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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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The AER calls for the European Parliament to endorse the SURE report on the next Multi-annual Financial Framework

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Strasbourg (F), 7th June 2011

The report of the Special Committee on Policy Challenges and Budgetary Resources for a Sustainable European Union after 2013 (SURE) to be presented tomorrow during the plenary session of the European parliament addresses the following key issues, which are necessary to ensure the sustainable and cohesive development of the European territory:

• Simplifying and better controlling the implementation of structural funds by applying the principle of proportionality;
• Increasing support to SMEs and addressing the difficulties they face when coping with the red-tape often associated with EU support schemes;
• Ensuring continuous support to all European regions, including intermediary regions, in order to provide them with a clearer status and a more equitable situation.

The AER firmly supports the report’s recommendation to earmark a budget envelope for cohesion policy at least equal to that of the current period.

The AER will follow tomorrow’s debate attentively and hopes that it will lead to the adoption of the SURE report by a large majority of MEPs.

For more information: [email protected]

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Youth mobility and entrepreneurship : AER banks upon young people

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Orléans, Centre (F), 19th April 2011

The overall assessment is bad: the unemployment rate of Young Europeans reached a record highpoint of 21% on average, this figure even attaining 45% in Spain! In order to contain this flail, the Assembly of European Regions (AER) mobilised its member regions and its Youth Regional Network (YRN) during a conference on youth professional mobility.

Indeed, one of the recurring answers put forward by its members as a tool to help fight youth unemployment is youth mobility. The latter is not only essential to facilitate integration on the job market but also to enable cultural and linguistic exchanges, and thereby open minds. Many programmes already exist, however certain limitations, such as a lack of information and knowledge among companies as well as administrative and legal barriers, hinder their optimal use. Participants at the conference underlined the need to progress in the areas of linguistic and educational preparation, and to set up appropriate evaluation methods. In this context, the audience praised AER’s Eurodyssey programme for its efficiency and its simple framework.

Regions can promote all European programs in this field, and even propose their own initiatives to their young citizens. Karine Gloanec Maurin, Chairwoman of AER’s sub-committee on ‘Education and Training’ and Vice-President of the Centre Region, presented the “Trans’Europe Centre” project, which offers college students in the region the opportunity to visit another European country for at least 5 days. This initiative, which has already been used by two-thirds of the region’s high schools, allows teenagers to experience the European dimension on a new level and constitutes a unique opportunity for their future. The region’s budget for this project amounts to 2 million euros per year.

Hande Özsan Bozatli, President of the AER’s Committee on ‘Culture, Education, Youth and International Cooperation’ underlined the fact that “the increased exchanges between youth and the regional stakeholders is a prerequisite of the territories’ future, but also for Europe as a whole”. The President of the Region Centre, François Bonneau, has undertaken steps in this direction and announced the creation of a Youth Regional Conference in his region: “This authority, composed of 72 members aged between 15 and 25, will be a platform for exchange and dialogue; its members will be a proactive source of proposals, they will formulate suggestions concerning existing or future regional public policies, in underlining the priorities and the expectations of young people in the region”. The members of this new regional network will be invited to take part in AER’s Youth Regional Network (YRN).

AER has invested itself in another project in favour of youth employment: project YES – Youth Entrepreneurship Strategies – aims at promoting entrepreneurship within the educational system. Entrepreneurship is not traditionally considered as an obvious career option – 60% of European citizens state that they have never considered setting up their own business (Eurobarometer survey, 2007). AER has therefore decided to cooperate with seven other partners in order to improve regional policies in the field of entrepreneurial education. Creativity, responsibility, risk taking and team work are the key words of the entrepreneurial spirit, and the regions have to help the training organisations in all their forms to include them in their priorities. YES’s objective is to develop a concrete set of tools specifically for European regions, as well as a guide of best practices and common obstacles.

