Regions and Cities in a Challenging World

8/14/2019 Regions and Cities in a Challenging World

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Regions and citiein a challenging w


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Organisers and partners.................................................................................

Opening Session ...............................................................................................

Workshops

Innovating regions:

Promoting research, technological development and innovation

Sustainable development:

Regional responses to climate change ...................................................

Co-operation and networking:

Exchange of best practice in regional development..........................

Looking forward:

A European cohesion policy for tomorrow ............................................

Closing Session ...................................................................................................

Local Events .......................................................................................................

Evaluation ............................................................................................................

Media strategy and coverage analysis......................................................

Background: The development of the OPEN DAYS ............................

Table of contents


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Organisersand partners


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In just five years, the OPEN DAYS have become the annual European summit of region

October 2008, 7 400 participants used the opportunity to exchange best practice in the fi

cross-border cooperation.

Representatives from Europe's regions an

institutions and the media used the more tdebate practical questions and promote po

them, such as the implementation of cohe

public-private partnership initiatives and su

launched European Commission "Green Pap

the centre of discussion at the Committee

session which took place alongside the eve

Regions, are committed to supporting a st

rejecting any attempt of re-nationalisation.

Brussels does not and never did have all the answers. This is why we made the local important than ever before. I was delighted that - as part of the OPEN DAYS and branded

Region/City' - 230 local events in 30 countries took place in our partner regions throu

bring this message home.

With the OPEN DAYS 2008 theme of "Regions and cities in a challenging world" we dre

issues facing our regions and cities. Several events focused on regional responses to

energy solutions for cities. The current financial crisis has provided evidence of how im

21st century are. The volatile financial and energy markets show that no European count

Europe's regions and cities have an active role to play in these crucial debates. Globacoordination at international level and local ownership. Sustainable solutions can only

levels of government. Moreover, let us not forget that regions and cities are an essential lin

dialogue between citizens and the European level. United in diversity by shared values a

Europe of the future and the one we are all striving for.

In 2009, the OPEN DAYS will continue working with our wide network of partners invo

Global challenges require both,

better coordination at

international level

and local ownership.

Editorial


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With 7 400 participants in Brussels and another 25 000 in local events all over Europe the OPEN DAYS -

Regions and Cities has become the biggest European Union event in the Brussels calendar. Po

representatives of enterprises and citizens exchanged views on a variety of subjects including cooperat

in research and innovation; sustainable development and regional responses to climate change; and

exchange of best practice in regional policy.

The OPEN DAYS also served as the launch pad for the Green Paper on

Territorial Cohesion, which kicked off a major consultation on how to

ensure that the European Union's territorial diversity contributes to the

sustainable development and prosperity of the European Union as whole.

The future cohesion policy, the challenges of globalisation and climate

change, and last but not least, the world-wide financial crisis were also

subjects that were central to our discussions. The crisis not only

highlighted the interdependence of regions, countries and financial

institutions; it also underlined the need for a well-resourced and robust

cohesion policy, which provides a rock of stability for Member States and

regions - in good times and tough times alike.

Let me briefly go through most important messages I took from our discussions.

First, the European Union's regional policy has got it right. The four major themes which were discussed

DAYS innovation, sustainable development, cooperation and the future cohesion policy are underp

that European regions and cities are key players in the global economy. This engagement was the foun

revolution which put the European Union's Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs, climate change

cooperation such as the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation and 'Regions for Economic Cinnovative forms of financial engineering, at the heart of the regional policy for 2007-2013.

Second, there is no long-term development strategy for a city or a region which does not build on in

We all have to 'learn to fly', no matter where our region or city is located. Regional and local authorities

and react to international developments in order to seize opportunities. Much of the impetus and ener

private sector partners, ranging from multinational firms to small and medium enterprises, which are o

There is no long-

strategy for a city

does not build on

internationaliza


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Attended by 500 participants representing politicians and experts indevelopment from all over Europe, the Opening Session took place on

in the Charlemagne building. It was addressed by the President of the Commission, Jos Manuel Barroso, Michel Barnier, Minister for AgricuFisheries on behalf of the French Presidency, Committee of the Regions'Luc Van den Brande and Danuta Hbner, Commissioner for RegionCommissioner Hbner presented the 'Green Paper on Territorial Cwhich the European Commission adopted the same day.

The second part of the Opening Session was dedicated to a panel debaGreen Paper. It marked the start of a public consultation open until Febrand involved Ji unek, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister forDevelopment, Czeck Republic, Dolores Aguilar, Vice-President of theExtremadura, Spain, Lambert van Nistelrooij, Member of the European Pand Jean-Yves Le Drian, President of the region of Brittany and membCommittee of the Regions. The debate was moderated by Shirin WheBrussels.

The lively debate focussed on the following questions:

Opening Sessio


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As you know, I regard regional policy as the best symbol o the principleo solidarity underlying the entire structure o the European project. It isthereore with great pleasure that I am participating with all o you inthese Open Days organised by the Committee o the Regions and theEuropean Commission. This event launches the consultation on theCommission's Green Paper on territorial cohesion, which Danuta Hbnerhas just announced and which she will present to you in detail. I wouldlike to greet the President o the Committee o the Regions, Luc Van den

Brande, and Minister Michel Barnier, who is representing the FrenchPresidency o the Council.

The 2008 edition o this major political event bringing together theregions o Europe is taking place in a world ull o challenges. Eachperiod does, o course, have its challenges. But I think we will all agreethat, at this moment in time, our own period has more than its air shareo them! Globalisation conronts us with major economic, political andgeopolitical challenges that demand a considerable effort o adaptationto the new dimensions o the world. But today, added to this "structural"

element are actors o uncertainty and turbulence the financial crisis,the world economic slowdown, the crisis in Georgia, the economic andpolitical rise o major emerging countries such as China, India and Russia,the uncertainty in the Union with regard to the ratification o the Lisbon

Treaty, and the dramatic acceleration o global warming. These are therealities o the world in which we are living.

In a ew minutes, I would like to say a ew words about the financial crisis.Against the backdrop o the uncertainties I have just outlined, we can besure o only one thing: all political action must be based on a world

vision. This principle applies at all levels, including regional and local. TheUnion's internal policies must take account o world challenges. And somust regional administration.

Globalisation has two major implications for the Union's regional policy. The

first is that cohesion policy will be increasingly aimed at helping the regions

to find their place in world markets. It is true that solidarity means looking in

h k f ll h l h l

Equipping ourselves to cope with principal strands o our regional poresults look very promising.

Between 2000-2006 and 2007 2013, Meinvestment priorities. Investment in rese

society, for instance, has risen from 7%

and to close on 25% in the "convergen

The European Union also wants toshaping this world we are talking avalues o rule o law, solidarity and subbeen practising "solidarity on a multil

To everybody's immense benefit. Wvalues to leave their mark on the gfinding its way.

Looked at rom the angle o these tglobalisation and shaping it - the energ

proposed by the Commission is a texthinking on a world scale, as climate csecondly, the initiative we are taking atto influence the uture "environmentaG8 partners have indeed backed ointernational gatherings coming upCopenhagen in 2009. The European Uan international agreement that is vita

It is now or you, the regions o Euro

offered by the adoption o the enerhope, be beore the end o the Frenchwork you do, the more influence yocompetences and technologies towyou also have a responsibility: that o level, to the efforts to combat climincrease energy efficiency in order to

Regions and cities in a challenging world

Opening address by Jos Manuel Duro Barroso


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between institutions and stakeholders- Union, Member States, nationalparliaments, local authorities, socialpartners and civil society.

Globalisation increases the need orsubsidiarity, and that is no paradox.For the regions are now the leading

territorial units at which levelknowledge is transerred and localinnovation systems are built andwhich vie with each other to attractinvestment. It is precisely the aim o cohesion policy to give greaterpowers to the regional authorities, on innovation in particular.

