EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND The INTERREG IVC approach to capitalise on knowledge Magda Anagnostou Capitalisation Officer Joint Technical Secretariat MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
INTERREG ETC Goal 2: European Territorial Cooperation INTERREG: 3 strands / 80 different programmes (EUR 10.2 billion) A cross-border 60 programmes 74% - 7,548 MEUR B transnational 15 programmes 20.3% - 2,075 MEUR C interregional 1 programme INTERREG EUROPE networking 3 programmes URBACT INTERACT ESPON 5.6% 571.6 MEUR 2 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Interregional Cooperation INTERREG IVC programme Learning by sharing Local / regional authorities access the experience of others in Europe facing similar issues to improve their practices / policies in the fields of Innovation and the knowledge economy Environment and risk prevention 3 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
INTERREG IVC state of play 302 M allocated 204 projects 2 285 partners 90% of 271 NUTS 2 regions covered 4 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
INTERREG IVC: state of play Overview approved projects All budget (302 M ) committed Priority 1 Priority 2 Natural and technological risks 19 (16%) 37 (31%) Innovation, research and technology development Entrepreneurship and SMEs 10 (12%) 16 (19%) Water management Waste management 20 (17%) 44 (36%) Information Society Employment, human capital and education 37 (44%) 9 (11%) 5 (6%) 7 (8%) Biodiversity and preservation of natural heritage Energy and sustainable transport Cultural heritage and landscape 5 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
INTERREG IVC: state of play A wealth of knowledge! 6,188 staff with increased capacity 4,709 good practices identified 403 good practices transferred 2,037 policies addressed 432 policies improved (as of June 2014) 6 DG MED REGIO, CAP Unit event, D2, 17 24 November, March, Brussels Brussels
Concept Thematic Programme Capitalisation To exploit and build on knowledge from projects working on a similar topic for the benefit of local and regional authorities all around Europe Experienced thematic experts analyse projects in order to: benchmark the knowledge from the IVC projects demonstrate innovative practices, tools, methodologies make theme-specific policy recommendations 7 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Concept 12 Capitalisation topics 111 projects Priority 1 Priority 2 Innovation Systems 10 (triple helix & open innovation) Innovation capacity of SMEs 7 Eco-innovation 7 Creative industries 14 Entrepreneurship 8 E-government services 6 Demographic change 9 Rural development 9 Climate change 7 Energy efficiency 12 Renewable energy 7 Sustainable transport 15 8 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Resources Available resources Knowledge Resources Content and results of IVC projects Thematic expertise of the assigned experts Input from the Stakeholder Groups Human Resources Key actor: 1 team specialised thematic experts per topic (30 individuals) JTS coordinators Financial Resources ERDF from Programme Priorities, not TA 0.5 M per year (2012-2014, possible extension 2015) 9 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Implementation structure How does it work? JTS/ MA coordinate & ensure the overall quality External Experts analyse and benchmark the project results, draws conclusions Project partners are the knowledge resource Stakeholder Groups provide intellectual input and follow the results 10 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Information flow 2 online platforms Stakeholders Group Capitalisation Experts 11 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Results 2 years - 12 analysis reports & publications benchmark the knowledge from the IVC projects demonstrate innovative practices, tools, methodologies propose synergies & links with other EU initiatives make theme-specific policy recommendations validate the added value of Interregional Cooperation www.interreg4c.eu/capitalisation 12 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Example of findings Main challenges Innovation capacity of SMEs 7 INTERREG IVC projects analysed 61 Project Partners 178 Good practices identified Main Barriers Shortage of Financial Resources Innovation capacity of SMEs Weaknesses in Networking and cooperation Insufficient marketing of innovation Lack of research capabilities Shortage of Innovation management skills 13 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Example of findings - Some solutions Good practices Summer Design Office (Sweden) New Products by Design (Aquitaine, France) Promotion of cooperation between design students/ professionals & SMEs FAME (Alentejo, Portugal) Bank loans for innovation projects in SMEs ensured by guarantees from regional authorities TT Andalusia Network of regional technology transfer organisations 14 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Example of findings - Policy recommendations Key policy messages emerging from Interreg IVC projects Carry out effective benchmarking of existing policies and programmes; Plan a formal programme evaluation such as peer review and adopt an evaluation culture for innovation support; Watch mechanisms to identify successful approaches at a global scale and means to disseminate to other parties; Provide support and assistance for implementation of external good practices such as twinning mechanisms (one-to-one) or partnering fora / platforms. 15 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Dissemination Communication: workshops & events 24 thematic workshops - 600 participants 24 presentations in EU or project events - 3000+ participants 2 exhibitions at Open days - 2000+ visitors 1 exhibition on 6th European Summit of Regions and Cities - 1400+ visitors Policy sharing & learning event - 400participants 16 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Conclusion What have we learnt? There is a need to: evolve from knowledge capitalisation (benchmark & dissemination) to knowledge management (benchmark & reuse) reach beyond the usual beneficiaries by involving stakeholders outside the projects and covering all regions in EU offer demand driven services, answering the real needs of users build on own and other existing experience for the future 17 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Vision for the future 2015+ 18 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
