Black Sea Cross Border Cooperation Black Sea Cross Border Cooperation in the framework in the framework

of the European Neighbourhood Policyof the European Neighbourhood Policy

Black Sea International DayBlack Sea Joint Operational Programme 2007-2013

Sorina Canea

The New neighborhood strategy and The New neighborhood strategy and Black Sea BasinBlack Sea Basin programme programme

The Global objective of the Cross Border Cooperation in the new Neighborhood strategy :……to support sustainable development along both sides of the EU’s external borders, to help ameliorate differences in living standards across these borders, and to address the challenges and opportunities following on EU enlargement….

The global objective of the Black Sea Basin Programme:…to achieve a stronger regional partnership and cooperation to promote sustainable economic and social development of the regions of the Black Sea Basin, based on stronger regional partnership and cooperation.

Programme’s main featuresProgramme’s main features European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) Regulation (EC) no. 591/2007 Multiannual programming - 7 years Joint Programme: joint programming, joint projects Joint budget: ERDF (SM) +ENPI (SNM) Joint budget: 17 millions Euro + 10% national co financing Turkey contributes with IPA funds, 1 million Euros/year 90% EU co-financing Programme addressing cooperation at regional level NUTS II regions and equivalent territorial units in partner countries Grants - PRAG procedures 10 Participating countries: 3 Member States, 1 Negotiating

Candidate Country, 6 partner countries

Romania: (South East); Bulgaria: Severoiztochen, YugoiztochenGreece: (Kentriki Makedonia, Anatoliki Makedonia Thraki); Turkey: (Istanbul, Tekirdağ, Kocaeli, Zonguldak, Kastamonu, Samsun, Trabzon); Russia: (Rostov Oblast, Krasnodar Krai, Adygea republic); Ukraine: (Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Sevastopol, Zaporosh’ye and Donetsk Oblast, Crimea Republic, Sevastopol); Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan-all regions

OBJECTIVE 1: PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE BORDER AREAS

Priority 1: Supporting cross border partnerships for economic and social development based on common resources

Measure 1.1:Strengthening accessibility and connectivity for new intra- regional information, communication, transport and trade links

Measure 1.2: Creation of tourism networks in order to promote joint tourism development initiatives and traditional products

Measure 1.3: Creation of administrative capacity for the design and implementation of local development policies

OBJECTIVE 2: WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS COMMON CHALLENGES

Priority 2: Sharing resources and competencies for environmental protection and conservation

Measure 2.1: Strengthening the joint knowledge and information base needed to address common challenges in the environmental protection of river and maritime systems

Measure 2.2: Promoting research, innovation and awareness in the field of conservation and environmental protection for protected natural areas

Measure 2.3: Promotion of cooperation initiatives aimed at innovation in technologies and management of solid waste and wastewater management systems

OBJECTIVE 3: PROMOTING LOCAL, PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE COOPERATION

Priority 3: Supporting cultural and educational initiatives for the establishment of a common cultural environment in the Basin

Measure 3.1: Promoting cultural networking and educational exchange in the Black Sea Basin communities.

Indicative activities Cooperation for the promotion of economic initiatives, through support to the

promotion of traditional products from the Black Sea agriculture on the international markets.

Creation of cross border tourism products and common standards of services (thematic routes, quality systems etc)

Exchange of know how and preparation in partnership of local common development initiatives

Preparation/promotion of scientific studies in the fields of monitoring, control and protection of maritime system and of rivers in the area

Training and raising awareness of citizens living in protected natural areas Partnerships for the innovation in waste management in regions interested by

tourism flows, seasonally and territorially concentrated The establishment of partnerships for the promotion of cultural heritage values Partnerships for the exchange of visits of students and scholars for the

establishment of cultural integration channels in the Black Sea areas.

Projects' main features

All projects will be based on cross border partnership, from member states and partner countries.

Integrated projects where each partner carries out a part of the activities of the joint project on its own territory

Beneficiary (Lead partner) will be leading implementation and interacting with the JMA.

Projects’ size: minimum 50.000 Euros Potential beneficiaries: local and regional authorities,

development, environmental and tourism agencies, chambers of commerce, NGOs, Education institutions.

Projects' selection

One call for proposals for all priorities, launched by JMA, after prior approval from JMC

Applications submitted to the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS)

Projects assessment: JTS (administrative check, eligibility check)

Selection Committee (technical evaluation)

Projects selection: decision of Joint Monitoring Committee, based on the criteria proposed by the JMA

Indicative schedule for call for project proposals

4 calls for project proposals:- 2008- 3rd semester- 2009- 4th semester- 2011- 3rd semester- 2012- 3rd semester2013- last contracting year2014-last projects’ implementation year2016- last year for payments at programme level

Added value of the ENPI CBC Programme

Project partners are local and regional authorities and NGOs; Project definition is in the hands of these local and regional actors on

the basis of the programme’s priorities; Projects are prepared and implemented in a partnership spirit, with

similar organisations sharing experience with their partners across the borders, working together to address common challenges or to develop a joint potential;

Projects will have a cross-border impact; The programme priorities concentrate on the common needs of the

eligible regions, and were jointly identified by the 10 participating countries;

The area of cooperation defined by the programme for the Black Sea Basin is broad, regionally coherent and unique.

Next steps

Common agreement among the partners (at technical and political level) on the final version of the programming document- November 2007

Submission of JOP to EC for approval -November-December 2007

EC approval –beginning of 2008 A financing agreement is signed by the EC and each

partner country of the joint operational programme; the JOP can start as soon as one partner country has signed its financing agreement- during 2008

First call for proposals – 3rd semester of 2008

Useful information

Contact person:Sorina Canea, Programme Manager Directorate for International Territorial Cooperation

sorina.canea@mdlpl.rowww.mdlpl.rowww.blacksea-cbc.net- page under construction