This is why I am calling on the regions o Europe to connect to the world,to give their economies an international dimension, to attractresearchers, to strengthen the abric o small businesses, to createcentres o excellence and to enter ully into the international networkeconomy. My message to the 86 regions that still have scores below theCommunity average in the field o innovation is the ollowing: make themost o the aid and solidarity that the cohesion policy offers to boostinnovation a quarter o the total budget o 200 billion intended orthe Lisbon strategy objectives.

Let me now briefly touch upon the situation in the financial markets:We are in the middle o a serious crisis. But citizens can be assured: weare taking our responsibilities. Saturday's meeting o the European G 8members, today's Eurogroup, tomorrow's Ecofin, next week's EuropeanCouncil show the determination o the EU and o its Member States todeal with this situation in a coordinated approach.

I am urging all governments o the European Union to coordinate theiraction. We are a Union o states, not one single state. Thereore each andeverybody has to act at his or her level, with his or her instruments. Irecognise that the cases may vary and that there are different national

joint supervision or banks andurther proposals concerningrating agencies and executive

Specifically on deposit guaradirective providing or a minentitled to protect savers urtho them have done so. We staStates to ensure that these gua

properly. Our uture legislativexperience and provide or a rto ensure the sustainability o oHigh Level Expert Group to proposal or a uture architectu

Let me say this to our citizens:

to stabilize our financial marketcool heads. I cannot promise ycan promise you that i we keeprevail.

A final word to wind up. Gchallenges we are discussingclosing in on ourselves would

Globalisation increases the need for

subsidiarity. The regions are now the

leading territorial units at which level

knowledge is transferred and local

innovation systems are built.Jos Manuel Duro Barroso


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Regions and cities in a challenging world

Aside rom the honour o being able to speak to you on behal o theFrench Council Presidency, you will understand that, on a more personallevel, it is a great pleasure or me to be with you today at the opening othis European week o regions and cities.

I am delighted to see many amiliar aces here and to be able to talk aboutmatters that are close to my heart. These are matters I dealt with anddeended under different circumstances in my previous role. I would like

to cover our points during this brie presentation: an issue o timetable and method

the issues o the uture o cohesion in our Union

deepening the notion o territorial cohesion

the events the French Presidency is organising.

The timetable and the method

My experience as a Commissioner taught me about the time orEuropean regional policy. You need time to prepare negotiations; youneed time to reach workable compromises. There is a time orpartnership and a time or negotiation.

We are now in a time o partnership. These days o meetings andexchanges have, over the years, become a major event or all thestakeholders rom the regions and cities o Europe, who are key contactpoints or the public in relation to the responses that Europe is trying tobring to their concerns.

In today's European Union o 27 countries and 271 regions, they are anessential tool or promoting inormed, open and constructive debates.For a week, you have the opportunity to meet, to discuss, to debate, andto invent new kinds o cooperation.

This year, the OPEN DAYS programme also provides an invitation to lookat important topics such as the challenge o climate change, the energy

h ll h d i i i l i i d h i

cohesion presented by the Commissiodemonstrated this.

Cohesion policy has now become a competitiveness, avouring sustainableor example, the successive enlargsometimes considerable disparities in that have progressively had to be

continue to reduce.Cohesion policy has undeniably dem

It has helped the "ormer cohesion c

It has accompanied the most recenthe new Member States to have the

It has provided support or industrialdifficulty.

It has also demonstrated its capacitEU's key objectives.

Finally, through its multi-level governit has made it possible to involve European, national, regional andimplementing, strategies and progra

This method has proved highly relevarequiring action in different areas by v

This cohesion policy is not simply a rethe most developed countries to the that supports cohesion and competworth pointing out that the 2007-20

just beginning, is in this respect a sigperiods. The task we all now have is togiven to all o Europe's regions, is oc

Opening address by Michel Barnier


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change, the new order in the energysector, and the ageing population. I amsure that cohesion policy has a role toplay to help regions put togetherstrategies that take account the risksand opportunities created by thesemajor challenges. Its integrating natureand its decentralised implementation

mean that it is perectly suited to such a role.

Deepening the notion o territorial cohesionThese OPEN DAYS coincide with the presentation by the Commission oits Green Paper on territorial cohesion. This is a very important piece owork by the Commission, and, despite the political and technicaldifficulties o the debate, launching that debate was the right decision.

This idea o territorial cohesion is one which I supported mysel when Iwas Commissioner or Regional Policy. Then I deended it at the

Convention.It is worth clariying what this new dimension means, so as to understandits possible practical implications or the uture. The idea o territorialcohesion is to consolidate this objective by ensuring that better accountis taken, across all the European Union's policy areas, o the diversity oterritories. Europe's regions and cities are our roots, our history, ourculture, our economic realities. The very notion o local and regionalidentity has a deep, structuring meaning that does not exist anywhereelse in the world. The challenge is undoubtedly to respond first o all to

the persistent, and indeed growing, disparities that may exist at variouslocal and regional levels, to which little attention has been paid hitherto.For example, at sub-regional level, it would certainly be helpul toencourage joined-up action aimed at more effectively overcoming thespecific constraints that may be aced, or example, by mountain regions,northernmost regions, islands, rural areas, or run-down urbanneighbourhoods.

The events the FrencOn all these various subjects, ththe objective o moving the deconclusions, as the debate obeginning. To continue workincarry on the debate with you bPresidency will be organising, inon territorial cohesion and theEurope's regions and cities are

wanted this event ocused on lopolicy, to give them the oppouture o that policy.

O course, we also plan to holdon contributions or discussiodevelopment, spatial planning aand 26 November this year. Yourom the Slovenian Presidency the French Presidency intends

beginning, which will eed in toI wish all o you, with your varioAbove all, I hope that cohesionthe midst o the financial storma strong, united, well-governedgoal. The goal we have is thatregions and our cities compet

Cohesion policy presents an active

strategic principle of the construction o

Europe. Its added value is incontestableMichel Barnier


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Regions and cities of Europe: Partners for territor

On behal o the Committee o the Regions, let me welcome you tothe OPEN DAYS 2008 in Brussels. Organised or the sixth time since2003, the OPEN DAYS has turned out to be the must-be-there politicalevent or regions and cities and or those involved in Europeancohesion policy. This year, 216 regions and cities rom 31 countrieshave signed up as partners organising 145 events in Brussels and, moreimportantly, around 230 local events all over Europe.

I am in particular pleased that we show this year through our increasedeffort at the local level that Europe matters and takes care and thatthis message is spelled out closest to the citizens, not only in Brussels.

It could not be more timely and appropriate: the economic andfinancial crisis that has severely influenced our countries in the last 12months and even stronger the last couple o weeks has shown beyondany possible doubt that a stronger Europe is in our interest. MemberStates reacted appropriately in order to bring calmness on the financialmarkets and to bring back the trust o citizens. A delicate but necessaryoperation, welcomed by the savers the citizens. But lets be clear,reality demonstrates that no State alone - no matter how powerul -,no financial institution - no matter how big -, can resist without thecommitment o all in solidarity. Thereore Europe has to act and toreact in a common action. It will make Europe a partner o all citizens.Our key message is: i Europe wants to maintain and strengthenprosperity, sound governance at national and EU level needs to beensured by the involvement o regional and local levels. Together wecan cope with the present and uture challenges.

Over the past decades, decentralisation, regionalisation and territorialreorganisation in many states led to a de acto application o themulti-level governance principle aiming at developing tailor-madesolutions or the whole o the European Union. In addition, theeconomic importance o regions and cities has constantly increased.In recent years, sub-national public sector expenditure in the EU grewto reach 2 000 billion euros, or 16% o the European GDP. One euro inthree o EU public expenditure is spent at sub national levels In the 12

Regions, the European Parliamenrepresentations in Brussels.

Today, we are not only opening the Oby coincidence, the European ComPaper on Territorial Cohesion. Im glacontributes it is a corner stone to o European cohesion policy.

For the Committee o the Regions, major political objective, rooted in coo the great European project. It is abrespecting DIVERSITY.

