TRNAVA REGION Presentation

1. TRNAVAREGIONPresentation Management of structural funds at the Self-Governing Region of Trnava

2. The Trnava region's size is 4 225 km². The population count on 31th of December was 551003. The resulting population density is 133 persons per km². • Our region has seven districts(Dunajska Streda, Galanta, Hlohovec, Piestany, Senica, Skalica, Trnava),Trnava being the region's capital, of course :)

3. GDP per capita in 2001 was 187 467 Sk. Unemployment rate in 2004 is of 12,16% • The region of Trnava is located in the southwest of the Slovak Republic. • It is situated almost in Europe‘s very geographical centre, bordering on three countries – Czech Republic (cca 45 km), Austria (cca 23 km) and Hungary (cca 48 km).

4. On 1st May 2004 the Slovak Republic entered the European Union and at the same time the Regions developed enormous activity to be involved in the process of preparation as well as implementation of structural funds. • The region was engaged in pre-accesion funds from which projects funded from Phare and Sapard were the most important.

5. Trnava Region participated in Cross-border cooperation projects as follows: • Slovak-Austrian border, Slovak-Polish border and Slovak-Hungarian border. • Action plans for pre-accession funds agreed in early 2002 were the major determinant in the programming process for 2002 and 2003. • To the extent that institution building and associated investment demands in the Action Plans have been fully met, Phare resources were used to help bridge to Structural Funds on accession.

6. The Self –Governing Region of Trnava is eligible under the Objective 1 and defined at NUTS 3 level. • Programmes are supported by the financial resources of European regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund(ASF) and Cohesion Fund. • In spite of capacity building in pre-accession period through Phare funds new situation arised concerning management of structural funds. • As we know, management of structural funds is too complicated. Nevertheless administrative capacities have been built but they are not sufficient for the demanding procedures of structural funds. There is a strong voice from the region to simplify procedures for planning, financial management and control of the results but above all the decentralisationof all these procedures.

7. Why we call for decentralisation: • In the Slovak Republic the fiscal decentralisation have not been fully adopted for the Self-Governments yet. There is a problem to meet with the principle of „additionality“ in financing of structural funds either. According to the financial regulations of the EU national financial resources should be added to the EU resources as the financial support for regional projects. • However we have everlasting problems with additional 5% funding which should be covered by the Self-Governing Region even if the rest of the project is financed from the state budget (20%) and from the EU resources (75%).

8. I would mention an important project submited by The Self-Governing Region : • „SKARABEUS“ – Further education of employees with aim of higher qualification and adaptability of employees, funded by ESF. • Total number of submitted project until now is 150 from all measures. • I can not offer total sum of projects since they are in the phase of submitting and evaluation.

9. Another problem is evaluation of already submitted projects. About 700 of projects were submitted in the I. calls of proposal to the Ministry of Construction and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic which is the „leading“ ministry for structural funds. • These projects are waiting for their evaluation for several months at the Ministry thanks to the lack of experts and nonsufficient administrative capacities. • Process of management is highly centralised by the Ministry but administrative capacities have not been built yet. This situation only prolongs efficiency of using EU funds.

10. Trnava region as the member region of The Assembly of European Regions calls for the adoption of decentralised approach to the managemnent of structural funds and demands the right to receive directly these funds from the EU on the principle of proportionality, subsidiarity and partnership. • Trnava Region has an extraordinarily advantageous conditions for development of tourism. The Regional authorities have a strong intention to use natural beauties and the strategic location within Europe.

11. It is geothermic and healing springs that are much important for region‘s development, being used for medicinal and recreational purposes. Among such places, the best known are Piešťany, Sládkovičovo, Smrdáky, Dunajská Streda, Vincov Les. Spa and Leisture Centre in Dunajská Streda Thermal Spa Vincov Les in Sládkovičovo

12. Economic Activities • Industrial and agricultural production is typical for the region. Industry has a long –term tradition. Industrial production, ranging from machinery to glassmaking, is found in the industrial centre of Trnava. • The region is also a significant source of energy production for the country. • There are major sources of energy in the region – the nuclear power plant Jaslovske Bohunice and water power plants in Gabcikovo and Madunice. • “Nuclear Power Plant V1 Jaslovské Bohunice Stand Off Support Project” in amount of 20,0 MEUR was submitted and it represents one of the most important projects of the Region.

13. Foreign Direct Investments • There are 900 entrepreneurial subjects in the region, including 102 with foreign participationand98international ones. • This development is evidenced from the activities of foreign investors in the region. Trnava region is about to become something like an "automobile region" thanks to PSA Peugeot Citroën. Prime Minister and Mayor of Trnava with French Investor

14. Construction halls PSA Peugeot Citroën Construction halls PSA Peugeot Citroën

15. Into which areas would our region like to direct the Structural funds? • Slovak companies are hard by pressed to deal with competition after the accession to European Union. The Self-Governing Region intends to support them with structural funding. Bilateral and multilateral international cooperation is one of the most important strategies we would like to establish and improve. • Financial resources for structural funding of regional projects we dispose with are limited at present, due to a slow financial decentralization process in the Slovak Republic.

16. Another area of involvement would be the "Nuclear Power plant in Jaslovske Bohunice". By its decree in 1999, the Slovak government approved the standing off of the NPP block V-1 during 2006-2008. The specified decision will involve a consistent decrease of the staff which is currently ensuring a high level of operation safety and reliability of this Power Plant. • Our region has to be prepared to deal with an upcoming unemployment problem and we hope to make full use of the European Social Fund.

17. Transport and Infrastructure • The region has a well-developed road and railway transportation system. There is an international airport in Piešťany that is used mainly for charter flights. The primary international airport is in Bratislava and accessible from any port of the region within an hour. Airport Piešťany

18. Trnava • The city of Trnava is situated at the edge of the West Slovakian Lowlands, at about 50 km from the capital city of Bratislava. The highway and railway track connecting the west and east of the country go through the city. Trnava is only 95 km from Vienna. • The city plays an important role of so-called “secondary nucleus” of Central Europe which is a part of the Paris – Berlin – Vienna triangle. St. Nicolaus Church

19. Miloslava Baraníková The Self-Governing Region of Trnava EU Structural Funds & Foreign Relations Department Director Starohájska 10, 917 01 Trnava tel.: 00421/33/59 333 53 fax : 00421/33/59 333 29 e-mail: baranikova.miloslava@trnava-vuc.sk website: www.trnava-vuc.sk