Background

The idea of the networking platform is also one of the main methodologies used in the LOCREGIS II project. In addition to the networking itself, these platforms will also play again a crucial role for obtaining the more common results of the projects, such as development of the benchmarking and regional analyses.

One important objective of this work is to try to establish and determine a self-sustainable co-operation amongst the participating regions, in order for those networking platforms to pursue their collaboration work after the project ends, in May 2000.
 

Objectives of the work

For the different actors in this part of the work the benefits and objectives may be:

1. For the LOCREGIS II project:

• reaching the goals of the project (testing the networking, creating self-sustaining platforms etc)
• testing the results
• transferring the methodology
• transferring the tools
• improving networking
• supporting integration objectives

• Finding new and complementary partners (synergy's)
• New impulses for IS
• Exchange of expertise
• Finding commercial partners, partners for the 5th Framework Programme
• Development of Regional Development Agencies in border regions
• Development of cross border co-operation in CEE countries
• Combining geographical areas and existing organisations with some new features
• Drawing benefit from trans-regional features to IS programs in their implementation

• In some cases new information about EU and funding sources (regions outside the EU)
• In some cases new financial possibilities
• new partnership
• professional supported co-operation with other regions
• regional marketing
• exchange of expertise
• forum to present own viewpoints
• co-operation with eris@ association and other organisations

Working plan

Main principles of the implementation

Each new partner is free to withdraw its participation from the project at any time. No financial contribution is asked to the new platforms’ partners.

LOCREGIS will cover only the costs of the people coming from the original partner regions (in Austria, Finland, Sweden). For the project management it is needed that the regions in charge of the practical work inform the project manager when the  working costs (including 25% overheads) have exceed 3.000 €. This is not the limit of the work input.

LOCREGIS organises a seminar in Austria 13.4.-14.4.2000. It is obvisious that some of the speakers are coming from the new regions. In these cases the project will of course also cover the travel costs.

One important principle is the equality of the regions; small and large, project partners and new regions, inside EU and outside EU. Some openess and flexibility is also needed.

Above some different objectives were presented. It is important that during the implementation the objectives (and the use of language) of the regions are highlighted. In that way the work also serves the needs of the project.
 

Phase 1

Phase 1 includes the following tasks:

• First contact and the presentation of LOCREGIS to the new regions (1.5.-30.9.1999)
• Discussions about appropriate work and connecting the LOCREGIS regions and new regions, in most cases together with the presentation (1.7.-30.9.1999)
• Implementation of the thematical practical work following the priorities of the new regions (1.10.-31.12.1999)
• Planning the new platforms and workshops (1.11.-31.12.1999)

• Presentation of LOCREGIS and main principles of the work
• main management principles of LOCREGIS (e.g. : light management structures, grassroots work, win-to-win principle
• functions of the database and of its major interests and advantages
• Inventing the needs of the new regions

The tasks during the practical work:

• Do the agreed practical work work based on the needs of the new regions and the expertise available among the LOCREGIS regional partners
• Presentation of the analysis and networking tools and the evaluation system
• Preparation of the workshops

Phase 2

Phase 2 includes the following work
 

• Organising tree workshops (one/platform) (1.1.-31.3.2000)
• Seminar/Conference in Austria (April 2000)
• Aftercare of the platforms (1.3.-30.4.2000)

• co-operation after the project

Aftercare includes the potential development of the new platforms (finance and networking).
 

Internal tasks

• Collect the experience of the LOCREGIS networking platforms
• Develop some recommended principles of the networking platforms
• Promote the development of the new platforms in new countries
• Qualify the priorities
• New features (improving the existing networks)
• Report the results

New regions and the database

For the development of the tools the regions will also be encouraged to the test the evaluation tools.

In the database the addresses given (so far)to the new regions are:

• Adding project information in http://www.locregis.net
• All update information will be asked to send with email to locregis@kuntaliitto.fi
• New internal page is in the address http://www.kuntaliitto.fi/locregis2/

New regions