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Welcome to our projects section. AER was involved in the "Regions4GreenGrowth" project. The articles below are related to sustainable energy.

2019 AER Summer Academy – Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS)

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On the occasion of its hosting of the 2019 European Youth Capital, the AER Summer Academy will take place in Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS) from 1-5 July 2019. This year’s theme is “Youth is future, youth is Europe” in the wake of the 2019 Elections to the European Parliament.

The Future of Europe is YOUth!

Watch the promo video below or on our Facebook page

 

 

REGISTRATIONS CLOSED!

Local and regional authorities play a unique articulatory role between citizens and EU institutions. In the context of ongoing discussions on the Future of Europe, regions’ voices are of paramount importance not only to pave the way forward for the EU but also to ensure that citizens are included in the (re)construction process of a more sustainable, social, prosperous and democratic Europe. The only direction to go in is one in which young people are included in EU decision making and at the centre of its policies.

Hence, the participating regions at the 2019 Summer Academy will show off, by exchanging innovative ideas and good practices in various fields, the potential of young people to bring about a social transformation and rethink the way Europe can meet the challenges of the future.

The 2019 Summer Academy will then provide a hub for mutual learning on various topics of great relevance for young people –in line with the European Youth Event Report 2018 – Speak up Europe!:

  • Youth is democratic participation and European citizenship.
  • Youth is diversity and equal opportunities for all.
  • Youth is social entrepreneurship and sharing economy.
  • Youth is a driving force for green development.

Last but not least, the 2019 Summer Academy programme is offering participants an exciting opportunity to visit on 4 July one of the top European and world music festivals: EXIT music festival!

General Programme

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Jönköping's approach to youth participation

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Jönköping’s approach to youth participation

"How to encourage active participation among first-time voters at the local level in the European election?" Coinciding with the 2019 ...
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SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Brussels-Capital Region and its commitment to youth entrepreneurship

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Brussels-Capital Region and its commitment to youth entrepreneurship

Written by Juan Antonio Gallardo Roca, Brussels International. “How to make youth entrepreneurship smart?” Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth ...
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SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Østfold's Solutions to Youth Entrepreneurship

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Østfold’s Solutions to Youth Entrepreneurship

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host the AER Summer Academy 2019 in ...
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SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Zürich's Youth for Debate!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: Zürich’s Youth for Debate!

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host the AER Summer Academy 2019 in ...
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SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: AMiD workshop on Migrants with Disabilities

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: AMiD workshop on Migrants with Disabilities

"Opportunities for all abilities" The AMiD-Access to services for Migrants with Disabilities project is landing in Novi Sad, Vojvodina (RS) ...
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SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: become a YRN entrepreneur for a day!

SUMMER ACADEMY 2019: become a YRN entrepreneur for a day!

Coinciding with the 2019 European Youth Capital, the region of Vojvodina (RS) will host the AER Summer Academy 2019 in ...
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Looking back at the 2019 AER Summer Academy in Vojvodina!

Looking back at the 2019 AER Summer Academy in Vojvodina!

The Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (RS) hosted the 2019 AER Summer Academy, engaging almost 100 participants from all over Europe ...
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Discussing the Future of European Youths at the 2019 Summer Academy

Discussing the Future of European Youths at the 2019 Summer Academy

Now that the 2019 Summer Academy is over, it is very fair to say that this year's edition was a ...
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Plenary Presentations

Workshop Presentations

Pictures

Here you can find all the pictures from the AER 2019 Summer Academy!

Stay in touch!

We know that during the Summer Academy you met a lot of awesome people, and to help you stay in contact with them we have created this Facebook group for all the participants.

Flevoland (NL) champion in EU projects with AER

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Following on the AER Open Doors week, the King’s Commissioner, Leen Verbeek and the Executive Board of the Province of Flevoland (NL) came to discuss the next steps of their engagement in AER. AER has been very present in disseminating information from Flevoland’s European projects, including Smart Europe, More4NRG and Regions4GreenGrowth. In addition to dissemination, AER also shared its own “peer review” methodology for the implementation of the projects. Finally, Flevoland will look into increasing their political involvement in the organisation as they are already very active in the hands on exchange of experience.

