An integrated approach to regional development

Multi-level Governance, Subsidiarity, Civil Society, Transparent and Competitive Public Administration, Lobby & Networking in Brussels,

EU funds, Partnership, Grass-Roots Projects, Partnership, Networking & Communication, Strategies, Development

An integrated approach to regional development

What is Cohesion Policy?

An integrated approach to regional developmentIs economic development only economic?

Sociologist and economist admit the fact that society and social capital (SC) has an impact on economy and implicit on development and economic growth. Types of SC have a strong impact on economic development at regional or local level.

Other factors that influence regional development• location of a specific region• level of trust between different public or private actors involved in the process, • cultural heritage and customs rooted in the specific community, • probably the most important the institutional and political supportThe market economy is always already embedded in larger society. In other words, a market economy can only function if it relates to, and is sustained by society.

An integrated approach to regional development

Who should drive? The overall availability of networks of social relations spread between individual subjects (firms, workers) and collective actors (interest organizations, public institutions) can’t be the condition which drives the paths of development. The role of politics in mediating the relationship between networks and the market is crucial. Politics involves the mechanisms of consensus-building and the selection of political and bureaucratic élites.

The modernization of politics constitutes, therefore, an essential requirement for development. Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of bureaucracy, human capital rethinking the role of the state in the development policies for backward areas. Public institutions at a non-local level should help “from above” the local actors to mobilize “from below”; they should help them to produce and use social capital efficiently as an instrument to increase specialized knowledge, infrastructures, services and forms of integration between firms, thereby strenghtening competitiveness.

An integrated approach to regional development

EconomicGDP per capita Agriculture

employment Weak urban structureUnderdevelopment of industrial and services

baseNegative dynamic of

the population growth

SocialCulture and Customs Civil Society Involvement

Institutional Corruption, Nepotism Lack of Human Resource Excessive beaurocracy Lack of transparency and

communication

PoliticalStability Reform of Public Administration Administrative division

An integrated approach to regional development

• Subsidiarity- Political actions and decisions should be taken as close to citizen level as possible.

• Bottom up approach• Grassroots policies and

projects• Collective decision making

processes • Authority and Influence are

shared between stakeholders

• Different stakeholders are involved at different moments

Why is important multi-level

governance?

An integrated approach to regional developmentHow works multi-level governance?

An integrated approach to regional development

Best practices- “Reinforcement of Local DemocracyLOD” UNDP & European Commission

•More than 200 CSO involved and supported

•Almost 250 CSO small scale projects implemented

•Over 60.000 people - direct beneficiaries.

•Ensured transparency in disbursement of

funds helps the civil sector to professionalize and

specialize in service providing

•CSO participate in decision making

Step 1: Analysis of

current issues and

determining the priorities

Step 2: Preparation

and announcement of public call

Step 3: Evaluation of

project proposals

Step 4: Disbursement of funds and

project implementatio

n

Step 5: Project

Monitoring and

Evaluation of results

An integrated approach to regional development

“A proposal for open-mind mayors: a concept for local and regional development”

The main output: establishing an NGO representing the community interests managed by specialists from city hall, university, representatives of the civil sector and entrepreneurs which could develop ideas and implement projects for the community in the following areas: tourism, research, innovation and entrepreneurship, human resource development, culture, civil society and democracy, environment and sustainable development.

March 2014 on Contributors:http://www.contributors.ro/administratie/o-propunere-pentru-primarii-deschi%C8%99i-la-minte-un-concept-de-dezvoltare-regionala-%C8%99i-locala

An integrated approach to regional development

Best Practices Example – Steinbeis Europa Zentrum

The organization is building the bridge to Europe for enterprises, universities, research organizations and regional authorities in Baden-Württemberg. It offers consultancy regarding:• European Funding and Research Programmes• Technology Cooperation• Regional Strategies and Innovation• Participation at and organisation of Brokerage Events, Company Missions and Information Days as well as Trainings.More data:https://www.steinbeis-europa.de

An integrated approach to regional development

“Why Romania needs regional offices in Brussels?”

-second city after Washington regarding diplomatic relations (20.000 lobbyists, 2.000 lobby offices, more than 300 regional offices representing regions)

Several actions of regional office:

-To provide data and information on the Community funds provided directly by the European Commission, programs funded by the European Territorial Cooperation Instrument;- Develop an effective network through partnerships with other organizations in Europe;- Promote regional activities, of a city or organizations at European level in order to ensure greater visibility;- Attract and provide information to potential investors;

July 2012: Europuls, Contributors, HotNewshttp://www.contributors.ro/administratie/de-ce-are-romania-nevoie-de-reprezentante-regionale-la-bruxelles

An integrated approach to regional development

Best Practices- Valencian Regional Office in BrusselsPerformers indicators (2003-2012) Strategy Model

Approved projects 108 projects + 7 initiatives Public & Private Partnership Valencian budget of Approved projects 87.2 mil € Regional GovernmentTotal budget of approved projects 209.3 mil € MunicipalitiesProjects under evaluation 37 projects approx. UniversitiesMain Goals Research Institutes•Employment & labor market. Energy (IBERDROLA)

•Lobby in EU Policies & Programs and Chamber of Commerce

European Territorial Cooperation Business and Entrepreneurial Assoc.•SMEs, Entrepreneurs, Innovation, Technology,R&D. •EU Funding & attraction of Investments

An integrated approach to regional development

An integrated approach to regional development

RecommendationsFor Public Administration•Openness and Transparency•Consultation & Project Development with other stakeholders (academia, NGO’s, business sector)•Use Public Private Partnership•Development Strategy for cities/regions which should be implemented according to the needs •Local-Regional strategy for accessing funds•Every administration must have people well trained in EU sector, which can help in project management or grant writing

•Networking and lobby for the local and regional interests in Brussels•Local and Regional administration should be strong connected with MP, EMPFor NGO’s •Be active! Be focused! Build partnership! •Make lobby and advocacy for the cause and for the project you want to implement!•Try to convince local and regional stakeholders of the importance of your project! Convince local administration and local politicians and MP’s. Sell them your project!

Thank You for Your AttentionGratian Mihailescu

Consultant & ExpertAcademia: https://

independent.academia.edu/MihailescuGratianMihai Linkedin: https://ro.linkedin.com/in/gratianmihailescu Personal Blog: http://gratieluimihailescu.ro/