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OPEN Cities Project

OPEN Cities is a British Council project funded by URBACT and led by Belfast City Council in collaboration with a network of European cities. The partner cities include Bilbao, Cardiff, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Nitra, Poznan, Sofia and Vienna. URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme promoting sustainable urban development.

The OPEN Cities partners recognise that the arrival of large numbers of new residents can create great opportunities for innovation and progress in social, economic and cultural development.

OPENCities aims to explore how cities can attract and retain migrant populations and what initiatives cities can employ to make themselves a popular choice with international workers.

Cities that want to attract and retain international populations have to be 'open' cities that create a good ‘offer’ for international workers and foster a local climate that recognises and welcomes diversities and provides freedom of thought and speech.　

The project has considered how cities can develop more proactive policies to create OPENCities to better attract or retain mobile international populations, as they are important to both the competitive and convergence objectives of the European Union.

Development

Baseline studies
Baseline studies were completed by each partner city during the development phase of the project. The aim was to show how open each city was and what initiatives were currently in place. These provided a starting point from which we measured the impact of the project.

Index of Openness
One of the objectives of OPENCities was to develop a common definition of openness allowing cities to carry out benchmarking and self-assessment.　 Data to populate an OPENCities Index was gathered across the lifetime of the project and will continue beyond.　 A feasibility study on whether openness can be measured internationally was completed and is available online. www.opencities.eu

Local Support Groups
Local Support Groups were set up in each of the partner cities with the aim of spreading the learning from trans-national exchanges to a broader cross-section of local stakeholders and to ensure that the lessons learnt through the OPENCities project led to change at a local level.　 Each city produced a Local Action Plan (LAP) which has formed the legacy of the project.　 LAPs will contain to deliver innovative pilot projects led by cities, policy makers and stakeholders to actively address barriers to economic migrants.

Thematic Papers
Papers were produced by Greg Clark, OPENCities advisor, on each theme of the project

• Leadership and Governance
• Internationalisation
• Integration and Inclusion

Conference reports were produced as a result of 5 thematic workshops held across the lifetime of the project.

These　reports are compiled by the lead expert for the project, Ian Goldring, with input from each of the cities by way of case studies relating to the topic.

Full copies　of all reports mentioned above are available　to download from the URBACT website www.urbact.eu/opencities

The Office of International Relations, Research and Special Projects within Dublin City Council held a Peer Review process in November 2010. Bringing together members of the Eurocities Economic Migration Working Group with OPENCities partners, Peter Finnegan’s team presented a case study on the cities approach to attracting International Students. The policy objective of Dublin City Council implements the national policy objective for Ireland to become internationally recognised and ranked as a world leader in the delivery of high-quality international education.

The Peer Review coincided with a week of activities in the City of Dublin exploring innovation and creativity, which culminated in an Innovation Forum. For further information on Dublin activities contact Jamie Cudden: jamie.cudden@dublincity.ie

The Final OPENCities conference will be held in Brussels on 25^th May 2011 at the European Economic and Social Committee / Committee of the Regions venue, Brussels, Belgium.

Cruise Traffic & Urban Regeneration (CTUR)

The CTUR project explored how cruise activity can link with the regeneration of urban and port built heritage. It examined the common interest of sea towns to develop and strengthen the urban tourism sector.

CTUR project partners  are  Alicante, Dublin, Generalitat Valenciana, Helsinki, Istanbul, Matosinhos-Port Authority of Leixões, Naples- Port Authority of Naples, Rhodes, Rostock, Trieste, Varna and AIVP (Association Internationale Villes et Ports).

The goal of the CTUR partners was to identify actions to transform their respective port-cities from simple transit areas to unlocking the potential for cruise tourism. This involved working to resolve tensions between the port and urban functions. In their planning the project partners took into account the needs of the residents of the port areas in terms of employment, quality of life, housing and the provision of high amenity public spaces.

Key point of focus
Planning and spatial organization

• Planning the waterfront revitalisation (including derelict industrial areas) in an overall approach of the port city development.
• Bringing the cruise traffic to the core of the city, improving the connection between the cruise terminal and the city centre or developing the cruise infrastructures most closely with the city centre.
• Improving the urban accessibility to the cruise terminal and, more generally, to the port in terms of efficient collective transports and in term of quality (landscape; security) of the pedestrian ways.
• Improving the organization of the passenger port separating cruise traffic and ferry traffic.
• Rationalizing the organization of the port functions setting up the hard functions in a suitable location and taking into account their environmental impacts.
• Transforming a port-industrial derelict area into a new city quarter.
• Mixing housing and cruise traffic in a same area and, more generally, creating a mix between maritime and urban activities within the framework of an integrated approach of sustainable development.
• Conceiving new cruise terminals as open doors between the port and the city.
• Improving the infrastructures and facilities of the passenger terminal to strengthen the position of the port city on the cruise market and to become a major

The CTUR project commenced in January 2009 and finished in July 2011. Dublin City Council the lead partner for the Dublin Port CTUR initiative, works with the Local Area  Group, comprising of key stakeholders Dublin Port Company Limited, Dublin Tourism, Fáilte Ireland, Crosbie Property, Dublin City Business Association, Fire Restaurant & Venue, Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Docklands Business Forum, Scott Tallon Walker Architects in the progression of the project.

The final conference was held in Naples in July 2011.

Cruise Traffic & Urban Regeneration of city port heritage - CTUR

The goal of the CTUR partners was to identify actions to transform their respective port-cities, from simple transit areas to releasing the potential of cruise tourism. This involved working to resolve tensions between the port and urban functions. In their planning the project partners took into account the needs of the residents of the port areas in terms of employment, quality of life, housing and the provision of high amenity public spaces.

Key point of focus
Planning and spatial organization

• Planning the waterfront revitalisation (including derelict industrial areas) in an overall approach of the port city development.
• Bringing the cruise traffic to the core of the city, improving the connection between the cruise terminal and the city centre or developing the cruise infrastructures most closely with the city centre.
• Improving the urban accessibility to the cruise terminal and, more generally, to the port in terms of efficient collective transports and in term of quality (landscape; security) of the pedestrian ways.
•   Improving the organization of the passenger port separating cruise traffic and ferry traffic.
• Rationalizing the organization of the port functions setting up the hard functions in a suitable location and taking into account their environmental impacts.
• Transforming a port-industrial derelict area into a new city quarter.
• Mixing housing and cruise traffic in a same area and, more generally, creating a mix between maritime and urban activities within the framework of an integrated approach of sustainable development.
• Conceiving new cruise terminals as open doors between the port and the city.
• Improving the infrastructures and facilities of the passenger terminal to strengthen the position of the port city on the cruise market and to become a major

The CTUR project commenced in January 2009 and finished in July 2011. Dublin City Council the lead partner for the Dublin Port CTUR initiative, works with the Local Area  Group, comprising of key stakeholders Dublin Port Company Limited, Dublin Tourism, Fáilte Ireland, Crosbie Property, Dublin City Business Association, Fire Restaurant & Venue, Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Docklands Business Forum, Scott Tallon Walker Architects in the progression of the project.

The final conference was held in Naples in July 2011.

PIMMS Capital Project

PIMMS Capital (Capitalising on Partner Initiatives in Mobility Management Services)

In 2010, the Regional Assembly was successful in securing almost €140,000 investment through the PIMMS Capital Interreg IVC project.  This project is being led by Traffic IQ in Frankfurt.  

Throughout the EU, increased reliance on the car has resulted in high levels of congestion and more pollution, leading to economic, environmental and health problems for our regions and cities. ERDF investment in infrastructure could accelerate this trend if parallel alternative measures are not introduced at the same time.  Mobility Management aims to reduce reliance on the car by encouraging travellers to use other modes.  It comprises ‘soft’ measures (e.g. information or coordination of existing user services), which enhance the effectiveness of ‘hard’ measures of traffic planning (e.g. new tram lines, new roads and new bike tracks).  

