ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROJECT Progress and proposition September 2015 Entrepreneurship on small islands a challenge for their future

After a long decline the population is recovering on some islands A complete change of economy on most of small islands during last century Reduction of primary activities New tourism related activities Heritage discovery Extra activities permitted with ICT From some decades, new entreprises on small islands Most of new entreprises on islands are small & medium size : SME’s Observation of recent developments on small islands

Economy is essential to maintain and increase population From one Region/Country to another, very different ways to counteract remoteness & isolation of small islands Those different ways could be opportunities to develop economy on small islands from idea to project

Aims of the project Identification of entrepreneurship mechanisms in small European islands including: existing assets and constraints (economical, legislative & regulatory, social...) Pooling, implementation and promotion of best practices and favorable mechanisms for SMEs Awareness of local, regional, national & European governments to improve rules and support economic mechanisms for small islands Support development of small islands & take care of their resources for future (sustainability)

Can an INTERREG project meet ? « The European Union works to reduce disparities in the levels of development, growth and quality of life in European Regions through its coherence policy. » “ The Interreg Europe programme financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to improve the implementation of regional development policies and programmes, in particular programmes for Investment for Growth and Jobs and European Territorial Cooperation”

Two type of actions Projects: Public organisations from different regions in Europe work together for 3 to 5 years on a shared policy issue. Action plans in the participating regions will ensure that the lessons learnt from the cooperation are put into action. Partners will monitor how far the action plans are implemented. Calls for project proposals are launched throughout the programming period. Platforms A tool for faster and better sharing of knowledge to help policymakers do their job better

Eligibility area 28 EU Member States Switzerland and Norway

Who can participate ? Public authorities National, regional, or local authorities Public law bodies (bodies governed by public law) (a) they are established for the specific purpose of meeting needs in the general interest, not having an industrial or commercial character; (b) they have legal personality; (c) they are financed, for the most part, by the State, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law; or are subject to management supervision by those authorities or bodies; or have an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, more than half of whose members are appointed by the State, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law; A private non-profit body (a) they do not have an industrial or commercial character; (b) they have a legal personality; and (c) they are not financed, for the most part, by the state, regional or local authorities, or other bodies governed by public law; or are not subject to management supervision by those bodies; or not having an administrative, managerial or supervisory board, more than half of whose members are appointed by the State, regional or local authorities, or by other bodies governed by public law. Non-profit bodies cannot take on the role of a lead partner

Budget The program is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The total budget for the program is EUR 359 million. EUR m is for interregional cooperation projects implemented by EU partners. Partners from Norway and Switzerland will be co- financed by national funds from their respective countries.

Co-financing for projects Co-financing rates for projects are as following: 85% ERDF for public bodies and bodies governed by public law from all 28 EU partner states 75% ERDF for private non-profit bodies from all 28 EU partner states 50% Norwegian funding for public bodies governed by public law and private non-profit bodies from Norway

Interreg Europe Four topics : Research andCompetitiveness Low carbon Environment & Innovationof SMEs economy resources efficiency

What topic is Entrepreneurship project ?

Competitiveness of SMEs

Other topic interesting small islands & entrepreneurship Environment & resource efficiency

Entrepreneurship on small islands and resources efficiency

Interested partners National federation Association îles du Ponant FÖSS Åland Irish Island association Scottish islands federation SRF Greek islands Croatia Estonia correspondant Denis Bredin To be precised Christian Pleijel John Walsh SIF (camille Dressler) Anna-Karin Utbult Almkwist Lefteris ? Interest to be precised Interest to be precised (university)

Discussion: Esin involvement Esin Should give political suppport ? Esin Should validate Lead partner ? Be lead partner ? Esin Should validate national partner on behalf of it’s national member ? others…

Aims of the project Identification of entrepreneurship mechanism in small European islands including: existing assets and constraints (economical, legislative & regulative, social..); Pooling, implementation and promotion of best practices and favorable mechanism for enterprises; Awareness of local, regional, national & European government to improve rules and support mechanism for the economy of the islands.

Proposals to reach this objectives link island stakeholders : twinning, exchange trips, workshops, island conferences Web site (ESIN web site extension?) etc.

3 Major axes to the project 1Comparative analysis of the situation of economic activities on the islands; 2Analysis and comparison of significant economic successes and failures over the past 10 years; 3Displaying the results and promoting entrepreneurship;

Comparative analysis of the situation of economic activities on the islands insular over-costs (see French example) ; specific impacts of laws and regulations on island situation; compensation mechanisms existing on different Regions &/or Countries (ie VAT rate…, support to transport, solidarity mechanism, contribution to electricity services)… The impact of this mechanisms will be analyzed regarding the main economics components: Primary activity: agriculture Fishing Activity Secondary activity : production transformation Tertiary activity: tourism, services, transport, cultural activities...

comparison of significant economic successes and failures the past 10 years In order to get significant data allowing identification of positive and negative factors, each partner in its Region/Country, will identify and each main economic component: 3 example of business success 2 example of business failure Analyze the reasons why it’s a success or a failure, in both cases, what to do or what to avoid : will be the main questions.

Displaying the results and promoting entrepreneurship Share and promote, best success stories and situations, successful experiences, identification of limiting factors and strengths an assets The producible could be: the promotion and evaluation could take place during 2 years after the 3 first years of the main entrepreneurship project. Handbook explaining the main results and giving suggestion to : o improve regulations, o improve support mechanisms o set up compensation mechanisms

Points 1 & 2: How to do this job The project would call out specific contractors and consultants to carry and produce reports, 2 ways to discuss: 1 To ask to the lead partner to supervise each theme 2 To set up working groups, each partner could supervise a theme

web site (usual tool during the program) educational program on entrepreneurship for pupils on the islands “island destination” could be a promotion program under “ESIN flag” giving a better visibility of European small islands dynamics (could be: a book, TV programs, Radio programs etc.) Label “produced on islands: valuation of island products (to a better added value and sustainable management of island resources). Others ??? Suggested tools

Point 3 how to do it ? 1To share actions in between partners under a coordination/action 2To appoint contrcators to work under coordination of one partner/action 3mix in between the 2 ways: depending of what the partners can offer.

lead partner is public : University, regional or local council, public organisation… UE grant 85%partners contribution : 15% Total 100% suggestion for financial and program Preparation cost : € this would be refunded if application successful, lost if unsuccessful Program budget Partner contribution can be staff time

And Now: Lets Go ? Who is partner ? Who is lead partner ? When do we apply ?