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Youth Unemployment: New AER’s Peer Review at the Açores

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Ponta Delgada, Açores (P), 21 November 2011

This week the Autonomous Region of the Açores and its regional Directorate on Youth are hosting the Assembly of European Regions’ Peer Review on youth employment, organised in the framework of the twelve-month Promoting Youth Employment (PYE) project. The Açores is the second, out of 4 partner regions (Vojvodina-SRB, Krapina Zagorje-HR, Hampshire-UK) to hold a PYE peer review visit.

The latest data shows that youth unemployment rate in the European Union reaches 21,4%, its worst level since February 2010.“We are convinced that with political will we can do a lot to tackle youth unemployment at the regional level. The Açores count 36 184 young people with a total population of 246 102: we hope that our involvement in the PYE project will help us improve young people’s prospects on the labour market, as well as facilitate social dialogue about the importance of employment policies in the EU context.” said Eng. Bruno Pacheco, Regional Director for Youth of the Açores.

Investing in skills
According to Dr. Rui Bettencourt, Regional Director for Employment, Vocational Training and Consumer Protection of the Açores, improving the level of professional qualifications is the priority for the region: “Investing in vocational education and training is a must if we want to attract private investors and secure quality jobs for youth. The fact that 90% of the unemployed youth in the Açores succeed in finding a job in less than twelve months shows the efficiency of the professional training schemes already implemented in our region”.

In order to boost the job market and provide professional training to all, the Açores set up a range of activities, detailed in the regional Youth Employment Strategy, such as:
• Integrated Plan of Traineeships: paid traineeships for 17-30 year-olds who are unemployed or seeking a first work experience.
• Employment Cradle: subsidies for the unemployed youth replacing employees on maternity leave. The Programme is co-financed by the Regional Employment’s Fund.
• Social Labour Market: increasing the employability of people with disabilities (including youth) through subsidising work contracts and making technical adjustments to the work place.

Irrespective of these activities, the region recognises an urgent need to better anticipate and match skills gained through professional training and higher education, with the labour market needs as well as to reduce the alarming number of early school droop-outs.

In order to help the Açores address these challenges, the team of international experts will be interviewing this week a range of regional stakeholders, representatives from the educational institutions and young people participating in regional employment programmes.

Moreover, in order to come up with very concrete policy recommendations, our experts will go on field visits to the Hospitality and Tourism School, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada, the Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of the Açores and the Employment Cradle project premises, to mention but a few.

 

       

 

Background:
Gathering four European regions and the Assembly of European Regions (AER) as a lead partner, Promoting Youth Employment (PYE) is a one-year project funded by the European Union, aiming at improving regional policies and strategies related to youth employment by the exchange of good practices and tailor-made lists of recommendations. Two more peer review visits will have been organised by the 23rd of May 2012, when the closing conference will be held in Brussels. This event will be the opportunity to present the concrete project outputs: Four Regional Action Plans for regional and local governments.

For more information: [email protected]

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European Clusters and Regions for Eco-Innovation Network Plus

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In Krakow, eco-tourism goes hand in hand with eco-innovation

Krakow, Malopolska (PL), 9 November 2011

How can eco-tourism contribute to an innovative regional development strategy? This question was at the heart of a conference held in Krakow, Malopolska region (PL), attended by around 100 participants.

Thanks to many examples of regional good practices, the experts agreed on key findings and recommendations:
• Making tourism sustainable involves the use of different territorial resources and potential as well as the adoption of a transversal approach to tourism.
• Learning and education are the main aspects of a successful eco-tourism strategy.
• To contribute to the greening of tourism stakeholders’ and visitors’ behaviour, it is crucial to establish partnerships with all related actors, in particular Small and Medium Enterprises, by assessing and improving their level of awareness regarding the environmental impact of their activities.
• Eco-innovation can help minimising the visitor-induced impact on tourism facilities and Information and Communication Technologies can allow for an efficient and innovative communication strategy.

This event was the 2nd dissemination conference of the INTERREG IVC project ECREIN+ (European Clusters and Regions for Eco-Innovation Network Plus), which aims to explore how regions can create and implement effective policies to support eco-innovation and green business in their territories. The project started in January 2010 and will end in December 2012.

The 12 ECREIN+ partners are: Rhône-Alpes (F-Lead Partner), Andalucía (E), Baden-Württemberg (D), Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (UK), Galicia (E), Île-de-France (F), Lombardia (I), Malopolska (PL), Stara Zagora (BG), Uppsala (S), the Romanian Association of Municipalities (RO) and the Assembly of European Regions.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER Youth Regional Network is going East!

