Regional Networks Mainstreaming the Outputs from Pilot Projects Presentation by Frank Conlan, Údarás na Gaeltachta Open Days - Network Summit Workshop 2 11 October, 2006

Overview The Genesis of Pilot Project Networks Stakeholders and Partners Work Programmes and Outputs A Case Study – the ECOLAND Project Life after the pilot stage Who are the final beneficiaries? Financing future actions

Introduction Pilot actions undertaken or supported by Údarás na Gaeltachta – Structural Funds – Policy areas – RTD Framework Programmes Types of Partners – Local / National / Transnational

Pilot Projects as part of a Cycle Policy Context – European / National / Regional / Local Stages 1. Policy Development 2. Pilot Implementation 3. Evaluation 4. Exploiting the results / Learning from work 5. Mainstreaming into Policy Implementation

Actors in a networks Cycle of Development Who initiates? who develops? Who leads? What benefits are expected from the work? New products, new processes, better methods. Evaluation criteria – what determines success? What do the participants gain from the network?

The ECOLAND Project – a case study INTERREG IIIc Programme Italian Lead Partner – SIPRO Spa. 9 Partners in 4 Member States Italy, Ireland, Spain and Hungary 4 pilot sites, 2 each in Ireland and Italy All regions participating in the process

ECOLAND - What was the project about? Developing and implementing the concept of a new Generation Business Parks –Technically Equipped to current and expected Environmental requirements TEEAs – Technologically and Environmentally Equipped Areas Applicable to newly planned (greenfield) and converted (brownfield) industrial areas Developing and using methodologies which are transferable between Member States and their regions in Europe

Stakeholders and Partners Partners in the ECOLAND Project Public-Private Development Agency Regional and Local Government Structures Regional Business Development Regional Development Agencies Private Development Foundation Individual firms were engaged in the project through the Work Programme

Stakeholders and Partners Stakeholders Regional Governments and Local Authorities Planning Authorities and Environmental regulators Development Agencies Individual firms, their associations, and their employees Local communities and the wider public

Work Programme and Outputs The use socio-economic indicators as planning tools Establishing a database of Environmental laws and Regulations in the Member States and Regions Surveys of SME needs in the context of the projects goals Developing the concept of a new Generation Business Parks Testing the concepts in the pilot areas (Ireland and Italy) Publishing manuals and work procedures

Future Models: Quo Vademus? Evaluation of results & Modification of new work programmes Phase II Pilot work – learning from Phase I Operational considerations in each organisation What role for the network? The benefits of Network Co-operation Added value from Networking Finance

Network Refinement – Phase II New entrants to the network – What profile should they have? – Where should they come from? – Who selects/invites them? Refinement of Aims and Objectives – What is Phase II aiming to achieve? Phase II Development – What additional benefits will the work bring?

Financing Phase II What range of beneficiaries does Phase II address? European, National, Regional, Local? How do the objectives fit with national or regional policy objectives? What is the role of the private sector – the firm or the individual? What matching can be achieved between costs and benefits? Who shares the costs? Who reaps the benefit?

Benefits of Network Co-operation Reinforcing capacity building in regional and local structures Co-ordinating effort to achieve common European goals Synergies between large and small organisations across the European Regions Opening windows to new ideas Answering the question: Why do you do that?

Mainstreaming Project Outputs When? How? Why?

Mainstreaming - When? At what point is the prototype ready for market launch? Is the pilot testing completed satisfactorily? will the consumer or the intended beneficiary buy the benefits?

Mainstreaming - How? Depending on the nature of the project or networks target, the implementation may require different kinds of actions i.e. Local or organisational action Procedural changes in administrations Capital Investment decisions Operational changes in firms or organisations Invariably there are cost implications – there may be long-term cost or other benefits

Mainstreaming - Why? It bring the benefits of the pilot work to the intended beneficiaries. It engages the implementing agencies It validates the pilot actions and the evaluation of them It justifies the investment in pilot actions It adds value to the networking process

Mainstreaming - the end of the line? Mainstreaming is not an end in itself It becomes the beginning of the next cycle of development. Nothing ever stays the same – we are forever learning!

Go raibh maith agaibh! Thank You for your attention! Frank Conlan Údarás na Gaeltachta