Action Plan 2017/2018
Welcome to the AER Action Plan page!
All of our actions driven by our member regions, and we encourage you to have a look at what we are up to!
Simply pick the topic, status and AER body that you want to have a closer look at and their related actions will show up below.
Setting the scene
AER has a long-standing history of cooperation with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities and holds a a partnership status with this institution of the Council of Europe, sending high-level representatives to attend the Plenary sessions of the Congress, the meetings of the Congress Bureau and the Chamber of Regions Bureau.
Description of the action
On 19 October, the AER President, Magnus Berntsson, took part in the 33rd Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and addressed the Chamber of Regions during the debate on "Regional Co-operation and democracy in Europe: the role of European regional associations and organisations".
At the Session, the AER and the Congress expanded their existing collaboration by signing a Joint Action Plan for 2018-2020. The document reiterates the commitment to work together on various issues of mutual interest, notably regional democracy, youth participation and cultural diversity.
Why is the action important for the regions?
At a time in which the process of regionalisation in Europe is still on the move, both with centralisation and decentralisation effects, it is necessary to foster relationships with institutions to further promote and protect regional democracy.
Forming a partnership with the Congress offers AER the opportunity to engage in the political dialogue between national governments and local and regional authorities in Europe. It also enables the network to contribute to the work of the Council of Europe on strengthening local and regional democracy, authorities’ self-government and local and regional governance
Useful Links
Article - 33rd Session of the Congress Local and Regional Authorities
Mediabox interview with AER President, Magnus Berntsson
Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Economy & Regional development
Type of activity: Advocacy and Lobbying
Organiser: AER Executive Board
Organised with: Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
Date: 2017-10-19
Venue: Strasbourg
Setting the scene
Research and Innovation in relation to health is a topic widely approached within AER. However it shows a different level in relation to the different regions that are within AER, especially considering the capability to access EU funding as Horizon 2020. This project represent a way to sustain the exchange among the high and low performing regions in order to foster a better use of the European Research Programmes. In this way, AER could drive the exchange of best practices among the interested regions in order to fill the gap among them.
Description of the action
ACT2Bridge project - Actions to Support Regional Ecosystems on Heath Innovation Research
through Benchmarking and Mutual Learning, aims to encourage and increase the participation of European regions with a low level of health-related research and innovation activity in European research programmes. An increase in their R&I activity is expected to leverage health services, and thus, into social and economic benefits for these regions. Within this project AER is leading the Working Package “Benchlearning and knowledge exchange between regions”, having as one of the main objective of to support our regions to reach equivalent levels of development in the different areas.
This project has not been financed but, considering the high standard of the consortia and the good evaluation it received, it is planned to be submitted again in the forthcoming calls.
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Health innovation and e-health Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: Empirica
Date: 2017-04-30
Venue: Cancelled
Presentation at AER GA by Brussels Capital or Catalonia who are members of the programme; better connection between regions active in AER com3 and Eurodyssey member regions. For instance AER member regions could participate in the Eurodyssey Forum in Brussels and Eurodyssey members could participate in the AER GA
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Ongoing
Topic: Youth
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Eurodyssey
Organised with: Brussels Capital + Catalonia
Date: 2018-04-18
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
This year again, the World Sustainable Energy Days 2018 took place in Wels, Austria. From 28 February to 2 March Upper Austria was the capital of energy efficiency, biomass and smart building. As a longstanding partner to the WSED, AER is proud to invite its members to attend one of Europe’s largest annual conference on Energy
Description of the action
On the occasion of the AER Committees plenary meetings in London, members highlighted their interest in participating to the World Sustainable Energy Days in a meaningful way. The participation of an AER delegation to this event was therefore included in the Committee 1 Action Plan. In the context of the current colaboration with the WSED organisers AER is very happy to announce that 4 politicians from across Europe will be able to attend the World Sustainable Energy days for free on behalf of AER. This delegation will have an active representation role and is expected to participate in meetings on the spot too.
Useful links
World sustainable energy days: Experience sharing & business
World Sustainable Energy Days 2018, Event page
#ShineBright – Dedicated to climate action – Upper Austria
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Economy & Regional development Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: TAER Secretariat is advertising WSED, Värmland takes the lead on an action at WSED to be specified.
Date: 2018-02-28
Venue: Wels - Upper Austria (AT)
Setting the scene
The Summer Academy is one of the most famous event in the AER network. It gathers young people and policy makers exchanging together. The Summer Academy was designed to facilitate the exchange of experience and information in the area of regional development in Europe.
This year, for the 2018 European Year of Cultural heritage, the hosting Romanian County Council of Maramures proposed to focus the event on the role of the culture to attract interest on regions.
Description of the action
This aim is to create opportunities for inter-cultural exchanges & debates among people from European regions, supporting citizens understanding of the relevance of culture & cultural heritage as a mean of promoting social inclusion, equality, combating discrimination as well as increasing the attractiveness of their regions.
AER Summer Academy 2018 will organise plenary meetings, inter-active workshops and study visits with the topic ”Cultural heritage for regional attractiveness”, followed by dissemination activities at European events in the next months.
Useful Links
AER 2018 Summer Academy in Maramures
Street art will take the centre stage at AERs Summer Academy
Celebrating the heritage of Astrid Lindgren/
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018, 2018-2019
Activity Status: Ongoing
Topic: Culture Culture, Education & Youth Youth
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Summer Academy
Organised with: Brussels Capital (BE)
Date: 2018-08-12
Venue: Baia Mare, Suior and Barsana in Maramures County (RO)
Leadership programme development. Coaching/training for future reference sites
AER will lead 3 tasks in this project:
1)"Empowering successful AHA Reference Sites", aimed to label successful AHA Reference Site and involve regions (at least 12) to become Reference Site in a kind of training/coaching that will help them to apply in the forthcoming calls.
2) "Establishment of a leadership programme" to create leaders for sustainable healthcare across EU regions and accelerate the implementation of actions in regional health strategic plans. Largely inspired by the AER leadership programme adopted in 2013.
3) "Execution of the leadership programme" the objective is to enable AER regions to take advantage of this.
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Health innovation and e-health Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: Norrbotten+ AER Secretariat+ other regions & organisations
Date: Cancelled
Venue: Cancelled
Setting the scene
The project is funded under AMIF, Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund. This project aims to support an efficient management of the reception and integration of asylum seekers and migrants with disabilities in the EU.
The consortium is led by EASPD, European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities. The County Council of Värmland (Kenneth Johannesson), Timis County Council (Mihai Ritivoiu), IVASS – Valencian Region (Angel Bonafe Osca) are in the Community Advisory Board.
AER leads the Working Package on “Tuning of Outcomes to European Local Authorities” being AER the project partner that will ensure the perspective of the regions to be included in the adaptation of the projects outcomes and tools.
AMiD is a two-year project: from 01/2018 to 01/2020.
Description of the action
The Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities – AMiD project addresses scarce communication between European regions about the treatment of migrants with disabilities. The project will guide key actors to respond adequately to the disability implications in the identification process and to the cultural implications in the relocation process.
