Programme Implementation

Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme

Annual Report 2008

I Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme

Commission reference no. 2001 RG 16 0 PC 005 Sixth Annual Report for the Community Initiative Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme covering the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008.

The Member States of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, the Flemish Region of Belgium, Sweden and the United Kingdom, together with the non-Member State Norway have co-operated on transnational spatial development projects in the North Sea Region throughout 2008. The Community Initiative Programme was approved by the European Commission on 13 December 2001. This report covers the programming period from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008. The eligible regions can be seen on the map below.

The report is structured as follows:

Executive summary...... 4 Section A – Operational Context...... 6 Section B – Programme Administration and Management ...... 12 Section C – Programme Implementation ...... 22 Section D – Progress on implementation of the priorities and measures ...... 25 Section E – Financial implementation...... 38 Section F - Information and Publicity ...... 46 Section G – Appendices ...... 49

III Executive summary The shock waves of the unprecedented financial crisis have deeply marked the economy throughout the European Union. As a consequence of the current crisis, the economic growth in the Member States in the short and medium term was expected to face severe challenges, while unemployment was and still is on the rise. Cohesion policy is the Community’s prime instrument to invest in the real economy and to address social, economic and territorial cohesion. In these circumstances, in order to facilitate the smoothest possible closure of the Structural Funds’ 2000-2006 assistance, the final date of eligibility of expenditure was extended to 30 June 2009 for the 2000-2006 programmes affected by the crisis following a notice from the Commission (3 December 2008). Through Articles (30) 2 and (14(2) of EC Regulation 1260/1999, the North Sea Programme applied for extension of the final date of eligibility of expenditure of the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme. The programme recognised the need for an extension, given the significant changes in the socio-economic situation and its effects to the labour market, which are likely to be dramatic. The programme also recognizes the liquidity problems arising from the economic crisis and the impacts of it on the implementation of the programme.

The extension of the final date for eligibility of expenditure under the Interreg III Community initiative was approved by the Commission on the 19 February 2009.

The closure documents for the North Sea Programme would be submitted to the Commission by 30 September 2010 at the latest in accordance with the provisions of Article 105(3) of Regulation No 1083/2006 and as set out in Point 3.3.2 of the Closure Guidelines. An extension of the eligibility of expenditure will help institutions and projects working in the Programme to get sufficient time to react on the first impacts of the financial crisis and to reallocate their resources to implement their activities as anticipated. In addition, it will ensure the longevity of this impact and continuation of support for a programme which enables the harmonious and balanced development of the North Sea Region.

Following the approval of the extension of the final date for eligibility of expenditures, 2008, the seventh year of operations for the programme and based on the solid foundations of consensus decision-making and good co-operation between the programme stakeholders, the programme delivered in line with all financial and content related targets. By the end of 2008, the completed projects produced visible results illustrating the progress made to date towards the programme targets. Based on the final reports of the projects, it should be noted that the programme targets have been exceeding the expected baseline and targets of the North Sea Programme.

The latest available figures indicate that more than 7.750 organisations have been participating in one or more of the 70 approved projects and the accumulated number of people involved is now exceeding 40.000. It is also interesting to learn that in total 805 training courses were delivered, with 8.233 participants. Projects have also continued to deliver results of a more tangible nature, such as 2.528 new tourism offers, 1.114 new social services and 193 new transport services.

By choosing a strategic approach to project development and by identifying specific gaps, the programme continued its efforts to involve more sectors into programme delivery. Key issues for the region, such as improved management of flood risks and protecting the natural environment along the coastline, land and water resource use, estuarine and coastal areas were identified and relevant administrative bodies on international, national and regional level are now participating in the programme.

The Mini Call was announced for additional publicity and communications activities to be carried out by projects that had already been approved by the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme. The funding granted made additional investment possible to support the work already carried out by the approved projects, enabling them to reach out to a larger audience and increase the viability of their results and outcomes. The funding resulted in a broad range of communications tools and activities aimed at enhancing the overall impact of the North Sea Programme to a wider European public. The approved Mini Call projects were carried out aiming at the development and implementation of additional publicity and communications activities. All activities were completed by the 30 June 2008. 12 projects were approved and 18 Interreg IIIB projects were involved. In total, 23 communication products were produced with an emphasis on films, DVDs and video clips. In addition, a website, a media package and a book were produced as well as wiki-application and a pamphlet to give supporting information to one of the DVDs. Please, consult our web page for further information (http://northsearegion.eu/iiib/content/show/&tid=107).

By the end of 2008, the North Sea Programme has claimed and received from the European Commission an amount of €110.7 million. As the total ERDF is €134,7 million the amount left is €23,9 million. The final amount, which the North Sea Programme will claim, will depend on the final payments claimed by the projects of which some are still being processed. It is not possible to state the exact amount which will be claimed but it can be concluded that the North Sea Programme will not claim the full ERDF budget available. This is because some of the projects do not claim the full ERDF grant. In other words, the programme avoided de-commitment in 2008 as in all previous years.

Finally, despite the financial crisis and the impact of climate change, 2008 saw the continuation of excellent progress in delivering the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme and meeting its targets. In addition, the new North Sea Region Programme has already taken into account of the changing policy directions by addressing key issues such as transnational innovation capacities and competitiveness, sustainable energy, climate change response, maritime policy and safety, accessibility, demographic change and sustainable and competitive communities. By the end of 2008, the new North Sea Region Programme already had 28 projects approved.

Section A – Operational Context

A.1.0 Operational Context

2008 saw the continuation of excellent progress in delivering the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme and meeting its targets. So far the secretariat has received 69 final reports of which 51 final claims have been paid. 1 report was outstanding due to an Article 10 procedure on second control level.

The current and forecasted economical slow-down and the increase of the unemployment rates have a potential impact on socio-economic issues and the general quality of life of people living in the North Sea Region. Private consumption growth is expected to slow down in parts of the Region, due to consumer pessimism and the worsening labour market. The general decrease of disposable income has the potential to foster this negative development. Investor confidence has collapsed leading to liquidity problems within the financial system and the broader economy.1

In 2008, the socio-economic situation of the North Sea Region faced severe socio- economic challenges as a consequence of the financial crisis and the energy price. All countries of the North Sea Region are significantly affected, resulting in a slow-down of economic activity and increased unemployment rates. Forecasts of the socio-economic development highlight the challenges that the North Sea Region is about to face until at least 2010.

Whereas the real GDP growth rate in 2007 was ranging between 1.6 (DK) and 3.5 (NL) in the North Sea countries, the forecast until 2010 is predicting growth rates below one, partly even assuming negative growth for the North Sea Region countries within the next two years.2 The latest GDP estimates for the third quarter of 2008 are confirming this negative trend: The growth rates of GDP in volume are ranging between -0.7 (N) and 0.1 (BE) for the North Sea Region countries in comparison with the previous quarter. 3

Belgium’s economic activities are forecasted to slow down strongly due to the global economic downturn. Denmark is no longer able to keep up its high position in terms of economic activity. This was forecasted to have impact on the labour market already for the second half of 2008. Germany is clearly affected by the world-wide decline in economic activities. The deceleration of export growth and the decrease of private consumption were expected to lead to the further contract of real GDP in the second half of 2008. Also the labour market will face problems encountering a downturn in the close future. The Netherlands are ending a period of strong growth. Economic activity in 2008 was still positive but the underlying economic growth impetus has weakened considerably. Also, the labour market is loosening. In Sweden, the growth outlook is worsening; the economic slowdown increased in 2008 and is expected to continue in 2009. Unemployment is

1 European Commission: “Employment in Europe 2008” 2 Eurostat: country profiles 2008 3 Eurostat: news release 17/1/2008

6 expected to rise rapidly in 2009-10. The economic activity of the United Kingdom in the first two quarters of 2008 slowed sharply compared to the previous year, reaching standstill in the second quarter, and contracted by 0.5% in the third. At the same time, employment falls and inflation drops sharply. Norway is the only one of the North Sea Region countries that continues to enjoy solid economic growth. Unemployment is, however, on the rise.4

Unemployment rates continuously show significant disparities between the countries of the North Sea. In 2007, the rates ranged between 2.4 percent in Norway and 3.2 in the Netherlands up to 8.4 percent in Germany. After 2008 an increase of the unemployment rate or a stable rate at a high level is predicted for all North Sea countries.5 In all EU member states belonging to the North Sea Region, there is still a significant gap between men and women employment rates. The employment rate of older workers was higher in 2007 than in 2000 in all EU Member States of the North Sea. The opposite is, however, valid for youth employment rates, which decreased between 2000 and 2007, except in Sweden where it kept the same level.6 This negative trend on the employment rates of minority groups has the tendency to increase through the impacts of the financial crisis.

A.2.0 Consistency with Community Policies The Community Initiative Programme (CIP) was drawn up in accordance with European Council Regulation No1260/1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds and the following Regulations regarding structural funds: Regulation on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (No 1783/1999), Regulation on information and publicity measures to be carried out by the Member States concerning assistance from the Structural Funds (EC) No 1159/2000, Regulation on the eligibility of expenditure of operations co-financed by the Structural Funds (EC) No 1685/2000, Regulation on arrangements for using the Euro for the purposes of the budgetary management of the Structural Funds (EC) No 643/2000, Regulation on the management and control systems for assistance granted under the Structural Funds (EC) No 438/2001, and the Commission Regulation regarding the procedure for making financial corrections to assistance granted under the Structural Funds (EC) No 448/2001 as well as the Interreg guidelines (OJ C 143, 23 May 2000). Commission Regulation (EC) No 448/2004 amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 1685/2000 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 as regards eligibility of expenditure of operations co-financed by the Structural Funds.

In accordance with the Interreg guidelines, account was taken of Community policy priorities with special relevance for transnational co-operation on spatial planning/development in particular, the implementation of the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP).

In accordance with Article 12 of the general regulation (1260/2000), operations financed by the Structural Funds must be in conformity with the provisions of the Treaty, with instruments adopted under it and with Community policies and actions, including the rules

4 European Commission: “Economic Forecast Autumn 2008” 5 European Commission: “Economic Forecast Autumn 2008” 6 European Commission: “Employment in Europe 2008”

7 on competition, state aid rules, policy on the award of public contracts, policy on environmental protection and improvements and on the elimination of inequalities and the promotion of equality between men and women.

A.2.1 Competition Policy and State Aid The North Sea Programme complies with competition policy. The programme does not grant state aid.

A.2.2 Award of Public Contracts The North Sea Programme complies with the Community requirements regarding the award of public contracts. In 2008 the programme awarded no large contracts.

A.2.3 Environmental Protection and Improvements A sustainable, harmonious development of the European Union that takes care of its environmental resources is core to Community policy. The Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme supports the objectives of Structural Funds programmes concerning protection of the nature values of the Natura 2000 sites (following the Council Directives 92/43/EEC and 79/409/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats, of wild fauna and flora and of wild birds).

The Member States participating in the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme conform to the protection of the proposed Natura 2000 sites and ensure that the preservation values of these areas are not negatively affected by Structural Funds supported projects.

The programme also monitors developments in environmental initiatives. The Water Framework Directive is the most significant development since the drafting of the Community Initiative Programme and has been incorporated into a number of projects, including NOLIMP.

The relevant priorities identified in the 2001 Communication from the European Commission, ‘A Sustainable Europe for a Better World: A European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development’ (COM (2001) 264 final) are already integral parts of the programme’s objectives.

A.2.4 Equal Opportunities The North Sea Programme complies with Community policy and legislation on equal opportunities for men and women and all other groups. Although it is not within the scope of the programme to fund projects dealing directly with such issues, all projects are required to confirm that all partners and project activities comply with rules regarding equality. It is positive to note, however, that many projects do not just comply with the minimum requirements but actively seek to promote equality of opportunity in their work. The number of projects expecting to have a positive effect in this area is, according to the mid-term evaluation, higher than might be expected.

8 A.2.5 European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP), NorVision and the Spatial Agenda for the North Sea Region Under the Interreg IIC North Sea Programme, the NorVision project developed a spatial perspective for the North Sea region based on the ESDP. It represents a regional understanding of the ESDP and serves as a source of inspiration for the development of the region. The North Sea Programme has adopted the concept of sustainability as expressed in the ESDP. Sustainability is a main underlying principle of the NorVision and its recommendations. NorVision does not include the Flemish Region and the other new regions in the expanded IIIB programme area. However, many of the points covered by the NorVision apply equally to the new regions.

In 2005 a series of small studies under the collective title of “Spatial Agenda for the North Sea Region”, was carried out by the programme to bring additional focus to NorVision. NorVision, however, remains valid. Meanwhile, the programme continues to require all project applicants to refer to the objectives outlined in the ESDP and NorVision.

A.3.0 Complementarity with Community Programmes According to the Interreg guidelines, programming must be complementary to the measures promoted under Objectives 1, 2 and 3 of the Structural Funds, particularly as regards infrastructure and the other Community Initiatives. Furthermore, operations must comply with the scope of the Structural Funds and the rules on the eligibility of expenditure. An overview of Structural Funds Objective Programmes and Community Initiative Programmes in the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme Area is given in the table below.

Participating Structural Funds Community Initiatives Country Objectives Denmark Objective 2 Interreg IIIA (DK&S) Objective 3 Interreg IIIA (DK&G) Interreg IIIB Baltic Sea Region Interreg IIIC Leader + Urban Equal Urbact Interact Flemish Region Objective 2 (Turnhout/West Interreg IIIA Euregio Scheldemond Vlaanderen) Interreg IIIA Benelux Middengebied Objective 3 Interreg IIIB NWE Objective 5b transitional Interreg IIIC funding Leader + (Westhoek/Meetjesland) Urban Objective 2 Gent Equal Objective 2 Antwerpen Urbact Objective 2 Arrondissement Interact Turnhout-Kempen

9 Germany Objective 2 (Several areas in Interreg IIIA Ems-Dollart-Region Lower Saxony, Schleswig- Interreg IIIA Euregio (Gronau) Holstein, Bremen and Interreg IIIA Schleswig/South Hamburg) Jutland Objective 3 Interreg IIIA KERN/Fyns Amt Interreg IIIA Lübeck, Ostholstein/Storstroms Amt Interreg IIIB Baltic Sea Region Interreg IIIC Leader + Urban (Bremerhaven, Kiel) Equal Urbact Interact The Netherlands Objective 1 Flevoland Interreg IIIA Ems-Dollard Objective 2 Noord Nederland Interreg IIIA Euregio Scheldemond Objective 2 Cities Interreg IIIB NWE Objective 3 Interreg IIIC Urban (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag) Leader + Equal Urbact Interact Norway Interrreg IIIA (N&S) Interreg IIIB Baltic Sea Region Interreg IIIB Northern Periphery Interreg IIIC Leader + Sweden Objective 1 Södra Interreg IIIA (S&N) skogslänsregionen Interreg IIIA (S&DK) Objective 2 Västra Interreg IIIB Baltic Sea Region Objective 2 Södra Interreg IIIB Northern Periphery Objective 2 Öarna (the Interreg IIIC islands) Urban Göteborg Objective 3 Leader + Equal Urbact Interact UK Objective 1 Interreg IIIB NWE Objective 2 Interreg IIIB Atlantic Area Objective 3 Interreg IIIB Northern Periphery Objective 5b transitional Interreg IIIC funding Urban Leader + Equal Urbact Interact

10 All projects submitted under the programme are required to state whether they have sought funding from any other programmes to avoid the danger of double funding. Synergy, however, is also encouraged with the activities of other Community programmes such as Urban, Leader and Equal.

The programme has also continued to develop links with other Interreg programmes in 2008. Existing links with neighbouring B-strand programmes have been strengthened to enable the exchange of ideas on good practice, project development and other issues. Some North Sea projects work side-by-side with projects in other programme areas tackling the same issues.

A.4.0 ESPON and INTERACT In 2008 the North Sea programme continued its commitment to, and involvement in, both ESPON and Interact. Both programmes encourage a more systematic study of inter- programme complementarity. ESPON projects study spatial development themes across Europe and should provide broad insights into the main actions being pursued. Interact promotes communication between all Interreg programmes and facilitate closer cooperation between them. The North Sea Programme hosts the Interact Point for Qualification and Transfer. In 2008, the Interact Point has successfully arranged seminars and workshops on a number of key issues relating to programme delivery for Interreg A, B and C strand programmes.

11 Section B – Programme Administration and Management

B.1.0 Programme Management A joint management structure for the programme has been established which has been fully described in Chapter 7 of the CIP. The joint technical secretariat carries out its functions in accordance with the decisions of the transnational Monitoring and Steering Committees. The Monitoring and Steering Committees have membership from both the national and regional levels of the seven participating countries on both committees. The Monitoring committee saw full or virtually full attendance during 2008, while there were no Steering committee meetings during 2008.

B.2.0 Monitoring Committee The tasks of the Monitoring Committee are described in detail in the Community Initiative Programme pages 14-17.

B.2.1 Membership and Operations The Monitoring Committee consists of three representatives from the national and regional levels of each Member State and Norway, including a representative of the authority responsible for the Interreg Programme and the chairperson and co-chairperson of the Steering Committee. In addition, a representative from the European Commission, one observer per delegation and one representative from the Central Denmark Region (as the nominated Paying Authority, host and employer of the joint technical secretariat) may attend. The list of members of the Monitoring Committee during 2008 is supplied in Appendix 1. The chairperson for 2008 was Jim Millard, United Kingdom.

Preparations for the Monitoring Committee meetings are made by the joint technical secretariat. The chairperson approves the draft agenda and the papers are circulated three weeks in advance of the meetings. The decisions of the Monitoring Committee are made by consensus and are recorded in the minutes of the meeting, which are formally approved at the start of the next meeting.

B.3.0 The Managing Authority The Managing Authority for the Programme is the Danish Enterprise and Construction Authority, Silkeborg, Denmark. The majority of Managing Authority tasks have been delegated to the joint technical secretariat.

B.4.0 The Paying Authority The Paying Authority for the Programme in 2008 was Central Denmark Region, Denmark. The majority of Paying Authority tasks have been delegated to the joint technical secretariat.

12 B.5.0 Steering Committee The tasks of the Steering Committee are described in detail in the Community Initiative Programme pages 83-84. The decisions of the Steering Committee are made by consensus.

B.5.1 Membership and Operations The Steering Committee consists of three representatives from the national and regional levels of each Member State and Norway. It is the task of these representatives to ensure that the views of social partners, including environmental actors, are taken into account in accordance with the regulations and traditions of the countries concerned. In addition, the chair and co-chair of the Monitoring Committee attend in an advisory capacity, a representative from the European Commission may attend as an observer, and one representative from Central Denmark Region (as the PA, host and employer of the joint technical secretariat) takes part as an observer. One observer per delegation is also allowed to attend. The list of members of the Steering Committee in 2008 is supplied in Appendix 2.

The Steering Committee has a chairperson and a co-chairperson nominated for a period of twelve months and alternating between the countries involved in alphabetical order (DK, FL, G, NL, N, S and UK). There was no SC meeting in 2008.

B.6.0 The Joint Technical Secretariat The tasks of the joint technical secretariat are described on pages 86-87 of the Community Initiative Programme. The joint technical secretariat works according to the Business and Implementation plan approved by the Monitoring Committee and updated annually. The joint technical secretariat is in charge of the day-to-day implementation of the programme and acts as the joint technical secretariat for the Monitoring and Steering Committees. The secretariat is hosted by Central Denmark Region, Denmark, according to the Letter of Agreement between Central Denmark Region and the national authorities. The joint technical secretariat has an international staff of 13 people, supplemented by regular student placements.

Central Denmark Region is the host and employer of the joint technical secretariat. The Annual Employer Statement can be found in Appendix 4.

B.7.0 The Work of the Monitoring Committee in 2008

B.7.1 There was two Monitoring Committee meetings during 2008. The meetings were held in Northampton, United Kingdom and in Kirkwall, United Kingdom. Monitoring Committee Meeting no. 12 took place in Northampton, United Kingdom on 28 – 29 February 2008. Monitoring Committee Meeting no. 13 took place in Kirkwall, United Kingdom on 8 – 9 October 2008.

13 B.7.2 Monitoring Committee Meeting no. 12, 28 – 29 February 2008, Northampton, United Kingdom

The twelfth Monitoring Committee meeting considered the following issues:

1. Draft minutes of Monitoring Committee meeting no 11

2. The North Sea Programme Fact Sheet

3. Commitment and spending targets and the N+2 rule

4. Implementation of the Business plan

5. Initiative on Publicity and Communications

6. Any other business

B.7.3 Monitoring Committee Meeting no. 13, 8 – 9 October 2008, Kirkwall, United Kingdom

The thirteenth Monitoring Committee meeting considered the following issues:

1. Draft minutes of Monitoring Committee meeting no 12

2. Closing of the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme i. Winding up procedure ii. TA-budget iii. Interest money iv. Contact points v. Final report

3. Statement of accounts MSUO

4. Any other business

B.7.3 Written Procedures There were no written procedures between the twelfth and thirteenth meetings of the Monitoring Committee.

B.7.4 Revision of the CIP The revised CIP was formally approved by Commission decision of 19 October 2004. Following an administrative reform in Denmark the name of the Paying Authority changed. As a result of this change a procedure for amending the CIP was initiated in October 2007.

14 B.7.5 The work of the Monitoring Committee to ensure quality of implementation The Monitoring Committee met twice in 2008 in order to give committee members the chance to receive more regular detailed information on programme activities. The Monitoring Committee reviews all of the procedures and systems developed by the joint technical secretariat for implementing the programme. The Monitoring Committee is kept fully informed about the progress of the programme. This includes approving the work plan of the joint technical secretariat, financial developments and the progress towards achieving the objectives of the programme. Regular contact is maintained with the chairperson of the Committee between meetings so that important issues can be discussed and Written Procedures initiated if necessary.

In addition to these activities, the Monitoring Committee received regular reports on the extent to which the targets and objectives of the programme are being met, both at the meetings and through the monthly financial reports sent out to the national authorities in accordance with the Letters of Agreement. This has been particularly relevant because of the N+2 rule and the risk of de-commitment.

B.7.6 The Programme Supervisory Group The Programme Supervisory Group was set up to allow closer contact between the Monitoring Committee and the regular work of the joint technical secretariat, and to allow more detailed discussions on issues which arise in the programme as it is a smaller group. The Programme Supervisory Group consists of the chair, co-chair and previous chair of the Monitoring Committee plus one national representative from each of the other delegations on the committee. In addition the head of the joint technical secretariat, a representative of the MA and the PA are members (in principle one representative per country).

There were no Programme Supervisory Group meetings carried out during 2008.

B.8.0 The Work of the Steering Committee There was no Steering Committee meeting for considering project applications in 2008.

B.9.0 Reporting and Control Activity De-commitment Up to the end of 2007, the North Sea Programme has never been subject to de- commitment., In fact the North Sea Programme spending targets were exceeded by €4,3 millions in 2007. This achievement primarily reflects the fact that the programme is in its main operational phase and that cases of under-performance on project level are few and far between.

The success in avoiding de-commitment is a result of a well-defined financial management strategy. The strategy has been pursued since the beginning of the programme period and has essentially remained unchanged over the years. The strategy consists of 4 key elements:

15 • Close financial monitoring of all projects • Targeted information to individual projects and groups of projects • Lead Partner Seminars • Article 4 Monitoring visits and follow-up visits

2008 was the final year of operation of the North Sea Programme and the final year for eligibility of expenditure.

However, in accordance with the decision of the European Commission of 19.02.2009 the eligibility period has been extended to the end of June 2009. This extension covered all programme priorities but in reality will primarily be used for Technical Assistance and closing of the IIIB programme.

Reporting and the collection of data Regular reporting is a key element in the financial monitoring of projects. All projects submit six-monthly spending and activity reports. The spending report is also used as a claim for payment and must be audited by the auditor appointed for the project. This audit is based on national audit rules and though its key elements are more or less the same, the concrete procedure varies from country to country.

National rules on audit vary considerably in the North Sea area and changes over time. In recent years, however, adherence to internationally accepted standards of audit rules e.g. the ISA rules has become a key element in a number of countries. In some cases this is a direct requirement and in others it is introduced more indirectly. The increased emphasis on internationally accepted standards of audit is not a requirement in the European Commission Regulations but is fully in line with the development in the policies on audit issues employed by the European Commission.

The six-monthly progress reports from projects are not confined to financial issues alone. As well as a financial section, each project includes a report on activities. In each of these, the individual projects must report on progress towards meeting the targets set for the indicators they have selected to monitor project implementation. The data is collected in the North Sea Programme database, where a risk and issues log is kept for each individual project. The information is reported to the Monitoring Committee meetings in condensed form to assist in the programme monitoring.

Consistency between the reports on activities and the financial reports is a key part of project monitoring in the North Sea Programme. No payments to projects are made unless

16 both the financial report and the report on activities are consistent and in line with the approved application. The same principles apply to the final reports from projects.

By the end of 2008, the Joint Technical Secretariat had received 69 final reports. 1 report was outstanding due to an Article 10 procedure on second control level. Previous experience indicates that the final reports submitted lead to questions from the Joint Technical Secretariat which must be clarified before the Paying Authority can make the final payment. In most cases additional information is needed from the project and the project’s lead auditor. Typically, it is necessary to seek clarification and additional documentation in order to ensure that all requirements are fulfilled. Some of the most common issues in this connection relate to deviations from the approved project budget, the interpretation of the 2% flexibility rule and unresolved issues (e.g. in relation to an Article 4 or an Article 10 check). The response-time from the project varies significantly and the processing time for a final report can in some cases be considerable.

Bearing in mind the time consuming nature of processing the final reports, this has been one of the major tasks for the Joint Technical Secretariat in 2008.

Out of the 69 reports, 23 have been processed and paid by the end of 2008. Not all projects have claimed their full ERDF grant. The 23 projects which had been paid by the end of 2008 have under claimed €1,8 million ERDF grant in total.

Ever since programme approval, the North Sea Programme database has been a key element in project monitoring. Following a major overhaul of the database in 2005, the modernised database proved its worth in the following years. The increased use of automatic generation of standard letters, checklists, detailed reports on project expenditure and a log on project activities are all key elements of day-to-day use of the new improved database. The database was developed in-house and remains a very flexible tool for monitoring both on project and programme level.

The combination of financial and qualitative information in the database facilitates a quick identification of potential problems or delays in project implementation. Once these are identified the Joint Technical Secretariat launches the appropriate procedure to discover the cause of the delay and agree on corrective actions with the Lead Partner. These “response” procedures are always customised to the needs of the individual project. It is the experience of the Joint Technical Secretariat that such tailor-made solutions are the most efficient way to get projects back on track. What works for one project doesn’t necessarily work for another and standardised solutions often fall short of delivering the desired result.

Targeted information to projects The inherent conflict between being a service provider and being one of the key enforcers of national rules and the relevant regulations from the European Commission is a challenge facing all programme secretariats.

Too much emphasis on either one is to the detriment of the projects and to the delivery of the North Sea Programme. Paying “lip-service” to projects or simply not advising, when the

17 answer is negative, will leave the projects in a very vulnerable situation in cases of Article 10 checks or other similar checks. A vigorous and mechanistic enforcement of the rules and regulation, on the other hand, will quickly stop most, if not all, project activities. The challenge is to find the middle way and ensure that project activities run as smoothly as possible and without violating the rules and regulations.

Good co-operation between the projects and the staff of the Joint Technical Secretariat is essential for the achievement of this goal and to a successful implementation of the North Sea Programme. The Joint Technical Secretariat ensures that all Lead Partners can openly discuss potential problems so solutions can be found in good time and in cooperation.

The North Sea Programme has always aspired to co-operate with the projects in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Remaining in close contact with the project Lead Partners is key to achieving this overall goal. In addition to the day-to-day contact on the telephone and by mail, face-to-face contact is essential to achieve the openness about problems that is essential to overcome the problems.

Regular Lead Partner seminars mean that the Joint Technical Secretariat staff meet the project Lead Partners face to face and have a chance to discuss project progress and address potential problems. The Lead Partner seminars have always been well attended with representatives from almost all projects.

The content of the seminars varies and priority is given to subjects, which have proven difficult to deal with for the projects, or where future challenges are expected. The Joint Technical Secretariat has made increasing use of facilitation techniques as a method for dealing with these difficult issues during the seminars. Traditional techniques such as brain-storming and group discussions have been in use for a long period of time, but recently the more challenging technique of role-play has proven a very powerful tool.

Issues in relation to audit and control and project closure were key issues in 2006. Most projects are in the late part of their operational phase or are preparing to complete their activities. At this point in the project life-cycle problems previously ignored or simply overlooked will re-emerge. It is the experience of the Joint Technical Secretariat that the way in which a project management deal with these issues is often central to the success (or lack of) of the project as a whole. In connection with the seminars Lead Partners are offered individual meetings with the Joint Technical Secretariat staff in order to discuss problems or simply clarify questions that are difficult to explain in writing.

There were no Lead Partner Seminars in 2007 nor in 2008. This decision was taken based on the needs analysis carried out by the Joint Technical Secretariat. The issue of closing projects was extensively covered in 2006 and based on the feedback from the projects it seemed that the information provided was sufficient. Projects needing further guidance contact the Joint Technical Secretariat directly.

18 Article 4 Monitoring At Monitoring Committee meeting No 4 it was decided to delegate the task of carrying out the Article 4 monitoring and proof of existence checks to the Joint Technical Secretariat. It was also decided that each approved project would receive an Article 4 check at least once in its lifetime. Since the initial check was made in September 2003, a total of 66 Article 4 checks have been carried out by the staff of the Joint Technical Secretariat by the end of 2008. Four projects have not been subject to Article 4 check. This was due to the fact that by the time of the scheduled check they either have finished their operations or their budget was too low for the Article 4 check to be cost-efficient.

The Article 4 Monitoring checks have proven to be worthwhile. Each visit offers the unique opportunity to address the challenges and problems of the individual project. Often issues that had the potential of turning into serious obstacles for a project have been solved before they had the opportunity to escalate. The checks have also proven to play a significant role in the constant efforts to keep projects on track progress-wise and avoid de-commitment.

In line with the European Commission regulation, one main focus of the checks is the arrangements put in place by the project for management and control. In general these systems have proven to be in order, but at times the visits have led to adjustments of the administrative procedures.

In December 2005 the CDCR approved a set of guidelines providing examples of “good practice” for the application of Article 4 of European Commission Regulation 438/2001 (2006 01 25 CDCR-06-0002-00-EN). This set of guidelines has been implemented in the checks carried out by the national controllers when doing their Article 10 checks. The recommendations given in this set of guidelines are in all key respects fully in line with the existing procedures for Article 4 visits in the North Sea Programme.

Carrying out the Article 4 Monitoring checks has proven to be both professionally challenging and time consuming for the staff of the Joint Technical Secretariat. It is roughly estimated that the workload associated with each visit takes approximately 2 working weeks. In the light of this, the continued execution of the checks and the resources in terms of person-power involved were discussed by the Monitoring Committee and alternative approaches were considered. Following these discussions, and taking into account the CDCR guidelines, the Monitoring Committee decided to continue the Article 4 Monitoring checks in their present form.

The Article 4 checks supplement the Article 10 checks (the 5% control on second level) and play an important role in the overall monitoring of the correct use of the ERDF. In order to achieve this, a good co-operation between the Joint Technical Secretariat and the national controllers has proven very important. The Joint Technical Secretariat is in close contact with the national controllers and copies of the Article 4 reports are sent to the Financial Controller Group.

19 The Financial Controller Group In line with the recommendations of Appendix 4 of “The Management and Control Systems Audit Manual for the Structural Funds” the National Controllers of all the participating Member States and Norway have formed a Financial Controller Group (FCG). Each of the countries has 1 or 2 seats in the controller group.

The group meets at least once a year and jointly co-ordinate the implementation of the 5% control of Article 10 in European Commission Regulation (EC) No 438/2001.

Both National and European Commission requirements for financial control in the Interreg programmes have intensified over the years and the importance of co-operation and coordination of the work carried out by the National Controllers has increased correspondingly.

The Danish National Authorities responsible for the co-ordination of the Article 10 work have found it increasingly difficult to find sufficient resources for the co-ordination task. As a consequence of this, the chairman of the FCG addressed the Monitoring Committee of the North Sea Programme and asked for assistance to prepare the meetings of the FCG. This was discussed at MC 8 and it was decided that the Joint Technical Secretariat should assist the FCG as necessary in executing this task. The assistance covers primarily preparation of agenda points, minutes of the meetings and the provision of data for the risk analysis. It must be emphasised that this assistance does not include the selection of projects for 5% control.

The FCG was formed in 2003 and undertook as its first task to develop and agree on an audit strategy and a risk analysis for the North Sea Programme. The first version of the risk analysis was completed in 2003 and will be continuously amended as new projects are approved and the work of already approved projects progress. Based on the continued updated risk analysis, the FCG selects projects for control.

7 projects have been selected and have been subject to the second level control check in accordance with Article 10 of European Commission Regulation 438/2001. The Joint Technical Secretariat had received the final Article 10 reports for 4 projects by the end of 2008. All these reports have been followed up on by the Joint Technical Secretariat in line with the agreement with the lead controller. For 3 of these, the Article 10 procedure is considered closed. In one case, the Joint Technical Secretariat is still awaiting confirmation from the Lead Partner and the project auditor that the Article 10 conclusions have been addressed correctly in the final report. None of these 4 projects had received their final ERDF payment, so all corrections have been or will be done in connection with the final payment.

In addition to the projects selected for an Article 10 control, the FCG discussed projects, where potential infringement problems were identified.

The group also co-ordinates the annual Article 13 statements that each Member State must submit to the European Commission on the implementation of Articles 10 – 12. In the North Sea Region the reporting of this takes place as follows:

20 • The national controllers agree on a risk analysis of the projects approved under the North Sea Programme and agree on the projects that will be chosen for “on-the- spot” control.

• The projects chosen for control will be visited in all countries in which there is a project partner. The timing and co-ordination of the checks will be decided by the national controllers.

• All findings as a result of the checks will be reported to the European Commission in a separate Article 13 report submitted by the national controllers in each of the Member States.

The Danish national controller, who co-ordinates the 5% control on behalf of all the national controllers, submits an overall Article 13 report to the European Commission covering all significant findings in all the participating Member States as a result of the 5% control. This procedure has remained unchanged since the formation of the Financial Controller Group in 2003

Status of the Article 10 Previously, there have been some delays in the Article 10 work but this is no longer the case. At this stage, the requirement to check at least 5% of the eligible costs reported under the programme, as emphasised in European Commission Regulation No 438/2001, is now met by the national controllers. The FCG met once in February 2008. The conclusions made so far indicate that the North Sea Programme is being delivered in compliance with the rules and the requirements as the current error rate is about 2%. In addition, there is no indication of systemic errors.

B.10 Significant problems encountered in managing the programme There were no significant problems encountered in managing the programme in 2008.

Section C – Programme Implementation

C.1.0 Programme Implementation - General comments The North Sea Programme has been delivered effectively in 2008. The focus of programme implementation was essentially placed on the allocation of the remaining programme resources and on intensifying the communication of programme achievements identified, with an acceleration of meeting programme targets to be observed. Out of the 69 reports, 23 have been processed and paid by the end of 2008. Not all projects have claimed their full ERDF grant. The 23 projects which had been paid by the end of 2008 have under claimed €1,8 million ERDF grant in total. All projects under the Mini-Call for Publicity, launched in early 2007, were finished in June 2008. A number of different measures have been undertaken, e.g. video projects and infomercials about projects for web-portals. 12 projects were approved and eighteen Interreg IIIB projects were involved. In total, 23 communication products were produced with an emphasis on films, DVDs and video clips. In addition a website, a media package and a book were produced as well as a wiki-application and a pamphlet to give supporting information to one of the DVDs. Please, also consult our web-page for further information (http://northsearegion.eu/iiib/content/show/&tid=107).

Capitalising on the results, thematic summaries and collected data on different levels are now available on-line. A comprehensive and user-friendly web tool which makes the 2000- 2006 projects outcomes visible and accessible was presented at the Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme Annual Conference in 2009 in the Netherlands. The results are now comprehensively presented on different levels and can be collected in different ways. The tool enables the user to extract specific information on demand and ready for print.

The programme has consistently met the deadlines set for the application procedure and has continued to reduce the time taken to issue Grant Offer Letters. Accordingly, there has been no de-commitment in 2008. Every effort is made to work together with project partners to resolve problems regarding documentation etc. during the implementation process.

In addition, good progress has been made during 2008 with projects continuing to demonstrate concrete impacts (e.g. relating to their innovative character, territorial impact, integrated approach, or showcase character of investment). By the end of 2008, the 23 closed projects produced visible results that illustrate the progress made to date towards the programme targets. It can be expected that, if all of the remaining on-going projects deliver as planned, the programme targets will be exceeded by the time the programme closes.

C.2.0 Financial Implementation The Monitoring Committee closely monitors the financial implementation of the programme. At each meeting in the Monitoring Committee a fact sheet on the programme implementation is presented. The fact sheet provides an update on the general progress of the programme and on the current financial status.

By the end of 2006 the programme was fully allocated and no additional funding has been allocated to the North Sea Programme during 2008.

C.3.0 Use of the interest money Advance payments from the European Commission enter the programme bank account as described in section 7.3.2 of the CIP. The programme bank account is an interest accruing account and by the end of 2008 the accrued interest on the account, originating from prepayments from the European Commission and from national funding from the 7 countries participating in the programme to the programme, was € 2,380,931 - Appendix 6 A, B and C: Annual Statement of Accounts 2008.

