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UnBla.07: Regional Innovation
UnBla.07: Regional Innovation - What can we learn? What can we share? |
- 24-26 January 2007, Lucerne, CH
Regional Innovation is the main theme of the UnBla.06 conference, organised by RIS Central Switzerland. The Regional Innovation Strategy currently under development will help making this dynamic, visible region more competitive and an even better place to live in. UnBla conferences provide the interaction platform for companies, organisations, communities and the like across Europe who need to solve complex problems that require radical innovation, network and community building, and the production of numerous and diverse solutions. UnBla offers a different form of conferencing. This includes pre-event, event and post-event care for activities that lead to a tangible result for the host organisations.
Strategic thinking in INTERREG development: Spatial visions and scenarios
27- 28 February 2006 - Milan, IT |
- INTERACT Point Qualification and Transfer (QT), in cooperation with ESPON, is arranging a seminar on important tools for enhancing the strategic approach in the new generation of INTERREG programmes. The seminar will present and discuss the outcomes of a study to compare and analyse ongoing spatial vision and scenario activities across INTERREG III and ESPON programmes. The aims are to identify gaps, stimulate synergies and draw up proposals for future action and strategic programme and project development by providing a platform for exchanging experiences on spatial vision and scenario activities across INTERREG strands.
For more information please visit the website
Innovaction - 'The fair of applied research'
9 - 11 February 2006 Udine, It. |
- Organised by the University of Udine, the event aims to present innovative ideas, applied research projects, spin-offs, and innovative products and processes whose goal is to reinforce European economic competitiveness.
The event is addressed at researchers, research centres, science and technology parks, enterprise incubators, as well as enterprises, venture capitalists and business angels
For further information
Joint meeting of the IRE subgroup 'Regional clusters as innovation drivers' and the Industrial Regions group
9 – 10 March 2006 - East Lombardy, IT |
- The IRE Secretariat with the coordination of Mr Nils Gabrielsson is organising a thematic event on Regional Clusters
For more info
FASHION, TEXTILE & INNOVATION: THE FUTURE NOW - International Conference - Prato IT
30th March, 2006 Artimino - Prato IT |
- Innovative distribution models and frontier technologies in the fashion industry, strengthening and promotion of transnational relationships and collaborations among large and small companies, new products developers and research institutions.
This is the focus of the International Conference “Fashion, Textile & Innovation: the future now”, to be held on 30th March 2006 in the charming setting of Artimino (Prato), Villa Medicea “La Ferdinanda”.
A unique event, in a place where tradition and innovation meet!
For more information
How Can University – Regional Cooperation Stimulate Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Region Västra Götaland Study Tour and a Seminar in collaboration with CIP Forum 2007 |
- 20-23 May 2007, Gothenburg
In collaboration with CIP Forum 2007 and DISTRICT Project SEARCH, Region
Västra Götaland organizes a Study Tour and a Seminar/Workshop titled “How Can University – Regional Cooperation Stimulate Sustainable Entrepreneurship”, that will be held at the School of Business, Economics and Law Göteborg University, the 23 of May.
The Study Visit programme provides for a special itinerary for DISTRICT delegates at the CIP Forum 2007.
The CIP FORUM 2007 on Intellectual Property and Entrepreneurship, will take place 20-23 of May in Gothenburg and aims to bring together the world’s top thought leaders partaking in the building of business to create wealth and welfare in the global knowledge economy. The goal is to advance the understanding of and need for modern business models, skills, and tools required to create value from intellectual assets, property, and capital for the combined benefit of industry, academia, and society.
CIP FORUM 2007
All information on DISTRICT event
West Midlands Study Tour 2007
24 - 25 April 2007 |
- The study tour, organized by the West Midlands DISTRICT Secretariat, on the 24th and 25th April 2007, includes visits to Rural and City projects in the region, to give a flavour of new development in the region towards a knowledge based economy. Some examples show the transferable use of existing buildings to bring them forward into economic usage, where others showcase complete redevelopment of an area, as the Upper Twyford, the Longbridge Technology Park and the Birmingham's world famous Jewellery Quarter. More detailed information on the above developments is attached.
The tour also includes the opportunity to attend an Innovation Event at Birmingham University, named “Finding Innovation - Funding Innovation” that will comprises of an exhibition and themed seminars and will provide an excellent showcase of Birmingham Universities research expertise, including specialist sector sessions.
More detailed information on the Tour
Study Tour Draft Agenda
Technical textiles: experiences and perspectives
InTechTex Regional Conference |
- 17th April 2007, Prato (IT)
To discuss the last few years developments and to evaluate the market mid and long term perspectives of the technical textiles, Sviluppo Italia Toscana e Tecnotessile organize, within the DISTRICT sub-project InTechTex, a regional conference involving representatives of the Italian and European most active regions in this sector.
The extraordinary flexibility of the textile in terms of possible application and new developments in many sector, besides the traditional one that is clothing, is clear by the phase of growth characterizing the technical textile, that are imposing itself both in well-established typology of product, both in place of not textile materials.
Also in areas, such as Tuscany, typically well known for fashion and creativity textile, the technical textiles constitute a concrete and real chance for many enterprises.
Regional Conference Programme
Conference Registration Form
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Logistics as an added value
Innovation in the logistics of industrial clusters |
- 9th May 2007, Prato, IT
Organized by the Municipality of Prato, together with PICTURE sub-project, this conference will focus on the impact of new ICT technologies on logistics of local productive systems and metropolitan areas. What is the impact of ICT on the small concerns of logistics services? This is the main issue, which will be discussed by local actors, regional authorities, and leader enterprises of this sector. The use of Internet in the supply chain management changes the business structure of a company, involving increases in efficiency and efficacy. On-line auctions and digital marketplaces, inbound and outbound transportation, warehousing and fleet management are only some of the new competitive tools in supporting logistics operation. This conference will be an important opportunity to compare different ICT enterprises experiences and regional authorities strategies and policies on innovation technology applied to logistics.
Conference Programme
Registration form
European research and innovation exhibition
8 to 11 June 2006 Paris, Fr . |
- The European research and innovation exhibition has become a popular event for players in the world of research, innovation and the environment, both in France and abroad. Professionals, students, researchers and families are invited to meet with these specialists. The Scientific Committee is preparing a rich programme of conferences, roundtables, activities and debates to enlighten the public.
For further information
INTERREG IIIC Operations - The Complete Collection
INTERREG IIIC Operations - The Complete Collection - Interregional Cooperation at work: 2000-2006 |
- The four Joint Technical Secretariats (JTS) have produced a new publication reflecting all INTERREG IIIC projects funded for the programming period 2000-2006.
The publication "INTERREG IIIC Operations - The Complete Collection, Interregional Cooperation at work: 2000-2006" provides an overview of the 264 operations funded under INTERREG IIIC. It delivers insight into the activities carried out by the projects and gives information on outputs and results. The publication is available in English and French.
For more information
DISTRICT CALL NOW OPEN
DISTRICT CALL NOW OPEN |
- The Regional Framework Operation DISTRICT will develop its activities basically through an implementation phase, realized by means of sub-projects, focused on the three cooperation areas developed by the project’s thematic components
- Cluster and business networks;
- Innovation projects for SME, in collaboration with Universities and Technology Centres;
- Innovation financing, risk capital, start-up and spin off.
For this reason a trans-national call for sub-projects has been launched on the 27th of March 2006 by the DISTRICT partnership and will be closed the 9th of May 2006;
the sub-projects proposed must be trans-national, ensure a development of the project components’ themes and show an effective impact concerning resources efficiency and innovation in order to provide the DISTRICT partners with operating subjects and tools, selected considering the context and suitably equipped to face the future phase of the Cohesion Policy by the EU.
Application Pack
District Call - Italian Version
District Call - English Version
The Future of Regional Policy and the Challenges of Competitiveness
The Future of Regional Policy and the Challenges of Competitiveness |
- 20 June 2006 17,30 Firenze IT - Medici Riccardi Palace - Luca Giordano Hall , Firenze Province premises
For more information: info@district-rfo.org - tel. 0039 0574 577222
Programme of the event
Newsletter n°1
DISTRICT Newsletter n°1 now available in a new electronic version |
- The first issue of the DISTRICT newsletter is now available on-line in a new electronic version.
DISTRICT Newsletter
Inauguration of DISTRICT Premises, Prato (Tuscany)
23 June 2006, Viale della Repubblica 277, Prato – IT |
- Mr Massimo Bressan, project manager of the DISTRICT Project, and Mr Marco Romagnoli, Mayor of the Municipality of Prato, are among the personalities who have participated to the official inauguration of the DISTRICT Operative Unit in Prato, Tuscany.
Mr Ambrogio Brenna, Regional Councillor for Industry and Productive Activities of Tuscany, has commented: “The DISTRICT project was created to combat the risk of decline of European regional economic systems due to globalization. In order to achieve this goal, the Tuscan Region, along with its European partners, has once again demonstrated that it knows well how to plan adequate political programs to fight against the risk of our regions to become economically marginalized. DISTRICT obtained an overall financing of more than 6.5 million euros from the European Commission to change our regional economies, based as they are on industry, to a development model mainly founded on technological knowledge and innovation”.
Municipality of Prato’s prizes and acknowledgments
Municipality of Prato’s prizes and acknowledgments |
- The Municipality of Prato’s commitment towards innovation has been rewarded with important prizes and public acknowledgments.
In 2006 DISTRICT Project obtained the prize “Sfide” (Challenges) organised by the Department for the Development of Territorial Economies (Italian Presidence of the Council of Ministers) and by Italian Forum of Public Administrations.
During the 2004 and 2001 editions of the Italian Forum of the Public Administrations (Forum PA) the Project T-serve – a project that helps citizens to receive municipal services through stationery stores and lottery offices - obtained the prize “Centoprogetti al servizio dei cittadini”. The Municipality of Prato was rewarded with prizes for e-government projects by European Union in 2001 - for the service of remote payment of Real Estates Municipal Tax (“ICI on line”) - and during Forum PA’s past editions (1995, 1997, 2000).
