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SEE Project Launches Second Policy Booklet
The SEE project ‘Sharing Experience Europe – Policy, Innovation, Design’, has launched the second SEE Policy Booklet: Realising Sustainability and Innovation through Design: Making it Happen in Communities, Industry, Public Sector & Policy-Making. SEE is a network of eleven European design organisations engaging with European, national and regional governments to integrate design into public policy. This second SEE Policy Booklet aims to demonstrate how design can foster a culture of sustainability and innovation among all players in society using creative and user-centred processes.
SEE is operating from September 2008 to June 2011 co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVC programme. An electronic copy of the booklet is available to download from the SEE website: www.seeproject.org/publications.
Programme capitalisation in the sub-theme innovation, research and technology development
In the framework of the Programme Capitalisation, a Feedback Seminar was held in Brussels on 19 May 2010. Most off the 21 involved projects were represented at the event, where EURADA – the expert team – presented the first findings of the experiment and participants also had the opportunity to react on these first results and to further exchange on content and process related issues.
The analysis is foreseen to be finalised by June and be presented in front of the Monitoring Committee on its forthcoming meeting (28-29 June), where a decision could be made on the possible generalisation of the Programme Capitalisation by extending it to other sub-themes as well.
Event report |
Welcome Presentation |
EURADA Presentation |
INTERREG IVC Communication Seminar report
The programme’s second communication seminar was held for Lead Partners and partners responsible for communication on 10-11 May in Berlin (Germany). It was designed to assist partners to integrate fully the communication aspect to their project implementation. The seminar consisted of a plenary session followed by a series of practical workshops. Six different workshops were organised, covering themes from stakeholder mapping to social media. All participants also received a copy of the new comprehensive Project Communication Guide. The event gathered 139 participants, including 119 project representatives from 76 running projects.
The event report as well as all presentations and the Project Communication Guide can be downloaded here:
Event report | Project Communication Guide
Presentations pack1 (14Mb) | Presentations pack2 (8Mb) |
Regions for Economic Change Conference "Building Sustainable Growth", 20-21 May 2010
INTERREG IVC will be participating in the upcoming conference in Brussels, along with the Fast Track Capitalisation projects from the first call. These projects are coming to a close, and a workshop will examine the first results. A ceremony to launch the action plans produced by the project partners will take with Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes Hahn, after the workshop on 20 May.
The programme continues with a political forum, and thematic workshops. High-profile key-note speakers will speak about "Long-term Research and Innovation Policies for Sustainable Growth" and about "Sustainable Energy and Climate Change: Challenges for Regional Policy Solutions" in the context of regional policy. Prominent panels consisting of European Commissioners, politicians and practioners will then discuss about the future of European regional policy with a view towards the year 2020.
Registration is compulsory, via the conference website. Full details of the programme and how to register are available here: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/sustainable-growth/home_en.cfm
ESPON programme consultation on 'Themes for future research'
The ESPON programme has launched a survey to map the actual demand for knowledge and evidence among stakeholders involved in territorial development at different territorial contexts and scales. The results of this screening will be used in the process of the ESPON Monitoring Committee selecting themes for applied territorial research projects and will significantly support the ESPON 2013 Programme in meeting stakeholders demands. Visit the ESPON website for more details and link to the survey.
Programme capitalisation in the sub-theme innovation, research and technology development
The INTERREG IVC programme has launched an initial experimentation of programme-level capitalisation with a special focus on the sub-theme innovation, research and technology development. This experiment will analyse the 21 projects approved under the 1st and 2nd calls in this sub-theme.
The aim of the experimentation is to test a specific methodology in order to maximize the programme’s impact by an optimal exploitation of the knowledge resulting from the projects, to provide in return relevant thematic information to the running projects, to make the programme’s achievements more visible and to be able to draw some policy recommendations at the European level.
