News

An architecture office - contracted by BIS Bremerhaven Touristik - completed the desgin work on the so-called 'Focal Service Points'.

The idea behind this project was to develop and realize waterways-user service & mobility stations on landside along the waterways at places, where several means of transport are interlinked (e.g. pedestrian, walker, bike, canoe, boat, public transport). At this service point different user requirements shall be fullfiled and the design should be designed in an environmental-friendly and maintenance costs efficient way.

The documents available are design description, technical design, construction plans and cost estimates which can be downloaded here.

The Waterways for Growth Final Conference took place in Scotland on 27th September 2012. Delegtes met in Edinburgh the evening before the event and got immediately into things with a boat trip along the Union Canal hosted by by the social enterprise Re-Union Canal Boats. We heard about the work carried out by the Organisation as well as witnessing developments alongside the canal and at the regenerated Edinburgh Quays.

The conference itself took place at the iconic Falkirk Wheel, and we heard about the results of our work in the project and looked forward to ways of tying in a waterway focus to the future priorities set out in Europe 2020. This was given greater emphasis by our special guest, Mr Ole Sorensen, the President of the North Sea Commission who spoke about the North Sea Strategy which has been set out by the Commission.

Jon Jordan added to this even further by explaining how funding in the Region (including Interreg) is being organised for the 2014-2020 period and approaches partnerships such as ours can stay involved and secure further funding.

WfG partners then took the stage and we heard presentations by Wouter Smid from Emmen on waterway regeneration and the Erica-Ter Apel restoration in East Holland, and Nina Hojdefors on how they're supporting and developing entrepreneurs in Karlstad and the Region. (presentation to be added shortly)

Steve Higham from the Lead Partner summarised the results from Waterways for Growth and to round things off, Russell Thomson, Waterway Manager for Scottish Canals talked about the work carried out through WfG on the Caledonian Canal and their plans for sustained, tourism and commercial development of this Highland waterway. (presentation to be added shortly)

Partners then took a ride on the Wheel itself before heading for Falkirk Community Stadium to hear about progress at the Helix. Mike King from the Helix gave a presentation outling the history of the project - from the funding stage right through to construction.

Funding made available through Waterways for Growth has helped to shape the commercial focus of the site which is hoped will soon become an urban greenspace supporting tourism, recreation, business growth and community regeneration.

The Waterways for Growth Final Conference takes place in Edinburgh and Falkirk this week. Partners will gather in Edinburgh for a visit to the Union Canal and take a trip on the Re-Union Canal Boat for a tour around the Edinburgh Quays area and to hear about Re-Union's work as a social enterprise.

The next day partners will discuss the work and findings from the project and pay a visit to the Falkirk Wheel to see and hear about this iconic site which is now a foremost tourist attraction in the area. Later they will visit the Helix site which is being developed into a huge enterprise area - to see further examples of local social enterprises.

Special guest at the whole event is the new President of the North Sea Commission, Mr Ole B. Sorensen who will be delivering a presentation titled 'North Sea Futures - The North Sea Strategy

Gothenburg hosts the European Maritime Day 2012 next month. The event is celebrated annually and highlights the importance of the seas and oceans and the challenges facing maritime regions and sectors. This years theme is “Sustainable growth from the oceans, seas and the coasts: Blue growth".

Several events are organised across Europe and the main event is held in one place, in the form of a high level meeting and a stakeholder conference. It features several European policy makers who will deliver keynote speeches. Previously hosted in Brussels 2008, Rome 2009, Gijon 2010 and Gdansk 2011, the 2012 edition will be held in Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden – for the first time in Scandinavia and in the North Sea area.

The European Commission is the organiser of the event, with the government of Sweden, Region Västra Götaland and the City of Gothenburg acting as local partners. The conference will take place in Eriksbergshallen in the former shipyard area of central Gothenburg on 21-22 May 2012. and is free to attend.

The draft Programme can be viewed here. For further information take a look at the Events website 

Canal & River Trust is the name chosen for the successor Organisation to British Waterways as it moves to it's change in status during 2012.

The transition trustees of the new charity being established to tend 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales from April 2012 announced that it will be called the Canal & River Trust (or Glandwr Cymru in Wales) and have unveiled its new symbol.

The decision was taken following extensive public and internal consultation and market research into the replacement for the name and symbol of “British Waterways.” They reflect the important step the Government is taking in creating a new successor organisation to hold the waterways in trust for the nation in perpetuity. The change also offers an opportunity to attract the attention of, and to appeal to, the wider public.

Click on the link to find out more about the Canal & River Trust

www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

WfG partners will gather in Aalst on March 22-23 for their next Partnership Meeting. The meeting will look at progress with the project as it enters its final year - and discuss the final Framework we're working towards. Looking to the future we'll report to partners the work taken place to see what form of collaboration could possibly take place in future between existing WfG partners and other waterway interests.

