ecorys interreg project development training
TRANSCRIPT
ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training
Simultaneous working and learning for successful INTERREG proposals
Th e ECORYS INTERREG Project Development
training programme is intended for project
applicants wishing to develop a successful
INTERREG project proposal. Th is 2.5 day training
course has been specifi cally developed for project
applicants who want to increase their chances
of success in submitting and implementing
INTERREG projects.
Th e training course will enable you to strengthen
the development of your own project proposal. It
will allow you to work on your proposal and learn
at the same time. You will receive tips and hints on
how to present your proposal successfully, how
to formulate it in ‘INTERREG’ terminology and
to identify what obstacles you may encounter.
Th e course focuses on a number of fundamental
issues that arise when preparing a project proposal
for an INTERREG programme:
• Project content development
• Team-building and partnership building
• Financial resources
• Communication and presentation
• INTERREG rules and INTERREG language
Who is this training designed for?
Th e target audience for the training includes project
applicants from public authorities (local/regional/
national government), as well as stakeholders
with an interest in participating in INTERREG
programmes (Chambers of Commerce, Economic
Institutes, PPP for economic development or for
planning, Foundations, Technology Institutes,
Universities, etc) and private consultants who wish
to prepare a successful Territorial Cooperation
project. Th e training will be most useful for
participants who are working on a project proposal.
However, the training is relevant for those with
proposals still at idea stage through to those already
in the phase of fi ne tuning.
Why an INTERREG Project Development
training course and why now?
Th e new programming period is starting and cross-
border, transnational and interregional cooperation
will continue under the heading ‘territorial
cooperation’ - alias “INTERREG IV”. In addition to
fi elds such as transport, environment and culture,
where territorial cooperation projects have a
proven record, the programmes will increasingly
focus on complex themes such as innovation,
cluster development, and sustainable urban and
rural development.
Over the years we have seen that many proposals
can be improved considerably and their chances
of being approved increased. Furthermore, we
know that project applicants frequently have many
questions and doubts about the best way to set up
a successful project application. ECORYS not only
has extensive experience of dealing with the rules of
INTERREG programmes, but also has considerable
expertise in the core INTERREG themes of
ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training
ECORYS
INTERREG Project Development Training
innovation, regional development, transport, water
management, energy and sustainable development.
ECORYS can provide insights into both European
and local developments and needs throughout the
EU.
Practicalities
1. Language: English, a good working knowledge
of English is required.
2. Size of groups: maximum 25 participants.
3. Form of training: Mixture of interactive work
sessions, exercises and presentations.
4. Trainers: ECORYS trainers with an extensive
experience in INTERREG programmes, projects
and proposals: Javier Fernandez, Marie-Jose
Zondag and Jan Maarten de Vet. Th ere will be a
jury providing feedback on your proposal.
5. Location and accommodation: Brussels, the
heart of Europe. When needed, ECORYS
can support you in fi nding accommodation
(see application form)
6. Follow-up: Aft er the training you can present
your proposal to the trainers for a feedback on
how to improve the proposal.
7. Price: Euro 1,250. Th is is excluding VAT,
travel and accommodation but including
2 lunches and 1 dinner. You can apply to
various EU programmes (TA from SF funds,
Accession funds), government funding schemes
and private funds for fi nancial support orp pp
reimbursement.
Why is ECORYS well-placed to provide
this training?
1. Across Europe, we have been intensively
involved in project appraisals, project proposals,
project implementation and contributed to the
development, implementation and evaluation of
INTERREG programmes.
2. As a European research-based consultancy in the
areas of economic, social and environmental
sciences, we have in-depth knowledge of both
INTERREG practicalities and content (innovation,
accessibility, sustainable development, sustainable
communities). We can also provide support in
developing the content of the proposals.
3. From Estonia to Portugal and from Greece to
the UK, we have done research and evaluated
numerous Structural Funds – especially
INTERREG - programmes which gives us a
unique insight into the challenges that these
programmes now face.
4. We have been training people in Structural
Funds for over eight years and have trained
hundreds of people across Europe.
5. We believe in European cooperation, are
committed to bringing interested INTERREG
project applicants from all over Europe together
and are committed to contributing to the success
of these programmes.