For more information: [email protected]

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Cooperation between regions of the Black Sea will ensure territorial stability and prosperity

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Batumi, Ajara (GE), 6th April 2011

“It is important that we are gathered today as the EU is experiencing a turning point in its construction as it revises its strategies for 2020. The links that the EU weaves with its neighbours will be decisive for years to come, for example on questions regarding energy. The AER intends to contribute to development of those bordering the Black Sea area through an approach based on its territories”. It was with these words that Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER), opened the second Conference of the regions surrounding the Black Sea, which this year was attended by 130 politicians, experts and representatives of the Black Sea regions who gathered in Batumi, Georgia to reflect on the importance of cooperation in this space and how to develop it.

Development of interregional and cross-border projects in the Black Sea

A major geo-strategic location marked by number of past conflicts, the Black Sea basin is confronted by an urgent environmental question, whose long-term impact is not confined to seven riparian states and thirty-three regions. Convinced that cooperation at regional and local levels, along with the diplomatic dialogue, is the best way to obtain concrete results and to face environmental challenges, but also socio-economic and cultural specific to this area, AER presented successful examples of interregional cooperation. Concrete projects in key areas such as cooperation between SMEs around the Black Sea, women’s entrepreneurship or cultural integration through cooperation between young people were presented, proving that if necessary the regions can act even when States and the EU remain stuck in the status quo.

AER has committed to create Training Academies for officials and politicians of the Black Sea Region and to support them in implementing projects and finding partners, particularly in the context of the 2nd call for proposals under the ‘Programme of the European Union Black Sea ENPI CBC’, which opens in April. AER in this regard calls for the simplification of rules of this program. Among the proposed improvements: a common budget line for all partners of the Black Sea project, a homogenization of legal formalities to be completed by potential partners and the abandonment of specific rules of participation for Turkish partners.

Access to finance is an essential component of any successful initiative, the AER has allowed participants to interact with experts in project financing, including the Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the Caucasus, Moldova and Belarus.


A perfectible EU Strategy for the Black Sea 

Michèle Sabban said that “In the current political context the focus is primarily oriented towards the north-south dimension whilst even though the EU is preparing a reform of its neighbourhood policy, there is a real risk that Eastern Europe comes second in political and financial efforts of the EU. We have also very recently met European Parliamentarians who have clearly highlighted this danger! “

Romanian MEP Victor Bostinaru, co-rapporteur on the Black Sea Strategy adopted by the European Parliament in January, had indeed insisted on the importance of the EU developing a real strategy for the Black Sea, involving all stakeholders to ensure the lasting stability of the area. Regional cooperation is essential, he said to establish stability and overcome the environmental and energy challenges it faces. He assured the AER of his support for its action.

Finally, conference participants agreed on the need for better coordination of macro-regional European approaches, in particular to ensure synergy between the EU strategy for the Black Sea and the Danube, a river that has a direct impact on seawater. The AER strongly calls the Union to act in this regard.

“I wanted to host the conference on the Black Sea AER in my region, Adjara, because I am committed, along with my colleagues from around the Black Sea, to go ahead and use all tools available to ensure peace and stability, which will contribute to social and economic development of our territory, for the good of our citizens” concluded Levan Varshalomidze, Chairman of the Government of Ajara.

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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Open letter from AER President to J.M. Barroso: “Don’t take away the ESF from Cohesion policy!”

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Mr. President,

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) is closely following developments relating to the future financial framework for 2014-2020, especially the place that cohesion policy will hold in this framework.

We recently learned that the European Commission plans to remove the European Social Fund from the domain of cohesion policy in order to finance a new European Union strategy for employment. The speeches given on the 23rd and 24th of June by Mr. Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, seem to confirm this orientation, which only leaves us wondering.

Let us be clear: it is of course essential and particularly opportune to propose an efficient financial instrument dedicated to an asserted social policy. We welcome the efforts by the European Commission in this area and that respond to repeated demands by the AER and numerous other partners to set up a true employment policy.

Is it really necessary though to take away the substance and the financing of what today represents a large part of cohesion policy? The notions of territorial cohesion and integrated approach seemed to have unanimous support only a few months ago, and the current recession does not justify a return to short-term sectoral policies. Sectoralisation has shown its inefficiency in the harmonious development of regions and its difficulties in promoting the multi-level partnerships necessary for adequately addressing the socio-economic needs of territories. Do we also have to remind the Commission that regions are the privileged partners of the 22 million SMEs that represent the most dynamic source of employment across the European territory?

