The new Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 Susanne Scherrer, Director of the Joint Secretariat Rostock/Riga

1. The new Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 Susanne Scherrer, Director of the Joint Secretariat Rostock/Riga

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 )

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Strategic objective and priorities 1. Fostering innovations 3. Baltic Sea as a common resource To strengthen the development towards a sustainable, competitive and territorially integrated Baltic Sea Region by connecting potentials over the borders 2. External and internal accessibility 4. Attractive and competitive cities and regions

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Environment of the Programme • Interregional co-operation (IV C) • Cross-Border Programmes

18. Strategic objective and priorities 1. Fostering innovations 3. Baltic Sea as a common resource To strengthen the development towards a sustainable, competitive and territorially integrated Baltic Sea Region by connecting potentials over the borders 2. External and internal accessibility 4. Attractive and competitive cities and regions