Indeed, the aim is to promote the hadevelopment and sustainable devbe they urban or rural, mountainouscannot be achieved unless we deaccess (note I didnt say identical) to

etc. This is also unachievable withMember States, regions, territories, uniying values, we need cohesion athe EU area as the objective underto combat the trend towards worsenavoid paying the social and environact that neatly rounds off the defini

Let me explain: Over the past twenty the finest o the EUs policies as th

put it has enabled convergence o This success must now be repeated, o the EU, and it can be i Europes ethe needs o its newcomers.

But beyond convergence, it should adisparities exist, both at sub-region

Opening address by Luc Van den Brande


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will be one o the central themes othe 2008 OPEN DAYS and which theCommittee will also consider, withyou, at the Summit o cities andregions to be held in Prague on 5 and6 March 2009.

How can we attainthe cohesion/solidarityo Europe?1. Firstly, via a revised regional policy,

concentrating more clearly oncohesion expenditure. In my view, the primary consideration mustbe the link between the pursuit o economic, social or regionalcohesion, and the pursuit o competitiveness. Oten seen ascomplementary, it should be borne in mind that these goals bothDESIRABLE and NECESSARY can lead to certain contradictions i thecompetitiveness becomes competition between regions orbetween the constituent parts o the same region. It is not regionalcompetition that will bring regional cohesion but rather regionalcooperation.

2. As regards the other EU policies, complementarity and coherencebetween regional policy and other sectoral policies should beconsidered, be they allocative, as with the CAP, or regulatory, as with

competition.

3. Finally, all existing policies should be better utilised, reshapingregional policy towards this new objective and integrating theregional dimension into all sectoral policies, via enhanced regionalgovernance o all public policies.

As you know our institution will pursue its reflection on this matter

sectors, demography and agelabour market policies and nechange will require new, ote

uture o Cohesion Policy muswe resist the idea o some to policy is a shared responsibCommunity. Putting the princquestion is not an option. I amteam are actively involved in loon the ground, leading economa modern European cohesio2008 will send a strong messaobjective that is not the busine

It can only be built on a stronregional level. I would like to uthose who have contributed 2008, especially to the coadministrations. During the dbest success and hope thatpossible o new knowledge

If Europe wants to maintain and

strengthen prosperity, sound

governance at national and EU level

needs to be ensured by the involvement

of regional and local levels. Together wecan cope with the present and future

challenges.Luc Van den Brande


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Turning territorial diversity into the strength of E

It is with great pleasure that I present to you the Green Paper onTerritorial Cohesion: Turning territorial diversity into strength whichwas adopted by the Commission today. Many o you will recall thatthe discussion on territorial cohesion started already at the beginningo the 90s. This initial reflection convinced Member States to adopt theEuropean Spatial Development Perspective in 1999. The ambition wasto create a common ramework which would guide national policiestoward balanced development.

The next decade witnessed testing this concept on the ground.Ministers rom Member States met regularly to examine territorialtrends and discuss their impact on policy design. Eventually, under theGerman and Portuguese Presidencies last year, they adopted the

Territorial Agenda and the First Action Plan or its implementation.

At the Community level, in the period 2000-2006, the Commissionreinorced the INTERREG Community Initiative. At the same time thesetting up o the European Spatial Observatory Network marked the

decision to develop the knowledge o our territories. The Network wasreinorced in the current programming period, while cooperationevolved into a ully-fledged objective o cohesion policy.

Today, with the adoption o this Green Paper, we take stock o whatwe have learned so ar and launch a final phase o reflection. Thedebate on territorial cohesion raises questions about its definition andscope, about the need or new orms o cooperation and partnershipsacross regional and national borders. This reflection should alsocontribute to the design o cohesion policy ater 2013.

What are the key messages o this Green Paper?Though understandings o territorial cohesion might differ, there isone leitmotiv which links them together the unique diversity o EUterritory. This diversity is first and oremost about geography theU i th t it i i t d t t i l

European "way o lie" that values suso natural resources, and cultural tra

The key question is how to turnadvantage, how to unleash all throughout the Union and ensure thwell-being.

The Green Paper is telling us that to m

the benefit o the whole o the Unithree key concepts (the three Cs): cooperation. Let me briefly go throu

It is a standard economic wisdoadvantages such as higher producttime, however, concentration entailincreasingly evident in the last dcongestion, land prices and social ebig cities in OECD countries have G

rate below national average.

Thus, territorial cohesion is about ggains stemming rom the concentreffects at a wider scale. Metropolitansome time yet, to render it sustainamakers need do tap growth potentialeaving anybody in the backwaters o

Accordingly, territorial cohesion ad

development o vibrant economies and their rural surroundings. In othpolicies which would cluster small build on complementarities betweeway they can reach "critical mass"economic growth - without negativconcentration o assets.

Opening address by Danuta Hbner


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Finally, the third C, Cooperation withwhich cohesion policy is the mostamiliar. The Green Paper underlinesthat we need better cooperation toaddress issues that crossadministrative boundaries and rangerom commuting to environment.

This cooperation should occur on

many levels and involve newpartners. It might cover multipleregions and Member States such asthe Baltic Sea region or the Danuberiver basin. It can run across nationaland regional borders such as in the Franco-Belgian EurometropoleLille-Kortrijk-Tournai. And, at the other end o scale, it may involve localpartnerships, covering a small group o communes.

The need or more co-operation concerns also our external border,

the greatest divide in terms o territorial cohesion. Lower levels o GDPper head in the regions bordering the Union translate into a strongmigration pressures and untapped economic opportunities. The bestway to address both issues is more and better cross-bordercooperation. The Green Paper concludes with six questions or thepublic debate. Here I would like to ocus on the three policy optionswhich are implied by the "three Cs" approach I just outlined to you.

They are also, in my view, central to the discussion on the uture ocohesion policy. Firstly, it is evident that the impact o globalisationdoes not respect administrative and national divisions. Hence the need

or an integrated approach - addressing problems on an appropriategeographical scale - and the need or better coordination betweensectoral and territorial policies. How can this need be reflected in thedesign o public policies? How the policy interventions shall be co-ordinated and what instruments can ensure a better match betweenpolicy issues and territories?

And to get closer to our citizepriorities with local needs and

Let me end up by telling you launched. The Green Paper w

French Presidency: the ConeFuture o Cohesion Policy in ministerial meeting in Marseillthe debate should be submittI will present a first digest o tCzech Presidency. And finally,published by the Commission

I am convinced that this competitiveness o our territo

the quality o our environmen

Danuta Hbner

European Commissioner fo

The key question is how to turn Europes

diversity into a competitive advantage,

how to unleash all economic

opportunities throughout the Union and

ensure that every territory contributes toits well-being.Danuta Hbner


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Innovating regions:

Promoting research, technological dand innovation

Sustainable economic growth is increasingly related to the capacity ofeconomies to change and to innovate. Stimulating innovation has beco

priority for European regions but still greater effort needs to be put into cenvironment that encourages research, development and innovation. policy reflects this with a major increase in the funding available for this

In the European Union, 86 regions home to 123 million people have an iperformance below the EU average, the great majority being located inmember states, Spain, Greece, Portugal and southern Italy. Proximity meconomic development which is more and more dependent on coordinatpolicy fields, administrations, research institutions and enterprises. Recities have become the centres for knowledge transfer, where local insystems are built and where the competition to attract investments take

The 2007-2013 cohesion policy programmes put a particular empknowledge and innovation. Compared to the previous programmininvestments in research, technological development and innovation quand allocations amount to almost EUR 86 billion or 25% of the total b

Innovating regions:


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OutlineThe workshop was dedicated to the presentation o several eensuring a more sustainable growth, relying on territorial asstrategies and - as regards industrial strategies competitive clexamples o policies streamlining and ocusing earmarked pubor economic stakeholders. They concentrate public investcontributing to more balanced development and territorial coh

