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EUROPEAN COMMISSION. REGIONAL POLICY. Transferring good practice to the mainstream The approach of ‘Regions for Economic Change’. Alexander FERSTL DIRECTORATE-GENERAL REGIONAL POLICY Directorate for Policy Development URBACT Annual Conference 1 December 2008 - Montpellier.
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EUROPEAN COMMISSION REGIONAL POLICY Transferring good practice to the mainstreamThe approach of ‘Regions for Economic Change’ Alexander FERSTL DIRECTORATE-GENERAL REGIONAL POLICYDirectorate for Policy Development URBACT Annual Conference 1 December 2008 - Montpellier
EUROPEAN COMMISSION REGIONAL POLICY The ‘Regions for Economic Change’ approach • Common objective of testing best practice for economic modernisation and increased competitiveness • Idea of bringing good practice faster into implementation • Defined key themes • Implemented within the two major networking programmes for 2007-2013 • Interregional cooperation (Interreg IVC) • Urban development network programme (URBACT II) • Total budget of 375 m€
EUROPEAN COMMISSION REGIONAL POLICY ‘Regions for Economic Change’ and URBACT II • A guiding line for the design of the programme • Thematic orientation and structure of the programme • High relevance for all networks and working groups • Elements to better connect networks with mainstream programmes (e.g. associated Managing Authorities as partners, Local Support Groups) • Fast Track Networks along seven key themes
EUROPEAN COMMISSION REGIONAL POLICY Specific relevance in the urban context • Structure of the urban dimension of Operational Programmes 2007-2013 • Urban strands of all three Cohesion Policy Objectives • Mainstreaming of the URBAN Community Initiative • No automatism for urban actions within OPs or access to funding – Challenge of including local actors into the implementation • Need for cooperation between cities and their (regional/ national) Managing Authorities
which have Managing Authorities for the relevant Operational Programmes. EUROPEAN COMMISSION REGIONAL POLICY URBACT creates networks of cities
Managing Authorities are associated in the networks. And cities are supported in their efforts to implement Local Action Plans within the relevant OPs.
Managing Authorities are associated in the networks. And cities are supported in their efforts to implement Local Action Plans within the relevant OPs.
And strengthened in Fast Track Networks. This approach is applied in all URBACT II projects.
Regions forEconomic Change FAST TRACK NETWORK EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Fast Track Networks • Along seven “urban” themes from RFEC • Labelled by the European Commission • Two-way-bridge: Strong links with mainstream Operational Programmes • Support from European Commission Services • Networks in the European spotlight(Annual Conference 16-17 Feb 2009)
Lessons learned so far • New partnerships and links are received positively • Connecting local, regional and European level • New and strong links between MAs and cities (access to funding – mutual learning) • Concept of Local Action Plans works for both «sides» - better prepared applications • Commission support and communication elements appreciated (thematic input, contact to Managing Authorities, conferences and seminars) • Additional efforts, additional benefits
Transferring good practice to the mainstreamThe approach of ‘Regions for Economic Change’ i http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/