Human Capital and Entrepreneurship

DOCUMENTS

URBACT Results Brochure  Read more
URBACT Tribune 2011 dedicated to Local Support Groups  Read more
Final Publication - URBACT Cities facing the Crisis - Impact and Responses  Read more
The URBACT Tribune 2010  Read more
Female Entrepreneurship: Towards an urban agenda for the economic downturn  Read more
Synthesis of Baseline Studies of the URBACT projects focusing on 'Human capital and entrepreneurship in cities'  Read more

Human Capital and Entrepreneurship



URBACT networks are exploring ways in which cities can deal with both issues and support "inclusive growth". This involves subtle process of working on the ground to untap the human potential of social groups and neighbourhoods which are usually discarded as part of the problem. The question then is how to link this potential with new forms of enterprise and sustainable, quality jobs in emerging sectors which serve social and environmental needs.

OPEN Cities, led by Belfast, is investigating how cities can build the kind of diverse, creative environment that retains and attracts the pool of talent that is available in migrant communities. WEED, led by Celje, points out that women’s participation in the economy plays a vital role in the sustainable development of cities and is exploring practical methods of mobilising their potential in urban economies. ESIMEC on how cities can build closer links with employers and help them emerge from the crisis with more sustainable jobs. These projects all have much in common with other URBACT networks focussing on the active inclusions of particular groups such as migrants in the case of MILE, young people in the case of MY GENERATION and aging people in the case of Active AGE.

Stimulating entrepreneurship figures strongly in many of the networks in this group. Urban N.O.S.E led by Gela is exploring how to create social economy incubators, which can help structure a series of city services which both meet social need and create jobs.  FIN-URB-ACT led by Aachen—Germany is testing out how cities can improve the support they provide to small and micro enterprises and projects.

Finally, URBAMECO, a network led by Lyon which ended its work in June 2009,  has shown that different functions within the larger city and these two-way linkages offer an important opportunity for tapping the unused potential of both.

To find out more about the aims, methods, events and outputs being planned by these networks read the synthesis of their baselines studies.

You can also read more about each of these projects by clicking on the links in the text above and , reading the articles and papers below

The 2010 Annual URBACT Conference also held a workshop on human capital and entrepreneurship.

1. Priorities for 2010 and 2011
2. URBACT ARTICLES on Cities – Human Capital and Entrepreneurship
3. URBACT REPORTS and PAPERS on Cities – Human Capital and Entrepreneurship
4. URBACT Case Studies
5. URBACT EVENTS on Cities – Human Capital and Entrepreneurship
6. Other EVENTS for Cities working on Human Capital and Entrepreneurship
7. Useful LINKS for Cities working on Human Capital and Entrepreneurship

 

1. Priorities for 2010 and 2011

The Projects in this theme have decided to focus on "how cities can promote inclusive growth- combining the economic and the social: lessons for the recovery". They argue that most cities are facing a number of key challenges:

  • How to ensure that new jobs and growth are both inclusive and sustainable
  • How to prevent labour market rigidities from excluding key groups of the population from the labour market
  • How to persuade policy makers at different levels of the costs of ignoring these problems.

Each network is able to make a series of specific contributions to these challenges based on its own strengths and thematic focus. Two networks approach the issue from the point of view of particular target groups (WEED for women and Open Cities for Migrants) while two focus on particular types of firm (social enterprises in the case of Urban Nose and small and innovative enterprises for Fin Urb Act).


2. URBACT ARTICLES on Cities – Human Capital and Entrepreneurship

    This article explores the lessons several URBACT networks (WEED, Open Cities, Urban NOSE , ESIMEC and Mile) about how cities can develop "a more sustainable, inclusive and innovative way of thinking and living". It examines the actions that cities can take to use the full potential of social enterprises and of women and migrants. It also looks at how they can work more closely with employers to ensure quality jobs that last.

    This document starts from the premise that a global transition to a low carbon and sustainable economy can create large numbers of green jobs across many sectors of the economy, and indeed can be an engine of development that, in the medium term, could be able to counterbalance the impact of the global crisis.  The third of the ESIMEC recipes includes some of the secret ‘ingredients’ to develop a true green economy.