We beg to disagree, and on this matter concur with Ms. Hübner’s point of view, expressed in a letter dated 29 June, that the role of the ESF within the cohesion policy extends much further than only employment. It is the key tool for achieving social cohesion – one of three Treaty objectives for the cohesion policy.

Through the synergy between the ERDF and the ESF, cohesion policy responds, through its integrated and long-term action, not only to structural issues but also to economic difficulties. The flaws of this policy, that we recognise, must not lead to its dismantlement but rather to the thorough re-examination of its functioning and its priorities, leading to an even more integrated approach, refocused priorities and modernised governance.

Finally, we are quite surprised that discussions of such importance made it to such an advanced stage without the slightest consultation with concerned stakeholders and institutional partners. This opacity is quite surprising for a European Commission with a priority to fill in a democratic deficit that has been denounced many times. According to the ex-post evaluation of programmes from 2000-2006, the totality of ESF projects concerned almost 28 million European citizens: its functioning deserves better than decisions made behind closed doors.

In our mail from 23 October, we had announced that the AER would remain vigilant concerning threats of re-nationalisation and sectoralisation of the cohesion policy. Today, we find ourselves obliged to reiterate this message of concern. We had also deplored, as we do today, a striking lack of consultation.

We therefore ask you to communicate, to the other institutions as well as the general public, tangible elements on this fundamental question of the future functioning of the cohesion policy. Such elements will allow for informed and constructive debate with all concerned parties. The regions of Europe are ready to bring you their expertise based on their experience with the European Social Fund and the cohesion policy in general.

We remain at your disposal, Mr. President, and are eagerly awaiting your response.

Sincerely,

Michèle Sabban
President

For more information: [email protected]

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AER backs up International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

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Strasbourg (F) – Brussels (B), 17 May 2010

No, Monica Carlsson, President of the AER Standing Committee on Equal Opportunities, is not flying all the way to Boise to meet up with Governor Otter inside the beautiful sandstone walls of the Idaho State Capitol. Today is the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) – and AER, through the voice of Mrs. Carlsson, wishes to recall that the largest independent network of regions in the wider Europe has always been strong on condemning “all discrimination on grounds of gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation” and strongly supports the directives adopted by the European Union to protect each and every citizen.

“In 2006, in my hometown of Kiruna, in Northern Sweden, AER adopted for the very first time a declaration condemning homophobia and considering that homophobia and sexism are two faces of the same coin”, says Monica Carlsson with pride. “This declaration was then unanimously approved by the AER General Assembly in Palma de Mallorca and last year, during the AER General Assembly in Belfort, the Standing Committee I am chairing was officially given the responsibility to deal with all equal opportunities, and equal rights for Gays, Lesbians and Transsexuals were among them”.

To those who might wonder why such a large network of European regions took so long before adopting an official position on the matter, Mrs. Carlsson acknowledges that fighting homophobia in Europe is as hard as achieving equal opportunities between women and men. “It might come as a surprise to some people that these two issues have so much in common, but they really do. While considerable advances have been achieved in recent years, and while many consider Europe as a light unto the nation as far as equal rights for all are concerned – aren’t most of the countries allowing gay marriage members of the European Union? -, both women and gays still face discrimination and harassment at school or at work, and are too often the victims of violent attacks perpetrated by men. Eastern Europe still lags behind on both issues, and AER is dedicated to help its member regions from those countries to move forward and establish tolerant societies”.

Mrs. Carlsson announced that she will put the fight against homophobia on the next agenda of her Standing Committee meeting. “Homophobia is a blatant breach of human dignity that questions fundamental rights, and thus it must be strongly condemned” she concluded.

