Haven Gateway Partnership to be Showcased at EU Sustainable Energy Week 2012
‘Energy Efficiency in the Logistics Chain’, an event bringing together good practice from an INTERREG project and a regional ERDF funded projects involving the Haven Gateway Partnership, will take place on Tuesday 18th June in Brussels. SME beneficiaries will speak about how they have been able to green their logistics chain with help from both EU funded projects.
The event tells of the transfer of good ideas from a North Sea Region INTERREG-funded project and how that inspired the Haven Gateway Partnership to apply for ERDF. The audience will also learn about the carbon calculator, which was developed out of the Dryports project, and how that is now helping businesses in the East of England calculate the cost savings – and carbon reductions – of transporting freight by rail.
The EU Sustainable Energy Week takes place between 18-22 June with events in Brussels and across the EU. Activities in Brussels will range from a three-day high-level conference focusing on sustainable energy policy issues to dozens of engaging events, projects and exhibits open to the public. Attendees benefit from exchanging ideas with other players in the sustainable energy sector, meeting EU staff and pursuing business opportunities. In 2012, the conference is expected to attract at least 4,000 participants from 50+ countries. The central conference venue will be the Charlemagne building of the European Commission.
The agenda and registration details are available here.
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European Commission Features Short Film by East of England Students
Students from University Centre Peterborough and Peterborough Regional College (UK) have worked together to contribute a short documentary film for the 2012 European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.
Jessamy Hudson (21), a third-year Journalism student at University Centre Peterborough (UCP), and Aaron Leverton-Ferrar (19), a Media Production student at Peterborough Regional College, scripted, filmed, edited and produced the film.
The students filmed on location around the UK, featuring active ageing initiatives in Peterborough such as the Vivacity’s Young at Heart project, where they are trying to get older people moving, and a tea-dance at the Manor Leisure Centre in Whittlesey.
You can view the film here.
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Groundbreaking ceremony at EU funded Port of Felixstowe TEN-T project
The Port of Felixstowe has held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the formal commencement of the new EU part-funded North Rail Terminal project. Performed by Mike Penning MP, Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the ceremony was attended by a range of rail freight and local dignitaries, as well as representatives of Volker Fitzpatrick, the contractors for the development.
The new rail terminal will be the third at the UK's largest container port and is the first in the UK designed to handle 30-wagon long freight trains, capable of carrying 90 twenty foot equivalent containers (TEU). It is part of the port's on-going programme of expansion which will further consolidate the port's position as the leading gateway in the UK for deep-sea container traffic, which already moves 750,000 TEU per year by rail. The new terminal will eventually more than double Felixstowe's capacity for intermodal traffic.
The scheme, co-financed by the EU Trans-European Transport Network Programme (TEN-T), follows the successful opening of the first phase of the port's latest expansion last autumn. The two new deep-water berths, Berths 8&9, have significantly increased the port's capacity to handle the world's largest container ships.
If you would like more information, please contact Jonathan Millins.
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East of England Signs Off Position On Revised Rules for Regional Aid
As the Commission prepares to revise its rules on state aid in support of regional development, the East of England gives its views on how the rules can work better to benefit the most deprived parts of the region. The review of the regional Aid Guidelines is underway which will set the rules for the designation by the UK government of ‘Assisted Areas’ which can benefit from higher levels of public sector investment. Currently only parts of Luton and Dunstable are designated ‘Assisted Areas’. The Brussels Office sought input from local authorities and LEPs to form the final position which was signed off by the Europe and International Forum and sent to the European Commission on April 26th. The East of England position particularly asks for;
- better use of statistics to designate the assisted areas
- flexibility to ensure that assisted areas can extend to adjacent areas with growth potential
- higher thresholds of aid to incentivize business investment
The East of England position has also been sent to the Department of Business Innovation and Skills who will ultimately be responsible for selecting the areas to have AAS coverage.
This contribution is part of ongoing work to support some of the most deprived parts of the East of England grow and develop. *******************************************************************************************************************************
Dialogue begins with BIS on future of structural funds
The department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) is leading the negotiations and planning for the EU structural funds programmes in England for 2014-2020. The Brussels Office organized a first round table of East of England stakeholders with Sue Baxter, Deputy Director for EU programmes on April 18th. There was a strong turnout and participation from local authorities, LEPs, the voluntary sector, further and higher education representatives. This first exchange of views and ideas took place during an informal consultation carried out by BIS.
