Assembly of European Regions

Connecting regions, inspiring Europe since 1985

You are here: Home / Archives for Environment

This is the tag for all posts relating to environment.

Job Vacancy: Member Relations Coordinator

By

Do you have experience in a member-based organisation? Do you have work experience in a European/international environment, interested in the European regional dimension, ready to travel across the continent? If this sounds like you, you might be our new Member Relations Coordinator. 

We are looking for an experienced colleague who is proactive, diplomatic, collaborative, and organised to help with the management of the network, accompany our member regions in their AER experience and expand our membership base. 

You will be working directly with the Secretary General and will be based in Brussels. 

You must have the right to live and work in Belgium. 

Key Responsibilities

Account Management – 50%

  • Acting as the main point of contact for the regions, and provide assistance to meet their needs
  • Building and maintaining close relations with each of the Single Points of Contact (SPoC), and keep them up-to-date
  • Managing the membership database – keeping it regularly updated 
  • Informing and engaging members about the latest AER activities, campaigns, projects…
  • Striving to help each region find satisfaction in their membership experience
  • Increasing knowledge about each individual region and understand their expectations and needs
  • Proposing new activities and reinforce the relevance of AER towards its members and partners
  • Working closely internally (with projects, programmes, knowledge sharing and advocacy colleagues) to identify needs and services that can be shared to the benefit of members 
  • Assisting in the organisation of statutory meetings in collaboration with other colleagues

Business Development – 25%

  • Developing the membership strategy
  • Identifying and setting up meetings with potential new members and partners
  • Preparing promotional material and marketing campaigns to attract new members
  • Preparing and making sales presentations 
  • Taking part in events to promote the work of AER

Other – 25%

  • Processing and sending of the membership fee invoices 
  • Contributing to the implementation of EU-funded projects as well as, to some extent, to policy monitoring and analysis in selected areas 
  • Preparing briefing documents for high-level politicians in the Executive Board
  • Moderating and taking part in panel discussions and events
  • Being a small team all staff members are asked to perform additional transversal tasks and some secretarial work (e.g. Event Calendar, online user accounts)

In short: manage relations with the AER members and partners, create new links across Europe, step up the experience of our members.

Your Profile

  • At minimum 2-4 years of experience in a similar role with at least 3 years of full-time professional experience
  • Experience in or with member driven organisations
  • University degree (MA or higher; or BA with additional academic qualification) in relevant subjects (e.g. Political Science, European Studies, International Relations, Cultural Studies, Economics, Management, or other courses related to this profile)
  • Experience in business development, client relationship management, or marketing
  • Experience in establishing multi-year partnership agreements and maintaining continuous relationships
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (with other European languages an added advantage)
  • Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Powerpoint, Word and Excel 
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills with ability to function in a multicultural environment  
  • Familiarity with cloud-based computing, collaborative document editing and working in business communication platforms, such as Slack
  • Experience with using CRM applications

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter (max. one page) along with your CVin English and one reference to [email protected] with “AER Member Relations Coordinator” as the subject line. 

Deadline for application: Sunday 18 July – midnight.
Anticipated interviews (indicative days): 

Round 1: 26-30 July
Round 2: 3-6 August

Desired start date: September/October 2021

Due to the large number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

——–

Founded in 1985, the Assembly of European Regions is the political platform of regional governments in wider Europe, with direct membership of public authorities from 30 countries – from Norway to Turkey and from Portugal to Russia. As the largest independent network of its kind, AER promotes the regions as key players in the European project, as well as democracy and good governance. AER has offices in Brussels (BE), Strasbourg (FR), and a Southeast Europe Hub in Alba Iulia (RO).

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is an equal opportunity employer – our membership is diverse and so is our team. In line with our political priorities, we are an organisation committed to fostering inclusion and embracing diversity, including in our recruitment process. We therefore guarantee equal treatment of all applications regardless of sex or gender identity, ethnic, national or social background, political or religious belief, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

First calls under the Creative Europe 2021-27 have been launched!

By

The new Creative Europe Programme for 2021-27 was launched with the adoption of its first Annual Work Programme and the opening of the first calls under the ‘Culture’ strand! The programme will finance actions in the cultural and creative sectors with a total budget of EUR 2.4 billion for the next 7 years (63% higher than the previous programme).

About the new Creative Europe Programme

Creative Europe is the programme through which the European Commission provides support to the culture and audiovisual sectors across and beyond Europe. The programme will promote the competitiveness of these sectors, while supporting them in becoming greener, more digital, and more inclusive. Moreover, special attention will be addressed to reinforce the resilience and recovery of the cultural and creative sectors following the impact of the COVID-19.

The main objectives of the programme are:

  • Safeguard, develop and promote European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage
  • increase the competitiveness and economic potential of the culture and creative sectors, in particular the audiovisual sector.

The new 2021-27 programme replicates the three strands’ structure of the previous programme:

  • Culture: Covering actions in the cultural and creative sectors (except the audiovisual sector)
  • Media: Covering activities in the audiovisual sector
  • Cross-sectoral: Covering actions across all cultural and creative sectors.

First Calls launched under the ‘Culture’ Strand

The first calls under the Creative Europe programme 2021-27 culture strand have been published on the Funding and Tender Portal of the European Commission.

Call for European Cooperation Projects (small, medium, large – depending on the size of the consortium)
  • Focus: European artistic cooperation and innovation on topics as audience engagement, social cohesion, digitisation, contribution to the European Green Deal and sector-specific challenges in the book, music, architecture and cultural heritage sectors.
  • Objectives of the supported actions: 1) Transnational creation and circulation of European works and artists; 2) Innovation – enhance the capacity of European cultural and creative sectors to nature talents, to innovate, to prosper, and generate jobs and growth.
  • Eligible applicants: Legal entities (public and private bodies) established in the EU Member States and Non-EU countries – EEA countries and countries associated to the Creative Europe Programme (or in the process of finalising the agreement).
  • Budget: Max EUR 200 000 per small scale project (lump sum grant, funding rate of max 80%); max EUR 1 000 000 per medium scale project (lump sum grant, funding rate of max 70%); max 2 000 000 per large scale project (lump sum grant, funding rate of max 60%)
  • Deadline: 7 September 2021
  • More information: Call for proposals CREA-CULT-2021-COOP
Call for European Networks of Cultural and Creative Organisations
  • Focus: Capacity-building projects implemented by representative, multi-country, membership-based networks of European cultural organisations.
  • Objectives of the supported actions: 1) Promote fair, inclusive, and diverse frameworks supporting artists and cultural and creative professionals (tackling the gender gap and related divides, and fighting discrimination); 2) contribute to the European Green Deal, particularly encouraging these sectors to adopt more environmentally sustainable practices.
  • Eligible applicants: Legal entities (public and private bodies) established in the EU Member States and Non-EU countries – EEA countries and countries associated to the Creative Europe Programme (or in the process of finalising the agreement).
  • Budget: Max EUR 825 000 per project (lump sum grant, funding rate of 80%)
  • Deadline: 26 August 2021
  • More information: Call for proposals CREA-CULT-2021-NET
Call for Pan-European Cultural Entities
  • Focus: Support cultural entities – in this call, orchestras – who aim to offer training, professionalisation and performance opportunities for young highly-talented artists.
  • Objectives of the supported actions: Supporting the capacity building and professionalisation of young highly-talented musicians, providing them with standards career’s development paths through recruitment, training and performance opportunities; address the cross-cutting issues covered by the Creative Europe programme.
  • Eligible applicants: Legal entities (public and private bodies) established in the EU Member States and Non-EU countries – EEA countries and countries associated to the Creative Europe Programme (or in the process of finalising the agreement).
  • Budget: Max EUR 1 800 000 per project (lump sum grant, funding rate of 40%)
  • Deadline: 26 August 2021
  • More information: Call for proposals CREA-CULT-2021-PECE

The AER Project Unit is willing to support potential applicants and co-applicants interested in one of the calls above. If you would like our support, contact the European Projects Manager Birgit Sandu!

