International strategy

Transcription

1 International strategy New knowledge for increased competitiveness

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3 Contents 1 Background Starting points Region Östergötland Yearly Strategic Plan Regional Development Programme EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region EU Aim Objectives Geographical priorities Baltic Sea Region EU Other countries Implementation Success factors Influence Operational development Cooperation Governance process Governance Responsibility and roles Follow-up Appendixes

4 1 Background The Region Östergötland International Strategy was adopted by the Regional Executive Committee on 6 April The strategy is a result of the review adopted by the executive committee on 30 September The strategy is comprehensive and covers all activities within Region Östergötland. 1.1 Starting points The Region Östergötland International Strategy is based on the following steering documents and strategies Region Östergötland Yearly Strategic Plan Region Östergötland s international cooperation will contribute to the realisation of the vision and objectives of the yearly strategic plan, which sets out the overall strategic direction for Region Östergötland. The plan includes visions, challenges and strategic objectives within five different perspectives: society, citizens, processes, employees and finance. In addition, the plan sets out success factors that are crucial for achieving positive development within each of the objective areas. Region Östergötland s international cooperation relates to several of the perspectives in the yearly strategic plan. International activities carried out within the organisation will contribute to the achievement of set objectives and success factors. The Society perspective describes how the development potential in Östergötland is realised. Continuous learning and the ability to implement new knowledge within the own organisation are important prerequisites for further development of Region Östergötland s activities. An international commitment offers opportunities for influence and can lead to cooperation within different areas. Influence strengthens the region s capacity for action, which in turn increases the attractiveness and competitiveness of Östergötland. The Process perspective describes the main aims of Region Östergötland s working methods and processes, where knowledge-based activities form an essential part. International exchange and participation in international networks generates new knowledge, which contributes to the development of health care. The Employee perspective describes how human resources are utilised and developed. Active international exchange strengthens Region Östergötland s attractiveness as an employer and increases opportunities of recruiting people with valuable skills Regional Development Programme International cooperation will also contribute to the realisation of the vision and objectives of the Östergötland Regional Development Programme. The following three objectives for regional development have been established: good living conditions for the region s inhabitants, a strong business sector and high employment rate, and sustainable use of natural resources. Action-oriented strategies based on set targets are linked to the objectives, addressing the challenges facing Östergötland EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region The EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is a cooperation between the countries around the Baltic Sea. The aim of the strategy is to meet the common challenges of the countries in the Baltic Sea Region today. The strategy has three main objectives: to save the sea, connect the region and increase prosperity. The objectives will be achieved through a number of measures and projects. Östergötland is a Baltic Sea region and actively participates in the Baltic Sea cooperation through EU-funded projects that contribute to achieving the objectives of the strategy. 4 (11)

5 1.1.4 EU2020 Europe 2020 is the EU s ten-year growth strategy, aimed at creating smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The strategy contains five principal objectives to be reached by The objectives deal with employment, climate/energy, innovation, education and social inclusion. Regional development is a central issue in the strategy, and local and regional commitment is crucial for reaching the set objectives. The Östergötland Regional Development Programme is based on EU2020, and initiatives for local and regional development, financed through EU funds and programmes, will contribute to the achievement of the EU2020 strategy objectives. 1.2 Aim The aim of the Region Östergötland International Strategy is to create a common platform for international cooperation with other actors at local, regional, national and international level. The strategy sets out the guide for Region Östergötland s international cooperation and advises on issues relating to the organisation s international commitments. 1.3 Objectives The objectives of Region Östergötland s international cooperation are to: 1. Strengthen Östergötland s competitiveness and position 2. Reinforce Region Östergötland through new applicable knowledge from other international stakeholders 3. Develop the regional leadership in collaboration with other actors at national, regional and local level. The objectives set out a common direction for Region Östergötland s international cooperation, where strong regional leadership in collaboration with other stakeholders creates the conditions for a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. 1.4 Geographical priorities Region Östergötland s international cooperation is mainly carried out in three different arenas: the Baltic Sea Region, EU and other countries Baltic Sea Region Östergötland is part of the Baltic Sea Region, and the development of this region affects the growth and development of Östergötland. Most of the municipalities in Östergötland have long-established partnerships in the Baltic Sea Region, through town twinning. The Department for International Relations has special focus on the Baltic Sea and is also responsible for a secretariat within the EU cross-border Central Baltic Programme EU Municipalities and regions in Sweden are directly or indirectly affected by decisions made by the EU. Regional and local levels can also influence decisions made at EU-level. EU regional policy aims to reduce differences in development between the regions, and local and regional levels can finance development initiatives via the EU structural funds to strengthen the region s competitiveness and contribute to the achievement of the objectives in the EU2020 strategy Other countries Region Östergötland has also established cooperation with countries outside the EU, e.g. China, Kenya and Bosnia. These partnerships are regulated by cooperation agreements or letters of intent based on the mutual exchange of knowledge and have clear links to Region Östergötland s activities within health care and regional development. 5 (11)

