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