OP-ACT project received a grant from URBACT program

Innovation Circle Network partner Notodden municipality together with Motril (ES), Ancona (IT), Medias (RO) and Leoben (AT) as a lead partner were granted for a new project call OP-ACT. The project is addressing challenges faced by shrinking cities, coping with demographic change in small and medium sized cities, advanced reindustrialization and the crisis. The project duration is about 6 months and it consists of 4 work packages.

Demographic change, the advanced de-industrialization and the current financial crisis together with the linked danger of job losses pose specific challenges for small and medium size cities. When the economic basis is in danger and the population figures are predicted negatively, shrinking is a threat. The increasing need of action is accompanied by decreasing financial means. The subject the network therefore addresses the most urgent questions arising with this phenomenon.

The first package of OP-ACT is dealing with Economy and finances, trying to find a way how can economy be strengthened. It is also about learning what efficient area management is and how new businesses can be attracted. Social conditions are the concern of the second package which also includes young people and brain drain issue. Image building is the topic on the work package three. The results of it should be new ways of cooperation in tourism and culture found. And last but not least work package four will be working on living conditions which is essential thing talking about any city.

URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme (*) promoting sustainable urban development. It enables cities to work together to develop solutions to major urban challenges, reaffirming the key role they play in facing increasingly complex societal changes.

URBACT helps cites to develop pragmatic solutions that are new and sustainable, and that integrate economic, social and environmental dimensions. It enables cities to share good practices and lessons learned with all professionals involved in urban policy throughout Europe.

URBACT is 185 cities, 29 countries and 5,000 active participants.

URBACT is jointly financed by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) and the Member States.

(*) This European programme is part of Europe’s cohesion policy: its goal is to help implement the Lisbon-Gothenburg Strategy, which prioritizes competitiveness, growth and employment.

OP-ACT was one of 16 projects getting the grant at the URBACT II on November 24^th 2009. The full project list can be found by clicking here.

Updated: 17. December 2009