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Sub-Projects – Theme 1 – Environment

Sub-theme 3 – Environment friendly development & water management

SWG „Risk and Innovation“ – Summary & results

The sub-project “Risk and Innovation” focused on three major subjects which were closely related to current and future innovation processes in Europe and in the global world: industrial, environmental and human related risks.

It started in July 2006 and was implemented in 3 phases in which manifold activities were carried out, above all three international workshops dealing with different aspects of risks and their management. The first workshop dealt explicitly with industry related risks. The host of the meeting was the Chamber of Commerce of Seville that invited researchers and representatives of industry and public administration who highlighted in their presentations legal, economic and social aspects of industrial risk management in border regions. In this context, a study visit took place to an industrial cluster in the province of Huelva that provided the opportunity to exchange information on risks linked to chemical industry and to learn more about the applied prevention mechanisms and risk management methods in the region.

The second international workshop focused on environmental risks resulting from globalisation and innovation processes. The spectrum of problems discussed during the meeting was very broad and included aspects such as the Lisbon agenda and sustainable development, fire prevention and fighting, cross-border water management, national parks and wildlife protection. In this context, a good example of best practice is the realisation of the “Tunnel of Friendship” at the border between Greece and Bulgaria, which at the same time is the sole border crossing point in this unique mountainous area with a rich wildlife and many scarce species. Many plans have been elaborated after the fall of the “Iron Curtain” suggesting the opening of a border crossing point in this for many decades isolated and inaccessible area. However, the attitude of the local communities on both sides of the border towards these plans was quite ambivalent as citizens and politicians expected that the new infrastructure could have a devastating impact on the fragile eco-system of the region. Thanks to an effective publicity campaign involving all actors concerned with environmental risks (representatives of administration and industry, politicians, ecologists, NGOs and other organisations), an optimal solution was found and the approval of local communities was gained. Along with a border crossing point a tunnel between Greece and Bulgaria was built enabling the smooth and undisturbed movement of animals.

The third and last workshop dealt with human risks in border areas, in particular organised crime and enslavement, risks of epidemics in cross-border areas as well as illegal immigration. The problem of illegal immigration is certainly one of the most important challenges for the Neighbourhood Policy of the European Union, but as the example of Andalusia and Morocco shows, action is needed also on national and local level. The government of Andalusia has launched various initiatives, programmes and projects generating quite positive results (e.g. initiative “Aeneas-Cartaya” aiming at employing Moroccan women seasonally in agriculture).

Further examples of best practices have been included in the “Handbook on cross-border globalisation and innovation risks: EU views and experiences”, which along with the IT-Platform is the main output of the project. It is addressed to all actors on local, regional and national level dealing with different aspects of modern industrial, environmental and human related risks and who would like to get more information on the subject and exchange their experiences and best practices with other regions. All kind of risks related to innovation processes always affect geographical areas, not countries. These risks don’t stop at political borders and therefore, coordinated action and cooperation with partners across the border is a necessity and a key success factor.