Liviu Stirbat

Thrilled to be a #speaker again in the 2024 RSA (Regional Studies Association) Annual #Conference, June 11–14, 2024 Università degli Studi di Firenze, #Italy, with a #paper on 'Alternative Futures for #EU #CohesionPolicy' (Special Session SS43. What Future for Cohesion Policy? II - Theoretical Underpinnings) #RSA24 Euro. Reg. Sci. Ass. (ERSA)EURADA - European Association of Development Agencies #EU #regions #innovation

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Europe’s sectoral #socialdialogue partners for local & regional government are concerned about the EU’s new #economic governance rules. 📣EPSU & The Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR): "Insufficient funding for local and regional governments exacerbates inequalities and disparities across regions and municipalities, as well as between rural and urban areas. Without adequate resources, local and regional authorities struggle to address pressing issues such as unemployment, labour and skills shortages, working conditions, social inclusion, and the digital and green transition." Read the statement here👇🏾

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Really interesting presentation and discussion of recommendations for the digitalisation of the Latvian State Employment Agency. This is part of DG REFORM's #TSI project on “Modernizing digital systems of the Latvian Public Employment Service”, implemented with #OECD expertise. Some of the key recommendations refer to: -       Developing a dedicated digitalisation strategy -       Finetuning the IT system to improve system and data security -       Modernizing the analytics system and the automation of data -       Improving the design and implementation of jobseeker profiling tool Excellent work and collaboration involving DG REFORM, OECD, and the Latvian Ministry of Welfare and State Employment Agency! More details here: https://lnkd.in/esku588h. #technical_support #reforms #EuropeanCommission #EUReformSupport #employment #employmentservices Raluca Painter Alessandra Flora Theodora Xenogiani Eva Lapsiņa Ilze Zvidrina Anne Lauringson

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Can we use policy #experimentation to test if we can enhance people's trust in national institutions? 🧪In the latest article written for UNDP North Macedonia, I propose an experiment that could test if we can enhance organizational transparency and in turn increase people's trust in an institution by having the daily schedules of decision - makers open to the public? 📌 Read the article, and let us know if you want to partner up with us in pursuing this proposed experiment? UNDP Accelerator Labs https://lnkd.in/dbs4ipHZ

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Night-time economy can give a boost to local growth and foster multiplier effect at national scale, as it's happening in Montenegro with the participation of Budva to Cities After Dark. In this interview to Radio Budva I shared the main strands of action of the URBACT network on night-time economy which is promoting a reflection on the role played by economic and cultural vibrancy, safety and public spaces for promoting the access to the city at night for all. With its action on delocalization of night-time activities, Budva is testing an interesting model with replicable elements for other coastal and maritime cities concentrating night-time activites in specific seasons and central locations of the urban contexts

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I hope that those of you interested in innovation, regional development, smart specialisation and the performance of different public administrations will find this article, authored with Fabrizio Guzzo and Carlo Gianelle, of interest! It has just been published in "Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research". We examine how governments from different administrative traditions reformed their innovation policy governance following the adoption of the Smart Specialisation approach of EU cohesion policy for the 2014–2020 funding period. Based on four case studies from Germany, Italy, Poland and Slovenia, we find that different administrative settings played a role in the uptake of intended governance reforms and that the S3 conditionality was not sufficient to guarantee substantial change in the absence of continuing political and bureaucratic support. Our analysis supports the idea that governments and administrations which were already better aligned with the Smart Specialisation logic may have had limited incentive to update their governance structures, while those less aligned with it appeared sincerely motivated to overhaul existing arrangements, yet without proving capable of sustaining the desired changes. Our conclusions lead us to formulate both policy and theoretical recommendations about the use of ex ante conditionalities. The article has been published OPEN ACCESS, so feel free to dive in! https://lnkd.in/eRfrgnRZ

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🔎 Part of the comprehensive analysis created by the University of Silesia in Katowice explores 🔹 diverse approaches to metropolitan #governance across #CentralEurope, 🔹 various roles of #local and #metropolitan governments, 🔹 autonomy of local and metropolitan governments, 🔹 significance of metropolitan issues in national agendas, 🔹 effectiveness of different cooperation models. Discover how these approaches enhance metropolitan #cooperation and address #challenges in our latest article.👇 ..................... For those interested in delving deeper into the specifics of these metropolitan governance systems: 👉 the comprehensive report is available: https://1url.cz/B1Qr2 👉 the executive summary of these systems in each MA can be found: https://1url.cz/m1Qrq 👉 the storymap featuring the governance systems and 17 selected best practices can be found: https://1url.cz/9u6JD MECOG-CE is an Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE Programme' project. #GovernanceSystems #BestPractices #BetterGovernance #MetropolitanArea Robert Pyka @Krzysztof Bierwiaczonek Zuzanna Neuve-Eglise Malgorzata Suchacka