Academics & Experts will also take part in the event and speak on a number of subjects which will include Water tourism futures and Opportunities for the creative industries. Other possible topics will include Tourism futures (general), Marketing to third countries (Asia etc.), Web-based tools / approaches, the Cruise industry and finally, Tourism packages.

For further information about the meeting please contact Inge Stevens inge.stevens@oost-vlaanderen.be or Chris Barnett chris.barnett@britishwaterways.co.uk

The 3rd edition of the WfG Newsletter is now available.

It features articles looking at how Social Enterprises can help to reduce youth unemployment, using waterways as a focus. It looks at the work carried out on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Bradford in the UK, by the Veldzorg Foundation in Langedijk, and  by Tracee, a social enterprise in West Flanders.

We also look at West Flanders vision for the 'Canal Zone Roeselare-Ooigem' and how Telemark are using Festivals to increase tourist numbers - and interest in the waterways they're based upon.

Click here to open up the Newsletter.

The Council’s Executive met on October 1st 2010 and agreed the creation of an Asset-Based Joint Venture Company between the Council and Urbo Regeneration Ltd. This will enable the Council to harness the development expertise, experience and financial muscle of its private sector partner to deliver the regeneration of the CRC’s central section. Read the report from the Executive Committee .

Urbo Regeneration Ltd.,are a small but innovative property investment and development Company, part owned by Arnold Laver Ltd., who in addition have a major land interest in the centre section area. Their approach to regeneration is to create buildings and spaces of the highest quality that are developed in partnership with local people, and which provide a positive impact on local communities and the environment. They have a real desire to create places that make a difference to the quality of people's lives and leave a positive legacy for the future. The company have a track record of working in partnership with local councils and are currently delivering a major scheme in Chesterfield that includes the provision of significant green infrastructure, similar to that proposed for the Canal Road Corridor.

By combining the property assets of the two organisations the joint venture (JV) Company will have a significant property portfolio base within the centre section of the corridor that will be used to stimulate a long term programme of major development activities. These will deliver new, sustainable neighbourhoods where people will want to live and work and businesses and developers will want to invest.

Known as Canal Road Urban Village Ltd. the joint venture company’s first major task will be to produce a master development plan for the central area that will be prepared in parallel with and be guided by the Masterplan and ultimate Area Action Plan. It is hoped that the JV Company will be in a position to submit a planning application for the regeneration of this section by early/mid 2012.

In the summer of 2010 Bradford Council produced a brief for a Masterplan for the Canal Road Corridor. Interviews were held in July and specialist consultants, Building Design Partnership (BDP) were selected and commissioned to produce the Masterplan. This commission is now ongoing and is due for completion in 2011 paving the way for the Area Action Plan to be prepared and adopted during 2012.

Scheldeland has just published our summer brochure and it's already time to start with the winter brochure. Also this winter, there will be an accommodation offer to boost the overnight staying in Scheldeland. This time we would like to partner up with the B&B's to develop an attractive action. To inform the B&B's, discuss the possibilities and options, Scheldeland organised a sector meeting June 23th in Dendermonde, with in the afternoon a presentation of kickbikes. The invited B&B's were very enthusiastic about both the idea as the kickbikes. The accommodation offer would include one or two nights in a B&B and a meal in a nearby restaurant at 159€ for two persons. As an extra, the guest will receive al gift box.

The World Canal Conference is taking place in Groningen (The Netherlands) on 19-24 September 2011.

For more information click here

... What's happening?

As part of the Victoria Festival to be held in Kviteseid, there will also be an artisitc exhibition and the display of digital artwork at Kviteseid dock.

Panta Rhei - An art trail in Kviteseidbyen with installations.

Port Arthur - Calligraphy and watercolor exhibition at the Art Association Kviteseid permanent showroom.

Water Happening. Who has not played with water as a child? Now's your chance again.

Disturbances in water - the concert focuses on interactions between people and cultures in the broadest sense.

Water - connecting people - Program 16 June - 13 August
Location: Bryggeparken in Kviteseid

Thursday June 16
10:30 Water Happening for children with Erich Bäuerle.
7:00 p.m. Opening of the exhibitions Pakkbua, Panta Rhei and Port Arthur.

Friday 17 June
10:30 Water Happening for children with Erich Bäuerle.
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Opening of Port Arthur and Pakkbua exhibitions.
17:30 General Test of Disturbances in water.

Saturday June 18
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Port Arthur and Pakkbua exhibitions are open.
11:15 Water Happening. Bus, boat, concert, shrimps and drink. NOTE enrollment by mail to: kviteseidkunstforening@gmail.com, or by tel at: 957 00 119.
5:00 p.m. Premier of Disturbance in water.

