Communication among partners during the preparation and implementation:

Challenge, barriers, expectations…

Communication among partners during the preparation and implementation

Stella Aaltonen, Project Coordinator for MATRUSCHKA projectKyösti Lempa, Project Coordinator for SUSTAINMENT projectUnion of the Baltic Cities Environment and Sustainable Development SecretariatTähtitorni, VartiovuoriFIN-20700 TiurkuFINLANDtel. +35822623179email kyosti.lempa@ubc.net

Together with our cities, partners and funders we are improving the environment and promoting sustainable development of Baltic cities.

Welcome onboard!

Riga Quality workshop

Application phase: finding partners and developing application•Know your network (UBC)

•Know your partner network (BUP,

Nordic Baltic Aalborg Commitments

network etc)

•Know track records of your partners

•Be active during the contract

negotiations

•Involve your possible partners in

the application development

Riga Quality workshop

Application phase: finding partners and developing applicationChallenges in the project development

•Joint development of the proposal because

of the different timing of the two programmes

•How to match the project proposal with the

cities' approved agenda for the coming

year(s)

•Find common vocabulary and concepts

•Get the political commitment from the

partners

Riga Quality workshop

Reality when the project is approvedHow to involve partners

•Clear roles, clear concepts and

clear time frames

•Good feedback from the partners

•The major challenge in

involvement: language and lack of

political support

•Find common vocabulary and

concepts

Riga Quality workshop

Reality when the project is approvedThe major challenges in the project

implementation

•Is there sufficient support from

administrations? YES

•How much project partners from RU/BY

contribute to the project? Depends on the

team

•Financial arrangements on the partner side

Riga Quality workshop

Reality when the project is approvedThe major challenges in the project

implementation

•Why in some case partners act very passively

in the project activities? Administrative and

management problems

•Are partners willing to work jointly? YES

•Visa arrangements? Both EU and Russian

authorities are flexible. Inform both BY/RU and

EU partners on practicalities

.

What is the UBC?Baltic Sea Regional co-operation and policy actor, a link between the cities, and practical project implementation network:•Founded in 1991 by 32 cities, now 100 members•Represents the cities in Baltic Sea Regional policy co-operation•Overall goal: balanced democratic, economic, social and environmental development•Strategic focus: implementation of Agenda21•Main Secretariat in Gdansk – 11 thematic

commissions placed all around the Baltic Sea Region

Roadmap for Sustainable Baltic Cities- UBC Agenda 21 Action Programme 2004-2009

Local Action 21 - Emphasis on concrete sustainability impact “on the ground”, five thematic focus areas:

•Good governance and sustainable urban management

•Sustainable use of energy and resources

•Good living environment and nature protection

•Sustainable economy and transport

•Social integration and health

Current UBC Agenda 21 Projects BSR / European Cutting edge activities!

“Top of the pops” – the best and biggest we are doing:

Managing Urban Europe – 25 (2005-2008, 2.9 MEUR)

SUSTAINMENT (2006-2007, 1.4 MEUR)

BUSTRIP – Baltic Urban Sustainable TransportImplementation and Planning (2005-2007, 3.3 MEUR)

MATRUSCHKA –Integrated Management System for

Russian Cities (2007-2009, 750 000 EUR)

In addition several smaller projects where the UBC contributes to European co-operation as one of the partners. Also global sustainability work with the Lake Victoria Region Local Authorities Co-operation and Sida (Swedish International Development Agency)

Roadmap for Sustainable Baltic Cities- Our working methods / approaches

Our most important tools are the projects addressing the focus areas. Key words are co-operation, external and internal networking, exchange of information (meetings, workshops, bulletins, website)

UBC is involved in the European policy making in the Baltic Sea Region. Partners include HELCOM (Helsinki Commission

- Baltic Marine Environment Protection

Commission) and Baltic 21 (Agenda

21 for the Baltic Sea

Region)

Open House –

some of our project partners

In Europe:Eurocities, ACRR (Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling), ASSURRE (multilateral companies network), Energy-Cities, Healthy Cities, Barcelona, Porto, Brussels, Athens, Rome, Hanover, Sevilla, Ancona, Leeds, Lewis, Newcastle, University of the West of England, Sustainable Cities Research Institute (Northumbria University),German Federal Environmental Agency, …

Globally:

U.S. Baltic Regional Environmental Office, City of Portland, U.S. Environment Protection Agency, Lake Viktoria Regin Local Authorities Co-operation, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, UNEP (Grid Arendal), Climate Alliance…

Past projects - part of successNew Hansa of Sustainable Ports and Cities (2003-2004,

1,0 MEUR)

EMAS Peer Reviewfor Cities (2003-2004, 0,6 MEUR)

Baltic University Urban Forum (2004-2006, 0,6MEUR)

UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat

Consists of 15 professionals working fulltime for the UBC

More informationwww.ubc-action21.netTel. +358 2 262 3179 environment@ubc.net

Services include:Partnerships Project building Meetings and eventsEnvironmental Bulletin

Workshops SeminarsThe Best Environmental Practice in Baltic Cities Award