How we work
The South West UK Brussels Office serves the interests of an evolving partnership of local authorities, higher education institutions, third sector and SMEs from the South West of England and is working with and for the interests of its clients.
Our overall activities are based around three major areas of work:
- Policy - Following policy developments on the EU level which are of significance to our clients;
- Programmes - Providing information and support to clients on EU funding programmes, with the aim to develop potential projects;
- Profile - Raising the profile of our clients in Brussels and the rest of Europe.
Work Plans
To ensure flexibility, value for money and a tailored service the European Partnership agrees work plans with all clients. For those clients able to take a strategic approach,
annual work plans are be negotiated. For those operating on a project-by-project
basis, project work plans are prepared.
Clients can operate individually and form partnerships. These partnerships can be with
each other (for example the emerging LEP structure), across sectors and across different areas of the UK and mainland Europe. Work plans can deliver the aims and objectives of any such partnership.
Meetings and Lobbying in Brussels
- European Commission
SWUKBO has continued to strengthen its strong links with the European Commission across the various Directorate Generals. The office continues to maintain a close working contact with DG Regional Policy’s UK unit and the Cohesion Policy conception unit. There is also a close contact established with DG Agriculture, DG Research and Innovation, DG Enterprise and DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
- European Parliament
The office has been in regular contact with South West MEPs. We organise numerous meetings one-to-one between SWUKBO clients and MEPs in Brussels both to profile the activities of partners and also to gain valuable contacts within the EU institutions.
- UK Permanent Representation to the EU
SWUKBO has maintained a strong contact with UKRep throughout the years.
More recently, the team established positive contact with the UKTI Belgium, whose role is to help UK companies seeking to develop business in the Belgian market. The UKTI team also looks into new ways of strengthening the UK impact on Belgian companies and promoting the UK as a valuable place to invest. We hope to work with them in the future, in particular through promoting businesses in the UK who are looking to expand into the European market.
- European networks
European networks in Brussels play a crucial role in terms of both conveying strong policy messages to the EU Institutions and also in terms of providing valuable contacts for EU projects and intelligence gathering. For Innovation and Research policy, SWUKBO has worked closely with the European Regions for Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN), looking at ICT issues such as rural broadband and the ICT-PSP programme and the future research programmes.
The office continues to work closely with the Assembly of European Regions and the Conference of Peripheral Maritime regions, with partners meeting with these organisations and presenting at conferences.
Board of directors
An interim board of directors has been established to oversee all operational matters relating to the formation of the new company and the transition from SWUKBO to the new European Partnership between 1st April and the 1st October 2011. On the 1st October (or thereabouts) the first meeting of the new Advisory Panel will be held to report on progress and formally vote on the first board of directors.
The interim board of directors has direct experience from each of the four client bases to be served by the new European Partnership – business, education, public and social purpose.
