Northern Periphery Programme: Changing Contexts and New Opportunities Irene McMaster 15 November 2012

Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde 2 European Policies Research Centre Research institute based at the University of Strathclyde Specialise in comparative research on the design & implementation of regional development policies in Europe Research on territorial cooperation –Comparative studies of territorial cooperation programmes across Europe –OECD territorial review of the NORA region –Evaluations of the Northern Periphery Programme (INTERREG III & IVB)

starting points… “help peripheral and remote communities on the northern margins of Europe to develop their economic, social and environmental potential” NPP built on a strong base of cooperation Distinct identity & raison d’etre Key changes: –Tighter, more strategic focus: 2 programme priorities –Emphasis on projects which create innovative transboundary products & services –Significantly expanded area Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde 3

Change Within the current period, the NPP has: –retained its strong, distinct identity –maintained its strategic focus and emphasis on delivering products and services –involved partners and stake holders from across the Programme area –delivered beneficial results –responded to challenges and adapted to change in development and policy environments Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde 4

Changing environments: Economic crisis Economic crisis triggered major shift in fortunes across the area Heightens relevance & need for programmes like the NPP However… Operational & strategic challenges: –meeting financial commitments –mobilising project partners 5

Changing Environments: Climate change The pace of Arctic melt even more rapid than predicted – serious environmental, social/cultural and economic implications At the same time… Development opportunities: –development & application of new tech –exploitation of mineral & marine resources –new navigation routes Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde 6

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Changing environments: demographic aging Demographic pressures on the region remain, including aging populations and youth out migration –Field where the NPP has been very active O40 RYE3 Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde 8

Changing policy contexts: Domestic policy Political change, e.g. Greenland, Iceland, Scotland – seeking to widen and deepen links to NPP partner countries Vested interests in the Arctic: Arctic States developing their own ‘Arctic Strategies’ and EU Arctic Strategy Increased profile of territorial cooperation Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde 9

10 Changing policy contexts: EU Territorial cooperation embedded as pillar of Cohesion policy New forms of support macro regional strategies EGTC Arctic Strategy Baltic Sea Strategy area

Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre 11 Proposals for European territorial cooperation (ETC) Reform priorities: ETC more central to Cohesion policy Links to Europe 2020 Greater strategic focus More coherence / integration with national, regional and external cooperation programmes Reduced administrative burden for programme managers and beneficiaries Ensuring more demonstrable benefits More resources (!!???)

‘nothing is agreed until everything is agreed’ Key issues during the debate on ETC geographical and financial eligibility – who gets what inclusion of ETC in the Partnership Agreements – level of detail on commitments about the content of individual programmes degree of flexibility in provisions on thematic concentration within Territorial Cooperation programmes questions around the degree of simplification Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde 12

Summary NPP’s clear strategy and focus on innovative products and services - key strengths Key challenges remain, e.g. accessibility, supporting SMEs Substantial changes in relation to: –economic crisis –climate change –domestic policy contexts –EU policy frameworks Irene McMaster, European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde 13

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