1. Patras RUnUP Thematic Network Closing Conference Dr. Ioannis Kostopoulos 12 May 2011

2. Introduction The City of Patras with a population that exceeds the 200.000 people is the capital of the Region of Western Greece and Achaia Prefecture. The Municipality of Patras is one of the major actors that moderate the local economy. It is an important scientific centre with a field of excellence in technical education (two universities, a technological institution and a plenty number of research institutes…) Patras Municipal Enterprise, acting as the main development and consulting branch of Municipality of Patras participated in Urbact II – RunUP project

3. The URBACT Local Support Group Patras Municipal Development Enterprise for Planning & Development S.A University of Patras Achaia Chamber of Commerce Business Innovation Centre of Western Greece Science Park Hellenic Open University Technical Educational Institute of Patras Managing Authority of Regional Operational Programme of Western Greece

4. Development of the Local Action Plan Local Stakeholder Analysis Problem Analysis Targets and Goals Weaknesses and Threats Main axes, actions and indicators Implementation of the LAP Revision of the basic principles -Evaluation Consultation - debate on LAP

5. Development of the Local Action Plan Historical Port Important Academic City Commercial and Touristic Centre City of Patras Patras: The Port of Knowledge LAP thematic Categories: Axis 1 - Information and Communication Technologies Axis2 - Environmental Management and Protection Axis 3 - Manufacturing, Agricultural and Food Industry technologies

6. Conclusions and Considerations An excellent opportunity for Networking and exchanging of experiences between local stakeholders and other EU cities Establishment of new structures of collaboration and problem sharing locally The ULSG prepared the local stakeholders to understand the need for participation and support the local communities New instruments established (2011): Municipal Consultation Committee and Regional Innovation and Research Committee of Western Greece The LAP is an integrated approach on local development issues and a reference document for the local stakeholder and Managing Authority of ROP of Western Greece The Local Stakeholders didnt always aware of the usefulness of the ULSG meetings and some of them have low involvement The Local Action Plan development is a serious task and the budget of the projects are limited The LAP delivery is not well justified with the Structural Funds opportunities and more specifically with Regional Operational Programmes that have already formed or absorbed