INTERREG Project Development Training
Day 1.
9.15 Introduction to the training course
Expectations from participants
9.45 Background to Territorial Cooperation Programmes
Cross border, transnational and interregional cooperation in Europe
11.30 Break
11.45 Do’s and don’ts when preparing Territorial Cooperation Projects
• What are the common issues and problems when preparing transnational projects? When and
how do I start with my project?
• The crucial aspect of forming a partnership
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Presentation of INTERREG ideas by participants
5 minute presentation by participants, followed by questions and answers; identifi cation and
grouping of issues and establishing sub-groups for proposal preparation
15.15 Developing project logic: informing yourself and problem analysis
• Which programme is the right one for me?
• How do I use programme documents?- Where shall I start?
• Priorities, specifi c objectives of the Programme? – Relevance of my project idea
• How to structure the context, the challenges and the problems?
• How to delineate the issues that your project will tackle?
16.30 Break
16.45 Developing project logic: coached session
You will now work on your own project idea and directly apply the project logic; working in groups
allows you to share and exchange ideas with other participants for your own proposal.
18.00 End
19.30 Joint dinner
21.30 End of dinner
Programme
ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training
Day 2.
9.15 Developing project content: objectives, activities and results
• mbitious but also realistic?
• ow to break these down into activities and results?
10.15 Developing project content: coached working session
You will now work on your own project idea and directly apply the project logic under the guidance
of project trainers. Are the aims of your project well defi ned? What are the results to be expected?
And what are the activities that need to be taken forward? And last but not least how to measure
this all and when?
11.00 Break
11.15 Formulation of indicators
How to quantify the outcomes of my project? How to link them to indicators?
12.30 Lunch
14.00 Setting up the fi nancial framework of my project
How to set up a good and clear budget
15.00 Break
15.15 Cultures & approval - dealing with risks
Risk management; a case study, a role play and tips & hints
16.15 Break
16.30 Developing your project: coached working session
You can work on your project proposal. Active coaching by trainers
18.00 Belgian Drink
Day 3.
9.15 Q&A session with the members of the jury
What are the key lessons to learn from the practitioners who have been receiving and handling
transnational projects for years already?
9.30 Presentation of project proposals to the jury
Now is the moment to defend your project in just 5 minutes! You will present your project to a jury
and receive feedback on how to improve your approach
10.30 Break
10.45 Continuation of Presentation of project proposals to the jury
12.00 Awards & closure
Handing out of certifi cates and awards
ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training
Introduction to your trainers
Jan Maarten de Vet, Director of ECORYS Brussels, brings over 15 years of experience
to the team. He has extensive experience of involvement with INTERREG. He has
recently directed the Ex Ante Evaluation and Strategic Environmental Assessment
for the North West Europe (NWE) INTERREG IVB Operational Programme and
contributed to the NWE Mid-term event in 2004. Furthermore, he has been involved
in INTERREG projects and Structural Funds and INTERREG evaluations in both
North West and Central Europe. He is an expert in regional competitiveness, innovation and regional
and urban development. He has led many complex European projects and has a good grasp of the
policy context and situation in many Member States. He has worked extensively in Germany, Belgium,
France, UK, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Poland. Jan Maarten recently led the draft ing of the
State of European Cities report, an analysis of European Investment Bank lending for sustainable urban
development in the EU, and a European progress review on sustainable development. He has been training
on Structural Funds for more than 5 years.
Marie-Jose Zondag, Senior Consultant at ECORYS Netherlands, Regional Strategy
and Entrepreneurship Division, is an urban and regional planner. She has been
working in cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation (INTERREG),
Structural Funds, European spatial development and the coordination of projects
for more than 10 years. Marie-Jose has developed and implemented INTERREG
projects, assessed INTERREG IIIC project proposals (West & North Zone and IIC
projects), developed and evaluated INTERREG and Structural Funds programmes (North West Europe,
North Sea Region, Bulgarian Operational Programmes, IIIA programmes HU-SK-UA and HU-RO-SB).
She has written and contributed to INTERREG manuals, provided training on Structural Funds, adapted
INTERREG Indicator systems and developed policy papers for governments (CZ), impact of EC policies
(NL) and conducted research into territorial cooperation. She is an experienced trainer and moderator
(North West Europe). Furthermore she has undertaken research for several INTERREG projects (eg.
