barroso task force climate change & energy eu funding workshop tim irwin deputy director...
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BarrosoTask Force
CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY
EU FUNDING WORKSHOP
Tim Irwin Deputy Director
Environmental Policy Division
BarrosoTask Force
Barroso Task ForceBackground
• Established by President Barroso in 2007;
• Original remit centered on Peace Process;
• Reinvigorated in 2010;
• Remit broadened to improve NI involvement as a region with EU.
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Barroso Task ForceBackground
• Programme for Government 20% additional funds target;
• Thematic Groups:
– Competitiveness & Employment;
– Innovation & Technology;
– Climate Change & Energy;
– Social Cohesion.
• Winning in Europe sets out European Priorities.
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Climate Change & Energy Thematic Group
• Led by Department of the Environment;
• Cross-Departmental:
– Department for Agriculture & Rural Development;
– Department for Enterprise, Trade & Investment;
– Department for Regional Development;
– Department for Social Development.
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Key Aims• Tackle climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Improve resource efficiency;
• Develop energy infrastructure;
• Increase energy from alternative /renewable sources;
• Develop smart transport infrastructure;
• Strengthen the agri-food sector;
• Encourage R&D, creativity and innovation;
• Continue to build capacity.
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Key EU Policies• Europe 2020 Flagship: Resource Efficient Europe;
• Low-carbon Economy 2050 Road Map;
• The European Commission White Paper 2011: Roadmap to a single European Transport Area;
• The European Energy Efficiency Plan (until 2020);
• Common Agricultural Policy and the Rural Development Programme;
• Common Fisheries Policy;
• Innovating for Sustainable Growth: a Bioeconomy for Europe, Strategy and Action plan.
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Targeted EU Elective funding streams
• FP7 for Research and Innovation;
• Horizon 2020;
• Trans-European Networks Transport (TEN-T);
• Intelligent Energy Europe Programme;
• Smart Cities and Communities Initiative;
• LIFE;
• CIVITAS.
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Participation in EU Networks/Consortia
• ENCORE (Environment Conference of the Regions of Europe);
• Agriculture, Food Security and Climate change (FACCE) JPI;
• European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability;
• European Regions of Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN).
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Benefits of the C&E Thematic Group • Building capacity;• Working with the Commission & Taskforce;• Improved engagement /alignment with EU policy;• Communicating better on what NI is doing;• C&E thematic group covers a wide spectrum;• Opportunity to take a more holistic approach;• Opportunity to work with other thematic groups;• NI as an exemplar region for the rest of the EU.
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What Do We Do In Belfast? • Established a small team within EPD;• Exchange information with Desk Officer; • Examine EU Funding Programmes & Calls;• Disseminate information to our network of contacts;• Seek to build our network;• Facilitate & support project proposals;• Meet regularly as a Group;• Establish priorities and action plans each year;• Report progress quarterly / annually.
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Examples
• DETI - Energy Infrastructure;
• DARD - CAP reform;
• DRD - TEN-T
• DSD - Energy Efficiency
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The Role of the Desk Officer In Brussels
Keith Brown
Climate & Energy Desk Officer
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What We Do in Brussels
Facilitate NI-EU interaction- meetings, intelligence etc.
Ministerial and Other Visits
Participate in European networks/ build partnerships.
Liaise on policy/ work plans with UK, Ireland, Commission
Help Identify funding streams, partners and consortiums
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What is it Like Working In Brussels?
Most people are there for the same reason;
Get involved – networks, access to Commission;
Close liaison with UK and Irish Representation
Support from colleagues in ONIEIB
Contact with Departments in Northern Ireland.