It was held on Monday, 19^th July, the last Steering Committee of the Twinning project in Georgia dedicated to the products’ quality control and protection system of protected geographical indication, coordinated by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food, Forestry Policies - Central Inspectorate of Protection quality and fraud repression of agri-food products and by the French counterpart, with the support of Informest for the administrative and financial part.

In the framework of the project "TAMSALL – Towards A new Multilevel Shared Approach for Libya Local Governance", aimed to contribute to the development of qualitative local public services in Libya and funded by the European Commission, the Lead Partner of the project "ART-ER S. cons. p.a." opened a public selection thorugh comparative procedure, for two experts: a highly experienced professional for the coordination of Components 1 and 2 of the project and a Lybya-based senior advisor on local development and institutional building.

More information are available here: coordination of components 1 and 2 and senior advisor on local development.

Deadline for application: Tuesday, 22nd June, h. 13.

The deadline of DIVA open call has been postponed to May 30th, at 12am

Last version of the FAQs is available here. Please read the FAQs carefully for doubts on Eligibility, Application Form, Reimbursement, Annexes, Letters of support, Financialcapacity, De minimis.

Informest team and HUBs will be at disposal for further clarification and help on proposal content and on filling and uploading annexes.

Please note that questions on eligibility of applicants  will be accepted till Friday 21st of May, because than the assistance will be devoted to the application procedure.

All applicants are invited to upload the annexes as soon as possible and to not wait until the last minute for finalising the submission procedure. Technical assistance will be guaranteed till Friday 28th May at 2 p.m.

Coastal erosion, flooding and sea level rise are the greatest climatic dangers to which Lignano Sabbiadoro area is subjected in an increasingly serious and increasingly frequent way. What measures should be taken to make the coastal area more resilient to the effects of the climate change? Informest and the Regional Energy Agency (APE FVG), RESPONSe regional partners, met today in an online meeting the representatives of local associations and regional agencies and Research Institutes: the Regional Agency for the Environmental Protection (ARPA FVG), the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), the Association Legambiente FVG, the Cultural Association Trezza Project, the Municipality of Lignano Sabbiadoro, the local Civil Protection and the representatives of the most important state owned concessionaries in the city.  

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change".
(Charles Robert Darwin)

Informest offices will be closed from 24th December 2020 to 8th January 2021.

PRIMIS project (Multicultural journey between Italy and Slovenia through the prism of minorities) co-financed by Italy-Slovenia program, in which Informest participates as technical assistance to the Culture and Sport Directorate of the RA Friuli Venezia Giulia - project partner, outlines activities aimed to implement the perception of multicultural linguistic identity in the program area and of its communities. To this end, it was deemed useful to have a brief overall picture of the EU and national Italian and Slovenia regulations for the protection of linguistic and national minorities.

Newsletter #4 can be visualized here. If you want to receive project newsletter you can subscribe here.

Project activities include an important investment, the restoration of Palace Gravisi-Buttorai of Capodistria,one of the most vivid examples of Baroque architecture in Koper, registered in the register of immovable cultural heritage of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia.  The palace will become the first Interactive Museum, Digital and Italian multimedia center (IMC) and will build a stable network presenting cultural and linguistic heritage of local communities. Third PRIMIS newsletter del progetto explains in detail renovation and recovery works of the palace. Newsletter #3 can be visualized here. If you want to receive project newsletter you can subscribe here.

An article on the DIVA project has been published in Platinum magazine (Il Sole 24 ore newspaper supplement) where next to the other articles is a special section called SLOVENIA 2020 on the excellence of Slovenia and Italy in the institutional, scientific, industrial, financial, medical and tourism fields, with particular reference to cross border cooperation between Italy and Slovenia. The magazine was published in March in print and online version, which can be viewed here https://platinum-online.com/ (DIVA is on page 97).

DIVA project partners prepared an online questionnaire in order to evaluate the potential for collaboration between cultural and creative sectors and traditional industrial sectors. We invite who would like to  contribute to the initiative to complete it : http://diva-borderless.eu/en/aat/

Once filled, an evaluation report will be automatically generated, with a series of valuable recommendations.

The cooperation project between Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Libyan municipalities in the fisheries sector ended last December; the project led to a fruitful collaboration between the two countries and issued important documents relating to fishing and the legislative and procedural path necessary for obtain EU certification for fish products. The documents are available on request at the address: project-libia@informest.it

PRIMIS aims to implement the perception of multicultural linguistic identity in the program area and of its communities. In the second newsletter you can find short presentations to deepen your knowledge of following communities: Cimbrian; Ladins from Comelico; Slovenian National Community in Italy; Friulans in Veneto; Italian National Community in Slovenia.