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Publication of the YRN Declaration on youth mobility in wider Europe 

Wroclaw, Lower Silesia (PL), 28th October 2011 

The Polish region of Lower Silesia was host for today’s high-level seminar on Eastern Partnership, one of the main priorities of the European Polish Presidency. Organised by the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and its Youth Regional Network (YRN), the event aimed at showcasing inclusive youth mobility programmes in regions spanning the Eastern Partnership and the other European countries.

Włodzimierz Chibosz, Member of the Lower Silesia Regional Board, reiterated that the region “is pleased to host members of the AER Youth Regional Network (YRN) for the second time. The  Eastern Partnership brings a positive added value to relations between the EU as well as Eastern Europe and the Caucasus countries. Only a gradual and progressive cooperation will enable these societies to become a full-fledged and integrated part of the EU in the future. He stressed that “there are no doubts the cooperation within the Assembly of European Regions has helped to fulfill this goal.”

Regional, European and educational representatives presented their good practices in interregional and academic exchanges as well as financial tools provided by the European Commission in the Eastern dimension:

Piotr Borys, Member of the European Parliament, welcomed young participants from the EU and EaP countries by answering a crucial question: why is the EU heading East? “Our today’s discussion about Eastern Partnership is not coincidental. It means over 70 million citizens, which corresponds to nearly 20% of EU population. The ongoing activities by the EU to achieve a greater integration with Eastern Europe stem from the strong will to share our good practices, with our Eastern neighbours, to which we allocated nearly 2 billion euros.'”

“All young Europeans have the right to be informed about the opportunities stemming from the Eastern Partnership initiative.” said Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli, President of AER Committee on Culture, Education, Youth and International Cooperation. “Our duty as politicians, is to ensure that they are aware of these opportunities, that they make use of these chances and that their efforts to exchange experiences with the other side of Europe, are not hampered by bureaucracy or lack of information”, she concluded.

“In 2012 the European Commission”s Youth in Action program will receive 31,5 million Euros  to finance exchanges with Eastern Europe and the Caucasus (EEAC) countries. This is an unprecedented amount of money, which will be allocated from the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument (ENPI)” said Ms Maria Podlasek from the European Commission’s DG on Culture and Education. The increase is a response to interest of young Europeans in establishing more contacts with this part of Europe: 27.630 young people participated in the projects in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus (EEAC) countries financed through the European Commission’s Youth in Action programme between 2007 and 2010.

All these aspects were highlighted in the Wroclaw Declaration adopted by YRN members during their Plenary session, where they pledged to “increase awareness about and accessibility to existing youth mobility opportunities in wider Europe  for all young people, including disadvantaged youth.”

For more information: [email protected]

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PRESERVE final conference: Regions showcase their tourism best practices

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Siena, Toscana (I), 20th October 2011

Over the last three years, PRESERVE promoted the improvement of regional tourism policies, especially cultural and natural heritage. Having the Assembly of European Regions (AER) as the lead partner, this INTERREG IVC project allowed 13 partners, coming from 11 different territories in Europe, to exchange experiences, improve capacities and knowledge, identify and share best practices to improve local and regional tourism strategies.

“Tourism plays a crucial role in our regions: 9,7 million European citizens depend from the jobs and services if creates. PRESERVE is a symbol of what can be achieved thanks to interregional cooperation and to the tremendous diversity of our landscapes, monuments and traditions”. underlined Michèle Sabban, AER President.

Today, in the region of Toscana (I), Eurobic organised the PRESERVE closing conference in cooperation with AER, and presented the final results of the project. The “Preserve Best Practices” publication, a sample of successful examples of sustainable tourism projects, was unveiled at this occasion.

Some concrete examples, among the 24 best practices

From the region of Carinthia (A), the project “Nature Experience Carinthia”: the main success of this project was to foster a strong and innovative partnership between a wide range of different tourism stakeholders, including public and private actors, which allowed for an improved cooperation and led to a comprehensive and integrated strategy for sustainable tourism.

An example of best practice from Tuscany is the project “Ospiti di valore”, thanks to which the Province of Siena has succeeded in creating a network of tourist organisations, joined in a common respect for the values of the Terre di Siena, and raising the awareness of tourists and citizens of the need to protect the environment and the cultural heritage and identities that characterise this territory in the landscape, the art and the harmonious living.