DebateNicolae Rotileanu introduced the workshop by presenting theand the subsequent political decision to design and implemenindeed suffers rom important regional disparities and regionadue to unbalanced growth pattern, concentrated on BucharestIn this context, the Romanian government decided to rely on to the country, concentrating public assistance, through Commseven main urban poles, with a view to later spreading territoriaeconomic activity over a wider area. The French example o comillustrated by the presentation oAlexandre Moulin. This p

upgrading the French industrial network, with a view to promotproduction. The implementing mechanisms were detaileramework. The evaluations recently carried out also underlinedto territorial cohesion, with the presence o efficient competitivtheir contribution to regional growth, through positive spilloversto strengthen, rather than disrupt, local employment basins.wider picture o the situation and economic impact o SMEsramework o the challenges raised by higher competition duenlargement. Cluster policy initiatives have been scrutinizedconclusions regarding the efficiency o such public policies an

insufficient scale o operations and the lack o national institutionor the development o systemic approach, promoting innovatioon a tailored mix o financial and non financial instruments. The ninvolving private initiatives or supporting cluster strategic proparticular.Finally, Gervasio Cordero presented practical experience o apand development o clusters has been supported across the

Organiser:European Commission, Regional Policy DG

Chair:

Anastassios Bougas,European Commission, Regional Policy DG

Speakers:

Nicolae Rotileanu,Prime Ministers office, Romania

Alexandre Moulin,Ministry o Industry, FranceMassimo Florio,University o Milan, ItalyGervasio Cordero,Ministry or Industry, Tourism and Trade, Spain

More information

French Ministry o Industry:http://www.competitivite.gouv.r/Romanian Ministry o Development, PublicWorks and Housing:http://www.mie.ro/index.php?p=205

Cohesion policy should facilitate

spill-over, not hinder leaders

development.

Growth poles for territorial cohesion07 October 2008, 9:00-10:45



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OutlineMikel Landabaso, introduced the workshop by giving some definitions of innovation, open innovation ahelix approach in order to introduce the subject to the audience and set the tone for later discussions. With regadefinition of innovation, it is necessary to distinguish between Open Innovation on macro-economic level: n

steps needed to provide; training, financial tools, marketing, organisational schemes, etc.; Open Innovation o

economic level: conditions required to ensure; profitable change, economic exploitation of knowledge;

and Open Innovation on regional level: capacity of a territory to adapt knowledge for regional sustainable deve

Open innovation is an interactive process, a system where the relationship between universities, research centresand administration is vital. In order for this relationship to be successful it must harness the knowledge base o

participants. The moderator then gave some background information on the initiatives of the European Comm

Regional Policy DG and the regional Innovation strategy in Europe. The implementation of this strategy requires

partnership between academia, business and public authorities although establishing these connections at the b

is very challenging.

DebateFabrice Salemi started his presentation by describing Lower Normandy as a small region where achieving thstrategy objectives is a challenge that is being enthusiastically taken on. He then gave an overview of how publi

for innovation are set up by three different public bodies (State, National Regional Agency, Regional Council) withvision. He briefly explained what are the main regional initiatives on finance, knowledge and know-how (the key e

to reach the objectives of innovation policies), and he outlined the necessity for regional stakeholders to work in parFrancesco Surico introduced the participants to the recent history of open innovation in the Apulia Region. Theapproach of the Apulia Regional Government was launched in 2005. The aim was to facilitate the setting up of th

Innovative Business System. Nowadays the Apulian Tecnological Districts is formed by Hi-tech (nano-bio-infoscie

April 2007; Biotech and Agrifood from March 2006; Mechatronics from July 2007; National district of Energy from Se2008.The presentation ofJos Luis Snchez, was focused on two different initiatives taken at regional level to fcollaboration and synergies between the University and Industry. These initiatives are the following: PCTCAN

and Technological Park of Cantabria) and the technological franchise. The main outcome of these strategies is no

establish a suitable environment for trustful collaboration but also to enhance and consolidate actions tow

development of an entrepreneurship culture. Moreover, regarding the development of an open innovation pol

given territory, he pointed out the need for taking risks and establishing responsible lasting synergies over the timthe actors which are taking part in the triple helix scheme. Grzegorz Leszczyski presented the Innovation Stthe Lubelskie Region. In his presentation, the speaker introduced the region located on the eastern external bord

European Union, outlining its characteristic features which affect markedly the conditions for the developme

sector. What was stressed, along with certain economic data factors, was a marked academic potential of this area. S

up his presentation, the Speaker drew attention to the need of exchanging good examples and best practiceinvolvement and stimulating support from the local authorities. Erik Bunis gave an interesting presentation

Effective regional strategies and policies for open inn07 October 2008, 09:30-12:00

Promoting research, technological devel

Innovating regions:


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OutlineFollowing the opening remarks by the moderator, Micheoverview presentation concerning the European Commiinnovation policy or local and regional authorities. During thto date representation o the best practice models o Univskilully delivered to the audience. The speaker presentationsacross Europe. As well as the geographic range, there wasmethods and models used to achieve the University/Industro the various models were presented with advice on best p

The type o industry being supported on a daily basis ranges multinationals.

DebateGuillaume Boitier presented a unique concrete experience oin the field o electronic payment. 15 years o public-private creation o an educational electronic payment platorm that payment chain used or both educational purposes and R&D. Iand technical support as well as industrial sk ills. In return, the

to employ qualified students and rom cooperation opportplatorm model can be easily transposed to other disciplines.West: University-Industry partnership at the Edge o Europe pbackground, the growth o Galway as a knowledge economydevices sector, and the ways in which NUI Galway supports thspecial emphasis on Enterprise Irelands Innovation Vouchersuccessul instruments or orging university-industry partnersin the region. O particular interest to many participants Innovation Centre and its provision o wet lab accommodatifranco Viesti gave an interesting presentation o the regiona

Office). ILOs project has three main points: Provide the five Unoffices or the improvement o their scientific patrimony; ialready available in Universities or product innovation, growin sectors with high-knowledge content, through patents, licimpact o research investments or Universities on the gdevelopment in Puglia and improve the cooperation betweeGomez Sal gave a presentation entitled The University o Ca

Organiser:Conglomerate University - Industry: A key linktowards regional grow

Chair:

Michel Andr,European Commission, DG Research

Speakers:

Alex Talacchi,

European Commission, DG Enterprise andIndustryGuillaume Boitier,Industrial Relations Department o ENSICAEN,FrancePat Kelly,NASC Ireland West Partnership and NUI,Galway, IrelandGianfranco Viesti,President o ARTI Regional Agency or

Technology and Innovation, ItalyLiviu Drugus,George Bacovia University, Bacau, RumaniaJos Carlos Gmez Sal,Vice-rector o Research and DevelopmentDept. o the University o Cantabria, SpainFrancisco Vidal Albadalejo,Fundacin Parque Cientfico de Murcia, Spain.Ann-Mari Bartholdsson,

Healthcare Technology Alliance, Sweden

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Francisco Vidal presented the structure, targets and the link between the University and theindustry. Mr. Vidal highlighted that the objectives o this tool are: to increase the number oinnovative and technological based companies; to stimulate the regional companies to getmodernized and to incorporate R+D process as well as innovation; to look or entrepreneurs tocreate companies based on scientific and technological knowledge; to promote and supportall the R+D activities in Murcia, as well as the R+D and innovation values or the uture o regionalgrowth. Furthermore, the first role o the Science Park is to improve the link between Industryand University. In that sense, Mr. Vidal said that leadership from industry is very important to thesuccess of the Universitys technology park. Ann-Mari Bartholdsson spoke o an alliance thatrealises the importance o the demographic challenges ahead and encourages products thatmake lie easier or the elderly. She stressed that to make the innovations more high tech anduser riendly, collaboration between the medical sector, university, industry and the end usersis required. The key actor to success is to have people rom the health care sectorcommunicating to the industry about their specific needs.

ConclusionsThe seminar was summed up by Michel Andr:

There must be good communication between University and Industry throughout the entireinnovation ostering process. This should involve requent site visits in order to build up goodworking relationships.