ETC EU regional policy: from 3 objectives to 2 goals 2007 2013 2014 2020 Goal 1: Investment for growth and jobs 97% of the funds EUR 340 billion Goal 2: ETC 2.9% of the funds EUR 10.2 billion 19 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
INTERREG EUROPE Rationale Exchange of experience to improve performance of policies for regional development, in particular Structural Funds programmes EU Cohesion policy Goal 1: Investment for growth & jobs EUR 340 billion Goal 2: European Territorial Cooperation EUR 10.2 billion INTERREG EUROPE EUR 359 m 20 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
INTERREG EUROPE Main features Eligible area: EU28 + Norway & Switzerland Who is eligible? o Public bodies o Bodies governed by public law o Private non-profit bodies Co-financing rates o 85% for public / public equivalent o 75% for private non profit 21 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
INTERREG EUROPE Four themes Research & innovation SME competitiveness Low-carbon economy Environment & resource efficiency 22 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
INTERREG EUROPE Two action to implement the INTERREG EUROPE Programme: A. Interregional Cooperation projects Partners form different countries exchange experiences and Good Practices to improve their regional policies B. Policy Learning Platforms Programme service to facilitate ongoing EU-wide policy learning and capitalisation of Good Practices among regional actors (participating or not to projects) to improve their regional policies 23 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Projects A. Interregional Cooperation Projects 1. Implementation in 2 phases Phase 1 Policy exchange of experience (1 to 3 years) ending with production of 1 action plan per region Phase 2 Monitoring of action plan implementation (2 years) + possible pilot actions 2. Creation of stakeholder groups + involve all organisations linked to policy process + reduce administrative/legal obstacles 24 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Platforms B. Policy Learning Platforms Origin INTERREG IVC capitalisation exercise S3 platform In Seville Objective Contribute to policy learning across EU in particular on Structural Funds implementation Exploit better results of projects & make them available to all regions Improve the quality of Programme with more strategic orientation 25 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
EU-wide capacity building 4 Platforms 1 platform per Thematic Objective Platforms: definition A service provided per priority axis via: Online collaborative tool With relevant functionalities Expert team Content and coordination role 26 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Services: EU wide capacity building 27 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels Platforms Organise peer reviews among regions: 2/ year + upon demand Organise thematic events & workshops: 4/ year + upon demand Advice individual regional actors on policy issues: upon demand Advise running projects on content issues: proactively and upon demand Analyse and benchmark results of the projects: collection of data, desk research, interviews, surveys, evaluations, analyses etc. Promote the results of the analysis: produce policy papers, publications, videos, webinars, news, social media updates, e-learning forums etc. Monitor G&J and ETC programmes: collect thematic content Create synergies: S3 Platform in Seville & other platforms, programmes Advise the programme on strategic orientation: thematic calls for projects
Platofms Examples of actions per Thematic Objective Research & innovation Workshop for procurement managers to discuss pre-commercial procurement Peer review among regions with similar sectors of smart specialisation SMEs Competitiveness Recommendations for regional SME development programmes Peer reviews among regional development agencies and education institutes of regional entrepreneurship 28 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Platforms Examples of actions per Thematic Objective Low carbon economy Database of pilots on sustainable energy applications Policy paper on renewable energy strategies Environment and resource efficiency Seminar for mutual learning among projects dealing with cultural heritage Online compendium of regional measures for green technologies Online tutorial on eco-management in companies 29 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Platforms Points of attention The platforms are not a funding mechanism; they do NOT provide any kind of financial assistance to regions. Registration and participation is free to all the platforms services, information, events, workshops etc.; registered stakeholders are advised to use the technical assistance of Structural Funds and ETC programmes or other financial resources to participate in the activities. The platforms will be set up through a public procurement process i.e. European Open Call for Tenders that will open in 2015. 30 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Proposed actions 2 interrelated actions Policy Learning Platforms Open to all regions Enrich Contribute Project 1 Project 2 Project 3 Interregional cooperation projects 31 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Proposed actions Projects & Platforms: who should get involved? Managing Authorities Regional/local authorities Agencies, institutes, non-profit private bodies find tried and tested measures to implement in your programme share and implement good practices coming from across Europe get involved with your policymaker and contribute to better policy implementation Two access levels Platforms Public information for all users Restricted area for registered users for extra services 32 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Platforms Implementation timeline Duration: whole programming period 8 years (2015 /set up 2022 /closure of projects) 2015: set up the experts team and online tool 2016 2021: work plan every 2 years that set the annual objectives and describe the main activities and expected results 2022: fade-out/ closure phase 33 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels
Thank you for your attention! interreg4c.eu/interregeurope facebook.com/interreg4c twitter.com/interreg4c changing-regions.eu 34 MED CAP event, 24 March, Brussels