What the partners said:

“Eurobic Toscana Sud participated in the project as a representative for the Tuscan territory, which is at the forefront of sustainable tourism practices” explained Massimo Umiliati, President of Eurobic. “Besides the peculiarities of each territory, what the project showed is how tourism, in Europe, is connected to economic development. Each European district represents one of the most beautiful territories of the world. This is the reason why it is so important to work for tourism sustainable development: territories should be valorised without perverting their nature”

“Tuscany Region is delighted to participate in this event, also to get new ideas and inputs from the results of the activities of PRESERVE” stated the Regional Minister for Tourism, Cristina Scaletti. “Since 2009 we’ve been working on the project “Sustainable and competitive touristic Tuscany”, which seeks to combine growth and sustainability. We believe that it is necessary to work for a regeneration of our touristic products, to be offered under the brand Tuscany. This evolution has to be based on the responsible use of resources, the enhancement of the identity heritage, the harmony between tourists and residents and the quality of work. The Region is following this path. For example, at the European level, Tuscany is one of the founders of the European network NECSTouR, and holds its presidency. Within this association, a lively exchange is active both among the participants and with the European and international institutions. It seems to me that there really is a great similarity between the targets and the actions of PRESERVE and those of NECSTouR” she concluded.

“Sustainability and excellence are employed, and not from today, as guiding elements for the local policies and the actions of the Province of Siena, on all fronts. They also qualify our touristic offer and reward us in the global competition. The attention that we pay, at all levels, to a land so beautiful and so fragile, like ours, represents, therefore, a great added value for the tourist of today, more and more aware, alert and sensitive to these issues.” stated the Provincial Councillor, Anna Maria Betti.

For more information: [email protected]

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MORE4NRG final conference: It is time for results!

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Almere, Flevoland (NL), 10th June 2011

For the last three years, MORE4NRG project has helped 11 European regions develop strategies that explore their energy potentials and improve their energy efficiency more effectively. The Assembly of European Regions (AER), as a project partner, contributed to the success of this initiative with its unique peer review methodology.

First step – Peer reviews: making assessment of regional energy policies

In the framework of the project, the energy policies of five regions including Maramures (RO), Western Greece (GR), Gabrovo (BG) and Prahova (RO) in 2009, as well as Abruzzo (I) in 2010, were reviewed by their counterparts through a series of tailored peer reviews, conducted under AER coordination.

“The outcomes of these audits are more than satisfying”; said Anne BLIEK, Chair of the MORE4NRG Monitoring Board and Deputy Queen’s Commissioner of the province of Flevoland (NL), adding that “ AER’s Peer Reviews undoubtedly played a key role in the project’s success. They allowed us to share our knowledge and to learn from each other. The regions that hosted peer reviews were offered the unique opportunity to identify their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to developing innovative energy policies. Our project has triggered a major change in their energy policy making, and I am happy to see how fast their energy landscapes are being transformed”.

Some concrete examples confirm this statement: Maramures is currently exploring the possibility of using satellite technologies in the field of biomass-based energy, Gabrovo has integrated a special chapter on energy efficiency into its regional development strategy while Prahova is preparing its regional energy action plan.

Second step – Exchange of good regional practice: the wheel does not have to be reinvented all the time

The project also highlights the regional diversity and creativity in tackling a huge variety of environmental challenges. More4nrg led to the identification of 33 good practices, with10 of them already in the transfer process. One of the most innovative examples originates from Västernorrland (S): the region has set up a snow storage system that helps cool down the local hospital during the summer period. As a result of this project, the electricity consumption has dropped from 450 MWh to 40 MWh.
The “Soap on tap” initiative, implemented by the Italian region of Lazio, encourages reductions in the use of packaging, and subsequently optimizes energy consumption linked to the production of paper, thanks to reusable washing detergent containers installed in the large-scale retail trade. The project is currently being implemented in the province of Flevoland. The Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency in Western Greece created the Park of Energy Awareness. The aim is to offer citizens a chance to discover various forms of alternative energy sources and learn more about technologies used to produce clean energy. A similar Park should be created in Prahova, Maramures and Gabrovo to fill a gap in the ecological education system by providing concrete demonstrates that make it more practical.

More4nrg partners expect to continue their successful cooperation with a new INTERREG IVC project Regions4greengrowth, which will focus on energy investment opportunities and be subjected to the European Commission approval.

