Our new strategic thrust in 2010
FOSTERING EURO-INDIAN CO-OPERATION
ON SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT
As part of our "FLY A GREEN KITE" strategy
- The Centre: a key experienced facilitator of Euro-Indian local level exchange
The Centre has demonstrated its unique capacity to unlock Euro-Indian relations at the local
level of cities as well as regions/federating states and to get them and their stakeholders
mobilized to exchange and co-operate on issues of mutual interest across the K.I.T.E.
spectrum of Knowledge, Investment and business, Tourism and Excellence in urban
governance with tangible achievements: 3 Indian missions to Europe, 3 co-operation
agreements between European and Indian cities, 3 Euro-Indian events culminating with the
successful EuroIndia City Summit in Valladolid in October 2009.
- Our prime focus: Urban Development
Urban Development has been and will remain our prime focus that will provide an opportunity
to both European and Indian civic bodies, companies, academic and research institutes,
NGO´s, etc. to exchange expertise and undertake joint projects. The Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal Mission and the Rajiv Awaas Yojna on social housing launched by
the Government of India offer great opportunities for exchange of technical know-how as well
as project design and implementation.
- Our new focus: Environmentally Sustainable Urban Development
Heritage conservation and urban security have taken precedence in our action in the last 3
years with tangible results: 2 dedicated city-to-city agreements, an Urban Heritage Centre in
Ahmedabad and a first-time EuroIndia conference in Mumbai on urban and corporate security.
While these issues will keep being addressed, the Centre now wishes to focus on the
environmental sustainability side of urban development.
According to GIEC, 50% to 70% of greenhouse gas emissions originate from cities. Europe and
India would do well to share their best technical know how in the field and to assist their cities
in its application on the ground.
- The local level: A pertinent level for action
Central/Federal governments may not be the best equipped to fulfil their international pledge
to fight global warming and urban pollution, as urban policies are usually out of their direct
constitutional purview. They also often lack efficient financial and technical transfer
mechanisms to the local level.
Cities and their parent regions/federating states are hands on and do not believe in diplomatic
posturing as seen at Copenhagen. They may, however, find it hard to source the best
technology and/or funding for lack of access to international co-operation mechanisms. It is,
here, that the Centre can play a critical role.
- City-to-city co-operation: A proven means for tangible results
Enduring win-win exchanges of technical know-how and funding can take place at city level for
direct hands-on application with all concerned local stakeholders, be it public agencies,
specialized companies, academic and research institutes or NGO´s.
- The Centre: A nimble exchange facilitator between all governance tiers
Harnessing its demonstrated capability to network amongst all different stakeholders at all
governance tiers, be it central/federal governments, regions/federating states or cities, the
Centre can offer a privileged channel to both Europe and India for meaningful exchange and
co-operation.
European players with little or no access to Indian States and cities can use the Centre as
their preferred channel for transfer of technical know how, and vice versa. Thus, the Centre
could add value to the ambitious programmes of the Government of India by facilitating
beneficiary States and cities to access European state-of-the art technical know-how.
- New focus, new services
All our planned activities, such as missions and events, have been given a green orientation
and accordingly new services are being launched:
- A EuroIndia Urban Sustainability Innovation Fund and the EuroIndia Environmentally
Sustainable City Award (ESCA) to be presented to one city and one associated
company of India and Europe during our Assembly General or City Summit.
- A network of Indian and European institutes and NGO´s of excellence in the field of
Environmentally Sustainable Urban Development to be developed and made
accessible through the Centre to local governments in need.
- Similarly, they will have access to our qualified corporate and civic members.
In this manner, exchange of technical know-how and formulation of institutional co-operation
agreements in our new strategic field of Environmentally Sustainable Urban Development
between Europe and India will be facilitated.
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