Decentralised Forum Iasi, 5-7 November 2015

EU2020 at local level

Ward KennesMayor of KasterleeMember of Flemish Parliament

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EU2020 strategy for

1) Smart growth: more effective investments in education, research and innovation

2) Sustainable growth: moving towards a low-carbon economy

3) Inclusive growth: a strong emphasis on job creation and poverty reduction

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities2 21/04/23

CONTEXT

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BELGIUM

Vereniging van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeenten 3 21/04/23

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LOCAL AUTHORITIES

• Local authorities ‘translate’ the EU2020 strategy at local level in their policy planning and implementation

• Planning (2014 – 2019) for the current municipal legislative period including • Strategic Pluri-annual plan• Financial Pluri-annual plan including budget for EU2020 related

policy issues

NOTE: local authorities were not involved in the design of the EU2020 strategy

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities4 21/04/23

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Smart Growth

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities5 21/04/23

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1) Smart growth

Local authorities have to deal with changing needs from their citizens and have to adapt their services:

Examples:Social innovation for care and social welfareInnovation in organisation and administrationInnovation in smart use of ICT to improve service delivery

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities6 21/04/23

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1) Smart Growth

- Innovation in smart use of ICT to improve service delivery

- e-guichet offering a range of services (digital forms for building licences, …)

- social media-plan - e-invoices- …

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities7 21/04/23

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Blue Assist- declaration of engagement

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities8 21/04/23

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After school childcare

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities9 21/04/23

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Green Growth

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities10 21/04/23

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2) Green growth

Local authorities have many opportunities to contribute to the transition to green growth.

Examples:

Covenant of MayorsGreen mobility

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities11 21/04/23

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2) Green Growth

Covenant of Mayors

•In Belgium there are already 211 signatories of the Covenant (more than 35% of all municipalities, more than 50% in the Flemish region) •Elaboration of an action plan is a useful instrument to address CO2 emission at local level•Support to citizens (energy scans of buildings)

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities12 21/04/23

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Covenant of Mayors Kempen

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2) Green Growth

Green mobility

•Extending bicycle roads, spatial re-organisation •Mayors on the bike!

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities14 21/04/23

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Electric car for the municipal services

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities15 21/04/23

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Inclusive Growth

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities16 21/04/23

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3) Inclusive growth

In Belgium, all local authorities have a Public Centre for Social Welfare (OCMW or CPAS). These centres provide support to disadvantaged people or people at risk:

-minimum income-enhancing social participation and integration into society-activities for re-entry into the labour market (social economy initiatives)-local service centre offering a wide range of activities

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities17 21/04/23

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Visiting a social employment initiative

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Social restaurant

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities19 21/04/23

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3) Inclusive Growth

• The Flemish Action programme for combatting poverty underlines the important role of local authorities in setting up an inclusive and integral approach to tackle poverty at local level.

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities20 21/04/23

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National Reform Programmes

• The Flemish National Reform Programme that is monitoring the EU2020 strategy for the Flemish region includes examples of good practice of local authorities thanks to succesful lobbying of the Association of Local Authorities (VVSG).

• Important to raise awareness at national level of the important contribution of local authorities in implementing many aspects of the EU2020 strategy on the ground.

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities21 21/04/23