Seminar in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland 13 -16th of October 2004 At the Lappia Conference Centre COMPETITIVE REGIONS Shaping Best Practice II Seminar in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland on 13 – 15th of October 2004 At the Lappia Conference Centre 2 PREFACE This book contains summary descriptions of projects being nominated for the seminar “Competitive Regions – Shaping Best Practices II” which is taking place in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland, on 13-15 October 2004. The seminar is organised by the Regional Council of Lapland in collaboration with the Finnish Ministry of Interior and the European Commission. The seminar will build on the success of the first best practice seminar which was held in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK, in October 2003. It aims at promoting exchange of experience and dissemination of best practice between authorities involved in the implementation of Objective 1 and Objective 2 Structural Fund programmes in Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and the UK. Implementing authorities from all other Member States have also been invited to attend the seminar. The strategic goal of the Lisbon and Gothenburg European Councils will make up the framework of the seminar: The EU should become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social inclusion. The seminar programme includes project presentations, expert presentations, project excursions, and discussions on the following three sub-themes: - Competitiveness - Sustainable development (economic, social and ecological) - Co-operation and competitiveness More information about the event is available at the following websites: - http://www.lapinliitto.fi/bestpractice - http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/index_en.htm 3 4 TABLE OF CONTENT (The projects marked “ ► “ will be presented during the seminar) COMPETITIVENESS North Jutland, Denmark ► North Jutland Export Programme 11 Lower Saxony, Germany Design and development of a skiroller 12 Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Probiodrug AG, Halle 13 Saxony-Anhalt, Germany Q-Cells AG, Thalheim 14 Saxony-Anhalt, Germany ► icubic AG, Magdeburg 15 Central Finland TEHO-project 16 North Karelia, Finland The Finnish Stone Centre Programme 17 Rauma, Western Finland Joint Treatment: Treatment of Sewage Generated by the Forestry Industry and Municipalities 18 Softum, Western Finland Softum business centre networking and development project 19 Turku, Finland Varsta, Business environment at the department of life sciences at Turku Polytechnic 20 Southern and Eastern Region, Ireland E-Commerce and Communication 21 Sweden Increase competitiveness of SMEs 22 County of Jämtland, Sweden An interactive institute for research 23 North Sweden ► The North Sweden Soil Remediation Centre (MCN) 24 Region of South Forest Counties, Sweden ► ETOUR – the European Tourism Research Institute 25 Västra, Sweden K-Kau - The Swedish house of form 26 London, United Kingdom ► Ethnic Minority Business Support Network 27 North East England, United Kingdom The Knowledge House – Access to research and innovation 28 5 East of Scotland, United Kingdom Development of Niche Markets in East of Scotland 29 South of Scotland, United Kingdom Ettrick Riverside Business Factory 30 Western Scotland, United Kingdom Profit from product development 31 Wales, United Kingdom Opportunity Wales – Information about eCommerce for businesses 32 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Bavaria, Germany ► Action Plan for Nuremberg’s South side 35 Berlin, Germany Social City - Integrative management for economic, social and ecological development in multi-problem neighbourhoods in Berlin 36 Bremen, Germany The Bremen Seed Programme for academic start-ups 37 Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany Centre for Fuel Cell Technology 38 Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Multimar Wattforum - Information Centre of the National Park Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea 39 Finland Sustainable future for the Hämeenlinna region 40 East Finland Honouring the built heritage in North Karelia 41 Kuopio, Finland Success factors for the horse industry 42 Lapland, Finland Nature paths and recreational constructions 43 Northern Central Finland ► Development of a Bioenergy Network 44 North Ostrobothnia, Finland Environmental management in Kierikki stone age village 45 Turku, Finland Linkki - Community-based project development in East Turku 46 City of Vantaa, Finland Living cityspace 47 Dalsland, Sweden Next Generation - Young entrepreneurs for the region 48 Göta Kanal, Sweden Enterpirse development for the region 49 6 Luleå, Sweden Establishment of research in environmental and quality management 50 Norra Norrland, Sweden Lapland Fishing 51 Norrbotten, Sweden