Brussels, 08/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 8 November, the European Commission unveiled an initiative by EU Regional Policy Commissioner, Danuta Hübner, to reinforce the EU's Cohesion Policy 2007-2013, bringing European regions together into strong partnerships and to help them take advantage of experience and best practice. This new initiative, "Regions for Economic Change", introduces new ways to dynamise regional and urban networks to help them work closely with the Commission to have innovative ideas tested and rapidly disseminated into the mainstream programmes. An annual 'Regions for Economic Change' conference featuring innovation awards is foreseen to coincide with the Spring European Council to further enhance communication and dissemination of best practice results in line with the EU agenda for growth and jobs. The first conference will take place in March 2007.
"Regions for Economic Change" will work through the mechanisms for Interregional Cooperation and Urban Development under the Territorial Cooperation Objective. Over the period 2007-2013, the EU will make available about €375 billion (in current prices) from its Structural Funds and instruments. Under the new plans, regions and cities will keep the option of setting up and managing their own networks but will be asked to focus the networks on themes selected by the European Commission and Member States to foster economic modernisation. A new fast track option will enable the Commission will establish volunteer networks of towns and regions around selected priority themes in order to provide a rapid testing ground for policy ideas. A bridge will be developed between networks and regular programmes and vice versa to help ensure ideas emanating from regional and urban networks find their way into the big Cohesion Policy programmes. Communication about results and best practice will be ensured at EU town and regional level through an annual conference and awards for the most innovative projects. (lc)