Picture by Timon Klauser, Unsplash

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

AER Climate Debate: Back to Our Future – Regions Leading Europe’s Green Recovery

By

The COVID-19 crisis brought the world to a standstill in 2020. City centres became ghost towns, economic activity slumped, and political priorities fell by the wayside as managing the pandemic became the all-consuming political focus. However, what has not stood still despite the pandemic is the alarming rate that our planet continues to heat up. Unless we align our recovery with our climate targets, another global pandemic will be a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’. The need to make up for lost time to meet these targets – all while ensuring a resilient recovery from the pandemic – presents a once-in-a-generation political challenge.

The scale of the task at hand has not been lost on Europe’s leaders, who are determined for the EU to spearhead global efforts to meet the Paris Climate Goals. Indeed, Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen’s lofty choice of metaphor – describing the European Green Deal as our “man on the moon moment” – reflects the political impetus to deliver a climate ‘moonshot’ by 2030.

But as any seasoned astronaut will tell you, a successful mission to a great degree depends on the people leading on the ground. That is why on 9 June as part of EU Green Week, the AER’s Task Force on Climate brought together international experts, EU and regional policymakers for an open discussion on how our regions can lead a sustainable, resilient recovery across Europe. Moderated by AER President, Magnus Berntsson, this was a chance to explore how regions can chart the path towards carbon neutrality, and ensure “a better, greener and more resilient future” for our villages, towns and cities.

Europe’s Moonshot – Leading the Mission on the Ground

All things in nature, including the climate crisis, are connected and demand a collective response. In his opening remarks, President Berntsson stressed the need “for joint action by all levels of government” to achieve global objectives. This was echoed by first speaker, Veronika Hunt Šafránková, Head of the United Nations Environment Programme Brussels Office. She underlined that the “interconnected nature” of challenges like pollution, biodiversity loss and global warming means “they must be addressed together to maximise benefits and minimise trade-offs.” Regional and local authorities are essential actors in this effort, for example, by translating green funding into “effective stimulus policies that will lead us towards decarbonisation.”

The European Commission shares this view. Our second speaker, Elena Višnar-Malinovská, Head of Unit for Adaptation at DG CLIMA called for regions “to come on board the spaceship” to help reach emissions targets. Regions, she noted, have already started implementing effective climate and energy laws, adopted climate-friendly budgets, and will be essential in monitoring how closely Europe’s climate targets are being adhered to.

AER members are leading from the front on this issue. Arnau Queralt-Bassa, Director of the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development of Catalonia [ES], pointed to Catalonia Region’s new CO2 fund that would be paid for using a Carbon Tax. Another example came from Värmland Region [SE], where policies aimed at improving energy efficiency have seen a 70% reduction in carbon emissions from buildings, according to Eva Hallström, Chair of the AER’s Working Group on Energy & Climate. Similarly, Donegal County Council in Ireland is in the process of creating an energy agency and making use of “nature based solutions” to meet climate challenges. All of Donegal Council’s policy initiatives are being framed within a written “statement of intent” guided by the Sustainable Development Goals. So while regions are working on the ground to translate global ambition into local action, they cannot go it alone.

Global Challenges & Supporting Local Solutions

The climate crisis affects Europe’s regions in different ways and to varying degrees. A truly sustainable and resilient recovery is therefore only possible if it meets the diverse territorial needs of all Europe’s regions. Dominique Riquet, Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur on the Opinion of the Committee on Transport on the Just Transition Fund, noted that many Eastern European regions will struggle to shift to climate neutral economies without “ambitious financial support”.

It also demands a real say for regions in implementing Green Deal legislation. “Regions” he stressed “will need to play a key role in drafting the legislation delivering the Green Deal to make sure regional differences are taken into account.” The success of the Green Deal will to a large degree “depend on the ability to tailor legislation”. He pointed to the success of regions in managing European programmes – in particular Cohesion Policy – as clear evidence of their experience and expertise in making sure that funding gets where it is needed. Mr Riquet stressed that regions “will be more important than ever” when it comes to implementing elements of the Green Deal like the ‘Fit for 55’ package.

This need for a territorial approach was further emphasised by our final speaker, Andries Gryffroy, Member of the European Committee of the Regions and its Rapporteur on the European Green Deal. “The Green Deal”, he said “is a credible plan, but must take “a bottom-up, balanced and targeted approach” if it is to effectively address the many environmental, economic and social challenges presented by the climate crisis. The same logic applies to national recovery plans. Chair of the AER working group on Transport and Mobility, Martin Tollén, pointed out that while regions are working hard to deliver sustainable solutions to reduce carbon emissions, there are limits to what can be done going it alone. Mr Tollen underlined that “Regions need to be “fully integrated in the design and implementation” of national recovery plans to meet diverse territorial needs and drive the wider green agenda.

Other important disparities that need to be addressed were highlighted in contributions from AER members. Victor Vaugoin, Director of Lower Austria’s EU Liaison Office, said that the nexus between the green and digital transitions means that less well-resourced rural regions could lose out on new opportunities in the green economy. For this reason, it is essential that the digital skills gap is addressed to ensure a fair transition. Another vitally important concern – gender equality – was highlighted by Värmland [SE] Councillor, Kenneth Johansson from the AER’s Equal Opportunities Group. Woman are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis, and it is therefore crucial that this lopsided impact “is better understood” and – more importantly – “reflected in legislation, programming and planning” at all levels of government.

Europe’s ‘moonshot’ mission to save our planet will only be a success if all levels of government “come on-board”. As we learned during the debate, local and regional authorities are leading the recovery using all resources available to them. However, to ensure a fair, green and resilient recovery, their ambitions needs to matched with political and financial support European and national level; offering regions significant financial support and a real say in how legislation is implemented to meet territorial needs.

No one is questioning Europe’s ambition when it comes to achieving our climate targets. However, starting locally and supporting our regions will be absolutely crucial if this moonshot mission is to ever get off the ground.

***

📺 Missed our Bureau debate? Never fear – you can rewatch on youtube channel here!

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Skills for Effective Innovation Ecosystems

By

Article by Sandra Evans, Project Coordinator at Universität Tübingen.

It is not a secret anymore that open innovation ecosystems provide optimal conditions for creating new value. But what makes innovation ecosystems effective, or how are effective innovation ecosystems created? This important question was the topic of a panel discussion organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) as part of a set of very topical webinars organised within the Erasmus+ Skillnet project on enabling multi-stakeholder approaches to help build more innovative societies.

As we all have witnessed in the past year, a crisis can be an incredible driver for innovation by honing in on the most pressing issues. With the COVID-19 pandemic the overall mission was to reduce the number of infected persons and reach herd immunity. Accordingly, a diversity of stakeholders were able to very quickly align under a clear common goal and effect respective contributions. What the Coronavirus crisis also revealed was that governments and private companies were able to effectively work together in order to produce and certify vaccines in record time. However, what are the conditions that facilitate and optimize innovation activities?

Arnault Morrison, thematic expert on research and innovation at the Policy Learning Platform (PLP) of Interreg Europe, presented five actionable policy recommendations from a diversity of policy briefs published by the PLP. All are indeed key prerequisites for regions to benefit from sustainable innovation and resulting economic development:

  1. understand regional institutional context (especially the strengths and weaknesses)
  2. promote the diffusion of technology (rather than the invention of new)
  3. promote interregional learning and collaboration (i.a. by sharing good practices)
  4. promote an entrepreneurial mindset and startups (and decrease risk averseness)
  5. form a regional task force for regional skills assessment.

In addition, two regions elucidated their approaches towards building efficacy in two topically different ecosystems. Agneta Kardos from the Timiș County Council in Romania focused on how interregional learning and collaboration was crucial in building the local (informal) health and social care ecosystem. The presentation very nicely demonstrates that the process takes time, requires perseverance as well as a framework for exchange and learning. This framework was provided by different European funding instruments (primarily Interreg programs), which since 2008 have not only evolved with respect to terminology and approaches (e.g., moving from triple towards quadruple helix approaches) on the topic of aging populations, but also have been able to help build trust and a multi-stakeholder dialogue in the Timiș region.

