Regional Development in Norway Name Title Scenario Scenario

Regional Development in Norway [Name] [Title]

Scenario

Scenario • The local cornerstone company closes down • Unemployment rises • People move • Brain drain Hard for remaining businesses to adapt and grow Difficult to create start-ups/ attract entrepreneurs www. regionalomstilling. no

What to do? • Pool the efforts! • Launch projects to enhance collaboration between local community, local authorities and local industries = What Regional Development Programmes aim to do www. regionalomstilling. no

Regional Development Programmes in Norway

The Ultimate Programme Goal • CREATE JOBS! www. regionalomstilling. no

3 Levels of Administration Involved • National level: Government • Regional level: County (regional authorities) • Local level: Municipality (local authorities) www. regionalomstilling. no

Regional Development Programmes in Short • Up to six years • National funding. Extraordinary grants • Regional allocation of funds and follow-up of local programmes www. regionalomstilling. no

Regional Development Programmes in Short (continued) • Industry development projects • SME development • Entrepreneurship • Networking • Infrastructure projects www. regionalomstilling. no

The Players • National level I: Government Annual grants to county authorities, provided there is quality assurance • National level II: Innovation Norway Assignment: Quality assurance partner National level, but operates locally www. regionalomstilling. no

The Players (continued) • Regional level: County authorities Process programme applications from local authorities Grant status as “Local Development Area” + funding www. regionalomstilling. no

The Players (continued) • Local level I: Municipalities, local authorities Programme owner • Local level II: The Programme Organisation www. regionalomstilling. no

The Road to Regional Development 1. Local authorities contact County authorities 2. County administration carry out an Impact Study 3. Local administration prepares application 4. County authorities • Process applications • Grant the municipality status as Local Development Area • Allocate funding for first year www. regionalomstilling. no

Where Does the Money Come From?

Programme Funding Scheme • Government grants allocated by County authority (NOK 2– 4 millions per programme) • + 25 % self-funding by the Municipality • Financial support from Innovation Norway (tools) (50– 100% of total project cost, preparatory stages) www. regionalomstilling. no

How to Spend it? 1. Industry development 2. Development of local community and public services 3. Programme administration www. regionalomstilling. no

How to Spend it? (Continued) 1. Industry development • • • Process and product development Extraordinary start-up costs Market research Networking projects among local og regional industries Hardware investments www. regionalomstilling. no

How to Spend it? (Continued) 2. Development of local community and public services • Mobilisation and motivation projects • Service design projects in the public administration • Skills improvement www. regionalomstilling. no

We Support Preparatory Work • Funds may be spent on early-stage processes only: • Research, mapping and ananlyses • Preparatory projects www. regionalomstilling. no

Implementation in Four Stages

Regional Development in 4 Stages 1. The Impact Study Main active player: Regional authorities 2. Strategy and planning Main active player: Project organisation 3. Development Main active player: Programme manager/CEO 4. Continuation Main active player: Local authority (= programme owner) www. regionalomstilling. no

1. The Impact Study: Outcome • Impact Study/ Consequence Analysis • County administration prepares and submits application for Government funding • 2– 3 months www. regionalomstilling. no

2. Strategy and planning: Outcome • Draft Programme Strategy • Draft Action Plan, year one • Application to Regional Authorities for status as Regional Development Area + funding • 6– 8 months www. regionalomstilling. no

3. Development: Outcome • Various local development- and collaboration projects • Fullfilment of goals as stated in the Programme Strategy and annual Action Plans • Up to 6 years www. regionalomstilling. no

4. Continuation: Outcome • Established local unit (project organisation or Ltd. ) to keep up the good work www. regionalomstilling. no

Performance Measurement

Performance Measurement I. • The programme strategy must include quantifiable goals www. regionalomstilling. no

Performance Measurement II. • Annual assessment workshops + reports • Programme management • Programme Board • Innovation Norway www. regionalomstilling. no

Performance Measurement III. • Final programme assesment by external consultant • Mandatory • Organised by Innovation Norway www. regionalomstilling. no

Innovation Norway National Competence Centre

National Competence Centre for Local Development • Innovation Norway: National level • But operates locally • Advisory role • Quality Assurance www. regionalomstilling. no

National Level: Developing the Field • Programme and project management support • Strategy and business development tools • IN covers 50 % of consultancy cost www. regionalomstilling. no

Tools & Templates • Standardised templates to ease paper work • Courses, workshops and assessments • Mappings and analyses, preparatory reports • Preparatory projects only www. regionalomstilling. no

Local Level: Executive Partner • Dedicated adviser from IN’s on-site regional office • Non-voting member of the Programme Board • Vertical/historical and horizontal/synchronous knowledge and experience www. regionalomstilling. no

Communication • www. regionalomstilling. no • Introductory guide: INTRO • Social media communication tool • Networking activities: conferences, workshops, meet-ups www. regionalomstilling. no

Case I. Vågsøy • Programme period: 2005– 11 • New jobs • Population growth • More people commuting www. regionalomstilling. no

Vågsøy: Challenges • High unemployment rate • Employment fell by 40 % 1995– 2000 • Unbalanced industry structure: heavily based on fisheries • Population decline (age group 20– 39) www. regionalomstilling. no

Vågsøy: Goals Measurable goals in three areas • New jobs Growth in existing local businesses Start-ups • Population growth • More people commuting www. regionalomstilling. no

Vågsøy: Key Results • Employment goals accomplished • Goal for population growth overachieved • More people are commuting in the region • Improved competitiveness www. regionalomstilling. no

Vågsøy: Success Criteria • Programme organisation: a limited company • Local enterprises held the majority of shares • Management & board had business development skills • Consensus on strategies and goals www. regionalomstilling. no

Vågsøy: Success Criteria • Communication/PR • Management active in local media and the community • Public information and updates on: plans, priorities, results www. regionalomstilling. no

Case II. Meløy • Programme period: 2012– 18 • Create 570 new jobs Case II. Meløy

Meløy 2012– 18: Challenges • March 2012: Cornerstone company REC Wafer closed down • 650 jobs lost • Total employment rate reduced by 20 % overnight www. regionalomstilling. no

Meløy 2012– 18: Goals • 570 new jobs by 2018 • 1500 new jobs by 2025 www. regionalomstilling. no

Meløy 2012– 18: Strategies • Make the most of comparative advantages within oil, gas and manufacturing • Create more robust industrial base • Fisheries • Travel industry • Agriculture • Make Meløy a more desirable place to live • Focus on women’s opportunities and younger generations www. regionalomstilling. no

Questions? Thank you! www. regionalomstilling. no