At MC11, it was decided that a total of € 855.697 of the interest accrued under the IIIB programme should replace the TA matchfunding for the IIIB programme and be paid back to the Member States using a pro rata principle. However, instead of returning the money, the Member States decided that these amounts should be used as prefinancing of the TA matchfunding for the IVB programme.The € 855.697 was transferred to the IVB programme in 2008. When it became clear that there was no longer need for any "interest buffer", it was decided that all interest accrued under the IIIB programme from the TA Matchfunding Bank Account as well as the ERDF Bank Account should be used to replace the TA matchfunding for the IIIB programme and be paid back to the Member States using a pro rata principle. By the end of 2008, the total interest accrued under these two bank accounts was € 1.943.388, i.e. the remaining interest which will be transferred in 2009 and considered as matchfunding is:

€ 1.943.388 - € 855.697 = € 1.078.691

This is in line with Commission Regulation No 1260/1999 under Article 32(2) and in Guidelines on closure of assistance (2000-2006) from the Structural Funds” where it is stated that the accrued interest will be allocated for the same purpose as the advance payment it self”.

At MC13 decided that the funds set aside for funding a number of web videos should be funded from the TA budget instead of, as originally decided, to fund the web videos from the interest money. Each web-video takes outset in an individual project, but the overall purpose of the web-videos is to promote the transnational achievements of the programme in general. The web-video project stretches into the beginning of 2009 and was not yet completed by the end of 2008.

In addition to this, MC10 decided to allocate € 500,000 for a Mini-Call for projects to support the publicity and communications activities of the projects under the IIIB

23 programme. 12 projects with a total budget of € 151.723,50 were approved under the Mini- Call and will complete in June 2008. Originally, it was decided to fund the Mini-Call from the interest money. However, at MC13 it was decided that the funds set aside for funding the web-videos should be funded from the TA budget instead.

As for the extension and completion of the cross programme initiative, the Maritime Safety Umbrella Operation project, it was originally decided to fund the extension, with a maximum of € 125.000, from the accrued interest. However, at MC13 it was decided that the funds set aside for funding the extension of the Umbrella Operation should be funded from the TA budget instead.

24 Section D – Progress on implementation of the priorities and measures

2008 saw the continuation of excellent progress in delivering the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme and meeting its targets. Out of the 69 final reports received, 23 projects have been processed and paid at the end of 2008. One final report was still outstanding due to the Article 10 check procedure. The first two projects closed already in 2004 and consequently submitted their final reports in the beginning of 2005. By the end of 2006 additional 28 projects closed, followed by 21 closed projects in 2007. The remaining 19 projects closed in 2008 and by the end of that year all 70 projects approved under the Interreg IIB North Sea Programme had closed.

• 2 projects submitted two periodic activity and financial reports during the reporting period for this report. • Out of the 69 reports, 23 have been processed and paid by the end of 2008. Not all projects have claimed their full ERDF grant. The 23 projects which had been paid by the end of 2008 have underclaimed €1,8 million ERDF grant in total. • Up to the end of 2007, the North Sea Programme has never been subject to de- commitment. In fact the North Sea Programme spending targets were exceeded by €4,3 million in 2007. This achievement primarily reflects the fact that the programme is in its main operational phase and that cases of under-performance on project level are few and far between.

Every final report comprises a summary, which outlines the project's main achievements, recommendations and conclusions. The information on the outputs of the projects can be found in Appendix 5).

By the end of 2008, the 23 closed projects produced visible results that illustrate the progress made to date towards the programme targets. It can be expected that, if all of the remaining on-going projects deliver as planned, the programme targets will be exceeded by the time the programme closes. All the 23 finalised projects confirm that not only will high-quality projects have made use of virtually all programme funds available, but also that no significant gaps will have been left in terms of the thematic scope of the programme.

The concrete impact demonstrated by projects, e.g. on account of their innovative nature, territorial impact, integrated approach, or showcase character of investment, is evident in the numerous project examples across the programme priorities (cf. Qualitative Information, section D.2.0).

The next section outlines the contribution of the finalised projects towards achieving the programme priority targets. Based on the final results delivered by the finalised 51 projects, it can be concluded that if the remaining on-going projects achieve what they promised in the application, the programme targets will be fully met and some even exceeded. The project portfolio leaves no significant gaps in terms of coverage of the themes addressed by the programme.

D.1.0 Indicative Quantified Priority Targets The following tables give an indication of the extent to which the quantified priority targets in the Community Initiative Programme have been achieved so far. The information is based on data from finalised and closed projects. The objective is to show how the quantified priority targets have been achieved by the programme measure level indicators. The indicators on programme level are aggregates from the project data. In order to monitor the successful implementation of each individual measure, it is necessary to collect consistent and specific information about all projects under each measure. The measure level indicators describe the ambitions of the programme at the level of the main interventions. These indicative quantified priority targets will be monitored throughout the execution of the programme.

The increased size of the average project is a result of the focus on implementation and small-scale investment rather than preparatory activities such as planning and networking. The North Sea programme also encourages ‘flagship’ projects that implement national policies on the regional level. Both elements are being encouraged to increase the visible effects that the programme will have in the North Sea Region. The projects so far finalised have all made significant contributions to the programme level targets (North Sea Community Initiative Programme page 44).

Table 1: Priority 1 Transnational spatial development strategies and actions for urban, rural and maritime systems in the North Sea Region

The main targets for the programme level are listed down below. The main targets on priority level are included in the respective paragraphs describing the priorities.

Priority 1 i) Strengthening the relationship between rural areas and between urban and rural areas. ii) The preservation of an adequate level of basic services in rural areas. iii) Improvement of social conditions, including equal opportunities. iv) Improvement of economic conditions in economically weak areas. v) Improvement of the physical environment. vi) Improvement of transnational co-operation.

Measure level indicators*

Description Total Number of projects

Number of initiatives on spatial development (e.g. innovative housing, investments) 157 11 Number of town networks operating 29 8

Number of towns participating in town networks 226 8 % increase in satisfaction of users of quality of urban environment 51 4

Number of businesses established in regeneration areas 353 5

Number of new services in urban spaces 110 6 Number of people moving into the region 81.164 4 Number of improved public spaces 84 7

Number of new networks within the regions 68 11

Number of regenerated & redeveloped sites 91 7

Number of regions involved in networking 76 9 Number of people using new services 305.390 4

Number of regions reporting reduced outmigration 6 1 Nr of new or safeguarded jobs 155 2 Number of new services established (social, economic, transport) 149 4 Number of new tourism offers 105 5

Number of rural or urban-rural networks operating 55 4 Number of sites and areas affected 171 7 % increase in satisfaction on quality of life (in the regions concerning) 56 5 Number of tourists 503.807 5 Number of water sites (river beds/soils, plants) improved / m of water sites 57014 9 Number of initiatives to improve tourism, water quality or the quality of life 423 11

Number of shared innovative research studies 79 14 Number of sites and areas affected 133 9

* The updated information has taken into account of the result of the 19 projects that have completed their work during 2008.

Table 2: Priority 2 Efficient and sustainable transport and communications and improved access to the information society

The main targets for the programme level are listed down below. The main targets on priority level are included in the respective paragraphs describing the priorities.

Priority 2 i) Improve the effectiveness of transport systems. ii) Increase the share of sustainable means of transport in total transport. iii) Enhanced effectiveness and use of intermodal transport systems. iv) Improvement of the accessibility of peripheral and rural areas. v) Improvement of access to transport, information and communication technologies and networks. vi) Improvement of business development and education opportunities, especially in rural areas. vii) Establishment of regional maritime clusters. viii) Improved application of ICT for sustainable development purposes.

Measure level indicators*

Description Total Number of projects

Number of regions reporting measurable increase in use of sustainable transport 103 6 Number of jobs created 4 2

Number of new sustainable transport standards 29 4

Number of sustainable transport infrastructure 227 5

Number of sustainable transport services 36 6

Number of identified viable transport routes implemented 10 5 Number of viable transport routes identified (solutions) 110 5 Decreasing number and severity of shipping accident 0 1 Number of organisations shifting cargo from road to water & rail 43 5 Number of activities increasing maritime safety / reducing risk 2 4

Number of improved logistic services for water & rail 28 6 Number of queries about intermodal solutions 11.303 6 Number of responsible national authorities involved in these maritime activities 18 5 Number of jobs created 64 3 Number of organisations using new ICT opportunities (mainly SMEs, also new start ups) 1.280 5 Number of new ICT services established (having website, direct sales online, bus to bus online, establishing partnerships, software, hardware, forums) 108 8 Number organisations better prepared for using ICT opportunities 1.316 6 Number of organisations using new ICT services 172 8 Number of regions with improved access to public information through ICT 43 8 Number of ICT systems created for improved access to public information 98 9 Number of new organisational structures for improved access to public information established 32 6

* The updated information has taken into account of the result of the 19 projects that have completed their work during 2008.

Table 3: Priority 3: Sustainable management and development of the environment, natural resources and cultural heritage

The main targets for the programme level are listed down below. The main targets on priority level are included in the respective paragraphs describing the priorities.

Priority 3 i) Increased use of renewable energies in percentages of total use. ii) Decrease in unsustainable energy consumption. iii) Establishment and improvement of protected natural, cultural and historical landscapes and sites. iv) Increased awareness and knowledge of the cultural heritage of the North Sea Region. v) Improve conditions for sustainable cultural tourism. vi) More jobs connected to cultural tourism. vii) Better integration of cultural heritage in spatial development. viii) Development of methods of coastal management. ix) Establishment of transnational nature reserves. x) Preservation of the vitality of coastal communities and local and regional identity. xi) Contribution to a less polluted North Sea. xii) Reduction in waste production. xiii) Better use of the economic potential of natural resources. xiv) Improved conditions for marine life. xv) Improved quality of the environment. xvi) Transnational marine management strategies and structures.

Measure level indicators*

Description Total Number of projects

Number of sites where preserved landscapes or cultural heritage provide new economic and social opportunities 108 13 Number of ha of improved townscapes 528 9

Number of sites with improved natural landscapes 133 15 Number of sites with sustainable protection of cultural and historical heritage 52 13

Number of visitors using new tourism offers 4656 7 Number of new tourism offers 289 9 Number of sites with new tourism offers 121 9 Number of sites with new renewable energy infrastructure implemented 7 2

Number of initiatives for recycling or reducing waste applied 48 2 Number of initiatives implemented for sustainable management of the north sea (waste, fish stock) 9 3 Number of jobs created 144 4 Number of renewable energy technologies 6 3 Number of sites prepared for sustainable energy infrastructure (locate sites, small scale plants, helping regions to plan for offshore windfarms) 42 5 Number of initiatives for sustainable economic development in the coastal zones 13 3

Number of initiatives on management of marine resources 8 2 Number of initiatives to protect environment of the coastal zones 20 4 Number of regions participating in networks using integrated coastal zone management 25 5

* The updated information has taken into account of the result of the 19 projects that have completed their work during 2008.

Table 4: Priority 4: Water management

The main targets for the programme level are listed down below. The main targets on priority level are included in the respective paragraphs describing the priorities.

Priority 4 i) Establishment of new retention areas and the improvement of existing ones. ii) Establishment of new coastal defence infrastructure and the improvement of existing coastal defence. iii) Establishment of new water management infrastructures (sewage plants, relocated or new dykes, changes in river flows). iv) Cleaned river beds. v) Transnational river management strategies and structures. vii) Better co-operation of coastal and sea-management authorities. viii) Improved water quality. ix) Methods to combat the rise of the sea level. x) Less people at risk of flooding. xi) Less economic risks of flooding. xii) Improved methods of dealing with risks of flooding and flooding effects.

Measure level indicators*

Description Total Number of projects ha of retention sites established and improved 612 4 km river improved 16,55 2

Number of river basins with sustainable management plans 22 7

Number of water systems improved 23 6

Number of effective initiatives for improving water quality 26 7 Number of effective initiatives for preventing flooding 18 5 Number of effective initiatives for securing water supply 20 4

Number of tourism sites created 32 3 ha positively affected by measures improving water quality 320,040 6 Number of jobs created 64 3

Number of implemented initiatives improving water quality 79 7 Number of sites established improving water quality 58 8

Number of people at less danger from flooding 3,101,125 6 Number of coastal defence & flood prevention infrastructure sites implemented 12 4

Number of risk management initiatives implemented 52 5

* The updated information has taken into account of the result of the 19 projects that have completed their work during 2008.

D.2.0 Contribution of the approved projects to overall programme objectives The aim of the Interreg IIIB programmes is to strengthen economic and social cohesion by fostering balanced development, with special emphasis on integrating remote regions. The programme has continued to contribute to this aim in its sixth year, with only five of the eligible regions in the programme area not involved in at least one project by the end of 2008.

The mid-term evaluation made clear a number of key objectives under the overall programme objective of economic and social cohesion. These are: • Reducing levels of depopulation in peripheral areas • Supporting regional development and competitiveness • Improving economic conditions in economically weak areas • Preventing and remedying social exclusion • Improving the quality of life in the North Sea Region • Improving the physical environment of the North Sea Region

All of the finalised or remaining running projects are contributing to at least one of these key programme objectives. The reported indicator information in relation to the quantified priority targets (see above) illustrates at the current stage of programme implementation what the projects have actually been achieving to meeting the programme objectives. Progress made with respect to achieving the programme targets is reported below.

Quantitative information Following the recommendations of the mid-term evaluators, the Programme Complement was revised in 2004. This involved changes to the financial tables down to measure level and to the programme indicators. The following information regarding the programme results to the end of 2008 is based on the new indicator system.

A variety of quantitative information is available but as the projects cover a broad spectrum of topics the information is widely spread. The approved projects report once a year on progress related to their indicators and this is compiled into standard reports. The figures received from the projects so far show that they are progressing towards achieving the expected outputs and products. Nevertheless, the available data shows that by the end of 2008 already more than 40.000 people were directly involved in the projects, representing about 7.752 organisations. It is also interesting to learn that in total 805 training courses were delivered, with 8.233 participants. Projects have also continued to deliver tangible products, such as 2.528 new tourism offers, 1.114 new social services and 193 new transport services.

It can be noted that the pace of delivering outputs and results has significantly increased towards meeting the programme targets, which is a result of the increasing number of projects having advanced to their final stages of project implementation.

34 Programme Output Indicators

Description Projects Current* Target** Best practices implemented 11 78 103 Pilot activities 32 416 386 (Closing) conferences 7 22 18 Exhibitions 6 27 18 TV & radio productions & videos 10 339 149 Organisations involved 69 7.752 4.354 Nr of exchanges between civil servants 13 131 138 People involved 70 40.374 20.192 Participants at trainings 8 8.233 5.430 Action plans (including 30 382 234 recommendations and agreements) Best practice manuals & guidelines 31 1.683 175 Policy & strategy papers 36 259 331 Research and innovation papers 30 256 354 Tools, models and solutions (including 26 187 239 database) Brochures & leaflets 25 1.470 1.231 Newsletters 31 286 374 Press releases 53 3.956 2.879 Training courses 14 809 457 Website hits incl internet platforms 35 2.624.397 1.803.770 Website links 7 563 3.457 Websites 47 146 129 * As of June 2008 for 2 projects. ** For 70 projects.

35 Programme Result and Impact Indicators

Description Projects Current* Target** Nr of initiatives 13 128 183 Jobs safeguarded or created 32 504 318 Networks operating (including 6 728 671 partnerships & co-operation) Organisations that are prepared 8 582.358 70.425 Organisations that are using the 2 965 7.000 concepts/results Users of services established 10 158 140 People moving into the region 3 1.338 331 Environmental sites improved 13 5.681 4.596 Tourism sites improved 8 1.114 331 Urban sites improved 11 423 920 Hectare positively affected 9 161 550 km river bed and banks improved 6 7 18 New tourism offers 21 2.528 2.073 Nr of queries, people addressed 6 44 40 Economic services established 8 103.533 15.957 Social services established 4 1.114 920 Logistic/transport services established 9 193 707 * As of June 2008 for 2 projects. ** For 70 projects.

Qualitative information Both activity reports and indicators give a reasonably good picture on the progress of projects towards achieving their objectives. It should be kept in mind, however, that the quantitative overview has to stay on aggregated level and therefore risks losing important qualitative information on the results from individual projects. These results can be found on the programme website and are updated after every reporting round.

Efforts have been made throughout the implementation of the programme to analyse the thematic coverage of the projects against the programme objectives (gaps analyses) and to focus on filling the gaps and on preparing for the next programming period.

By the fact that there are no major gaps remaining in the thematic coverage of the Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme, the programme has proven its ability to effectively steer project generation and implementation. An important task for the coming operational management period of the programme until the end of 2008 will be to collate and publicise the results and impacts concerning progress and effectiveness. Each of the project actions described above can be expected to have an impact on one or more key objective. This is true for all of the projects and was a guiding principle in the selection process. As indicated earlier, every final report comprises a summary, which outlines the project's main achievements, recommendations and conclusions. The information on the outputs of the projects can be found in Appendix 5).

36 D.3.0. Evaluation activities The findings of the update of the mid-term evaluation, which was carried out and completed in 2005, remain valid and have been continuously taken into account in improving the data gathered and subsequently demonstrating progress made and effectiveness in delivering results towards the programme targets. Recommendations have also been fed into the new programme, Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme. A survey amongst all 70 projects funded by the Programme was undertaken by the Programme secretariat in 2007. The information that was gathered through a questionnaire is complementary to the data collected through the Programme indicators in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of the Programme achievements and create a bank of interpretable background information. The four key areas addressed in the survey were raised awareness, built capacity and transferred knowledge, strengthened transnational co-operation, and long-term effects. The information will continuously serve as a basis for more comprehensive evaluation and publicising of Programme effects.

37 Section E – Financial implementation The Interreg III B North Sea Programme was in its last closing phase of operation in 2008. All projects completed their activities by the end of July 2008.

Avoidance of de-commitment has always been a key priority for the North Sea Programme. This was still the case in 2008 but in addition to this, priority was also given to ensure a proper and relatively speedy closure of the projects in line with the guidance issued by the Monitoring Committee.

Projects reporting At MC 1 the committee approved the administrative and financial reporting procedures for approved projects. The projects are contacted by the secretariat in December and June each year. They are provided with the financial tables and activity reports from the North Sea Programme database. They are then asked to report within six weeks on the previous six months of activity both in terms of finance and outputs.

Upon receipt of the reports by the North Sea Programme, the Finance Unit and the Project Development Unit check each one against the original application approved by the Steering Committee and the special conditions stated in the Grant Offer Letter.

At the application stage, each project provides an annual financial breakdown of expenditure allowing the Joint Technical Secretariat to calculate a cumulative total from all the projects, which can then be linked to the North Sea Programme spending targets referred to above.

Each project also provides a budget broken down on partner level (the applicant is expected to base this on a detailed-costed work plan). The budget and annual spending targets are included in the Grant Offer Letter, which is signed by the Lead Partner organisation and the Joint Technical Secretariat (on behalf of the national authorities). This constitutes a binding contract between the project and the Joint Technical Secretariat. It enables the Joint Technical Secretariat to monitor each individual project’s progress towards the achievement of its own spending targets.

The staff of the Joint Technical Secretariat remains in close contact with all the project lead partners. After each round of payment claims the Joint Technical Secretariat carries out an analysis of the response from the projects both in terms of the achievement of targets relating to outputs and expenditure. This analysis then triggers a variety of responses, which may take the form of phone calls and e-mails, formal letters to the project leader and the responsible national authority or an Article 4 check.

The same principles apply to the final reports with the exception of the deadline for submitting the final report. Projects have three months to submit their final report.

38 The end of December 2007 reporting round By the end of December 2007, 19 projects were still running. In December 2007, 16 projects were asked to submit a progress report for the December reporting round (submitted to the North Sea Secretariat mid February 2008). The other three projects still running were close to their end date, thus they were asked to submit the final report already at this stage. Out of the 16 projects which submitted their report 7 were paid by the Paying Authority. The other 9 reports contained issues which had to be clarified before the Paying Authority could initiate the final payment. For those projects it was decided to combine the interim claims for the December round with the final claim.

Closing projects There was no fixed reporting round for the final reports in 2008. As in previous years, the reports were due 3 months after the project closure.

The first two projects closed in 2004 and consequently submitted their final reports in the beginning of 2005. By the end of 2006 additional 28 projects closed, followed by 21 closed projects in 2007. The remaining 19 projects closed in 2008 and by the end of that year all 70 projects approved under the Interreg IIB North Sea Programme had closed.

As for the final reports, the Joint Technical Secretariat had received 69 final reports by the end of 2008, in accordance with 3 months deadline for submitting the final report. One final report was still outstanding due to the Article 10 check procedure. Out of the 69 reports received, 23 projects have been processed and paid at the end of 2008.

The 2% flexibility rule At MC 9 in March 2006 the committee decided to introduce a 2% flexibility rule in terms of the split of the ERDF grant between the countries involved within each project. The 2% flexibility rule allows projects to change partner budget totals within each country with an amount not exceeding 2% of the accumulated budget for all project partners within that country. It must be emphasised that the 2% flexibility rule only applies to changes between partners and partner countries and does not allow changes in the total ERDF grant to a project. Proposals for changes of budget in accordance with the 2% flexibility rule must be approved by the North Sea Programme before the submission of the final report. Many projects have used this option.

In financial terms, not all projects have claimed their full ERDF grant. The 23 paid projects represent €39,1 million in ERDF grant. Compared to the allocated ERDF grant the 23 projects have under claimed €1,8 million ERDF in total. Of this unclaimed amount € 76,000 was re-allocated at SC7 in March 2006. Extrapolating on the basis of these 23 final reports, the average absorption rate in terms of ERDF grants is approximately 95,3%.

The 2% flexibility rule allows for some reduction of project level underspending but due to the scale of the movements allowed there will still be underspendings.

Tables E1.0, E 2.0 and E 3.0 all reflect that the North Sea Programme is in its main operational phase. The North Sea Programme has reported a considerable amount of

39 spending under all priorities. The variations in take up of funds on measure level primarily reflect that projects have reached different stages of their lifecycle. The differences do not reflect differences in long-term performance of the projects.

Table E.1.0 Grants to projects and Technical Assistance payments made in 2006 and in total: Member States and Norway

Table E.1.0Grants to projects and Technical Assistance payments made in 2008 and in total: Member States and Norway (All figures in €) Available budget Grants to projects Payments made Total payments Percentage paid (ERDF + ERDF approved by Steering 2008 ERDF + made ERDF + of approved grant equivalent)* Committee ERDF equivalent ERDF equivalent 2001-2008 (% of budget) 2001 – 2008 1. Urban & Rural 37.225.473,00 100% 1.574.307,33 31.891.076,03 86% 2. Transport & 100% 85% Communication 27.782.995,00 1.003.508,65 23.641.683,34 3. Natural resources 34.256.939,00 100% 2.099.282,25 26.840.801,77 78% & Cultural heritage

4. Water 37.927.965,00 100% 953.895,18 30.863.461,82 81% Management Total Priority 1 - 4 137.193.372,00 100% 5.630.993,41 113.237.022,96 83% 5. Technical 6.961.091,00 0% 770.608,30 5.634.585,05 81% Assistance Total 144.154.463,00 95% 6.401.601,71 118.871.608,01 87%

* Including indexation and the split of priorities approved by the Commission in 2006

Table E.2.0 Approved grants and payments made to projects by priority and measure: Member States

Table E.2.0 Approved grants and payments made to projects by priority and measure: Member States (All figures in €) Available budget Grants to projects ERDF payments Total ERDF Percentage paid (ERDF)* approved by Steering made 2008 payments made of approved grant Committee 2001-2008 (% of budget) 2001 – 2008 By measure, Member States 1. Urban & Rural 35.177.147,00 100% 1.545.304,83 30.043.026,10 85% 1.1 Polycentric Development 6.690.679,00 100% 0,50 5.757.038,60 86% 1.2 Urban Networks 13.074.255,00 100% 728.409,00 10.952.114,04 84% 1.3 Urban-Rural 9.338.453,00 100% 816.895,33 8.358.756,01 90% 1.4 Water/ in Spatial Design 5.459.710,00 100% 0,00 4.573.230,27 84% 1.5 Research & Development 614.050,00 100% 0,00 401.887,18 65% 2. Transport & Communication 24.768.336,00 100% 962.616,86 21.202.185,64 86% 2.1 Sustainable Trans. 8.012.193,00 100% 258.022,80 7.761.672,01 97% 2.2 Integration & Transport 3.884.270,00 100% 0,00 3.162.206,07 81% 2.3 Development of Transport Networks 5.883.770,00 100% 278.656,59 4.541.613,12 77% 2.4 SME & ICT 2.242.828,00 100% 237.157,42 1.819.194,61 81% 2.5 ICT & Pub. Sector 4.745.275,00 100% 188.780,05 3.917.499,83 83% 3. Natural resources 31.888.746,00 100% 2.000.266,95 24.808.730,47 78% & Cultural heritage

3.1 Rehabilitation of Landscapes/Towns 10.109.482,00 100% 724.738,69 7.890.899,74 78% 3.2 Nature, Heritage 9.034.358,00 100% 339.320,53 6.828.953,27 76% 3.3 Natural Resource & Energy 9.641.657,00 100% 598.363,72 7.461.754,20 77% 3.4 Coastal Zone Management 3.103.249,00 100% 337.844,01 2.627.123,26 85% 4. Water 36.359.143,00 100% 953.895,18 29.473.479,85 81% Management 4.1 Strategies & Action Plans 14.440.714,00 100% 688.895,83 12.880.226,50 89% 4.2 Int. Fresh Water Management 12.374.421,00 100% 201.930,49 9.495.784,03 77% 4.3 Risk Management 9.544.008,00 100% 63.068,86 7.097.469,32 74% Total Priority 1 - 4 128.193.372,00 100% 5.462.083,82 105.527.422,06 82% 5. Technical 6.461.091,00 0% 715.257,19 5.229.865,09 81% Assistance 5.1 Programme Administration 4.881.289,00 0% 545.763,98 4.102.830,08 84% 5.2 IT & Evaluation 1.579.802,00 0% 169.493,21 1.127.035,01 71% Total 134.654.463,00 95% 6.177.341,01 110.757.287,15 86% * Including indexation and the split of priorities approved by the Commission in 2006

41 Table E.3.0 Approved grants to projects by priority and measure – Norway

Table E.3.0 Approved grants and payments made to projects by priority and measure: Norway (All figures in €) Available budget Grants to projects ERDF equivalent Total ERDF Percentage paid (ERDF equivalent)* approved by Steering payments made equivalent of approved grant Committee 2008 payments made 2001-2008 (% of budget) 2001 – 2008 By measure, Member States 1. Urban & Rural 2.048.326,00 100% 29.002,50 1.848.049,93 90% 1.1 Polycentric Development 203.092,00 100% 0,00 203.092,00 100% 1.2 Urban Networks 698.495,00 100% 0,00 636.708,80 91% 1.3 Urban-Rural 996.739,00 100% 29.002,50 859.307,63 86% 1.4 Water/ in Spatial Design 75.000,00 100% 0,00 75.000,00 100% 1.5 Research & Development 75.000,00 100% 0,00 73.941,50 99% 2. Transport & Communication 3.014.659,00 100% 40.891,79 2.439.497,70 81% 2.1 Sustainable Trans. 300.150,00 100% 0,00 300.150,00 100% 2.2 Integration & Transport 275.766,00 100% 0,00 255.621,55 93% 2.3 Development of Transport Networks 1.697.998,00 100% 14.077,15 1.209.970,45 71% 2.4 SME & ICT 234.795,00 100% 26.814,64 231.909,84 99% 2.5 ICT & Pub. Sector 505.950,00 100% 0,00 441.845,86 87% 3. Natural resources 2.368.193,00 100% 99.015,30 2.032.071,30 86% & Cultural heritage

3.1 Rehabilitation of Landscapes/Towns 137.000,00 100% 0,00 123.047,12 90% 3.2 Nature, Heritage 1.533.080,00 100% 18.528,39 1.233.472,68 80% 3.3 Natural Resource & Energy 281.446,00 100% 798,91 260.829,50 93% 3.4 Coastal Zone Management 416.667,00 100% 79.688,00 414.722,00 100% 4. Water 1.568.822,00 97% 0,00 1.389.981,97 91% Management 4.1 Strategies & Action Plans 774.750,00 100% 0,00 639.981,97 83% 4.2 Int. Fresh Water Management 750.000,00 100% 0,00 750.000,00 100% 4.3 Risk Management 44.072,00 0% 0,00 0,00 0% Total Priority 1 - 4 9.000.000,00 100% 168.909,59 7.709.600,90 86% 5. Technical Assistance 500.000,00 0% 55.351,11 404.719,96 81% 5.1 Programme Administration 377.745,00 - 42.234,66 317.502,88 84% 5.2 IT & Evaluation 122.255,00 - 13.116,45 87.217,08 71% Total 9.500.000,00 94% 224.260,70 8.114.320,86 91%

42 E.1.0 Use made of the Technical Assistance budget in 2008 2008 was the programme’s seventh year of operations and one of continued intense activity at all levels. The work covered by the technical assistance budget was carried out according to the Business and Implementation plan approved by the Monitoring Committee and updated annually. The technical assistance (TA) budget (€13,922,182) was approved as part of the Community Initiative Programme and confirmed in detail in the Business and Implementation plan. Originally the TA budget was 5 % of the total budget. However, following the inclusion of the indexation money in the revised financial tables, the TA budget is now 4,8 % of the total budget for the programme.

The audited statement of accounts for 2008 is attached as appendix 6 A. Here, a breakdown of the costs for the technical assistance for 2008 is shown, together with a status on the ERDF payments made to each project and a balance showing the balance by the end of 2008.

The administration of the programme The North Sea Programme is delivered by a single joint international secretariat. The programme secretariat is led by the Head of Secretariat and consists of 2 units. The current level of staffing approved by the MC are 13 staff plus 2 students.

The project development and communication unit (PDU), consisting of 6 staff, is responsible for the pre-assessment of project ideas, the assessment of project applications and prepares the applications for decision in the Steering Committee. After approval, the PDU monitors project implementation together with the staff of the Finance Unit (FU). It also monitors the results at programme level according to the targets set a priori. Since the funds available became fully allocated in 2006, the PDU has taken the leading role in the increasing need to demonstrate the positive outcomes of the projects and the programme overall. The unit also works on the programme publicity strategy, producing press releases, articles and publications, and arranging events such as thematic seminars and the annual conference. In addition to this, they are responsible for the web- video production of projects.

The finance unit (FU), in which 4 staff-members are employed, is responsible for preparing ERDF claims to the European Commission, preparing Grant Offer Letters for the project applications approved, drawing up the annual statement of accounts, checking the eligibility of the financial plans of project applications, monitoring the financial performance of the approved projects and processing claims for payment. Developing the database and ensuring correspondence between the database and the accounting system is another key task. The finance unit also liaises with the Paying Authority and the auditors of the programme and closely monitors the spending targets both on programme and project level. The finance unit was leading the Article 4 checks of the projects. In 2008 this task was limited. Maintaining the programme database and the online connection to the European Commission is a task carried out by the Finance Unit.

In addition to the daily post-approval support that the desk officers in the PDU and the FU provide for project Lead Partners, and the time spend on keeping the projects up and running once they have been approved, the joint technical secretariat organises two lead

43 partner seminars per year. However, there were no lead partner seminars organised in 2008 as virtually all lead partners previously had attended seminars addressing subjects such as e.g. publicity and communication of project results and common challenges for project managers in terms of audit requirements, financial management and control.

In addition to the two units described, two secretaries are carrying programme support for the two units and the head of secretariat. The support includes overall assistance to the delivery of the work of the joint technical secretariat, preparing meetings, organising conferences and assist all programme stakeholders on various practical issues.

The secretariat also hosts the Interact point “Qualification and Transfer” which is separately funded. The latter involves the staff of the secretariat making a limited contribution to the work of the Interact point.

Activities The Business and Implementation plan is reviewed annually and submitted to the Monitoring Committee for approval. The Business and Implementation plan directly links TA expenditure with the activity necessary to deliver the programme and meet all targets. It is adjusted regularly and according to the progress of the programme and the needs identified. During 2008 an intense period of activity has continued with many projects completing their activities and preparing and submitting final reports. By the end of 2008 all approved projects had completed their activities. Following the completion of a project, a final report including a full audit, is submitted to the secretariat. Processing these reports are extensive and time-consuming tasks for both PDU and FU. A final payment to a project can only be made once the report is approved in by both units taking into account both activity- and financial-aspects and once all audit matters have been resolved. Before the final payment can be initiated additional information is needed from the project in some cases. As a result of this, the closing procedure can be lengthy in some cases.

Simultaneously with running and administering the Interreg III B programme, a considerable effort has been put into the new programme, the Interreg IVB programme. All units have also been deeply involved in this work. However, the main workload was still on IIIB programme activities which is the reason why 75 % of the TA expenses for the core activities (salary, general costs such as rent, IT- and Accounting services, cleaning etc.) have been allocated to the IIIB programme. TA costs related to a specific programme activity such as e.g. ”Travel and Accommodation” and “Audit” have been allocated to the relevant programme.

TA expenses 2008 The spending pattern for the TA expenditure in 2008 was generally in line with the budget for 2008. 74 % of the total budget of € 2.317.537 allocated to 2008 was spent. The total TA expenditure for 2008 was € 1.709.777 before the costs for the audit of the statement of accounts. There was a general underspend on the budgetlines applied in the TA budget. The most significant headings were: • 9 % was spent on audit and on the host and the office accommodation, i.e. on costs related to the Service Level Agreement

44 • 51 % on salaries, • 18 % Information and Activity support, i.e. the contact point network. There is a certain delay in the take up of funds for the contact point network. The minor overspend reported reflects this delay. There is no overspend under this heading when looking at the entire programme period. • 9 % was spent on publicity costs. There is also an overspend on this heading which follows the fact that MC 13 decided to fund the web video productions of from the TA budget instead of, as originally decided, to fund them from the accrued interest money. • 4 % was the net result of the Maritime Safety Umbrella Operation i.e. the MSUO initiative which is reported under “Innovative Actions”. Originally it was decided in the MC to contribute € 125.000 from the North Sea Programme to the extension of the Umbrella Operation from the accrued interest money. However, at MC no 13 it was decided to fund the extension of the Umbrella Operation from the TA budget instead. • 5 % of the TA budget for 2008 was used to support to the Financial Controller Group (FCG). Up to a maximum of € 35.000 can be claimed for each participating country from the TA budget instead of, as originally decided to fund it from the IIC interest money. By the end of 2008, the total amount claimed was € 91.126. The decision to fund the support via the TA budget was made at MC 13.

There is no conference costs reported in 2008 as the conferences in 2008 all related to IVB activities.

Further details can be found in the statement of accounts for 2008 in appendix 6 C.

It should be noted that the statement of accounts is always based on the accrued accounting principle and on generally accepted accounting principles. This means that the statement of accounts is not directly comparable with the cash-flow tables in appendix 6 C

ERDF claimed during 2008 One claim was made during 2008 and that one was submitted in July 2008. The amount claimed was € 6.177.341.

ERDF transferred from the European Commission in 2008 In January 2008, € 4.233.851 was received from the European Commission. This amount related to the ERDF claim from December 2007.

By the end of August 2008, an amount of ERDF € 6.177.341 was transferred to the ERDF bank account from the European Commission settling the claim from July 2008.

By the end of 2008 there was no outstanding ERDF amount from the European Commission. The total ERDF received by the end of 2008 was € 110,757,287.

Section F - Information and Publicity In 2008, the North Sea Programme worked with implementing the Communication Plan and subsequent Strategy, using a wide range of communication tools.

With the IIIB Programme drawing to a close the 70 approved and implemented projects provide ample amounts of outcomes and results which should be communicated as widely as possible. This is done in many ways, not least using the internet and the many web based initiatives launched in recent years such as videos.

There will also be a web based tool available – a project portfolio section on the website with summaries, facts and figures and updated information of all the 70 projects. This project portfolio web tool was initiated in late 2008 and will be finished in June 2009.

The importance of communicating the results and outcomes of the IIIB Programme remains a key issues and challenge for the Programme Secretariat.

The focus of the communication efforts is aimed mainly towards stakeholders at senior policy and decision making level in the Community and the general public in the participating countries and beyond.

Communicating the IIIB Programme is also important in light of establishing and building a platform for the IVB Programme and towards the 2014-2020 programming period.

Web Based Video Project The second stage of the strategic video project was planned and implemented in 2008.

There are now a number of videos addressing Programme relevant issues as well as a significant number of videos depicting projects and the work of the Programme online.

The response to the project as such and the videos have been very positive and received considerable attention.

TV Documentary Series The TV Documentary series is currently in production and is scheduled to go on air in Denmark in early 2010. There will be a number of Programmes (10-12) of 30 minutes each.

The exploration of the possibilities to make a TV Documentary Series has been ongoing since 2005. The project as such and the work has been complex and taken significant time and effort.

The Production is made in cooperation with a Danish regional TV Network.

Mini-Call on Publicity The results and outcomes including videos and other materials produced under the Call have been collected on the IIIB Programme website.

In all, 11 projects participated in the Mini-Call on Publicity which took place in 2007.

Lead Partner events No Lead Partner events under the IIIB Programme took place in 2008.

Lead Partner co-operation The Lead Partners are encouraged to send in copies of press articles and clippings continuously as evidence of their publicity activities and also encouraged to explore communications efforts as far as possible.

PUBLICITY TOOLS, MATERIALS AND EVENTS IIIB Results and Outcomes Project Portfolio A web based tool have been developed to better showcase the results and outcomes of the IIIB projects under the 2000-2006 programming period.

The website section will showcase the results and outcomes of the 70 approved projects in a user friendly and accessible way. There are also summaries of the different section and various facts and figures

The tool is web based. It features a print on demand and make you own book option, which enables users to collect and print relevant sections and projects in a unique book.

