Partnership working:Birmingham City Council’s European & international team

Jennifer CrispEuropean Affairs Manager

European and International Affairs team

• Co-ordinate the delivery of the city’s European & International Strategy, Distinctly Birmingham

• European funding

• European and international networks and partnerships

• Birmingham’s Brussels office

What is the purpose of our partnerships?• To engage and involve our stakeholders in our

international work – we are greater than the sum of our parts

• To share information and expertise• To co-ordinate effort and avoid duplication• To learn from others and develop solutions to

common problems• To secure funding• To enhance Birmingham’s influence and

reputation• To collectively represent the interests of the

city• To advocate for change

Local partnerships

• GBSLEP responsible for EU Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF)

• Four area-based associations with local stakeholders to deliver the International Strategy: China, Commonwealth, Europe and North America associations

• Work with BCC teams and departments on ESIF and also EU transnational funding opportunities

Some outcomes of the Area-Based Associations

National partnerships

• Co-operation with the Core Cities and the Local Government Association

• HM Government on EU funding matters

European partnerships

• EUROCITIES network

• Birmingham’s Brussels office partnership

• Relations with the EU institutions e.g. European Commission, European Parliament, UK Permanent Representation

• EU project partnerships

• European partner cities (Frankfurt, Leipzig, Lyon, Milan)

Brussels office partnership

Brussels office partnership - profiling WM manufacturing, innovation and design in Brussels, Sept 2015

International partnerships

• Sister cities (Chicago, Guangzhou, Johannesburg)

• Commonwealth Local Government Forum

How this links to the research agenda?

• The university sector is particularly well-represented in the Brussels office partnership.

• Putting forward Birmingham as an example of good / interesting practice in Europe and learning from others.

• Maximising EU funding opportunities for research such as the Horizon 2020 programme.

Examples of Birmingham’s EU research projects

Thank you for listening

jennifer.crisp@birmingham.gov.uk

www.distinctlybirmingham.com