TOWER, TouriSME, CNA, Recreative waterways in Europe for CANAL LINK, CROSS CUT, VNE).
She works throughout Europe (Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland, France, Germany,
Belgium, Th e Netherlands, United Kingdom, Austria). She has worked at European Commission DG
Regio and TU Wien before.
ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training
ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training
Javier Fernández, Senior Research Manager at ECOTEC, University Degree in
Law and LLM (Master of European Community Business Law). He has more than
ten years working experience in the fi eld of EU aff airs, particularly in regional
development policies, programmes and initiatives. He has been involved in many
assignments in the area of territorial cooperation. His extensive experience with cross-
border, transnational and interregional cooperation includes project development,
programme management, the production of implementation handbooks, defi ning and setting up systems
of indicators for territorial cooperation programmes and, fi nally, undertaking a number of programmes
evaluation studies for diff erent Managing Authorities across Europe. Prior to joining ECOTEC, Javier
worked as Managing Director of the Asturias regional offi ce in Brussels for three years, where he was
responsible for a team providing EU strategic and practical advice to the diff erent departments of the
Asturias regional executive.
Logistics
Cristina Nuñez works at ECORYS Brussels. She is the logistical manager of this training course.z
ECORYSSound analysis, inspiring ideas
European group of multidisciplinary research and consulting companies
ECORYS is a European group of consultancy and research organisations founded by the Netherlands
Economic Institute (NL), ECOTEC Research and Consulting(UK) and Kolpron Consultants (NL).
ECORYS is a leading organisation in applied regional economics, working for clients in the public and
private sectors in more than 100 countries. Clients include major industrial companies, the European
Institutions, national, regional and local governments and organisations involved in development
co-operation. Today, some 550 highly qualifi ed ECORYS staff members serve private and public clients.
ECORYS’ distinctiveness lies in its ability to translate the results of rigorous analysis and the latest research
into creative, practical solutions. We have a strong basis in economic research and consultancy. We are able
to off er an unrivalled combination of experiences, competencies and international research to both public
and private sector clients in each fi eld of activity.
International coverage
Th e ECORYS group has operating companies throughout Europe. Moreover, the group has an
international experience that spans more than half a century and comprises work in more than hundred
countries. ECORYS has offi ces in Amsterdam, Birmingham, Budapest, Brussels, Cardiff , Leeds, London,
Madrid, Manchester, Moscow, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Prague, Rotterdam, Sofi a, Warsaw and Zagreb,
with representation in Kiev, Manila and Washington.
ECORYS is active in the following business areas:
• Regional and urban development;
• Transport, logistics and infrastructure;
• Social policy, labour and learning;
• Innovation, science and technology policy;
• Finance;
• Real estate;
• Macro and sector policies;
• Competition and regulation;
• Energy and environment;
• Information and communication technologies;
INTERREG Project Development Training
The offi ces of ECORYS
ECORYS and INTERREG
1. Training & facilitation
ECORYS supports all EU and neighbouring countries
in their institution and capacity building for successful
development and implementation of Structural Funds
and INTERREG. The company has trained hundreds of
individuals, mostly civil servants, in how to apply and
prepare for Structural Funds, both at programme and
project level. Furthermore, ECORYS regularly moderates
several (large) INTERREG events (North West Europe,
North Sea, INTERACT).
2. Technical Assistance
ECORYS provides TA services for INTERREG programmes
and project leaders. Some examples:
• INTERREG Manuals: Implementation & management
for Atlantic Area, Procedures & Implementation
& project book for Bulgarian partners, Human
Resources Management.
• INTERREG Project involvement (development,
evaluation): ESTICC, Central Network Area,
Eurocorridor, TouriSME, TOWER.
• Programme support: adapt indicators North
Sea, Moderate North West Europe IIIB Mid Term
Event, Moderate North West Europe IVB launch
event, Moderate HRM seminars, Project pipeline
development, Application form development.