The overall objective of PIMMS CAPITAL is to stimulate modal shift towards more sustainable forms of transport by increasing the implementation of high quality mobility management techniques and policies in European regions.  The additional benefit to the regions will be the development of more efficient and free-flowing transport systems, which will contribute to their economic competitiveness.  The partnership comprises 12 regions and 10 Member States are involved.
One of the key aspects in the delivery of the project is the exchange of Good Practices between the partner Regions.  To facilitate this, a menu of Good Practices (GP’s) in mobility management was produced, including GP’s from each partner region.  From this menu each region identified and selected the GP’s which are most relevant and of interest for import.  In the case of the Southern & Eastern Region 3 GP’s were selected as follows:

• Traffic and Mobility Planning – Frankfurt
• Regional Platform for Mobility Management – Stockholm
• Integrated Fares: Technological Investments on Automatic Ticketing – Provinces of Treviso, Venice.

The GP’s will be exchanged through ‘export’ and ‘import’ visits to the respective regions.   To this end relevant personnel and experts from the Southern & Eastern Region will travel to the 3 regions mentioned above to learn at first-hand how the various initiatives and actions were planned and implemented.   This would include personnel from Limerick City Council if any of these GP’s are of interest to the Council.

A number of partner Regions (Sofia, Bulgaria; Moravia-Silesia, Czech Republic; Western Greece and Cyprus) also expressed interest in 2 initiatives in operation in Limerick City, namely:

• Computer Aided Central Traffic Monitoring System;
• Smart travel – Bus priority corridors, cycle lanes, park & ride, walking and behavioural change.

The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly (SERA), as the partner from the Southern & Eastern Region will carry out the administration with regard to the project, including compilation of reports, etc. Limerick City Councils involvement in the project will essentially include providing technical expertise in the area.  On a practical level this will involve:

• Hosting some delegations from other city regions with the costs met by the Regional Assembly.  A number of visits have been arranged to take place during the course of 2011.
• Sending one or two relevant personnel from the Transportation Directorate to Frankfurt, Stockholm and Venice, with costs again met by the Assembly.
• Attending a conference to be held in S&E Region during the project lifetime.

Atlant-Kis Project

In 2008, the Regional Assembly was successful in securing almost €250,000 ERDF for the region through the Atlant-Kis Atlantic Area project. This project, led by the Navarra Government in Spain with partners in Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal and the UK, aims to enhance the Knowledge and Technology Transfer and innovation processes on SMEs through the promotion and co-operation of Knowledge Intensive Services (KIS) in the Atlantic Area. The project was approved under Priority 1 Objective 1 and has a total budget of €2.36m, with a 65% ERDF contribution of €1.53m. The combined ERDF contribution for the Irish partners is over €455,000 ERDF. 

During 2010, two partner meetings were held, one in Rennes in March 2010 and another in Brussels in October 2010.  Also in connection with SEBIC, two regional discussion forums were held with SMEs and KIS suppliers, one in Waterford and another in Cork in May 2010.

During 2010, the Regional Assembly also began the process of developing a web-based virtual platform aimed at the regional and transnational matching of the supply and demand of Knowledge intensive Services (KIS) in the Atlantic Area, which is one of the key outputs of the project.  2010 also saw the launch of the official Atlant-kis website: http://www.atlantkis.eu

PIMMS Capital Project

In 2010, the Regional Assembly was successful in securing almost €140,000 investment through the PIMMS Capital Interreg IVC project.  This project is being led by Traffic IQ in Frankfurt. 

Throughout the EU, increased reliance on the car has resulted in high levels of congestion and more pollution, leading to economic, environmental and health problems for our regions and cities. ERDF investment in infrastructure could accelerate this trend if parallel alternative measures are not introduced at the same time.  Mobility Management aims to reduce reliance on the car by encouraging travellers to use other modes.  It comprises ‘soft’ measures (e.g. information or coordination of existing user services), which enhance the effectiveness of ‘hard’ measures of traffic planning (e.g. new tram lines, new roads and new bike tracks). 

The overall objective of PIMMS CAPITAL is to stimulate modal shift towards more sustainable forms of transport by increasing the implementation of high quality mobility management techniques and policies in European regions.  The additional benefit to the regions will be the development of more efficient and free-flowing transport systems, which will contribute to their economic competitiveness.  The partnership comprises 12 regions and 10 Member States are involved.

One of the key aspects in the delivery of the project is the exchange of Good Practices between the partner Regions.  To facilitate this, a menu of Good Practices (GP’s) in mobility management was produced, including GP’s from each partner region.  From this menu each region identified and selected the GP’s which are most relevant and of interest for import.  In the case of the Southern & Eastern Region 3 GP’s were selected as follows:

·         Traffic and Mobility Planning – Frankfurt

·         Regional Platform for Mobility Management – Stockholm

·         Integrated Fares: Technological Investments on Automatic Ticketing – Provinces of Treviso, Venice.

The GP’s will be exchanged through ‘export’ and ‘import’ visits to the respective regions.   To this end relevant personnel and experts from the Southern & Eastern Region will travel to the 3 regions mentioned above to learn at first-hand how the various initiatives and actions were planned and implemented.   This would include personnel from Limerick City Council if any of these GP’s are of interest to the Council.

A number of partner Regions (Sofia, Bulgaria; Moravia-Silesia, Czech Republic; Western Greece and Cyprus) also expressed interest in 2 initiatives in operation in Limerick City, namely:

·         Computer Aided Central Traffic Monitoring System;

·         Smart travel – Bus priority corridors, cycle lanes, park & ride, walking and behavioural change.

The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly (SERA), as the partner from the Southern & Eastern Region will carry out the administration with regard to the project, including compilation of reports, etc. Limerick City Councils involvement in the project will essentially include providing technical expertise in the area.  On a practical level this will involve:

·         Hosting some delegations from other city regions with the costs met by the Regional Assembly.  A number of visits have been arranged to take place during the course of 2011.

·         Sending one or two relevant personnel from the Transportation Directorate to Frankfurt, Stockholm and Venice, with costs again met by the Assembly.

·         Attending a conference to be held in S&E Region during the project lifetime

Full Projects Listing

Synthesis of "Molecular Clip" Receptors with Pendant Ligands for Copper (II)

Modelling the flow in the ODJ

Center of Applied Science for Health

Purification & Characterization of a bacteriocin produced by a Staphylococcus aureus isolate

Substituted Coumarins and their Metal Complexes as Potential Antimicrobial Agents

An examination of the structural and functional similarities between Human Neutrophils and Insect Haemocytes

Selective Sensing of Dopamine using a Nafion coated Overoxidized Polypyrrole electrode

Carbon sources affect the growth & development of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) biofilms cultured in continuous flow cells

Gliotoxin Reductase in Aspergillus fumigatus?

Investigations into the use of a Thionine/PEDOT Electroactive Layer as an NADH Electrocatalyst, with Applications in Glutamate and Lactate Sensing

Analysis of Aseptic Loosening of the Acetabular Cup in Cemented Total Hip Replacement

< Back to projects page

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Northern Periphery Programme Projects

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Atlantic Area Programme Projects

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North West Europe Programme Projects

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Interreg IVC Programme Projects

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Regional Programme Projects

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Members Area

Welcome to our members area. Click the links to the left to find out more. 

Regional and Rural Affairs

Employment and Social Inclusion

Infrastructure and Enterprise Promotion

Manuals

Logo Downloads

Circular and Regulation downloads

Explanation

What does the Certifying Authority do?