The Europe and International Forum with input from stakeholders, including LEP officers and the Local Management Committee (ERDF) has finalized and communicated its contribution to the BIS consultation on the future of structural funds. Key elements of the contribution relate to;
- a strong local input to the programme; design, delivery, and governance
- alignment to LEP priorities and functional economic areas
- joint investment using ERDF, ESF, rural and fisheries funds
- a balance between a large strategic sub-national programme and localized place-based initiatives, including options for local ESF co-financed programmes and better involvement of the voluntary sector
- a call for use of technical assistance to support local partners establish an evidence base to prepare for the 2014-2020 programmes
- greater simplification and less bureaucracy
BIS will issue a further consultation on the ‘Partnership Contract’ which marks the next step in the preparation of operation programmes for the 2014-2020 period. The Brussels Office will once again lead the preparation of an East of England position and continue to facilitate the ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and relevant government departments to ensure the best outcome for East of England partners.
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Basildon Council Hosting European New Towns and Pilot Cities General Assembly 2012
Basilson Borough Council is hosting the European New Towns and Pilot Cities (ENTP) General Assembly on 17th, 18th & 19th October 2012 which, working in partnership with the private sector, aims to regenerate New Towns and Pilot Cities.
The ENTP General Assembly provides the opportunity for elected Members and officers alike to exchange knowledge and best practice in the pursuit of innovative solutions to the comparable challenges facing New Towns across Europe.
Participation to this event is also open to the members’ twin towns to increase interaction across Europe. By bringing their twin towns, members would enhance long term cooperation and strengthen the ENTP by welcoming new potential members.
New Towns were developed to accommodate post-war growth, mostly in the fifties, sixties and seventies. They are forty to sixty years old by now and are beginning to need more than just cosmetic maintenance. New Towns are confronted with their own specific challenges for urban regeneration, due to their history as well as their tendency to grow faster than other cities. Their population growth needs to be accompanied by economic infrastructure and housing growth to render it sustainable.
Please contact Birgit.Stach@basildon.gov.uk or assistant@pilotcities.eu for registration details and further information.
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EU Connects Seminar: Framework Programme 7 - Funding Opportunities relevant to Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and their partner organisations
EU Connects is the East of England LGA’s new resource for local authorities, the voluntary sector and Local Enterprise Partnerships, to improve access to and the take up of EU funds in the East of England.
EU Connects next free seminar will provide an introduction to the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and its relevance to Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships and their partner organisations; and is taking place from 09:30 -16:00 on 15th May 2012 in The SmartLIFE Centre, Cambridge CB4 2QT.
This seminar will feature a detailed presentation from a specialist UK Consultancy firm with particular expertise in FP7 who will inform us of how FP7 relates to organisational priorities and give you their insider knowledge on the key elements to making a successful and strong application.
FP7 is the European Union's main research funding instrument and increasingly important to demonstration and innovative pilot initiatives. It supports multidisciplinary research and cooperative trans-national research and development activities in Europe and beyond.
For further information, please contact Michelle Armstrong, Associate EU Funding Adviser, by email or Tel: 07709 483445
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The University of Essex Joins the East of England European Partnership
The University of Essex – founded in 1964 and now with 11,000 students, including over 3,000 postgraduates – has joined the East of England European Partnership to further its worldwide reputation for top quality teaching and research at the EU level.
Academics and students from the University of Essex will work with EU policy specialists from the East of England Brussels Office to identify and access EU research and funding opportunities.
Please contact Sarah Murray for additional information about the East of England European Partnership.
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Transport Funding Recommended for Port of Tilbury
On Monday 6th February, the European Commission presented the European Parliament’s Transport Committee with a list of selected projects to be funded under the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) programme. One of the proposals selected for funding from the 2011 Multi-Annual call was a Motorways of the Sea project lead by the Port of Tilbury.
The proposed project aims at improving capacity along the shipping corridor between the UK and Iberian Peninsula (Port of Bilbao). It’s main objective is to provide infrastructure at the Port of Tilbury to ensure efficient handling of freight, the development of an innovative information technology system (Intermodal Corridor Community System) and to increase modal shift from road onto the Spanish hinterland rail network.