The trial is carried out by EURADA (European Association of Development Agencies). In this framework, the first thematic workshop was organised on 25 March in Brussels, where the majority of the 21 involved projects were present together with representatives of the European Commission, URBACT and INTERACT. The aim of the workshop was to open a discussion on regional innovation policies and to start an exchange process among the projects dealing with similar issues. To follow up on the first results, a second thematic workshop will be organised on 19 May in Brussels with the main objective of going deeper in the exchange process on thematic issues and tools between the projects.
The event report and the presentations of the first thematic workshop can be downloaded below.
Download event report | Download presentations
European Awards for Territorial Innovation - Call for entry
On the occasion of the 5th RuraliTIC Forum - ICT University for the territories in Aurillac (France) on August 30th & 31st, the 2010 edition of the European Awards for Territorial Innovation will be held. Their goal is to promote the use of innovative ICT in local and territorial authorities in France, and now in the rest of Europe. The aim is to select about a hundred innovative ICT applications.
The call for entry and other documents to download (presentation note, application pattern) can be found on: http://www.ruralitic.org/index.php/applications_tic_innovantes_2010/.
Applications must be submitted by June 30th 2010 to Evika Ruiz – evika.ruiz@ruralitic.org - + 33 1 40 84 87 80.
INTERREG IVC third call for proposals closed
The third call for proposals, concerning only Capitalisation projects, closed on 5th March at midnight. According to the electronic versions that the secretariat has received, 29 proposals have been submitted to the programme. The secretariat is waiting for the paper versions to confirm this figure and begin processing the applications.
These figures are in line with the programme’s expectations. During the first call, 13 Capitalisation applications were submitted and 26 applications to the second call for proposals. For this third call, EUR 15 million ERDF is available.
The next steps will involve an administrative check of the dossiers, to ensure that all the eligibility requirements have been met, followed by a quality assessment of the eligible proposals.
Applicants will be kept informed in due time of the outcome of both of these steps.
Vacancies
Two vacancies at the INTERREG IVC programme based in Lille
The INTERREG IVC Joint Technical Secretariat has two positions available within its Finance team. One Financial Control and Audit Officer and one Finance Officer position is available. The profiles, along with general information and instructions for applying, can be downloaded below. Closing date for applications: Friday 16 July 2010.
Download General Advert | Download Finance Officer profile | Download Financial Control and Audit Officer profile | Download registration form to send with CV
INTERREG IVB NWE: Vacancy for one Project Development Officer (7-month contract)
The Joint Technical Secretariat of the North West Europe Programme is based in Lille (France) and is looking for one Project Development Officer on a short-term contract of 7 months from mid- July 2010 to mid- February 2011. Candidates should have a background in European Integration and be proficient in English, the Programme working language. Additionally, they should demonstrate a good command of at least one of the other three official languages (Dutch, French and German). Download full description.
Deadline for applications: 25 June 2010. For more information, visit the North-West Europe programme website.
Public Tenders
No current tenders
European Institute for Territorial Cooperation workshop on the intercultural dimension of European projects
A workshop on "The intercultural dimension: how does it add value to European projects? Cross-cultural realities and challenges in European territorial cooperation." is organised on 26 February 2010, from 9am to 5pm, at Scotland House (Rond Pont Schuman 6, Brussels).
The Nord - Pas de Calais Region has set up the European Institute for Territorial Cooperation (EITC) to offer training and support to project promoters in building successful partnerships. Today, leading a successful INTERREG project involves proper consideration to intercultural differences. How can partners take advantage of those differences for enhanced cooperation?
Registration free, but required on eitc-iect@nordpasdecalais.fr using reply form
ERIK ACTION Final Conference and Photography contest
The Conference ERIK ACTION and INTERREGIONAL COOPERATION – Upgrading the Innovation Capacity of Enterprises through Interregional Transfer will be held in Florence, Italy on Tuesday 11th May 2010.
The one day conference will take you on a multi-media ride through the ERIK ACTION transfer experience, looking at the methodology used and the lessons learned. It will also give you a chance to discuss various aspects of the theme of innovation for enterprises with international experts.
