´s leading private equity investment groups - was investing a total amount of Contact : 10 million Euro in Q-Cells. This growth financing Q-Cells AG investment will lend additional momentum to a Guardianstraße 16 leading company in the booming photovoltaic D-06766 Thalheim segment. The capital now being placed at the Phone: +49 3494 – 66 86 0 disposal of Q-Cells is to flow into the expansion of Fax: +49 3494 – 66 86 10 production capacities in Germany, the further e-mail: [email protected] development of new cell generations and its foreign marketing organization.

COMPETITIVENESS+SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Saxony-Anhalt, Germany ► icubic AG, Magdeburg

The project Self-assessment

The icubic AG (public limited company) was “The main reason for success was the diligent founded 1999 in Magdeburg, East Germany. The analysis and targeting of existing market needs for a company aims at providing integrated and high performance soft ware tool in the trading innovative IT solutions, which are based on a business throughout the world and its subsequent modular software architecture. With the possibility of realisation by a qualified and highly motivated team pricing bonds in nearly real-time speed, the solution of experts.” could offer a sustainable growth of the deal-flow volume for the clients, by using maximum spreads.

The context

This specialised innovative IT solution could serve market needs, which are looking for a stable software tool for pricing and trading bonds on the capital market. This is an enormous cost factor, in a business which is highly “speed driven”. need capital. icubic products enable its clients in the financial industry to increase the efficiency, profitability and quality for their investment banking business.

Outcome icubic is a positive example how such development programs allow innovative companies to write a success story. icubic AG shows a sustainable growth rate and will go on increasing the number of employees. In 1999 they started within a team of 7; now they reach a number of 48. Most of the stuff members were required in the Its business is already profitable.

Perspectives

Increase number of clients, enter to further markets, improve and develop new solutions, increase the number of jobs offered in a structurally underdeveloped region with a high unemployment Total costs : EUR 1.47 million rate. EU funding : EUR 0.647 million

Contact : icubic Mittenstraße 10 Phone: +49 391-59809-0 Fax: +49 391-59809-99 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

Central Finland TEHO-project

The project Perspectives

The TEHO project aims to enhance information The project has made it possible to do several technology utilisation in small and medium-sized company-specific projects and work in co-operation enterprises (SMEs) through comprehensive with companies and regional authorities. These information systems (IS) development. The project actors have become aware of the usefulness of this is directed to SMEs in Central Finland (Objective 1 - type of project. This in turn has opened possibilities area). It is carried out between September 2001 and for new projects. Deceber 2004 by the Information Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of the University of Self-assessment Jyväskylä . The project consists of two parts: development projects (15 projects) and seminars (2 seminars), the focus being on the development “The project has also proved the importance and projects. A development project can be described need for information systems planning as a IS planning project for a small or medium-sized methodologies suitable for SMEs. The project has company. The aim of the seminars is to discuss and had an great impact on developing and introducing spread information on the possibilities of IT use in a new methodology by ITRI for IS planning in SMEs. The seminar topics are chosen by taking SMEs.” participating companies' preferences into account.

The context

The importance of information systems in SMEs has been increasing rapidly in the recent years. Well- functioning information systems (IS) can have a crucial role in SMEs’ businesses. Especially in northern part of Central Finland, the majority of companies can be categorised as micro or small companies and just those are the ones that seldom have enough resources (money or personnel) allocated to IS planning and information management.

Outcome

According to the companies’ feedback they have got a comprehensive outlook on the state of and development ideas for information management, they have been able to choose more suitable IT solutions which, in turn, have made it possible to Total costs: EUR 0.42 million work more efficiently. Further more the project has provided the company with visions of external IT experts. The smeISP-methodology (small and Contact medium-sized enterprise oriented Information Jarkko Närvänen Systems Planning methodology) used in Information Technology Research Institute development projects was also developed further. A rsity of Jyväskylä publication (in Finnish) is due at the end of the Agora, P.O. Box 35, TEHO-project. FIN-40014 Jyväskylä Phone: +358 14 260 2598 Fax: +358 14 260 2544 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

North Karelia, Finland The Finnish Stone Centre Programme

The project Perspectives

The aim of the project is to create a network-based By the year 2006, the Finnish Stone Centre will be a centre of expertise to stone sector in North Karelia. nationally recognised centre of expertise in the The primary aim of the Stone Centre is the further development of research, training, environmental development of the stone processing sector, the awareness and corporate activities related to the generation of new, small- scale stone sector natural stone industry. The Finnish Stone Centre will enterprises and the development of support be a well-connected and networked entity that acts structures for those enterprises. The aim include the as a national and international transmitter of natural mutual networking of these companies as well as stone-related information and know-how both in encouraging the companies to work in closer co- Finland and Europe. operation with the educational and research institutions in the sector. These measures are in keeping with the provincial strategy devised by the Regional Council of North Karelia.

The Context

The natural stone industry is a traditional, international sector of industry. Both the production and the use on natural stone have doubled in the past fifteen years. The fact that natural stone is an ecological product known for its good processing properties is the basis on which the growing use and the increasing range of new applications for natural stone have been founded. In practical terms, co-operation between Finnish research, training and production experts in natural stone sector can be characterised as being haphazard and loosely networked. The competitiveness oh the Finnish natural stone industry is currently based, and will in the future be even more dependent on, the high level on practical skills and expertise on production technology, which can be achieved through research and training founded on the needs of companies.

Outcome Total Costs : EUR 6.3 million The project • produced a new knowledge centre to stone EU Funding : EUR 1.96 million sector in North Karelia • produced a new unique tourist attraction to the Contact : area Ilkka Nykänen • created new small innovative enterprises to the Kuhnustantie 10, area FIN-83900 Juuka • created new networks and innovation to stone Phone: +358 50-5185736 sector [email protected] www.kivikeskus.com

COMPETITIVENESS+SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Rauma, Western Finland Joint Treatment : Treatment of Sewage Generated by the Forestry Industry and Municipalities

The project Perspectives

The Environmental Permits Office of Western Monitoring and research of joint treatment will Finland issued new permits for releasing effluent continue. The joint treatment method is transferable into the sea to the town of Rauma and to the and can be utilised elsewhere. forestry industry, which surrounds the town. The Environmental Centre made funding decisions concerning the project in 2000 and 2001. The Self-assessment technical implementation of joint treatment is relatively simple. The screening and sand separation of waste water takes place at the town's “The project has so far reached its goals well. The sewage treatment plant, after which it is pumped project has tried methods that are transferable and through a new connecting sewer to the industrial can be implemented elsewhere. The project is treatment plant. Building work on a new connecting topical considering the tightening rules concerning sewer and alterations to the town’s treatment plant the treatment of sewage.” started in October 2001, and the work was completed in 2002. The five-year treatment trial involves intense monitoring of the sea. Particular interest is focused on the effects of diminishing nitrogen levels on the algae in the sea.

The context

The joint treatment project follows the tightening of treatment regulations, particularly with regard to the removal of nitrogen. Organising the joint treatment of sewage created by Rauma’s forestry industry and municipalities was made easier by the fact that communal sewage arriving at the town’s treatment plant contains levels of nutrients, such as phosphor and nitrogen, that are almost identical to the levels found in industrial sewage once nutrients have been added to it to enable it to be treated.

Outcome

Monitoring and research of joint treatment will continue. Joint treatment has so far proved to be successful. The project’s initial goal of reducing Total costs: EUR 0.898 million nitrogen levels seems set to be realised. EU funding: EUR 0.245 million

Contact : Seppo Heikintalo Town of Rauma FIN-26101 Rauma, Finland Phone: +358 2 834 4620 Fax: +358 2 834 3630 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

Softum, Western Finland Softum business centre networking and development project

The project Perspectives

The objectives of the project are reached through Softum will be developed to be a well prepared networking and developing the Softum business working environment for companies working in IT centre and it’s companies. The project manager is and media businesses. New companies and new responsible for the managing and marketing of the jobs will be created to establish even more efficient business centre. A separate concept called working environment in Softum. “networking start” for enterprises has been developed, including all the basic services a starting Self-assessment company needs to success in business. These services includes e.g. efficient working environment, incubator services, branch offices, joint projects and “The project has reached it’s objectives and fulfilled marketing, imago and credibility benefits and the the strategic goal of the Lisbon and Gothenburg services of the project manager to develop the European Councils. The project has developed a companies. new and innovative concept to establish new companies.”

The context

The area is under a heavy change in economical circumstances. The Softum business centre for IT- and media companies is a strategic instrument to create new companies and jobs in the area.

Outcome

New companies are established, new positions for employees and a new IT business centre concept is established.

Total costs : EUR 0.284 million

EU funding : EUR 0.102 million

Contact : Esko Koikkalainen PL 69 FIN-35801 Mänttä, Finland Phone: +358 40 738 2334 Fax: +358 3 488 8500 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

Turku, Finland Varsta, Business environment at the department of life sciences at Turku Polytechnic

The project Self-assessment

VARSTA is a business environment at the “VARSTA’s success is based on a simultaneous department of Life Sciences at Turku Polytechnic. need-based solution of factors. Acquiring outside VARSTA enables teaching in a business orientated financing played a vital role in start-up. All the education and learning environment. Project started parties are committed to the project, which has been in January 2000 and was completed in December possible because the project benefits them. (...) The 2002. project has created an efficient comprehensive operation concept. It has recognised the needs of enterprises correctly and established a practise to The context match them.”

Life Sciences at Turku Polytechnic belong to BioTurku concept which is a concentration of expertise. BioTurku has 120 professors, 600 researches, 4,200 students in the field, 60 enterprises and 3,000 jobs. To double its operative volume needs the chain from basic research to production plants to be complete. VARSTA completes that chain from two point of view, it helps educating of more business oriented graduates and eases the bottleneck of laboratory premises.

Outcome

The project makes efficient use of the learning environment and co-operation, develops students’ professional competencies, improves the operative environment for businesses and makes more efficient use of premises and equipment.

Perspectives

Varsta at the department of Life Sciences continues and co-operation model will be used also in the department of Technology and Economy. Total costs : EUR 0.352 million

EU funding : EUR 0.07 million

Contact : Jani Pelkonen Lemminkäisenkatu 30 Turku, Finland Phone: +358 10 5536 326 Fax: +358 10 5536 323 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

Southern and Eastern Region, Ireland

E-Commerce and Communication

The project Networks (MANS) will have been developed in 19 cities and town in the region, with 840 km of fibre optic cable laid. This work has permitted an Under this Measure, support from public funds is additional 240,000 households and 36,000 being provided to overcome identified gaps in businesses to have potential access to broadband advanced telecommunications infrastructure, infrastructure. maximise the utility of shared infrastructure and drive demand for new services and activities so as to facilitate the more even distribution of benefits of the emerging new digital economy across the Perspectives Region and to contribute to economic and social cohesion in the Information Society. In 2002 the The perspectives for the future are very Irish Government set itself a target that Ireland encouraging. By the end of the current should be in the top 10 of OECD Countries for programming period all towns within the region with broadband connecting within 5 years. In pursuit of a population of 1,500 or larger will be provided with this objective a twin-track approach has been modern advanced telecommunications adopted. The first involves the provision of the infrastructure. In addition under the measure there physical infrastructure throughout the Country. is also the possibility for smaller communities to Secondly, once the basic infrastructure is in place come together with a service provider to provide there is a need to ensure that broadband services satellite and wire-less broadband services in local are available at a price which is attractive to communities. This will ensure that all of the region consumers. In other words there is a need to will have the potential to connect to broadband ensure that there is a high level of competitiveness networks. Ultimately the level of usage (broadband in the marketplace. This measure is concerned with penetration) will be influenced by issues of cost and actual delivery of the necessary infrastructure reliability. throughout the Region. Self-assessment

The context “The project reflects flexibility in delivery The widespread availability of high-speed mechanisms and a responsiveness to adapt based affordable, flat-rate, always-on internet access, on changed circumstances in the market place. It referred to as “broadband”, is central to the also demonstrates the strength of the public and development of Ireland as a knowledge and private sectors working together in partnership to information society. The availability of broadband achieve common goals.” will enable individuals and communities to take advantage of the internet and enhanced communications links and associated economic and social benefits. Broadband services will reduce the peripherality of many communities in Ireland and lead to improved employment opportunities, enhance the sustainability of those communities and create a more positive environment for investment. Total costs : EUR 87.56 million

EU funding : EUR 43.78 million

Contact : Outcome Stephen Blair Director At end-2003, half way through the implementation of Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly the measure, EUR 22 million has been spent t Assembly House which accounts for 87% of O.P. profile. Through O’Connell Street this investment the Region has been provided with a Waterford City good backbone infrastructure operated by three Ireland competitors. In addition there has been an Phone: +353 51 860700 extensive upgrade of local phone exchanges to Fax: +353 51 879887 encourage digital subscriber lines (DSC) to be e-mail: [email protected] provided. By mid Summer Metropolitan Area

