Title: Regions for Economic Change ConferenceDate: 20/05/2010

Openness and the Competitive Advantage of Diversity

OPENCities is a British Council project funded by URBACT led by Belfast City Council in collaboration with a network of European cities.

Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 2

URBACT

› Frances Dowds OPENCities Project Manager – Lead Partner Belfast City Council

› The LAP Process

Opportunities

Challenges

Engagement

The story so far

Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 3

Opportunities & Challenges

› Existing URBACT guide adapted to project by Lead Expert – common framework process

› Learning exchange - between

more and less experienced diverse cities

› LSG budgets to support development of plan & process at city level

› URBACT Expert - to act as resource & support for individual cities

› Local Action Plan - response to local needs & local context

› Local context - differences in approach, ways of working (LAP V funded Project approach)

› Earlier planning required including agreed timescale & getting down to it

› Local challenges re MA engagement – lack of ‘programme’ funding opportunities, fear around expectations of partners

› Getting buy in from other stakeholders – some cities do not work with NGOs

› Ensuring migrant voice included at all levels of project – from thematic events, to LSG & public consultations on LAP

Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 4

Engagement The story so far

› Thematic papers – to support knowledge

› LSGs - involve migrant workers & their

agencies – Belfast et al ..

› LSGs - involve MAs (mostly) & key

experts on migration – Bilbao, Vienna, Dusseldorf, British Council et al ..

› Public consultations - once LAP draft produced September – October 2010 To amend & ensure the LAP reflect needs of migrant workers

› Two thematic meetings - held to date, 3rd June, 4th LAP focused Sept 2010

› Belfast - tendered for an external consultant - employed to facilitate process amongst LSG & migrant community representatives

› Working groups - established under projects themes

› Intro, problems, goals agreed to date – agreeing activities work (what & by who) ongoing plus

Timing – when will things happen

Funding – who will pay for what

Indicators – to prove success

Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 5

Open Cities Managing Authorities: Challenges

› Differing levels of engagement with local city partners and other MAs.

› Representatives with differing roles/ perspectives

› Differing levels of fit with regional EU programmes and Open Cities themes.

› Managing Expectations of both MAs and their cities.

Actions› Terms of Reference – commitment to engagement.

› Dissemination to other appropriate regional organizations/ funders with policy responsibilities.

› Questionnaire – identify issues for clarification.

› Stocktake of relevant activities already receiving EU programme funds.

Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 6

Next Steps

› Key advisory role for MAs in formation and implementation of LAP.

› Recognise different potential and opportunities for different elements of the project.

› Example - Belfast:

› ERDF Competitiveness Programme – Enterprise and Enterpreneurship

› ESF Employment Programme – Help into Sustainable Employment/ Improving Workforce Skills

› PEACE III – Reconciling communities/ Contributing to a Shared Society

› Flexible work plan to react to proposals as they emerge from the cities.

Communications I 10 April 2023 I Page 7

contact@urbact-project.euwww.urbact.eu/project

www.urbact.eu/opencities