1. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Energy Agency Zoetermeer Presented by: Harry Meerwijk

2. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Index Presentation EAZ Keep in touch with the European Commission Know all about the European sides in your own working field Compare activities with European initiatives Find the right partner Start in time (examples) Creating a team to prepare the proposal Understand the deeper meaning of the European rules involved. Keep to the rules and procedures Take care of decision making

3. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Energy Agency Zoetermeer EAZ is a foundation The Board is represented by “Consumers”, “Rabobank”, Building corporation “De Goede Woning”, “Eneco-energy”, “Siemens” and the “Community of Zoetermeer” EAZ coordinates several projects. EAZ realizes the climate policy of the community.

4. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Keep in touch with the EC. Attend meetings in Brussels (My first visit to Brussels) Read newsletters (Managenergy,official European bulletins, etc) Membership of international organisation(s) (Like Energie- Cités) Get to know national Organisations advising the EU (like EG-Liaison, SenterNovem in the Netherlands) Get to know your national members of European Parliament.

5. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Know the European legislation, directives, subsidies, in your own working field. Keep informed about all the “rules” from Brussels. (Not the most inspiring job, but it can be very important for the financing of projects. In Zoetermeer we have a regular meeting with all the people involved in European activities) Know the possibilities and periods when you can enter a proposal for subsidie

6. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Compare actual and future activities, policy and plans with the European initiatives and funding schemes. It is easier when you apply for European funding for actual or future activities then to “invent” a project just because there is a possibility for European funding. Starting the Energy Agency Zoetermeer; Already Climate policy in Zoetermeer Finance; There was not really a need to create a Dutch association of Energy Agencies. BELIEF; The board of the energy agency is already a kind of energy community Encourage; There already was a plan to make a sustainable business area RUSE; The importance of working together with new member states was already recognised in Zoetermeer )

7. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Find the right partners and/or make friends with these partners. Like in a relationship, you have to keep your promisesses and go along with each-other for quite a long time. AZ; Tampere, Belfast, Zoetermeer FINANCE; International partners not known, dutch partners had to be convinced after entering a proposal BELIEF; Still has to start, but international workshops and meetings are foreseen abundantly RUSE; Heart of the project is international sharing of knowledge and experience. Knowing the partners is almost essential

8. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Start in time! Schedules of the EU are not flexible, deadlines are deadlines! EAZ; Started only 2 months before the deadline: Hectic preparations FINANCE; No problems BELIEF; Mails from the coordinator (example) RUSE; More mails from the coordinator)

9. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Mails from the coordinator BELIEF Email example 1: Intermediate Financial Report (asking to send files) Intermediate Financial Report (asking to send files) Email example 2: BELIEF negotiation DOCUMENTS TO PROVIDE URGENTLY! BELIEF negotiation DOCUMENTS TO PROVIDE URGENTLY!

10. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Create a team to prepare the proposal You just need enough time to create a proposal. An appropriate number of hours have to be planned. EAZ; We did not plan the hours properly, so we had to hire an expert to help us FINANCE; Most of the work was done by the coordinator. Disadvantage is that you are not really involved in the content of the proposal BELIEF; Start in March 2005. Hours were planned to work on the proposal. RUSE; No problems with planning of the hours)

11. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Understand the deeper meaning, the spirit of the European rules involved. Not only the text of the rule, but also the deeper meaning is important. (EAZ; The EU wanted to create independent local energy management agencies, not just a new municipal department. FINANCE; The EU was overwhelmed with small proposals and projects. The EU wants to create one association of energy agencies in each country, so they can manage proposals and projects more easily. BELIEF; The EU is trying to involve as many stakeholders as possible to reduce the CO2 emission RUSE; New and future member states are an important target group for the European Commission)

12. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Keep to the rules Don’t think that you can “manipulate” the rules of the EU. Be obedient. Follow the instructions of the EU at all times If possible, let your proposal screen by a national advisor

13. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Don’t be afraid of bureaucratic procedures Sometimes the forms and procedures can drive you crazy; Don’t give up and just continue filling in everything that is asked for!

14. Krakow; 29 –11–2005 Take care of decision making and signatures in time Often, at the last moment, the decision and the signature of the board or the mayor is needed. This always takes time. Be aware of that.

15. Krakow; 29 –11–2005

19. THE END Thank you for your attention, are there any questions?