The project will result in the creation of a Specific Needs Assessment Tool to be circulated among all actors dealing with migrants assessment.
Why is the action important for the regions?
Regions would benefit from this project by adopting a common approach to migrants with disabilities. Furthermore, AER regions involved in the project will have the chance to increase the efficiency of the welcoming of refugees with disabilities thanks to a specific tool adopted by all the actors of the first aid.
Useful Links
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Ongoing
Topic: Health inequalities Inclusion and social entrepreneurship Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: Värmland (SE), Timis (RO), Valencia (ES)
Date: 2017-02-27
Venue: Different cities.<br /> Brussels, 11 and 12 April 2018 Community Advisory Board meeting
Setting the scene
This is a joint project of the Committee of the Regions, regional and local authorities focused on the Mediterranean answering the request to put the role of regional and local authorities in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership on an institutional footing. In this context, AER answered to the call of ARLEM - Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly in order to provide technical expertise and political support together with a number of EU local and regional authorities and other European territorial associations. AER expressed its interest to focus piloting actions in Turkey, Tunisia and Morocco having already implemented several actions in that geographical areas.
Description of the action
This project falls under the framework of the Union of the Mediterranean sectoral priority of urban development, and aims to reinforce the capacities of local and regional authorities from the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean both in terms of urban management and integrated urban development. AER will contribute in the capacity building activities as well as the organisation of regional conferences.
It is funded by the Finnish Development Agency and activities are planned for 2 years and six months.
Useful Links
MoU AER & Tunisian Ministry for Regional Development on regionalisation and employment
AER support to regions of Tunisia
AER permanent representation in Tunisia
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Economy & Regional development Transport and mobility
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Committee of the Regions, Union for the Mediterranean
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
Twice a year, in Spring and in Autumn, the AER Committees meet to share progress made on joint ventures, launch cooperation ideas, initiate joint actions, provide opportunities for members to join existing activities and learn from each others to improve regional policy making across wider Europe.
Description of the action
This series of events enabled regional policy makers to share experiences on the role of culture in regions and vice versa. Participants exchanged on the impacts of innovation on culture and the perspectives for regional stakeholders in different policy areas.
With the upcoming European Year of Cultural Heritage in mind, information on funding opportunities and examples of remarkable regional initiatives were presented. Furthermore the city of Nancy’s culturally rich centre provided participants with insights on the region’s unique cultural heritage.
Why is the action important for the regions?
Nothing replaces face to face meetings! The AER plenaries provide a wealth of opportunities for regions to identify partners for projects, get unique insights on specific policy areas, share challenges and find solutions together.
Useful Links
Event page of the AER plenary meetings in Nancy
The AER Committee Plenaries – an eventful week!
Nancy workshops: targeted experience exchange
Culture and Digitalisation: a Debate
Contact
You can find out more information on the event here.
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Culture, Education & Youth Economy & Regional development Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development, AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health, AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: AER Secretariat
Date: 2017-09-12
Venue: Nancy
Setting the scene
The AER working group on Transports and Mobility has been set up to address key transport system issues, such as connectivity and permeability, seamless transport services, freight management & data, smart green infrastructure, financing of infrastructure, regulation of state aid and regional airports; as well as to promote knowledge and experience exchange among regions. It is currently chaired by Martin Tollén, County Councillor from Östergötland (SE)
Description of the action
AER has carried out a few activities on sustainable mobility in 2016. The aim for 2017 was to continue to highlight regional good practices on sustainable mobility. In this context an AER article was published in the Autumn 2017 edition of Revolve Magazine.
AER Chair of the working group Martin Tollen contributed to the Smart Airports event in Germany
Useful Links
Debate on sustainable mobility with Revolve Media in Brussels, sept 2016 at European Mobility Week: moderated by AER, with several regional experiences (Östergötland, Basel, Brussels Capital…)
Conference and study visits on sustainable mobility in Izmir
Revolve Magazine article with good practices from Oppland (NO), Izmir (TR), Östergötland (SE)
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Economy & Regional development Transport and mobility
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Östergötland (SE)
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
AER and member regions have a high consideration and proved commitment in the involvement of young people in policies and political life. MYFER, Summer Academy and YRN-Youth Regional Network, show the central role of young people in the AER network.
Description of the action
Dialogue between elected politicians and Youth representatives aims to promote the active participation of young people in democratic life and foster debate around the major issues affecting youth.
Some of the main objectives of the project are:
- achieve constructive and good dialog that would bring development of regional youth policies
- To encourage writing of joint Youth policy
- exchange of ideas and best practices among youth organisations from different neighbouring regions
- Create better links between neighbouring regions and their Youth organisations
The project is still in the development phase.
Useful Links
Strasbourg declaration on youth participation
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Culture, Education & Youth Youth
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: Region of Vojvodina (RS), Timis County Council (RO), County of Csongrad (HU).
Date: 2018-04-28
Venue: Vojvodina (RS), Timis County Council (RO), Csongrad (HU) plus other to be confirmed.
Setting the scene
After the success of the brokerage event on the green economy and innovation, the Horizon 2020 Project Development Week replaced the half day brokerage event on e-health initially foreseen. The AER acted as a supporting partner of ERRIN in this event.
Description of the action
The Horizon 2020 Project Development Week brought together over 400 different regional stakeholders around a series of selected EU calls to initiate project partnerships, in a wide range of relevant topics, such as health, energy, ICT, smart cities, opening science, blue innovative growth and transport, among others.
By attending the Horizon 2020 Project Development Week the regions :
- Obtained detailed information on the Horizon 2020 2018-2020 Work Programs;
- Expanded their network, set up consortia, and build new partnerships;
- Got sound expert advices on concrete project ideas;
- Increased their chances to submit a successful proposal and be funded.
Why is the action important for the regions?
This event provided regions with valuable inputs regarding EU research and innovation policy and contributed significantly to help them develop successful projects and thus raise their profile at the EU level.
Useful Links
Website – Horizon 2020 Project Development Week
Advertisement on the AER website
Projects presented within the H2020 P.D.W.
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Economy & Regional development Health innovation and e-health SMEs and innovation Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: AER Secretariat & ERRIN
Date: 2018-11-20
Venue: Brussels
Setting the scene
Building on the work previously done by AER on cohesion policy (l), the regions of Catalonia (ES), South Ostrobothnia (FI), Trentino (IT) and West Slovenia, together with AER Cohesion Policy Task Force lead on a project on awareness raising.
Description of the action
The project aims to raise awareness among citizens about the impact of cohesion policy at the regional level, and the expected results are:
- to engage citizens and stakeholders as co-creators, protagonists and beneficiaries of the project actions;
- a common calendar of events and the first edition of the “European Week of Regions and Cities...in my Region!”;
- hubs for kick-starting innovative initiatives in collaboration with citizens in the field of cohesion policy;
- “Ambassadors for cohesion”. Selected groups of citizens will liaise with national and European policy makers. They will launch the discussion on how citizens and stakeholders see the future cohesion policy;
- project partners will make up good storytelling to attract more and more local and national media to turn the attention to what has been done thanks to Cohesion policy;
- Regions will be empowered to strengthen their capacity to talk and present Cohesion policy to media from the point of view of the final beneficiaries: citizens and stakeholders.
