ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training

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

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.


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


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


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.



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;


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.


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’.


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

E [email protected]

W www.ecorysacademy.com

Documents

ECORYS INTERREG Project Development Training