The website The IIIB Programme website is now in effect a part of the North Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 website.

As the IIIB Programme comes to a close, the Programme website will be transformed and become a section of the IVB Programme website.

The Annual Conference of the North Sea Programme 2008 The Annual Conferece of the Programme 2008 was held in Herning Denmark and featured an exhibition of IIIB projects including large screens which showed various videos mad by the projects and the Programme.

External Events Secretariat staff members attend and speak at a number of events annually, several in relation to Final Conferences of IIIB Projects.

47 The Programme Complement has a number of indicators for measuring the performance of the Publicity and Communications Strategy. Details can be found in the table below:

Publicity Indicators 2006 2007 2008 Number of promotion seminars arranged by the programme secretariat N/A N/A N/A Total number of participants at the promotion seminars N/A N/A N/A Lead Partner Seminars 3 N/A N/A Number of copies of Applicants’ Pack distributed* N/A N/A N/A Number of copies of Community Initiative Programme distributed* <25 N/A N/A Number of copies of Programme Complement distributed * <25 N/A N/A Number of copies of Norvision Report <25 <25 <25 North Sea Programme Project Book distributed* N/A N/A N/A Project Portfolio in English distributed* N/A N/A N/A Project Portfolio in German distributed* N/A N/A N/A Project Portfolio in Dutch distributed* N/A N/A N/A Project Portfolio in Swedish distributed* N/A N/A N/A Project Portfolio in Norwegian distributed* N/A N/A N/A Number of copies of Working Together N/A N/A N/A Number of copies of Advice to Applicants distributed * <10 N/A N/A Number of people who have visited the North Sea Region website 27,423 N/A N/A Number of newsletters produced 4 1 0 Number of people who receive the newsletter 1,400- 1,700 0 1,500 Number of pre-assessments made ? N/A N/A Number of projects that pass the eligibility check ? N/A N/A Number of projects approved by the Steering Committee ? N/A N/A Total number of applications ? N/A N/A * NB. These figures refer only to paper copies sent out. In addition, these documents are available for download on the programme website in the download section and a publicity centre, which was launched in 2005. Most programme documentation is therefore accessed electronically and although it is not possible to provide precise statistics on the number of each document downloaded, 9858 visitors have entered the download section and 3896 people have visited the publicity centre during 2005.

Section G – Appendices

Appendix 1 Membership of the Monitoring Committee in 2008

Appendix 2 Membership of the Steering Committee in 2008

Appendix 3 National Contact Points in 2008

Appendix 4 Annual Employer Statement 2008

Appendix 5 Overview of finalised projects

Appendix 6 A Independent Auditors’ Report – Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme – Statement of Accounts 2008

Appendix 6 B Revisorerklæring vedrørende Statement of Accounts 2008

Appendix 6 C Statement of Accounts 2008

Appendix 7 Financial Tables 10 a, b, c

49 Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 1

Membership of the Monitoring Committee in 2008

CHAIR – MEETING 2 & 3 Jim Millard Kaja Korgaard Member Scottish Government, European Structural Funds Division Danish Enterprise and Construction Authority Attention: Jim Millard Regional Policy Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street Vejlsøvej 29 G2 6AT Glasgow DK-8600 Silkeborg United Kingdom Tel.: +45 3546 6431 Tel.: +44 141 242 5789 Fax: +45 3546 6402 Fax: +44 141 242 5959 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: jim.millard@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

FLEMISH REGION DENMARK Elke Tiebout Anette Prilow Member Member Agency for Economy Danish Regions Koning Albert II Laan 35, bus 12 Attention: Anette Prilow B-1030 Brussels Dampfærgevej 22 P.O.Box 2593 Tel.: +32 25533731 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +32 25024702 E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +45 35 29 82 71 Fax: +45 35 29 83 00 Pim Bonne E-mail: [email protected] Member

Axel R. Kristiansen Flemish Ministry of Mobility and Public Member Works, Afdeling Haven- en Waterbeleid - Team Internationaal Ministry of the Environment, Agency of Attention: Pim Bonne Spatial and Environmental Planning, National Koning Albert II-laan 20, bus 5 Planning Division B-1000 Brussels Attention: Axel R. Kristiansen Haraldsgade 53 Tel.: +32 2553 6251 DK-2100 København Ø Fax: +32 2553 7715 E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +45 72 54 26 69 E-mail: [email protected] Jonas Lagrou Member Henrik M. Jensen PA representative Provincie West-Vlaanderen Koning Leopold III-laan 41 Central Denmark Region BE-8000 Brugge Skottenborg 26 DK-8800 Viborg Tel.:+32 (0)50 40 34 08 E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +45 8728 5096 Fax: +45 87285900 E-mail: [email protected]

Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 1

GERMANY Birgit Dufour Member Antje Hauptvogel Member Province of Zeeland Attention: Birgit Dufour Ministry for Rural Areas, Food, Agriculture Provinciehuis, Abdij 6 and Consumer Protection of Lower Saxony P.O. Box 6001 Calenberger Str. 2 / Ref. 302 NL-4330 LA Middelburg D-30169 Hannover Tel.: +31 118 631463 Tel.: +49 511 120 5973 Fax: +31 118 63 8636 Fax: +49 511 120 5967 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail:[email protected] Mark Overman Member Gregor Schlosser Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Member Environment (VROM) Rijnstraat 8 Federal Ministry of Economics P.O. Box 30940 and Technology NL-2500 GX Den Haag Attention: Gregor Schlosser Scharnhorststr. 34- 37 Tel.: +31 70 339 27 06 D-10115 Berlin Fax: + 31 70 339 1200 E-mail: [email protected]

Tel.: +49 30 18615 6226 Albert Haan Second Tel.: +49 30 18615 506226 Substitute E-mail: [email protected] Northern Netherlands Provinces Verena Hachmann Snekertrekweg 1 Member NL-2399 AE Groningen

Deichmanns Aue 31 - 37 Tel: +31(0)655876729 53179 Bonn Fax: +31(0)582928362 E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +49(0)22899.401-0 Fax: +49(0)22899.401-1270 NORWAY E-mail: [email protected] Erik Sveistrup Member THE NETHERLANDS Ministry of the Environment, Department for Berry C. Eijgendaal Regional Planning Member Myntgata 2 Postboks 8013 Dep Ministry of Economic Affairs, ALP: E/113 N-0030 Oslo Attention: Berry C. Eijgendaal Postbus 20101 Tel.: +47 22 24 58 80 NL-2500 EC Den Haag E-mail: [email protected]

Tel.: +31 70 3796807/6687 Fax: +31 70 3796095 E-mail: [email protected]

Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 1

Kristin Nakken Maud Schön Member Member

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Development Communications, Division for Regional Akersgt. 59 Growth Postboks 8112 Dep Attention: Maud Schön N-0032 Oslo Mäster Samuelsgatan 70 S-103 33 Stockholm Tel.: +47 22 24 70 30 Fax: +47 22 24 27 38 Tel.: +46 8405 3852 E-mail: [email protected] Second Tel.: +46 70 213 6730 Fax: +46 820 31 27 Gunn Marit Helgesen E-mail: [email protected] Member Vivi-Ann Nilsson Telemarks Fylkeskommune Member Fylkeshuset, Fylkesbakken 6 N-3706 Skien Västra Götalandsregionen, Growth and Development Tel: +47 3558 4200 Attention: Vivi-Ann Nilsson E-mail: [email protected], Norra Hamngatan 14 [email protected] Box 1091 S-405 23 Göteborg

SWEDEN Tel.: +46 31 61 10 00 Second Tel.: +46 70453 37 00 Hans-Åke Persson E-mail: [email protected] Observer

Västra Götalandsregionen UNITED KINGDOM Attention: Hans-Åke Persson Norra Hamngatan 14 John Saltford Box 1091 Member S-405 23 Göteborg Department for Communities and Local Tel.: +46 3163 0985 Government, European Co-operation Branch, Second Tel.: +46 705 28 18 93 ERDF & State Aid Division Fax: +46 3163 0970 Attention: John Saltford E-mail: [email protected] Eland House, 1/A3 Bressenden Place SW1E 5DU London Olov Schultz United Kingdom Member Tel.: +44 20 7944 3911 National Board of Housing, Building and Fax: +44 20 7944 3809 Planning E-mail: [email protected] Attention: Olov Schultz Box 534 S-371 23 Karlskrona Roy Boulton Member Tel.: +46 455 35 3151 E-mail: [email protected] Northamptonshire County Council, Growth Management County Hall P.O Box 163 NN1 1AX Northampton Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 1

Tel.: +441604 236 056 Fax: +44 1604 23 6065 E-mail: [email protected]

Miranda Abrey Member

Zone 3/A1 Eland House Bressenden Place LondonSW1E 5DU

Tel.: +4402079443911 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7944 3809

E-mail:[email protected]

Billy McLean Observer

Scottish Government High Common Road, East Kilbride Glasgow G74 2AU Scotland

Tel.: +44 1355 237200 Email: [email protected]

Jon Jordan Observer

Department for Communities and Local Government Elan House, 1/A3 Bressenden Place SW1E 5DU London

Tel.: +44 1259 781404 E-mail: [email protected]

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Viktoria Varga Lencses EC advisor

European Commission, DG Regional Policy, Unit D.1, CSM2 6/37, Desk Officer Avenue de Tervuren 41 B-1049 Brussels

Tel.: +32 2 296 47 80 Fax: +32 2 296 3290 E-mail: [email protected]

Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 2

Membership of the Steering Committee in 2008

CHAIR – MEETING 2 & 3 FLEMISH REGION

Axel R. Kristiansen Elke Tiebout Member Ministry of the Environment, Agency of Agency for Economy Spatial and Environmental Planning, National Koning Albert II Laan 35, bus 12 Planning Division B-1030 Brussels Attention: Axel R. Kristiansen Haraldsgade 53 Tel.: +32 25533731 DK-2100 København Ø Fax: +32 25024702 Denmark E-mail: [email protected]

Tel.: +45 72 54 26 69 Astrid Vliebergh E-mail: [email protected] Member

DENMARK Province of East Flanders Gouvernemstraat 1 Anette Prilow BE-9000 Gent Member Tel,: +32 92678732 Danish Regions E-mail: [email protected] Attention: Anette Prilow Dampfærgevej 22 Jonas Lagrou P.O.Box 2593 Member DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Provincie West-Vlaanderen Tel.: +45 35 29 82 71 Koning Leopold III-laan 41 Fax: +45 35 29 83 00 BE-8200 Brugge E-mail: [email protected] Tel.:+32 (0)50 40 34 08 Henrik M. Jensen E-mail: [email protected] PA representative GERMANY Central Denmark Region Skottenborg 26 Antje Hauptvogel DK-8800 Viborg Member

Tel.: +45 8728 5096 Ministry for Rural Areas, Food, Agriculture and Fax: +45 87285900 Consumer Protection of Lower Saxony E-mail: [email protected] Calenberger Str. 2 / Ref. 302 D-30169 Hannover Kaja Korgaard Member Tel.: +49 511 120 5973 Fax: +49 511 120 5967 Danish Enterprise and Construction Authority Email: [email protected] Regional Policy Vejlsøvej 29 DK-8600 Silkeborg

Tel.: +45 3546 6431 Fax: +45 3546 6402 E-mail: [email protected]

Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 2

Verena Hachmann Fiona Wieland Member Substitute

Federal Office for Building and Regional Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Planning (BBR), European Spatial and Urban Environment (VROM) Development Attention: Fiona Wieland Attention: Verena Hachmann Rijnstraat 8 Deichmanns Aue 31-37 P.O. Box 30940 D-53179 Bonn NL-2500 GX Den Haag

Tel.: +49 228 99 401 1341 Tel.: +31 70 339 2539 Fax: +49 228 99 401 2260 Fax: + 31 70 339 1200 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

Anja Schmid Lidwien Slothouwer - van Schipstal Member Observer

Ministry of Justice, Employment and SenterNovem Utrecht European Affairs of Land Schleswig-Holstein PO Box 8242 Stabstelle- und Nordseeangelegenheiten NL-3503 RE Utrecht Lorentzendam 35 D-24103 Kiel Tel: +31(0)30 – 214 7028 e-mail: [email protected] Tel,: +49 431 988 2646 E-mail: anja-verena.schmid.umi.landsh.de Mark Overman Member Claudia Eggert Observer Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM) Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg (Free and Rijnstraat 8 Hanseatic City of Hamburg) P.O. Box 20951, ipc 670 Postfach 11 21 09 NL-2500 EZ Den Haag D-20421 Hamburg Tel.: +31 70 339 27 06 Tel,: +49 40 42840 80 13 Fax: + 31 70 339 1306 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

THE NETHERLANDS Hugo Niesing Substitute Birgit Dufour Member Kortenaerkade 1 PO. Box 20907 Province of Zeeland NL-2500 EX the Hague Attention: Birgit Dufour Provinciehuis, Abdij 6 Tel.: +31 703114447 P.O. Box 6001 E-mail: [email protected] NL-4330 LA Middelburg

Tel.: +31 118 631463 Fax: +31 118 63 8636 E-mail: [email protected]

2 Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 2

Albert Haan SWEDEN Member Maud Schön Northern Netherlands Provinces Member Snekertrekweg 1 NL-2399 AE Groningen Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications, Division for Regional Tel: +31(0)655876729 Growth Fax: +31(0)582928362 Attention: Maud Schön E-mail: [email protected] Mäster Samuelsgatan 70 S-103 33 Stockholm NORWAY Tel.: +46 8405 3852 Axel Rød Second Tel.: +46 70 213 6730 Substitute Fax: +46 820 31 27 E-mail: [email protected] Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Hans-Åke Persson Attention: Axel Rød Observer Akersgt. 59 Postboks 8112 Dep Västra Götalandsregionen N-0032 Oslo Attention: Hans-Åke Persson Norra Hamngatan 14 Tel.: +47 22 24 70 16 Box 1091 Fax: +47 22 24 27 38 S-405 23 Göteborg E-mail: [email protected] Sweden

Bjørn Reisz Tel.: +46 3163 0985 Member Second Tel.: +46 705 28 18 93 Fax: +46 3163 0970 Telemarks Fylkeskommune E-mail: [email protected] Attention: Bjørn Reisz Fylkeshuset, Fylkesbakken 6 Henrik Lindblom N-3706 Skien Substitute

Tel.: +47 3558 4451 Region Värmland Fax: +47 3552 9044 Attention: Henrik Lindblom E-mail: [email protected] Drottninggatan 45 P.O. Box 1022 Kate Clarke S-651 15 Karlstad Member Tel.: +46 54 29 50 00 Hordaland County Council, European Office Attention: Kate Clarke Olov Schultz Agnes Mowinkels Gt. 5 Member P.O. Box 7900 N-5020 Bergen National Board of Housing, Building and Planning Tel.: +47 5523 9532 Attention: Olov Schultz Second Tel.: +47 9346 7645 Fax: +47 5523 9319 Box 534 E-mail: [email protected] S-371 23 Karlskrona

Tel.: +46 455 35 3151 E-mail: [email protected]

3 Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 2

Vivi-Ann Nilsson Jim Millard Member Member

Västra Götalandsregionen, Growth and Scottish Government, European Structural Development Funds Division Attention: Vivi-Ann Nilsson Attention: Jim Millard Norra Hamngatan 14 Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street Box 1091 G2 6AT Glasgow S-405 23 Göteborg Tel.: +44 141 242 5789 Tel.: +46 31 61 10 00 Fax: +44 141 242 5959 Second Tel.: +46 70453 37 00 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Jon Jordan Ylva Rönning Observer Substitute Department for Communities and Local National Board of Housing, Building and Government Planning Elan House, 1/A3 Bressenden Place Box 534 SW1E 5DU London S-371 23 Karlskrona Tel,: +44 1259 781404 Tel.: +46 455 35 31 15 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: +46455353244 E-mail: [email protected] Melissa Mackin Member UNITED KINGDOM Scottish Government, European Structural Emma Harvey Funds Division Member Attention: Jim Millard Meridian Court, 5 Cadogan Street One Northeast, International Policy Team G2 6AT Glasgow Attention: Emma Harvey Stella House, Goldcrest Way, Newburn Tel,: +44 141 242 5777 Riverside E-Mail: [email protected] NE15 8NY Newcastle Upon Tyne

Tel.: +44 191 229 6455 E-mail: [email protected]

Elisabeth Drew Member

Dunfermline Business Centre, Funding Development Attention: Elisabeth Drew Izatt Avenue KY11 3BZ Dunfermline

Tel.: +44 1383 602 389 Second Tel.: internal line 492 176 Fax: +44 7904662265 E-mail: [email protected]

4 Interreg IIIB North Sea Programme______Appendix 3

Contact Point Network in 2008

DENMARK * Please, note that Lidwien Slothouwer Axel R. Kristiansen worked at VROM in 2008. Ministry of the Environment, Agency of Spatial and Environmental Planning, National NORWAY Planning Division Attention: Axel R. Kristiansen Kate Clarke Haraldsgade 53 Hordaland County Council, European Office DK-2100 København Ø Attention: Kate Clarke Agnes Mowinkels Gt. 5 Tel.: +45 72 54 26 69 P.O. Box 7900 E-mail: [email protected] N-5020 Bergen

FLEMISH REGION Tel.: +47 5523 9532 Second Tel.: +47 9346 7645 Elke Tiebout Fax: +47 5523 9319 Agency for Economy E-mail: [email protected] Attention: Elke Tiebout Koning Albert II Laan 35, bus 12 SWEDEN B-1030 Brussels Hans-Åke Persson Tel.: +32 25533731 Västra Götalandsregionen Fax: +32 25024702 Box 1091 E-mail: [email protected] S-405 23 Göteborg

GERMANY Tel: +46 3163 0985 Fax: +46 3163 0970 Claudia Eggert E-mail: [email protected] Freie Hansestadt Hamburg, Referat Regionalplanung UNITED KINGDOM Alter Steinweg 4 D-20459 Hamburg Jon Jordan Department for Communities and Local Tel.: +49 40 42840 80 13 Government Fax: +49 40 42840 83 96 Eland House, 1/A3 Bressenden Place E-mail: [email protected] SW1E 5DU London

THE NETHERLANDS Tel.: +44 1259 781404 Lidwien Slothouwer - van Schipstal * Fax: +44 1259 781411 SenterNovem Utrecht E-mail: [email protected] PO Box 8242 NL-3503 RE Utrecht

Tel: +31(0)30 – 214 7028 e-mail: [email protected]

Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

Overview of finalised projects

BESST Lead Partner: Peak District National Park Authority, United Kingdom Other partners: Hylte Municipality, Sweden University of Derby, United Kingdom Fyresdal Municipality, Norway Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 Measure: 1.3 Project aim: BESST aimed to stimulate economic development of rural areas based on the environmental distinctiveness of the partner regions. Therefore the project developed and tested a new approach (“Virtuous Spiral”) by linking spatial and economic development with environmental conservation to improve the quality of life in rural areas. Project implementation and Combining the assets of environment and heritage the BESST project has results: developed opportunities for small-scale tourism economic activities in rural peripheral areas. This led to a new and increased awareness of the environmental qualities and heritage of the involved regions.

Businesses used local environmental assets as a means of promoting their business. Connecting economy and environment and creating a well- known label for environmental friendly businesses created a win-win situation for the entrepreneurs.

One of the main achievements was that BESST increased local ‘pride in the places’. A new awareness of, and pride in their environmental qualities and heritage, and a growing recognition of and pride in their neighbours, colleagues and businesses was established.

This raised the awareness to live in ‘a place with a future as well as a place with a past’ and that the locals were able to create a better future for themselves and their communities. During the implementation a powerful sense of shared values was built up by the public administrations and private businesses. It was based on mutual respect and driven by the principle of caring for, and using, the environment.

In many cases the project has exceeded expectations and achieved or inspired unforeseen lasting benefits. A survey on the impacts of the project revealed positive effects on businesses: The marketing, promotion and networking opportunities created by BESST were significant. Furthermore, businesses were encouraged to use ICT more effectively and new collaborations created new business and social links and greater community cohesion.

The development of public projects deliberately aimed at creating private sector business benefits can be seen as an innovative feature. Two specific BESST examples have received prestigious awards: In the Peak District, the Heritage Walks book won a regional award for its innovative way of combining highly accessible, user-friendly detailed heritage information and route directions, linked to support the local economy. In Hylte, the Femsjö Octagon was awarded a regional prize for its quality and creativeness.

Another example of innovation that was BESST-inspired but financed from other sources, is Hylte’s GPS-based “Become a botanist” material. It utilises new technology to provide information to the public at Femsjö for the self-study of 150 plants in the area. The material is being launched on

1 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

a trial scale at the time of writing and will be fully launched in the course of 2009.

Leverage of extra investment As BESST developed, some ideas could not be financed from the BESST budget if they were to realise their full potential. The partners used the prestige and momentum the project had created to generate extra funding or effort to make BESST’s activities as effective as possible. Examples: • Contributions from Derbyshire County Council, Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership, Severn Trent Water and the Peak District National Park Authority to the Trails Triangle; • National, regional and local contributions to elements of the Femsjö Octagon; • Contributions from local voluntary groups and organisations to several of the Hylte and Fyresdal projects.

Mode of cooperation Due to its transnational and cooperative approach, several international exchanges were carried out during the lifetime of the project. They were designed to stimulate a range of activities simultaneously in three places on an ongoing, progressive basis and to allow the partners to share the lessons learned.

During the exchange visits, the participants shared inspirations for new products and services, new ways of working and new business opportunities. Hence the participants were encouraged to think about ideas that could be applied ‘back home’ either within their business or more widely within their area.

The prestige of a transnational demonstration project, international exchanges and meeting people from other countries was a strong stimulation for business animation, building trust and team spirit between businesses and administrations.

Bottom-up approach At the international, national and regional level, BESST has shown that a low cost four-year programme focused on a series of exchange meetings and practical projects can have a profound impact. At the core of the project was a “bottom-up approach” – generating inspiration and self- confidence is probably a more cost effective approach than conventional public support programmes. Impact: Long-term achievements and Ppolicy shaping In the municipality of Fyresdal, Norway, the project has led to a political agreement that internationalisation is the way forward. The project has been recognised at national level as one of the reasons for population growth and positive development in Fyresdal. A study was conducted by Kommunenes Sentralforbund (the national organisation for all Norwegian municipalities) on demographics, which highlighted 6 out of 430 municipalities with creative strategies to help population decline. Fyresdal was among them, and BESST was explicitly highlighted as a reason for the success of the municipality.

The impacts of BESST will continue to develop long after the official end of the project. The survey findings and the feedback from businesses and public sector staff involved in the project support the idea that the necessary strategies have been implemented, so that the rewards of sustainable development will be shown in the longer term. Amount granted: €1050000 Status: Finalised

2 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

BIRD Lead Partner: Landkreis Osterholz, Germany Other partners: Nørre Djurs Computer-Bøvl Milieu, Djursland International Institute of Rural Wireless Broadband, Intercommunale Leiedal, Belgium Denmark Norfolk County Council, United Erhvervsudvikling Vest - TIC (EU Kingdom Vest), Denmark East of England Development Noorderpoort College, The Agency, United Kingdom Netherlands Stavanger University College, Campus Varberg, Sweden Norway Länsstyrelsen Värmland, Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 Measure: 2.4 Project aim: The main aim of the BIRD project was to exchange experience and expertise on broadband implementation to enhance regional (rural) broadband access and usage. Project implementation and Spatial development results: Based on the regional findings and evaluations as well as the meetings of the think tank, BIRD has worked out several recommendations for Broadband development and use on North Sea Region, regional and local level, recommendations for broadband as a tool for regional development and has given recommendations for the new spatial agenda of the Programme. Implementing those recommendations and analyses is a process which was started with BIRD and which is still ongoing on regional as well as international level. As a final result seven regional broadband development concepts have been carried out during the project.

Pilot projects Additionally 25 best practices and eight case studies were worked out by the partners on the basis of a common methodology. For instance the best practise in Värmland, Sweden has succeeded in increasing knowledge of e-commerce and stimulating as well as promoting e-commerce development in the region. The region invested in a portal ‘Meetingpoint Wermland’, in short, this is a digital toolbox filled with services for sending and receiving electronic invoices, where companies and municipalities can operate e-commerce.

Another example was the initiative E-courses for Teacher Training in Groningen, The Netherlands. This best practise was about learning & teaching by use of broadband technology and provide recommendations for instance about how to increase IT-skills of teachers and students.

Mode of cooperation The project involved a wide range of sectors, such as the private sector: users and businesses and the creative industry, the public sector: municipalities, regional and national authorities and governments, and education and research, such as research institutes and universities. Moreover, the project established strong links with other projects including the Baltic Rural Broadband project and other Interreg IIIB project: ICT for SME's, LoG-IN and E-Voice. Thereby, the project could exchange complementing experiences and benefit form each other outcomes. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping 3 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

The project BIRD has achieved sound results in setting the strategic points for the future development of broadband accessibility in rural areas. The project succeeded in raising the awareness of stakeholders of all policy levels in relation to this topic by addressing it in the right moment. As one example the Lead Partner was able to forward the idea of a task force on area-wide Broadband access to the federal government and Ministry of Economics in Germany. Further lobbying influenced the National Ministry of Economics to initiate a broadband competence centre for Germany.

The Lead Partner region has achieved to become a competence centre in the rural-broadband sector. By implement the BIRD office, the project succeeded to set the institutional surrounding enabling a long lasting impact of the project by promoting innovation to business and education through broadband. As a consequence of BIRD, the IVB project e-clic has been developed and approved. Amount granted: €325000 Status: Finalised

4 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

B-SURE Lead Partner: Port of Rotterdam, The Netherlands Other partners: Municipality of Vlaardingen, The Freie und Hanse Stadt Hamburg, Netherlands Germany Colchester Borough Council, United Kingdom City of Aalborg Council, Denmark Stuurgroep Experimenten Volkshuisvesting (SEV), The Spiellandschaft Stadt e.V., Germany Netherlands City of Emden, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 3 3 1 Measure: 3.1 Project aim: The B-SURE project was set up to come to a co-operative international effort aimed at improvement of the quality of life in the town-harbour zones. The aim of the B-SURE project was to find out in what way small investments (so called "Pin Point Initiatives (PPI)") can be used optimally to improve the quality of public spaces in neighbourhoods along rivers and canals. Spatial elements such as water and cultural heritage played an important role in the development and identity of those places. Project implementation and The project developed pin-point initiatives as an effective and low cost results:: means of improving the quality of the townscape along rivers and canals. This involved local stakeholders in order to adapt planned activities for local needs. National think tanks participated to increase relevance on the national level and to disseminate results to a wider audience, by means of strategy and policy papers. Some of the outputs included a river Park, restored quay areas and an interactive design tool.

As an example in the isolated and deprived Schiemond (NL), a community riverside-zone had undergone a major transformation. The region has now become a more attractive and accessible place for recreation and experiencing the river / harbour as urban heritage. A new connection with other parts of town had also been established. Interactive planning with the neighbourhood and raising awareness on the urban heritage have stimulated the development of a common identity among inhabitants of this immigrant neighbourhood.

The project’s contribution to the joint transnational strategy with the creative development and restoration of landscapes and its integrated approach to new developments, contributed to the protection and restoration of cultural, natural and historical landscapes and townscapes. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy-shaping The project has demonstrated that small investments can promote urban and cultural heritage while at the same time, create a spin-off effects in the direct surroundings. For instance, one of the investments prepared the ground for future developments and investments to the area adjacent to King Edward Quay in Colchester (UK). An important aspect is that in all developed pin-point initiatives, future investments will be done by the local organizations involved, such as housing corporations and/or the local authority.

The reports for national governments consisted of brief and short recommendations that were part of the overall end report of B-SURE. In Emden (DE), the idea of using water and preserving cultural heritage had already influenced planning at different levels of government. Amount granted: €3068789 Status: Finalised

5 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

BurVal Lead Partner: Leibniz Institute for Applied Geosciences, GGA-Institute, Germany Other partners: TNO-NITG, National Geographical Survey, The Vejle County, Denmark Netherlands LANU, Landesamt für Natur und Ringkjøbing County Council, Umwelt Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark Germany BGR, Bundesanstalt für Sønderjylland Municipality, Geowissenschaften und Denmark Rohstoffe, Germany Ministry of the Environment, Umweltbehörde Hamburg, BUG, Denmark Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 4 4 1 Measure: 4.1 Project aim: The aim of BurVal has been to deliver knowledge and understanding of the structural and hydrological properties of deeper groundwater resources found in buried valleys. This led to the development of spatial planning strategies that take these ancient groundwater reservoirs into account and ensure a sustainable fresh water resource management. Project implementation and Pilot projects results: As a main outcome, 6 pilot projects have been carried out in the participating areas where groundwater quality and quantity were evaluated. The results have been used as input for the development of geophysical methods and a model for exploration and examination of groundwater resources. These methods have provided useful insights, once evaluating different spatial development scenarios.

The implementation sites in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, where two waterworks started in 2007 in order to use the geological 3D model to produce a groundwater flow model to optimise the water extraction from the catchments areas will need some time to take effect.

Spatial development On the basis of the improved understanding gained through the project, action plans and recommendations have been developed. The results are summarised in the book "Groundwater Resources in Buried Valleys - a Challenge for Geosciences". It includes a 'technical part' as well as a 'planning part'. The book addresses experts on the one hand and decision makers, spatial planners, waterworks and public authorities on the other.

Mode of cooperation The co-operation of several scientific institutes and public authorities in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands have supported both knowledge transfer between the concerned North Sea regions and established future European drinking water policies.

The BurVal project has had close links and co-operation with the BRIDGE project within the EC Sixth Framework Programme on Research and Development. The BurVal project has provided important data on how to derive groundwater threshold values for selected trace elements and thus evaluated the groundwater chemical status based on these data, in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive and the new Groundwater Directive (approved in

6 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

December 2006). Impact: Long-term achievements The conducted geophysical and geological mapping, which was performed in the project, will be used in the delineation of groundwater bodies as requested by the Water Framework Directive and in evaluation of the 3D structure of the subsurface, which is important for the spatial planning in the investigated regions and evaluation of the compliance with the EU directives.

Policy shaping The issues associated with sustainable fresh water use are important in the European agenda. The project has provided an important insight in this aspect and presents an interesting link between academic research and end user applicability of the research results.

Dissemination The international technical and scientific community was also involved in the project, in particular in the dissemination of the results through publication in technical and scientific journals. The BurVal book can be downloaded from the project website. Amount granted: €1354026,50 Status: Finalised

7 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

Canal Link Lead Partner: British Waterways, United Kingdom Other partners: Province of Noord-Holland, The Telemarks Fylkeskommune, Norway Netherlands Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Länsstyrelsen Värmland, Sweden Belgium Stichting Recretietoervaart Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Nederland, The Netherlands Germany Municipality of Langedijk, The Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 3 1 1 Measure: 3.2 Project aim: Canal Link's aim was to investigate how the region's network of navigable waterways can be further developed, based on the cultural and environmental heritage of the waterways themselves. Three broad themes were investigated: • Development of tourism links across the North Sea and between inland waterways in the region, • Development and expansion of the recreational waterway network in the region, Promotion and development of economic activity and entrepreneurship, based on the cultural heritage and tourism on inland waterways. Project implementation and Spatial development results: Through Canal Link the value of waterways as a catalyst for regeneration of urban and rural areas has become increasingly recognised, together with the need to ensure that waterways are better integrated with adjacent land uses. As a key result the Canal Link project carried out a study into opportunities for developing yachting links between canals across the North Sea, particularly between Scotland and Scandinavia.

Activities Following this approach initial follow-up promotional activities were undertaken, including provision of better information and the development of travel packages. Further improvements were made to canal entrance harbours to provide a better welcome for visiting yachtsmen.

Another main achievement was the classification of a recreational waterway network of the North Sea Region according to the proposed United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) classification system. Therefore an initial assessment of gaps and bottlenecks in the network was made, followed by actions to contribute to the extension of the waterway network in the region.

Additionally a specific investigation into the issue of waste water from recreational boats was carried out (which may have implications in terms of the Water Framework Directive).

A range of actions were undertaken in relation to stimulating economic development and entrepreneurship. This was underpinned by bringing together model techniques for appraising and evaluating waterway projects in economic and social terms. Specific activities included • Business networking and stimulating inward investment by overseas entrepreneurs in Norway and Sweden; • The development of new waterway products, such as hire boating on the Lowlands Canals in Scotland or winter activities on canals in

8 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

Sweden (to extend the season); • Better information and linkages to connect waterways with their surroundings and local businesses; • Environmental improvements to make former industrial waterside areas more attractive for inward investment.

Innovative solutions The project stimulated a number of innovative ideas in terms of tourist development on waterways including travel packages and trailer links between canals as well as piloting ways of involving the public in projects through the use of GIS-based platforms (in association with the Geoshare project). Also, it has looked at new mechanisms for funding the restoration of waterways – for example, it is anticipated that a substantial part of the funding for the restoration of the Bradford Canal will come from the private sector, through planning gain.

Leverage of extra investment Additional investments and activity generated through Canal Link will be implemented by partners, again under the Canal Link banner. These range from further restoration work on the canals in Langedijk and the restoration of the Bradford Canal to business and product development activities in Varmland and Telemark and to the implementation of landscaping works in West Flanders.

Mode of cooperation The project involved the public and private sectors as well as the voluntary sector and the general public. The most successful way to involve cross- sectoral stakeholders was found to be to involve them directly in the project as sub-partners. By involving sub-partners in the delivery of activities, greater ownership and enthusiasm was generated amongst local stakeholders, leading to better quality projects being created. Also the sub- partners used their own local networks to involve even more organisations in the project, particularly from the private and voluntary sectors.

Joint transnational cooperation was essential for many aspects of the Canal Link project. Providing an international framework within which partners could work more effectively, in terms of common frameworks and approaches (the classification system for inland waterways, waste water research, economic impact methodologies etc.) and joint working between partners (yachting links across the North Sea, international stimulation of entrepreneurship, GIS-mapping etc.).

All partners gained greater insights into the complexities of the sustainable management and development of Europe’s waterways, with the need to balance economic, social and environmental factors as well as deal with potential conflicts (and of course synergies) between different uses of water. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping Canal Link raised awareness at both national and EU levels to see the importance of the inland waterway network of Europe for tourism and recreation, and as a catalyst for the economic, social and environmental regeneration of communities. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) classification system forms a basis for defining this network. The Canal Link pilot work undertaken in relation to this will be used to feed back comments and conclusions to the UNECE Secretariat regarding possible recommendations to national states. In the long-term, this might form the basis for a future EU initiative in this area.

The report on waste water from boats will be fed into research in relation to recreational waterways being undertaken in connection with the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.

9 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

Dissemination The lessons learned through Canal Link will be spread to waterways in Southern and Eastern Europe, through the connections made with the Interreg IIIB Baltic Sea Inwater project and via the Interreg IIIC VNE network. Amount granted: €2551568 Status: Finalised

10 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

Chain of Safety Lead Partner: Province of Zeeland, The Netherlands Other partners: Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Directorate-General for Flemish Government - Agency for Public Safety and Security, The Maritime and Coastal Services - Netherlands Division Coast, Belgium National Institute for Coastal and Ministry of Traffic Danish Coastal Marine Management/ RIKZ, The Authority / Kystdirektoratet, Netherlands Denmark Essex County Council, United Schleswig-Holstein State Ministry of Kingdom the Interior, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 3 1 Measure: 4.3 Project aim: The aim of the project was to facilitate co-operation, exchange of experience and mutual assistance within the North Sea Region (NSR) in the event of coastal flooding. The overall objective of the project was to initiate a contingency plan for flooding covering the whole North Sea Area in order to implement this contingency plan during 2007 - 2013. Project implementation and Pilot projects results: The project presented a pilot coastal contingency plan, which served as a step and learning exercise towards future North Sea contingency planning in cross-border areas. Within the Dutch – Belgian coastal region the results of the inventories on available plans and equipment were used to compare the existing situations.

The project developed two recommendations as a final result. Those include a proposal to initiate a Knowledge Centre on Crisis Management of Coastal Flooding as a follow-up project as well as the recommendation for a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ as a basis for being able to work more effectively on a transnational level in case of a crisis.

Mode of cooperation Only the transnational partnership and strong cooperation between the partners has led to a comprehensive analysis of the existing local, regional and national flood plans in the NSR and to the definition of a contingency plan for flooding based on a common approach towards the chain of safety in the NSR. The cooperation was also crucial for the development of an inventory and study of the needed and available knowledge and equipment for implementing the chain of safety for the NSR.

A strong co-operation with the SafeCoast project has taken place, so that a wider network was involved in the Chain of Safety project. Some activities such as the final conference were organized together, so that besides cost effectiveness also a broader network and more expert knowledge were made available for both projects.

Furthermore, explorations were made to connect water-risk-management- networks to general hazard crisis-management-networks (such as the network of DG’s civil protection of the EU Member states and the Representatives of nations in the Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee of the NATO).

It should be noted that the Chain of Safety project partly builds on the results and outcomes of the ESCAPE project. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The project has met the aim to develop a primary basic document, as a

11 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

framework for a transnational contingency-plan on coastal flooding for the North Sea Region countries. This includes the risks and scenarios, the crisis-management and crisis-organisation in schemes of both countries and a cross-border scheme, the description of the main processes, alarm- schemes, a communication paragraph and information about facilities and logistics.

The recommendations developed within the project are to be presented to the European authority that is responsible for civil protection and crisis- management.

A network including the stakeholders of other Interreg projects was established facilitating cooperation, the exchange of experience and mutual assistance.