COMPETITIVENESS

Sweden Increase competitiveness of SMEs

The project Perspectives

The project VPUC is a long term venture to maintain There is one and a half year left of the project period and increase competitiveness among the SMEs in and so far the perspectives of almost full success of the region and in the business of developing and the project seems fairly good. We will continue to manufacturing tools- and dies for industrial forming work in accordance to the project plan. Parallel to processes as well as SMEs developing and the activities in the VPUC-project we are building producing components using industrial tools. This the base for the future business of the Center of will be achieved through increased cooperation in excellence, Svensk Verktygsteknik AB. The role of an industry network, competence- and technology Svensk Verktygsteknik will be to maintain the development through joint RTD-activities and the industry network and to support the members in the establishing of a centre of excellence in order to development of successful businesses. serve as a long term support for SME:s in the region and in the business as mentioned above. Self-assessment

The context “The reason for the success is the large involvement from the participating companies wich has lead to The market structure in the Swedish tool and die the establishing of a powerful industry network industry is changing rapidly. Historically, Swedish serving as a base for cooperation and optimization suppliers of tools and dies have been dominating of resources in order to obtain maximum the domestic market. However, during the latest 10 competitiveness. The success lies also in the to 15 years the competition from foreign countries establishment of a Centre of excellence that is such as Japan, Spain, Portugal, Germany has been presently supporting SME:s in RTD-activities and increasing drastically. During the last five years the will continue to support SME:s in the region after the competition has been shifting to low cost countries project VPUC is finished.” such as the Baltic States, Eastern Europe and Asia. On a market worth approximately 10 million euro Swedish suppliers are down to 30 % market share (Source: Pressoform 1999). The industrial trend towards concentration on core business and out sourcing has meant that suppliers have to step up along the product realization chain. Suppliers today are required to function as a partner in their customer’s product development process rather than just delivering components. Companies are striving to keep the number of suppliers down which means that the suppliers have to bee able to process larger projects. The project VPUC was initiated by a consortium of Swedish SMEs in the tool and die industry as a way to meet these changes and to strengthen competitiveness in the Swedish tool and die industry in order to keep and increase the market shares.

Outcome Total costs : EUR 2.5 million (SEK 21.3 million)

EU funding : EUR 1.06 million (SEK 9 million) The build up of the Industry Network (Consortium) gathering 40 companies. The establishing of a Contact : Centre of excellence, Svensk Verktygsteknik AB in Lars Sandberg Luleå employing 6 persons. The recruiting of further Svensk Verktygsteknik, Aurorum 8 3 persons is under processing. Continuous RTD S-977 75 Luleå, Sweden activities increasing competitiveness among the Phone: +46 920 759 10 participating companies in the region Fax: +46 920 759 55 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

County of Jämtland, Sweden

An interactive institute for research

The project Self-assessment

As part of the overall mission of the Interactive “The multi-discipline research model has the ability Institute we established a research studio in the to reach out to a multitude of actors in society; village Åre in the County of Jämtland, Sweden. This academia, art, business and public sector and to new studio is researching trends and tendencies enhance knowledge transfer and to create an arena across a broad spectrum of society, technology, combining theory and practice.” culture, and business. A multi-disciplinary group of researchers develops methods and tools to identify, analyse and visualise trends. The research is carried out in close collaboration with established research institutions, private companies and public organisations.

The context

There are few research organisations that focus on developing tools and methods for the study of trends and creation of models for understanding the future. Our research and results connect the local region to global markets by providing methods, tools, and processes. We have a proactive involvement with regional based enterprises bringing together global connections as way to develop opportunities for the future of the region.

Outcome

Sense will looked at as a hub of competence for trend research on a national and international level. The regional area will have a neutral resource for understanding trends that effect its development. Sense will apply developed methods and tools together with interested parties in the region.

Perspectives

The studio is still in its primary phase of development, the project is intended to be finalised Total costs : EUR 2.11 million in August 2005. The future of establishing a sustainable research institution looks very promising EU funding : EUR 1.04 million and the interest shown from both regional and international partners indicates that the ambition set Contact : will be met. Annica Westerlund Managing Authority County administration board Jämtlands län SE-83186 Östersund Sweden Phone: +46 63146143 Mobil: 070-289 0016 Fax: +46 63146260 e-Mail: [email protected] web: www.mal1.nu

COMPETITIVENESS+SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

North Sweden The North Sweden Soil Remediation Centre (MCN)

The Project Perspectives

The North Sweden Soil Remediation Centre (MCN) The interaction in MCN is proving to serve its was formed in 2001 in order to co-ordinate research members by increasing the competitiveness of groups, enterprises and authorities aiming at the companies, research institutes and increasing the development of competence and techniques in the quality of work in authorities, all in the end to the field of risk assessment and remediation. MCN is a benefit of environmental quality. A future MCN research project in interaction with private should continue to focus on a limited geographic companies and authorities in order to develop and region, perhaps expanded across national borders, implement techniques for risk assessment and i.e Barents Region, Botnia Region etc. remediation of industrially contaminated areas. The research is conducted at four institutes and universities in Umeå and Luleå in Northern Sweden. Self-assessment Co-financing external members comprise 12 companies together with local, regional, and ”MCN has created interaction between research national authorities including the Swedish groups, authorities and companies enabling rapid Environmental Protection Agency. Currently, about and scientifically sound implementation of 29,000 polluted land object have been identified in a environmental technologies.“ national inventory. MCN aims at integrating activities and research to develop a knowledge network for environmental risk assessment and remediation.

The context

Polluted land from industrial activities in the last century has been recognised as a major hazard to the environment. Prioritising based on scientifically sound risk assessments are therefore of vital importance to a sustainable solution of the problem

Outcome

MCN has resulted in a functioning network where the members exchange information and experience with each other. Exchange of information and contact building is supported via the organisation of two annual meetings targeted at all members, workshops for researchers, short courses, monthly newsletters, other common information material and two websites.

Total costs: EUR 71.84 million

EU funding: EUR 22.36 million

Contact Thomas Liljedahl Umeå University, Environmental Chemistry SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden Phone: +46 90 7865464 Fax: +46 90 12 8133 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

Region of South Forest Counties, Sweden ► ETOUR – the European Tourism Research Institute

The project Perspectives

ETOUR has an interdisciplinary approach with All throughout the completion of this ETOUR project ”tourist destination development” as its research period is preparing the organisation for a life also profile. Destination development is about developing after the current project period, which expires by the places and regions into attractive visit areas for end of September 2004. In many respects the many domestic and international travellers. An important of the difficulties of establishing a new research part in this process is the development of co- centre have been solved. The institute is in place as operation networks between companies, authorities part of the Mid-Sweden University and is located in and organisations engaged in the tourism industry. the new campus area in Östersund. As part of the Identification of factors that influence growth and next university of Sweden and with its location close development in the tourism industry is another to other research environments involved in local and important task. Besides academic research, ETOUR regional development, working life issues and is also carrying analytical tasks that immediately economic growth in general, the pre-conditions for respond to the needs expressed by the tourism the future ETOUR seem very positive. It can be industry. This field of activity is of relatively recent added that ETOUR is now a well known brand date and has come into operation as part of a long- name within tourism research in Sweden and its term survival strategy for the institute also after neighbouring countries in particular. Structural Fund financing ceases. This activity also creates a more flexible and complete knowledge base in relation to the tourism industry. Self-assessment

“ETOUR is an example on how Structural Fund The context financing can be used to support R&D and innovation transfer to SMEs within the tourism The tourism industry has been recognised for its industry. In doing this it helps releasing the strong growth potential also in rural and peripheral assumed growth potential of the tourism industry areas. In order for the Swedish tourism industry to also in rural and peripheral areas where other grow, tourism enterprises, organisations and branches of industry seems less promising. By authorities must have access to the appropriate producing and transferring knowledge to the many knowledge when making decisions and developing SMEs of this industry ETOUR has contributed to the the business. ETOUR was set up by an agreement readiness of this industry to take on future between the Mid Sweden University, The Swedish development tasks, including increased competition Tourist Authority and the Swedish Travel and in global travel and tourism industry.” Tourist Industry Federation, RTS (Its members represent enterprises and organisations operating in the travel and tourist trade sector in Sweden.)

Outcome

Total costs : EUR 8.42 million The interim report showed in December 2003 that during the first 23 months 50 different research EU funding : EUR 4.2 million projects were started. Thirteen persons have been working in projects as doctoral candidates. Transfer Contact : of knowledge can be exemplified by 150 seminars Annica Westerlund presenting research results for tourism industry Managing Authority County administration board representatives. ETOUR has also produced 50 Jämtlands län publications during the same period. All of the SE-83186 Östersund projects within ETOUR have contacts with business, Sweden authorities and organisations within the industry. Phone: +46 63146143 ETOUR's newsletter has 3,000 subscribers. Fax: +46 63146260 e-Mail: [email protected] web: www.mal1.nu, www.etour.se

COMPETITIVENESS+ SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT+COOPERATION

Västra, Sweden K-Kau - The Swedish house of form

The project Perspectives

The Swedish house of form will do the following It looks very positive. We have already created a activities between 2004-2006: strong network in Sweden and internationally. We To guide, at least seven companies within our have acquired most of the objects and the library region through the design process (from product that will constitute the infrastructure of the house. idea out to the market); strengthen the connection The exterior of the house is finished and we are between design and culinary arts through activities moving along as planned. We have already founded directed at companies in the business of culinary a foundation which will be in charge of the actual arts; carry out seminars on sustainability, gender, activities that will take place in the house. The and integration in connection to design-product founders are the two major design organisations. development; complete the design research library, The foundations board members represent the material library and our collection of three- design community, industry, labour union, and dimensional objects; develop activities and services universities. that the industry demands; develop an international network with design institutions in Europe and elsewhere; complete the new building for the Self-assessment Swedish house of form.

“Step by step we have showed that we reach our objectives and make them real. We believe that we The context can inspire, as a good example, others to make the impossible possible. We have already done that.” The Swedish house of form is one major part in the transition of the municipality of Hällefors. Going from a society based on steel to a modern society based on design and meal. This process started in the early 1990’s to give Hällefors an infrastructure which will support a knowledge-based economy.

Outcome

New jobs: 40; preserved jobs: 50; new companies: 10; companies in research and development projects: 7,: companies participating in sustainability projects: 12; companies in network projects: 19.

Total costs : EUR 2.232 million

EU funding : EUR 0.786 million

Contact : Lars Wieselgren Box 90, SE-71221 Hällefors, Sweden Phone: +46 591 64 362 Fax: +46 591 64 354 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

London, United Kingdom ► Ethnic Minority Business Support Network

The project Outcome

The project aims at establishing an Ethnic Minority The key outcomes of the project are: development Business Support Network in Newham, London, to of four local Business Advice centres in key areas of provide a range of specialist support services for Newham and of a series of workshops focussed on both new and existing ethnic-minority-owned SME’s business advice and development issues. The with a view to increasing the number of ethnic project supported 750 SME’s. 403 jobs within SME’s minority start-ups and the survival rates and growth were safeguarded and 104 new jobs were created. of existing SME’s. The services concerns specialist The SME’s supported through the project continue business counselling and support services to to contribute to the development and growth of the potential new and existing ethnic minority SME’s in local economy through higher turnover and job business planning, marketing, technology retention and creation. applications and innovation and exporting (including to countries of origin). New learning opportunities will be offered through the network including Perspectives business start up training, financial management, marketing, business applications of Information Communication Technology. This will be The Steps to Entrepreneurship programme and customised to SME needs, and will include the Asian Dreams are now recognised as valuable delivery of online business information/learning services within the ethnic minority owned Newham packages in the workplace via the hub. Economic Business sector. The potential for their growth is “clusters” around key sectors will be developed, as extensive. Two further ERDF project applications well as local purchasing networks and opportunities have been made to continue the development of for collaboration of local SME’s in supplier networks. Asian Dreams and Steps to Entrepreneurship under the latest Objective 2 round.

