GUIDE_PRATIQUE_DEV_ECO_EN

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Cross-border
economic
development 31
Practical guide : promoting projects
Optimising support to potential
project developers
Making support services more consistent
The aim is to ensure the
consistency of the various
support services. To do so, it is
necessary to clarify the areas
of expertise and intervention
of each type of structure that
may support project developers.
Concretely, this means defining
a “support pathway” that
identifies the resources that
project developers may draw on
for each aspect of their project.
E x a m p l e s :
A functional diagram shows
the support services proposed
by the different players illustrates
the consistency between the
different support resources.
A directory of experts contains
detailed information on the services
offered by each support structure
as well as useful contacts.
The “Les aides et les
services supports dédiés aux
entreprises” (“Aid and support
services for businesses”) guide,
published in September 2011 in
Nord-Pas de Calais.
This clarification can help
to create a real network of
competence and expertise,
or even a quality label for
public or private-sector support
structures on the basis of a
list of jointly defined criteria.
This model is used for example
by the European Enterprise
Network, which brings together
SME support structures to
develop their innovation
potential and inform them of
policies implemented by the
Commission.
While it is possible to use
general interest web portals,
for example, to increase
the transparency of overall
support resources, it is
more effective to target the
information. Specifically, when
a potential project developer
approaches a support structure,
this structure, having provided
the project developer with its
expert advice, should point
out the other structures that
should subsequently be used to
address remaining questions.
The advantage of this network
system is that it ensures that
the project developer receives
answers to all its questions in an
efficient manner.
Strengthening overall coordination of the support network
Putting in place a support
network means identifying a
structure in charge of facilitating
the network. Its role is to:
ensure the consistency of the
support pathway;
maintain an overall vision of
the network and the territory:
gather information on the
support services offered by
each structure;
lead efforts to formalise the
support pathway (functional
diagram, directory, etc.).
This facilitator or integrator is
solely in charge of facilitating
the network. Due to the wide
diversity of support structures
(territorial authorities, public,
private and semi-public-
sector players), it seems
counterproductive, or even
impossible, to appoint a
coordinator or set up a reporting
relationship. In addition, the
facilitator should have a neutral
stance and a territorial vision.
Overall coordination
mechanisms:
The task of facilitating
the support network may be
assigned to existing cross-
border cooperation structures
in a given territory.
E x a m p l e s :
The EURO 3 EEIG groups together
the Greater Lille, West Flanders and
Wallonie Picarde chambers of com-
merce. Its operational tool, the CTE
GO-KMO (Cross-Border Centre for
Businesses) specialises in the mate-
rial, collective and individual support
of companies that wish to do busi-
ness on the other side of the border.
/
More details may be found in the factsheet on
the project.
Bihartean brings together the
Bayonne-Basque Country CCI
and the Gipuzkoa Chamber of
Commerce. The main aim of
this European Economic interest
Grouping (EEIG) is to support
businesses in their cross-border
projects and offer targeted advice.
More details may be found in the factsheet on
the project.
Shared resource centres may
act as facilitators or one-stop
shops.
E x a m p l e s :
The French-German-Swiss
Infobest network provides
information and advice to
individuals, public administrations,
associations, businesses and
elected representatives on all cross-
border issues.
The French-German
TransInfoNet (Cross-border
Crafts Information Network)
provides information and advice
on administrative, social and tax
questions to craft enterprises
(worksites and provision of
services). TransInfoNet also offers
technical support to businesses
(assistance with cross-border
formalities and resolution of
specific problems), organises
information meetings and training
sessions, and may interface with
the public authorities and European
institutions.
Point of focus
The effectiveness of the support network is based on:
• Updating information: in a changing environment
(reforms, private-sector support structures), it is crucial
to regularly update the functional diagram or directory of
support services.
• Pooling of information within the network: the network
can only function if each member structure keeps the
other members informed of changes. Each link in the
network must be responsible for contributing to the
cohesion of the whole.