About UsThe main objective of EPMA is to promote international project-based co-operation among European regions and regional partners towards knowledge based Information Society. This objective is implemented through activities including research, awareness rising, project management support and networking with an aim to strengthen the dialog and co-operation between public administrations, research communities, business organizations and civic initiatives. European Projects & Management AgencyEPMA_b24ba77a-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f2952The European Projects & Management Agency (EPMA), is a non-profit organisation, co-founded by the Czech Region Vysocina and BMI Association in 2004 as the association of legal bodies. It is registered by the Prague Municipal registry with the No. 10/04.EPMA General AssemblyThe supreme statutory body of EPMA is the General Assembly with the equal representation of delegates from both co-founders. Both co-founders have their representatives in the Presidium, which is leaded by the Chairman (delegate of the Vysocina Region). Each co-founder has also his independent representative in the Control Committee. The Director is empowered for all managerial and decision-making functions by the EPMA Chairman. The regular managerial supervision is ensured through the IT Department of Vysocina Regional Authority.Vysocina RegionThe name of the Vysocina Region derives from the name of the Ceskomoravska vrchovina (Bohemian-Moravian Highlands), a hilly, undulating countryside situated between the two historical lands of the Czech Republic. Vysocina reaches over 800 meters in altitude, in the two distinct mountain ranges of Zdarske vrchy in the north of the region and Jihlavske vrchy in the south-west. The main European water divide, echoing the former frontier between Bohemia and Moravia, divides the region into two parts almost equal in area. Bordering the South-Moravian Region to the east, the South-Bohemian and Middle Bohemian Regions to the west, and sharing a border with the Pardubice Region to the north-east, the region is situated in the very heart of the Czech Republic. The economy of the region's eastern part is influenced by the neighbouring urban centre of Brno, while the north-eastern part is within the sphere of influence of the capital of Prague.BMI AssociationIrina Zálišová, PhDr.Director Iva Walterová M.A.Project manager Lenka HofmanováOffice executive Mgr. Radek BejdákExternal expertise - Institute of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University in Prague.Ing. Jiří KrumpExternal expertise - consultant.JUDr. Radim Polčák Ph.D.External expertise - Department of Legal Theory, Faculty of Law, Masaryk university, Brno.Mgr. Radek PernicaExternal expertise - TCCJaroslav WinterExternal expertise - President of BMI AssociationIng. Ivan Sokolov PhDExternal expertise - external expertIng. Jaroslav ŠolcExternal expertise - consultantBc. Lukáš PaluzgaExternal expertise - external expertBc. Petr SamešExternal expertise - trainerEPMA PartnersUniversities in EuropeUniversities from throughout Europe including Masaryk University in Brno (CZ), Charles University in Prague (CZ), Cracow University of Economics (PL), Vienna University (AT), Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences (DE), etc.Masaryk University in Brno (CZ)Charles University in Prague (CZ)Cracow University of Economics (PL) Vienna University (AT)Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences (DE)European Government ExpertsExperts from the Czech and other European national governments, Ministries and other public bodies as well as from European Union bodies including the European Commission, its institutes and the European Parliament Committees.European CommissionEuropean Parliament CommitteesCompanies in the Czech RepublicBusiness companies, associations and development agencies from the Czech Republic and Europe, including Chambers of Commerce and non-profit organisations. Our frequent project partners are organisations such as Austrian Computer Society/OCG (AT), MFG Public Innovation Agency for IT and Media (DE), Danish Technological Institute (DK), MDDA - Manchester Digital Developement Agency, Manchester, UK, etc.Chambers of Commerce in the Czech RepublicNnon-Profit Organisations in the Czech RepublicAustrian Computer Society/OCG (AT)MFG Public Innovation Agency for IT and Media (DE)Danish Technological Institute (DK)MDDA - Manchester Digital Developement AgencyEuropean NetworksInternationally EPMA benefits from close and regular co-operation with significant European networks, including:ELANET/CEMREuropean Local Authorities Network/Council of Municipalities and RegionsEuropean Regional Information Society Associationeris@, www.erisa.be, 45 EU regions involved, including the Vysocina RegionTelecentre-Europethe network of telecentres bringing together a community of experts and practitioners working towards inclusive digital society, http://www.telecentre-europe.orgEU Thematic CommunitiesThematic communities at the EU portal www.epractice.euCEMSDI/ELANET Community of PracticeThe CEMSDI/ELANET Community of Practice bringing together Digital Local Agenda / eGovernment experts and practitioners, www.digitallocalagenda.euEIPAEuropean school for Public Administration, Maastricht, Netherlands, www.eipa.nlNISPaCeeNetwork of institutes and schools of Public Administrations in Central and Eastern Europe, www.nispa.org. It is also a regional center of UNPAN - United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance, www.unpan.orgEUROCITIESa network of major European citiesGLOBAL Cities DialogAssociation of Mayors and High Political Representatives of cities across the world, www.globalcitiesdialog.com.Forum eGovernment/OCG (AT)EPMA is regularly organizing thematic seminars and international workshops. For 5 years (since 2005) EPMA was the programme coordinator and co-organizer of a significant annual international conference Eastern European eGovernment Days held in Prague in cooperation with Forum eGovernment/OCG (AT). Due to these activities, EPMA is linked to a big international network of eGovernment experts from governments, business and academia.eGovernment ExpertsEU RegionsCzech Republic RegionsOn the regional level EPMA is connected to more than 50 regions in the Czech Republic and Europe, cooperating with them in thematic projects, currently EPMA is closely working with Regional governments of:Vysocina Region (CZ), http://www.kr-vysocina.czPilsen Region (CZ), www.kr-plzensky.czWelsh Assembly Government (UK), http://wales.gov.ukPiedmont Region (IT), www.regione.peimonte.itLodz RegionMarshal's Office (PL), www.lodzkie.plLocal GovernmentsAt the same time EPMA is maintaining cooperation with networks of local governments, such as ANCI (Association of Italian Municipalities), EUDEL (Association of Bask Municipalities) or SMO CR (Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic).ANCI Association of Italian MunicipalitiesEUDELAssociation of Bask MunicipalitiesSMO CRUnion of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic_b24ba9f0-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f2952Tto promote international project-based co-operation among European regions and regional partners towards knowledge based Information Society._b24bab1c-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f2952Policy Best Practices[Provide] policy support for regions (working with regional and national politicians and key administrative staff), exchange of best practices with EU regions._b24bac20-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f29521EU Regions_b24bad42-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f2952Digital Agenda[Provide] support to local digital agendas, cooperation with key regional stakeholders (including Structural funds tools)._b24bae50-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f29522_b24baf54-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f2952Analysis & MonitoringAnalyze and monitor implementation of EU Policies at national level (eGovernment, eParticipation, eInclusion, eAccessibility, Digital Literacy, Public Sector Information), cooperation with National government, Council of Europe and European Commission._b24bb076-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f29523Council of EuropeEuropean Commission_b24bb198-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f2952Research & Cooperation[Conduct] research activities and cooperate with EU partners, including organization of international events (ERA, FP, CIP, INTERREG, Leonardo, etc.)_b24bb2b0-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f29524_b24bb3e6-25cc-11e2-a962-46fd486f29522012-11-03http://www.epma.cz/en/missionOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net