Further information
"Starting DISTRICT sub-projects": a Seminar in Prato
25 July 2006 - DISTRICT OU, Viale della Repubblica 277 - Prato (IT) |
- The Tuscan local partners (Sviluppo Italia Toscana SpA, PIN scrl, Department of Economics of the University of Florence, Department of Political Science and Sociology of the University of Florence, Province of Pisa, Consorzio Pisa Ricerche, IRIS Prato, Urban SpA Prato, Tecnotessile SpA) have been invited by the DISTRICT Secretariat for a one-day Seminar about the practical implementation and financial management of INTERREG IIIC sub-projects. The Seminar will take place c/o DISTRICT Operative Unit in Prato.
DISTRICT Study tour in Region Västra Götaland
21st – 22nd September 2006, Göteborg |
- A two days study-visit, organized by the Region Västra Götaland, to focus on regional measures to promote technology based and knowledgeintensive start-ups.
See the programme
DISTRICT Study Visit in Tuscany
26-27 October 2006 |
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The DISTRICT Study visit in Tuscany will be held the 26th and 27th October in the Pisa Area and it will consist in an half day of methodogical workshop on District Project thematic components coordinated with some visits to the principales research centres of this area.
DISTRICT Study Visit in West Midlands
20th-22nd November 2006 |
- A three days event focused on innovation, incubation and internationalisation.
The first day will be Chaired by the International Trade Director for the West Midlands. The varied programme includes speakers such as Advantage West Midlands Innovation Director who will provide some information on the history of Innovation in the West Midlands through to the present day. Speakers from Sweden, Germany and Italy will share best practice in innovation, including Chalmers University School of Entrepreneurship.
An interactive innovation workshop and a discussion panel on the European Commission’s proposed European Institute of Technology - which will pool together the best European students and researchers to work side by side with business in the development and exploitation of knowledge and research - complete the days agenda.
Day 2 incorporates a tour of regional incubators or the option to attend advanced workshops in related subjects, in collaboration with UKBI.
The third day is reserved for DISTRICT sub projects to present their projects to each other, further enhancing knowledge sharing and commonalities, with an opportunity for sub project progress meetings to take place.
For further details please see the programme.
Registration form
Updated Agenda
FORECO Kick-Off Meeting
9th and 10th October 2006, Pisa |
- This 2 days meeting organized by Province of Pisa, Lead partner of the subproject, alternates a visit within the S. Croce Leather District and a dissertation on “Pisa Foresight Activity – a focus upon the Leather Industrial District in Santa Croce” with a day of operative workshop.
For further details, please see the programme
DISTRICT participation in Dire&Fare
15 -18 November 2006, Massa Carrara |
- DISTRICT participates in Dire&Fare Fair from 15 to 18 November 2006 in Massa Carrara. Dire&Fare aim is to support the confrontation between public administrations helping them on innovation and on becoming a development drive. The fair is promoted by Anci Toscana (National Association of Italian Municipality) and by Tuscany Region.
Event website
DISTRICT InTechTex Sub-project website
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- In dependence on the heritage and history of the typical textile regions in Europe, the main aim of sub-project InTechTex is to develop different strategies for new technologies, products and markets in the sector of Technical Textiles, like automotive textiles, agro textiles, industrial textiles, smart textiles, protective textiles, etc.
For more information on sub-project and its aims, please visit the InTechTex website.
Website
Newsletter n°2
DISTRICT Newsletter n°2 now available in electronic version |
- The second issue of the DISTRICT newsletter is now available on-line in electronic version.
DISTRICT Newsletter
Dire&Fare Oscar of Innovation awarded to DISTRICT
Dire&Fare Oscar of Innovation awarded to DISTRICT |
- The Oscar 2006 on Saturday 18th November, as usually, has closed the Dire&Fare edition dedicated to the innovation of the public administration. Four days of conventions, debates, workshop and meetings which have involved 6,800 persons and more than fifty journalists. Many themes have been treated during the Fair and on them 166 innovative projects have been presented, the best ones of which has obtained the Oscar of Innovation. Among these DISTRICT won the Oscar for the category of the economic development and territorial promotion. “These prizes represent the tip of excellence of a work which regards all our community” declared the President of the Tuscany Region Claudio Martini.
CLINIC study tour in Tuscany
5th-6th December 2006 |
- PIN – University of Florence, the Tuscan partner of CLINIC subproject, organizes a two days study tour which alternates meetings and visits to laboratories, textiles pipeline and cluster at Prato and high tech cluster in central Tuscany.
For more information, please see the study visit programme
District Study Tour - Technology transfer in Saxony
14-16 March 2007 |
- This Study tour in Leipzig and Dresden alternates conferences and methodological workshop with guided visits to exhibition and research centres of the area.
Conference on the Future of Mechanical Engineering Registration Form
Saxony Study Tour Registration Form
For more information, please see the study tour programme
InTechTex Regional Conference "Focus: the car interior of the future"
22-23 february 2007, Gothenburg - SE |
- The IntechTech Regional Conference takes place inside the 2nd NEST Conference, organized by HIB, University College of Boras, STT Sweden Technical Rexile and IFP Research. NEST is a network of participants from Universities and Research Institutes in the Nordic countries with the goal of transfer know-how and generate projects together with the industry within the sector of Smart & Intelligent Textiles.
Conference leaflet and Registration form
DISTRICT Managing Committee Meeting
9 February 2006 - Brussels - Be |
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The DISTRICT Managing Commmittee meeting will take place the 9th of February in the Tuscany Region Brussels premises starting from 10.30.
DISTRICT WORKSHOP - CITIES IN TRANSITION AND STRATEGIC PLANNING
9 March 2006 Prato, It |
- DISTRICT project under the patronage of Tuscany Region, Prato Municipality and OECD, has organized for the 9th of March 2006 in Prato (I) a methodological workshop focused on the challenges that European cities and Regions will face in the transition process toward knowledge economy.
The workshop will present the perspectives of important experts such as Mr Colin Crouch (University of Warwick - Coventry), Mr Patrick Le Gales (University of Paris), Ms. Margherita Russo (Univerisity of Modena and Reggio Emilia), and other high level speakers coming from DISTRICT partner Regions and from OECD.
The workshop aims also at learning from local policy experiences and sharing good practices to improve the regional impact of the new EU Programming Period.
Registration form
WEST MIDLANDS SEMINAR & STUDY TOUR
3rd April 2006 Birmingham UK |
- The West Midlands DISTRICT Secretariat has organised a one day event - to take place between 9-5 on Monday 3rd April.
The Seminar will focus its attention on European trans national collaboration in preparation for the new Structural Funds – EU Programming Period.
The seminar will also represent the opportunity to met together various actors from the four DISTRICT regions in order to create strong partnership for the Regional Framework Operation sub-projects.
The events aims also at learning from local policy experiences and sharing good practices to improve the regional impact of the new EU Programming Period.
Form more information please contact
b.sidhu@cad.coventry.ac.uk
Programme of the event
Regions for economic change - Innovating through EU Regional Policy
12 – 13 June 2006 - Brussels - BE |
- The Directorate General for Regional Policy is organising a series of conferences between now and the middle of next year under the general heading ‘Regions for Economic Change’. They are designed to be useful to practitioners (national, regional and managing authorities) in terms of the learning opportunities provided and to examine the different ways in which Europe’s Cohesion Policy contributes to the Lisbon process or the growth and jobs agenda.
There will be three events in the series, leading up to the fourth Cohesion Forum, which takes place in June 2007 starting with the first in the series: ‘Innovating through EU Regional Policy’ (see below) which will take place on 12 and 13 June in Brussels
For further information
Regions and Cities: Partners for Growth and Jobs
1-2 June 2006 Barcelona ES |
- As part of the EU Regional Policy the European Commission is preparing Community Strategic Guidelines which establish the framework to aid in the preparation of urban actions in the Structural Funds (SF) programmes 2007-2013.
On this basis, the Government of Catalonia would like to bring EU cities and regions together to debate:
(a) the incorporation of theses actions in the future SF programmes,
(b) the implementation of mechanisms which organize the national/regional delegation to cities, and
(c) new funding methods.
The Barcelona conference provides stakeholders throughout the EU a forum to exchange ideas on how the Structural Funds can best serve cities. While being the principal motor to growth and prosperity, urban areas also suffer from disarticulated development, social disparities and impoverished environmental quality. It is of utmost concern to all stakeholders to find a balance between economic, social and environmental objectives, and the Structural Funds play a key role in doing so.
Policy makers and practitioners from both the public and private sectors will exchange ideas and experiences that promote the integrated approach laid out in the Cohesion Policy, which strives to attain stable growth without hampering social cohesion or the environment. Major issues which need to be taken into account shall be social and spatial disparities and territorial balance, accessibility and mobility, job creation and innovation and the Knowledge Economy, among others
For further information
Subproject "European Regional Strategy for Innovation in Technical Textiles - InTechTex" Kick-off
18 - 19 July 2006 - Chemnitz, Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. |
- The Kick-Off event of the DISTRICT Subproject InTechTex , organised by the Sächsisches Textilforschungsinstitut e.V. Transferzentrum Textiltechnologie, will take place in Chemnitz the 18 and 19 July.
For further information
OPEN DAYS - European Week of the Regions and Cities
9 - 12 October 2006 - Brussels - BE |
- The 2006 OPEN DAYS, which include a further 70 local events across Europe, are organised by the European Commission's Regional Policy Directorate-General and the Committee of the Regions, along with 135 regions and cities as main partners. The event is supported by the European Parliament and the Finnish EU Presidency, as well as leading blue-chip companies, the banking sector and civil society organisations. More than 5,000 stakeholders are expected to participate. This year's focus is on “Investing in Europe's Regions and Cities: Public and Private Partners for Growth and Jobs”.
Registration page
CLUSTER 2006 - The 9th Annual Global Conference of the Competitiveness Institute
9 - 13 October 2006 - Lyon, Rhône-Alpes - FR |
- The Competitiveness Institute (TCI) is a not-for-profit alliance of cluster practitioners. TCI's mission is to improve living standards and the local competitiveness of regions throughout the world, by fostering cluster-based development initiatives. Its membership base is more than 300 leading practitioners from all levels of governments and from the private sector, coming from more than 40 countries. By sharing knowledge and experience members gain access to leading insights and expertise and the most recent global developments in competitiveness theory.