There must also be a willingness by both University and Industry to learn each others needsand constrains.

Good leadership is always required orm Industry or the partnership to be successul. The importance o support or innovation cannot be overlooked i University/Industry

partnerships are to be successul.


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OutlineThe workshop was opened by Grard Giroud. It addressed regions, universities and SMEs in the field o innovative technolprojects undertaken in the area o intellectual property. It outlinby the EPO with the network o national patent offices to simplemented, via a series o European projects or which the

extend them to more beneficiaries. The workshop aimed atconsider that intellectual property is a key actor in the creationthe emergence o innovation. The programmes offered by thadapted to the structural differences between the European rdifferent needs and requirements. The workshops aim was urdebate amongst local players.

DebateAlexandru Cristian Strenc highlighted that an efficient an

technology rom universities to industry is an essential competitiveness. He explained how the patent system andtechnology transer. As representative o the nine organisatUniversity pilot project, he presented encouraging first findings oare encouraged to manage their IP assets and to commercially cal Duyckand Marian Michalovsky underlined that many cexisting possibilities or protecting their Industrial Property. The the eleven national patent offices based on the model develevaluation o their potential IP assets and in their protection. Thethe awareness o SMEs o the general IP system through the acqRobert Sanders presented the EU unded ip4inno project,consortium led by the EPO. The project aims at the creation o aEuropean regions who are in a position to teach the basics o IPwill have been trained over the two years o implementation aaspects o the European intellectual property system will have

Organiser:

European Patent Office (EPO)

Chair:

Grard Giroud,European Patent Office

Speakers:

Alexandru Cristian Strenc,State Office or Inventions and

Trademarks, RomaniaPascal Duyck,Institut National de la Proprit Industrielle,FranceMarian Michalovsky,Industrial Property Office o the Slovak

RepublicRobert Sanders,European Business & Innovation CentreNetwork

More information

TTO project:http://www.uprp.pl/rozne/krakow/9.%20Ger-ard%20Giroud%20-

%20EPN%20and%20TT.pdPre-diagnosis:http://www.inpi.r/fileadmin/mediatheque/pd/INPI_Pre-diagnostic.pdIP4Inno project:http://www.ip4inno.eu

Intellectual property helps regions innovating07 October 2008, 11:15-13:00


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OutlineThe workshop was opened by Constance Hanniffy, chair o the CoR Ecos Commission, who setthe stage or the discussion introducing the main topics o the debate. Are we making the most othe crucial 2008-2010 phase o the Lisbon strategy? Integration o policymakers agendas at theEU, national, regional and local level is needed and multi-level governance should be the mainapproach. Are there relevant changes in the LRAs main political priorities throughout the EU? Are

the LRAs satisfied with their involvement in the Lisbon strategys national reorm plans? Is the multi-level governance approach adequately used? Then Andrea Forti, o the CoR LMP team, gave anoverview o the main results or 2008 o the CoRs Lisbon Monitoring Platorm exercise. In 2008, theEU local and regional authorities still perceive they are not yet seen as key stakeholders in the Lisbonpolicy cycle, while they think they could play a much more active role in the implementation o theNRP.

DebateFlavio Delbono highlighted the ollowing contents o the drat CoR Opinion on the Liqbon

Strategy, stressing the need or (1) better coordination o growth and jobs policies at different levelso governance; (2) integrated growth and jobs policy at all levels (integrated into all policy activities);(3) multi-level governance agreements (written agreements, regular consultation and coordinationo policy agendas between the different levels o governance). Looking beyond 2010, he called ora broader reflection on the Strategys Priorities (too many?), on how to pursue competitiveness ina sustainable and cohesive manner, on governance issues Governance. The open method ocoordination has difficulties to push the agenda ahead. It is then important to keep an eye on thecalendar and on the financing issues (due to the ongoing budget review). Mickal Vaillant, RudolfNiessler and Jean-Marie Beaupuy gave their contributions stressing the need or a widerinvolvement o all stakeholders and the need to keep together cohesion and competitivenesspolicy avoiding abstract conflicts. They also stressed the need or the CoR to develop an open andin-depth debate on the perspectives o the Lisbon Strategy post 2010, giving thereore acontribution to the wider EU debate on this issue.

ConclusionsMs Hanniffy concluded the workshop by stressing that the presentation o the latest LMP

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Main results of the 2008 Lisbon Monitoring Platform 07 October 2008, 14:30-16:15


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OutlineThe workshop was opened by Andrew Mitchell, who stressedthe structural unds or investment to orward the Lisbon stratchanges in spending towards growth and jobs, in particular inasked the panellists how can the LRAs reap the ull benefits ohow can earmarking be adapted to various regional contexts abeing taken in terms o governance o the whole process. In thgruber, o the European Commission, DG Regio, gave an u

earmarking at the EU level. He showed the achievements to dthe negotiations on the cohesion policy operating programmesa recent Commission Communication (COM(2008) 301 final, 14

DebateLambert van Nistelrooij and Jan Fluxa stressed the imposupport territorial innovation policymaking, and the need or thmoney or that. However, they also stressed the need to keep tocompetitiveness and cohesion objectives. Jean-Yves Le Drian

avoid the risk that a rigid interpretation o the earmarking provcohesion expenditure, and this in a moment when flexibility is to ace the increasingly negative impact o the ongoing socohesion.

ConclusionsIn his closing remarks, Andrew Mitchell ound that there was aearmarking is working as a tool to ocus cohesion policy investmhe also stressed that earmarking deserves careul monitoring, a

be actually spent in an effective manner. This cannot be takentrade-off between the quality o the expenditure and the ability

Organiser:

Committee o the Regions, Directorate orConsultative Works, Unit 3 / LMP Team

Chair:

Andrew Mitchell,Cornwall County Council member in chargeo the Economic Portolio; LMP Member

Speakers:Johann Sollgruber,European Commission, Regional Policy DGLambert van Nistelrooij,MEP, Member o the Lisbon Intergroup andthe REGI CommitteeJean-Yves Le Drian,President o the Rgion Bretagne, CoRrapporteur on the Green Paper on TerritorialCohesion, LMP memberJan Fluxa,member o the Czech Presidency Teamwithin the Ministry or Regional Development

More information:http://lisbon.cor.europa.eu/

Structural Funds supporting the Lisbon Strategy:

Achievements and the role of earmarking07 October 2008, 16:45-18:15


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OutlineThe workshop was opened by Luc Van den Brande who claimed the crucial roleo regions and cities in supporting innovation policies, Philippe Mettens,moderator o the workshop, pointed out some key elements about innovationand described key issues o this thematic or the regions. The concept o innovationwas declined on three aspects: economic, social and sustainable development.

Through the presentation o nine innovative projects developed in the partnerregions, it was shown that the definition and concept o innovation could strongly

differ. To bridge the definition divide, Luisa Sanches, offered to define innovationas the process to acilitate the creation and marketing o new innovative productsand services, but stressed that innovation is a very complex concept that manyinterpretation can cover.