An additional outcome is that the project partners agreed on future cooperation in a Knowledge Centre for Crisis-management on floodings. The lead partner already started the initiation of this centre. The website eventually will be taken over by the knowledge centre. Amount granted: € 318206 Status: Finalised

12 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

CO 2 Lead Partner: Rogaland County Council, Norway Other partners: Hallands Turist, Sweden Fiets Platform, The Netherlands Ringkjøbing County Council, Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Denmark Belgium Nordseebäderverband Schleswig Suffolk County Council, United Holstein e. V., Germany Kingdom Deutsches Küstenland e. V., Germany Highland Council, United Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 Measure: 3.2 Project aim: In order to secure full and lasting benefits of the North Sea Cycle Route (former Interreg IIB project), the aim of the CO 2 project was to establish a permanent organisational structure, well publicised and branded, to offer a consistently high-quality cycling experience and an insight into the natural and man-made heritage of the North Sea Region as a whole. Cycle tourism gives minimal environmental impact and low demands on infrastructure with the bicycle being the most energy efficient form of transport. At the same time it offers considerable economic benefits for rural and peripheral areas derived from tourism.

Project implementation and The main achievement of the CO 2 project was the development of a results: permanent management structure to oversee the integration of the North Sea Cycle Route (NSCR) as a high quality product in the North Sea Region (NSR). This was supported by knowledge transfer and promotion of the NSCR including a website, newsletters, conferences, forums and exchanges.

Activities Besides physical improvements of infrastructure, such as improvements to road surfaces, signing and access to accommodations were undertaken to facilitate those using the existing NSCR. Additionally, new services and special cycle tour packages were established. CO2 facilitated the consolidation of the NSCR as a global tourist product beyond the NSR.

Mode of cooperation The main topic for co-operation with other IIIB projects like the Nave Nortrail project (IIIB), the Geoshare project (IIIB) and the KNOT project (IIIC) has been the website; including technical aspects as well as the sharing of knowledge.The North Sea Cycle Route project and the Nave Nortrail project share the same mapping solution and use a common article database, which was developed through the Geoshare project. The KNOT project used the same technology to develop a meta-database for information on accommodation, cultural and natural heritage. This database is currently in use by the North Sea Cycle Route and the NAVE Nortrail projects. After the official end of the project, the co-operation continued between the regions involved.

CO 2 meetings and activities stimulated active learning and created cross- sectoral networks and innovative actions among groups of people who did not work together in the normal run of their working life. For instance, the UK partners report that engaging with local activists and local politicians was one of their central bricks in this work.

Sustainability

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CO 2 addressed a sustainable approach taking environmental aspects into account. The increased use of sustainable transport throughout the regions along the route contributes to the reduction of CO2. Moreover physical improvement of the route as well as the information transferred over the website stimulated a greater environmental awareness and understanding of the cultural and natural heritage of the North Sea Region. Further, the project helped to consolidate the rural economic base in farming areas and hence contributed to the preservation of valuable cultural landscapes around the North Sea basin.

The project has used a successful bottom up approach, for instance in targeting the end user as well as the individual suppliers (and potential suppliers) of services for the cycling tourists. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping As the number of users (cyclists) continues to rise, it is expected that both the public and the private sector of the partner regions will continue to improve the physical standard and the level of services on offer along the North Sea Cycle Route also after the closure of the project.

Policy documents produced by the national road authorities in the different partner countries were influenced by the project, e.g. “The national cycle strategy” which is being developed in Norway. Furthermore regional politicians used the CO 2 project as an example to increase the focus on cycling and a healthy society in general.

After the end of the project the new established network of the former partnership will meet once a year to secure the transnational quality of the North Sea Cycle Route and the common website. Amount granted: € 1025640 Status: Finalised

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COMCOAST Lead Partner: Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management, The Netherlands Other partners: Ministry of Traffic Danish Coastal Province of Zeeland, The Authority / Kystdirektoratet, Netherlands Denmark Province of Groningen, The Netherlands Gemeente Hulst, The Netherlands Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg (University of Waterschap Zeeuwse Eilanden, The Oldenburg), Germany Netherlands Environment Agency, United Waterschap Zeeuws Vlaanderen, Kingdom The Netherlands Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap, Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 6 1 Measure: 4.3 Project aim: The ComCoast project worked on the future approach on safety against flooding around the North Sea. ComCoast aimed to achieve a more gradual transition zone from sea to land, creating benefits for the wider coastal community and environment. In this approach safety and spatial use in the coastal defence zone are combined. From this approach the name of the project originates: Combined functions in Coastal defence zones, which has been abbreviated to ComCoast.

ComCoast studied and investigated the following questions: • Where and when would this concept work well? • Which costs and benefits are to distinguish and how to deal with socio- economic issues? • Which technical aspects appear and how can they be solved? • How to involve stakeholders and general public in developing this new approach?

Project implementation and Activities results: The project addressed the issue of safety against flooding, applying a multi- disciplinary approach, combining safety against flooding, land-use and economic development encouraged stakeholders to participate. The project work has been divided into six work pack-ages related to reconnaissance of the spatial potentials of the hinterland areas, performance of a socio- economic evaluation of the wetlands, providing a variety of technical solutions for strengthening of the flooding defences; implementing participatory actions; and conducting pilot projects which had been fed from the results from the rest of the work packages.

The project created and applied new methodologies to evaluate multifunctional flood defence zones from an economical and social point of view. A more gradual transition from sea to land creates benefits for a wider coastal community and environment whilst offering economically and socially sound options. The project explored the spatial potentials for coastal defence strategies for current and future sites in the North Sea Region.

The activities focused on the following goals: • developing innovative technical flood defence solutions to incorporate

15 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

the environment and the people and to guarantee the required safety level; • improving and applying stakeholder engagement strategies with emphasis on public participation; • applying best practice multifunctional flood management solutions to the ComCoast pilot sites; • sharing knowledge across the Interreg IIIb North Sea region.

Sustainability The project has had several connections to other projects within North Sea Region project portfolio. FLOWS, Escape, ComrRisk, Safecoast and chain of safety in particular. Above all, ComCoast showed to be complementary by choosing to work as much as possible at pilot sites, while most of the other projects focussed more on theory, strategy and policies.

Bottom-up approach Specialists, experts, consultants were involved in the project development work, in particular in the workshops, surveys and pilot projects. This approach was very fruitful. Involving stakeholders was an important aspect of the ComCoast project. A lesson learned was that it is important to involve stakeholders at an early stage and to let them be involved in the decision-making.

Mode of cooperation Bringing in practice and experiences from other countries also contributed to a high rate of attention. Experiencing the different approaches of each country is useful. In the Netherlands safety has been organized by law for instance. In this way the Dutch national and regional authorities are obliged to secure a certain level of safety, so there is no specific incentive for instance for the farmers to take measures or to cooperate in finding other solutions themselves. In case the authorities fail to meet with their obligations, people will get compensation. While in the UK farmers have been successfully involved in how to deal with sea level rise and safety measures, just because they do not have any other compensation or alternative. Impact: Long-term achievements Depending on the regional demands, ComCoast developed tailor-made solutions: • coping with the future increase of wave overtopping of the embankments; • improving the wave breaking effect of the fore shore e.g. by using recharge schemes; • creating salty wetland conditions with tidal exchange in the primary sea defence using culvert constructions or by realigning the coastal defence system; • coping with the increasing salt intrusion • influencing policy, planning and people • gaining public support of multifunctional zones.

Dissemination The project also has been distributed on DVD in all five participating countries. In total 1.600 DVD´s have been distributed at meetings, seminaries, pilot sites and final at regional events. Furthermore, the project has contributed to a design study of the Hondsbossche and Pettemer Sea Defence on special request of the province of the Noord-Holland in the Netherlands. Amount granted: €2887769 Status: Finalised

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COMRISK Lead Partner: Schleswig-Holstein State Ministry of the Interior, Germany Other partners: Ministry of Traffic Danish Coastal Environment Agency, National Authority / Kystdirektoratet, Centre for Risk Analysis and Denmark Options Appraisal, United Kingdom Flemish Government - Agency for RWS, Rijks Instituut voor Kust en Maritime and Coastal Services - Zee, The Netherlands Division Coast, Belgium RWS, Dienst Weg en NLWK, Betriebsstelle Norden, Waterbouwerken, The Netherlands Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 2 1 Measure: 4.3 Project aim: The project aimed at sustainable coastal risk management in the North Sea Region through exchange of experience and common evaluation and pilot studies. It addressed the following aspects of risk management: Improvement of policies and strategies, common strategic planning tools, participation methods and performance indicators as well as common technical methods. Project implementation and ComRisk addressed the issue of improved protection from coastal floods results: (i.e., coastal risk management) through a transfer and evaluation of knowledge and methods as well as common pilot studies.

The projects contributed with nine studies on specific aspects of coastal risk management were conducted. In five evaluation studies, information from all participating countries was gathered and evaluated. In four pilot studies, state of the art risk assessments were carried out to test and evaluate newest methods for achieving the risk. In the cause of the project, seven expert workshops (about 140 participants) and a final conference (87 participants) were organised to exchange and evaluate experiences as well as to disseminate project results. In two pilot studies, local contacts groups were established to involve local knowledge. A final brochure and a technical report were published at the end of the project to disseminate outcomes to the general public as well as to coastal risk managers.

The project ran under the auspices of the North Sea Coastal Managers Group. This network consists of high level coastal risk managers and officers from supreme authorities around the North Sea that meet once per year on an informal basis. One of the deficits acknowledged during these meetings was the lack of time to exchange experiences (due to other obligations). COMRISK was seen as a way to intensify this exchange which turned out to be very successful. As a consequence, the INTERREG IIIB project SAFECOAST was organised as a follow up of COMRISK to continue the more intensive networking.

Sustainability The project also delivered two studies (“policies and strategies” and “perception and participation”) had a strong focus on the ICZM principles as defined in the respective EU-recommendation. Whereas the first study investigated the coastal risk policies and strategies with respect to the degree that they (already or should) comply with the ICZM principles, the other study 3 focussed on public involvement and participation. Both studies came up with respective recommendations.

In synthesis, with this project almost 200 directly and indirectly involved individuals and about 30 public and private institutions that work on coastal risk management in the North Sea Region have actually benefited from this

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transnational sharing of information and knowledge. This will lead to a quality improvement and harmonisation of coastal risk management in the North Sea Region, thereby ensuring a sustainable, harmonious and balanced development in the coastal lowlands of the North Sea Region.

The objective of COMRISK was to improve coastal flood risk management through a transfer and evaluation of knowledge and methods as well as pilot studies. This subproject has provided a comprehensive analytic framework as a tool to assess policies and strategies for the five regions. The analytic framework has proven to be an adequate tool for gaining insight in coastal risk management as applied in the North Sea Region. It is used to assess current national policies in terms of legal, social, technical, financial, socio-economic, ecological and managerial aspects. The framework can also benefit future policy analysis. Impact: Long-term achievements The impact that COMRISK did achieve is ensuring a sustainable, harmonious and balanced development in the coastal lowlands of the North Sea Region. Basic requirement is a well-functioning (safeguarding) coastal risk management.

In all, about 30 organisations (partners, consultants, local administrations, etc.) were directly involved in the project. More than 40 individuals (project team, consultants and contact groups) actively contributed to the project outcomes, and about 150 more persons were involved through workshops, expert questionnaires, etc. Together, they represent a significant part of the coastal risk management society in the North Sea Region. Amount granted: € 921712,50 Status: Finalised

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CREST Lead Partner: Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland, Sweden Other partners: Municipality of Strömstad, Sweden Municipality of Læsø, Denmark Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation, Whitby Beacon Town Forum, United Sweden Kingdom Orkney Boat Museum, United Municipality of Hvaler, Norway Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 3 2 Measure: 3.2 Project aim: The main aim of the project was to initiate a process to set guidelines for sustainable tourism destinations and to help regions overcome current social, economic and environmental constraints through the exploration and adoption of relevant policies and good practice. Project implementation and Spatial development results: A regional SWOT analysis of sustainable tourism has been carried out in all partner regions. The CREST work has been developed from the viewpoint of the destinations, based on the principle of local planners working together with local residents. While each destination has different priorities, all of them share a number of common problems, such as the huge influx of visitors during a relatively short summer season and the consequent seasonal infrastructure overload. All of the partners involved are close to, or within, areas of natural beauty, which can easily be damaged by over use and exploitation.

For a destination to be sustainable, other basic issues had to be dealt with, such as the provision of affordable housing for local people, the creation of job opportunities all the year round and the encouragement of young people to stay.

The main outcome of the project was the “CREST Toolkit with Recommended Actions for Creating a Sustainable Tourism Destination”, illustrating the results of the project and good practise examples.

One of the main achievements of the transnational work was a joint definition of sustainable tourism destinations as such and to identify the factors for becoming a sustainable tourism destination. Therefore contacts with representative from European Commission and Tourism Sustainability Group to develop the CREST work in connection with recommended guidelines have been very valuable. Impact: Dissemination and policy shaping In all partner areas there have been discussions and agreements with politicians, participating at the CREST seminars and conferences. The agreements have been about that the project results mainly will go in to the area planning work for the destinations.

The findings in CREST will be used in local work, but interest in national levels has been shown in all countries, by different bodies. The CREST project was also presented during the European Day of Tourism on the 7th of October 2008 at the Open Days European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels.

The target groups for the toolkit were local community workers in cooperation with tourist organisations, business associations and influential stakeholders ranging from local politicians to EU politicians and other policy makers. Amount granted: € 232500 Status: Finalised

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ERE Lead Partner: Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Other partners: Västra Götalandsregionen, Sweden City of Emden, Germany Other partners: Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim, Aalborg University, Denmark Germany Innovationsstiftung Schleswig- Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Holstein, Germany Belgium Aberdeenshire Council, United Kingdom Fife Council, United Kingdom University of East Anglia, United Region Halland, Sweden Kingdom Region Värmland, Energy Agency, Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 3 1 3 3 Measure: 3.3 Project aim: The main aim of the project was to investigate how regions can stimulate their economies by promoting sustainable energy. Project implementation and Spatial development results: In the ERE project, five regions (the core partners) systematically analysed their regional situation, looking for strong points and opportunities, and assessed various ways to stimulate the regional economy through sustainable energy.

The main result of this was a toolkit, which can be found on the ERE website, containing many examples of methods and approaches, either used or only invented, for stimulating regional economy and sustainable energy.

Activities The project demonstrated how tools, instruments and inspiring examples of how regions could energize their economies by stimulating sustainable energy made accessible for other regions. The toolkit was actually the sum of the ERE results, containing many examples of methods and approaches for stimulating regional economy and sustainable energy.

The examples were clustered around five themes: • Improve competitiveness of SMEs by improved energy efficiency; • Stimulate innovation in sustainable energy; • Opportunities in decentralised production; • Finance mechanisms to stimulate promising initiatives; • Regional interdependency.

Pilot projects The examples of successful regions and the theoretical background on the relation between energy and economy showed that regional authorities indeed have the opportunities to use their regional qualities, which distinguish the region from other regions, to stimulate their regional economies. The five regional cases and the toolkit delivered a lot of practical examples of how this can be done. In particular, the energy inventories provided a tool to analyse a regional energy system, with the goal to better understand the effects of interventions in the system and to enable comparative analysis between regions.

Furthermore, the project provided an Internet GIS as a tool to display and find interesting initiatives and energy players. The tool compared regional

20 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

achievements and cooperation opportunities and used Google Maps and web 2.0 for optimal interaction. The ERE-GIS activities have shown that it is indeed possible to build such a tool and that it can be very both useful as easy to use. Impact: The project explored and demonstrated how the promoting of sustainable energy could become a tool for regional economic development. Optimal use of the regional and local strong points, the regional qualities, makes regions capable of stimulating sustainable energy in a way the regional economy benefits most from. In addition, a number of projects have been approved within the new Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme as spin-off's or follow-up's to ERE, namely ANSWER, Built with Care and Cradle to Cradle Islands. Amount granted: €410000 Status: Finalised

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ESCAPE Lead Partner: Province of Zeeland, The Netherlands Other partners: Essex County Council, United Province of Oost-Vlaanderen, Kingdom Belgium Province of West-Vlaanderen, Rijkswaterstaat, Directie Zeeland, Belgium The Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 2 1 Measure: 4.3 Project aim: Escape aimed to minimise the effects of flooding situations in coastal areas, through improving contingency plans, increasing public awareness and developing systems for monitoring high water and evacuation possibilities. Project implementation and The project addressed the issue of flooding in coastal areas. The project is results: seen as very successful in achieving its objectives. The objectives mentioned in the application were: “To set-up a multi-faceted transnational disaster management strategy for flooding situations in one or more of the coastal areas of the North Sea Region. This has resulted in a transnational framework, modules and elements for the (further) development of integrated national, regional or local contingency plans, intended to reduce the effects of flooding disasters. An innovative approach for contingency plans has been assured by linking the pilot sessions of the High water Information System and the Evacuation Model. Furthermore public awareness modules have convinced people that a flood can happen every day, and what the public may expect from the government and what they can do to help themselves in case of a flood.

Implementation of this concept within other regions of the partner countries as well as within other (European) coastal regions has been stimulated by the ESCAPE-partners.” The Transnational Framework for contingency plans for example, provides a guideline and recommendations on working together in a transnational setting in the field of disaster relief.

Mode of cooperation The project was characterised by a common and highly innovative approach to flood risk management, extensive transnational cooperation on the central themes, with a strong emphasis on implementation and learning from developing the demonstration sites. These sites have had the significant benefit of raising the issues of flood risk management and climate change for discussion and understanding in all partner countries. Impact: The principle outcome was increased public awareness and knowledge about the risk of flooding, and greater understanding of the actions that need to be taken by the general public, scientists, and politicians during a flood event. This was achieved through the establishment of a transnational disaster management strategy for flooding situations in one or more of the coastal areas of the North Sea region. The strategy included integrated national, regional or local contingency plans intended to reduce the effects of flooding disasters and will link the HIS (High Water Information System) and an evacuation model which provided a new and innovative approach to contingency plans and planning.

Dissemination The videos/DVD’s, the ‘Watersnoodkrant’ (Flooding Newspaper), and the conferences increased the awareness for the effects and consequences of flooding and provided answers to the people and professionals on how to act and react in case of flooding. Both the HIS-model (High Water Information System), as well as the DSS-model proved to be highly

22 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

innovative models that did prove their added value in the pilots performed as part of the project. Amount granted: € 569088 Status: Finalised

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E-VOICE Lead Partner: Municipality of Dantumadeel, The Netherlands Other partners: Municipality of Uddevalla (also Freie Hansestadt Bremen (Free representing Ale and Härryda), Hanseatic City of Bremen), Sweden Germany Norfolk County Council, United Municipality of Groningen, The Kingdom Netherlands Intercommunale Leiedal, Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 1 1 Measure: 2.5 Project aim: E-VOICE intended to enhance the interest and the engagement of European citizens in general political issues within a representative democracy. The project developed, tested and advocated the multi-media dialogue approach: the combination of the strengths of the 'old' media (newspapers, radio, television, (mobile) telephone, libraries, etc.) and the 'new' ones (internet, e-mail, electronic chat-rooms and forums, sms, mms, etc.) in all phases of the policy cycle. Project implementation and The E-VOICE project has developed the multi-media dialogue approach, results: including an extensive inventory and thus successfully presented a number of tangible and measurable ‘lighthouse projects’, applying the multi-media dialogue approach in various lighthouse projects, including the extensive user-manual.

For instance, the pilot project in Zwaagwesteinde, the Netherlands has succeeded in creating realistic conditions in making democracy work on youngsters own their terms and conditions. The lighthouse project was recognised at a meeting of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in 2007, where the project was presented.

In this framework, the E-VOICE project partners at Uddevalla (SE) and Bremen (DE) developed and implemented large document handling systems to enable citizens to access the system via the internet. The Municipality of Groningen (NL) was very successful with the award-winning eLoket with 25 eServices with transactions and 325,000 visitors and 170,000 transactions per year. In Leiedal (BE) three multi-channel and multi-level product catalogues were set up and a single contact point was established. Impact: Long term achievements and dissemination The results of the multi media approach was described in a user manual. This provides guidelines and recommendations for setting up a multi media dialogue approach, indicates suitable multi media or M-tools (applications, techniques and protocols), describes best practice, gives practical examples, and offers suggestions as to which selection of means of communications is most appropriate for a specific situation. In this context, the project has fostered new developments and improved access to government through ICT.

The project has successfully implemented the extensive dissemination campaign of e-voice in terms of making the project widely recognised throughout a number of significant arenas for eParticipation and eDemocracy. This has certainly been highlighted and recognised through the various national awards that the project has received during the project: The eLoket SAM Award, the Belgian e-Governance Award in 2006 and the award winning voters' campaign 'Its not about politics, it's about you' in Norfolk, UK. Amount granted: €2325000 Status: Finalised 24 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

F4N Lead Partner: Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Other partners: Province of Drenthe, The Water Board of Oldenburg & East Netherlands Frisia (OOWV), Germany British Trust for Ornithology, United Telemark Forskning, Norway Kingdom PROCLAM vzw West Vlaanderen, Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, Belgium United Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 2 2 Measure: 3.1 Project aim: The aim of the project was to identify new ways to maintain and improve rural landscapes with enhanced ecological value and with preserved cultural identity. This was done in co-operation with farmers as well as regional organisations and volunteers in order to test best practices with respect to European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other relevant EU legislation. Project implementation and Pilot projects results: Seven regional pilots have been carried out, which all resulted in the improvement of biodiversity and living conditions.

In Germany, the pilot project realized the implementation of the EU-Water Framework Directive in the intensely used and at the same time highly efficient agricultural area around the Lethe River. As a result, improvements were achieved both for the biological and chemical quality of the river’s water. The future observation and maintenance of the Lethe restoration is assured by the project partners.

Another main achievement was the development of a public-private model for agrarian goods. The model is of high relevance regarding EU politics on agriculture. It offers a new way of encouraging closer ties between the public and rural affairs to help financing changes in farming practice.

Moreover, an efficient production chain from cattle grazing in natural landscape to the end-product has been set up and implemented. Another focus was put on the relation between agriculture, landscape and regional identity. In Norway, a regional symbol as carrier for cultural heritage was developed and implemented. The Flemish pilot worked on a sustainable agricultural production system, which provides better ecological quality of farmland, a restored landscape and the preservation of cultural heritage. Another initiative implemented a biodiversity action plan, which in the end resulted in a positive impact on biodiversity.

Mode of cooperation In co-operation with farmers as well as regional organisations and volunteers the F4N project identified and implemented seven best practices in the fields of maintaining and improving rural landscapes, enhancing their ecological value and preserving cultural identity. All findings were shared.

Through implementation of the pilot projects, integrated networks between farmers as well as governments, environmental and nature conservation institutes taking action in the fields of sustainable farming and environmental protection have been established. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The F4N project stimulated integrated policy-making at the regional, national and international levels in Europe and contributed to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) implementation in different countries.

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One pilot contributed to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive.

As a final result, the project developed recommendations regarding the potential improvements of agricultural policies. These were presented to all the relevant regional, national international parties including the relevant EU commissioner. Moreover, the Versatile Europe movement will be supported by the results of the project.

All findings were shared on regional and transnational level. For instance, the findings from the German pilot were disseminated through a brochure to different German regions. Due to the active co-operation with the local and regional water management bodies, the experience of procedure and results are used for several presentations in a wider area.

Within the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, the results will be used to highlight success of agriBAP approach and at Scottish governmental level to influence agri-environment policy. Amount granted: €1905104 Status: Finalised

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FLOWS Lead Partner: Cambridgeshire County Council, United Kingdom Other partners: Provincie Flevoland, The Netherlands Länsstyrelsen Värmland, Sweden Norwegian Water Resources and Ministry of Civil Construction and Energy Directorate, Norway Transport, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 Measure: 4.1 Project aim: FLOWS aim was to provide a tool box of techniques that planners, water managers and decision makers can use for decision support systems in areas facing increased flood risk from climate change. There is a need to protect existing flood prone areas, while managing flood plains to ensure a balance between social, economic and environmental considerations. Therefore the project’s requirement was to offer good practise examples for sustainable development and demonstrated practical low cost measures; including infrastructure for reducing flood damage to property and land, the results were widely disseminated. Project implementation and Spatial development results: The FLOWS project has demonstrated major improvements on the sustainable development in fluvial areas at risk of flooding. The main outcome was a tool box to meet the aim of improved sustainability of development in flood risk areas. Therefore improvements in integrating flood risk area’s information into a decision support system for spatial planning and water management were developed.

Spatial planning in particular is expected to play a crucial role in defining a response. Within the FLOWS project this was backed by a better social understanding of risks and responsibilities. Furthermore a main achievement was the investigation and development of best practice for living with flood risk in a changing climate.

Pilot projects The reduction of flood risk assists inhabitants of areas at risk and supports economic stability. Measures in this field of activity are mostly long-term orientated and have little visible impact on living conditions in the short term. FLOWS has clearly demonstrated how improvements can be made immediately for residents living in flood risk areas with its approach of Flood Proofing Retrofits to existing properties. In Norforlk, UK for instance, the activity has aimed to demonstrate that flood proofing can be achieved at reasonable costs, a residential property was retrofitted with flood proofing measures. This included raising the position of kitchen sockets, telephone and TV points above possible water levels as well as the installation of an alarm system which will provide a telephoned warning to all householders as soon as water levels begin to rise in nearby drainage channels. These measures enable inhabitants to react at an early stage, protect the property from floodwater and minimise damage if flooding does occur.

An important lesson of the project was that social context, the hydrological context and spatial planning need to be seen as combined elements in finding solutions for flood problems. The project has shown in various individual projects that integration of those disciplines is possible. This has been important for all partners.

Projects carried out under Work Package “Mapping and Modelling Flood Risk” consisted of a variety of relevant information such as eco-damage, spatial elevation, rainfall runoff, etc. and can be used in catchments area 27 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

everywhere. Making the information from these projects available through the web-based Interactive Learning Package facilitated transferability as well as personal contact between project participants and their supplementary contacts. Moreover the examples of using information and symbols to illustrate flood risk, which were produced in a pilot project, could clearly be reproduced elsewhere.

The Interactive Learning Package produced by the FLOWS project has been developed as a unique and useful learning tool for professionals and interested members of the public.

The software concept included web-based data management, data processing, web-based modelling and web-based information dissemination. For the first time an Open Source Product in flood risk management is available which is based on Open Geospatial Consortium standards and integrates rainfall runoff modelling, water profile modelling and risk modelling in one system.

A unique and innovative feature of visual GIS application was carried out in a Knowledge Map. In this matter the knowledge objects in the database were allocated to a geographic location. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping Results of Flows have clearly influenced flood management on the national level in all participating countries. They will be used for planning activities and for making future decision making on how to improve sustainability of development in fluvial areas at risk of flooding. Some of the project results will also be used to change or influence any legislation, shape future policies or planning guidance. For instance, in the Netherlands dissemination of the results will be a part of the Hanse passage network. Within the UK, spatial planners work to a government policy – Planning Policy Guidance for Development and Flood Risk. This policy was reviewed and the results of FLOWS helped to shape the new policy. FLOWS work also influenced the EU Flood Directive. Amount granted: € 4923787,50 Status: Finalised

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FRaME Lead Partner: Dienst Landelijk Gebied (DLG), The Netherlands Other partners: Province of Zuid-Holland, The Ministerie van de Vlaamse Netherlands Gemeenschap, Belgium Environment Agency, United Ministerie van de Vlaamse Kingdom Gemeenschap, Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 2 1 Measure: 4.3 Project aim: The aim of the FR@ME project was to reduce flood risk in North Sea Estuaries by advancing and promoting innovative solutions involving sustainable new land uses whilst safeguarding the Natura 2000 series and to provide new opportunities for social, economic and environmental benefits. FR@ME assisted in the practical development of sustainable flood risk management strategies in the North Sea estuaries, enabling the most beneficial strategic options and techniques to be adopted. Project implementation and The FR@ME project identifies three main study themes: Flood Control results: Areas, Sustainable New Land Uses and Communications. A number of thematic studies, and the experiences gained through the preparation and realisation of the demonstration sites were shared with extensive groups of stakeholders. This output collected and maintained as on-line best practice manual and the material investments in the field, provide tangible project results for the coming years.

Leverage of extra investment Large scale material investments have been an essential part of the FR@ME project. This included the study and preparation, as well as actually contributing to the construction of flood control areas and new land use solutions in the field. The demonstration projects provided effective ‘test cases’ for the proposed solutions, as well as essential ‘show cases’ for communication and decision making.

Overall the project activities have had a very positive impact on the development of recreation and ecotourism around the demonstration sites. This is applicable to all sites, but particularly visible at the Zuiderklip in the Biesbosch, Alkborough flats at the Humber and in the IJzer river valley.

Mode of cooperation FR@ME was characterised by a common and highly innovative approach to flood risk management, extensive transnational cooperation on the central themes, with a strong emphasis on implementation and learning from developing the demonstration sites. These sites have had the significant benefit of raising the issues of flood risk management and climate change for discussion and understanding in all partner countries. Impact: Long-term achievements There are some ‘spin-off’ examples from the demonstration projects. One example was the Alkborough flats demonstration project in the UK. All-in- all, more than £ 6 million has been invested in green tourism and visitor projects in the North Lincolnshire area as a direct result of the Alkborough flats demonstration project. The tourism and visitor projects are now being led by one of the Alkborough flats-project partners, the North Lincolnshire Council – UK Local Government agency.

The collected knowledge on the main themes of the project, accessible by the BPM website, will ensure that future estuary projects can use the revised and updated information on communication strategies, flood control areas, alternative land use strategies in estuaries, social-economic

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costs/benefits, developments in Bird-/Habitat Directive (Natura2000) areas and decision making methodology. Amount granted: € 4894322,50 Status: Finalised

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FSI Lead Partner: Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Other partners: Province of Zeeland, The Insel- und Halligkonferenz e.V. Other partners: Netherlands Region Uthlande, Germany Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Environmental Forum Halland, Belgium Sweden Innovatie Centrum West- Vlaanderen, Belgium Svalöv Municipality, Sweden North Jutland County Council, Denmark Renewables East, United Kingdom Centre for Sustainable Engineering, Flagskibet.dk, Denmark United Kingdom City of Emden, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 2 2 2 2 2 Measure: 1.5 Project aim: The aim was to create an interregional co-operation on sustainable innovation in the North Sea Region between relevant stakeholders in order to foster start-ups and development of innovative companies, products and tools. Project implementation and The measurable results largely centred on exchange of experience results: (workshops and final conferences) and the development of follow-up projects. One of these development projects were Cradle to Cradle Islands (C2CI), which was approved within the framework of the Interreg IVB North Sea Region programme. C2CI will focus on the development of new and sustainable energy-related technologies and strategies in islands around the North Sea Region.

The project has improved facilities and opportunities for research and development. The project has been prepared as a tool to stimulate and accelerate the process of sustainable innovations. The main idea behind the project was to create an interregional co-operation on sustainable innovation between relevant stakeholders in order to foster the start-up and development of innovative companies, products and tools. Impact: Policy shaping The project has received political recognition as there is a political agreement for using the project results. The final political conference was a big step forward in broadening the developed network into a world wide network (as the participants to a large extent came from outside Europe 55 out of 185 participants): The initiative for a new world wide network on sustainable innovations of the Dutch Cartesius Institute for sustainable innovations and the worldwide organisation Greening of Industries (GIN). As a consequence, another conference ‘Manifesto’ with recommendations for improved interregional co-operation on sustainable innovation was handed over to the European Commission in 2008. In addition, the manifesto ‘Regions for Sustainable Innovations’ was also presented for the European Parliament. Amount granted: € 278050 Status: Finalised

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FSII Lead Partner: Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland, Sweden Other partners: North Jutland County Council, Västra Götalandsregionen, Sweden Denmark Fiskeriverket, Sweden Østfold Fylkeskommune, Norway Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory, Swedish Meteorological and Sweden Hydrological Inst., SMHI, Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 5 Measure: 3.4 Project aim: The project aimed to widen the knowledge and deliver concrete actions for a cleaner and more attractive sea and coast. The project work involved governmental and regional organisations as well as other interested parties. Project implementation and Pilot projects results: The project has completed various pilot projects to demonstrate different techniques to reduce water pollution as well as waste reception technologies in participating countries, improved biotopes and developed spatial planning guidelines.

Other outcomes have included the modelling of the Skagerrak, both biologically and geologically, the updating of various measures carried out in the Interreg IIC Forum Skagerrak project and the development of standard methods for the collection, classification and analysis of different types of data.

Mode of cooperation The project has improved the marine and coastal zone environment of Skagerrak through transnational and cross-sectoral co-operation between the bordering regions. One of the lasting effects of the project is the creation of a permanent Forum Skagerrak organisation. The project will continue to gain financial support after it is finished.

Furthermore, the project has been an important arena for the mussel industries around Skagerrak and the mussel industries have used the contacts established in project meetings a lot more than expected. Thus, without this project these contacts would not have been established. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping A parliamentary bill to the Swedish government was delivered, ensuring support for the establishment of a permanent Forum Skagerrak. The organisation involves bordering regions to secure sustainability through environmental improvement and development of the Skagerrak.

A preliminary report on distribution of the rare gorgonian corals and basket stars that were found during the project has been sent to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, as part of a planned program for habitat protection measures.

Dissemination Dissemination has taken the form of national TV broadcast, seminars, conferences and the production of a website, newsletters and other written material. Amount granted: € 1322362 Status: Finalised

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GeoShare Lead Partner: Sogn and Fjordane County Municipality, Norway Other partners: Western Norway Research I Centre for Computing Institute (WNRI), Norway Technologies (TZI), Germany Province of Groningen, The Der Senator für Bau, Umwelt und Netherlands Verkehr, Germany City of Edinburgh Council, United Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 2 1 1 Measure: 2.5 Project aim: The main aim of the project was to support a balanced improvement of the application of the new information and communication technologies in the North Sea Region through the specification, development and validation of a set of innovative, user-centric, integrated and interactive services for better governance. Project implementation and Spatial development results: The GeoShare project focussed on the development of a North Sea spatial data infrastructure to be applied within geospatial analysis of labour and education statistics, enhanced spatial management processes and new and innovative services combining natural and cultural heritage based information for tourists. In this perspective the project contributed to international standardisation activities for IT and spatial management.

Innovative solutions The main achievement of the GeoShare project was the development of the GeoShare knowledge management system for the integration and interpretation of a large set of previously non-integrated systems and services in the four participating regions.

GeoShare project developed a complete geo-data infrastructure built on a combination of open source components, custom made integration and middle-ware services and an easily customisable template for developing new end-user services for public sector, citizens and business communities. In-depth information about the various components links to where they can be downloaded and instructions on how to install them can be found on the project website www.geosahre.net.

Tangible results have been produced through the provision of a GeoShare framework, toolset and guidelines on how to share information through a GIS based infrastructure. In addition, each region has also implemented additional services, inspired by the other GeoShare regions. For instance, in Edinburgh the GeoShare platform has provided a new service for the introduction of students to the city linked into the portal Share Edinburgh. These modules have also been mainstreamed into the ICT infrastructure of the city council. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The project results have been widely disseminated. At regional level the project has influenced and shaped planning policies and guidance. New services are available, and new joint organisational structures between regional public authorities are operational. One example is Sogn og Fjordane were two regional public bodies are now sharing ICT platform, infrastructure and public services provision.

The project results have been implemented and deployed based on regional political agreements. The example from Sogn og Fjordane on joint GIS services is a politically supported model for the new type of

33 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

collaboration between public sector organisations in the new greater Western Norway region. Similar results are seen in other regions were the operational GeoShare services are the basis for inter-regional collaboration, e.g. Groningen & Drenthe in Netherlands and Bremen & Niedersachsen in Germany.

The projects results with regards to the GeoShare tool sets and services have been mainstreamed into operational services in all the regions. The reports, guidelines and procedures have been widely disseminated through the collaboration with other North Sea projects as well as other national and regional projects and projects from other EU programmes.

The GeoShare project received many external interest and the new and innovative GeoShare technologies has been implemented beyond the project. GeoShare has contributed to the following programmes and projects by providing information, demonstrations and/or provided services or technology: Interreg IIIB North Sea projects: North Sea Trail, North Sea Cycle Route, Canal Link, River Link, Safety at Sea, Northern Maritime Corridor. Amount granted: € 1698530 Status: Finalised

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GREEN-NSD Lead Partner: Technical University Hamburg-Harburg, Germany Other partners: Interdisciplinary Research Centrum Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, KULAK, Belgium Norway County Administration of Västra Danish Technical University, Denmark Götaland, Sweden TU-Technology GmbH, Germany Göteborg University, Sweden Umweltbehörde Hamburg, BUG, Germany Västerhavet Association, Sweden Flemish Government - Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services - Der Senator für Bau, Umwelt und Division Coast, Belgium Verkehr, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 4 1 3 Measure: 1.5 Project aim: The main aim of the Green-NSD project was to develop a common decision supporting tool (DST) in transnational co-operation between EPAs, harbour administrations and scientists in order to provide decision makers an instrument for sustainable management of the marine environment. Project implementation and One of the first steps to reach the aim of a sustainable management of the results: marine environment was the testing of innovative technologies for water treatment in dockyards. During the project implementation of new applications (removal of Cu, Zn and TBT) were found for commercially available sorbents.

Innovative solutions The main achievement of the project was the development of a Green North Sea Docks decision-support tool (DST). The DST is a tool developed to assists dockyard environmental managers and environmental protection administrations. Therefore an assessment strategy which introduced elements of the concept of sustainability to compare alternative treatment processes, i.e. the environmental assessment based on a life-cycle approach and eco-toxicological tests were carried out.