The Certifying Authority is responsible for the certification of all expenditure claims submitted to the EU Commission and subsequent reimbursement to each Member State. They ensure the expenditure reported is in compliance with EU and national rules.

What does the Managing Authority do?

The Managing Authority is one of a number of bodies identified by European Regulation and given particular roles in the administration of the programme. The Managing Authority has overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the Operational Programme (the document approved by the European Commission which establishes the programme strategy and priorities). The Managing Authority has a number of responsibilities established by EU Regulation.

These include:

• Ensuring that projects are selected according to the criteria approved by the Programme Monitoring Committee;
• Establishing and monitoring procedures for ensuring that project expenditure has been properly and legally incurred, claimed and paid;
• Maintaining systems to store data on all aspects of programme implementation including financial management, audit, monitoring and evaluation;
• Ensuring proper evaluation of the programme is undertaken;
• Guiding the work of the Monitoring Committee and providing it with the documents required to allow it to complete its functions;
• Preparing annual and final reports on implementation, and submitting these to the European Commission following approval by the Monitoring Committee;
• Ensuring that information and publicity requirements established by European Regulations are met.

Financial Plan

Operational Programme reference (CCI number): 2007IE162PO002

1 Including national private funding where priority axes are expressed in public costs

Financial Management and Control

What does the Certifying Authority do?

The Certifying Authority is responsible for the certification of all expenditure claims submitted to the EU Commission and subsequent reimbursement to each Member State. They ensure the expenditure reported is in compliance with EU and national rules.

What does the Managing Authority do?

The Managing Authority is one of a number of bodies identified by European Regulation and given particular roles in the administration of the programme. The Managing Authority has overall responsibility for the management and implementation of the Operational Programme (the document approved by the European Commission which establishes the programme strategy and priorities). The Managing Authority has a number of responsibilities established by EU Regulation.

These include:

• Ensuring that projects are selected according to the criteria approved by the Programme Monitoring Committee;
• Establishing and monitoring procedures for ensuring that project expenditure has been properly and legally incurred, claimed and paid;
• Maintaining systems to store data on all aspects of programme implementation including financial management, audit, monitoring and evaluation;
• Ensuring proper evaluation of the programme is undertaken;
• Guiding the work of the Monitoring Committee and providing it with the documents required to allow it to complete its functions;
• Preparing annual and final reports on implementation, and submitting these to the European Commission following approval by the Monitoring Committee;
• Ensuring that information and publicity requirements established by European Regulations are met.

Implementation Plans

Priority 1
   Innovation & the Knowledge Economy
         Development of the Region’s RTDI Capacity
                Applied Research Enhancement
                Commercialisation Fund
                Incubation Centre Development
                Building Research Capacity & Capability within the HEI
          Entrepreneurship in Microenterprises

Priority 2
   Innovation & Environment & Accessibility
        Renewable Energy
               CHP & Bioheat (ReHeat) Programme
               Energy for Business Programme
               Renewable Energy Development & Deployment
               Strategic Development Zones
        Risk Prevention & Water Protection
               Rural Water Source Protection
               Village Sewerage Systems
               Information and Communication Technology Accessibility Broadband

Priority 3
   Innovation &Sustainable Urban Development
        The Gateway & Hub Challenge Theme
               Urban Regeneration
               Public Transport
               Arts Capital Fund
               Sports Capital Programme
               Swimming Pool Programme
               Gateways Grants Scheme

Priority 4
   Technical Assistance
              Technical Assistance

Southern & Eastern Regional Programme 2007-2013

The main objective of the Programme is to contribute to increasing the productivity and competitiveness of the region, to support sustainable development and to help improve quality of life of the citizens of the region. This will be achieved in a variety of ways through investment in innovation & the knowledge economy; schemes for protecting the environment, renewable energy programmes, the rollout of broadband to rural areas and supports for city regeneration & town renewal.

It highlights three specific areas of investment, each with three separate themes:

(Follow the links for contact details on the organisations/agencies charged with delivering the grant aided programmes)

 1) Innovation & the Knowledge Economy

• Theme 1: Development of Region’s RTDI capacity
• Theme 2: Entrepreneurship in Micro-enterprises
• Theme 3: Experimental Innovative Actions

Particular attention is given to enhancing the region’s Research, Technological Development & Innovation capacity by optimising our Higher Education Institutions’ (HEI) research facilities and developing greater connection between Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the research community. Support for micro-enterprises in the form of grants and training, continues under the programme. The beneficiaries of EU co-funded assistance under this priority will include HEIs, SMEs and microenterprises.

2) Environment & Accessibility

• Theme 1: Environment & Risk Prevention
• Theme 2: Renewable Energy
• Theme 3: Information & Communication Technology Accessibility

The objective of the priority is to support the development and use of alternative/renewable energy sources and to improve the quality of the environment of the region by rolling out wastewater treatment and water source protection schemes. Stimulating demand for broadband and increasing its availability in the more rural parts of the region are essential components of the priority. Intended beneficiaries include local authorities, commercial, community & public bodies, HEIs & research institutes and SMEs.

3) Sustainable Urban Development

• Theme 1: Gateway Challenge Fund
• Theme 2: Hub Challenge Fund
• Theme 3: Inter-Gateway Co-operation Fund

In line with sustainable development principles, the focus here is on improvements in the public realm and investment in sustainable transport schemes to enhance the quality of life of residents and to continue to attract investment to urban centres. The Gateway & Hub Fund provide assistance to projects that aim to develop the economic, environmental, social and cultural fabric of the main urban centres in the region. Beneficiaries of this priority will include local authorities, public transport providers and community and voluntary groups.

Further Information

Please click on the links above to the Southern & Eastern Regional Programme documents for more detailed description and information.

Statistics

Regional Employment Comparisons

Employment fell by 45,100 (-8.5%) in the Border, Midland and Western region and by 121,800 (-8.0%) in the Southern and Eastern region in the year to the fourth quarter of 2009. There were increases of 21,300 (+40.6%) and 76,500 (+65.2%) in the numbers unemployed in the Border, Midland and Western and Southern and Eastern regions respectively.

The participation rate in the Border, Midland and Western region was 58.6% compared with a participation rate of 62.2% in the Southern and Eastern region. At NUTS3 level, employment fell in all regions with the South-East (-11.8%) and the Border (-11.7%) regions showing the largest percentage decreases. This equated to an annual decrease of 25,900 in the numbers in employment in the South-East and an annual decrease of 24,900 in the Border region. All regional data is based on the location of the respondents’ usual address.

Demographics

S&E Region - Population

The region is currently home to 73% (3,339,931) of the country’s population (4,581,269). The Greater Dublin Area (GDA) is the most densely populated area of the NUTS 11 region.  The population of the Dublin region is 1,270,603 . Of the other three dominant centres within the region, Cork City has the largest population with 118,912  this is a decline of .4% since the 2006 census. Limerick City follows with a population of 56,779 experiencing a more significant decline in population of 5% and Waterford City showing 46,747.

The following table shows the population levels published in the preliminary results of the census 2011 for the S&E Region.


 http://www.seregassembly.ie/images/uploads/population by county preliminary results.pdf
   

Socio-Economic Profile

Socio- Economic Profile

• The average value added per person generated in the Southern and Eastern region was 11.2% above the State average in 2007.
• The level of GVA per person in the Southern and Eastern region increased by 57.1% in the period 2000 to 2007 while the GVA per person in the Border, Midlands and Western region increased by 53.6% during the same period.
• At the NUTS3 (regional authority) level, the Dublin region had the highest GVA per person in 2007 at 41.2% above the State average.
• The combined Dublin plus Mid East region in 2007 was 22.8% above the State average.
• The level of GVA per person in this region has exceeded the State average by at least 17% in each year since 2000.
• Dublin and Mid East regions are combined together as they are affected significantly by workers living in one region and commuting to work in the other.
• Meanwhile the Midland region has the lowest GVA per person in 2007 at 65.8% of the State average.

