Network news
ESPON calls for tenders
Three calls for tenders are open for web services and IT solutions; an ESPON data navigator; and an Online Map Finder (content). Information on each of the tenders is available on the ESPON website. Documentation relating to this call must be downloaded by 28 December 2011. The deadline for submitting an offer is 4 January 2012 (please note the differing time deadlines for each tender). If you have any queries regarding these tenders, please email info@espon.eu.
The recent call for proposals which closed on 20 October attracted 48 applications and 219 potential project partners from 27 countries, including 24 institutions from the UK. Applications will be evaluated over the coming weeks for the Monitoring Committees final decisions in February 2012.
New ESPON policy briefs published
Three new policy briefs have been produced by the DEMIFER project team. The briefs aim to present policy options for improving the competitiveness and socio-economic performance of European regions and cities with regard to the impact of demographic and migratory flows. The briefs focus on the demographic diversity of Europe, impact of migration on population change, and scenarios in the European labour force.
Urban Europe global urban challenges, joint European solutions
The European Commission is aiming to strengthen strategic cooperation between Member States on research and development to address major societal challenges. The joint-programming initiative (JPI) Urban Europe - global urban challenges, joint European solutions has been proposed to encourage Member States to develop and implement research agendas on the sustainable development of European urban areas. The recommendation is expected to be adopted by the European Council in December 2011. Read the working paper to find out more.
ESPON project overview updated
An updated overview of ESPON projects has been produced outlining the progress made by 62 projects up to November 2011. The overview presents key facts on each project, as well as objectives and future areas of work.
Child-friendly neighbourhood planning award
Entries are invited from large European cities (with more than 100, 000 inhabitants) for the 4th European Award of Excellence City for Children on the topic of child-friendly neighbourhood planning. The deadline for entries is 15 December 2011 and the award will be presented at a ceremony in Stuttgart on 14 May 2012.
Calls for papers
Sustaining regional futures
The Regional Studies Association Global Conference 2012 is taking place in Beijing from 24-27 June 2012. The conference will focus on sustaining regional futures, with keynote speakers addressing some of the biggest issues facing regions and sub-national areas around the world. A number of gateway themes are available, and the deadline for submitting abstracts is 10 February 2012.
Local self-government in planning
The Serbian Spatial Planners Association is holding its 2012 Symposium in Zlatibor, Serbia, from 15-17 March 2012. The event aims to gather researchers and professionals from across Europe to discuss the role of local self-government and the regulation of settlements. Papers are welcomed on the cities of South-Eastern Europe in the 21st century chances and challenges, as well as two further themes on Serbian cities. Abstracts must be submitted by 10 December 2011.
Child in the city
Papers are welcomed for the Child in the City 2012 conference which takes place in Zagreb, Croatia, from 26-28 September 2012. The main themes of the conference are health, play, childrens rights and intergenerational interaction and abstracts should be submitted by 27 January 2012. Find out more.
Other publications
ESPON at the Open Days
At the Open Days 2011, ESPON held a workshop on regional and local economies in a changing global context. The workshop aimed to facilitate debate among Europes experts and decision-makers in regional and local development. New findings from projects such as ESPON Climate, ESPON Tiger, TPM and INTERCO were outlined, and presentations are now available.
Local Enterprise Partnerships one year on
The Centre for Cities has written a report which reflects on LEPs progress a year after they were announced by Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles and Business Secretary Vince Cable. The report, Cause célèbre or cause for concern?, looks at activities of the 24 LEPs that have been established for a year, and finds that progress is varied.
Cross-border news
The latest Cross-border newsletter is available. This edition examines French Guiana as a border of Euro-American opportunities, highlights upcoming events and reports on the sixth Border Regions in Transition conference which was recently held in Geneva and Grenoble. Read the newsletter.
Building bridges between people
A new publication called European territorial cooperation: building bridges between people has been produced by the Regional Policy Directorate General. Cross-border cooperation aims to reduce the effect of borders as administrative, legal and physical barriers and exploit untapped potentials. The report provides an insight into how cooperation and EU macro-regional strategies currently work, and what the future may hold.
Euro zone crisis: the risks for developing countries
The Overseas Development Institute has produced a background note examining what the current euro zone crisis means for developing countries. The paper considers some of the key points of the crisis and suggests possible channels through which its consequences may be felt by developing countries.
Strategies for long-term environmental policy-making
A new report from the European Environment Agency summarises the findings from the bridging long-term scenario and strategy analysis: organisation and methods project or BLOSSOM. The project examined the success factors and barriers to long-term environmental policy-making in 12 EU Member States, including the UK. Read the report.
Other events
Global Europe 2050
This conference takes place in Brussels on 28 November and will present the results of a European foresight expert group project looking at the world and Europe up to 2050: EU policies and research priorities. It will consider issues such as ageing population, climate change and new geopolitical contexts and will provide the opportunity for policy-makers and stakeholders to discuss Europes long-term issues in a global context. Find out more or Domenico Rossetti di Valdalbero.
Innovation Convention 2011
The European Commission is holding the first Innovation Convention in Brussels from 5-6 December 2011. The event is an essential part of the Innovation Union initiative, which aims to improve conditions and access to finance for research and innovation in Europe. The convention is free to attend, but registration is required. Book a place online.
Europes special areas?
The ESPON GEOSPECS project is holding a stakeholder conference in Brussels on 8 December 2011. The event will consider how evidence on the social and economic features of geographically specific areas should be collected, and allow participants to discuss the diversity of diversities in Europe. To book a place at the conference, please email Diana Borowski before 26 November 2011.
Investing in growth cities
The Centre for Cities is launching its Investing in growth cities report on 12 December in London. The report looks at the investment potential of growth cities in the Greater South East of England for the private sector. The research shows that for smaller cities, private sector investment is more important than ever for facilitating growth.
Planet under pressure 2012
The planet under pressure conference will provide a comprehensive update of our knowledge of the Earth system and the pressure our planet is now under. It will focus on issues of climate, ecological degradation, human well-being, food security and governance across scales. The conference will look at providing solutions to move societies on to a sustainable pathway. The event takes place in London from 26-29 March 2012. Register before 20 January 2012 for the earlybird rate.
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