EFAP: Newsletter January-February 2010
Newsletter January-February 2010
1. EU 2020 strategy
EFAP has submitted the following contribution to the consultation of the civil society on the EU 2020 strategy, which should enable the EU to make a full recovery from the crisis, while speeding up the move towards a smart and green economy. More information...
2. EFAP a.i.s.b.l.: fees 2010, membership for local authorities
Membership fees will be sent in the coming days. However, we remind you that any organization willing to do so is welcome to unilaterally raise its membership fees, in order to support the association and reduce recurrent financial pressure. The secretariat will contact each member to discuss this matter and existing possibilities.
As well, in order to raise the amount of members, we would like to ask EFAP members to join us and/or contact the secretariat and mention any possible city, region and institutions that, to their knowledge, could be interested in EFAP works. A sample letter is being drafted that will include ongoing projects and will be soon downloadable on our website. Contact : info@efap-fepa.eu
3. EFAP Conference
The EFAP conference will take place in Madrid on next 29th and 30th of April, and is part of the official programme of the EU Spanish Presidency. The draft programme is available on our website.
As well, a meeting between representatives of the trio of presidencies (Spain, Belgium and Hungary) took place in Brussels, in order to coordinate the topics of upcoming EFAP conferences. More information...
4. Pilot-project about mobility of architects
As you would know, EFAP has won a call for tenders from the European Commission to lead a pilot-program about mobility of architects in Europe. The first preparatory meeting took place on January 21 in Paris, gathering all partners. From two to six months, residences will highlight the interest of technical and cultural exchanges in a perspective of architectural diversity and innovation.
The call for applications of the architects' teams will be spread from the beginning of march for an application deadline mid-April. This program will last until 2011. More information...
5. Strengthening of the EFAP a.i.s.b.l. secretariat
Following the proposals made in Stockholm, Brussels-based GИraldine Higel as joined the secretariat. After studies in political sciences and working experience at the French Parliament, she will work on a freelance basis until the Madrid conference. Her CV is available upon request.
6. Platforms on cultural and creative industries
As chairman of this platform, launched by the European Commission, EFAP keeps coordinating the work of the different members in order to present propositions to the Commission, clearly committed on the topic. The next step will be the drafting of specific recommendations for the Green Paper on cultural and creative industries, to be launched during the Barcelona Forum, on 29th and 30th March. More information...
7. Survey on architectural policies
EFAP associated with JoЦo Bento, who, as PhD student at the Bartlett University, London, is comparing the architectural policies in Europe. This PhD work will bring an essential support to have a both global and precise vision of the different architectural situations in Europe. It will facilitate spreading knowledge and experiences as well as the definition of propositions toward the European institutions.
8. Meeting with the European Commission
The minutes of the various meetings between Rob Docter and the European Commission are available on our website. More information...
9. Forthcoming events...
Linked to the European Economic and Social Committee's work on European metropolitan areas, and following up to the consultation on ⌠Grand Paris■, EFAP proposes to organize a meeting on European metropolises, that would gather the European Commission and MEPs, in order to underline architectural know-how in the development of territories, and eventually lead to a better taking into account of this dimension in upcoming cohesion programmes.
Finally, EFAP is currently investigating the possibility to create an Observatory on new, solidary and norms-breaking practices, which will give visibility to the number of bright and innovative but often isolated initiatives all over Europe. The final objective is to produce recommendations for decision-makers, based on concrete examples. Interested members are invited to contact the secretariat.