Sunday June 19
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Port Arthur and Pakkbua exhibitions are open.
12:00 Family Day. with grilling and water happening for children with Erich Bäuerle and with a concert at the end. 

Exhibitions June 16 - 13 August
Port Arthur 12-16 (Sat, Sun)
Pakkbua at Kviteseid dock. Mon, Tue (12-17), Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat (10-17), Sun (10-15)
Panta Rhei - adventure trail is opened daily.

Water - connecting people – website:
www.kviteseidkunstforening.no

... the owners of Norsjø Hotel and the M/S Telemarken Canal Boat

by Kjell Aulie, Varden/ translated by google translator/ edited by Dawn Syvertsen, Tfk

Svanhild and Truls Dahl have for a number of years operated and developed two of the most solid and traditional tourism products that are characteristic and offered in the Telemark market.

Hotel and canal boat
In addition to running their own businesses, Svanhild and Truls have for a number of years been involved in tourism in Telemark including several directorships. The combination of hotels and boat operation for almost 25 years have undoubtedly contributed to many visitors who have had great experiences in mid-Telemark, also combined with tours throughout the rest of Telemark.

Their goal is to provide the best service and quality. In a market where traditional family-owned businesses were bought up, shut down or declared bankrupt, the couple managed to keep both a familiar and traditional touch to their products while tirelessly developing new services and products according to their customers' wishes.

Cruise on Norsjø
Here are some examples: Blues Cruise, family cruise, a walk with dinner at a cottage, art, travel, manufacturing, historical tour and a quality food concept that is known far beyond the Telemark boundaries, based on regional ingredients and traditions yet with modern and international influences, and for a good price.

The Waterways for Growth Telemark partners congratulate Norsjø Hotel and M/S Telemarken for being awarded this recognition. They are also active in the WfG Telemark project.

Click here for more information about Norsjø Hotell and M/S Telemarken.

Article by telemarkskanalen.no and translated by google, edited by Dawn Syvertsen (TFK).

This year the lower part of the Telemark Canal, Norsjø - Skien Canal, will celebrate its 150-year anniversary. This national treasure had its official opening date on May 1,1861, although the first boats were inducted through Skien Løveid already in 1860. This section of the canal was the first part of what would become the industrial canal to Notodden and later also with a train connection to Rjukan. A living heritage.

Telemark is a living heritage that has largely kept its character of the last century. Still standing and in operation today are the old locks with fine stone masonry walls, original cast iron units for controlling the sluice gates, the old lock keeper houses, guard rooms, beautiful parks and old warehouses. More than 105 kms of waterway.

Over 105 km winds The Telemark Canal through six municipalities and with a  lift elevation of 72 meters from the start in Skien to the arrival in Dalen.

Come celebrate the Telemark Canal’s 150th anniversary with us here in Telemark. There are a number of waterway related events throughout the summer months.

Click here to see the listing of these events.

Click here for more information about the Telemark Canal.

The 2nd Waterways for Growth Newsletter is now available. Please click here to download a copy.

If you missed our first Newsletter please click here to open it  Newsletter No. 1

Written by Jan Fredrik Vinje, Telemark County Council
(Translated by Google Translator) Edited by Dawn Syvertsen, Telemark County Council

Interreg IVB Waterways for Growth explores how our inland waterways can best support economic growth by encouraging business activities and by creating attractive places where people can live and work. The measures are based on sustainable management of inland waterways and their surroundings.

Saga Hiking and Jazz Cruise on Bandak
Saga Hiking to Rui Square and jazz cruise on Bandak with "Henrik Ibsen". These are two of several events at the Telemark Canal this summer, supported by the EU Interreg IVB project Waterways for Growth.

Nordstoga Barn Concert
The first event takes place on Saturday May 8^th and is a walk with story telling in the footsteps of the Rui girls. The tour runs with a guide from Dalen to the newly restored Rui-place high on the hillside above the Bandak canal. Food will be served and storytelling will take place by Arne T. Aabø. The event is concluded with a barn concert by the well-known Telemark musician Aasmund Nordstoga.

Jazz Cruise with "Henrik Ibsen"
Friday May 20th, the fun continues with a canal cruise on the newly restored "Henrik Ibsen" on the Bandak canal. The tour starts from the Dalen harbour at 7:00 pm and the boat returns to the dock at 11:00 pm.  A jazz orchestra and good food is part of the festivities and tickets can be purchased at the Dalen tourist office or at the website www.visitdalen.com from May 2nd. There are only 80 tickets, so those who want to participate need to act quickly.

