INTERREG IVA 2 Mers Seas Zeeën Crossborder Cooperation Programme Part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) From project idea to submission STEP: Sustainable Tourism in Estuary Parks By: Dick Verheijen, projectmanager/Lead Partner Bournemouth, September, 23rd 2010

Content 1.General presentation of STEP 2.Generation of the project idea 3.From project idea to submission 4.Focus of project idea 5.Development of application form 6.Conclusions and recommendations

1. General presentation of STEP Partners Objectives Priority and operational objective Activities and joint actions Expected results Communication Management Budgets

1.General aspects: The partners Sustainable Tourism Estuary Parks (3 parks, 5 partners): o The Broads (UK) in Norfolk and Suffolk; partner: Broads Authority

1.General aspects: The partners The Polders of Kruibeke (BE), along the river Schelde, just below Antwerp; Partners: Waterwegen en Zeekanaal /Agentschap Natuur en Bos

1.General aspects: The partners The Biesbosch (NL), in North-Brabant and South-Holland; Partners: Stichting Beheer Nationaal Park De Biesbosch / Natuur- en Recreatieschap De Hollandse Biesbosch

1. General aspects: objectives 1.Detailing the concept of sustainable tourism 2.Detailing and testing new, sustainable forms of visitor management; 3.Jointly developing the tourist industry and testing sustainable methods and products; 4.Involving inhabitants - companies; regional, national - organisations; regional, national, European

1. General aspects: priority and objective Priority 1 – Creating an economically competitive, attractive and accessible area Support tourism and promote sustainable tourism

1. General aspects: Activities and joint actions The project is subdivided into 3 activities and communication in line with the 4 objectives Special attention is paid to further detailing the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism Some joint actions are: o Joint studies about visitor management, green business schemes o Action plans to brand sustainable tourism o Exchange of experts to help partners with local plans and investments

1. General aspects: expected results Manuals for sustainable amenities Execution of action plans aimed at branding sustainable tourism; Plans of action for visitor management in wetlands; Execution of ICT pilots Sustainability criteria for companies including checks and support in the implementation of measures

1. General aspects: communication Communication at 2 levels: 1. Internal; management meetings, workshops, peer reviews and evaluations, joint website and newsletters, joint database 2. External; publishing studies and evaluations, press releases and publications, a brochure, newsletters, roll-ups, start and final conference, an Estuary Trip Competition

1. General aspects: management International Steering Group: overall responsible, directors, meeting once a year International Coordination Group: operational level, project managers, meets twice a year Project Management Committee (LP): daily working at project implementation Communication Group: communication managers, meets twice a year

1. General aspects: budgets Total budget is 6 million ERDF grant is 2,5 million 14.5% will be spent on project management and joint activities 83.5% on the execution of local actions and investments and 2% on preparation and accountants

2. Generation of the project idea Biesbosch-partners had written a new policy plan about tourism in 2008 Main focus and strategy was to become a more sustainable NP (the most sustainable in Holland) How? - Alone? - Together? - Partners? - Outline idea?

3. From project idea to submission A proces in 4 steps: Step 1. Preliminary study (June-August 2008): o Options for an Interreg project o A project idea o The conclusion being that the 2 Seas programme offered the most perspective.

3. From project idea to submission Step 2: Partner search (Sept 2008 – Feb 2009): o The Broads and Parc Marquenterre o Parc Marquenterre dropped out (because of internal issues) o New partners in Flanders: Waterwegen en Zeekanaal and Agentschap Natuur en Bos

3. From project idea to submission Step 3. Development of the project (March – May 2009): o The project proposal o Local activities and investments were discussed o 2 partner meetings o Learning from one another and help each other in implementation.

3. From project idea to submission Step 4. Writing the application (May – June 2009): o The consultancy wrote out the entire application and detailed the entire budget, all in close consultation with all partners o The letter of intent o Finally, all the partners provided their approval to the application as a whole o The Lead Partner submitted the application.

4. Focus of project idea The start is the idea of the project initiator (mostly the LP) Important is to do some study on the aims and objectives of the Interreg programmes and on former projects with more or less the same goals; all to strengthen your own idea Also in the phase of partner search it is important to improve and focus the project idea When the partnership was completed, in the 1 st meeting we finalised the project idea and the operational objectives

5. Development of the application form A continuous process Already in partner search phase partners were asked to describe their ideas, local actions and investments in a fact sheet with all kind of questions from the application form Structure the project: a main aim and 3 more operational objectives which can be used in the 3 activities later on Write the application by 1 partner Partners were asked to comment on all drafts

6. Conclusions and recommendations Recommendations: A project development takes 1 year Make use of an (internal or external) expert Visit all possible partners Make use of your national contact point Organise at least 2 partner meetings Make clear appointments about language, planning, budgets, etc. Strong lead partnership

6. Conclusions and recommendations Dont do it for the money Perfect administration (Lead Partner and partners) Take your time Inspiration, energy and commitment