The context Self-assessment Research indicates that ethnic minority owned businesses are twice as likely to fail within the first Development of new innovative relevant services to year of operation then those owned by the white ethnic minority owned SME’s; Development of a population. The LDA Economic Development new engagement model for work with SME’s; raised Strategy concludes that ‘business support advice the profile of BME businesses in London East; needs to be appropriately and sensitively handles’ contribution to the sustainability of substantial and that black and minority ethnic communities numbers of SME; development of new products should be involved in preparing an agenda for including Asian Dreams and Steps to delivering business support services which should Entrepreneurship; creation of further areas of maximise the potential for growth of their business. activity to further support businesses. East London and especially Newham has a vibrant and growing ethnic-minority-owned small business sector especially in the Fashion, Retail and hospitality sectors. In Newham there are over 90,000 SME’s. Total costs : EUR 1.97 million (GBP 1.38 million)

EU fundin g: EUR 0.99 million (GBP 0.69 million)

Contact : Diane Gowland Centre for Innovation and Partnerships Newham College of Further Education, High Street South, London E6 6ER Phone: +44 20 8257 4420 Fax: +44 20 8257 4400 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

North East England, United Kingdom The Knowledge House – Access to research and innovation

The project Perspectives

Knowledge House is the major collaborative vehicle Together with key stakeholder groups including the for providing access to university contract research, Regional Development Agency, the Government consultancy and business training services in the Office for the North East, the Regional Assembly NE Region and beyond and is supported by all the and the business community, the partnership is Region’s universities. Increasingly KH has become developing its regional strategy “Universities at the the chosen brand for this activity by the Region’s Heart of the Region” in which HEIF activities and universities. The principal aim of the current other business support and creation initiatives are activities is to increase the level of R&D and key components. Nested within this is the Higher innovation undertaken by business in the NE Education Innovation Strategy which has three main Region by facilitating increased access to HE themes: knowledge transfer to business; research expertise and through the development of relevant and development and the commercialisation of the skills. This is being achieved by securing funding to outputs; enterprise, education and employment. grow the Knowledge House business and building its capacity to meet demand and supply issues Self-assessment thereby significantly increasing activity at the HE- business interface both to deliver HE services to customers and to effect culture change in the “As a major component for the implementation of Region’s universities. these themes Knowledge House proposes to expand and embed its capacity to address and meet the needs of business in the key areas identified in The context recent national and regional reviews and reports. These areas include consultancy, contract research, Knowledge House was established in 1995 to effect support for new businesses, graduate placements collaborative knowledge transfer to businesses in and employment and training: all in support of the NE Region. Knowledge House is currently jointly economic regeneration through innovation and funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund enterprise.” (HEIF - sponsored by the HE Funding Council for England) and the European Regional Development Fund. It was initially set up as a single access point to the skills, expertise and resources of the North East Universities for SMEs in the region. Although Knowledge House still works with SMEs, it now also works with larger organisations and the important role of universities in economic (and social) regeneration has been explicitly recognised by the Regional Development Agency who have placed universities (and colleges) at the “heart of the regions economic strategy”.

Outcome

Total costs : EUR 5.87 million (GBP 4.12 million) KH Provides a professional and efficient single point of access for business to the expertise, skills and EU funding : EUR 2.4 million (GBP 1.68 million) facilities of the partner universities. Quantitative post- completion assessment of KH interventions Contact : since 2002 indicates that: over EUR 2.43 million Mark Jackson (GBP 1.7 million) of SME turnover has been Business Development Director generated as well as 26 jobs and EUR 261,000 1 Hylton Park, Wessington Way, Sunderland SR5 (GBP 183,000) invested in R&D (given that a twelve 3HD month lag is allowed before assessing impact this Phone: +44 191 516 4408 represents the outcomes from around 18 months of Fax: +44 191 516 4401 KH activity). e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

East of Scotland, United Kingdom Development of Niche Markets in East of Scotland

The project Self-assessment

This project supports the marketing initiative in the “An independent evaluation carried out has East of Scotland focused on four niche tourism concluded that the tourism marketing campaign has markets identified within the Scottish Executive’s contributed to the positive impacts reported for ‘New Strategy for Tourism’ of 2000. The first phase 2001/2002. Higher visitor conversion levels were of the project is complete, and a subsequent phase recorded. The report also concluded that in a is underway. The first phase of the project has been competitive market place in which alternative subject to an independent economic evaluation, holiday choices and substitute leisure products are which concluded that the project exceeded its core continuously being developed and presented to the economic development objectives in terms of net consumer the East of Scotland area will need to be additional jobs and increased expenditure. Due to aggressively and continuously marketed in all target the success of the first phase it was felt appropriate niches if impacts are to be sustained and that a second phase should be supported. increased.”

The context

At the national level the project builds on the above– mentioned strategy. It also compliments the national strategy by encouraging the spread of benefits from tourism to rural areas and out with the main holiday season. At a local and regional level the East of Scotland structural funds programme identifies tourism as one of the key sectors which will assist the East of Scotland to deliver the overall programme objectives. This project aims to use local tourism products and attractions to strategically promote the area to additional visitors through a focussed marketing campaign.

Outcome

Phase 1: 1,165 gross jobs (990 net jobs); EUR 56 million (GBP 39.2 m) gross expenditure (EUR ’47.57 million = GBP 33.3 m net expenditure).

Perspectives Total costs: EUR 23.8 million (GBP 16.66 million)

The second phase of the project aims to build on EU funding: EUR 13.53 million (GBP 9.47 million) the success of the first phase and attract new customers through sustained and effective Contact : marketing. Gordon McLaren Chief Executive, ESEP Enterprise Way, Carnegie Campus South, Dunfermline Phone: +44 1383 622537 Fax: +44 1383 622624 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

South of Scotland, United Kingdom Ettrick Riverside Business Factory

The project Perspectives

Ettrick Riverside Business Centre is an innovative Phase 2 of the project will attract 1 major tenant business community designed to attract and support (tentative agreement already in place) and will new and existing knowledge based businesses to provide additional space for many more small locate and create jobs and wealth in a rural businesses. This will drive up income to offset environment. The centre is a refurbished Victorian currently greater running costs. Development in 2 or mill building in the Scottish Borders rural market 3 years time of a further upper floor is planned, and town of Selkirk. It has been redeveloped to provide eventually the centre will operate without public first class business space and ICT infrastructure sector support. supported by business development support and a “can do” facilities management infrastructure. Self-assessment

The context “The elements in this project are not new, nor earth shattering. It is a success because it draws together The Scottish Borders is a rural area with a limited best practice from other initiatives in the public and number of traditional business sectors, all of which private sectors throughout the UK and does them face serious challenges in the increasingly better. It does them better because there is a clear competitive rural environment. The area is and sustained focus on the demand side of the dependent on sectors with a high preponderance of project and clear customer focus. The project is low value manufacturing employment. The key described informally as a “Business Hotel” – this, issue for the area is diversification; through new whilst focusing on the Economic Development markets, new products and new businesses. The objectives, is the philosophy providing success.” region is isolated from major transport and communication infrastructures and faces serious demographic issues (such as an ageing population) and thus economic diversification is required to attract both new businesses and new people into the area.

Outcome

The project has been operating for 18 months and to date 30% of the space has been developed (in one major and two minor phases). 27 businesses have located into the property creating 58 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs and EUR 2.14 million (£2.5m) gross sales. We have also established 3 dedicated business incubation units and hot desking facilities. Broadband telecommunications infrastructure has Total costs : EUR 5.14 million (GBP 3.6 million) been installed and is available to all tenants and a Broadband demonstration centre (and events) is up EU funding : EUR 1.57 million (GBP 1.1 million) and running. The information and international trade service library function with advisers in place has Contact : dealt with 5,000 enquiries over the past 12 months. Alistair McKinnon Director Enterprise Development Scottish Enterprise Borders Bridge St, Galashiels, Scotland TD1 1SW Phone: +44 1896 758991 Fax: +44 1896 758625 e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

Western Scotland, United Kingdom Profit from product development

The project additionality of 75%, the project is having a very significant influence on the actions being taken by firms. The project works with new and existing SMEs and individuals in the East End Social Inclusion Partnership area in Glasgow (one of the worst off communities in Scotland) to: assist them to Perspectives understand the product/business lifecycle in relation to their own business; assist with the identification of The project ran to 2004 and has now been recast potential products appropriate for development for a new phase. The following key changes have and/or possible process improvement; identify been incorporated into a new application for opportunities for customers to work together on joint continuing funds which has recently been approved: projects and share expertise, thereby encouraging the project is now under a measure which enables it skills transfer and continuous improvement. The to draw customers from a wider area than the East project also delivers a small innovation fund to End social inclusion partnership area; the new assist SMEs with a contribution towards relevant project will build on the experience of the existing costs such as prototypes, test marketing, initial adviser and will have another adviser – with a intellectual property rights issues where no other technical background who in addition to managing a assistance is available. The projects supports two caseload of clients will be mentored by the existing staff members – one product development adviser staff member; the project will also meet the costs of and one support officer and is delivered from the one incubator space within the business centre to Ladywell Business Centre, an ERDF-supported provide very short term business space; lastly, the centre in Glasgow. project will develop and deliver a series of innovation workshops to all local SMEs.

The context Self-assessment The project was originally developed in 1998 and arose out of work undertaken by East End The good practice elements demonstrated by this Partnership Ltd, a local Development Company in project include e.g., evidence-based policy-making Glasgow, with SMEs in their area and from – this project was developed based on local academic research. This indicated that many SMEs, research from both beneficiaries and academics. It particularly the smaller companies, lacked an has been evaluated and adjustments made to the understanding of the product lifecycle and its impact way the project works based on the lessons on their business. Further, this same population also learning; piloting and developing – the project has lacked the capabilities and resources to develop run successfully on a small scale, targeted basis new products and/or improve their processes. and is now expending its scale and geographical Consequently, it appeared that many smaller SMEs sphere of operation. appeared to locked in a cycle where the value of their product range was being eroded in the face of changing customer needs and increased competition, impacting on their market share, profitability and long-term sustainability. Total costs : EUR 0.28 million

EU funding : EUR 0.18 million Outcome Contact : The project has been evaluated and performed well Carolyn Sawers against all of its key targets. During the initial 18 Policy and Research Manager months 31 SMEs were assisted, 31 jobs created or Strathclyde European Partnership, 94 Elmbank safeguarded, 23 products developed and 19 patents Street, Glasgow, G2 4DL issued. Assessment of the project performance Phone: +44 141 572 4405 indicates that this support leads to very high levels Fax: +44 141 572 4499 of ‘additional’ activity by customers – at an average e-mail: [email protected]

COMPETITIVENESS

Wales, United Kingdom Opportunity Wales – Information about eCommerce for businesses

The project eCommerce Reviews conducted for businesses; of the 2,844 businesses re-measured to date; a comprehensive bilingual Web site providing expert The Opportunity Wales initiative was established to eCommerce advice securing over 30,000 visits per ensure that businesses in the Objective 1 areas of month; an Opportunity Wales Contact Centre Wales were provided with the information and providing sophisticated CRM management to advice necessary for them to fully understand and effectively control, manage and monitor the utilise eCommerce, and to provide quality support initiative; 3 eCommerce centres of excellence mechanisms to enable the successful established within the Objective 1 area implementation of effective eCommerce strategies promoting positive attitudes towards business growth and market orientation. It was created through a partnership of key and active public, Perspectives private, voluntary and education sector partners. Opportunity Wales is a programme of pragmatic The new initiative, also subsidised by EU and Welsh support based on the proven methodology, assembly Government funding, Opportunity Wales developed by Cardiff University’s eCommerce Advance will run until 31st March 2007. It will target, Innovation Centre (eCIC) and goes on to provide motivate and support SMEs within the Objective 1 clients with access to specialist subsidised Area to achieve greater economic prosperity Implementation Support and Client Aid. These through pragmatic advancement along the services enhance the eCommerce Review Report eCommerce ladder. An application to deliver the and effectively help small businesses to overcome Opportunity Wales service in the Objective 2 area of barriers to the adoption of eCommerce, which Wales is currently being considered. If successful include a lack of knowledge, confidence and time to this will allow the service to be made available to develop their eCommerce capabilities. more Welsh businesses, with the clear intention being to provide expert eCommerce advice and The context where hopefully the success of the initial Opportunity Wales initiative can be replicated.

Initial research conducted by a market research organisation in April 2000 revealed that the take up Self-assessment of eCommerce business solutions by Welsh businesses was extremely low. It indicated that “The initiative was built on firm research findings, businesses were aware of the importance of has responded to the needs of the small and eCommerce, but were unsure of the potential medium business owners and has tailored its benefits and how to achieve them. These findings support to optimise the benefits they experience. An acted as the catalyst for the creation of Better excellent product has been developed which is Business Wales (Holdings) Limited. Through this recognised and appreciated by clients and is innovative partnership, the Opportunity Wales reaping rewards through far better than expected initiative was established, with a lifecycle that ran economic growth experienced within the businesses until 31 March 2004. From 1 April 2004, a new supported.” initiative Opportunity Wales Advance commenced. Again funded jointly by the EU and Opportunity Total costs : EUR 20.44 million Wales partners, Opportunity Wales Advance will target, motivate and support small to medium-sized EU funding : EUR 10.22 million businesses in the Objective 1 area in achieving greater economic prosperity through pragmatic Contact : advancement along an eCommerce ladder. Dr Emyr Roberts Welsh European Funding Office Outcome National Assembly for Wales Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ Between February 2001 and March 2004 the Telephone: +44 29 20823634 Opportunity Wales initiative produced the following Fax: +44 29 20823797 results: 90 highly trained eCommerce advisers e-mail: [email protected] deployed across the Objective 1 area; over 6,000

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Bavaria, Germany ► Action Plan for Nuremberg’s South side

The project Self-assessment

The EU-Objective-2-action plan in Nuremberg is a “The EU-objective-2-action plan is the “promotion- top subject for the whole city-administration. In locomotive” for the new South-Side Push: the relation to other public tasks in Nuremberg the beginning of integrated promotion, political development in this area has a political and a acceptance, the beginning of creative participation - financial priority. First of all, a program through activation of the population, high project management team was installed, which allows city- level, programme management, and professional wide co-ordination in order to define objectives. The information and communication management.” result of structural modification and the end of the industrial era, a comprehensive redefinition of the South-Side is necessary. Policy, programs, and projects should form a unit and make this area attractive again for inhabitants and firms.