Developing a centre of film production in northern Europe 52 Cornwall, United Kingdom Combined Universities in Cornwall 53 Netherleigh, United Kingdom Signal Business Growth Initiative 54 North East England, United Kingdom Sandhills Green Recycling Centre 55 Scotland, United Kingdom The 7stanes – a mountain bike and infrastructure project 56 Western Scotland, United Kingdom Lifelong learning for families in St Stephen's Enterprise Centre 57 CO-OPERATION+COMPETITIVENESS Ireland ► Managing the Evolution of the Programmes in Advanced Technologies 61 Oulu Region, Finland ► Centre of Expertise Programme implementing the Multipolis Network Project 62 Ylivieska Sub-region, Finland Development Programme of Contract Manufacturing 63 Northern Sweden Developing the tourism industry in Boden 64 Region of South Forest Counties, Sweden National Winter Sport Centre 65 Northern Ireland, United Kingdom ► Creggan Enterprises Ltd – Jobs in an old factory 66 South of Scotland, United Kingdom Crichton Regeneration Project 67 7 8 COMPETITIVENESS 9 10 COMPETITIVENESS North Jutland, Denmark ► North Jutland Export Programme The project and an annual increase in export turnover of some EUR 56.9 (DKK 421 million) – i.e. considerably higher than the Steering Committee’s goal. The North Jutland Export Programme was established in the year 2000, when the County of North Jutland set up a working group whose task it was to develop an export programme. The working Perspectives group consisted of representatives from the Danish Trade Council, Nordjysk Eksportklub, Aalborg The programme has been very successful, and as a University, trade promotion officers, Erhvervscenter result, the County of North Jutland has decided to Nordjylland and the County of North Jutland – i.e. launch a new Export Programme for another 100 those bodies that had the greatest knowledge with enterprises. regard to export. The programme runs until the end of 2004, and to date 145 enterprises have had an application processed, of which 123 have received a Self-assessment grant. Enterprises can use the grant to purchase external expenses such as consultant hours and the “The non-traditional aspect is reflected by the fact consultant’s travelling and accommodation that the programme has been drawn up as an expenses. The consultant can, for example, prepare extensive collaboration between both central market analyses, draw up an export strategy, and government authorities (Danish Trade Council, provide advice on organisational development, etc., Aalborg University, the National Agency for depending on what the enterprise in question Enterprise and Housing) and regional authorities. actually needs. The County of Jutland’s trade (...) The Export Programme demonstrates the high promotion office (EC-Nord) looks after the practical level of flexibility in the way in which ERDF funds aspects of the programme, including drawing up a can be used – at project level, regional level, and comprehensive analysis of the strengths and not least from central government.” weaknesses of the enterprises concerned. The application can be completed within about 2 weeks, which is a significant reduction of the review time in relation to other EU applications. The context The programme became a reality because the University had prepared a comprehensive analysis that concluded that there was unexploited export potential in North Jutland corresponding to between EUR 0.54 billion and EUR 0.67 billion (DKK 4-5 billion) per year. Outcome Total costs : EUR 2.876 million (DKK 21 million) The Steering Committee’s goal for the programme EU funding : EUR 0.98 million (DKK 7.2 million) was that within a year of completion of the project each participating enterprise should have increased Contact : its export turnover by EUR 0.135 million (DKK 1 Gitte Madsen million) and have taken on one new employee. Niels Bohrs Vej 30 Aalborg University, which was responsible for the DK-9220 Aalborg Øst continuous evaluation of the programme, has Phone. +45 96 35 11 27 compiled the enterprises’ own expectations with Fax: +45 98 15 40 29 regard to the effect of the project one year after e-mail: [email protected] completion. The result is that 123 enterprises expect a total increase in employment of 354 employees 11 COMPETITIVENESS+SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Lower Saxony, Germany Design and development of a skiroller The project Perspectives Ski-rollers is a modern training equipment for cross- This project has the potential to strengthen the country skiing athlets during summertime. This competitiveness of the institute in the area of equipment should ideally give the athlet the feeling composite applications. Thus it will improve the and the feedback by using it like the ski in attractiveness of the institute to be a partner in wintertime. Today's skirollers made from aluminium national and international