The Region

The Southern and Eastern region includes 13 counties, 5 Regional Authorities and 4 cities. The region bounds an area of 36,414 sq.km or 53% of the total landmass of the country. It is the larger of two designated regions with the Border Midlands and Western region comprising 47% of the state’s landmass. The region extends from the south west of the country (Kerry) up to county Meath and it includes the capital, Dublin. The other main cities of the region are Cork, Limerick and Waterford.

Monitoring Committee

Rules of procedure for Monitoring Committee

1.Membership

In accordance with the principles set out in the National Strategic Reference Framework and the General Regulation (1083/06), membership shall comprise full members and persons serving in an advisory capacity nominated by the following bodies at the request of the Managing Authority (Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly).

Full Members
The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly; (Managing Authority for 0.P.), Department of Finance, Managing Authorities for other EU-funded Programmes; Implementing Departments/Agencies; Regional Authorities; each of the four Social Partners Pillars; the bodies representing each of the horizontal interests - equal opportunities, social inclusion and sustainable development; the County & City Managers Association; and the Special EU Programmes Body dealing with North-South Co-operation.

Advisors
The Commission Services; the specialist units dealing with the horizontal interests; State Agencies responsible for implementing Themes; the NDP Information Unit; the ERDF Certifying Authority; and the Directors of the Regional Authorities will be represented in an advisory capacity.

Only full members will have the right to participate in decision making (See Section 10) by the Monitoring Committee. Members serving in an advisory capacity will have the right to participate fully in discussions of the Monitoring Committee and to offer advice to the Committee. A list of full members and members serving in an advisory capacity are set out in the attached Annex. Nominating bodies may represent more than one interest sector on the Committee. An alternate from the nominating body may participate at meetings in place of a nominated full member or a member serving in an advisory capacity. All changes in membership of a permanent nature shall be notified in writing to the Secretary.

In addition to the members, other officials from the implementing Departments/Agencies, the European Commission or other bodies may attend and address the Committee at the discretion of the Chair when specific items on the agenda require their presence. The Chair shall be informed of the names of such officials in advance of the meeting by the relevant body concerned.

2.Chair

The Managing Authority shall provide the Chair of the Monitoring Committee. In the event of the nominated Chair being unable to attend for all or part of a Monitoring Committee meeting he may delegate his responsibility to another member of the Committee from the Managing Authority.

3.Secretary

The secretary to the Monitoring Committee shall be designated by the Chair and shall be drawn from the Managing Authority. Support services shall be provided by the Managing Authority as required.

4. Communications

All communications relating to the business of the Committee shall be addressed to the Secretary to the Monitoring Committee.

5. Meetings

The Committee shall usually meet once a year to monitor annual progress of the Programme, and other items under its remit. It may meet more frequently at the initiative of the Chair. All meetings shall be called by the Chair and notified by the Secretary.

6. Place of meeting

The place of the meeting shall be decided by the Chair and notified by the Secretary.

7. Notice of meeting

At least twenty-one days notice of a meeting shall be given by the Secretary. Every notice shall specify the date, time and place of the meeting and the business to be transacted. Notice shall be in writing, which shall include fax or E-mail. Exceptionally and for urgent reasons, the Chair may reduce the period of notice and may authorise notice to be given by telephone, subject to confirmation in writing.

8. Agenda

All business to be transacted shall be specified in the Agenda, which shall be circulated with the notice of the meeting. The draft Agenda shall be prepared by the Secretary and authorised by the Chair. Any member may propose an item for inclusion on the draft Agenda with the approval of the Chair. At the commencement of business the Committee shall approve its Agenda. Other items may be considered under 'Any other Business" at the request of the Chair or any representative, with the approval of the Committee. Any such proposal by a member shall be subject to the Chair's ruling as to its admissibility at that meeting. The decision of the Chair shall be final.

9. Documents

Documents relating to the business of the meeting will be supplied by Implementing Departments and Bodies at the request of the Managing Authority. Implementing Departments and Bodies to whom such a request is directed will be responsible for ensuring that all documents relating to the business of the Committee shall be given to the Secretary in sufficient time to enable the Secretary to circulate them to the members with the notice of the meeting. Documents shall normally be circulated in sufficient time that they will be received by members at least twenty-one days in advance of a meeting. Other than in exceptional circumstances determined by the Chair and with the prior agreement of the Committee, documents shall not be introduced at a meeting.

The Secretary shall report to the Monitoring Committee all failures by an Implementing Department or Body to supply documentation in time for a meeting. Any Implementing Department of Body which is the subject of such a report for failure to supply documentation will furnish an explanation to the Committee. In accordance with Section 10, the Committee will consider what action to take including in the event of persistent failure by an Implementing Department or Body whether to reallocate funding away form the Theme/Sub-Theme for which that Department or Body is responsible.

10. Decisions

The Monitoring Committee will monitor progress on the implementation of all activities funded under the Programme. The Committee may make decisions regarding the Structural Funds co-financed expenditure of the OP. In principle, where the Monitoring Committee makes a decision to reallocate ERDF from one Priority to another the corresponding matching national contribution will also be reallocated with the ERDF. The Committee may make recommendations in relation to the non-co-financed Themes in the Operational Programme. The committee shall normally reach its decisions by consensus. In the event of the Committee being unable to arrive at a consensus in respect of any matter the issue will be referred for consideration between the Department of Finance, the Managing Authority and the relevant Departments concerned and, if judged necessary, to Government for decision. The Committee will be informed of the outcome of the deliberations. Where deemed necessary by the Chair, decisions may also be taken by way of written procedure. The Implementing Departments and Bodies concerned shall co-operate in a positive way to facilitate such change.

11. Minutes

The Secretary shall ensure that minutes are kept of all meetings. The minutes shall record the business discussed and the decisions of the Committee. The minutes shall be circulated by the Secretary in draft to the members present at the meeting for comments within fifteen working days of a meeting. The Secretary may accept amendments of a factual or drafting nature. The draft minutes of a meeting together with any proposed amendments not accepted by the Secretary, shall be placed on the agenda for the next meeting for formal approval of the Committee. The minutes as so approved shall be signed by the Chair and Secretary and circulated to all the members.

12. Changes to the rules of procedure

Subject to the principles set in the National Development Plan and the Community Support Framework, the Committee may at any time amend these rules of procedure. Copies of any revised text as amended will be forwarded to the Members in writing. The ruling of the Chair will determine any disputes in relation to interpretation of the Rules of Procedure.

Annex 1: Membership of the Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programme Monitoring Committee 2007-13

Managing Authority
Cathaoirleach + 5 Elected Members of the S&E Regional Assembly
Director of the S&E Regional Assembly

Government Departments Department of Finance (2)
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Department of Education and Science
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
Department of Transport & Marine
Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs
Department of Agriculture Fisheries & Food

Regional Interests
Regional Authorities (5)
City & County Managers Association

Social Partners
2 representatives of Employers
2 representatives of Trade Unions
2 representatives of Farming organisations
2 representatives of community and voluntary sector

Horizontal Interests
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Env. Policy)
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Equality & Gender Equality)
Department of Social and Family Affairs (Office of Social Inclusion)

North-South Co-operation
Special EU Programmes Body

Advisors to the Monitoring Committee
EU Commission (2)
Regional Authority Directors (5)
ERDF Certifying Authority
Information and Publicity Unit
Enterprise Ireland (Intermediary Body)
Higher Education Authority (Intermediary Body)
Sustainable Energy Ireland (Intermediary Body)
Equality Authority
Combat Poverty Agency
Comhar, Sustainable Development Partnership
Environmental Protection Agency

Minutes of Monitoring Committee

Sub-Committees

There are three sub-committees of the Regional Assembly

Infrastructure and Enterprise Promotion
Employment and Social Inclusion
Regional and Rural Affairs

They provide a forum where issues of interest to the region can be discussed in detail and allow for greater input from elected members, regional authority representatives and public bodies in the S&E region. The Committees are chaired by a Member of the Assembly who is required to brief the Assembly on the work of the Committee.