The context

High unemployment rates in Nuremberg’s South-

Side, job reductions in industry and immigration into the area characterise the districts development and its 70,000 inhabitants.

Outcome

Over the past three years, through an open work and planning process, more than 150 project ideas have been examined. Approximately 70 projects have been realised or are in the development stage. Many other ideas have been accomplished as a result of partners outside EU-objectivel-2-process. The EU-objective-2-action plan opened the gates for further public and private projects. So far a total of EUR 42 million has been invested in South-Side projects, 21 million was provided by the EU. At the moment, the planned total investment by the end of 2006 is EUR 68 million.

Perspectives

In the next year rapid development of project plans Total costs : EUR 42 million is expected. The information and communication levels will be maintained at a high level of EU funding : EUR 21 million transparency for the promotion process to continue. The South-Side push must be secured and Contact : maintained. Olaf Klumpp-Leonhardt Programme Management Hefnersplatz 10 D-90402 Nürnberg Ph. +49 911 – 20 55 58 26 Fax: +49 911 – 20 55 58 18 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Berlin, Germany Social City - Integrative management for economic, social and ecological development in multi-problem neighbourhoods in Berlin

The project Perspectives

Berlin is carrying through 17 neighbourhood The integrated, holistic approach to urban management-projects for a total of 240,000 rehabilitation and urban development will become inhabitants using a holistic approach in a the mainstream policy in fighting segregation and fundamentally participative process with inhabitants, exclusion in European cities, thus helping the local initiatives, small and medium size economy process of integration, democratisation and overall and all relevant public and private actors in the security. region. The management team is a interdisciplinary group of external experts together with members of the local and of the city´s administration. The Self-assessment management comprises a multitude of methods to plan and organise the social and the physical development of the neighbourhood with all actors. “The programme opens up new perspectives of good governance, it empowers people to take part in society and in the development of their community.” The context

Spatial segregation and social exclusion of poor and/or migrant people are a threat to European cities and societies. Traditional urbana rehabilitation has not solved the problems. Integrated policies are needed, that make use of all potentials private and public. With the help of the national-wide programme “Social City” and ERDF funding “Local and urban infrastructure” Berlin since 1999 has developed best practice schemes in the 17 most needing areas.

Outcome

Rise of local employment and stability of small size economy, optimizing school careers and minimizing school drop outs, opening up ways to take part and make use of public services, bring young people into professional training, raise the possibilities of communication among residents with different cultural and language background, raise the number of participants in local decision processes, integrated public services.

Contact : Monica Schuemer-Strucksberg Department of Urban Development Xantener Str. 15a D-10707 Berlin Phone: +49 30-8816994 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Bremen, Germany The Bremen Seed Programme for academic start-ups

The project Perspectives

The aim of the support measure “The Bremen Seed From 2004 on the main target for the Bremen Seed Programme for Academic Start-Ups” is to assist the Programme for Academic Start-Ups is to keep up preparation of new business start-ups by university the high level of programme quality, to motivate graduates and young professionals (due to a 12- especially the non-professorial teaching staff at the month programme duration), thus initiating universities and to constantly enhance the regional innovative new firms. The programme covers cooperation network supplying it to the people who have completed their degree or entrepreneurs. An important task is also to follow-up doctorate in the last five years, or who are about to the projects after leaving the 12-month intensive complete their studies, and who wish to set up in programme thus to secure the sustainability of the business in Bremen or Bremerhaven. The support investment undertaken. goes to innovative ideas for products and services in telecommunications, information and Self-assessment communication technologies (ICT), multimedia, entertainment, health, environmental sciences or “The project and its results have shown, that the biotechnology. The support takes the form of instrument is well-designed and experienced to training for entrepreneurs, business administration reach the objectives of the political priority to courses, financial support in the shape of so-called diversify the economic structure. The project can be milestone assistance and provision of a complete seen as an evaluated model to systematically use working infrastructure in form of so called seed the scientific potential of a region for start-up- offices. businesses.”

The context

The State of Bremen has made significant investments into the scientific infrastructure in the last decade. Several new and innovative scientific State institutes have been founded in Bremen and Bremerhaven or existing institutes have been enlarged - to promote and support innovation transfer from science to the regional economy. Hereby “Transfer by head” plays a crucial role since graduates from the Bremen universities can offer a high and manyfold knowledge potential to the Bremen economic area.

Outcome

Between 2000 and 2003, 15 projects started up and Total costs: EUR 2.64 million employed approximately 50 persons generating an overall turnover of about EUR 2 million. EU funding: EUR 1.32 million

Contact : Andreas Mündl Bremen Innovation and Technology Center BITZ Fahrenheitstr. 1 D-28359 Bremen Phone: +49 421 – 2208 - 173 Fax: +49 421 – 2208 - 150 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany Centre for Fuel Cell Technology

The project Perspectives

Following the foundation of a Fuel Cell Competence After the implementation of the technology Network in the framework of a state initiative (Future producing centre, the next steps will focus on the Energies) the Centre for Fuel Cell Technology was implementation phase by a number of grants founded at the University of Duisburg. The Centre supporting SME to go to market with Fuel cell and acts as developer and integrator for fuel cell other renewable energy related technologies. systems in different fields of application, including the co-ordination of their integration in gas, power Self-assessment and heating provision. In its activities the centre can resort to the broad research experience of the participating university departments. The centre can “The project was a cornerstone of a technology provide research that directly serves the needs of oriented cluster which is on high importance for the the enterprises as well as of the research sector in Ruhr Region. At the same time, the project supports the Ruhr area and thus creates a link between the technology sustainability. The Fuel Cell research and practical application of the technology. technology is one of the most promising It has the function of a "nucleus" for the technologies, with currently is being developed in development of a Future Energies Cluster in NRW different areas in the world, including USA and which already plays a leading role in this area in Japan.” Germany.

The context

The backlog of the Ruhr area in the field of R&D and innovation in general on the one hand and, on the other hand, existing excellence of the region in the field of renewable energies and energy technologies have led to the promotion of the Fuel Cell Competence Network by the state government. One of the results of successful work of this network is the Centre for Fuel Cell Technology.

Outcome

The direct effects of this Centre are the following: 20 new jobs in the range of R&D (incl. 5 female employees); a contribution to environmental Total costs : EUR 15.93 million objectives, e.g. improvement of climate; technological infrastructure: 500 sqm (office area), EU funding : EUR 6.72 million 2000 sqm (laboratory area); methods (5) and products (10) were developed in a new/other way; Contact : 10 new contacts abroad. The most interesting Matthias Fischer effects are more indirect and more middle term Ministry for Economy and Labour of Northrhine- related because essential elements are based of the Westphalia transfer chain in the middle and long run. These Haroldstrasse 4 effects concern the creation and promotion of SME. D-40190 Düsseldorf Phone: +49 211-837-2504 Fax: +49 211-837-2665 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Multimar Wattforum - Information Centre of the National Park Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea

The project Self-assessment

The Multimar Wattforum Tönning is the main “Most of the objectives defined at the beginning of information centre of the National Park Schleswig- the project have been reached. With more than Holstein Wadden Sea. The information centre 240,000 visitors the Multimar Wattforum has consists of an aquarium and a hands on exhibition, become an example for a functioning centre of providing fun and education for visitors of all ages. information, education, confrontation and co- After the opening in June 1999 in average of more operation under the idea of sustainable than 200,000 guests/year visited the Multimar development.” Wattforum. Beside the function for environmental education the Multimar Wattforum became the main tourist attraction in the West coast region of Schleswig-Holstein within two years.

The context

Because of the high acceptance a stage extension was planned in 2000. According to the existence of a nursery ground for the common harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in the National Park area and reflecting mass stranding of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the National Park the main issue of the extension was focussed on whales within the National Park (harbour porpoise) and worldwide (sperm whale).

Outcome

Visitors learned about the function of an National Park, establishment of 2 places of employment, increasing the number of visitors by 20 %.

Perspectives

After a period of establishing (1999-2002) the Multimar Wattforum as a small size visitors attraction (1.500 m² exhibition area) and a period of extension (2002-2003) to a medium size centre more than 2.000 m²) a period of Total costs : EUR 2.48 million extension (2005-2007) to an appropriate size (3.000 m² exhibition area) edutainment centre with 250.000 to EU funding : EUR 0.94 million 300.000 visitors/year is planned. Objectives of the future expansion is sustainable fishery with aspects like Contact : aquaculture, stock management, migrating species etc. Dr. Gerd Meurs Head of Department Am Robbenberg D-25832 Tönning Phone: +49 4861-962013 Fax: +49 4861-962010 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Finland Sustainable future for the Hämeenlinna region

The project makers on sustainable development issues have been risen by effective informing and reporting.

The aim of the project is to promote sustainable development in regional level. The actions are directed to decisions-makers, authorities and Perspectives inhabitants. The most important action, which have been made to reach the vision of the sustainable The assessment tool and sustainable development future, is developing new assessment and follow up indicators have been planned to use in several town tools for the use of decision makers and local plans. The different tools of sustainable authorities and inhabitants. Assessment and follow development have been coming more and more up tools are based on the local city strategy of important and useful part of practice of land use sustainable development and the function is to rise planning in the future. Therefore social, economic or the decision-makers and the public aware of environmental impacts are evaluating in same time connections between land use planning, city and the possible difficulties are discussed in early strategy and sustainable development issues. The stage of planning project. Inhabitants will also be other actions, which have been carried out in project aware of the progress of the sustainable are: consumer inquiries, environmental inquiries, development by getting the newest information and organising exhibitions on recycled products and all the reports free in project websites. waste recycling, organising the “EU Green Week” events in Hämeenlinna, organising the sustainable development follow up meeting for local authorities, Self-assessment arranging a video competition to local school children about succeed and failure of community planning, updating the sustainable indicators and “Social, economic or environmental impacts are making reports on the sustainable indicators, testing developing in parallel and possible difficulties have the town plan assessment tool in the Keinusaari been discussed at an early stage of planning. area and making reports on environmental, fair Inhabitants will also be aware of the progress by trade and organic labelling. getting the newest information and all the reports free in project websites.”

The context

The sustainable indicators and the assessment tool for land use planning are in common use in local level and the follow-up of sustainable development in practices of municipalities is effective. Tools has been used to help decision makers, local authorities and inhabitants estimate and identify the influences of different plans on local sustainable development progress. The awareness of the local political- makers on sustainable development issues have been risen by effective informing and reporting.

Total costs : EUR 0.234 million

Outcome EU funding : EUR 0.067 million

The sustainable indicators and the assessment tool Contact : for land use planning are in common use in local Mirja Lumiaho-Suomi level and the follow-up of sustainable development Häme Regional Environment Centre in practices of municipalities is effective. Tools has Birger Jaarlin katu 13 been used to help decision makers, local authorities P.O.Box 131 and inhabitants estimate and identify the influences FIN-13101 Hämeenlinna of different plans on local sustainable development Phone: Tel.+358 3-2420559 progress. The awareness of the local political- Fax: Fax +358 3-2420500 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

East Finland Honouring the built heritage in North Karelia

The project Perspectives

"Honouring the built heritage in North-Karelia" is an For the restoration and renovation of built heritage it umbrella for two different projects working tightly is planned to train unemployed craftsmen and use together. The other one is "Work from Built the same strategy with pooling the financial Heritage" financed by the European Social Fund resources to this work. This would improve the and the other is "Foundation for honouring the built employability of the long-term unemployed Heritage" financed by the European Regional construction professionals, improve the living Development Fund. The management programmes environment and activates people to take part in for cultural heritage and built environment include community work. It would also promote renovation description of the local history and its presence in business and tourism, if part of the buildings would the landscape, archaeological objectives and sites, be used for tourism purposes. monuments and valuable buildings and sites in villages and rural area. The programmes also include guidelines for management and planning, Self-assessment renovation and restoration of old buildings and possibilities of cultural environment in education, “The project used efficiently and wisely the two community activities, rural development and structural funds, ERDF and ESF for fostering and tourism. developing information and knowledge basis for

management of cultural environment, old historically

and architecturally valuable buildings and The context landscapes. The coordination and co-operation between the projects, stakeholders and financiers The protection of cultural heritage, built environment gave valuable experience about pooling and using and historically and architecturally valuable of different funds for common purpose.” buildings and sites are stipulated by international treaties and national legislation. According to the Finnish constitution, every citizen is responsible for the environment and cultural heritage. Taking care of the cultural environment and architectural heritage is primarily based on town planning and building guidance i.e. the Land Use and Building Act. It is complemented by the Act on the Protection of Buildings and the Decree on the State-owned Buildings.