This conference will allow members and new participants to share ideas, build alliances and explore the best modes of economic development. Additionally information is offered about specific clusters, introductory courses on cluster theory and presentations given by an array of world experts. TCI provides information about past cluster projects and reports about new developments over the world.
Conference website
EUREGIA - Trade fair and congress on local and regional development in Europe
23 - 25 October 2006 - Leipzig - DE |
- EUREGIA, the biggest communications and benchmarking forum on regional development in Europe, will take place for the fifth time in October 2006. It will be an international meeting place for local and regional development, offering a comprehensive overview of current projects, good practice solutions in theory and practice, financing models, networks and initiatives, together with EU programmes. Contact and cooperation exchanges accelerate communication with lead partners.
EUREGIA will include specialist discourses, discussions on future prospects, workshops and symposia on the theme of local and regional development in Europe. In parallel with the exhibition, an internationally oriented congress programme is organised. The exhibitions and specialist congress are designed to complement each other and together are the ideal platform for presenting concepts, strategies and projects and discussing matters of mutual interest.
Event website
Europe INNOVA Conference: "Re-innovating Europe: Challenges for industrial clusters and innovative businesses"
26 - 28 November 2006 - Valencia - ES |
- The focus of the Europe INNOVA Conference 2006 will be on to how innovate, building on existing industrial strengths and the spirit of entrepreneurship in Europe. The conference will bring together members of Europe INNOVA community and those with a key interest in innovation from politics, academia and enterprises, to investigate the most effective way to support innovation, and to discuss an innovation policy agenda for Europe.
The conference is organised by the European Commission (Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General) with the support of the regional government of Valencia (Generalitat Valenciana). Innovation experts from across Europe will discuss
- How to build innovation on industrial strengths
- How better to commercialise new ideas
- How to help young, innovative companies grow faster
- How to promote an innovative spirit and capabilities
Clusters play a key role in driving innovation and economic growth. The conference will look into the successful transformation of "old" clusters into new business opportunities. It will also discuss how innovative young companies can be nurtured so that more world class companies will be created in Europe.
Event information
Investing in Research and Innovation – Exchanging European Experiences in a Nordic Context
16 -18 October 2006 - Copenaghen DK |
- The conference is organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers. It is expected to:
- Stimulate territorial entities (sub-national entities but also cross-border regions) countries and regions to participate in building the European Research and Innovation Area,
- Exchange experiences and best practices on the role of territorial entities and their contribution to the European Research and Innovation Area,
- Mobilise actors for preparing for the 7th Community RTD and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework programmes.
Conference website
Subproject "Development of a virtual mall for active technology marketing and international business development - Technology Mall" Kick-Off
31 July 2006 - VEMAS, Fraunhofer Institute IWU - Reichenhainer Strasse 88 - Chemnitz - DE |
- The Saxon city of Chemnitz is the location of the Kick-Off event of the DISTRICT Subproject Technology Mall, organised by VEMAS (Strategic Alliance of Machine Tool and Equipment Manufacturers in Saxony). The meeting will take place the 31 July.
Further details
Powerful Cities and Regions through European Structural Funds 2007 - 2013
29 - 30 August 2006, Bonn DE |
- The course has been set. After the agreement on the EU Budget in December 2005 and the approval of the European Parliament on 4 July 2006 for the EU cohesion policy in the funding period 2007-2013, the framework has now been established.
What matters now for the players in the field of structural policy is to push ahead with the preparations for the coming funding period, because the implementation strategies must be clearly defined when the new period begins in January 2007. Special challenges in this context are the subjects of innovation, integrated urban development and social planning for which those active in regional and urban economic development / urban planning should get into shape already today.
Against this background the agiplan GmbH, managing the Objective 2 Programme at the NRW Ministry for Economic Affairs with particular responsibility for drafting and preparing the new Objective 2 Programme for NRW, want to offer you a platform for exchange by organizing this two
days kick-off conference.
For more information
Subproject "Promoting Innovative Clusters Through Urban REgeneration - PICTURE" Kick-off
14 September 2006 - Villa Medicea Artimino - Prato - IT |
- The Kick-Off event of the DISTRICT Subproject Picture , organised by the IRIS Institute of Prato, will take place in Artimino the 14 of September 2006
For more information
iris@po-net.prato.it
INTERREG IIIB - IIIC programmes task-force meeting
2-3 October 2006 – Valencia, ES |
- Representatives of 14 INTERREG IIIB and IIIC programme management structures will participate in a specific task-force meeting organised by INTERACT Point Tool Box in view to exchanging experiences and gathering common conclusions on the implementation of INTERREG programme management during 2000-2006.
Bearing in mind the ongoing preparation phase of the new INTERREG programmes 2007-2013, this will be an opportunity for the current IIIB and IIIC structures to discussing the advantages and disadvantages observed in the implementation of specific tools and methods that have been used by a number of INTERREG programmes, whose implementation could be of interest to others.
Conclusions raised and their contribution to the achievement of the different INTERREG programme targets will be collected in a final document to be published by INTERACT.
Event website
INTERREG IIIC: Good Practice, network structures and future opportunities for European interregional cooperation
23 October 2006 - Leipzig, DE |
- The workshop will highlight networking effects and good practices of the European Union’s INTERREG IIIC programme and present the framework and funding opportunities of the future interregional cooperation programme (2007-2013).
Further details
INTERREG IIIC Forum
15 - 16 November 2006 - Lille, FR |
- Lead partners are invited to meet at the INTERREG IIIC Forum on the afternoon of 15 and morning of 16 November in Lille (France).
The forum will help lead partners of INTERREG IIIC operations dealing with “Innovation and Knowledge economy” and “Environment and Risk prevention” to capitalise on their work in these fields and consider future partnerships. It will be a practical and interactive event, with an open area where participants are encouraged to display posters and meet informally.
II European Conference on Financing Innovation and Creation of New Technology Based Firms
23 – 24 November 2006 - Seville, Spain |
- The Conference has the object to bring together and favour exchange of good practices between key agents in European Innovation, such as entrepreneurs, investors, intermediate bodies and public authorities responsible for financing innovation.
The conference aims to present successful experiences on the use of certain Financing Innovation models in different European regions and to explore different existing mechanisms for the creation of technology based companies. It also aims to favour an appropriate platform for the learning and assimilation of good practices that allow the policy makers to plan more appropriate actions for the development of the Financing Innovation strategies and the different key agents of the system to adopt the most suitable mechanisms for the improvement of their actions within these matters.
Conference website
Second meeting of the Focus Group 'Promotion of innovation in SMEs'
29 November 2006, Lahti - FI |
- Developing the regional innovation infrastructure in order to optimize it to SMEs' needs is a main focus of many RIS projects. Especially regions in Central and Eastern Europe report a lack of many necessary services and institutions. The current RIS projects will face the necessity to invest in the innovation infrastructure, while dealing with limited resources as well as the need for prioritisation depending on the needs of local companies. This focus group meeting will bring together managers of the current on-going RIS projects. The meeting objective will be to facilitate the development of regional innovation strategies and action plans to make them suit best the region’s situation with best prospects for actual implementation. The participants will have an opportunity to learn from good practices from IRE regions that have practical experience in the area as well to confront different approaches of their peers in other RIS regions.
Event information
IRE workshop: Effective Regional Innovation Systems
30 November 2006 - 1st December 2006, Lahti – FI |
- Good performance of individual actors is not enough for successful regional innovation. Sustainable success in innovation requires that the complete regional innovation system functions well. The aim of this workshop, organised by the IRE Secretariat in collaboration with Lahti Science and Business Park Ltd, is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of what a regional innovation system is and how it functions. Speakers from member regions in the Innovating Regions in Europe (IRE) network will share their experience on how to further develop and strengthen their innovation systems in order to achieve long-term success. Practitioners will also share their views on what the roles and contributions of key institutions should be in an efficient regional innovation system.
Further information, including the registration form
Second Cross Border Meeting - From INTERREG III to European Territorial Cooperation
30 November 2006 – 1st December 2006, Kehl - DE |
- The overall objective of the conference is to record and disseminate knowledge of cross-border cooperation by comparing the points of view of researchers and practitioners about the following issues: with effect from 1 January 2007, the system of support for cross-border, transnational and inter-regional cooperation actions in Europe becomes a strategic objective in its own right, that of European Territorial Cooperation. This change clearly affirms the integration of cross-border procedures into an overall policy of balanced, harmonious and sustainable development of the European territory. This means that the implementation of new programmes and the eligibility of projects will be governed directly by overall development requirements, including through alignment with the Lisbon and Gothenburg objectives.
For more information please visit the website
Forum on Knowledge Exchange, Networks and Regional Innovation
6-7 December 2006, Cambridge, UK |
- A two day Forum titled ‘Knowledge Exchange, Networks and Regional Innovation’ being held at New Hall, University of Cambridge on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th December 2006. This workshop is being organised by the Programme on Regional Innovation of The Cambridge-MIT Institute in conjunction with the Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. Studies of innovation, networks, and universities as components of regional innovation systems are central to the literature on the emerging global economy. Sustainable regional innovation systems enable both firms and regions to escape the strictures of cost competition that have resulted from global market integration, trade liberalization and deregulation. This workshop is presenting critical perspectives on regional innovation systems. We hope to include presentations that address questions of: 1) sustainability over time; 2) the character of interaction within networks; 3) the emergence of non-local, global networks and their implications; 3) mechanisms for inter-organizational learning (and their limits); and 4) the role of labour in the innovation process.
Patterns of clusters evolution: models, practices, technologies and policies - International Cluster Conference
18-19 January 2007, Venice, IT |
- The conference will focus on the future of clusters: how to structure suitable organisational models, how to foster networking and transnational cooperation, and what input technologies and policies can give for cluster development? The conference will allow participants to 1. compare different regional/national approaches to clusters development; 2. exchange experiences and best practices on the role of regional/national authorities; 3. better understand how to support successfully cluster evolution stimulating knowledge and innovation; 4. prepare the ground for possible partnerships in future common cluster initiatives.
