IP/02/

Brussels, 19 February 2002

 

INTERREG Programme: European Union contributes ˆ 47 million to cross-border co-operation in Northern Europe

 

Michel Barnier, Commissioner responsible for regional policy, has announced the approval by the European Commission of a programme “Nord” for cross-border co-operation between Finland, Sweden and Norway, financed by the INTERREG III[1] Initiative. Its main objectives are to foster economic development and co-operation. The European funding amounts to ˆ 47 million and will attract ˆ 81 million of national co-financing, private sector involvement and Norwegian own resources, creating total resources of ˆ 128 million. The programme will finance business co-operation, skills development related to information technologies and strengthening the identity and social conditions of the Sami community. The funding for the Russian regions involved is provided by the TACIS programme.  

Announcing the decision, Michel Barnier said: “The unique nature of this programme, situated in the far north of Europe, and involving regions with very low population densities from 4 different countries, offers particular challenges and opportunities to the development of effective cross-border co-operation. The programme will also play a key role in the Northern Dimension process and offers excellent prospects for further co-operation with Russia. During my visit to the Finnish-Russian border, I saw the potential of such co-operation. I look forward to the Nord programme contributing to the fulfilment of this potential.”

The “Nord” programme covers the far north of Europe. It will provide support to Lappland in Finland and Norrbotten in Sweden. Northern Norway will also participate, as will, on the Russian side, the Murmansk and Archangelsk regions.

The programme is divided into three sub-programmes. These are Nordkalotten (covering Nordic co-operation between Finland, Sweden and Norway), Kolarctic (dealing with Nordic-Russian co-operation) and a Sápmi sub-programme for the indigenous Sami people.

The programme’s priorities are:

  • Economic Development. Key actions include improving the cross-border economy as well as developing skills in information technologies and the technology base of the area (Community contribution: ˆ 11 million).

  • Cross-border regional and local skills development. Key actions include developing co-operation among research and education institutions and assisting organisations (Community contribution: ˆ 7.4 million).

  • Company co-operation. Key actions include creating a network for co-operation of small and medium-sized enterprises across the Russian border and creating electronic connections (Community contribution: ˆ 6.3 million).

  • Skills and welfare. Key actions include increasing cultural contacts and networks (Community contribution: ˆ 8 million).

  • Programme area’s inner functionality. This priority is intended to consider the area as a strategic whole, addressing transport issues, communication matters and planning co-operation with Russia (Community contribution: ˆ 7 million).

  • Sami community development. The key aim of this priority is to strengthen the identity and the situation of the Sami community by assisting their development in all 4 countries of the programme area (Community contribution: ˆ 3 million).

Another ˆ 4.1 million of Community funding will be provided under the heading of technical assistance.

The partners of the programme have set a series of targets, including the creation or safeguarding of 1,100 jobs, involving some 1,250 companies in co-operation actions, providing training on cross-border issues to 3,500 participants and supporting some 30 cultural actions.

As with all INTERREG programmes, this programme will be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the responsibility of Mr Barnier.

Managing authority

The Managing Authority for the programme is the Regional Council of Lappland. The implementation of the programme will be based on a partnership between the national and regional authorities and other organisations in the four countries involved. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring active participation from Russian partners.

 

Lappland Regional Council

Mr. Esko Lotvonen

PB 8056

FIN-96101 ROVANIEMI

Phone:  +358 16 3301 000,

Fax: +358 16 318 705

E-mail: info@lapinliitto.fi

 

Background

With a budget of ˆ 4 875 million for 2000-06, the Interreg III Community Initiative aims to encourage inter-regional co-operation in the EU and its border regions. It is financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Interreg programmes finance cross-border, transnational and inter-regional co-operation and joint projects to improve the economy, infrastructure, employment and the environment. The Commission adopts bilateral or multilateral programmes, which must be proposed by the designated national and regional authorities.

The funding for the Russian regions involved is provided by the TACIS programme. It is estimated that some ˆ 5 million may be available for the Russian part of the programme.

 

For more information : please see memo/01/280 of 25 July 2001 or go to:

INTERREG III: www.inforegio.cec.eu.int/interreg3/

INTERREG III and TACIS: http://www.inforegio.cec.eu.int/wbpro/interregIII/documents/tacis_en.pdf

 

Contact : Pierre-Jérôme Henin - +322/296.20.50 – pierre-jerome.henin@cec.eu.int

 

[1] INTERREG III: The Interreg III Community Initiative on trans-European cooperation is designed to foster the balanced, harmonious development of Europe. Strand A of the Initiative relates to cross-border cooperation and the promotion of integrated regional development between the border regions.