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⚠️ European CSOs face increased constraints, including through "#ForeignAgent" laws. ECNL, Ökotárs Alapítvány - Hungarian Environmental Partnership Foundation from #Hungary, Civic Initiatives / Građanske inicijative from #Serbia, and VIA IURIS from #Slovakia share strategies to counter harmful legislation. Key takeaways from their experience: 🔵 Prevent overreacting to any/every defamation attempt; ⚪ Collaborate with wide-ranging alliances and extend connections, particularly with global partners; 🔵 Seek our pro-bono legal counsel; ⚪ Tactics to overcome fear and self-censorship. The research is now available in English and Bosnian, download it here ➡️

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In the light of #InternationalSMEsDay, we emphasize the importance of people's well-being and prioritizing inclusive participation ensuring that new systems align and contextualize local culture and personal/institutional needs. UNDP North Macedonia in partnership with the national institutions, private sector, chambers of commerce and other relevant stakeholders supports the #SMEs to further advance the 2030 Agenda and contribute to achieving the SDGs, including poverty eradication and decent work for all. Leveraging the Power and Resilience of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to Accelerate Sustainable Development and Eradicate Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises #SDG4 #SDG8 #SDG11 #sustainabledevelopment #inclusiveprosperity #employments #skills

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🌍 On June 14 MAIA Resilience EU team of Athena Research Center, Dr. Konstantinos Dellis, Lida Dimitriadou, PhD and Hezal Dilan SARI with Prof. Dr. Phoebe Koundouri Director of the Sustainable Development Unit - ATHENA RC, hosted online an engaging policy roundtable and workshop focused on "Energy Transition & Energy Communities" under the auspices of the MAIA Resilience EU project. This event was a highlight of the EU Sustainable Energy Days, bringing together a diverse panel of experts and an interactive audience session to delve into the pressing issues and opportunities within the energy sector. The roundtable commenced with insightful presentations from leading experts in the field, who shed light on the primary barriers and challenges confronting energy communities. Topics included regulatory hurdles, financial constraints, and the socio-political dynamics that influence community-led energy initiatives. The discussions emphasized the pivotal role of energy communities in driving regional development and fostering local empowerment through sustainable energy solutions. In the subsequent workshop entitled Best Practices and Collaborative Strategies which zeroed-in on specific issues facing energy communities in the EU , participants actively engaged in identifying actionable strategies to overcome these obstacles through a series of participatory exercises. The interactive format encouraged a rich exchange of ideas, allowing attendees to contribute their perspectives and experiences. The collaborative atmosphere facilitated the development of a shared vision for energy transition in the EU, underscoring the importance of community involvement in achieving the ambitious climate goals set by the European Union. 🌐 Learn more about the project: https://maia-project.eu/ #EnergyTransition #EnergyCommunities #SustainableEnergy #EUEnergyDays #CommunityEmpowerment #MAIAResilience

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Information on EU integration matters in head for acting ahead - as the attendant in two new workshops of the spring training cycle of the Directorate for European Integrations of the Council of Ministers BiH, held in Aprile 2024, in Banja Luka - “Preparation of specific documents for the use of EU pre-accession assistance” and “Communicating about the process of European integration”.  

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📕Fresh off the Press 😍 2024 Fiscal Decentralization Report for South-East Europe 📊 NALAS: Network of Associations of Local Authorities of South-East Europe and KDZ - Centre for Public Administration Research provide comprehensive insights into local government finances and the multi-level fiscal landscapes of Europe. Some findings: 🏙️ Significant Variability in Local Government Structure 🆓 Challenges in Fiscal Autonomy 🤰Educational Funding Dominates 💶 Wide Revenue Disparities ⚖️ Increasing Reliance on Intergovernmental Transfers 🏡 Property Tax Revenue Trends 🛣️ Capital Investment Needs Thanks Elton Stafa and Kelmend Zajazi for the important cooperation and co-editing. Read and download here: ▶️ #FiscalDecentralization #LocalGovernment #PublicFinance #SouthEastEurope

