What is the COMPETE Project?
The COMPETE project is a dynamic European network of Cities and City-Regions established in order share experience and raise the profile of major regional cities in order to enable them to fulfil their performance as drivers of urban renaissance and economic competitiveness. Funded through Interreg 111C and DCLG, the project is drawing to an end although the policy implications provide the platform to build successful strategies to shape the future of our Cities.
Sheffield leads the project on behalf of the seven network partners, the Core Cities of the UK and DCLG.
The project consists of a series of showcasing and networking events across Europe based on the key themes of the project, which are:
- Public-private partnerships;
- Human capital;
- Culture, innovation and creative industries;
- The knowledge economy and innovation;
- The role of networks in the knowledge based economy;
- Connectivity in the global world, and
- Cluster strategy.
The learning outcomes from the project are critical in shaping the future policies of Cities and City Regions. COMPETE has illustrated how successful places are those offering a good quality of life, sustainable development and strong communities, attracting strong business investment and retaining a skilled and flexible workforce.
The final conference took place in London, June 4th and 5th 2007, including a ministerial round table with the Rt. Hon Phil Woolas MP, M inister for Local Government, addressing the underpinning principles needed to strengthen the competitiveness of our Cities.
In addition to the showcasing and networking events, the project is underpinned by benchmarking data on European c ities and c ity r egions on a variety of competitiveness themes as part of our efforts to share best practice.
The purpose of the benchmarking is to measure performance in city regions in relation to urban competitiveness. This should help practitioners to identify cities with similar strengths or weaknesses as their own, and identify areas for joint working.
All of this can be accessed through the website at www.compete-eu.org