Christiane Egger, deputy manager at the Upper Austrian Regional Energy Agency, shared her experiences from the energy transition in her region. One of the key pillars in the transition was the formal network of energy and environmental businesses, namely the Cleantech Cluster Upper Austria, which engaged in dialogue with policy makers. The mission of the energy transition has a clear message: to reach climate neutrality by 2050. In order to reach this mission, the agency takes on the role as orchestrator of the formal/informal and narrow/broad innovation networks and uses the carrot (financial incentives) – stick (regulatory framework) policy approach, which they have amended to include tambourines (dissemination and awareness raising) and a skateboard (innovation to speed up the process).

Ultimately, all speakers in their presentations and the ensuing discussion highlighted communication and connectedness as central to the innovation process and creating effective open innovation ecosystems.

Identifying and understanding the strengths and weaknesses in the respective regions, as the first recommendation by Arnault Morrison puts forward, provides the necessary base for formulating clear common goals and missions to guide policy priorities. While this seems trivial, it is absolutely crucial and will help to guide innovation activities by better understanding the actual needs and demands and thus, better being able to match demand and supply.

It is not easy to bring different stakeholders to the proverbial table, yet this can be instructive to everyone involved. Within the framework of the Interreg Europe project ACSELL, the SCIROCCO Exchange Tool was identified as a good practice to assess the readiness for demand-driven innovation in regions or ecosystems (https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/5304/scirocco-exchange-tool-to-assess-readiness-for-demand-driven-innovation/). This tool facilitates and structures the multi-stakeholder dialogue around 12 dimensions and helps to identify strengths and weaknesses. An improved understanding of the local needs and context as well as structured dialogue with all stakeholders is an important first step to creating effective innovation ecosystems.

Available EU funding opportunities and initiatives:

Picture by Romain Tordo from Unslpash.

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

REGISTRATION OPEN: Social Inclusion in TVET and Skill Development – Leaving No-one Behind

By

TVET policies and programmes are of core importance to ensure that all people can enjoy inclusive skill development leading to both individuals’ affirmation and the creation of diversified learning environments.  As reported by Srinvas Reddy, Chief of the ILO Skills and Employability Branch, “inclusive skills development and lifelong learning opportunities are vital to prevent people from being left behind, to maintain people’s employability, and to ensure that economies and enterprises recover promptly from the crisis”.  (Guide on making TVET and skills development inclusive for all, ILO Skills and Employability Branch, 2020).

Yet, as a result of rapid and increasing societal changes – as the digital transformation, climate change, globalisation and demographic trends – in-depth transformation have been taking place in the labour market creating further constraints to inclusion and societal wellbeing. This condition has been further amplified by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the creation of the so called ‘lockdown generation’.

The AER has been actively working on societal challenges throughout the past years. In 2018, it adopted a Position to express the need for new solutions (societal innovation) to societal and territorial challenges while ensuring quality public services and jobs.

In this context, public authorities, VET experts, and civil society organisations have a primary role in re-defining and improving the TVET system at the local level and developing societal innovation to ensure that learning opportunities address everyone’s needs and specific conditions.

The webinar aims to contribute to foster inclusive TVET systems and skill development by offering first hand insights from the European Commission, as well as a space for the exchange of knowledge and practices among policymakers, VET experts and practitioners.

The event will be held on June 23rd from 10 to 11 am CET. Visit the EVENT PAGE to access the agenda and register to the webinar!

The event IS part of the Skillnet webinar series AER is organising, which provides an opportunity for mutual learning around topics identified by AER members.

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Skillnet Training Session – Making the Most of Cohesion & Rural Development Funds

By

MFF, ERDF, ESF, EFRD, EAGF…navigating the sea of acronyms in the EU funding lexicon can be a daunting task for would-be applicants. Yet, unlocking these funds will be crucial for regions if they are to bounce back from the pandemic. What can be done to help regions access the crucial funding they need to support their recovery?

The AER recognises these challenges members face when it comes to accessing EU funding. That’s why on 26 May, as part of our Skillnet Project on European funding opportunities, the AER held a training session for regions and their stakeholders looking to make the best of new EU funding opportunities.

Featuring presentations and an extended Q & A with experts from the European Commission, the first webinar in our “Unboxing the MFF (Multiannual Financial Framework)” series took attendees through Cohesion & Rural Development funds, and the EU’s Next Generation EU Recovery Package.

Cohesion Policy and Next Generation EU – What’s New?

Our first speaker, Ms Tereza Krausová from DG REGIO gave an overview of the 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy and Next Generation EU packages, and provided insights on how regions can benefit under the new frameworks. She noted that while NextGenEU is “at its core” a crisis-repair instrument, the Commission wants it to compliment the EU’s climate goals and facilitate the digital transition – important aspect to bear in mind.

Also of note are the substantial sums allocated to bolster programmes of key interest to regions. There is EUR 47.5 billion allocated to Cohesion programmes 2014-2020, like the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF+), and cross-border programmes like the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). (Note – AER members are invited to request more information on these and all instruments discussed from the AER Secretariat).

Ms Krausová also set out the features of these shared management funds, which have a strong territorial dimension. While the partnership agreements for programmes under these funds are set up nationally with the Commission, local and regional authorities are strongly encouraged to engage themselves fully in the process by meeting with and setting out their priorities to their national authorities. Most notably, Policy Objective 5: ‘Territorial Tools’, underlines that all investments have to be based on local strategies. These should empower cities and local communities “to identify their own priorities and projects in a participatory way.” Possible tools available include integrated territorial investments (ITIs), community-led local development (CLLD) and other territorial tools designed by member states.

In terms of priority themes, as mentioned, under the ERDF there is a “thematic concentration” on improvement of the economy and meeting the EU’s climate reduction targets. Of particular interest to regions will be the thematic concentration on sustainable urban development. 8% of the ERDF is allocated towards integrated urban development delivered through local development partnerships. There are also new funding streams available for interregional innovation, and Ms Krausová again emphasised that these local development strategies must have true “local ownership”. Within the INTERREG programme, there is a bigger emphasis on cross-border programmes – including a new European cross-border Mechanism, a specific component for outermost regions, and the incorporation of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), which supports co-operation outside the EU.

Ms Krausová also touched on the EU’s Just Transition Fund (JTF), which provides over EUR 19 billion in tailored support to territories to help them achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This money aims to galvanize green investment in areas like waste reduction, resource efficiency, recycling, etc, as well as encourage SME growth in the green economy. Coal and peat intensive regions in transition will be key beneficiaries of this fund.

European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) – driving a Fair Recovery

Our second speaker, Ms Louise Reid from DG EMPL gave insights on the new European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The ESF+ supports employment, education and social inclusion through EUR 99.3 billion of investments in different programmes.

As with other funds, there are specific “thematic concentrations requirements” for member states relating to tackling youth unemployment, eradicating child poverty, and capacity building of social partners and civil society. Of note is that there is EUR 531 million and EUR 197 million available to support Outermost Regions and Transnational cooperation respectively under shared management. With regard to REACT-EU funds distributed under ESF+, Ms Reid said these will be directed towards short-term work schemes and youth employment, as well as ensuring equal access to health services. Echoing Ms Krausová, she underlined that “regions should now take the opportunity to be involved” in the national planning processes, and contact their local management authority for more information on accessing REACT-EU funding.

The Common Agricultural Policy – the importance of Partnership

Our final speaker, Mr Stefan Jensen from DG AGRI updated attendees on the reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and how regions can make the most of the EU instruments available to support rural development. While still under negotiation, from 2023 the National CAP Strategic Plans will integrate “direct payments and market funds” – the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF), with the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Between 2021-22 there will be a transition period where the current framework will be extended, and there is an additional EUR 8 billion earmarked from the Next Generation EU recovery programme to support rural development. As with the other funds under discussion, there is “a strong focus on Green Deal ambitions”, with 30% of the EAFRD concentrated on helping rural areas meet climate and environmental objectives.

Mr Jensen underlined the essential role that regional stakeholders will have in the administration of the new CAP. Members should note that regions are very much embedded in the design of these instruments, and are expected to be involved in the design and implementation of the National Strategic plans. More concretely, the Commission expects these plans to be able to identify regional specificities and needs, and it is therefore vital that all levels of government are involved in elaborating these strategies.

The Commission equally recognises the need for local approaches to fulfill broader Green ambitions. To this end, Mr Jensen encouraged local organisations to “take ownership” to ensure that “the green transition takes place on the ground.” He also advised regions “to look across different EU funds that will help you on the ground,” noting provisions in the Common Provisions Regulations (CPR) that can help regions identify funding opportunities.

