Macro regions and macro regional strategies: an outlook ESPON SEMINAR Luxembourg, 8-9 December 2015

Background 1. Changes for the last 25 years: historical, political, economic (globalisation), environmental (climate change), technological (IT, Internet) 2. Offshoot of the European Spatial Perspective from the late 90's – building on ESDP framework 3. Cooperation: one of the two 'legs' of EU regional policy (Interreg started 25 years ago as a Community initiative, now fully-fledged objective) 4. Trend: From programmes to strategic frameworks

Concept of Macro region Macro-regional concept now being developed in the context of EU trans-national cooperation Territorial, place based approach - not just grouping homogeneous territories 'Bottom up' integration taking into account EU diversity and making decisions at appropriate level.

From macro regions to macro regional strategies (MRS) 'Macro-regionalization' - building up trans-national and functional regions to address common issues Internal/external re-scaling - Balancing and synergies between European territories as well as neighbouring countries Cross sectoral coordination – strengthening synergies of sectoral policies having a territorial impact A three tier governance system –policy, coordination and operational measures

Added Value of MRS Tackling regional inequality and promoting territorial cohesion Greater integration and coordination Improved policy development Results in terms of projects, actions, decisions, networks Value for money Promoting multi-level governance Improved cooperation with neighbours

 Implications for MRS: Distinctive features (1) ᵒ MRS anchored to a longer-term and open-ended, but flexible framework; ᵒ Focus on shared challenges (weaknesses) and opportunities (strengths) linked to territorial characteristics; ᵒ Strategies structured around common objectives viewed as responding to shared challenges (weaknesses) and opportunities (strengths) linked to a commonly defined geographical space approached as a multi-functional area;

Distinctive features of MRS (2) - Implementation of MRS relies on governance arrangements and structures geared to vertical (multi- layer) and horizontal (cross-policy and cross-sector) coordination of policies; - MRS require change of mindset towards focus on interdependence: preconditions for preparedness to cooperate and coordinate relevant policies;

Policy actions In view of three 'no's rules '– no new legislation, no new funding, no new institutions - MRS need to fit into existing dynamics and initiatives as well as EU policy frameworks (e.g. TEN-T ) Need for concrete action rather than further policy frameworks Role of ESIF programmes, including Interreg Aligning funding instruments toward shared objectives

Four Macro regional strategies covering 270 mil h. in 20 MS

EUSBSR Action Plan –review Number of areas reduced to 13 policy areas and 4 horizontal actions, in total 17 areas (currently: 22) Review of Action Plan: update and focus within the policy/horizontal areas New chapter on role and added-value of regional organisations Flagship projects: Simplification of procedure and clearer scrutiny (template) Voluntary rotation of coordination responsibilities for the policy/horizontal areas ( e.g. 3 years) Annual Forum: 15/16 June 2015 in Jurmala, Latvia

EUSBSR Action Plan - revised structure

The EUSDR 14 countries, 115M people, 12 languages, 2800 km river, …

GDP – growth rates

3. EUSAIR About 70 mill. people Large socio-economic disparities Twofold objective : Promote sustainable economic and social prosperity in the Region through growth and jobs creation Foster EU integration of participating Western Balkan (potential) candidate countries

EUSAIR GOVERNING BOARD PILLAR 1 Blue Growth PILLAR 2 Connecting the Region THEMATIC STEERING GROUP - Topic 3.1 a + b - Topic 3.2 THEMATIC STEERING GROUP - Topic Topic 4.2 PILLAR 3 Environmental Quality PILLAR 4 Sustainable Tourism ADRIATIC –IONIAN TRANSNATIONAL PROGRAMME Supporting EUSAIR governance and implementation S T A K E H O L D E R S P L A T F O R M

4. EUSALP Fourth macro-regional strategy in the EU 5 EU member states and 2 non EU MS; 48 Regions ; 80 million people A dynamic, innovative and competitive area But also Environmental, economic and social challenges Large number of cooperation structures Strong request from the Regions

EUSALP - Action Plan Structure Economic growth and innovation : Mobility and Connectivity Intermodality Interoperability E-connect (people and services) Environment and Energy Governance Natural Resources Ecological Connectivity Risk Management and Climate Change Energy efficiency and renewable Strategic sectors R&TD ecosystem Labour market Training and Education

Expanding our knowledge base 2 objectives: 1.1. Ensure effective implementation; 2.2. Prepare policy options for the post-2020 period 3.

How ESPON could help MRS ᵒ Work on scenarios at the horizon 2030 (Possible European Territorial futures, with focus on the Baltic Region) ᵒ Fostering "Blue Growth" in Europe's Regions – provided 'regions' encompass macro-regions; ᵒ Implementing the circular and low-carbon economy or green infrastructure and ecosystems; ᵒ Comparative analysis of territorial governance and spatial planning on a macro- regional scale.

Building on previous ESPON projects (1) 1. Expand BSR-TeMO (territorial monitoring in the Baltic Sea Region to the A-I and Alpine macro-regions to identify multi-functional areas shared by at least three participating countries; 2. 2 nd generation TeMO-project building on the 2006 report on data and indicators of Western Balkans, updating this report and developing indicators for territorial cohesion between the four non-EU countries and the four participating Member States participating in EUSAIR.

Building on previous ESPON projects (2) 3. C ONTINUE TerrEvi (territorial evidence) to identify interdependencies across regions, hereunder reframe territorial units as (multi)-functional areas supplementing NUTS classification; 4. Transposing TPM (Territorial Performance Monitoring) methodology to the macro-regional scale, with focus on mobility & accessibility; environment & natural resources; climate change, hazards and risk prevention;

Building on previous ESPON projects (3) 6. Continue ESPON 2006 project ‘Study on spatially relevant aspects of Tourism’ - focus on A-I and Alpine Regions reg.(1) travel and flow; 2) economic effects & employment; 3) environmental and social effects. 7. Expand the methodology, developed under ESPON 2013, reg. territorial impacts of EU directives and other EU policy instruments to territorial impacts of national policies across national borders and at the macro- regional

New research paths Evidence at the macro-regional scale of territorial linkages, interdependencies and impacts of territorial policies; Evidence of progress in coherence between and convergence/complementarity of territorially-relevant policies and strategic investments within each macro- region; Territorial indicators allowing monitoring of progress in territorial cohesion and balanced spatial development within each macro-region.

Thank you for your attention!