Why is the action important for the regions?
Many regions are primarily responsible for this public policy and citizens demand better results in this field. By implementing the actions listed above, the project will tackle a need many regions have expressed.
Useful links
Cohesion Policy: are you getting anything out of it?
AER adopts its position on cohesion policy
Acting together for the future of cohesion policy
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Cohesion policy Economy & Regional development
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Bureau, AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Cohesion Policy Task Force
Date: 2017-10-18
Venue: Cancelled
Setting the scene
On the occasion of the London Committee 1 plenary meeting, the region of Vojvodina announced its intention to organise an event on Biomass. This is the 3rd edition of this yearly international event to support the development of Biomass.
Description of the action
First day of the conference will have three sessions of lectures and exchanges of good practices.
On the second day there is a scheduled study visit to the Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, visit to the Public Utility
Companies – Distant heating Plant Novi Sad and Zrenjanin and visit to Cogenerate plant in Čurug.
By concrete examples, exchange of good practices and expert lectures we aim to show the practical possibilities of production and usage of biomass in Europe, with a preview insight in the production in Vojvodina. We also aim to awaken the interest of individual agricultural farms, agricultural cooperatives and clusters and regional and local governments in the use of
this form of clean energy.
Partners are the OECD Mission in Serbia and Central European Initiative, with expert lectures from representatives from World Bioenergy Association, State Ministries in Serbia, University in Novi Sad, the Environment Agency Austria, GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and KfW (German government-owned development bank, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau).
Useful Links
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Vojvodina, Varmland, Oppland, Gelderland
Date: 2017-11-16
Venue: Novi Sad -Vojvodina (RS)
Setting the scene
Building on AER’s role in advocating for a strong cohesion policy, and following the adoption of a position paper on the future of cohesion policy post 2020 at the Bureau meeting in Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria (AT) on 1 June 2017, AER will continue to convene and deliver joint policy influencing work for the future cohesion policy.
Description of the action
AER will continue to build its role as an interlocutor for the added value and impact of this investment policy in European regions by:
- Holding regular debates on cohesion policy among members and between members and relevant stakeholders, such as the "Cohesion Policy: are you getting anything out of it?" debate during the AER Committees’ Autumn Plenary Meeting in Nancy on 12 September.
- Gathering facts and figures on cohesion investments results and impact for a evidence-based advocacy.
- Disseminating the AER position on future cohesion policy to key stakeholders and decision-makers in-country (in coordination with member regions) and in Brussels.
- Working together with other European associations of regions, municipalities and cities and the Committee of the Regions to generate broader support for regions interests and policy proposals, including #CohesionAlliance created to demand that the EU budget after 2020 makes cohesion policy stronger, more effective, visible and available for every region in the European Union.
The Task Force on Cohesion Policy post 2020 will continue to support the work of AER in this field, providing strategic direction and oversight.
These actions aim to ensure European regions engage in the future cohesion policy discussions at regional, national and European level, and meaningfully contribute to the design and implementation of a stronger and more effective reformed policy.
Call to action
What we need from you is to join this advocacy work to defend a strong cohesion policy for all regions after 2020 and in the run-up to the European Commission proposal for a post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and renewed cohesion policy in May 2018:
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- Reach out to national policy-makers to influence the discussions and conclusions on cohesion policy and as well as on the next MFF.
- Contact Members of the European Parliament to influence EP reports on cohesion policy and position on the next MFF.
- Mobilise regional EU Offices to influence at EU level, notably by reaching out to Permanent Representations.
- Contribute to the Committee of the Regions opinions.
- Support the Alliance for a Strong and Effective EU Cohesion Policy Beyond 2020, led by the Committee of the Regions in partnership with European networks of local and regional authorities.
Why is the action important for the regions?
Cohesion policy represents a key investment in the social, economic and territorial development in EU regions. The current debate on the post-2020 – where this is all under threat – is therefore central for regional authorities and a major opportunity for them to shape a future cohesion policy that is able to deliver on the sustainable and inclusive development of European regions.
Useful Links
AER position paper on the future of cohesion policy post 2020
Article - Cohesion Policy: are you getting anything out of it?
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Ongoing
Topic: Cohesion policy Economy & Regional development
Type of activity: Advocacy and Lobbying
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Flevoland
Date: 2017-06-01
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
AER has been building a strong voice on how regional climate action can advance global climate goals, convening the engagement of its member regions with the international development policy processes, notably the climate change agenda and its Conferences held in the frame of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Description of the action
AER was present at the UN climate change conference (COP23) held from 6 to 17 November in Bonn, Germany, under the Presidency of Fiji and worked together with regional and local governments from all continents to raise global climate ambitions and advance climate action across the world.
As a member of the Global Taskforce made up of the key city and region networks joining forces to tackle global challenges, AER was partner to the Climate Summit of Local and Regional Leaders. The event gathered more than 330 political leaders and 1000 delegates to unlock key partnerships, strengthen collaboration between local and regional governments and facilitate direct interaction with national delegates. It was also a launch pad for a number of initiatives, pushing for effective and integrated climate action at all levels.
At the Summit, local and regional leaders adopted the Bonn-Fiji Commitment to Deliver the Paris Agreement at All Levels, a pledge that signals their commitment to bring forward a critical shift in global development.
- AER also contributed to a number of other events, including:
- 8th Annual Sustainable Innovation Forum, organised by UNEP and Climate Action.
- World Climate Summit 2017, organised by R20 and BlueOrchard, in collaboration with World Climate.
- Side Event "Mountains in motion: Climate Action in the Alps, the Carpathians and the Pyrenees”, co-organised by the Region of Abruzzo.
The Conference was also an opportunity for AER to strengthen partnerships to support sub-national climate efforts.
Why is the action important for the regions?
The UN climate change conferences are an important opportunity for regions to show the valuable role regional governments play in advancing national and global climate goals and ensure its engagement in the design and implementation of policies and strategies that are most effective on the ground.
Useful Links
Climate Summit of Local and Regional Leaders
2017 UN Climate Change Conference - COP23
Article - AER engaged in constructive dialogues at COP23!
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Advocacy and Lobbying
Organiser: AER Executive Board
Organised with: Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments
Date: 2017-11-12
Venue: Bonn, Germany
Setting the scene
AER joined as supporting partner the consortia led by Milieu Ltd in the framework of the call for tender lunched by the Committee of the Regions. AER is part of this consortia due to its privileged contact with the regions in order to get a quick feedback on their needs and make a link with the CoR on the topics of environment, climate change, energy and space policies. On top of that this is a way to continue and to improve AER focus on these topics which have been approached in different ways as the partnership with AER and AER-ERRIN brokerage event on green projects.
Description of the action
The objective of this call is to set up a network of external experts to provide with a rapid response capability, offering to CoR the possibility of drawing on topics of current interest and enables them to draw on databases and knowledge from research centres or universities in the evaluation of policies.