There were several noteworthy takeaways for the 100+ participants who took part in this training session. Firstly, for regions to make sure they can access the funding they need, it is essential that they reach out to their member states and involve themselves in the process of designing the National Strategic Plans. Having an awareness of which streams in each instrument have a strong territorial focus (some noted above) can help regions guide such discussions, as will keeping in mind the wider political focus at EU level on delivering the Green and Digital Transitions.

Still not sure where to start? Want a more detailed briefing on this Training Session and other funding opportunities? The AER is on-hand to give one-to-one guidance on how to make the most of EU Funding opportunities. For more information, please contact our European Projects Coordinator, Ms Agnese Pantaloni via email at [email protected]

In the meantime, you can find our speakers’ slides at this link. Make sure to keep an eye on our website to find out when the next webinar in our “Unboxing the MFF” series is announced!

***

This training session was organised as part of the Skillnet Project, which is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. Skillnet aims to strengthen the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system’s role and capacity to design high-quality VET programmes tailored to current societal needs through enhanced transnational and cross-sectoral partnerships. To learn more about funding opportunities within the Skillnet Project, visit our dedicated Partnerships in Focus Hub.

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Internship Vacancy: EU Project Assistant

By

Ready to train with the EU projects team of the largest independent network of regions in Europe?

We are looking for a motivated intern (STUDENTS ONLY) to join the Project Unit at the AER’s Brussels Office, under the supervision of our European Projects Coordinator. The placement would be for 6 months, starting as soon as possible.

Your main tasks will be:

  • Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events/webinars and meetings at the European level).
  • Supporting the AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members.
  • Contributing to the implementation of all activities related to ongoing projects, including financial elements.
  • Providing input and assistance in drafting documents for new project proposals.
  • Writing articles on funding, partner searches as well as on running projects and related activities.
  • Disseminating information about EU-wide projects and funding opportunities on the AER’s social media channels.
  • Supporting in the development of communication tools such as infographics, brochures etc.
  • Contributing to the organisation of events and webinars in the context of European projects.

This is who we are:

  • We are a team where everyone—including interns—is respected and treated equally
  • We are a committed group of professionals, with terrific people on board
  • We have a meaningful mission; helping people across Europe to work together is what drives us
  • We provide a place for personal and professional growth. Working with a diverse group of colleagues and collaborators in an array of different policy areas widens your horizons and gives you the chance to develop valuable skills
  • We use cloud-based team collaboration tools, which allow us to work efficiently, keep in close contact, and strengthen our community despite frequent travel and different locations

 This is the place for you if:

  • You want to gain concrete experience in the management of European projects
  • You want to build your knowledge of the different EU funded programmes
  • You have strong writing skills and an excellent command of both oral and written English
  • You have experience and interest in creating social media and web content
  • You are able to bring new ideas to help amplify our message
  • You are self-motivated and interested in helping people work together to overcome challenges
  • You are able to perform tasks autonomously and take on responsibilities while organising your work with the rest of the team
  • You have a knack for multi-tasking and a solution-focused attitude
  • You are open-minded and would enjoy working in a multi-cultural, international and fast-paced working environment

The AER is happy to offer you the opportunity to:

  • Gain practical experience in the field of projects funded by European programmes
  • Gain experience using different communication tools and web channels
  • Be in contact with high-ranking politicians, project officers and partners across Europe and get inspired by them
  • Learn about regions and build your knowledge of contemporary issues in European politics and interregional cooperation
  • Work in a dynamic and multicultural environment
  • Develop your confidence and capacity to take personal responsibility and initiative
  • Gain invaluable experience in an international professional environment

You will be considered a full member of the team from day one.

Before applying, please keep in mind:

An internship contract must be signed by AER, the intern and a sending University/School/Institute.

The internship is intended for students who have to complete a compulsory internship and are therefore able to receive a scholarship through Erasmus+ or similar programmes. On top, you will receive a monthly financial contribution of EUR 150 by the AER during your internship period. Travel and living costs must be covered by the intern.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you will have to make sure that you meet all the legal requirements (visa, residence permit, etc.) to stay in Brussels as specified by the Belgian Law for foreigners. Health insurance must be ensured during your stay.

Please keep in mind that we are following all COVID-19 measures so you may not be working in the office full-time.

How to apply?

If you are interested in joining us and making the AER your next professional experience, please send your CV and 1-page cover letter to [email protected], by June 20 midnight with the subject line “AER Projects Intern”.

Interviews are planned to take place on a rolling basis throughout June. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Why Innovative Skills are the Catalyst for Rural Areas

By

On 25 March, the Assembly of European Regions hosted the “Ambitious Skills and Innovation Strategies: A Territorial Approach” webinar. The event was part of the series of webinars on EU funding opportunities organised within the Skillnet project (co-founded by the Erasmus+ Programme) to bring together experts in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and to establish collaborations for future EU project proposals.

We are now living in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where machines and artificial intelligence play a significant role in enhancing productivity and wealth. These changes have given rise to new skills requirements and a growing skills shortage among businesses and especially SMEs, which often struggle to find the talent they require. The new skills requirements are not only limited to high-tech and manufacturing competences but also cover interpersonal skills, as well as competences related to sales, human resources, care, and education.

In the context of regional innovation strategies, rural areas should play an essential role, not just as a source of raw material and places to locate space-intensive activities, but as genuine partners and drivers of innovation. Additionally, increasing attention should be addressed to the many interdependencies between regional development policies and the skills required to sustain innovation strategies.

Interreg EU Policy Learning Platform – Support for regions in delivering better place-based policies

Existing networks and platforms offer increasing support to regional authorities across Europe to develop and deliver better policies through a territorial approach. Among these, Elena Ferrario, Thematic Manager of the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform (PLP), presented the services of the PLP as online learning, events, and personalised policy advice through a free on-demand peer review service. The latter is a service offered to local, regional, and national policy makers who seek advice on a specific policy framework through the design of a two-day knowledge-exchange experience with experts and peers. The cooperative approach within the Interreg community allows to identify the thematic experts who will set the to-do-list of actions within two working days (online or onsite), and after 12 to 18 months they will follow-up with the implementation results.

The application for the peer review service is open permanently and is an easy process. Interested regions can access the Terms of References and/or contact Elena Ferrario [[email protected]] to apply.

Additionally, the PLP outlines policy briefs, concise and to-the-point documents outlining recommendations and best practices for regional and local authorities and policymakers. In this context, Katharina Krell, Thematic Expert of the Interreg Europe PLP, highlighted the Skills for Innovation and Skills for Energy Transition briefs, which feature policy recommendations that draw on Interreg Europe’s experience with projects on the development of skills for innovation, and which aim to show regions a path towards better regional innovation policymaking.

Good practice from the Donegal County – Education and training for high tech skills

The ICT FinTech and engineering industries are key sectors within the Donegal County, contributing to regional development and boosting place-based innovation. To this aim, Mr. Vinny McGroary, Area Training Manager at the Donegal Education & Training Board (ETB), stated that the County encourages the continuous development of new skills through Donegal ETB. The latter provides second-level education programmes and Further Education Training which include a partnership of collaborations within the community, voluntary and private sectors, as well as with businesses.

The national strategy is focused on promoting growth through the improvement of working skills from the beginning of apprenticeships right up to the professional level. Additionally, Donegal ETB provides a number of full-time and part-time programmes for the development of skills tailored to the industry’s needs, and many of these courses are industry certified and endorsed by employers. Among these, the Skills to Advance and Skills for Work programmes are tailored to upskill people with a lower skill set and who need more opportunities to make progress in their professional careers. The Apprenticeship programme enables close collaboration with industries through a combination of learning in the workplace and education in the training centre.

The provision of these trainings focusing particularly on the ICT, FinTech, and Engineering sectors has been of core relevance to address the high rates of school drop-out. Additionally, it contributed to boost solid partnerships between people, businesses, and local organisations.

