Implementation of innovation oriented EU projects. A few words from perspective of a manager… Piotr Szutkiewicz Podlaskie Voivodeship Marshal’s Office Coordinator of Regional Innovation Strategy- construction of implementation system Poland Podlaskie Voivodeship Podlaskie Voivodeship is located in the north-east Poland. It borders with three other provinces: Warminsko-Mazurskie, Mazowieckie and along a short section with Lubelskie voivodeships. It also borders with Lithuania in the north-east and with Belarus in the east. Podlaskie Voivodeship marks the internal (Lithuanian) and external (Belarusian) border of the European Union. Podlaskie Voivodeship covers the area of - 20,180 km². Population – 1,224,000 Number of communities - 118 – including 3 poviat towns – municipal poviats (Town of Białystok, Town of ŁomŜa, Town of Suwałki) Number of poviats - 17 - including 3 municipal poviats (municipal poviats - Town of Białystok, Town of ŁomŜa, Town of Suwałki) and 14 land poviats. Podlaskie Voivodeship, being the member of Związek Transgraniczny Euroregion “Niemen” (The Interborder Union Euroregion “Niemen” - Poland, Lithuania and Belarus), cooperates more closely with the Baltic countries and other friendly regions. Trento, Lombardy, Bolzano – Upper Adige (Italy), Burgundy (France), Häme (Finland), North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) and Värmländ (Sweden). Province capital – Białystok. The city’s development began in mid 18th century. It is the biggest industrial, cultural and scientific centre in the region. • PODLASKIE VOIVODESHIP MARSHAL’S OFFICE • The self-governed voivodeship is a territorial self-government unit formed by law by voivodeship inhabitants. It is the largest fundamental unit of the territorial country division functioning to execute public administration. • The board, as an executive organ of a voivodeship, is authorized to perform legal acts on behalf of the voivodeship. • Organs of self-government of the voivodeship are: • - Sejmik of the Podlaskie Voivodeship, composed of 30 councilors elected in a direct election. Its term of office lasts four years, counting from the election day. The election is conducted by the terms of electoral law of the Gmina Council, Poviat Council and Sejmik of the voivodeship. The Sejmik election is conducted by the terms of proportional electoral law. • - The Podlaskie Voivodeship Board, composed of 5 members. Personal background: Implementation and management of 3 projects related to innovations and modern technologies: • Podlaska Agency for Energy (SAVE II Intelligent Energy for Europe) • International Innovation Centre of East (European Social Fund) • Podlaska Innovation Strategy- construction of implementation system (European Social Fund) PODLASKA INNOVATION SRATEGY Project financed by European Social Fund, Polish Governmnet and Podlaskie Voivodeship Carried out in partnership with University of Bialystok Total budget: 2 750 000 € Main tasks: 1. Actualization of Podlaskie Innovation Strategy 2. Building of computerized system allowing monitoring of PIS and Strategy of Podlaskie Voivoeship 3. Development of benchmarking methodology 4. Regional foresight 5. Popularization of good practices 6. Phd subsidaries for graduates 7. Creation of Regional Platform of Innovative Cooperation 8. Transfer of innovative technology and its promotion 9. Transregional and transborder cooperation 10. Information on possible cooperation and financing of clusters Quotation: Project Concept 4: Introduction of Regional Energy Concepts • RESTRICTED CALL FOR STRATEGIC PROJECTS (Expression of Interest) • The CENTRAL EUROPE Managing Authority launches the further step of the restricted call for strategic projects. Public and private organisations are invited to present their Expression of Inter est to join the future project partnerships as from 12 July till 17 September 2010. • The detailed announcement of the restricted call describes the project characteristics, actions, selection process, eligible institutions. The Annex 1 of the document describes the pre-elaborated seven PROJECT CONCEPTS representing future strategic projects in details. The Annex 2 provides you the contact details for submission of the documents (National Contact Points - for national institutions; Joint Technical Secretariat - for international organisations, institutions in third countries and outside CE area). PODLASKA AGENCY FOR ENERGY. BASIC INFORMATION The regional authorities Marshal Office of Podlaskie Voivodship together with local partner Podlaska Regional Development Foundation (PRDF) decided to apply to the European Programme SAVE II for a contribution in project aimed at creation of an agency specialized in renewable energy sources and energy saving. Podlaska Agency for Energy in Bialystok has been established in June 2003. Our partners in this project are Camara Municipal de Corvo (Portugal) co-ordinator, and Provincia Di Teramo (Italy) From legal point of view Podlaska Agency of Energy is affiliated entity to the Podlaska Regional Development Foundation (PRDF). Range of activity 1. Support the local authorities in promoting the rational use of energy and in formulating their energy plans 2. Promotion of the European network specialized in controlling of the energy and safeguard of the environment 3. Studies and analysis for people interested in RES 4. Popularization of services proposed towards end-users, SME and institutions 5. Introduction of the internet in the fields of energy on European dimension 6. Education and training of technical personnel and development of methods for energy audits 7. Support the local energy companies in their energy policy 8. Popularization of European energy directives 9. Improvement of energy efficiency of the final users 10. Promotion of renewable energy use 11. Dissemination of environmental protection 12. Information centre appointment to inform about energy efficiency 13. Affirmation of information, instruction (training), regarding counseling energy efficiency 14. Endorsing project of foundation for plans of provisions to energy Operations and effects - Elaboration of regional energy plan with taking into consideration RES - Preparation study of feasibility, auditing and monitoring - Free information, instruction and counseling in range of saving energy - Organizing seminars and conferences with participation of national and foreign experts - Current cooperation with European Commission Directorate General Energy and Transport - Current information of consumer and assistance in solving problem related with utilization energy and foreign projects participation - Supplying of information in region and technical assistance in preparation of project for sponsorship within the confines of European programs like: SAVE, ALTERNER - Participation of the Agency in European projects in range of promotion and utilization of energy Promotion of renewable sources of energy Podlaska Agencja Zarządzania Energią Municipal waste gasification ARE EU INNOVATION AND RESEARCH POLICEIS MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN REGIONS OF THE BALTIC SEA? yes!!! but Impact of EU programmes would be much more effective If..... If we adopt following rules: Bigger number of coherent, gradually developing multi stage programmes Continuation opposed to „let’s do and forget” Better coordination- there is no reason to do something that has already been done and achieve what had been already achieved Support and promotion for these regions and institutions which are the most active and succesful (simply by proposing them or informing about potential programmes and possibilities) Creation of transnational and transborder long lasting projects Then and only then we, the regions of Baltic sea will be able to become innovative and creative Thank you! Piotr Szutkiewicz E-mail: [email protected].