Useful Links
AER-ERRIN event “Going Green in Seventeen (2017)”
AER and its involvement in green projects
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Economy & Regional development Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Milieu Ltd
Date: 2017-06-02
Venue: To be confirmed
Description of the action
The proposal addressed the health and well-being of migrant children when relocated and dispersed in smaller numbers across countries. The partnership was composed by experts in the field of migrant health, child public health, mental health, medicine an sociology, having the purpose to organise scientific exchanges among key actors in order to define and disseminate concepts and methods for promoting health and well-being among relocated children.
Useful Links
#ShineBright Children support centre in Antalya
#ShineBright Vrancea facilitates remigrated children’s integration
Committee 2 takes a closer look at the health of refugees
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Health innovation and e-health Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: Region of Norbotten (SE)
Date: 2017-07-07
Venue: Cancelled
Setting the scene
The European Union dedicated the 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage. The spring and autumn plenaries 2017 addressed the topic form several points of views, mixing debates and the presentation of funding opportunities.
Description of the action
A group of regions expressed the interest to develop an interregional projet focused on cultural heritage.
A project idea based on the promotion of the heritage to young generations of edible landscapes was developed. The aim is to raise awareness on the importance to transfer to young generation the immaterial heritage that shaped landscapes through the production of edible local traditional products and give to the landscape a future.
Useful Links
The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018
Develop a project on cultural heritage
Cultural Heritage High on the Agenda at AER!
New calls on Cultural Heritage are out!
Gavleborg: a county of cultural heritage
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Culture Culture, Education & Youth
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: Västerbotten: lead; other interested regions: Gävleborg+Hampshire
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
On the initiative of Nina Björby, Chair of the Subcommittee on Cuture a Handbook was developped, which brings together several good practices from all over Europe and aims to serve as an inspiration and a basis for collaboration. The AER Handbook of good practices on Culture for the inclusion of migrants and refugees was published in March 2018.
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Culture
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: Västerbotten
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
This initiatives aimed to integrate migrant people by organising cultural events. The exchange of cultural values and learning by dialogue are the 2 main objectives. The idea was for the events to be organised as non-formal gathering of people on a weekly basis and more formal workshops.
Vojvodina initially foresaw to organise a “PARtea” seminar end 2017 and discuss results with AER members. This initiative was cancelled.
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Culture
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: Vojvodina
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Follow-up on previous actions and conferences in Istanbul & Västerbotten on topics such as culture on prescription, culture and sports. After the workshop on culture and health in Nordjylland an AER handbook on Culture and Health was published in 2015. Regions willing to engage in further policy learning on this topic can contact the Secretariat to define activities they can lead within the AER network.
The Secretariat did not receive expressions of interest from regions wanting to develop concrete policy learning activities.
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Culture Health inequalities
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health, AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: Värmland
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
Building on the work previously done by AER on digitisation and inclusion, Committee 2 leads on a project setting up a "European Platform on Vulnerable People in the Information Society", mapping best practices and socio-economic impact of the digital empowerment of disadvantaged people.
Description of the action
The DIGITABLE-EU project aims to raise the knowledge about the level of digital inclusion of vulnerable people in EU countries and to trigger the sharing of knowledge and good practices in order to increase the level of digital inclusion of vulnerable people. In order to achieve this goal, this project will work on four main priorities:
- Networking with public authorities (national/regional/EU level), social business actors, civil society organisations, international associations focusing on improving the quality of life and social inclusion of the different vulnerabilities targeted by the project as well as digital literacy. Networking will be supported by involved European Networks that have a focus on vulnerable people and cover many European countries. Networking will be crucial to collect best practises and to disseminate the outcomes of the DIGITABLE-EU project.
- Establishing a metrics for evaluating the quality and impact of practices for digital inclusion of vulnerable people, for the vulnerabilities covered by the project:
- People with disabilities;
- Elderly people;
- Marginalised young people and children (based on socio-economic status);
- Unemployed or those facing social problems;
- Migrants.
- Realise an interactive online catalogue of best practices, accessible via a dedicated website;
- Disseminate the catalogue through dedicated events and taking advantage of the involved European networks to raise awareness and advocate for the full exploitation of the catalogue at the widest possible scale.
The project was submitted on September 2017 under the Horizon 2020 and it will run for 24 months. The coordinator is INSIEL SpA (Friuli Venezia Giulia - IT).
Useful links
Fairer Assessment for Migrants with Disabilities? Accomplished, with the AMiD Project!
SEED European Silver Economy Awards
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Prevention and child healthcare Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with:
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
The AER working group on Transports and Mobility has been set up to address key transport system issues, such as connectivity and permeability, seamless transport services, freight management & data, smart green infrastructure, financing of infrastructure, regulation of state aid and regional airports; as well as to promote knowledge and experience exchange among regions. It is currently chaired by Martin Tollén, County Councillor from Östergötland (SE).
Description of the action
On the occasion of the development of the Committee 1 work programme in Spring 2017, the Working Group on Transports and Mobility decided to exchange experiences on the digitalisation of transports
The sharing of knowledge is being carried out via:
-meetings of the Working Group on Transports and Mobility
-AER events, such as the one on Artificial Intelligence in Brussels
-articles on the website
-involvement in the European Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Cities and Communities: within the New Mobility Services initiative, AER is involved in the Action Cluster Sustainable Urban Mobility. AER Chairman of the Working Group on Transports and Mobility, Martin Tollén attended the first meeting of this Action Cluster.
The New Mobility Services initiative is a cooperation between private and public partners (quadruple helix type of cooperation, brings together companies, NGOs, research centers & universities, and policy makers). The purpose is to establish strategic partnerships between industry and European cities & regions to develop the urban systems and infrastructures of tomorrow.
It is mainly focused on urban mobility
It is open for all European regions and cities to join or to send their stakeholders
Useful Links
Nancy workshops: targeted experience exchange
Workshop on smart green and integrated transport systems
-participation of the Chair of the working group Martin Tollen to the Smart Airports event in Germany
-cooperation with Revolve Media to highlight regional good practices in the field of transport and provide visibility to active AER members
-contribution on new mobilities & artificial intelligence at the AER event on Nov 30th “Artificial Intelligence: are regions up to the challenge?”
-New Mobility Services of the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities & Communities
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Economy & Regional development Transport and mobility
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: lead: Östergötland, with members of working group on transports & mobility
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Event to increase knowledge with concrete regional cases
Setting the scene
AER has been providing information about funding, and in particular EU funding to its regions for many years. From the use of Structural Funds for Entrepreneurship, Health or Infrastructure to information about green investments, impact investments or long term investments, AER is continuously supporting it's members identify and efficiently use funding sources for their regional development. Following the 2016 AER event on the European Fund for Strategic Investments, Committee 1 President Jean-Luc Vanraes expressed the will to develop further activities on this topic.
Description of the action
AER organised a conference on sustainable financing for regions, which presented political issues related to impact investments, green investments and long term investments. These strategic aspects of regional development are not mere tools but are part of a regional development plan, which looks at private funding to leverage public resources.