Shanty on the Bandak Canal
More great music is to be heard when the Langesund shanty choir visits Tokke on Saturday May 28th. A concert will take place at Lårdal at 5:00 pm, there will be a concert on the boat Victoria up to Dalen, and at Dalen harbour when the boat arrives. The Shanty choir has participated in festivals in both Europe and America, and will sing well-known, sailor songs in Bandak for the first time. The concert is free, and is sponsored by Telemark County, Tokke municipality and Waterways for Growth.

Langesund International Shanty Festival
From June 3-5,  the Langesund international shanty festival will be held at the start harbour of the Telemark Canal. At this annual festival, shanty singers are gathered from near and far, and the city is filled with good song, laughter, dancing and festivity. The festival has an international flavour, and this is the18th event since its inception in 1991. The Shanty Festival helps to preserve maritime traditions which are an important part of coastal culture. www.shanty.no

More Waterway Related Events
Several other events will take place during the summer months. Some of these include: Dalsmarken from June 17-18. (program www.dalsmarken.no ), Victoria Kviteseid Festival in June (see www.kviteseidbyen.no ) and an international paddling competition from Notodden to Akkerhaugen September 24-25 (see www.telemarkspadlern.no).

More information about these activities can be read in the WfG calendar section.

Over 40 partners attended the WfG partner meeting in Roeselare, West Flanders on 3-4 March 2011. For information about this - and all other Waterways for Growth Meetings go to the 'Meetings' section of the website. 

'Fishtown' Bremerhaven will welcome WfG partners on 29-30 September 2011 to attend the 7th Steering Group and further workshops.

Partners are asked to train their knowledge about Fishtown species in order to prevent that something unexpected happens ...

Since the 12th of February we have a new publication for all of you who enjoy water recreation and cruising: "Scheldeland van op het water".

We give you an overview of all the ports, moorings, tourist offices, bike rental services and the most important attractions near the waterways.

For a nice tour on the water, you can contact the shipping companies that are listed. If you own a boat, you can find plenty of hotels and B&B's in the flyer.  

For more information: www.scheldeland.be, info@scheldeland.be.

The WfG Final Report and Framework are now online.

To view the Final Report click here

To view the Framework Document click here

The WfG Final Report and Framework are now online.

To view the Final Report click here

To view the Framework Document click here

A WfG partners are set to meet in Roeselare, West Flanders next month to take part in a number of workshops looking at some of the main WfG themes - Waterway Regeneration & restoration, Business Development, the Social Economy, and Business networking.

Partners will be getting involved in proposing real solutions for development of the former Valora factory site on the bank of the Canal Roeselare-Leie at Ingelmunster and work alongside spatial planners and developers from that area to help create some innovtive ideas for the newly created waterside development area - and in particular, to advise on facilities required by recreational boaters (click here for more information).

The meeting takes place on 3-4 March 2011 in Roeselare (West-Flanders)  For further information please contact Pieter Bekkaert or Chris Barnett 

...  to learn about transformation projects

by Ståle Tveit, Director, Vekst i Grenland (Grenland Development)

Vig ‘Grenland Development’ autumn planning and strategy meeting was held in Bremerhaven in Northern Germany. In addition to discussing the practical approach of getting two new municipalities in Vig (Kragerø and Drangedal), much time was spent together with representatives from the tourism development office BIS Bremerhaven. We were really given an insight into how a vulnerable region in Germany was developed and transformed.

Telemark County Council has over the years developed good professional relationships with several cities and regions around the North Sea. One of these is Bremen / Bremerhaven who developed their relations through the Interreg IVB project Waterways for Growth where Telemark County Council is a partner. This consequently makes it very easy for Vig to get close to the communities who know the history, processes and opportunities ahead.

Bremerhaven in particular, has had its challenges in terms of changes in industry structure and the associated need for restructuring. In a few years, the region lost a large U.S. military base (many have not heard that soldier Elvis Presley had his stay in Bremerhaven), they also lost most of the activity in the fishery and shipbuilding. Bremerhaven in this image experienced a startling high out-migration - from just over 150,000 to reach 115,000 residents. Wise heads sat together and thought “what now?” Two main ambitions surfaced; continued development of port and logistics (Bremerhaven is today Europe’s third largest port), and as a new strategy; tourism.

And it is tourism that has really taken off. This year it is estimated that 1.8 million tourists will visit Bremerhaven - this makes the city one of the most visited tourist attractions in Germany. Bremerhaven defines their target audience to be in the six-hour drive from the city, and that they are working intensively to markets in the U.S. and the rest of Europe. So, how can a port city - really, without the picturesque urban environment that many German cities are known for - create such an appeal? The answer is the development of experience-based tourism along with the highly professional marketing. Bremerhaven may include display of a stunning Emigration museum, a maritime museum and a science museum - and not least the 40,000 tourists who annually buy a ticket to a tour of the automobile and container port.