The outcome was that considering a wide range of environmental impacts caused by treatment process is an innovative way of assessing environmental problems in the dockyard sector. That had a large value for planning technological improvements to existing operation or treatment technologies.

Mode of cooperation Green-NSD has fostered an exchange of knowledge on scientific level and has presented the outcomes of the project to stakeholders in and outside the North Sea Region.

The decision-support tool was conceived as a tool to compare alternative processes under different scenarios following the concept of transnationality. This means that any stakeholder in the region can use it according his context, e.g. regulation of discharge criteria, costs and transport of raw materials, energy costs, etc. Impact: Long term achievements and policy shaping A key of the success of the Green-NSD project was its innovative character. Although adsorption is a well-established technology in the water treatment, this is not frequently used in dockyards. In this project new

35 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

applications (removal of Copper, Zinc and Tributyltin) were found for commercially available sorbents. Photolysis (UV-treatment) is already implemented in some countries: the USA and Germany but it does not find widespread use in the dockyard sector yet. On the other hand, electrochemical treatment is an innovative technology that is not implemented in the dockyard sector yet. The findings of the project suggest that it has the potential of being an attractive technology to treat heavily contaminated waters.

The results of the environmental assessment based on life-cycle assessment and eco-toxicological tests were used by the Working Committee of Wastewaters from Dockyards in Germany for setting eco- toxicological criteria for dockyards in the new German Water Ordinance. Amount granted: € 411000 Status: Finalised

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HARBASINS Lead Partner: National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/ RIKZ, The Netherlands Other partners: Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, Directorate-General of Public Institute of Estuarine & Coastal Works and Water Management Studies (IECS), University of Hull, Rijkswaterstaat Noord-Nederland, United Kingdom The Netherlands Instituut voor Bosbouw en Wildbeheer / Institute for Forestry and Game Common Wadden Sea Management, Belgium Secretariat, CWSS, Germany Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Ökologie-Forschungsstelle Küste / Coastal Research Station Niedersachsen, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 2 1 Measure: 4.1 Project aim: The aim of the HARBASINS project was to enhance the compatibility of management strategies and international cooperation for the North Sea's coastal waters, estuaries and river basins. The focus has been on harmonisation of the EU Water Framework Directive and the international cooperation on integrated management of estuaries and coastal waters in the North Sea Region, ultimately leading to ecosystem restoration and compatible instruments which ensure sound environmental management of interconnected coastal zones in the North Sea. Project implementation and Technical products of the HARBASINS project on results: hydromorphological models have influenced Water Framework Directive prescribed denomination for some German estuaries changing them from Heavily Modified to Moderately Modified. This has caused an enormous present day and future cost reduction for the German River Basin Water Management.

HARBASINS has also developed and refined evaluation tools, such as a Fish-index for estuaries, Environmental Integrative Indicators and the criteria for a harmonized assessment of Heavily Modified Water Bodies in transitional waters using morphodynamic models.

Innovative solutions The most important innovative aspect of the project was the use of the “ecosystem approach” for the management of estuaries. In addition, the recommendation to investigate “historical waterdat and maps” from 1600 onwards in preparation of the denomination of coastal waters by Water Framework Directive standards can be considered as an innovation.

Mode of cooperation The steps towards a harmonised transnational management strategy for coastal and transitional waters have been addressed to policy-makers, managers and scientists, each of whom have had their own concerns and responsibilities within this on-going harmonisation. For instance, the experience gained during the

37 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

HARBASINS project, especially on estuarine habitat restoration, will be taken up for the further development of the Wadden Sea 2008 - 2010.

HARBASINS has underlined that the Ecosystem Approach is the most appropriate way to integrate ecology, economy and society demands for a specific management area, such as estuaries or larger coastal ecosystems like the Wadden Sea. In addition, the project has decided to use the existing Ecosystem Approach in the Scheldt and Humber estuaries as a best practice. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping An important impact of the HARBASINS project was the importance to exchange results and to further synchronize where possible the reporting frequency and reporting years of other organisations and networks. For instance, OSPAR publishes on the results of eutrophication in a five-year cycle (2003, 2008 and so on) and in a ten-year cycle for the so-called overall Quality Status Report (2000, 2010 and so on) whereas Water Framework Directive will report in a six-year cycle on River basin Management plans. The HARBASINS project will make sure to follow-up on these activities and reports, and thereby making sure that the project will be supporting the future process of harmonization. Amount granted: € 1545450 Status: Finalised

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HiTrans Lead Partner: Rogaland County Council, Norway Other partners: Tyne and Wear Passenger City of Edinburgh Council, United Transport Authority (NEXUS), Kingdom United Kingdom City of Sunderland, United City of Helsingborg, Sweden Kingdom Jernbaneverket, Norway Århus County Council, Denmark Statens Vegvesen, Rogaland, NBS, Norway Norway Stavanger and Sandnes City Oslo Sporveier, Norway Councils, Norway Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 6 1 3 Measure: 2.1 Project aim: The overall, long-term aim of HiTrans was to achieve more sustainable transport in medium size cities and urban regions in the North Sea Region by facilitating the development of High Quality Public Transport. Therefore the project has intended to support the development of public transport schemes. Furthermore the project aimed to influence national and regional governmental policies and attitudes towards new concepts of High Quality Public Transport. Project implementation and HiTrans main achievement was a best practice guide on High Quality results: Public transport in medium size cities and urban regions which offers professional planners a very useful and practical tool. It presents a broad scope covering a wide range of aspects from public transport and land use, network design, urban design, technical issues and citizen’s requirements.

Additionally the five HiTrans best parctice guides also contain a recommended set of guidelines, both technical and methodological, that can be applied by transport authorities throughout the EU. All the five best practice guides contain a number of examples with successful cities that have in different ways been successful in establishing high quality public transport. The five guides give the professional reader a broad overview in all the main aspects; this highlights a key strength within the HiTrans- project.

Mode of cooperation The HiTrans project focused on transnational research to develop principles and strategies for introducing high quality public transport in medium sized cities and urban regions. Impact: Policy shaping The project partners have continued their cause in an effort to investigate and gradually try to implement rail-based high quality public transport in their respective city and region. One of these partners was Århus (DK) where it was concluded a few years ago that a bus based concept should be applied. Due to the work however, the project the politicians in DK revised this conclusion and are now looking for a partial rail based concept. Also for the Scottish partners, the project has demonstrated the potential of a tram-train system, which before was considered a 'no option' in Scotland.

After the closure of the project, the partners are now using the HiTrans guidelines in their respective research and planning of public transport.

Not only the HiTrans partners found the HiTrans best practice guides to be useful, 120 delegates from 11 different European countries took part at the

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HiTrans conference. Furthermore HiTrans attracted interest from other parts of the world. By September 2005 HiTrans had been contacted by universities in USA, Australia and Nigeria wanting to order the HiTrans Best Practice guide. During the last few months, the guides were distributed to a large number of companies, institutions and persons and they will still be available for ordering on the project website. Amount granted: € 550275 Status: Finalised

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ICTs for SMEs Lead Partner: ProArbeit kAöR, Germany Other partners: NETZ - Zentrum für innovative Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig- Technologie Osterholz GmbH i. Holstein, Germany G., Germany Noorderpoort College, The Syntra West, Belgium Netherlands MKB Noord, The Netherlands Alfa College, The Netherlands Sønderjyllands TIC & ErhvervsCenter, Denmark Rogaland County Council, Norway Arvika Näringslivcentrum Ek För, Sweden Ryfylke IKS, Norway Rogaland Training & Education Centre (RKK), Norway Dalanerådet, Norway Edinburgh`s Telford College, United Stavanger University College, Kingdom Norway Landkreis Osterholz, Germany UNIZO, Belgium Bildungswerk Osterholz e.V., Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 5 5 3 1 1 Measure: 2.4 Project aim: Main aim of the ICTs for SMEs project was the strengthening of the region by spatial and structural changes in order to form a balanced region. The tools to reach this aim were Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The project worked towards enhancing the implementation and usage of ICT in SMEs. In particular the formation of a SME support structure was an important aim of the project. Project implementation and The project has achieved a high practical value. It has carried out hands-on results: activities that are demand oriented and has triggered tangible results by building the basis for infrastructure development (e.g. in Osterholz) and continuing activities in follow-on projects (e.g. in Scotland in the field of education for SME decision makers and ICT advisers) or deepening partnerships on common identified topics (e.g. between Norway and Belgium). A key activity carried out by the project was a survey which identified the regional technical status quo and the already existing Knowledge and skills of SMEs including 100 SMEs per region.

Innovative solutions Model practices for resolving spatial problems can be seen in the enhanced support to SMEs in rural areas which did not have the access to qualified support and information at least at this extend. One example from Germany was the creation of an industrial zone by wireless broadband. Thus a new opportunity to link up rural areas to the data highways and to create a better accessibility of these areas was shown. In the given case this connection also allowed a free of charge intranet between the connected companies and to companies in the neighboured city of Bremen.

Mode of cooperation The project’s cooperation intensity was high and developed tools were transferred between the partners. For example, the partners from Belgium developed a web-based profiling tool for the use of ICT in SMEs which they have elaborated from analysing the interviews carried out in all partner regions and additional analytical work on this subject. The tool has been

41 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

made available for the other partners as well. This is an example for using the complementary data, knowledge and competences available in a partnership and added value to an output through transnational cooperation. Impact: Long term achievements and policy shaping One of the main achievements was that most partner regions built up a sustainable ICT support structure for SMEs in the form of a sustainable, vertically integrated, sector-spanning network between SMEs, local authorities, providers of education and transnational partners. Thus SMEs were enabled to innovate and the use of ICT in general has significantly increased. In Osterholz, Germany the NETZ-Centre for innovative technologies will maintain the regional Support Centre and thus sustain the project outputs.

The results have already proven to be valid with a great potential for future cooperation activities, thus potentially contributing in the long-term to a better business environment with regional socio-economic benefits. In Landkreis Osterholz, Germany broadband development has become a key priority in the county development strategy which is fixed in a new strategic programme for the county and the related municipalities and communes. Amount granted: € 2152623 Status: Finalised

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LANCEWADPLAN Lead Partner: Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Safety, Directorate North, The Netherlands Other partners: Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Cultural Heritage Agency CWSS, Germany Denmark, Denmark Nds. Landesverwaltungsamt für Archäologisches Landesamt Denkmalpflege, Germany Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 3 1 Measure: 3.1 Project aim: LancewadPlan aimed to extend and enhance – in cooperation with the relevant governmental and non-governmental stakeholders – the development, management and sustainable use of the common trans- boundary landscape and cultural heritage of the Wadden Sea Region. Project implementation and As the key result, the LancewadPlan project developed an integrated results: management and development plan and a joint strategy “A Living Historic Landscape” for the common landscape and cultural heritage in the Wadden Sea Region. Within pilot projects, the project achieved the application of cultural plans into regional planning and carried out regional implementation activities.

Spatial development As spatial planning was recognized by the project as the most important tool for the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage and landscape values, regional cultural plans for the integration into planning were developed, in addition to the joint Wadden Sea plan. This included the description of 59 cultural entities, including the analysis of potentials and vulnerabilities, compiled in a cultural atlas. The synthesis of the regional plans provides an overview of the character of the cultural heritage of the Wadden Sea Region; it identifies the over-arching vulnerabilities and potentials and suggests some future directions where a character based approach to conservation and management might be progressed.

Another final outcome in this context was an elaborated handbook of best practice, which has been produced to provide a summary of issues affecting the planning and management of the cultural heritage in the Wadden Sea Region, together with examples of projects which illustrate best practice within the region. The handbook provides a means for all parties involved in the management, preservation and enhancement of the cultural landscape of the Wadden Sea Region to learn from examples of projects which have been successful in practice.

Pilot projects The application of cultural plans in regional planning was achieved by several good measures and projects in the pilot areas around the common Wadden Sea Region. The LancewadPlan initiated the regional implementation of pilot actions, which results were disseminated and used in a wider perspective. The pilot project’s results are regional cultural development plans: the Kulturarvatlas (DK), Landschaftskonzept Reußenköge (DE), Kultur-landschaftskonzept Oevenum (DE), Kulturlandschaftsanalyse AltesLand (DE), Den Hoorn-Development Plan (NL) and Fivel-Development Plan (NL).

Mode of cooperation As the landscape and cultural heritage of the Wadden Sea Region is shared by three countries, i.e. the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, the interregional and transnational cooperation was at the heart of the project. The transnational integrated strategy and management plan, the 43 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

assessment of potentials and vulnerabilities of the cultural landscape of the Wadden Sea Region on the basis of cultural entities, the transnational handbook of best practice examples and the elaboration of all parts of the project could only have been realized on a transnational level. This is underlined by the view of the project on the Wadden Sea Region as one common unit.

With regard to the elaboration of LancewadPlan, a cross-sectoral integration was stated as essential to ensure that cultural landscape and heritage values would be integrated in spatial and sectoral policies and management. Therefore, the project incorporated the strategy of building bridges between sectors, science and the administrative and political level. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The cross-sectoral cooperation resulted in an agreement to use the results of the project in the future dealing with cultural heritage, to increase the efforts in awareness building as a central pint and to extend and strengthen the network for further cooperation and collaboration.

The integrated strategy including the action program developed by LancewadPlan will have mid-term to long-term impacts, as it will be transformed into policies of the "Trilateral Cooperation" for the protection of the Wadden Sea (TC). The action program will be implemented in the near future, as the existing network of Wadcult was strengthened and broadened during the project. Amount granted: € 1273065 Status: Finalised

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LifeSTYLE Lead Partner: Cambridgeshire County Council, United Kingdom Other partners: City of Malmö TuTech Innovation GmbH, VA-verket Malmö, Sweden Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 Measure: 3.3 Project aim: The LifeStyle project demonstrated to different sectors how increased sustainability could be incorporated into new residential development. The project incorporated several topics in order for this to be achieved including the following: • A strategy for the increased use and development of micro-renewable and • Conditions for the adoption of sustainable technologies in the construction sector. Project implementation and LifeStyle has contributed to promoting new forms of energy production. The results: project addressed analysis and investigated the incorporation of alternative and sustainable energy production in regional and local spatial planning measures.

The Cambridgeshire is supporting the investigation and preparatory work to establish a UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development Regional Centre of Expertise. In addition, vocational training courses in renewable installations are to be implemented commercially by the Cambridge Regional College.

Mode of cooperation The project has incorporated relevant stakeholders and target groups in order to disseminate the activities and results of the project. Concrete spin- off effects of these activities had led to shared proposals for regional ERDF Competitiveness Programme funds in the UK and partnerships for other project funding applications between the UK and Germany as well the UK and Sweden. Impact: Policy shaping Since the completion of the project, UK and Sweden bilateral activities had been supported at the highest political level. The Swedish Minister of Environment and the UK Minister Housing and Planning has discussed the continuing cooperation to deliver sustainable homes and clean technologies. It has been indicated that UK government departments will consider funding activities for these initiatives for an additional three years. The continued funding activities are already on-going in Sweden. Equally, experiences from the project will be used to influence legislation on local and regional government levels in Sweden. Amount granted: € 350000 Status: Finalised

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Liveable City Lead Partner: Norwich City Council, United Kingdom Other partners: Lincoln City Council, United Kingdom City of Emden, Germany Trondheim Kommune, Norway Stad Gent, Belgium City of Odense, Denmark Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 2 Measure: 1.2 Project aim: The aim of the Liveable City project was to improve the public domain in urban historic centres in the North Sea Region through the development of a unique and integrated approach to the planning, management and maintenance of the region. Project implementation and Spatial development results: Through the development and testing of practical projects and initiatives, the region has seen a transformation in public spaces from being derelict and unworkable to manageable and functional spaces. The creative use of such space has led to the development of a unique identity within the areas involved. This has been achieved through the development of new produce in partner cities through the encouragement of local artistic talent in terms of local street design. By taking account of Norse mythology, local street furniture has been transformed and on a transnational basis has highlighted the generic standards which are in place through globalised street design, causing local distinctiveness and individuality to be undermined.

Innovative solutions The concept of spatial strategies up until the consideration of this project was novel in the UK. Approving these concepts by a UK local authority is an innovative achievement of the project. Moreover the city of Gent in Belgium has undertaken best practice work in the area of lighting where it has produced a lighting plan through implementation of the Liveable City project. Finally this has led to Gent receiving numerous awards and distinctions in relation to their work in this field. Furthermore, the Liveable City project created a toolkit model for measuring the benefits of regenerating public spaces which can be used in any city.

Leverage of extra investment After the closure of the Liveable City project, numerous investments regarding the regeneration of urban areas came to the fore to further implement what this project put into place. For instance in Trondheim (NO) the Market Place “Torvet” was developed. Key design proposals have been reviewed and adjusted and a private investor was brought in to finalise implementation of the regeneration work.

As well, in Lincoln (UK), development of the Lincoln Cultural Quarter Public Realm Master Plan, Lighting Proposals and Design Handbook was put into action in May 2007. All in all, a 3,370,243 € improvement scheme was implemented where better walkways for pedestrians was carried out and taken into account for redevelopment of the area. In the end the implementation has led to better social interaction and greater civic pride in the area.

Mode of cooperation Through the use of PEER groups, the consideration of various stakeholders led to the inclusion of groups such as the police; residents;

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schools; tourism organisation; retailers; local authorities; academic sector; heritage; cultural organisations and artists. This allowed taking into account a wide range of knowledge and understanding when implementing the project. Impact: Policy shaping Beginning on the transnational level the Liveable City project worked from the top down. Through working with countries abroad it was possible to influence home governments in their consideration of the development of competitive towns and cities. In connection to the Gent (BE) experience, the Lighting Commission in the UK Parliament contacted the Lead Partner of this project. In 2003 the UK’s Office of the Deputy Prime Minister produced the “24 Towns and Cities, Partners in Urban Renaissance” report for the urban summit. This report sought to highlight best practice in urban regeneration as a transferrable model for other UK local authorities to replicate. This report also praised the European collaboration project work, led by Norwich, including its good track record in learning from and applying the experience of other European cities. It concluded that “in many respects Norwich is a leader in the Urban Renaissance in England.”

Implementing the Liveable City project has led to raising profiles of city centres and opened them up more to the public. Developing new attractions, new types of experiences and different events has also enabled tourism to flourish; people experience something unique and enriching and led to come back again. Amount granted: € 5000000 Status: Finalised

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LoG-IN Lead Partner: Intercommunale Leiedal, Belgium Other partners: Landkreis Rotenburg (Wümme), Norfolk County Council, United Germany Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 Measure: 2.5 Project aim: The main aim of the LoG-IN project was to turn the participating local governments into “stronger players” in the field of local economy by providing them with innovative tools and strategies in order to allow them to enhance e-government services to business and enable more effective planning of business support and regeneration. Therefore the primary aims were to improve the information exchange between local governments and intermediate/regional governments (G2G) and between local governments and local enterprises (G2B). Project implementation and Innovative solutions results: The LoG-IN project offered several unique results both in the domain of models, methodologies and e-service pilots. The transnational co-operation led to the transfer and implementation of good practices; and to 20 national and international seminars on e-services.

The key project result is demonstrated by a transnational initiative, the Generic Information Infrastructure (GII). The LoG-IN GII, now communicated as govmaps.eu, proved the feasibility of a model where 35 local governments from 3 different countries successfully can build and share one common ICT system and use it to build geodata driven online services. The transnational dimension of the GII and its size also resulted in the fact that local authorities now could work with international consortia and major ICT companies which normally do not work for local authorities. For the Generic Information Infrastructure the project received a Special Achievement in GIS Award 2007 (San Diego USA).

Pilot projects As one example the Avelgem RFID self-service library, which led to a fundamental rethinking of the municipal front-office, set a new standard of service-delivery of local libraries in Flanders. The Province of West- Flanders set up a subsidy programme in 2007 to support the 64 local authorities that want to copy the LoG-IN solution. The pilot received the Belgium National eGovernment Award for Citizen Services 2006 and the Belgian eChampion Award 2006.

Extra leverage of investments The project triggered substantial investments in all regions amongst others in broadband infrastructure such as the fibre optic network in Rotenburg (DE) where an initial infrastructure investment combined with a new generation of e-services led to a political decision to make a region-wide infrastructure investment.

Mode of cooperation The results carried out by LoG-IN led to a better information exchange and co-operation between government levels and as result of this to better and more information-rich services from local governments to business and citizens. Impact: Long term achievements The innovative pilot projects and transnational co-operation have contributed towards making local authorities stronger in the domain of electronic service delivery. The long term effect of LoG-IN can therefore be

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described as an increased capacity and confidence of local authorities delivering better services to other governments, business and citizens.

Within local governments the project led to an increased awareness of the advantages of the use of ICT in their processes and a strengthening of local cross-sector networks.

The dissemination of good practises not only led to a strong visibility of the solutions but also influenced political thinking and better understanding of service models, processes and technology. As one example the LoG-IN Avelgem self-service library received visits from political delegations from Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Czech Republic, UK, Norway, Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Estonia. This formed a unique opportunity to communicate the LoG-IN project and its results.

Demonstrating its success story the project received seven national, European and international awards and nominations, next to the above mentioned for instance on European level the Finalist European eGovernment Award 2007 (European Commission) for the Generic Information Infrastructure. Amount granted: € 1227695 Status: Finalised

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Making Waste Work Lead Partner: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, United Kingdom Other partners: Falköping Municipality, Sweden TU-Technology GmbH, Germany Moss Kommune, Norway Municipality of Aaskov, Denmark Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 Measure: 3.3 Project aim: Making Waste Work aimed to minimise the volume of waste produced, manage it in a more sustainable way and improve public awareness of waste issues. Project implementation and One of the main achievements of the Making Waste Work was the results: production of a waste strategy and accompanying reports to describe the project activities and hence guide others in best practice for reducing and managing waste. In particular the raising of public motivation and awareness has been successfully piloted as a main aim for many of the local implementation projects.

Pilot projects Within 17 pilot projects the project has clearly demonstrated a model of good practice in working together to develop better ways to manage waste, change public attitudes and create jobs within small businesses working in the waste industry.

Innovative solutions Tangible examples for project results are for instance that the city Stockton, UK has reaped huge rewards through cross-fertilisation in terms of inspiration for innovative developments, which have manifested themselves in the installation of the recycling shed on the civic amenity site and the creation of an internet exchange portal for commercial waste as a resource. Furthermore, participation in the Making Waste Work project has enabled the municipality of Falköping, Sweden, to progress with biogas development, partially related to the LIP ‘Collecting organic waste from blocks of flats’. In Norway, the project has lead to improvements to the system of collecting household waste in Moss Kommune.

Making Waste Work consistently found that public awareness and education was a key factor in developing new waste management systems and behaviour. Without transnational cooperation, the results of the project could not have been achieved. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping Key findings of the project particularly in relation to the importance of underpinning any waste system with a comprehensive education and awareness package of measures is being built into the development of waste strategies in Stockton and the sub-region. Thus, the Making Waste Work project will change or influence legislation and/or shape future policies or planning guidance. In Moss it will influence the importance of dealing with hazardous waste and its impact on the environment that is not always recognised in weight based targets. Amount granted: € 872087,50 Status: Finalised

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MOPARK Lead Partner: Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Other partners: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs Provincie Overijssel, The Netherlands National Park, United Kingdom British Waterways, United Hardangervidda Centre, Norway Kingdom North Jutland County Council, Denmark Svalöv Municipality, Sweden Insel- und Halligkonferenz e.V. Region Uthlande, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 2 1 2 Measure: 3.2 Project aim: The general aim of the MoPark (Mobility and National Parks) project was to guarantee sustainability of National Parks by applying environmentally friendly technologies in an economically viable way. The concrete aim was to raise the income for national parks by increasing quality tourist offers based on natural assets without compromising natural qualities, by application of modern technologies in the area of transport and information and telecommunication.

The central question and aim have been divided in three areas: • Information and communication technology, • Transport systems, • Sustainable vehicles. Project implementation and A range of activities have been carried out, varying from investigations on results: mobility and sustainable means of transport, to the participation in project groups on traffic and tourist matters. Field trials on environmentally friendly alternatives for travelling within and to national parks (e.g. electric engines and solar cells on boats) and the use of ICT have been conducted. Tangible outcomes include complete tourist packages and new vehicles like solar powered or electricity driven boats, innovative bikes etc.

MoPark has achieved strong economic, environmental and social results. Economically, MoPark has fostered rural development and off-seasonal activity. All of the involved national parks indicated that the project activities contributed positively to employment opportunities for the local communities and extended tourist seasons. Moreover, it is assumed that an increased amount of visitors will generate more income for local businesses.

The main positive environmental impacts of the activities of MoPark are linked to substituting fossil fuel with solar or electric power as carried out in the project.

The project activities have increased the awareness towards local nature and culture among tourists and communities and encouraged entrepreneurial development. These activities will contribute to social- cultural development in the region, generate new activities, facilitate participation of disabled and increase the level of local involvement in the national parks.

Mode of cooperation Combining the assets of natural resources and new technologies, all eight participating regions of MoPark have worked on the subject of sustainable development of national parks and have undertaken a great variety of activities, adapted to their local situation and needs. Under the umbrella of 51 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

MoPark networks on a local, regional and transnational level have been established, which include small business organisations in and around the national parks as well as universities. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping In Sweden the MoPark project has gained a lot of support from politicians in the region. The project has also inspired the Traffic Delegation, a political advisory board, to focus more on recreational transport as part of public transport. As a result of MoPark, the public body responsible for transportation has made a policy decision that future public transportation will have a more sustainable character and will be based on an expanded railway system complemented with buses on biogas.

In Norway the document for canalising tourism will be used as a political management tool. In Scotland the results of MoPark will be presented to the Scottish Executive (Environment and Rural Affairs Department) as a contribution to future policy for the development of environmentally friendly transport in Scotland. British Waterways has through the work in MoPark accepted a policy plan for accessibility for disabled to all their canals.

Information on MoPark has already been spread to Australia, where the University of Melbourne (Australia) showed interest in the results of the project. Amount granted: € 2829100 Status: Finalised

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NAVE NORTRAIL Lead Partner: Aberdeenshire Council, United Kingdom Other partners: Ringkjøbing County Council, Fife Council, United Kingdom Denmark Aberdeen City Council, United South Jutland County Council, Kingdom Denmark North York Moors, United Kingdom Central Denmark Region, Denmark Northumberland County Council, United Kingdom Amt Karrharde, Germany Halland (Landstinget & Hordaland Fylkeskommune, Norway Länsstyrelsen), Sweden Møre and Romsdal Fylkeskommune, Norway Västra Götalands Region, Sweden Sogn and Fjordane County Council, Province of Fryslân, The Norway Netherlands Moray Firth Partnership, United Rogaland County Council, Norway Kingdom Vestfold County, Norway Østfold Fylkeskommune, Norway Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, East Lothian Council, United Norway Kingdom Århus County Council, Denmark Storstrøms Amt, Denmark North Jutland County Council, Denmark Vellinge Municipality, Sweden Ribe Amt, Denmark Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 7 1 7 1 3 7 Measure: 3.2 Project aim: The NAVE NORTRAIL project contributed towards the sustainable economic and social regeneration of the North Sea Coastal Region. The basic idea was to regenerate a network of landscapes and footpaths linked with nature and heritage sites in the recreational areas of the coastal regions around the North Sea. In relation with cultural and environmental tourism, outdoor activities and education the project aimed to foster local employment in declining areas and raise awareness and interest for the natural assets in the North Sea Region. Project implementation and The major outcome of the NAVE NORTRAIL project is the North Sea Trail results: (NST), established as a common brand, covering 5100 km of finalised trail in 26 partner regions within 7 countries. In addition, the project has operated two heritage networks along the trail: OxTrails and the Lighthouse network. As a result, the NST is much more than a walking trail, revealing the natural and cultural heritage along the trail.

Another main outcome is the North Sea Trail website with more than 1300 standardised nature and heritage articles which could never been achieved without a joint coordination and agreement.

Mode of cooperation Transnational co-operation was crucial for the development and branding of the North Sea Trail. Without this form of cooperation, it would not have been possible to establish a joint North Sea Trail from the many different coastal trails with local names. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The Nortrail partners have experienced difficulties to plan and implement

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the trail in certain areas. The issue of public access to the coastal zone has been highlighted and may influence further national legislation regarding the Outdoor Access Code. UK and Denmark are looking to Norway and Sweden regarding their legislation. The planning legislation may also be influenced regarding better procedures for acquiring landowner agreement to trespass private land.

The trail is still not continuous, but the partners are striving to fill the gaps of the trail even after the closure of the project. Primarily the partners are planning to enhance the possibilities to generate more activities and provide more services along the trail especially in the rural areas – creating better job opportunities. A supporter North Sea Trail Association is founded to maintain the trail and knowledge platform/website and monitor activities like the established common trans-national Day where all partners are using the main output of the project the North Sea Trail itself. This event will become an annual event also after the closure of the project. Amount granted: € 3649657 Status: Finalised

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NMC II - MONS Lead Partner: Rogaland County Council, Norway Other partners: Aberdeenshire Council, United Kingdom Port of Esbjerg, Denmark Ministerie van de Vlaamse FDT - Association of Danish Gemeenschap - Waterways and Sea Transport and Logisitcs Centres, Canal Agency, Belgium Denmark Amsterdam Port Authority, The Netherlands Humber Forum, United Kingdom Freie Hansestadt Hamburg, Referat Regionalplanung, Groningen Seaports, The Netherlands Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 1 1 1 2 2 Measure: 2.3 Project aim: The fundamental aim of this project was to integrate the NMC as a MOS in the TEN-T network, thus improving the accessibility of the North Sea and the Northern Periphery regions as well as the linkages to the Baltic Sea and the North West Europe regions, thereby enhancing regional development. Furthermore, the aim of the project NMC is to move cargo from road to sea and thereby contribute to sustainable transport.

The aim of the project was also to maintain and develop the network of NMC partners, both within the private sector and the public sector, and lay ground for future co-operation in the next programme period, including proposals relevant for North West Russia.

Project implementation and NMC has in reality become a Motorway of the Sea (MoS) in the TEN-T results: system since the MoS of Western Europe is extended northwards towards the Barents region. The NMC project has communicated with and commented documents from the EU. The NMC initiated the establishment of a ministerial Task Force for MoS in the North Sea Region, and participated in the Task Force as an observer together with European stakeholders within port and shipping. In the Task Force, the NMC in particular contributed with “Russian perspectives”, and argued for the extension of the MoS network along the Northern Maritime Corridor. The NMC also gave input to the terms of reference for two MoS calls in the NSR.

Spatial development Close cooperation with the private sector in pursuing SSS initiatives. NMC has concretely pursued three SSS initiatives (new route between Mid-NO and Shetland/Scotland, new service from Nordland in NO via Oslo and by train to Kristiansand and then ship to Eemshaven in the Netherlands, and cooperation between shipping players between the Continent/UK and NO/North West Russia).

Innovative solutions ICT as tools for MoS has been explored, with an emphasis on how ICT can make intermodal transport more efficient and competitive. The ICT should be mode independent and investments in such system should be eligible for MoS support. A separate working group has been established to pursue the “Barents Sea Intermodal Service” (BASIS) project.

Mode of cooperation The core approach was to create an arena for networking between key actors from private and public sectors and to facilitate region-to-region cooperation. The different strands of this cooperation were involved in the 55 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

promotion and creation of short sea shipping initiatives (around 15 altogether) and in the development of ICT tools for sea based intermodal transport solutions. The NMC project also contributed to the reinforcement of links between European and Russian entities – in particular on the issue of petroleum development in the Barents region and the logistical challenges this presents. The network between NMC- partners and Russian partners has been strengthened. This applies both to private and public sector at regional level and to central level with contacts in the Ministry of Transport and with the Plenipotentiary for the Russian President in St. Petersburg. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The NMC project has had an important impact on the expansion of maritime services in the North Sea regions (so much so that the new National Transport Plan in Norway has taken due account of it). Yet the most significant impact has been the acceptance by the European Commission to extend the ‘motorways of the sea’ network into the Barents region. In a way, the Northern Maritime Corridor has become the fifth such ‘motorway of the sea’. Amount granted: € 1105750 Status: Finalised

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NMC-NSR Lead Partner: Rogaland County Council, Norway Other partners: Aberdeenshire Council, United Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Kingdom Norway Amsterdam Port Authority, The Hordaland Fylkeskommune, Netherlands Norway Sogn and Fjordane County City of Cuxhaven, Germany Municipality, Norway Møre and Romsdal Groningen Seaports, The Netherlands Fylkeskommune, Norway Sør-Trøndelag Fylkeskommune, Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Belgium Norway Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 6 2 1 Measure: 2.3 Project aim: The NMC project is means for efficient, safe and sustainable transportation, connecting coastal areas and well enhancing regional development in the North Sea Region and the Northern Periphery Area. The project addresses the following issues: the development of regional maritime clusters, the promotion of Short Sea Shipping (SSS), transport in the petroleum and the seafood sector and risk management strategies. The project will be implemented in close co-operation with a similar project in the Interreg IIIB Northern Periphery Programme. Project implementation and The NMC project has initiated the establishment of the Safety at Sea results: project in North Sea region and Northern Periphery region. The NMC conference in Kirkenes in 2003 facilitated a contact between the Ministry of Transport in Russia and Ministry of Fishery and Coastal Affairs in Norway, which lead to the establishment of standing committees between the two countries on maritime safety in the Barents region.

Mode of cooperation The most significant way to encourage relevant stakeholders has been to pursue concrete and realistic sub-projects on SSS initiatives while involving the private sector as the key participants and decision makers. A good way of encouraging the relevant groups was through the Business to Business (B2B) meetings and direct contacts between the private sectors. The Northern Maritime Corridor (NMC) is the term for a sea based transportation corridor that stretches from Northern Norway and North West Russia to the continent connecting the coastal areas of North Sea and the Northern Periphery. The project Northern Maritime Corridor (NMC) has developed efficient and sustainable maritime transport solutions, connecting the coastal regions bordering the North Sea and manufacturing industry in the North Sea basin with industrial development in the Barents region. The core approach has been to create an arena for networking, involve key actors from both the private sector and public sector and establish region-to-region cooperation. The region-to-region cooperation has in particular been materialised through the above mentioned SSS initiatives. In addition business-to- business cooperation has materialised between ports and industries, like in the seafood industry. The cooperation with the Shortsea Promotion Centre in Norway on the Efficient transport Chain project has been particularly successful in the sense that the SPCN and NMC facilitated the development of tender specifications for an IT tool to improve the business processes for shipping lines, and then three shipping lines took the tender forward and purchased the IT tool on their own costs. 57 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

A major means has been to organise Regional Maritime Clusters involving all relevant stakeholders, inviting stakeholders to transnational events under the project, encourage participation in transnational B2B events. In addition, workshops and international NMC conferences, comprising of region-to-region contacts and business-to-business contacts, have been encouraging. In this respect the establishment of regional maritime clusters has overall been instrumental.

Quite a wide range of sectors were anticipated to participate in the project. In overall terms all the anticipated sectors have been involved, but it differs from region to region to what extent of which sectors have been participating to the extent anticipated. It was most challenging to involve the forwarders and to some extent goods owners and producers. The NMC project as such has been quite unique in the sense that two IIIB programmes (Northern Periphery and North Sea) have implemented their parallel projects fully into one project. The project participants and external persons have not seen anything but one comprehensive and consistent project. The NMC project is being followed up by the NMC II project in the North Sea region with cooperation agreements with the former Northern Periphery partners.

In addition the NMC project has exchanged information with other Interreg projects like the REMARCC project, the NTN project and the Safety at Sea project. The projects have been presented in NMC conferences and the NMC project has been presented in their workshops/conferences. The cooperation could have been more extensive in order to gain more solid synergy effects. Links were also established with interregional political organisations like the North Sea Commission and the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions of Europe – CPMR. Impact: Long-term achievements The project has promoted a number of short sea shipping (SSS) initiatives (14 altogether) and some of them are or are on the threshold of being implemented. A comprehensive network has been established comprising of 20 regions in 9 countries (also including partners in the parallel NPP project), in particular the network with Russian participants from North West Russia and central institutions in Russia. The network comprises of both the private sector and public sector, with an unprecedented high share of participants from the private sector. Amount granted: € 1538500 Status: Finalised

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NO REGRET Lead Partner: Province of Groningen, The Netherlands Other partners: Landwirtschaftskammer Hannover / Agricultural Chamber of Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Hannover, Germany Ministerie van de Vlaamse North Jutland County Council, Gemeenschap, Water Division, Denmark Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 2 Measure: 4.2 Project aim: The main aim of the No Regret project was to study different aspects of water shortage and drought that are important to the North Sea Region. Four European countries have worked together to bring water shortage and its impact on land use on the political agenda. Project implementation and Within the No Regret project each partner developed local integrated results: strategies by researching various measures to improve the availability of fresh water. Different sources of fresh water were researched for the use of drinking water, water for nature, water for urban development and water for agriculture. Several pilot projects were carried out in the field of water management for agriculture under water shortage conditions.

Mode of cooperation All partners worked in three theme groups on uncertainties of water uses and learned how to incorporate their knowledge in the development of strategies and measures. The transfer of experiences resulted in unexpected solutions and was a great success. The general public, politicians and stakeholders contributed to the No Regret project and are disseminating the subject of water shortage. Impact: Long-term achievements The study on water shortages in the Netherlands will continue after the official end of the project. The amount of water, which is needed for all functions under extreme dry conditions, will be quantified together with the Dutch Northern provinces and water boards. The monitoring of groundwater and of effects of measures will be continued and small scale measures will be stimulated.

Policy shaping The project succeeded in influencing policy-makers on regional and national level. For instance, the project arranged several 'high stakeholder' meetings in terms of providing information on the most recent results of climate research and shedding light on the need and possibilities for adapting the planning and management of aquifers in Denmark to the expected consequences of climate change. The meetings contributed to a common understanding of the new challenges with respect to climate change for water planning in the near future.