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Regions4GreenGrowth Final Publication

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Regions4GreenGrowth is an initiative of EU regions who have defined high sustainable energy ambitions and now encounter this obstacle. The overall objective of the project is to equip these regions with regional policy instruments, mechanisms and approaches to improve access to finance for and speed up investments in sustainable energy projects (e.g. renewable energy generation capacity, energy efficiency measures) in their territories.

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Regions4GreenGrowth’s Final Conference

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Regions4GreenGrowth provides recommendations on how to boost investments in RES & EE.

“The European Union (EU) aims to get 20% of its energy from renewable sources (RES) by 2020, as well as to cut 20% of Europe’s annual primary energy consumption” (Source: EC website.).

The stakes are high, but unfortunately, the fact is that public and private stakeholders willing to invest in sustainable energy hardware and infrastructure often have difficulties attracting financial means to support their investments. The private financial sector is often hesitant to invest in sustainable energy and while public funding is an alternative or complementary source for these investments, the volume of national financial support schemes in most EU countries is limited and difficult to acquire. As such, Regions with the ambition to be leaders in sustainable energy must therefore create innovative instruments and facilities to generate these financial flows and investments in their territory.

This is the challenge that the Regions4GreenGrowth (R4GG) INTERREG IVC project has tackled over the last 36 months. The exchange of good practices and the transfer of proven models to boost and channel investment were an essential part of the project. Moreover, R4GG applied AER’s Peer Review methodology that involves several partners visiting a partner region to provide concrete recommendations on policy improvement.

 

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No money for renewables?

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Baia Mare, Maramures (RO), 2 October 2014 

Regions4GreenGrowth provides recommendations on how to boost investments in RES & EE

“The European Union (EU) aims to get 20% of its energy from renewable sources (RES) by 2020, as well as to cut 20% of Europe’s annual primary energy consumption”. (Source: EC website.)

The stakes are high, but unfortunately, the fact is that public and private stakeholders willing to invest in sustainable energy hardware and infrastructure often have difficulties attracting financial means to support their investments. The private financial sector is often hesitant to invest in sustainable energy and while public funding is an alternative or complementary source for these investments, the volume of national financial support schemes in most EU countries is limited and difficult to acquire. As such, Regions with the ambition to be leaders in sustainable energy must therefore create innovative instruments and facilities to generate these financial flows and investments in their territory.

This is the challenge that the Regions4GreenGrowth (R4GG) INTERREG IVC project has tackled over the last 36 months. The exchange of good practices and the transfer of proven models to boost and channel investment were an essential part of the project. Moreover, R4GG applied the Assembly of European Regions (AER) Peer Review methodology that involves several partners visiting a partner region to provide concrete recommendations on policy improvement.

Today, in Maramures (RO), the 15 partners met to exchange on the project’s results and discuss how to overcome the main challenges to the widespread implementation of sustainable energy projects.

Regions4GreenGrowth recommendations

1. Regional stability, transparency and commitment have a major role in the success of RES and EE projects. Examples of promoting this type of commitment include joining international platforms, using green pubic procurement schemes or public finance participation into projects (in the form of various PPP models)

2. Setting up a regional EE/RES triple helix: This approach allows a common endeavour of Academia, Government and Business which unleashes the regional innovative potential. It stimulates the development of optimal synergies between the public and the private sector, capitalises on the technical expertise of the academic excellence of the territory and promotes a clear and transparent evaluation of the outcomes.

3. Developing tailor-made schemes to support RES and EE Entrepreneurs: In this respect regional Energy Funds can be set up to empower and meet the needs of RES and EE projects. In complement to this, co-funding, loans and venture capitals should be preferred to subsidies in order to promote the creation of a market and business opportunities.

