Brussels 2020: European funding for a sustainable region

On the occasion of the 2014-2020 programming period of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) the Brussels-Capital Region on 22 January organised a conference entitled “Brussels 2020: European funding for a sustainable region”. The objective was to raise the awareness of regional stakeholders about how useful these funds can be for rising to our region’s social, economic and environmental challenges.   At the end of 2011, the European Commission proposed several regulations, which, once adopted, will lead to investments in research, devolpment of SMEs, environmental and even regional policy. During 2012 and 2013, the BCR’s Delegation to the European Union, along with its other Belgian counterparts, negotiated these regulations within the European Council, with the aim of defending Brussels’ best interests. One of these, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-2020 is of particular interest to the BCR as this Fund authorises investments that have a real impact on growth and employment. That is why the Delegation paid special attention to it, along with the ERDF Unit of the Brussels Regional Public Service (BRPS). The conference entitled “Brussels 2020: European funding for a sustainable region” was organised in the framework of the start of the ERDF’s new programming period. After an introduction by Minister Evelyne Huytebroeck, Christian Lamouline, the Secretary General of the BRPS, highlighted his institution’s expertise as a project developer for ERDF projects. Manoëlle Wasseige, the Delegate of the Brussels-Capital Region to the European Union, then proceeded to give a presentation about the partnership programmes and the supplementary source of EU funding, including Interreg, Horizon 2020, Cosme or even Life+. These are all perfect laboratories for testing innovative ideas and best practices that can be implemented in the Brussels-Capital Region. The conference also was a good opportunity to review the 2007-2013 ERDF programming period and take stock of the projects in our region, such as Abattoirs, MAD, Bellevue or Brusoc. The ERDF Unit also encouraged Brussels stakeholders to participate in the 2014-2020 programme by providing them with the information they required about the objectives and by organising very practical workshops.   Further information: kindly contact the ERDF Unit of the Brussels Regional Public Service