Funding incentives for territorial development

As presented by Agnese Pantaloni, EU Projects Coordinator at the Assembly of European Regions, the EU has deployed several means to support territorial development in rural areas. Among these we find:

  • The Common Agricultural Policy 2021-2027 (CAP) will be supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development which is designed to reduce economic, environmental, and social constraints in urban areas and outermost regions, fostering knowledge transfer and innovation while promoting social inclusion, and economic development.
  • Additionally, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supports Technical Vocational Education and Training systems through investment on skills development for smart specialisation, employability, and adaptation to labour market changes.
  • The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) brings together the existing European Social Fund with the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI), the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and the Fund for Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD). Initiatives supported through this newly established fund will likely focus on the acquisition of digital skills through schooling and education, support measures to improve the recruitment, and promote the socio-economic integration of newcomers from third countries.
  • Interreg Programmes aim at fostering a more competitive, smarter, greener, resilient and connected Europe. Interreg Programmes include cross-border, transnational, and interregional.
  • With a budget of over €28 billion, the ERASMUS+ Programme supports mobility and learning for all across the European Union and beyond. It provides opportunities for study periods abroad, traineeships, apprenticeships, and staff exchanges in all fields of education, training, youth and sport.
  • Horizon Europe finances research and innovation projects in thematic areas such as climate change, transport, health, food, agriculture, rural development, energy efficiency. Participating in Horizon Europe is open to all types of organisations based in the EU and all over the world, both public and private sector organisations, working on individual and collaborative based projects.

Where to find resources & support?

LEADER/ CLLD: European initiative that supports development projects to revitalise rural areas through bottom-up approaches.
European Network for Rural Development: Hub for sharing ideas & experiences on how rural development policies work in practice, facilitating knowledge sharing and networking among all rural stakeholders in the EU.
Smart Specialisation Platform: The platform that provides guidance and good practice examples, tools to facilitate strategy formation & mutual learning of the smart specialisation strategy (S3).
EIP-AGRI: European Innovation Partnerships that build bridges between science and practice, collecting knowledge and best practices for farmers, foresters, advisers, and others.
Policy Learning Platform: The second action of Interreg Europe programme that provides a space for continuous learning, where a network of policy makers can benefit from personalised expert advice, updated news and examples of peer-reviewed good practices.

Open and Future EU Funding Opportunities and Initiatives

To learn more, you can download the presentations from the webinar on the event webpage, and join discussions through the Peer Learning Clubs!

Photo from Unsplash @jeshoots

This webinar was organised as part of the SKILLNET series of webinars on EU funding opportunities. SKILLNET is a project funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. Through building transnational and cross-sectional partnerships, SKILLNET aims to strengthen the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system’s capacity to design high-quality VET programmes tailored to current societal needs. To this end, after each webinar, a bulletin with open and upcoming EU opportunities is circulated among relevant stakeholders.

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Internship Opportunity: Events Assistant

By

We are looking for a motivated student to join the AER Team at our Brussels Office for six months from early to mid June 2021.

Working closely with the AER Institutional Relations & Advocacy Officer,  Member Relations Coordinator and Communications & Events Officer, your main task will be to:

Assist in the event and communication management of the AER SDG Conference & General Assembly

About the Conference “Agenda 2030: Transforming Regions, Changing the World” 
“Entering the year 2020, we will see a comprehensive review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) making this a year of symbolic importance to the global agenda. 

This conference, jointly organised by AER, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the Global Taskforce, Regions4, Strasbourg Eurometropole and the Grand Est region will gather local and regional stakeholders from around the world. It will call upon national and global leaders to strengthen the multilevel dialogue in order to facilitate local-global leadership on the 2030 Agenda. 

The goal of the conference is to show that regions, alongside cities, play a key role to facilitate the transformation needed to successfully implement and reach the goals of the 2030 agenda.”

You will assist in shaping the SDG Conference, inviting guests and speakers, organising logistics, creating content for the website, structuring communications and ensuring a successful event from A to Z.

This is the role for you if:

  • You want to grow your event and communication management experience in a hands-on way. 
  • You have knowledge and interest in the Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation at the local level.
  • You are self-motivated, organised and well able to manage your time.
  • You are able to perform tasks autonomously and take on responsibilities while coordinating your work with the rest of the team.
  • You are a creative and problem-solving oriented person.
  • You have strong communications skills, with a strong level of English and French. Other European languages are an asset. 
  • You are tech-savvy, with a knack for graphic design using tools like Canva, Photoshop and WordPress.

AER is happy to offer you the opportunity to:

  • Gain practical experience in event management from A to Z  in a European environment
  • Liaise with high-ranking politicians, project officers and partners across Europe and be inspired by them.
  • Learn about regions and gain a deeper insight into contemporary issues in European politics
  • Work in a dynamic, multinational and multicultural environment
  • Develop personal responsibility and initiative
  • Gain invaluable experience in an international professional environment
  • Learn the ins-and-outs of implementing a communications campaign for a large, international event. 
  • The internship period will be for up to six months, preferably starting in early to mid June

Before applying, please keep in mind…

An internship contract must be signed by AER, the intern and a sending University/School/Institute.

The internship is intended for students who have to complete a compulsory internship and are therefore able to receive a scholarship through Erasmus+ or similar programmes. On top, you will receive a monthly financial contribution of EUR 150 by the AER during your internship period. Travel and living costs must be covered by the intern.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you will have to make sure that you meet all the legal requirements (visa, residence permit, etc.) to stay in Brussels as specified by the Belgian Law for foreigners. Health insurance must be ensured during your stay.

Please keep in mind that we are following all COVID-19 measures so you may not be working in the office full-time.

How to apply?

If you are interested in joining us and making AER your next professional experience, please send your CV and one page cover letter to [email protected] by 16 May with the subject line “AER Events Assistant”.

Interviews will take place on a rolling basis until the vacancy has been filled. 

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

REGISTRATIONS OPEN: Improving the attractiveness of TVET for women

By

In the context of its activities around skills and the future of work, AER has been organising a series of webinar together with partners of the Skillnet project since Spring 2020. We are very pleased to invite you to join a webinar on improving the attractiveness of TVET for women.

Important: The event has been postponed and will be held on 13 July 2021 at 10:00 CET. The change will not impact on the registrations already submitted for the initial date (19th of May) and no further action is needed by the registrants. Yet, for all those that have not registered, registrations are already open!

What about gender?

AER has been working on mainstreaming gender and equal opportunities in AER activities. This was reflected by the setting up of an Observatory on Equal Opportunities in AER more than 10 years ago, which was then turned into a Vice Presidency for Inclusion, Diversity & Equal Opportunities, currently held by Andrew Gibson, Hampshire (GB). In this context, the current focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training provides an opportunity to look at the situation from a gender angle.

Bridging the gender gap in TVET

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector has a major role to play in providing the skills Europe will need in the future. Moreover, countries with well-designed vocational training programmes find it easier to avoid youth unemployment, even in times of crisis. However, this sector has traditionally been a predominantly male environment.

This is why the European Parliament underlined the need to

continue to address gender bias and gender-stereotypical choices by ensuring and encouraging the equal participation of women in vocational training for what are usually traditional ‘male’ professions and of men in ‘female’ professions; calls for the gender dimension to be reinforced in efforts to modernise VET systems and to make learning both at and outside work more accessible to women employees and those with family care duties, not least in sectors where women are under-represented, notably the digital, STEM and green sectors, in order to combat gender segregation in education and employment and combat gender stereotypes

European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the Council Recommendation on vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience (2020/2767(RSP))

The event will be held on 13 July 2021 at 10:00 CET and will provide an opportunity to share regional experiences and hear about support initiatives at the EU level.

If you would like to share an example from your region, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Birgit Sandu and Johanna Pacevicius

The events are part of the Skillnet webinar series AER is organising, which provides an opportunity for mutual learning around topics identified by AER members.

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Digital Transformation & Skills in the Agri-food Sector

By

The agri-food sector is facing a revolutionary transformation within a complex operating environment characterised by technological and economic change, consumer concerns, climate change, and global value chains. The so-called Digital Farms, which combine precision farming techniques with the use of digital and high-tech tools, have been promoted by the EU Agenda to help farmers work more precisely, efficiently, sustainably, and in turn, make rural communities more attractive. Yet, the use of advanced digital and technological solutions in the agri-food sector requires workers to develop new knowledge and skills.