Conference web site
DG Research - major event on European Research
7th of March 2007, Brussels - BE |
- The European Commission's DG Research will organise under the German Presidency a major event on European Research in Brussels on the 7th of March 2007.
This event will mark the launch of the Seventh Framework Programme 2007-2013 (the main EU instrument to support research), which will devote close to €50 billion to European and international co-operation in science and technology. The overall aim of the event is to raise the level of political commitment to European research, expand media coverage and increase public awareness.
On this occasion, organisations will be invited to exhibit their European research activities and show their contribution to resolving today's problems and concerns. The exhibition will showcase European success stories in science and technology, and some of the remarkable achievements of EU-funded research projects. It will be a unique opportunity to reach the public and science journalists. The aim is to show that research (including in the social sciences and humanities) provides answers to the following crucial problems:
A minimum of 100.000 visitors over two weeks (7-18 March 2007) are expected to attend the exhibition.
For further informtaion, plese visit the event web page
Regions for economic change - Fostering competitiveness through innovative technologies, products and healthy communities
7 -8 March 2007, Bruxelles, BE |
- The event will be organised by the Commission's Regional Policy Directorate General and other Commission services together with the French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and in cooperation with the Committee of the Regions. During the event, Commissioner Danuta Hübner will launch the "Regional Innovation Awards" seeking for best European practice and innovation in regional policy. More than 500 participants from regions all over Europe are expected to discuss how European regional policy and its instruments contribute to competitive regions and cities through innovation and exchange of best practice. In nine workshops, the event will showcase strategies, experiences and projects intended to provide learning and networking opportunities for Structural Funds managing authorities.
Conference website
2007 MIT Europe Conference on Innovation
29-30 March 2007, Brussels, BE |
- Co-organized by Agoria of Belgium, this conference is the second in the "Innovation in Europe" series to be held in Brussels. The program provides an important forum for European business leaders and government authorities to participate in the continuing discussion of innovation policy, and an opportunity to review approaches to organizing and supporting innovation in various territories. Leading MIT faculty and researchers along with industry speakers will focus on current and future innovation mechanisms, evaluate measures designed to support innovation, and present specific innovation opportunities relevant to the European business community.
For more information
International Technology, Education and Development Conference
7-9 March 2007, Valencia, ES |
- The general objective of the conference is the promotion of international collaboration in the field of technology, engineering and science education. It provides an International Forum for researchers, engineers, professors, educational scientists and technologists in the areas of Education, Science and Technology. It will be an excellent opportunity to present, demonstrate and discuss research, development, applications, and the latest innovations and results in the field of Higher Education and Industry.
For further informtaion, plese visit the Conference website
Next Cluster Workshop on Enterprise Interoperability Research
8-9 February 2007, Brussels, BE |
- The first day, organised by one of the Cluster projects, the ABILITIES project, will be devoted to discussing issues on Service Oriented Architectures. The second day, organised by the European Commission, will be a special FP7 day under the theme "Preparing for FP7 – a call to the enlarged Enterprise Interoperability community'', devoted entirely to the next Framework Programme for Research.
For further informtaion, plese visit the event web page
Clusters Linked Over Europe
Regional Innovation Strategies for Cluster Internationalisation and Competitiveness |
- 24 April 2007, Tartu - EE
This International Conference is an event that will bring together experts and practitioners in the field of cluster policies and management from all over Europe. Its main focus is on the specific aspects of cluster internationalization and competitiveness in development of regional innova-tion strategies.
It has been widely acknowledged phenomena that the competitiveness of clusters does not depend only on the regional or national conditions, but is more and more dependent on linkages to markets and resources situated in other regions in Europe and increasingly also outside Europe.
The conference is organized with an aim to provide insights and exchange information about how countries and regions could act in internationalizing their clusters with an aim to strengthen the com-petitiveness of clusters and regional innovation systems. The conference will focus on best practice examples from selected European regions and provide forum for a discussion for experts in the field.
More more information
INTERACT Conference - European Territorial Cooperation programmes 2007-2013
29-30 March 2007, Budapest - HU |
- The INTERACT Programme is organising an international conference on the European Territorial Cooperation objective programmes 2007-2013 in Budapest on 29 and 30 March 2007.
Keynote speakers from the European Commission and other European Institutions as well as governmental representatives of the EU Member States have been invited to discuss the future of territorial cooperation. Panel sessions will be devoted to the changes, needs and challenges for 2007-2013, while work groups tackle technical aspects of programme management.
The conference targets those persons representing European Territorial Cooperation 2007-2013 programme authorities and bodies (Managing Authorities, Certifying Authorities, Joint Technical Secretariats) as well as representatives from Member State authorities dealing with European Territorial Cooperation programmes.
The INTERACT Programme seeks to have a balanced representation of Member States and Neighbouring Countries, European Commission and representatives from other European institutions.
Conference website
The preliminary programme is attached for your information
9th UK Technology Innovation & Growth Forum
12 March 2007, London, UK |
- The Conference brings together an unrivalled group of leaders from the UK's most dynamic technology businesses to give a unique insight into what drives their performance. They will be joined by industry experts giving practical guidance on key market issues and trends affecting the sector. The conference is structured over the two days and features facilitated networking sessions, workshop meetings and private lunches.
For more information
"Twintex Museums" Conference
Textile Museum of Prato, 30-31 March 2007 |
- The main event of Twintex Museums Project consists in a two days Conference at the Textile Museum of Prato. During the Conference the first results of the network will be presented. The discussion will be focused on the global economic transformations which affect the European textile and clothing sector and its organization in industrial districts and thus the strategic future of the cities. In order to better understand the scenarios of these transformations, the textile cities reflect on their future, the new organization of the public areas, on the basis of a strengthening of the manufacturing activities.
Great attention will be given to the Textile Museums’ strategic role in promoting textile local development and in the valorisation of the sector’s knowledge heritage.
Conference web site
II International Conference on Managing Urban Land
25-27 April 2007, Stuttgart - DE |
- The management of urban land poses a variety of challenges for many stakeholders. Sustainable land management can stimulate investment and job generation and affects the quality of life positively. It contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and helps to clean up and restore the environment. Last, but not least, it keeps urban life in urban agglomerations, restricts the extent of urban sprawl and minimises transportation and traffic needs. The current situation in many countries of the world indicates a growing need to exchange best practice approaches for land management. Land consumption, urban brownfields and urban sprawl are significant topics for various political initiatives.
The 2nd International Conference on Managing Urban Land it will bring together a wide range of professionals managing urban land to share best practice experience, problem-solving knowledge and the application of new techniques and tools. Current thinking and future trends in innovative land management will be highlighted and new approaches for public and private sector decision-making will be explored.
Conference website
ERIK Network Conference
Knowledge for Regional Innovation – Towards “Regions for Economic Change” |
- 10 - 11 May 2007, Brussels - BE
The two day ERIK conference represents a space for actors from all over Europe and outside to debate the future role of regions in promoting economic growth through innovation, entrepreneurship and the growth of the knowledge economy, with particular relevance to the evolution of the European Commission initiative “Regions for Economic Change”.
For more information
DISTRICT on Tuscany Region DOCUP - OPERATIVE PROGRAMME OBJECTIVE 2 - WEB SITE
A window on the DISTRICT project |
- DISTRICT is on Tuscany Region Operative Programme Objective 2 web site
March-April 2007 DocupNews, the newsletter of the Operative Programme objective 2 2000-2006 is now available.
Newsletter web site
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DISTRICT at work: Subprojects mid-term evaluation workshop - 19 June 2007 Prato
An Interregional Workshop |
- 19 June, 2007 - City Council Hall, Prato
In coordination with the whole DISTRICT Partnership and the Prato Municipality, Tuscany Region - Lead Partner of the Operation - organizes an international workshop on "The DISTRICT Regional Framework Operation at work: INNOVATION PATHWAY AND KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY" to be held in Prato on the 19th of June, 2007.
By analyzing the first results of the DISTRICT subprojects, the workshop will deal with new trends towards more globalised markets and increasing links between research, knowledge and technology, learn from government policy experiences and share best practices. It will examine promising new policy options to better link knowledge and business communities and help turning technologies into market opportunities.
The workshop's sessions will see the analysis of subprojects experiences, presented by Subproject Lead Partner, for each thematic component. The final round table - seeing the participation of european, national and regional actors - will dwell on future perspectives of Interregional Cooperation in the next European programming period.
The Workshop will be preceded by the RFO Steering Committee on the 18th and followed by an Evaluation Meeting with regional experts on the 20th.
Workshop Programme
Registration form
Workshop Programme (in italian)
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DISTRICT Workshop - Communicate Innovation - 7 June 2007 Prato
Research, enterprises, institutions and media discuss about Innovative Communication |
- 7 June 2007, Prato, IT
How to communicate innovation? To communicate innovative products, services, technologies, or business processes is one among many tasks of any communication department.
A discussant panel of journalists, researchers, entrepreneurs and university teachers will explore the use of the word innovation in the italian and european press, starting from a thematic research by the University of Florence. The workshop will be held on thursday 7 June 2007 at the Auditorium of the Pecci Museum in Prato.
Italian language only
Please use the enclosed form to register.
Further info can be obtained by writing to info@district-rfo.org
Workshop Programme
Registration form
THE ROYAL SHOW 2007
1-4 July 2007 West Midlands, UK |
- The Royal Show is the agricultural showcase for the UK industry and encompasses all aspects of farming, food and rural life - from the best of British livestock to the latest business and technological innovations in the farming industry. Not only is the Royal Show an excellent business and networking opportunity, it is also a perfect farming day out for the whole family - with the very best of shopping, food, flowers, crafts, country pursuits, equestrian competitions and arena displays.
The Show attracts more than 140,000 visitors a year and hosts over 1,000 stands, among these will be the RICE project which will be sharing their interim findings.
