Brussels, 13/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved a programme to which EUR 24.76 million are earmarked in order to promote the exchange of experience between European towns by the year 2006. The programme, Urbact, is intended for towns that are participating or have already participated in the Community Urban initiative for urban regeneration or in pilot schemes in this field. The Urbact programme aims to: 1) exchange and diffuse knowledge through the creation of thematic networks, qualification measures, studies and other initiatives taken by the towns or other public bodies; and 2) capitalise the acquis with the aid of experts and diffuse information through the appropriate tools, while coordinating the activity of thematic networks.
Commissioner Barnier said the Urban initiative proposes a creative and innovative approach for urban renewal. Its programmes are firmly anchored to the ground, involving local actors and inhabitants, he said, going on to explain that the Commission expects the Urbact programme to strengthen the capacity of towns to take action, thus allowing them to be more able to meet the challenges that face them. The Commission has earmarked EUR 15.9 million for this programme, completed by EUR 8.86 million from Member States and local authorities.