TThe objective of the AEuCC is to develop territorial and transnational cooperation in the field of ceramic art and craft. Ultimately, it aims at creating social and economic cohesion by developing projects and services for the ceramic sector stakeholders.
The members of AEuCC are four longstanding national Associations of Ceramics Cities, based in Italy (AiCC), France (AfCC), Spain (AeCC) and Romania (ArCC).
Review of activities in 2019
Modification of membership
In recent years, AEuCC has promoted the creation of new Associations of Cities of Ceramics in different countries, allowing the birth of the German Association (AgCC), Polish (AplCC), Czech (AczCC) and Portuguese (AptCC) and 3 of them (German, Czech and Portuguese) are currently in the process of joining the AEuCC, with a formal adhesion scheduled from 1 January 2020.
In some other countries, AEuCC has discussions in progress for the creation of further Associations of Cities of Ceramics (Croatia, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Latvia, Slovenia, and Turkey).
There are also plans to incorporate Associations of Cities of Ceramics (to be created) in USA, Russia, Korea and China.
Changes in convention/statutes
Some changes of the statutes/convention are currently in preparation with:
- substantial changes (regarding new members, new city seat),
- some formal changes (referring to the amended EGTC Regulation),
- some smaller formal internal changes,
- some technical changes still depending on the new members (number of representatives in the assembly, number of vice presidents, etc.).
Tasks
AEuCC is a rare example of an institutionalised interregional cooperation (rather than cross-border or transnational). It is deeply involved in a specific sector (artistic and craft ceramics in which it is highly specialised and has network relations. Its characteristics permit a strong achievement of cohesion results (mainly in jobs and growth) and to reach out to a large number of stakeholders.
NEW LINE AEuCC is seen as a good example of how EGTCs could be developed and be effective for a wider area (interregional – EU level) in a very specialised sector.
REMAIN ON THE SAME LINE Given the interregional approach of AEuCC , it could play an important role in ETC: AEuCC could enlarge theoretically to 27 or more members. At present, unfortunately, the interregional characteristics of EGTC are not recognised as they should or supported with concrete opportunities.
NEW LINE AEuCC found some difficulties, as EGTC, to be recognized and legitimized in particular as a "lead partner" in the ambit of various European programs (Interreg Europe, Creative Europe, Citizens) and only after several non-approved projects could achieve positive results (in particular as "communication advisor partner" in two projects: CERASMUS (within the Erasmus program) and CLAY (within the INTERREG Europe program).
AEuCC currently analyzing and preparing projects to be presented to EU programmes, CERASMUS-2, ENI-MED, Interreg-MED, Interreg Italy-Croatia, IT-FR-Maritime, Creative Europe, Citizen and COSME). Every project (as well the ones not related to ETC) contains many benefits related to EU cohesion policy.
The Europe 2020 Strategy (together with Cohesion Policy and ETC) is embedded in the EGTC’s statutes. The openness of the EGTC to new members itself represents a strong message to Europe in times of crisis (not only in economic terms).
In terms of joint strategies, AEuCC's role is described (and concretely realised) in art. Five of its statutes (specific target and functions): territorial cooperation is a specific target of the EGTC, based on the ceramic sector, with the aim of enhancing economic and social development and cohesion. The functions of the AEuCC, linked to the specific target and in relation to art. 7.4 of the EGTC regulation, are: joint projects and actions of territorial cooperation, promotion and protection of cultural heritage, tourism and cultural development of its regions and cities, improvement of ceramic craft, promotion of vocational training and competitiveness, organisation of international events, even in an area larger than the EU, improvement of energy efficiency, pollution reduction, waste disposal, quality of life, analysis, research and study on employment, innovation, new technologies, internationalisation, clusters, etc.
New national Associations of Cities of Ceramics are widening the territorial scope. Overall, AEuCC increases the sense of belonging to a specific and distinctive European identity founded on shared cultural and historical values and on cooperation between cities with an ancient ceramic tradition.
Challenges or issues
A strong and central support and help is necessary in order to tackle and resolve the numerous administrative, bureaucratic and reporting complexities that the specific multi-regionality characteristics of the EGTCs entails in the management and execution of the guidelines provided by the various programmes (e.g. recruitment by the EGTC of employees in countries other than where it has its official seat, recognition of members personnel expenses assigned by convention or seconded staff, etc.).
Budget
€ 90.120,00
EU-funded projects and programmes in phase of implementation in 2019
Staff (in FTE)
Direct = 0, Indirect = 1 (50% of Italian coordinator, 30% of Spanish coordinator, 10% of French and Romanian coordinator). AEuCC is trying to hire three direct employees (temporary and part-time, one in Spain and two in Italy), but the recruitment is blocked cause the not authorization of recognizing of the expenses, by the Spanish Government as a second level controller, in the reporting context of CLAY project under INTERREG Europe.
