European decision making and lobbying
Decision making and lobbying.
The Valencian Regional office in Brussels
Brussels / September 9th, 2010
1
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
Regional strategies 4 building Europe
 Who are we?
Making a convincing strategy
New approach in an global economic and financial crisis: Other European tools
Promoting EU Projects in the Valencia Region
Communication Tools
Best Practices in EU projects
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
THE VALENCIAN REGION
With 5,1 Millions of inhabitants, the
population of the region accounts for 10.8 % of
the total Spanish population
Valencia is the third largest city
in Spain.
In our Region, Spanish and Valencian are the
co-official languages.
In Spain: 1 official language, Spanish, plus 4
The Region of Valencia is located on the Mediterranean
coast of Spain and
is part of the so-called Mediterranean Arch,
an axis which has experienced
one of the fastest economic growth rates
in the European Union.
co-official languages: Basque, Catalan,
Galician and Valencian.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
CHRONOLOGY
1989
2003
• Valencian Regional Office in Brussels
• New regional approach
• How to cope with entering Objective 2 (Competitiveness) in 2007
• 65% less on EU funding
• Globalization and risks for local enterprises
• Creation of the Fundación Comunidad Valenciana - a Public Private Partnership
• Europe INNOVA conference
2006
2007
• Entry into Objective 2
• November 2007: Most Innovative region AWARD
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
A NEW INSTRUMENT FOR THE VALENCIAN REGION
Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Public sector
Private sector
Regional
and local
administrations
Energy
saving banks
chambers of commerce
universities
pro associations
Public organisations
FCVRE
Fundación Comunidad Valenciana – Región Europea
(created in 2003)
GAIN IMPORTANCE IN THE EU ARENA
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
Making a convincing strategy
Making a convincing dissemination strategy: Local and Regional level
The FCVRE as cofinancial partner for european projects
Perfect partner for international dissemination
Methodology
European Networks
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
MAKING A CONVINCING DISSEMINATION STRATEGY
LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL
SOLUTIONS:
EU TOOLS
GLOBALIZATION
CLIMATE CHANGE
ECONOMIC CRISIS
EYJAFJALLA
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
MAKING A CONVINCING DISSEMINATION STRATEGY
LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL
CALL OUT EFFECT
Influential
groups, persons
which can be
located
EU
NATIONAL
REGIONAL
LEVEL
Political parties
Members of parliament
Members of government
Civil servants
Local politicians
Local leaders
DISSEMINATION PARTNER SEARCH: GIVING RELEVANCE TO THE MEDIA
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
THE FCVRE AS COFINANCIAL PARTNER FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS
Every project financed by the European Commission must be disseminated at an
international level.
The Fundación Comunidad Valenciana – Región Europea works in two ways:
 As active partner to facilitate the creation of European consortia and to
spread Valencian initiatives among European regions by means of an active
network.
 As ideal partner to effectively design communication campaigns to
internationally spread the results of the European projects in the EU capital.
To achieve these objectives, the FCVRE takes advantage of its employees´
knowledge on European issues, specialized international staff, hi-tech equipment
and selective databases.
The FCVRE CONFUNDS the international dissemination work package IF :
the project ‘s objective is within the FCVRE priorities
or/and
Valencian partners are in the consortia
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
PERFECT PARTNER FOR INTERNATIONAL DISSEMINATION

Region-marketing strategies: sharing with other regions good study cases and
learn from each other.

Multimedia equipped office: partners can effectively transmit their message by
organizing seminars and presentations.

Brussels’ based: we offer press-related services, writing and releasing articles
and reports through the comprehensive database that contains European,
national, regional and local officers, media, decision- makers and think-tanks.