For further information, plese visit the event web page
Serious Games Final event - practice and futures
18-19 September, Skovde, SE |
- The workshop aims to bring research and practice together to explore the possibilities of serious games. This include the opportunities for the game industry to explore a new market and for potential users to get a feeling for the concept.
The term “serious games” refers to games that engage the user, and contribute to the achievement of a defined purpose other than pure entertainment (whether or not the user is consciously aware of it). The additional purposes can, for example, be education, training, health care or marketing.
See the programme
Registration form
For more information
EU Interregional Cooperation Forum 2007: Celebrating INTERREG IIIC – Launching INTERREG IVC
20-21 September, Lisbon |
- The 2007 Interregional Cooperation Forum will take place on 20 and 21 September, in Lisbon, Portugal.
The event will mark the launch of INTERREG IVC, the new programme for interregional cooperation, and show how INTERREG IIIC is already helping Europe’s regions work together and improve regional development.
Among speakers will be Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, and Francisco Nunes Correia, Portuguese Minister for Environment, Spatial Planning and Regional Development. The European Parliament and Committee of the Regions are also invited.
Up to 800 representatives of local and regional authorities and other public bodies are expected to come to Lisbon from across the EU. The forum will bring together organisations interested in tackling similar issues, help them build and promote ideas for new projects, and show them how to apply for INTERREG IVC funding.
More information on the event, including a detailed programme and registration form, will be published on this website as it becomes available.
INTERREG IVC, which runs for the period 2007-2013, is similar to its predecessor INTERREG IIIC in that it helps regions from across the EU to share experience and work together on improving regional policies.
A new feature of INTERREG IVC is the focus on certain themes, which are based on the Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas and grouped under two priorities: “Innovation and the knowledge economy” and “The environment and risk prevention”. There is also a strong emphasis on capitalisation, and the transfer and take-up of project results – in particular good practices identified – by regions in their own regional development programmes.
For more information
CLUNET WORKSHOP - 29 May 2007 Florence
Clusters and excellences: a strategic approach of the Tuscany Region and the local territory’s results |
- 29 May 2007, Florence, IT
The analysis of the clusters policies at the regional and european level and the development of the local context especially related to specific fields will be the main theme of the workshop. The seminar is organised by the CLUNET project (VI Framework Programme) and the Tuscany Region.
A round table will discuss the importance of clusters seen as crucial element of regional strategies and the role of regional policy as means of raising national competitiveness.
For more information please visit the website
Workshop Programme
Commission presents the state of the EU regions and launches debate on the future of cohesion policy
30th May 2007 |
- The economic, social and territorial situation of the enlarged Union and its 268 regions is illustrated for the first time in the Fourth Cohesion Report presented by the European Commission. The report contains a detailed analysis of the position of the regions in terms of GDP, productivity and employment, identifying a series of challenges with which Member States and regions will be confronted in the coming years.
The Fourth Cohesion Report also provides a first assessment of the impact of European cohesion policy during the 2000-2006 programming period and of preparations for the new 2007- 2013 period. The report includes 10 questions to kick off the debate inside and outside the European institutions on the future of this major policy area.
Further information
IANIS+ Annual Conference 2007: Innovation & Technology: Knowledge - Based Regions in a Competitive Europe
13-15 june 2007, Bilbao - ES |
- The event is organised by eris@ (The European Regional Information Society Association) in the frame of IANIS+ (The Innovative Actions Network for the Information Society – Plus) co-financed by DG Regional Policy. The IANIS+ 2007 Conference in Bilbao will address:
- the importance of transformative uses of ICT to achieve competitiveness,
- the ways in which regions can contribute to the Lisbon Agenda and their own development,
- the challenges that regions will face,
- and the new priorities they will need to adopt
so as to become creative regions better adapted to today’s global competitive environment. The conference will highlight issues relating to development of the knowledge-based society, on the importance of the creative class and the role of place and regional identity, and the ways in which ICT can foster and support such developments.
Conference web site
EUNIP International Conference 2007
12-14 September 2007, Prato, IT |
- This conference will discuss three main themes, in particular with regard to new industrial policies, within EU and in comparison with non-EU areas and countries:
1. The consideration and assessment of varieties of industries, localities, and regions to be targeted, in a global perspective of social, market, and technological tendencies and strategies.
2. The combination of public action on industrial organisation and factors with innovation policies, competition policies, territorial policies, social policies.
3. The explicit definition of institutional features, design principles, implementation processes, and evaluation methods of policies.
Conference web site
Press Release
Conference leaflet
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PICTURE workshop - To Reshape economic cities - 10 July 2007 Prato
European experiences of urban transformation |
- 10 July, 2007 - Pecci Museum's Auditorium - Prato
This one-day seminar is dedicated to a comparison among european experiences of urban transformation. Manchester, Barcelona and Prato, three cases to compare. Organized by the project Picture, DISTRICT, Prato agenda and Tuscany Region, this event will focus on crucial strategies and processes in order to reshape our cities. To transform previous industrial area into new innovative places, to implement the economy of knowledge and also to foster the creation of centres of excellence, are only few of the key objectives of the project Picture and the strategic plan of Prato. In the afternoon discussant panel, teachers of University, architects and experts in this field, will talk about Prato’s urban context starting from the research realized by Picture.
See the programme
Registration form
Form more information
INTERREG IIIC South Capitalisation Seminar
2 October 2007, Rome - Italy |
- South zone is organising a capitalisation seminar on 2 October 2007 in Roma (Italy). This event will gather lead partners and partners from all INTERREG IIIC South approved operations in order to exchange experiences and achievements under the INTERREG IIIC programme.
During one entire day, participants will have the opportunity to form discussion groups centered around the current IIIC themes of cooperation in order to share lessons learnt and results. This seminar will also enable the projects to think about possible partnerships for the future.
Further information will be published very soon on the INTERREG IIIC website www.interreg3c.net.
See the web site
Selezione pubblica per il conferimento di un incarico di collaborazione
Pubblicazione avviso 18 Luglio 2007 - Scadenza avviso 20 Agosto 2007 |
- E’ indetta una selezione pubblica per l’individuazione di un collaboratore per supporto alle attività di coordinamento e raccordo con la Regione Toscana e di ricerca ed elaborazione documentale nell’ambito del progetto INTERREG IIIC DISTRICT.
Scadenza termine presentazione domande lunedì 20 Agosto 2007 ore 24:00
Bando collaborazione DISTRICT
SEARCH Seminar - Florence 11th July 2007
Wednesday 11th July 2007 - the Technological Incubator |
- The innovation theme is opening new pathways of collaboration among entreprises, institutions, centres of research, specialists and researchers, with optimistic effects on the launghing of start-up with an high intesity of knowledge and technology in Tuscany. These, in brief, the results of the seminar which was held in Florence at the Tecnological Incubator on 11th July, within the Search project activities’, organized by PIN and the operation framework Interreg IIIC DISTRICT of the Tuscany Region.
Press Release
Pictures from Prato
A brief presentation of the italian city of Prato and its challenges towards an urban regeneration policy |
- During the last PICTURE workshop - To Reshape economic cities - that took place 10 July 2007 in Prato - a video-documentary has been presented by URBAN focused on the city of Prato and its urban context.
See the video-documentary
OPEN DAYS, European Week of Regions and Cities
Brussels 8-11 October 2007 |
- Organised by the Committee of the Regions, the European Commission's Regional Policy Directorate General and expected 100 regions, cities and other institutions and private partners from all over Europe, the 5th OPEN DAYS-European Week of Regions and Cities will be held between 8 and 11 October 2007 in Brussels for about 5,000 expected regional policy experts and practitioners.
This year's headline is: "Making it happen: regions deliver growth and jobs". About 150 workshops and sessions will focus on the new generation of cohesion policy programmes, which will be implemented in the course of 2007 in all European regions.
For more information
Hotel booking form
InTechTex Final Conference
8th October 2007, Dresden |
- The InTechTex project comes to an end. The InTechTex Final Conference will be held on 8th October 2007 in Dresden. Among speakers there also will be Dr. Rainer Gebhardt, from the Saxon Textile Research Institute, Chemnitz (DE), Bertram Höfer, Association of the North-East German Textile and Clothing Industry, Chemnitz (DE). Then, Dr. Petra Franitza, Saxon Textile Research Institute, Chemnitz (DE) will present an overview and the results of the InTechTex project. Each region involved into the project will give a full picture of their textile area. Dr. Thomas Richter, Saxony Economic Development Corporation (WFS), Dresden (DE) will close the conference talking about future activities in the framework of the Interreg programme.
For more information
Conference: Turning knowledge into practice - Berlin
23-24 October 2007, Berlin, DE |
- The main focus of this conference is on the need to measure and improve the effectiveness of publicly-funded programmes, in particular with regard to research and innovation. It is organised under the PRO INNO Europe initiative of the European Commission. The Conference programme includes plenary sessions and workshops addressing methodological issues, good practices identified and ways to disseminate them. The Conference will also pave the way for improving transnational co-operation between national and regional research and innovation programmes and initiatives with a view to increasing their final impact on innovation.
Conference website
DISTRICT Final Conference - Bruxelles
16th April 2008, Espace Monte Paschi Belgio, Bruxelles |
- The DISTRICT RFO is soon coming to its conclusion. DISTRICT's Final Conference will provide the occasion to share its results with other european regions.
The Conference will take place on the 16th April 2008 at the Espace Monte Paschi Belgio in Bruxelles and will mainly focus on good practices delivered by the project.
Attractive stories about most innovative ideas from major centres of excellence will be illustrated by a series of videos from the four partner regions.
The Conference will be open to all with a special invitation to regions from new Member States regions to particpate.
The event will be preceded by a workshop on the 15th afternoon at the West Midlands in Europe premises in Brussels - the draft prgramme of the workshop will soon be made available to participants.
Outstanding representatives of the four partner regions and the European Commission will participate in this unique event.
Please find further information and the registration form here below:
Conference Final Programme
Registration form
Practical information
Workshop Final Programme
List of suggested hotels
West Midland ETI-NET Workshop
27-28th September 2007, Conventry - West Midland (UK) |
- The event will take place at Coventry University Techno Centre on Thursday and Friday 27 and 28th September 2007. This is an event to design the project's innovative new company matching "tool".