Optimism is back in Bremerhaven, private investors are visible in the operation of the entertainment industry, population decline has stopped and the development of many new buildings. It is also exciting that the city has a key role in on-and offshore wind energy, we saw some truly impressive production and test facilities. However, it is still the case that unemployment is high - about 16-17%, so the city still has its challenges.

Both Vig staff, business managers in the six municipalities with Visit-Grenland received thorough insight into how development in Bremerhaven was handled. Much is different in Germany and Norway - not least related to large EU programs that are only available for EU members - but we have certainly benefited greatly from listening to each other.

New navigation rules for pleasure craft and commercial vessels

SRN is involved in ‘Safe sailing’ the initiative that that looks to improve safety on inland waterways – particularly those that are used by both commercial vessels and pleasure craft.

Other partners in the initiative include; Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch provincial authorities, the Port of Rotterdam, Groningen Seaports, the Port of Amsterdam, Royal Schuttevaer ((the Dutch association for commercial shipping), the Dutch automobile association ANWB, Watersportverbond (the Dutch federation for recreational water sports), HISWA (the Dutch association for the boatbuilding trade and industry).

A brochure was produced in 2010 as part of the initiative and features items such as; navigational rules for pleasure crafts and commercial vessels, the main right-of-way rules, an explanation of navigation signs, buoyage on inland water ways and seas, shipping regulations in the Netherlands, right of way rules, locks and bridges rules, tips for skippers and guidelines for the use of a VHF marine radio.

The brochure is being distributed to Dutch boaters and there are opportunities to circulate to a wider boating community across Northern Europe through the Waterways for Growth project. For more information, go to www.varendoejesamen.nl or call Rijkswaterstaat on 0800-8002

Click here to down load copies in Dutch, German, English or French

A delegation of 8 people from Karlstad region (SE) visited Bremerhaven, Germany on 05th October 2010 to discuss about future joint marketing activities and tourism business development.

„This meeeting gives us the opportunity to share our experiences and know-how in involvement of entrepreneurs in tourism business development", said Nina Höjdefors, tourism manager at the City of Karlstad. "Furthermore we learn from each other how to use modern technology (e-services) to market our region and tourism offers."

At the meeting Andreas Weber from the company Monavista presented web-based tool for transnational marketing of regional waterways in Europe. A discussion followed whether and how this might be an opportunity to use this tool for joint marketing activities.

Jochem Schöttler, head of the Bremerhaven Tourist Board, stated after this visit: "This was again a successful meeting with one of the 'Waterways for Growth' partners.  Both - Bremerhaven and Karlstad region - expressed their interest to start their cooperation and to develop by others cross-marketing activities. So we are looking forward for a successful collaboration with the Karlstad region."

... to get to the 'Outdoor Workshop' (see News from 30th September). This innovative approach was chosen by the PMPT (partner meeting preparation team) to make even the journey to the place where the outdoor workshop will take more exciting.

Chris Barnett, member of the PMPT: "At first I struggled a wee bit with the means of transport (see photo above) but then I quickly worked out how to use it properly. Honestly I must say I strongly supported the idea to use such a carbon-free device from the very first."

"Besides beein an environmental means of tansport it keeps you fit and healty ... and when we arrived at the outdoor workshop venue, everybody was keen to start immediately with work and nobody took it easy", commented Fokko Bons, project manager of the municipality of Langedijk (The Netherlands).

... at the last partner meeting on 22-23 September in Karlstad, Sweden: an outdoor workshop. This new way of working got the thumbs up from the WfG project partners.

"It combines a fresh breeze, active movement and inspiring silent moments in an outdoor enviroment directly linked to the main topic of our project", Glenn Millar project manager of the INTERREG IVB project, as he introduced the new approach to the partners. "And the good thing is: it can be done in winter, summer ... so it is 'season-independent'."

Nina Höjdefors, tourism manager at the City of Karlstad stated: "Never had such an unstressed workshop atmosphere. The partners were so  enthusiastic and eager to work that we got some excellent contributions in a very short space of time. My recommendation is to use this workshop method once again at the next partner meeting in Belgium."

The Green Blue, the environment programme for the RYA and BMF, are running their annual conference in Glasgow for the first time this year thanks to the kind support of GTG Training and SNH. The agenda click here covers a range of topics which aim to improve your understanding of the marine environment and how boating impacts upon it. Speakers will cover topics as diverse as marine and environmental legislation, energy efficiency in clubs and wildlife crime, how to avoid it and how to report it.

Tom Cunliffe, renowned sailor and author, will be giving the key note address.