Increase the civil society participation in European issues: the FCVRE does the
monitoring and follow up of the EU legislation and information on funding and
business opportunities to both public and private institutions.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
METHODOLOGY
FCVRE Communication & Networking Tools
Networks
Regional Partnerships
CoR - Open Days
www.opendays.europa.eu
European projects
TAIEX
taiex.ec.europa.eu
Assembly of European Regions
www.aer.eu
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
OTHER EUROPEAN NETWORKS
ERRIN – European Regions Research and Innovation Network
ERRIN is a unique network of more than 80 EU regions and their Brussels representations
offices.
Promotes knowledge exchange, joint
action and project partnerships between its
members with the aim to strengthen their
regions’ research and innovation
capacities.
FIELDS: Biotechnology, Transport, Health,
Energy and Climate Change,
Nanotechnology, ICT…
The Valencian region is the New Chair of
the Management Board of the network.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
OTHER EUROPEAN NETWORKS

platforms of interregional co-operation on EU projects and common positions:

Committee of Regions initiatives www.cor.europa.eu.

WATERREGIO www.waterregio.net

EU2020 Regions Network. www.lisbonregionsnetwork.eu

Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) www.climate-kic-proposal.org
“Pionners into practice 2010-2011”:
Training on sustainable building and transport in regions members
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
Project Valencia Towers
Port of Valencia
New approach in a global
economic and financial crisis:
Other European tools
The European recovery plan
The Valencian strategy
European projects with the FCVRE involvement
EIB funding opportunities
EGF - European Globalisation Adjustment Fund
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www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
THE EUROPEAN RECOVERY PLAN
Strategic aims

Lessen the human cost and its impact on
Connection with strategic areas of the Lisbon Agenda

the most vulnerable workers

employability.
Be prepared to take advantage when the

Business. Sufficient and affordable access to finance
growth returns for the needs for

Infrastructure and energy. Opportunity to boost
competitiveness and the needs of the future.

People. Retraining and skills upgrading to promote
Speed up the shift towards a low carbon
economy
energy efficiency.

Research and innovation.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
THE VALENCIAN STRATEGY

The Covenant of Majors (CoR): European cities commitment (Brussels, Valencia,
Rome, London…) to go beyond the (20-20-20) CO2 emissions reducing EU target
through energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Health Platforms in the CoR framework: Subsidiarity network, Structural funds…

Competitivity Sectorial Plans: promoting innovation on the main Valencian industrial
sectors: ceramics, textil, furniture, shoes, metal…
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
EUROPEAN PROJECTS WITH THE FCVRE INVOLVEMENT
Number of approved projects
98 projects + 7 initiatives
Valencian budget of approved projects
82.2 Mio. €
Total budget of approved projects
192.1 Mio €
Projects under evaluation
70 projects
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
EIB FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Up to 50% funding

SMEs

Cohesion and Convergence

Environmental Sustainability

Innovation

Trans-European Networks

Energy
“Smart investments” pays back
JESSICA: Joint European Support for Sustainable
Investment in City Areas.

ERDF grants become revolving funds

To invest in:

Social housing

Infrastructure (transport, energy, water…)

De-pollution

I+D

Cultural Heritage

Etc.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
EGF - EUROPEAN GLOBALISATION ADJUSTMENT FUND
AIM: support workers who lose their jobs as a result of changing global trade patterns (shut
down/relocation outside the EU) so that they can fin another job as quickly as possible.
Valencian Region in the ceramic for construction sector 181 companies involved and a total of
1600 redundancies, which will be given support of €6,598,735
BUDGET: A maximum amount of € 500 million per year is available to the EGF to finance such
interventions.
Mr. Francisco Camps, Valencian Region President with László Andor, European Commissioner for
Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
Promoting EU Projects in the
Valencia Region
Valencian Region – 20 years managing European funds
Promoting EU Projects in the Valencian Regional
Develop your skills
The European dimension: communication in the EU
Identification of open calls for proposal
Organization regional infodays in the Valencian Region
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
VALENCIAN REGION - 20 YEARS MANAGING EUROPEAN FUNDS
ENVIRONMENT AND HYDRIC RESOURCES
TRANSPORT AND ENERGY NETWORKS
COMPETITIVENESS AND PRODUCTIVE FABRIC IMPROVEMENT
KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY (Innovation, I+D, INFSO)
LOCAL AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
PROMOTING EU PROJECTS IN THE VALENCIAN REGION
What do you need before starting?
Pre- Calls for proposals:
Launch of call for proposal at regional level before the official launching by the
Directorate General of the European Commission on charge of the program.
Aim: incentivise and promote European projects at regional level to encourage the
regional stakeholders.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
PROMOTING EU PROJECTS IN THE VALENCIAN REGION
What do you need before starting?
1. Calls for proposals:

Don’t wait for the calls to be published.