For more information: [email protected]

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Boosting Entrepreneurship and Innovation…AER breaks new ground

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Østfold (N), 25 March 2011 

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) strongly believes in the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation as key factors for future European knowledge economies and a stepping-stone to emerge out of the current economic and financial recession. AER organised a debate, attended by more than 100 participants, where entrepreneurship and innovation were elaborated along a series of broader concepts highly relevant to regions:

Success factors for regional development

The partners of the INTERREG IVC ENTREDI project (Entrepreneurial diversity) presented the methodologies and tools they developed in a view to identify regional initiatives that foster entrepreneurship and the success factors for a regional development strategy.
The new AER working group on entrepreneurship and innovation will use the ENTREDI approach, including the so called 4+1 model for entrepreneurship support and will identify regional gaps by using a SWOT analysis for every region.

Energy and climate change

Green growth is a buzzword of our days and one of the major objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy. How can we help emerge and support innovative and environmentally responsible entrepreneurs? How can we transform an industrial crisis into a dynamic opportunity for new “greener” sectors? These are the very concrete issues that participants discussed.

Rural development

Economic activity is important to maintain viable rural communities, and not only farms play a role but also the development of industries that built up on the assets of rural territories. To make rural regions more entrepreneurial, new concepts were introduced such as “The Agricultural College as competence centre”, a project held by Hvam Upper Secondary School in Østfold.

The culture of entrepreneurship through education

“In order to foster an entrepreneurial culture, to encourage innovative business start-ups and the growth of SMEs, Europe needs to stimulate entrepreneurial mindsets of young people.” stated Orhan Albrayak, Chairman of AER’s new working group ‘Entrepreneurship and Innovation’ and Vice-President of Istanbul Provincial Council (TR).

Concluding the conference, Håkan Sandgren, President of the AER Committee on ‘Economy and Regional development’ and County Councillor of Jönköping (S), stated: “Regional actors know: small firms depend on entrepreneurs – innovative individuals who have the ideas and are willing to take the risks to get a firm off the ground.”

Link to ENTREDI can be found here.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER Most Youth Friendly European Region Award 2011: REGISTER NOW!

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Strasbourg (F), 23 March 2011

The 6th edition of the Most Youth Friendly European Region Award is open.

2011 award dedicated to the inclusion of youth with disabilities

This year’s edition will focus on an important subject: the inclusion of young people with disabilities. Chosen by the members of AER’s Youth Regional Network (YRN), and providing a synergy between the priorities of the YRN Committee on Healthcare and Social affairs and AER’s Committee on Social policy and Public health, this year’s theme will look at three components of social inclusion: education, employment and civic engagement.

In order to win the prize, candidate regions will have to show how their policies help youth with disabilities in the education system and prevent school drop-out, how they accompany them onto the labour market and make sure they remain in employment and how they involve young people with disabilities in regional debates and in the regional decision-making processes.

Launched in 2001 with the objective of reinforcing the integration of young people in society, the biennial Most Youth Friendly European Region Award (MYFER) is the only AER award rewarding youth initiatives. Open to all European regions, this award offers them a lot of opportunities and remains one of the best ways to get their projects recognised on the European stage.

Further involvement of the YRN to celebrate MYFER’s 10 years

For the first time, this edition will see young people themselves pre-select candidates whose policies and projects will then be put to the test of an international jury.
AER is looking to reward a region with an integrated and wide-ranging policy in the field inclusion of youth with disabilities. However, in order to support regions which have put into place one or a few interesting projects and are willing to design a comprehensive policy in this field in the near future, AER will award a “Special Prize” to encourage their efforts.

The winning regions will be presented on the occasion of AER’s next General Assembly to be held in Açores (P), from 24 to 25 November.

The deadline for submitting applications is 15 July 2011.

For more information: [email protected]

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The Regional Innovation Award 2011: Be the next winners!

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Strasbourg (F), 22nd February 2011. 

The application forms for the 2011 edition of the Regional Innovation Award has just opened, hereby marking the launch of a 6th year of interregional competition for innovation.

Contribute to a better visibility of regional innovation initiatives 

Besides the fact that the AER award offers the possibility to obtain investment opportunities, it also allows the regions to promote their territory on the European scene.

“Winning the AER Regional Innovation Award did not only increase our visibility amongst other European regions but contributed to ongoing support for the prized project in the region” says Eugeniusz Romanski of the Silesian Centre for Information, Slaskie (PL), one of the 2009 winner. ”We are now sharing the benefits of the project with our colleagues from other departments and regions to promote it on regional and even national level” he added.

