EUKN - Italy - INTERREG III C INNOREF: innovation and resources efficiency as driving forces for sustainable growth

INTERREG III C INNOREF: innovation and resources efficiency as driving forces for sustainable growth - IT.

Introduction

INTERREG III C INNOREF is a Regional Framework Operation (RFO) that aims at improving the Local Authorities’ capacity building by establishing regional networks. Partners wish to promote regions’ competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economies through the use of integrated instruments for sustainable development and public participation.

Description

The RFO INNOREF, funded by INTERREG III C East, is a project stemming from the necessity to redirect rural economies towards knowledge based businesses. The Operation aims at developing new models of local and regional governance by enhancing participatory processes. INNOREF is a grant-giving RFO which is a sort of Programme that launches calls for subprojects involving different types of partners in several regions. The network promoted through the INNOREF project exploits an innovative methodology encouraging a self-dynamic development process. This process is fully participatory and enables stakeholders to effectively contribute to the decision making process. Each region involved in the project establishes a Professional Service Center (PSC) which supports the 8 sub-projects funded through INNOREF. The regions have also established Pioneer Networks, which are the core of the stakeholder groups.

Participants

Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, IT)
Umbria Region (Umbria, IT)
Western Greece Region (Dytiki Ellada, GR)
Hranicko Region Association of Municipalities (Stredni Morava, CZ).

Network lead

Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

Objectives

The INNOREF Operation is based on a joint strategy aimed at implementing measures proposed by regions and local authorities involved in the network. The INNOREF project main objectives are:

the improvement of local participants’ capacity building
the promotion of an integrated approach for territorial development
the promotion of a participative process starting from the foundation, innovation and efficient use of resources
the enhancement of regional networks to stimulate a long-term effective impact on the territory.

These objectives are reached through a bottom-up approach characterised by the involvement of local authorities, people, enterprises and institutional bodies. The subprojects, funded through INNOREF, involve different actors belonging to the RFO’s partners regions. Subprojects are focused on social, economic and environmental sectors and, by encouraging knowledge-based development, they help to promote environmentally sustainable businesses.

Products

The main products of the network are:

the promotion of strategies to overcome the existing economic challenges
the empowerment of regional capacities to find innovative solutions
the setting up of comprehensive territorial analyses of regions’ socio-economic issues, including their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for development
the empowerment of project structures (e.g. Steering Committee)
the creation of 4 Professional Service Centers (1 within each partner region)
the creation of a web site and of help desks organizing info days and events
the preparation of a set of monitoring documents as tools supporting stakeholders (e.g. financial guidelines).

Great emphasis is put on dissemination activities, publication of articles, newsletters, brochures, etc.

EU involvement

The INTERREG III C INNOREF project is co-financed by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) for a total amount of 3 million euros.

Contact info

Ministry of Infrastructure
Ms. Daniela Versino

Links

Ministry of Infrastructure (in Italian)INTERREG III C Programme INNOREF Project

Document type

network

Themes

Urban Policy > Urban environment

Keywords

Environmental sustainability