For more information: [email protected]

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1st European Regions Energy Day: Energy subsidiarity on its way in Brussels

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Brussels (B), 29 April 2010

The Assembly of European Regions (AER), the Ministry of environment, nature protection and transport of the Land Baden-Württemberg (D) as well as GE Energy launched today the European Regions Energy Day. This event crowns a year of close collaboration between public and private stakeholders in the energy field. It is a vivid symbol of the rise of interregional dynamics in the area of sustainable development and a witness of the boom of energy subsidiarity at European level.

Two days to give the European regions “The energy of tomorrow”

As the first edition of a yearly event, unique in its kind in Brussels, this meeting represents a key step in the renewal of regional energy policies. It illustrates the success of interregional action in the face of the compelling insufficiency of global climate negotiations.

For two days, 300 regional decision makers and European energy experts gathered to discuss the role of the regions in the implementation of environmental policies and to present regional best-practices. This event is in line with the pro-active approach that characterises AER and GE’s action and constitutes an echo chamber of regional responses to current energy challenges.
The European Regions Energy Day aims to:

  • Provide regional responses to key energy questions as well as clear recommendations regarding three main factors: energy efficiency, security of supply and carbon dioxide emissions reduction.
  • Support the establishment of a regional participatory democracy to confront energy and environmental issues.

Tanja Gönner, Environment Minister of the Land Baden- Württemberg (D), Michèle Sabban, President of  the Assembly of European Regions, Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, Ricardo Cordoba, President of GE Energy for Western Europe and Northern Africa, Steve Howard, CEO of the Climate Group and Knud Andersen, Vice-President of the Chamber of Regions, Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, were present at this event.

Michèle Sabban said: “This day represents an important stage for the AER in its engagement with the energy transition of our territories. Since 2006, a ‘common declaration of European regions for energy efficiency and the development of sustainable energy sources’ was made, creating the basis for our current actions. We are convinced that regions should find the way to take their future into their own hands in a responsible and autonomous way, especially concerning energy, which is an issue that affects the daily life of all citizens and their future, and is fundamental for the local development.”

Ricardo Cordoba commented: “We are proud to participate, together with AER in the recognition of the importance of regions in the development and establishment of efficient energy policies, so decisive for everyone’s future.”

According to Tanja Gönner, “Regions are strong motors for climate protection. It is of utmost importance, that regions and the European Union work together to reach the goal of limiting global warming”.

Presentation of a ‘White Paper’ on AER forefront activities aimed at supporting regional initiatives in the fields of energy and climate change as well as a detailed study on regional energy policies in Europe

One of the highlights of this event was the presentation of a White Paper presenting AER activities on energy and climate change. This document proposes a dynamic overview of the different activities AER implemented in order to support European regions in the establishment of mitigation and adaptation measures.

In 2009 more than ever, AER took it at heart to propose an even wider range of tools to policy makers in order to ensure a more efficient tackling of regional challenges. Through peer reviews, European projects such as MORE4NRG et PRESERVE, thematic conferences and innovative partnerships with a considerable diversity of stakeholders AER juggles successfully between field experience, research and analysis thus demonstrating its pragmatic approach of members’ needs. Above all, its role is eminently political, which is why the White Paper also sums up AER’s recommendations for efficient climate policies.

The European Regions Energy Day provided an excellent opportunity to unveil the results of its exclusive survey, which evaluated the needs and expectations of 67 European regions in terms of sustainable energy policies. According to the findings of the survey, broader competences of local authorities accompanied with adapted financial incentives allow a better response to global energy challenges through better harnessing of local potentials. It is indeed thanks to the creative use of endogenous resources such as snow, straw, waves or black liquor (by-product of the kraft process) that regions contribute to the diversification of their energy portfolios as well as to the enhancement of security of energy supply.

This survey furthermore showed that 92% of the answering regions consider energy as one of the key priorities for the next years and that 77% of them already implemented an energy strategy.
This gives ground for a horizontal approach of energy policies with the integration of the parameter of sustainability in numerous sectors (land settlement and city planning, transports, tourism or agriculture…).

These findings should moreover be put into perspective with the results published in the IPCC fourth assessment report. This states that 50 to 70% of climate mitigation and adaptation measures will have to be implemented at regional level in the next years.

