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Green transitions
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North Sea Conference 2022
Set in the historic centre of lovely Bruges, the North Sea Conference 2022 puts green and digital transitions in the spotlight.
Come and join us in seeking out the top solutions in the North Sea Region. The agenda is packed with exciting content and interactive sessions. And of course, in true North Sea spirit you will have plenty of chance to meet and network with other North Sea enthusiasts!
The conference takes place 23-25 May in several venues in Bruges, Flanders.
The North Sea Conference 2022 is jointly hosted by the North Sea Commission, the Province of West Flanders, and Flanders Innovation and Entrepreneurship with support from the North Sea Region Programme.
The Agenda
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Day 1: Scoop the impact!
Join us for a full day packed with examples of how North Sea Region projects are changing the world! Discover outstanding projects and take part in fast-paced sessions where you learn and network with other delegates. And get the experts' best tips on how to influence policymaking and expand your media reach.
Scaling up success
This capitalisation event explores project successes and what makes them fly. Working together across borders, partnerships come up with solutions that can drive positive change at a larger scale. But how do they make sure it happens? We will take a deep dive to explore projects that succeed in passing on their best ideas.
When and where
Scoop the impact! Capitalisation event
When: 23 May 2022, 13.00 - 17.30
Where: Concert Hall, 't Zand 34, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Welcome dinner
When: The Kapuchin Church at 19.30 - 22.30
Where: Boeveriestraat 18, 8000 Bruges.
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Day 2: All aboard! Main conference
The North Sea Conference 2022 puts green transitions in the spotlight! Join us for a lively day full of visions for how to fight global heating, build climate resilience, and recover from the Covid-19 downturn.
Exciting speakers - politicians, experts, project partners, and a filmmaker - will steer you through the morning programme. In the afternoon, you will join a workshop of your choice. Throughout the day you can visit an exhibition to discover more about North Sea projects.
And last, but not least, we will celebrate the winners of the North Sea Photo and Video Contests!
When and where
When: 24 May 2022, 08.45 - 20.00.
Where: Concert Hall, 't Zand 34, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
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Day 3: North Sea GET READY!
On day 3, we GET READY for new North Sea projects. This event is for those who would like to apply for projects in Call 2 of the North Sea Programme 2021-2027.
The North Sea GET READY, formerly known as Interwork, prepares you for every aspect of the application process, from fact sheets to indicators. You will also learn about the options to apply and the eligibility requirements. Our project advisors and the National Contact Points will be ready to help you with any questions you might have.
As some rules and processes are changing between the current and the future programme, this event is both for newcomers and experienced Interreg colleagues.
When and where
When: 25 May 2022, 09:00 - 16:15
Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Burg 10, 8000 Bruges
Please note that the programme is subject to changes.
North Sea Commission events
08.30 - 16.00 Youth event
North Sea Commission member regions are invited to send young representatives (two per region) to the event, which will cover topics from the North Sea Commission’s agenda. More information will be sent to members and questions can be directed to Youth Advisor here.
12.30 - 17.30 Annual Business Meeting (including lunch)
The highest decision-making body of the North Sea Commission will meet physically again. Meeting documents will be sent out in May.
17.30 - 18.00 Executive Committee meeting
A short meeting to follow up decisions from the ABM, if needed.
Where: Hotel Casselbergh, Hoogstraat 6, 8000 Bruges.
From 08.10 - 12.30 Study tours
Study visit 1 : the Port of Oostende - hub for blue innovation, science and economy
Site visit to the Port of Oostende - hub for blue innovation, science and economy
During this site visit you will learn about the transformation of the port of Oostende from a modest fishing and ferry port into a port accommodating various blue economy sector nowadays. The port area accommodates traditional sectors such as fisheries and shipping but also innovation clusters, knowledge institutions, start-ups, businesses and recreation. Among the many examples are the offices of renowned maritime institutions like: Flanders Marine Institute, EMODnet, IODE of UNESCO and the European Marine Board.