The main functions of the sub-committee are:

• To review the implementation of the Operational Programme and put forward recommendations arising from this review.
• To review the implementation of the various sub-programmes of the S&E Regional Operational Programme and put forward recommendations arising from this review.
• To be briefed on the outcomes of the Monitoring Committee of the Operational Programme by the Assembly Member and Observer who represent the S&E Region on the Monitoring Committee
• To advise and inform the S&E Regional Assembly in relation to broad (sub-programme) issues.
• To request representatives of relevant Government Departments and Agencies to attend and address meetings of the sub-committee.

The Sub-Committees of the Regional Assembly normally meet on the second Friday of every second month throughout the year at the Headquarters of the Assembly.

Assembly Meetings

Regional Assembly - Meetings

The Regional Assembly normally meets on the second Friday of every second month of the year in Assembly House, O’Connell St., Waterford the headquarters of the Assembly. There were five Assembly meetings held during the year.

Members of the Assembly are nominated by the constituent Local Authorities in the Region in proportion to the size of the Local Authority’s population.

Regional Assembly Subcommittees - Meetings

There are three sub-committees of the Regional Assembly, which meet normally on the second Friday of every second month of the year (alternate months to main Assembly meeting)

The three sub-committees are:

1.  Infrastructure and Enterprise Promotion

2.  Employment and Social Inclusion

3.  Regional and Rural Affairs

They provide a forum where issues of interest to the region can be discussed in detail and allow for greater input from elected members, regional authority representatives and public bodies in the S&E region. The Committees are chaired by a Member of the Assembly who is required to brief the Assembly on the work of the Committee.

Newsroom

Projects

Internet Explorer 7

How to change the font style in Internet Explorer

Instructions

1. Click on the ' Tools ' menu with the mouse or press ' Alt ' + ' T ' or ' Alt ' + ' O '
2. Select ' Internet Options ' with the mouse or press ' O ' to bring up the ' Internet Options ' dialog box as shown in Fig 1 below.

Fig 1

Click on the ' Accessibility ' button with the mouse or press ' Alt ' + ' E ' to bring up the ' Accessibility ' dialog box as shown in Fig 2 below.

Fig 2

1. Click the checkbox marked ' Ignore font styles specified on web pages' or press ' Alt ' + ' S ' to check the box. This will override the font settings of any web page you view, with your own settings.
2. Click ' OK ' or press ' Enter ' to return to the ' Internet Options ' dialog box.
3. Click the ' Fonts ' button or press ' Alt' + ' N ' to bring up the font dialog box as shown in Fig 3.

Fig 3

1. Click in the list of fonts underneath the heading ' Web Page Font '. or press ' Alt ' + ' W '.
2. Use either the mouse or the ' up ' and ' down ' arrow keys to scroll through the list of fonts. You should see a sample of the font appearance in the grey box below.
3. When you are happy with the font you have chosen, click ' OK ' or press ' Enter ' to return to the ' Internet Options ' page.
4. Click ' OK ' or press ' Tab' until it is selected and then press ' Enter ' to return to ' Internet Explorer ' .

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.

Internet Explorer 6

How to change the font style in Internet Explorer

Instructions

1. Click on the ' Tools ' menu with the mouse or press ' Alt ' + ' T ' . 2. Select the ' Internet Options ' option with the mouse or press ' O ' to bring up the ' Internet Options ' dialog box as shown in Fig 1 below.

Fig 1

Click on the ' Accessibility ' button with the mouse or press ' Alt ' + ' E ' to bring up the ' Accessibility ' dialog box as shown in Fig 2 below.

Fig 2

1. Click the checkbox marked ' Ignore font styles specified on web pages' or press ' Alt ' + ' S ' to check the box. This will override the font settings of any web page you view, with your own settings.
2. Click ' OK ' or press ' Enter ' to return to the ' Internet Options ' dialog box.
3. Click the ' Fonts ' button or press ' Alt' + ' N ' to bring up the font dialog box as shown in Fig 3.

Fig 3

1. Click in the list of fonts underneath the heading ' Web Page Font '. or press ' Alt ' + ' W ' or use the mouse.
2. Use either the mouse or the ' up ' and ' down ' arrow keys to scroll through the list of fonts. You should see a sample of the font appearance in the grey box below.
3. When you are happy with the font you have chosen, click ' OK ' or press ' Enter ' to return to the ' Internet Options ' page.
4. Click ' OK ' or press ' Enter ' again to return to ' Internet Explorer ' .

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.

Firefox pre- 1.5

How to change the font style in Firefox

Instructions

1. Click on the ' Tools ' menu with the mouse or press ' Alt ' + ' T ' .
2. Click on ' Options', or press ' O ' , to open the ' Options ' dialog box.
3. Make sure that the ' General ' option is selected - if not either click on it or press ' Tab ' until it is highlighted (in blue) and then press the ' Enter ' key.
4. Click on ' Fonts & Colors ' or press ' F ' , to open the ' Fonts and Colors ' dialog box (see Fig 1 below).
5. Click on box next to ' proportional: ' and choose your font type serif or sans serif or press ' Tab ' until the option box is highlighted, use the arrow keys to expand it and choose your font type and then press ' Enter ' to select it.
6. Next choose your specific font by clicking on the ' Serif: ' or ' Sans-serif:' drop down menus depending on what font type you selected for ' Proportional ' and scroll down and select the font you want or ' Tab ' into the relevant drop down menu ( ' Serif: ' or ' Sans-Serif: ' and use the arrow keys to move ' up ' and ' down' the list, once the font you want is highlighted press ' Enter ' to select it.
7. Click on ' Always use my:' 'Fonts ' checkbox, or press ' Tab ' until the checkbox is highlighted and press the ' Spacebar '.
8. Click ' OK ' button or press ' Enter ' .
9. Click ' OK ' button or tab to ' OK ' button and press ' Enter ' .

Fig 1

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.

Firefox 1.5/2

How to change the font style in Firefox

Instructions

1. Click on the ' Tools ' menu with the mouse or press ' Alt ' + ' T ' .
2. Click on ' Options', or press ' O ' , to open the ' Options ' dialog box.
3. Click the ' Content ' tab or use the arrow keys until it is highlighted (in blue).
4. In the ' Fonts & Colours ' section Click on ' Advanced ' , or press ' Alt ' + 'D' , to open the ' Fonts ' dialog box - see Fig 1 below.

Fig 1

1. Click on box next to ' proportional: ' and choose your font type serif or sans serif or press ' Tab ' until the option box is highlighted, use the arrow keys to expand it and choose your font type and then press ' Enter ' to select it.
2. Next choose your specific font by clicking on the ' Serif: ' or ' Sans-serif:' drop down menus depending on what font type you selected for ' Proportional ' and scroll down and select the font you want or ' Tab ' into the relevant drop down menu ( ' Serif: ' or ' Sans-Serif: ' and use the arrow keys to move ' up ' and ' down' the list, once the font you want is highlighted press ' Enter ' to select it.
3. Deselect ' Allow pages select their own fonts, instead of my selections above ' by clicking on the checkbox next to it or by pressing 'Alt' + 'A'.