Through a mixture of panel discussions, key note speeches, exhibitions and new media, the ERIK ACTION Final Conference is a learning experience and a moment to take stock of the Capitalisation process so far.
Within the context, ERIK ACTION is organising an international photography contest on the theme of innovation. With one overall prize and four category prizes, this contest is a chance for you to have your photos exhibited at European level and to win vouchers for camera equipment.
For further information on the conference and the context: visit the website at www.eriknetwork.net/erikaction or write to us at erikaction@eriknetwork.net
Call for Capitalisation projects launched - book a place at upcoming Lead applicant seminars
The call for Capitalisation projects is open from 9 December 2009 to 5 March 2010.
The terms of reference for this call, and the full application pack, is available for download in the 'Application' section of the website.
Applicants who are working on a project proposal are invited to register for one of two applicant seminars that will be held in January.
Applicants from the North and South areas should register for the event in Barcelona, on 14-15 January, and applicants from the East and West areas should register for the event in Prague, on 20-21 January.
Full details of these events and the registration form can be found in the Application section. Registration is open until 4 January for Barcelona, and 8 January for Prague.
Capitalisation Conference presentations
The INTERREG IVC Capitalisation Conference was held on 9-10 December in Gothenburg. Gathering around 150 people, the conference aimed to explore fully the concept of ‘Capitalisation projects’ within the INTERREG IVC programme, along with the special role of Managing Authorities in these projects.
This conference was also the launch of the dedicated call for proposals for Capitalisation projects, closing on 5 March 2010. A number of partner search tools were put in place for participants, including speed dating, thematic workshops, and the use of a unique networking tool called ‘Spotme’.
Spotme allowed participants to find each other by radar, to exchange business cards electronically and to search by participant.
A full conference report will be available in January 2010. Until then, the presentations made during the conference are available for download here.
The terms of reference of the call for Capitalisation projects are available in the Application section.
SUGAR Award 2010
The INTERREG IVC-funded SUGAR project has launched a European prize for cities which have developed innovative and sustainable public policies in city logistics.
Cities can apply until 31 December 2009, and the winners will be announced during a ceremony on 25 January 2010 in Bologna (Italy).
Full details on how to apply, plus the terms and conditions, are available on www.sugarlogistics.eu.
Registration open for Lead Applicant Seminars
Within the context of the forthcoming 3rd call for Capitalisation projects (9 December 2009 - 5 March 2010), two Lead applicant seminars will be organised by the INTERREG IVC programme.
The first, on 14-15 January 2010 in Barcelona, is dedicated to applicants from the North and South areas (Cyprus, Italy, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden and Norway).
The second, on 20-21 January 2010 in Prague, is dedicated to applicants from the East and West areas (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Switzerland).
Full details and registration forms can be found in the Application section
Lead Partner Seminar - presentations and report
A Lead Partner Seminar for approved projects from the second round of applications was held at the Bedford Hotel, Brussels on Thursday 26 November 2009.
Individual consultations with the Joint Technical Secretariat concerning the conditions linked to project approvaltook place from 25-27 November.
The event report and the presentations made can be downloaded below:
First level control seminar for German partners
The country specific information for Germany has been updated with presentations made during a seminar organised by the German ministry responsible for interregional cooperation, on 2 December 2009 in Munich.
74 projects approved in 2nd round decision
The Monitoring Committee has approved 7 Capitalisation Projects and 67 Regional Initiative projects at their meeting of 4-6 November in Stockholm, Sweden.
A total of EUR 125 million ERDF was allocated to these projects, meaning that in total around 65% of the programme funds have been disbursed.
Notification letters will be sent by email to applicants by 11 November. Please kindly wait until you have received notification before contacting the JTS!
INTERREG IVC Capitalisation Conference 9-10 December 2009 - Registration closing 27 November 2009!
21 October 2009 - The INTERREG IVC programme, on behalf of its Managing Authority (the Nord Pas-de-Calais Region) and under the patronage of the EU Swedish presidency, is holding its first Capitalisation conference on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 December 2009, at the Gothenburg Convention Centre, Sweden.