DebateThe first panel o the workshop ocused on innovation in economic development.Experts rom French and Dutch regions introduced their projects aiming atsupporting innovation through high level cooperation between the stakeholders

o one defined territory, in particular or development o Biotechnology (SouthLimburg) and nanotechnologies (Twente Region). The second panel o theworkshop introduced the concept o innovation on the perspective o health andsocial care. Two projects illustrated how innovation could respond to new socialchallenges, as tackling demographic changes and health inequalities. The care othe elderly and their social inclusion is one o the main topic where innovationcould bring up new solutions, as the Telehealth technology, a major initiativeimplemented in Kent, using tele-technology in various orms to promoteindependence and local care. Eventually, the third panel o the workshopexamined the concept o innovation regarding sustainable development. As

sustainable development covers various fields o application, it may concern awide range o innovative projects. The Greater Dunkirk or example introducedtwo projects developed in the ramework o the European program IntelligentEnergy. The description o a proactive policy o carbon neutrality on business parksled in Flanders by a Flemish Consortium composed o cities, universities andregional agency also pointed out the importance o co-operation in the settingand implementation o such policies

Organiser:

Conglomerate Cooperat

Chair:

Philippe Mettens,Belgian Federal Science

Speakers:

Luc Van den Brande,

President of the CommitJean-Marie Pruvot,Rseau de Dveloppemen

Miriam Luizink,Mesa+ Institute, The Net

Henrik Fokke,BioSmile International, C

Yves Schaeffer,Dpartement du Nord, F

Dr. Robert Stewart,National Health Service E

Kingdom

Anne Tidmarsh,East Kent, Kent County C

Louardi Boughedada,Communaut Urbaine d

Johan Proot,WVI, Belgium

Pieter Biemans,

City of Tilburg, The NetheJaroslaw Wesolowski,Vice Marshall of Silesia Re

Luisa Sanches,European Commission,

Peter den Oudsten,Chairman of the board o

Innovative projects and territorial cooperation:

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Outline and DebateThe session was opened by Bernd Thomas who briefly introgeneral outline o the topics to be discussed. The first presentatioon the ongoing Regions o Knowledge project Bridge-BSR: Bridgin the Baltic Sea Region. She pointed out how Clusters have provide a platorm or more effective cooperation between tcompetitiveness issues. The project will identiy regional bottleacademic research to SMEs, develop a regional innovation ag

best practises and bench marks plus initiate pilot activitiespossibilities to combine European Funds to raise the maritime policy, and the Seventh Framework Programme or Research, baectunder Regions o Knowledge. It will develop in three cross-interaction, shared know-how and knowledge, cross-sectocollaboration. Regional cluster policies are essential or a knowthey mobilize all regional stakeholders to define common vicommon goals. Sylvia Schreiber introduced the Practical GResearch and Innovation. Due to a missing intra-service strategiand due to a lack o a coordination o national contact po

beneficiaries have problems to understand the unding system ooptimized and well targeted. With the new Practical Guide the Cto show a synaptic and practical overview. The possible synepresented in case studies o coherent and consecutive use o v

ConclusionsBernd Thomas concluded the workshop by summing up the

Thanks to different EU unding sources (Structural Funds, FP7, CEuropean regions can be enhanced by means o intensive ind

expertise and know-how, spill-over o knowledge and inter-regioo regional clusters. The Practical Guide was conceived to help pthrough these different EU unding sources, however structuringand European level is urther needed. Efficient methods o networking.

Organiser:

European Commission, DG Research

Chair:

Bernd Thomas,ormer managing director o AGIT

Speakers:

Gabriele Gatti,

Consorzio per lAREA di Ricerca Scientifica eTecnologica di Trieste, ItalyElise Kvarnstrm,ScanBalt, DenmarkSylvia Schreiber,EU Office o the City o Stuttgart, Belgium

More information

BRIDGE BSR projecthttp://www.scanbalt.org/sw14944.aspSTARNETregio projecthttp://www.starnetregio.eu/Practical Guide to Funding opportunitieshttp://cordis.europa.eu/eu-unding-guide/home_en.html

Regions of Knowledge: Synergies in EU funding opportu

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Outline and DebateThe workshop was opened by Richard Essex who introduced the issue o promoting innovationthrough the Structural Funds projects. In this seminar European good practices rom BarcelonaProvince, Riga, Lodz were presented. In addition to this, the European Commission gave anoverview o the transversal concept o innovation within the regional policy. The innovationconcept was defined as the development o new ways o doing things, improved technologies anddevelopment o new products and the European Commission outlined that these strengths areusual in many European regions and cities but not in all. The rest o speakers presented projects or

initiatives in the field; Diputaci de Barcelona explained the joint management o ERDF agreementbetween this local government and the managing authority to oster local innovation projectswithin the province. Latvia presented the national innovation system, the government programmesand the actions to promote innovation. In this ramework the South West o England RegionalDevelopment Agency introduced the Fast track project Rapide (Interreg IVC) as an example oexchange o good practices in improving how regions support and stimulate innovation as a keydriver o competitiveness. Lodz also presented an example o a media cluster supported by the cityhall as a way o ostering innovation.

ConclusionsMr Essex concluded the workshop by summing up the discussions as ollows:

There is a link between ostering innovation and the capacity o taking risks. The concept o innovation is not only addressed to the ostering o new technologies but to thecapacity to generate innovative dynamics adapted to the new times.

Subregional authorities con play a key role ostering innovation and they should have morerelevance.

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Outline and DebateThe workshop was opened by Tania Robinson introducing thanalyze and put in value the different strategies and policies thare implementing in order to attract entrepreneurship, gazelleswill end up creating SMEs and long term investments. At the semRegion, Riga, Barcelona Activa, Berlin, Dublin and Sarajevo whhighlighted the need to promote a global strategy combiningprivate sectors, ostering the education at all ages and the quali

Riga highlighted the emphasis that the city is been given to urbthe port and to the support o young people to become an opresearchers. The Development Agency o Barcelona bases its spromoting entrepeneurship and supporting the creation and Barcelona Activa presented its bunch o training programmesDublin presented a city strategy based on providing excellregulatory base: e.g. low corporate and personal tax) to multinthat Dublin offers a stable tolerant welcoming environment andin extensive range o universities and colleges. Sarajevo presenteBerlin presented the impact o having the Adlersho Science

Science, Business and Media worldwide.

ConclusionsMs Robinson concluded the workshop by summing up the di

To attract best businesses cities have to compete to attract tal Talent attraction local policies do not only concern big capital cneed to work to improve its attractiveness

Talent attraction is closely linked with taking risks.

It is important to oster a multilevel governance to deign a cohtalent.

Organiser:

Diputaci de Barcelona

Chair:

Tania Robinson,North East England, United Kingdom

Speakers:

Lotta Hakansson-Harju,

Vice Mayor o Jaralla municipality, StockholmCounty International, SwedenAnna Molero,Barcelona Activa, SpainHelge Neumann,International Cooperation, City o Berlin,GermanyHugh Fitzpatrick,Dublin City Council, IrelandMarek Valters,Sarajevo macro region, SerbiaValters Mazins,New Riga Development Enterprises, Latvia

More information

Diputaci de Barcelona:www.diba.catBarcelona Activa:www.barcelonactiva.cat

Berlin:www. Adlersho.deRiga:www.jau.lv; www.andrejsala.lv

People are the resource

Brain drain prevention and talent attraction:

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OutlineThis workshop ocused on important regional strategies, with showcases highlighting innovation-oriented solutions promoting research, technological development, networking, etc - to meet thedemographic challenge and make a region more attractive. The objective was to address thequestion o the strategic political decisions and methods needed to meet the demographicchallenge in the Baltic Sea Regions.

DebateAs keynote speaker, Knut Halvorsen outlined some o the general demographic challenges acedby many regions. He pointed out that there will be a decline o 30 million people in 30 years.Another issue is that students go abroad or move away rom rural areas. He suggested thattheoretical perspectives rom the American scientist Richard Florida to be useul in order to dealwith demographic issues. Florida operates with the our Ts as keys to success: Technology,

Tolerance, Talent and Territory. Mr Halvorsen stressed that attracting talents is the core o creatingdevelopment. Thereore, the city/region has to be attractive or young people. Tolerance isimportant in the sense o being open to new cultures and all social groups. As is the case o Oslo,25% o the Oslo population are immigrants or children o immigrants. Mr Halvorsen argued that itis a necessity to keep as many people as possible in the workorce, as the there is a growing need

or workers. Jamina Soleckas presentation ocused on how the region o Szczecin works onretaining and attracting people to the region. She pointed out that in 2004, the unemployment ratewas at 27% and nobody were caring about demographic change in Poland. However, Now in 2008,there is an unemployment rate o 12,9 % unemployment rate and the population is declining,