    The URBACT programme encourages co-production and co-creation practices within its Local Support Groups and Local Action Plans. But what do we actually mean by this and how successful are we at achieving it? This article explores these concepts and introduces some of the work done by ESIMEC partners in the early stages of the project’s Implementation Phase.

    This article synthesises the key lessons for cities coming our of an OECD LEED Conference "Doing more with less : Local Partnerships' role in the recovery" held in March 2011. In the context of major cuts in city budgets and record levels of unemployment, the article looks at how cities can develop demand-led labour market strategies that contribute to the economic recovery.

    For the foreseeable future, European cities will face the major challenge of creating enough jobs to absorb the large numbers of people who have been thrown out of work from the sectors that prospered in the financial, property and consumer led boom that preceded the crisis. However, many of the responses that are currently being considered are particularly appropriate for larger cities. This article explains how the ESIMEC network proposes to work on how medium and small sized cities can build closer relationships with employers to generate more sustainable employment. 

    This article argues that cities cannot afford to ignore women as a central asset in economic development. It explores how cities are using several tools for fully utilising the potential that women represent: projects that encourage more family friendly employment practices, measure to help both employed and unemployed women reconcile work and family demands, training pathways to less segregated employment, and measures to encourage social enterprise.

    Rather than just looking at women entrepreneurship from the point of view of inequality, this article also emphasises the vital role that women entrepreneurs can make to urban economies. It goes on to provide examples of what cities can do to promote female entrepreneurship in four main fields: creating the right culture and conditions, providing quality financial services, building women friendly incubators and changing public procurement procedures.

     

    3. URBACT REPORTS and PAPERS on Cities – Human Capital and Entrepreneurship

    The final report synthesises the four main topics discussed in working groups and panels – how cities can support small entrepreneurial projects,  how they can promote innovative SMES, communicating city entrepreneurial support services and working with MAs. It also summarises the partners LAPs, provides a set of key recommendations and an overview of successes, weaknesses and good practices.

    The newsletter starts with micro-credits and Town Centre shopping as examples of two concepts of integrated development approaches for small scale projects and integrative forms for revitalisation of inner urban retail and crafts sector. Another highlight of this newsletter is the summary of the surveys on access to finance for self-employed, micro and small businesses presented by Patrick Fourguette, the FIN-URB-ACT Lead Expert. The document closes with a key player input by the vice mayor of our partner city Galati Mr Nicusor Ciumacenco, on the importance of FIN-URB-ACT for improving the business environment in Galati. The text also includes a brief report on news and events.

    The second ESIMeC recipe focuses on the role of the triple helix co-operation in workforce development based on the transational event of the same name. Very schematically,  it presents some of the key ingredients and utensils required for effective three-way partnership working between university, municipality and business to ensure a strategic and concerted approach to skills development and provision at local level. The recipe also includes a serving tip – in the form of an example of effective triple helix co-operation in Debrecen, ESIMeC partner from Hungary.

    This document details the steps for  creating a good and effective partnership. The text is divided into two parts. The first one lays out the ingredients you can choose to create a partnership able to give an optimal response to the needs of your municipality. The second part states the case of the Basingstoke Area Strategic Partnership as an example of good practice in this matter.  

    ESIMEC's event reports provide easy to read snapshots of the key issues associated with a particular theme and are presented attractively in the form of a menu at a restaurant. This event's main objectives were to better understand Debrecen's local context, to identify the key ingredients for successful triple helix partnership working and to define the role of universities in the development of clusters as well as in the job creation process.

    This document  provides a good summary of the main results of Open Cities in the three themes tackled by the network (Leadership and Governance, Internationalisation and Integration and Inclusion), together with some examples of good practices, and the main recommendations.

    In some cases an open economy with high levels of migration can be associated with growing social polarisation and inequality. This report examines how nine global cities (four from outside Europe) have put into place policies which help them benefit from the talent and diversity brought by migrants by integrating them fully into city life.

