ECTN, Win Atlantic and Digital Local Agenda (DLA) Project

ECTN

ECTN is the only network which brings the tourism and cultural industry professionals working in different regions of Europe together to exchange experience and information on best practice. The agreed objectives for the network are to:

* facilitate sharing of research
* facilitate the development of transnational projects
* ensure improved cooperation and integration between the tourism and
cultural sectors
* develop and improve training opportunities
* enable exchange of experience and best practice
* develop common responses to European Commission consultations
* link with other networks.

WIN Atlantic

WIN Atlantic is being coordinated in the region by the Midland Regional Authority and will also link with other support agencies including the County Enterprise Boards in the Midland Region.

The WIN Atlantic network is funded by the EU through the INTERREG IVC (Atlantic area) initiative and membership is free to companies who meet the
qualifying criteria.

This is a new business support network with the aim of helping SME's and innovative start-up companies build a presence across European markets and expand their business network throughout France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

WIN Atlantic will provide enhanced networking opportunities to companies located in the participating regions and support them in the development of their business throughout Europe. The network is particularly interested in working with businesses in the Information Communications Technology (ICT), Biotechnologies and Energy / Environment sectors.

The advantages to network members include the opportunity to receive part finance to attend and participate in local, national and European events, networking opportunities, information on funding opportunities, access to information essential for operating in one of the partner countries. Any company who applies must have a branch in the Midland Region to avail of funding to attend events. For companies interested in applying for membership to the network - it is possible to complete the application form on line (http://www.winatlantic.com) .

Once an applicant submits an application for membership on line, they will receive a response within 10-15 working days and will be notified of the outcome by e-mail. The application is assessed by a Selection Committee - one nominee per partner".

Digital Local Agenda (DLA) Project

Project Title: Common Methodology for the Implementation of Digital Local Agenda

Project Duration: Start: beginning February 2010 Closure: end of December 2012

Project Objective: The main objective of the project is to improve regional policies in the fields of DLA for developing new actions related to the application of the IS to public services. To do so, the project will foster a permanent exchange of experience among partners and it will establish a cooperation network to update and improve knowledge on IS and its applications in public administrations’ services
As specific objectives, the project seeks:
    To design a general DLA transferable to every region
    To elaborate a Common Methodology to adapt the general DLA to every particular local situation
    To involve all key stakeholders in the project and in the process of building a DLA
    To exchange experience
    To state the basis for future collaboration

Project Partners:

DLA project has 11 partners from 9 different EU Member States:
3 Regional Authorities (Portugal, Ireland and Greece)
3 Associations of Municipalities (Spain, Estonia and Latvia)
3 Development and Innovation Agencies (Italy, Hungary and Germany)
2 Universities (Greece and Estonia)

Expected Project Outcomes & Results:

The main expected outputs of the project are:
1 partnership agreement
1 mid-term evaluation of the project.
1 project website
6 eNewsletters
2 project leaflets
1 project brochure
1 Guide of Good Practices
3 Dissemination conferences – 1 in Estonia focused on technical aspects of DLAs; 1 in Ireland addressed to policy makers and general media; and 1 in Italy to present the General DLA and the Common Methodology.
1 General DLA defining strategic guidelines transferable to every region wishing to design a DLA.
1 Common Methodology to adapt the General DLA guidelines to local particularities.

1 Common participation plan for internal diagnosis
11 Regional Reports on “Use and impact of IS at regional level”
5 study visits
1 collaboration network to improve local services based on IS tools