title: regions for economic change conference date: 20/05/2010 openness and the competitive...
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Title: Regions for Economic Change ConferenceDate: 20/05/2010
Openness and the Competitive Advantage of Diversity
OPENCities is a British Council project funded by URBACT led by Belfast City Council in collaboration with a network of European cities.
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Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 2
URBACT
› Frances Dowds OPENCities Project Manager – Lead Partner Belfast City Council
› The LAP Process
Opportunities
Challenges
Engagement
The story so far
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Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 3
Opportunities & Challenges
› Existing URBACT guide adapted to project by Lead Expert – common framework process
› Learning exchange - between
more and less experienced diverse cities
› LSG budgets to support development of plan & process at city level
› URBACT Expert - to act as resource & support for individual cities
› Local Action Plan - response to local needs & local context
› Local context - differences in approach, ways of working (LAP V funded Project approach)
› Earlier planning required including agreed timescale & getting down to it
› Local challenges re MA engagement – lack of ‘programme’ funding opportunities, fear around expectations of partners
› Getting buy in from other stakeholders – some cities do not work with NGOs
› Ensuring migrant voice included at all levels of project – from thematic events, to LSG & public consultations on LAP
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Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 4
Engagement The story so far
› Thematic papers – to support knowledge
› LSGs - involve migrant workers & their
agencies – Belfast et al ..
› LSGs - involve MAs (mostly) & key
experts on migration – Bilbao, Vienna, Dusseldorf, British Council et al ..
› Public consultations - once LAP draft produced September – October 2010 To amend & ensure the LAP reflect needs of migrant workers
› Two thematic meetings - held to date, 3rd June, 4th LAP focused Sept 2010
› Belfast - tendered for an external consultant - employed to facilitate process amongst LSG & migrant community representatives
› Working groups - established under projects themes
› Intro, problems, goals agreed to date – agreeing activities work (what & by who) ongoing plus
Timing – when will things happen
Funding – who will pay for what
Indicators – to prove success
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Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 5
Open Cities Managing Authorities: Challenges
› Differing levels of engagement with local city partners and other MAs.
› Representatives with differing roles/ perspectives
› Differing levels of fit with regional EU programmes and Open Cities themes.
› Managing Expectations of both MAs and their cities.
Actions› Terms of Reference – commitment to engagement.
› Dissemination to other appropriate regional organizations/ funders with policy responsibilities.
› Questionnaire – identify issues for clarification.
› Stocktake of relevant activities already receiving EU programme funds.
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Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 6
Next Steps
› Key advisory role for MAs in formation and implementation of LAP.
› Recognise different potential and opportunities for different elements of the project.
› Example - Belfast:
› ERDF Competitiveness Programme – Enterprise and Enterpreneurship
› ESF Employment Programme – Help into Sustainable Employment/ Improving Workforce Skills
› PEACE III – Reconciling communities/ Contributing to a Shared Society
› Flexible work plan to react to proposals as they emerge from the cities.