History

Phase 1 (1993 - 1998)
The Regional Development Agency (in Czech Agentura pro regionální rozvoj, or ARR) was established in Ostrava in May 1993 by the Czech Economic Ministry in partnership with several regional bodies. The new agency was an EU pilot project as part of the Phare programme, one of the EU’s pre-accession instruments.

The RDA was the first development agency in the Czech Republic. When it was set up, the Czech system of regional government (including the Moravian-Silesian Region) did not yet exist. In its early years, the RDA focused mainly on gaining know-how from similar institutions in EU countries, helping to build a basic development infrastructure for the region, and supporting the implementation of business plans. The RDA also played a major role in some key projects, helping to establish the Ostrava Science and Technology Park (1995, in conjunction with the City of Ostrava and local universities) and business incubators in several regional towns (Krnov, Kopřivnice, Vítkov and Havířov).

The RDA also began to play a strategic planning role, producing the ‘REGVIS 2005’ document which set out a strategic development vision for North Moravia and Silesia. The document was drawn up in 1996–1998 as part of the ECOS OUVERTURE programme.

 Phase 2 (1999 - 2004)
In this period, the RDA focused mainly on the Region’s preparations for joining the European Union, including access to various forms of EU structural funding.

As the only Phare Management Unit in the Czech Republic, the RDA was closely involved in in planning, selecting and implementing a range of development projects run mainly by cities, towns and municipalities throughout the Region. The Agency also helped drive the introduction of strategic planning principles in the Region.

The key documents from this period were the Development Programme for the Moravian-Silesian Region (2000) and the Development Strategy for the Ostrava-Mošnov Airport (2002). The RDA also helped define the conditions for the first operational programme to be launched in the Region – the Joint Regional Operational Programme (JROP), which channelled EU funds to a range of development projects.

The Agency also worked closely alongside funding applicants – cities, towns, municipalities, businesses and NGOs – to plan projects and prepare the necessary documentation. Funding was initially sourced from the Czech Republic’s national budget, but EU accession in 2004 opened up new possibilities of financing via EU operational programmes.

A large number of project funding applications were submitted during this period. Among the most important was the Kopřivnice - Vlčovice industrial zone, which was created in 2000 - 2001.

The RDA also became involved in a number of international projects and set up partnerships with other EU regions including Shannon (Ireland) and Lorraine (France). These partnerships enabled the Region to gain valuable know-how on restructuring processes in former industrial region – such as brownfields regeneration, human resources development, and support for business and enterprise. An important step was the establishment of the Euro Info Centre (EIC), which offered assistance to the Region’s SMEs in developing international networks of partnerships and trading contacts.

Phase 3 (2005 - 2007)
During this period the RDA began to reap the benefits of its previous hard work, as large numbers of investors moved into the Region. The focus in 2005 - 2007 was on ensuring that the Region could offer a good range of commercial real estate and creating the best possible conditions to attract new investors.

A comprehensive support system was created for investors, including a database of commercial real estate and listings of local contractors. The RDA played a major role in Hyundai’s decision to choose the Moravian-Silesian Region (the town of Nošovice) as the site of its first European factory.

The Agency continued to offer assistance to cities, towns and municipalities in planning and implementing brownfields regeneration projects. The RDA was also one of the main implementing bodies of the Region’s new marketing strategy, which introduced a coordinated image management system.

A large number of strategic planning documents were drawn up during this period; the most important was the Regional Operational Programme for the EU planning period 2007 - 2013.

The RDA also responded to the latest international trends in business support by helping to set up industry clusters and organizing initiatives to promote technical education and innovative commercial activities.

Phase 4 (2008 - now)
The key focus of the RDA’s current activities is on accessing EU funds via operational programmes and planning for the new programming period.

One of the RDA’s main goals at present is to improve the absorption capacity of organizations and funding applicants in the Region. Besides helping to prepare project applications for operational programmes, the Agency also offers support in the project management phase. It regularly analyzes the Region’s current absorption status to identify which operational programmes should be targeted for future funding applications.

The RDA also helps draw up a range of strategic documents enabling the Region, cities, towns and municipalities to plan their development activities effectively by focusing on high-impact activities to improve the local environment and quality of life.

The Agency is the main coordinator of several Region-wide initiatives to support education and training for disadvantaged groups and to gain know-how and experience from abroad.

The RDA is owned 100% by the Moravian-Silesian Region, and it plays a key supporting role in a range of regional government activities – including brownfields management, communication and liaison with potential investors, municipalities and businesses, collecting and evaluating statistical data for decision-making and strategic purposes.

E-MAILPRINT