The project Eti-net has increased innovation and inter-national co-operation activities, and improved effectiveness and efficiency of the funding policy. It has also implemented international innovation projects.
For any further details, please write to: andypowell@theinsightworks.co.uk
New DISTRICT presentation at Lisbon Forum 2007
DISTRICT AND DISTRICT+ |
- New DISTRICT presentation for Lisbon EU Interregional cooperation Forum is on line.
DISTRICT presentation
The annual West Midlands European Event
Friday 21 September 2007, Light House - Wolverhampton - UK |
- "Human capital: how what you shapes your life "
The 2007 Annual European Event will be hosted by the West Midlands Assembly and West Midlands in Europe.
Among issues will be promoting skills, languages and lifelong learning.
Draft Programme
Web site
DISTRICT at the Festival of Creativity 2007
25-28 October 2007, Florence - IT |
- From October 25 to 28 at Florence's Fortezza da Basso, the second edition of the Festival of Creativity will take place, an event promoted by the Tuscany Region and organized by Fondazione Sistema Toscana. With an exhibition space of approximately 40,000 square meters, 400 events dedicated to the arts, research, innovation, and intelligence; 1,600 artists and speakers from over 40 countries around the world.
The DISTRICT project will participate to this great event with a stand in the innovation section.
The Festival program includes meetings and debates with great representatives of modern culture, the world of art and design, and the Italian and international music scenes.
For more information, please visit the website
DISTRICT Study Visit in Region Vastra Gotaland
17-18 October 2007 - Vastra Gotaland - Sweden |
- This two days meeting wiil focus on measures to promote technology based and knowledge intensive start-ups and industry-science relations outside metropolitan area of Gothenburg.
The programme forsees on Wednesday 17th October the Management Committee Meeting (MC) at 15 p.m.
On Thursday many speakers will discuss about several issues such as industrial dynamics, university´s measures to promote entrepreneurship, start-ups and
industry-science relations.
Finally, Per Backlund and Mats Jägstam (University College of Skövde) will close the seminar speaking about Serious gaming.
Draft Programme
Registration Form
Practical information
See the map
New INTERREG IVC website
INTERREG IVC - Innovation and environment regions of Europe sharing solutions |
- The new INTERREG IVC website is now available.
Colorful petals to symbolized the new programme of interregional cooperation, just launched on 11th September 2007 in Brussels, which gathers 27 EU Member States, Switzerland and Norway.
You will find here all the information you require to apply for funding under INTERREG IVC and also priorities and more detalis of the INTERREG IVC Application Pack.
Visit the new website
3rd INTERNATIONAL Conference on services and Innovation
7th - 8th November 2007 - Dublin - Ireland |
- The objective of this two days conference is to increase awareness and understanding of services innovation in a business environment and to:
- provide businesses (large and small) with practical steps and examples to develop innovation in services
- help inform investors, researchers and policy makers about services innovation and learn about national and global developments and
- share practical experiences through case studies from established businesses.
During the meeting you will have the chance to hear Dr Reinhard Büscher, European Commission; Hugo Hollanders, Senior Researcher at UNU-MERIT; Dr Anita Sands, Vice President, Head of Innovation & Process Design, Royal Bank of Canada; Bro Mc Ferran CBE - Managing Director Northbrook Technology.
For more information
Artimino meeting 2007: Economy and Technology Innovation in local systems
12-13 October 2007, Artimino - Prato - IT |
- University teachers, actors of public local and regional administrations will gather in the impressive Artimino’s Medici Villa which lies near the little village of Carmignano to discuss of innovation in local development.
Claudio Martini, the President of the Tuscany Region and Marco Romagnoli, Mayor of Prato will also participate.
The 2007 edition will focus on technology innovation pathways carried out by different local systems.
It will be a two days dedicated to a comparison of italian and international experiences such as the case of Torino Wireless, ARTI ( the regional agency for innovation and technology of the Puglia Region), “Poles de competitivité” of Paris, “InnoRegio” programme and more others.
For more information
CLINIC Final Conference "Building better clusters"
30th October 2007 Birmingham - West Midlands |
- A working conference, organised by Black County Chamber, to examine and discuss good practice in business cluster formation and development based on the work undertaken in the E.U supported interreg project CLINIC.
Th event opens with an overview on Cluster development in Saxony, Tuscany and West Midlands.
It will be also an opportunity for all conference participants to contribute examples of good practice and to discuss what lessons are transferable region to region and how international networking of clusters could contribute to economic growth.
A special attention will be focus on the clustering in Turkey and the international clustering.
See the programme
Registration Form
DISTRICT presentation at OPEN DAYS
Brussels 8-11 October 2007 |
- "Making it happen: regions deliver growth and jobs" is this year headline.
About 150 workshops and sessions will focus on the new generation of cohesion policy programmes, which will be implemented in the course of 2007 in all European regions.
During the meeting, the District staff has presented the project : description, activities, results and future outlook.
See the presentation
SHARING REGIONAL EXCELLENCE - International DISTRICT Conference in Saxony
29 May 2008, ICC Dresden |
- The Conference will represent successful examples of international cooperation for industries and networks and It will show how value-added economic processes are supported by interregional networking.
The “Joint European Workshop” on May 30, 2008 will support project development and networking for regional cooperation in the new INTERREG programme period, additional for the DISTRICT Regional Group a Managing Committee Meeting will be held at 2nd session on the 30th May.
Please find here below further information on the Conference.
Agenda and Registration form
EUROTOOL - Final Forum “EU New Goals and New Challenges in Territorial Cooperation 2007-2013”
14th November 2007, Valladolid (Spain) |
- The Forum is organised by the Regional Government of Castilla y León in the frame of the project EUROTOOL (A tool for promoting cooperation among EU regions), co-financed by the interact Programme.
Please send your registration form until 5th November 2007 by e-mail to
palgutev@jcyl.es and/or git@jcyl.es
For more information, please visit the website
DISTRICT gets off to Carrara at DIRE & FARE meeting
14 – 17 november 2007, CarraraFiere - IT |
- From 14 to 17 november 2007 will take place in Carrara the tenth edition of the meeting : Innovation in public administration, organised by Anci Toscana, the Tuscany Region, with the collaboration of Cesvot, District of Massa Carrara and Municipality of Carrara.
DISTRICT, along with Pratoagenda (the Strategic plan of the Municipality of Prato), wiil participate to the event as an example of the application of good practices and innovation strategies to local administration.
"All equal" is the theme of this year, in accordance with the "2007 European year of equal opportunities", which will be developed into five different issues such as generations and age, genders, citizens, territories and places, technologies to help people to access to public services.
For more information, please visit the website
FORECO Final Conference
20-21 November 2007, Pisa - IT |
- The Foreco subproject comes to an end. Its team is organising the final event which will take place in Pisa on 20-21 November 2007.
The Foreco general objective is to foster and stimulate the ability of local public government to promote actions aimed at identifying the competitive advantages of their territories.
But also, gather and elaborate information useful in the building of medium to long term perspective visions with an high territorial and trans-regional impact.
How? By creating a network of stakeholders within the system under analysis, through interviews and workshops.
In this occasion, a set of documents regarding the activities developed and a final report will be presented.
In the following days we will be able to give more information about the event.
The programme
The resistration form
STIM SME website is online
A "bank of entrepreneurs" |
- The STIM-SME website is now available.
STIM-SME is an expended network which is able to connect research intitutes and enterprises and make them work together.
At present, the project handles about 15 spin-off opportunities in various stages of development.
One of the main objectives is to estabilish a procedure to handle spin-offs in an organised manner and that the spin-off manual would be a vital part in the innovation systems of the regions.
The new website
REFORM Conference
20th and 21st of November 2007, Lower Szilesia (Poland) |
- The conference will concentrate on RTD and innovation policy, but will also focus further on specific key issues, as follows :
- Foresight and Scenario Development
- Technology Transfer and RTD
- Regional Innovation Strategies and Enterprise Development
- The role of Technology Parks and Incubation Centers in RTD
They key objective of the conference will be to disseminate the learning and outcomes of the REFORM project, including the regional foresight activities, the Action Plans and the new Mentoring Programme.
For further information please contact:
Barbara Buryta
+48-74 888 09 23
eic@darr.pl
Please visit the website
EBN Clusters Seminar
13 November 2007, Louvain-La-Neuve (Belgium) |
- The EBN Seminar entitled "The International Dimension of Clusters" will be held on the 13th of November 2007 in Louvain-La-Neuve (Belgium). The seminar qill be hosted by CréaWal Forum.
The Seminar aims at show-casing the methodologies and best practices of internationalisation and clustering. The objective of the seminar is to reinforce the thesis that operating within a network of entrepreneurs, rather than as single actors, is a key factor for the SMEs’ growth and competitiveness. The Seminar will also discuss the importance of upgrading the quality of regional networks by bringing them onto an international dimension.
EBN will gather presentations from “Clusters experts” from both the high-tech and low-tech sectors, demonstrating that, regardless of their sector of activity, building international clusters draws the path for local entrepreneurs to grow global and outreach the international market.
The seminar will target networks and cluster managers, operators of Business & Innovation Centres (BICs), Incubation Centres Managers, and entrepreneurs wishing to learn more about the techniques of internationalisation.
Conference languages: French and English.
For more information
INNOTRAD Demonstrations at "Technology and Saddle Making in the 21st Century"
10th November 2007, Walsall Leather Museum - West Midlands - UK |
- The exhibition aims to showcase the work done by the School of Engineering & Built Environment with Walsall based companies involved in the leather and saddle making industry, through its Centre of Engineering Excellence.
On display are examples of some of the new advanced technologies and facilities that have been utilised by companies working with the University on the development of new or improved products and processes.
Demostrations of Saddle Pressure Mapping Technology, currently being used with a cluster of local companies via our INNOTRAD project, are available on the dats shown.