The AER Secretariat published a series of articles about the European Fund for Strategic Investments as well as other funding opportunities.
Useful Links
Investing in the future: new perspectives for the regions
EFSI: a concrete opportunity for regions
What can the Investment Plan for Europe do for health?
Shedding light on the European Fund for Strategic Investments
EFSI tools available for regions
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Economy & Regional development EFSI
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: European Commission
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
This project organised by the Youth Regional Network-YRN comes up with two fundamental topics: environment and SDGs. Its purpose is creating entrepreneurship networks and, to this end, the YRN is willing to strengthen the cooperation bonds with the AER by increasing the impact of the so-called project on every member region.
Description of the action
The Youth Regional Network-YRN was already involved in the frame of the presentation of the project "From local to global: Connecting the dots in the EU's 2030 energy transition". The project proposal wanted to contribute to a coherent energy transition across the EU and policy framework.
Useful Links
2017 Call for proposals for LIFE Grants
"From local to global: Connecting the dots in the EU's 2030 energy transition"
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Economy & Regional development Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Youth Regional Network
Organised with: YRN + AER + AER Regions
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
Equal access to health is a major topic for regions. The topic has been adressed before within AER in the context of the Health Equity project in which AER contributed to the Advisory Board.
On the occasion of the elaboration of the Committee 2 work programme in London, members underlined their wish to improve policies and ensure equal access to health in their regions.
Description of the action
The topic will be explored as possible project. First, there will be a mapping of funding opportunities to check the possibility to develop a project idea.
Another potential activity is the exchange of experiences from different programs offering parental support.
The AER Project Team shared funding opportunities, no project was developed within the network.
Follow-up in 2018: Because of the relevance of the topic, the AER Group on Equal Opportunities selected "Equal Access to Health" as the topic the Committee 2 Representative for Equal opportunities, Kenneth Johannesson, Värmland, SE, would focus on in 2018
Useful Links
Equal opportunities and Inclusion
Health and Horizon2020: a Good Match
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Health inequalities
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: To be confirmed
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
Since 2013 the AER thematic Committees are each requested to nominate two representatives, one woman and one man, to mainstream Equal Opportunities in all AER activities.
The AER Group on Equal Opportunities, which is led by the AER Vice-President for Equal Opportunities Andrew Gibson provides multifaceted perspectives on this extremely current topic.
The representatives in the Committees have a quadruple role:
-They ensure equal opportunities is a dimension which is always being adressed when discussing regional policy making on any topic
-They gather inputs and potential recommendations from the Committees, discuss them together to identify commonalities and provide visibility to the issues raised
-They identify all together 3 topics on which they would like to focus their work on
-They support the work of the AER Vice President for Equal Opportunities
Description of the action
-Identify new candidates in the AER Thematic Committees
-Agree on 3 main topics for their work in the network
The AER Group on Equal opportunities held several phone conferences and internal meetings. At the Committees' Plenary meetings in Arad the following new representatives were elected:
Katarina Tolgfors, Örebro (SE) Committee 1 Representative for Equal Opportunities
Håkon Noren, Oppland (NO) Committee 1 Representative for Equal Opportunities
There is still one vacancy for a female Representative for Equal Opportunities in Committee 2.
The following priorities have been identified:
Committee 1, gender pay inequality
Committee 2, equality of health across regions
Committee 3, tackling obesity via culture
Useful Links
AER’s Equal Opportunities Group: inspiring work for regions
Page and Action Plan of the AER Vice President for Equal Opportunities
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Culture, Education & Youth Economy & Regional development Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Executive Board, AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development, AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health, AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: N/A
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
The AER working group on Transports and Mobility has been set up to address key transport system issues, such as connectivity and permeability, seamless transport services, freight management & data, smart green infrastructure, financing of infrastructure, regulation of state aid and regional airports; as well as to promote knowledge and experience exchange among regions. It is currently chaired by Martin Tollén, County Councillor from Östergötland (SE).
Regional airports are for many regions a central element of their connectivity. This is why AER members have been following closely and contributing to EU developments on State Aid for regional airports.
Description of the action
On the occasion of the meetings of the working group on Transports and Mobility AER expert for regional airports Roger Estefors regularly provides AER members with an update on the European situation on State Aid for regional airports and its implications for regions.
A closely linked topic is EU funding for the development of airport infrastructures.
How can regions support their regional airport? What is allowed and what is not? How can regions voice their concerns at national or internationa level? How should regions plan the future of regional connectivity in respect to regional airports?
Useful Links
A new aviation strategy for Europe
Roger Estefors: reflexion on aviation
AER answer to EC consultation state aid airports
AER at ACI conference in Naples
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Ongoing
Topic: Transport and mobility
Type of activity: Advocacy and Lobbying
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Östergötland (SE)
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
Following the success of the joint event "E-health: let's find a common language" co-organised by AER and Brussels-Capital, Jean-Luc Vanraes, President of the AER Committee on Regional Development and Economy invited AER members to contribute to the organisation of a mutual learning event on a current and transversal topic. The topic chosen for this event was Artificial Intelligence
Description of the action
A mutual learning event on artificial intelligence was organised in Brussels, on November 30th 2017. A debate at the Committee 1 Plenary meeting paved the way for this event. This event, “Artificial Intelligence: are regions up to the challenge” was organised on the same format as the event “E-health let’s find a common language” which took place in December 2016 with the contribution of very diverse stakeholders. At the event, group discussions adressed the following topics:
- Supporting innovation, attracting innovators
- The Health Revolution
- Culture In a Digital World
- Skills and Competences: racing with machines
- AI: Towards a Soulless World?
The event lead also to the publication of a series of articles on artificial intelligence and its implications for different policy areas.
Useful Links
Committee 1 debates artificial intelligence
Mutual Learning at AER event on Artificial Intelligence
Funding opportunities on Artificial Intelligence!
Skills and Competences in an AI era
The Future of Work: Skills and Competences
The Future is Now: Innovation in AI
Human Culture in a Digital World
AI: A Revolution in Healthcare
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Economy & Regional development
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Brussels-Capital
Date: 2017-11-30
Venue: Brussels
Setting the scene
To foster a more intense cooperation between Turkish actors and the European Union on useful projects and initiatives, Turkish provinces expressed to AER their need to learn more on the existing opportunities and the support they can get from AER in successfully access them. To this extent, AER acted as co-organiser of the EU funding event for Turkish provinces, aimed at providing them with valuable information on these topics.
Description of the action
The event on EU funding for Turkish provinces brought together more than 100 participants from all over Turkey, including most AER Turkish members. By attending the event, provinces:
- obtained information on the areas of cooperation between Turkey and EU
- got a relevant update on the current and forthcoming EU funding opportunities
- learnt more on AER services for projects and funding
- became aware of the successful experiences of four Turkish project applicants (Denizli, Izmir, Sakarya, Gaziantep)
Why is the action important for the regions?
