Implementing CLLD across the ESI Funds: Edinburgh, 8-10 Dec. 2015

This first FARNET transnational seminar of the new programming period took place in Edinburgh, Scotland, from the 8th to 10th December 2015. It provided new opportunities for Managing Authorities (MAs) of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds to learn, inspire and get inspired in implementing the CLLD approach, foster better cooperation and ensure the most efficient use of the funding available.

The possibility of supporting CLLD has now been extended to all the ESI Funds. Uptake under the EAFRD and the EMFF is quite significant already, while the ERDF and ESF are now also adopting this approach and this is expected to provide an important boost to the impact of EU funding at local level. CLLD has an important role to play in addressing many of the challenges currently facing Europe, and projects and initiatives developed in this context could benefit from appropriate interventions from more than one fund. This seminar had as key aim to assist MAs in launching their CLLD programmes while strengthening cooperation between ESI Funds at EU level, and between MAs at national and regional level, with a view to encouraging a better integration of the funds locally.

SEMINAR REPORT

FARNET Guide #10: Starting CLLD implementation in practice

The FARNET photo album

AGENDA

#useCLLD on Twitter - relive the event on Storify

Wednesday 9th December Morning
9.00 – 9.20		Welcome and introduction to the seminar, its aims, objectives and agenda Paul Soto: FARNET Support Unit (Chair) Elisa Roller: DG MARE
		Why Scotland, why CLLD? A brief scene setting overview Scottish Government Marine Scotland and Rural Communities (Estelle Jones and Alistair Prior )
9.20 – 10.30		Plenary session: Understanding the added value of CLLD across the ESI funds Overview of the state of play on CLLD Who uses CLLD in which Fund and how Funds are coordinated? Urszula Budzich Tabor: FARNET Support Unit Managing Authorities presentations from the different funds on what they want to achieve through CLLD, concrete project examples ERDF: Ton Overmeire, Den Haag Municipality, The Netherlands ESF: Michal Heller, Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship, Poland EAFRD: David Wilford, United Kingdom EMFF: Olivier Le Pivert France, Britanny
11.00 – 11.40		Keynote speech: The potential and wider applicability of the local approach. Dan Owen, World Bank

11.40 – 13.00		Working groups: The added value of CLLD (new perspectives on what can be achieved)
Wednesday Afternoon 9th December
14.15 – 14.45		Panel discussion Highlighting “The Scottish example” and the different approaches in the UK Moderator : Jean Pierre Vercruysse, DG MARE Scottish Government Marine Scotland Estelle Jones and Rural Communities Alistair Prior Defra Matt Sowrey (fisheries policy) and David Wilford (LEADER) Neil Howard: Welsh Government (CLLD delivery and possibly Gail Merriman CLLD policy TBC)
14.45 – 15.30		Why integrate? Four short examples of the different ways EU Funds are already used or combined in practice followed by discussion. *Anastasios Perimenis: Lesvos Local Dev. Company (LAG/FLAG), Greece* *Nadia di Lido: Ponte Lama LAG, Puglia, Italy* *Gerallt Llewelyn Jones: Menter Mon LAG, Wales, United Kingdom*
15.30 – 16.00		*Coffee break*
16.00 – 17.00		How to make progress on CLLD? Working Groups re cooperation based on the four models presented.
17.00 – 17.30		Wrapping up day 1 Reflections on Day 1: Roman Haken, European Economic and Social Committee
Thursday 10th December Morning
09.30 – 10.30	Presentation and panel discussion. Keeping CLLD simple and transparent (in its use of public money and its interaction with the community) Joanna Gierulska: Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Food Ensuring good coordination between the Funds Johan Magnusson: Swedish Board of Agriculture Panel discussion Moderator: Elisa Roller, DG MARE Panellists: Dan Owen, World Bank Judit Torokne Rozsa, DG REGIO Gerralt Lewellyn Jones Mentor Mon, Wales Anastasios Perimenis, Lesvos Local Development Company, Greece Bryan McGrath, Scottish Borders Council, LAG and Forth FLAG National network representative TBC
11.00 – 12.10	“Clinics” on key issues of CLLD delivery and coordination (e.g. simplification, non-duplication of roles, Lead Fund, LDS selection, fund specific control rules etc.
12.10 – 12.45	Summing up and outstanding questions John Grieve, Gilles van de Walle, FARNET Support Unit Conclusions and priority next steps Elisa Roller, DG MARE, Judit Torokne Rosza, DG REGIO
14.00 – 18.00	Field trip to Eyemouth. Project visits at fishing port and meeting the LAG / FLAG. Hosted by the Forth FLAG and Scottish Borders LAG.