4. Creating a favourable and stable investment climate: Innovative and market oriented start up and spin off companies set up with the support of the region could attract private investors interested in RES. In order to ensure that a long-term perspective is taken into account, a certain degree of coordination at international (or interregional when possible) level when it comes to support schemes and legislation is highly appreciated by market players.

5. Increasing awareness on RES and EE: RES and EE knowledge generation and dissemination go hand in hand with the availability of technical assistance on funding opportunities, thanks to extensive networks or energy advisory services. Moreover, enhancing awareness of the benefits of pursuing a sustainable energy strategy among kids, students and citizens will add to the establishment of a RES and EE culture, which can both help locals to develop entrepreneurial skills and attract SMEs in the energy sector.

Further work on the Energy field

The obstacles to the widespread of RES and EE projects remain and energy is today more than ever a major geopolitical issue. Councillor Kenneth Backgard, AER Committee 1 Vice-president for Rural development, Energy and Environment (Norrbotten-SE), will lead a political report on Energy Security. Soon AER members will get all the information about this report.

For more information: [email protected]

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Regions daring to succeed through entrepreneurship

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“First time you fail, second time you win”*

Edirne (TR), 3 April 2014

“With the focus shifting from the crisis to recovery, regions are more than ever catalysts for innovation and growth. We believe that it is necessary to continue engaging European Institutions and stakeholders in the need for further support to entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs generate 4 million new jobs every year in Europe and regions play a key role in encouraging and promoting economically sound ideas to be turned into business ventures; the Assembly of European Region’s (AER) role is to help these initiatives come to life and develop on a European and international scale”, stated AER President Dr Hande Özsan Bozatli as she opened the round table conference “Daring to Succeed: Entrepreneurship for better growth”, gathering yesterday 130 participants in Edirne (TR).

“Hosting one of the top Turkish universities, Edirne is home to many young talented and creative people who are looking for opportunities to develop their skills. The exchange of best practice during this conference gives us precious insights into ways we can improve our entrepreneurship policies.” said Dr Hasan Duruer, Governor of Edirne (TR). Deputy governor Dr Ayhan Özkan underlined: “AER contributes valuably to our efforts for a stronger decentralisation in our country”.

Three workshops on the internationalisation of SMEs, social as well as women entrepreneurship and a Training Academy on fostering a culture for Entrepreneurship stressed the need for entrepreneurs to overcome their fear of change, take risks and welcome innovation. Concrete examples include:

Supporting young entrepreneurs in Donegal (IE)

“The key is to not stigmatise failure but to help develop new attitudes towards the idea and culture of entrepreneurship”, said Maria Ferguson, EU Policy and funding Unit manager from Donegal Council (IE), as she presented the INTERREG IVA “Business Bootcamp” project. This initiative provides young entrepreneurs with step-by-step local and cross-border support for new start-ups and businesses with export growth potential.

Removing barriers in Edirne (TR)

Participants witnessed Edirne’s commitment to changing mindsets and tackling obstacles to entrepreneurship during the visit to the Public Education Centre as well as through various success stories, such as from Elmas Aslan, Chief of Women Entrepreneurs and Sevtap Engin, Company owner.

Growing talent in Flevoland (NL)

Bob Pels, General Manager for European Territorial Cooperation put forward the Regions4GreenGrowth (INTERREG IVC),SMART EUROPE (INTERREG IVC) and Summer Entrepreneurs initiatives, encouraging and helping SMEs to innovate and work sustainably by efficiently using the EU Funding for 2014-2020 and thereby improving competitiveness.

Telling the world in Bruxelles-Capitale (BE)

Jean-Luc Vanraes underlined that regions are a platform for SMEs to meet, share information and innovate together in order to access a new market. “Incubators, the organisation of business delegations and the participation in trade-missions can boost SMEs in becoming internationally active”.

Committees 1 and 2 jointly take the next step:

The joint plenary of ‘Economy and Regional development’ (1) and ‘Social policy and Public health’ (2) gave AER the perfect chance to gather these good practices and ideas into concrete recommendations on the topic of entrepreneurship. Based on AER’s previous activities and experience, these will highlight the next steps to take and the tools to use in order to foster education and skills for entrepreneurship.

