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• Our Project Common Sense

Our Project

At the moment all European cities are faced with the impact of the financial and economic crisis. Moreover, the impact of the climate change becomes more and more important for urban development. Only by a close substantive cooperation between governments of all levels, on the basis of an integrated and durable urban policy, solutions for the current problems can be found.
Through the global economic crisis, the European society is faced with quite a task. The security of jobs and income is at stake, companies have a difficult time, and particularly in the disadvantaged districts in the large cities the impact of the crisis becomes clearly visible. An integrated district approach must stay in line with other stimulation measures to restore the economy in the short run. It is very important to guarantee social cohesion in the downtowns by stimulating entrepreneurship in the districts and the economic resistance of the districts. For that purpose educational deprivation needs to be eliminated and socio-cultural tensions must be prevented. By raising the demand for volunteers and the participation of citizens, the quality of life is not only reinforced in the inner city districts, but also the social security and the feeling of security are raised. These measures cost much money and ask for an effective cooperation on a European level.

Innovative Platform of Managing Authorities

Challenges

During the URBACT-meetings in 2008 - 2009 all the present Managing Authorities showed a great need of not only sharing knowledge and experiences more often and more detailed, but also of sharing best practices with each other and making recommendations to the European Commission. This need was shared by all the managing authorities of both the “old” and the “new” Member States of the European Union. It was believed generally, that URBACT II in its current set-up (with a focus on the cities) could be improved by making more space and time in its programming for a closer cooperation and harmonisation of the Managing Authorities.The project Common Sense strives at achieving this.

Key point of focus

The Managing Authorities of the European subsidy programmes in the Member States play a special role in stimulating and achieving the necessary cooperation to be able to withstand the economic crisis and the impact of the climate change. Beside their regular tasks as a government, the managing authorities fulfil a leading part in deploying European resources. From their responsibilities for the European structural funds they can stimulate sustainable urban development by supporting concrete urban initiatives. They can create the preconditions which will guarantee economic development, employment, but also security, social climate and social cohesion in the cities. The project Common Sense brings the initiatives, which will play an important part in urban development in the near future, together.

A word from the lead partner

The Province of Gelderland, as a Managing Authority, wants to facilitiate and participate actively in the projects of its cities. As a consequence of the economic and financial crisis and the impact of climate change, cities and regions on a European level have to adopt innovative and creative strategies for their economic development. The URBACT II programme enables Managing Authorities to cooperate and develop plans and actions for a new strategy and policy. For Gelderland it is also a challenge to be Lead Partner and to find the right partners to achieve its Common Sense goal.

The project Common Sense should be a benefit to all Managing Authorities and the regions/provinces they are based in. They have the responsibility to stimulate measures for a good urban development, a sustainable environment and sensible economic development. The cities and their inhabitants will benefit from the innovative and creative initiatives that come from the Local Action Plan and the Local Support Group.