2. ………………….. Network of local authorities Created in 1997 under the initiative of 5 European cities : Pécs (Hu), Olomouc (Cz), Tours (Fr), Toledo (Sp) and Cosenza (It) within the framework of the European program ECOS-OUVERTURE. In 2000, the A.V.E.C. network was officially registered as a French association and its head office has been established in the city council of Tours (Fr). Very quickly, other European cities joined the association: Santarem (Pt) in 2000, Arles (Fr) in 2002, Pézenas (Fr) in 2005, Birgu (Mt) in 2007, Nis 2010 etc. In 2011, the A.V.E.C. network counts 33 local councils (cities or territories) in eleven European countries Pecs (Hungary)

3. …………………………… A.V.E.C. members Local Authorities: Belgium: Anderlecht Bulgaria : Sliven Croatia : Osijek Spain: Baeza, Melilla, Ubeda, Segovia France : Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Bastia, Communauté d'Agglomération Hérault Méditerranée (Agde – Pézenas), Nîmes, Rennes Métropole, Limoges, Tours, Vienne. Hungary : Esztergom, Pécs, Szombathely Italy : Cosenza, Ragusa Malta : Birgu, Isla Portugal : Evora, Idanha-a-Nova, Mertola, Santarem, Tavira Romania : Arad, Brasov, County of Constanta Serbia : Mediana, Nis Associated members - IPGR (Fr) > Institute of management and prevention of risks - UATI (Fr) > International Union of technical Association and Organisms - Pole ICP (Fr) > Cultural Industries and Heritage Cluster Evora (Portugal)

4. …………………………… Shared values The charter of historical cities and territories in Europe : Living heritages, Everyone’s heritages built by everybody Meeting points and places for culture sharing Heritages: sustainable development guarantors Tours (France)

5. …………………… Common objectives Position local heritages in the heart of the sustainable development strategies of local authorities and get involved in a quality and progress approach, Integrate as harmoniously as possible innovation in what already exists, Contribute to the economic growth and the recognition of the network and its member cities and territories, Reach an international visibility and become a reference in the sustainable development strategies based on the enhancement of local heritages and cultures. Sliven (Bulgaria)

6. …………………………… A.V.E.C. activities in 2010 - 2011 AVEC 33 cities AVEC 33 cities Euro-Mediterranean -Medinas 2030 : preliminary study to the programme of rehabilitation of the historical centres of the Mediterranean run by the EIB - International cooperation project Supported by the MAEE for the creation of a method guide for the sustainable management of the historical cities in the Mediterranean and the analysis of the economic and social spin offs. Euro-Mediterranean -Medinas 2030 : preliminary study to the programme of rehabilitation of the historical centres of the Mediterranean run by the EIB - International cooperation project Supported by the MAEE for the creation of a method guide for the sustainable management of the historical cities in the Mediterranean and the analysis of the economic and social spin offs. Economy & heritage -ERESPA project: local studies on the economic and social spin offs of the heritages - International workshop “Urban heritage in Europe and the Mediterranean : economic and social development”. Economy & heritage -ERESPA project: local studies on the economic and social spin offs of the heritages - International workshop “Urban heritage in Europe and the Mediterranean : economic and social development”. Tourism -EURIAGE: historic web site + booking solutions + online selling platform for tourism products for historic cities in Europe -Tourism commission : project of mutual promotion of the AVEC cities. Tourism -EURIAGE: historic web site + booking solutions + online selling platform for tourism products for historic cities in Europe -Tourism commission : project of mutual promotion of the AVEC cities. Sustainable development -CWA “Sustainable development of historic and cultural cities – QUALICITIES®“ -Project LINKS : for the reduction of the carbon impact in the historic centre. Sustainable development -CWA “Sustainable development of historic and cultural cities – QUALICITIES®“ -Project LINKS : for the reduction of the carbon impact in the historic centre. Youth and heritages -Participation of young citizens to the local life -Youth exchanges in Europe Youth and heritages -Participation of young citizens to the local life -Youth exchanges in Europe Increasing awareness -European University for cultural and natural heritage -International conferences -European training sessions -French Ministry for Culture travel and training grants Increasing awareness -European University for cultural and natural heritage -International conferences -European training sessions -French Ministry for Culture travel and training grants Risks & heritages -Euro-Mediterranean risk pole : cooperation project between AVEC and several universities on the question of risk prevention Risks & heritages -Euro-Mediterranean risk pole : cooperation project between AVEC and several universities on the question of risk prevention Culture -Oralities’ Project : valorisation of oral traditions Culture -Oralities’ Project : valorisation of oral traditions

7. …………………. EU co-financed projects Past projects AVEC / “Ecos-Ouverture” 1997-2001 RESIDE / “Ecos-Ouverture” 2000-2002 MAGISTHERE / “Leonardo” 2003-2005 APPEAR / “5° PCRD” 2003-2005 ALMA / “InterregIIIb” 2003-2005 CHORUS / “Urbact” 2004-2006 URBANITAS / “Urbact” 2005-2007 QUALICITIES / “Interreg IIIC” 2005-2007 MEMO / “E-Ten” 2005-2007 MED Eco-Quartiers / “Interreg IIIB MEDOCC” 2006-2008 CREA JARDIN / Jeunesse en action 2009 In progress: ORALITIES / “Culture” 2009-2012 LINCS / “Urbact 2” 2009-2012 Bastia (France)

8. …………………………… 7 good reasons to enter the AVEC Anderlecht (Belgium) 1-Join a European-wide network with expertise in local and territorial policymaking; 2-Participate in European and international seminars; 3-Widen your own network throughout Europe; 4-Take advantage of the visibility and excellence afforded by the QUALICITIES® progress management system; 5-Benefit from a database and unique experience in heritage management and sustainable development; 6-Maximise your communication; 7-Highlight your city’s ethical dimension.

9. …………………..………. Our heritages: our common future

10. …………………..………. Contacts Jose-Ernesto D’Oliveira, Mayor of Evora (Pt), President of A.V.E.C. paula.santos@mail.evora.net Amandine Leopold, General delegate amandine@avecnet.net Web site : www.avecnet.com