As for the 2010 edition, the results obtained are more than encouraging: the region of Tampere (FIN), which was one of the three winners along with the regions of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (D) and Uppsala (S), largely go prove this. Its project « Demola », launched in 2008, aims to provide students with the possibility to develop prototypes of products and services based on concepts designed by companies. A gamble that paid off, as it created 25 new jobs, promoted the establishment of 3 companies and allowed 95% of the final projects to obtain a licence.

A 2011 edition with some novelties

Delivered each year on the occasion of the General Assembly of the AER, this year’s edition of the Regional Innovation Award distinguishes itself from those previous ones in that only the AER’s members are allowed to compete. And, as innovation is not only a question of Research and Development but concerns all fields in which the different committees of the AER are working, applications from the members of the “Social Policy and Public Health” Committee (2) and of the “Culture, Education, Youth and International Cooperation” Committee (3) are strongly encouraged, alongside those of the “Economy and Regional Development” Committee (1).

The deadline for submitting your application is 1 June 2011.

About the Regional Innovation Award

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Vojvodina in pole position to drive energy sustainability in the Balkans

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Novi Sad, Vojvodina (SRB), 9th February 2011

Yesterday the Assembly of European Regions’ peer review team presented a series of recommendations on how to improve the energy policy of the province of Vojvodina. Based on the observations made during an October 2010 audit, the report identifies the major strengths and challenges for the development of a green economy in the region.

“We are fully aware of the importance of improving energy efficiency and developing alternative energy sources in our region. Our goal is to take the lead in green energy investment and join the elite group of territories that already use new sources of energy at the maximum levels” stated Ms. Branislava Belic, vice-president of the Vojvodina Assembly. “The numbers are emblematic: as of today, the energy sector represents 25% of the national GDP. Therefore a lot is at stake. Clean environmental projects might generate hundreds of new jobs and will allow the region to regain its economic vitality. We expect new entrepreneurs to flock to our region for new business and growth opportunities” she concluded.

In addition to high-level absorption of European funds and impressive energy expertise among local stakeholders, the peer review report underlines numerous state-of-the-art practices that already exist in the region and set an example for those who might still be reluctant about new energy solutions. Vojvodina also represents an enormous potential for producing energy from abundant local renewable resources such as wind, solar power, biogas, biomass and hydropower.

For the success of a sustainable energy policy, two factors must be present: incentives for individuals and companies to invest in energy efficiency, green energy and promotion of local success stories. The creation of a first sustainable community in the municipality of Temerin might trigger new trends and encourage the other cities to adapt equally high environmental standards. The close cooperation with the chamber of commerce of Novi Sad, private companies and universities, as well as the abolishment of barriers that prevent the development of a mature energy market should also be one of the foremost priorities of the region.

The report also provides advice on how to provoke behavioural changes in consumption patterns, encourage energy-oriented spatial planning, communicate on energy in a friendly manner and provide training to all relevant stakeholders.“The region of Vojvodina has all potentials to implement the recommendations of the peer review team. Now it is up to the province to start the implementation with concrete activities. My agency would be delighted to continue the cooperation we established during the peer review” said Ulrich Klammsteiner from the Bolzano KlimaHaus agency (I).

AER review team: Martina Dematio (I) and Ulrich Klammsteiner (I) – KlimaHaus Agentur, Florin Andronescu (RO) – Alba Local Energy Agency, Catalin Csaszar (RO) – AE3R Energy agency

Co-funded by the Central European Initiative, through the Know-How Exchange Program (KEP). Its objective is to support the transfer of best practice and transformation experience from the EU to the non-EU countries so as to avoid new division lines in Europe.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER 2010 Awards for the regional best practices in the fields of ‘Communicating Europe’ and ‘Innovation’ go to…

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The best Communicating Europe Region 2010

Istanbul (TR), 12 November 2010.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) awarded this year the French Region of Rhône-Alpes for its project “Support and information campaign for project holders in Rhône-Alpes”. Aimed at communicating in a creative and different way the European Funds, the project was mainly addressed to projects holders and to media. Thanks to this massive communication on a rather technical and operational matter, Rhône-Alpes succeeded in bringing Europe closer to its citizens, making it more accessible and tangible. Moreover, the project resulted in a better use of EU funds in the region, as further projects were presented afterwards.
Through a series of twelve workshops, the creation of a dedicated webpage, the publication of a European projects’ handbook and even an own graphic chart, the project also succeeded in creating a sustainable network of project holders in the region.

