1. Be active in projects!Opportunities to improve water management Valencia, 25 August 2009 Juan Manuel Revuelta Pérez General Director Valencian Regional Office in Brussels jrevuelta@delcomval.be

2. Outline of the presentation • Who are we? Fundación Comunidad Valenciana – Región Europea • EU projects – Some tips • EU Calls: LIFE, Eco-Innovation, Interreg, FP7 & more • Project examples and project ideas • Let’s discuss again on Friday!

3. WHO ARE WE?

4. 4,8 Millions of inhabitants, 10.5 % of the total Spanish population • Immigrants: 727.080 (14.9%) EU: 386.054 Non EU: 341.017 Increase of 68.000 during 2006 • Valencia: third largest city in Spain • In our Region, Spanish and Valencian are the co-official languages. • In Spain: 1 official language, Spanish, plus 4 co-official languages: Basque, Catalan, Galician and Valencian. Valencian Region: located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain part of the so-called Mediterranean Arch, one of the fastest economic growth rates in the EU

5. Growth in Regonal Gross Domestic Product (2000-2005) 39,70% 38,30% 18,90% Valencian UE-25 Spain Community Growth of employed population (2000-2005) 21,36% 17,30% 5,70% Valencian UE-25 Spain Community Increase in migratory balance (1995-2004) 1416% 759% 167% Valencian UE-25 Spain Community a macroeconomic outlook (1)

6. farming industry construction services MACROECONOMIC OUTLOOK UE-25 economis sectors disribution Similar distributión Construction doubles the % of the EU-25 Decrease of the traditional industrial sectors Spain Valencian Region farming land Valencian Community

7. Natural protected areas 30,7% 24,3% 11,6% UE-25 Spain Valencian Community The protected surface area in the Valencian Community is threefold that of the EU-25

8. a. Who are we? PERMANENT STRUCTURES FOR EU PROJECTS

9. Chronology 1989 Opening of the first Valencian Office in Brussels 1999Local pilot project: valenciainnova.info Nov 2003: New regional approach How to cope with entering Objective 2 (Competitiveness) in2007 65% less on EU funding Globalization and risks for local enterprises Creation of the Fundación Comunidad Valenciana Región Europea Objectives: Exit of Objective 1 in a structured way communicating civil society challenges Creation of a strategy post Objective 1 Prepare civil society for the change: communication & training 2006 November: Europe INNOVA conference 2007 Facing our Objective 1 Entry into Objective 2 November 2007: Most Innovative region AWARD AER 2009 XX Anniversary of the Valencian Office in Brussels

10. European partnership as an instrument for added value. Fundación Comunidad Valenciana- Región Europea Convergence towards the competitiveness objective: • Before 2007 the Valencian Region was included in the former Objective 1. • After January 2007 our Region was included in the Objectivecompetitiveness and employment (formerly Obj. 2). • Decrease of the 65% of ERDF Structural Funds for Valencian Region • The Valencian Region created in 2003 the Fundación Comunidad Valenciana - Región Europea to tackle this transition: • Broker of partnerships and spreading results of projects at a European level. • Activating main economic areas of our Region. . 10

11. FUNDACIÓN COMUNIDAD VALENCIANA – REGIÓN EUROPEA www.uegva.info A new instrument for the Valencian Region Strategic tool: Public Private Partnership (PPP) • Private sector • Public sector Energy companies Saving banks Chambers of commerce Universities Prof. Associations Regional and local administrations Public organisations FCVREFundación Comunidad Valenciana – Región Europea

12. Fundación Comunidad Valenciana – Región Europea www.uegva.info • Non-profit organisation, based in the Valencian Regional Office in Brussels • Created in 2003 in order to help Valencian civil society to obtainEuropean funding as the Valencian Region entered the ‘Competitiveness and Employment’ EU regional objective in 2007 • It facilitates the participationofValencian industrial groups, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, local development agencies, educational organisations, research institutes and other stakeholders in European policies and projects 12

14. FUNDING OF THE VALENCIAN REGIONAL OFFICE IN BRUSSELS

15. HHRR: PERMANENT STAFF AND TRAINNEES EVOLUTION

16. In the Valencian Regional Office our best asset is our Human Capital and we share our experience by the exchange of staff: • We host your employees in our premises in Valencia or Brussels • We can work out an exchange of staff