Fig 2

1. Click ' OK ' button or press ' Enter ' to return to ' Options '.
2. Click ' OK ' button or ' Tab ' to ' OK ' button and press ' Enter ' .
Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.

Firefox 1.5/2

Resize Fonts

How to change the font style in your browser

Some people find certain text styles or fonts difficult to read on websites. For example, a seriffed style such as Times New Roman, or a "cluttered" script such as helvetica narrow. Most people find a non-seriffed style such as Arial or Verdana more comfortable or easy to read.

This section shows you how you can change fonts in your browser through the browser options.

How to change the font size in your browser

Click the links to view the instructions for your particular browser. If you do not know the version of the browser you are using, click > 'help' > 'about [browser name]' in the top menu.

This will give you the version number of the browser being used.

Alternatively, if you hold down the 'Ctrl' key while moving the mousewheel up and down, the text will resize on the the page accordingly.

North West Europe

Our Members

The Regional Assembly normally meets on the second Friday of every second month of the year in Assembly House, O’Connell St., Waterford the headquarters of the Assembly. There were five Assembly meetings held during the year.

Members of the Assembly are nominated by the constituent Local Authorities in the Region in proportion to the size of the Local Authority’s population. The breakdown is as follows:

The political breakdown of the Assembly is as follows:

The gender breakdown is as follows:

Partner Search

Freedom of Information

The provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts have applied to the Ireland Wales Programme since 31st May 2006. The Acts establish three statutory rights:

1.  A right for each person to access information held by public bodies
2.  A right for each person to have official information relating to himself/herself amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading  
3.  A right to obtain reasons for decisions affecting oneself.

The Acts assert the right of members of the public to obtain access to official information to the greatest extent possible consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy of individuals.

Routinely Available Information

The Ireland Wales Programme routinely makes information available to the public on its functions and activities. General information is available on this website.

The FOI Acts allow public access to information held by the Ireland Wales Programme which is not routinely available through other sources. Access to information under the Acts is subject to certain exemptions and involves specific procedures and time limits.

How to Obtain Information under the FOI Acts

All applications under the FOI Acts should be addressed to:

Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly, Assembly House, O'Connell Street, Waterford, Ireland

Telephone: + 353 (0) 51 860700 | Fax: + 353 (0) 51 879887 | Email: info@seregassembly.ie

How to Apply for Information

In order for a request for information/records to comply with the requirements of the FOI Acts and to enable the request to be dealt with as efficiently as possible:

• Your application should be in writing.
• Your application should also indicate that the information is sought under the Freedom of Information Acts
• You should indicate if information is required in a particular form, e.g. photocopy, computer disk, etc
• You should give as much detail as possible to enable us to identify the record/s. If you have difficulty in identifying the precise records we will be happy to assist you in preparing your request;
• You may be required to prove your identity, especially when requesting personal information you may, therefore, be asked to produce your passport, driving licence or other form of identification
• You should include a daytime telephone number so that you can be contacted if it is necessary to clarify details of your request  
•  You should pay the prescribed fee by cheque or bank draft made payable to the Ireland Wales Programme

We are obliged to respond to your request within four weeks.

Terms and Conditions

To protect the rights and privacy of all parties, we ask that you abide by our Terms and Conditions of Use. By using the Southern and Eastern Assembly website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and accepted these Terms and Conditions of Use.

As a user, you are also bound by the Southern and Eastern Assembly Privacy Statement, the Southern and Eastern Assembly Copyright and Trade Mark Notice and any other terms contained on this website.

Breach of Terms and Conditions of Use

There are several activities that could cause great distress to others, and we ask that you refrain from them. Please don’t:

1.) Use, post, or transmit to or via, Southern and Eastern Assembly any information or materials that breach any laws or regulations, infringe upon a third party’s rights, or are contrary to any relevant standards or codes.

2.) Use this website in a way, or post to, or transmit to or via  this website any material that interferes with other users or defames, harasses, threatens,  menaces, offends or restricts any person, or inhibits any other user from using or enjoying the website.

3.) Use  this website to send unsolicited and unwanted electronic mail messages (spam) to anyone or make any fraudulent or speculative inquiries, bookings,  reservations or requests.

4.) Use another/s name, user name or password without permission.

5.) Post, or transmit to or via this website, any obscene, indecent,  inflammatory or pornographic material, or material that could give rise to civil or criminal proceedings.

6.) Tamper with, hinder the operation of, or make unauthorised modifications to this website.

7.) Knowingly transmit any virus or other disabling feature to this website.

Changes to content and these Terms and Conditions of Use

All products and services offered on this website, can be changed without notice.

Our Reserved Rights

In addition to our reserved rights to reject, refuse and remove your member account for any reason and at any time.

Linked websites

The Southern and Eastern Assembly website may contain links to other websites (“linked websites”). Those links are provided for convenience only and may not remain current or be maintained. Similar to other third party content on this website, we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices associated with linked websites.

Indemnity

You indemnify us and our officers, employees, agents and related bodies corporate from, and against, all actions, claims, suits, demands,  damages, liabilities, costs or expenses arising out of, or in any way connected to, the use of this website by you or someone using your name and password.

Disclaimer and limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law,  neither we, nor any of our officers, employees, agents or related bodies corporate will be liable in any way (including for negligence) for any loss,  damage, costs or expenses suffered by you, or claims made against you, through the use of this website, including a messaging or information service, or in connection with any products, services or information supplied, offered to be supplied or advertised on this website.

Sitemap

Accessibility

We have tried to make this website as accessible as possible and easy to use for everyone, regardless of circumstance or ability. This website has been designed and developed to be accessible to a wider range of people than before, including those using assistive technology,  making them easier to use, quicker to download, display better across a wide range of devices and platforms, and are simpler to update and modify. Below is information about some of the features we have implemented. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any problems accessing our content. We have tried to cater for as many people as possible but there may be occasions when we can further improve our accessibility.

Structural Content

Accessible websites start from the foundation of strucutral valid HTML code. As the building blocks of the internet, structural valid HTML displayed in conjunction with valid Cascading Style Sheets separate design from content, ensuring a quick download time, accessible viewing, and the most consistent look and feel across standards-compliant browsers. At the time of launch, this website is deemed fully-compliant to the W3C standards. However websites change over time and errors can creep in. If you find anything that needs addressing, please contact us and it will be rectified immediately.

All our page templates comply with the WCAG Priority 2 checkpoints as a minimum requirement. And we make every effort to ensure that all the content on our site meets this standard too.

Changing the font size

Accessible websites allow you to customize the font size to suit your personal preferences. Most browsers will allow you to change the font size. Most browsers have a similar feature - usually somewhere in the “View” menu. Please see the font size area in this section for more details on customisation

Alternative content

We are making every effort to ensure that we don't exclude any users. For example:

For those members of our audience who use screenreader or speech browser software, we’ve provided sensible alternative text for images where this alternative text will aid your understanding of the webpage. If you discover an image that does not have suitable alternative text,  please contact us.

We try to publish all our text content as accessible HTML rather than in other formats such as PDF. Where we do publish PDFs or other formats our policy is to make them as accessible as we can.

Javascript Alternative

We have provided alternative content for those users without the use of javascript enabled in their browsers. While scripting can be used to enhance functionality of web pages, they can also make the pages inaccessible. When designing web pages using scripts we ensure the JavaScript is directly accessible or provide an accessible, non-JavaScript alternative.

Headers

Our pages use structured headers to aid legibility. The first header on the page is the main content header followed by any appropriate sub-headers. This aids users of certain screenreaders and speech browsers - for instance: JAWS users can type INSERT+F6 to hear all the headers on the page, or CTRL+INSERT+ENTER to quickly navigate through the page by skipping to the next header.