This year, the jury also awarded Vrancea County (RO) with a Special Mention for the project “Your identity – a chance for equal rights”. As the situation of some Roma citizens lacking ID papers or birth certificates precludes all chances of their social inclusion and integration, Vrancea initiated a dialogue with representatives of Roma community in the region in order to find viable solutions. After a first round of awareness rising actions on the importance of being legalised, 1113 Roma citizens were legalised. The project truly represents a best example in communicating the values of a social and inclusive Europe for all its citizens.

AER rewards Innovative projects in three categories: Technology, Economy and People

This year, the winner in the category “Technology” is the German Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The project “Entrepreneurial Technology Transfer” has the ambitious aim to identify the potential in the region and encourage people to start up their own business. “This project illustrates three important success factors for innovation projects: it is sustainable, it adopts a holistic approach and it is based on a public private partnership”, jury member Dr. Joachim Hafkesbrink, President of Technology Transfer and Innovation, commented. The result is impressive: more than 468 innovative technologies were analysed and 204 ideas with patent potential have been developed.

The Swedish Region Uppsala presented the “SUF-Resource Centre” which was rewarded in the category “Economy”; the project aims at reducing the marginalisation of families, where parents have intellectual disabilities. The objective is to improve their situations and reduce isolation, and to build bridges between many different parts of the governance structure at local and regional level. Dr. Peter Heydebreck, Managing Director of Inno AG, one of the jury members, noted: “I am particularly fond of this initiative which is an excellent example of social innovation with a huge impact on economic welfare.”

In the category “People”, the jury was most convinced by the “Demola” project of the Finnish Region of Tampere. The Council of Tampere provides a collaborative and multidisciplinary innovation environment to students and companies. Students create demonstrations of novel service and product concepts originating from companies. The project has reached some remarkable results: more than 400 students in projects, 71 projects completed and 17 more in progree, 95% of the results are licenced by project partners, 3 new companies to be established.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER report: the state of regionalism in Europe

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Since the creation of the AER in 1985, Europe has achieved significant advances along the path of regionalisation. This trend has obviously been due to the efforts of our members, who for 25 years have been militating for greater recognition of the key role played by the Regions in the construction of Europe, and specifically in its ownership at political and citizen level. Incidentally, over this period, most European countries have experienced decentralisation, to a greater or lesser degree depending on each one’s constitutional and political traditions. The Lisbon Treaty has taken these trends into account. The rise of the regional layer in multi-level governance is now widely recognised, even if only via the right granted to the Committee of the Regions to appeal direct to the Court of Justice of the European Communities in the event of any violation of the principle of subsidiarity. This shows that the principle of local autonomy has certainly been strengthened, but also fully institutionalised following the highly uncertain phase of European construction that culminated in the signature of the Lisbon Treaty.

But this does not mean that the dynamic of regionalisation and decentralisation has been completed or even that it has become widespread. The most recent European legislative elections gave us a reminder that politically, Europe remains both uncertain and perfectible. There is no doubt that in that respect, multi-level governance needs to make a fresh qualitative leap in the years ahead in order to bridge the gulf that has opened between the institutional life of the Union and that of its citizens. The budgetary period currently starting must enable us to achieve the objective of territorial cohesion laid down by the Lisbon Treaty.

It is the objective of better grasping the Regions’ new framework of action that is driving the AER to organise a conference in December that will bring together institutions from the EU, member regions and States, primarily for the sake of exploring a better use of the structural funds. In other areas – be it the fight against climate change or the economic recovery – we must continue to use the exchange of good practices and the development of local solutions to press on towards our common goal of a Europe which is sustainable and geared to its citizens.

 

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MORE4NRG, Regions are boosting green growth: The examples of Prahova and Gabrovo

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Brussels (B), 26 March 2010

A MORE4NRG workshop was organised today in relation to the Sustainable Energy Week – an initiative from the European Commission that aims to highlight best regional practices in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

“Bringing together 11 partner regions* from all over Europe as well as the Assembly of European Regions (AER), the MORE4NRG project aims to develop sustainable energy solutions while highlighting the importance of regional action in this area. Regions certainly play a crucial role in the exchange of good practices in the field of energy, and through their know-how they contribute to boosting green growth not only at the local but also national and European levels”, said Anne Bliek, Chair of the MORE4NRG Monitoring Board and deputy Queen’s Commissioner in the province of Flevoland (NL).

The objective of the seminar was to highlight the results of the peer reviews conducted in the regions of Prahova (RO) and Gabrovo (BG). Recommendations from these audits must be now imperatively analysed by the authorities of the two regions and translated into appropriate action plans.
In order to improve energy efficiency within its territory, the region must first assess the consumption of energy in different public and private utilities such as factories, services and public buildings. The energy audit should serve as a departing point for any new reliable and effective regional energy strategy. Once the energy audit is done, appropriate energy efficiency measures should be quickly implemented where important energy profits can be released at relatively low price.