17. Countries of origin of our staff

18. RETURN ON INVESTMENT 2003 - 2007 FOR EACH EURO INVESTED IN THE FCVRE 86€ FROM THE EU HAVE BEEN INVESTED IN THE VALENCIAN REGION 1€

19. a. Who are we? INVOLVED IN WATER

20. Water in the Valencian Region – A strategic issue Competences shared by the Administrations: Central state competence on the River basin authorities: Júcar (80% of the Valencian territory), Segura (15%) and Ebro (5%) Regional competences on irrigation, distribution and sanitation. Municipal competences on urban water. Territory in situation of water scarcity Recurrence of severe draughts and violent floods. Several actions planned by the different Administrations. High agricultural demand: 80% for irrigation use High level of organization of the users Cooperation with Europe President Camps Ortiz, reporter in the Committee of the Regions European networks: AER, CRPM, Wateregio.

21. President Camps Ortiz, reporter of the CoR opinionon draught and water scarcity in the EU Opinion CDR 313/2007 adopted by majority the 10th April 2008 Role of the Local and Regional Authorities. List of key issues e.g. climate change. Subsidiarity, cooperation and solidarity. Wide consultation process. More than 60 contributions in plenary, 80% accepted and negotiated by the reporter. FIRST MAJOR MEDITERRANEAN INPUT IN EU WATER POLICY

22. AER Working Group on water • Led by the Valencian Region, more than 40 regions have expressed their interest • Support to implement the commitments reached by the local and regional governments in the World Water Forum in Istanbul, 20th March 2009 • Ideas: drafting of a Local and Regional charter on water and preparation of a AER award for water management • Online platform of resources and best practices. More information:www.aer.euandwww.uegva.info

23. Intermed CommissionConference of Peripheral Maritime Regions Intermed group on water • Led by the Valencian Region. Open to participants. • 54 regions members of the Commission, representing Med European countries, Morocco, Tunisia and Lebanon • Goal: Mediterranean input. Promotion of Mediterranean positions on EU policies related to water. • Structure of co-operation for joint projects related to water management. • Adoption of the Mediterranean vision on water for the 5th World Water Forum of Istanbul 2009 More information:www.medregions.organdwww.uegva.info

24. European network for water Innovative projects to improve water competence Regional co-operation in water scarcity

25. Partners engaged with water Región de Murcia With the support of: HELLENIC REPUBLIC REGION OF EASTERN MACEDONIA AND THRACE HELLENIC REPUBLIC REGION OF CENTRAL MACEDONIA REGIONE CALABRIA

26. WATEREGIO: A platform for water projects • Wateregio is a network of exchange of ideas, experiences and best practices in the field of water management and optimization of water resources. • Wateregio is currently open to new participants. • Wateregio is a non-formal structure • Goals: • To foster the participation of the partners in different programs dealing with water, making ideas become a reality. • To improve the performance of the partners in good water management. • Develop a common methodology • Contact: Mr Alfonso Alcolea aalcolea@delcomval.beor visit:www.wateregio.net and http://wateregio.blogspot.com

27. EU PROJECTS

28. Adopt a strategy for EU funding • Calls for proposals: • Don’t wait for the calls to be published • Identify the strategy of your organisations, stakeholders, region, etc. • Select strategic partners • Identify the most suitable funding schemes • Identify the role you are most likely to play in a consortium • Networking: • Become an evaluator (if possible) • Join EU associations/networks/platforms • Be present/exhibit at relevant conferences and EU weeks

29. The European dimension of the project EU projects should address problems at European level far beyond the specific interests of a Member State The proposed solution must have a direct impact at the European level Participants must be located in a Member State or in an Associated State (3 usually is the minimum threshold and 5 can be a good compromise). Participation of third countries is welcome when international dimension is requested

30. EU projects are good! • A good ‘road map’ for projects allows synergies • E.g. Germoplasm bank in the Albufera of Valencia, developed through all the LIFE Nature projects • Attraction of funding • Projects build issuecommunities: • The EU projects allow to identify and co-operate with most of the stakeholders, and allow holistic approaches to the solutions • European added value of EU projects •  Mutual learning, transparency, peer review

31. BUT be aware: • You need an infrastructure able to assimilate the obligations • Define the viability and avoid the risk of dependance Is there a life after LIFE? • Don’t forget theothers! • You and your partners are not the owners of the issue. E.g. You cannot do a project on wilderness without consulting the hunters, the ecologists… • Be flexible! •  Be proactive in extending the model to the other possible beneficiaries. E.g. If a neighbour town may benefit, try to invite them.

