Contributions by programmes for European territorial cooperation areas

3.2 Contributions by programmes for European territorial cooperation areas

Territorial cooperation programmes are often regarded as more suitable for supporting EUSBSR activities.

Almost all programmes have also provided information about the Strategy through websites and newsletters, promoted the Strategy at information events or organised workshops about the Strategy.

Some of them have also launched evaluations to appraise how the Strategy influences their programmes, and how their programmes contribute to the Strategy.

3.2.1. Crossborder programmes

The programme covers the regions of Keski-Pohjanmaa, Pohjanmaa and Satakunta in Finland, and Västerbottens län, Västernorrlands län and a small part of Gävleborgs län in Sweden. The participating region in Norway is Nordland fylke.

In addition to the ERDF allocation and the national contributions from Sweden and Finland, Norway provides its own, parallel funding to the programme. The region of Etelä-Pohjanmaa in Finland and the remaining parts of Gävleborgs län in Sweden can participate in the projects as adjacent areas receiving a maximum 20% of the ERDF funding allocated to the programme.

The programme area, with its maritime border between Sweden and Finland and its mountainous border between Norway and Sweden, is characterised by disparities in terms of infrastructure quality, differing population patterns and predominately negative population development. The overall objective of the programme is to strengthen the east-west dimension and contribute to increased integration and cooperation for stronger economic growth and sustainable development.

Two programme strategies will address the needs and common challenges identified in the cross-border region:

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  the development of communication, the natural and cultural environment, and people-to-people contacts, in an effort to increase regional cohesion;
  

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  cross-border cooperation designed to strengthen innovation and technology, and improve the skills and the competitiveness of industry and the community.
  

The programme is the third in a consecutive series of cross-border cooperation programmes between Finland, Sweden and Norway. As such, the investments are expected to result in continued cross-border activities between the participating countries, a strengthening of the links created in the previous programming periods and a new level of cross-border cooperation. There should also be better coordination of environmental protection, cooperation between higher education institutions, cross-border trade, cross-border healthcare, and coordination of maritime safety and emergency services.

Priority 1: Structures for Collaboration [approximately 42.5% of total funding]

The objective of this priority is to strengthen cohesion between the regions by joint cross-border development of communication, the natural and cultural environment and cultural ties. Activities focusing on environment, communication and cohesion will be financed under this priority.

Priority 2: Growth through Collaboration [approximately 51.5% of total funding]

The aims under this priority are to strengthen innovation and improve skills and competitiveness within the industry and community. Activities focusing on skills, industry and the community will be financed under this priority.

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  The programme administration makes a judgement on each approved project’s compatibility with the Strategy. Applying projects do not have to make the assessment. The idea is to facilitate projects making applications and to obtain a uniform judgement.
  

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  The programme administration contacts the Strategy coordinators in the case when a project could potentially become part of a Flagship. Projects are also encouraged, through the programme website and the programme manual (distributed to all coordinating beneficiaries), to connect with the EUSBSR coordinators.
  

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  An EUSBSR coordinator can certify that a project supports the Strategy, which can be helpful if the project wishes to cooperate with other projects in the same priority area.
  

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  The programme website shall contain relevant information on the Strategy.
  

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  A new EUSBSR selection criterion shall be introduced. It shall be used when considered relevant in situations where projects are weighted against each other.
  

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  A contact person for the Strategy shall be appointed.
  

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  EUSBSR projects will be earmarked in the project database in order to facilitate systematisation and reporting.
  

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  Collaboration with other regions and organisations is taking place in order to raise awareness and knowledge about the Strategy, which is also a way to contribute to the realisation of the Strategy.
  

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  Information about the EUSBSR will be provided on the programme website and at various information and training events.
  

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  A classification of projects in line with the Strategy will be made and marked in the programme project database.
  

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  The programme administration will guide new projects in line with the strategy by connecting them to coordinators and Flagship Projects.
  

The programme builds on the work of the 2000-06 Interreg IIIA Öresund Operational Programme, a partnership between Denmark and Sweden. A number of new coastal regions have been added to the new programme – these run along the entire Danish east coast, the Swedish west coast and the south coast of Norway. The programme is divided into two sub-programmes: one covers Öresund, the other Kattegat-Skagerrak.

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  Increase sustainable economic growth and contribute to EU regional development objectives;
  
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  Develop a physically and organisationally homogeneous region by stimulating cooperation and common use of resources; and
  
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  Increase integration by improving the mobility of people and businesses.
  