The survey and mapping of potential drinking water resources in Vendsyssel, Denmark, has increased the background knowledge and has been an essential contribution to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. After the re-organisation of the administrational structure in Denmark, the No Regret activities in Vendsyssel became part of the national water management plans. In that perspective the survey and mapping in Vendsyssel has been an additional output of the project.

Based on the results of the No Regret project and the national drought study, the Province of Fryslân and the water authority have formulated a

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strategy for water shortages for the 2010 - 2015 period and incorporated that strategy in new water policy plans for that period. In Germany, a practical implementation and research project as follow-up is in consideration. A five year moratorium on the allowed amount of water abstraction is agreed upon by the water administration in order to gain time to find specific solutions and for political and public discussion about water shortage. The Ministry of Environment of Lower Saxony agreed on co- financing a more specific follow-up project in the identified intensive problem area.

Thus, No Regret has contributed to put water shortage as part of policy- making and is now on the political agenda around the North Sea Region. Amount granted: € 1780235 Status: Finalised

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NOLIMP Lead Partner: Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Other partners: Norwegian Institute for Water Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland, Research (NIVA), Norway Sweden North Jutland County Council, Landwirtschaftskammer Weser- Denmark Ems (We), Germany Aberdeenshire Council, United Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 1 Measure: 4.2 Project aim: "North Sea regional and local implementation of the Water Framework Directive" (NOLIMP-WFD) had two aims:

• To show in a practical way how the WFD can be implemented with regard to procedural, management and practical issues with a special focus on matters that produce best practice for local and regional implementation. • To achieve an improvement in the physico-chemical and ecological water quality in pilot water systems. Project implementation and The EUs Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in 2000 and results: challenges EU Member States to achieve a good chemical and ecological surface water status no later than 2015. NOLIMP sought to address the challenges presented by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The main outcomes were the increased insight gained into the efforts needed to bring current water systems towards the status required in the Water Framework Directive.

Pilot projects Experiences were gained in implementing the WFD on a regional level by reducing emissions of pollutants into pilot water schemes. Furthermore, experience with innovative technologies to reduce emissions and to improve biodiversity in pilot water schemes were also achieved. Other benefits included experience with management groups and other stakeholders and insight into the social aspects and cost-effectiveness of integrated water management.

The project has contributed to better water quality through field trials on reconstructing wetland and restoring natural reed banks. The project has succeeded in raising the awareness of the importance of good water quality and the risks of diffused pollution by bringing together municipalities and waterboards, officials, farmers and fishermen.

Mode of cooperation Cross-sectorial integration and co-operation between regional and national authorities and research institutes has been a dominant feature of this project. In addition, each partner has actively involved relevant local and regional authorities and other potential stakeholders in the pilot water systems. Experiments with organising the process involving stakeholders and public have been carried out in order to create opportunities and facilities for a lasting water quality improvement even after the project has ended. Impact: Long-term achievements The project has succeeded in finding best practices for dealing with the Water Framework Directive: Public involvement, monitoring of water quality and reducing emissions have been different practices to affect the way of dealing with

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different aspects of the Water Framework Directive.

For instance, in the county of North Jutland, politicians used the cost effective analysis as an important tool in their planning and decision- making of the action plan for the Mariager Fjord, and the cost effective analysis will thus continue to be an integrated part in future projects. The NOLIMP pilots have served as a forerunner in the implementation process of the Water Framework Directive, as the project has served as an example in many regional and national implementation processes. Amount granted: € 4225000 Status: Finalised

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NORIS Lead Partner: Skövde Kommun/Municipality, Sweden Other partners: Bradford City Council, United Kingdom City of Hannover, Germany Hoogheemraadschap Hollands University of Bradford, United Noorderkwartier (Waterboard Kingdom HHNK), The Netherlands Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden Ieper Municipality, Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 2 2 Measure: 4.2 Project aim: Noris had four concrete aims:

• Introducing modern sustainable technologies in the area of rainwater disconnection; • Testing and adapting technologies developed in pilot projects; • Building awareness and understanding of sustainable planning and management of rainwater runoff, both among spatial planners and politicians; • Producing an Inspiration Book, to be spread amongst spatial planners.

Project implementation and The project addressed the problem of improving water quality and to results: reduce stormwater/sanitary sewage related problems by reducing excess water in sewers. The aim was achieved by introducing modern sustainable technologies such as innovative no-dig techniques and source control measures.

Innovative solutions The NORIS project achieved its desired outputs, results and impacts by finding innovative solutions. As an example, the project carried out field trials using an innovative technique, developed in Sweden, to separate drain and rain water from the sewer system. The reconstruction of the old sewage systems to the new 2-in-1 method can be carried out without extensive digging work as a flexible liner is installed in the old water pipe. In this way greater disturbances in traffic are avoided. The new system saves both energy from pumping extra water and chemicals to treat the water.

Mode of cooperation There have been information meetings and personal contacts by using a reference group representing the target groups. This represented a different way of working on municipal matters and was positively received by the citizens. Many contacts with citizens and stakeholders have been established. This proved to be a good way of encouraging and inspiring stakeholders.

The first and most developed contact with another project took place in Bradford in December 2004, where a joint meeting was held together with the UWC (Urban Water Cycle) project. The Bradford partner is a partner in both NORIS and UWC. This contact further developed during the lifetime of the project and resulted in a successful joint final conference in Amsterdam in September 2007. Contacts have been made between projects on a national level as well.

Sustainability More organisations and sectors were involved for example due to the fact that the project did not only focus on technical issues but also on 63 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

sustainability assessments. The sustainability assessment gave the project added value and the opportunity to look at the technical solutions from different perspectives; technical, economic, social and environmental. Impact: Long-term achievements One aim of the project was to bring together planners and politicians from local, regional, national and transnational levels. This was done by round table discussions where "10 do's and 10 dont's" in management of rainwater run off in the NSR were created. The cooperation resulted in an "Inspiration Book" where the experience of NORIS as well as the result of the Round Table discussions can be found. Amount granted: € 2521300 Status: Finalised

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North SEAfaring Lead Partner: Colchester Borough Council, United Kingdom Other partners: Autonoom Gemeentbedrijf Haven City of Emden, Germany Oostende, Belgium Province of Noord-Holland, The Netherlands Excelsior Trust, United Kingdom Stichting Industrieel Engoedbank 'De Waveney District Council, United Hoop', The Netherlands Kingdom Dundee City Council, United Province of Zeeland, The Netherlands Kingdom Maritieme Site Oostende, Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 1 3 4 Measure: 3.1 Project aim: The central aim of the North SEAfaring project was to raise the status of maritime heritage in regional and national spatial planning strategies. Hence the project referred to a creative rehabilitation, protection and development of cultural and natural landscapes and townscapes. This was accomplished through integrated spatial planning, with a focus on seafaring heritage. Project implementation and Spatial development results: The North SEAfaring project combined maritime heritage with regional and national spatial planning strategies by innovative solutions and ideas bringing together spatial planners and maritime heritage people.

The main achievement was that local planners from each project side, acknowledged the importance of maritime heritage in the development of their work. Therefore, spatial strategies including heritage protection measures were developed in all of the participating regions and towns.

Another final outcome is represented by reconstruction of historic maritime heritage sites in the North Sea Region, which serve as tourist attractions and support economic development.

As a social aspect both young people and unemployed were directly involved in the reconstruction. The project has also had a positive effect and benefit on the environment. Through the development of integrated spatial strategies respecting the local environment, it also led to improvements in the environment through the creative rehabilitation of derelict sites and wasteland.

The project partners were inspired to work hard in their own areas and make connections in a range of vertical sectors. Horizontally, many more people were interested in both the heritage aspects of the project and the spatial component than was anticipated.

Through the transnational approach, project partners of NorthSEAfaring have succeeded in gathering together traditional skills and crafts to restore historic port infrastructure such as the reconstruction of the "tjalk", a traditional vessel type in Emden (DE). Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping North SEAfaring anticipated that most activities would be carried out at a local level. However, opportunity arose to cooperate with the UK government on the development of concepts of support for maritime heritage on ministerial level. Broader EU levels were influenced through European Maritime Heritage. Furthermore, transnational work with the key

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maritime heritage groups within the EU has raised awareness of the implications of working with spatial planners and the necessity of becoming involved as a matter of priority rather than wait for planning issue to create difficulties.

The website will continue to operate for dissemination of the spatial material, the raising of heritage concerns and potential solutions. All partners will continue to promote the project material and contact network within their broader spheres of influence, from national government levels to community interfaces.

The developed guidelines and examples are used as primers and toolkits for innovative North Sea spatial planning on local, regional and transnational level. Amount granted: € 1533388 Status: Finalised

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NS RURAL Lead Partner: Central Denmark Region, Denmark Other partners: Norfolk County Council, United Telemarks Fylkeskommune, Kingdom Norway Landkreis Wesermarsch/ Wirtschaftsforderung Wesemarsch Västra Götalands Region, Sweden GmbH, Germany Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 1 Measure: 1.3 Project aim: The project aimed to boost development in rural areas by inter-rural cooperation. It counterworked negative migration and development trends by finding innovative solutions concerning social and health services, transport and economic activities, which were identified as key issues for rural development.

NS Rural sought to achieve a more efficient use of public transport and the development of more sustainable transport options, an even distribution of social services regardless of the place of living as well as the stimulation of economic activities. Project implementation and The activities were structured into the three main themes: public transport, results: social services and economic development. The basis of a cluster of local/small-scale producers and strategic alliances of SMEs has been developed and networks of companies based in rural areas were established. Through cross-sectoral cooperation NS Rural ensured a vital interaction on urban-rural and inter-rural levels. New services were established to support the everyday life of inhabitants in peripheral areas. As an example the “Smart Home” concept provides technical solutions such as fall detectors or flood sensors with centres responding if the alarm sets in to enable old people suffering from memory loss or physical incapacity to stay in their own home longer than it would otherwise have been possible.

Pilot activities Through 15 pilot projects, NS Rural brought together experts and practicioners working with rural development. The pilots were focusing on e.g. improved public and private transport through new means of using ICT-systems, ensuring retention of key-skilled persons in the rural areas by providing better work-conditions or improving cross-sectoral planning between different units dealing with economic development. While the pilots started in single municipalities, as a second step implementation within the project was envisioned throughout the surrounding counties. All the pilots were bound to relate actively and were closely monitored.

Mode of cooperation A cross-sectoral approach was at the core of the project. It contributed to an integrated understanding of the complexity and interdependency across the sectors, which is particularly pronounced in the rural areas. This broad understanding was vital for finding lasting solutions, which will secure a positive development. Impact: NS Rural developed services in all sectors that are crucial for rural development: transport, social welfare and economy.

Long-term achievements The pilot projects were the concrete examples to be incorporated into the wider spatial strategies and future development in rural areas around the

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North Sea. Included in the NS Rural project was a research-package, which is of particular importance to the development of rural areas in the North Sea Region. This secured a broader perspective whereby important data, experiences and cross-sectoral aspects were shared by a wide cooperation. Amount granted: € 2245404 Status: Approved

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NSBE Lead Partner: Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Other partners: Landwirtschaftskammer Weser-Ems Forestry Commission Scotland (We), Germany (FCS), United Kingdom DLG, Government Service for Land and Water Use, The POM West Vlaanderen, Belgium Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 1 Measure: 3.3 Project aim: The main aim was to enlarge the use of biomass for energy production in the North Sea countries, thus contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases emission (Kyoto targets) and strengthening the sustainable spatial development of rural areas as well. Therefore the project brought together and expanded knowledge on the use of biomass for energy and distributed this information to relevant market parties and organisations who may use it to set up and optimise bio energy installations. Project implementation and The project conducted activities investigating the incorporation of results: alternative and sustainable energy production strategies in order to increase the use of biomass for energy production. Among these activities was the set-up of pilot plants on biomass and wood burning as well as trials to test and demonstrate innovative technologies, processes and the use of different biomass types for the production of bio energy.

The project improved the quality of life in the North Sea Region by contributing to different field trials on how to use biomass and biogas as future energy resources, which allowed farmers to diversify their activities and, in the long run, also supported the economic development of rural areas.

Another field of activities focused on the creation of an extensive, centralised knowledge platform, on informing and educating relevant parties to increase awareness of the bio energy market and on setting up regional networks or branch offices to support the further development of the bio energy market.

Pilot projects The Province of Fryslân, the Netherlands, the biogas co-digestion plant (manure) was running and findings fed into project. The pilot demonstrated that local bottom-up initiatives are necessary to raise awareness at higher political levels (regional and national), e.g. to initiate regulatory measures introducing general feed-in tariffs for renewable energy.

Bottom up approach The project set up a Coordination group consisting of a representative from each of the regional partners with the function to set the overall strategic course of the project and guard the cross links between the themes. As representatives of the regional projects, the coordination team members also act as link between the regional projects and the overall project. Additionally, an expert group was established, which had varying composition depending on the subject. The members of the expert group again come from the regions. The aim of this set up was to be as practical as possible in managing the project. Impact: Long-term achievements The project findings in the Netherlands will be subject for further implementation within a Dutch national government programme on processing waste materials into bio-energy; landscape maintenance

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combined to energy production. This was particular concerning why fermentation plants should be classed as agricultural installation to facilitate environmental friendly ways of energy production (as they are often considered to as industrial installations). Amount granted: € 2223053 Status: Finalised

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NSP - Future Lead Partner: Bremen Senator for Economics and Ports, Germany Other partners: Napier University Transport Chalmers University of Technology, Research Institute (TRI), United Sweden Kingdom Ministerie van de Vlaamse Institute for Transport Studies in Gemeenschap - Waterways and Padborg, Denmark Sea Canal Agency, Belgium University of Applied Science - Oldenburg / Ostfriesland / Agder Research Foundation, Norway Wilhemshaven, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 1 1 1 Measure: 2.3 Project aim: The project builds on the work, which has been undertaken through the Interreg IIIB project REMARCC II. The overall concept of the project is to undertake research to analyse the role of North Sea ports in Maritime logistics and on the future challenges for ports. In order to achieve this project will look at two services that ports offer for maritime logistics. The first being the challenges and threats deriving from an increase in vessel sizes and the second considers the additional added value services in the logistics sector. Project implementation and Spatial development results: The project ‘NSP Future’ analysed the role of North Sea ports in Maritime Logistic as well as the identified future challenges that ports have to cope with in order to maintain their role in the whole logistic chain. The project results consist of ten reports.

The project has developed an approach for strategic policy for the North Sea Region for analysing and identifying the possibilities for attracting value added services in the logistic sector in port regions.

Sustainability The results from the ‘NSP Future’ project show the framework condition where the NSR ports are moving themselves in terms of vessel size development, feeder service networks, infrastructure requirements, and logistical requirements from international supply chains. Based on this situation challenges were identified that need to be met by the ports and the concerned regions in order to sustain competitiveness and efficiency in terms of economical, social and environmental issues.

Mode of cooperation More industry participation would be valuable; however this is very difficult due to confidentiality issues when attempting to involve private companies in working areas that are of particular relevance for one or more companies. One way to resolve this issue might be to approach industry associations in order to fund project ideas that are of high priority to all or a majority of companies in that specific industry.

The project results are built on Interreg IIIB project within the North Sea programme, REMARCCII. The results of the ‘NSP FUTURE’ have been considered in the MOSES project within 6th Framework programme as well. The cooperation has comprised exchange of results and knowledge gained in the projects and exchange of contacts with relevant stakeholders. Impact: The project results show that the market for port operators is changing by radical means. Deep sea Container carriers, above 12.000 TEU will lead to structural changes for all channel members in the distribution system. It is

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assumed that new strategies, new product concepts and further corporation between companies will lead to over all changes in the value change. Amount granted: € 46000 Status: Finalised

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NTN II Lead Partner: North Jutland County Council, Denmark Other partners: Central Denmark Region, Denmark Vestfold County, Norway Other partners: Aust-Agder Fylkeskommune, Århus County, Denmark Norway Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Ringkjøbing County, Denmark Norway Møre and Romsdal Vejle County, Denmark Fylkeskommune, Norway South Jutland County Council, Hordaland County Council, Denmark Norway Telemarks Fylkeskommune, Västra Götalands Region, Sweden Norway The Gothenburg Region - Association of local authorities, Sweden Rogaland County Council, Norway Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 6 7 2 Measure: 2.2 Project aim: The Interreg II C project, Nordic Transport Political Network, NTN, was a joint transport political network created around a transport corridor defined by the participating regions. NTNs aim was to organise transport systems more efficiently, thus contributing to sustainable regional development.

The overall aim of NTN II – “Transport Corridors” is to create a basis for regional development through the promotion of an intermodal transport corridor from Southern Norway and Western Sweden through to Jutland and Northern Germany and then further on to central Europe.

An aim of the project” Transport Corridors” was also to motivate and enable the individual regions to participate actively in forming a common European transport policy. The project has made a lot of headway however there is still work ahead for peripheral regions like the ones in NTN for being able to strongly influence European transport policy. Project implementation and Spatial development and innovative solutions: results: The Nordic Transportpolitical Network (NTN) is a regional cooperation in transport with a focus on the transport of goods as well with transportation systems in South West Norway, Western Sweden, West Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein.

The project has addressed the issue with developing a knowledge basis for transport politics in the NTN corridor; it was developed in the end and distributed to the relevant stakeholders. This gives both partner regions and stakeholders a better basis for decisions. Intermodal solutions are now very much debated among both politicians and industry and sustainable solutions have become evident as a business growth area where the North Sea Region can achieve competitive advantages while at the same time, improve environmental standards.

The project addressed commitments to better the movement of goods on rail and intermodal transport where it has established effective dialogue with industries, carriers and forwarding agents working in or trying to establish intermodal solutions. The project produced 5 main strategies with 10 corresponding actions: • The NTN Corridor as a Platform for International Cooperations, • A Better Platform for Decision Making (Transport Statistics), • A Corridor with Options, 73 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

• Sustainable Transport and • A Hydrogen Corridor.

Mode of cooperation: Creating and promoting intermodal solutions requires a mix of political and industrial attention; NTN has made a significant contribution in this field. Enabling interaction between politicians and private sector business groups facilitates sharper political recommendations.

Conferences, seminars, analyses and pilot projects have been very important with engaging stakeholders as well too having an exchange of knowledge. These activities were a significant step for establishing cooperation in networking between politicians, trade and industry and knowledge institutions across participating regions and countries.

The pilot project “Hydrogen Link” turned out far more successful than expected. NTN has taken the first steps towards transnational cooperation with the creation of cross-border infrastructure with hydrogen filling stations in 4 countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany. This activity has attracted political attention, attention from businesses and developers and last but not least, attention from the media.

The NTN network has continued to exist after the project ended on 31.12.05 with further development of network and activities, financed by the participating regions. Nearly all partners have stayed in the network (adapted to the structural reform in Denmark though) and new members might join. NTN will not be a “project” but a network participating in projects, innovation and development. The project has created a significant network with both a vision and a mission, but there is however a continuous need for feeding in innovative activities for the network to stay strong. The hydrogen Link will continue and remain to be a part of NTN but will also continue finding new partners within research and development as well partners working the implementation of technology in the field of transport. On the whole, it has the potential to become a ‘European’ project. Impact: Policy shaping The project stressed a wide dissemination of results and the promotion efforts will continue. The final report has been sent to all Interreg III B transport projects, Members of North Sea Commission (NSC) Transport Group, National authorities, Business contacts, Interact and ESPON etc.

The network has continued to pay for the maintenance of websites. The website www.ntn.dk will remain accessible and still be developed so will www.hydrogenlink.net as well. The site www.ntn.dk is an important source of information as it hosts the full number of presentations from the sustainable transport conferences arranged together with NSC from Århus 2001 and Kristiansand 2005. All publications and presentations from NTN conferences are also available here.

Long-term achievements The continuation of the NTN network on a “voluntary” basis is indicating that the project has produced durable results that are being integrated into the ordinary activities of the partners as well the industry stakeholders. Amount granted: € 454500 Status: Finalised

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POWER Lead Partner: BIS Bremerhavener Gesellschaft für Investitionsförderung and Stadtentwiclung mbH, Germany Other partners: Suffolk County Council, United Gewest Kop van Noord-Holland, Kingdom The Netherlands Erhvervsudvikling Vest - TIC (EU Autonoom Gemeentbedrijf Haven Vest), Denmark Oostende, Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 Measure: 3.3 Project aim: POWER aimed to boost the development of off-shore wind energy in the participating coastal regions. It focused on improved planning, participation and decision-making processes regarding offshore wind farms; supporting the establishment of off-shore wind energy industries and positioning the North Sea Region as a global hot spot for off-shore wind energy; and providing education and training courses to fulfil the need of the off-shore wind energy sector for specialist knowledge and a skilled workforce. Project implementation and Spatial development results: The POWER competence network has helped to strengthen the leading role of the North Sea Region in the wind energy related markets. The project has established a common platform for discussion, exchange and transnational activities covering different sectors and spatial levels. The project has assessed common practices in offshore wind energy in five POWER countries including an evaluation of procedures in the planning and realisation of several offshore wind parks in the North Sea.

The project has had several involvements with national and regional business support organisations as well as with higher educational and vocational institutions. This has guaranteed for the project a comprehensive in-depth understanding of recent offshore wind energy development, and allowed high profile matchmaking for the industry locally and transnationally.

Mode of cooperation The cross-sectoral integration was wide, as anticipated in the application form. Through high profile POWER conference and events, workshops and training activities, a wide range of sectors could be effectively reached, including the industry, business support organisations, local and regional governments, education and research institutes, higher education students and the general public.

The POWER project has had connections to other programmes and projects. The main aim for this co-operation has been to seek for complementarities and opportunities for further co-operation. On European level, the project has worked together with Concerted Action for Offshore Wind Energy Deployment (COD), OWE and CA- OWEE projects. From the North Sea Region portfolio, the project has co-operated with the Safety at Sea project in relation to develop risk management strategies and reducing harmful effects of disasters. The BALTCOAST project from the Baltic Sea programme

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has together with the POWER project co-operated on a framework for an international co-ordinated use of offshore water areas, concept for a transnational spatial register and use strategy. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The POWER project has delivered true transnational results which will potentially feed into national and / or international decision- making. For instance, the results of the regional and transnational supply chain studies will be implemented by the private OWE and wind energy businesses. In addition, the POWER activities resulted in a representation of the POWER project in the British Government Consultation for its Energy White Paper as well as the revision of the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz (Renewable Energy Source Act) in Germany. The competence network was selected by the JTS as strategic project and getting a professional video about the cooperation of the POWER partnership. Amount granted: € 1746841 Status: Finalised

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ProBioEnergy Lead Partner: Energikontoret Halland Ek. För., Sweden Other partners: Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Arbeit Energiestiftung Schleswig-Holstein, und Verkehr des Landes Germany Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Leicester City Council, United Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan, Kingdom Sweden Force Technology (formerly dk-Teknik Buskerud Fylkeskommune, Energy & Environment), Denmark Norway Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 1 2 1 Measure: 3.3 Project aim: The project aimed to increase the share of biomass in local energy production. The main focus was on informing and raising awareness about the potential of bio-energy. There have been four main objectives: • to increase awareness; • to increase information and implementation of technology and knowledge; • full scale demonstration of technology, for instance small scale CHP with new bio fuel; • to initiate new bio energy plants; • development of infra-structure for trade in bio-energy by creation of a virtual market place. Project implementation and The project focused on the challenge to increase the use of biomass in results: energy supply. The long-term ambition of the ProBioEnergy project was to contribute to the replacement of fossil fuels with the use of local and regional biomass - thus increasing the share of renewable energy in energy supply. Campaings and study-circles raised awareness and disseminated best practice. A virtual market place for bio-energy has been a practical outcome of this 3-year project.

Mode of cooperation The ProBioEnergy project has successfully organised a large number of meetings at local, regional, national and EU level where more than 400,000 people were targeted and more than 50,000 directly influenced. The campaigns increased awareness among citizens about bio-energy and facilitated the conversion of energy sources in utilities, SME:s and the domestic sector.

The regional focal points carried out two joint marketing campaigns. To reach out to possible producers and consumers as efficiently as possible, RES (renewable energy sources) implementers were recruited among SMEs and farmers. They received training and their activities were coordinated trans-nationally. Some partners also identified sites for new small-scale district heating plans and prepared plans for their implementation.

Most ingredients would have been scaled down if the project had not been implemented on a transnational scale. The market for bio-energy in the North Sea area was a vital ingredient in the project. Developing an e- service for this type of groups was important and could not have been achieved without different countries participating in the small regions (Halland and Buskerud). Campaigns were carried out in national languages, but the methodology used was truly transnational. Impact: Long-term achievements The long-term impacts of the project have been: 77 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

• Reduction in the use of fossil fuels and emissions of CO2 with 37,000 ton/year • Conversion from dependency on oil to locally-produced fuel in 15 new plants • Creation of "green jobs"

Local networks were established involving a wide range of relevant actors and linked up in a North Sea Region wide network. An important transnational feature of the project was the development of a virtual market place for bio-energy trade. A first version was launched by the end of the project. Amount granted: €1019840 Status: Finalised

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PURE North Sea Lead Partner: Province of Groningen, The Netherlands Other partners: Municipality of Deventer, The Netherlands City of Göteborg, Sweden Environment Agency, United Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 1 1 Measure: 4.1 Project aim: PURE North Sea aimed to develop the various spatial functions of water catchment areas in the urban-rural fringe. The project focused especially on public participation, water quality and flood risks. Pilot projects and guidelines developed by the project, addressed various issues such as integrating water management into spatial planning, improvements with the multi-functionality of water, discovering water related identities, restored water systems and storm water management.

Project implementation and Spatial development results: The process of PureCheck was based on Peer Review where it was the main focus for each of the transnational meetings of the PURE project. A series of nine international PureChecks was planned over the three-year term of PURE North Sea project. PureCheck was also implemented on some of the smaller initiatives taking place in the UK and elsewhere. The “PURE check”, an assessment tool for investment projects, is used intensively and has generated interest among other North Sea projects. In following projects within the Interreg IVB North Sea Region Programme, the PURE Check was used in a number of water catchment projects such as (SAWA & MARE).

The project’s contribution to the joint transnational strategy was the development of an assessment tool for investment projects within water catchment areas. In addition, the project also fostered concepts for local and regional water catchment areas. Impact: Policy shaping The outcomes of the PURE North Sea project fit very well with policy guidelines on the national and European level for spatial planning and water management and in specific cases, these policies have been implemented on the local and regional scale. For instance in the Netherlands this refers to the national policy guidelines 'Nota Ruimte' and 'Watertoets (WB 21)' on spatial planning and water management. PURE North East (UK) has informed the Environment Agency's implementation of the Water Framework Directive through the publication of the Developing Effective Partnerships Research and Development with Newcastle University, and by commenting on the Environment Agency's Water for life and Livelihoods Documents. PURE North East planners attended a regional workshop at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister developing guidance for Local Authority Planners. The North East catchment plans will be adopted as supplementary planning documents by some local authorities and this will certainly influence developments in these areas. The Water companies 5 year programme for 2005 -2010 now includes many improvements in the PURE catchments. The recommendations from the PURE Zandwetering Masterplan have been incorporated into the formal plan for the province of Overijssel in accordance with the national law 'Reconstructiewet concentratiegebieden'. The province of Overijssel made a regeneration plan following this law for regeneration areas for the Zandwetering area. Amount granted: € 5701320 Status: Finalised

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REMARCC II Lead Partner: Bremen Senator for Economics and Ports, Germany Other partners: NV Zeekanaal en Watergebonden Grondbeheer Vlaanderen, The Port of Göteborg, Sweden Belgium Institute for Transport Studies in Port Authority Bruges-Zeebrugge, Padborg, Denmark Belgium British Waterways, United Agder Research Foundation, Norway Kingdom University of Applied Science - Oldenburg / Ostfriesland / Humber Trade Zone, United Wilhemshaven, Germany Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 2 1 1 2 Measure: 2.3 Project aim: Traffic and congestion on our roads are increasing at very rapid rates across many European cities. A good share of this congestion is due to the movement of freight by road. The main aim of "Network of Regional Maritime Competence Centres II" (REMARCC II) is to create and promote competitive and sustainable intermodal transport systems in the North Sea region with waterborne transport (short sea shipping and inland navigation) as the main leg. Project implementation and REMARCC is divided up into three work areas (regional strategies for results: logistic competencies, logistic optimisation and logistic marketing) and six practical workpackages (WP) supported by a project management package. WP 1, North Sea Logistic Cluster, analyses the interaction and communication processes among stakeholders and decision makers from industry, administration, educational institutions, transport and logistics associations.

The project stated that the follow up of old shippers that shifted cargo from road to sea has been rather problematic. Change in internal logistic processes requires a certain period of time and are moreover not transparent to external persons. Hence, potential impacts on shippers and their company related modal splits exclusively attributable to the Remarcc II project can only remain to be estimated.

Mode of cooperation In order to achieve the REMARCC II’s aim, they involved actors and stakeholders covering industry, administration, policy makers, education/qualification institutions, transport and logistic associations and research.

The partnership will continue from year 4-7 based on the cooperation in the REMARCC II project. The network and its cooperation regarding the promotion of waterborne intermodal transport in the North Sea Region will continue to exist. Furthermore, the REMARCC II network submitted a proposal ‘NSP Future’ under a later call which was meanwhile approved. Impact: Policy shaping REMARCC (Network of Regional Maritime Competence Centres) II has succeeded in promoting Intermodal transport crossing the North Sea Region. The effects of this and the recommendations from the project may have substantial environmental benefits if they are implemented in all relevant sectors and levels. One very interesting result from the project was the identification of a large gap between the sustainable transportation policy goals both on EU level and national level and the daily practice 80 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

among transport operators and buyers. It turns out that environmental issues or goals have not had any measurable effects on daily practice at all. Amount granted: € 2093520 Status: Finalised

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RevitHar Lead Partner: Municipality of Delfzijl, The Netherlands Other partners: Aberdeenshire Council, United Municipality of Nordenham, Kingdom Germany Municipality of Brake, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 1 1 Measure: 1.2 Project aim: The aim of the RevitHar project was to manage change in small urban port settlements experiencing economic turndown giving a more balanced spatial structure, attractive waterfronts, harbour environments and stronger spatial and functional linkages to effect sustainable development. In a broader perspective, the aim of the project was to provide learning strategies for adequate revitalisation of harbour towns around the North Sea area. This will strengthen community and outside perception of their attractiveness and heighten their competitiveness with potential investors. Project implementation and In many ways the concept of Shrinking Cities constitutes a metaphor of results: rapid urban change in the face of globalization and the way it impacts local places. Despite this topic being relatively novel in EU territory, the project was a European initiative involving six towns in Germany, the Netherlands and Scotland to improve negative image and reinvigorate communities. For instance, the project helped the areas in Aberdeenshire (UK) bring unemployment to its lowest. All three towns, Macduff, Peterhead and Fraserburgh were all performing better and moving closer to the Aberdeenshire average. The improvements made have inspired community groups to take a more active role in their areas. In addition, findings/results will be implemented by the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnerships. Impact: As a result of the project, the additional outputs identified, which were not previously anticipated was for instance the (re)developing of an area (Maritiem Kwartier) in Delfzilj, the Netherlands. Additional investments have already been made (Eemsmondgebouw, € 800,000). New investments are planned (approximately € 1,000,000). These investments will invest approximately € 200,000 (additional to the RevitHar project) as a start.

Fraserburgh won local awards for the design/artwork involved in the “Walking Way” activities. A DVD has been produced. The involvement of children in the design and artwork overcame some of the obstacles of engaging youth in community activity. Amount granted: € 3752198 Status: Finalised

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S@S Lead Partner: Norwegian Coastal Administration, Norway Other partners: Møre and Romsdal Fylkeskommune, British Maritime Technologies Norway Limited, United Kingdom National Institute for Coastal and The Royal Danish Administration Marine Management/ RIKZ, The of Navigation and Hydrography, Netherlands Denmark Adm. Waterways and Maritime Affairs, Swedish Maritime Administration, Shipping Assistance, Belgium Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 1 1 1 Measure: 2.3 Project aim: The project aims at harmonising risk management strategies for the North Sea Region and at transforming these strategies into practical methodologies for spatial planners, decision makers and operational entities dealing with safety at sea. The strategies will be put into practice in six demonstration projects, including classification and risk assessment of oil transport in the North Sea, practical tools on risk management for offshore wind farms, coastal zone management, places of refuge and preparedness and decision making for a maritime rescue coordination centre. Project implementation and More than 20 organisations in countries surrounding the North Sea have results: been involved in the Safety at Sea project managed by the Norwegian Coastal Administration. The objective has been to stimulate the national, regional and local governments to cooperate to find common strategies and best available methodologies and practises to reduce the risk and impact of accidents. The project consisted of six demonstration project and a harmonised activity. The demonstration projects were: 1. New and innovative use of AIS technology to improve navigation. 2. Risk assessment of projected offshore wind farms. 3. Increased knowledge about safety measure for small and high speed craft.4. Improved decision support for maritime rescue coordination centres. 5. Risk assessment of maritime oil transport. 6. Improved procedures for oil spill preparedness.

The project has made it possible to analyse risk based on AIS data, and to necessitate a traffic view of AIS equipped vessels beyond the national borders. Such a view gives partners access to data from neighbouring countries. This data could be useful for analysis and risk management. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The results from the project were; an updated risk assessment of oil transport in the North Sea region, new and innovative use of AIS technology to improve navigation, improved procedures for oil spill preparedness, risk assessment of forecasted offshore wind farms, improved decision support for marine rescue coordination centres and finally increased knowledge about safety measures for small and high speed crafts in the North Sea.

The project contains with several policy recommendations for risk management harmonisation from the safety at Sea project to be considered by national administrations and relevant international bodies. Additional background information on way the recommendations were given is found in the deliverables at the safety at sea website http://www.safetyatsea.se/index.php. Amount granted: € 2228000 Status: Finalised

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SAFECOAST Lead Partner: National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/ RIKZ, The Netherlands Other partners: Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap Afdeling Waterbouwkundig Schleswig-Holstein State Ministry of Laboratorium en Hydrologisch the Interior, Germany Onderzoek, Belgium Flemish Government - Agency for Ministry of Traffic Danish Coastal Maritime and Coastal Services - Authority / Kystdirektoratet, Denmark Division Coast, Belgium Environment Agency, National Flood Risk Management Policy Team, NLWK, Betriebsstelle Norden, United Kingdom Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 2 1 1 Measure: 3.4 Project aim: Safecoast’s aim was to learn from each other by discussing their different contexts and approaches to coastal flood and erosion risk management. Faced with climate change, and associated impacts on our coasts, it is important to analyse, compare and benchmark our methods and ideas, focusing on the question: ‘How to manage our North Sea coasts in 2050?’

In order to answer that question, a number of separate key questions need answering and are addressed in project Safecoast as follows:

• What is the present context of coastal flood and erosion risk? • How do we deal with problems now in terms of policy and management? • What risk-related trends do we foresee by analysing scenarios for the future? • What will be the trend of coastal flood and erosion risk in the future? • Are current policies and measures sustainable with respect to the future? • What could be promising adaptive strategies for the future? Project implementation and The output and results have been documented in a set of separate and results: more detailed reports that can be found on www.safecoast.org. Also the synthesis report can be found on the website, which not only presents a compilation of the main findings from the different Safecoast projects, but also reflects the views, to the degree possible, of all stakeholders present in the different workshops that were organised between 2005 and 2008. The synthesis report has been distributed in all of the 5 participating countries.

Bottom-up approach Since exchanging knowledge starts with exchanging information, considerable effort has been made to make relevant information accessible. Over 355 downloadable documents and over 85 news updates from the five North Sea countries with respect to coastal flood and erosion risk management and related themes are available though the Safecoast internet site. With over 70,000 unique visitors in 3 years, the Safecoast internet site will continue to be an information exchange platform for research, policy and management, especially in view of sharing best practices as part of the implementation of the EU floods directive (2007) and EU recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management (2002). Also, knowledge and information gathered in the framework of Safecoast may provide valuable resources to pending European policy (e.g. related to

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climate change adaptation).

Mode of cooperation In the study of Trans-national coastal flood risk assessment, probing a uniform method has been carried out a global flood risk assessment for the North Sea basin. An important objective within this project is to share information and develop a trans-national perspective on flood risk management for the whole North Sea area. Starting point of this study is the current situation (2007) as a reference, from where future developments (climate and socio-economic) until 2050 are reflected. The failures of flood defences were incorporated by the use of fragility curves. The outcomes of the study could be used to benchmark ideas and strategies in order to secure the region from flooding, now and in the future (see web site: http://www.safecoast.org/index.php). Furthermore, this study may contribute to raised awareness on flood risk amongst flood prone societies in the North Sea basin and may serve as a reference framework for the implementation process of the EU Floods Directive (FD). Impact: Policy shaping The review of applications of risk assessment methodologies in Safecoast have emphasised the need to distinguish between different geographical and temporal scales in risk assessment in relation to specific planning objectives and phases. Different purposes require a different level of detail. In this respect, a distinction is to be made in a number of different, tiered assessment levels that could include: • The trans-national level, to identify the most vulnerable areas, e.g. in support of the implementation of the EU Floods Directive (as covered in Safecoast Action 3A). • The national/regional level or any level of competent administration, to substantiate or prioritise funding or planning decisions (as covered in Safecoast Action 4 on the development of the Flanders coastal protection master plan). • The local or regional level of specific flood prone areas to identify, design and evaluate possible measures (as covered in Safecoast Action 5B on the case studies in Lower Saxony). • In addition, it is observed that the planning for coastal risk management strongly interacts with other planning processes such as land use and spatial/infrastructural developments, involving many stakeholders and interests. Amount granted: € 1162613 Status: Finalised

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Save the North Sea (SNS) Lead Partner: Keep Sweden Tidy Foundation, Sweden Other partners: Keep Scotland Beautiful, United KIMO International, United Kingdom Kingdom Foundation for Environmental Skagen Uddannelsescenter, Denmark Education (FEE), Norway Wageningen Marien (Formerly Alterra - Texel Marine & Swedish Environmental Protection Coastal Zone), The Netherlands Agency, Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 2 2 Measure: 3.3 Project aim: The aim of "Save the North Sea" is to contribute to a sustainable and less polluted North Sea by influencing attitudes and behaviour regarding marine litter among groups who are among the key sources of this problem: the fishing, offshore, recreational and shipping industries. Save the North Sea is supported by the Swedish, Danish and Scottish Ministries of the Environment as well as the Dutch Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. Project implementation and Within the North Sea region, over 20000 tons of marine litter are dumped results: every year, resulting in economic, social and environmental impacts. Beaches important for tourism are blighted with litter, while local authorities spend over 4.2 million each year cleaning them up. Marine litter can also harm wildlife through entanglement, ingestion, smothering or toxicity.