32. Some factors of success: • Innovation • Transnationality • Bottom-up approach • Corresponding to an EU policy • Multiplying effect • Equal opportunities • New technologies • Environment • Coherency • Budget • Communication

33. Conclusions: • The European projects are not simply “money that falls from the sky”. • The real values are knowledge and promotion of the excellence. • Don´t be afraid! Join your partners and play in first division • Be the best! Europe helps you to be excellent.

34. EU PROGRAMMES

36. Direct funding EC Programmes - Funds + Structural Funds - + Transnational & innovative approach, risk.

37. Fostering Interregional Cooperation

38. The INTERREG IVC Programme is part of the European Territorial Cooperation Objective of the Structural Fund policies for the period 2007-2013. • Objective: To improve the effectiveness of regional development policies and contribute to economic modernisation and increasedcompetitiveness of Europe, by: • 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. 38

39. Obj. 1: Convergence : 251.2 Bi € Sustainable and integrated Economical development and employment Obj. 2: Competitiveness and employment : 49.1 Bi € Sustainable development, growth and jobs Obj. 3: Territorial Cooperation : 7.8 Bi € Cross border, transnational and interregional activities and for the reinforcement of regional policies

40. Territorial Cooperation Cross border (5.6 Bi €): Interreg IVA: Support local activities, help to “erase” borders. Transnational (1.6 Bi €): Interreg IVB: Cooperation within 13 geographical zones. Interregional (0.45 Bi €) – 27 MS + 2 Interreg IVC: Cooperation between regions Urbact II: Exchange and learning for cities Interact II: Good governance of territorial cooperation Espon II: Analyse of trends development in the EU

41. Calls for proposals: AutumnContact person: Ms Sara Rodriguez srodriguez@delcomval.beMore information in: www.interreg4c.net

42. The MED Programme • Europe in the Mediterranean Total budget: more than 250. 000 000 € ERDF contribution for each project: from € 300.000 to 2 millon Duration of the project: 36 months Deadline: 1st quarter of 2010 website: www.programmemed.eu

43. The Programme in the Mediterranean space: • 1 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE: “ to make the whole MED space a territory able to match international competition” • 12 STATES from the Mediterranean coastal regions, together to take on common challenges • 4 main priorities: innovation, environmnet, accessibility to the territories dimension • 2 KEY CRITERIA: project with strong transnational and concrete dimension • website: www.programmemed.eu

44. CIP & Eco-innovation http://ec.europa.eu/cip http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-innovation/index_en.htm

45. New services: green banking, consultancy New processes: cleaner production New business and management methods: labelling, eco-management What is eco-innovation? « All forms of innovation reducing environmental impacts and/or optimising the use of resources »

46. Financialinstruments Eco-innovation in the EIP (part of the CIP) Pilot and market replication projects Networkof actors

47. Support the first applications and market uptake of innovative technologies and practices Aim at bridging the gap between Research & Development and commercialisation Cover market oriented activities, with a strong emphasis on SMEs To be run by the European Agency of Competitiveness and Innovation in close cooperation with DG Environment Pilot and Market replication projects€195 million (2008-2013)

48. Deadline: 10th September 2009 Priority areas: Materials recycling Includes eco-friendly design Food & drink sector Including Improved efficiency water management processes that reduce the use of water across the food & drink supply chain; Building & construction Innovative water systems including water saving, re-use of natural waters, rainwater collection and re-use, green roofs. Green business and ‘smart’ purchasing Including Action Plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy, innovative EMAS. Call for proposals 2009:

49. LIFE + New period LIFE+ 2007-2013 In his first year of application, the Valencian Region represents 18% of total approved projects in Spain: 1.686.138,00€ for 2007 - 4 projects leaded by the Valencian Region Period LIFE 1992-2006 Valencian Region leaded the EU LIFE projects A total of 21.110.812 € have been allocated to invest in innovation and environment Examples of best projects in life publications: ECOBUS, URBANBAT, RESITEX Responsible for LIFE + Programme in FCVRE: Laura Bas lbas@delcomval.be

50. LIFE+ 2009: ongoing projects