Capitalisation projects aim at transferring identified good practices into the Structural Funds programmes of each Region involved. They are addressed to Managing Authorities and intermediate bodies set up by them.
The event offers opportunities to gather information on capitalisation and specifically on the next call for proposals for Capitalisation projects, to network for potential partners and share their experience and best practices with partners in similar running projects.
This event is targeted primarily at Managing Authorities of Structural Funds programmes as they are the key actors for Capitalisation projects. A maximum of 400 participants can be accepted for this event.
Registration and further information on www.interreg4c2009.eu
Regional Development Conference 2009 – Report
Under the Swedish Presidency, a European conference on « Renewable Energy and Clean Tech – Tools for Regional Development » was organised in Östersund, Sweden, on 20-21 July.
The purpose of the conference was to agree on a position document containing concrete proposals for boosting local, regional, national and European sustainable regional development through innovation in renewable energies and clean technology.
The report of the outcomes of this event, including the position paper presented during the informal EU Council meeting on 23-24 July, is available for download below. The declaration highlights the importance of territorial cooperation (cross-border, transnational and interregional) in developing solutions in tackling climate change.
Visit the website of the event | Download the final report
Amendment of EC regulations
The following regulations concerning the INTERREG IVC programme have been amended: Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006; Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006; Regulation (EC) No 1828/2006. The amendments are available for download in the 'Programme' section of the website.
Please note that the INTERREG IVC programme does not exercise the option available in Article 7 (4) (i) of Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 amended by Regulation (EC) No 397/2009. It is thus not possible to declare costs on the basis of flat rates, standard scales of unit cost or lump sums.
Communication training for partners - report
The first communications training for project partners was held in Valencia on 22-23 October. A report of the training, as well as the presentations made, can be downloaded here:
Download report | Download presentations
Update on the 2nd call evaluation process
The evaluation of the 391 eligible applications of the second call for proposals is continuing! The date has been set for the Monitoring Committee to make a decision on project approval. This meeting will take place 4-6 November, and all applicants will be informed of the results shortly afterwards. Approved projects would be expected to start their activities from January 2010.
Two INTERREG IVC-funded ‘mini-programmes’ looking for sub-projects
INNOVATION for Welfare (I4W), a project dedicated to stimulating innovation in the field of health and safety, and POWER, moving towards low-carbon economies, are both seeking to develop sub-projects in these fields. Public bodies located in the regions of these project partners are eligible to apply. Full details can be found on the following websites:
General consultation on Committee of the Regions White Paper on Multilevel Governance
The Committee of the Regions is launching a general consultation to canvass the views of the local and regional authorities, associations and other stakeholders and calling on them to submit their comments on the best way of implementing multi-level governance in Europe. Comments on the White Paper on Multilevel Governance can be submitted until the 30 November 2009 to the following address:
Committee of the Regions of the European Union
Forward Studies Unit
Cellule de Prospective
Office VMA 0635
Rue Belliard 101
1040 Brussels
BELGIUM
or by email to: governance@cor.europa.eu
In addition, the CoR, along with the College of Europe, will organise a one-day conference on 22 September in Bruges, to present this White Paper as well as to discuss its main political recommendations.
For further details on the conference and the White Paper on Multilevel Governance itself, please contact Isabelle Dirkx (isabelle.dirkx@cor.europa.eu) or Svetlozar Andreev (svetlozar.andreev@cor.europa.eu).
Capitalisation workshop on eGovernment good practices
The INTERREG IVC Capitalisation project PIKE - Promoting Innovation and the Knowledge Economy - is organising a workshop in Brussels on 24 September 2009.
Entitled “eGovernment good practices transfer between regional authorities: experiences and challenges of INTERREG IVC Capitalisation projects”, the aim of the workshop is twofold:
The European Commission's General Directorates for Information Society & Media (DG Information Society and Media) and for Regional Policy (DG Regional Policy) along with the INTERREG IVC Secretariat and the PIKE project consortium have joined forces to produce this half-day event which will comprise a variety of presentations, panel discussions and a round table session.