Activities Against this background, the project focused on cross-sectoral activities to minimize marine litter pollution with a pilot study on better waste management systems; market research studies to provide new information sources on the underlying causes to why marine litter continues to exist despite EU directives; and research on Fulmars to give marine litter indicators. The project also aimed to create new cooperation structures and knowledge platforms for national, regional and local authorities as well as policy makers, opinion builders, SMEs and NGOs in the region.

The project team of Save the North Sea was very successful in attracting a dedicated audience to the project activities. Politicians, international organisations, schools, fishermen and the public in general were not only being made aware about the project but more importantly about the common resource that we all share, i.e. the North Sea, and the threats from uncontrolled day-to-day practices, e.g. pollution of the water body and coast, as well as threats to living species.

Filming on Texel with Dutch national school TV for a programme on marine litter, Fishing for litter and the SNS Fulmar research was carried out and aired nationally in February 2003. The SNS promotional film was distributed to over 500 local and national politicians, MEPs, NGOs, TV stations, and North Sea stakeholders in the whole North Sea region. Project activities included the launch of the Fishing for Litter campaign in Scotland and Sweden, a presentation of SNS at a Coastal Litter Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland and the production and distribution of an A4 information leaflet on SNS activities for stakeholders. A team from the British trust for Ornithology visited Alterra to dissect Fulmars. After training they will now be able to deliver dissection data and stomachs to Alterra for use in SNS research.

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This project is a prime example of successful transnational and cross- sectoral working. One example of added value from the project is the fact that each partner has become educated in each of the separate strands of the project. They have gained new skills and knowledge, which has consequently enabled them to speak with ease to journalists generically about the project and not just about the parts that they are involved in. This has been particularly beneficial as the project has attracted significant media attention.

Mode of cooperation The project could not have achieved the desired outputs and results without working transnationally, across target groups, countries and specific sectors to achieve a reduction in marine litter. This cross-sectoral approach involving fishermen, seamen, offshore and leisure craft sectors in a positive campaign, and a focus on joint responsibility for the state of the North Sea was the best way to encourage stakeholders. The project gave stakeholders an active role to play in the international stakeholder reference group with bi-annual meetings, and practical work to do within the project (information dissemination on all levels). Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The project received a UN-Habitat Programme ‘Good Practice’ award for being one of the most sustainable projects in the world. Politically the project has also received recognition at CONSSO, OSPAR and Environmental Minister Meetings. As a result of the recycling machine that was installed as part of the project, four unemployed people obtained work. Now that the project has been completed three of these people have obtained full-time work at the harbour in Skagen, DK.

Finally, the project has reached all its objectives and aims, and has had an enormous PR- and dissemination coverage. Amount granted: € 2849000 Status: Finalised

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SEAPLANE Lead Partner: Ministry for Economics, Labour and Transport, Lower Saxony, Germany Other partners: Møre and Romsdal Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Belgium Fylkeskommune, Norway Province of Groningen, The Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Netherlands Norway City of Stavanger c/o Sola Province of Drenthe, The Netherlands Terminalbygg AS, Norway Ministry for Economy and Ports, Germany Highland Council, United Kingdom Kronoberg County Council, Klippans Kommun, Sweden Sweden Kristianstad Airport, Sweden Municipality of Växjö, Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 3 2 4 1 Measure: 2.2 Project aim: The main aim of the SEAPLANE Project was the sustainable spatial development of the participating regions by strengthening the air transport network and its airports for improved support of the economic and social cohesion in the North Sea Region and as well the increased accessibility of peripheral regions. Project implementation and The SEAPLANE project executed five SWOT analyses at SEAPLANE results: regions including their airports. All regions, airports and sometimes airlines received the analysis concerning the future air transport development, safety and security implementations, market niches and market potential.

The project identified 90 new air traffic routes instead of the proposed 4, all with sufficient market potential to run them on an economic basis to and from 10 selected SEAPLANE airports.

There were 3 airports (Bremen, Hanover, Groningen) where public transport information systems were installed and as a result, they have improved the inter-modality functions and led to a higher degree of utilisation of this sustainable transport mode. The number of passengers using the public transport from and to the airport in Groningen went up by 8% instead of the expected 5 % projection. One of the partners (NL) has used the knowledge gained during this process and participated also in a similar DG TREN consultation process on 'Regulations for state aid for airports and airlines' in Spring 2005.

Mode of co-operation The SEAPLANE project attracted far more interest from organisations and other sectors than previously expected. Regional and local tourist firms and organisations in particular participated and developed plans how to cooperate and co-ordinate their work with other sectors. For example in Sweden, cooperation was established between Växjö airport, the theme park Astrid Lingren'sWorld and the local tourism authority in the region.

All in all following project completion, SEAPLANE involved more than 50 organisations as well roughly 240 individuals who worked together with various events organised by the project. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping One of the projects most notable achievements was the submission of the Resolution improved accessibility of peripheral EU regions to the EU Commission. The resolution was presented to DG TREN and DG REGIO

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representatives in Brussels on the 23rd of November 2004. The resolution has been further introduced to a number of European air transport associations as well was endorsed by the North Sea Commission and Committee of Peripheral Maritime Regions. After June 2005, the Resolution was further followed up and negotiated with EC DG TREN and DR REGIO through project partners. Amount granted: € 720166 Status: Finalised

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SEAPORT Lead Partner: Municipality of The Hague, The Netherlands Other partners: Flemish Government - Agency for Municipality of Bremerhaven, Maritime and Coastal Services - Germany Division Coast, Belgium Hartlepool Borough Council, United Municipality of Nieuwpoort, Kingdom Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 1 1 1 Measure: 1.3 Project aim: The aim of the SEAPORT project was to join efforts to find combined innovative solutions for the economic challenge that has occurred in small to medium seaport towns and maritime areas. The project sought to develop new strategies to strengthen the economic position of the seaport towns and their hinterland (maritime areas) and if necessary, redevelop also maritime areas. Project implementation and Spatial development results: Through the Reconstruction of port and urban areas the project was able to provide a more tourist based attraction which in turn has led to higher economic growth. Other important themes in the development of these areas included increasing accessibility to public transport and car, which would in turn make the area more user-friendly.

Innovative solutions One of the key projects within the project itself was the development of a toolkit for economic regeneration in seaport towns. The issue surrounding this was the facilitation and stimulation of the fishing industry by sustainable and competitive means. Through the exchange of expertise between the partners and external experts, this issue resulted in the creation of a practical toolkit for the strategies for a sustainable fishery-complex in future harbours. More specifically it provided an overview of do’s and don’ts. The aim of this was to provide guidelines for others wishing to use the toolkit out with the project itself.

Pilot projects In the facilitation of tourism it was realised that investment was needed in the development of information as well signage systems for visitors. This in particular was investigated in the partner city of Bremerhaven (DE) where these information systems provided information on local cycle routes, pedestrian walkways and also driving information e.g. directions. The creation of new business through a holding and distribution facility has provided new opportunities for local fishermen in Hartlepool (UK).

As well as actions on local level, SEAPORT produced a number of results at the North Sea Region level through combining knowledge and experience in relation to the two themes of the project. Through this a joint North Sea related communication platform for sea port related tourism was implemented. Furthermore, a report on state-of-the-art waterfront development in the NSR and 8 fact files containing waterfront development in the NSR were created.

The SEAPORT partners identified a lack of communication and lack of information within their own side as well partner organizations. They all apparently faced similar challenges and information gaps. They therefore put into place a web-based communication platform – a knowledge management system – that would be driven by a content management system that would facilitate the interaction and learning between destinations that had knowledge (suppliers) and those that didn’t but could 90 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

learn from it (learners). This digital platform could also be used to manage a contact information database and launch new ideas and projects by its interaction with and between regeneration professionals with common goals.

Bottom-up approach All practical solutions in this project combine at a local level with the challenges which affect the cities and towns of the North Sea Coast. Each of the partner towns have been able to invest locally and through the above mentioned toolkit for innovation have provided guidelines for other towns and cities to do the same thing; this has lead to transnational co-operation and development.

Sustainability The creation of new business in Hartlepool (UK) has led to some sustainability in allowing for the continuation of employment. This came about through an interesting and unique study to test methods of catching, holding and transporting the crabs from their source to their markets. It has led to the identification of a viable business opportunity which will help local fishermen to diversify into the harvesting of velvet crabs to supplement or possibly replace income lost through declining fish stocks.

The Hague (NL) invested in a sustainable design for the Boulevard which would combine sea defence with economic interests, taking into account the specific space of Scheveningen bath, harbour and village. Impact: Long-term achievements Hartlepool (UK) was awarded the Seaside Award. This award was accredited to the resort in 2005, demonstrating the adherence of Seaton Carew to high quality standards for beach management, first aid facility provision, access for disabled visitors, sands free of litter and dog fouling, water that reaches EU minimum legal standards for cleanliness, and ensuring that this information, together with details on all the facilities on offer at the beach, is displayed on easy to read signs for the public to see. The flying of the distinctive Seaside Award yellow and blue flag throughout the summer months is a prestigious national recognition for a resort and the accolade will add integrity to Seaton Carew as a high quality tourism destination. The SEAPORT investment in signage and investment outlined above has enabled Seaton Carew to be granted the award in 2006, recognising the continued standards of beach management, cleanliness and recognising the improvements that are taking place. Amount granted: € 3802787,50 Status: Finalised

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Shared Space Lead Partner: Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Other partners: Municipality of Bohmte, Germany Strassenbauamt Lingen, Germany Municipality of Ejby, Denmark City of Oostende, Belgium Municipality of Emmen, The Suffolk County Council, United Netherlands Kingdom Municipality of Haren, The Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 3 1 Measure: 2.1 Project aim: The main aim of the Shared Space project was to set up an innovative road traffic project by a new approach with designing public space where traffic no longer dominated the environment rather, balanced itself out with other functions. The project therefore intended to develop new policies and methods for an integrated approach towards the planning of public space for which man and his surroundings were taken as the basis. Project implementation and The Shared Space is not a new concept but rather is the potential to come results: to more contemporary urban circumstances and wider opportunities that can strengthen local democratic connections with public space while promoting its benefits associated with participation and civility. Improving the quality, liveability, sustainability and economic vitality of the build environment was a target of the Shared Space project.

Innovative solutions The project has succeeded with the development of knowledge and understanding of new approaches of reconciling traffic movement within cities, towns and villages. Largely as a result of the transnational exchanges developed and carried out in the course of the project, the concept of Shared Space is now widely accepted and used throughout the European Community even to say as well, other regions outside Europe.

Over the course of the project, the publicity and national/international interest exceeded all expectations. The project attracted a substantial amount of interest from the general and professional press as well the other forms of media throughout the world by means of television and radio programmes, newspapers, magazines as well professional and specialist journals. An established interactive website has also proven useful for helping distribute information and expertise concerning the project.

Pilot projects Eight widely varying Shared Space pilots were carried out in five countries. All used the shared space principle for their implementation. Throughout the pilot projects were extra investment impulses generated. On top of and together with this broad transnational exchange of knowledge and expertise, so called themes were put in place and include: general infrastructure and spatial planning policies, safety and liveability, infrastructure as an integrated part of spatial planning and participation. Impact: Policy shaping The project has managed to influence and shape future policies and planning guidance. For instance, in Emmen (The Netherlands), Shared Space has been integrated into their new procedure of ‘Emmen Revisited’. In Ejby (Denmark), the concept of the Shared Space concept will be used as guidance in future spatial planning strategies. In Ipswich (UK) it has been indicated that Shared Space project as a shining example for future projects in public space. Bohmte (Germany) and Oostende (Belgium) already applied the Shared Space principles where they are integrated in 92 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

their method of working in this city. Amount granted: € 3845203 Status: Finalised

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SmartLIFE - International Lead Partner: Cambridgeshire County Council, United Kingdom Other partners: TuTech Innovation GmbH, Germany Malmö City Council, Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 Measure: 1.1 Project aim: The aim of this project was to facilitate the delivery of sustainable growth in the North Sea Region. Its main focus was the shortage of skills and capacity within the construction industry to deliver housing that is both affordable and environmentally sustainable. Project implementation and SmartLIFE has managed to achieve its aims and objectives to deliver results: strategic solutions to sustainable growth area by raising the skills level of the target population through training and promoting awareness of modern methods of construction.

Through the SmartLIFE programme and the transnational communications between the partners, there has been an increase in the knowledge and understanding which is made available to those benefiting from this project. Lecturers of the organisations, as well as students were given the opportunity to travel and learn via an exchange programme. Three of these initiatives were organised between Hamburg and Cambridge.

As well as this there has been a positive enhancement in terms of social inclusion and equal opportunities as the project encourages participation and learning for women in what is normally a male dominated industry.

The main results also included the setting up state of the art business centres and training facilities in each partner region to establish a transnational network of sustainable development hubs. Furthermore, the project designed and delivered training programmes on the use of modern methods of construction, thus sharing good practice on training, construction and development. It also developed a coordinated approach to sustainable growth area management. It also delivered a robust programme of high-profile events, conferences, seminars, and exhibitions to promote new skills and modern techniques in the construction industry.

Innovative solutions This project is the first of its kind for recognising the potential for new built projects that seek to deliver sustainable growth. This project also sought to build upon the capacity for delivering MMC and sustainable housing within the local workforce. The project tackles all aspects of growth under one wide reaching arc where such aspects include: focusing on the environment, housing, training and local economic development.

Within this project, three SmartLIFE business training centres offering professional and vocational training within the field of sustainable construction techniques. There was a strong amount of interaction occurring as a wide range of exchange programmes were made available to both lecturers and students. In addition to this, co-ordinated training programmes allowed for the transfer of knowledge.

Sustainability The training programmes which were made available were used to promote the use of sustainable methods of construction with attention to specifications, design, construction and renovation of buildings. Impact: Policy shaping SmartLIFE has also affected the way in which government policy operates in the area of sustainable development and renewable sources through its 94 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

connections. For example, the UK parliaments Minister for Housing and Planning and also the Minister for Environment and Agri-environment. SmartLIFE has been working closely with the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Sweden’s Ministry for Sustainable Development in the Joint UK-Sweden Initiative for Sustainable Construction. The project through its project partners has played an important role in the intensification of sustainable links and skills exchange between the two countries and will certainly continue doing so.

A further impact of SmartLIFE’s innovative approach is that it has become a RegioStar – an accolade given by the European Commission (EC) to the top 20 projects in Europe. The EC judged SmartLIFE as attractive and inspiring for other regions to follow in its example with promoting sustainable and affordable housing, and skills capacity. Following two rounds of application and site visits and interviews with judges from the EC, it was decided that SmartLIFE’s case study is to be published as one of the best regional innovative projects for Sustainable Economic Development. It has been said that the success of this project is testament to the imaginative thinking and hard work through put into place through partnership, especially with international partners. Amount granted: € 4641734 Status: Finalised

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SPARC Lead Partner: Environment Agency, Midlands Regional Office, United Kingdom Other partners: North Jutland County Council, Denmark City of Langenhagen, Germany West Sweden / District Administration of Gunnared, Ringkjøbing County Council, Denmark Sweden Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Institute for Geo- and Province of Drenthe, The Netherlands Bioarchaeology, The Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 1 2 1 1 Measure: 4.1 Project aim: There are two main objectives of the project. On the one hand, it aims to increase cooperation between all interested parties in management of river corridors, i.e. identify appropriate bodies and individuals undertaking the work, elaborate mechanisms for them to meet, reach consensus, and exercise control over the development of the river corridors. On the other hand, the aim is to demonstrate, in a practical way, how to apply an integrated management strategy through a series of projects in each of the partner-led areas. Project implementation and SPARC stands for the overarching project work focuses on setting up results: mechanisms for establishing local partnerships and engaging communities in the development of rivers and their corridors. The project has by its 'SPARC' philosophy and its river management programmes in the five participating countries encouraged bio-diversity, addressed the problem of flooding, preserved heritage and seized the opportunity to establish local economic development as an asset to conservation.

Leverage of extra investment Some SPARC-related projects have attracted new investment, others a steady income from visitors, which has led to the creation of employment and a financially secure and stable future for the continuing conservation of the water-dependent environment.

The project has been using earlier project approaches and results from the former North Sea Region project PURE. In support of objective 1, approaches were developed through a formalised process of project appraisal and trans-national learning known as the SPARC check. The same SPARC check approach has been taken forward again for use within the Waterline Economy project within the IIIB North Sea Programme. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The project has also corresponded to the third major piece of European legislation in terms of the Water Framework Directive. For instance, the creation of wetland along the river corridor of the River Halkær in Denmark has helped purify the water, while the construction of a river-off 'collection' lake filters out further nutrients. The project has thus met the requirements of both the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive, providing habitat flora and fauna, while creating cleaner water.

The project results will also help shaping future policies and planning guidance. For instance, River Nene Regionl Park (RNRP) green infrastructure GI Suite has been formally adopted in the North Northants core spatial strategy (and shortly in West Northamptonshire). In the Netherlands, the Runde strategic river management plan is now part of the planning guidance for municipalities and provinces and in Aalborg, Denmark, the results form part of municipal planning for rural areas.

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Amount granted: € 1493900 Status: Finalised

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STORMRISK Lead Partner: Swedish Forest Agency, Sweden Other partners: Regional Forestry Board of Jönköping-Kronoberg, Sweden Forest & Landscape, Denmark Hanover Chamber of Agriculture, Forest Research, United Kingdom Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 1 Measure: 3.1 Project aim: The main aim of the STORMRISK project was to integrate and make accessible the knowledge and experience developed over decades to end- users across the North Sea Region. The project has acted as a source of inspiration for landowners and managers and helps them to identify not only the means but also the aims for a modernised and multifunctional forest and landscape management. Project implementation and The joint, but different, experiences from the North Sea Region has made it results: possible to create a digital spatial program that can predict how sensible the forest is for certain wind loads in the whole North Sea Region. This is one of the most interesting products of the project since it is directly accessible on the web. It is a user friendly program that is also of direct value for the end-user (landowner, manager). The project tested two programmes WINDA and ForestGALE to see how well they could predict areas sensitive to storm and after these two tests, 70-90% of test stands could properly predicted. With information on their own forest and landscape they can now create their own storm risk analysis of their forest and see if there are areas with higher risk.

Mode of cooperation The project encouraged having a close and direct dialog with various stakeholders. One example was the excursion to Denmark, where land owners from Kalv and Kalsvik met landowner on Jutland. This was also raised during raised during the evaluation of the project as being one of the most important aspects in terms of creating “cross-sectoral integration” between various stakeholders.

The project has had connections to other programmes and projects. The Chamber of Agriculture in Lower Saxony (Germany) has establish contact with a research project in Baden-Wurttemburg for exchanging data and experience and by this created a link to the forest knowledge web, which is run by German, Austrian, Swiss, Italy, French and Czech partners as a result from Interreg IIIB Alpine space.

The STORMRISK project also used experiences that were found in Forest SAFE, a LIFE project completed in 2005. Forest SAFE used satellite images, field data and information technology. Interreg project STORMRISK used a different remote sensing methods e.g. segmentation and kNN analyses which was developed in ForestSAFE. Impact: The Toolbox consists out of different parts.

• How to keep my trees standing: the results are presented here and will provide information and support when planning your forest. • Storms and forestry: information about the occurrence of storms. • National links: Information about what to do in case of a storm and what does the law say. • Risk management: Here the models ForestGALES and WINDA and other technical inventory methods are presented, and the models are also accessible through this page.

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• Climate: What to expect in the future? Climate change and its effects on forestry. Amount granted: € 464134 Status: Finalised

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SustAccess Lead Partner: Västra Götalandsregionen, Sweden Other partners: Aberdeenshire Council, United Municipality of Sluis, The Kingdom Netherlands Perth and Kinross Council, United Emsland District (Landkreis Kingdom Emsland), Germany Essex County Council, United Padborg Udviklingscenter, Kingdom Denmark Southend Borough Council, United Vest-Agder Fylkeskommune, Kingdom Norway VZW Mobiel Kortrijk, Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 Measure: 2.2 Project aim: The central aims of the project were to improve the accessibility between rural areas/hinterlands and gateways around the North Sea and secondly to develop the integration of hinterland areas in national and international transport networks. Emphasising an increased use of more sustainable modes of transport, the project covered both goods and passenger transport. The overall aim of the project was to put the Hinterland - Gateway concept into political attention. Project implementation and The SustAccess project achieved an increased knowledge and awareness results: about the public transport interchanges, promotion of biking and lastly methods of user and stakeholder involvement particularly with a focus on peripheral areas.

At the various "Road Shows" in September 2007, the results of the freight and passenger strands in SustAccess were presented to major stakeholders in the different regions; this included port authorities, terminal operators, transport operators, scientific institutions and neighbouring authorities. Hence the project supported a cross-sectoral sharing of gained knowledge about strategies and concepts in the Gateway Hinterland perspective.

Mode of cooperation Partner activities and pilot projects included a wide variety of activities such as supporting the development of different gateway cities and their connection to their hinterland as well improving public transport and making it more accessible. As one example the ‘SustAccess’ project has established the concept of an EmsAchse transport corridor in Emsland, G. This concept was so successful that it rapidly developed from a mere transport-zone thinking into an EmsAchse development zone with mere amounts of economic impacts on overall development in the area. As a result a formal cross- sectoral and cross-authority association, ‘EmsAchse’ was established by various ‘Landkreise’ and municipalities and even private sector clients. The main task was to promote the concept of development zone thinking. In turn this development zone has had sufficient impact to secure a major (165 Mill. Euros) upgrade in the Dortmund-Ems canal, one of the backbones of the EmsAchse corridor. The way of organisation can be exemplify itself as a good practising example where it can also be easily be transferable to other regions. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The overall aim of the project with placing Hinterland - Gateway central in policy making has been fully achieved. The concept of Hinterland –

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Gateway has established itself as widely accepted.

The SustAccess project has from the start aimed at involving the politicians in the project work where for example the chairman of the steering group was a leading regional politician. At major conferences from most of the project partners, politicians played a reasonable roll in the delegations. This enabled the project to address the access items directly to responsible politicians. The Lead Partner in particular arranged various feedback meetings with leading regional politicians in order to anchor progress. The political agreement on the value of good Hinterland connections can also be seen in the additional investments made in several project areas (i.e. Emsland).

In addition, the concept of dryport where a transport hub in the hinterland operates as a virtual extension of the gateway has been implemented in the approved Interreg IV B project. Amount granted: € 2966466 Status: Finalised

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SUTRANET Lead Partner: Aalborg University, Denmark Other partners: FDT - Association of Danish Transport and Logisitcs Centres, Denmark Møreforskning Molde, Norway Institute of Shipping Economics and IVL Swedish Environmental Logistics, ISL, Germany Research Institute Ltd, Sweden Napier University Transport Institute of Transport Economics, Research Institute (TRI), United Norway Kingdom SINTEF Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of Roads Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Transport, Norway The Netherlands University of Applied Sciences, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 2 3 1 1 1 Measure: 2.3 Project aim: The aim of SUTRANET was to improve the knowledge-base for freight transport systems in the North Sea Region and for transport related policy decisions. The project focused on improved efficiency and sustainability of transport networks and solutions serving unitised goods transport flows in the region. The driving force behind SUTRANET was the objective to enhance regional development and interactions in the North Sea Region, in the form of a strengthened regional competitiveness within the EU and in the global economy, and resulting in more local income generation and employment. Project implementation and SUTRANET focused its activities on shipping routes across the North Sea. results: Therefore a proposal for optimal and alternative route structures and an overview of new ferry and short-sea shipping (SSS) concepts has been carried out.

A key activity of SUTRANET was related to research and development delivering findings related to the Motorways of the Seas (MoS) concept from a North Sea perspective. One of the main achievements was in this context the established R&D network and an improved the decision-making basis by elaborating the first step of a transport information system in the North Sea Region.

Innovative solutions SUTRANET provided recommendations on how to optimise and harmonise the regional, national and EU framework in order to stimulate the introduction of sustainable solutions to inter-modal freight transport. A database concerning international unitised freight flows encompass all North Sea Region ports can be found under www.sutranet.org/databases.

Within the project a training programme was developed in form of an e- learning module applicable for distance learning. Since March 2007 it has been in active use by students of the Universities of Applied science Kiel and Oldenburg/ Ostfriesland/ Wilhelmshaven.

In relation to environmental aspects, the SUTRANET project developed a calculation tool to estimate maritime emissions due to vessel traffic in the North Sea Region. In addition a case study of the Port of Gothenburg was made to identify spatial and environmental barriers to inter-modal transport. Impact: Policy shaping SUTRANET activities have supported the dedication of local and regional

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decision makers and industry to provide inputs to the Task Force established by the European Commission in October 2006 on Motorways of the North Sea Development. On a regional level, the North Jutland county user group discussions have raised the awareness of the need to co-ordinate the port development and integrate the ports more effectively in the overall transport network and corridor development.

Long-term achievements The findings on the Motorways of the North Sea concept will be pursued by Napier University sustaining the established contacts and ongoing activities in the European Commission’s Task Force for Motorways of the North Sea. Amount granted: € 569998 Status: Finalised

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TARGET 2 Lead Partner: West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (METRO), United Kingdom Other partners: Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Germany Stad Brugge, Belgium Gemeente Schouwen-Duiveland, City of Göteborg, Sweden The Netherlands Provincie West-Vlaanderen, City of Odense, Denmark Belgium Municipality of Sluis, The Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 1 2 1 1 Measure: 2.1 Project aim: The aim of the TARGET 2 project was to develop, implement and evaluate a package of mobility management activities in order to promote, facilitate and encourage the use of alternative modes of transport to the car. Project implementation and Spatial development results: The TARGET 2 project has demonstrated significant achievements in the implementation of the various activities and shown that these can impact positively on the modal shift in favour of more sustainable transport modes. These will continue beyond the end of the project and many have become incorporated into mainstream activity for the organisations involved in delivering them.

During the three year life of Target 2, a total of 26 activities were successfully implemented through four linked transnational work areas that were throughout the eight partner countries. Different approaches were developed by partners to implement the activities, with each activity designed to target a specific population group for the most appropriate intervention while achieving modal shift. The main project work areas were workplaces, mobility education, transport and leisure and lastly City living.

To give one example in Yorkshire and Humber within Target 2, the local authorities worked together to roll-out travel planning measures to companies. Subsequently a West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network has been established with 94 company members; the TOPS service has extended and now employs 3 full-time staff who supports 150 companies. These services are supported by project’s specific electronic travel survey software, integration with the regional Journey Planner and a nationally available virtual web resource.

Innovative solutions In Odense, DK software was developed to be in use within schools by school children to determine danger spots throughout their journey to school. This has consequently reduced child related injuries by 75% and reduced accident figures by 18%; these are amounts that correspond to €2.1 million per year. Results from the software application, cross referenced with police accident records, have been incorporated into Planning and Highway road improvement schemes. Gothenburg used simple ‘thank you days’ encouraged awareness and feel- good factor to participants by the distribution of flowers or sweets.

Mode of cooperation A significant element in developing the Target 2 activities was through transnational co-operation. The experiences and best practice developed and shared among partners through the Target 2 project, will come to form an integral part of strategies to develop and promote effective and

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sustainable transport systems in urban and rural areas; this includes also the integration of rural and urban areas. The project supports also the interpretation and adoption of the European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) and NorVision in national regional and local planning and implementations. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping There has been significant change in the way partner organisations have viewed the promotion of sustainable transport. This cultural change and greater openness to new approaches will produce longer term basis for the continued commitment to sustainable transport.

Moreover the project has made good progress in transferring project results to regional and national governments. For example, Lundby Mobility Centre and their mobility management strategies and the promotion and health campaigns in Odense by the UK House of Commons Health Committee. In Brugge the mobility plan has been incorporated at a regional level. Finally travel software developed in South Yorkshire, UK has been adapted by other authorities and phased in across South and West Yorkshire. Amount granted: € 3873713 Status: Finalised

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TEN 3 Lead Partner: Province of Drenthe, The Netherlands Other partners: Bezirksregierung Weser-Ems, Der Senator für Bau, Umwelt und Germany Verkehr, Germany Suffolk County Council, United Provincie Overijssel, The Kingdom Netherlands Norfolk County Council, United Province of Groningen, The Kingdom Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 3 2 Measure: 3.1 Project aim: TEN 3 aimed to create an ecological network of wetland habitats in the North Sea area and to support and implement interdisciplinary concepts for the restoration of wetland systems. This took into account the integral ecosystems and the implementation of projects in the spatial planning of the regions involved. Project implementation and Before TEN 3, TEN 1 & TEN 2 were carried out under the former Interreg II results: C programme. The results of the previous designed GIS-database showed “missing links” and relevant structures for implementation. Based on this, pilot projects were chosen as a main element in TEN 3.

Sustainability The main achievement of TEN 3 was a sustainable approach where ecological design, water management, spatial planning and economic development of rural areas have all been taken into account for development of ecological corridors. Simultaneously this is so far a unique element on ecological design. Guided by the regional perspective of the ESDP and the NorVision TEN 3 has concentrated on implementing cross border thinking into spatial planning.

Pilot projects Several innovative and appealing projects have been carried out to create ecological corridors on regional and transnational level in the Netherlands, Germany and UK. For example, the prime project of TEN 3 was the project “Runde” (NL) along the watercourse Runde, which is a part of the corridor between the Natura 2000 sites 'Dollard' and 'Bargerveen'. The project involved main authorities and governmental organisations. Main achievements were measures to reconstruct and revitalise the former water course in a more ecological way, which included benefits for freshwater resources as well as economic benefits in horticulture. Moreover the construction of a walk trail along the course enhanced environmental tourism opportunities.

Another outcome was the Handbook on the integrated approach of ecological corridors, which was produced in English, German and Dutch.

Innovative solutions The innovative character of the Runde project was to split the water system into two water systems (high quality nature water and agricultural water). This can be seen as a demonstration project, which developed an ecological corridor incorporated with a high sustainable use of water and economic development of horticulture and tourism. Interest was shown by private proprietors for starting recreational businesses. Also, the project contributed to the vitality of the rural community.

Leverage of extra investment The TEN 3 project was a catalyst to clear the way for leverage of extra

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investment. The activity for the river Vechte (NL), the Vecht/Junne part of the project, will be realised through funding by the water board 'Velt and Vecht' and the water board 'Groot Salland' on an overall stretch of 7200 meters respectively 1500 meters. Implementation started in November 2005.

TEN 3 was built on the existing regional network established in the predecessor projects. The project took into account the needs of both people and environment, which raised the attention of the relevant stakeholders and the general public. Impact: Long-term achievements The TEN 3 project and its outcomes have most notably increased awareness among politicians and public, that an integrated approach to ecological corridors are a must for the integration of the needs of both people and environment can work this way. The long-term effects of TEN 3 can therefore be described as an increased attention for and focus on ecological connections / corridors between separated sites and habitats from all participating stakeholders.

TEN 3 had contacts with the European Centre for Nature Conservation (ECNC). As a result “TEN 3 thinking” was stimulated in Eastern Europe. Amount granted: € 2002000 Status: Finalised

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The Partnership Lead Partner: Aberdeenshire Council, United Kingdom Other partners: Stichting van de Nederlandse Central Denmark Region, Denmark Visserij, The Netherlands Nederlands Inst. For Fisheries Department of Sea Fisheries, Belgium Res. (RIVO), The Netherlands Danmarks Fiskeriundersøgelse, Denmark Norges Fiskarlag, Norway Institute of Marine Research, Danmarks Fiskeriforening, Denmark Norway Fisheries Research Services National Federation of Fishermans Marine Laboratory, United Organisations, United Kingdom Kingdom Scottish Fishermans Federation, CEFAS, United Kingdom United Kingdom Institute of Marine Research, LEI-DLO, The Netherlands Sweden Bundesforschungsanstalt für Sveriges Fiskares Riksforbund, Fischerei, Germany Sweden Deutscher Fischerei Verband, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 3 1 2 2 3 2 5 Measure: 3.3 Project aim: The aim of the Partnership was to reach consensus about the sustainable management of shared fish and shellfish stocks in the North Sea area through improved co-operation of fishermen, researchers and other vital actors such as fishery managers, conservation groups, fish processors and merchants. Project implementation and The Partnership contributed to achieve consensus about the sustainable results: management of fish stocks in the North Sea by: • Making a strong case to the European Commission and the European Parliament for the establishment of Regional Advisory Councils (RAC); • Commenting to the Commission and Parliament on the proposed structure of the RACs through a RAC Development Working Group and • Setting up an Interim Executive Committee to take forward the North Sea RAC.

Mode of cooperation By bringing together different stakeholders from different sectors within fishing communities across the North Sea Region at a transnational level, the project managed to promote greater co-operation nationally between fishermens' representatives and fisheries scientists, with lasting improvements for the conduct of fisheries research and the gathering of information on the operation of the fisheries at a national level.

Cross-sectoral co-operation between fishermen, scientists, fishery managers, fish merchants and processors, environmental interests, aqua culturists, local and regional authorities, and other stakeholders from different sectors within fishing communities across the North Sea Region have all been involved in the project.

The project had contacts with the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES). ICES are the principal body for bringing together scientific information on the state of fish stocks. The contacts has throughout the

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years become more formal between the organisations and the meetings reviewed examples of the most recent fish stock assessments, and at the same time also considered the methodology applied and allow both fishers and invited external scientific experts to comment in detail. Another example of this formal co-operation is that ICES has allocated time in different working groups within the North Sea Regional Advisory Group (NSRAC) by involving their own experts in reviews of the assessment working groups. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping The establishment of the NSRAC has ensured that much of the work of the Partnership will continue in the future.

The project has made a major difference to arrangements within the European Union for the management of fisheries under the Common Fisheries Policy. As a result of the work of the Partnership project the first RAC was established in November 2004 and is now in full operation. The North Sea Regional Advisory Council (NSRAC) brings together stakeholders to advise the European Commission and Member States on fisheries management issues. Amount granted: € 452282 Status: Finalised

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ToLearn Lead Partner: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany Other partners: CHN University Netherlands, The Netherlands Syddansk Universitet, Denmark University of Stavanger Norwegian School of Hotel Universiteit Gent, Belgium Management, Norway Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 Measure: 3.2 Project aim: The aim of the ToLearn project was to initiate a learning process and a learning structure within and between different tourism destinations in the North Sea Region (NSR) as well as equip tourism entrepreneurs with better knowledge & tools to support their learning experiences. Project implementation and Spatial development results: One of the main achievements of the ToLearn project was to offer some specific and practical guidance to regional and interregional improvements in tourism, an approach which is more concrete than other/former attempts with promoting sustainable tourism strategies within the NSR. Following its strategic focus, ToLearn has succeeded in strengthening the NSR in positioning itself as a sustainable destination. The project has stimulated cooperation and mutual learning among coastal regions sharing similar problems in the NSR.

By concentrating on the further implementation of advanced projects in the field of sustainable tourism, the project has produced practical and applicable information and results that will give guidance for implementation of the best practice examples also in other regions. By transferring the region specific results to the transnational level the project has been able to provide the NSR with helpful advice on how to further develop sustainable tourism.

Pilot projects The ToLearn project carried out regional tourism profiles (Challenge Profiles) for all countries neighbouring the North Sea. Moreover, one Pilot Region per nation was chosen for in-depth analysis. Based on the facts and findings the project has suggested recommendations for the initiation and enhancement of regional, interregional and international learning processes in order to foster sustainable tourism in this context, in a practical and pragmatic fashion. Along this objective a total of 22 good practise examples were documented and 4 newly developed implementation projects have been described and evaluated for their innovative potential.

As a best practise the German implementation project "NordseeRouten” can be mentioned. “NordseeRouten” is a tourist information system that uses geo-referencing and internet television for tourism and destination marketing and will build further on the established success in the region Uthlande implementing the project in other regions. Concerning the other implementation projects, several regions have shown their interest in applying the concepts. More details can be found on the project website.

Innovative solutions Based on the results from the pilot regions studies, the project managed to focus on the more effective mechanisms of the non-formal learning processes at the regional and interregional level. By doing so, the project managed to produce a collection of best practices and implementation 110 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

projects for adoption in practice as well as valuable recommendations to guide the learning mechanisms. Impact: Policy shaping All recommendations and action ideas primarily addressed the decision maker’s level in politics, government and destination management. This is a result of the key findings from the analysis phase, which focused on the learning processes on the decision makers’ level.

