Alpine Space Programme: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:04, 29 January 2011

Revision as of 02:27, 23 April 2011

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2011}}

{{Infobox Geopolitical organization

|name = '''Alpine Space Programme'''

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|admin_center = Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Lichtenstein, Slovenia, Switzerland

|languages_type = Period

|languages = 2007-20132007–2013

|org_type = '''European Transnational Cooperation Programme'''

|official_website = http://www.alpine-space.eu

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|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank =

}}

'''Alpine Space Programme -''' ''European Territorial Cooperation 2007-20132007–2013''

The Alpine Space Programme is a transnational cooperation programme in the framework of the [[European union|European Union]] cohesion policy. In this programme national, regional and local stakeholders from the participating countries in the [[Alps|Alpine space]] cooperate on various transnational projects. The major objective of the Alpine Space Programme is to make the cooperation area more attractive and competitive through joint activities in those subject areas in which transnational cooperation is required for sustainable solutions.

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== Cooperation area ==

Geographically the Alpine Space Programme cooperation area comprises the [[Alps|Alpine core area]], the surrounding foothills and lowlands of the “peri-Alpine belt”, a small part of the Mediterranean coastal area including the Adriatic and parts of the great river valleys of Danube, Po, Adige, Rhône and Rhine.

In the cooperation area live about 70 &nbsp;million inhabitants on a surface of approximately 450.000&nbsp;km²<ref name="Cooperation Area">[http://www.alpine-space.eu/about-the-programme/cooperation-area/ Cooperation Area], Official Alpine Space Programme website information on the programme's cooperation area</ref>. Several different European languages are spoken in this region, among others French, German, Italian and Slovene.

== The European policy framework ==

The Alpine Space Programme 2007-20132007–2013 is part of the European Territorial Cooperation objective. The European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) has been developed from the Community Initiative [[Interreg|INTERREG]]. [[Interreg|INTERREG]] was created in the framework of the European Union’s cohesion policy as an incentive for cooperation within the European Union. Cohesion policy encourages regions and cities from different EU Member States to work together and learn from each other through joint programmes, projects and networks<ref name="Cohesion Policy">[http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/index_en.htm European Territorial Cooperation -– Introduction], Official Introduction to the European Territorial Cooperation by the European Commission</ref>. In the Structural Fund period 2007-20132007–2013 the Community Initiative [[Interreg|INTERREG]] has been upgraded to the "European Territorial Cooperation Objective". In the current programme period 2007-132007–13 the ETC objective covers three types of programmes: cross-border cooperation, transnational cooperation and interregional cooperation. The Alpine Space Programme is one of the 13 programmes of the transnational cooperation objective. The transnational programmes add an important extra European dimension to regional development, developed from analysis at a European level, leading to agreed priorities and a coordinated strategic response.

This allows meaningful work between regions from several EU Member States on matters such as communication corridors, flood management, international business and research linkages, and the development of more viable and sustainable markets<ref name="Transnational Cooperation">[http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/transnational/index_en.htm Transnational Cooperation Programmes -– Introduction], Official Introduction to its transnational cooperation programmes by the European Commission</ref>.

The ETC is funded by the [[European Regional Development Fund]] (ERDF).

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=== Priority 1: Competitiveness and attractiveness ===

One of the Alpine Space Programme’s priorities in the funding period 2007-20132007–2013 is to enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of the alpine region. Although the Alpine area is characterised by a rich and diversified economic structure with strong links to the territory and a well-developed polycentric urban system, low internal innovation capacities of SMEs, urban sprawl and depopulation reduce its competitiveness and attractiveness. In this context the challenge lies in strengthening the innovation capabilities of SMEs, in creating good environments for the development of SMEs and in fostering stable cooperation between R&TC centers and SMEs. Development options posed by traditional sectors and the cultural heritage are to be used more intensely<ref name="Priority 1">[http://www.alpine-space.eu/about-the-programme/priorities-thematic-fields/competitiveness-and-attractiveness/ Priority 1: Competitiveness and Attractiveness], Official Alpine Space Programme information on its Priority 1</ref>.

=== Priority 2: Accessibility and connectivity ===

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* [http://www.adaptalp.org/ ADAPTALP], Adaptation to Climate Change in the Alpine Space

* [http://www.aliasproject.eu/ ALIAS], Alpine Hospitals Networking for Improved Access to Telemedicine Services

* [http://www.alpcheck2.eu/ ALPCHECK 2], Alpine Mobility Check -– Step 2

* [http://www.alpenergy.net/ ALPENERGY], Virtual Power Systems as an Instrument to Promote Transnational Cooperation and Sustainable Energy Supply in the Alpine Space

* [http://www.alpffirs.eu/ ALP FFIRS], Alpine Forest Fire Warning System