The workshop is an essential date for other EU regions and practitioners with a keen interest on eGovernment systems and wireless broadband infrastructure and applications, and for partners of other Capitalisation projects.
For more details and to register for the workshop, please see the ePractice portal: http://www.epractice.eu/en/workshops/pike
Interregional Cooperation Projects - First collection brochure now available (06/08/2009)
A practical brochure, summarising the 41 projects approved in the first round of INTERREG IVC funding, is now available. This publication details by theme the initiatives undertaken by regional and local authorities to improve their regional development policies.
Each project description is accompanied by contact details of the lead partner, plus a map showing the location of all the project partners.
This brochure is essential reading for all those interested in finding out more about how interregional cooperation is working to improve policies in the areas of Innovation and the Knowledge Economy, and Environment and Risk Prevention.
The electronic version can be downloaded here, please contact the Joint Technical Secretariat or your nearest Information Point to request a hard copy.
Finance seminar - download report and material (23/06/2009)
The INTERREG IVC Secretariat held a Finance seminar for Lead partners and Lead partner controllers on 11-12 June 2009 in Brussels.
This extremely informative and interactive seminar provided participants with an opportunity to really understand what is required from them and from their partners to ensure that control and audit procedures are properly followed.
The presentations and case studies used during this event, along with a summary report, can be downloaded here:
Download report | Download presentations | Download case studies
A new brochure on interregional cooperation with focus on East area published (18/06/2009)
In celebration of the 5th anniversary of the European Union enlargement in 2004, the Information Point East of the INTERREG IVC programme has developed a brochure called “EXPERIENCE-COOPERATION-DEVELOPMENT: Regions of Enlarged Europe Sharing Solutions. East area perspective”.
This publication is a reflection upon the challenges and benefits of interregional cooperation before and after the European Union accession, including the visions of the newest members – Bulgaria and Romania. It contains selected examples of projects implemented in the framework of INTERREG IIIC and INTERREG IVC programmes and depicts the joint actions undertaken by the European regions. The brochure focuses on the countries covered by the Information Point East area.
If you are interested in more details regarding the brochure contents, please contact the IP East Communication Adviser Agnieszka Kmiecik-Mikusek
Two versions of the brochure are available for downloading:
Update concerning Italian Lead Partners reporting (15/06/2009)
The formal settlement of the ad-hoc Committee for the approval of first level controllers in Italy has been delayed. Therefore, the submission deadline of the first progress report for Italian Lead Partners is postponed to 1 October 2009. This date will also be the deadline for the submission of the second progress report. In practice, two separate progress reports will have to be submitted:
The country specific information for Italy has been updated accordingly.
Call for Capitalisation projects to launch end 2009, Regional Initiative projects after second call analysis
The Monitoring Committee has decided on the perspective for a third call for projects, at the fourth programme Monitoring Committee meeting in Prague, 14-15 May. A two-step package has been agreed upon, with differing dates for Capitalisation projects and Regional Initiative projects (RIP). A call for Capitalisation projects only will be opened at the end of 2009 while a call for Regional Initiative projects will be launched following an analysis at programme level of the approved projects from the first and second calls.
Download the announcement for full details of this decision.
May 29th 2009 - "Develop and build partnerships in Europe: a showcase of good INTERREG Projects"
In the context of the creation of the European Institute for Territorial Cooperation (EITC) the Region Nord-Pas de Calais holds the first showcase of good projects on 29 May 2009.
For more information, contact Valentine Catrysse E-mail: v.catrysse@nordpasdecalais.fr Phone: + 33 3 28 82 70 92
Download the agenda | Download reply slip | Deadline for registration: 11 May 2009
New progress report deadlines for French and Italian Lead Partners (20/04/2009)
The outstanding first level control issues for France and Italy have been resolved, and the reserves lifted by the Audit Authority. Projects with French and Italian Lead Partners can now report their expenditure and activities to the JTS.
