krakow; 29 –11–2005 energy agency zoetermeer presented by: harry meerwijk
TRANSCRIPT
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Energy Agency ZoetermeerEnergy Agency Zoetermeer
Presented by:
Harry MeerwijkHarry Meerwijk
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Index PresentationIndex Presentation
• EAZ
• Keep in touch with the European Commission
• Know all about the European sides in your own working field
• Compare activities with European initiatives
• Find the right partner
• Start in time (examples)
• Creating a team to prepare the proposal
• Understand the deeper meaning of the European rules involved.
• Keep to the rules and procedures
• Take care of decision making
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Energy Agency ZoetermeerEnergy Agency Zoetermeer
• EAZ is a foundation
• The Board is represented by “Consumers”,
“Rabobank”, Building corporation “De Goede
Woning”, “Eneco-energy”, “Siemens” and the
“Community of Zoetermeer”
• EAZ coordinates several projects.
• EAZ realizes the climate policy of the community.
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Keep in touch with the EC.Keep in touch with the EC.
• Attend meetings in Brussels (My first visit to Brussels)
• Read newsletters (Managenergy,official European bulletins,
etc)
• Membership of international organisation(s) (Like Energie-
Cités)
• Get to know national Organisations advising the EU
• (like EG-Liaison, SenterNovem in the Netherlands)
• Get to know your national members of European Parliament.
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Know the European legislation, Know the European legislation, directives, subsidies, in your own directives, subsidies, in your own
working field.working field.
• Keep informed about all the “rules” from Brussels.
(Not the most inspiring job, but it can be very
important for the financing of projects. In Zoetermeer
we have a regular meeting with all the people
involved in European activities)
• Know the possibilities and periods when you can enter
a proposal for subsidie
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Compare actual and future Compare actual and future activities, policy and plans with the activities, policy and plans with the
European initiatives and funding European initiatives and funding schemes.schemes.
It is easier when you apply for European funding for actual or future activities then to “invent” a project just because there is a possibility
for European funding.
Starting the Energy Agency Zoetermeer; Already Climate policy in Zoetermeer• Finance; There was not really a need to create a Dutch association
of Energy Agencies.• BELIEF; The board of the energy agency is already a kind of energy
community• Encourage; There already was a plan to make a sustainable
business area• RUSE; The importance of working together with new member states
was already recognised in Zoetermeer )
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Find the right partners and/or Find the right partners and/or make friends with these partners.make friends with these partners.
Like in a relationship, you have to keep your promisesses and
go along with each-other for quite a long time.
• AZ; Tampere, Belfast, Zoetermeer• FINANCE; International partners not known, dutch
partners had to be convinced after entering a proposal• BELIEF; Still has to start, but international workshops
and meetings are foreseen abundantly• RUSE; Heart of the project is international sharing of
knowledge and experience. Knowing the partners is almost essential
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Start in time!Start in time!
Schedules of the EU are not flexible, deadlines are deadlines!
• EAZ; Started only 2 months before the deadline: Hectic preparations
• FINANCE; No problems
• BELIEF; Mails from the coordinator (example)• RUSE; More mails from the coordinator)
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Mails from the coordinator BELIEFMails from the coordinator BELIEF
• Email example 1: Intermediate Financial Report (asking to send files)
• Email example 2: BELIEF negotiation DOCUMENTS TO PROVIDE URGENTLY!
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Create a team to prepare the Create a team to prepare the proposalproposal
You just need enough time to create a proposal. An appropriate
number of hours have to be planned.
• EAZ; We did not plan the hours properly, so we had to hire an expert to help us
• FINANCE; Most of the work was done by the coordinator. Disadvantage is that you are not really involved in the content of the proposal
• BELIEF; Start in March 2005. Hours were planned to work on the proposal.
• RUSE; No problems with planning of the hours)
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Understand the deeper meaning, Understand the deeper meaning, the spirit of the European rules the spirit of the European rules
involvedinvolved.. Not only the text of the rule, but also the deeper meaning is important.
• (EAZ; The EU wanted to create independent local energy management agencies, not just a new municipal department.
• FINANCE; The EU was overwhelmed with small proposals and projects. The EU wants to create one association of energy agencies in each country, so they can manage proposals and projects more easily.
• BELIEF; The EU is trying to involve as many stakeholders as possible to reduce the CO2 emission
• RUSE; New and future member states are an important target group for the European Commission)
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Keep to the rulesKeep to the rules
Don’t think that you can “manipulate” the rules of the EU.
Be obedient.
• Follow the instructions of the EU at all times
• If possible, let your proposal screen by a national advisor
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Don’t be afraid of bureaucratic Don’t be afraid of bureaucratic proceduresprocedures
Sometimes the forms and procedures can drive you crazy;
Don’t give up and just continue filling in everything that is
asked for!
Krakow; 29 –11–2005
Take care of decision making Take care of decision making and signatures in timeand signatures in time
• Often, at the last moment, the decision and the signature of the board or the mayor is needed.
• This always takes time. Be aware of that.
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THE ENDTHE END
Thank you for your attention,
are there any questions?