The Assembly of European Regions is pleased to announce the kick-off of two new INTERREG IVC projects recently approved by the European Union. In cooperation with Flevoland (NL), who is leading both projects, AER will prepare, support and monitor the implementation of peer reviews on regional innovation strategies (SMART EUROPE) and energy policy (REGIONS4GREEN GROWTH).

SMART EUROPE
The project aims at fostering the creation of innovation-based jobs. The partners will develop smart regional strategies on innovation-based employment opportunities. Each region will develop an implementation plan for the customized package of policy instruments and measures devised during the project period. Exchanging, sharing and transferring policy experiences, knowledge and good practices will be at the heart of the project.

Partners: Province of Flevoland (NL), Assembly of European Regions, NW England (UK), Veneto Region (I), Veneto Innovazione (I), Provincia di Bologna (I), Észak-Alföld Regional Development Agency (H), Maramures County (RO), ALMI Mid Sweden (S), Patras Science Park (GR), Swietokrzyskie Region (PL), Baltic Institute of Finland (FIN), Avila County (E).

The project kicked-off in Bologna, on 26 January 2012.

REGIONS4GREENGROWTH
The project aims at improving access to finance and speed-up investments in sustainable energy projects, linked to renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. To this end, the partners will analyse the specific challenges related to financing the sustainable energy projects in each partner region and will present a tailored package of instruments and actions to help regions to achieve their sustainable energy targets. AER will provide its expertise in the field of energy and peer reviews.

Partners: Province of Flevoland (NL), Assembly of European Regions, Norrbotten County (S), Abruzzo Region (I), Lazio Region (I), Észak-Alföld Regional Development Agency (H), Maramures County (RO), Patras Science Park (GR), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Agency Prahova (RO), Västernorrland County (S), Valencia Energy Agency (E), Centre for Sustainable Regional Development, Gabrovo (BG), Province of Noord-Brabant (NL), Oldham Council (UK), Energy Technological Institute, Valencia (E).

The project kicked-off in Valencia, on 9 February 2012.

Both projects are running from 1st January 2012 until 31st December 2014.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 250 regions from 35 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

For more information: [email protected]