On February 28th 2015, I attended a very interesting event – the Polish Economic Forum. Held at the London School of Economics, the conference had been organised by Polish students of the LSE SU Polish Business Society, whose organising skills – in addition to the accompanying attractions – made the Forum a truly spectacular event.… » read more
Archives for Regional Policy
The Balkans Elections Update: Croatia and Greece
February 2, 2015
The genie of political anti-imperialist rebellion in Europe is out of the bottle & cannot be repressed. Last month I wrote a BFP exclusive report on the upcoming presidential elections in Croatia and Greece. I claimed that in each of these elections there were political candidates and options taking a clear stand of resistance to… » read more
Leadership needed for the Ionian Adriatic Strategy
October 13, 2014
Guest blog post by Nikos Lampropoulos, Director of EurActiv.gr. After long discussions between Member States and the European Commission followed by a 3 months public consultation, the Commission officially launched the Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region on June 18th. About the Strategy “The general objective of the new Strategy is to promote economic… » read more
Looking for an ‘early career grant’?
August 28, 2014
RSA Early Career Grant Scheme Who is it for? This award is open to single applicants in their early career (five years maximum between the date showing on the certificate and the application deadline). Applicants must be based within an eligible higher education institution (HEI) and must be a current, early career member of the… » read more
Voluntary Help Service in Aalborg
June 12, 2014
During the trial period, the Voluntary Help Service has as assisted 11 people with disabilities in finding a volunteer to accompany them to different activities and engage in social relations. Currently many more are on waiting list, interested in finding a volunteer to match their needs. Luckily resent initiatives to attract more volunteers are beginning… » read more
“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them” (Aristotle)
May 5, 2014
As a new colleague on the Europa Media team, I eagerly anticipated the European Funding Academy 2014-2020 – Spring edition, which was held on April 8th-11th in Budapest. My concerns, expectations and previous knowledge were all mixed up in a simple and yet complex question – what does it take to be an excellent EU… » read more
It’s not that easy to pull off a celebratory mood this 1st of May, even though on this date we mark the anniversary of 10 years since most of central and eastern Europe joined the European Union. by Claudia Ciobanu, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog Europe’s coming out of the economic crisis is murky, far-right… » read more
English, Europe's East, Regional policy, Social Europe & Jobs |
Danube EU funds grab under the radar
March 25, 2014
A highly problematic Danube dam project has found its way into the Slovak Operational Programme for the Cohesion Policy spending in the 2014-2020 period and has become a small scandal in the country. by Roman Havlicek and Miroslav Mojzis, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog As part of their ongoing participation in the programming process for… » read more
Climate & Environment, English, EU Priorities 2020, Regional policy |
MyN Project Video
March 18, 2014
This video shows the work that is being carried on the four MyN neighbourhood pilots. Take a look! MyNeighbourhood Project Video from Alfamicro on Vimeo.
Refocusing EU Cohesion Policy for Maximum Impact on Growth and Jobs: The Reform in 10 points
March 12, 2014
Under the EU’s 2014-2020 budget, Cohesion Policy will invest €325 billion in Europe’s Member States, their regions and cities to deliver the EU-wide goals of growth and jobs, as well as tackling climate change, energy dependence and social exclusion. Taking into account the national contribution of member states, and the leverage effect of financial instruments,… » read more
On Thursday, 13 March, MyNeighbourhood and the Human Smart Cities network, will hold a Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. Stay Tuned on MyNeighbourhood’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter) and follow the hashtag: #HumanSmartCities and post your messages @MyN_EU ! The conference “Human Smart Cities: The Future of Cities Today” aims at setting a stage to discuss… » read more
Cold shower for Czech incinerator plans
March 5, 2014
by Ivo Kropacek, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog The Czech Republic’s long-standing difficulties in realising major waste incinerator schemes via EU funds investments have taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks as the European Commission has poured cold water on the country’s incineration plans, both as they apply to the 2007-2013 EU funding… » read more
Climate & Environment, English, EU Priorities 2020, Regional policy |
MyNeighbourhood Team have Birmingham in Focus
February 27, 2014
The MyNeighbourhood film crew were in Birmingham this week taking a first-hand look at some of the great work that has been taking place in the UK pilot over the past year. Across two packed days of filming, the team spoke to the full range of citizens, decision-makers, activists and facilitators from the Ladywood neighbourhood.… » read more
Let’s talk development [2]
January 8, 2014
Tweet I finished my last post with the idea that we must change the way we perceive development. And that may be a harder nut to crack that expected. I will restrict my argumentation on Romania because I know the realities here better, but I’m confident that the idea can be exported. This idea to… » read more
Cohesion policy and macroeconomic conditionality
November 22, 2013
Discussions about the next EU multiannual budget, finally approved by the EP earlier this week, revolved around the available amounts, own resources and issues like flexibility and mid-term revision. But the agreement brings important changes also into some policy areas – last but not least the Cohesion policy, which takes one third of the overall… » read more
Funny funds business in the Czech Republic: Prague metro project
November 13, 2013
By Petr Hlobil of BankWatch The manipulation of a tender for a metro line extension in Prague – financially supported via EU funds and the European Investment Bank (EIB) has not only resulted in a huge EU funds fine, but also raises questions about the EIB’s ability to identify and avoid mismanagement in the infrastructure… » read more
By Petr Hlobil of BankWatch The manipulation of a tender for a metro line extension in Prague – financially supported via EU funds and the European Investment Bank (EIB) has not only resulted in a huge EU funds fine, but also raises questions about the EIB’s ability to identify and avoid mismanagement in the infrastructure… » read more
Crowdfunding for renewables – game-changer?
November 2, 2013
Crowdfunding of renewable energy projects is growing fast in Europe. If this grassroots movement gets organized in time to access the big money available in the next round of cohesion funding, it could have far reaching effects on the European energy sector. In recession era Europe, much talk is of ‘innovative’ or ‘alternative’ financing for… » read more
33 Mayors network listed – will they act for a climate deal?
October 22, 2013
National governments have proven that they do not have what is required to meet the global challenges of climate change and the unsustainable use of our planet’s resources. The shortcomings of the COP meeting since Copenhagen acts as testament to this. With the burden of recession and austerity, short-sighted national governments have thus far shown… » read more
Climate & Environment, English, Regional policy, Sustainable Dev. |
EU Funds to the rescue in Krakow – Local campaign leading the way for Polish communities sick of (and sick from) coal
October 21, 2013
The likely allocation of EU funds is set to bring about a breakthrough success for a popular and dearly needed campaign for better air quality in Krakow, Poland. by Markus Trilling, cross-posted from the Bankwatch blog As the now frankly absurd EU budget 2014-2020 stalemate staggers on in Brussels, it’s been heartening to get wind… » read more
Climate & Environment, Energy, English, EU Priorities 2020, Regional policy |