1. How to Use the Structural Funds 2007-2013? 1.Financing sustainable energy projects. 2.Practical support – RUSE operation. Jana Cicmanova Energie-Cités 25.10.2006, Riga, Latvia

2. The Structural Funds 2007-2013 1.Making Europe and its regions more attractive places to invest and work. 2.Improving knowledge and innovation for growth. 3.More and better jobs. 3 Priorities

3. « Sustainable energy issues are not an objective or a priority of the cohesion policy but a tool that helps to achieve its goals. » Peter Ungar, European Commission It is essential to find a way how sustainable energy projects could contribute to these priorities! The Structural Funds 2007-2013

4. 1.’Convergence’ objective (ERDF, ESF, Cohesion Fund) 81.5% 2.’Regional competitiveness and employment’ objective (ERDF, ESF) 16% 3.’European territorial cooperation’ objective (ERDF) 2.5% 3 Objectives The Structural Funds 2007-2013

5. 1. ‘Convergence’ objective European Regional Development Fund  Improving security of supply, integrating environmental considerations  Development of public-private partnerships  Mitigation of climate change  Clean transport  Improvement of energy efficiency and development of renewable energies

6. 2. ’Regional competitiveness and employment’ objective European Regional Development Fund  Stimulation of energy efficiency and renewable energy production  Development of efficient energy managment systems  Promoting clean and sustainable transport in urban areas  Development of plans to adapt to climate change (floods, fires, etc.)

7. 3. ‘European territorial cooperation’ objective The European Regional Development Fund  Networking, exchange of experience, transfer and dissemination of best practice practice case studies on sustainable urban development – cross-border, trans-national and interregional cooperation  Cross-border environmental joint strategies  Improved access to transport and cross-border energy management systems.

8.  Exchange of experiences & dissemination of good practice The European Social Fund  Mechanisms to improve good policy and programme design  Support for interdepartmental coordination & dialogue between relevant public and private bodies  Capacity building in delivery of policies & programmes

9.  Trans-European transport networks, environment, areas related to sustainable development with environmental benefits – energy efficiency and renewable energies, clean urban & public transport. The Cohesion Fund

10. Energy and Cities in 2007-2013 The Communication : Cohesion policy and cities: the urban contribution to growth and jobs in the regions  Improved efficiency in public transport.  Alternative and ‘soft’ forms of transport.  To tackle congestion.  Sustainable architecture.  Energy and water efficiency in housing.  Energy efficiency in urban planning.  Investments in district heating, promoting renewable energy.  Organisation of events.  Training ‘knowledge workers’. Main suggestions:

11. 1.Adoption of Community Strategic Guidelines Oct. 2006 2. Approval of National Strategic Reference Frameworks 2nd half of 2006 3. Adoption of Operational Programs 2nd half of 2006. 4. Program Management and Project Selection 2007-2013 5. Strategic Follow-up 2007-2013 Implementation cycle

12. Benefits of sustainable energy projects Biomass heating of public facilities in Strecno (SK)  75% co-financed from the ERDF  Biomass heating in 3 public buildings.  Estimated energy savings: 638 000 SKK/y.  Estimated CO2 emissions: 187 t/y.  Wood-chips produced in local saw-mills.  Communal waste reduced.  New local jobs created.

13. Benefits of sustainable energy projects Sustainable transport project – Via Nova  Interreg III B project.  45% co-financed from the ERDF.  Partners: FR, IT, SLO, DE, AU.  Land use planning  Car traffic reduction  Improvement of public spaces for cycling/walking  Promotion of public transport, physical activities & improved public spaces.

15. More information www.energie-cites.org

16. RUSE Operation Redirecting Urban areas development towards Sustainable Energy RUSE

17. RUSE Operation Aim  To inform  To convince  To help local, regional and EU authorities to use the Structural Funds to implement sustainable energy projects.

19. RUSE Operation RUSE Help Desk Assistance and advise on how to design a project and how to apply for co-funding from the SF. Project partners:  Czech Republic  Lithuania  Poland  Slovakia

20. RUSE Operation Energie-Cités European co-ordinator Contact:  Christophe Fréring – cfrering@energie-cites.orgcfrering@energie-cites.org  Jana Cicmanova – jana.cicmanova@energie-cites.orgjana.cicmanova@energie-cites.org www.ruse-europe.org