INTERREG III C: Past experiences and future expectations on Interregional Co-operation

Brussels, 12.12.02

Thomas WobbenVerbindungsbüro des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt

Boulevard Saint Michel 78B-1040 Brüssel

Tel.: 00.32.2.741 09 31 Fax: 00.32.2.741 09 39e-mail: wobben@vb-bruessel.stk.lsa-net.de

INTERREG III update Seminar

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Content:

• Status quo of interregional co-operation• Experiences interregional co-operation• Fundamental thoughts• INTERREG III C Timetable• INTERREG III C Actions• Aims and objectives of implementing INTERREG III C • Consortium for a RFO on SME and Tourism• Process of interregional co-operation• Content of a Regional Framework Operation on SME and Tourism• Implementation of a RFO• Possible work plan for a Regional Framework Operation• RFO Management Structure• Regional Partnerships within a Regional Framework Operation• The next steps

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Status quo of interregional co-operation

• Regions in Europe have very different functions, structures and competencies (often in sharp contrast to local level government in Europe) and they are only able to co-operate in a limited way

• interregional co-operation up to now was mainly focuses on a project based co-operation of individual organisations (single dimensional co-operations)

• due to the centralised tendering many regional actors did not apply for interregional co-operation

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Experiences with interregional co-operation

• Up to now interregional co-operation was managed at central level:– 1999 ECOS/OUVERTURE last Call: more then 400 applications, of

which finally 40 were chosen– heavy selection and modification process after project selection– time gap between application and project start partly more then 15

months

• result:– high efforts for application necessary with a very low success rate,

very strict tender and administration procedures– high administrative burden at Commission level with build in

conflict potential

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Fundamental thoughts

• In order to achieve a Europe of the Citizen it necessary to include local and regional authorities much closer in the integration process

• To learn from each other and to find joint solution for similar related problems can only be achieved if there are lasting and strong co-operations between the local and regional level in Europe

• More understanding for the European integration process can only be achieved, if local and regional authorities in Europe can develop their own models for communication, participation and co-operation

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INTERREG III C Timetable

• March 1999: adoption of AGENDA 2000

• 21. June 1999: adoption of General Provision for Structural Funds

• 28. April 2000: adoption of INTERREG Guidelines

• 7. May 2001: Communication on INTERREG III C

• 31. December 2001 adoption of INTERREG III C Operational Programme

• 20. September Presentation of INTERREG III Programme Complement

• 15. October 2002 Launch of First Call

•10.01.03 First Call for INTERREG III C submissions

• Mid 2003 start of first project implementation !

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

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ProgrammeProgramme

Individualprojects

Individualprojects NetworksNetworks

RegionalFrameworkOperations

RegionalFrameworkOperations

INTERREG III C Actions

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– long term co-operation of regions

– multi-dimensional co-operation of regions

– bottom up approach through a programme based implementation

– strengthening of interregional co-operation also in light of the future financial perspectives of SF programme

Ressources

year

INTERREG

Mainstream Programmes

2006

Aims of Implementing INTERREG III C

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Consortium for a RFO on SME/Tourism

SME/Tourism

North of England, UKLimburg, NL Valencia, ESachsen-Anhalt, D

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Process of interregional co-operation

Region 1

Region 3

Region 2

Region X

•1999 start of INTERREG Steering Group

•end 2000 setting up RFO consortium

•18./19.06.01: 1st Seminar of RFO Consortium (Magdeburg)

•August 2001: Involvement of Process Consultant

• 12./13.02.02: 2nd Seminar of RFO Consortium (Valencia)

•5.06.02: 3rd Seminar of RFO Consortium (Brussels)

•06.06.02: Presentation at INTERREG III C Info Day

•4.12.02: 4th Seminar of RFO Consortium (Brussels)

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Content for a RFP on SME and Tourism

Topics/

Actions:

SME Policies

Tourism

CapacityBuilding

/Exchange ofExperience/

Strategy Building

benchmarking SME polices transferability of SME support

assessment of regeneration and

diversification strategies

exchange on Tourism policies

Co-operation

Projects

new funding mechanisms for SME European project management for

SME services environmental affairs co-operation of SME and R&D

development of tourism products eco-tourism cultural tourism quality standards in tourism

