Graphic version of this page | Change how these pages look
www.scottishislands.org.uk
Page: Inter Island Exchange Project
Inter-Island Exchange Project (IIEP)
The European Small Islands Network (ESIN) was set up in 2001 to raise awareness of the development challenges experienced by Europe's smallest inhabited islands and to promote inter-island co-operation on the subject of sustainable island development.
ESIN's members are island-based organisations in 6 member states (Ireland , Scotland , France , Sweden , Finland and Denmark ). They share a vision of integrated and sustainable economic, social, environmental and cultural development based on the maintenance of permanent, resident island communities. In 2004, ESIN successfully applied to the EU Interreg IIIc Programme for funding to undertake an Inter-Island Exchange Project. The Irish Islands ' Federation is the lead partner in this operation.
The objectives of the ESIN IIEP operation are to promote greater co-operation between small islands, to share the benefits of islands' experience of sustainable development and to influence national and EU regional development policies in favour of small island communities. Its proposed programme of activities includes an intensive 3 year period of inter-island networking and exchange based around three key themes of major importance to the long term viability of small islands, namely:
-
island identity, culture and language, islanders' sense of place and community
-
devising an ecologically sustainable model for island development
-
provision of essential public services and facilities on small islands.
Each theme will be examined by a dedicated working group in which two partners act as the main networking engine identifying the key issues and target groups to be addressed under that theme, overseeing the selection of suitable examples of best practice, study trips and project visits and creating a database of 18 case studies accessible by internet.
ESIN IIEP also plans to host in 2006 a major conference on sustainable development on small islands in the EU which will involve senior policy makers from the EU institutions, national, regional and local governments as well as island organisations.
Finally, the operation will develop and expand its website to transform it into an effective and interactive communication tool for those concerned with island development throughout EU. The results envisaged by ESIN include:
- stronger contacts among decision makers and island organizations in all 6 island regions
- improved access to information on sustainable approaches & solutions to the most pressing development problems facing small islands
- greater co-operation between 6 island regions
- identification at national and EU level of specific policy measures to support sustainable development on Europe's small islands
- better understanding at European level of the development challenges facing small islands with very low population densities and no administrative authority.
The ESIN IIEP operation will run from July 2004 until June 2007
For more information about the ESIN IIEP, contact the Project Manager, Maire Ui Mhaolain - telephone +353 (0) 9975096 or email maire@oileain.ie.
The timetable for forthcoming inter-island exchange meetings is available to download here:
© Scottish Islands Network 2004
Island Photographs courtesy of (External) Cailean Maclean