Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme

1. Estonia-Latvia-Russia Cross Border Cooperation Programme Launching Conference Riga, July 14, 2010 Unda Ozoliņa Head of the Joint Technical Secretariat

2. History of the Programme • Programme development as a joint effort of three participating countries since 2006 • Programme following up the Estonia-Latvia-Russia INTERREG IIIA Priority North within the Baltic Sea Region INTERREG IIIB Neighbourhood Programme • Programme approved by the European Commission on 17 December 2008, EC decision No C (2008) 8332

3. Legal Framework • ENPI Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006, ENPI CBC Implementing Rules Regulation (EC) No 951/2007 • Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 applicable to the general budget; and rules for its implementation in the Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 • Financing Agreement between European Community and Russian Federation concluded on 18 November 2009 • Practical Guide to Contract Procedures for EC External Actions (PRAG) • Applicable national legal acts

4. Main features of the ENPI programmes • European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument – promoting stability and prosperity on and beyond the borders of the European Union • Countries participating in the implementation of the Programme are involved into Programme implementation and decision making on the equal basis

5. Programme implementation structure • xxx

6. Programme area • Estonia Kirde-Eesti, Lõuna-Eesti, Kesk-Eesti; adjoining: Põhja-Eesti • Latvia Latgale, Vidzeme; adjoining: Riga City and Pieriga • Russia Leningrad Region, Pskov Region and Saint Petersburg

7. Aim of the Programme and Priorities • The strategic objective of the Programme is to promote joint development activities for the improvement of the region’s competitiveness by utilising its potential and beneficial location on the cross roads between the EU and Russian Federation • In order to achieve this strategic objective, three Priorities are defined: • Socio-economic development • Common challenges • Promotion of people to people cooperation

8. Programme budget • 42,997,256 EUR of the total Community funding will be allocated to the projects under Priorities 1-3; • Programme participating countries will allocate additional funding to the projects; • Financing is allocated between the Priorities in the following way: • 40% to Priority 1(size of ENPI grant from EUR 50,000 – 2,000,000) • 40% to Priority 2 (size of ENPI grant from EUR 50,000 – 2,000,000) • 20% to Priority 3 (size of ENPI grant from EUR 10,000 – 300,000)

9. Types of projects The following types of projects are possible within the Programme: • Integrated projects – where each project partner carries out a part of activities of a joint project on its respective side of the border; • Symmetrical projects – where similar activities are carried out in parallel on the territory of the Republic of Estonia and/or the Republic of Latvia and the Russian Federation; • Simple projectswith a cross border effect, taking place mainly or entirely on one side of the border but for the benefit of all project partners.

10. Eligible partners • National, regional and local public authorities • Associations formed by one or several national, regional or local authorities • Public equivalent bodies • Associations formed by one or several bodies governed by public law • NGOs and other non-profit making bodies • Educational organisations • Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) under the Priority 1

11. Implementation period of the Programme • Programme financing will be available after the Financing Agreement between European Community and Russian Federation will be ratified in Russia • Grant Contracts for projects have to be signed before 31 December 2013 • Implementation of projects has to be finalized before 31 December 2014

12. First Call for Proposals • Will be launched in July-August 2010 • Duration of the Call – at least 90 days • Projects can be submitted for all three Priorities • ENPI funding available for the first Call for Proposals EUR 23 648 491 • Application Pack will be available on the web site as soon as the Call is launched • Information seminars during the Call for Proposals, at least two events in each Programme country • Partner search forum in Russia 12

13. Further information • On the web site of the Programme www.estlatrus.eu • Check regularly the “News” section! • Received questions and provided answers will be available in the “Questions and answers” section; • Questions in writing can be submitted up to 16 calendar days before the deadline for the submission of proposals; reply will be published no later than 11 calendar days before the deadline for submission of proposals • Programme language is English! 13

14. We are here for you! • Joint Technical Secretariat of the Programme • Riga office: • Unda Ozolina, Head of the JTS • Tarmo Pikner, Project Manager • Iveta Puzo, Project Manager • Dace Dravniece, Information Manager • Vineta Snore, Programme Assistant • Branch offices in Estonia – Tartu and Jốhvi • Branch offices in Russia – in Pskov and St.Petersburg 14

15. JTS contacts www.estlatrus.eu Email: info@estlatrus.eu Phone: +371 6750 9520 Address: Ausekla Str. 14-3, Riga 15