This one day event is a very low cost way of getting up to speed on a range of important issues, including how to teach section 14 of the RYA Yachtmaster syllabus, ‘The Environment’ and how to save money by improving efficiency. Book your place now to avoid disappointment, send the completed booking form click here to  Scotland@thegreenblue.org.uk or call 0844 556 9544 for more information.

A limited number of travel bursaries are available, please email for further details. I would really appreciate it if you can send on details of the event to anyone you think may be interested.

The Waterway Managers conference planned through Waterways for Growth to look a ways to exchange good practice in waterway management is taking shape.

The conference will be held in Karlstad, Sweden on 24th September 2010 and will focus on issues that are particularly relevant to professional waterway managers from Sweden, Norway and Scotland, although managers from other partner regions are welcome to attend.

Case Studies will be presented highlighting Best practice in waterway management in;

• The use of information systems and new technology
• Waterway and area development plans
• Business improvement programmes for waterways
• Waterways and their surroundings
• Developing waterway businesses

In addition, delegates will be discussing how to maintain the financial viability of our waterways and how we can generate more income (and reduce costs) whilst developing new products and services based on the waterways.

Further details of the Agenda can be found here

To register to receive full details of the Conference, please contact Chris Barnett by e-mail or by phone (+44 1923 - 20 11 63).

As reported in our news item on 19th April, we applied to extend the WfG partnership to include the Province of West Flanders. We are pleased to announce that the NSR Steering Committee approved this application at their meeting in Ghent  on  2-3 June.

26 applications were received under the fifth call, 17 full applications and nine applications for extensions. The Steering Committee decided to approve 15 applications, seven full applications and eight applications for extensions.

We look forward to working together with West Flanders from now onwards.

... to meet up on 'small scale' on 1st July at the town situated at the river Weser.

The partners attending are aiming to agree on jointly developed and coordinated activities like promoting regional tourism products/packages on a wider scale and bringing business along the waterways together.

Over 30 people attended the 3rd Waterways for Growth partner meeting in Langedijk from May 6-7 2010.  Held at the ‘Museum Broeker Veiling’ it was timed to co-incide with the 5 yearly ‘Koolsail’ event taking place in the town.

The meeting focussed on ways to improve and implement transnational joint- working amongst partners and what topics would particularly benefit from the formalised implementation of joint-working.

Areas highlighted included working towards producing a template for masterplanning to be developed by Bradford, Emmen and Langedijk, another involved bringing organisations together andto discuss business opportunities and to act as an industry forum. This is being worked on by Karlstad, Telemark and Bremerhaven BW and SRN have been tasked with organising a short seminar on the subject of focal points for waterside and water related businesses. Varmland are particularly keen to promote freight traffic on Lake Vanern and BW (Scotland) and Telemark have an interest in this subject and it will be developed further.

On day 2 partners were given a guided tour in Twuyverhoek, Sint Pancras - the latest housing development area developed by the municipality of Langedijk. This was an example of the quality housing alongside water that can be created in such areas. In the afternoon a boat tour in the area finished at the ‘Oosterdel’, the area of the ‘Thousand Isles’, and concluded with a tour and explanation on the Civilion Foundation. This was of great interest and tied in extremely well with one of the WfG aims of developing social enterprises and extending the work of the voluntary sector.

In the evening we witnessed the Langedijk community’s attempt to create the longest row sailing agriculture ships ever and to claim a place in the Guiness Book of World Records

A seminar about international networking by EU-funded projects and the Shanty Festival will take place on 4th June 2010 in Langesund, Norway.

The seminar is organized by the WfG partner Telemark County Council.

The invitation and programme can be downloaded here, the registration form you get here and for the map with all necessary details click here.

A formal application has been submitted to extend the WfG project to include the Province of West Flanders in Belgium. If approved, the Province will bring a number of additional areas of expertise, knowledge and activity to the project, all of which will contribute towards the development of the Framework for the Sustainable Development of Inland Waterways.

Unlike other canals within the project, the Roeselare-Leie canal is still well used for freight traffic. Some of the other partners are seeking to grow the volume of freight moved on their waterways, and the Province can demonstrate how this can be done in practice (developing business networks to support this) They can also how show how the relationship and potential conflicts between freight movement and other uses of the canal can be managed.

The Province of West Flanders has adopted an area-based approach to planning for waterways, bringing together the activities of 17 municipalities. Their expertise can be used to help us develop our common approaches to masterplanning and the integration of waterways with their surroundings.

Development of the social economy associated with waterways and the development of MICE activities is very important for them and participation by the Province will allow a more in-depth investigation of these opportunities to take place.

