Cooperations & Partnerships

AUF is a global network of French-speaking higher-education and research institutions. Founded in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1961, as the Association des Universités Partiellement ou Entièrement de Langue Française (AUPELF), the AUF is a multilateral institution supporting co-operation and solidarity among French-speaking universities and institutions. It operates in French-speaking and non-speaking countries of Africa, the Arab world, Southeast Asia, North and South America, Polynesia, the Caribbean, Central, Eastern and Western Europe.

EUCEET Association welcomes all stakeholders concerned with civil engineering education and training, including universities and other tertiary education institutions, student associations, national and international civil engineering societies, construction and consulting companies.

The main goal of the association is to promote cooperation among stakeholders in order to foster good practices in civil engineering education and training.

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Official website

CDA is a local authority (intercommunal level gathering 28 cities) ruling a medium-sized territory (167 675 inhabitants– 327 km2) which lies on the west coast of France, between Bordeaux and Nantes. The CDA have competencies in many domains, ranging from town planning to economic development, environment, mobility and urban transport, urban policy or socially balanced housing. Very early the community understood the major environmental issues and took measures to fight climate change. CDA, along with the city of La Rochelle, the University, the Commercial Port and the Atlantech association have committed to reach carbon neutrality by 2040, in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement. This project named ‘La Rochelle Territoire Zéro Carbone’ has been awarded in September 2019 by the French government in the framework of a call for proposals dedicated to territorial innovations, and will get the support of national and regional funds (loans and grants). The involvement of CDA in the design and implementation of educational programmes, lifelong learning courses and the EU-CONEXUS Stakeholder Academy, the structuring of a knowledge and innovation ecosystem of EU-CONEXUS and the organisation of EU-CONEXUS festivals is strongly linked with their strategy “Towards a Sustainable Urban Coastal Area” in higher education, Research and Innovation.

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NAR is the largest of 18 administrative regions in France, in which La Rochelle is located. It spreads over 84 036 km2 (1/8th of France territory). The regional council is competent to promote the economic, social, health, cultural and scientific development of the region, support of the improvement of housing, urban planning and to education policies. The region also aims to ensure the preservation of its identity and the promotion of regional languages. The region is also involved in sustainability issues, and it supports stakeholders in their energy and ecological transition by 2030, in the framework of the regional roadmap Néo Terra. NAR will participate to the structuring of a SmUCS Ecosystem (the building of a European knowledge and innovation network).

VLR is the city council. It leads a sustainable policy and offers concrete levers to achieve its energy transition. Within the framework of the Cit’ergie label and the Municipal Action Plan for Biodiversity, it has set the objective of becoming the first “Zero Carbon” coastal territory by 2040, a process in which energy efficiency is put to work for the climate thanks to rational use and intelligent technologies. An environmental policy that also aims to preserve the health of the inhabitants. Beside its involvement in education, youth, employment, sustainability or health, the City of La Rochelle also offers a large cultural agenda (heritage, libraries, museums, festivals of all sorts including music festivals). The City of La Rochelle will participate to the organization of the EU-CONEXUS Festivals.

PA is La Rochelle commercial port. This port is the 6th largest French Maritime Port with 8.8 million tons of cargo handled, and the 2nd French port for the export of grains. The main sectors of activities are grains, construction, forest, agricultural and refined petroleum products. The missions of the administrative area of this port are to ensure the integration of sustainable development issues in all its activities, which are: Development, operation and maintenance of maritime access; Policing, safety and security; Management and preservation of the public domain and natural areas; Construction and maintenance of port infrastructure; Promoting the use of rail services in cooperation with the operators concerned; Development and management of industrial and logistics areas related to port activity and the promotion of the port in all aspects. The Grand Port Maritime takes part also in La Rochelle Zero Carbon Territory” project, committing to reach carbon neutrality by 2040, alongside with La Rochelle Urban Community and the City of La Rochelle. PA will contribute to networking activities across the partner regions participating at conferences and roundtables.