The latest date for submitting the first progress report from the projects concerned is 15 June 2009. Further information on the reporting and control requirements can be found in the latest version of the programme manual, and in the email sent to Lead Partners in January 2009 along with the pre-filled progress report.
Second call for proposals closed
Friday 30 January 2009 was the deadline for submission of projects under INTERREG IVC’s second round of funding. A total of 481 applications were received.
The programme’s Secretariat will now begin the administrative and technical analysis of the applications, expected to last until the summer for such a high number of applications.
A decision on approved projects can be expected from the programme’s Monitoring Committee in autumn 2009.
Download some statistics on applications received
Regions for Economic Change Conference
INTERREG IVC will be present at the annual Regions for Economic Change conference, 16-17 February, organised by the European Commission in Brussels. Four INTERREG IVC approved Capitalisation projects, also labelled Fast Track by the EC, will present their current activities in dedicated workshops. The projects - B3 Regions, PIKE, ERIK Action and RAPIDE - have been in operation since April 2008.
An INTERREG IVC stand will also be present on the ground floor of the Charlemagne building, where members of the Secretariat will be available to meet with participants.
The now annual 'RegioStars Awards' will also take place on 16 February. Two INTERREG IIIC projects have been shortlisted in the first category. The winners will receive a trophy presented by the Regional Policy Commissioner, Danuta Hübner, and the president of the jury.
INTERREG IVC leaflet available for download
Download the information leaflet on INTERREG IVC from the 'Publications' link in the Programme section. Don't hesitate to contact your Information Point if you would like copies of this leaflet.
Precision on co-financing statements
Following several requests from applicants, the JTS confirms that signed co-financing statements can be accepted in original, faxed or scanned versions under the second call rules for submission.
Progress report and first level control templates now available
The first progress report for running projects has been recently sent to Lead Partners. A pdf version of the progress report template is available for download in the Projects section. Information on the situation regarding French and Italian partners, currently unable to report expenditure, has also been published. This information has been sent to all Lead Partners with the pre-filled progress report.
In addition, Word versions of control checklist, certification of partner expenditure and shared costs templates have been extracted from the programme manual for use by first level controllers.
Go to Projects
Deadline approaching for end of second call for projects
Friday 30 January is the deadline for applicants to submit their applications under the second call of the INTERREG IVC programme. Applications must be submitted electronically and by post. Full details on how to submit your application are available in the call terms of reference.
We advise applicants to take extra care before sending their application to ensure that all eligibility requirements are met. By taking a few extra minutes to double check the eligibility questions (see Section 3.4.1 of programme manual) applicants may avoid much disappointment. Last year, almost 20% of applications were declared ineligible under the first call, a figure the programme would like to see reduced. Applicants should be aware that the eligibility check is a procedural 'yes/no' process where no flexibility can be granted. The JTS has to declare ineligible any application that does not fulfil all the requirements.
We also remind applicants that only the application form for the second call will be accepted (published October 2008; updated December 2008). Applications received using the first call application form cannot be treated.
Important announcement: Removal of eligibility rule concerning maximum number of applications per organisation
The programme’s Monitoring Committee, made up of representatives of all 29 participating countries, has finally decided not to limit the number of applications that one organisation can make during one call.
This means that the eligibility criterion limiting the number of applications per organisation to five per call will not be applied.
This change has now been reflected in the updated programme manual, and terms of reference for the second call. The checklist of the application form has also been modified to reflect this change. Download updated documents
Applicants who have already downloaded the previous version of the second call Application Form can continue to use this version. They should however check the box at point 13 on page 4 relating to this eligibility criterion (even though it no longer applies) to avoid seeing an error message.
No other eligibility criteria have been affected.
While the number of applications per organisation per call is now not restricted, the programme still encourages partners to be selective in their choice of applications, according to their organisation’s and region’s priorities.
Second call open
The second call is open from 27 October 2008 to 30 January 2009. The terms of reference for this call is available to download, along with the updated programme manual, in the Application section.