Conclusions of the Prahova energy audit

  • Putting in place measures to support the use of sustainable energy sources such as green certificates or preferential tariffs.
  • Establishment of public-private partnerships (PPP) in the area of research and innovation
  • Evaluation of the regional potential to produce geothermal energy. The region extracts significant quantities of fossil fuels such as coal: it would be wise to use the existing drilling sites to capture the heat of the earth, which is an abundant source of non-pollutant energy.
  • Increasing use of the European funds to support green economies, such as INTERREG, 7th Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7) or ELENA (new financial instrument established jointly by the European Commission and European Investment Bank).

Conclusions of the Gabrovo energy audit:

  •  Within the enterprises, it is very important to make sure that the leaders are well informed so that they can teach the employees everything regarding the defence of energy efficiency.
  • Promote the establishment of PPPs in order to foster the implementation of renewable energy sources and energy services in public premises.
  • Create a local energy agency as a link among all relevant stakeholders and to support the implementation of the regional energy policy.
  • Implementing a mechanism to benefit the joint use of local and foreign capital, obtaining a multiplication effect (WGr).

AER is a network that allows its members to share their experiences and best practices. Following these purposes, this seminar has served as an opportunity to strengthen the main role of the regions for the establishment of a well performed energy policy in Europe. Today, with the current Europe 2020 strategy, it is particularly important for regions to play their role as main actors in order to successfully implement the European policies.

* Flevoland (NL) – lead partner, Abruzzo (I), Gabrovo (BG), Lazio (I), Maramures (RO), Noord-Brabant (NL), Norrbotten (S), Patras Science Park (GR), Prahova (RO), Valencia (E) and Västernorrland (S).

Note: next peer reviews will take place in the regions of Abruzzo (I) and Western Greece (GR) in June 2010.


MORE4NRG is an INTERREG IVC project to strengthen the delivery of regional strategies for renewable energy sources and energy efficiency by exchanging best practices on sustainable energy policies and jointly developing an integrated monitoring tool for measuring the effect of regional sustainable energy strategies. www.more4nrg.eu

For more information: [email protected]

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How to foster sustainable tourism in the regions: Regions work concretely together in PRESERVE

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Alba (RO), 17 March 2010.

Today, almost 200 delegates gathered in Alba County (RO) to discuss tourism in the regions and the role played by the sector in Europe’s economic and social development. Tourism is an essential element in regional economies: it represents 4% of the European Union GDP and 12% of European workforce, and counts two millions companies. With the recession, tourism habits are changing and tourism needs to adapt to this new environment.

In this context, it is therefore even more important for tourism to remain sustainable. This is why the Assembly of European Regions (AER), together with 13 partner regions, launched the Peer REviews for Sustainable Eco-Regions Via Europe, the so-called PRESERVE project, under INTERREG IVC. Through this project, regional policymakers are able to develop a work plan to apply recommendations and improve their cultural heritage and landscape policies by using common evaluation methodologies, exchange of best practice and audits from other regional experts (Peer Reviews).

After one and a half year of activity, the time has come to take stock of the two first PRESERVE peer reviews which took place in 2009, in Örebro in Sweden and in Banska Bystrica in Slovakia. Members of the Preserve Steering Committee discussed the lessons learned and gave directions on how to optimise the project. The first conclusion was the fact that these peer reviews are clearly beneficial and instructive for both sides, they are truly a win-win exchange between interviewees and peers. Participants also highlighted the importance of an excellent advance preparation. Agnes Frank, Project Manager for territorial cooperation of the Land Steiermark (A), noticed that: “A big part of the work needs to be done much in advance, and the host regions have to express their expectations to the peers. Furthermore, peer reviews should target both the public and private sectors in order to get a global vision of the region’s needs and potential.” she concluded.

The participants unanimously agreed on the usefulness of this project which allows in depth exchanges of experiences and good practices. Four PRESERVE peer reviews will be organised this year, in Eszak Alföld (Hungary), Avila (Spain), Kärnten (Austria) and Sterea Ellada (Greece).

“Our County, Alba, looks forward to taking part in this peer review exercise. Alba will work together with the partner regions, and we are certainly going to learn much from each other. I am convinced that all participants at today’s conference in my region will go home with some new ideas and tools on how to develop their tourism in order to make it even more sustainable, for the benefit of our citizens.” stated Ion Dumitrel, President of Alba County Council.