FVP is an Applied Research, Innovation & Training centre providing services to the port and logistics cluster. Since its establishment, it has developed projects in more than 60 countries, primarily Mediterranean nations, as well as from the rest of Europe, Asia and Latin America. Among its many activities, the following stand out: fostering innovation, knowledge management initiatives, policy of active cooperation with other port communities, structuring the port logistics
community. FVP will contribute to the development of study programmes (contribution to the content, student and staff internship, professionals included in teaching) and trainings of future seafarers and LLL . FVP is also interested in common research, career network, knowledge transfer and the Stakeholder Academy.

KSPA is a state enterprise which employs 240 people. The common task of KSPA and the private companies working within the port is to make the port more attractive, safe for vessels to sail, comfortable for handling operations and storage of cargo and able to compete with other eastern Baltic ports. It ensures the smooth functioning of Klaipeda Port, the increase of its competitiveness, the efficient use and development of the port infrastructure, building a business-friendly environment for the maritime sector growth, implementing up-to-date technology, human resource improvement, international quality standards and compliance with the transparency requirements. KSPA is participating in  Stakeholder Academy and will contribute to its concept and economic model.

KMTP is a non-profit public institution. It was established in 2002, in cooperation with Klaipėda University and the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania (Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania – since 2019). KSTP is a business support agency focused on promoting innovations and provides specialized services in the areas of green and blue (marine) technologies. KSTP is actively involved in international project activities, as well as in the formation and coordination of partnerships and clusters. KSTP specialists provide consultations for companies and individuals which are mostly related to the issues of establishing and developing their business, creating new products and services, as well as the protection of intellectual property. KSTP is participating in Stakeholder Academy and contributes to its concept and economic model.

KCM is the 5th largest city in the Baltics and the second youngest city in
Lithuania, with 47% of the population younger than 40 years old, as well as one of the economically emerging regions in Lithuania – currently accounting for 12% of GDP. Bringing together free economic zone, maritime industry with logistics and stevedoring, the city’s port and surrounding environs comprise an integrated high-value Maritime cluster that is a great breeding ground for innovation for small and large companies. Klaipėda focuses on growth in the blue economy and becoming a modern city attracting professionals of engineering, as well as law, finance, IT, languages, sport and culture, business management. With the project “Sustainable Development Goals Pilot Network”, the city of Klaipeda seeks to adapt the UN Sustainable Development Goals at the local level, to review and develop effective indicators for monitoring the city’s development, and to implement a participatory approach to urban development policy. Klaipeda City Municipality Administration will input to HE and LLL training, training programme development to address the implementation of SDGs at seaport cities. They will contribute to networking activities across the partner regions participating at conferences, roundtables.

TP is one of the largest shipping companies in Croatia, founded in 1955. The fleet comprises of 17 ships which ensure efficient, safe and environmentally friendly operations on crude oil and product tankers, bulk carriers and catamarans. Care for the environment, particularly optimisation of processes and lowering of carbon footprint are among the priorities of the company. TP will contribute to the development of study programmes (contribution to the content, student and staff internship, professionals included in teaching) and trainings of future seafarers and LLL (WP2 and WP3). TP is also interested in common research (WP7, WP8), career network (WP13) and the Stakeholder Academy (WP14).

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ZCC is a non-profit, public legal
professional organisation that serves the business community with the aim of strengthening and
promoting economic growth in Croatia, thus contributing to the well-being of society as a whole. Primary tasks of the Chamber are: representation, coordination and safeguarding common interests of its members before country institutions, participation in shaping the economic system and economic policy, promotion of the Croatian economy abroad, business training and execution of entrusted public authority. ZCC will contribute to the creation of study offer at all levels, particularly micro-credentials, research activities and joint research projects as well as in the Stakeholder Academy.

