New initiative to help networks implement Lisbon agenda
The European Commission has published a new communication aimed at bringing more innovation into regional and urban networks. The new initiative is to be known as 'Regions for Economic Change'. The Commission describes the programme as 'a proactive policy tool offered to Member States, regions and cities to help them implement the renewed Lisbon agenda through actions aimed at economic modernisation'. It will have a budget of €375 million. It will build on two previous instruments of EU regional policy - the inter-regional cooperation, and the urban development network programme - but will introduce new options. Under Regions for Economic Change, volunteer networks of Member States, regions and cities will select development themes that interest them and pursue them through networks co-financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). A new element for 2007 to 2013 will see the Commission offering the networks a number of themes focused on economic modernisation and the renewed Lisbon agenda. If a Member State, region or city chooses to pursue one of these themes, they will be offered an opportunity to work more closely with the Commission. A second novelty will be a fast track option enabling the Commission to test selected ideas with a view to including them in the regional policy programmes. Ideas could come from Commissioners or their services. 'Cohesion Policy is a key instrument for growth and job creation. We also want to make sure that bright ideas emanating from regional and urban networks find their way into the new programmes; Regions for Economic Change has been developed in response to this need,' said Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner.