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The
Barents Region compiles of four states, thirteen regions and
several ethnic groups with great variations in culture,
economy etc but as well with many common problems. The
decrease in population in almost all the counties of the
Barents Region is escalating and the most alarming fact is
that the young generation is leaving the region. The range of
options for and barriers to integration across the state
borders as well as borders between the regions need to be
analysed. There are many organised co-operation activities and
several programmes financed by EU (Interreg,
Tacis), Nordic Council of Ministers, and national aid
organisations. However, all these are missing sufficient data
for preparing long-term strategies for the co-operation. A
Strategy and Action Plan for the Barents co-operation will
therefore be developed.
Specific
problems for the development of the industry in the region,
focusing on the Forestry, Minerals and Offshore sector, will
be analysed in one of the Pilot Actions proposed. The lack of
co-operation between the universities in the Region should be
analysed and proposals for improvement presented. Problems
with Transport and Infrastructure will be analysed in close
co-operation with the INTERREG III B Baltic Sea project on
Sustainable transports in the Barents region. Problems
concerning water quality and biodiversity should be
highlighted and proposals for improvement presented. Exchange
of available information has proved to be a problem in
practice. By introducing and Internet based Information system,
the co-ordination of Barents co-operation activities between
regional-, national-, and trans-national levels should be
improved and thereby increase efficiency and save resources.
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The
creation of a long-term Strategy and Action Plan for the
Barents co-operation is the central objective of the project.
In parallel with the development of the Strategy and Action
Plan, a number of Pilot Actions will be executed. These Pilot
Actions will interact and serve as input to the Plan.
Successful Pilot Actions will also be given priority in the
next phase of the Barents co-operation. The Pilot Actions will
focus on common and co-ordinated concrete actions to be taken
in order to improve the sustainable living conditions in the
whole region. Proposal on the most functional and practical
co-operation between central and regional level will be
presented. The Pilot Actions are: - Industry development
focusing on 3 sectors (Forestry, Minerals and Off-shore) -
Higher education - Environment - Transport and Infrastructure.
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The
accumulated expected outcome of the 5 work packages is:
* A Strategy and Action Plan for the Barents region up
until 2010. * The creation of cross-border industrial
co-operation projects in key industrial sectors such as
Forestry (Incl. Eco-Tourism), Minerals and Offshore/Fishing. *
Suggestions on how to improve the Education and Research
co-operation situation in the Barents region for selected
areas, and to present at least 5 new co-operation projects. *
Action plan based on analysis of the environmental situation
in the Barents region on water quality and biodiversity as a
base for future improvement. * New operational networks in the
area of Transport and Infrastructure.
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