Tables

We do not use tables, except for the display of tabular data. For users of screenreaders and speech browsers, we associate headers with their respective rows and columns to aid legibility.

Older browsers

CSS, which we use for layout and design, is not fully supported by older web browsers, resulting in unpredictable display. We recommend always updating your favorite browser to the most current and most standards compliant form to get the best out of the web.

Access Keys

We decided not to use access keys after they caused confusion in our user testing. (The users who might have benefited from access keys already used keyboard shortcuts, and said that additional, site-specific access keys were not helpful.)

Contact Us

Please contact us if you have any questions, if you are having difficulties using the site, or would like to know more about what we are doing to make our websites accessible.

Privacy

Our website is designed to protect the privacy of all users.

In order to provide you with products and services, we will need to collect and use information about you. We are committed to protecting your privacy and managing your personal information in a secure environment. The website has been developed with your rights and needs in mind and will be maintained according to strict guidelines and policies. In particular, these include The Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly Privacy Principles which have been designed to ensure that personal information is protected and to specify the guidelines for the collection, use and disclosure of that personal information.

We will keep you informed about the sort of personal information we hold and for what purposes, and how we collect, use and disclose this information. You can request to access and correct any information Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly collects about you at any time and advise us of any corrections you wish to make.

Location Map

Southern and Eastern Location Map

View South Eastern Regional Asembly in a larger map

Legal

Contact Us

Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly
Assembly House,
O'Connell Street,
Waterford
Ireland

T. + 353 (0) 51 860700

F. + 353 (0) 51 879887

For general queries, email:  info@seregassembly.ie

For finance queries, email:  finance@seregassembly.ie

Interreg IVC Programme

Website: http://www.interreg4c.net/
ERDF Available: €302m
Grant Rate: 75% 85%

Interreg IVC Projects

Contact Points in Ireland

Gerry Finn

BMW Regional Assembly,

The Square, Ballaghaderreen,

Co. Roscommon

Email gfinn@bmwassembly.ie

Telephone 00353 (0) 94 9862970

Stephen Blair

Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly,

 Assembly House,

O’Connell Street,

Waterford

Email sblair@seregassembly.ie  

Telephone 00353 (0) 51 860700

First Level Controller (Financial):

Michael Buckley, CPA

Telephone

00 353 (0) 51 860700

Email mbuckley@seregassembly.ie

Eligible Countries
All Member States plus Switzerland and Norway

Map of Programme Area

JTS Lille, France

Priority 1 -Innovation and Knowledge Economy

Priority 2 -Environment and Risk Prevention

Programme Aim The INTERREG IVC Programme is part of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective of the Structural Fund policies for the period 20072013. It aims, by means of interregional cooperation, to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies and contribute to economic modernisation and increased competitiveness of Europe, by:

• Enabling local and regional actors across the EU to exchange their experiences and knowledge
• Matching regions less experienced in a certain policy field with more advanced regions
• Ensuring the transfer of good practices into Structural Funds mainstream programmes

Northern Periphery Programme (Interreg IVB)

Website: http://www.northernperiphery.eu
Grant Available: €45m
Grant Rate: 60% (Member States), 50% (non Member States)

Contact Point in Ireland
Michael O’Brien BMW Regional Assembly,
The Square,
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon

Email mobrien@bmwassembly.ie
Telephone 00353 (0) 94 9862970

Eligible Countries
Ireland (Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Clare, Limerick, Cork, Kerry) Parts of Finland, Sweden, UK; Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Norway

Map of Programme Area

Joint Technical Secretariat: Copenhagen, Denmark

Priority 1 Promoting innovation and competitiveness in remote and peripheral areas
Priority 2 Sustainable development of natural and community resources

Programme Aim The Programme aims to help peripheral and remote communities on the northern margins of Europe to develop their economic, social and environmental potential. This will be achieved by supporting innovation, business competitiveness, accessibility, the sustainable development of community and natural resources, and cultural heritage.

Steering Committee

Atlantic Area Programme (Interreg IVB)

Interreg IV B Atlantic Area Programme
Website http://atlanticarea.inescporto.pt/
ERDF Available €104m
Grant Rate 65 – 75%

Contact Point in Ireland
Michael O’Brien BMW Regional Assembly, The Square, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon Email mobrien@bmwassembly.ie Telephone 00353 (0) 94 9862970

Eligible Countries Ireland (all counties), Atlantic areas of UK, France, Spain, Portugal

Map of Programme Area

Joint Technical Secretariat: Porto, Portugal

Priority 1 Promote transnational entrepreneurial and innovation networks
Priority 2 Protect, Secure and Enhance the marina and costal environment sustainably
Priority 3 Improve accessibility and internal links
Priority 4 Promote transnational synergies in sustainable urban and regional development

Programme Aim The main goal of the programme is to contribute to the territorial cohesion of the area through the reinforcement of cooperation between the European Union Member States of the Atlantic seaboard. This will enable the creation of concrete progress in terms of development of the economic knowledge, heritage valorisation and maritime resources, emergence of new economic activity clusters, promotion of accessibility and logistic conditions, sustainable development and polycentrism.

www.bmwassembly.ie

North West Europe Programme (Interreg IVB)

Website http://www.nweurope.eu
ERDF Available €355m
Grant Rate 50%

Contact Point in Ireland

Ms. Sonja Maurus
Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly,
Assembly House,
O’Connell St.,
Waterford

Email smaurus@seregassembly.ie
Telephone 00353 (0) 51 860700

First Level Controller (Financial):

Michael Buckley, CPA

Telephone: 00 353 (0) 51 860700

Email: mbuckley@seregassembly.ie    

 

Eligible Countries
Ireland (all counties), UK, Belgium, Luxembourg, parts of France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland

Map of Programme Area

Joint Technical Secretariat: Based in Lille, France.

Priority 1 Developing the NW Europe knowledge based economy by capitalising on our capacity for innovation
Priority 2 Sustainable management of natural resources and of natural and technological risks
Priority 3 Improving connectivity in North West Europe by promoting intelligent and sustainable transport and ICT solutions
Priority 4 Promoting strong and prosperous communities at transnational level

Programme Aim INTERREG IVB North West Europe (NWE) Programme is a financial instrument of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy. From 2007-2013, the programme will invest €355m ERDF (European Regional Deveopment Fund) into the economic, environmental, social and territorial future of North West Europe (NWE). The fund will be used to cofinance projects that maximise the diversity of NWE’s territorial assets by tackling common challenges through transnational cooperation. To this end, the Programme seeks organisations that are resolute in their ambition to contribute to a cohesive and sustainable territorial development of North West Europe.

Ireland Wales Programme 2007-2013 (Interreg IVA)

Website: http://www.irelandwales.ie
ERDF Available: €52.7m
Grant Rate: 75%

Contact Point in Ireland

Siobhán Rudden,
Development Officer Joint Technical Secretariat,
Ireland Wales Programme,
2 George’s Street,
Waterford

Email: srudden@seregassembly.ie
Telephone 00353 (0) 51 318100

Eligible Countries

Ireland:
(Co. Meath, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary; also Cork and Kerry as adjacent areas), Wales (Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey (Ynys Mon), Conwy, Denbighshire and South West Wales)

Map of Programme Area

Joint Technical Secretariat: Waterford, Ireland

Priority 1 Knowledge, Innovation and Skills for Growth

Priority 2 Climate Change and Sustainable Regeneration

Programme Aim Through an integrated approach to economic, environmental, social and technological issues the Ireland Wales Territorial Cooperation Programme seeks to further develop the cross border region and:

• Contribute to its greater competitiveness and sustainable development
• Improve its overall economic, environmental and social wellbeing
• Achieve a more cohesive, balanced and sustainable development of the Ireland Wales cooperation area, and thus to contribute to the overall competitiveness of the Community territory in a globalised world

Programmes

EU Co-Funded Programmes 

The Government’s regional policy objective is to achieve balanced regional development. It aims to reduce the disparities between and within the BMW and S&E regions and to develop the potential of both to contribute to the prosperity of the country.