This event provided the audience with valuable inputs regarding EU funding opportunities as well as the services offered by AER to support them in successfully applying for EU projects and building consortia with EU counterparts. The networking sessions helped in reinforcing contacts with Turkish members as well as initiating cooperations with new potential partners.
Useful Links
Event page - EU funding for Turkish provinces
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Culture, Education & Youth Economy & Regional development Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Executive Board
Organised with: Turkish Ministry to the EU, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality
Date: 2017-05-04
Venue: Ankara, Turkey
Setting the scene
Following the success of the Event on EU funding for Turkish provinces, the AER initiates two EU funding events: the EU funding for Croatian regions in collaboration with Varaždin County (6th of June 1018) and the EU funding for Albanian regions (21st of June 2018) in collaboration with Korca. The regions of these two countries are important members of AER, which wants to enhance its collaboration with them.
Description of the action
The event on EU funding for Croatian regions and the event on EU funding for Albanian regions will each bring together about 70 participants, both members and non members of AER. By attending the event, regions will:
- hear about AER's activities
- learn more on AER services for projects and services
- obtain information on the areas of cooperation with EU
- get a relevant update on the current and forthcoming EU funding opportunities
- become aware of the successful experiences of project applicants
Why is the action important for the regions?
This event will provide the audience with valuable inputs regarding EU funding opportunities as well as the services offered by AER to support them in successfully applying for EU projects and building consortia with EU counterparts. The networking sessions will help in reinforcing contacts with Croatian and Albanian members as well as initiating cooperations with new potential partners.
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Economy & Regional development
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Executive Board
Organised with:
Date: 2018-06
Venue: Varaždin, Croatia<br /> Korca, Albania
Setting the scene
The project idea came from Grand-Est Region (FR), most specifically under the Executive Board member Mr Debeve. The initial idea was to work on the topic of participation in the perspective of the European Elections on May 2019. The European funding programme Europe for Citizens was chosen as a potential way to found the project.
Description of the action
Starting from the debate on the Future of Europe and the mobilisation for the EU elections, young people will take the lead and became ambassadors of their statements.
Young people will design and promote their visions on Europe setting the “5 Scenarios from Youth”. And advocate to MEPs and regional governments.
Engage and challenge Euro-scepticism will be fundamental as well. Empowered young people will meet common people in the street to raise awareness on Future of Europe and the 2019 European Elections. They will inform and gather citizens’ wishes, criticism and comments on the European Union.
This is FAST project in a nutshell: young people experiencing, participating and sharing European citizenship from and outside EU member states for the democratic Europe.
Why is the action important for the regions?
FAST project is a key action for regions who want to be engaged and engage young people and citizens in European democratic processes. Engaged people will challenge Euro-sceptiscism that is one of threads for the future of the European Union. Futhermore, the project will empower and mobilize citizens for European Elections and other ways to get more pro-active European citizens.
Useful Links
Youth and citizens, European programmes to support good ideas
Strasbourg declaration on youth participation
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Culture, Education & Youth Youth
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Executive Board
Organised with: YRN-Youth Regional Network, Region of Umbria (It) and REgion of Vojvodina (RS)
Date: 2018-03-01
Venue: Grand Est (FR), Umbria (IT), Vojvodina (RS), Brussels (BE)
AER works alongside R20, Blue Orchard and Leonardo Di Caprio Foundation to set up a 350 million $ Subnational Climate Fund to finance climate projects in European regions.
Together with these partners, AER seeks to catalyse institutional support for climate action at regional level. These actions include submissions to the High-Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance to advise on developing a comprehensive EU strategy on sustainable finance, as well as engagement and lobbying meetings with EU decision-makers and high-level officials.
Further to this, AER facilitates closer dialogues and cooperation with other international coalitions of cities and local governments for climate and energy in the mobilisation of finance for sub-national climate efforts.
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Ongoing
Topic: Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Advocacy and Lobbying
Organiser: AER Executive Board
Organised with: AER
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: not applicable
The Arctic Light E-health conference is an emblematic example of a succesful cooperation between an AER member region and the AER network. The workshop on data of the AER e-health network in Nancy followed up on issues addressed during the conference. Articles elaborating on topics of the ALEC conference, which are of specific interest to AER members were planned to be published by Norrbotten.
The publication of additional articles was canceled
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Health innovation and e-health
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: Norrbotten
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
On the occasion of the 2018 Spring Plenaries in Arad, members elected Olimpia Neagoe, Dolj (RO) as the new Chair for the AER Working Group on Rural Development. Members decided to focus their work on food: quality food, short supply chains, import & export of local agricultural products as well as on waste management in rural areas.
Description of the action
The working group is initiating a cooperation with Smart City Expo World Congress to develop a potential side event focused on food.
This will be a mutual learning event on food (tbc) which will be organised around 4 discussion groups
We will address 4 different perspectives in these 4 discussion groups including topics like regional development, innovation, governance, sustainability, the circular economy, renewable energy, waste, rural-urban relations, quality products, agrotech, urban farming, revitalisation of rural areas, co-creation
The format of the event is a replication of the event described here: https://aer.eu/event/artificial-intelligence-regions-challenge/
Objectives of the side event:
-Mutual learning and sharing of experiences
-thought provoking perspectives & new inputs
-AER has a working group on rural development, which is interested in sharing experiences on quality products, short supply chains, waste management. This side event should help policy makers to find elements which can improve their policies back home and share their own achievements & challenges
-AER has a Task Force on food which aims at looking at different issues including the circular economy, energy, health etc. Their role is to inform the AER Bureau which is the political instance of the network and to develop political positions. We see the event as a good opportunity to ask the task force to identify policy messages or feed their existing work & identify examples which support their messages
-highlighting regional practices to inspire policymaking worldwide
Why is the action important for the regions?
Food supply chains and quality products are topics linked to health, climate change, sustainable development, sustainable agriculture, regional development, rural-urban relations
Useful Links
Smart City Expo World Congress
2018 Autumn Plenaries in Vojvodina
Contact
Activity Period: 2018-2019
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Rural development
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Dolj, SCEW
Date: 2018-11-13
Venue: Fira Barcelona
Setting the scene
The theme of this project proposal is to contribute to a coherent energy transition across the EU and support progress towards a low-carbon economy in light of the EU’s 2030 climate and energy targets and policy framework. The consortium is led by EURACTIV, major European communication agency, and AER is in the Consortium.
The project was submitted the first week of September 2017 under the LIFE+ programme.
The AER Secretariat collected letters of support from member regions: Abruzzo (IT), Catalonia (SP), Gelderland (NL), Trentino (IT).
Description of the action
The aim is to highlight, compare and contrast member states’ approach and initiatives to achieve the EU’s 2030 climate and energy targets, supporting the energy transition as well as the transition towards a competitive and low-carbon economy, by sharing information on best practice at the local level (regions, cities, towns) and the connection with global agreements.
The project will run for 2 years from the fall of 2018.
Why is the action important for the regions?
This project idea is a unique opportunity to overcome resistance at national level by communicating solutions and success stories of how regions turned structural problems into innovative opportunities and thus break deadlocks in national debates by injecting and showcasing best practice from EU regions.