Business Development workshops will be delivered to stimulate canal-based entrepreneurship, focussing particularly on young people.  These workshops will take place in the Roeselare – Leie Canal corridor to bring together young entrepreneurs from a number of sectors.  Participation by people from other WfG partner regions will be encouraged in order to stimulate the cross-fertilisation of ideas.

The decision from the NSR Steering is expected to be made in early June after which we hope to be in a position to formally welcome West Flanders to the Waterways for Growth partnership.

On Monday 22nd February 2010 a range of representatives from local businesses, communities, user groups, land managers, and land owners met to participate in a CABE SpaceShaper Workshop.

CABE (Commission for Architecture and The Built Environment) is the government’s advisor on architecture, urban design and public space: www.cabe.org.uk.

Spaceshaper is an innovative practical toolkit to measure the quality of a public space before investing time and money in improving it. Spaceshaper captures the views of professionals who are running the space as well as those of the people that use the space. Facilitated workshops discuss the results, design quality and how the space works for different people. It encourages people to demand more from their local spaces.

British Waterways is working with CABE as part of the Waterways for Growth project to deliver a pilot Spaceshaper project. The outcomes of the workshop and ultimately the shape of projects delivered to improve the historic Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Bingley (West Yorkshire) will be monitored to assess the usefulness of the workshop as a tool for the development and improvement of waterway destinations.

The exercise was a great tool to use as part of Waterways for Growth – as it’s all about developing best practice.  Jo Keegan WfG Project Manager for Bingley stated “Spaceshaper has helped us in terms of progressing project development through engaging a broad range of local stakeholders, Spaceshaper really focused the need to have a broad representation by the people that will ultimately have a role in shaping the future of waterway destinations, whether they are enjoying it, helping to sustain or maintain it etc.”

The use of an independent facilitator gave the workshop the validity and credibility that was required to attract participants, and moving forward we hope it will provide us with some useful information to really focus and shape our project to assist us in identifying the right funding opportunities. “

The exercise certainly opened by eyes to the broader use of the site by the range of people involved, and allowed us to look at the site we all know so well, with a fresh pair of eyes. “

The 8th edition of the SAIL will take place from 25 to 29 August 2010 in Bremerhaven (Germany). For five days long, the Bremerhaven city near loccated harbour areas will serve as the backdrop for a festive programme full of music, culture and nautical riches. Preparations are in full swing and the event promises once again to be an unparalled nautical spectacle.

For more information (in German and English) click here.

The Joint Annual Conference and General Assembly 2010 of the North Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 and the North Sea Commission will take place 15-17 June 2010 in Stavanger, Norway. The conference marks the main annual event of the North Sea Region Programme 2007-2013. Details about the conference will be available in early 2010.

On 9-10 November 2009 the national conference on Tourism Developemt took place in Stockholm (SE). At this conference regional and national best practice projects were presented. Representatives from the Waterways for Growth (WfG) partner Länsstyrelsen Värmland (SE) explained the overall approach of the Karlstad Region and as best practice example the WfG project as such.

For more information about the conference and the presentations (all in Swedish) of the following speakers click here:
- Nina Höjdefors (Karlstadregionen)
- Paul Nemes (Länsstyrelsen Värmland)
- Sture Hermansson (Länsstyrelsen Värmland) 

The Arkhangelsk Maritime Partneriat was held from October 27-29, 2009 in the city of Arkhangelsk in northern Russia.  The event was hosted by Arkhangelsk County Council and supported by a range of organisations, including the Norwegian Barents Secretariat, Innovation Norway, the Northern Maritime Corridor, the Maritime Forums of South-East Norway and North of Norway and the Interreg IVB North Sea Region Stratmos project.

The aim of the event was to bring maritime businesses from Russia and Northern Europe together to explore business opportunities in the Barents Sea region.  In particular the event considered opportunities associated with oil and gas resources and the opening up of the Northern Maritime Corridor across the Arctic Ocean.

Glenn Millar, Economic Development Manager at British Waterways and representative of the Lead Beneficiary in the Interreg IVB North Sea Region Waterways for Growth project, presented on the links to and from the sea afforded by inland waterways and the need to take account of these opportunities to further the economic development of maritime regions.  He set out the multi-functional benefits that waterways can deliver and explained the transnational work being undertaken through the Waterways for Growth project to create a framework for the development of inland waterways, many of the ideas of which could be transferred to the Barents sea region.

Presentations and the conference report can be looked at and downloaded here.

As part of Norway – Hubei Week 2009, a Conference was held on 7^th September 2009 in Porsgrunn on the theme of co-operation opportunities, particularly for businesses in  Hubei (China) and Telemark (Norway).  At the Conference, Glenn Millar, Economic Development Manager, British Waterways made a presentation on the theme of inland waterways as a catalyst for regional development in Europe. 