Thats why much attention is paid to investments in human capital. One o the ocal points hasthereore been to keep students in the city by building bridges rom secondary school to university.Ater university, the students are directed more easily to companies and the city give grants tothose who wish to start up their own companies. Even more, scholarships are provided to Ph.D.students that want to continue with a scientific career ater their studies. Marko Hckelspresentation ocused on how to create an attractive working environment and thereby retain skilled

workers in the same institute. He pointed out that the Leibniz Institute is the largest o its kind inplasma sciences, and is financed by the state. Thereore, Hckel suggested, it has been a challengeto uphold an economically sustainable structure. However, they ound out by creating spin-offactivities, the institute has been able to retain the skilled workers and to expand the institutesactivities. Thereore, the Leibniz Institute created the Neoplas Technology Transer Centre andNeoplascontrol two new companies under the original structure. Gran Carlsson rom theregional co operation council o the Council o Dalarna in Sweden presented a rather practical

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OutlineThis workshop examined what are Living Labs and how they conSystem. Living Labs are open innovation environments in reainnovation is ully integrated within the co-creation process o ninrastructures. Just about two years ago, the European Nelaunched under the Finnish Presidency. There are now 51 Europthat there will be more than 100 Living Labs, by the end o nexo the ENoLL members and the growing political interest on theimportance o the Living Labs concept as a powerul mecinnovativeness and more importantly to increase the technolo

DebateVeli Pekka Niitamo presented the Finnish National Strategy othe operators (DIMES,TEKES,SITRA). He has explained also the Obusiness ecosystem. In conclusion, he has analysed the Helsinkipaper Living Lab. Roberto Santoro presented the COLLABS coadoption o Living Labs within the regional innovation ecosy

enabling SMEs to become protagonist together with the end uhas exemplified the Innovation model or the Lazio region atelemedicine (Telesat telemedicine Living Lab- www.telesal.it) aMarc Pallot briefly introduced the French Living Labs oCompetitiveness clusters as being part o the regional innovatioo the ICT Usage Lab located in Sophia Antipolis, Provence-Alpesand one o the first members o ENoLL. Klaus-Dieter Thotraditional place or trade, shipbuilding, ports, automotive and high-tech center. In 2001 the government o the ederal State develop a new innovation strategy. The Living Lab Mobile City

element: Mobile Test Market; Mobile Solution Platorm; MobileCenter; Mobile Solution Group. Esteve Almiral presented CatLabs is an initiative o the Catalan Living Labs together with the Seo the Catalan government that attempts not only to providparticipants providing a ramework where jointly explore methto project a common and unified image o what Cataluya has

Organiser:

European Commission, DG Regional Policy andDG Inormation Society and Media

Chair:

Antti Peltomki,European Commission, DG Inormation Societyand Media

Speakers:Veli Pekka Niitamo (Helsinki)Roberto Santoro (Rome/Lacio)Marc Pallot (Sofia Antipolis/Paris)Klaus-Dieter Thoben (Bremen)Esteve Almiral (Cataluya)

More information

Living Labs:http://www.openlivinglabs.eu/

Living Labs is becoming an

European success story.

Living Labs in regional innovation ecosystem:

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OutlineThe workshop, chaired by PES Group President Mercedes Bresso, explored the contribution olocal and regional authorities towards ensuring decent work and air wages in the EU. Key aspectso the debates were work organisation and contractual relations (including flexicurity), socialprotection legislation, workers rights with special ocus on migrant and undeclared workers,education and training, and social dialogue. Speakers agreed on the need or a close cooperationamongst all levels o governance, unions, employers and the civil society in order to go beyond thecurrent damage control approach. They opposed excessive flexibility in the labour markets, whichleads to non standard employment conditions and breaks continuity with the EUs Social Charter.Finally, they agreed that decent work is a matter o good governance and underlined the need toplace it high on the PES political agenda or the 2009 European elections.

DebateThe participants o the seminar engaged in lively exchanges with members o the panel, stressingthe need to strengthen cooperation and political initiatives at the European level. A number oquestions regarding the role o local and r,egional authorities and the scope or their cooperationwith NGOs and other civil society actors in tackling the problems o providing decent work were

discussed, notably with regard to the ongoing debate about flexicurity, and in particular thesituation o the most vulnerable groups, such as undocumented migrants or those with low levelso qualification.

ConclusionsMercedes Bresso concluded that the discussions had clearly shown how solutions to theproblems o the 21st century can only be ound across borders, and across different levels, inpartnership between the political level, NGOs and the people most directly concerned.. She stressedthat decent work was a undamental right and also one o the key conditions or Europe to remain

competitive, in particular in the current financial crisis. She emphasised that SOLIDARs world-wideDecent Work Day was a good example on how progressive orces in Europe needed to mobiliseand underlined that the CoR played an important part in raising the profile o the decent workchallenge. She urged the participants o this seminar to carry this message to their own regions, andto get engaged in addressing this crucial issue.

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OutlineThe seminar opened with the introduction oMattia Crosettdecision makers recognize the importance o advanced stratand promote their territories on the investment markets. Hoand tools or attracting investors continue to be dominated bEspecially in Europe, the campaigns or reaching potential inadequate finance, lack o expertise, orientation to short-tenetwork approaches.Nowadays, it is strategic to understand the delicate process thaor city brand, meaning the connection between image prom

and not simply supposed competitive advantages.

DebateAndrew Kircher elaborated on the World Banks huge exinvestment promotion and brand positioning. Mr. Kircher ocand then on the available tools prepared or assisting clientpotential investors. A clear output o the presentation was a lisabsence o consensus between political parties and stakehreview o good examples and available tools indicated t

communication strategies or attracting investors. Jacob DeLocation Strategies as a global service offering within IBM Glocation strategies. Because o this experience, Mr. Dencik couprocess o corporates when working on their investment plananalysis o the advantages o pro-active marketing that regiointerested in attracting oreign investors.Inormation to remember: the first investors within territories there. Erik an Marrinboer introduced Brainport, a hot spotsouth-eastern Netherlands and a hub o a network o com

government spreading beyond national borders to GermanyIt is a unique area with intensive and innovative co-operationnew ideas. This is visible in the invention, manuacture and salmachines and systems. Brainport has become a sel-standvalues inspiring this new approach to local development.resumed the content and philosophy o the communication cthe Zln Region. The campaign ocused on the unique hist

Organiser:

HAL9000 Limited

Chair:

Mattia Crosetto,HAL9000 Limited

Speakers:

Andrew Kircher,World Bank, Washington, USA

Jacob Dencik,IBM-PLI, Brussels, BelgiumErik van Marrinboer,Deputy Mayor o Eindhoven, The NetherlandsLibor Friedel, Tomas Bata,University Zlin, Czech RepublicAngel Nieva,Bilbao Ria 2000, Bilbao, SpainRoberto Graziani,Banca Monte dei Paschi Siena, Italy

Lucia Bursi,Mayor o Maranello, Modena, Italy

More information

HAL9000 Limited:www.hal9000ltd.eu

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Angel Nieva described the urban, economic and social transormation undergone by Bilbaoin recent years, essentially based on a new alliance between private and public sectors. Thisalliance was concretised in 1992 with the establishment o Bilbao Ra 2000, with the task oregenerating old industrial and port terrain and converting it into areas o opportunity or thecity. 16 years later, Bilbao has become a benchmark and a brand internationally admired or itssuccessul conversion into a services capital with growing tourist activity and a cultural andarchitectural reerence point. Roberto Graziani explained that alliances between territoriesand firms have mutual benefits: a strong corporate brand can eed the country image, but alsothe opposite phenomenon is true. Made in Italy is a trade mark well known in Europe and

abroad. Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena is one o the oldest financial intermediaries o Europeand its identity is part o the national heritage. The presentation illustrated the brand campaigno Monte dei Paschi and its multimedia instruments, among which an original video realised byOscar Winner Giuseppe Tornatore. Lucia Bursi presented the case o Maranello, the city oFerrari. The marriage between the amous sport car company and the city that has been hostingits premises or more than 60 years has produced tangible results, beginning with new urbanconcepts or integrated development. Design, technological excellence, outstanding skills,innovation capacities are the specific eatures that now associate Ferrari with its surroundingterritory and community.