Background
PRESERVE is part of INTERREG IVC instrument – With AER as lead partner, 13 partner regions from 11 countries are working together over 3 years to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies, specifically focusing upon cultural heritage and landscape policies as key factors in economic development.
Partners: AER (lead), Abruzzo (I), Alba (RO), Alytus (LT), Avila (E), Banska Bystrica (SK), Kärnten (A), Észak-Alföld (H), Fyn (DK), Jönköping (S), Örebro (S), Strerea Ellada (GR), Steiermark (A), Toscana (I).

For more information: [email protected]

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European Regions Prepare Roadmap for Demographic Change

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AER: Tackling the demographic challenges of the future requires social innovation and a common policy approach now

s-Hertogenbosch, Noord-Brabant (NL), 5 October 2009

As the mounting challenges posed by demographic change loom large on the European horizon, an Assembly of European Regions (AER) conference held yesterday in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Noord-Brabant (NL), has developed a roadmap to address those challenges and to exploit the opportunities they offer.

“Demographic challenges are not simply about dealing with the effects of an ageing European population,” said Constantin Ostaficiuc, president of AER Committee 2 (Social Policy and Public Health) and president of the Timis region (RO). “Demographic change varies greatly across the regions of Europe and cuts across numerous policy areas at all levels of government. But tackling the various demographic issues of the future requires a common policy approach now, and that approach should make best use of our regions’ knowledge, innovations and good practices.”

According to AER’s roadmap for demographic change, developed during the conference by regional politicians and officers from across Europe, that common approach will ensure that all people can participate in society, irrespective of age and mobility. It will build bridges between generations, ethnic communities and policy sectors. And it will encourage social innovation and new products that cater for the housing, transport, leisure and health needs of future populations.

“Demographic change is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity. We have learned a lot about technological developments and Noord-Brabant is a true hub for innovation.  But we have to acknowledge that there are differences between our member regions, as well as between men and women. We need to cooperate with many actors, such as civil society, the business sector or universities. Demographic change cannot be an obstacle to our obligation as regional politicians to cater for our citizens’ individual needs,” noted Christina Wahrolin, vice-president of AER Committee 2 and county councillor in the region of Värmland (S).

AER conference participants agreed to seek European Union funding to support interregional cooperation between the regions and with other stakeholders, with a particular focus on exchanging ideas and good practices in social innovation.

Some regions are already developing innovative projects that could be adapted to other territories and populations. The conference heard presentations, for example, from the host region Noord-Brabant about the “Smart Care” project, which uses ICT as a healthcare tool, along with the “Smart Home” concept, which integrates technology and services through home networking for a better quality of living. The “Innovations 4 Welfare” (Interreg IVC) project, on the other hand, uses the inventiveness and development power of regional SMEs to create new solutions for the ageing population.

Brigite van Haaften, vice governor of the Province of Noord-Brabant, explained: “Of course, demographic challenges differ between European regions. However, I believe that the heart of the discussion is about ‘living together’ and the quality of our society. That is something that all regions share with one another and something that we are all going to have to work hard on. So there must be a great number of best practices that we can share with one another and initiatives that we can take together.”

For more information: [email protected]

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AER seminar on youth entrepreneurship: Regions Supporting Innovative Business and Social Profit

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Sarajevo (BiH), 29 September 2009

As Europe faces the global effects of climate change and economic recession, its regions came together yesterday and today to invest in the best resource available to tackle these challenges: Europe’s young people.

In this European Year of Creativity and Innovation, an Assembly of European Regions (AER) seminar on youth entrepreneurship gathered regional politicians and experts from across wider Europe to develop “creative ideas for innovative business and social profit”.

The seminar was hosted by the Sarajevo canton of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a territory with around 50% youth employment and hence enormous potential for developing youth entrepreneurship schemes.

In exploring the various forms of youth entrepreneurship, the seminar focused on stimulating small business start-ups by offering young people information, training, networking, and financing opportunities.

The seminar also identified regional good practices that have turned young people’s innovative ideas into reality and encouraged their active contribution to change and development in their regions.

President of AER Committee 3 (Culture, Education and Youth), Lower Austria minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner, said that the seminar “comes at an opportune time considering the global economic situation and its negative effects on the labour market, especially among young people. Offering a specific education in entrepreneurship can give young people a better chance of making the transition from education to employment, and their creativity and energy can foster social stability in dealing with the long-term consequences of the economic crisis.”

For more information: [email protected]

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