Useful Links
2017 Call for proposals for LIFE Grants
EURACTIV website - Energy Transition News
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Economy & Regional development Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: EURACTIV
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
The idea which was presented on the occasion of the Committe 2 Plenary meeting was to combine the topics of healthcare and environment. Activities have not yet been specified and can range from the publication of articles on the AER website showcasing good practices to the organisation of a mutual learning event (online webinar, workshop in Brussels or on the occasion of another AER event). Any such activity needs to be lead by an AER region and supported by a few others. The idea will be submitted at the Spring plenaries to identify whether this is an area where different regions would like to cooperate on.
In the meantime the AER Secretariat has connected the region of Värmland, which proposed this topic, with Diane Whitehouse, an e-health expert who has done research on this topic and whom AER members have had the opportunity to meet at the AER event on artificial intelligence.
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Energy and climate change Health inequalities
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development, AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: Värmland (SE)
Date: next climate conference in Bonn?
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
The AER working group on Transports and Mobility has been set up to address key transport system issues, such as connectivity and permeability, seamless transport services, freight management & data, smart green infrastructure, financing of infrastructure, regulation of state aid and regional airports; as well as to promote knowledge and experience exchange among regions. It is currently chaired by Martin Tollén, County Councillor from Östergötland (SE).
Description of the action
On the occasion of the development of the Committee 1 work programme in Spring 2017, the Working Group on Transports and Mobility decided to exchange experiences on the he development of high-speed rail.
The Working Group on Transports and Mobility did not in the end address this topic in particular and focused on the digitalisation of transports.
Useful Links
Nancy workshops: targeted experience exchange
Workshop on smart green and integrated transport systems
-New Mobility Services of the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities & Communities
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Transport and mobility
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: lead: Östergötland, with members of working group on transports & mobility
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
AER has long been committed to health and innovation related to this area, having launched the e-he@lth network, where regions cooperate to develop e-health tools as well as having organised several initiatives on ICT-based integrated care. AER is convinced of the necessity of working on personalised medicine and has received a significant number of expression of interests from its members regions wishing to work on the topic approached by this project. As a result, AER has joined the partnership of the INTEGRATE PERMED.
Description of the action
The INTEGRATE PERMED has been submitted under the Horizon 2020 Programme. It aims at linking the efforts in personalised medicine across European Regions by mapping them and then exchange of experiences between selected regions. The project will focus on breast cancer as a launching pathology to maintain focus. After validation, the approach will be replicated to other pathologies.
Within this project, AER is responsible for the work package on recommendations for regional implementation. AER will identify and mobilise regional representatives who are able to make a change and to contribute on the drafting of recommendation. It will also strongly contribute to activities aiming at linking regions to help them exchange practices and transfer knowledges.
Why is this action important for regions?
Personalised medicine is one of the main innovation in the healthcare sector. This projects will give regions the opportunity to exchange their practices and improve their knowledge. Moreover, it will provide them with recommendation for the implementation of a regional strategy on personalised medicine.
Useful links
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Health innovation and e-health Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: PNO and EPMA (European Personalised Medicine Association)<br /> <br />
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
On the occasion of the Arad Committee 1 plenary meeting, the region of Vojvodina announced its intention to organise an event on Biomass. This is the 4th edition of this yearly international event to support the development of Biomass.
Description of the action
Organisation of an international event on Biomass in Vojvodina (RS) in collaboration with AER members
Useful Links
Contact
Activity Period: 2018-2019
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Economy & Regional development Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Vojvodina
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
On 30 November 2016 the European Commission presented a package of measures to the EU Council and the European Parliament to recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED) 2009/28/EC, which will expire at the end of 2020.
The proposed new directive proposes a set of policy measures on biofuels, in particular the role of food-based biofuels is to decline over time. Advanced alternative fuels, renewable electricity, and food-based biofuels will need to demonstrate proof of compliance with the sustainability criteria set by the new Renewable Energy Directive (REDII)
Description of the action
Östergötland is interested in collaborating with regions in the AER network that share their concern on the relevance of first generation bioenergy. For the region, there are many benefits of having a local bioenergy production.
Which other regions in Europe, especially outside Scandinavia, share this concern about first generation biofuels?
The AER Secretariat connected regions which were interested in initiating a lobbying action. Regions had diverging priorities, the connection therefore did not result in a joint action.
Why is the action important for the regions?
Regions want to help shape the legislations which will impact their territories
Useful Links
Commission proposes new rules for consumer centred clean energy transition
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Economy & Regional development Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Advocacy and Lobbying
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Östergötland (SE)
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: /
Setting the scene
This project answers the need expressed by several AER regions in terms of
supporting migrants to integrate and especially the discussion shared within Committee 1 on
migrants and entrepreneurship.
Description of the action
This project aims to support the creation of the European Network among the project partners
and other stakeholders already working on the ground to help migrants to start their own businesses or social enterprises in order to identify and share best practices in this field.
AER joined this project as project partner, leading the Working Package on peer learning
activities.
Useful Links
AER co-organises events on Syrian Refugee Crisis: Policy Insights and Recommendations
AER members share knowledge to improve situation for refugees in their regions
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Economy & Regional development SMEs and innovation
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Brussels-Capital
Date: 2017-07-11
Venue: Cancelled
Setting the scene
The AER working group on Transports and Mobility has been set up to address key transport system issues, such as connectivity and permeability, seamless transport services, freight management & data, smart green infrastructure, financing of infrastructure, regulation of state aid and regional airports; as well as to promote knowledge and experience exchange among regions. It is currently chaired by Martin Tollén, County Councillor from Östergötland (SE).
Description of the action
In order to share information and experiences on transports and mobility, the Working Group organises regular meetings.
The Working Group on Transports and Mobility plans to meet in Autumn 2018 and Spring 2019 on the occasion of the Committees Plenary meetings
Useful Links
2017 Nancy workshops: targeted experience exchange
2018 Arad meeting of the Working Group on Transports and Mobility
Contact
Activity Period: 2018-2019
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Transport and mobility
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: Östergötland
Date: 2018-09-26
Venue: Novi Sad
Setting the scene
The AER working group on Transports and Mobility has been set up to address key transport system issues, such as connectivity and permeability, seamless transport services, freight management & data, smart green infrastructure, financing of infrastructure, regulation of state aid and regional airports; as well as to promote knowledge and experience exchange among regions. It is currently chaired by Martin Tollén, County Councillor from Östergötland (SE).
Description of the action
On the occasion of the development of the Committee 1 work programme in Spring 2017, the Working Group on Transports and Mobility decided to organise a meeting at the next plenary meeting to exchange good practices and potentially organise a study visit.
The central theme of the Nancy workshop was "Smart, Green and Integrated Transport Systems". The aim was to enable AER members to discuss issues of sustainable mobility, including the European Strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS), and the role regions can play in a C-ITS environment.