For more information: [email protected]

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ECREIN+ European interregional cooperation to strengthen eco-innovation

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Uppsala (S), 19 February 2010.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) participated these days in the kick off event of a new European interregional cooperation project, aiming at fostering eco-innovation. ECREIN+ (European Clusters and Regions for Eco-Innovation Network Plus) is an Interreg IVC project led by the region Rhône-Alpes (F), to which AER is a partner. The kick-off event took place in Uppsala (S), an internationally recognized region for its expertise in the field of environmental technology.

ECREIN+ aims at raising awareness and broadly sharing techniques, financial instruments and best practices all over Europe. It will reinforce and complement the ongoing eco-initiatives existing in the partner regions. The partners wish to share expertise on how to better support SMEs and clusters which are already involved in eco-innovation or would like to develop strategies that go into that direction.

“ECREIN+ is of critical importance if we want to turn our regions into green excellence territories. It is an ambitious and comprehensive project that will lead us all, should we truly work together, to foster a prosperous green economy in our regions. But to reach this objective, we need a strong political involvement from all partners.” stated Hélène Blanchard,Vice-president of Rhône-Alpes Regional Council (F), in charge of environment.

“We look forward to participating in this cooperation. Partly because we have a lot to contribute with, but also much to learn. This is a kind of cooperation that we believe will produce tangible results. This can and must contribute to solving our global environmental problems,” says Arne Sandemo, Chairman of the Uppsala Regional Council.

12 regions are working together in ECREIN+ and AER is completing the partnership, bringing its wide network for dissemination and its expertise in interregional cooperation at the service of this promising initiative. The partners are: Rhône-Alpes (F – lead partner), Andalucia (E), Baden-Württemberg (D), Galicia (E), Ile-de-France (F), Lombardia (I), Malopolska (PL), Romanian Municipalities Association (RO), Stara Zagora (BG), Uppsala (S), Wallonie (B), West Midlands (UK) and the Assembly of European Regions.

For more information: [email protected]
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2009 Activity Report

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“At no time has that solidarity been more important than it is now. The economic downturn and climate change – this year’s two greatest challenges – have shown just how crucial the regions are in tackling European and global challenges. It is the regions that support the EU’s 22 million SMEs, driving innovation and providing two-thirds of all jobs in the EU. And it is the regional and local levels that will implement 50 to 70% of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions in the future”,

Klaus Klipp, AER Secretary-General

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Assembly of European Regions partners with “R20” group to fight the climate change

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Copenhagen (DK), 15 December 2009.

Just two weeks after the “Belfort Appeal” – a clarion call to raise awareness of the role played by regions and federal states in the fight against climate change – the Assembly of European Regions (AER) has announced yesterday its support of the “R20” declaration in Copenhagen and will bring expertise and know-how to this new concept, which will be officially launched in September 2010. The declaration, inspired by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is the result of the Governor’s ”Global Summit on Climate Change” held in Los Angeles in September 2009, and commits to develop the capacities of a limited number of interested sub-national governments from developing and emerging countries.

The R20 declaration shares the spirit of the Belfort Appeal, which was launched by Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions and its 270 member regions, together with its partners from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) represented by Christophe Nuttal, the Climate Group and its President Steve Howard, along with Ricardo Cordoba, President of GE Energy West Europe and North Africa. It is an urgent appeal for the recognition of the role of regions and federal states in the fight against climate change. The appeal affirms that the success of the post-Kyoto negotiations, meaning the implementation of adaptation and mitigation measures, mainly depends on the regions.

R20 will help willing and selected developing regions to design and implement their Climate Change and Energy Regional Package (CCERP). The signatory regions of the R20 declaration will represent diverse climate patterns to put in place the necessary scientific, institutional and financial framework that would significantly reduce the risk of dangerous climate change based on the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This will contribute to the stabilization of the global mean temperature rise from pre-industrial levels to 2°C as agreed by various international fora including the G20.

