THE CONTRIBUTION OF CULTURE TO LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT February 2010

FAMCP Federation of Aragonese Municipalties Regions and Provinces Established in Represents the 731 municipalities in Aragón. Organization’s general principle is to defend the local bodies’ interests and their autonomy before the other public administrations

What does FAMCP do? To defend and promote the municipalities’ general interests and their independence. _ To provide juridical and economical help to the municipalities, regions and provinces. _To implement promotion of local development, generating high wealth rates in our districts and municipalities. _To train city majors, town councillors and municipality technicians. _To promote social cultural and economic development of rural areas. _To elaborate social, juridical and economical research studies.

FAMCP European Affairs Department: Management and implementation of European projects (Equal, INTERREG IIIC-RFO, INTERREG MEDOCC, INTERREG MED, PROGRESS-ESF, Culture, Europe for Citizens, others )

Culture, Europe and Regions ( Knowledge society and Sustainable development) Does culture have an important part to play in local and regional development? CULTURE has an important role to play in our local authorities & local decisions makers must consider culture as an essential element of an integrated local development policy.

Culture: a vehicle for knowledge society, economic innovation & sustainable development With regard to creativity The actualizing of human and social capital The development of an innovating and learning society With regard issues of social equity cohesion and respect for the environment. Protection and management of built heritage Cultural diversity

The indirect contribution of the cultural & creative sector to the Lisbon Agenda The cultural & creative sector is crucial for the take off of ICTs and has a multiple role to play in local development : powerful catalyst for the tourism industry strategic importance for growth and employment in cities and regions (“creative cities”) significant social impact (culture as a tool for urban and regional regeneration)

Culture as an engine for tourism Heritage Arts fairs Museums and exhibitions Festivals and trade fairs The performing arts Film tourism

The role of culture in urban and regional organisation Culture is a major tool for territorial and social cohesion Main objectives : Cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue As a vital element in international relations Territorial cohesion Community identity

Best Practices on Cultural Projects Contribution to Aragonese local development

CULTURE-BASED PROJECTS: V.I.P “Visit Individual Places of Creativity and Art” INTERREG IIIC – RFO (SMART project) ERDF co financed Partners: Municipality of Markranstädt (LP), Municipality of Fuentespalda, Municipality of Mouriki, Municipality of Leipzig, Pro Witznitz association and KunstStoff association

V.I.P “Visit Individual Places of Creativity and Art” Challenges: Deficit of spaces for cultural activities Towns with declining population- Rural Zones Industrial brownfields Empty houses

V.I.P Results Municipality of Fuentespalda Aragon-Spain Cultural reinvention of the town Invitation to artists to work in the town Promotion of the local cultural heritage

old school → music conservatory V.I.P Results Municipality of Mouriki Kozani-Greece

V.I.P Results. Pro Witznitz Association Leizpig –Germany  lignite factory → event hall (for cultural associations)

V.I.P Results. Cotton Mill Leipzig- Plagwitz Saxony  former cotton mill → galleries & artist workshops Establishment of a visitors‘ centre in Hall 14

CULTURE-BASED PROJECTS: ELDA” Environmental education, landscape Design and Art” INTERREG IIIC – RFO (SMART project) ERDF co financed Project Aim: Recover natural rural areas to reinvent them for educational, artistic and recreational areas for residents and visitors using elements of artistic landscape design

CULTURE-BASED PROJETCS: NatuREshaping Landscape & Former mining sites INTERREG IIIC – RFO (SMART project) ERDF co financed Project Aim: _Focused on the revitalisation of unused landscape design. _ Implementation of new activities and cultural functions for the regions Example the Comarca Andorra Sierra de Arcos and Municipality of Utrillas: reshaped old mining > museum (recovery objects, exhibition for cultural and tourist uses)

Thank you very much for your attention!