1. URBACT II and Regions for Economic Change State of play and future perspectives Alexander FERSTL, European Commission, DG REGIO - Directorate for Policy Development
Interservice-Group on Urban Development, 27 October 2009

2. Overview
Objectives
Testing best practice for economic modernization and increased competitiveness
Bringing good ideas faster into implementation – Linking networking to mainstream funding
Innovating Cohesion Policy and high-lighting best-practice
Themes
30 defined key themes
7 specifically relevant for urban deevelopment: URBACT II programme
Communication COM(2006) 675final

3. « Fast Track Networks » Principles
Special relevance in one of the 30 themes
Labeling of (MC approved) URBACT II and Interreg IVC networks by the European Commission (objective criteria - website)
Fast Track Networks
Need a strong commitment from the Managing Authorities of all partners to implement Local Action Plans through Cohesion Policy or national/regional programmes
Receive advisory support and expertise from Commission Services
Are highlighted in Commission events

4. How are the Fast Track networks selected?
“Parallel process”:
Monitoring Committees of network programmes (Member States) decide on financing (URBACT II and Interreg IVC)
Relevant Commission Services decide on the Fast Track status of the networks (“Labeling”)
Commission internal process:
Check list
Interservice Meetings: YES/NO Decision - One DG takes the lead, other DGs can be associated
Discussion of details with Lead Partner cities

5. Implementation so far
Fast Track Networks, implemented under ETC programmes
URBACT II: 7
Interreg IVC: 6
Investment connected/triggered: approx. € 380 million
New networks will be selected after the programmes‘ 2nd calls
Annual Conferences and seminars promoting Fast Track Networks since 2007
Awards RegioStars – CityStars (awarded for the 1st time in 2010)
„Innovative use of brownfield sites in an urban context“
„The integration of migrants or marginalized groups in urban areas“

6. URBACT II Fast Track Networks
RfEC Theme
URBACT II Thematic Networks with Fast Track Label
DGs involved
1. Healthy communities
Building Healthy Communities
SANCO (REGIO)
2. Integrated policies on urban transport -
3. Sustainable & energy efficient housing stock
4. Marginalised youth
5. Managing migration
Open Cities
MILE (closed)
REGIO (EMPL, JLS) REGIO (JLS, EMPL)
6. Sustainable urban development
UNIC
HerO
RegGov
URBAMECO (closed)
REGIO (ENTR, EMPL) REGIO (ENV, EAC) REGIO (EMPL) REGIO (EMPL, ENV)
7. Brownfields & waste disposal sites

7. The specific URBACT II context
Regions for Economic Change „methodology“ used as one of the guiding principles for the design of the programme and itt projects (association of over 200 Managing Authorities in projects)
Supports the mainstreaming of URBAN and the implementation of urban actions in regional/national Operational Programmes
No automatism for urban actions within OPs or access to funding – Challenge of including local actors into the implementation
Need for better cooperation between cities and their Managing Authorities
One way to improve shortcomings concerning urban actions in ERDF programmes (local involvement, integration of actions)

8. Lessons learned from the (Fast Track) networks so far
New partnerships and links are received positively
Connecting local, regional and European level
New and strong links between MAs and cities (access to funding – mutual learning)
Jointly prepared applications – testing ground for new concepts and ideas
Commission support and communication elements appreciated by cities and regions (thematic input, contact to Managing Authorities, conferences and seminars)
DG REGIO leads most URBACT II FT networks
Limited involvement of other (associated) DGs

9. Outlook
Annual conference (20/21 May 2010) and CityStars Awards (2010 awards plus new categories announced)
New Fast Track Networks after the 2nd Call of URBACT II (2009): Emphasis on previously un-covered themes
6 applications
3 applications eligible and proposed for financing

10. URBACT II Fast Track Networks – Candidates 2nd Call
RfEC Theme
Number of URBACT II Fast Track Networks so far
Eligible project application proposed for financing
1. Healthy communities 1
2. Integrated policies on urban transport -
3. Sustainable & energy efficient housing stock
CASH (Echirolles, FR)
URBAN ENERGY (Avrig, RO)
4. Marginalised youth
InteGrow (Consortium Red Local, ES)
5. Managing migration 2
6. Sustainable urban development 4
7. Brownfields & waste disposal sites

11. Outlook
Annual conference (20/21 May 2010) and CityStars Awards (2010 awards plus new categories announced)
New Fast Track Networks after the 2nd Call of URBACT II (2009): Emphasis on previously un-covered themes
Next steps:
Inter-service Meetings for the relevant themes (beginning Nov 09)
Sustainable & energy efficient housing stock (co-lead: DG TREN and REGIO, associated: ENV and RTD)
Marginalised youth (co-lead: DG EAC and EMPL, associated: INFSO)
Labeling of networks and information to Monitoring Committee
Decision on financing on 24 Nov 2009

12. Contact:
ecochange/index_en.cfm