DAY 1 | THURSDAY, 28^TH OF JUNE

09:30 WELCOME & REGISTRATION

10:00 OPENING - ECN

10:15 KEYNOTE - Emilia-Romagna Region and ASTER

10:30 SETTING THE CONTEXT
What are the problems and issues highlighted in the latest cohesion policy report, what should be expected for the coming programming period, and what role can crowdfunding platforms play in bridging the gaps between the EU and citizens all over Europe. First results of the Working Group of interested parties (both from the crowdfunding industry and from regional and local authorities) that will jointly analyse how of Crowdfunding can be integrated into ESI Funds as a match-funding mechanism.

11:15 COFFEE BREAK

11:30 PANEL 1 - CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS AND MATCH-FUNDING
There have been already many successful examples of partnerships between platforms and regional/local authorities. The aim of the session is to highlight how crowdfunding, thanks to its intrinsic characteristics and flexibility, can prove a valuable asset to public administrations and citizens. In turn, the presence of local authorities boosts citizens’ trust and encourages a more professional ecosystem in the crowdfunding industry.

12:15 PANEL 2 - FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVES ON CIVIC CROWDFUNDING
Representatives from financial institutions and crowdfunding platforms will discuss potential synergies with civic crowdfunding within the scope of existing funding programmes and policies. The outcome of the panel will be to explore possible ways of cooperation between different financial players, aimed at expanding and multiply the impact of civic crowdfunding for local development.

13:00 LUNCH

14:30 SPOTLIGHT ON: STARTUPS AND LOCAL IMPACT CROWDFUNDING
The session is dedicated to the presentation of 3 successful cases of research institutes, university spin-offs and startups who generated a positive local impact through crowdfunding campaigns.

15:00 KEYNOTE - European Parliament’s perspective

15:15 PANEL 3 - MULTI-STAKEHOLDERS EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE
Representatives from European institutions will discuss the potential of crowdfunding within the scope of existing funding programmes and policies. The outcome of the panel will be to present the audience with current and future opportunities for the inclusion of crowdfunding into the mainstream of European funding and financial instruments.

16:00 COFFEE BREAK

16:30 KEYNOTE

16:45 PANEL 4 - UNIVERSITY, RESEARCH AND CROWDFUNDING
European universities and researchers will present their latest findings in the field of civic crowdfunding and match-funding, and the economic and social impacts that such funding options produce in local communities and society as a whole.

17:30 CLOSING REMARKS

17:45 NETWORKING DRINKS

DAY 2 | THURSDAY, 29^TH OF JUNE

09:00 WELCOME & REGISTRATION

09:30 OPENING - Emil Banca

09:45 PANEL 5 - LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND CROWDFUNDING
The panel will explore the topic of crowdfunding for local initiatives from the point of view of regional and local authorities that have implemented such match-funding scheme. The discussion will aim at highlighting motivations, obstacles, outcomes and lessons learned from a range of different experiences across the EU.

10:30 COFFEE BREAK

10:45 PRESENTATION OF STARTUPS AND PLATFORMS' PROJECTS IN CONNECTION WITH ESIF INVESTMENT PRIORITIES
As a wrap-up of the event, startups and platforms will present their best projects and link it to ESIF Investment Priorities. The session aims at demonstrating the powerful link that already exists between civic crowdfunding initiatives and European Structural and Investment Funds funded actions, therefore showing a clear path between the combination of both funding sources.

12:00 CLOSING REMARKS

12:30 LUNCH