EU Networks and co-operation
Liverpool city council has an on-going relationship with Europe. Part of this involves hosting visits and fact finding missions to Liverpool by other European cities. The other part involves the city in co-operation with other European cities and institutions - this includes membership of EuroCities, participation in transnational projects and networks, and being a partner in the Mersey Brussels Office.
EUROCITIES network
EuroCities is a network of 130 of the biggest cities in Europe. It is organised into six forums:
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Economic Development
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Social Affairs
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Culture
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Environment
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Knowledge Society, and
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Mobility (transport).
Each forum meets three times a year to allow member cities to exchange experiences and develop opportunities for collaboration.
Liverpool participates in the Economic Development, Culture and Knowledge Society forums and, through the European Team, monitors activity in the other forums. The forums also establish small working groups to look at particular topics and Liverpool is currently chair (with Budapest) of a working group on urban regeneration, and a member of a working group on EU cohesion policy and structural funds.
Transnational Projects and Networks
The reason that the city participates in transnational projects is to learn from best practice in other European cities - and also to share best practice that has been developed here in Liverpool.
Liverpool is currently participating in two transnational projects:-
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CoNet is a network looking at integrated approaches to social inclusion in deprived neighbourhoods. You can find out more at http://urbact.eu/thematic-poles/social-inclusion/thematic-networks/co-net/presentation.html.
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HerO is a network looking at how to balance the growth demands of a modern city centre with the need to protect urban heritage such as a world heritage site. Find out more at http://urbact.eu/thematic-poles/sustainable-urban-development/thematic-networks/hero/presentation.html.
Mersey Brussels Office
The Mersey Brussels Office (MBO) is located close to the European Commission and European Parliament in Brussels. Its role is to provide MBO partners with an opportunity to influence EU policy, access funds and build European partnerships.
The focus is on areas of joint EU-Merseyside interest including regional policy, transport, the environment, social inclusion, enterprise, entrepreneurship, governance, community safety, immigration, culture and tourism.
The MBO has two members of staff based in Brussels and more information can be found at http://www.merseyside-europe.org/