Outcome

At the moment the database on built environment created during the project consists information about 5,292 objects and sites, over 17,670 buildings and 50,630 photos and pictures. The database can Total costs : EUR 1.05 million be used in regional planning, permitting demolition of old houses or when given grants to improvements EU funding : EUR 0.58 million of old houses. The database can also be used for creation of cultural tourism routes or landscape Contact : management plans for villages. In total, 70 people Anna-Liisa Tanskanen took part in the work and 7057 working days has North Karelia Regional Environment Centre been used for the inventories. All participants got PO. Box 69 training on computer skills, digitalisation work and FIN-80101 Joensuu inventory of built heritage and knowledge about Finland renovation works and grants for renovation of old Phone: +358 13- 1412728 or +358-40-7316540 buildings. Fax: +358 13-123622 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Kuopio, Finland Success factors for the horse industry

The project Perspectives

In the Success Factors for the Horse Industry The training farm's new resources create project, a modern training and equestrian sports opportunities for innovative development co- centre has been created in the topographically operation. This guarantees that the vocational demanding area of an agricultural training farm. An school and local entrepreneurs can obtain new old Finnish farmhouse has been converted into information and that the local horse industry teaching and course rooms. Through the project, a remains competitive both domestically and horse clinic and a related testing unit, with internationally. treadmills, for training have also been established as well as a quarantine stable modelled on new Self-assessment construction solutions. In the lake-surrounded area for horses, the paddocks have been renovated and landscaping and planting have been carried out. “It was possible to plan the project as a sufficiently broad whole and to carry it out quickly and effectively. The result was the creation of an important equine training and development centre The context also in the northern Finnish region.”

There are firm horse breeding traditions in eastern Finland, but agricultural change has entailed vigorous development of the region's vocational training related to the horse industry, particularly in the harness racing and riding sectors and in horseshoeing and grooming. This has been encouraged by the growing interest in the horse industry among young people both in urban and rural areas. The creation of new teaching facilities and support services has enhanced the quantitative and qualitative development of the training of skilled professionals and entrepreneurs. The horse industry, indeed, is seen as a growing business and a means of maintaining the economic attractiveness of rural areas.

Outcome

The clinic and testing unit for training provide services for local entrepreneurs and new know-how for vocational training and research and development. The renovation of the old farmhouse and the building of a quarantine stable have made it possible to carry out various course and continuing Total costs : EUR 1.16 million training programmes. In addition, new stabling and dung storage solutions are modelled on the EU funding : EUR 0.55 million principles of sustainable development in environmental management. Contact : Minna-Liisa Heiskanen Equine Information Centre, Neulaniementie FIN-570210 Kuopio Phone: +358 17-163459 Fax: +358 17-163455 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Lapland, Finland Nature paths and recreational constructions

The project Outcome

The project Nature Paths and Recreational Several hiking trails with duckboards, birdwatch Constructions forms together with a Life Nature towers, information signs, camp fire places and project (Protection and usage of aapa mires with a sleeping shelters. rich avifauna) a wider project entity which main aim is to integrate protection and local usage of the five largest aapa mire areas in central Lapland. All these Perspectives mire areas belong the network of Natura 2000 sites. They situate in a very sparsely populated rural area where employment opportunities have been In the future the actors and village associations in decreasing dramatically during the last decades, the project area will get more international due to among other things the centralization connections and partners as well as opportunities development going on in Finland as well as in the to change and take advantage of experiences with whole world. The ERDF-project area cover the aapa others. The small sized entrepreneurs in the mires of Teuravuoma, Viiankiaapa and Luiro. Its villages will actively work together with tourism main actors are the Lapland Regional Environment centres of the area by offering them their Centre, Metsähallitus, municipalities (Kolari, programme services. The nature conservation areas Sodankylä, Pelkosenniemi) and village associations will not be seen as an obstacle for economic and of the area. social development in the area.

The context Self-assessment

About one third of the land area of Lapland belongs “In this case the success was not achieved only by to the nature protection programmes. This has this one particular project but by long-term efforts caused different kind of limitations to the use of and clever combination of several funds, projects natural resources and the areas itself. At the same and actors. The local actors in the municipality of time, at least partly as a consequence of hard Kolari have succeeded to develop a project entity of national and worldwide competition and so far six different projects which all have aimed at centralization development, the traditional industrial developing their villages and economic life from braches such as mining, forestry and agriculture their own bases and resources available. In all have lost their importance and role as employers in these projects the commitment of grass-root level the area. In this changed situation it has been a has been very strong. As results of these projects in necessity to find out new sources of livelihood and the villages there have been created new jobs, employment. Among the new industrial sectors improved environment and gained education.” tourism business has shown to be the most promising one in Lapland and therefore also in the project area there are several small tourism entrepreneurs who have been in business for some years but still need different kind of support in order to strengthen their business. Total costs : EUR 0.601 million

EU funding : EUR 0.298 million

Contact : Paula Alho EU-coordinator Lapland regional environment centre PO BOX 8060 FIN-96101 Rovaniemi Phone: +358 16-329 4757 Fax: +358 16-310 340 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Northern Central Finland ► Development of a Bioenergy Network

The project Self-assessment

The Project for the Development of a Bioenergy “The outcome of the project directly serves the Network in Northern Central Finland aims at uniting objectives of international climate agreements, our the competencies of the field in Central Finland and domestic climate strategy, the national action plan at making the production, processing and use of for renewable energy sources, and the provincial bioenergy more effective, particularly in northern programme of Central Finland. The new jobs and Central Finland. The project consists of the following enterprises have been created in sparsely parts: the creation of a cooperation network within populated areas, which makes them most significant the bioenergy sector; the coordination of the for socially, ecologically and economically development projects; company-specific guidance; sustainable development.” the organisation of expert services.

The context

In addition to large reserves of raw materials, the region of northern Central Finland already has know-how and entrepreneurship related to the production, processing and utilization of bioenergy. Based on this fact and in compliance with the division of tasks between the Regional Council of Central Finland and the municipalities of northern Central Finland, Jyväskylä Polytechnic’s Institute of Natural Resources has gathered a group of companies for the regional energy network and recruited a branch manager to coordinate the development activities.

Outcome

During the project, five new enterprises were established: three heat cooperatives, one heat company, and one briquetting plant. Five new permanent jobs and seven indirect jobs have been created. The increased utilization of domestic energy, i.e. wood chip, pellet, peat, and briquette, has replaced about 3,700,000 litres of oil in northern Central Finland. The corresponding amount of oil would have cost nearly EUR 1.4 million a year.

Total costs : EUR 0.259 million Perspectives EU funding : EUR 0.085 million

The most interesting future issue will be the Contact : possibility of small-scale electricity production. Our Tapani Sauranen second and nearly as important development task Kauppakatu 5 will be to increase the capacity of existing property FIN-43100 Saarijärvi and district heating systems with flue gas Phone: +358 400 226 394 purification systems. This is how we can avoid new Fax: +358 14 469 0270 boiler investments and introduce more e-mail: [email protected] environmentally friendly heat production units.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

North Ostrobothnia, Finland Environmental management in Kierikki stone age village The project visiting University of Oulu. The amount of foreign visitors has increased during three years.

In the Kierikki beside the Iijoki river situated a village in the stone age and nowadays it is place where tourists and local people can see who have been Perspectives living in the northern nature at that time. During the ERDF projects NOREC, the North Ostrobothnia Kierikki Centre and municipality of Yli-Ii have large Regional Environment Centre, has reconstructed a visions on developing activities in centre, stone age Stone Age Village, built a service building, a parking village and fishing camp. The also will balance the place and a Stone Age Fishing Camp in the Kierikki function economically. Action is estimated to get on area. Beside them some water management wider basis and more international, as awards which measures and traffic arrangements have been centre has got, become more known. realised. Small landscaping measures has been carried out all over the Kierikki area. One of these subprojects is still going on until continuing to the Self-assessment end of the 2004. Also some hydro power structures have been landscaped in Kierikki. These measures have been carried out by a local hydro power “Many different aspects (culture, tourism, company (PVO Vesivoima Ltd). The company is environment) have been integrated together in one also important private financer of the project. In this project. Co-operation between partners have been project three bottom dams have been constructed to very successful. Kierikki Centre has already been old river channel where water flows only in spring recognised as international and widely interesting and autumn during flood period. Beside that the tourism centre all over Nordic countries and now landscaping of banks lining the river impoundment even in Europe.” have been carried out.

The context

The municipality of Yli-Ii in North Ostrobothnia region in northern Finland has built the Kierikki centre, to present archaeological results and to attract visitors. Kierikki is situated beside the river Iijoki which is dammed for hydro-power generation. By these projects environmental aspects were integrated to utilising stone age culture and tourism. Operational preconditions in Kierikki area were developed by these projects.

Outcome

Impacts affected by hydro-power construction have Total costs : EUR 0.81 million been minimised around power station close to Kierikki. People who are living along the river have EU funding : EUR 0.36 million been very pleased, because as a result of the project they do have water in old river channel all Contact : over the year. Before the project these channels Kaisa Junttila were dry most summer time. Project has bettered North Ostrobothnia Regional Environment Centre recreational use of the river for several people. PL 124 During last three years together 68 868 people have FIN-90101 Oulu visited Kierikki Centre. The main part of visitors are Phone: +358 8 315 8556 students. Around 2700 people of visitors have been Fax: +358 8 315 8305 foreigners, mostly Swedish people and people e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Turku, Finland Linkki - Community-based project development in East Turku

The project Perspectives

Community-based project activities implement a The long-term goal is to develop community-based new and innovative operating model, which is project model further with the principles of developed in connection with East Turku subsidiarity and bottom-up activities and also development programme 2000+. In this model transfer it to the other cities and countries. residents, organisations and other actors have the opportunity to receive financing from the EU’s Objective 2 programme for small projects intended Self-assessment for improvement of one’s own operating environment. The core idea of the community-based project activities is to gather project ideas arising Community-based project activities implement a from local co-operation and apply financing for them new and innovative operating model and so far the in a centralised way. experiences have been encouraging. Other cities in Finland have been interested in applying this model.

The context

Experience from an earlier structural fund period and the one that began in the year 2000 has shown that starting small, resident-oriented Objective 2 projects through normal application procedure is in practice very difficult. The financing authorities’ regulations and application procedure favour big projects and large combinations. Application of Objective 2 funding, starting projects and follow-up measures require long-term work, knowledge of programmes and application procedures, strong financial liquidity and project management expertise. For individual residents and local organisations the threshold to apply for large projects has been too high. Community-based project activities was set up to solve this problem.

Outcome

Total costs : EUR 50,000 There has been carried out 40 community-based projects since the year 2000. Their value in EU funding : EUR 35,000 increasing co-operation in the area has proved to be more significant than anticipated. There has been Contact : about 4500 persons in the action in these 40 Sami Savolainen projects. The projects have included art and media City of Turku projects for young people, cleaning of the park Linkki, Co-ordination Project for Development of areas, multicultural handicraft activities and even East Turku there has been made a movie, which was filmed in Linnankatu 14 the neighbourhood in whole. FIN-20100 Turku, Finland Phone: +358 2 2627 489, +358 50 5590 489 Fax: +358 2 2627 399 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

City of Vantaa, Finland Living cityspace

The project Perspectives

The aim of the Living Cityspace project is to Perspectives seems to be promising. A large improve public city spaces and green areas of amount of plans can be constructed, research work Vantaa City’s eastern neighbourhoods with a high can be used in landuse, green and street areas risk of social isolation together with inhabitants. The (planning, constructing, maintenance). project focused on the following issues: research work - gathering information about people’s different environmental ideas and using this information later Self-assessment for interactive environmental planning and improvement; concrete environmental improvement - planning interactively historically remarkable “Cityspace was already worth noticing for it’s areas, stream environments, squares, routes, highly research work in Eurocities Awards 2003 ‘Quality of used parks and playing areas; environmental Life for All’. Living cityspace has used systematically education and commitment to nearby surroundings - and profoundly research results in numerous encouraging dwellers to get to know better their planning projects and constructions. Planning home region and its historically and culturally projects take into consideration the city districts valuable local sights. structure and public outer space. Research work will be used in land use, green and street areas (planning, constructing, maintenance).”

The context

In Finland Land Use and Building Act requires dweller’s possibility to participate in land use-, green area and street planning. Nowadays the interactive planning activates the already active people, not the children, elderly people, immigrants or youth.

