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Europe - International |
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Rendezvous with Europe
The regional council works with the Community authorities, takes part in European programmes, exchanges ideas with other cities and benefits from structural funds to help prepare the future.The regional authorities are an essential level of public action, helping to bring the European institutions closer to the daily lives of citizens. 70 % of European policies are applied at a regional level: transport, economic development and jobs, education and training, research and innovation.
The role played by regional councils in the construction of Europe was established with the setting-up of the Regions Committee in Brussels in 1994. And the Île-de-France region has chosen to operate an ambitious, proactive European policy: in June 2007, it adopted a framework report that sets regional targets across Europe. An explanation…
For a European policy that combines solidarity and competitiveness
In practical terms, the policy is expressed in ÃŽle-de-France through structural funds that are used to fight against disparities between regions. For example, the European Structural Fund (ESF) has a budget of 535 million euros to support jobs, training and work integration, while the Regional Development Fund (FEDER) has a budget of 151 million euros that will mainly be used between now and 2013 for innovative action in urban areas in difficulty. The regional council has taken up a clear position in favour of an ambitious cohesion policy that combines solidarity and competitiveness.
To defend the future of this policy in Europe, the ÃŽle-de-France regional council has responded to the consultation launched by the European Commission on this theme. It has also taken an active part in European consultation (known as the Green Paper) on sustainable urban transport, a matter of vital importance to the people of ÃŽle-de-France. It has repeated its attachment to public services and its role regarding accessibility to transport and vehicle standards (limiting of polluting emissions and road safety).
Active networks
The regional council is very active in European networks as it is keen to exchange experiences with other regions on policies that fall within its responsibility. Examples of networks: the European Regions Association, of which Ile de France is Chairman, the European Regional Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN), the European Platform for Semi-urban Regions (PURPLE) and the Airport Regions’ Club (ARC).
Taking part in European projects
As well as taking part in programmes co-financed by the European Commission in partnership with other European Union regions, the regional council offers financial support to ÃŽle-de-France organisations involved in European research and innovation projects (7th Framework Research and Development Programme).
Partnerships with cities in the European Union
At the same time, the regional council is forging direct contacts with various cities and authorities in the Union, such as Berlin-Brandenburg, Mazovia, Catalonia, London and Helsinki, in order to exchange experiences and expertise, produce joint responses to calls for projects from the European Commission, etc.
Encouraging student mobility
The regional council is keen to encourage the various population groups in ÃŽle-de-France to look towards Europe and has introduced grants to encourage student mobility: 45 % of these are dedicated to placements in Europe. And the regional council is taking advantage of the French Presidency of the European Union to promote another project aimed at youth mobility: grants to apprentices to spend time in a Union member state.
ÃŽle-de-France Europe
The region’s representative office in Brussels, Île-de-France Europe, houses the regional council and five Île-de-France departments: Essonne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Val d’Oise and Seine-et-Marne. Its mission is to inform its members and organisations in Île-de-France, defend and promote their interests in the European institutions and provide technical support in drawing up European projects. (www.iledefrance-europe.eu)
On the web
Europa (European Union)
Gateway to the the European Union.
Assembly of European Regions (AER)
The site of the organisation that has a membership including 250 regions from 32 countries and 14 inter-regional organisations.