    This report considers how different types of city (large, specialised, secondary and historical) can position themselves to compete in the international ebbs and flows of the global economy. It analyses the internationalisation strategies of eight cities (Amsterdam, Miami, Singapore, Turin, Madrid, Vienna, Zurich and Cape Town) in order to draw a series of lessons and conclusions for cities that want to follow this path.

    The report identifies the key features of "leadership" in cities that want to become more open in terms of attracting international workers and then traces the how different cities apply them in four case studies (Auckland, Dublin, Stuttgart and Toronto). It draws ten lessons from the case studies and tries to throw light on a series of questions that are essential for success for cities tackling an "openness" agenda.

    A useful compendium of the city partners Local Action Plans. The document also available in Czech, Spanish, French and Italian.

    The final report provides a panorama of the results of the network in its three priority topics: women and entrepreneurship, women and the knowledge economy and promoting better work and social enterprise for women. It also provides some examples of good practice and a taster of the ideas in the city local action plans. 

    This brief brochure describes the steps to take in order to undertake a Gender Impact Assessment. It helps to estimate the different effects of any policy or activity implemented in terms of gender equality and provides links to more detailed sources

    This report looks at whether city strategies can be developed which not only enhance the knowledge economy but also have an impact on its gendered  nature and the lost opportunities that produces for women and cities a alike. It analyses the general context and that in the partner cities and then goes on to provide examples of a series of locally based initiatives.

    In this report the partners of the WEED project focus their "Action Learning Methodology" on the the ways in which cities can stimulate better employment for women, reconcile family and working life and encourage the social economy.  

    This paper aims to highlight issues for discussion in addressing the question, "why addressing the gender pay gap can improve women's economic position and address local economic problems at a time of economic recession". It offers an overview of gender dimensions in the labour market, the causes and implications of the gender pay gap; the differential gendered impacts of the recession on employment, and the reductions in public spending following the economic downturn. 

    The reports presents the rationale for prioritising municipal strategies for promoting women's entrepreneurship and makes a series of recommendations for how cities can do this based on a review of the literature and the case studies and evidence presented at a transnational workshop


    4. URBACT Case Studies

    Seven very complete and well written case studies on how cities are approaching the migration necessary for competing on an international scale in a positive and proactive way (Dublin, Aukland, Stuttgart, Toronto, Rotterdam, Vienna, Bilbao and Dusseldorf).

    This compendium contains thirteen very useful case study summaries from the partners of the OPEN cities network looking at the ways in which cities can integrate migrants into the economic and social life of the city.

    Another compendium of case studies from Open Cities project which provide practical examples of how cities can improve their governance and leadership in order to take the opportunities and reduce the problems associatiated with migration.

    An informative set of thirty case studies providing practical examples for cities who not only want to "enhance the knowledge economy but also have an impact on its gendered  nature and the lost opportunities that produces for women and cities a alike". This backs up the report on the same theme.

    Another comprehensive set case studies from WEED which provide ideas for cities that want to take advantage of the unused potential that women represent for urban development. The case studies are organized to provide insights into a series of policy tools available to cities.    

    This report provides a brief introduction and links to 25 good practices in building entrepreneurship among women. The case studies are classified into four main fields: creating a positive culture for entrepreneurship among women; financial assistance suited to the needs of women; projects to stimulate and support business; and networks and online resources for municipalities.  It provides a useful resource for cities who want to fully use the potential that women have for entrepreneurship.

    In this compendium, Angela O'Hagan Research Fellow at the Caledonian Business School (Glasgow Caledonian University) puts together and analyses three case studies able to influence in an effective way the policies on gender pay gap.

    This case study outlines how in Gävle, Sweden the municipality has adapted a US model to promote science, technology and innovation in its schools. The overall aim is to forge links between employers and the workforce of the future and to promote careers in science and technology to school children. The case demonstrates how since its inception in 2003 the initiative has made a tangible difference to the career choices of young people in this medium sized Swedish city. Through ESIMeC Gävle will start to focus on the promotion of higher level education, skills and qualifications amongst young people in order to prepare the workforce for new knowledge based careers.