The presentation highlighted the multi-functional nature of inland waterways, illustrated by work being carried out through the Interreg IVB North Sea Region project Waterways for Growth to develop a Framework for the sustainable development of the Region’s waterways.

A workshop on Day 1 looked at Waterway Regeneration.
Presentations were given by former British Waterways (BW) Regeneration Directior, Derek Cochrane, who highlighted the challenges that need to be met in delivering successful waterway regeneration / restoration projects.Further presentations were made by WfG partners involved in regeneration projects:- Emmen, Bradford, Langedijk and BW Scotland. These presentations highlighted the key challenges they face and how they are trying to address them.

Discussions followed with focus on project development, appraisal & evaluation, masterplanning & design, stakeholder involvement – including public consultation, funding, and how blockages & bottlenecks in waterway networks can be overcome.

The second half of the day focused on Identifying priorities for future work in WfG regarding waterway regeneration / restoration. The day ended with a discussion about how we can develop the projects Waterways ‘Framework’. As part of this topic WfG project manager Glenn Millar gave a presentation explaining Waterway policy development in the UK.

On Day 2 Partners visited the route of the Erica – Ter Apel Canal to see for themselves the activities and challenges being faced in restoring this important stretch of waterway.

British Waterways representatives attended the Lead Beneficiary Seminar organized by the INTERREG IVB North Sea Region secretariat on 29th and 30th September 2009 in Antwerp.

More than 80 participants representing projects under the INTERREG IVB North Sea Region Programme, National Contact Points as well as First and Second Level controllers were present.

Presentations are now available for download.

On 20th October the local Open Days 2009 event about sustainable regional growth by innovationa and clustering took place at Klosterøya, Skien in Telemark County (NO).

This event showed how Open Innovation can be enabled and how regional clusters in different sectors can collaborate to enable increased regional attractivieness, entrepreneuship, transnational cooperation and development of new kowledge intensive sustainable industries.

The welcome speech was held by Telemark's Mayor Gunn Marit Helgesen, President of the North Sea Commission and 1st Vice President of CPMR. The event started with a plenary session in the morning followed by two parallel sessions running after lunch.

Jochem Schöttler, Tourism Manager from Bremerhaven (WfG partner) gave a presentation in the morning session about the successful tourism cluster development in Bremerhaven which took place during the past 5 years.

Finally (in the evening before dinner) in a meeting with representatives from origanisation and institutions of the Telemark County took place the opportunities for tourism development between Bremerhaven and Telemark
were discused.

Telemark County Council had a preliminary meeting with Haugaland Development on 12th May 2009 in Stavanger to explore the opportunities for cooperation which the airline routes Europe - Haugesund and Europe - Torp can possibly provide.

Ryan Air has three weekly departures between Bremerhaven (WfG partner) and Sandefjord Torp Airports, and  two weekly departures between Bremerhaven and Haugesund. These airline routes give a potential fro all three regions which has not bee fully utilized at this point. The highway E134 links the two destinations in Norway as well.

The objective is by using elements in each region to come up with a joint platform and a cocurrent strategy which gives positive synergies in all three regions. This could be, for example through: the maritime sector with technology, sea and waterways, fish, culture - shanty, the size of the regions (Bremerhaven, Grenland and Haugalandet), the desire for an increase/ development in the tourism industry and etc.

It was a good starting point to use the INTERREG IVB North Sea Region programme Waterways for Gowth project as a catalyst to stimulate the start of a potential long-term cooperation.

A delegation of 14 persons from Telemark (NO) visited Bremerhaven, Germany on 28-29th April 2009 to learn about their city and tourism development.

Bremerhaven has built up an impressive array of tourist attractions during the previous years. A national maritime museum, a new modern hotel with large conference/ event capacity, a newly renovated zoo with focus placed on its location by the sea, and finally an international tourist attraction 'Climate House 8° East', which will open in July 2009.

In addition, Bremerhaven's port harbour is also a popular tourist attraction to visit. This port is one of the largest in Northern Europe for container handling. It is the largest German port with regards to the import and export of automobiles, as well as the largest cruise port in the country. Bremerhaven has a total of 1.5 million visitors per year.

„This EU-project gives us the opportunity to reach new destinations and new target groups“, so Jochem Schöttler. "Sail trips to and from Norway are also conceivable", the tourism manager already develops initial ideas. On the other hand the regions of the various countries can market one another in the future, he explains. With this not only travel packages will be promoted, but also the regions themselves. In terms for Bremerhaven this project means that more new target groups for the City of Bremerhaven with all its touristic offers and sightseeing attractions can be reached.

After this visit, both Bremerhaven and Telemark expressed their interest to start exchanging their ideas and developing them further to concrete offers and services.