All over Europe, cities, regional administrations, national governments and scientists deal with urban policy issues. A large variety of experiences, good practices and research reports on urban development or policy issues are available.

The European Urban Knowledge Network (EUKN) is supposed to improve the exchange of knowledge and experiences on these topics at the European level. This is why a European knowledge network is being developed in the context of EUKN linking urban development- and urban policy-related knowledge and relevant networks in 16 participating EU member states via an internet platform. EUKN is being built up on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BKT), which has established a EUKN secretariat for implementation connected to Kenniscentrum Grote Steden (KCGS).

In each Member State, so-called National Focal Points assume the coordinating tasks at national level and establish subnetworks within their countries delivering knowledge input to EUKN. In Hungary, the VÁTI Kht has been commissioned by the National Office for Regional Development to assume the function of a National Focal Point.

One of the main tasks of the VÁTI Kht. as the Hungarian National Focal Point will be to organise model projects, research reports and policies from the field of urban development and urban policy for the internet platform of the European Urban Knowledge Network www.eukn.org. For this purpose it is necessary to establish a national subnetwork involving all relevant actors from the scientific, applied and political sector. For this purpose VÁTI Kht. calls for a kick-off conference of the Hungarian EUKN subnetwork in November. Various institutes, associations, local authorities and scientists already declared their willingness to participate in the Network and to provide input. Further effort needed to learn their knowledge needs from EUKN. Next step will be to integrate this positive attitude into a functioning structure and to lay the foundations for the Hungarian subnetwork jointly with strategical partners.

Activity of VÁTI, as a non-profit company, covers the full scope of research, planning and consultation activities related to regional development, town planning and the protection and reshaping of the built environment. The company is responsible for the implementation of the regional development Phare programs and participates as a cooperating organization in the realization of the Regional Development Operative Program and of the INTERREG Community Initiative programs. VÁTI operates a specialized portal called Térport (terport.hu) as well as the Regional Information System (TeIR). The company manages a national level regional and community development, architectural - technical documentation center as well. Another strength of the company - especially in respect of the implementation of the EU programs - is the unique national network consisting of 12 regional representation offices.

Experience of over fifty years, extended national and international contacts, the role plaid in the preparation for the European integration in recent years, the uniquely rich information data base and the highly qualified staff ensures that VÁTI performs its non-profit tasks properly and always meets the requirements of its clients - government organs, regional development councils, local governments of settlements and of counties.

The non-profit organization which manages 16 million euros and handles altogether 800 million euros subsidies in 2005 has accumulated experience and knowledge of over fifty years. The competitiveness of the company is based and the high level output is ensured by a staff of 350 persons, 80% of which are university graduates and three fourth of them speak languages moreover that almost 75% of then is younger than 40 guarantees high quality performance. Another strength of the company is the network of regional representation offices operating in 12 cities in Hungary.

This means value for VÁTI on the long term - especially thinking of the implementation of the EU development project between 2007 and 2013. It can thus be declared that the next 50 years are safe as well.