Accompanying

measures Apprentice and Staff exchange Compilation of Know How

sensibilisation of SME in the Tourismsector

training and exchanges

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RFO-Proposal RFO SubmissionPreparation Phase: • themati c worki ng groups• draft RFO-Act ion Plan

1st Steering Group• Decision on Ac tion Plan• Terms of Procedure 1st c all

1st Region Cal l for Proposalsac cor ding to RFO Action Pl an

RFO Workshops RFO Pre paration RFO-Imple mentation

Proje ct Se lection by the matic Working Group

Proje ct Impl ementation Proje ct Evaluation/Action Plan Revi si on by the matic Working Group

2nd Steering Group• Decision on revi sed Act ion Plan• Terms of Procedure for 2nd cal l

Implementation of a RFO

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Month 6 12 18 24 30 36 42Preparatory and transparency phaseTake up Management workWork out co-operation contractSteering Committee (SC) meeting 1 3Implementation phase1st Project Cycle (outline, selection, implementation, evaluation)2nd Project Cycle (outline, selection, implementation, evaluation)

Mainstreaming and Evaluation PhaseSensibilisation PhaseDissemination PhaseStrategy DevelopmentStrategy ImplementationPR-activitiesPR plan Newsletter, web-siteRFO-BrochureWorkshops, confernces, events

Introduction workshopThematic workshops

Interregional partnership conferencesWG-meetings ever 6 month

6 12 18 24 30 36 42Steering Committee (SC) meeting 2Steering Committee (SC) meeting 3Steering Committee (SC) meeting 4Steering Committee (SC) meeting 5Steering Committee (SC) meeting 6Steering Committee (SC) meeting 7Steering Committee (SC) meeting 8

6 12 18 24 30 36 42

Possible workplan for a Regional Framework Operation

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RFO Lead Partner (Saxony-Anhalt)Steering Committee

Decision and implementation responsibilityChaired by LP

Managing AuthorityInter-regional Programme Secretariat

Regional Partner RP 1Saxony-Anhalt

RMT 1 Regional ManagementTeam

partner staff or subcontracted

Regional Partner RP 2Valencia

RMT 2 Regional ManagementTeam

partner staff or subcontracted

Regional Partner RP 3Limburg

RMT 3 Regional ManagementTeam

partner staff or subcontracted

Regional Partner RP 4Nord-East England

RMT 4 Regional Management Teampartner staff or subcontracted

Lead participant LPtProjects 1-q

Lead participant LPtProjects 1-n

Lead participant LPtProjects 1-m

Lead participant LPtProjects 1-o

Procect 1 Working Group SME (WGI) (LPt von RP 1 and Pt von each region)

Project 2 Working Group Tourism (WGII) (LPt von RP 1 and Pt von each region)

(as project)

ParticipantPt Pt Pt

CMT Central Management Team (RFO-Ofiice)subcontract

Coordinatorsubcontract

Financial managersubcontract

RFO Management Structure

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Regional Partnerships in within RFO

Region 1

Towns Enterprises

Chambers ofCommerce

Associations

Regional INTERREG Partnership:

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From the co-operation of the Partners....

Region 2

Towns Enterprises

AssociationChambers ofCommerce

Region 1

TownsEnterprises

AssociationChambers ofCommerce

Region 3

Towns

Enterprises Associations

Chambers ofCommerce

Region 4

Towns

Enterprises

Associations

Chambers ofCommerce

Co-operation-Project

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... to the co-operation of Partnerships

Region 2

Towns Enterprises

AssociationChambers ofCommerce

Region 1

TownsEnterprises

AssociationChambers ofCommerce

Region 3

Towns

Enterprises Associations

Chambers ofCommerce

Region 4

Towns

Enterprises

Associations

Chambers ofCommerce

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Timeframe:

• 10.01.03 Deadline for INTERREG III C applications

• from mid 2003 onwards: Joint implementation

Unsolved Questions:

• simultaneous implementation of INTERREG III C in the four zones

• simple administration and implementation

Next steps

Thank you very much and

GOOD LUCK for your

RFO!