Outcome

The first objective of the Living Cityspace was to make especially real use groups of outdoor spaces participate in a planning stage as well in preparation of implementation- the user groups are those who are not the most active participants on their own initiative. This is done by developing new functional research methods of dweller co-operation and dweller-initiated planning. 281 inhabitants were involved in project with children and youth. 14 public meetings have been held (2003-April 2004), and about 600 inhabitants have participated in them. Total costs : EUR 0.5 million Living cityspace organised 4 exhibitions and the press published several stories of it’s work. EU funding : EUR 0.135 million

Contact : Aino Leino City of Vantaa, Landuse and Environmental Department Kielotie 13 FIN-01300 Vantaa Phone: +358 9 839 22632 Fax: +358 9 839 22632 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Dalsland, Sweden Next Generation - Young entrepreneurs for the region

The project Outcome

A region that sparkles inspires and attracts new Estimated results during a three years period: 170 ideas. A region where young people strive to go jobs vacancies (1 job= more than 3 weeks), 100 their own ways, to create work opportunities and live companies, 50 companies involved in network- or a life full of challenges. This is our goal for Dalsland. co-operative projects. We believe that in order to create a region that grows and develops we need not only good infrastructure and education possibilities but also Perspectives young entrepreneurs. “Next Generation” consists of two subprojects, for a duration 2004-2006. One of them is a training programme for young We are going to continue working with the attitude entrepreneurs who want to develop their companies and thinking among people, the attitude and thinking and create growth. But it is also about individual towards others and themselves. The type of growth. We believe that increased growth companies and jobs is changing as the next prominently is about the sole individual and his/hers generation is entering the labour market with new attitude towards entrepreneurship and the capability ideas, and right now it is more obvious then ever, to convert ideas to firm actions. Will and courage, and that could mean new kinds businesses and combined with cut clear objectives and visions, are jobs. We want to support these companies and job a necessity. In this project there will also be different vacancies. We are also focusing on the change of kinds of networking activities. The second generations among companies and in the labour subproject consists of 5 Communicare local offices market in general. We want established companies in the Region of Dalsland; Åmål, Mellerud, to stay alive even though one generation is ending. Bengtsfors, Dals-Ed and Färjelanda. Communicare offers support to young people through our local offices. The support could be necessary information Self-assessment regarding how to start your own company or how to apply for vocational training abroad. It could also be about finding "the" job or the perfect trainee spot in “People are asking for our competence, knowledge a firm or an organisation, help to develop an idea, and experience.” which will make young people, fulfil their goal. The main goal with this project is to develop and spread methods, ways of working and models to contribute to regional development and growth in the region Dalsland.

The context

Next Generation is an outcome of a previous finalised and successful project in the region Värmland. A request from the region Dalsland came to us, as the numbers of unemployment increased rapidly among young people; 16-30years. The region needed a project to stimulate the local growth among small companies, inspire young people to realise their possibilities and role to inflect their own lives. Total costs : EUR 2.52 million (SEK 21.4 million)

Contact : Pernilla Uddh Box 528 SE-65112 Karlstad Phone: +46 54 13 75 73 Fax: +46 54 13 75 71 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT+COOPERATION

Göta Kanal, Sweden

Enterprise development for the region

The project Outcome

The project aims at creating opportunities for New jobs: 64; preserved jobs: 30; new business entrepreneurs in four municipalities along entrepreneurs: 19; increased number of visitors: the Göta kanal and to make the territory more 130,000; increased number of stays over night: available to visitors and through that increase the 6,000; integration project: 1; co-operation project: 1. number of visitors, increase the number of vacant The project’s results were better than expected. jobs and to prolong the tourist season. The project contained eight sections; marketing of the project, development of the adventure trip in Karlsborgs Perspectives fästning, increase the number of beds in the territory, information and signs in the territory, develop fishing, investigate the opportunities of a The faith in the future has strengthened for all centre of culture forest, culture and the sights of the involved, and that is maybe the most important territory and environment with issues as water outcome of the project. Together we are strong and protection and refuse and waste. The second part of we are able to rewrite the future in a more positive the project (2004 – 2005) is concentrating on spirit. infrastructure, entrepreneur/networking, development of service and meeting places and following up what had been done in the first part. In Self-assessment this period there are six sections: Finishing the cycle lane, A new guest harbour with a house that are at the same time a meeting place for the “The project showed that co-operation is necessary entrepreneurs and can be used all year around, if it will be a change in the long-term. The project Finishing service places along the channel and has also involved the entrepreneurs in a new way, increase the number of guest boat places, Put which has lead to new co-operations and new together the infrastructure between the channel and products. There is a better knowledge in the territory Karlsborgs fästning and finally, Work with about how the municipalities work and how to solve developing networks in the territory with focus on problems that the actors have in common. The the local, regional and international actors. actors, inhabitants and visitors meet today a positive thinking and with a new pride over their own territory.”

The context

The project was created in co-operation between four municipalities, Göta kanalbolaget AB, tourist organisations and Västra Götalands region. The idea was to gather all actors that had some impact on the territory Göta kanal, and see what could be done to give the territory better conditions for the future. They found out that through an Objective 2 project there were possibilities to create a long-term development, both for entrepreneurs, organisations and the municipalities and the project gave the opportunity to form the basis for new jobs, new enterprises and a belief in the future. Total costs: EUR 6.18 million (SEK 52.53 million)

EU funding: EUR 2.29 million (SEK 19.5 million)

Contact : Ylva Wirtberg Box 83 SE-545 22 Töreboda, Sweden Phone: +46 506 – 189 06, 046 (0)70 – 689 41 05 Fax: +46 506 – 125 99 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Luleå, Sweden Establishment of research in environmental and quality management

The project Perspectives

The project illuminates possible “future pictures” Initially the project focused on evaluation of regarding management of sustainable development, environmental effects of EMS implementation. The basically based on integration of exciting knowledge overall aim is to push for and take part in of management tools for environment, quality, social development of a “Sustainability management responsibility and health. The project’s most system”. A holistic approach makes it more effective powerful potential is the possibility to engage the to use management tools which are not specifically academy together with other parts of the society in focused on e.g. environmental- or social issues, but the creation of visions for future UN and/or EU instead emphasising integration of all the three strategies in the field of sustainable development. dimensions of sustainable development. Luleå The term “future pictures” is understood as coming university of technology established during 2001 a development based on already exciting strategies, B.Sc. programme called Environmental and quality which are to be implemented in a time frame of a management. few years. The visions shall be used for the creation of future strategies and the time frame is longer. Self-assessment

The context “Fruitful co operation with large industries and local SMEs; co-operation with Confederation of Swedish Organisations have been motivated to adopt Enterprise (Svenskt Näringsliv); increased co- Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) while operation across faculty and department boarders the impact of industrial activities is not of a within the university; creation of national informal sustainable nature. There are basically two environmental management network.” Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) standards – the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and the international standard ISO 14001. Since the introduction of ISO 14001 in 1996, a total of 61,300 organizations in 112 different countries have been certified and since the introduction of EMAS in 1995 there are 3,500 registrations in 16 European countries. Experts in the area suggest that the implementation of EMS according to ISO 14001 is going to reach the same number as ISO 9000 and within a few years the number of certified companies in the world is probably going to reach 150,000.

Outcome

Total cost s: EUR 0.33 million (SEK 2.78 million) The research project used different methods for data collection to solve the objective of the project. EU funding : EUR 0.1264 (SEK 1.39 million) Below, the results from the different methods are presented: Literature review - Contact : - the results indicate that a majority of the Jan-Ola Burman evaluations state that an EMS has a positive effect Department of quality and environmental on the environmental performance; interviews and management, questionnaire - the main result shows that ISO Luleå university of technology, 14001 often led to reduced environmental impact of SE-97187 Luleå, Sweden the organization, especially within waste; case Phone: +46 920 492146 study- the main results show that the EMS at Fax: +46 920 492160 Vattenfall AB Vattenkraft has had a positive impact e-mail: [email protected] on the environmental performance at the company.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Norra Norrland, Sweden Lapland Fishing

The project We predict that the project will have created not less than 20 jobs by the year of 2005.

The purpose of Project Lapland Fishing is to further exploit the angling resources of the county of Västerbotten to create a sustainable tourism Perspectives industry. The main measurements of the project are: securing high quality products by improving Angling tourism industry in Västerbotten county will management of fisheries and conducting most certainly continue to grow over long period of environmental conservation measurements; time. We estimate that far less than 1% of the marketing the products of the region nationally as business potential is exploited. well as internationally; forming and conducting We base the business potential on the potential tailor-made courses for the company owners to amount and quality of fishing. Along with growing increase product quality and profitability. Lapland knowledge and awareness about environmental Fishing is coordinated by The Rural Economy and issues the actual quality is likely to increase. The Agricultural Society of Västerbotten county. The demand for angling experiences of the kind that can project has a steering group where local and be offered from Västerbotten county is also along regional financers are represented. About 50 small with other nature-based tourism likely to grow. enterprises are actively participating in the project.

Self-assessment The context “Lapland Fishing delivers results that will last after The conditions of the county of Västerbotten to take the end of the project: The number of enterprises is the final step in to establish angling tourism were increasing and the average turnover of the when the project was set up considered very good: enterprises is growing. The close cooperation high numbers of rivers and lakes with good stocks between private and public sector gives the recently of attractive species as salmon, trout, pike, grayling born angling tourism industry support that is likely to and char; good organisation with many experienced last for a long period of time after the project is participants in angling development from the public ended.” as well as the private sector. a demand from national- as well as European anglers for high quality angling experiences of the kind that is possible to offer in the county of Västerbotten, - a demand that exceeds the number of products on the market.

Outcome

The number of angling tourism enterprises in the county of Västerbotten has annually increased by 5 since year 2000. We predict that we will reach the Total costs: EUR 3.47 million (SEK 29.5 million) number of 10 profitable enterprises by the year of 2005 and that the total number of enterprises will EU funding: EUR 1.25 million (SEK 10.64 million) not be less than 65; an organisation led by the angling tourism enterprises for future development Contact : of the business will begin its work by the fall of Per Lundström 2004; forms for local management of fisheries Hushållningssällskapet, Expolaris center, securing the quality of the products has been SE-93178 Skellefteå, Sweden established and is now implemented and spread; Phone: +46 910 – 70 16 59, 070 – 563 35 96 the number of jobs created by the project was Fax: +46 910 – 73 53 17 between the years 2000 and 2002 estimated to 8. e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Norrbotten, Sweden Developing a centre of film production in northern Europe

The project Perspectives

The audiovisual industry is one of the fastest To maintain same level of production activity and to growing industries in Europe as well as globally. continue to develop along given objectives. Many regions in central Europe have their own strategies in order to develop this industry. Film production builds and contains within its genre a Self-assessment vast number of competences and knowledge that is essential for almost all form of media production. Film production contains icons and stories that are “The project is a success because of the needed and used by other media. Technical combination of good funding, creative, brave and development and technical innovations are often hardworking people carrying through our made in film production and is thereafter used in objectives.” other media production. The filmmaker’s creative capacity, competence and craftsmanship form a basis for qualitative and technical excellence in TV and multimedia. Film is also the best example of an industry that lives in the field between private, public, art and commercialism.

The context

In Sweden the film production started to decentralise in the late 90-ies. Before that film production was a highly urban phenomena concentrated to the capital Stockholm. The north of Sweden desperately needed new fields of activities and the motors for this decentralisation became Filmpool Nord in Luleå and Film in Väst (Gothenbourg region).

Outcome

The latest efforts have been starting to give results.New education and training schemes in film and media has developed a more skilled a highly competitive regional work force. New companies in postproduction and sound and a studio have been established. This has enabled us to start extensive collaboration Total costs: EUR 6.85 million (SEK 58.2 million) with Swedish Public service Television concerning development of TV- series and features. Several EU funding: EUR 1.77 million (SEK 15 million) new companies have been introduced to the region. New efforts with other regions has resulted in joint Contact ventures in international distribution Per-Erik Svensson Kronan A2 Phone: +46 920 43 40 75 Fax: +46 920 43 40 79 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Cornwall, United Kingdom Combined Universities in Cornwall

The project Self-assessment

Combined Universities in Cornwall – CUC - aims at “Unique partnership of educational institutions better higher education collaboration in Cornwall to working together. Use of HE and research as a create sustainable infrastructure of higher education basis for regeneration of depressed regional for economic regeneration. 4,700 new higher economy. Achievements to date over three-year education places, research base, knowledge period.” transfer and graduate retention mechanisms are target indicators. CUC is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall’s renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Falmouth College of Arts, The Open University, The College of St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall’s Further Education colleges – Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all.

The context

Over 90% of people qualified for higher education leave Cornwall and most never return, leaving low qualified workforce and leading to economic depression

Outcome

4,700 higher education places created (2,000 to date); 4,500 new jobs for 2025. To date, EUR 92.86 million (GBP 65 million) for construction, formal partnership, economic development mechanisms in place.

Perspectives

Phase 2 now being planned for delivery by end of 2007. A ‘knowledge based network’ is now forming with significant spin out potential. Total costs : EUR 119 million (GBP 83.3 million)

EU funding : EUR 64.3 million (GBP 45 million)

Contact : Gordon Kelly CUC Hub Campus, Tremough, Penryn, Cornwall. TR10 7EZ Phone: +44(0)1326 370430 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Netherleigh, United Kingdom Signal Business Growth Initiative

The project Self-assessment

The Signal Business Growth Initiative provides state This clustering of innovation approach follows of the art conference, exhibition and training European best practice in regions such as Espoo on facilities as well as business growth services for the edge of Helsinki which is a partner of North local businesses. The new Centre will provide the Down in the EU Edge Cities Network. opportunity for emerging and growth businesses to integrate with educational centres of excellence, in a creative and supportive commercial environment. It will also offer a suitable location in terms of accommodation, scale and infrastructure to secure the sustainable development of local high added value employment geared to the needs of the local population.

