---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:34:51 GMT From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: European Job Challenge - 10 projects selected European Job Challenge - 10 projects selected Ten job creation projects - regarded as outstanding, sustainable and as illustrating the essential contribution of the Structural Funds in reducing unemployment - have been short-listed for the first "European Job Challenge" competition. This competition was launched in June 1997 by Monika Wulf-Mathies, Commissioner responsible for regional policy and cohesion, to reward certain projects co-funded by the EU's Structural Funds and to present them as examples to other beneficiaries of the Structural Funds. This competition concerned sustainable job creation programmes in regions in decline, under Objective No. 2 of regional policy; it was open to all projects subsidized since 1989 by both ERDF and ESF. The main criterion was the impact of the programmes on jobs, but factors such as originality, transferability and the effects of the long-term unemployed were also taken into account. The list of short-listed projects was drawn up by a jury made up of six experts from Finland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Spain and chaired by Baroness Williams of Crosby. The finalists will be presented in Brussels on 29 and 30 April at a seminar on the "European Job Challenge". Those in charge of the winning projects will be invited to visit other Objective 2 regions to discuss they concepts and share their experience. Ms Wulf-Mathies stressed that, without help from the EU's Structural Funds, most of these projects would not have been achieved. Here is the shortlist: 1. United Kingdom (two projects). a) New Enterprise Strategy (NE England): the aim of this project was to create an improved network of counselling and financial backing aimed at promoting the growth in new companies; 1600 companies were thus helped to be set up in the region of Teeside and 2,823 jobs created. Total cost: Ecu 15 million, 706,000 of which from Erdf and 562,000 from ESF; b) The Entrepreneurship Programme (Western Scotland): the aim was to create new companies with a high growth potential in the sector of exportable manufacturing or services; 1,432 jobs were created for a total of Ecu 565,000, 221,000 of which from ERDF; 2. The Netherlands (two projects): a) Project Matching / CC 50 Exportdays (Groningen): this association consisted in a 9-month programme aimed at establishing a link between Northern Dutch companies and foreign companies. The international business fair in which 50 foreign companies took part, was the central focus of this project; 46 jobs were created through this operation which cost Ecu 264,000, 60,000 of which from Erdf; b) Stimulating logistics in the shipping industry (Arnhem/Nijmegen): this project was intended to teach shipping entrepreneurs, and especially SMEs, the value of modern logistic techniques; 94 jobs were created; total cost Ecu around 1 million, with Ecu 54,400 from ERDF and 480,000 from ESF; 3. Spain. Technological Centres (Basque country): the aim was to provide continual assistance to companies in the region to enable them to remain up to date with new methods of organization and techniques. These centres allowed for the creation of 859 jobs for a total cost of Ecu 7.7 million, half of which from ERDF; 4. Italy. Technological Park of Lake Maggiore (Piemonte): the aim was to encourage entrepreneurship in Northern Italy; 1720 jobs were created for a total cost (for the 1989-99 period) of Ecu 36 million, 11.5 million of which from ERDF; 5. France. West Twelve Initiative (Midi Pyrenees): the NGO composed of 23 volunteers supported, advised and financed small-scale industrialists and craftsmen to the tune of Ecu 250,000, 61,500 of which from Erdf; this initiative led to the creation of 224 jobs in local enterprises, 196 of which still exist today; 6.. Belgium. Qualified Entrepreneurs project, PLATO 100 (Kempen): the aim of this project was to create jobs through the growth in companies and to preserve jobs in the new companies; this project led to a net growth of 362 jobs over the first two years of existence and cost around Ecu 869,000, 370,000 of which from ERDF; 7. Germany. Promotion of small firm creation and action against unemployment (Nordrhein-Westfalen): the goal of the project was to help entrepreneurs with few prospects start new businesses. Over 6 years, 3,600 new jobs were created in sectors like the media, commerce, catering, environment and tourism; 50% of the new jobs were taken on by the long-term unemployed, 33% by women. The cost was over Ecu 16 million, 7.4 million of which from ERDF; 8. Finland. Technology and design in the furniture industry (Paijat-Hame): six cooperation networks were set up to help the local furniture industry improve its competitiveness and productivity. Over a one-and-a-half year period over 1996 and 1997, 95 jobs were created. Total cost amounted to Ecu 2.2 million, a little over 370,000 from Erdf. Source: (c) Agence Europe, 11/03/98
