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On 3 June, the seminar participants will be introduced with the key elements and objectives of the new programme, and the application of the existing ESPON Programme results in policy-making. Keynote speeches will be delivered by the representatives from the Netherlands, the EC and the CoR, discussing the link between the ESPON Programme, the Juncker Investment Plan for Europe, the Europe 2020 strategy, the European Urban Agenda and the Cohesion Policy after 2020. The participants will have interactive discussions on how to apply these results for instance in small and medium-sized urban areas, as it is one of the Latvian Presidency priorities in the field of sustainable urban development.
On 4 June, discussions regarding the new ESPON 2020 priorities and its thematic focus are planned. The recommendations, summarised after discussions, will contribute to a wider use of programme results in different levels of policy-making.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn about development issues of Jūrmala, the largest resort town in the Baltic States, including balanced resort and urban development planning, while preserving unique natural and architectural values, and historically established balneology traditions.
The seminar is organised by the Latvian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development with the support of the ESPON Managing Authority – the Luxembourgish Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures, and Jūrmala City Council. It is planned that the event will be attended by 105 representatives from the EU Member States, the European Free Trade Association countries, EU institutions, and scientific and non-governmental organisations.
The seminar is organised under the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The ESPON 2020 Programme aims to provide comparable information, evidence, analyses and scenarios on territorial development, and to reveal territorial capital and potential in the regions to boost European competitiveness, territorial cooperation and sustainable and balanced development. The ESPON network countries – the 28 EU Member States and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can apply for the project funding.
Programme is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for 2014-2020 planning period, with total funding of 41.3 million euros. The programme funding for projects constitutes 38.9 million euros. The ERDF project co-financing rate is 85%, whereas the remaining 15% are the partner contributions to the programme budget.
