Inter-regional co-operationThe territorial dimension Ian Hill

EU Policy and Development Officer

Cumbria County Council

Where are we?

Why Transnational co-operation? It supports regional development objectives An opportunity to reflect on one’s own

experience To see and incorporate best practice from

other European regions Opportunities for staff training of high quality

and value The ‘unforeseen outcomes’ – such as student

exchanges, trade links, future project ideas

A strategy for territorial co-operation

Territorial development

strategy

Innovation, R&D

Higher education

Regional & spatial development

Interreg

Erasmus, Leonardo

FP6, Interreg

Connecting territorial development and territorial co-operation Maximise use of electronic information –

newsletters, websites, e-forums Territorial ‘co-operation working group’ –

actors from public, private and NGO sectors to share ideas and disseminate information

Emphasising the territorial benefits to co-operation

Case Study 1: TOWER

Interreg IIIc RFO 5 regions, 10-14 projects 4 themes:

Strategies for sustainable growth

Technology transfer Competitive & knowledge-

based entrepreneurship; Sustainable SMEs.

Total €4.8m

Case Study 2: CRIPREDE

Sixth Framework for R&D; Regions of Knowledge theme

Improving R&D and innovation in regions – policies and tools

Strong research component – what works and why?

Total budget €500,000

Added value of inter-regional co-operation; some examples Training and capacity building of

professionals Evidence base for policy making – learning

from best practice in EU Education co-operation (university exchanges

etc.) Trade links

The important messages

Link co-operation to regional development objectives

Build experience now for the next programme period (2007-13)

Find partners that share objectives (even if their characteristics are different)

Find ways to develop pilot actions (e.g. Leonardo, Socrates…)