The context

The aim is to support and internationalise local growth orientated companies.

Outcome

Objectives are to create 300 jobs by 2003, for 25 companies to grow turnover by 35%; to launch 180 market research projects; enable 150 companies to grow their business; 30 best practice seminars; establish a SIGNAL website; facilitate 60 video conferences.

Perspectives

The New Signal Growth Initiative will undoubtedly help to enhance the long-term economic prospects of the Council area and the region as a whole. And which will be worthy of national and international acclaim.

Total costs : EUR 2.8 million (GBP 1.96 million)

EU funding : EUR 1.4 million (GBP 0.98 million)

Contact : Howard Keery DETI European Programmes Branch Netherleigh Phone: +44 28 90529328 Fax: +44 28 90529485 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

North East England, United Kingdom Sandhills Green Recycling Centre

The project Self-assessment

The project acts as a recycling project to take in a The centre is unique in that it has become not only a large percentage of the City’s waste and turn it into centre where people can come and get rid of their a peat/soil substitute for use by the general public green waste but it is becoming a real educational and organisations. Instead of rubbish going into centre. Through its contribution it will be making an landfill, the Centre recycles it. It is also a learning impact on the City and reducing the percentage of facility which makes people more aware of the waste. The facilities themselves are also state-of- impact recycling has. And the building itself has the-art and have taken into account environmental incorporated sustainable building techniques such sustainability every step of the way, right through to as solar panels which provide power for the training the photo-voltaic roofs creating solar energy to the facilities. training facilities.

The context

The project was set up to establish a green waste composting and recycling centre at the Sandhills Centre in Newcastle. One of the Objective 2 Programmes priorities is to assist jobless residents of the regions most disadvantaged communities to secure employment. The centre allows the target community residents to gain work experience and new skills enhancing employability and providing a direct and lasting benefit to the physical environment and social well being of the community.

Outcome

The centre aims to remove 4000 tonnes of green waste from the Newcastle upon Tyne area converting it into a sustainable alternative to peat. It also trains the local target communities in environmental subjects improving employability.

Perspectives

The longer term effects include the generation of training opportunities towards qualifications in forestry, horticulture, aboriculture and environmental Total costs : EUR 1.76 million (GBP 1.23 million) conservation. These courses will allow for the development of many skills, which will prepare the EU funding : EUR 0.67 million (GBP 0.47 million) beneficiaries for the workplace. The centre is in the process of applying for further European funding to Contact : help improve people’s access to the NVQ Iain Rennie Environmental qualification. The additional funding Newcastle City Council Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, will help extend the course length in the hope that Newcastle, more people will be able to access it. Tyne & Wear NE1 8QN Phone: +44 191 264 6958 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Scotland, United Kingdom The 7 stanes – a mountain bike and infrastructure project

The project Perspectives

To develop South Scotland as a top class mountain Scotland now has some of the worlds best mountain bike short break destination, support emergent bike trails, we also have some of the most tourist based businesses and rebuild rural tourism. challenging health issues facing us today and The project objectives were to deliver 7 cycling tomorrow. The Forestry Commission Scotland and centres, 150 km of improved trails and to improve the 7stanes partnership aim to give every primary 649 ha of trailside and visitor environs. The school pupil in Dumfries and Galloway and the opportunity existed to create a series of linked Scottish Borders the opportunity to ride at one of the mountain bike centres in the South of Scotland 7stanes centres to enjoy and experience the fun of which could become the Scottish leader for the still being active today and for tomorrow. growing outdoor active recreational pursuit. The This completes and ties together the ambitious proposals were built on experience gained by Forest programme set out in phase 1 of the 7stanes Enterprise locally in the Tweed valley and Mabie project. It completes the MTB network of trails and nationally, particularly in relation to the Coed Y currently lacking easily accessible routes for both Brennin forest park, in Snowdonia, Wales UK. The youngsters and beginners / returnees to cycling. success of which prompted Forest Enterprise and its partners to realise the potential for a similar project in South Scotland. The Quality of the riding, Self-assessment the facilities and the natural environment means South Scotland has the potential to become a world class destination for mountain bikers. “The 7stanes is a model of how modest investment in the appropriate “soft” product has resulted in spectacular and sustainable growth. It has recognised and harnessed the power of the internet The context as a marketing and communication tool. It has produced a customer focused project and has Spring 2001 saw Foot and Mouth effectively closing worked at sharing that message within the local and down the countryside of South Scotland. Realisation national community. The £2 million 7stanes project quickly dawned on us living here that post disaster is by far the most exciting development for we needed something and something quickly, if we recreational cycling in Scotland since the inception were to attract visitors back to the region. of the National Cycle Network and has arguably been more successful in getting people onto their bikes.” Outcome

At present, top-class trails at five of the 7stanes have been completed: at Glentress and Innerleithen (Tweed valley) and Newcastleton in the Borders, and at Dalbeattie, Kirroughtree and Mabie in Dumfries and Galloway. Since the launch of the trails at Glentress in 2002: The rate of growth has been phenomenal, visitor Total costs : EUR 2.77 million (GBP 1.94 million) numbers to the forest have increased from below 100,000 to 250,000 a year. Other 7stanes sites EU funding : EUR 0.17 million (GBP 0.12 million) once completed and opened are also experiencing healthy growth in visitor numbers. Contact : Karl Bartlett 7Stanes 55 Moffat Road, Dumfries, DG 1 1NP Phone: +44 1387 272440 Fax: +44 1387 251491 e-mail: [email protected]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Western Scotland, United Kingdom Lifelong learning for families in St Stephen's Enterprise Centre

The project Perspectives

St Stephen's Enterprise Centre is a state of the art This project embraces the spirit of the Clyde family learning centre which provides a friendly, Waterfront URBAN II Community Initiative welcoming environment in Port Glasgow, attracting Programme in that it has involved the local people to lifelong learning through the medium of community at all stages of the consultation process ICT and remove any notion of learning and and has been designed to address multiple barriers education as a forbidding institution associated with to social exclusion. failure. The project serves to change the way we teach and learn with a strong focus on business led delivery and virtual workplace environments. The Self-assessment Centre has a strong focus on employability via multimedia delivery, online learning, experimental learning and open learning. The URBAN II grant “The project sponsor has worked closely with the contributed to the following costs: creation of a 400 private sector in securing co-finance and in-kind sqm family learning facility; staffing; marketing, contributions. St Stephen's Enterprise Centre has administration costs and capital equipment made a significant difference to the lives of Port Glasgow residents in confidence.”

The context

On recognising the value Education for Work and Enterprise activities and events have on a persons attitude to learning, the Learning Business Partnership had a vision for a dedicated family learning centre to serve the local community and engage business partners in the process. The idea was initially developed in early 2001 and following on from many consultations initiated partner agencies, local residents and the business community. Following the decision mid 2001 to create the Centre match-funding was secured from public and private agencies and Inverclyde Council were successful in securing funding ERDF grant from the Clyde Waterfront URBAN II Programme 2000-2006.

Outcome Total costs: EUR 1.07 million (GBP 0.75 million)

EU funding: EUR 0.54 million (GBP 0.377 million) 1 training/learning facility created; 400 sq metres of training/learning facilities created. 180 individuals Contact : receiving guidance/advice; 720 instances of Robert Lamb guidance/advice to individuals; 600 people using St Stephens Enterprise Centre community employment/learning project; 140 c/o St Stephens High School positive outcomes for local people (education/job Southfield Avenue progression); 140 people participating in work Port Glasgow experience/exchange. Scotland, United Kingdom PA14 6PR Phone: +44 1475 715548 e-mail: [email protected]

CO-OPERATION+ COMPETITIVENESS

CO-OPERATION+COMPETITIVENESS

Ireland ► Managing the Evolution of the Programmes in Advanced Technologies

The project Outcome

This project concerns the management of the In 1999, the Board of Enterprise Ireland approved a evolution of a Government initiative (the new approach whereby responsibility for the Programmes in Advanced Technologies, PATs) in operation of the centres was passed to the host such a way that ensures its continuing relevance to universities. Support from Enterprise Ireland has the economy and its optimal contribution possible to now moved to: a Service Level Agreement with the realisation of the Lisbon agenda. The each of the centres which defines agreed Programmes in Advanced Technologies originated deliverables, such as training courses, seminars, in the early 1990s as partnerships between R&D and technical services and competitive Enterprise Ireland (the Irish State agency for the research funding calls to academic researchers for development of indigenous industry), industry and projects with commercial potential, third level colleges. Their overall objective was to develop within Ireland an expertise base and Perspectives national competence in strategic technologies based on these partnerships. Within this, the PATs pursued a wide range of missions through their The present bottom-up applied research funding is Enterprise Ireland-funded and -owned centres being balanced with industry-driven applied based within the universities. While work research funding through “technology platforms”. programmes differ somewhat depending on the This reflects the recognised importance of technologies involved, they can be broadly enhancing industry input to the research agenda in described as: providing Irish industry with direct Ireland. Three such platforms will be piloted shortly, access to expertise in the third level sector through one in each of the technology areas: biotechnology, technology transfer and specific sectoral networks; informatics and industrial technologies. providing contract research, design, development and consultancy services to Irish industry through the Service Level Agreements, and funding applied Self-assessment research aimed at bringing commercially useful research closer to market. “The project has e.g., brought about enhanced flexibility in the PATs offering, supports competitive The context funding promotes quality in activities supported by the State and increased the commercial perspective Ireland’s economic situation had changed since the of funded activities in line with the Government’s call establishment of the PATs. Technologies with great for greater commercial justification for such State industrial potential for the economy were emerging investments.” which were not addressed by the PATs’ activities. The improving economic health of the country also had the (not unfavourable but nevertheless significant) effect of making it difficult to recruit researchers into the centres, with more lucrative pay conditions being available in the private sector. As well as not being in a position to cater for important emerging technologies, the PATs’ inflexibility manifested itself in difficulties in motivating Total costs : EUR 232 million researchers with an academic ethos to address industrial issues in ‘real time’. At the same time, EU funding : EUR 76 million Irish Government policy dictated that funding for research should be provided on a competitive basis Contact : – the PAT centres were funded through a block Michael Leahy grant. Enterprise Ireland, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 Phone: +353 1 808 2419 Fax: +353 1 808 2662 e-mail: [email protected]

CO-OPERATION+COMPETITIVENESS

Oulu Region, Finland ► Centre of Expertise Programme implementing the Multipolis Network

The project maximum of three core technologies which they are developing and which are granted Multipolis Centre of Expertise funds based on strict criteria. The Centre of Expertise Programme (ORCE) Companies from nearly all the centres of expertise comprises of the following areas of know-how: are participating in the Forum activities and information technology, which is divided into four educational and development projects of the Oulu sub-technologies and wellness industry, which is Centre of Expertise. divided into three sub-technologies. Regional co- operation forums include representatives from companies, universities and polytechnics, and they act as practical work engines of the areas of know- Perspectives how. The forums organise companies’ development projects, acquire funding for development projects, The population of northern Finland is small, so the foster co-operation between educational institutions co-operation of the entire region is necessary in and research institutes and companies, and order to be competitive in the world market in participate in also in the larger northern Europe’s certain carefully selected, narrow sectors. In development through the Multipolis project. addition to R&D co-operation between hi-tech Multipolis aims at, e.g., improving the companies, it is also very important to integrate competitiveness of the regions involved, education with the development of the region. The strengthening the expertise of technology project has created a foundation for co-operative companies in northern Finland and create new jobs projects, and this activity will continue. in the hi-tech sector, internationalisation northern Finland’s hi-tech companies and create a network of hi-tech companies in northern Finland, Sweden and Self-assessment Norway.

