The Fast Track Network HerO – Heritage as Opportunity held its Midterm-Conference in Valletta, Malta on 9th-10th November 2009. It was the fourth meeting of all HerO project partners during Phase II of the network activities. Building up on the results of the former project seminars in Poitiers, Graz and Liverpool, the conference aimed to foster the exchange among the project partners in regards to the elaboration process of “Cultural Heritage Integrated Management Plans” on local level in the partner cities. This time a special focus was placed on implementation strategies. Furthermore, a round table discussion on the topic “Economic, social and environmental benefits of safeguarding cultural heritage” was held with all HerO project partners.
The HerO Midterm-Conference aimed to present the draft Strategy Paper “Support of 
historic urban landscapes via EU structural funds” as a result of the project work and exchange activities. Moreover, in a forum for discussion with the HerO associated Managing Authorities we debated the access to financial resources (EU Structural Funds and others). In a range of interesting site visits and presentations the hosting city Valletta provided insight into the local challenges and approaches in regards to the sustainable management of the historic urban area.
The conference was opened by the Mayor of Valletta, Dr Alexiei Dingli and the Maltese Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue and Information, Dr Chris Said. It was well-attended by 45 participants, among them representatives of the European Commission and the URBACT Monitoring Committee as well as representatives of all nine HerO partner cities and their associated Managing Authorities.
Further information on the conference such as the agenda, the conference presentations and media coverage are available on the HerO project website at www.urbact.eu/hero.
Barbara Buehler
HerO Project Manager and Communication Officer
