Role of Estonia-Latvia-Russia CBC Programme in the socio-economic development of border regions: progress and achieved r

1. Role of Estonia-Latvia-Russia CBC Programme in the socio-economic development of border regions: progress and achieved results 10-11 June, 2013 Sigulda, Latvia

2. Programme territory

3. Where Estonia, Latvia and Russia merge efforts

4. Programme framework for project initiatives Measure 1.1. SME and labour market Measure 1.2. IT and cross-border links Measure 1.3. Tourism Measure 2.1. Environment protection Measure 2.2. common history and culture Measure 2.3. energy conscious Measure 3.1. local authority initiatives Measure 3.2. social sector cooperation

5. Interest from the regions: Calls for Proposals Strong interest leads to high competition. 559 applications submitted to the Programme

6. Joint input into the regional development • The Programme tackles each Priority to ensure joint contribution to development of the border Region. • Projects of both Calls for Proposals cover all Measures set by the Programme

7. Partnerships • New partnerships created. • Existing partnerships develop and welcome new members.

8. Budgeting: 1st and 2nd Calls

9. Financing behind implementation of the projects (MEUR)

10. Monitoring the progress of the Programme By now: • All Programme financing available for projects is committed to the projects; • Contracting to be completed shortly. Plansfor 2013: • Sep-Nov: Detailed analysis of the Programme’s progress; • Second half of the year:Mid-Term Evaluation. • Having been interconnected the above researches will allow for deep and comprehensive understanding of the achieved results, lessons learnt and recommendation for future programmes.

11. Calls for Proposals: we look at first results and perspectives

12. Encourage entrepreneurship and economy growth 5 projects supported in Measure 1.1. within the 2nd Call for Proposals: Expected results: • Operating business networks (“FOSTER SME”) • Reviving common heritage through business (“HeritageBusiness”) • Development of industrial areas (“4 investors”) • Training of competitive labour force to ensure development of the regional economy (“T&L”, “LogOnTrain”

13. Accessibility across borders: IT solutions, logistics, transport

14. Accessibility across borders: IT solutions, logistics, transport 2 projects supported in Measure 1.2. within the 1st Call for Proposals: Project results and perspectives: • Renovation of roads and road infrastructure in the border area (“ESTLATRUS TRAFFIC”); • Safer roads: traffic campaigns for drivers and population of border regions with the focus to families with children (“ESTLATRUS TRAFFIC”); • Common IT solutions for business and citizens: focus of G2P. (“ICT Baltic”). Added value of both projects – trilateral partnerships!!!

15. Support to tourism sector growth

16. Support to tourism sector growth 7 projects supported in Measure 1.3. within the 1st Call for Proposals: Project results and perspectives: • Revitalisation and improvement of tourism sites (“River promenades II”; “EstRusFortTour-2”; “Via Hanseatica”); • Development of recreational and sports facilities (“SVS ACTIVETOUR”; “Tour”); • Active activities tourism development (“SVS ACTIVETOUR”); • Modern and competitive regional tourism development strategies (“EstRusFortTour-2”; “SVS ACTIVETOUR”; “Tour”; “EHNGR”); • Tourism and nature: new products and tourist routes (“Via Hanseatica”; “Tour”; “EHNGR”; “EBLER”)

17. Overcoming common challenges together • Protecting environment • Seeking for the green energy and rational use of energy • Cherishing common culture and history

18. Environment protection and energy efficiency 9 projects supported in Measures 2.1. and 2.3 within both Call for Proposals: Project results and perspectives: • Fighting water pollution and development of eco-friendly water areas (“Emajõe-Pskov WMP”; “AQUA LIFE”); • Waste management for environment protection (“MedicalWaste”); • Protection of nature heritage for future generations (“Peoplewithnature”); • Development of sustainable green urban areas (“GreenMan”); • Green education (“GreenMan”; “Peoplewithnature”); • Green energy technologies (“ARIEE”); • Best practices in energy saving and rational use (“Greenpublichouses”; “ARIEE”); • Stay alert – new technologies for monitoring and management of emergency situations across the borders (“INFROM”).