“In an energy landscape in constant evolution and more decentralized than ever before, European regions play a crucial role in coming up with energy solutions for their territories. By partnering with the R20 group, we officially affirm our commitment to the goals and principles of the Global Climate Solutions Declaration. We are happy and proud to officially support the R20 group and to fight together against climate change”, AER President Michèle Sabban said.

“It is clear today that, for an agreement in Copenhagen not to remain wishful thinking, it must rely on sub-national levels, in particular on regions and federated states. For example, we know that between 50 and 70% of all adaptation and mitigation measures against climate change will call for implementation by the regions”, Ms Sabban commented. “I am proud to associate AER to this initiative, as it signals, hopefully, the beginning of a cooperation era in international relations”, Ms Sabban added.

For more information: [email protected]

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AER responds to Regional Policy Commissioner’s Orientation Paper

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Step in the right direction” needs to go further, says AER president Michèle Sabban


Strasbourg, 4 December 2009

“High-level debates on the future of cohesion policy are very welcome, since they ensure that the policy is more than purely a financial issue for member states. But high-level meetings are not enough. How can the EU and member states enter a strategic policy reflection without fully involving, from the very first stages of the process, the actors most affected by that policy: Europe’s sub-national territories?” This was the initial response of the Assembly of European Regions’ (AER) president, Michèle Sabban, to the orientation paper presented yesterday in Brussels by Paweł Samecki, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, to the High Level Group Reflecting on the Future of Cohesion Policy.

Nevertheless, Ms Sabban praised the commissioner’s opinion paper as a “step in the right direction, especially in view of the commission’s absurd flirtations with ‘re-nationalising’ cohesion policy at the expense of territorial cohesion objectives.”(Read AER’s response to the commission’s “non-paper” on the future EU budget here.)

Ms Sabban added: “We feel, however, that Mr. Samecki’s opinion does not go far enough in supporting a system of truly multi-level governance, whereby the regional level is seen as a real partner rather than an afterthought.”

While agreeing with Commissioner Samecki’s three priorities for cohesion policy – knowledge base for growth; green economy; employment and social cohesion – AER has called for a broader definition of the “competitiveness” objective. A territory cannot be competitive, for example, without quality public services and local support for SMEs, which are Europe’s main drivers of growth.

Strong regional institutions are a key precondition for future economic growth, as AER’s study “From Subsidiarity to Success” clearly shows by proving that stronger regions perform better economically than regions of highly centralised countries. Capacity building should not be limited to the commission and member states alone.

AER is pleased that Mr. Samecki’s orientation paper calls for better coordination between EU funding instruments. That coordination, however, should go even further. The Rural Development Fund, for example, should be shifted into the cohesion policy framework to avoid unnecessary complexity and administrative burdens. Indeed Mr. Samecki’s paper pays little attention to the need to coordinate cohesion policy with all EU policies that have a territorial impact, a position outlined in AER’s response last February to the Commission’s Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion.

Background:
In June 2007, AER launched a task force on EU cohesion policy to prepare a study on cohesion policy post-2013. Published in January 2008, the study included contributions from 60 regions in 22 countries of the wider Europe. A new and more detailed political position on future cohesion policy was adopted by AER’s political bureau in June 2008, in Wroclaw, Dolnoslaskie (PL).
AER adopted its initial response to the EC Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion at its General Assembly in November 2008, in Tampere (FIN). On the basis of this political reaction AER launched a broader consultation on the specific questions raised in the green paper and submitted a contribution to the European Commission in February 2009. During 2009 the AER task force on the future of cohesion policy updated AER’s recommendations taking into account current developments such as the economic crisis, macro regional concepts and the Barca report. These recommendations were adopted at AER’s General Assembly in November 2009 in Belfort (F).

For more information: [email protected]

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Communicating Europe, Innovation and Youth: AER awards Europe’s the most dynamic regions of 2009

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The AER Communicating Europe Award 2009

Belfort (F), 27th November 2009.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER) has honoured three regions with is “Communicating Europe Award”.