6 2 Implementation Region Östergötland s international cooperation has three focus areas: influence, operational development and cooperation. 2.1 Success factors For Region Östergötland to reach the objectives of international cooperation, the following criteria shall be met: Clear-cut priorities based on Region Östergötland s strategic steering documents Clear links to Region Östergötland s activities, based on operational needs Commitment from political committees with appointed contact persons Strive for long-term, enduring and active commitment Create strategic alliances with the municipalities in Östergötland, as well as with other Swedish or international regions Continuous evaluation and follow-up 2.2 Influence The EU has an increasing impact on local and regional levels. Region Östergötland will therefore work actively to influence and actuate change within the EU regarding issues that affect Östergötland s competitiveness and position. This can be done jointly in strategic alliances with other regions in Sweden or with the EU as a whole, in cooperation with the municipalities in Östergötland, or separately. The work will always be carried out in close unison with Östergötland s policies and officials and the EU office in Brussels. In order to successfully influence issues that affect the whole region, Region Östergötland will take on the regional leadership in collaboration with the municipalities. By creating regional commitment and consensus on common priority issues, the region together with the municipalities can actively exert influence on the EU. Region Östergötland s membership in international networks and partner organisations offers special opportunities to work and act from a larger political platform. Collaboration within East Central Sweden and the South-East Health Care Region can also provide a platform for influence. Region Östergötland will be an active part of the Baltic Sea cooperation and participate in strategic alliances in order to influence the development of the Baltic Sea Region, forming partnerships that lead to increased competitiveness in the region. Decisions to enter into new networks or cooperation agreements/letters of intent with other regions will be based on the following principles: There will be a clear link to Region Östergötland s prioritised issues and needs Cooperation will be marked by clear added value, mutual benefit and have clear objectives Both a politician and an official will be appointed to be responsible for each new membership or cooperation agreement Cooperation will be based on collaboration with other actors in the region or in Sweden Membership and cooperation agreements will be continuously reported back and evaluated in order to follow up added value and results. Region Östergötland will also work strategically to obtain positions regarding contexts and issues that affect regional development. 2.3 Operational development External monitoring and exchange of experience with other regions generate new knowledge that strengthens Region Östergötland and creates good conditions for the region s inhabitants. It is therefore important to integrate the international perspective in all of Region Östergötland s activities. 6 (11)

7 Active international exchange is crucial for developing and maintaining the quality and competitiveness of health care, and can take the form of international research, educational initiatives in other countries, or cooperation projects. Within regional development, international cooperation projects offer increased opportunities for gearing up and implementing already planned initiatives, which also strengthens the effects of the region s own efforts. The selection of cooperation projects will be governed by Region Östergötland s steering documents, such as the yearly strategic plan, regional development programme, and the action plans of the executive committee and other committees. It is also important to consider the needs and objectives of Region Östergötland s activities in order to ensure that the results of international exchange lead to the desired development. Region Östergötland s membership in international networks is also an important part of the development of activities. Participation offers good opportunities for the exchange of experience, new contacts, new methods and working procedures that can strengthen and develop Region Östergötland. International contacts and exchanges also strengthen Region Östergötland s attractiveness as an employer and increases opportunities of recruiting people with the right skills, especially within health care. 2.4 Cooperation A prerequisite for Region Östergötland s international activities is good cooperation with other actors at local, regional, national and international level. In cooperation at local level, mainly with the municipalities, Region Östergötland functions as knowledge support on issues of funding and communicates EU-related information. Cooperation can consist of joint efforts to influence prioritised issues, joint development projects, seminars, skills development for politicians and officials, and regional networks. In order for the region s joint work on international cooperation to succeed, it is important that Region Östergötland and the municipalities are in agreement on which issues to prioritise for international cooperation, both regarding influence and development of activities. This assumes that the municipalities have a strategy for their international work, absorptive capacity at the level of officials, and clear commitment among politicians. At regional level, cooperation is carried out with other regional actors, such as Linköping University and the County Administrative Board, or in larger geographical regions such as the South-East Health Care Region and East Central Sweden. Cooperation with other regions in Sweden and national level includes a range of different areas both within health care and regional development. Internationally, Region Östergötland cooperates with local and regional actors both within the EU and in other countries by way of participation in international networks, exchange of experience with partner organisations, projects, training initiatives for medical staff, etc. 3 Governance process 3.1 Governance The Regional Executive Committee, as well as the Health Care Committee, Regional Development Committee and Transport and Urban Planning Committee have the task of carrying out the mission described in the strategic plan. This means that the executive committee and the other committees work towards the same goal, but from different starting points. 3.2 Responsibility and roles The Regional Executive Committee coordinates Region Östergötland s international cooperation and has responsibility for international issues that concern the executive committee s area of expertise. The committees for health care, regional development and transport and urban planning have the responsibility for international issues that concern their respective areas of expertise. 7 (11)

