Sustainable Energy Regions - Case studies on combating climate change
05.10.09 A group of regions from across Europe worked together under the banner of 'Sustainable Energy Regions' to organise an event for the Open Days of Cities and Regions in 2008. The Sustainable Energy Regions decided to address two main areas of common concern: are there red lights to green energy - what barriers are facing renewable energy production and how are regions tackling them? And, will our generation be forgiven - are we doing enough at a local level to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change?
From Castilla y León in Spain to East of England, Carinthia in Austria to West Finland, South Bohemia in the Czech Republic to West Norway what became clear is that there was a wealth of experience and good ideas out there, and too little time during the event to share it. Why reinvent the wheel when there is so much to be easily learnt and then adapted to our regions? It is just a case of knowing what is out there.
This is when England's Northwest decided to take the collaboration a step further and produce case studies which has received contributions from all the regions mentioned. In addition, Central Denmark who will work with the group for Open Days 2009 also shared some of their excellent initiatives.
Please visit this link for all the information http://www.climatechangenorthwest.co.uk/european-co-operation-projects.html
European Showcase Event
02.10.09 A European Showcase Event will take place in the City of Manchester Stadium on Tuesday 5th November 2009. The morning session will highlight the achievements and impact of regionally administered European funding, showcasing projects funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) for the period 2007 - 2013. The afternoon session will identify examples of best practice in transnational projects and consider ways of transferring this best practice to mainstream project delivery. This forms part of the Committee of the Regions Open Days 2009 Local Events programme. More information and registration can be found here
Manchester Revisited
21.09.09 A Portuguese journalist, Elisa Ferreira, has written an article about her experiences of returning to Manchester and Liverpool after a 20 year period. The article shows just how much has changed in both cities over the last 20 years and offers a very positive experience of her visit back. The original article (in Portuguese) can be found here, with a translation here.
Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity
04.08.09 The North West Regional European Partnership Demographic Change Group submitted its response to the Commission's consultation on a European Year for Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity in 2012. Please click here for the consultation response.
Internationalisation and England's Northwest
18.5.09 Richard Jeffrey, Head of Internationalisation and Bill Greenhalgh Cluster Strategy Manager made a presentation on the important issue of internationalisation of products, services and information from businesses and organisations across the Northwest region. The exchange event took place in Brussels on the 12th May 2009 along with other regions from across Europe. Their presentation can be found here
North West England Regional European Partnership response Territorial Cohesion
09.03.09 The North West Regional European Partnership has responded to the European Commission consultation on Territorial Cohesion.
Territorial Cohesion is about each of the diverse regions of Europe having the opportunity to reach its own potential in a balanced and equitable way. The North West of England response will join those from other regions and stakeholder groups in forming the future policies and programmes for regions in Europe.
The full response can be found here
22.10.08 A North West summary of the Rural Development Programme for England can be found here. The document highlights the impact of the England programme in the region.
England's Northwest - Open Days 2008 Seminar information
10.10.08 This year the NW was involved in the organisation of two seminars entitled 'Will our generation be forgiven? Local solutions to global challenges' and Red Lights to Green Energy? Overcoming Barriers to Renewables'. Mark Atherton from the NWDA moderated the two interactive sessions.
All presentations are available here.
Will our generation be forgiven? Local solutions to global challenges
· University of Turku presentation
· Saxony presentation
· Warmia & Mazury presentation
· West Norway presentation
Red lights to Green energy. Overcoming Barriers to Renewables
· Workshop description· Castilla y Leon presentation
· Carinthia presentation
· Central Portugal
· Mid Norway
· East of England
England's Northwest - Open Days 2008
30.07.2008 This year England's Northwest will be working with partners on the issue of sustainable energy. Our first workshop during the Open Days week (6-9/10/08) will be entitled 'Will our generation be forgiven? Local solutions to global challenges', and will address some regional responses to some major climate challenges. This will take place on the 7/10/08 at 14.30. The link to register for the workshop is here
The second workshop, which takes place on the 8/10/08 at 09.00, is entitled ' Red lights to green energy? Overcoming the barriers to renewables'. In this event, regions will share experiences on how they have overcome specific barriers for the use of renewables in their regions. More information and registration for this event can be found here
Mark Atherton, Sustainable Development Manager for the Northwest Development Agency has been selected to moderate the two sessions.
To register for other open days events please click here and for North West delegates coming to Brussels during the week please can you fill in the following form and send to Kathryn.griffiths@nwbo.be by the 3rd September. We can book accommodation on your behalf.
NWREP responds to EU consultations
03.04.2008 Here you can find the the two North West Regional European Partnership (NWREP) responses to the EU's cohesion consultation and the EU consultation on budget reform. Please click on the relevant consultation for the full response.
North West ERDF Programme Launched
20.2.08 Friday 15th February saw the launch of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme for the North West of England. The €521m regional programme, which will focus on enhancing competitiveness and job creation in the region, will now be managed by the Northwest Development Agency. For a more detailed press release please click here and for the website please click here
North West Brussels base achieve green-label standard of excellence
21.12.07 North West of England House in Brussels has been awarded the prestigious Belgian Eco-Dynamic Label for environment excellence and improvements.
North West House achieved 2 stars which will be presented by the Eco-Dynamic jury at a ceremony in Brussels in March 2008. To achieve the 2 star Eco-Dynamic Label, North West House: changed electricity supplier to the greenest supplier on offer; improved recycling; made a commitment to source locally for events; switched to environmentally friendly cleaning products; raised awareness of turning off electrical items within the building; and made a commitment to travel by train rather than flying when coming back to the North West.
Suzy Sumner, Head of the North West Brussels Office, said:
“We have worked together in North West House to make real changes to reduce our impact on the environment. There are over 100 regional offices in Brussels and we are delighted to be the first one to achieve this label.”
Please click here for a link to the full press release.