The flow of knowledge and practices, which happens through interregional cooperation, encourages innovation and fosters the resilience of territories. Based on this observation, AER is offering a training seminar from 26-30 August in Cluny (FR) “Cities and Regions: New Actors of Change in Europe” to boost the capacity of regions to engage in impactful interregional cooperation.

It’s all about impact

Historically very diverse territories have flourished thanks to strong international networks. Nowadays the question, however, is how to best organise efforts in interregional cooperation to make sure to benefit a territory.

The results of interregional cooperation can be difficult to identify from the outside. Both because it is difficult to trace the origin of good practice, and because the multiplicity of stakeholders will often be a barrier to joint ownership of the results.

In this context, it is crucial to base cooperation efforts on the needs of a territory, to identify allies, and generate engagement.

Actionable knowledge

The AER training seminar in Cluny aims to facilitate the flow of knowledge and practices, encourage innovation, and foster the resilience of territories through integrated interregional cooperation.

Stakeholder engagement at the centre

The training will start with a historical perspective on the collaboration between cities or regions and the context of regionalisation in Europe given by Enrico Martial, an Italian expert from the AER Observatory on Regionalisation. Practical examples will help identify the way international cooperation, which engages regional stakeholders and is based on well-identified needs, is best organised. This will be illustrated by a study visit in the Abbey of Cluny, which was a central point of influence and knowledge in Europe in the medieval period. It will be followed by a round table on current networks and quadruple helix collaboration in the area today.

Frameworks & programmes for collaboration

The different frameworks and tools for cooperation and influence will then be presented by Malin Stegmann-McCallion, a Swedish expert from the AER Observatory on Regionalisation. This will help participants to get involved in institutional cooperation for the benefit of their territory. The presentation will be completed by a quick overview of EU programmes and projects best suited for regions and cities, depending on their aims and capacities.

Exchanging with professionals: it’s concrete!

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss with different stakeholders involved in interregional cooperation and identify transferable practices or ideas to be adapted to a different context. Franziska Stadelmann, Deputy Head of Office of the Lower Austria office in Brussels will, for instance, share the experience of her region and explain how they organise and collaborate with stakeholders both in Brussels and in the region.

A workshop will help to consolidate the content and to ensure that participants will be able to use the knowledge acquired in the most effective way for their territories.

Thinking the future to organise the present

The final seminar will feature a forward-looking presentation on “Networks, innovation, and territories” by Josef Mantl, Deputy director of the Go-Governance Institute in Vienna. The Go-Governance Institute is a long term partner of AER, also through the cooperation with Mélanie Sully, who is also an Expert of the AER Observatory on Regionalisation.

Capacity building for civil servants

The AER Training Seminar in Cluny will take place each year and is fully integrated with the Civil Servants Exchange programme led by the President of the AER Committee on Culture, Education and Youth Radimir Čačić, Varaždin (HR).

The Civil Servants Exchange programme, a follow-up programme of the highly successful former Centurio programme, supports innovation in the public sector and capacity building. By allowing civil servants to be placed in another region for a few months, they learn processes and practices and share their experiences when they come back.

In 2020, a full-fledged programme will begin, with a one-week introductory seminar at the College of Cluny, the traineeship in one of the regional authorities for a month, and a one-week restitution seminar. In parallel, the European College of Cluny will offer a post-master degree including seminars on public policy design, circular and digital economy, smart specialisation strategies, and sustainable mobility.

Registrations

Registrations are open until 15 July 2019. For more information, please contact Norina Haubold under knowledge@aer.eu.