Priority 1: Promote sustainable economic growth [approximately 44.7% of total funding]

Priority 3: Promote everyday integration [approximately 16.4% of total funding]

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  The programme has introduced an EUSBSR priority procedure. In a choice between two equally good projects, a project supporting the Strategy may be given priority.
  

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  For each Strategy priority area there is a regional contact person in the relevant authority. The technical secretariats encourage projects to get in touch with these contact people who will assist them in developing their link to the Strategy.
  

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  Information about the Strategy is available on the website and in the project manual of the programme. The latter encourages applicants to show how their projects are linked to the Strategy.
  

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  When a project is selected, the programme secretariat informs the lead partner about the relevant EUSBSR contact person for the corresponding priority area.
  

The programme area is characterised by an uneven quality of infrastructure, an uneven population pattern and a predominately negative population development. Large parts of the area have a lower level of education than the national average and the entrepreneur spirit is weak. There is a need to address all these issues and to promote better coordination of public resources.

The overall objective of the programme is to strengthen the attractiveness and the competitiveness of the region through cross-border cooperation for the benefit of the local people and communities.

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  Cross-border cooperation shall contribute to the strengthening of innovative powers and develop competence and competitiveness within the industry and the community. Interaction between the industry and the different educational and research establishments shall increase.
  

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  Through the cross-border development of communication, the natural and cultural environment, methods for rural and urban development as well as increased institutional and cultural cooperation, the togetherness and the social well-being in the region shall increase.
  

The programme is the third in a consecutive series of cross-border cooperation programmes between Sweden and Norway. Between 1996 and 1999 there were three separate programmes which, for the period 2000-06, were merged into one programme with three sub- programmes. The intention is to further develop the links created in the previous programming periods and to bring cross-border cooperation to a new level.

The objectives of this priority are to strengthen the economy and the sustainable competitiveness of the border region by developing knowledge, developing the conditions for trade and industry and integrating the economy.

The following aims have been set up within the priority:

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  increased accessibility to and within the region,
  
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  an integrated labour market with a competitive labour force, and
  
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  an increased number of competitive enterprises with an attractive working environment.
  

The objectives of this priority are to make use of the distinctive characteristics of the region and to, with the well-being of the population in mind, create a sound region which is attractive for living, for business establishments and for visits.

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  improve the usage, management and development of natural and cultural resources;
  
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  improve cooperation to minimise negative effects on the environment;
  
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  increase the quality of life,
  
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  improve public services,
  
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  develop methods of collaboration for local and urban development;
  
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  improve collaboration to benefit public health, prevent risks and increase safety.
  

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  A new selection criterion has been introduced in the programme manual for support and guidance to applicants and project owners. It concerns measures for infrastructure in priority area A. ‘Economic growth’. Measures improving internal and external transport connections supporting the Strategy shall be given priority at project selection.
  

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  Information about the Strategy is regularly updated on the website of the programme.
  

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  Projects shall be informed of the possibility to contribute to the Strategy and to collaborate with others in the same priority area.
  

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  Coordinators have been appointed. Their contact details are on the programme website and they receive continuous information from the Managing Authority on projects that are in line with the Strategy.
  

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  The technical secretariats shall make a judgement on the EUSBSR compatibility of approved projects.
  

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  EUSBSR projects are earmarked in the project database, which facilitates systematisation and reporting.
  

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  EUSBSR activities are discussed at regular experience exchange meetings with other programmes involving Swedish regions.
  

Financial and Technical information

Breakdown of finances by priority axis

One of these projects is a part of a Flagship Project mentioned in the EUSBSR’s Action Plan with ERDF co-financing of €1 023 333.33 (the total budget of the project is €1 273 493.33)

The project ‘Hardwoods are good - supporting entrepreneurs of the forestry hardwood chain in the South Baltic Region’, approved within the SBP measure 1.1 Entrepreneurial development, is a part of Flagship Project 9.7 ’Sustainable forest management in the Baltic Sea Region - EFINORD’. The overall idea of the project is to enhance cross-border relations among Forestry Hardwood Chain (FHC) entrepreneurs in the South Baltic area by establishing a network focused on raising the competence of SMEs, entrepreneurial support organisations and forest agencies in the South Baltic area.

It was decided that the SBP should contribute to the implementation of the EUSBSR and work out concrete actions for its realisation.

There is a clear connection between the priorities of the SBP and the EUSBSR. However the SBP also supports many regional and local needs which do not have direct connections to the EUSBSR so the programme resources shall not be seen only as an instrument for the implementation of the EUSBSR.