The Commission commended the project proposal for its good quality and relevance to achieving modal shift by replacing long road journeys with rail and sea routes. The Commission is recommending a financial contribution of over €7 million to the project, this represents a co-financing rate of 22.8%.
The Commission will now seek final clarifications on the proposed project and is expected to recommend final approval for funding in the next month.
If you would like more information, please contact Jonathan Millins at jonathan.millins@east-of-england.eu
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East of England joins the European Regional and Local Health Authorities (EUREGHA) Network
The East of England officially joined the EUREGHA network at an inauguration ceremony in Brussels on 27th January 2012. The East of England Local Government Association (EELGA) was represented by Cllr Colin Noble, Suffolk County Council Portfolio Holder for Adult and Community Services who is chairman of EELGA’s Adult Services and Health Portfolio-Holder Network. Cllr Noble was also elected by the EUREGHA General Assembly to be one of its Vice-Chairs.
EUREGHA is a Brussels based, fee-paying association – 10 members from 7 different EU member states - representing the interests of local and regional health organisations at the EU level. It also facilitates the exchange of best practice between members and will support them in accessing the broad range of EU funding programmes available to support health related initiatives.
Whilst health policy is decided at national level, public health is determined by many elements, recognised by the EU through its Health in all Policies (HIAP) approach, i.e. obliging all policy makers to carry out a health impact assessment when designing policy. Therefore the EU is open to the input of local and regional authorities during the policy making process to ensure that its policies have the most positive impact at the local and regional level.
EUREGHA, which has been operating informally since 2006, will continue to work with the EU institutions to ensure that its members’ views are represented in future EU health policy and funding initiatives. Since the East of England Brussels Office will be hosting the secretariat, there is no fee payable by East of England partners and they will benefit from the full range of membership advantages.
Please visit the EUREGHA website or contact Paul Laffin for further information.
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PROGRESS 2WARDS HEALTHY AGEING IN EUROPE: Suffolk secures €375k of EU funding to promote healthy and active ageing.
A Suffolk County Council led consortium – including partners from Spain, Denmark, Germany and Italy –has been awarded €375k from the EU’s PROGRESS Programme to improve understanding of how best to help 45 – 65 year olds maintain their good health.
The consortium was supported throughout the bidding process by the East of England Brussels Office and the EU Connects service.
The PROGRESS 2WARDS HEALTHY AGEING IN EUROPE project will involve universities, public authorities & health services from across Suffolk working with international partners to develop and uncover innovative approaches to healthy ageing.
The project has already begun to identify businesses to help deliver the project goals through the promotion of workplace based health initiatives. Planning is also underway for a transnational conference to be hosted in Suffolk in 2012.
Please contact Paul Laffin for further information.
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Get Involved - EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW): Dates now set for 2012
The European Commission, European networks, regions and cities will come together once
again for a series of high profile events in Brussels from 18-22 June under the umbrella theme of sustainable
energy. Last year’s EUSEW programme included events showcasing best practice from Essex and Peterborough in
the field of renewable and energy efficiency. Why not showcase your best practice in the field of sustainable
energy at the 2012 edition of EUSEW? Contact the Brussels Office to discuss seminar ideas or opportunities to exhibit
your ambitious and innovative sustainable energy projects.
In addition, if you manage a project with outstanding results in sustainable energy,
why not compete for a European Award? The European Commission will reward best-in-class initiatives in the fields of renewable
energy and energy efficiency.
The theme for EUSEW 2012 will be announced shortly so register on
www.eusew.eu for regular updates.
Please contact Jenny Carson for more
information on how to get involved in EU Sustainable Energy Week 2012.
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Brussels Office Annual Report 2010/11
The East of England Brussels Office has recently presented its activities to EELGA, EESAL and the East of England Europe and
International Forum. It highlights key successes and achievements in EU funding and policy over the past year, as
well as the major adaptations that took place as a consequences of the abolition of regional structures in 2010. Looking
forward for 2011 and beyond, the Brussels Office looks to continue to support East of England partners’ ambitions in the
fields of transport, lifelong learning, social policy, innovation and health. In particular, work in 2011/12 will be
focussed on ensuring key funding streams such as Structural Funds, TEN-T and the Framework Programme will be available and
oriented towards the needs of East of England partners. The report is available
here.
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