For more information contact
Andy Barnett on 07971243153
See the programme
2007 ERRIN Annual General Event
8th November 2007, Brussels - BE |
- The 2007 Annual General Event of ERRIN – The European Regions Research and Innovation Network - will take place at the Committee of the Regions from 15:00 on. It will focus on the future of the European Research Area (ERA) with the event to:
- Promote European regions’ contribution to the ERA and ERRIN response to the Commission’s Green Paper.
- Allow representatives of public and private research organizations to present and confront their views on the future of the ERA, in presence of representatives of the European Commission and the European Parliament.
The conference will be followed by a reception with a keynote speech by Professor Ernst-Ludwig Winnacker, Secretary-General of the European Research Council.
See the programme
The resistration form
Visit the website
RICE will be at the "Immediate opportunities for Biomass" Workshop
15th November 2007, Moreton Hall Warwickshire - West Midlands |
- The workshop will take place on 15th November 2007 at the Moreton Hall Warwickshire and will discuss live and developing projects on real builldings.
An action orientated event for biomass project sponsors, project developers, specifiers, farmers, installers and suppliers.
Making commercial biomass energy a reality will be one of the key issues of the discussion panel.
During the meeting, professor David Pink (University of Warwick) will talk about the immediate market opportunity and projects in Warwickshire, while Richard Harvey (Rural Energy Trust) will discuss about facilitating biomass enterprise.
Visit the website
See the programme
Fourth methodological workshop for 'Regional Innovation Strategy' projects
6-7th December 2007, South Muntenia, RO |
- The aim of this workshop is to prepare the participants for implementing their innovation strategies after the end of their RIS projects.
Through presentations from other IRE regions, group exercises and information exchange, this event will highlight issues such as launching the RIS action plan and pilot actions, building lasting regional collaboration and partnerships and monitoring innovation policies.
Experience from previous RIS projects shows that the official end of the RIS project is in many ways the ‘make or break’ stage, in terms of whether or not the region will get any benefit from its innovation strategy.
Active, consistent and visionary work is needed to turn the strategy from a paper document to concrete actions that enhance regional innovation.
For more information
STIM -SME seminar
21 november 2007, Gothenburg - Sweden |
- "Stimulation and facilitation of spin-offs from industrial SMEs" is the title of the STIM-SME seminar which will take place on 21 november in Gothenburg and gather all nine partners involved in the DISTRICT subproject. They will come from the Coventry University, Consorzio Pisa Ricerche, Technologie Centrum Chemnitz and then from different sweden research centres like IVF Industriforskning och Utveckling, CIEL Sweden, Gothia Science Park. Espira Inkubator and Innovatum will also participate to the event.
The workshop is organised by the STIM-ME lead partner Espira Tillväxtcenter AB, in Borås Sweden.
For more information
Conference: 'Cities as driving forces of economic development'
21 november 2007, Arezzo - IT |
- The urban dimension in European community programmes in the field of structural funds 2007-2013, from the URBAN programmes to the actions of “sustainable urban planning” under the new Regional Operative Programmes and the strategic integrated planning: urban policies for sustainable development are only some of the issues which will be discuss during the conference organised by the Arezzo Municipality and ANCI Toscana.
At the meeting will participate Franco Frattini, vice-President of the European Commission and EU commissioner responsible for justice, freedom and security (via videoconference), Ambrogio Brenna, head of the regional department of Tuscany for economic activities, Albino Caporale, the regional administration of Tuscany – general manager of the economic development department.
Marco Cremaschi, university of Rome 3 and Livia Marinetto, strategic planning department – town Council of Prato – ANCI Consultant will talk about the strategic integrated planning, urban policies for sustainable development with experiences in the field of strategic planning.
The programme
Conference 'InterCluster 2007' - strategic cluster-to-cluster cooperation
6th -7th December 2007, Brussels, BE |
- To review the measures planned by the European Commission with respect to clusters and foster concrete inter-cluster cooperation is the objective of the conference.
Europa InterCluster initiative is organising the first european conference on strategic cluster-to-cluster cooperation: InterCluster 2007.
The event will take place in Brussels on 6 and 7 December 2007. It will be a real starting point for a dynamic of European inter-cluster cooperation.
For more information
A Seminar: Supporting the Programme Monitoring Committees in EU Structural Funds
10th -11th December 2007, Maastricht - The Netherlands |
- The aim of this seminar is to examine the functioning of Programme Monitoring Committees in the Structural Funds for 2007-2013. Their
tasks are set out in Article 65 of General Regulation 1083/2006.
Key elements of the seminar include: how to ensure the quality and
efficiency of Operational Programmes; how to improve decision-making on
project approval, in particular on project selection criteria; how to
enhance assessment, monitoring and remedial actions; and how to improve
the composition and general functioning of the Programme Monitoring
Committees.
For more information, please visit the website
Meeting of the IRE working group 'Knowledge transfer between universities and enterprises'
7th - 8th February 2008 -Bologna - Italy |
- IRE Secretariat is organising a two days meeting which will focus on a crucial issue for local development like Knowledge transfer between universities and enterprises.
It will be held in Bologna on 7 and 8 February 2008.
Further information will be given in the following weeks.
For more information
Meeting of the IRE working group 'Regional clustering and networking as innovation drivers'
21-22 February 2008 - Glasgow, UK |
- 'Regional clustering and networking as innovation drivers' is the theme of the next meeting organised by IRE Secretariat which will be held in Glasgow on 21 and 22 February 2008.
For more information, please visit the website
European Innovation and Cluster Conference
11th December 2007, Stuttgart, DE |
- The European Technology Platforms and the Joint Technology Initiatives are the two key words of the conference which takes place on 11th December at the Kultur und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle located in Stuttgart.
Experienced experts will present successful regional and European cluster networks. Among other issues, information will be provided about cluster foresight strategies, which political instruments are required in order to create future cluster activities and 'Good Practices' in Europe.
Regional and European decision makers and entrepreneurs from the areas of innovation and technology transfers will participate in the conference. The conference languages are English and German. Participation at the conference is free of charge.
For more information
IRE seminar: Impact assessment for better governance of regional innovation policies
29-30th January 2008 - Bilbao, ES |
- To present current developments in impact assessment and benchmarking tools that could be applied in the innovation policy-making of European regions, and show practical examples of successful applications is the aim of this event, which is organised by the IRE Secretariat in collaboration with the Basque Government and Fundación Labein.
An overview of initiatives related to evaluation of the innovation performance and policies in Europe will be made. Participants will discuss how the new tools can be applied in the regions and what should be next steps on the European level for the development of an 'impact assessment culture', so that it becomes an integrated part of regional innovation policy.
For more information
Design the Key - Study Visit in Tuscany
21st – 25th January 2008 Tuscany |
- The next week will start the 'Design the Key' study visit in Tuscany.
Organised by the District secretariat, the study tour will begin on monday 21th and will end on 25 January 2008.
An english delegation of 14 professional design coming from the region West Midlands will visit Tuscany excellencies of design, fashion and innovative centres which better represents our region such as Polimoda, Tecnotessile, the PIN University in Prato, Pont Tech Consortium and the Sant'Anna Valdera Campus, to mention some of them.
'Design the Key' project provides a platform for vocational learning between the 14 design professionals-involved in a regional design forum, employed in a business or training environment to plan professional development in the West Midlands and Tuscany. The main aim is to support improvements in the commercial performance and ability to use of regional design resources by innovative companies in the West Midlands.
See the programme
Regions For Economic Change - Sharing excellence
25-26th February, Brussels (BE) |
- The conference aims to facilitate the exchange of good practices for pursuing the implementation of the Lisbon strategy at regional level through cohesion instruments. In particular, the event will showcase examples of good practice and governance in European regional policy.
In nine workshops, experts will debate strategies, experiences and projects around the process of cooperation and learning, in order to provide partners with practical examples of how they can cooperate and learn from one another as they start to implement the 2007-2013 programmes.
On the evening of 25th February, Mrs Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, will present the 2008 'RegioStars' awards which aim at seeking and disseminating good practice in European regional development.
The conference will also include the launch of the 2009 'RegioStars' awards, and opportunities for networking.
Conference web site
INTERREG IIIC – Five years of bringing Europe’s regions together
INTERREG IIIC final publication |
- This last publication outlines the work that INTERREG IIIC has done, by describing the activities and approaches of a sampling of successful operations cofinanced during the programming period 2000-2006.
The DISTRICT RFO is included in the publication (see pages 22-23)
For further info click here
For direct download of final publication click here
International Conference - Knowledge Society: New socio-economic paradigms for the European region and cities
7th March 2008 Formia (IT) |
- Human capital, intangible asset, environmental sustainability and social inclusion, esthetic, ethic, networks, Lisbon Strategy, education, natural capital, creativity are some of the topics that will be discussed at the international Conference “Knowledge Society - New socio-economic paradigms for European regions and cities” which will take place on March 7, 2008 at the CONI Conference Centre in Formia.
The international Conference is just one of the actions of a wider strategy which sees the City of Formia committed to think about new socio-economic development models and opportunities. The key points of this strategy are European Union, Knowledge Economy, Human Capital and Sustainable Development.
The Conference will schedule two sessions. The first aimed to define the contest and the concept of knowledge economy. The second aimed to discuss projects and ongoing initiatives with a particular focus on the education system.
For more information
AGORADA 2008: Towards better RDA - university partnerships for regional economic development
6-7 March 2008, Brussels, BE |
- This two days conference will allow participants to share their vision of the role of universities in regional development, entrepreneurship and private-public partnership and regional research strategies.
The event aims to allow exchange of experience on possible synergies between universities and regional development agencies (RDAs) and their role in the enterprise value chain.
The round table of the second day will be an opportunity to talk about University-RDA and Enterprises Value Chain.
The conference will also include the General Assembly of the EURADA members.
For more information, please visit the website
EBAN congress 2008: Business angel investing: Entrepreneurial Capital for the 21st century
14-15 April 2008, Arnhem, NL |
- Around 300 participants are expected, representing more than 30 countries worldwide, including a majority of the EU 27 but also the US, Asia and Arab countries.
The 8th Edition of the EBAN - the European Association of Business Angel Networks - Congress is annual event gathering participants from business angel network managers, regional economic development professionals, fund managers and institutional investors to policy makers, innovation professionals, and researchers.