Newsletter #2 can be visualized here. If you want to receive project newsletter you can subscribe here.

The second Steering committee meeting of DIVA project partners took place in Trieste on October 22^nd. Soon the results of the mapping of the cultural and creative industries and SMEs of Veneto, FVG and Slovenia will be ready. 2020 will bring us many interesting activities, among which the activation of the creative hubs and organization of the workshops! Work in progress!

DIVA project (Development of ecosystems and innovation value chains - supporting cross-border innovation through Creative Industries) connects and integrates the cultural and creative sectors with the productive and industrial sectors. Thanks to the creation of an innovative ecosystem and the use of Smart technologies, DIVA strengthens the competitiveness of companies on international markets and offers services for society and the interregional economy. A short video resumes project key words. 

On Friday, October 11, 2019, members of the Technical Committee met at the second TC meeting, at the UNG premises in Gorizia. Representatives of CCIAA Venezia Rovigo, IUAV, Informest, UNG and Arctur coordinated further work on the project, prior to the Steering Committee meeting that will be held in Trieste on 22.10.2019.

Would you like to be informed about what is going on DIVA project? Sign up for our digital newsletter here:  http://eepurl.com/gBPm4r.

Over the next three years, every 6 months, you will receive newsletters about project activities and some important individual announcements to your e-mail address.

The third meeting  of the Transnational of Blue Energy Laboratory (TBEL) was held from June 5 to 7 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The event, organized by the Technical University of Thessaloniki as part of the MAESTRALE project, was an opportunity to discuss the state-of-art and the implementation of blue energies in the Mediterranean area and to present the pilot projects implemented by the project partners.  

A study visit by a Libyan delegation from the fisheries sector, to which Informest participates as a co-organizer, is started yesterday from Vigo (Galicia, Spain). The study visit to one of the most important European realities for the fishing and mariculture sector constitutes the natural continuation of the PathDev project, dedicated to supporting the Libyan municipalities for the revival of the fisheries sector and enhances the cooperation between the two European regions, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Galicia, strongly active in the Committee of European Regions, which gave life to the Nicosia Initiative to support Libyan municipalities. 

In the first Newsletter of the PRIMIS project "Multicultural journey between Italy and Slovenia through the prism of minorities", funded by the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Program 2014-2020, the project and the partners are presented. Newsletter # 1 can be downloaded directly here. 

If you wish to receive project newsletters and find out what the next activities will be you can subscribe to this link.

The sustainable use of marine energies is one of the most promising frontiers of blue growth development in Europe. At the EUSEW Energy Fair, the Interreg MED Maestrale project will show how many ways of exploitation of marine energy are feasible in the Mediterranean basin.

Through the Twinning Project GE 16 ENI EC 03 18 context, the objective of the ongoing visit of Georgian Delegation in Italy is to have a better understanding on how to establish control systems and procedures in line with the EU acquis for PDOs and PGIs.

In details, the beneficiaries will be hosted by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural, Food, Forestry and Tourism Policies (MiPAAFT). The study visit will start with a visit to the MiPAAFT with a view to better know its structures and responsibilities on GI management and controls.

SISMA project, funded by the INTERREG MED Program and coordinated by Informest, has been selected for REGIOSTARS 2019 award in the category Building climate-resilient cities. It is possible to click on the like button to one or several eligible projects until 9 July at this link. Projects that receive highest number of likes will go to he second phase. The winners will be awarded during the ceremony in Bruxelles on 9 October.

The Summer School will take place in Paluzza from the 1st to the 6th of September 2019. It is addressed to local administrators from Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Trentino and aims to give them the chance to develop an open mind-set towards some innovation themes for the integrated development of the territory and for thinking about “planning” as a method for projecting coherent interventions fundable with European funds or with other resources in the field of international, national and regional policies. The video can be seen here.

The award is given every year to projects funded by the European Union that demonstrate excellence and new approaches in regional development.

Each Operational Program can choose up to 5 projects: the MED Programme has selected SISMA project as one of the best innovative practices developed in the Mediterranean area, endorsing SISMA for the Regio Star 2019 award participation.

Informest attended yesterday the event dedicated to the future of the maritime in Friuli Venezia Giulia region organized by MARE FVG. The event draws the attention on competences of the regional enterprises and research institutions of the maritime sector and on trends and medium term visions of the big regional players of the sector. The event is attended by SMEs, research institutions and educational centres.

