What is IQ-Net?
 IQ-Net Conference Schloss Seggau (Austria), June 2009

The IQ-Net network brings together regional and national partners from Structural Funds programmes across the EU. Its aim is to improve the quality of Structural Funds programme management through exchange of experience. The network involves a structured programme of applied research and debate; network partners meet twice a year, with conferences being hosted by the partners on a rotation basis.
 
IQ-Net was launched in 1996 and is managed by the European Policies Research Centre (EPRC) at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Partner organisations are mainly regional or national Structural Funds managing authorities or programme secretariats. Expressions of interest in joining the network are welcomed from potential new members (regional or national programming authorities) in any EU-27 Member State.
 
IQ-Net enables programme managers and their partnerships to exchange experience and share good practice on specific themes relating to the design, delivery, management and evaluation of the Structural Funds programmes. Briefing papers are prepared by EPRC as the basis for discussion at each meeting, bringing together comparative experience from across the EU. In addition to regular progress updates on the programmes, thematic papers are also discussed at each conference. Recent papers have covered: interaction between different EU funds; implementation of the Lisbon Agenda - lessons for EU2020; the reform of EU Cohesion policy; new partnership dynamics in a changing Cohesion policy context; and EU Cohesion policy and State aids. Themes for forthcoming conferences will focus on the preparations for the 2014-20 period. These reports and previous papers are available on the IQ-Net Research Papers page.

Map of IQ-Net Partners
IQ-Net Partner Map
Map of IQ-Net Conferences
IQ-Net Conferences Map

IQ-Net members currently comprise:
Austria: Niederösterreich - Lower Austrian Land
Government
http://www.noel.gv.at/
  Steiermark - Styrian Land Government
http://www.wirtschaft.steiermark.at/
Belgium: Vlaanderen - Enterprise Flanders Agency
http://ae.vlaanderen.be/index.html
Czech
Republic: 		Ministry for Regional Development
http://www.mmr.cz/
Denmark: Danish Enterprise & Construction Authority
http://www.deaca.dk/
Finland: Western Finland Alliance (Länsi-Suomi)
(http://www.wfa.fi/englanti/), in association
with the Ministry of Employment & the
Economy (http://www.tem.fi/)
France: DATAR
http://territoires.gouv.fr/la-datar
Germany: Nordrhein-Westfalen - Ministry for Economy,
Energy, Construction, Housing and Transport
http://www.mwme.nrw.de/
  Sachsen-Anhalt - Ministry of Finance
http://www.sachsen-anhalt.de/index.php?id=30619
Greece: Management Organisation Unit of
Development Programmes S.A.
http://www.mou.gr/index.asp?a_id=46
   
Italy: Ministry of Economic Development (http://www.sviluppoeconomico.gov.it/) & Promuovi Italia SpA (http://www.promuovitalia.it/)
Latvia: Ministry of Environmental Protection & Regional Development, in association with the State Regional Development Agency
http://www.vraa.gov.lv/en/about_us/
Poland: Śląskie Województwo- Marshal’s Office of Silesia
http://www.slaskie.pl/
Portugal: Financial Institute for Regional Development
http://www.qca.pt/home/index.asp
Slovenia: Government Office for Local Self-Government and Regional Policy
http://www.svlr.gov.si/en/
Spain: País Vasco - Provincial Council of Bizkaia
http://www.bizkaia.net/home2/eu_index.asp
UK: Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG)
http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/
  Welsh European Funding Office
http://wefo.wales.gov.uk/?skip=1&lang=en
  The Scottish Government
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/support/17404
DG Regio of the European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/regional_policy/index_en.htm
DG Emploi of the European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/esf/home.jsp?langId=en

The European Policies Research Centre coordinates and undertakes the network's research programme, organises meetings, prepares briefing papers, disseminates information and supports the exchange of experience via the IQ-Net website. The IQ-Net Network is directed by Professor John Bachtler and Dr. Laura Polverari, and run by the Network Manager, Frederike Gross.

IQ-Net gratefully acknowledges the support of the European Regional Development Fund