Assistance to applicants
To assist applicants in preparing their project application, a series of events - Lead applicant seminars, national information days, individual consultations - will be organised throughout the call period.
Please see the Assistance to applicants page for complete details of upcoming events.
Lead applicant seminar presentations
If you haven't managed to make it to one of our Lead Applicant Seminars, you can download the presentations that were given here.
Lead Applicant Seminar Presentations - 2nd call
List of approved projects from first call
A full list of all 41 projects approved under the first call for proposals is available in the 'Project' section. This table includes information on the subtheme of each project, and a summary of its objectives. Contact details of the lead partners are also available, useful for those currently developing a project on a similar topic.
EU Interregional Cooperation Forum
Over 1000 participants from all over Europe came to Lille on 27 and 28 October to participate in the EU Interregional Cooperation Forum. As this was also the moment of the launch of the second call for projects, detailed presentations were given by the JTS team on the INTERREG IVC programme, changes from the first call, and tips on how to build a good proposal.
The final report for this event will soon be available, in the meantime you can download the informative presentations here:
Monitoring Committee decisions on the INTERREG IVC Regional Initiative Projects
The INTERREG IVC Monitoring Committee approved 35 Regional Initiative Projects during its meeting on 18-19 September in Marseille. These projects represent a total of over €60 million ERDF. The projects covered 8 of the 10 sub-themes possible under the programme.
Combined with the Capitalisation Projects approved in April of this year, the programme has committed almost €70 million ERDF, that is 23% of the programme available budget.
Notification letters have been sent to all applicants. The INTERREG IVC JTS appreciates all the hard work that has gone into preparing applications.
Please find here an overview of the projects approved.
Seminar for the bodies responsible for the First Level Control system in the 27 EU-Member States and Norway
40 representatives in charge of the First Level Control System in the EU-Member States and Norway met in Lille on 10 June 2008. They discussed the INTERREG IVC first level control system and agreed on standardized control documents to be used by the Lead Partner and Project Partner controllers. The European Commission (Unit ‘Control and Audit’, DG Regio) and the CICC-FS (Commission interministérielle de coordination des contrôles portant sur les actions cofinancées par les fonds structurels, France), as the programme’s Audit Authority, also participated in the meeting. As a next step the extended programme manual containing the control guidance and relevant control templates will be presented to the Monitoring Committee for decision at its next meeting on 17 and 18 September 2008. It will be published on the website of the INTERREG IVC programme afterwards. The presentations made during the meeting are available for download here
Lead Partner seminar – event report
The first information seminar for Lead Partners of the recently approved Capitalisation Projects was held in Lille on 21 May 2008. You will find the event report and links to all presentations below.
Event report and presentations
Download the final version of the Subsidy Contract and Partnership Agreement in the Programme Documents section.
Results of Monitoring Committee meeting
The first set of project applications to come under the scrutiny of the INTERREG IVC Monitoring Committee was the Capitalisation projects. The meeting took place in Ljubljana on 24 April 2008. We have the pleasure of announcing that out of the twelve eligible applications presented to the committee, six were approved under conditions.
Capitalisation projects – the second of two types of projects possible under INTERREG IVC – are projects that focus specifically on transferring already-identified good practices into Structural Funds mainstream programmes.
