The ‘Iepen Mienskipsfûns’ (IMF) Policy Instrument is an integrated, low-threshold fund providing grants (up to €50.000, maximum of 30% funded) to bottom-up initiatives that contribute to the liveability, resilience and quality of local communities in the province of Fryslân.

Main features

Main features of the IMF:

• Regional Prioritising - Five regional advice committees composed of inhabitants determine the regional priorities for IMF in their part of Fryslân.
• Flexible and low threshold - Fryslân refrains from rigid policy frameworks and criteria, replacing this with the flexible IMF tool that can quickly respond to developments and needs within communities. Project applications of various natures can receive funding as long as they contribute to the local community. All applications are assessed on the same criteria.
• Tûk Betrouwen (Smart Trust) - Due to the local nature of IMF initiatives, the Province of Fryslân trusts the social control within the regions, limiting the need for strict provincial interference.
• Integrated Approach - Applicants value the fact that IMF covers multiple policy themes, so they do not have to deal with all different funding schemes.
• IMF Consultants - Each region has an IMF consultant who is easily accessible and helps citizens with their application.
• Learning by Doing - The IMF is built on the principle of 'learning by doing', being continually improved.

Project partner Province of Fryslân seeks to improve the ‘Iepen Mienskipsfûns’ (IMF) based on the GOCORE interregional exchange, namely in the management and content of this Policy Instrument.

The city council approved the policy instrument "Strategy for Rural Development" and a new "Strategy for Culture and Leisure", in 2021. Many organizations and institutions helped create these strategies. Each year, a new action plan will be made.

Local residents and organizations can suggest new projects and ideas, which might get support through grants and management support. The administration can support grassroots projects that improve rural life and community, like setting up a new community center. The objectives in the strategy help decide how grants are awarded by the municipality.

GOCORE project will bring new methods for working together, to involve and empower local communities, making them more resilient.

Strategies

Two strategies shape this policy instrument:

• The Rural Strategy for the Central Denmark Region
• The new policy for the Local Action Group (LAG), funded by the EU Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

The Local Action Group, LAG Djursland, covers both Syddjurs and Norddjurs Municipalities, each with a representative on the board, who can speak but not vote. Throughout the project, the three strategies will be discussed and compared to find ways to create synergies and impact across different levels of governance.

The policy instrument Madeira Operational Programme 2030 is the new European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programme for Jobs and Growth in Madeira for 2021-2027.

In GOCORE project, ARDITI’s focus will be on Digital Transformation, especially helping remote communities to get involved. This is covered in the Madeira OP 2030 under AXIS 1: Madeira + Smart and Competitive: Knowledge and Innovation, and Specific Objective 1.2: Using digitization to benefit citizens, businesses, research organizations, and public authorities.

Under Specific Objective 1.2, projects that help Madeira's digital transition will be supported. This follows the Action Plan for Digital Transition (PATD – Portugal Digital: From Start-up Nation to Digital Nation), which aims to empower people digitally, transform businesses, and digitize public services.

Smart Islands Hub

In Madeira, this plan is implemented through the Smart Islands Hub (SIH), a Programme designed to build a Digital Innovation Ecosystem to speed up digital and green transition in Madeira. This includes starting new projects funded by the Madeira Operational Programme 2030.

The policy instrument Regional Operational Programme Centro 2030 is structured on four main Thematic Agendas (TA):

• TA 1 - People First: Improving demographic balance, inclusion, and reducing inequality.
• TA 2 - Digitalisation, Innovation, and Skills: Using these as key drivers of development.
• TA 3 - Climate Transition and Resource Sustainability: Tackling climate change and sustainability.
• TA 4 - Competitiveness and Cohesion: Boosting both external competitiveness and internal cohesion.

Centro 2030 emphasizes the need for integrated tools to support regional development, such as Integrated Territorial-Based Interventions (IIBT) and Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI).

The project partner Intermunicipal Community of Coimbra Region (CIM-RC) is involved in the following approaches:

• Integrated Territorial Investments for Coimbra Region: Based upon an Integrated Strategy for Territorial Development of CIM-RC.
• Integrated Territorial-Based Interventions for Pinhal Interior: Focused on improving resilience in this region.

CIM-RC has been chosen by the Regional Government and 2030 Centro Operational Programme to manage these Integrated Territorial Interventions. Their role includes coordinating efforts among municipal, intermunicipal, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with 2030 Centro Operational Programme’s integrated tools.

The policy instrument focuses on promoting Social and Solidarity Economy Districts (SSD), which aims to support civil, social and economic development in 13 different sectors. SSD is seen as a key to building community resilience by treating the area as a valuable asset rather than just a source of profit.

Features

Social and Solidarity Economy should have these features:

• A system covering financing, production, distribution, and consumption
• A long-term perspective
• Involvement of various actors
• Broad governance
• A designated contact person
• Strong local connections
• Social and environmental sustainability
• Job opportunities for vulnerable groups

The SSD involves:

• Producers (cooperative, social and traditional enterprises)
• Consumers (individuals or groups/associations)
• Financing institutions
• SSD workers
• Public entities

In this framework, the project partner Trentino Federation of Cooperation is crucial for promoting and developing the regional Social and Solidarity Economy as it represents the regional cooperative system. The social economy is supported through a coordination board with the provincial government, a dedicated secretariat, resources, and incentives.

The policy allows both public and private actors to further develop the operational strategy. Currently, there are five main SSD areas:

• Green economy
• Social work for prisoners
• Services
• Lean solutions for industry and Manufacturing

The policy instrument "Development Plan for Community-Based Action in Saaremaa Municipality 2021-2030" is related to the larger "Development Plan 2019-2030 of Saaremaa Municipality" which sets overall goals for regional development. The larger plan is required for local governments, but they can also create additional documents, as needed.

In 2020, the Saaremaa Municipality Government (SMG) started developing a strategy focused on community life. This strategy aims to strengthen community activities, especially in the 13 rural districts, to ensure their sustainability. The policy focuses on four main areas:

• Relationships between communities and SMG
• Funding for community activities
• Increasing youth involvement in community actions
• Cooperation between communities

For each area, strategic objectives have been established, along with key actions and indicators to track progress.

The targeted policy instrument, The Regional Development Programme for Hajdú-Bihar County 2021-2027, outlines the county's development priorities and actions. It also sets the framework and conditions for these actions. This plan is a key regional document that guides the national Territorial and Settlement Development Operational Programme (TSDOP), which funds regional projects across Hungary’s 19 counties.

The policy was developed during the pandemic, which made the process more challenging. This highlighted the need for a clear development plan to support resilient communities in economic, environmental, and social areas, including innovation and digitalization.

Goals

One of the main goals of the Programme is to boost community resilience through several measures:

• Creating spaces for community involvement and connection
• Implementing climate adaptation solutions
• Strengthening digital resilience
• Improving local supply chains
• Building an active community ecosystem
• Developing a liveable countryside
• Encouraging sustainable and responsible tourism