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City developers? Managers of regional project? Specialists on international funds? We have the perfect panel for you. Corina Crețu (former EU Commissioner on Cohesion and Reforms) and Ovidiu CIMPEAN (secretary of state, #mipe) will join me in a conversation about how can we shape our society and improve the daily lives of our citizens Europuls - Centrul de Expertiza Europeana makes sure you are up to date for the most important subjects on the EU Agenda

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🏆 🇲🇰  We are pleased to support the government of North Macedonia by implementing the project “EU for SME development” funded by the European Commission.   This project will contribute to develop SME policy framework in line with EU strategic priorities and will increase the capacities of the North Macedonia public administration to better develop programmes and measures for SME development.   The specific objectives of this project are to: 📌 Develop national SME Strategy 2024-2030 corresponding Action Plan in line with the EU strategic priorities and good EU practices; 📌 Support public and private stakeholders to design programmes and instruments/measures for implementation of the SME Strategy and Action Plan; 📌 Set up the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanism for implementation of the SME Strategy; 📌 Increase capacity of public bodies in charge of formulating, coordinating, and implementing public policy measures on SME policy; 📌 Improve access to the EU programmes for SMEs, by capacity building of relevant stakeholders and development of systematic support structures.   The project will run from June 2024 until March 2026.   #EU #SME #NorthMacedonia #newcontract #internationaldevelopment #ibfIMPACT #economy

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A great article by Stella Ladi , Dimitris Tsarouhas and Paul Copeland on the emergence of coordinative conditionality based on an analysis of the design and negotiations of National Recovery and Resilience Plans. Just out, Open Access, part of a Special Issue on coordinative Europeanization and changing EU - member states relationship during permacrisis edited by Stella Ladi and myself. Well worth reading! 👇

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Integrated Drought Management Project in Kosovo: Progress and Future Steps ⏭️ Facing climate challenges, Kosovo is advancing in drought management through the SlovakAid-funded project in collaboration with GWP CEE and the Water and Waste Water Works Association Kosovo (SHUKOS). Key achievements since October 2022 include:  👉An analysis of Kosovo's drought framework.  👉Proposal for the set of essential mitigation measures.  👉The launch of the Kosovo Drought Community of Practice (under IWRM 👉Action Hub) for stakeholder collaboration.  👉Training sessions on monitoring and drought indices. Engaging stakeholder dialogue to shape the Kosovo Drought Action Plan, focusing on actionable strategies for water security and drought mitigation.  Stay tuned for more updates on our journey towards better resilience to drought in Kosovo! To find out more click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/exRzQqt2 #IntegratedDroughtManagement #IWRM #WaterSecurity    

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In 2023, The Isocrates Foundation renewed its partnership with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) for the "Reporting Democracy" initiative from 2023 to 2025.   "Reporting Democracy" (RD) serves as a pivotal cross-border journalistic platform, launched by BIRN in 2020 with the support of the Isocrates Foundation. Its mission is to foster independent professional journalism that critically examines the state of democracy, issues, trends, and events shaping the future of the region. Through its comprehensive approach, the initiative not only produces insightful articles, interviews, and analyses by its correspondents but also empowers local journalists by commissioning pieces and offering grants for in-depth reporting and investigation.   Since its inception, RD has produced over 900 articles covering 18 European countries. Its dedicated website, "Balkans Insight," has become a significant source of information, attracting more than a million readers and achieving over 1,000 republications and citations across prestigious European media outlets.   The renewed support from the Isocrates Foundation through 2025 will ensure that BIRN's network of journalists receives the necessary financial and editorial backing to continue their invaluable work. It will also enhance opportunities for exchange and collaboration, which are crucial for the initiative's success and impact.   For more information about "Reporting Democracy" and its contributions to the journalistic landscape in Europe, visit: https://lnkd.in/ergAcBw8   #Renewal #ProgramSupport #InvestigationFund #CapacityBuilding #Networking #FieldStrengthening

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#Climate-related #statistical risk indicators, recently published by the #ECB show that current flood defence standards in coastal areas in the euro area are highly efficient in preventing floods (see chart). Yet, with projections of more intense coastal floods in the future, continuous investments will be needed. Financial risk mitigation strategies, insurance and loan collateral, will also be key to provide post-disaster relief to affected firms and limit potential losses of lenders. Climate adaptation strategies will play a vital role in reducing flood risk. Explore more indicators and additional insights: 🔗 ECB website https://lnkd.in/ep2fvTvy 🔗 ECB Blog https://lnkd.in/eNb3hify 🔗 Statistics Paper (by ESCB experts) https://lnkd.in/egCh8iak

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