Identify clearly the strategy of your organisations, stakeholders, region…(key sectors,
fields, skills that need to be developed…)

Select strategic partners.

Identify the most suitable funding schemes.

Identify the role you are most likely to play in a consortium (coordinator, partner, work
packages vs. internal resources)

Reconsider the past calls’ not approved projects
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
THE EUROPEAN DIMENSION: COMMUNICATION IN THE EU

EU projects should address problems at the European level far beyond the
specific interests of a Member State.

International and EU communication channels with emphasis at the regional
level (dissemination tools in English offering partners opportunity for developing
them on their mother language).

Specialized networks such as:
 Assembly of European Regions (www.aer.eu)
 Committee of Regions initiatives (www.cor.europa.eu)
 European Regions Research and Innovation Network (www.errin.eu)

EU2020 Regions Network

WATERREGIO
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
ORGANIZATION REGIONAL INFODAYS: VALENCIAN REGION / BRUSSELS

Regional Infodays on European Funding and specific Calls:
Life +, Daphne III, Leonardo, Intelligent Energy...

Support of the European Commision: expertise

Framework of high EU initiatives:
EUSEW 2010, 2nd European SME Week, Open Days…)
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
Communication Tools
Brussels
International Dissemination
Project files, panels and videos
Newsletters
Media
Website
Organization of events
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
BRUSSELS
Using Brussels location to amplify dissemination and communication
+1200
Project presentation
Target:
European Institutions (MEP’s
CoR, EESC, EC)
 268 Regional offices
 Representations to the EU
 Embassies
 Media
 Universities
 European conferences
 European regional and local
authorities
 European experts
accredited journalists
1000
From outside Belgium
+268
regional offices
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
INTERNATIONAL DISSEMINATION
 An international dissemination for should be
able to explain its objectives, phases and
procedures.
The FCVRE promotes its projects through
newsletters, brochures, panels, videos…
Graphical media is distributed in meetings,
conferences, Open Days and they explain the
projects clearly and directly.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
PROJECT FILES, PANELS & VIDEOS
Logos
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
NEWSLETTERS
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
MEDIA
International, local and especialized media to whom they send relevant
information about events: press releases, graphic materials…
The Foundation supports Valencian journalists in Brussels and offers its high tech
equipment to them.
The FCVRE sends around 25 press releases per month. Approximately 10 to 15
press releases were published monthly.
Main topics: European projects, regional policy and sustainable development.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
WEBSITE:
www.uegva.info

The FCVRE has a continously updated website
that contains useful information about Europe,
European projects, the Valencian Region and
interesting topics for Valencian SMEs.

Information in three languages: English, Spanish
and Valencian.

Links to relevant sites containing project
information

New project ideas for perspective partners.

Some indicators:
Month
Unique visitors Number of visits
Jan 2010
4961
8340
Feb 2010
5606
9201
Mar 2010
5030
9168
Apr 2010
4141
8827
May 2010
4217
8689
Jun 2010
4656
9145
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
ORGANIZATION OF EVENTS
Committee of the Regions
Open Doors

Commissioner Climate Action Connie
Hedegaard visitng the Valencian Region
stand during the Green Week (2010)
The FCVRE organizes and participates in many seminars, fora in collaboration with European
Institutions, Regional Offices and local administrations.

