Socio-economic structural changes in the North Sea Region are an ongoing process. Lots of regions suffer from economic decrease and declining jobs and partly breakdowns of the "elder" (producing) industries. New sectors and services are not easily to be launched. SMEs need specific entrepreneurial environments of coherent interactions by all responsible institutions. SME s need not only positive reactions but active communication processes, often in the sense of coaching and accompanying them on their way through the structural changes. Experts with a lot of practical experience have to face those aspects in their daily work (in the field of economies and planning). Focussing on visible clusters in the North Sea Region sectors like maritime industries, port and harbour logistics and the aviation industries are of special relevance. To manage the process, very specific and often tiny instruments are necessary, preferably within an "easy" tool box. A good mixture of relevant disciplines and experts should work out the top ten instruments for this tool box. The single tools should be based on comparison and common further development of good practice in the North Sea Region. Research should included. Politicians and stakeholders should be involved to rise awareness of the "KISS -principle" (Keep it small and simple).

Development of appropriate instruments on the micro - level of socio-economic development to support SMEs in the handling of structural changes and to help local and regional authorities to support and manage the regional economic development process.

SME related tool box for pro active change management; theme oriented handling instruments for regional authorities (e.g. business development); coherent modules for strategy building and concept development to support the Lisbon strategy and the Gothenburg Agenda; network of "land workers" with practical approaches to solve regional problems on the bottom - up level

Expressions of interest expected from Province Groningen / NL, Viborg Amt / DK, East Cork / IE, Vastra Gotalands Regionen /SE

UK, N, others in NL, DK, SE