Part-financed by the European Union
The new Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013
Susanne Scherrer, Director of the Joint SecretariatRostock/Riga
The programme: unique
the only transnational co-operation programme integrating
• ERDF (Objective 3)
• ENPI (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument)
• Norwegian funds
in terms of:
– eligible area
– co-operation priorities
– implementation rules
Eligible area of the programme
• EU Member States: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden and northern parts of Germany
• Norway
• north-west regions of Russia
• Belarus
The programme: fundament
• builds on the Community Initiatives Baltic Sea INTERREG IIC & III B Neighbourhood Programme, and
• features a Baltic Sea region specific “partnership network” – but
• new co-operation priorities and objectives in focus (Lisbon and Gothenburg agendas)
= boost of knowledge-based socio-economic competitiveness
& further territorial cohesion
The programme: method (1)
• incorporates aspects of
socio-economic competitiveness –
growth and better jobs (Lisbon Agenda),
sustainable management of the natural resources -
better quality of life (Gothenburg Agenda )
The programme: method (2)
• focused on preparation of investments which:
improve the territorial potential of the region
minimise the differences (East-West divide)
resolve issues of common concern
New component: ENPI
extended eligible area to North-West Russia and the whole of Belarus
co-operation topics prioritised by Russia and Belarus included in priorities
management and control is based on ERDF legal system but considers ENPI legal framework where needed
The programme’s co-financing rates
Over 230 Million euro will cover:
• up to 75% of costs generated by partners from Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Finland
• up to 85% for partners from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland
• up to 50% for partners from Norway
• up to 90% for partners from Russia and Belarus
Strategic objective and priorities
1. Fostering innovations
2. External and internal accessibility
3. Baltic Sea as a common resource
4. Attractive and competitive cities and regions
To strengthen the developmenttowards a sustainable, competitive
and territorially integrated Baltic SeaRegion by connecting potentials
over the borders
Priority 1: Fostering innovations
• generation and dissemination of innovations
• innovations in natural and technical science, also non-technical innovations
• targeted at innovation sources and links to SMEs
• transfer of technology and knowledge
• citizens fitter for generating and absorbing knowledge
Priority 2: Internal and external accessibility
• transport solutions, information and communication technology (ICT)
• functional barriers to diffusion of innovation and traffic flows
• integration of existing strategic development zones, spread along the transnational transport corridors
• as well as creating new transnational links
Priority 3: Baltic Sea as a common resource
• sustainable management of sea resources to fight pollution
• maritime safety
• management of the economic potential of open sea areas
• integrated development of offshore and coastal areas
Priority 4: Attractive and competitive cities and regions
• co-operation of metropolitan regions, cities and rural areas
• action programmes and policies at the BSR level
• urban-rural partnerships
• transformation of areas with smaller and less dense settlements
• ENPI feature: social sphere of regional and city development - exclusively with Russian and Belarusian partners
Quality requirements – guidelines for project makers:
address real needs and deficiencies
demonstrate added value through joint actions
raise policy-making competence
produce durable results
generate investments of transnational relevance
specify achievements and quantify targets
market and disseminate results
A new element: ‘Strategic Projects’:
• address a vital problem for the Baltic Sea region
• encompass the whole region or relevant parts of it
• reach an investment or local demonstration stage
• receive strong political support at national level leading to real investments
Implementation structure
• adjusted to the legal regulations for both, - the Structural Funds and- the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument.
Bodies:
Monitoring Committee, supported by national sub-committees
single Managing Authority (Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein), assisted by the Joint Technical Secretariat (Rostock and Riga)
Certifying Authority (Investitionsbank Schleswig-Holstein), certifying legality of expenditure
Audit Authority (Land of Schleswig-Holstein), assisted by a Group of Auditors
Environment of the Programme
• Interregional co-operation (IV C)
• Cross-Border Programmes
Strategic objective and priorities
1. Fostering innovations
2. External and internal accessibility
3. Baltic Sea as a common resource
4. Attractive and competitive cities and regions
To strengthen the developmenttowards a sustainable, competitive
and territorially integrated Baltic SeaRegion by connecting potentials
over the borders