The very presence of these variety of actors operating and working within the port combining traditional methods with research, science and innovation ensures that an unique blue ecosystem has been created. The port also functions largely as a maintenance port for the nearby offshore wind farms.Our visit will also take us to the beach near the port where experiments are taking place with new nature-based techniques for natural sea defences. Further inland is Ostend Science Park where Bluebridge is headquartered which functions as an incubator for companies working in the blue economy. All those stakeholders have resulted in a vibrant ecosystem in an area that still bears the scars of an eventful history, with visible remains of both World Wars and the Napoleonic era.
Time schedule
8:10 AM : pick-up of participants at HOTEL CASSELBERGH
8:40 AM: Departure from Bruges (Bargeplein - Katelijnparking)
9:20 AM: Arrival at Fort Napoleon – harbour of Ostend
9:30 AM: Welcome by mayor Bart Tommelein of the city of Ostend (5’)
9:35 AM: Supporting a blue knowledge economy (10’) – Ira Lardinois, POM West-Vlaanderen
9: 45 AM: Boosting blue business, research & network and Bluebridge: incubator and innovation centre of Ostend Science Park – professor Carl Devos, Ostend Science Park (’15)
10: 00 AM: Blue Cluster: member organisation committed to stimulate blue growth in Flanders (’15) – Ann Overmeire, Blue Cluster
10:15 AM: Walk towards Maritiem Plein:
Stop 1: Blue Accelerator: maritime innovation and development platform and test site for blue economy research, development and innovation projects – Ira Lardinois/Tom Baur, POM West-Vlaanderen (5’)
Stop 2: Marine Station Ostend: Flanders Marine Institute & Marine Robotics Center – Hans Pirlet, VLIZ (10’)
11:15 AM: Arrival at Maritiem Plein – soup break
11:45 AM: Departure from Ostend
12:30 AM: Arrival at Bruges (Bargeplein - Katelijnparking)
Study visit 2 : Europe in Bruges
During this walk through the beautiful city of Bruges , project managers from the city of Bruges will offer you an insight in the different European projects that have helped the city to tackle some of the major challenges they are faced with as a local authority today.
Through cooperation with various partners throughout Europe, the city of Bruges has managed to roll-out some very innovative projects dealing with climate change, mobility, water management and green corridors.
9:30 AM : Pick-up of participants at HOTEL CASSELBERGH + start of the Europe Walk
11:30 AM: Arrival back at HOTEL CASSELBERGH
Where: Hotel Casselbergh, Hoogstraat 6, 8000 Bruges.
Study visit 1 : Leaving from Hotel Casselberhgh at 08.10 (back at Casselbergh around 12.30).
Study visit 2 : Leaving from Hotel Casselbergh at 09.30 (back at Casselbergh around 11.30).
Discover Bruges
A return to Bruges
This year's conference is being held in the beautiful city of Bruges. This is not the first time the conference has been hosted in Bruges. In 2011, the conference took place in Bruges and when participants were not engaged in conference activities, they enjoyed having the opportunity to explore the city.
Historic Bruges
Fortunately, both world wars left the historic city centre virtually intact, making Bruges increasingly appealing to visitors and culture-lovers alike. Its beauty and attraction was confirmed in 2000, when UNESCO classified the entire medieval inner city as a world heritage site.
Events
The conference ends on Wednesday 25 May. On Thursday 26 May a special event takes place in Bruges; the Procession of the Holy Blood. The Procession of the Holy Blood was created in 1304 as an expression of gratitude and faith. Each spring, 30,000 to 45,000 spectators gather in the heart of the city to watch the procession on Ascension Day, forty days after Easter.
You can read more about this event and other events taking place in Bruges here.
Want to find out more?
You can find more information on activities of all sorts in Bruges including shopping and restaurants on the visitbruges website.
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