Resulting from consultation, the views of partners and the priorities established in the Gateshead Goes Global Big Idea, we have identified four key objectives for our strategy:
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Influencing and engaging in Europe – we want to be able to influence policy making in the European Commission; access funding opportunities through transnational partnerships and ensure we are well prepared for legislation and standards coming through European law. This is particularly important in the context of EU expansion, and the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty and the more streamlined governance arrangements this will introduce
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Sustainable economic development – we want to ensure that Gateshead is well placed in the global economy – well connected; with the right skills and attitudes and is seen as a good place to do business and invest.
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Supporting developing economies – we want to play our role in supporting less developed countries, regions and cities to tackle poverty and disadvantage.
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Learning, exchange and cohesion – we want to maximise the opportunities available for Gateshead residents to come into contact with different cultures, and to ensure that benefits are seen in our communities
Running through these our objectives is a focus on four main themes, which will have an impact across all four objectives:
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A focus on culture – building on our internationally renowned cultural assets, and focusing on culture as a way of connecting communities, breaking down barriers, releasing creativity and building more cohesive communities.
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A focus on sport – reinforcing our infrastructure and using sport to help support the economy, contribute towards an active and healthy Gateshead and
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A focus on economy – supporting our objectives for growth, with an emphasis on low carbon and knowledge intensive activity as a way of emerging form the economic downturn and maximising competitive advantages
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A focus on environment – responding to the challenges of climate change and learning form best practice internationally in mitigation and adaptation.
We will also ensure that we take a consistent approach in the development of our partnerships with other cities and places, moving away from a traditional town twinning approach, and instead moving towards agreed shared partnership objectives, with specific outcomes and objectives, with partners. We will seek to develop partnerships with cities and organisations that share similar characteristics, challenges or opportunities with us, and can assist us in delivering against our objectives. We will prioritise European partners that are also members of Eurocities.
Our focus will therefore be initially on the deepening and consolidation of our existing network of strategic partnerships as outlined below, though we will also consider new partnership opportunities as they arise.
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Komatsu – focusing on learning and exchange, sustainable economic development
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Gothenburg – focusing on cultural and creative partnerships and sustainable economic development
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Tallinn – cultural partnerships
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Sahiwal – supporting developing local economies
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South Africa - supporting developing local economies through our work with the Swallows partnership and the Council’s membership of the LAACTSA network. We will develop a detailed programme and agreement for our work with these two existing partnerships
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Ghana - supporting developing local economies
Our Outcomes Framework
We have developed ten primary outcomes to measure the success of this strategy. These will be monitored throughout the implementation process, and reported on a six monthly basis to the Gateshead Strategic Partnership Steering Group.
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Objective
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Outcomes
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Outputs
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Influencing and Engaging in Europe
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A voice of influence in Eurocities
Strong and successful partnerships
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EU funding opportunities maximised
New transnational European partnerships established to meet priorities
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Sustainable economic development
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More diverse workforce with enhanced skills
More competitive and connected local businesses
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Increased talent attraction and retention rates; more international students
Increased levels of international trade
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Supporting developing economies
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Increased profile and recognition
Fair-trade status enhanced
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Four major partnership action plans agreed and delivered
Accreditation / recognition of developmental work
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Learning, exchange and cohesion
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Enhanced life skills for young people
Increased community cohesion
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Year on year increases of young people involved in exchange projects
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