COHESION – Integrated Concepts Enhancing Cohesion of European Space

2A078

PINDOS Strategic Planning Centre
Asklipiou Str. 3
42100 Trikala
Greece

Mr. Athanasios Zacharopoulos
Tel.:	+302431077911
Fax:	+302431077913
Email:	pindos@kar.forthnet.gr

1 - Spatial development approaches
1.3 - Shaping rural development

(See here for a priorities and measures overview)

1st Call

The exposure of European rural areas to the international market alongside the imminent EU enlargement is expected to threaten the cohesion of the European space in general. Structural measures with a territorial approach have to compensate the difficulties emerging from the new situation. In this changing environment, local competitiveness becomes a key issue. Integrated planning and focus of local efforts on a specific economic objective, in which local areas provide a comparative advantage, can help to overcome resource shortages and to increase the efficiency of activities. The project has contributed to developing a common territorial development planning approach based on the experience of 14 organisations from seven different CADSES countries. For this a large transnational network has been established. The COHESION project has contributed to the development of a common consciousness in the CADSES area and set up approaches to enhance development at local level and promotion of social and economic cohesion at the level of the entire network. Experience and know-how were exchanged while EU policies constituted the basis for applying the activities. Cohesion-promoting procedures were implemented in practical ways. Even if the project focused on one specific product, the experiences were transferable to other products and sectors. Partners became familiar with the particular methodology, and a broader transfer to other organisations and areas contributed to enhancing the local competitiveness of participating areas and prevented the negative effects from EU enlargement.

The COHESION project implemented a new policy concerning the development of European rural areas based on the transfer of know-how and exchange of experiences among the project partners (PPs). A thematic network on modern policies for the development of rural areas was established and PPs gained experience with the specific approach by implementing pilot projects in appropriate areas. A methodological guide on a new approach for development planning in rural areas was compiled. COHESION communication in figures: - More than 40 meetings (approx. 450 participants) took place: a) with local authorities, b) with PPs at national and transnational level, c) informational and awareness raising seminars, - Two posters, 30 press releases and five TV appearances, seven flyers (16,000 copies - 7,000 distributed), one CD-ROM prepared, - Eight guides and 44 studies conducted, seven management tools prepared, - Twelve training seminars (289 trainees) and two forums (160 participants) organised, - Two exhibitions (more than 1,000 visitors).

Total budget (EUR):	3.506.941,50 EUR
ERDF:	2.297.629,46 EUR

Start:	01/2003
End:	03/2006

• PINDOS Strategic Planning Centre, Trikala, Greece
• ACHAIA S.A. - Developing Company of Local Authorities, Kalavrita, Greece
• AgroPOLE Ltd – Rural and Regional Development Innovation, Technology Quality Management, Athens, Greece
• Peloponnisos – Centre for Strategic Development, Tripoli, Greece
• KEOSOE - Central Union of Vine and Wine Producing Co-operative Organisations of Greece , Athens, Greece
• T.E.D.K. (Union of Local Authorities) of Achaia County, Patras, Greece
• Verein zur Förderung des Steirischen Vulkanlandes (SVL), Kornberg, Austria
• b&s – Management Consulting and Training for the Rural Area, Leipzig, Germany
• ENAIP - Fondazione Enaip Don Magnani, Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Institute of Sociology, Department «Sociology of Organisations and Politics» - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IS), Sofia, Bulgaria
• NGO Anti – Poverty Information Center (APIC), Sofia, Bulgaria
• ASISTA s.r.o., Most, Czech republic
• District Economic Chamber of Most (DECM), Most, Czech republic
• INCD – Urbanproiect (National Research and Development Institute on Urban and Spatial Planning), Bucharest, Romania