Transcript EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region Launch Event, Capital XX

Implementing the
Danube Strategy :
macro-regional mechanisms and
structures
GOVERNANCE OF THE EU STRATEGY FOR THE
DANUBE REGION
Ruse, 10 May 2010
David Sweet, DG REGIO, European Commission
1
Introduction
• Governance
– Choosing the directions to go
– Choosing what to do
• Implementation
– Making it happen
• Who does what?
• Who pays?
2
Basic principles
Macro-regional strategies are:
– Multi-sectoral
– Integrated
– Long-term
They are also
– Multi-level
– Consensus-based
– decentralised
3
Who decides?
The origins and process
• Prime Ministers ask Commission to make proposals
(Summer 2008)
• European Council invites Commission to prepare
Strategy (June 2009)
• Commission will adopt Strategy and present to Council
(Dec 2010)
• Council will presumably draw conclusions endorsing
Strategy (Spring 2011)
4
What about the partnership?
Is the consultation process worthwhile?
– Governments ask Commission because they need
help
– Commission consults because it cannot work alone
– Implementation depends on active and committed
partnership
– So Commission – and Member States – need all the
stakeholders to contribute ideas, leadership and above
all action
5
Choosing what to do
• The Strategy is an EU Strategy
– 27 Member States have to agree
– Commission has to ensure compatibility with EU
policies
– Partners in region have to agree to implement it
• No one is compelled to participate
6
Choosing the direction
• The Strategy must be adaptable
– Partners are closest to ground and will see need for
changes first
– Commission assesses proposals for changes
– Member States agree to appropriate changes
• Any changes will be by consensus
7
Two groups three levels
• A group of Member States
– All 27 represented
– Commission chairs
– Committee of Regions and EIB take part
• A forum for all partners
– Annual gathering of stakeholders
– National, regional, local administrations, NGOs,
private sector
8
Two groups three levels
• National Contact Points
– From countries most concerned
– Coordinate national administrations
– Provide advice and especially information
• Priority Area Coordinators
– Volunteers from national or regional level
– Encourage and coordinate project leaders, partners
– Report to Commission on progress and difficulties
9
Two groups three levels (ii)
• Flagship project leaders
–
–
–
–
Partner that will be part of project
Volunteers to find others (with help of NCPs)
Seeks out funding opportunities
Reports on progress, difficulties and blockages
10
Role of the Commission
• Commission given tasks by Council
 Facilitates other groups, especially Priority
Area Coordinators
 Supports High Level Group
 Monitors and evaluates progress
 Reports and recommends any changes
11
Role of national authorities
• Support at national level essential
 National Contact Points channel
information
 Ministries and agencies lead projects
 Managing Authorities review alignment
with structural funds’ programmes
12
Role of regions and cities
• Multi-level ownership must be a reality
 Regions align their strategies with the
EUSDR
 Cities prepare integrated projects with
trans-regional impact
 Communicate with National Contact Points
and Commission
13
Role of NGOs and private bodies
• A partnership of all stakeholders
 Participate in flagship projects
 Look for positive solutions to contentious
issues
 Keep Commission and other partners
informed of what needs to be improved
 Participate in Annual Forum
14
Future strategies
 Will macro-regional strategies become universal
or remain exceptional responses to specific
situations?
• Will future macro-regions be based on
geographic features or other criteria?
– Have suggestions for macro-regions in Adriatic,
Mediterranean, North Sea, Alpine Space, ...
– Must regions cross national frontiers to be valid?
• Can strategies combine integrated policy
approach with delivery of cohesion policy and
Europe 2020?
15