3. Evaluation & assessment
ECORYS has extensive evaluation experience of
INTERREG & Structural Funds Programmes (ex ante,
ongoing & ex post). This has provided the company
with detailed knowledge of the eff ectiveness &
effi ciency of the programmes and projects. For
example:
• Cross-border: ES-PT, HU-SK-UA, HU-RO-SB,
Gibr-Marocco, FR-UK, B-FR;
• Transnational: North Sea Region, North West Europe,
Atlantic Area, South West, Medoc;
• Interregional: project proposals North & West Zone.
4. Content based research & advice
ECORYS is a content based research organisation,
with in-depth knowledge of policies, trends &
developments at European, national, regional & local
level. Research & advice is provided especially in urban
& regional development, competitiveness & innovation,
transport & accessibility, sustainable development &
water management. Examples of research studies for
INTERREG projects and related: Recreational Waterways
in Europe; Research after Innovation & knowledge
clustering; Logistic networks and Water management;
Spatial freight research; Keynote speech on INTERREG
and innovation; Impact of INTERREG; Urban Audit;
ESPON studies; Regional Internationalisation strategies
& action plans.
ECORYS has in depth experience with EU Structural Funds and INTERREG programmes and projects.
Our company deals with all aspects of the project cycle (programming, identifi cation, formulation,
fi nancing, implementation and evaluation), which varies from technical assistance and training to research
and policy development. We combine this experience with sound and up to date knowledge of current
economic and political developments. ECORYS provides four main services for INTERREG programmes
and projects in multidisciplinary and multinational teams: Training and Facilitation, Evaluation and
Assessment, Technical Assistance and Content based Research and Advice.
ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training
INTERREG Services in more detail
Some information on INTERREG
When can INTERREG be of interest for you?
INTERREG can be of interest for you when you
would like to cooperate across borders, either cross-
border (directly across the border), transnational
(in geographical unit) or interregional (throughout
Europe). On the front page of this brochure you
can see the Cross-border Cooperation areas.
€7.75 billion for 69 programmes
In the 2007-2013 period, 69 INTERREG
programmes are foreseen, with a combined
budget of €7.75 billion. Th e overall aim is to
foster balanced territorial development and
territorial integration within the cooperation
areas. Most programmes have as an objective to
develop transnational partnerships on matters
of strategic importance in order to improve
the territorial, economic and social integration
process and to contribute to cohesion, stability and
competitiveness. Projects are co-funded in general
at a level of 75% and, in some cases, even 85%.
Some requirements
Th e most important feature of transnational
and interregional projects is their international
character. Partners from at least two to three
countries should be involved.
Eligible project partners are public authorities,
other public bodies and any legal body governed
by public or private law not having an industrial
or commercial character. Th e programme is not
designed to directly fi nance private economic
actors. During the training we will discuss in detail
the requirements.
Content of the cross-border (IVA) &
transnational (IVB) programmes
Projects are in general possible in one of the
following fi elds:
1. Facilitation of innovation & entrepreneurship.
Th e objective is to facilitate innovation,
entrepreneurship, knowledge economy and
enhance economic integration & relations.
2. Protection & improvement of the environment.
Th e objective is to override constraints imposed
by national barriers, foresee environmental
threats & opportunities and develop common
transnational action for the protection of nature
& humans.
3. Improvement of the accessibility. Th e objective
is to promote coordinated preparation
for accessibility networks (both physical
infrastructure & information society) and multi-
modality.
4. Development of sustainable urban development.
Th e objective is to contribute to balanced,
polycentric & urban-rural patterns through
networks & strategies.
Content of the interregional (IVC)
programme
INTERREG IVC aims to improve the eff ectiveness
of regional development policies and contribute
to economic modernisation. Th rough ‘Regional
Initiatives’ and ‘Fast Track networks’ partners can
exchange and transfer their experiences and jointly
develop approaches and instruments. Th ere are no
longer fi xed types of operation and cooperation
can still vary in intensity (from light networking
to mini-programmes). Eligible topics for projects
are ‘Innovation & the Knowledge Economy’ and
‘Environment & Risk Management’.
ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training
For more information on this training programme, please contact us at:
Rue Joseph II 9-13
B-1000 Brussels
T +32 2 743 89 49
F +32 2 732 71 11
W www.ecorysacademy.com