In the category Children and Young People, the prize goes to the Croatian Medjimurje County for its project “A B C D Europe”. This project convinced the jury with its creativity and originality on a small budget. It addresses a very specific target group – children in kindergarten and primary schools. Fifty kindergartens and 32 primary schools were reached by the project involving more then 20 000 children. The jury liked the original concept of involving these young kids in talking about Europe through activities that were entertaining as well as educational.  Vesna Heluga, head of the project, said: “We are working hard to educate children and young people about the EU, and this award is the crown of all that work. Also, it is motivating because for next year we are already preparing lots of interesting, educational programs and projects for children and young people.”

The winner of the category Regional Media was the Dutch  Province of Noord Brabant for its project “Brabant Battle Goes Europe”. “It is a great honour for our region to be the winner of a Communication Europe Award. We see this prize as confirmation of our efforts to communicate Europe to our citizens in Brabant in the best way we can and as a stimulus to our ambition to make Europe part of our everyday life” said Wim Van Der Donk, Queen’s Commissioner in the Province of Noord-Brabant. The project is a creative and engaging media production involving high school students. The show is a great example of what can be done in partnership between a region and regional media using state of the art technologies.
In the last category, Communicating the European Parliament elections, the winner was the Styria region of Austria for its project “We go Europe – Europe in Styria”. The project combined a creative use of language with captivating and challenging topics. A good mix of interactive and informative activities made use of new media tools such as live chat and web streaming. Franz Voves, governor of the region said: ”As regional Governor of Styria and a glowing European I am very pleased that this year’s ‘Communicating Europe Award’ has been awarded to our region. The winning informational series “Wir in Europa (We go Europe)” addresses itself on one hand to young people, as Europe’s future will lie in their hands some day, and on the other hand to our regions, as Europe will always remain a Europe of regions.“


The AER innovation Award 2009
In this category, AER decided to award two regions: Slaskie (PL), for its project “SEKAP”, and Västra-Götaland (S) for its project “Industrial Dynamics”. The SEKAP project aims to provide online technical tools to improve the effectiveness of the administration. Dorota Danielczyk, head of Slaskie’s European Affairs Office, said: “This project shows clearly our potential in innovation, environment and equal opportunity”. For the Swedish region, Marcus Nordanstad, head of project Industrial Dynamics, said: “The region of Västra Götaland is very honoured and grateful to be awarded AER’s Innovation Award. This is an inspiring acknowledgment for the region, proving that our innovation strategy and its initiatives are effective. The award encourages us to be even more creative in the future”. Industrial Dynamics  creates a network of expert organisations to support industrial SMEs.

The jury awarded the region of Heraklion (GR), with a new award of Special Recognition, for its project “Mammogram Mobile Unit”. The project was set up in July 2008 to improve the detection of breast cancers and overcome the obstacles which prevent women from undertaking of screening. Evangelia Schoinaraki, head of the region, said: “It constitutes an important remuneration of our efforts as Prefecture of Heraklion to offer health and prevention services to the citizens of our region and everywhere else in our country where it’s needed. At the same time, it constitutes a great recognition at the  European level, which gives us the impetus to continue our work in the health sector.”

Established in 2006, this Award recognises the European regional authorities that have stimulated, fostered and implemented innovation in their territory.

AER Most Youth Friendly European Region Award 2009
AER also presented today its award for the “Most Youth Friendly European Region”, which this year went to the Somerset region (UK). Cllr John Osman, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Somerset County Council aims to help give young people a chance to actively communicate the issues that matter to them. We’re proud that the variety of work carried out by us and our partners across the county, has been recognised on such a big stage with a prestigious award.”

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Open letter to Mr. José Manuel Barroso – President of the European Commission

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Dear Mr Barroso,

I am writing to you to express our grave concerns regarding your draft communication to the European Parliament and Council, dated 6 October 2009, which proposes “a reform agenda for a global Europe [reforming the budget, changing Europe]”.

Having read about the draft communication in this week’s press and obtained a copy of the draft since, we are at a loss to fathom why those that would be most affected by the draft communication’s proposals – Europe’s regions – appear to be the last stakeholders to have found out about them.