8 The Regional Executive Committee decides on the election of political representatives to international assignments, both regarding board memberships and permanent participation on committees and working groups. The principle is than only political representatives on the executive committee or the committee chairs are eligible for international assignments. The Department for International Relations, which also includes Region Östergötland s EU office in Brussels, assists the regional executive committee and the other committees in their work on international cooperation. 3.3 Follow-up The follow-up process which includes interim reports and annual reports will highlight Region Östergötland s international cooperation and make clear results and added value gained from the initiatives that have been carried out. 3.4 Appendixes List of Region Östergötland s international networks. 8 (11)

9 Appendix 1 List of Region Östergötland s international networks AER - Assembly of European Regions AER provides a political voice and a forum for interregional cooperation for its 260 member regions from 33 countries. AER was formed in 1985, and the main purpose then was to acknowledge the position and role of the regions in the construction of a democratic Europe. AERs approach is that the regions are the basis for democracy in Europe since they are close to the citizens, thereby enabling them to represent their interests and solve economic and social problems. Promoting regionalism and establishing the regions participation in European politics has from the start been one of the organisation s main aims. The conviction is that political decisions should be taken at the lowest possible level, and the principle of subsidiarity is highly valued. ERLAI (European Regional and Local Authorities on Asylum and Immigration) ERLAI is a Brussels-based network for local and regional organisations working with asylum and immigration issues. The network is led by the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy. The main purpose of the network is to enable the exchange of experience between regional and local levels in Europe, to spread information and share good practices. The network also creates opportunities for joint EU projects with focus on asylum and immigration issues. Some 30 regions and municipalities from a total of eight EU member states currently form the network. ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network) ERRIN is a Brussels-based network for regions and cities. Its mission is to support regional stakeholders to engage in and shape EU research and innovation policy. More than 90 regions are members of the network. Membership gives regions the opportunity for knowledge exchange on research and innovation at EU level. The network also functions as a tool for dialogue between regions and EU institutions, and as a basis for collaboration with other networks. 9 (11)

10 EUREGHA (European Regional and Local Health Authorities) EUREGHA is a Brussels-based health network consisting of 14 European regional and local health authorities. EUREGHA promotes collaboration amongst regions and local authorities within public health and health care with the aim to improve regional strategies for care and health care throughout Europe. The network also collaborates with EU institutions and international stakeholder organisations on initiatives within health care. Healthy Cities Network The European Healthy Cities Network focuses on public health. The network is part of the WHO. Region Östergötland is part of the Swedish Healthy Cities Network. Members are Swedish regions, municipalities and cities working at a strategic level with public health issues. The network focuses on strategic work for good health and sustainable development for all. The International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals & Health Services (HPH) The International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services (HPH) consists of more than 40 national networks. The HPH network, initiated by the WHO in 1993, aims to drive the development of a health promoting health service with focus on good care and equal health for patients, co-workers and the population. The HPH network has a number of international thematic groups on different issues, as well as working groups addressing broader themes. The secretariat of the Swedish HPH network (HFS) has its organisational location at Region Östergötland. Nordic Archipelago Cooperation The archipelago cooperation of the Nordic Council of Ministers is a cross-border cooperation between authorities, including the archipelago regions in the counties of Stockholm, Uppsala and Östergötland; Southwest Finland and Uusimaa; and the six archipelago municipalities of Åland. REVES (European Network of Cities and Regions for the Social Economy) REVES is a European network for cities and regions working actively within the field of social economy. The network has 75 members from twelve countries. The mission of the network is to establish a dialogue with EU and other international institutions in order to create positive conditions for the development of social economy. The network also strives to make clear the importance of partnerships between private/public/social economy actors in order to develop the local economy (11)

11 SERN (Sweden Emilia-Romagna Network) In mid-2008, Region Östergötland joined the Sweden Emilia- Romagna Network, SERN, which aims to facilitate the exchange of experience and participation in cooperation projects between Italian and Swedish actors in particular within the areas of the environment, education and culture, social economy, entrepreneurship and tourism. The network currently gathers around 50 municipalities, regions and organisations in Sweden and Italy for different joint development initiatives. S3 platform Region Östergötland participates in the European Commission S3 platform, a European network for regions working with strategies for smart specialisation. Smart specialisation is a process whereby regions analyse and indentify their strengths in order to increase competitiveness and growth. The network assists European regions by providing information, expertise, methodologies, exchange of knowledge and experience in their efforts to develop and implement strategies for smart specialisation (11)

12 Region Östergötland, kommunikationsenheten 2016