CHDMB located in the north-east of Bucharest, is
at the service of the needs of the local community by providing public services in education, health,
culture, youth, sports, public order, personal records, emergencies, environmental protection and restoration. The institution manages an area of 32 square km, and offers support for projects that include measures for sustainable development of cities, for improving the social infrastructure, for energyefficiency and renewable energy solutions. CHDMB will participate in creating study offers that address the environmental, technical and economic challenges of urbanised regions and contributing the concept of the Stakeholder Academy.

WCC established in 1787, is Waterford’s leading business network with more than 550 members employing more than 17500 employees. Its core services include networking and enabling collaborations, training provision, advocating on behalf of members, informing policy development, promoting Waterford as a destination for investment, trade, tourism, education and quality of life. WCC’s advocacy work is shaped by the UN-SDGs and in support of Chamber Ireland’s agenda. WCC manages Waterford Chamber Skillnet which is a multi-sector training network that delivers
subsidized training from short courses to masters level to more than 450 organisations across the South East of Ireland. WCC will input to training needs analysis and programme developments on the future skills required to address the environmental, technical and economic challenges of urbanised coastal
regions. It will inform the development of the research agenda to promote innovative solutions for greener and smarter cities and contribute to networking activities across the partner regions.

SRA is responsible for the development and implementation of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) for the Southern Region of Ireland. The RSES aims to create one of the most creative, innovative, smartest, greenest, and liveable regions in Europe through sustainable regional planning and development. It is Managing Authority for the ERDF programmes and provides support and guidance for research, innovation, low carbon economy and sustainable urban development. The SRA will input to programme developments on the future skills required to address the environmental, technical and economic challenges of urbanised coastal regions. It will inform the development of the research agenda to promote innovative solutions for greener and smarter cities aligning with the SRA’s work on Towards a Learning Region and Smart Specialisation. The SRA will contribute to networking activities across the partner regions participating at conferences and roundtables.

HCR looks back on more than 800 years of history, as an important European trading centre during the Hanseatic League and as host to the first university in the Baltic region. Today, Rostock embodies a unique symbiosis of history and modernity, with a city harbour and one of Germany’s most important ports. Being the state’s economic center Rostock is continuing to grow its industrial and research leadership in the region. It is characterised by many modern scientific institutions, technology hubs and innovative start-ups. Rostock is also known beyond its borders for its maritime events such as the Hanse Sail, an annual big sail festival. HCR will participate in networking activities in the areas of smart city administration, modern ports and entrepreneurship, as well as sustainable partnerships (WP1).

Limassol is situated on the southern coast of the island and is the most important coastal city of Cyprus. Lemesos is the second largest population center of the island and its main port. It has a population of approximately 175.000, of which 100.000 are within the Municipality of Lemesos. The Limassol Bay is a unified space that has come to accommodate diverse industries, two ports and terminals of commercial shipping, to aquaculture, to recreation and hospitality. ML will participate in networking activities in the areas of smart city administration, modern ports and entrepreneurship, as well as sustainable partnerships and in the organization of a festival.

CPA is a semi-government organisation which exercises
public administration regarding the operation and management of Cypriot ports and lighthouses under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works. The Limassol Port (new harbour) is an important shipping hub in the eastern Mediterranean with a large resident shipping industry, hosting over 220 shipping and shipping-related companies. CPA will participate in networking activities in the areas of modern ports and entrepreneurship and provide feedback on the concept of the Stakeholder Academy.

ANM founded in 1993, is situated in the Ammochostos Region and is the
most visited tourist resort in Cyprus with permanent population of 3500 people and an annual influx of 600.000 tourists which makes it a national core of economical growth and employment opportunities. Themunicipal area includes numerous awarded beaches and a National Park, which is a part of the European network Natura 2000. During the past decade ANM is facing to the new challenges of the tourist sector opening up to new tourist markets and target groups, continuously upgrading the tourist product and the municipal services, by giving priority to actions which focus on sustainable growth. ANM participates in in local, international and regional funding programmes and networks promoting sustainable growth in social and economic issues. ANM will participate in networking activities in the areas of smart city administration, modern ports and entrepreneurship, as well as sustainable partnerships.