    This case study explores the process used in the Ripoll River Basin area of Catalonia to develop a comprehensive Innovation Plan. The process involved extensive consultation with industry and has resulted in the establishment of a number of industry led clusters leading to new links between the municipality, industry and researchers and contributing to the region’s economic development. Through ESIMeC the focus will turn to how Sabadell’s workforce can prepare itself for the jobs which will be created in the new knowledge economy as a direct result of this Innovation Plan.

    5. URBACT EVENTS on Cities – Human Capital and Entrepreneurship

    - 10 April, Gela, Italy. Final conference of Urban NOSE project
    - 15 April, Gliwice, Poland. Final conference, FIN-URB-ACT
    - 12-13 May, Brussels, Belgium. Final conference of WEED project
    - 24-25 May, Brussels, Belgium. Final conference of the Open Cities project


    6. Other EVENTS for Cities working on Human Capital and Entrepreneurship

    •  23 September. Brussels. Getting out of the crisis together - alternative approaches for an inclusive recovery . Organised by the EAPN (European Anti-Poverty Network)
    • 26 September – 13 October. Different cities. http:/Cities for Active Inclusion – National Workshops. Eight major European cities will organise in September - October national workshops on active inclusion of young people, presenting their main research findings and promoting the exchange of knowledge between national stakeholders. 
    • 13-14 October. Dublin Castle, Ireland. Building quality jobs in the recovery. Organised by the OECD LEED Programme
    • 16-17 November. Southampton. Tackling Social Exclusion Conference. Organised by the cities of Gent, Rotterdam and Southampton. For more information, contact  jud.pearson@southampton.gov.uk



    7. Useful LINKS for Cities working on Human Capital and Entrepreneurship 

    • "The Skills dilemma: Skills Under-utilisation and The Bottom Ten Million": Elaborated by The Work Foundation, this paper will look into skills under-utilisation in low wage sectors, and how this contributes to the challenges faced by low earners in the UK. Document available as from November 2011.
    • Social Europe Guide  - European Commission Employment, Inclusion and Social Affairs.
    • Human Capital Leading Indicators: How Europe's Regions and Cities Can Drive Growth and Foster Social Inclusion. Peer Ederer, Philipp Schuler, Stephen Willms. Lisbon Council. February 2011. This report argues that the wide wealth gaps between Europe's regions can mostly be explained by using just a handful of measures related to 'human capital' including youth unemployment, research and innovation.
    • The Challenges of Growth, Employment and Social Cohesion.  Discussion document of the International Monetary Fund and International Labour Organisation joint conference (Oslo, 13th September 2010).
    • "Putting in Place Jobs that Last".OECD-LEED  A guide to rebuilding quality employment at local level.
    • "Greening Jobs and Skills. OECD-LEED". Labour market implications of addressing climate change.
    • Youth on the Move. European. One of the Commission's Flagship Initiatives of the EU 2020 strategy to unleach the potential of young peopleto achieve smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in the European Union.
    • An Agenda for new skills and jobs: A European contribution towards full employment. Another of the European Commissions Flagship Initiatives for the EU 2020 Strategy.
    • European platform against poverty and social exclusion. A further Flagship Initiative for the EU 2020 sStrategy : "Breaking Out of Policy Silos. OCDE". A document which provides concrete advice on how to better align policies and reduce duplication and waste. It is based on comparative analysis of 11 countries. Documents only accessible through payment.
    • "Designing Local Skills and Strategies.OECD".  An analysis of best-practice local strategies for increasing workforce skills and a close look at the opportunities and challenges presented by international migration. Documents only accessible through payment.
    • Active inclusion strategies: a way back to employment. Eurocities – NLAO (Network of Local Authorities Observatories on Active Inclusion)  This report outlines summarises the main recommendations of of Eurocities for  active inclusion strategies
    • European Parliament resolution of 6 July 2010 on promoting youth access to the labour market, strengthening trainee, internship and apprenticeship status