ConclusionsMr Crosetto concluded the workshop by summing up the lessons learned:

Present communication strategies and tools or attracting investors in EU Regions and Citiesare still based on generic marketing techniques;

a more proessionalized approach would be needed, based on the concept o territorialbranding that could highlight the real identity o the terr itory and its unique potential;

cooperation and partnerships between the public administrations and the local companies area undamental success actor;

ocus on clear targets, consistency o the messages, coherence o the campaigns (all o thepossible campaigns) are the other success actors;

the identity o the region or city is the core-message that has to be promoted

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OutlineA good partnership between EU institutions, public authoritiesattractiveness o regions or investment, living and working. Twothe contribution o companies to regional development, assesdevelopment o a strong entrepreneurial abric, discussed how eremove these obstacles, identified good partnership practices EU policies affecting regional development.

Debate I

The workshop was opened by Andy Bounds who asked panellito regional development in the area o innovation, research, emis identification o the obstacles impeding the development ocities and regions. Alain Jupp noted that companies and cilatter also engage in fierce competition to attract new firms. Citieimproving accessibility (the number o railway passengers pastreble), strengthening links between firms and universities (crediversiying industry sectors (rom being mostly know or itsbecome one o the most attractive cities or development o cshipbuilding). Francis Bailly identified three main areas in wh

regional development and should play an increased role in the nefficiency, and education. Water resources, sometimes coupbecoming a critical problem, especially in giant cities such asenergy efficiency in buildings is a priority or General Electric. Edcompanies since recruiting skilled people - competent workochallenge. Companies can help public authorities by givingorganising career open days such as the company did in Belprocurement, particularly in the case o very innovative techdeveloped. Danuta Hbner recalled the main principles and ac

stressing three major points regarding partnership between reauthorities must elaborate a development strategy, whose dinvolve all stakeholders. Business is the best partner or locaCommissioner Hbner stressed the issue o attractiveness: regioindeed oster investments and human capital. The developmentor poles o competitiveness as it is the case in France, can reinview o this, the European Commission is supporting investme

Organiser:

BUSINESSEUROPE

Chair:

Ernest-Antoine Seillire,President o BUSINESSEUROPE

Speakers:

Francis Bailly,European Affairs Director, General Electric

EuropeGabor Demszky,Mayor o Budapest, HungaryDanuta Hbner,Commissioner or Regional PolicyJean-Pierre Jouyet,Secretary o State in charge o EuropeanAffairs, FranceAlain Jupp,ormer French Prime Minister and Mayor o

Bordeaux, FranceHenri Proglio,CEO, Veolia, FranceLuc Van den Brande,President o Committee o Regions

More information

BUSINESSEUROPE:www.businesseurope.eu

Regions and companies: A question of partnership08 October 2008, 11.00-13.00



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Debate IIIn the second panel discussion, Luc Van den Brande made some initial remarks to set the sceneor the debate. The need to apply a flexible use o the PPP ormat was stressed and the importanceo PPPs in delivering solutions or sectors that are the backbone o Europes regions was highlighted.PPPs can be applied to many different areas including inrastructure, education, healthcare, cityregeneration to name just a ew. The Committee o the Regions very much supports more efficientpublic spending through PPPs and Mr Van den Brande emphasised the need or a more bottom-up approach in this area and more trust in the business and education community.Henri Proglionoted that PPPs should maintain a certain level o flexibility in their concept and design. PPPs donot take control away rom the public sector but enable the latter to draw on the private sectors

know-how, which leads to innovative responses. PPPs have developed in many countries acrossEurope but also outside Europe. China was mentioned with the water distribution system inShanghai given as an example. Jean-Pierre Jouyet stated that in a world where budgetary andfinancial resources are becoming scarcer, PPPs are needed now more than ever. PPPs are nottantamount to privatisation and regional and local initiatives need to be stepped up as efficient andwell-designed PPPs are conducive to development. A proactive policy on PPPs is needed andsimplification o the legal ramework or PPPs should be encouraged in the member states. PPPsare a good way o fighting climate change, a key priority o the French Presidency. Gabor Demszkyfirst highlighted the importance o Budapest and described this city as Hungarys economic engine,representing 40% o total GDP. The percentage o those with a university degree is three timeshigher in Budapest than it is in the countryside. No special law on PPPs exists in Hungary and thePPP method is rarely used. However a ew project examples were mentioned in which the burdenis shared between the public and private sectors.

ConclusionsErnest-Antoine Seillire concluded the event by summing up the discussions as ollows:

Companies play a strong role in the development o regions and cities in Europe but it takes two

to tango and strong local roots remain an essential condition or success; more dialogue is needed between the business community and public authorities; BUSINESSEUROPE is convinced o the benefits o PPPs and has illustrated this in a brochure on thetopic PPPs- Adding value to Europes public services;

EU cohesion unds amount to 47 billion euros this year but the unding must exert a leverageeffect on private activities.

Innovating regions:



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OutlineMr Andrea Benassi welcomed all participants to this workshopworkshop was opened by Commissioner Danuta Hbner offethe Commissions priorities in the cohesion policy with the keenterprises and SMEs is essential or employment and innovationAct and in particular the application o the principle think smaEuropean policies as well as on all levels (regional and local leoutlined the importance o 1) investing into the entrepreneuriaby the regional and local authorities; 2) developing partnershregional authorities; 3) putting in place a large scope o tailorshould provide support or all phases o an enterprises lie. Instshould be made available. Innovation is not only high technologo management o companies, too; 4) access to finance remacilitated by the Jasmine micro credit scheme developed by tthe case Brussels reduces red tap considerably it is still necessaFinally she highlighted the role o the SME associations, such as UInstitutions in the cohesion policy.

In his welcoming speech, Mr Luc Van den Brande, President underscored among others the idea o the creation o a horizsystem. He highlighted:1) The role o the micro, small and crat enterprises: Regional po

o small first and the Committee o the Regions wishes to simpwants to help the SMEs to develop themselves. In this sensprinciple think small first have to be taken into account by th

2) The regions should better listen to the entrepreneurs and theopinion, the horizontal dimension o the subsidiary principnecessary to only rely on the institutions but to accord more re

the entrepreneurs. This requires cooperation at all levels.

Finally, it is necessary to encourage the local dialogue and to deand economic partners in the regions in order to avour theproblems o SMEs and micro enterprises in the regions.

Organiser:

UEAPME

Chair:

Andrea Benassi,Secretary General, UEAPME

Speakers:

Ms Danuta Hbner,

EU-Commissioner Regional PolicyMr Luc Van den Brande,President Committee o the Regions

Panel I:

Mr Norbert Pruszanowski,ZRP, PolandMr Reiner Nolten,WHKT - ZDH, GermanyMs Luisa Minoli,

Api Lombarda - CONFAPI, ItalyMs Christina Linderholm,FRETAGARNA, SwedenMr Ladislav Krocek,ECCR, Czech RepublicMr Jean-Louis Matre,APCM, France

How SMEs and micro enterprise can become effective ac

of the Cohesion Policy07 October 2008, 9:00-10:45



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participate in community actions on a long term basis thanks to the intermediary associations. Heemphasized the role o the intermediary associations being ull representatives o the smallenterprises who should be taken into consideration by the state and public authorities as social

partners. In most cases financial problems weaken the intermediary association. He sums up thatthe role o the intermediary body is to represent the interests o SMEs in the social dialogue, tosupport the SMEs in training their employees, providing advice to the SMEs, accompanying theSMEs in dealing with national and local authorities and to support their innovation activities. MrJean-Louis Matre underlined the role o governance as the undamental importance ointermediary organisations. To his mind, it is o utmost importance to associate the intermediaryassociations with the public authorities. He regretted that these relations are not yet sufficientlydeepened in the regions. He underlined 1- the necessity to accompany the organi

Regions and Cities in a Challenging World

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