Wvi has many years of experience within the framework of European cooperation programmes (5B Phasing Out, Objective 2, Interreg IIIA France – Walloon – Flanders) and the close contacts with North French partners are now structural in nature.

In the current programme period 2007 – 2013, wvi is concentrating thematically on various tracks in which sustainability is of central importance: CO2 neutrality on industrial estates, sustainability on parcelled-out sites, sustainable commercial multi-tenant buildings, the realisation of a greenhouse farming zone which makes use of the residual heat of a neighbouring industrial estate, reconversion of existing industrial estates, construction of new sustainable industrial estates, park management and assisted living areas are just a few of the ideas at wvi.

In addition, wvi also wishes to continue assisting the municipalities in its area of operations with respect to the European programmes: help in searching for partners, and providing information and assistance for project development.

 

Programmes

In the Objective 2 programme, investment and operating projects can be submitted at the level of Flanders without cooperation with foreign partners.

In the Objective 3 programme, wvi can work together with foreign partners in six different programmes:

1) Three cross-border programmes (Interreg IV A)
a. France – Walloon – Flanders
b. Border region Flanders – The Netherlands
c. Programme 2 Seas (cross-border maritime cooperation)
2) Two transnational programmes (Interreg IV B)
a. North Sea region programme
b. North – West – Europe programme
3) The interregional programme (Interreg IV C)

 

Approved projects

 

• BISY, ‘Bedrijven Informatie en Signalisatie sYsteem’ (industrial information and traffic signal system) involves the digitalisation of road signs on industrial estates via a central databank. The project was approved in spring 2008 as part of Objective 2 and is ongoing from 1 October 2008 to 30 September 2010. Leiedal (intermunicipal development agency in the Courtrai region) and wvi are working together on this project.

 

• The DuGiO project concerning sustainable cultivation under glass, in the municipality of Oudenburg, was approved in February 2009 under the Objective 2 programme and runs from 1st June 2009 until 31st May 2011. It is a study project that prepares the implementation of the sustainable cultivation under glass with attention for green and nature, a network of pipes for the transport of warmth and CO₂, collective facilities and/or services, water management including the re-use of water etc.

 

 

• ‘Future Cities, urban networks to face climate change’, was approved in the summer of 2008 as part of the North – West – Europe programme. This project focuses on water – ecology – energy to help cities and regions to adjust to climate changes. The wvi project involves the integrated development of a sustainable neighbourhood, starting from the planning process to the actual sustainable living phase. The project is ongoing from May 2007 to December 2012.

 

 

 

• Sintropher, Sustainable Integrated Tram-Based Options for Peripheral European Regions, is a project in which wvi, as sub partner, supports the cities of Veurne and Diksmuide, and the municipality of Koksijde with the execution of the project that aims at improving the attractiveness and accessibility of their railway station areas. De Lijn West-Vlaanderen, a division of the Flemish public transport company for busses and trams, is also partner in the project, with the possible extension of the Coast Tram from Koksijde to Veurne. The Interreg IVB transnational North West Europe programme approved the project in April 2009 and it runs from October 2007 until December 2012.

 

• The main aims of the Manage+ project (Sustainable MANAGEment and operation of major regenerated sites into attractive destinations), are to develop for the Sugar factory site in Veurne, a communication and marketing strategy and a management structure that supports the sustainable development of the site during and after the regeneration.