Municipalities have the opportunity to share their experience and find new partners in “open day” seminars in Brussels
On 12-15 October 2015, the municipalities and other organisations of the European Union (EU) Member States will have the opportunity to visit European regions and cities' open day seminars in Brussels to share their experience of successful territorial cooperation projects as well as to find new partners for further activities. This event will be organised for the thirteenth time BY the EU Committee of Regions and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional Policy.
“It should be noted that almost 6000 politicians, local government employees and specialists of various fields from 192 regions and cities, representing a total of 31 countries, participated in the 107 seminars on 6-9 October 2014. The event was attended by 207 journalists. More than 300“ open day ”events took place outside Brussels - in other EU countries,“ the Secretary-General of the Committee of the Jiří informed Mr Buriánek, who opened a conference on “open day” organisational issues on 21 January 2015 in Brussels. It was visited by more than 200 stakeholders from various EU countries.
On 12-15 October 2015, seminars in Brussels can be organised by a partnership of 5-12 EU municipalities representing at least four EU Member States. At the same time, municipalities may also apply individually to organise their own working group at the event. The subject of this year is “European regions and cities: partners for investment and growth.”
The deadline for the submission of regional partnerships and seminars is 27 March 2015. More information on the organisation of seminars during “open days” in Brussels:
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/conferences/od2015/doc/OD2015_Guide_for_event_partners.pdf
It should be noted that the “open day” seminars were also visited by representatives of several Latvian municipalities and journalists on 6-9 October 2014. “New project ideas, non-standard approach to problem solving, opportunity to establish contacts in different European countries”, says Anna Jtumema, head of the Rēzekne District Development Planning Division.
She is also advised by Ilvija Pastare and Cross-border Project Manager, Natalia Jupatova, head of the city council of Rezekne, who, at the time of “open days”, met not only new territorial cooperation programmes until 2020, but also had the opportunity to analyse public procurement criteria in Latvia and other countries.
Anna Jaugema adds that “open days” are an opportunity for Latvian municipalities to compare themselves with other European regions and proud of the progress made. “This week gives much more than courses on project management”, notes Anna and recommends that other Latvian local government experts visit “open day” events in 2015.