To support regional policy-makers, VET and agri-food experts in this process, on March 26th, the AER held a mutual-learning webinar, ‘Innovation and Farming: Applications of Advanced Manufacturing in the Food Value Chain‘. The event was part of the series of webinars on EU funding opportunities organised within the Erasmus + project Skillnet. It brought together 55 experts in the field and allowed them to exchange and learn about available opportunities to apply innovative digital and technological solutions to the food value chain, through the uptake of new skills and knowledge in particular.

Experiences, resources, and challenges for a digital agri-food sector

As presented by Miguel De Porras, Director at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FIBL, European policies and tools offer opportunities to exploit the potential of new technologies in the agriculture sector. The new Common Agricultural Policy has identified the need to increase competitiveness and agricultural productivity in a sustainable way through the use of new technologies as one of its key objectives. Additionally, the Farm2Fork’s objective to increase production of organic food by 25% inevitably requires the uptake of new digital and technical solutions and, in turn, of new skills and partnerships.  

The need to boost new skills for digital farming has been discussed during a dedicated seminar held by the EIP-AGRI, which highlighted that the sector workforce presents a low skill level in comparison with the digital solutions available. In this context, a series of EU-funded projects were presented as key initiatives to lead the digital transition while facilitating the exchange of knowledge among farmers through activity demonstrations and online resources, as well as compiling a database of the digital tools available to farm advisors. Yet, findings from the DESIRA project, which aims to assess the social, economic, environmental, and governance variables influencing the impact of technologies, reinforce the idea that innovation in the agri-food sector must be tailored to specific local contexts.

EU-wide partnerships and research and innovation initiatives provide farmers, businesses, research institutes and academia, and policy-makers with increasing support to launch pilots and gain expertise in the field. In this context, George Beers, Horticultural Engineer at the Wageningen University and Research, presented two Horizon2020 EU-wide projects that offer new evidences, resources and networks for the agri-food sector and its practitioners. The IoF2020 project aims to demonstrate and deliver the benefits of high-tech tools focusing on five agriculture sectors: arable crops, dairy, fruits, vegetables and meat. Results from several use cases demonstrate the value of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for the European food and farming sectors. IoT enables the use of different digital prototypes with different flows of information & solutions and integrates them into existing farm systems. Use cases do not only provide information on technological tools, but also why these tools are relevant for the sector. All the information has been collected and made available to farmers and practitioners in the online ‘Use Case Catalogue’.

The SmartAgriHub project is a network of Digital Innovation Hubs consisting of 2000 Competences Centres and 28 Flagship Innovation Experiments (FIE). The project offers a space to develop ideas, prototypes and a place in the innovative smart farming techniques market. At the same time, it embeds a network of Regional Clusters, which ensure that newly developed knowledge and tools are accessible to local farmers.

Lastly, Mladen Petres, Assistant Provincial Secretary of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the Province of Vojvodina in Serbia, shared the measures launched in the region to further boost the agricultural sector. The region launched direct subsidies for farmers to increase the purchase of relevant up-to-date equipment in the sector, ranging from greenhouse infrastructure to start-up programs for farmers. Additionally, the AgroSense platform was launched by the BioSense Institute to provide farmers with digital services, enabling them to monitor from satellite crop production to digitalised data on the chemical condition of the soil and, eventually, to facilitate the application of subsidies within the region.

Hence, meaningful opportunities and practices are available to help European regions and farmers increase their agricultural productivity while protecting the environment and ensuring the inclusiveness of the workforce. However, persisting challenges were highlighted in debate too. Among these, the need for governments to increase their financial support for a just transition into digital and sustainable agriculture, and the need to up-skill workers, including those involved in the daily management and maintenance of the digital tools.

To learn more, you can download the presentations from the webinar on the event webpage and join discussions through the Peer Learning Clubs!

Open and Future EU Funding Opportunities and Initiatives

Photo by Naseem Buras Unsplash

This webinar was organised as part of the SKILLNET series of webinars on EU funding opportunities. SKILLNET is a project funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission. Through building transnational and cross-sectional partnerships, SKILLNET aims to strengthen the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system’s capacity to design high-quality VET programmes tailored to current societal needs. To this end, after each webinar, a bulletin with open and upcoming EU opportunities is circulated among relevant stakeholders.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is download-4.png

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

A peer review service tailor-made for regions

By

The Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform offers a free on-demand peer review service, where a two-day knowledge-exchange experience can be designed to advise on a region’s policy frameworks. This service will be presented in detail on 25 March at the webinar “Ambitious Skills and Innovation Strategies: A territorial Approach” as one of the opportunities regions can use to implement bold regional development strategies.

Peer feedback & insights for regional policymaking

Policymakers and practitioners of regional development policies can face a number of challenges related to the design, implementation, and monitoring of the regional policies that they oversee. When faced with such challenges, one of the best solutions is to reach out for help to those who have relevant experience to share. This is why the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform’s peer review service offers policymakers to meet and exchange with peers from other parts of Europe. Sharing about challenges and enablers of other policy initiatives is deemed to bring new insights to their work.

What is a peer review?

The Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform can organise 2-day meetings in the region of the beneficiary organisation or online. Going deep into the issues and challenges of a specific territory, this peer review service allows its beneficiary to exchange, learn and brainstorm with a carefully selected group of practitioners from other European regions.

The below 3 minutes video shows how the peer reviews work in practice.

Topics addressed are the following:

  • Research and Innovation
  • Low-carbon Economy
  • Environment and Resource Efficiency
  • SME competitiveness

3 reasons to apply

  1. Find the best solution for your regional challenge through exchanging with peers
  2. Meet in person or online; the format will be adapted to your needs
  3. Easy application process, online, no supporting documents

What do regional representatives think about it?

The peer review allows you to show that new ideas and approaches work elsewhere, a powerful tool.

Jan Nylander, host of a peer review for Region Gävleborg, Sweden

It is nice that we can use quick and efficient instruments [like the peer review] because, very often, the framework programmes are impressive and important instruments but sometimes they can’t provide quick or practical solutions to what one is looking for. I was very impressed that the selected peers provided advice relevant to the Bulgarian environment. And this is, of course, very important because we can’t accept any solutions, they have to be adapted to our regional/national context.

Karina Angelieva, host of a peer review in Sofia, Bulgaria

For more information on the peer review service of the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform, and have the opportunity to ask questions, join the webinar on 25 March at 10:00 CET!

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Internship Vacancy: Project & Communications Assistant

By

Ready to train with the EU projects team of the largest independent network of regions in Europe?

We are looking for a motivated intern (STUDENTS ONLY) to join the Project Unit at the AER’s Brussels Office, under the supervision of our European Projects Coordinator. The placement would be for 6 months, starting as soon as possible.

Your main tasks will be:

  • Mapping calls for proposals and collecting information on funding (based on desk research and by attending relevant events/webinars and meetings at the European level).
  • Supporting the AER’s projects team in its partner searches and follow-ups with its members.
  • Contributing to the implementation of all activities related to ongoing projects, including financial elements.
  • Providing input and assistance in drafting documents for new project proposals.
  • Writing articles on funding, partner searches as well as on running projects and related activities.
  • Disseminating information about EU-wide projects and funding opportunities on the AER’s social media channels.
  • Supporting in the development of communication tools such as infographics, brochures etc.
  • Contributing to the organisation of events and webinars in the context of European projects.

