Progress report (Feb 98)

Acronym: ESPARRU 17

FEDER Reference: 961129002

Project manager: José Antonio Santano

Director of Economics and Tourism. Regional Council of Gipuzkoa.

Beginning: 1/10/97

End : 31/1/98

3.1) Modifications.

- We have proceeded to set up four Sectorial Work Groups with regard to the four blocks which the 17 areas of the N.E.S. are grouped into ( Day-to-day services, services concerning quality of life, culture and leisure services and environmental services).

- Each one of the groups is made up of 15 people, as well as a technical secretary and a coordinator. It is envisaged that each of the groups will hold five meetings(at monthly intervals). The tasks to be carried out by these four Groups are focused on the following aspects:

- General analysis of the possibilities and opportunities for creating jobs and economic activity in each one of the blocks. Presentation, discussion and contrast of the preliminary studies.

- Identification of the obstacles that exist for developing these blocks (with regard to supply, demand, administrative aspects, others). Comparison with the pilot projects.

- Analysis, monitoring and contrasting the selected pilot projects.

- Analysis and suggestions for the identification, selection and launching of new projects.

- Comparison and analysis of other external experiences of interest.

- Those other matters that are considered to be of interest at the suggestion of the members of the various Work Groups.

3.2) Consolidation of partners.

- In the period that has been examined two meetings of each one of the Groups have been held. The first of these focused on the general presentation of the Esparru Programme and the activities that have been carried out, the working methods and schedule of the Group, and the presentation of viability plans in each one of the areas and preliminary analysis of the Plans and preliminary debate.

- At the second meeting the subjects dealt with focused on the following aspects: comparison of the viability reports, presentation and analysis of the pilot projects and preliminary identification of the obstacles that exist for the development of the projects.

3.3) Composition of the technical team (of the project) and the Steering Committee.

There have been no changes in the working organization chart (Coordinating Committee, Technical Commission and Steering Committee).

 4.1) Launching of transfer projects or activities.

a) Pilot projects

- The Steering Committee proceeded to approve pilot projects (economic or business activities) after a comprehensive analysis by the Technical Commission of the projects that were suggested and a comparison of the characteristics of the projects with the people promoting them.

- The methodology was drawn up for monitoring the pilot projects that had been approved at the first meeting, which defined the objectives, monitoring organs and support and control systems for the projects.

- Monitoring and support for these has been carried out both by their tutors ( Regional Development Agencies, grouped together in Garapen and Town Councils grouped in EUDEL), and by the various respective Work Groups.

- A second period for receiving suggestions for pilot projects was officially announced, the closing date for which was in December, and the Technical commission proceeded to analyse these projects.

- The criteria for the preselection of projects focused on the following aspects: the stage of development that the project is at, the promoter (qualifications and degree of involvement), degree of innovation and whether they belong within the framework of the N.E.S. employment, expected obstacles, impact and local support, financial needs, viability from the point of view of supplyand previous experiences.

b) Viability analysis of the new financial instruments as support for project activities in the areas of the N.E.S. and in the territory of Gipuzkoa.

- Preparation of a study regarding the " Applicability of the proximity saving models in Gipuzkoa", focusing on the characteristics and requirements to be fulfilled for setting-up a proximity savings company as a means of financing business projects in the area of the N.E.S.

- Preparation of a study focusing on the analysis of the characteristics and working methods for developing a pilot experience in Gipuzkoa within the framework of the activities included in the various areas of the N.E.S.

4.2) Meetings, seminars, steering committees....

- The Steering Committee held one meeting

- The Technical Commission held 5 meetings

- The Coordinating Committee held weekly meetings.

4.3) Publicizing, communication and information activities to do with the project

- Maintenance and updating of a project web page, with the following structure: General information, characteristics and presentation of the Esparru programme, statistics, general project documentation, and tasks that have been performed and news. The address is http://www.gipuzkoa.net/esparru. Up to January the page has had 1900 visits.

- Preparation of Information bulletin nº 4 (8 pages) with widespread coverage (1200 copies were mailed)

- A presentation was given on the ESPARRU programme at the Prest 98 Conference (1st Training and Employment Exhibition in the Basque Country) which was held in Bilbao.

- A presentation was given on the Esparru programme (day 12) at the Conference held in Salerno (Italy) to monitor the European projects for the New Employment sites (FEDER Article 10).

- Specifically at the request of Universities, Autonomous Governments and Local Institutions ESPARRU has also been presented in Alicante, Cáceres and Murcia.

4.4) Consolidation activities through the setting-up of structures, agencies, companies or through mobilization.

Those mentioned above.

4.5) Other activities

None.

V. Evaluation 

5.1) Overall degree of progress of the project.

- We have fulfilled the objectives of setting up the pilot projects and defining the monitoring mechanisms, as well as announcing a second round of suggestions for pilot projects.

- The four Sectorial Work groups have been set up and started with a remarkable degree of interest and participation from their members.

- Progress has been made in defining and analysing the viability of possible experiences with new financial instruments.

5.2) Difficulties that have been detected and problems that are outstanding

- The clarification, definition and analysis of the experiences with new financial instruments (service-cheques and proximity services) are demanding a greater effort than was expected as far as clarification and analysis are concerned and, along with this, the setting up of the Work Group with regard to this matter.

5.3) Activities, tasks and initiatives planned for the next 4 months.

- Monitoring the pilot projects that have been given support in the first round of suggestions for pilot projects and the selection of projects to be promoted from those put forward in the second round.

- Holding meetings of the Sectorial Work Groups and preparing reports making recommendations and suggestions regarding what is to be done in each of the four areas being considered.

- Holding meetings of the Governing Board, the Steering Committee and the Technical Commission.

- Setting-up a scheme to do with the New Financial Instruments (service-cheques) and the Work group concerned with this matter.

- Preparing Information Bulletin nº5 and publicizing innovations in the programme through the web page.

The development of the ESPARRU initiative in this period (October 97-January 98) has been defined by the following variables:

- An increasing level of awareness on the part of people and institutions regarding the New Employment Sites, mainly owing to the work of publicizing the successes (still only partial) that have been achieved, so that Esparru is being included in various laws in the Basque Country, or plans for sectorial activities (Youth Plan for the Basque Country) as an innovative efficient measure for creating jobs.

- A deeper development of public-private partners which has led to the setting-up of 4 Sectorial Work groups, which means the commitment and involvement of about 80 people from more than 60 public and private institutions.

- Surpassing the expectations that we originally envisaged, which were basically focused on the (local) private sector when it came to embarking on business initiatives in the area of the New Employment Sites.

- Modelling a system of guidance and assistance for the business initiatives that have been set up in the New Employment Sites.

By way of an overall assessment, we can point out most positively the contrasting and validation, through experimentation, of a local development strategy (identification of job opportunities, adaption of the legal framework, public-private commitment in support of business initiatives in the N.E.S.