We find it ironic that the Commission is re-thinking its own cohesion policy when the real work on implementing the 2007-2013 funding period has only begun in the last year. How can Europe’s regions have confidence in a Commission that considers overhauling a policy in the first stages of implementation?

Your draft communication appears to imply a substantive or de facto “re-nationalisation” of the cohesion policy. This would be a mistake. At a time when local and regional authorities are looking forward to the Lisbon Treaty’s extension of the subsidiarity principle to sub-national levels and its affirmation of multi-level governance, the Commission appears to be prepared to undermine those provisions via “a concentration on national convergence”.

May I suggest that the “academic experts” that provided “a sound analytical basis for assessing EU finances” read our study, “From Subsidiarity to Success: The Impact of Decentralisation on Regional Growth”, which shows that regions innovate and perform better economically when they are empowered with more – not less – competences and funding. The study also shows that applied research, which is key to innovation, has better results when regions have strong competences for universities and research.

The European regions have been very active and successful in fighting the economic downturn. Since Europe’s 22 million SMEs are at the core of employment, it is regions that have had to deal with this urgent matter. Nevertheless, regions were never included in decisions concerning the EU recovery plan. The Lisbon Agenda on Growth and Jobs has shown that a centralistic approach does not lead to results. We fear that you are now again on the same path. We also fear that by calling into question Objective 2’s strategy of “strengthening strength”, the Agenda’s objectives will only be undermined further.

Moreover, the suggestion that more resources should be channelled to the lagging Member States rather than regions only serves to propagate a culture of centralised and sectoral policy-making over what should be the real objective: territorial cohesion. The implication of such an approach is the regional policy equivalent of a “two-speed Europe” that is discriminatory at best and disastrous at worst.

Sincerely yours,

Michèle Sabban

President
Assembly of European Regions (AER.eu)

For more information: [email protected]

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EU Survey links Economic recovery to regional performance

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Limerick (IRL), 8 october 2009

An insightful EU survey carried out in 24 regions from 13 countries shows that regions have a crucial role to play in economic recovery. “We need long-term solutions to the economic crisis, and national governments must work closely with regions to maximise economic growth potential,” says Christina Diegelmann, Senior Policy Coordinator “Economy and Regional Development” for the Assembly of European Regions (AER).

The AER survey found that a country’s economic performance can be improved with more influence from its regions at national level, more independence of the regions from the national level, financial competences and resources for the regions, as well as more competences in recreation and culture, infrastructure, education and research, and health care.

“While national recovery plans mainly target large companies and the financial system, regions focus primarily on supporting entrepreneurship, SME’s and innovation capacity. Regional actions can contribute to turning this crisis into an opportunity to strengthen regional economies and safeguard jobs. Working together with all relevant stakeholders, regions are close to businesses and can take appropriate measures. While national support plans mainly target larger mostly international firms, regions focus on regional clusters and support business start-ups and SME’s that make up the important part of Europe’s companies and employers,” says Ms Diegelmann.

Ms. Diegelmann is due to speak in Limerick, at a national Shannon Development conference titled ‘Dynamic Regions – Future Directions in Regional Development’.  An expert panel of national and international speakers, leaders in their fields, has been assembled by Shannon Development for their forthcoming conference which will take place on the 6th November at Thomond Park Stadium in Limerick City.

The Conference will be chaired by Broadcaster John Bowman, and addressed by Mary Coughlan TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, and Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Chief Executive, Shannon Development, Ireland’s only regional development company.

“We have gathered an outstanding panel of national and international experts for our Conference and we hope it will pave the way for a wider national debate on the importance of regional action. It will include international case studies from the Assembly of European Regions, London Development Agency and the Basque Region of Spain. We see it as a key opportunity to share and learn, and we have assembled some of the leading experts in the field of regional development to reflect its growing importance on the economic world stage. Our speakers will tackle a number of important topics that will provide the lead in new areas of regional action,” said Dr. Cunnane announcing the conference.

The Conference will attract key decision makers and policy influencers who have an interest or involvement in regional development in Ireland and Europe. Private sector and industry leaders concerned with public private initiatives in regional development will also attend the conference.
For more information: [email protected]
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