The URBACT II Programme 2007 - 2013 - Lublin

Final Application Form TN URBACT II
5 INVOLVEMENT OF MANAGING AUTHORITIES
The HerO Thematic Network has successfully applied for the Regions for Economic
Change "fast track" option. The overall aim of this initiative is to achieve "partnership
in action" - i.e. not only addressing together some of the core issues Europe is
facing, but also and foremost making a stronger link between the exchanges of
good practices developed in the urban development network programme (URBACT
II) and the main body of funding in the Operational Programmes. In this sense,
"fast track" is interpreted by the HerO network as "fast track to concrete outputs"
and as "fast track from ideas to their realisation and implementation".
This is the guiding concept which all of the HerO network partners - the Cities, the
Experts, the European Commission, the local Stakeholders, the associated Managing
Authorities - are following to design and carry out the activities of the network.
The European Funds' Managing Authorities associated to the network are of course
key actors in this process of delivery of ideas on the ground. They have in-depth,
detailed knowledge of the relevant Operational Programme(s) context in which the
HerO city partners are operating and are in the best position to guide and advise
the city partners on how to design actions relevant to the theme of network, while
staying coherent with the Operational Programme itself and integrating the use of
potential EU funding in these actions. The participation of the MAs in the HerO
network is seen to concur ultimately to maximising the chances of the concrete realisation
of the work emerging from the networking activities.
Thus, the HerO network aims to co-operate closely with the associated Managing
Authorities in order to enhance the impact the exchange activities have on local
policies. During the course of phase I there has already been a strong interest of
the partner cities’ Managing Authorities to align with the HerO network: as a result
all partners have confirmed an active dialogue with their responsible bodies and as
proof thereof 9 Managing Authorities have signed a Letter of Intent to associate to
the network at the stage of the submission of the final application (signed LOIs are
presented in Annex 6).
Based on the initial discussions with their MAs all HerO project partners developed
ideas on how to involve their associated Managing Authorities into the project’s activities
(further information on this is given in Annex 2 ‘Information on Fast
Track’).
Summarizing the individual approaches the associated Managing Authorities aim
to:
support the HerO project as a member of the respective Local Support Groups.
take part in the HerO network activities and especially in milestone meetings on
local and European level.
support and discuss the “two-way bridge” between the thematic networking activities
and the mainstream programs of the Structural Funds.
exchange on possibilities for implementation of actions identified within the Local
Action Plans by taking into account possible links to local/regional Structural
Funding Programmes.
get the opportunity to establish links to other MAs and exchange views on the
way Structural Funds are managed in other EU countries and regions.
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