ESPON UK Network Bulletin 10/2011

Network news

ESPON call opens on 24 August

The next call for proposals opens tomorrow (24 August 2011) and includes:

Four applied research projects

1. European neighbour regions (750, 000.00)
2. Small and medium sized towns in their functional territorial context (650, 000.00)
3. The territorial dimension of poverty and social exclusion in Europe (750, 000.00)
4. Economic crises: resilience of regions (759, 153.00)

Five targeted analyses

1. Growth poles in South-Eastern Europe (360, 000.00)
2. Key indicators for territorial cohesion and spatial planning (360, 000.00)
3. Liveable landscapes for sustainable territorial development (379, 796.09)
4. Landscape policy for the Three Countries Park (360, 000.00)
5. North Sea spreading transnational results (340, 000.00)

Six scientific platform projects

1. EU territorial monitoring and reporting (598, 000.00)
2. ESPON Atlas on European territorial structures and dynamics (150, 000.00)
3. Detecting territorial potential and challenges (350, 000.00)
4. Territorial evidence packs for ERDF programmes (500, 000.00)
5. ESPON Online Mapping tool (150, 000.00)
6. Territorial monitoring in a European macro region a test for the Baltic Sea Region (360, 000.00)

The deadline for submitting proposals is 20 October 2011. Public and private bodies from the EU 27 Member States, plus Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are invited to apply. All documentation relating to the call will be available by 24 August 2011.

An Info Day is being held in Brussels on 13 September 2011 which aims to inform and assist potential beneficiaries in preparing proposals for this call. The event will focus on project specifications and the application procedure.

Partner Finding

The ESPON Partner Café facilitates partner finding and the creation of transnational project groups. The ESPON Partner Café LinkedIn group allows potential partners to discuss the call and find other interested parties.

If you are interested in participating in the call, and would like us to include you on our Partner Finding web pages and pass your details to the rest of the ESPON Contact Point network, email your contact details and the project you are interested in to research@rtpi.org.uk. It is also useful to indicate whether you are interested in being a lead partner.

We have already had expressions of interest from the Czech Republic, Italy, Ireland and Belgium. Information on these potential partners is shown on our Partner Finding web pages.

Planning for growth what can we learn from Europe?

The UK ESPON Contact Point is holding a conference in London on 30 September 2011 which will bring together policy-makers, practitioners and researchers to discuss how planning can enable growth, and how outputs from the ESPON Programme can be used to support planning and inform decision-making.

The draft programme is now available on the conference web page along with background reading and related links. If you would like to attend, please complete and return the registration form by 19 September 2011.

Why does Europe need ESPON?

Four video interviews are now available on the ESPON website. Johannes Hahn (EU Commissioner for Regional Policy), Michael Smyth (European Economic and Social Committee), Claude Wiseler (Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures, Luxembourg) and Peter Mehlbye (ESPON Coordination Unit) all give their thoughts on the ESPON 2013 Programme, and how it supports policy-making across Europe.

Draft National Planning Policy Framework have your say

The RTPI will be responding to the draft National Planning Policy Framework and we are interested to know your thoughts on it. We would like you to submit brief bullet points that we can develop into our first draft submission. If you are able to provide references (preferably web links) to any research or practice examples that support your comments, please do. Please send your comments to research@rtpi.org.uk by 30 August 2011 so that we can include them in our response.

Other publications

European Local Government on climate and energy

A paper exploring the challenges and needs of local governments in the context of the current climate and energy situation concludes that multiple stakeholder involvement and local-national partnerships are needed to achieve sustainable energy and climate targets. The paper has been produced as part of the Local Government Action project which aimed to promote involvement of local governments in the EU in international energy and climate debates. Read the summary report.

Innovation through sustainable procurement

SMART SPP (Innovation through sustainable procurement) is a European project promoting the use of new, innovative low carbon emission technologies and solutions across Europe. The project has developed tools which enable purchasers such as public authorities to calculate the real cost of products during their lifespan. Public authorities have a responsibility to their communities to reduce carbon emissions meaning this tool can play an important role in making CO₂ savings.

Other events

EU aid: what is it for?

The EU is the worlds largest donor. In October this year, the European Commission is publishing proposals for a new, modernised EU development policy to make it more focused, effective and results-oriented. This event will explore what this means in practice, and whether the European Commission should play a more prominent role in shaping policy or act as a coordinator of multiple donors. The debate is being held in London on 13 September 2011 from 6:30pm-8:00pm. Find out more.

Cities in Europe 2020

TheICLEI European Convention 2011 will act as a forum to discuss the implementation of Europe-wide sustainability measures in cities focusing on the EU 2020 Strategy. The event takes place in Brussels from 12-14 September 2011and will include a preliminary review of European sustainability achievements at local level, and the next steps needed to move European cities forward in light of the UN Rio+20 Conference next year. Register online to secure a place.

Maritime projects roadshow

The INTERREG IVA France (Channel) England Programme is holding an event in Southampton on 12 October 2011 to facilitate partner finding and highlight funding opportunities offered by the Programme. Workshops will be held on themes such as nautical activities, maritime training, valuing marine resources and fishing activities. Email interreg2011@cr-haute-normandie.fr for further details.

ESPON at the Open Days 2011

In cooperation with DG Regio, ESPON is holding a workshop on 13 October 2011 in Brussels as part of the Open Days 2011. The workshop will focus on regional and local economies in a changing global context performance monitoring and territorial indicators and will consider ESPONs achievements and contribution to the EU 2020 Strategy and competitiveness. Register online to attend.

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