DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 1 Regions for Economic Change Communication (2006) 675 of 8/11/ Eddy Hartog Head of Unit European Commission Directorate-General for Regional Policy Open days seminar 09D02, 9 October 2007

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 2 Structure of presentation: Structure of presentation: (1)Short reminder (2)What is happening? (3)First experiences Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 3 Reminder Reminder Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 4 Objectives of Regions for Economic Change Adapting to enlargement to EU-27; Taking Growth and jobs agenda into account in interregional networking; Strengthen the link with mainstream programmes: moving ideas from talking, via money, to action; Offering Commission support (wide range of DGs interested); Enhancing communication and dissemination. Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 5 NOVELTY 1 SELECTION OF KEY THEMES FOR ECONOMIC MODERNISATION - SEC(2006)1432 Regions asked to conceive and structure their networks around these 30 themes Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 6 NOVELTY 2 A 2-way bridge between networks and the mainstream to maximise dissemination and implementation of new ideas and good practice through: oWider networks of regions oInvolvement of decision-makers, experts, partners oWorking methods – clause in mainstream programmes, action plans, reporting oDissemination, transparency. Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 7 NOVELTY 3 ENHANCED COMMUNICATION: Commissioners Conferences Website Awards Regions for economic change (2) How?

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 8 NOVELTY 4 FAST-TRACK OPTION Participation = Commitment Commission support Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 9 What is happening? What is happening? Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 10 Communication: conferences Communication: conferences 2 thematic conferences & the first annual RFEC Conference 7/8 March In total –Over 1600 participants –27 thematic workshops –exchanges with more than 100 Experts and project promoters on relevant themes Second annual RFEC Conference First half 2008 Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 11 Communication: RegioStars themes Deadline of 28 September 2007 for all 268 regions to propose one project Short list of 40 projects selected by Commission services by late 2007 Independent jury to select winners Awards to be made in Spring 2008 Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 12 Communication: RFEC website Regions for economic change Developments in Commission thinking included

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 13 Interregional cooperation (INTERREG IVC) + Urban development network (URBACT II) = 375 m PROGRAMMES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AND CALLS ARE LAUNCHED Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 14 How will the fast track option work? How will the fast track option work? Calls for projects by programme secretariat Submission of project applications Transmission of all project applications to Commission and Member States Commission proposed participation in some of the projects as fast track Decision by Network Programme Monitoring Committee Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 15 First experiences First experiences Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 16 A positive dynamic A positive dynamic Many expressions of interest Three projects testing elements –CLOE –MILE –URBAMECO Enthusiasm from Commission Services Enthusiasm from regions Bringing the Committee of the Regions into the programmes Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 17 Progress made Progress made In the projects –Extension to more partners –Stronger and wider partnerships (Even MoUs) –A real two-way bridge What is fast about the track? –Not the adoption procedure or total implementation time –Delivering the first results –Bringing the novelties into the project –Triggering the interaction between networkers and spenders –Bringing EU policy ideas into practice Regions for economic change

DG REGIO – Unit "Thematic Development" EUROPEAN COMMISSION 18 Thank you for your attention Any questions? Thank you for your attention Any questions? Regions for economic change