This year, the conference’s main theme is 'Business angel investing: Entrepreneurial Capital for the 21st Century'. About 25 speakers will present expected evolutions of the early stage investment market in and beyond European Borders.
Conference website
IRE Training Session: ‘Innovation policy design, implementation and evaluation’
16-18 April 2008, Madrid, ES |
- This unique pilot IRE training session, organised in collaboration with Fundación Madrid, will provide a comprehensive overview of the whole innovation policy cycle, from design to implementation and follow-up.
Given by academics with practical experience, selected IRE members and IRE Secretariat experts, the aim of the training session is to enhance the professional capacities and knowledge of regional staff working in the field of innovation policy.
The training session will be built on interactive presentations by high-level trainers, concrete examples from the IRE network and group exercises.
Registrations are open until 28 March.
For more information
Workshop on Open Innovation
22-23 May 2008, Cambridge, UK |
- The workshop is being organised by The Programme on Regional Innovation, The Cambridge-MIT Institute Partnership Programme; the MIT Sloan School of Management and the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
The aim of the workshop is to bring together young scholars from different disciplines to improve knowledge exchange, and provide a platform for future shared research projects in the area of innovation generally and explore further the concept of open innovation. The workshop will combine presentations by students, faculty and senior management from major corporations. Each session would be followed by an open forum to facilitate the discussion of relevant research issues and managerial implications.
For more information, please visit the website
XXV IASP World Conference on Science and Technology Parks
14-17 September 2008, Johannesbourg - South Africa |
- The the XXV IASP World Conference on Science and Technology Parks will take place on 14-17th September 2008 at the Sandton convention Centre of Johannesbourg in South Africa.
The objective is to promote an understanding of the 'how and why' of implementing, sustaining, and growing science & technology parks.
Presentations will include best practices and impact data. All of which is intended to contribute to furthering regional interest in science & technology park models, and to raise political and public awareness of the role of science & technology parks in the economy.
The International Association of Science Parks connects Science Park professionals from across the globe and provides services that drive growth and effectiveness for its members.
For more information
DISTRICT Final Conference - Bruxelles - Press Release
16th April 2008, Espace Monte Paschi Belgio, Bruxelles |
- The Press release of the District Final Conference which took place on the 16th April 2008 at the Espace Monte Paschi Belgio in Bruxelles is now available both in english and italian.
Press Release
Comunicato stampa
DISTRICT Publication is online
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- The publication outlines through papers, stories and cases of innovation a map of clusters and networks across Europe created in three years of work by the DISTRICT project.
It, in fact, contains together with interesting contributions made by researcher and economists, as well lessons learnt, good practices or stories identified which focus on knowledge transfer and innovation technology applied to various fields such as technical textile, renewable materials, urban rigeneration, frescos restoring, seed venture and leather.
Enjoy your reading!
To read it, please click here
2nd INTERREG IVC European Interregional Cooperation Forum 2008
27-28 October 2008, Lille - France |
- The 2nd EU Interregional Cooperation Forum, organised by INTERREG IVC, will be held on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 October 2008, in Lille (France).
Over 800 national, regional and local authorities are expected to attend, alongside EU institutions.
This partner search event is a key moment for INTERREG IVC project developers to get updated on the programme changes for the second call, to finalise partnerships and to get advice on developing their application. A special emphasis will be put on thematic networking, under the two priorities of the INTERREG IVC programme: Innovation and the Knowledge economy, and Environment and Risk prevention.
The second call for proposals under the INTERREG IVC programme will be launched on this occasion. The call will operate from 27 October 2008 to 30 January 2009.
For more information and registration
DISTRICT Regional Conference in Västra Götaland
28 May 2008, Borås |
- The Conference focus will be how the public sector and the municipalities can support this type of programs and projects on innovation and knowledge economy. And how can the sub-project use the municipalities to promote their project and knowledge etc.
The Conference represents an important occasion for the dissemination of the DISTRICT sub-projects. And it's principally addressed to the business development managers in every municipality in Västra Götaland.
Conference language: Swedish.
Conference Draft Agenda
DISTRICT Study Tour - West Midlands, UK - Design for the Future
Wednesday 11th June - Friday 13th June 2008 |
- The three days visit will be focused on regeneration projects within the West Midlands as Fort Dunlop and Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.
In the evening on the first day of the study tour there will be the opportunity to visit the recently opened Coventry RICOH Arena (home to Coventry City Football Club), which was an unused gas site, during the Clusters and Networks dissemination event dinner (please see separate agenda).
On the Thursday 12th June, the DISTRICT delegates will visit the CUE Technology Park and the Serious Games Institute; day 3 incorporates a tour of the wedgwood visitor centre and the option to see innovation in ceramics.
Study Tour agenda
Clusters and Networks dissemination event dinner
Registration Form
Study Tour Report and Presentations
DISTRICT final Conference - video and audio reports now online!
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- A complete video and audio report of the DISTRICT final Conference - held in Brussels on the 16th April 2008 - is now available!
Conference video and audio report
Conference on 'Knowledge for growth - European strategies in the global economy'
7th - 9th July 2008 Toulouse, FR |
- The conference has two objectives: First, to take stock of the recent contributions on the knowledge economy and identify the building blocks of national and European strategies to promote innovation-based growth; and second, to develop an operational approach to EU, national and regional research and innovation policies in the context of the emerging European Research Area.
Plerany sessions will focusd on different topics like innovation and growth in the knowledge-based economy and promoting excellence in research and development by interactions between public and private investments.
For more information, please visit the website
Artimino Seminar on Local Development 2008: Hi-Tech Local Systems in Europe and the US
24-26 September 2008, Artimino - Prato - IT |
- Developing partnerships which include actors from the fields of both research and the industry is a key factor for the innovative capacity of a territory. It is particularly important in activities with high innovative contents, in which a strong and systematic
interaction/contact among specialists/experts with complementary competences and experiences is necessary. Innovation pathways needs channels and processes of interaction or dissemination more or less intentional, but also an appropriate balancing between territorial peculiarities and openness to new and external approaches.
A good balance is possible when the partnerships impinge on overlapping communities of practice and on different territorial scales.
In order to discuss about this issues university teachers, actors of public local and regional administrations will gather in the impressive Artimino’s Medici Villa which lies near the little village of Carmignano to discuss of innovation in local development.
Claudio Martini, the President of the Tuscany Region and Marco Romagnoli, Mayor of Prato will also participate.
For more information
OPEN DAYS 2008 "Regions and cities in a challenging world"
7th - 9th October 2008, Brussels |
- The OPEN DAYS 2008 programme title is "Regions and cities in a challenging world". The programme is composed of working sessions that will run for three days, starting on Tuesday 7th October in the morning and ending on Thursday, 9th October at lunchtime.
The working sessions are grouped under four themes:
1. Innovating regions: Promoting research, technological development and innovation
2. Sustainable development: Regional responses to climate change
3. Cooperation and networking: Exchange of best practice in regional development
4. Looking forward: A European cohesion policy for tomorrow
The programme of these sessions is developed and hosted by the Brussels regional office conglomerates, DG Regional Policy and the Committee of the Regions, in cooperation with partners from the Investor's Café (representatives from banking & business, civil society groups and Commission Directorates-General).
For more information and registration
New Generation of Regional Innovation Strategies
24-25 November 2008, Gothenburg (SE) |
- The workshop will present examples of regions that are involved in the preparation and implementation of new innovation strategies, and will examine a number of key issues and trends related to the development of recent Regional Innovation Strategies such as rationale, priorities, methodologies, governance, monitoring/assessment, financing etc. Participation at the workshop is free and open to anybody interesting in the topic.
More Information
Regions For Economic Change – Networking for Results
16 -17 February 2009, Brussels |
- On 16 and 17 February 2009, the European Commission will hold its annual conference of the 'Regions for economic change' initiative under the title "Regions For Economic Change – Networking for Results". The event will be organised by the Commission's Regional Policy Directorate General and other Commission services in cooperation with the Committee of the Regions. During the evening of the first day, Commissioner Danuta Hübner will present the 2009 'RegioStars' awards to projects displaying good practice and innovation in regional policy.
More than 500 participants from regions all over Europe are expected to discuss how European regional policy and its instruments can help regions to learn from one another and translate network outputs into action through mainstream policy and programmes. Through nine workshops, the event will showcase strategies, experiences and projects intended to provide learning and networking opportunities for Structural Funds managing authorities. The programme is accessible on the left hand menu.
Registration for the conference will be possible from mid December onwards. Please check the website for updates.
Conference website
OPEN DAYS 2009 - Global challenges, European responses
Brussels, 5-8 October 2009 |
- Under the headline "Global challenges, European responses", OPEN DAYS 2009 will cover themes related to regional responses to the economic crisis, climate change, territorial cooperation and the impact and future of EU cohesion policy.
More details will be posted in early spring 2009.
DISTRICT RFO selected as flagship project for the INTERACT “KEEP” initiative
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- The INTERACT Knowledge Management and Capitalisation initiative aims at improving the exchange of information and knowledge between the European programmes and projects for cooperation.
In particular the KEEP initiative – standing for Knowledge and Expertise in European Programmes - will work towards a complete picture of the European Territorial Cooperation by providing a Europe-wide overview of participating regions and organisations with an expected substantial impact on making cooperation easier and on spreading the best ideas across Europe.
The first phase of this initiative aims to develop a web database able to demonstrate the good results achieved and the continuity of the INTERREG strand, through gathering information on projects from the INTERREG III period (eg project theme, main contact, participat¬ing regions). In addition, in this phase some Flagship Projects from the past period have been identified enabling pro¬grammes to provide information on their best projects showing out the achievements of the programme (3 Flagship Projects from each Zone of the INTERREG IIIC programme).
In this framework the INTERREG IIIC South Managing Authority, according to the “Flagship projects criteria”, has selected DISTRICT RFO as one of the three “Flagship projects” of INTERREG IIIC South Zone.
For further information:
INTERACT website
INTERACT Knowledge Management and Capitalisation initiative Concept paper
Flagship projects criteria
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