The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly is the Managing Authority for the EU co-funded Regional Programme. We are managing our second EU cofunded regional programme which runs from 2007 to 2013. The first programme which ran from 2000 to 2006 saw an investment of €4.1 billion in the S&E Region of which €1 billion supported EU cofunded projects.  These investments in the S&E Region were undertaken in local infrastructure & enterprise development projects; in the agriculture & fisheries sector and a substantial investment was made in childcare facilities, training of childcare staff and the development of the childcare sector. See here for list of projects funded under the Regional Programme 2000-2006.

Regional Programme

The 2007-2013 programme aims to build on the success of its predecessor and address new challenges in the region. The European Commission approved the Programme on 16 October 2007 and allocated to it a budget of €367 million. This will result in an investment of €146.6 million in the S&E Region through the ERDF by the EU. The S&E Regional Assembly is the Managing Authority for the programme. Information on the organisations/agencies charged with delivering the grant aided programmes is available by following the links for each programme.

The Programme highlights three specific areas of investment:

1) Innovation & the Knowledge Economy

2) Environment & Accessibility

3) Sustainable Urban Development

Click here for a list of beneficiaries under the Regional Programme 2007 -2013 to date.

European Territorial Cooperation programmes (ETCP)

The following suite of programmes is a part of the family of European Territorial Cooperation programmes (ETCP) formerly known as INTERREG.

Ireland/Wales Programme 2007-2013 (Interreg IVA)

The Ireland/Wales Programme 2007-2013 supports cross border projects. Its aim is to address issues relating to innovation, entrepreneurship, the knowledge economy, climate change, sustainable development and providing more and better jobs between the two EU neighbours. The Assembly hosts the Joint Technical Secretariat,, the Managing Authority and Certifying Authority for the programme.

North West Europe (NWE) INTERREG IVB Programme

INTERREG IVB NWE funds projects that support transnational cooperation. The Assembly hosts the national Irish Contact Point and the First Level Controller (financial) for Irish partners in this programme. The Assembly provides representation to the Programme Monitoring Committee and Programme Steering Committee on behalf of the Irish Member State.

AtlanticArea Programme (INTERREG IVB)

The Atlantic Area Programme is a transnational cooperation programme "European territorial cooperation", financed by the European Commission through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with a total of €158 million. The Atlantic Area covers the entire territory of Ireland and the Atlantic regions of Spain, France, Portugal and United Kingdom.

Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013

The Northern Periphery Programme 2007-2013 aims to help peripheral and remote communities on the northern margins of Europe to develop their economic, social and environmental potential.The success of the programme will be built on joint projects creating innovative products and services for the benefit of the programme partner countries and Europe as a whole.

The programme covers Ireland (Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Galway, Mayo, Clare, Limerick, Cork, Kerry) Parts of Finland, Sweden, UK; Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Norway

INTERREG IVC Programme

INTERREG IVC programme, financed by the European Regional Development Fund, helps the regions of Europe share knowledge and transfer experience to improve regional policy. It aims, by means of interregional cooperation, to improve the effectiveness of regional development policies and contribute to economic modernisation and increased competitiveness of Europe. The Programme area is all 27 EU Member States plus Switzerland and Norway.

URBACT

URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme promoting sustainable urban development.   It enable cities to work together to develop solutions to major urban challenges, reaffirming the key role they play in facing increasingly complex societal changes.  It helps cites to develop pragmatic solutions that are new and sustainable, and that integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions.   URBACT enables cities to share good practices and lessons learned with all professionals involved in urban policy throughout Europe.

For details:

The S&E Regional Assembly is an associated Managing Authority for OPEN Cities and the CTUR projects and Derville Brennan is the Assembly’s representative for the projects.  Further information about the projects can be found at www.urbact.eu or by contacting Derville Brennan, dbrennan@seregassembly.ie

 Related Project (click to view):

• OPEN Cities
• CTUR

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About Us

The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly (S&ERA)

In 1999, two regions were established in Ireland to create a more balanced approach to the design and delivery of EU-funded programmes. Creating the two regions allowed for the particular needs of each region to be taken into account when designing EU co-funded programmes. The regions are the Southern and Eastern (S&E) Region and the Border Midland and Western (BMW) Region.

An assembly was set up in each region to oversee a programme of investment. The Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly is the managing authority tasked with monitoring the S&E regional programme.

Forty one councillors are appointed to the Assembly in the S&E region. They are not directly elected but nominated by their respective local & regional authorities.

The councillors are supported by 24 staff members based at the Assembly headquarters in Waterford City, 9 of whom work in the Ireland Wales Programme Joint Technical Secretariat.

What geographical areas do we cover?

There are five Regional Authority areas in the Southern & Eastern region:

Regional Authority Area         Counties/Cities

Dublin Region                           Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, South Dublin

South-East Region                  Carlow, South Tipperary, Waterford City and County, Wexford, Kilkenny

South-West Region                 Cork City and County, Kerry

Mid-West Region                     Clare, Limerick City and County, North Tipperary

Mid-East Region                      Kildare, Meath, Wicklow

The Assembly is co-funded by the Irish exchequer and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in carrying out its functions as the Managing Authority for the Regional Programme.

What do we do?

The Assembly’s main functions are to:

• Manage and monitor the Regional Programme 2007-2013;
• Promote the co-ordination of public services in the region;
• Monitor and make proposals in relation to the general impact in the region of EU funding;
• Make public bodies aware of the regional implications of their policies and plans.

The Assembly normally meets on the second Friday of every second month at its headquarters in Waterford.

A Monitoring Committee, consisting of representatives from all the prescribed groups, meets annually to review the effectiveness and quality of the implementation of the themes under the Regional Programme. The Regional Assembly provides the Chair and Secretariat for the Monitoring Committee of the Southern & Eastern Regional Programme.

Regional Programme 2007-2013

The Regional Programme 2007-2013 focuses on three main areas:

• Innovation & the Knowledge Economy
• Environment & Accessibility
• Sustainable Urban Development.

The Programme was formally approved by the EU Commission in October 2007 and officially launched in Ireland by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., in December 2007.

More about the Regional Programme 2007-2013 can be read here.

What else do we do?

We have a role to play in a number of transnational programmes collectively called European Territorial Co-operation Programmes (ETCP). These programmes are co-funded by the ERDF and were formerly known as Interreg programmes. The programmes are an integral part of the EU’s Cohesion policy. The Assembly’s role ranges from managing the programme to acting as the Irish contact point or providing the first level financial control function.

We are the Managing and Certifying Authority for the Ireland/Wales Territorial Co-operation Programme 2007-2013. We were appointed to this role on 1st January 2007, taking over from the Welsh Assembly Government, who managed the Ireland/Wales Programme 2000-2006. The Assembly hosts the Joint Technical Secretariat for the programme.

 More about the Ireland Wales Programme 2007-2013 can be read here.

 We are the designated national contact point and provide the first level financial control function for the North West Europe Programme.

 More about the North West Europe Programme 2007-2013 can be read here

 We are involved in the Atlantic Area, the Northern Periphery Programme and Interreg IVC Programme, acting as contact point and/or first level financial control for the NPP & Interreg IVC programmes.

 Read more about the Atlantic Area, the Northern Periphery and Interreg IVC programmes.

We work with Dublin City Council on the URBACT OPENCities project. OPENCities is a British Council project funded by URBACT and led by Belfast City Council in collaboration with a network of European cities. The Assembly is an associated Managing Authority for this project