Events are a great chance to discuss best practices and to promote European projects and the
Valencian Region at European level.
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
ORGANIZATION OF EVENTS

European Regional delegations study and working visits to Valencia

Possibilities to host big events

International Visitors’ Programme

Recent visits to Valencia by:
 Delegation of Västra Götaland, Värmland Sweden
 Delegation of ASTP (Association of Technologies Professionals), The
Netherlands
 Sachsen Anhalt, Baden Wüerttemberg, Germany
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
Project Valencia Towers
Port of Valencia
Best Practices in EU projects
Life + best practices
Valencian Region: figures
LIFE 2009
Ruisnet project: 2nd prize – AER European Innovation Award 2007
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www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
LIFE+
Financial Instrument
for the Environment (2007-13)
A total budget of 2.143 billion € for the period 2007-2013
Three headings:
•nature and biodiversity
•environment policy and governance
•and information and communication
Funding rate: 50 % of the total eligible costs (75% exceptions)
Maximum 3 years duration
Contact person FCVRE: Ms. Laura Bas
lbas@delcomval.be
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
MOTIVATION OF AUTHORITIES AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS
Get to the polititians through an effective communication strategy
Help politicians disseminate their EU achievements to their citizens
 A clear example of how you can obtain 1 million € for your town, city, …
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
PROJECT ECOBUS
BEST LIFE-ENVIRONMENT PROJECTS 2004-2005
LIFE - Environment 2002
1.000.000€
System of withdrawal and recycling of vegetable oils of domestic use for its reutilization as
biocombustible in the public fleet of buses in the municipality of Valencia
http://www.ecobus.net
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
LIFE + 2009
The Valencian Region leads the 17% of Spanish LIFE+ projects
6 projects
=
12 million Euros (2008: 8 projects, 9 million €)
The Valencian Region is leader for sixth consecutive year on the European funding allocated to Spain.
Productive investment up to: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Latvia,
Estonia, Slovak , Slovenia, Portugal and Rumania
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
RUISNET PROJECT: 2ND PRIZE – AER EUROPEAN INNOVATION AWARD 2007
November 2007, Udine (Italy): EC Commission President, José Durao Barroso, awarded the Valencian
Region the 2nd Prize for most innovative European region.
“Communicating around Europe that Innovation was a reality in Valencian Region…”
Awarded because it:
 helped to promote best practices,
 supports SMEs and
 demonstrated how regions contribute to
economic prosperity.
www.aer.eu
www.ruisnet.net
Mr. Barroso, president of the EC, next to Mr.
Moragues general director of the IMPIVA and Mr.
Revuelta, general director of the Valencian
Regional office in Brussels
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
14th AER Summer School
• Debate on how to face the problem of water scarcity, droughts and desertification in
Europe and conclusions.
• Participants: politicians, youth civil society and regional authorities experts.
• Workshops, study visits and social events.
• Necessity of creation of regional lobbies for common EU issues.
• Information about EU Projects: LIFE +, ENPI…
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
LED’S GO: I PROGRAMM ON ENERGY SAVING AND EFFICIENCY
Facilitates renovation of lamps and promotes responsible light source reciclying and collection
of other electronic waste.
New materials and technologies help reduction of CO2 emissions.
 Energy saving of 40%- 70%
 Support of European Commission
 Fundación Eco raee’s:
Based in Valencia
Composed by 200 Spanish electric producers
www.eco-raee.com
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
Impact have to be measured by indicators:
• Results lead to increase activities
• Networks bring to EU projects and common positions
• Projects procedures: check lists, emails signatures…
• Internal Management Procedures: Human ressources traineeships,
Cultural events…
• Data on participation in EU events and activities
www.uegva.info / info@delcomval.be
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
jlopez@delcomval.be
Fundación Comunidad Valenciana – Región Europea
Brussels:
T. +32 (0) 2 282 41 66/0 / F. +32 (0) 2 282 41 61
Chaussée d’Etterbeek, B-1000 Bruxelles
Valencia:
T.+34 96 318 43 40 / F.: +34 96 318 43 50
c/ Juristas 10, 46001 Valencia