A new Twinning project in Georgia has started on 1st February.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Tourism (MiPAAFT), the general objective of the project is to support the development of “Appellations of Origin” and “Geographical Indications” (GIs) system in Georgia through the creation of effective supporting tools with the provisions of the European Union’s GIs protection system.

In particular, in the 24 months of activity experts from the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and of other competent institutions, jointly with the French colleagues, who act in the project as Junior Partner, will support the Georgian counterpart of the National Intellectual Property Center of Georgia in the improvement and adjustment of legislation and administrative / sanctioning structure for the protection and control of GIs. Among others,  4 new geographical indications are foreseen as project result.

Informest will implement the administrative and financial aspects, supporting MiPAAFT in the management and coordination of the project.

SISMA Project partners, leaded by Informest, met in Rome on Friday 20 April.
Objective of the meeting: finalizing the "SET - Subsidy Evaluation Tool" in view of the public presentation planned for May all long the Mediterranean area.

ESPON organizes a high-profile scientific seminar focused on the dissemination of good practices in the field of sustainable urban planning in the cross-border area of our Region.

In order to better face the new challenges imposed by climate change and demographic tendencies, it is necessary to rethink the urbanization system.

On December 2016, the Incubator of Creative Industries was established within the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) with the mission to support the creation of new and development of current creative enterprises in Latvia. CI Incubator offers two programmes: Pre-incubation (up to 6 months) – suitable for prospective and young creative entrepreneurs developing or improving business idea, and Incubation (up to 4 years) – suitable for entrepreneurs with clearly defined business idea. The program supports companies under 3 years.

Indirect cultural policy provides support for CCI within the legislative framework of Navarre. One of the aspects for the moment is Tax credits for film and audiovisual production according to the local law (Ley Foral), 29/2014, Article 70 (made public on 24 December 2014). This law gives percentage credits for investments in productions of films and TV series (fiction, animation and/or documentary) and services delivered for film and TV series productions.

On March 27th and 28th in Aba Iulia and Sibiu (Romania) the CRE: HUB steering comitee will be held together with the sixth study visit of the project. The meeting will focus on the policies to strengthen the creative industries, analyzing the creation of territorial hubs.

Opening the LX Factory was a private initiative. It is a grand 23.000 m2 former factory in the Lisbon area of Alcântara, comprising ten buildings ranging from one to five floors.

In 2008, the complex was turned into a creative island for enterprises and professionals, serving also as stage for a diverse set of happenings related to fashion, advertising, communication, fine arts, architecture, music, etc. Sectors of the 203 enterprises/professionals currently established: architecture; design; catering /restaurants; shopping/leisure; advertising; fashion; visual arts; performing arts; music; new technologies; communication/marketing; photography; publishers; etc.

In the field of culture the Valley of Arts plays a significant role. The self-organized summer festival exists since 1989 and offers various cultural, musical, theatrical and literary programs. It is based on the local culture, built and natural environment. The centre of the festival is Kapolcs village but it was expanded to the villages nearby. The income of the festival is divided between the participating villages and they can use it for rural development aims. 

FVG Film Commission & Contract scheme audiovisual Production

FVG Film Commission, born in 2000, has assisted hundreds of productions, including films, documentaries, TV series, music videos and commercials. FVG FC is a founding member of EUFCN (European Film Commission Network) that is associated with the Film Commission on the European market. In 2003 the FVG Film Fund was established; which provides funding for those productions that choose regional territory for shooting. The Film Commission offers operators (movie, television, advertising and multimedia), the number of services is free of charge (production offices, equipment, tailors, local partnership network). The ratio between the FVG Film Commission investment and productions economic fallout is around 1 to 6.

The Foundation "Lucana Film Commission" (LFC) was established in 2012 with the purpose to promote and support the production of films, television, audio-visual materials and advertisements in Basilicata. The production and distribution of the works born in the region can exploit grants and incentives provided through the specially established LFC fund.

Carolina Creative Quarter was established in order to bring together all creative and innovative resources of the city of Alba Iulia in the Centru Region and create a permanent culture and art infrastructure, within the premises of the historic Carolina Citadel. The initiative is supported by the administration of the city of Alba Iulia, which is planning to set up a series of spaces dedicated to the CCI in the city: workshops, galleries, incubator, training facilities – all within the historic citadel.