* Quote by Maria Zvolska, member of the European Economic and Social Committee during the Daring to succeed Round table, April 2nd 2014.

For more information: [email protected]

 

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Effective energy policies in view of the EU2020 burden-sharing targets

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With the overall objective of boosting investments for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency, 15 peers from Abruzzo (IT), Flevoland (NL), Maramures (RO), Norrbotten (SE), Sofia (BG) and the AER met in Lazio (IT) in order to undertake the 9th Regional Peer Review within the Regions4GreenGrowth INTERREG IVC project.

During the 5-day visit, peers discovered the Region’s large potential for geothermal, solar, biomass, as well as wind energy. In order to harness this potential and achieve Lazio’s burden sharing target (11.9% by 2020), the peers stressed the importance of effective regional strategies for renewable energy and investment: a communication and awareness raising campaign, the creation of an energy cluster or the establishment of DIO scheme to develop renewable energy projects are but some of the recommendations put forward by the international peer team.

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Discover the Regions 4 Green Growth project in video!

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The Regions4GreenGrowth INTERREG IVC project is an initiative of 13 EU regions with high sustainable energy ambitions that are committed to identifying, exchanging and transferring effective regional policy instruments and mechanisms to improve access to finance for sustainable energy projects and speed up investments. The project kicked off in early 2012 and can already boast impressive results, including 5 Regional Peer Reviews, 21 good practices, a Master-Class for the transfer of knowledge among partners, and various dissemination events. To see the video please click here.

Project website.

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Regional Peer Reviews promote investments in sustainable energy

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During the Regions4GreenGrowth (R4GG) conference in Debrecen (H) on 27 March, the INTERREG IVC project partners presented the results of the first round of Regional Peer Reviews to boost investments in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Through the Peer Reviews, the Regions of Valencia (E), Västernorrland (S), Noord Brabant (NL), Észak-Alföld (H), Abruzzo (I) and Western Greece (GR) obtained tailor made recommendations to improve their policies at regional level.

Pascal Goergen, AER Secretary General, highlighted the key role regions play in the widespread implementation of energy projects. AER surveys show that energy is in fact predominately a regional matter, with energy being a priority for 92% of regions and 77% having set up a regional energy strategy.

At this occasion Mr. Goergen also met with representatives of the Hungarian Counties of Hajdú-Bihar, Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg in order to discuss future cooperation and AER activities for 2013.

R4GG website
AER report on regional investment in energy projects

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Rio+20 : where States fail, Regions step forward

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Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), 22 June 2012

“We must recognize that the states and international organizations have once again missed an opportunity to ensure a sustainable future for our planet. But despite this failure, we, the regions and federated states, continue to forge ahead in Rio,” stated Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) and of R20.

“We will continue to repeat this until everyone understands: the regions play an essential role in the battle against climate change, because it is their job to implement between 50 and 80% of all adaptation and mitigation measures. It is certainly worth celebrating the fact that some people understand this, particularly within certain European institutions. But we must still convince numerous international governments and organizations of the necessity of taking urgent action! I call now upon every region and federated state to take up the sword and shield and act with the states of Europe and the world as our witness, to prove once and for all that a green future is possible,” concluded Mrs. Sabban before a panel of sub-national political decision-makers.

The Assembly of European Regions is now encouraging its 250-plus members to sign the Rio+20 Declaration of the Regions. This declaration is just as ambitious – it establishes, in particular, commitment to reduce GHG emissions up to 30% – as it is progressive, since it recognizes the diversity of the regions of Europe and allows them to sign up for various commitments depending on their level of development. The President of the AER will then deliver the declaration to the COP 18 (from November 26 to December 7, 2012 in Qatar), which will be essentially dedicated to sustainable development.

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

For more information: [email protected]

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Innovative jobs and Green growth AER partners with two new INTERREG IVC projects

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Strasbourg (F), 16 February 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

For more information: [email protected]

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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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