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Strenghtening Capacity of local municipalities on European affairs Thomas Wobben Representation of Saxony-Anhalt to the European Union Boulevard Saint Michel 80 B-1040 Brussels e-mail: [email protected] The City of Halle Inhabitants: 233 874 Area of the City: 135 km² Pop. Density: 1 720 inhabitants per km² Geographical coverage: 16 km North - South 16 km East - West Population Trend 350000 300000 250000 200000 150000 100000 50000 0 19 89 19 91 19 93 19 96 19 98 20 00 20 02 20 04 20 06 Inhabitants Population Trend in Halle Year Starting Point • Urban matters are more and more directly affected by European Regulations (public services, public procurement, environment, etc.) • Region of Halle is faced with reduction of EU support through structural funds (statistical effect region) and therefore has to find adequate solutions for reduced public support in the future • as a City in the heart of Europe it is important to develop actions in the fields such as: – logistic – European Metropol Regions – European Clusters • as the biggest city in Saxony-Anhalt, Halle has the responsibility to lead local authorities in the regions on European Affairs Halle, a European City Action 1: Development of a strategic frame for a long term European strategy of Halle • only a medium/long term strategy is able to have a significant impact on European affairs (focus: 2-4 years) • realistic goals with achievable results • yearly presentation of a European report to the City council Halle, a European City Action 2: Identification of priority topics which are important for the medium and long term development of the city • focus on urban development matters • environmental and planning matters • development of transport infrastructure in Europe • future of local companies (with regard to competition policy) Halle, a European City Action 3: Identification of European Networks which could be interesting for the interests of Halle • strategic placement of the city in European networks • analysing existing networks regarding the interest of the city • use urban twinning schemes to support the European interests of the city • re-focus the co-operation programmes of the city for the European interests of the city Halle, a European City Action 4: Assessment of the participation rate of the city in EU programmes • Assessment of the current participation rate • identifying the potential of future participation in EU programmes • financial requirements for higher participation rate in EU programmes Halle, a European City Action 5: Organisational requirements for an active European Strategy of the City • assessment of organisational requirements in the city administration to meet the strategies goals and objectives • setting up of an interdepartmental working group to analyse and discuss the matter • identify motivated and suitable staff to be included in the European strategy • development a human resources development plan to increase capacity • temporary secondment scheme to European institutions Halle, a European City Action 6: Development of Partnerships with Business, Science and Civic Society • EU-affairs is not only a matter of public administration but the whole actors in the city • participation of Civic society in EU programmes is essential • proposal for a yearly city congress „Halle in Europe“ to define joint projects, interests and to create publicity for successful European participation Thanks for your attention!