“RaPaPro” creative partnership programme, which facilitates a collaboration among vocational cultural education institutions (involving art, design, music and dance schools), municipalities, business, social groups and other representatives of society in order to bring the creative ideas into “life”. “RaPaPro” is initiated in 2014 and is financed by the Ministry of Culture of Latvia. 

Regional Creative Economy Centre (RCKE) was established within the Regional Development Agency of Ljubljana Urban Region (RDA LUR) in the context of an Interreg Central Europe project Creative Cities. It is still mainly funded through different EU projects, but partially also by RDA LUR. The main aim of RCKE is to train and connect creative individuals from creative industries with companies in other industries, thus creating conditions for achieving business successes based on multidisciplinary development processes.

MERKATUA is an arts meeting / fair focusing on the disciplines of theatre, dance, film, music and literature (edition). It was born with the intention of showing the products of the professional scope of the Navarra culture to distributors and to other type of agents of bordering communities and provinces as well as specialized agents. The fair will take place on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 October 2017.

Startup Lisboa is an initiative of the Lisbon City Council, included in the wider strategic umbrella “Lisbon Creative City”, and a part of the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The proposal to set up this incubator stemmed from the Council’s participatory budget of 2009/2010. A private non-profit association, it was founded in 2011 with the support from the bank Montepio Geral and the governmental agency IAPMEI – Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation. It is now a part of an urban regeneration project for Lisbon’s downtown area (Baixa), including the reuse of historical buildings. 

The Albacomp Innovation Centre was established in 2015 in Székesfehérvár and boasts an impressive 4000 m2 area. The Centre has offices and place for production as well as it is suitable environment for R&D&I, back office and commercial activities, services, education and production. It can provide research infrastructure for the settling cluster members. The Albacomp RI Ltd. has agreement with the Alba Regia Technical Faculty (Óbuda Uniersity) in the field of dual training, so the centre is home for educational activities too.

Pordenone, along with the University Consortium of Pordenone, Unindustria and Technology Centre have created a strategic asset for the development of local economies. The COMET association (District of Components industry and Thermo-electromechanics, the coordinator of “Young People and Arts”) organizes 12 workshops involving businesses in a week-long work with students, teachers, tutors and designers. 

The process that lead to Matera as the 2019 European Capital of Culture.

Since 1985, the European Council of Ministers has assigned the title of European Capital of Culture. The application dossier for Matera European Capital of Culture was prepared by the Committee Matera 2019, with the involvement of the Municipality, the University of Basilicata, the Two Provinces, the Chambers of Commerce, the Foundation Zetema, the Matera's Murgia Park and the Conservatory of Matera, and was accepted on 17 October 2014.

FOLD is a communication platform that brings together Latvian and foreign CCIs with the aim to facilitate their collaboration and learning together. The main focus is on design and design thinking.

The creation of platform is based on the merger of previously existing blogs — “Plikums” and “DesignBlog” (both created in 2009), which gathered news on the interesting in Latvian design, and a slightly younger “Fine Young Urbanists”, which wrote about urban planning and design. 

Interact organizes in Brussels a discussion event to share experiences between cohesion and cooperation experts. exchange of concepts, approaches and ideas related to territorial cohesion and cooperation. This event will help to measure changes in the territories, also in view of the post-2020 period. 

Solutions, constrains and potentials to generate electricity from wave power, marine currents or from salinity gradients and possibility to produce biomass or biofuel by seaweed farms and from marine thermal energy were at the core of our activities and interesting guidelines are going to be published.

Finally cultural and creative enterprises get recognition in law in Italy. And more: Italian Parliament at the end of last year decided to allocate to this kind of companies a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the costs incurred for development, production and promotion of cultural and creative products and services. The tax credit is expected "within the spending limit of 500,000 euros for the year 2018 and of 1 million euros per year for 2019 and 2020 until all available resources are used up".

CRE:HUB project has been selected by the European Commission as a relevant initiative to be labelled for the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018!

The aim of the European Year of Cultural Heritage (EYCH) is to encourage more people to discover and engage with Europe's cultural heritage, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. The slogan for the year is: Our heritage: where the past meets the future.

More information can be found at: europa.eu/cultural-heritage/

Ljubljana Urban Region – Slovenia. Competence Centre for Design Management (KCDM) was established in 2013 within the Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2007-2013 and was co-financed by the European Social Fund. It was a pilot project of a design agency Gigodesign which included 19 companies - design companies, consulting companies and companies which develop new products and services, with the aim to improve knowledge and processes in cooperation, increase the value of their brands and improve the position of all companies on the market.