This is who we are:

  • We are a team where everyone—including interns—is respected and treated equally
  • We are a committed group of professionals, with terrific people on board
  • We have a meaningful mission; helping people across Europe to work together is what drives us
  • We provide a place for personal and professional growth. Working with a diverse group of colleagues and collaborators in an array of different policy areas widens your horizons and gives you the chance to develop valuable skills
  • We use cloud-based team collaboration tools, which allow us to work efficiently, keep in close contact, and strengthen our community despite frequent travel and different locations

 This is the place for you if:

  • You want to gain concrete experience in the management of European projects
  • You want to build your knowledge of the different EU funded programmes
  • You have strong writing skills and an excellent command of both oral and written English
  • You have experience and interest in creating social media and web content
  • You are able to bring new ideas to help amplify our messages
  • You have well-developed IT, media and design skills e.g. Canva
  • You are self-motivated and interested in helping people work together to overcome challenges
  • You are able to perform tasks autonomously and take on responsibilities while organising your work with the rest of the team
  • You have a knack for multi-tasking and a solution-focused attitude
  • You are open-minded and would enjoy working in a multi-cultural, international and fast-paced working environment

The AER is happy to offer you the opportunity to:

  • Gain practical experience in the field of projects funded by European programmes
  • Gain experience using different communication tools and web channels
  • Be in contact with high-ranking politicians, project officers and partners across Europe and get inspired by them
  • Learn about regions and build your knowledge of contemporary issues in European politics and interregional cooperation
  • Work in a dynamic and multicultural environment
  • Develop your confidence and capacity to take personal responsibility and initiative
  • Gain invaluable experience in an international professional environment

You will be considered a full member of the team from day one.

Before applying, please keep in mind:

An internship contract must be signed by AER, the intern and a sending University/School/Institute.

The internship is intended for students who have to complete a compulsory internship and are therefore able to receive a scholarship through Erasmus+ or similar programmes. On top, you will receive a monthly financial contribution of EUR 150 by the AER during your internship period. Travel and living costs must be covered by the intern.

If you are a citizen of a non-EU country, you will have to make sure that you meet all the legal requirements (visa, residence permit, etc.) to stay in Brussels as specified by the Belgian Law for foreigners. Health insurance must be ensured during your stay.

Please keep in mind that we are following all COVID-19 measures so you may not be working in the office full-time.

How to apply?

If you are interested in joining us and making the AER your next professional experience, please send your CV and 1-page cover letter to [email protected], by June 20 midnight with the subject line “AER Projects & Communication Intern”.

Interviews are planned to take place on a rolling basis throughout June. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Food for Thought – why regional leadership is a key ingredient in Smart Food Innovation

By

Technology has brought many improvements to the lives of people across the globe. Life expectancy has been trending upward, and many diseases can now be successfully treated, contained, or even completely cured. A big part of this improvement is due to the advances made in the domain of food production and supply. However, recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have shown us that challenging times lay ahead and that we need to continue improving technology to rise to the challenge. But how can regions lead the way towards more sustainable food systems, while ensuring our citizens are not left behind?

The Innovation Show 2021 – How can we make food our most trusted ally?

On 3 March 2021, the AER and the Province of Gelderland in the Netherlands hosted a unique hybrid event on the opportunities presented by innovation in food value chains, and the key role of regions in driving innovation in the smart food field. ‘How Smart is Your Food?’ brought together local policymakers along with experts from academia and the private sector. Over the course of the morning, our panels discussed synergies between the work of local government and key stakeholders in smart food innovation, and where they can collaborate more closely to meet global goals in health, sustainability and climate. 

After a warm welcome to all the speakers by our host from Gelderland Province, Vivian Stribos, the event kicked-off with an opening statement from AER President, Magnus Berntsson, who underlined the enormous potential smart food innovation has to address global challenges, “a sustainable food value chain has a tremendous effect in terms of fighting and adapting to climate change, as well as in protecting everyone’s health and wellbeing.” Nevertheless, he also stresses it is not feasible to bring about change in such a key aspect of human life without collaboration with regions: “Regions have the power to act upon several levels of the food chain, such as in production, logistics, distribution and waste management. If we want to make our food system future-proof, we cannot do it alone – there must be collaboration.”

The Smart Food & Value Chain Dialogue – why innovation is an urgent matter

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing challenges in food production and supply. The virus has interrupted current practices at these levels of the food value chain due to the high infection rate that has crippled European regions over the last year. We invited Nelly Kalfs, mayor of the city of Lingewaard in the Dutch province of Gelderland, to give her views on how to overcome threats to people’s livelihoods posed by the coronavirus. In her contribution, Ms Kalfs underlined that “now [in the current sanitary crisis] is the right time to invest in food innovation. We have observed that the pandemic has accelerated innovation and that everyone is very energised and motivated to do so.” 

Smart Food and Sustainability – is there an appetite for innovation?

The growing global population has created an ever-growing demand for food, leading to unsustainable supply-chains that put the Earth’s habitats and ecosystems at risk. Moving towards more eco-friendly value chains is vital to protect our planet, but making these changes can be costly, especially for smaller producers.  How can we balance the need for more sustainable value chains, while at the same time protecting people’s livelihoods? Innovation in food systems – starting at local level – offers a way forward. 

During our talkshow on smart food and climate, speakers laid out their thoughts on the complex issue of eco-friendly innovation. Martin Scholten, Principal Advisor to Wageningen University’s Executive Board, stressed that “we all need a high-quality living environment, and we need a food system that is linked to it. Sustainable energy production and farming need to be integrated in this high-quality living environment.” However, he also stressed that a more tailored approach that recognises the needs of Europe’s regions is required, “regions are the living recipients of the transition. If we can go towards regional sourcing and regional marketing for agricultural products, we can set up solutions tailor-made for regions.” He also warned that regions need to be properly supported by the European Commission as they make this shift, “otherwise there will be no Green Deal transition.”

Paul Hospers, Project Leader in Energy Transition at NEXTGarden, was in agreement with Dr Scholten on the urgent need to diversify food value chains, starting at regional level, “Local control and local sourcing have to be prioritised because sometimes big global supply chains are vulnerable and it is good to have multiple sources.”

Victor Serrano, Director of the Institute of Agri-food Research and Development in the Spanish region of Murcia, rounded-up the conversation by stressing a crucial fact yet to be discussed by the other panelists: “a closer relationship between producers and consumers is required to foresee upcoming trends and enable farmers to align their production with the current demand.”

Smart Food Innovation – a cure for Europe’s health woes?

During the Innovation Show’s final panel, speakers discussed the opportunities and challenges of smart food technology in the health field. From monitoring our gut health, to improving food choice, smart food technology has obvious benefits when it comes to helping people lead healthier lives. Indeed, several AER regions are already fostering innovation in this area to help their citizens make better choices when it comes to food. But technology is not a panacea for Europe’s health problems, and brings with it potential risks, especially around costs for individuals and data protection. 

Thea van Kemenade, Director of Health at OnePlanet, believes that technology offers solutions to many problems in health, especially when it comes to making better choices: “we want to concentrate on enhancing food technology, because we strongly believe that consumers need to play a strong role in self-supporting their own health”. Maartje Poelman, Associate Professor of Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles at Wageningen University, stressed that any system change using technology, “cannot just be reserved for the wealthy few, it should be available for all layers of society. Inclusivity is at stake and it needs to be safeguarded.” This “system change” should start at local and regional level in our villages, towns and cities; working in collaboration with citizens “to improve food environments”. 

The value of locally-led innovation was something picked up by our final speaker, Irén Lejegren, Chair of the AER Task Force on Food and Councillor in the Swedish County of Örebro. Ms Lejegren set out how Örebro is a leader in sensory perception and gut health research; which in the long-term will help people make better food choices. She also noted that despite all the opportunities technology can bring, there are also inherent risks, especially when it comes to the use of AI technology and protecting people’s personal data. 

So while technology can certainly help us treat a number of Europe’s health issues, there are several potential side-effects to consider. Policymakers will therefore have to carefully weigh-up the obvious benefits of technology while at the same time ensuring that citizens’ rights are protected. 

Food for thought – a bottom-up approach to smart food innovation 

‘How Smart is Your Food?’ successfully illustrated the complexity but also the necessity of innovation in food value chains to address societal issues, such as unhealthy lifestyle choices and the ecological impact of irresponsible food sourcing and production. 

What is clear is that a bottom-up approach, led by regions as the links between stakeholders is the only way to nurture sustainable, inclusive innovation in the long-run. As AER Secretary General, Christian Spahr put it in his closing remarks, “a single size does not fit all. Regions are different both in terms of production and consumption. We need to form alliances between governments, private stakeholders and researchers to work together towards a common goal: a healthier and more sustainable future for all.” 

***

Regions and other stakeholders can find more information and learn about more opportunities by contacting or visiting the websites of:

Did you ask a question during our Q&A we didn’t get around to? Check out some more responses below!

  • How to support farmers in switching from growing tobacco?

