UBC EU-Coordinators Network

The UBC EU-Coordinators Network had its third seminar in Jekabpils, Latvia in September 2000. Mr Jan Blomstrand had a very inspiring and thoughtprovoking lecture on EU Projects. The focus was on what to do with a large project ideas in order to find financing and carry it through.

This seminar concluded the first phase of the shaping of the UBC EUCoordinators Network. The activities so far have been partly financed by EU through Swebaltcop. Still remaining to be finished is a home-page for the network.

The new chairman of the UBC EUCoordinator Network, Ms Charlotte Pedersen, EU Co-ordinator in Aalborg, will continue to develop the network. It is a very important tool for UBC to implement one of its' major strategies, which is to prepare cities in our region for the EU enlargement.

UBC is promoting the UBC Member Cities to establish a position in their administration as EU Co-ordinator. The intention with the UBC EU-Coordinator Network is to support the persons holding that position in the city.

The EU Co-ordinator task is to coordinate information on EU to the various city departments, to assist in EU related activities and to promote city departments to take active part in projects and other EU activities. The EU Co-ordinator works across city sectors.

The title of the position can differ, but he must have support from the highest level in the city.

An EU Co-ordinator should have a general perspective on the city and not be a specialist in a narrow field. It is more important to have educational skills than to be an EU specialist. He must be good in English and be able to take own initiatives.

The EU-Coordinator should be able to work in networks, giving and getting information. The UBC EU-Coordinators network is one of these networks.