Long-term achievements After the closure of the project the academic partners and institutions will use the acquired knowledge in the teaching and training for future tourism managers. Amount granted: € 610000 Status: Finalised

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Town-Net Lead Partner: Province of Drenthe, The Netherlands Other partners: Aust-Agder Fylkeskommune, Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Norway Der Senator für Bau, Umwelt und Derby City Council, United Kingdom Verkehr, Germany Municipality of Struer, Denmark Municipality of Karlstad, Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 2 1 1 Measure: 1.1 Project aim: The aim of the Town-Net project was to make a significant contribution to achieve stronger, more competitive town networks through greater complementary and co-operative measures to aid in spatial development between the municipalities concerned. Through this, the project has built on the particular strengths and potential of the different towns concerned which in turn has lead to a greater specialisation and differentiation, as well as a more competitive and cohesive town network. In short to show that a group of towns situated close to each other can co-operate and complement each other is a clear way that the region as a whole will profit. Project implementation and The project has been a catalyst and also provided a transnational structure results: for colaboration. It enabled activity that would not have happened otherwise – this includes hiring external experts, research and developing strategy. Furthermore, the partners were really in the beginning of the process of building cooperative working relationships between towns and cities that have long been rivals. Town-Net has worked in the following fields: • Economic cooperation, • Infrastructure connections, • Spatial quality and • Regional identity.

The development of a structural framework for coordinating investment promotion activities can be seen as a first step for competing areas. As an example the city of Bremen (DE) will deepen its regional cooperation under the new label "European Metropolitan Region Bremen-Oldenburg in the Northwest".

Pilot projects Furthermore the Internet/GIS pilot developed by Agdertown in economic cooperation is unique. This innovative idea with the GIS-based register is a way to register ‘uses’ about automatically updated information on industry and business and as well, make it an open source for use as planning tool. Besides, the Joint Land Policy-pilot in the South Frisian Towns Area has to be mentioned as a new approach for trans-boundary trade areas.

Innovative solutions The importance of public participation in urban development processes was particularly significant. Projects not only find new solutions and innovative ideas for local development but also build up confidence for future planning processes by bringing together local stakeholders, entrepreneurs and inhabitants. For instance the introduction of a “Quality Team”, linked to which were methods to find out what the spatial quality of a certain area is, demonstrated an innovative solution for spatial development.

Mode of cooperation The network established by the Town-Net project has created trade and other exchange links. Through cooperation, towns and cities could avoid the situation where resources were wasted, which is often attributed to by

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competition. It would also attract new business and produce better planning strategies, a process that is being achieved through integration.

A particular example of cooperation is that which is being undertaken by the three East Midland cities of Derby, Leicester and Nottingham (UK). They are working together under the Three Thinking banner to demonstrate how the whole area can be more competitive by jointly marketing its strengths to other UK regions and overseas in order to attract inward investors. Through this cooperation they have created for themselves an identity which will help to bolster efforts in obtaining this objective. Impact: A concrete benefit for some regions was that by cooperating as a region as a whole, they increased status with regards to national policy. Examples were the 'urban networks' in the Netherlands and the “National Centres” in Denmark. In the Netherlands, the 'urban networks' has contributed to the approved Strategic Spatial Plan for the South Frisian Towns Area. The plan set out the main proposals for housing, employment, landscape and infrastructure up to the year 2030. These proposals were very strategic and needed to be worked out in more detail prior to implementation. This was the focus in the Town-Net project.

The Danish Town Network has received the status of “National Centre” looking to investigate how other regions developed a common strategy. The Common Spatial Planning Strategy was approved by the four cities in the spring of 2005, binding them for the first time in a common agreement for future development.

Finally rules for cooperation in the field of trans-boundary environmental mitigation, which was to be applied continuously and undergo yearly evaluation, was established. Town-Net provided a focus for discussion and activity within the regions, as well as between them, it has provided a catalyst for cooperation on the regional and transnational scales. Amount granted: € 2252037 Status: Finalised

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URBAL Lead Partner: Provincie Overijssel, The Netherlands Other partners: North Yorkshire County Council, Municipality of Härryda, Sweden United Kingdom Regional Landscape Meetjesland, TuTech Innovation GmbH, Belgium Germany Knutepunkt Sørlandet, Norway Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 1 Measure: 1.3 Project aim: The main aim of the URBAL project was to develop more balanced rural and urban areas by influencing regional planning toward a less fragmented rural and urban approach. As part of this process URBAL intended to create win-win situations for both urban and rural areas and carry out strategies for implementation throughout the North Sea Region (NSR). Project implementation and Spatial development results: The URBAL project motto "let's bring urban and rural together" revealed the main project challenge which have been achieved when building bridges between urban and rural interests and developing strategies for cooperation between urban and local actors.

Pilot projects The project has given rise to demonstration projects for both urban and rural actors. As one example, North Yorkshire County Council (UK) has taken over the signage of cycling routes (numbering). In the next stage it is envisaged to produce a cycle route map based on numbers, taking into account the resting places and farms offering local produce and B&Bs.

In the Netherlands a pilot project “Youth care farms” have been carried out. Therefore a special programme has started for child care on more than 20 farms, reducing the waiting list in the cities. Special attention was given to possibilities for children with autism. A three days training programme has been developed and implemented about "orientation on care farms from children; possibilities and limitations".

Mode of cooperation In most projects the current institutional setting was considered an obstacle for cross-sectoral integration. Fragmented governance was shown clearly through the participative approach of the projects: citizens do not think or act in sectoral policies. This urged the municipality to better organise inter- sectoral coordination.

The project partners made a short research on the issue of stakeholder management in different URBAL situations in the regional area of Deventer (NL). The main outcome was involve inhabitants and representatives of the interested organisations if you are really interested in collective problem solving. Impact: Long-term achievements A large number of the regional URBAL projects were practical demonstrations of new practices in regional planning and local development. The project carried out new instruments of spatial planning such as quality systems and monitoring tools. Pilot projects introduced new services of social policy, for example a volunteer centre for health care or came up with new tools of economy policy such as commercial and cultural events to promote local food products. In addition, a new network of cooperation including a platform of landscape management was formed.

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The URBAL project has led to new ideas, partnerships and initiatives beyond the initial expectations at the beginning of the project. A number of the actions undertaken boosted regional cooperation, sometimes in situations where such cooperation did not exist before. Amount granted: € 3237000,50 Status: Finalised

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UWC Lead Partner: Water Board Regge en Dinkel, The Netherlands Other partners: Umweltbehörde Hamburg, BUG, Germany Municipality of Karlebo, Denmark Province of Fryslân, The City of Bradford, United Kingdom Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 2 1 Measure: 4.2 Project aim: The main aim of the UWC project was to show in practice how to optimise the overall performance of the urban water cycle with respect to the built environment in which it is embedded in. Specific attention was paid to organisational, legal and financial aspects of urban water cycle management in the North Sea Region. Project implementation and The UWC project has resulted in new insights and strategies to optimise results: the urban water cycle by the exchange of local knowledge and experiences. Increasing the efficiency of water cycles will improve water quality, leading to greater bio-diversity and a healthier environment. Thus they will be more cost-effective whereby financial waste can be reduced.

The project has shown that there is a strong relationship between the urban water cycle, the urban water system and spatial planning. Optimising the urban waste cycle also included minimizing negative effects of the urban water cycle on the water system. Therefore measures were taken to on the one hand improve the purification of waste water and storm water and on the other hand separate water flows that should not be mixed in the first place. These measures have considerable effect on the built environment as urban water becomes more of an ordering principle in renewal projects as well as that in new housing development projects.

Innovative solutions The project has had innovative and unique elements in keeping these effects in mind. The regional results proved the unique character of the project. One such example was pilot project in the municipality of Ootmarsum (NL) where the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) discharges effluent into a stream with high ecological potential. In order to resuscitate the ecological potential, the water board together with the municipality has developed a reconstruction plan.The hybrid configuration, combined with the innovative buffer tank draws a fair bit of attention. The typical kind of sand filtration used in Ootmarsum aided with the further development of sand filtration techniques. This project received a wide amount interest which formed a key part in the UWC project.

Leverage of extra investment In Fryslân (NL) a small project change led to additional funding of € 600.000 for the water-art connection. Additionally this research was going on to copy the Aqualan project in another WWTP in Bergum.

The implementation of transnational exchange projects progressed during the project period and resulted in the sharing of experience, knowledge and information gained through the implementation of the activities. Overall there has been a close relation between local pilot projects and transnational cooperation. Impact: Long-term achievement and policy shaping The partners expect that the contacts and networks gained during the project period will remain in place after finishing the project in 2008, ensuring that the sustainable management of water cycles remains at the

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forefront of urban development.

Some of the results of the projects will be used for changing and/or influencing policy and planning. In Enschede (NL) the reintroduction of open water (pilot Roombeek) will be used in planning of existing areas in the near future. The conclusions of the STOWA exploration study for water treatment techniques together with the EU Water Framework Directive is used by water authorities as a handbook and guideline for new developments on water treatment. The findings will possibly change or influence the legislation and could also shape future policies for water boards and relevant authorities.

In terms of political agreements, the local project in Hamburg was agreed upon by the political leader for the environment in Hamburg where the results were presented under attendance of the Hamburg’s Secretary for Environmental Affairs. The Water Board Fryslân is enthusiastic about the Aqualan project and is looking for a follow up. In Bradford, the politicians are also enthusiastic about the results of the project and are supporting further projects linking water management, regeneration and spatial planning together. There is in place in Bradford an agreement to make water part of urban development and spatial planning. Amount granted: € 3854586 Status: Finalised

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VISP Lead Partner: The City of Mölndal, Sweden Other partners: Municipality of Drammen, Norway City of Kortrijk, Belgium TU-Technology GmbH, Germany City of Matlock, United Kingdom Gemeente Enschede Stadsdeel Oost, University of Sheffield, United The Netherlands Kingdom Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 1 2 Measure: 1.2 Project aim: The aim of the VISP project was to develop a new transnational planning strategy, new methods and new ways of working for the creation of attractive and competitive physical, social, economic and environmental areas in the periphery of large cities in the North Sea Region through combining social, economical and environmental vitalization within spatial planning and by building on life-long learning, networking and complementarities and increased citizens involvement. Project implementation and The VISP project carried out a guide book “Integrated Spatial Planning” results: that presents a model for practitioners summarizing the ways in which medium size cities can address major challenges and achieve successful city centre vitalization through integrated spatial planning practices.

As an example VISP has influenced the library in the partner City of Kortrijk (BE) t broaden their concept of a new library into a Life Long Learning Centre in collaboration with adult education institutes and the music academy and a music club.

During the lifetime of the project, VISP has won several awards in national competitions. For instance Drammen’s Central Square received the best award for integrated spatial planning in Norway. As well as this Tu- Technology GmbH in Hamburg-Harburg (DE) ended on the fifth place in the prestige’s international competition the DIFA Award 2006 for the best European urban quarter in the field of life quality.

Leverage of extra investment All partner cities will as a leverage effect of VISP until 2010-2011 realize major investments that have been scaled-up as a result of VISP and as well, will serve as a good example for implementing the integrated spatial planning model.

Through the VISP project an increased awareness and understanding of the topics at hand and a wider range of perspectives on the subject of spatial planning has been achieved. City regions have been envisioned within the plan and became an understanding of their position and role in terms of wider North Sea Region. As well as this there has been a growing understanding of the instruments of EU policy ideas such as polycentric development in regard to regional and local actors. As a result partners gained a better understanding of how they may be influenced and altered. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping Several additional outputs, results and impacts have been identified in the VISP project both on transnational and local level. Additional transnational outputs include the fact that the local investments in Mölndal (SE) and Matlock (UK) have been considerably scaled up as a result of the implementation of VISP project. As well as this VISP partners have in the lifetime of the project managed to effectively start up two transnational networks:

• NSR Libraries Network initiated by Mölndal and Kortrijk and

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• European Design Cities Network.

The European Design Cities Network initiated by Kortrijk (BE), supported by Mölndal (SE) and extended to cities like Eindhoven (NL), Milano (IT) and Essen (DE). This project has led by Eindhoven also managed to get through with a successful Framework Programme 6 application (ADMIRE) and is making rapid success in the design sector.

Project results will be used to change or influence legislation or shape future policies or planning guidance, such as in Sweden, which was confirmed by the national conference of Boverket by the National Planning and Building Authority - on the 30th of October 2007 in Stockholm.

The VISP project is a good example for effective communication of results leading to good visibility, and the concrete value added to investments (e.g. improvements) through learning exchange between partners. Amount granted: € 3008550 Status: Finalised

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Water4all Lead Partner: Aalborg Municipality, c/o North Denmark EU Office, Denmark Other partners: The Environment Agency for Province of Drenthe, The Netherlands England & Wales, United Kingdom Bezirksregierung Weser-Ems, Germany Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 1 Measure: 4.2 Project aim: The main aim of the project was to help deliver an integrated approach to land use planning, spatial planning and water management and develop a Guidance Handbook of best practice based on project experiences. Project implementation and The main achievement of Water4all was the delivered Handbook, which results: represents an integrated approach to groundwater protection based on pilot project activities. The future implementation of the handbook by different authorities can also affect landowner behaviour in relation to groundwater protection and improved groundwater quality.

Pilot projects Beside a transnational and cross-sectoral exchange of knowledge and best practise the project carried out several case studies testing different methods for the improvement of groundwater quality and hence got experiences with concrete groundwater protection measures. For example the pilot Drastrup in Denmark undertook investigations into the relationship between grazing pressure and ground water quality.

The transnational and cross-sectoral exchange of knowledge and best practise were at the core of the project. The examples and experiences of the Danish, Dutch and German partners were particularly useful for the UK partner. The examples have been found influential in helping highlight issues and ensure a more integrated land and water management approach and have provided a valuable input in policy debate for groundwater protection in the UK. Impact: Dissemination and policy shaping The evaluation of measures for groundwater protection is an important basis for the measurement programme in relation to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. A common framework for categorising measures for groundwater protection was developed, which can be used across Europe. The Guidance Handbook on good practice is used as a tool to influence and shape future policies and planning guidance. The Water4all introduced its work to DG Environment in the work of the Groundwater working groups dealing with the Groundwater Directive.

The project partnership has been sustained after the official end of the project. It has been extended with new partners under the approved Interreg IIIB North Sea project "WaterCost". Amount granted: € 743300,50 Status: Finalised

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WaterCost Lead Partner: Aalborg Municipality, c/o North Denmark EU Office, Denmark Other partners: Copenhagen Energy, Water Supply The Environment Agency for Division, Denmark England & Wales, United Kingdom Oldenburgisch-Ostfriesischer Province of Drenthe, The Wasserverband, Germany Netherlands Landwirtschaftskammer Weser-Ems C4 Teknik, Kristianstad (We), Germany Municipality, Sweden Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 2 1 1 1 Measure: 4.1 Project aim: The aim of the project was to help to provide Water Framework Directive "competent authorities" with cost-effective and sustainable measures for the management of groundwater quality, in the context of river basin management plans. The WaterCost project aimed to provide guidance on how to obtain an integrated and environmentally sustainable approach to groundwater protection and management. In overall, the project aimed to help to deliver cleaner groundwater in regions around the North Sea and protection of the groundwater from future pollution - preventing the groundwater from becoming polluted in the first place. Project implementation and The main achievement of the WaterCost project was the delivered results: framework for cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and the framework to assess the cost effectiveness and include wider impacts for various measures for groundwater protection.

Pilot projects Furthermore, the WaterCost handbook presents four case studies showing in particular how CEA have been applied in partner regions, identified strength and weaknesses with the methods. The specific aim has been to assess the cost effectiveness of measures to reduce the nitrate concentration in groundwater. This has been achieved through the pilot activities and the learning has been passed on through the booklet.

Mode of cooperation WaterCost approach was to involve and encourage relevant stakeholders and informal partners, and especially provide them with an opportunity to provide input and comments to the results. Furthermore, it has been very rewarding to work together with the stakeholders on specific individual projects with a common objective. In that way the stakeholders became directly involved in the project and that increased their engagement and ownership of the project results tremendously. The experts involved were economists, landscapers, water experts, waterworks, etc. Moreover, the project also addressed public authorities vertically - informing and/ or involving authorities from local, regional, national to EU level. Impact: Long-term achievements A tangible outcome of this project has been the political agreement, which was reached on implementation in Drenthe in the steering committee (cooperation between authorities) of the Hunze project. Ongoing minor discussions are on the issue of financing the project. The political commitment has been reached due to the Cost Effective Analysis and the derived financial discussions.

Also in the other partner regions the CEA has helped to focus the political discussions and will be a great tool for achieving political agreement.

Dissemination and policy shaping

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The results of the project, represented by the booklet WaterCost: Elements of Cost-Effectiveness Analysis method and case studies have been presented to DG Environment and provided valuable input for the drafting guidelines for Member States on Land Use and Groundwater developed during spring 2008 by the Commission.

In connection with this, the project had been invited to provide a presentation of the results, especially related to CEA and valuation of measures, on the Commissions (DG Environment) 14th Working Group C Plenary Meeting in Ljubjlana on 22nd April 2008. At this plenary meeting there were representatives from the Commission and from the Member States. The booklet was distributed to all participants.

Furthermore, there will be dissemination within the partner organisations; e.g. within the Environment Agency and DEFRA. Amount granted: € 196980 Status: Finalised

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Waterfront Communities Project Lead Partner: City of Edinburgh Council, United Kingdom Other partners: Heriot-Watt, School of Built Kingston-upon-Hull City Council, Environment, United Kingdom United Kingdom TU-Technology GmbH, Germany Göteborg City Council, Sweden Oslo City Council Planning & Building Service, Norway City of Odense, Denmark Gateshead Council, United City of Aalborg Council, Denmark Kingdom City of Schiedam Council, The Netherlands Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 1 1 1 1 4 Measure: 1.2 Project aim: The Waterfront Communities project aimed to improve waterfront development in nine gateway cities around the North Sea. With a specific focus laid on sustainability and social inclusion, implementation was planned along these three themes:

• Developing a learning network • Meeting strategic objectives and fostering organisational innovation • Setting standards for urban and social design quality Project implementation and Spatial development results: The Waterfront Communities project carried out an integrated conceptual framework for a better understanding of the key principles of sustainable urban development in waterfront areas.

As a final result, the project carried out an online database to share information on international good practices in waterfront regeneration and redevelopment. All in all, 23 cases studies have been made available by the end of the project and still remain an openly available facility for consultation. Furthermore, a practical user-friendly toolkit synthesising the lessons learned and summarising best practice in waterfront development was also developed and implemented.

Activities The activities implemented in Aalborg (DK), influenced changes in design policies and encouraged the retention and reuse of industrial cultural heritage contributing to the uniqueness of the city as a waterfront location.

The Heriot-Watt institute (UK) undertook a small research project on successful waterfront making as well coordinated the preparation of a book proposal on the experience of the WCP the information, opening the possibility for more future research projects in this area.

Mode of cooperation For raising awareness and developing a learning network, the project used information campaigns and festive events in the regeneration areas. Providing a participatory role for stakeholders within the project has shown an innovative way of cross-sector co-ordination and co-operation. Furthermore a number of forums and advisory boards to engage the knowledge and experience of experts and academics have been established.

As an example student participation in community planning and strategic spatial vision projects helped to engage local communities in Edinburgh (UK) in the visioning process as well it provided input used by City of 123 Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme______Appendix 5

Edinburgh Council in the drafting of the vision. The project has reinforced the work of the City’s Design Champion and the participation of politicians in the project meetings and study visits has influenced and enhanced their decision making in relation to design quality and sustainability issues. Impact: Policy shaping The final achievement of this project to be mentioned is the influence which it has had on national policy in the various municipalities involved. For example, Aalborg Council (DK) has been interviewed in connection with the preparation of the new planning act to be approved by the Danish government in June 2007. In Gateshead (UK) the project results have been fed into and have influenced the development of the Council’s forward visionary plan Vision 2030. In Hull (UK) the various studies will be used as a policy guidance tool in regeneration and in the redevelopment of the area. In Schiedam (NL) the results have influenced policies and planning at the local level, the national level has been influenced by the rollout of the social supervisor pilot across the Netherlands. Politicians from Edinburgh, including the convener of the Planning Committee, who took part in the Oslo (NO) and Copenhagen/Malmö (DK/SE) study visits, acknowledged the influence of these WCP events on their decision making in Planning Committee by raising their expectations in relation to quality. Amount granted: € 2012000 Status: Finalised

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WCI-II Lead Partner: Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Other partners: City of Leeuwarden, The Netherlands City of Sneek, The Netherlands City of Stockton-on-Tees, United City of Göteborg, Sweden Kingdom City of Emden, Germany NIDO, The Netherlands Norwich City Council, United Kingdom NUON Water, The Netherlands City of Malmö VA-verket Malmö, Sweden City of Skien, Norway City of Odense, Denmark Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 1 1 5 2 2 Measure: 1.4 Project aim: Water City International main objective was to upgrade the various functions of water within urban areas. Project implementation and Spatial development results: Water is once again valued as a structural element in sustainable spatial development. The project displayed added value in terms of aesthetic quality improvement, more efficient use of available space and functional improvement. Water was included in transnational spatial development strategies for sustainable development. The main aim of Water City International II was the improvement of the Urban Water Systems in partner cities and their direct surroundings as well, using the values of water in urban spatial planning as a tool to stimulate social and economical development. In Norway the project has gained support from politicians in the region. The pilot project activities have received national attention which may influence regional and national policy.

Leverage of extra investments In the city of Leeuwarden measures were planned for a total amount of 2.2 Mio €. The execution of these measures had led to other autonomous investments for an amount of around €19 million. This concerned landing stalls for small boats in canals, restoration activities in the ageing walls of the city canals, the installation of a work of art illustrating changing water levels. In the city of Göteborg, the project had led to additional funding from the city council for an amount equivalent to €12 million. In the city of Norwich the project had led to additional funding from the city council for an amount equivalent to €9 million. In the city of Emden the project had led to additional funding from the city council for an amount of €10 million. In the city of Sneek two new pilots were developed for a total amount equivalent to €1 million. One was concerning cleaning waste water, financed by the provincial government while the other was about decentralised sanitation, which was financed by the Dutch Central Department of Economical Affairs. In the cities of Porsgrunn and Skien, politicians set aside each year a sum to build a river walk and meeting places along the river.

Mode of cooperation The WCI-II project have brought together local artist, voluntary workers, recreation sector organisations, water management organisations, local and regional authorities and international organisations, such as the World Bank and UNESCO Urban Water. Meetings and activities have stimulated active learning, creating networks and innovative actions among these groups of people who did not work together in the usual run of their working life. Impact: Long-term achievements For at least two couples of partner cities Porsgrunn and Skien in Norway

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and Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough in UK, each participating as a pair of two regional neighbour cities, co-operation developed into a continuing regular partnership. For the cities of Posgrunn and Skien this has been one of the most successful values of the project. The cities have learned to work together because of the river linking the cities. Exchange visits have shown that the politicians that the two cities will be stronger working together.

Dissemination One of the most tangible results of the project which was the Frisian Water Alliance, who managed to disseminate the project to other parts than the North Sea Region itself, including Lake Victoria, the Black Sea and the Red Sea. The WCI - II served as a 'best practice' and in particular focused on the exportation of the Frisian knowledge on the field of water. In the Netherlands in the National Water Policy document Water Course 2 the Report "Values of Water, a theoretical framework" was addressed twice as a meaningful contribution. Amount granted: € 5149475 Status: Finalised

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WE Lead Partner: Province of Drenthe, The Netherlands Other partners: Environment Agency, United Province of Fryslân, The Netherlands Kingdom Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), DLG, The Norfolk County Council, United Netherlands Kingdom Landwirtschaftskammer Weser-Ems (We), Germany City of Göteborg, Sweden North Jutland County Council, Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Belgium Denmark Intercommunale Leiedal, Belgium Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 1 2 1 3 1 2 Measure: 1.4 Project aim: The central aim was to strengthen the role of socio-economic development while enhancing sustainable water management along water corridors that connect wetlands, cities and the North Sea. Project implementation and By drawing upon knowledge and experience of the five existing innovative results: Interreg IIIB projects NoLimp, MoPark, PURE, Watercity International II and TEN 3, the WE project activities have led to a sound analysis of the role of socio-economic development in enhancing sustainable water management. This has resulted in a stronger influence on the policies of regional and national organisations. The final publication presented best practices and a programme with project opportunities linking economical development along the waterline with sustainable water management procedures and strategies while implementing the European Water Framework Directive.

Innovative solutions The main result was a shift towards an all-encompassing approach, in which socio-economic elements have been identified and included in the early phase of project development, thereby maximising the effects.

Waterline Economy showed that it is possible to connect economic goals within projects to implement European directives. This new approach is adopted by many authorities and organisations and generates better public support, political commitment and more positive attitude to European rules.

The development of the method of assessing benefits in projects via the Multi Criteria Analysis is unique in its own right, as it has marked the start of a new approach towards projects in general. The method has made it possible to “sell” ideas a lot easier, not so much because identified benefits can be monetised and deducted from the total expenses of a project, but because many new arguments can be used, to justify expenses on issues that would otherwise require much more debate.

Leverage of extra investment In some regions, the results of Waterline Economy led to extra activities, which prepared ground for large-scale investments. These investments will mainly be made by local and regional authorities, partly by the lead partner and project partners. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping Organisations involved in the project have had their policies adjusted due to Waterline Economy. In Drenthe there is a political agreement for using project results, as new project plans are being developed.

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Moreover, WE project results are foreseen to generate contribution towards Interreg IVB and/or other European programmes even after the closure of the project. Amount granted: € 385235 Status: Finalised

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WSF Lead Partner: Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, CWSS, Germany Other partners: Ministry for Agriculture, Nature and Stichting van de Nederlandse Fisheries, The Netherlands Visserij, The Netherlands Nederlands Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Ministry of the Environment, Danish Association c/oNAM b.v., The Forest and Nature Agency, Denmark Netherlands Federal Ministry for the Environment, Seas at Risk (SAR) c/o Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety, Waddenvereniging, The Germany Netherlands Ministry of Environmental Protection Wadden Sea Team (WST), of Lower Saxony, Germany Germany Regional Office of the Wadden Sea, National Park of Schleswig-Holstein, Noord Nederlandse Watersport Germany Bond, The Netherlands Inter-regional Wadden Sea Cooperation, Denmark Countries: (Number of regions) DK FL G N NL S UK 2 5 5 Measure: 3.4 Project aim: The aim of the Wadden Sea Forum project (WSF) was to develop socio- economic perspectives for the Wadden Sea region. These perspectives were to be compatible with the national and international standards of nature and environmental protection of the Wadden Sea ecosystem and the protection of the landscape and cultural heritage of the Wadden Sea region, as laid down, in particular, in the joint trilateral Wadden Sea Plan, the Bird Directive, the Habitat Directive and the Water Framework Directive and in accordance with the vision, aims and strategies of NorVision. Project implementation and The main achievement of the WSF project was a transnational and results: coordinated integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) strategy for sustainable development in the Wadden Sea Region, which contained a catalogue of policy recommendations.

Based on a common vision and containing the sectors fisheries, agriculture, industry/harbour, tourism and energy, the project has prepared sector-specific scenarios for sustainable development perspectives and, on the basis of these scenarios, elaborated sector specific strategies and project proposals.

Innovative solutions The innovative scenario methodology helped overcome topical discrepancies and disagreements by focusing on the desired future situation of the region (a common Vision). The development of a common vision may be a great support for long-term spatial planning. In this respect also the use of computer-aided visualisation of the future situation in the region has been discussed and found broad support among the partners.

Mode of cooperation The project was highly cross sectoral and many sectors were engaged in project activity including representatives from water, transport, energy, coats and sea, industry and agricultural sector. There was also good local, regional and national involvement. It should be noted that the involvement of local and regional citizens groups was higher than anticipated. Impact: Long-term achievements and policy shaping An Action Plan containing 14 generic and sector-specific actions was

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agreed upon by WSF. The Action Plan will be implemented in the coming years by all partners involved, i.e. both governments and private organisations.

It is expected that the recommendations by WSF will influence future policies and legislation, in particular ICZM and spatial planning. An important element in these changes will be the involvement of stakeholders as a structural element of ICZM. Amount granted: € 1034941 Status: Finalised

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Overview of finalised Mini Call projects

Mini Call Projects The Mini Call was open between 8 January and 1 February 2007. 14 projects applied for approval during the Mini Call, 12 projects were eventually approved. Approved projects had to fulfil the following requirements: • Transnationality: promote the transnational aspects of the project(s) and the Programme. • Links to the Programme aim and objectives: the communication products should demonstrate a clear like between the achievements of the project and the objectives of the Programme. • Forward-looking perspective: illustrate the links of the project to the European political priorities. • Innovative: the activities should be innovative and additional to those communication activities already carried out by the project, e.g. by using new media such as web based formats. • Communicating the EU to the general public: the activities should be aimed to reach out to a wide public audience and promote the project’s and the Programme’s achievements.

The approved Mini Call projects were carried out aiming at the development and implementation of additional publicity and communications activities. All activities were completed by the 30 June 2008. The Mini Call projects were: Shared Space, Bridges, Communicating Costal Safety Projects in the NSR, NSCR Film, WVRA, FSI-LG Solar Race, Nortrail Video, GeoShare publicity, Smart Regions, NSF Forward, VISP-NET.

Seminar on Publicity In light of the Mini Call for Publicity the Secretariat invited successful applicants to a lunch- to-lunch seminar in preparation for the implementation of the projects under the call.

The seminar was aimed at inspiring participants in order to maximise the efforts of the Mini Call. As several of the projects had similar approaches - videos or web based ideas - the seminar offered an opportunity to share ideas and discuss potential working methods.

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Outputs and Results of the Mini Call Projects Through the Mini Call for Publicity, the following outputs were realised:

11 Mini Call Projects 18 IIIB Projects Involved

18 Films/Videos/Clips/DVDs 5 Other tools: Website, Media package, Book, Wiki-application, Pamphlet

The below table lists the Mini Call projects including information about the IIIB project(s) involved and their main outcomes:

Communicating Mini Call Nortrail Shared NSCR Coastal Safety Smart Project Video Space Bridges Film in the NSR Regions WVRA GeoShare Chain of IIIB Safety, Log-in, Project(s) Nave Shared ComCoast, BIRD, involved Nortrail Space SustAccess CO2 SafeCoast ICT4SMEs NMC II GeoShare 1 Website, 1 Media 1 Video, 2 Videos, 2 2 Package, 1 1 Wiki- Outcomes Videos 1 DVD 9 Clips Films 1 Film 1 Book Pamphlet Application

In total, 23 communication products were produced with an emphasis on films, DVDs and video clips. In addition a website, a media package and a book were produced as well as a wiki-application and a pamphlet to give supporting information to one of the DVDs.

A broad range of documentary, humoristic and illustrative products enhance the public visibility of the Interreg IIIB projects. High efforts were generally put towards reaching the target groups, which was besides regional, national and European stakeholders, the general public. One project (WVRA) aimed at addressing the Russian audience in order to further develop sea corridors by producing a film with Russian translations. Non-scientific and easily understandable films – viewable in different languages – were produced. Please find the project summaries below for further information.

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5593 products have been distributed as hard copies to date. Most projects involved all partners and networks for distributing the product to a wide audience. The films and products were sent out to tourist offices, distributed and presented at final conferences as well as at trade fairs or conferences. To ensure a wide on demand dissemination, 14 films and clips are viewable online on the partners and projects websites as well as on YouTube.

As for the content, many projects focussed on illustrating the partner regions, the background of the problem tackled within the IIIB projects, and the solutions found within the transnational cooperation.

Several mini call projects linked together more than one Interreg IIIB North Sea Region project. This gave added-value to the existing publicity work carried out by the single projects and inspired further cooperation. The project “Communicating on coastal safety projects in the North Sea Region” linked 3 complementary projects on coastal safety. The DVD produced demonstrates the impacts of coastal flooding, the project activities and the achievements throughout the partner regions.

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Summaries of the Mini Call projects1

Theme: New Opportunities for Rural and Peripheral Areas

North Sea Cycle Route FILM www.northsea-cycle.com/

Rogaland County Council Contact: Eli Viten [email protected]

Within the North Sea Cycle Route Film project, two videos were produced taking the viewer on a transnational journey along the Cycle Route.

The films show the landscapes, cultural heritage, and a variety of businesses providing food, accommodation and local transport for the cyclist following the North Sea Cycle Route. The film illustrates the project’s achievements. Finally, the film focuses on the large network of public and private forces needed to implement and further develop a product like the NSCR.

A long version with music and English commentaries as well as a short version with music only were produced for different target groups. To ensure a wide publication, the videos are available for viewing on the project’s website. 500 copies were distributed, targeting at all relevant tourist offices, programme owners and policy makers and relevant suppliers and authorities.

The strong ownership that arose during the NSCR project was taken forward to jointly create a film that will ensure the long-term positive impact for the Cycle Route and at the same time increases the public visibility of the Interreg North Sea Region Programme to the general public.

1 At the time of the publication not all Final Reports were submitted to the Secretariat

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Nortrail Video www.northseatrail.org

Aberdeenshire Council Contact: Coral Duthie [email protected]

2 DVDs were produced to visualize the results of the NAVE Nortrail Project; each film aims at different target groups.

The shorter film works as a teaser aimed at tourists. The longer film demonstrates the quality and the possibilities of the North Sea Trail for business development. All partners of the project have contributed to publish the videos widely.

The films will be used in marketing the North Sea Trail locally by each partner. By using the same film, the partners will further establish the image of the coastal landscapes around the North Sea. Thereby, the films illustrate the benefits of being part of a greater network of walking trails.

Themes: Risk Management along Rivers and Coasts and Using the Environment Responsibly

Communicating on coastal safety projects in the North Sea Region www.safecoast.com

Province of Zeeland Contact: [email protected]

The project “Communicating on coastal safety projects in the North Sea Region” produced one DVD with 1000 copies. It demonstrates the impact of coastal flooding, the project activities and the achievements of the 3 projects involved (Safecoast, Chain of Safety, Comcoast) throughout the partner regions.

It was launched at the joint final conference of the Safecoast and Chain of Safety projects. The conference and presentation attracted local, regional and national media attention. After the conference, participants received a copy of the DVD and copies were also sent to stakeholders, the international media, and other interested bodies throughout the NSR as well as outside the region. The film is viewable in English, Dutch, Danish and German on the start page of the Safecoast website.

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Theme: Improving Transport

WVRA www.northernmaritimecorridor.no

Rogaland County Council Contact: [email protected]

The Northern Maritime Corridor web video that was earlier on produced by the North Sea Programme, has been modified and supplemented together with a pamphlet, bilingual in English and Russian both in the video and the pamphlet.

WVRA aimed at addressing the Russian audience in order to further develop sea corridors. The video has contributed to increased awareness of the NMC as an important sea corridor in Europe by gaining support from high level Russian authorities and presenting it in St. Petersburg to about 500 participants from Russia and a number of other countries.

By supporting the NMC/BASIS project, the video will promote the new Interreg IV B project, StratMoS, where NMC/BASIS is one of the five demonstration projects.

Bridges www.sustaccess.org

Västra Götalandsregionen Contact: [email protected]

In Bridges, the SustAccess project has produced nine short film clips.

The clips highlight the issue of climate change with the intention to catch the viewer’s eye and to reflect over the impact of climate change. They have the potential to raise the awareness on the impact of climate change in a humoristic way and to invite the viewer to get more information on the project and the partner’s websites. Within the newly approved Dryport project the clips will be further communicated.

Shared Space www.shared-space.org

Province of Fryslan Contact: [email protected]

The Shared Space project produced a DVD showing the philosophy and the pilots of the Shared Space project.

It turned out to be a useful instrument to introduce Shared Space and illustrate the significance of working in a European context to diverse target groups. There have been many requests for the DVD from all over the world.

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Theme: Making Use of Innovation and Knowledge

Smart Regions

Intercommunale Leiedal Contact: Filip Meuris [email protected]

The Smart Region project successfully created three tools that facilitate the promotion of the use of e-Government and e-Services by linking the 3 Interreg III B projects LoG-IN, BIRD and ICT4SMEs under one umbrella label “Smart Regions”.

Using the corporate concept and logo that were developed as part of the project, the following outcomes and results have been realised:

Website: A multimedia website www.smartregions.eu was set up which offers visitors a full overview of the 45 identified good practice cases. The website offers digital documents (reports, pictures, presentations) pictures, newspaper clippings and videos (flash). The underlying structure makes it easy to add new cases that will be fed from the IVB Smart Cities Project.

Book: A book (100-120 pages, A5, four colors) was produced. More than 2.000 copies were printed and distributed. The publication presents e-government or e-services projects in three languages. It was distributed at major conferences, trade fairs, face-to-face meetings with key politicians and interested citizens/businesses.

Media package: The third delivery is a media package (DVD) which can be considered as a reference document of the three projects. It includes an extensive library with all relevant documents of the three participating projects and the good practice cases (including video, white papers, project description, etc). The package can also be downloaded from the website.

The quality of the communication products (book, DVD, website) will help to communicate the outcomes of the three projects within the participating regions to the target groups. The products were appreciated by local and regional stakeholders. The communication project demonstrated local and regional success stories, re-assuring political support for future initiatives.

Inspiration from other regions helped to create political commitment for similar projects, which eventually led to the Smart Cities project. The project also made clear to the decision-makers that the projects of the past were not “one shots” but formed part of a (regional) strategy and European- wide transition.

GeoShare Publicity www.sfj.no

Sogn og Fjordane Fylkeskommune Contact: Trond Ueland [email protected]

The project has produced two films building on the experiences, knowledge and collaboration from the main GeoShare project in order to document the results.

In addition, new close project collaboration has been established to support a wide dissemination of results. In particular the projects North Sea Trail and North Sea Cycle Route have clearly added to the achievements.