19. Preserving common history and culture 6 projects supported in Measure 2.2 within both Call for Proposals: Project results and perspectives: • Renovation and new life for historical sites: parks and manors (“PROMOTING HERITAGE”; “Landscapepearls”); • “excavating” the history – archaeological activities and accessibility of archives – preservation of the common heritage (“E-archive”; “AAC”); • Old local crafts are new opportunities – synergy of culture and entrepreneurship (“Preservenot to lose”; “GreenHeritage”).

20. Social Responsibility • increase of cooperation between local governments and NGOs • People-to-people cooperation • Inclusive environment and life opportunities for disadvantaged population groups

21. Social Responsibility 16 projects supported in Measures 3.1. and 3.2. within both Call for Proposals: Project results and perspectives: • Local governments, public organisations and NGOs cooperate for population welfare (“MEDINF”; “SPEECH”; “HeCaPrev”; “Culture arts”; “Borderlight”; “Helping to live”; “LSG Development”; “e-G2C”); • Social support and equal opportunities (“SPEECH”; “PhotoYouth”; “Helping to live”; “EDU no borders”; “NATURE THERAPY”); • Support to development of medical services (“MEDINF”; “HeCaPrev”); • Arts and crafts to people (“Culture arts”; “Borderlight”; “FORGET A HURRY”); • Promotion of healthy life style to local population through sports activities (“CROSSBO ACTIVE”; “CCF”; “Be goodatsports”; “CBA”).

22. Large scale projects: we think strategic

23. Large scale projects: where we are Large scale cross-border projects (LSPs) are strategic investment projects contributing to socio-economic development of the whole cross-border area and having a strong political support at the national level. • 6 proposals have been selected and approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee, and by the European Commission • 5 Applications have received final approval from EC • 4 Grant Contracts are signed (2 in July, 1 in November, 1 in December 2012) • 1 Grant Contract in preparation stage 23

24. Better access across borders LSP-1, “Improvement of traffic and border crossing possibilities in Varska-Pechory monastery road” LSP-2, “Complex reconstruction border crossing points in Invangorod (RU) and in Narva (EE)”. LSP-4, “Reconstruction of border checkpoint “Vientuli” (LV) and arrangement of border checkpoint “Brunishevo” (RU)”. 24

25. Increased welfare in border region LSP-3, “Economically and environmentally sustainable Lake Peipsi area”. tourism object”. LSP-6, “Development of the unique Narva-Ivangorod trans-border fortress ensemble as a single cultural and tourism object”.

26. What we plan to achieve with LSPs • 17 km (EST) and 2,1 km (RUS) long road sectionswill be renovated, arranged; • Reduction of time losses due to the queues at the border; • Increase the security of countries by BCPs harmonization according to the required international standards, increasing the capacity of road, pedestrian and public transport BCP; • Improving the working conditions of BCP employees; • Facilities for mooring of watercrafts established, facilities for ship reparation and maintenance established; • Reception of cargo residues and ship-generated waste arranged in harbours; • The total amount of harmful substances discharged with the wastewater into the waterbodies in the Lake Peipsi basin decreased; • Bacteriological pollution level decreased in Lake Peipsi basin; • Special regional ecological programme "Pure water of the Pskov region 2012 -2017" updated; • Historical fortifications reconstructed and opened for visitors, increased number of tourist and time spent in region on 15%.

27. Result Indicators: number of projects in…

28. Programme activities in 2014 and 2015 • Continuous supervision of implementing projects by the JTS and the JMA; • Support to project Beneficiaries and partners in the form of seminars, individual consultations and other events provided by the JTS; • Two Annual Events of the Programme: • year 2014 in Russia, • year 2015 in Estonia; • Closing of the Programme in 2015 and elaboration of the new Programme.

29. Programme cooperates with National Authorities and Beneficiaries

30. Achievements and improvements in administration of the Programme • smoother process of managing the changes requested by the projects is introduced; • JMC written procedures are widely used to make the decision making process more efficient; • Resolved VAT issue with respect to project partners from Russia; • Clarified Rule of Origin favours and facilitates the implementation of projects; • Savings in the project budgets can now be used by the partners to strengthen the project results.

31. To sum up: what is the ROLE of the Programme • Joined actions to contribute to prosperity of the border region. • Support to development of partnerships across the borders: • Create new; • Extend and strengthen existing. • Coherence of initiatives with future bilateral Programmes; • Creation of preconditions to synergy between the future bilateral Programmes.

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