IN A bid spearheaded by Southampton City Council, an international network of port cities has won European funding worth more than £670,000 to promote sustainable economic and social development.
The announcement of the award, which has given the green light to a partnership project worth £1.3 million, comes during Europe Week, which marks three decades of UK membership of the EU.
The cash will fund a three-year project, which will create a "tool-box" to help port cities deal with the global changes that influence their economy.
Issues that will be explored as part of the project include maritime heritage and how it shapes local identity, skills needs, labour markets and the impact of immigration.
Southampton heads the Maritime Cities Network, which includes Bremen, Bilbao, Cherbourg, Gijon, Trieste, Taranto, Patras and Kaliningrad.
The City Council's local partners include Southampton Institute and MarineTechSouth, part of Southampton Oceanography Centre. The project also has the support of port operator ABP.
The project will bring together representatives to provide a variety of expertise and highlight good practice.
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