This question is related to different strategies and policies aimed at reducing the consumption and production of tobacco, changing the incentives for farmers, protecting biodiversity and improving soil health
Detailed information related to producers and production of EU tobacco, legal bases and relevant committees is available here:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/plants-and-plant-products/plant-products/tobacco_en
Information on Sustainable agriculture in the CAP and the links with the Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the biodiversity strategy:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/sustainability/sustainable-cap_en
Information on the Mission area: Soil health and food:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/horizon-europe/missions-horizon-europe/soil-health-and-food_en

  • What are the actions and measures in place to reduce the use of penicillin?

The below resources provide reports, examples of projects and policies related to the reduction of the use of antibiotics
Report by European Medicine Agency on reduction of antibiotics in animals:
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/european-countries-increase-commitment-responsible-antibiotic-use-animals
The EIP AGRI Focus Groups have been working on a variety of topics including the use of antibiotics. The results of the EIP-AGRI Focus groups are published in this update: https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/sites/default/files/focus_groups_state_of_play_november_2020_update.pdf
Disseminating Innovative Solutions for Antibiotic Resistance Management: https://disarmproject.eu/ 

  • How can the use of nitrogen fixing trees help to fertilize the soil in Spain?

This topic is related to permaculture and practices that enable the interaction between ecosystems or different layers of the same ecosystem
Reduction of nitrogen fertilisation in the Region of Murcia through the application of native microorganisms that fix environmental nitrogen:
https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/reducci%C3%B3n-de-fertilizaci%C3%B3n-nitrogenada-en-la
Innovations for self-sustaining production systems: permaculture, bio-intensive vegetable garden and forest food (Agriculture self-sufficient):
https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/find-connect/projects/innovazioni-finalizzate-alla-creazione-di-sistemi
GO SETOS – Multifunctional borders for sustainable landscape and agriculture
An EIP-AGRI Operational Group working together to increase the implementation of multifunctional hedgerows that offer environmental benefits as well as climate mitigation and adaptation: https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/projects-practice/go-setos-multifunctional-borders-sustainable-landscape-and-agriculture_en

  • Can you give more information about Reko rings in Europe?

REKO is model for selling and buying local food directly from producers to consumers. Products are sold based on pre-orders made through closed Facebook rings:
https://www.interregeurope.eu/policylearning/good-practices/item/1355/reko-rings-local-food-groups/
Reko rings in Italy are GAS (Gruppi d’acquisto solidale): https://www.portalgas.it/cos-e-un-g-a-s-gruppo-d-acquisto-solidale

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

The Long Road to Recovery – working in Renewed Partnership with Regions

By

Europe’s local and regional authorities have been on the frontline of the pandemic; working tirelessly on the ground in villages, towns and cities across the continent to shield citizens from the worst impacts of the crisis.

Yet, as member states prepare their national plans to access funding from the EU’s Recovery & Resilience Facility (RRF), local and regional authorities have found themselves largely frozen out of discussions, or in some cases excluded entirely. With the April deadline for submitting the national plans looming, what can be done to make sure regions have their say in Europe’s post-pandemic future?

On the evening of Thursday 4 March, the AER and the Government of Catalonia brought together representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions (CoR) along with AER member regions to share experiences and ideas on what needs to be done to fully embed regional perspectives in the national recovery plans.

The Recovery & Resilience Facility – a bold new step together?

European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen has stressed that achieving Europe’s ambitious digital, economic and environmental agenda is only possible “if we all do it together”.

What became immediately apparent is that there is a lot more at stake with the RRF than the bloc’s immediate post-Covid recovery. As moderator and AER Vice President for Sustainability, Albert Castellanos, set out in his opening remarks, “the RRF represents fifty times the amount of the Marshall Plan, which is a measure of its importance for the development of regions over the next decade.” Only through cooperation between all levels of government is a sustainable, resilient and long-term recovery possible.

This is a view shared by the European Commission, who from the outset of the pandemic have emphasised the need for ‘European solidarity’ to pull the bloc out of the crisis. As President Ursula von der Leyen underlined in her speech announcing NextGenerationEU at the European Parliament plenary last May, a fragmented recovery benefits no one, “We either go it all alone; leaving countries, regions and people behind, and accepting a Union of haves and have-nots, or we walk that road together.”

Echoing the President during Thursday’s debate, Johannes Luebking, the Principal Advisor of the European Commission’s Recovery and Resilience Task Force reiterated the need for member states “to work together and in collaboration with local and regional authorities” to achieve the RRF’s objectives.

So, while there is clearly a need and staunch support at European level for regional input, how does this compare to the real experiences of regions in dialogue with their member states?

European Solidarity – room for improvement

What we have learned is that for local and regional authorities, when it comes to cooperation, national authorities are – to extend the metaphor – walking out of step. LRAs have struggled to have their input on recovery plans taken on board by national governments – or even heard at all. A worrying consultation with subnational governments across 19 EU member states released this January found that “only a few countries” have taken on input from local and regional authorities.

This experience was echoed in several contributions from AER and Committee of the Regions (CoR) Members during the debate. Robert Vugrin, Deputy Chair of Varaždin County said that collaboration between national and regional government on the RRF in Croatia has thus far been “more declarative than cooperative”. Similarly, Juanjo Martínez, Director General of the Representation of Murcia reported that “regions have not been properly involved in the preparation and design” of Spain’s national recovery plan. Even in cases like that of Lower Austria, where there have been efforts by the national government to take feedback on board, there is “room for improvement.”

Lack of input from regional authorities puts Europe’s recovery at risk. As Elisabet Nebreda, Catalonia’s Secretary General for Foreign Action and the EU put it, when it comes to achieving a truly European recovery “One size does not fit all.” Europe’s regions are diverse, and will have different needs when it comes to recovery, so national governments “must consider real recovery needs from a territorial perspective”. Chair of the Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Economy, Michael Murphy shared her concerns, emphasising that the implementation of the RRF cannot be successful “without a deep understanding of the problems on the ground.”

Representatives of local and regional authorities were not alone in sounding the alarm. In her contribution, MEP Rosa D’Amato from the European Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development said that regions have come up against “an unclear framework” for meetings with national governments, and in some cases been shut-out from discussions entirely.

This opaque consultation process is of such concern that Dragoș Pîslaru, the Parliament’s Rapporteur on the RRF announced that the Renew Group will put the question of how to fully involve local and regional authorities, social partners and civil stakeholders in national plans to the European Commission at European Parliament’s plenary on 8-11 March.

Ultimately, speakers concluded that a top-down approach, bereft of territorial perspectives will undermine the successful implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility – but it doesn’t have to be that way.

Walking the Road Together – working in renewed Partnership with Regions

Getting input from local and regional authorities is in everyone’s interest. Local and regional authorities bring valuable insights and experience from the ground that will make the national plans more robust and resilient; driving Europe’s recovery from the bottom-up.

Several speakers gave examples highlighting the added-value of regional expertise in implementing the RRF. Michael Rijsberman, Regional Minister of Flevoland Province pointed to the synergies between Cohesion Policy and the RRF, noting that “the policy objectives are much the same and the instruments could be used in the same way” by local and regional authorities to support SMEs, for example. Michael Murphy took a similar view, and emphasised that incorporating expertise and insights from the local level into the national plans can help anchor the recovery on the ground in both rural and urban areas, thereby “ensuring maximum impact and economic recovery”.

Europe’s recovery from the pandemic will only be successful if it is felt in every village, town and city across the continent. To make the recovery a reality, member states have to ‘walk the walk’ and show real solidarity with Europe’s regions, rural and urban. An ideal start would be for member states to set out a concrete, consultative framework for local and regional authorities to provide their input into the national recovery plans. If we are to walk the road to recovery together, this would represent a much needed first step in the right direction.

***

If you missed our webinar on Regions, Recovery & Resilience last last week – you can rewatch below. If you have questions or comments, please contact AER Communications & Events Officer, Justin Sammon at [email protected]

Follow AER!
Facebooktwitterlinkedinrss

Library

Statutory Documents
AER Strategies
Minutes
Media Kit
Activity Reports
Newsletters
European Regions Map

Join AER!

Become a Member

Job Opportunities

Sign up for our Newsletter

Search

Website map