The Working group also shared experiences on new mobilities, with the example of COVIVO, a Grand Est (FR) example of shared mobility solutions offering carpooling for companies and communities. This shows that public and private transport solutions complement each others. and the futur of mobility is facilitated by IT applications.
Useful Links
Nancy workshops: targeted experience exchange
Workshop on smart green and integrated transport systems
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Transport and mobility
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: lead: Östergötland, with members of working group on transports & mobility
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: Nancy
Setting the scene
The AER working group on Transports and Mobility has been set up to address key transport system issues, such as connectivity and permeability, seamless transport services, freight management & data, smart green infrastructure, financing of infrastructure, regulation of state aid and regional airports; as well as to promote knowledge and experience exchange among regions. It is currently chaired by Martin Tollén, County Councillor from Östergötland (SE).
Description of the action
Within the New Mobility Services initiative of the European Innovation Partnership on Sustainable Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC) led by the European Commission, AER is involved in the Action Cluster Sustainable Urban Mobility. AER Chairman of the Working Group on Transports and Mobility, Martin Tollén attends the meetings and shares relevant information with AER members.
The New Mobility Services initiative is a cooperation between private and public partners. It aims to realise quadruple helix type of cooperation, brings together companies, NGOs, research centers & universities, and policy makers. The purpose is to establish strategic partnerships between industry and European cities & regions to develop the urban systems and infrastructures of tomorrow. It is mainly focused on urban mobility.
On top of attending the meetings of the AER Working Group meetings to receive information about the EIP-SCC, all AER members can join or send their stakeholders to the meetings and activities of the New Mobilities Services initiative.
The AER Working Group on Transports and Mobility will organise a workshop or a seminar to share the work of the EIP-SCC with other AER members
Related activity: Mapping exercise what is going on the field of new mobility services and test locations in general transports.
Why is the action important for the regions?
Challenges linked to pollution, Climate Change, city congestion and connectivity, seamless transports and IT innovation are all linked with the development of new mobilities.
Useful Links
Nancy workshops: targeted experience exchange
Workshop on smart green and integrated transport systems
-participation of the Chair of the working group Martin Tollen to the Smart Airports event in Germany
-cooperation with Revolve Media to highlight regional good practices in the field of transport and provide visibility to active AER members
-contribution on new mobilities & artificial intelligence at the AER event on Nov 30th “Artificial Intelligence: are regions up to the challenge?”
-New Mobility Services of the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities & Communities
Contact
Activity Period: 2018-2019
Activity Status: Ongoing
Topic: Economy & Regional development Transport and mobility
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: all
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Description of the action
AER is a member of the MOCHA Advisory Board. In order to ensure AER members benefit from the expert knowledge created by the project and the many contacts in the partnership, Committee 2 set a focus group on Prevention and Child healthcare to follow the developments of the project, exchange on the topics of prevention, child healthcare and all related topics with other regions, share good practices and invite high level experts.
Useful Links
Updates on MOCHA project: events, newsletters and outcomes
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Ongoing
Topic: Prevention and child healthcare Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health
Organised with: AER secretariat
Date: 2 advisory board meetings/ year (AER Secretariat) + meetings of the focus group on prevention and child healthcare on the occasion of plenaries if relevant
Venue: Different cities
Setting the scene
Environment is one of the main topics of this last year in the public discussion as in the AER network. The discussion on Environment can take different angle and shapes. In this case, the idea is to support policy makers to take the right decisions on environmental policy thanks to the support that ICT offered with the big data.
Description of the action
MULTIPLE aims to build an ecosystem of policy-support tools and methods for a more effective,
efficient policy making in the field of environmental policies. It will support the entire policy cycle
from issue identification to policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation by the use of open
data systems.
The lead partner is the University of Salerno (Italy), having in the consortium the member region Friuli Venezia Giulia (IT) and partners from other 9 countries.
Useful Links
Data is the world’s most valuable resource
Improving Capacity to Implement Environmental Policy: Peer 2 Peer Study Visits
A more efficient implementation of environmental policies through the regions
Contact
Activity Period:
Activity Status: Cancelled
Topic: Economy & Regional development Energy and climate change
Type of activity: Project
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development
Organised with: University of Salerno (IT) as Lead Partner and Friuli Venezia Giulia (IT).
Date: 2017-06-08
Venue: Cancelled
Setting the scene
On the occasion of the 2018 Committee 1 Spring Plenary, Committee 1 President Jean-Luc Vanraes announced his intention to organise a mutual learning event on a current and transversal topic which is of high relevance to the three AER Committees. Topics are chosen for the societal challenges they pose, such as the 2016 AER mutual learning "E-health: let's find a common language" and the 2017 AER mutal learning event "Artificial Intelligence: are regions up to the challenge?"
Description of the action
Mutual learning on the Saring Economy
Why the action is important for regions
The sharing economy is an economic model often defined as a peer-to-peer based activity of acquiring, providing or sharing access to goods and services that are facilitated by a community based on-line platform (def: Investopedia).
This economy is powered by the digital transformation of every sector and disrupts the business models of many well-established industries (taxis, hotels, entertainment, stores). It also involves major changes in terms of insurances, quality norms and control, safety, labour.
Useful Links
AER mutual learning event on Artificial Intelligence
AER mutual learning event on E-health & multistakeholder communication
Contact
Activity Period: 2018-2019
Activity Status: Planned
Topic: Culture, Education & Youth Economy & Regional development Social policy & Public health
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 1 for Economy & Regional development, AER Committee 2 for Social policy & Public health, AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: Brussels Capital, Catalonia
Date: To be confirmed
Venue: To be confirmed
Setting the scene
Since 2001, the competition for the Most YouthFriendly European Region (MYFER) seeks to highlight the importance of youth policies at regional level.
Open to all European regions, the MYFER award aims to:
- highlight the importance of youth policies at regional level
- recognise the efforts of regions to become more youth friendly
- promote good practices to inspire regions in Europe
- increase the visibility of successful policies for potential transfer
Description of the action
The 2017 award was launched by then Committee 3 President Sonja Steen on the occasion of the 2016 Summer Academy in Østfold (NO). The region of Nordland (NO) organised the award and implemented the different steps leading to the selection of the winners: announcement of the competition, collection of applications, pre-screening, organisation of the jury meeting and ceremony.
Synergies have been explored with the Youth Regional Network to see whether the YRN would be in a position to implement the next edition of the MYFER award. Following their Autumn Plenary meeting the YRN have decided to continue to provide support for the selection and to not take over the whole organisation of the award.
Why is the action important for the regions?
The award is a recognition of regions' efforts to become more youth friendly. It also highlights examples of effective good practices for youth policies to inspire policy making accross wider Europe.
Useful Links
Launch of the 2017 MYFER Award
Good practices of youth-friendly regions
Contact
Activity Period: 2017-2018
Activity Status: Finished
Topic: Culture, Education & Youth Youth
Type of activity: Good Practice Exchange
Organiser: AER Committee 3 for Culture Education & Youth
Organised with: Nordland (NO)
Date: 2017-05-31
Venue: Sankt Pölten, Lower Austria (AT)
