Project partners of ECREIN+ gathered this Monday, December 13, 2010 to discuss the possibilities for potential or existing financial instruments to support the development of eco-innovative companies in the European territory. The objective of ECREIN + is to explore how regions can create and implement effective policies to support eco-innovation and green business in their territories. 12 partners are working together in ECREIN +, including regional authorities, chambers of commerce and the AER. The latter puts its vast network and expertise in inter-regional cooperation at the service of this promising initiative.
 
Public-private partnerships have been at the heart of the discussions, moderated by Richard TUFF, Director of ERRIN (Network of European Regions for Research and Innovation) and the support to competitiveness and innovation policies proposed by the European Union. On the eve of the review of the EU's main financial sector programs in 2011, and in the context of Europe 2020, which aims to make Europe's economy greener, smarter and more inclusive, it became very clear that eco-innovations should be at the heart of European investments.

Iulia DEGERATU, representative of the Romanian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, presented the project ECOEMERGE, whose purpose is to allow Romania to catch up with eco-innovation through the numerous synergies available with the ECREIN +, notably in cooperation between the State and the Romanian regions.

John EDSTAV, Councilor for the County of Uppsala (S) unveiled the first results of ECREIN + in the region, based on an innovation system coordinating the activities of general society, enterprises and universities. Uppsala focuses in particular on activities related to new energy sources and improving energy efficiency.

The French region Rhône-Alpes, leader of ECREIN + has also shown itself as a driving force in European eco-innovation through activities engaging with environmental management, such as practical support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Many public funding bodies, including the Conseil Régional Rhône-Alpes consolidated into a single window for easy access by SMEs with eco-innovation projects with existing funding (INNOV'R). In addition, public-private partnerships were developed with clusters to increase the link between research, innovation and production in order to facilitate the provision of eco-innovations.

"The regions are very well placed to support the development of eco-innovative companies. By virtue of our local knowledge, the potential of our territories and our position closer to industry, especially SMEs, means that we can evaluate and respond to needs of guaranteed financial support but also  education and training. ECREIN + should help to equalize regional inequalities and enable the largest possible number of regions to position themselves strongly on these issues”, concluded Alain CHABROLLE, Vice-president of the Rhone-Alpes Region.
 
The ECREIN+ partners are: Rhone-Alpes (F – Lead Parner), Andalucía (E), Baden-Württemberg (D), Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce (UK), Galicia (E), Ile-de-France ( F), Lombardia (I), Malopolska (PL), the Romanian Association of Municipalities (RO), Stara Zagora (BG), Uppsala (S), and the Assembly of European Regions.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER – aer.eu) is the largest independent network of regions in wider Europe. Bringing together more than 270 regions from 33 countries and 16 interregional organisations, AER is the political voice of its members and a forum for interregional co-operation.

AER Contacts

Francine Huhardeaux
Press & Communication Officer
+33 3 88 22 74 49
f.huhardeaux@aer.eu

Antonio Buscardini
Press & Communication Assistant
+33 3 88 22 74 44
a.buscardini@aer.eu
   
Estelle Delangle
‘Economy and Regional development’ Committee
+33 3 68 46 00 82 

e.delangle@aer.eu

For more information:
www.facebook.com/pages/Assembly-of-European-Regions/150836174931200