Here is an overview of the selected projects, which now enter the phase of fulfilling the conditions set by the Monitoring Committee:
- ERIK ACTION – Upgrading the innovation capacity of existing firms
- B3 Regions – Regions for better broadband connection
- RAPIDE – Regional Action Plans for Innovation Development and Enterprise
- PIKE – Promoting Innovation and the Knowledge Economy
- ICHNOS PLUS – Innovation and Change: Network of one-stop shops for business – PLUS
- ESF6 CIA – Capitalising innovative approaches towards demographic change
Improving the effectiveness of regional innovation support services is the objective of this Italian-led project, leading to an upgrade in the innovation capacity of businesses. Building on four years of networking experience within the ERIK network (DG REGIO’s Innovative Actions programme), the project partners aim to transfer the good practices already identified in the Erik database into regional mainstream programmes. The eleven partners in this project represent 10 countries, all of whom have identified innovation as a key priority in regional development. The project will therefore produce 11 regional action plans to ensure the successful transfer of these practices into regional policy. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: Regional Government of Tuscany (IT)
This project tackles a key theme for the development of the knowledge economy: implementing broadband connections in remote or disadvantaged areas. Based on the analysis that only about 60% of businesses and households in the remote and rural areas of the EU15 had access to broadband in 2005, compared with over 90% of urban areas, the project aims to transfer existing good practices in this domain to regions involved. Based on a partnership of 17 bodies representing eight countries, this project will contribute to the economic modernisation and increased competitiveness of Europe. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: Piedmont Region (IT)
This project deals with the role of the public sector in stimulating innovation in regions, in particular helping mainly small businesses bring innovative products to market more quickly. By focusing on the good practices already identified in partner regions, gathered under the various national and European development programmes, the partners aim to develop robust, workable Action plans that each Region will implement. Thirteen partners from eleven Member States will thus stimulate innovation in regions, increase economic growth and therefore contribute directly to the EU agenda for Innovation and Knowledge economy. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: South West England Regional Development Agency
Building on the experiences shared under the INTERREG IIIC-funded project BRISE, this project seeks to stimulate the successful uptake of Information Society policies at regional level, particularly in the area of broadband and internet access, and eGovernment practices. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: ERNACT EEIG (IE)
ICHNOS PLUS aims to roll-out the models of one-stop shops for businesses developed under the INTERREG IIIC project (ICHNOS) to mainstream regional programmes. Through this, they aim to improve entrepreneurship policies by simplifying red tape for business start-ups. The seven partners, from seven different countries, are dedicated to implementing the models developed in their own region.
Lead Partner: ANCITEL Sardinia (IT)
Best practices on tackling demographic change – notably a falling birth rate and increasing life span – are the subject of this project, capitalising on experiences gained under the Innovative Actions programme (article 6 – demographic change). The eleven partners, representing eight countries, will benefit from the various experiences of each partner. This project will benefit from Fast Track assistance from the EC.
Lead Partner: Aufbauwerk Region Leipzig GmbH (DE)
We would like to thank all applicants for their hard work in preparing their applications. Applicants who were unsuccessful this time have the opportunity of re-applying under the second call for projects. Published 05/05/2008.
Country specific information updated
Country specific information including information concerning the system used in each country for First level control has been updated in the Programme section. This is an important source of information for those completing an INTERREG IVC application. The details will be updated as further information is received from Member States
First territorial cooperation programme approved by the European Commission: INTERREG IVC
Lille, September 18 2007
The interregional cooperation programme – INTERREG IVC – has been officially approved by the European Commission on 11th September 2007 in Brussels. It is the first of the territorial cooperation programmes to have received approbation. The IVC project is also main vehicle of the networking part of the Regions for economic change initiative.
The programme is targeted at regions of the 27 EU Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland, to exchange their experiences and transfer good practice.
The 2 main priorities of the programme – Innovation and Knowledge economy, and Environment and Risk prevention – reflect the renewed focus of the European Union on the Lisbon and Gothenburg Strategy to promote jobs and growth in Europe.
The programme has a budget of 321 million euros, financed from the European Regional Development fund (ERDF), for the period 2007-2013.
The programme will be officially launched at the EU Interregional Cooperation Forum to be held on 20 & 21 September 2007 in Lisbon. The first call for projects will be opened at the Forum, closing on 15th January 2007.
Danuta Hübner, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy and Francisco Nunes Correia, Portuguese Minister for Environment, Spatial Planning and Regional Development acting as Representative of the EU Presidency, will speak on 20th September at 17:30 to mark the launch.
A press conference will follow their interventions, at 18:00.
For more information, contact:
Nuala MORGAN
Communication Officer
INTERREG IVC
Nuala.morgan@interreg4c.eu
+33 670 795 872
