DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
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Regions for Economic ChangeRegions for Economic Change Communication (2006) 675 of 8/11/2006Communication (2006) 675 of 8/11/2006
http://http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policyec.europa.eu/regional_policy
Eddy HartogHead of Unit
European Commission
Directorate-General for Regional Policy
Open days seminar 09D02, 9 October 2007
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
22
Structure of presentation:Structure of presentation:
(1) Short reminder
(2) What is happening?
(3) First experiences
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
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ReminderReminder
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
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Objectives of Objectives of Regions for Economic ChangeRegions for Economic Change
• Adapting to enlargement to EU-27;
• Taking Growth and jobs agenda into account in interregional networking;
• Strengthen the link with mainstream programmes: moving ideas from talking, via money, to action;
• Offering Commission support (wide range of DGs interested);
• Enhancing communication and dissemination.
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
55
NOVELTY 1NOVELTY 1
SELECTION OF KEY THEMES FOR ECONOMIC
MODERNISATION - SEC(2006)1432
Regions asked to conceive and structure their networks around these 30 themes
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
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NOVELTY 2NOVELTY 2A 2-way bridge between networks and the mainstream to maximise dissemination and implementation of new ideas and good practice through:
o Wider networks of regions
o Involvement of decision-makers, experts, partners
o Working methods – clause in mainstream programmes, action plans, reporting
o Dissemination, transparency.
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
77
NOVELTY 3NOVELTY 3
ENHANCED COMMUNICATION:
• Commissioners
• Conferences
• Website
• Awards
Regions for economic change
(2) How?
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
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NOVELTY 4NOVELTY 4FAST-TRACK OPTIONFAST-TRACK OPTION
Participation = Commitment
Commission support
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
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What is happening?What is happening?
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
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Communication: conferencesCommunication: conferences
• 2 thematic conferences & the first annual RFEC Conference 7/8 March 2007. In total
– Over 1600 participants
– 27 thematic workshops
– exchanges with more than 100 Experts and project promoters on relevant themes
• Second annual RFEC Conference First half 2008
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
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Communication: RegioStars 2008Communication: RegioStars 2008
4 themes
Deadline of 28 September 2007 for all 268 regions to propose one project
E-mail [email protected]
Short list of 40 projects selected by Commission services by late 2007
Independent jury to select winners
Awards to be made in Spring 2008
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
1212
Communication: RFEC websiteCommunication: RFEC website
Regions for economic change
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/interregional/ecochange/index_en.cfm
Developments in Commission thinking included
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
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Interregional cooperation (INTERREG IVC) Interregional cooperation (INTERREG IVC)
+ + Urban development network (URBACT II) Urban development network (URBACT II)
==375 m€375 m€
PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AND CALLS ARE LAUNCHEDAND CALLS ARE LAUNCHED
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
1414
How will the fast track option work?How will the fast track option work?
• Calls for projects by programme secretariat
• Submission of project applications
• Transmission of all project applications to Commission and Member States
• Commission proposed participation in some of the projects as ‘fast track’
• Decision by Network Programme Monitoring Committee
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
1515
First experiencesFirst experiences
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
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A positive dynamicA positive dynamic
• Many expressions of interest
• Three projects testing elements
– CLOE
– MILE
– URBAMECO
• Enthusiasm from Commission Services
• Enthusiasm from regions
• Bringing the Committee of the Regions into the programmes
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
1717
Progress madeProgress made• In the projects
– Extension to more partners
– Stronger and wider partnerships (Even MoUs)
– A real two-way bridge
• What is fast about the track?
– Not the adoption procedure or total implementation time
– Delivering the first results
– Bringing the novelties into the project
– Triggering the interaction between networkers and spenders
– Bringing EU policy ideas into practice
Regions for economic change
DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development"
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
1818
Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attention
Any questions?Any questions?
Regions for economic change