Thematic platform 1 Competitiveness & Attractivness St. Johann im Pongau, 28th and 29th of June 2007 Thematic platform 1 Competitiveness & Attractivness

Thematic Platform Priority 1 28th June 2007, St. Johann im Pongau Transnational cooperation in the Alpine Space: New priorities for shared challenges Competitiveness and Attractiveness Thematic Platform Priority 1 28th June 2007, St. Johann im Pongau

Possible activities in the Alpine Space Actions supporting cluster generation Projects to identify and strengthen the key economic branches Pilot actions for technology transfer Pilot initiatives for new cooperations between research centres and SMEs To launch joint initiatives related to natural and/or cultural heritage Promotion of integrated tourism systems Facilitating the economic growth in peripheral areas by better access to the cultural heritage Transnational focus

Possible activities in the Alpine Space Cooperation through the development of productions chains based on regional products, crafts, knowledge or heritage in all sectors Development of joint quality labels Creation of tools for the improvement of living conditions and facilitation of economic growth in peripheral areas and areas affected by spatial disparities Safeguarding access to social and cultural services „demography“ – brain drain danger

Possible partners Local decision-makers Economic actors (particular SMEs) Educations, training and research centres Non-governmental agencies Tourism agencies Public service providers Local, regional and national decision-makers

Even more concrete… A group of regions may establish and finance a permanent pool of transnational field-experts to advise on a particular regional development issue (e.g. SME incubators) Spreading Benefit of Knowledge Economy Sustainable Communities (network and knowledge exchange) Sustainable Cities Together Connecting rural and urban clusters Strategic Sustainable Urban Greening at Regional Level Renewing the city, monitoring and focusing on urban growth A transnational network of medium-sized towns could develop and implement a joint territorial strategy to attract some functions Developing Economic Clusters of Cultural Enterprises Transnational Action Network for the Sustainable Management of European Polycentric City Regions Interaction between Urban and Rural Development

requirements The project has to have a „alpine“ touch and transnational perspective The project should support sustainable economic growth without being profit-oriented The project should not be in conflict with the competition law The project should not be based on local activities (but can have pilot studies) No major investments At least 3 alpine countries (around 8 different partners) Good partnership Clear common strategy (project lifetime only 3 years)

benefit The transnational cooperation is a challenge BUT Gives you new networking opportunities Funding European skills More competence Unique exchange of solutions and knowledge