“The Oulu Region Centre of Expertise programme has achieved outstanding results during the past The context years. The latest evaluation ranked ORCE to be the most successful parallel program in Finland with The primary goal of Oulu’s centre of expertise creation of 2 300 new hitech jobs to the Oulu programme, such as the Multipolis programme, is to Region. The Multipolis project as Oulu born idea keep northern Finland inhabited and prosperous, has been implemented now succesfully for three i.e., to create and preserve competitive jobs in years and the network has been expanding lately northern Finland. The methods used to achieve this also to Norway.” goal include: the creation of a network of 15 centres of expertise, the introduction of the Forum activities (development and educational projects), corporate incubator activities and R&D operation of Oulu’s Centre of Expertise in the other centres of expertise belonging to the Multipolis network, channelling of Multipolis Centre of Expertise funds to focused development projects of the various centres of expertise. Total costs: EUR 3.0 million

EU funding: EUR 0.26 million

Outcome Contact Olli Löytynoja The direct number of expected jobs by 2006 is Elektroniikkatie 8 1,000, the number of projects in operation is ten FIN-90570 Oulu project yearly, of which 3 with ERDF funding, the Phone: +358 400 340 028 share of ERDF financing is 10 %. Nearly all the Fax: +358 8 551 3202 centres of expertise have focused on one to a e-mail: [email protected]

CO-OPERATION+COMPETITIVENESS

Ylivieska Sub-region, Finland Development Programme of Contract Manufacturing

The project 2.5 companies per project. 118 companies in all were contacted. The results are presented below in detail. The project aims at developing corporate collaboration and contract manufacturing of productive business in the Ylivieska sub-region. In addition, particular emphasis is put on the Perspectives availability of purchasing services in electro- technical mechanics, metal and woodworking The objective of this programme is to become part industries in terms of subcontracting networks, of a regional business life service and create a production stages and providing services in the sub- common blueprint with the corporate department in region. The project examines developing the Employment and Economic Development cooperation and networking in productive business Centre (TE-centre) alongside with other public in Oulu South area, which aims at attracting financiers and actors. subcontracting companies to Ylivieska sub-region and its vicinity. The target groups of this project are electro-technical mechanics, metal industry and Self-assessment mechanical woodworking industry.

“The project was able to successfully meet the objectives that were set to it. Corporate The context collaboration and contract manufacturing in productive business developed in the sub-region. In the first EU programme period from 1995 Companies were able to network by making onwards, Ylivieska sub-region began to develop partnership and subcontracting agreements. The metal industry in a designed project. In the new EU programme was able to attract labour force to programme period (2000-2003), the work for electrotechnical mechanics, metal industry and development was expanded into concerning woodworking industries. New jobs were created and mechanical woodworking industry and electro- many saved. Exploitation of information technology technical mechanics, as well as the companies and the internet enhanced marketing, as did other practising these businesses. The development measures taken to increase visibility of the project was named Development Programme of companies. Competitiveness of the region was Contract Manufacturing. Contract manufacturing improved and net sale and export went up.” has actively involved about 60 companies. Developing collaboration of businesses and financial organisations brings about a competitive advantage to productive companies in the sub- region. It is important for small- and medium-sized enterprises to develop their own capabilities in order to take part in concrete corporate collaboration. Industrial activity is without exception business to business –activity, in which understanding and exploitation of cooperation is essential.

Total costs: EUR 0.830 million Outcome EU funding: EUR 0.255 million The programme was able to bring about approximately 60 new jobs and succeeded in Contact : maintaining about 280 jobs. Four new companies Timo Kiema received assistance from the programme when Vierimaantie 5 starting their business. The programme involved 70 P.O.BOX 102 firms, from which 15 represented electro-technical FIN-84101 Ylivieska mechanics, 38 end product manufacturers in metal Phone: +358 8505908044 industry and 17 mechanical woodworking industries. Fax: +358 84106479 Number of projects was 74, that is, an average of e-mail: [email protected]

CO-OPERATION+COMPETITIVENESS

Northern Sweden Developing the tourism industry in Boden

The project Outcome

The aim with the project was to develop the tourism During the period the turnover of the tourism industry in the municipality of Boden. To start with a industry increased with about 14% (2000-2002), the network was established that would stimulate revenue from taxation in the municipality from companies, the local government and others to tourism industry increased with about 18%, the cooperate within the following areas: common number of companies being part of the network marketing, product development, knowledge and increased from about 25 to 55 (120%). education, distributing packages to customers, tour operators etc. The network consisted of an Perspectives economic association which from the beginning had about 25 members. Within the network, temporary sub-networks were established that worked with In a future perspective, there is a potential for the different themes they saw as a potential to develop. municipality of Boden and the surrounding region to The themes were fishing, military tourism and develop the tourism industry. The area’s strengths nature based tourism. Those working in these sub- with unspoiled nature, Lappish culture, the midnight networks had influence on the activities. The project sun, polar nights, arctic light etc will be strongly also cooperated with the regional association for demanded from both Swedish and foreign visitors. A tourism as well as with other destinations in the regional tourism strategy is under construction, region. Other activities in the project were: which will take into consideration sustainable establishing contacts, marketing activities, product development to preserve the unique environment of development, to map out a profile of the the region. Working with quality labels is part of the competence among the members, coordinate the contents in the plan. The strategy plan for Boden is marketing of Boden as a tourist destination, a part of the strategy of the region which means that coordinate events and activities related to tourism, companies are involved in the regional strategy initiate, coordinate and carry out development work. efforts in the areas of competence and product development and initiate activities that benefit Self-assessment female company owners

“The temporary working groups show a very strong The context engagement thanks to their possibility of having an influence on the activities in the project. By The municipality of Boden in northern Sweden with arranging breakfast meetings the members got to a population of about 28,000 and an area of about know each other and learnt about each others 4,000 square kilometres, had for the last 100 years products. The external lecturers that were engaged been a centre for the national military force. The was a way of raising the competence level (…) All area had also been a centre for health care with a these elements together including the process in the hospital for the region. Both the national military beginning where the needs where defined, has force and health care was going through changes made this project a success which is shown by the with rationalizing which affected the amount of figures of an increased number of visitors, new employees in the area. The local government in the companies, higher revenue from taxation and the municipality of Boden worked out a plan for the interest from other destinations who have a lot to future, where they found the tourism industry as one learn from Boden Turism.” area that had potentials and which they considered important. In 1999, a process to identify the needs among the companies working with tourism started. Total costs: EUR 0.861 million (SEK 7.32 million) This process resulted in some well defined needs which then led to the decision of establishing the EU funding: EUR 0.4 million) (SEK 3.4 million) economic association: Boden Turism Ekonomisk Förening. Contact : Elisabeth Ennefors Stationsgatan 3, SE-96161 Boden Phone: + 46 921 34 28 30 Fax: +46 921 34 28 32 e-mail: [email protected]

CO-OPERATION+COMPETITIVENESS

Region of South Forest Counties, Sweden National Winter Sport Centre

The project Perspectives

The aim for this project was to establish and From national to international Top Sport Centre. develop the national support centre for winter sports Continue the development of research and sport in Sweden in our region in collaboration with local science in collaboration with the Mid Sweden and regional authorities and the private sector, the University. Commercialise parts of the facilities Swedish Sports Confederation (RF), Swedish belonging to the Winter sport Centre. Olympic Committee and the Mid Sweden University

Self-assessment The context “Starting point was a very good idea which was The County of Jamtland have natural advantages supported by local and regional authorities, the for winter sports activities because of the location in private sector, Mid Sweden University and Sport the middle of Sweden, in the mountain area with organizations in Sweden. The EU-funding made it extremely good winter conditions and sports possible to place the project in our region and make facilities. The region has also been the host for it more valuable and interesting for all parts. many different sport events and many top athletes Successful collaboration between the academic have chosen to live or spend time in the region for world and Sports organizations and last and that reason. The project was set up to establish a important – TIMING! – Our idea was delivered at the top Sport Centre in the region supporting the right time” development of Swedish top athletes in close collaboration with the specialised sports federations, RF, the Swedish Olympic Committee and the Mid Sweden University. National Winter Sport Centre offers a complex programme for individuals and teams involving psychology, physiology, movement analysis, medicine and lifestyle and career management. The project made it possible to use sport to develop and strengthen the regional profile of Jamtland and build a structure, including research and science, for elite sport support on a national level.

Outcome

National Winter Sport Centre is now one of two Top centres in Sweden authorized by the national Olympic Committee and the Swedish Sports Confederation. The project have been successful as a “bridge” between sport and the academic world and also initiated different new courses at the Mid Total costs : EUR 1.45 million Sweden University. The project has also a direct result created two (2) new jobs and one PhD- EU funding : EUR 0.77 million student. Contact : Annica Westerlund Managing Authority County administration board Jämtlands län SE-83186 Östersund Phone: +46 63146143 Fax: +46 63146260 e-mail: [email protected] web: www.mal1.nu

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Northern Ireland, United Kingdom ► Creggan Enterprises Ltd – Jobs in an old factory

The project Perspectives

Creggan Enterprises Ltd (CEL) is a community The project will help establish the economic based organisation established in 1994 to assist in sustainability of Creggan Enterprises but more the socio-economic regeneration of the Creggan. importantly it contributes to the ongoing Creggan is one of the oldest public housing estates regeneration of the area. in Northern Ireland and widely recognised as one of the most deprived in Northern Ireland with a long Self-assessment history of long term unemployment, poverty and suffering as a result of the Troubles. CEL purchased a disused factory and have renovated the facility in “This project was a success due to its working order to create 11,441 sq ft of workspace for relationship established with the Department of new/expanding businesses. This particular project Trade, Enterprise and Investment, the EU has had a significant positive impact on an area, Programme for Peace and Reconciliation which has suffered significantly as a result of the (Programme, Measure 1.1A Economic conflict in Northern Ireland. The project will Revitalisation) and the International Fund for Ireland transform what is currently an eyesore, covered in in advancing greater community ownership through political graffiti into aesthetically pleasing a social economy approach to local regeneration workspace, which will lead to further investment in and renewal. The success is also attributable to the the area and provide the physical infrastructure to local knowledge of the promoter i.e. the create. organisation, working in the interests of the local community identified the need at grass roots level and has addressed those needs in a way which exactly meets the requirements of that local The context community.”

CELs main functions are to: own and administer community resources such as property and buildings for the benefit of the local community; act as a comprehensive development locust providing ideas, training and advice; and be a catalyst for change within Creggan and the surrounding area.

Outcome

The specific objectives are: created 11,441 sq ft of workspace; 25 jobs during construction; 20 new jobs on completion; achieve 100% occupancy within 6 months of completion; regenerate the area; encourage the growth and sustainability of hi-tech indigenous enterprise sector; and transform a redundant factory and eyesore in the area.

Total costs : EUR 0.737 million

EU funding : EUR 0.236 million

Contact : Maeve Hamilton DETI Phone: +44 28 9052 99000 e-mail: [email protected]

CO-OPERATION+COMPETITIVENESS

South of Scotland, United Kingdom Crichton Regeneration Project

The project Perspectives

In 1995 the Crichton estate at Dumfries, the main Concepts driving the next phase of the project are: urban centre in rural Dumfries and Galloway, was a the creation of a groundbreaking Tertiary Education large rapidly emptying Victorian/Edwardian Campus to develop the education continuum and psychiatric hospital with buildings and parkland the concept of lifelong learning; to continue building deteriorating. In 2004 the Crichton Regeneration the relationship between academia and business – Project has become the major stimulus for the the smart, successful Scotland theme; utilising the rebirth of the Dumfries and Galloway economy major public venue on site (Easterbrook Hall) as a coupled with the protection and restoration of an key driver in developing business tourism in SW outstanding conservation site. In essence, the Scotland; creating a unique international profile Arts project comprises the sustainable conservation and venue that will sit at the interface of the academic redevelopment of a 40 hectare parkland estate with and cultural communities and provide a potential 28 main buildings comprising over 28,000m2 of economic driver for wider regeneration. floorspace - all with several layers of statutory environmental constraints - to provide Self-assessment environmental benefits per se and create other wider benefits for the Dumfries and Galloway community. The estate was purchased by Dumfries “The project has tackled head on and with great and Galloway Council and leased to a charitable success the problems of poor communications and company, the Crichton Trust. The Trust owns a lack of educational opportunities and knowledge trading company, Crichton Development Company based employment opportunities that commonly Ltd, which carries out the day to day running of the affect peripheral areas such as Dumfries and estate. Galloway and that the Structural Funds are designed to provide support to redress. It has skilfully used a partnership approach to secure wide ownership of and commitment to the project with The context highly beneficial results in terms of speed of implementation and constructing funding packages. The project was established to protect an estate that Structural Funds have frequently been used as the was becoming surplus to Health Care use and cornerstone to make individual elements of the potentially at risk of being broken up and/or falling project viable. This approach has been particularly into disrepair. It was also an outstanding important in a conservation and community/social environmental asset, publicly accessed and enjoyed benefit based project incurring implementation costs by local people. In addition, there was a perception far in excess of commercially viable levels.” that, properly handled, the estate could be redeveloped for the wider benefit of the community.

Outcome

Current achievements: University Campus - 1,200+ students and 100 jobs - first multi university and college campus in the UK; Business Park - 28 Total costs : EUR 35.63 million (GBP 24.94 million) tenants and 800+ jobs - majority of employment new to the area; community - new social, EU funding : EUR 3.43 million (GBP 2.40 million) conference, functions and recreational facilities 2 provided and parkland restored; over 11,500m net Contact : floorspace refurbished to highest standards; Kate Denholm outstanding conservation area and 17 listed Crichton Development Company Ltd buildings protected and enhanced; 21st century Grierson House, The Crichton, Bankend Road, infrastructure including broadband telecoms Dumfries DG1 4ZE installed; Phone: +44 1387 247544 EUR 35.7 million (GBP 25 million) partnership Fax: +44 1387 257616 funding secured. e-mail: [email protected]